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Recent Arrests in Southlake, Texas as Reported by Southlake Law Enforcement

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June 23, 2017
Arrest and booking photos are provided by law enforcement officials. Arrest does not imply guilt, and criminal charges are merely accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty and convicted in a Court of Law.

KENNETH LAWERENCE MIZER, Age: 20, POB: Grapevine, TX.

Listed Occupation as a Server at Chilis and Home 1319 White Wing Ct, Southlake, TX.

 

Arrested on June 18, 2017 at 1:31 AM by Officer J. Anderson at the McDonald’s at N. Kimball 225 N Kimball and Charged with;

 

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Bond set at $366.

 

BRENT DOUGLAS STEWART,  Age: 38, POB: Arlington, TX, Lisgted Occupation as Project Manager for Game Stop. and Home 4320 Dulles Dr #11311, Ft. Worth, TX.

 

Arrested on June 18, 2017 at 1:16 AM by Officer S. Petrovich at 1200 E. Hwy 114 and charged with;

 

Driving While Intoxicated, Bond set at $1,000.

 

MARK ANTHONY MORFIN, Age: 17, POB: Bedford, Listed Occupation as Cook at WhataBurger and Home 805 Central Dr #218, Bedford, TX.

 

Arrested on June 19, 2017 at 12:26 AM by Officer Kyle Meeks at 700 Grace Lane and Charged with;

 

1.) Driving While Intoxicated, Bond set at $1,000,
2.) On a Southlake PD Warrant for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia,
3.) On a Southlake PD Warrant for No Operator’s license, Bond set at $210, Total Bond $1,576

 

No Photograph included
SAM-OSAMA MOHAMD MAHASNEH, Age 57: POB: Jordan, Listed as Unemployed and Home 2577 Hall-Johnson Rd., Grapevine, TX.

 

Arrested on June 21, 2017 at 9:55 PM by Officer S. Petrovich at Kohls 3002 E Hwy 114 and Charged With;

 

1.) Stalking, a third degree felony, Bond set at $5,000,
2.) Prohibited Weapon Knuckles Bond set at $1,000.  Total Bond $6,000.

Remarks in Report: Manasneh stated he is homeless and the Hall Johnson Address is his old Address.

“Arrest information is obtained from various Federal and State Freedom of Information Acts and the information herein is public information. LNO has been reporting on arrests in the area since 2000. If you have been proven innocent or the charges dismissed please contact LNO as soon as possible.

LNO Policy Note: Considering the long period taken to clear most cases through the court system, LNO does not have the ability to track the eventual outcome of every arrest.

LNO often is requested to remove data based on alleged clearance of charges at a later date. LNO therefore is expanding and restating our policy on removing information by request at a later date from the archives dating back to 2000. If you or someone you know has been reported arrested in this weekly column and subsequently been cleared of the charges inform LNO with verifiable information.

CLEARED OF CHARGES MEANS THE CHARGES WERE DISMISSED OR YOU WERE FOUND NOT GUILTY..SEND A COPY OF THIS INFORMATION VIA EMAIL. LNO will provide equal coverage to same or removal of information at requester’s choice. Note: A downward plea, for example “obstruction of a roadway” in lieu of a DWI/DUI is not considered “cleared of charges. On the other hand a deferred adjudication is deferred with the charges dismissed upon successful completion (with a copy of the proper document). Based on this criteria if an expunge order is presented; LNO will remove the photo and text.

However, LNO will bring forward and update the information if requested by the convicted party. If interested party makes claims of dismissal but public records indicate no dismissal; LNO may update information and bring forward other public record information.

Regarding any other removal options or Questions? Editor@LocalNewsOnly.com”

 


Recent Arrests in Colleyville as and Incident Reports by Colleyville Law Enforcement

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June 23, 2017  Colleyville

 

Arrest and booking photos are provided by law enforcement officials. Arrest does not imply guilt, and criminal charges are merely accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty and convicted in a Court of Law.

 

Colleyville Police Weekly Incident Report in PDF:     Weekly Summary 06-23-2017

ARLIE CHANDLER COX, JR.  Age: 47, POB: IN.  Listed as Unemployed and Home 717 Bridget Way, Hurst.

 

Arrested on June 17, 2017 at 8:30 AM by Officer C. Terrell at 4904 Colleyville Blvd. and Charged With;

 

1.) Possession of a Controlled Substance PG 3 Less than 28 G
2.) Possession of a Dangerous Drug. No Bond Amount Listed.

 

 

DENG MUGANK, Age: 30, POB: Sudan, Listed Occupation as Labor for Samco and Home 600 Bellaire Dr. #56, Hurst, TX.

 

Arrested on June 18, 2017 at 2:54 AM by Officer A. Zablosky at 1100 Crestlyn Cove and Charged With:

1.) Evading Arrest and Detention, Bond set at $2,000,
2.) On a Bedford PD Warrant for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibly Bond Set at $709.80,
3.) ON a Bedford PD Warrant for Violation of Promise to Appear, Bond set at$ 418.60. Total Bond $3,128.40.

 

TEPHANIE NAVA, Age: 30, POB: Dallas, listed Occupation as Shift Lead at CVS and Home 341 N. Patton, Dallas, TX.

 

Arrested on June 16, 2017 at 2:34 PM by Officer Retzos and the University Park PD on the following Warrants;

1.) Colleyville PD for No Operator’s License, Bond set at $306.80,
2.) Colleyville PD Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Responsibility, Bond set at $612.30,
3.) Colleyville PD Failure to Appear, Bond set at $323.70  tota Bond $1,242.80.
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MARCOS ORTIZ RAMIREZ,  Age: 22, POB: Mexico Listed Occupation as an Self-Employed Landscaper and Home 5713 Emerson Dr. , Watauga, TX.

 

Arrested on June 17, 2017 at 11:52 PM by Officer J. Newman at 6500 Colleyville Blvd and Charged with;

 

Driving While Intoxicated, Bond set at $1,000.

 

 

“Arrest information is obtained from various Federal and State Freedom of Information Acts and the information herein is public information. LNO has been reporting on arrests in the area since 2000. If you have been proven innocent or the charges dismissed please contact LNO as soon as possible.

LNO Policy Note: Considering the long period taken to clear most cases through the court system, LNO does not have the ability to track the eventual outcome of every arrest.

LNO often is requested to remove data based on alleged clearance of charges at a later date. LNO therefore is expanding and restating our policy on removing information by request at a later date from the archives dating back to 2000. If you or someone you know has been reported arrested in this weekly column and subsequently been cleared of the charges inform LNO with verifiable information.

CLEARED OF CHARGES MEANS THE CHARGES WERE DISMISSED OR YOU WERE FOUND NOT GUILTY..SEND A COPY OF THIS INFORMATION VIA EMAIL. LNO will provide equal coverage to same or removal of information at requester’s choice. Note: A downward plea, for example “obstruction of a roadway” in lieu of a DWI/DUI is not considered “cleared of charges. On the other hand a deferred adjudication is deferred with the charges dismissed upon successful completion (with a copy of the proper document). Based on this criteria if an expunge order is presented; LNO will remove the photo and text.

However, LNO will bring forward and update the information if requested by the convicted party. If interested party makes claims of dismissal but public records indicate no dismissal; LNO may update information and bring forward other public record information.

Regarding any other removal options or Questions? Editor@LocalNewsOnly.com”

Arrests and Police Incidents in Keller, Texas

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June 23, Keller, Texas

Arrest and booking photos are provided by law enforcement officials. Arrest does not imply guilt, and criminal charges are merely accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty and convicted in a Court of Law.

 

Keller Weekly Incident Report in PDF Here; 06-22-2017

COURTNEY RAYE FIELDS, Age: 21, POB: Burnsville, MN, Listed as Unemployed and Home 504 Vasey Oak Dr., Keller, TX.

 

Arrested on June 16, 2017 at 3:03 AM by Officer L. Lemoine at 499 N Tarrant Pkwy and Charged with;

Public Intoxication, Bond set at $385.

DEVON CHANNEL BARCKLEY, Age: 26, POB: CA., Listed Occupation as Sales for Mantery Marketing and Home 5904 Blackman Court, Ft. Worth, TX.

 

Arrested on June 10, 2017 at 2:58 PM by Officer G. Telesko at 700 Rufe Snow Dr. and Charged with;

 

1.) Possession of a Controlled Substance PG 2 less than 1 G, a State Jail Felony, Bond set at $3,000,
2.) Possession of a Controlled Substance PG 3, Bond set at $2,000,
3.) Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon, Bond set at $1,500,
4.) Possession of Marijuana more than 2 ounces, less than 4 ounces, Bond set a $2,000,
5.) On a Bedford PD Warrant for Speeding, Bond set at $390,
6.) On a Bedford PD Warrant for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility, Bond set at $376,
7.) On a Bedford PD Warrant for Failure to Obtain a Texas Driver’s License in 90 Days, Bond set at $248.00,
8.) On a Bedford PD Warrant for Violation of Promise to Appear, Bond set at $222.00, Total Bond $9,636.

 

KEITH EDWARD MARTIN,  Age: 17, POB: Arlington, TX. Listed as Unemployed and Home 5201 Malibu St., Ft. Worth, Texas.

 

Arrested on June 11, 2017 at 3:08 PM by Officer G. Edge at 600 Pryor Ct. N. and Charged with;

 

Possession of Marijuana less than 2 ounces Bond set at $1,000.

 

KLEYBER MIGUEL MENDEZ,  Age: 17, POB: KY. Listed as Unemployed and Home 5932 Hickoryhill Rd, Watuga, TX.

 

Arrested on June 11, 2017 at 9:54 PM by Officer J. Salvato at 1085 S. Main St and Charged with;

 

1.) Possession of Alcohol by a Minor  Bond set at $321.,
2.) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Bond set at $421.00..Total Bond $742.

 

STEPHANIE RENAE HOLMES,Age: 39, POB: San Diego, CA. Listed Occupation as Hair Dresser, self employed. and Home 10400 Turning Leaf TR. , Ft. Worth. TX.

 

Arrested on June 15, 2017 at 1:57 AM by Officer J. Lemoine at 700 Keller Pkwy and Charged with;

 

1.) Driving While Intoxicated with an open alcohol container in the vehicle, Bond set at $1,000,
2.) On a Saginaw PD Warrant for Expired Registraton, Bond $176,
3.) On a Saginaw PD Warrant for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility, Bond set at $466.,
4.) On a Saginaw PD Warrant for Failure to Appear, Bon set at $199…Total Bond $1,841.


 

KLE JOSEPH MASON, Age: 28, POB: Ft. Worth, No Occupation listed and Home 26115 Spanish Trl #724.

 

Arrested on June 13, 2017 at 1:25 Am by Westlake Officer T. Ulrich at 1200 DH 114 WB and Charged with;

 

Driving While Intoxicated 2nd!  Bond set at $3,000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Arrest information is obtained from various Federal and State Freedom of Information Acts and the information herein is public information. LNO has been reporting on arrests in the area since 2000. If you have been proven innocent or the charges dismissed please contact LNO as soon as possible.

LNO Policy Note: Considering the long period taken to clear most cases through the court system, LNO does not have the ability to track the eventual outcome of every arrest.

LNO often is requested to remove data based on alleged clearance of charges at a later date. LNO therefore is expanding and restating our policy on removing information by request at a later date from the archives dating back to 2000. If you or someone you know has been reported arrested in this weekly column and subsequently been cleared of the charges inform LNO with verifiable information.

CLEARED OF CHARGES MEANS THE CHARGES WERE DISMISSED OR YOU WERE FOUND NOT GUILTY..SEND A COPY OF THIS INFORMATION VIA EMAIL. LNO will provide equal coverage to same or removal of information at requester’s choice. Note: A downward plea, for example “obstruction of a roadway” in lieu of a DWI/DUI is not considered “cleared of charges. On the other hand a deferred adjudication is deferred with the charges dismissed upon successful completion (with a copy of the proper document). Based on this criteria if an expunge order is presented; LNO will remove the photo and text.

However, LNO will bring forward and update the information if requested by the convicted party. If interested party makes claims of dismissal but public records indicate no dismissal; LNO may update information and bring forward other public record information.

Regarding any other removal options or Questions? Editor@LocalNewsOnly.com”

Colleyville Peeping Tom Caught on Video!

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The following Facebook Page is a video of a peeping Tom in a local neighborhood.  There have been reported incidents in another neighborhood with a different subject description.

If you think that someone is mysteriously walking their dog to close to a home, or you are uncomfortable with someone who appears to walking too close to a home in your neighborhood call the Colleyville Police Department Immediately at 911.

https://www.facebook.com/thesunshinerose/videos/10158819751020133/ 

Memorial Fund for Kaytlynn Cargill

THE WORLD’S MOST LUXURIOUS AND EXOTIC VEHICLES IN A SINGLE DAY CAR SHOW

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Park Place Dealerships partners with Four Seasons Resort & Club for a public event benefiting Momentous Institute

PARK PLACE DEALERSHIPS LUXURY & SUPERCAR SHOWCASE PROMISES SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST LUXURIOUS AND EXOTIC VEHICLES IN A SINGLE DAY CAR SHOW EXTRAVAGANZA

DALLAS (June 26, 2017)
– The mere mention of luxury automobile brands Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, Maserati, McLaren, Bentley, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover is enough to evoke excitement in car enthusiasts. When you combine rare and unique offerings from these prestigious brands with trendy fashion and lifestyle elements, live local and regional music, and delicious food and drink, spread across the rolling hills of the Four Seasons Resort & Club, you have a unique single day festival that also raises money for a worthwhile charity: the Momentous Institute. For one day only, Park Place Dealerships will bring all of its luxury brands together in one venue for the Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase at the Four Seasons Resort & Club from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, September 9.

“This year marks our 30th year of business in North Texas,” said Park Place Dealerships founder and chairman Ken Schnitzer. “In 1987, I purchased a Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn and have been fortunate to grow our brand by offering unparalleled customer service and creating a comfortable environment for clients.  For the first time in our history, the Supercar Showcase brings all of our brands together in one location for a rare opportunity for guests to enjoy and support kids in the community.”

The Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase event will be open to the public with tickets ranging from $25 – $50 for general admission up to $100 for VIP All Access, including the VIP Lounge with complimentary food and beverages. Tickets are available online at www.LuxurySupercarShowcase.com http://www.luxurysupercarshowcase.com.


“We are proud to partner with Park Place Dealerships on this truly remarkable event in September,” said Dirk Burghartz, Regional Vice President and General Manager at Four Seasons Resort & Club Dallas at Las Colinas. “Four Seasons believes in giving back to the community, and we are honored to be the host venue for such an event that continues to provide charitable dollars to the well-deserving Momentous Institute – a 35-year friend of ours. I am personally excited about the future of this luxury and supercar showcase, and look forward to seeing it grow over the years.”

In addition to the incredible lineup of rare and exotic vehicles, guests purchasing VIP All Access passes will have the opportunity to sample culinary specialties from the Four Seasons’ Law and Outlaw, Dallas Chop House Burger, Dallas Fish Market, and selections from Cool River Café’s new menu featuring a collaboration of Chefs Kent Rathbun and Fernando Rodriquez, as well as other trending restaurants. VIP guests will also receive drink vouchers for celebratory sips from Absolut Elyx and Perrier Jouet along with other crafted cocktails from Pernod Ricard in the VIP Lounge. Several food trucks will also be on-site.

Within the family-friendly event will be a juried Concours Invitational Car Show featuring a diverse selection of rare supercars, luxury, sports, and classic cars from private collectors. Trophies designed by Dallas sculptor Brad Oldham, best known for the Traveling Man installation in Deep Ellum, will be awarded to Best of Show, Chairman’s Choice and People’s Choice winners. Bachendorf Crystal awards will be given to First Place winners in each of the four classes. To submit a vehicle for consideration, go to www.LuxurySupercarShowcase.com <http://www.luxurysupercarshowcase.com/>  and click on Register Vehicle. The show is limited to 100 selected cars that register and are approved by the PPLSS Acceptance Committee. Registration forms must be received no later than Saturday, August 11, 2017. Once accepted, there will be a $50 entry fee per vehicle, which includes 1 VIP All Access Pass ($100 Value), Car Signage and Show Credentials. For more information on registration, email info.showcase@parkplace.com.

The Luxury & Supercar Showcase will feature presentations and meet & greets with automobile and racing industry experts such as Park Place Motorsports driver Patrick Lindsey and his No. 73 Porsche 911 GT3R. There will also be specialty boutiques with stunning fashions and upscale offerings by retailers such as the Brad Oldham Studio Store, Bachendorf’s, Niven Morgan, Sovaro and others.

Sponsors include Four Seasons Resort & Club, Absolut Elyx, Perrier Jouet, Brad Oldham Studio Store, Bachendorf’s, Celebrity Cruises, D Magazine, NBC-5 TV, Frost 321, Perks & Provisions Company, Dallas Chop House Burger, Dallas Fish Market, Cool River Café, and Lilium Florals.

Momentous Institute, owned and operated by Salesmanship Club of Dallas since 1920, has been committed to building and repairing social emotional health for all children so they can achieve their full potential.  Each year, the organization directly serves more than 6,000 children and family members through its nationally acclaimed Momentous School and innovative Therapeutic Services.  Additionally, Momentous Institute invests in research and professional training, including the annual Changing the Odds conference, to reach far more children than they could ever serve directly with trauma-informed strategies that strengthen social emotional health. More info at http://momentousinstitute.org/

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships 30 years ago with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. Park Place’s new Land Rover Jaguar dealership opens July 1 in Grapevine. A new Park Place Porsche dealership debuts in Grapevine next year.

HOA Law Update

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Colleyville, Texas June 27, 2017

 

TEXAS HOA LAW – 2017 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

On May 29, the Texas Legislature concluded the 2017 legislative session. For the first time in more than 20 years, the Texas Legislature made no modifications to Title VII (which directly governs condominium associations) of Title XI (which directly governs subdivision associations) of the Texas Property Code.

That being said, the Texas Legislature did enact a couple of new laws that indirectly affect condominium and subdivision associations, which are summarized in the 2017 Texas HOA Law Legislative Update.

 

On May 29, 2017, the Texas Legislature concluded the 2017 legislative session. For the first time since the enactment of Chapter 82 of the Texas Property Code in 1993, the Legislature made no modifications to Title VII of the Texas Property Code (which governs condominiums) or Title XI of the Texas Property Code (which governs all property owners associations). In short, there are no new statutory laws that directly impact Texas condominiums and property owners associations.

That being said, the Texas Legislature did enact a few new statutory laws that indirectly affect Texas condominiums and property owners associations, and such new statutory laws are summarized as follows:

HOUSE BILL 561

House Bill 561 adds a new Subchapter G (entitled “Package Delivery Vehicles”) to Chapter 551 of the Texas Transportation Code, which governs the operation of bicycles, mopeds, and play vehicles, including golf carts and utility vehicles, on highways or other roadways. More specifically, House Bill 561 adds Section 551.452 to the Transportation Code, which authorizes the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to issue distinguishing license plates for all-terrain vehicles, golf carts, neighborhood electric vehicles, recreation off-highway vehicles and utility vehicles operated by a motor carrier for the purpose of picking up and delivering mail, parcels, and packages, provided such vehicles are equipped with headlamps, taillamps, reflectors, a parking brake, and mirror. House Bill 561 also adds Section 551.453 to the Transportation Code, which authorizes motor carriers to operate such licensed package delivery vehicles on public highways that have a speed limit of 35 mph or less.

Finally, House Bill 561 adds Section 551.454 to the Transportation Code, which authorizes condominium and property owners associations to adopt reasonable safety and use rules for the operation of such licensed package delivery vehicles on property owned or regulated by such associations, and authorizes the use of such licensed package delivery vehicles on property owned or regulated by condominium or property owners associations by motor carriers for the purpose of picking up or delivering mail, parcels, or packages, provided such vehicles are operated in compliance with the adopted reasonable safety and use rules.

SENATE BILL 873

Senate Bill 873 modifies Sections 13.501 and 13.505 of the Texas Water Code, which regulates the charging for submetered and nonsubmetered water and wastewater services in apartments, condominiums and other multiple use facilities. Although Chapter 13 of the Texas Water Code previously used the term “condominium manager,” such term was not defined by the statute. Senate Bill 873 corrects any confusion over the meaning of such term by adding a new Subsection (1-a) to Section 13.501, which now defines the terms “condominium manager” or “manager of a condominium”, as used within Chapter 13 of the Texas Water Code, to mean a condominium unit owners’ association organized under Section 82.101 of the Texas Property Code or an incorporated or unincorporated entity comprising the council of owners under Chapter 81 of the Texas Property Code. In other words, the term “condominium manager” means the condominium association, not a property manager employed by the condominium association.

In addition, prior to 2017, Section 13.505 of the Texas Water Code provided that if a condominium manager (ie. condominium association) violated a rule promulgated by the Texas Utility Commission related to charging an occupant of a condominium unit for submetered or unsubmetered water or waste water services, the occupant could recover from the condominium manager: (a) three times the amount of any overcharge; (b) a civil penalty equal to one month’s rent; (c) reasonable attorneys fees, and (d) court costs. Senate Bill 873 modified Section 13.505 so as to now require occupants of condominium units who have been overcharged for submetered or unsubmetered water or waste water services to file a complaint with the Texas Utility Commission (instead of a lawsuit), and if the Texas Utility Commission finds that the occupant was overcharged, the condominium manager must now pay restitution to the occupant in the amount that was overcharged (instead of three times the overcharged amount, a civil penalty, attorneys fees and court costs). In addition, Section 13.505 now makes clear that the Texas Utility Commission may also assess an administrative penalty under Section 13.4151 of the Texas Water Code for violation of Chapter 13 of the Water Code or any rules promulgated by the Texas Utility Commission.

SENATE BILL 1518

Senate Bill 1518 modifies Sections 22.154, 22.214 and 22.227 of the Texas Business Organizations Code, which regulate calling of an annual membership meeting and the approval of actions by a Board of Directors of a nonprofit corporation, including any condominium or property owners association that is incorporated as a nonprofit corporation. More specifically, Senate Bill 1518 modifies Section 22.154 so as to allow a member of a nonprofit corporation to send a written demand to call an annual meeting of members to the nonprofit corporation’s Board of Directors by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or any other means specified in the nonprofit corporation’s governing documents (previously, such statute required such written demand to be sent by only registered mail).

In addition, Senate Bill 1518 modifies Section 22.214 so as to make clear that an action approved by the Board of Directors at a Board meeting may only be approved if a quorum of Directors is present at the time of the approval. In other words, it is not enough to have a quorum of Directors at the beginning of the Board meeting. An action of the Board may only be approved if there is a quorum of Directors still present at the time that the Board of Directors votes to approve such action.

Finally, Senate Bill 1518 modifies Section 22.227 so as to require a Director’s abstention to an action being voted on by the Board of Directors to be recorded in the meeting minutes or be sent in writing to the secretary of the nonprofit corporation by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or other means specified by the nonprofit corporation’s governing documents, within a reasonable time after the meeting adjourns.

© Copyright 2017, Gregory S. Cagle. This 2017 Texas HOA Law Legislative Update report provides brief descriptions of the most significant changes in HOA law passed by the 2017 Texas Legislature, however, such brief descriptions are neither comprehensive, nor exhaustive of all changes in the laws that may apply directly or indirectly to a particular homeowners association. As such, this report should be used for general information purposes only and may not be construed as a legal opinion or legal advice.

More Car Crashes in Pot States than Neighboring States

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News from smaller cities across the United States

States that legalized marijuana sales have higher rates of car crashes than neighboring states that don’t allow pot sales. At least, that’s what researchers from the Highway Loss Data Institute, an insurance group, concluded, after scouring 2.5 million insurance claims that drivers filed over the last three years.

The group found that Colorado, Oregon and Washington all saw increases in damage reports compared to other states. That was true even after its researchers tried to take into account weather, types of vehicles, population density and other variables that might otherwise explain the increases.

“Every measurement that we took indicated that crash risk had increased,” says Matt Moore, a senior vice president at the institute, which is affiliated with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.


Car that the Colorado Department of Transportation took to 4/20 rallies and concerts to promote safe driving. (AP/David Zalubowski)

The exact size of that increase is not as clear. In Colorado, for example, the institute determined that claims were 13.9 percent higher than the combined rates of neighboring states of Nebraska, Utah and Wyoming. But there were sharp differences among those states. Colorado’s claims rate was 21 percent higher than Utah’s, but only 3 percent higher than Wyoming’s.

Researchers used state-to-state comparisons, rather than before-and-after analyses, so that the results aren’t skewed by factors that are unrelated to marijuana legalization. Year-to-year changes in the economy and weather patterns, for example, can affect the numbers of crashes. By comparing different states in the same time period, the researchers can focus on the differences among states.

Still, Moore says the overall trend is evident. “We can be confident that after each of these states legalized recreational use, crash risk increased,” he says. “If those who are making laws are concerned about highway safety, they need to be concerned about the increased risk associated with recreational use of marijuana.”

But that doesn’t mean it’s an open-and-shut case. Other experts, looking at other data, have seen no significant effect in the number of crashes since the first three states legalized marijuana sales. Some research even suggests that crashes have declined.

The Colorado State Patrol, for example, actually saw a slight decrease in the number of crashes involving impaired drivers it responded to between 2015 and 2016, from 1,582 crashes to 1,508. That category covers drivers under the influence of any substance, including alcohol, marijuana and other drugs.

Meanwhile, a team of researchers from Texas published a peer-reviewed study in the American Journal of Public Health last week that showed only a small difference in Colorado or Washington’s crash rates, and they said it wasn’t significant. The effect of “0.2 fatalities per billion vehicle miles traveled, would equate to approximately 77 excess crash fatalities (of 2,890 total) over nearly 38 million person-years of exposure in the three years since legalization. We do not view that as a clinically significant effect, but others might disagree,” they explained.

The health researchers’ work had several key differences with the study by the insurance group. They examined data from the federal government, which only includes information on fatal crashes and is collected by police officers rather than insurance agents. The health researchers also compared Colorado and Washington to a different group of control states than the insurance researchers had.

All of that makes Mason Tvert, the communications director for the Marijuana Policy Project, skeptical of the insurance industry study. The insurance study, Tvert notes, doesn’t look at the causes for the increase in collisions they found. It only highlights the correlation between legal pot sales and increased insurance claims.

“They’re a well-respected organization, and it’s great they’re taking a look at this,” Tvert says. “But you need to take a holistic look at this issue. You can’t look at just one study. There are as many studies showing no reason to be concerned as there are studies that might make you concerned.”

The Marijuana Policy Project supports legalization of marijuana, but it also supports policies to crack down on people who drive while impaired by the drug. Even though it is legal to buy marijuana in Colorado, Oregon and Washington, it is still illegal to drive under the influence of the drug in those places.

One of the biggest problems police face in cracking down on driving under the influence of marijuana is that there is no uniformly accepted way of measuring marijuana impairment yet. Urine samples don’t reliably indicate how recently someone used pot, because chemical indicators of marijuana use can stay in someone’s system for days. Even blood samples, which are more reliable than urine tests, have limits. After smoking marijuana, for example, the THC blood levels will decrease much more rapidly in occasional users than it will for chronic users.

Daniel C. Vock  |  Staff Writer

Colleyville Peeping Tom Caught on Video!

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The following Facebook Page is a video of a peeping Tom in a local neighborhood.  There have been reported incidents in another neighborhood with a different subject description.

If you think that someone is mysteriously walking their dog to close to a home, or you are uncomfortable with someone who appears to walking too close to a home in your neighborhood call the Colleyville Police Department Immediately at 911.

https://www.facebook.com/thesunshinerose/videos/10158819751020133/ 

Memorial Fund for Kaytlynn Cargill

HOA Law Update

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Colleyville, Texas June 27, 2017

 

TEXAS HOA LAW – 2017 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

On May 29, the Texas Legislature concluded the 2017 legislative session. For the first time in more than 20 years, the Texas Legislature made no modifications to Title VII (which directly governs condominium associations) of Title XI (which directly governs subdivision associations) of the Texas Property Code.

That being said, the Texas Legislature did enact a couple of new laws that indirectly affect condominium and subdivision associations, which are summarized in the 2017 Texas HOA Law Legislative Update.

 

On May 29, 2017, the Texas Legislature concluded the 2017 legislative session. For the first time since the enactment of Chapter 82 of the Texas Property Code in 1993, the Legislature made no modifications to Title VII of the Texas Property Code (which governs condominiums) or Title XI of the Texas Property Code (which governs all property owners associations). In short, there are no new statutory laws that directly impact Texas condominiums and property owners associations.

That being said, the Texas Legislature did enact a few new statutory laws that indirectly affect Texas condominiums and property owners associations, and such new statutory laws are summarized as follows:

HOUSE BILL 561

House Bill 561 adds a new Subchapter G (entitled “Package Delivery Vehicles”) to Chapter 551 of the Texas Transportation Code, which governs the operation of bicycles, mopeds, and play vehicles, including golf carts and utility vehicles, on highways or other roadways. More specifically, House Bill 561 adds Section 551.452 to the Transportation Code, which authorizes the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to issue distinguishing license plates for all-terrain vehicles, golf carts, neighborhood electric vehicles, recreation off-highway vehicles and utility vehicles operated by a motor carrier for the purpose of picking up and delivering mail, parcels, and packages, provided such vehicles are equipped with headlamps, taillamps, reflectors, a parking brake, and mirror. House Bill 561 also adds Section 551.453 to the Transportation Code, which authorizes motor carriers to operate such licensed package delivery vehicles on public highways that have a speed limit of 35 mph or less.

Finally, House Bill 561 adds Section 551.454 to the Transportation Code, which authorizes condominium and property owners associations to adopt reasonable safety and use rules for the operation of such licensed package delivery vehicles on property owned or regulated by such associations, and authorizes the use of such licensed package delivery vehicles on property owned or regulated by condominium or property owners associations by motor carriers for the purpose of picking up or delivering mail, parcels, or packages, provided such vehicles are operated in compliance with the adopted reasonable safety and use rules.

SENATE BILL 873

Senate Bill 873 modifies Sections 13.501 and 13.505 of the Texas Water Code, which regulates the charging for submetered and nonsubmetered water and wastewater services in apartments, condominiums and other multiple use facilities. Although Chapter 13 of the Texas Water Code previously used the term “condominium manager,” such term was not defined by the statute. Senate Bill 873 corrects any confusion over the meaning of such term by adding a new Subsection (1-a) to Section 13.501, which now defines the terms “condominium manager” or “manager of a condominium”, as used within Chapter 13 of the Texas Water Code, to mean a condominium unit owners’ association organized under Section 82.101 of the Texas Property Code or an incorporated or unincorporated entity comprising the council of owners under Chapter 81 of the Texas Property Code. In other words, the term “condominium manager” means the condominium association, not a property manager employed by the condominium association.

In addition, prior to 2017, Section 13.505 of the Texas Water Code provided that if a condominium manager (ie. condominium association) violated a rule promulgated by the Texas Utility Commission related to charging an occupant of a condominium unit for submetered or unsubmetered water or waste water services, the occupant could recover from the condominium manager: (a) three times the amount of any overcharge; (b) a civil penalty equal to one month’s rent; (c) reasonable attorneys fees, and (d) court costs. Senate Bill 873 modified Section 13.505 so as to now require occupants of condominium units who have been overcharged for submetered or unsubmetered water or waste water services to file a complaint with the Texas Utility Commission (instead of a lawsuit), and if the Texas Utility Commission finds that the occupant was overcharged, the condominium manager must now pay restitution to the occupant in the amount that was overcharged (instead of three times the overcharged amount, a civil penalty, attorneys fees and court costs). In addition, Section 13.505 now makes clear that the Texas Utility Commission may also assess an administrative penalty under Section 13.4151 of the Texas Water Code for violation of Chapter 13 of the Water Code or any rules promulgated by the Texas Utility Commission.

SENATE BILL 1518

Senate Bill 1518 modifies Sections 22.154, 22.214 and 22.227 of the Texas Business Organizations Code, which regulate calling of an annual membership meeting and the approval of actions by a Board of Directors of a nonprofit corporation, including any condominium or property owners association that is incorporated as a nonprofit corporation. More specifically, Senate Bill 1518 modifies Section 22.154 so as to allow a member of a nonprofit corporation to send a written demand to call an annual meeting of members to the nonprofit corporation’s Board of Directors by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or any other means specified in the nonprofit corporation’s governing documents (previously, such statute required such written demand to be sent by only registered mail).

In addition, Senate Bill 1518 modifies Section 22.214 so as to make clear that an action approved by the Board of Directors at a Board meeting may only be approved if a quorum of Directors is present at the time of the approval. In other words, it is not enough to have a quorum of Directors at the beginning of the Board meeting. An action of the Board may only be approved if there is a quorum of Directors still present at the time that the Board of Directors votes to approve such action.

Finally, Senate Bill 1518 modifies Section 22.227 so as to require a Director’s abstention to an action being voted on by the Board of Directors to be recorded in the meeting minutes or be sent in writing to the secretary of the nonprofit corporation by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or other means specified by the nonprofit corporation’s governing documents, within a reasonable time after the meeting adjourns.

© Copyright 2017, Gregory S. Cagle. This 2017 Texas HOA Law Legislative Update report provides brief descriptions of the most significant changes in HOA law passed by the 2017 Texas Legislature, however, such brief descriptions are neither comprehensive, nor exhaustive of all changes in the laws that may apply directly or indirectly to a particular homeowners association. As such, this report should be used for general information purposes only and may not be construed as a legal opinion or legal advice.

More Car Crashes in Pot States than Neighboring States

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News from smaller cities across the United States

States that legalized marijuana sales have higher rates of car crashes than neighboring states that don’t allow pot sales. At least, that’s what researchers from the Highway Loss Data Institute, an insurance group, concluded, after scouring 2.5 million insurance claims that drivers filed over the last three years.

The group found that Colorado, Oregon and Washington all saw increases in damage reports compared to other states. That was true even after its researchers tried to take into account weather, types of vehicles, population density and other variables that might otherwise explain the increases.

“Every measurement that we took indicated that crash risk had increased,” says Matt Moore, a senior vice president at the institute, which is affiliated with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.


Car that the Colorado Department of Transportation took to 4/20 rallies and concerts to promote safe driving. (AP/David Zalubowski)

The exact size of that increase is not as clear. In Colorado, for example, the institute determined that claims were 13.9 percent higher than the combined rates of neighboring states of Nebraska, Utah and Wyoming. But there were sharp differences among those states. Colorado’s claims rate was 21 percent higher than Utah’s, but only 3 percent higher than Wyoming’s.

Researchers used state-to-state comparisons, rather than before-and-after analyses, so that the results aren’t skewed by factors that are unrelated to marijuana legalization. Year-to-year changes in the economy and weather patterns, for example, can affect the numbers of crashes. By comparing different states in the same time period, the researchers can focus on the differences among states.

Still, Moore says the overall trend is evident. “We can be confident that after each of these states legalized recreational use, crash risk increased,” he says. “If those who are making laws are concerned about highway safety, they need to be concerned about the increased risk associated with recreational use of marijuana.”

But that doesn’t mean it’s an open-and-shut case. Other experts, looking at other data, have seen no significant effect in the number of crashes since the first three states legalized marijuana sales. Some research even suggests that crashes have declined.

The Colorado State Patrol, for example, actually saw a slight decrease in the number of crashes involving impaired drivers it responded to between 2015 and 2016, from 1,582 crashes to 1,508. That category covers drivers under the influence of any substance, including alcohol, marijuana and other drugs.

Meanwhile, a team of researchers from Texas published a peer-reviewed study in the American Journal of Public Health last week that showed only a small difference in Colorado or Washington’s crash rates, and they said it wasn’t significant. The effect of “0.2 fatalities per billion vehicle miles traveled, would equate to approximately 77 excess crash fatalities (of 2,890 total) over nearly 38 million person-years of exposure in the three years since legalization. We do not view that as a clinically significant effect, but others might disagree,” they explained.

The health researchers’ work had several key differences with the study by the insurance group. They examined data from the federal government, which only includes information on fatal crashes and is collected by police officers rather than insurance agents. The health researchers also compared Colorado and Washington to a different group of control states than the insurance researchers had.

All of that makes Mason Tvert, the communications director for the Marijuana Policy Project, skeptical of the insurance industry study. The insurance study, Tvert notes, doesn’t look at the causes for the increase in collisions they found. It only highlights the correlation between legal pot sales and increased insurance claims.

“They’re a well-respected organization, and it’s great they’re taking a look at this,” Tvert says. “But you need to take a holistic look at this issue. You can’t look at just one study. There are as many studies showing no reason to be concerned as there are studies that might make you concerned.”

The Marijuana Policy Project supports legalization of marijuana, but it also supports policies to crack down on people who drive while impaired by the drug. Even though it is legal to buy marijuana in Colorado, Oregon and Washington, it is still illegal to drive under the influence of the drug in those places.

One of the biggest problems police face in cracking down on driving under the influence of marijuana is that there is no uniformly accepted way of measuring marijuana impairment yet. Urine samples don’t reliably indicate how recently someone used pot, because chemical indicators of marijuana use can stay in someone’s system for days. Even blood samples, which are more reliable than urine tests, have limits. After smoking marijuana, for example, the THC blood levels will decrease much more rapidly in occasional users than it will for chronic users.

Daniel C. Vock  |  Staff Writer

Daily Police Incident Reports from Grapevine

GCISD Board Expenses as Reported by GCISD for 2012 – 2016

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Grapevine, Texas   June 28, 2017
LocalNewOnly.com requested, via Freedom of Information Act,  the expenditures from the GCISD School District that pertained to activities of the Board.

In each case, if a paid employee was part of the expense, they were subtracted from the total; however LNO has included the Admin, in as much as it was reported.

 

On Thu, May 11, 2017 at 10:49 AM, Editor <editor@localnewsonly.com> wrote: In compliance with the Public Information Act, contained in Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code, please provide the records listed: I would like to request, a complete record of Personal and Entertainment Expenses of School Board Trustees from 2012 to date. I would like to have an estimate of any charges that will be incurred to obtain this information. I would prefer to receive information via email in a word or PDF format.. Kindly please email the reports to:. editor@localnewsonly.com

 

From: Kristin Snively [mailto:kristin.snively@gcisd.net] Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 1:46 PM To: Editor <editor@localnewsonly.com> Subject: Re: FOIA Request Nelson, GCISD does not reimburse for personal or entertainment expenses for Board of Trustees. Thank you, Kristin/box]

I would like to amend my FOIA in that case to Travel Expenses and other expenses related to conferences attended.

 

 

The total amount from 2012 to 2016 was reported as spending $30,500.89 on Board of Trustee for ancillary conventions, seminars and training or around $5,083.48 on an average annualized basis  With the obvious exception in 2016 the total exceeded $10,000.

 

While certainly not a “forensic audit” the paperwork supplied was brief and sometimes expenditures difficult to qualify or quantify.

Here are examples of receipt records (in PDF) recorded:
Becky St. John 1

Jesse Rodriguez 2

Natl Travel 3

Jesse Rodriguez 4

Driver 5

This is not to suggest that the receipts are not valid or reasonable, just that the accounting for GCISD taxpayer funds would seem to be better defined and classified.

 

2017 only reported as of May, 2017 the following:

Date Event Participant Description Amount
2/6/2017 TASB Legistlative Conference Ryan and Board 4 rooms  $824.04 

2016 reported  the following:

Date Event Participants Description Amount  
7/14/2016 TASB Legistlative Conference Board Registration  $2,000.00   
11/10/2016 TASB Legistlative Conference Becky St. John Convention Houston  $1,095.73   
11/10/2016 TASB Legistlative Conference Leon Leal Convention Houston  $134.45   
9/14/2016 TASB Legistlative Convention Sullins, Jesse,Jorge Rodriguez Convention Houston  $1,325.34   
4/18/2016 TASB Summer leadership Board Members San Ant. Or Ft. Worth  $2,000.00   
5/19/2016 TASB Summer leadership Leon Leal San Ant. Room  $190.49   
9/9/2016 SLI Ft. Worth – Austin Legis. Session Becky St. John no designation  $954.35   
6/22/2016 CRIS Trustee Training Board Members Open Purchase Order  $200.00   
4/12/2016 Reimbursement for leadership travel Corpus/San Ant Becky St. John Reimbursement  $869.04   
2/16/2016 Tx Assoc of School Boards Jesse Rodriguez Legal Seminar -Corpus  $350.00   
1/28/2016 Natl School Board Registration Becky St. John    $695.00   
1/20/2016 TASA Mid Winter Jesse Rodriguez    $521.02   
       Total  $10,335.42   

Out of the total of more than $10,000, Becky St. John was listed at $3,614.12

2015 reported  the following:

Date Event Participants Description cost   
10/28/2015 Texas Assoc School Boards Legal Trustees Austin  $320.00   
10/28/2015 Texas Assoc School Boards  Jesse Rodriguez    $160.00   
7/1/2015 TASA/TABA Conference Board of Trustees Austin  $1,950.00   
10/9/2015 TASA/TABA Convention Karen Deakin Austin  $455.62   
9/28/2015 TASA / TABA Convention Jesse Rodriguez Austin  $412.02   
8/28/2015 Leadership Conf. 6 Board members ($375 ea) Ft. Worth  $2,250.00   
8/31/2016 Natl Travel Systems, Lubbock Legislative Conf. Ryan and Deakin Austin  $843.98   
4/21/2015 NTAASB meeting Board Toll to Dallas  $6.62   
3/30/2015 NTAASB meeting Board Toll to Dallas  $3.02   
1/25/2015 TASA Mid Winter Conf- Regis Jesse Rodriguez Austin  $275.00   
1/25/2015 TASA Mid Winter Conf – Regis Leon Leal Austin  $275.00   
1/25/2015 TASA Mid Winter Conf -Room? Leon Leal Austin  $423.22   
3/26/2015 Driver expense? Suburban Daily Fee?    $50.00    

Total 2015:        $7,424.48

2014 reported  the following:

Date Event Participant Description Amount  
7/17/2014 TASA/TABA Convention Board Dallas  $2,275.00   
11/3/2014 TASA/TABA Convention Leon Leal Dallas parking  $30.00   
4/10/2014 Summer leadership Board Ft. Worth  $1,000.00   
6/24/2014 Summer Leadership Board Ft. Worth/San Antlonio  $1,010.16   
6/25/2014 Graduations? Surburban Daily Fee Diver    $50.00   
3/19/2014 North Texas Commission Ryan and Jorge Rodriguez    $270.00   
         Total 2014  $4,635.16 

2013 reported  the following:

Date Event Participant Description Amount  
10/15/2013 Admin Driver’s fee    $50.00   
6/25/2013 Admin Driver’s fee    $50.00   
9/27/2013 TASA/TABA Convention Board/Ryan Dallas  $2,065.00   
6/24/2013 SLI/TASB Jesse Rodriguez San Antoinio  $300.80   
6/7/2013 Natl Travel Agency Jorge Rodriguez San Antonio  $125.89   
6/6/2013 Admin Driver for Ryan UTA College Park  $50.00   
3/20/2013 TASA/TASB Legislative Austin Hotel RM for Kimberly Davis Hilton Austin  $195.11   
3/18/2013 TASA/TASB Legislative Austin Hotel RM for Karen Deakin Hilton Austin  $195.11   
2/16/2013 Admin Driver for Ryan Suburban daily fee  $50.00   

Total:  $3,081.91

2012 reported  the following:

8/6/2012 Admin Driver for Kim Hutto Suburban daily fee  $50.00   
11/1/2012 Travel Expenses to Austin for TASB Leon Leal for Board Board of Trustees  $188.65   
9/26/2012 TASA/TASB   Rooms for Board and admin  $2,511.86   
5/17/2012 SLI Jesse Rodriguez/Karen Deakin Rooms for 2  $1,342.29   
6/6/2012 Admin Ryan Car to UTA Campus Driver fee  $50.00   
6/13/2012 TASB/TLI Jesse Rodriguez/Karen Deakin/St. John Rooms and parking San Antonio  $761.24   
5/13/2012 Board Dinner Betwween Graduations CHHS, GHS  $120.30   

Total: $5,024.34 

Interview with New Colleyville City Manager Jerry Ducay


Heating Up! The Business of Local Independent Journalism

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June 29, 2017 Colleyville, Texas

LNO Editor, Nelson Thibodeaux attended a seminar conducted the Local Independent Online NewS, “LIONS,” at the beautiful Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort out of Phoenix on Friday June 23, 2017.

 

The Knight Foundation recently gave a total of $455,000 to three journalism groups to launch new initiatives that are meant to improve journalism education and help news organizations share best practices.  Executives from Facebook gave a presentation concerning “Instant Articles” that can be posted by the independent news media outlets.

The organization, now 150 members strong across the United States, discussed the departure of more traditional new sources (such as the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram out of NE Tarrant County) abandoning the actual reporting of news for 4 pages, 2 1/2 of which are advertising.

Also discussed was how to better present these local journalist to their community to seek their readership and financial support to expand.

Topics Included:

1.) Legal Defense Primer
2.) Facebook Journalism Project: Local News Initiative
3.)Nonprofit vs. For-Profit: Does it depend on the Founder or the Community?
4.) The State of Advertising and Sponsorships

5.) Intentional about Ethics
6.)Collaboration that Pays
7.) Photography Tune-up
8.) Seed Funding, Sustainability and Stronger Shoestrings
9.) 1,000 Paper Cuts Can’t Kill Local News

Some of the Membership is reflected below;

Andaiye Taylor- Brick City Live
  • Nelson Thibodeaux – LocalNewsOnly.com
  • Marisa Treviño – Latina Lista
  • Andrew Wallmeyer – MinnPost
  • Field Walsh – TXK Today
  • JohnT. Ward – redbankgreen
  • Barb Warden – GOLDEN.COM
  • Dan Weisman – AH-HA RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS
  • Brian Wheeler – Charlottesville Tomorrow
  • Dan Whisenhunt – Decaturish
  • Teresa Wippel – My Edmonds News
  • Jeff Wong – DC Commute Times
  • Steve Yablonski – Oswego COunty Today
  • Liena Zagare – Corner News Media
  • Joe Zlomek – The Sanatoga Post
    • Mike Schoemer – North Wright County Today
    • Jodi Schwan – SiouxFalls.Business
    • Jay Senter – Prairie Village Post
    • MarcieL. Setlow – The Berkshire Edge
    • Jason Shaw – BristowBeat.com
    • Dawn Shelton – lutherregister.news
    • Shereen Siewert – http://www.wausaupilotandreview.com
    • Dan Silverman – PoPville
    • Tracy Simmons – SpokaneFAVS.com
    • John Sinkevics – LocalSpins.com
    • Dylan Smith – TucsonSentinel.com
    • Bill Smith – Evanston Now
    • Tom Sofield – LevittownNow.com
    • Bob Sprague – YourArlington
    • Larry Sribnick – Bellport.com
    • Tom Stites – Banyan Project
    • Michael Stoll – San Francisco Public Press
    • Albert Stumm – Passyunk Post
    • Sharon Swanepoel – Monroe Local News

    Jesus Sanchez – The Eastsider

    • Rick O’Conor – Roosevelt Islander Online
    • Kevin O’Rourke – Germantown Pulse
    • Howard Owens – The Batavian
    • Kellie Panter – Billy Penn
    • Maggie Peterson – My Edmonds News/MLTnews/Lynnwood Today
    • Josh Popichak – Saucon Source
    • Cynthia Prairie – The Chester Telegraph
    • Jason Pramas – Open Media Boston
    • Joy Purcell – nowhabersham.com
    • Dina Rabiner – BKLYNER
    • Doug Rainey – Delaware Business Now
    • Brent Reaney – EDGE
    • Fred Reed – Oswego County Today
    • Bob Reid – BenitoLink
    • Tamara Remedios – NewarkPulse.com
    • Traven Rice – The Lo-Down
    • Mark Roberts – Empowering Colorado
    • Carol Robidoux – ManchesterInkLink.com
    • Jim Robidoux – Manchester Ink Link
    • Chip Rowe – The Highlands Current
      • Charlotte-Ann Lucas – NOWCastSA.com
      • Kevin Lynch – SouthBMore.com
      • Bill Macfadyen – Noozhawk
      • Kaushik Makati – We-Ha.com
      • Ken Martin – The Austin Bulldog
      • Mike Martin – The Columbia Heart Beat
      • KateB. Maxwell – The Mendocino Voice
      • Julie Maxwell Allen – Banana Tree News
      • Suzanne McBride – AustinTalks
      • Meg McGuire – http://www.delawarecurrents.org
      • Elizabeth McNamara – East Greenwich News
      • Mike McNeill – magnoliareporter.com
      • Julia Moak – Greenpointers
      • Clay Morgan – AntiochTenn.com
      • John Muldoon – The Local News
      • Lyle Muller – IowaWatch.org
      • Mary Alice Murphy – The Grant County Beat
      • Daniel Myers – StateCollege.com
      • Matthew Nadler – The Manomet Current
      • Fred Noer – The Drag Report
        Joni HubredGolden- Farmington Voice
        • Steve Hull – Bethesda Beat
        • John Huotari – Oak Ridge Today
        • Joe Hyde – San Angelo LIVE
        • John Jensen – Lake County News
        • Tina Johansson-Long – theYOUjournal.com
        • Jiquanda Johnson – Flint Beat

    • Gordon Joselof – westportnow.com
    • Michael Kanin – The Austin Monitor
    • Uriah Kiser – potomaclocal.com
    • Lance Knobel – Berkeleyside
    • Gary Kopycinski – eNews Park Forest
    • Lila LaHood – San Francisco Public Press
    • Elizabeth Larson – Lake County News
    • David Lemery – The Elmhurst Titan
    • Marc Levy – Cambridgeday.com
    • Ed Litvak – The Lo-Down
    • Denise Lockwood – Racine County Eye
    • Olwen Logan – LymeLine.com
    • Joshua Long – Xenia’s Word on the Street
      • Barry Friedman – Lkldnow
      • David Fritze – Oklahoma Watch
      • Adam Gaffin – Universal Hub
      • LIz George – Baristanet
      • Kelly Gilfillan – Brentwood Home Page, Franklin Home Page
      • Ellen Goins – Sangre de Cristo Chronicle
      • Martin Gonzalez – Start up: New Jersey Property Tax Reporter
      • Andy Hall – Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism
      • Doug Hardy – CTNewsJunkie.com
      • Lissa Harris – Watershed Post
      • Chris Helms – Jamaica Plain News
      • Mark Henderson – Worcester Sun
      • Dan Hennicke – Charlottesville Tomorrow
      • Matt Hennie – Project Q Atlanta
      • James Herr – Cheektowaga Chronicle
      • Darren Hillock – West of the I
      • Karen Hillock – West of the I
      • Rose Hoban – North Carolina Health News
      • Shawn Hogendorf – Stillwater Current

      Sally Fowler Francom- The Free Press, serving Northern Utah County

      • Virginia Citrano – MyVeronaNJ.com
      • Denise Civiletti – RiverheadLOCAL.com
      • JudithG. Clabes – KyForward.com
      • Jacob Clabes – KyForward.com
      • Wendy Cohen – Berkeleyside
      • Bob Conrad – This Is Reno
      • Matthew Conti – NorthEndWaterfront.com
      • Cynthia Cotte Griffiths – Rockville View
      • Maria Coxon-Smith – TucsonSentinel.com
      • Phil Creed – Covering The Corridor
      • Leslie David – BenitoLink.com
      • Matt DeRienzo – LION Publishers
      • Alice Dreger – East Lansing Info
      • Eugene Driscoll – The Valley Independent Sentinel
      • Tamara Duncan – 70 West Sentinel
      • Adrienne Fawcett – gazebonews.com
      • Dale Fenwick – Apopka Voice
      • Ashley Fisher – Austin Monitor
      • John Fitts – Canton Compass
      • Zack Fosdyck – Metamora Herald
        • Jay Allred– Richland Source
        • Maria Amado-Santos – WestchesterHispano.net
        • Sarah Arnold – Clutch MOV
        • Steve Beatty – The Lens
        • Ryan Belmore – What’sUpNewp
        • Tracey Bermeo – MyVeronaNJ.com
        • Andrew Birden – Fiddlehead Focus
        • Dan Blom – Prairie Village Post
        • Jimmy Boegle – Coachella Valley Independent
        • Bil Bowman – The Franklin Reporter & Advocate
        • Jim Brady – Billy Penn
        • Scott Brodbeck – arlnow.com
        • Glenn Burkins – qcitymetro.com
        • Art Campbell – The Plymouth Line
        • Ricky Campbell – The Light Roast
        • Kirk Caraway – Carson Now
        • Wendy Card – New Bern Now
        • Nancy Chapman – NancyOnNorwalk
        • Lydia Chavez – Mission Local

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recent Arrests in Keller as Reported by Keller Law Enforcement

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Keller, Texas  June 30, 2017

Arrest and booking photos are provided by law enforcement officials. Arrest does not imply guilt, and criminal charges are merely accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty and convicted in a Court of Law.

KAMERON SCOTT KIMBLE Age: 19, POB: Grapevine, TX. No Occupation listed and Home 722 Santa Cruz Dr., Keller, TX.

 

Arrested on June 18, 2017 at 10:40 P:M by Officer M. Moore at the Keller Church of Christ 205 S Elm St and Charged With;


Possession of Marijuana less than 2 ounces, Bond set at $750.

 

GRANT DAVID WALLACE Age: 18, POB: Grapevine, TX.  Listed Occupation as Sales for New Balance Shoes and home 102 Ascot Drive, Southlake, TX.


Arrested 
on June 20, 2017 at 12:46 AM by Officer J. Lemoine at 1600 Keller Pkwy and charged with;

Possession of Marijuana less than 2 ounces, Bond set at $1,000.

 

LAUREN NICOLE REARICK,  Age: 17, POB: New London, CT, Listed as unemployed at home at 4841 Grinstein Dr., Ft. Worth, TX.

Arrested, on June 18, 2017 at 3:39 AM by Officer M. Moore at 100 Keller Pkwy and Charged with;

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol by a Minor, Bond set at $520.50.

 

CARLOS ALEXIS RIVERO, Age: 37, POB; Puerto Rico. Listed Occupation as Weight and Balance for American Airlines and Home 3900 Highland Trl # 901, Ft. Worth, Texas

Arrested on June 21, 2017 at 6:56 PM by Officer J. Rodriguez at 8800 Davis Blvd and Charged With;

Driving While Intoxicated Third or More!!!, Bond set at $5,000.

 

JOSE ELBAR CHAVEZ- PEREZ,  Age: 53, POB: Veracruz, Mexico, Listed Occupation as Construction for S and S Construction and Home 11028 Rancho Place, Ft. Worth, TX.

Arrested on June 23, 2017 at 12:37 AM by Officer C. Berry at 800 S. Main St. and Charged With;

Driving while Intoxicated with a BAC more than 0.15, Bond set at $1,500.

 

JEROME CORNELIUS WHITE,  Age: 38, POB: Ft. Worth, Listed as Self Employed and Home 3715 Travis Ave B., Ft. Worth, Texas

Arrested  on June 20, 2017 at 4:17 AM by Officer B. Cross at 1500 Penny Lane and Charged With;

1.) Possession of a Controlled Substance PG 1 less than 1 G, Bond set at $5,000
2.) Possession of a Controlled Substance PG 1 less than 1 G, Bond set at $5,000,
3.) Possession of Marijuana less than 2 ounces, Bond set at $1,000…Total Bond: $11,000.

 

SCHUYLER RAY-FAINE MONTGOMERY,  Age: 20, POB: Providence, RI.  Listed Occupation as Installer for Wal-Mart and Home 5301 N Tarrant Pkwy #11310, Ft. Worth, TX.

Arrested on June 18, 2017 at 3:44 AM by Officer M. Moore at 100 Keller Parkway and Charge With

Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor, Bond set at $321.

 

ANDREW ORTIZ,  Age: 18, POB: Coppell, TX. No Occupation listed and Home 12460 Grey Twig Dr., Ft. Worth, Texas.


Arrested on June 18, 2017 at 2:43 AM by Officer T. Ulrich at 500 Norma Lane and Charged With

1.) Possession of Marijuana More than 4 ounces but less than 5 lbs, a State Jail Felony, Bond set at $6,000,
2.) Possession of a Controlled Substance PG 2 More than 4 G less than 400 G,  a 2nd Degree Felony, Bond set at $6,000,
3.) Possession of a Controlled Substance PG2 more than 4 G but less than 400 G, a 2nd Degree Felony, Bond set at $6,000; Total Bond $18,000.

 

 

BAILEY CARLYLE COCKS, Age 19, POB: Tulsa, OK. Listed as Unemployed and Home 517 Destin Dr., Ft. Worth, TX.

Arrested on June 18, 2017 at 3:25 AM by Officer M. Moore and Charged with;


Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor, Bond set at $321.

ZACHARY MELTON,  Age: 17, POB: Ft. Worth, TX.  Listed Occupation as Pool Monitor for Blue Water Inc. and Home at 1817 Bear Springs Dr., Haslet, TX.

Arrested  on June 21, 2017 at 1:55 PM by Westlake Officer D. P:otts at State Highway 114 East Bound and Charged with;

Forgery of a Government/National Instrument/Money/Security, a Third Degree Felony, Bond set at $500.

 

RYAN ALEXANDER KELLY,  Age: 28, POB: Bedford, TX. Listed as Unemployed and Home 6308 Stardust Drive North, Watauga, TX.

Arrested  on June 17, 2017 at 4:27 PM by Officer K. Buchanan at the Walmart in Keller 1230 Rufe Snow and Charged with;

Possession of a Controlled Substance PG1 less than 1G, Bond set at $4,000. 

 

ELIZABETH ANN LOPEZ, Age: 22, POB: OR.  Listed as Unemployed and Home 410 Cole Ave, Saginaw, TX.

Arrested on June 17, 2017 at 6:26 AM by Officer M. Moore at 100 Pecan St and Charged with


ROBBERY, a 2nd Degree Felony, Bond set at $7,000.

 

 

 

 

 

“Arrest information is obtained from various Federal and State Freedom of Information Acts and the information herein is public information. LNO has been reporting on arrests in the area since 2000. If you have been proven innocent or the charges dismissed please contact LNO as soon as possible.

LNO Policy Note: Considering the long period taken to clear most cases through the court system, LNO does not have the ability to track the eventual outcome of every arrest.

LNO often is requested to remove data based on alleged clearance of charges at a later date. LNO therefore is expanding and restating our policy on removing information by request at a later date from the archives dating back to 2000. If you or someone you know has been reported arrested in this weekly column and subsequently been cleared of the charges inform LNO with verifiable information.

CLEARED OF CHARGES MEANS THE CHARGES WERE DISMISSED OR YOU WERE FOUND NOT GUILTY..SEND A COPY OF THIS INFORMATION VIA EMAIL. LNO will provide equal coverage to same or removal of information at requester’s choice. Note: A downward plea, for example “obstruction of a roadway” in lieu of a DWI/DUI is not considered “cleared of charges. On the other hand a deferred adjudication is deferred with the charges dismissed upon successful completion (with a copy of the proper document). Based on this criteria if an expunge order is presented; LNO will remove the photo and text.

However, LNO will bring forward and update the information if requested by the convicted party. If interested party makes claims of dismissal but public records indicate no dismissal; LNO may update information and bring forward other public record information.

Regarding any other removal options or Questions? Editor@LocalNewsOnly.com”

 

Trapped & Escaped

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a Texas Bureaucracy …WITH HELP!

Colleyville, Texas   June 30, 2017
Editorial by LNO Editor Nelson Thibodeaux

INTRO:
Like many folks in their 60s I experienced the loss of my mother in 2007.  My father had been killed in September 1947 before my birth in January 1948.


My Dad was among 7 Thibodeaux brothers who all were in the service in World War II.  Nelson, my Dad, had been assigned to the famous Rainbow Division Artillery.  He had his Sergeant stripes as well as stripes confirming a total of 18 months in combat.  His final assignment in the war was in the Philippines helping clear out the enemy before the return of General MacArthur.   

After returning from the war, he began work at Dupont Chemicals, while also owning a Gulf Service Station in China,Texas, left to right, my sister Betty Jean, my mom, Bill’s wife and Uncle Bill. Mom and her brother Bill actually ran the station after mom and dad purchased the property in 1946.  

Now for those of you who do not know where China, Texas is, just look west on Hwy 90 out of Beaumont about 10 miles and you will come to the community of China. The population of China has was 1,129 in 1990 and 1,127 in the 2008 census.

China was first known as “China Grove”, for a water stop for the Texas and New Orleans Railroad that sat amidst a grove of chinaberry trees. In the 1860s a small community grew around the water stop, and another a few miles away named Nashland. A post office with the name “China” was established there in 1893. When fire destroyed the China Grove depot in 1906, the railroad rebuilt in the larger Nashland area, but retained the established name “China” as the name of the depot. The Nashland post office changed its name to China shortly afterward. It wasn’t until 1971 that the (now-merged) community voted to incorporate as the city of China, Texas.

During World War II, a small branch camp was built for German prisoners of war who were detailed to China from the larger Camp Huntsville in Walker County, Texas (now a part of Sam Houston State University). These prisoners helped to maintain rice fields while local farmers were serving in the military.


Mom, my sister and I in front or our “shotgun” house, next to the Gulf Station, (a “shotgun house” is a narrow rectangular domestic residence, usually no more than about 12 feet  wide, with rooms arranged one behind the other and doors at each end of the house some had 3 rooms, ours had 2 rooms).  This was my home until I was 5 years old. It was the most popular style of house in the Southern United States from the end of the American Civil War (1861–65) through the 1920s.  


The Gulf Station and the house were directly next to Hwy 90;  a 2 lane highway, with train tracks running along side. The tracks and Hwy 90 were the main route, between Houston and New Orleans before Interstate Freeways.

 

Now why the introduction to my early years with photos? Certainly not to show I was the product of a wealthy family.

However, to show that the property in China, Texas referred herein, was in my immediate family for 71 years.  The first 69 years of which has seen a shot gun house, a Gulf gas station, a family gift show, a taco stand, a hamburger stand and unfortunately a yea-who that put his “tire” business in the building, without ever signing a rental/lease agreement, nor ever paid a nickle for the use of the property.  Never in those initial 69 years did I ever get a letter from the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality.

However,  I have paid all the property taxes on this property for at least the past 30 years and the county shows me as the “certified owner” of the property.

To make matters worse, this property was willed to me by my mother, while living, and a deed filed in the county in my name.  However, when I had an opportunity to potentially sell the small swath of land in China, Texas, the Title Company comes back with, now get this, a ruling that since my father did not will the property to my mother, then my deed was not relevant and that actually my sister’s 3 kids would have an equal stake in the property.  These are the 3 kids that filed a lawsuit against me when my mom died for a division of homestead land! It was settled out of court finally in a marathon 9 hour mediation and the agreement written down on a Big Chief tablet, but apparently, this property, which was to remain with me, never made it in the final decree.  So now, in addition to being seen as the sole owner by the Texas Commission of Environmental Control, I will now have to obtain lawyers to actually clear the title.


The white arrow points to the location of my home until I was 5 years old and the location of the Gulf Service station owned by Mom and Dad. And the location that the TCEQ wanted to fine me about $2,700 as a result that some thug dumped tires on the property.

Now comes my almost two year saga with the Bureaucracy known as the:

First things first:

This was the Notice of Enforcement from Austin, note the mention of 200 tires.  When in fact after much work I had found someone to remove the 200 tires, at least I thought, and bring to the Texas mandated closest tire recycle plant, which is in Baytown approximately 75 miles away.

Arthur Clingapeel:

I have called your office 3 times without a response concerning the TCEQ and the potential fine.  I am only asking that your back me up on the following.

  1. We have spoken numerous times
  2. The estimated number of tires by your office was 200 to 300
  3. You are aware that I hired a Mexican gentleman referred by Liberty Recycle to pick up the tires.
  4. After the tires were picked up and brought to the Recycle plant that I was called and told there were 1,400 tires (not 200 to 300).  I explained to you that this was more than 5 times the amount of tires estimated, therefore, I would pay for the 300 but not 1,400.
  5. You witnessed the tires had been moved, with the possible exception of a few tires.
  6. At a later date the tires mysteriously appeared back on the property with now what appears to be substantially more than the 200 to 300.

I am simply asking that you not throw me under the bus with Austin and confirmed I made an effort and in fact had these tires moved but then there was an attempt to hi-jack me for hundreds of more tires.

I have contacted my State Representative as well concerning this problem and the burden this kind of criminal act can have on a Texas resident.

I am humbly asking you to please give me an estimate of how may tires are currently on this property.

This is the email sent to the Beaumont office; reminding him that we had spoken may times.  Further, the “200 to 3oo” tires had been paid for and removed. However, when the mandated Texas recycle location called me saying they had 1,400 tires, I needed to pay for; I told them I’ll pay for 200 or maybe even 300 (at about $1.50 per tire),but I sure as Hell was not paying for 1,400 tires.

Therefore the original complaint HAD been cleared up at a cost to me, however, the 200 tires suddenly appeared back on the property along with 1200 more tires dumped on the property; there were now NOT 200 but 1,400 on the property and I was working diligently to get these moved off.  Although the Beaumont office informed me that the likely culprit a Mr. Williams, was a habitual violator and had dumped tires at many other locations! I never received any further correspondence from the Beaumont office, nor any indication that this office had contacted Austin to at least explain that the tires were dumped on the property by a third party and I was virtually the victim of a crime!

However, despite numerous phone conversations with the Beaumont office previously, Mr. Clingapeel was never able to offer any assistance, ideas of how I could arrange locally how to move the tires, or even where temporary labors staged themselves in Beaumont, in case I had to drive down personally, rent a large truck, hire temp labor and get the latest fiasco of tires moved myself.

Note the response from the Austin bureau; was made out to “Mr. Williams,” who was explained to me as someone who was a habitual violator by the Beaumont TCEQ office. I didn’t receive a response personally..

Mr. Williams,

The ultimate goal here is to cease further disposal of the and to remove all of them from the property. Whether it is 200 or 1,400 tires, they all have to be removed from the property. I will talk to my management tomorrow morning and see if anything else needs to be considered for this case, like Mr. Williams not being responsive. But unless the tires are removed from the property, the case will most likely have to proceed as is. The 200 tires that we used for the case is an estimate, but if we account for the actual number, it might affect the penalty. Again, the ultimate goal is to remove all of the tires. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Regards,

Jonathan Nguyen, Enforcement Coordinator
Waste Enforcement Section
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

In the interim, the then Mayor China had requested the use of the building and property for a 501 3C organization Hardin-Jefferson Hunger Initiative. I told him that I was working to find someone to clear the land, however if he could get a team in there to do it, that I would donate the building to them for the next year, at minimum.

> > SUBMITTED INFORMATION: > > NAME > Nelson Thibodeaux > >  COMMENT > Mayor Walker, it was a pleasure to speak with you. > I am hopeful we can work together to resolve this eye sore in China > (that was a criminal dump of tires of this property) and allow you to > go forward with your charity efforts. > > Certainly, I will agree to your use of the building at least for the > next 12 months at no charge. In the meantime, I will continue to > pursue my efforts to clear this property so that it is my name only. > > Please feel free to call me at any time  xxxxxx(cell) with ideas > on how we can work together for the benefit on China, Texas and your > food charity efforts.

Thank you Mr. Thibodeaux. We are already working on what we can do to rid the City and you of the tire issue. John Walker Mayor On 2017-03-02


However, nothing came out of the Mayor’s efforts.

Regardless of the tone of the email sent to “Mr. Williams,” instead of me, I continued to work on the issue.  After all China, Texas is a 6 hour drive from Colleyville.  However, I remembered that a long lost cousin originally from China had moved back to Beaumont after living several years in California.  I called him for help.  I had started ads in Craig’s List for anyone to pick up the tires from the location but needed someone locally to watch the tires moved and count how many tires were actually involved (due to cost of recycling cost.

In the ad, I agreed to pay $500 for the removal and all expenses at the tire recycle location.

After literally, 6 responses and not shows, my cousin, Roy Thibodeaux and I finally found someone that actually showed up to the location to move tires.  Believe me without any contacts left in China, my cousin was a welcome angel and he worked days on end to help resolve this matter, I owe you cousin!

He went out to the location and much to me a bunch of surprising photos, seen here.  This property had never been in this kind of shape in 71 years!

 

The entire lot had turned into a giant dumping ground of tires, junk furniture, weeds, etc.  I increased the pay to $600 to also clean the weeds out of the lot, plus what would turn out to be another $1,295 of recycle charges for a total of $1,895 in further expenses.

In the midst of the 7 days it took to remove all these tires, I receive the following from the TCEQ: Final TCEQ Ltr try tor reach, note on the letter I have written the name of the individual “coordinating” the “case.”   I clearly explained on the phone to Mr. Nguyen that the violation they were referring to was the ORIGINAL notice.  That I HAD moved these tires only to be a victim of a criminal act when the 200 ties turned into 1,400.  Further, that we had finally completed the cleanup.  He told me to send to him copies of the recycle receipts, on of which is below along with the photos, before above and after below;

April 25th Receipts
 I sent  5 separate copies of receipts to Mr. Huan Nguyen at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, along with photos below;

The last load out of 10 loads to remove the tires.
 After several conversations, sending copies of the recycle bills, sending before and after photos to Austin;   the following was the email response;

Huan Nguyen
TCEQ- Nelson Thibodeaux and Worthy Williams

Mr. Thibodeaux,

After reviewing what you have sent us, we can revise the proposed agreed order to recognize compliance, which will remove the technical requirements. Unfortunately, since compliance was achieved after the initial settlement offer, the penalty will still stand. I will be sending you and Mr. Williams the revised proposed agreed order sometime next week.

If you have any further questions, please let me know.

Jonathan Nguyen, Enforcement Coordinator
Waste Enforcement Section
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality 

This means than a fine between $2,100 and $2,700, in addition to the approximate $2,000+ I had already spent trying to get the situation resolved, would be assessed against me, although I was clearly the victim and had spent hours of time and money to resolve a situation, without any help guidance or suggestions from the State of Texas demanding action on someone that was clearly the victim of a crime.       Needless say I blew a cork.

The only thing left was to get in touch with my State Representative, however the legislature was in session and I knew ,he had a brutal busy schedule.

Therefore, I reached out to District 98 Representative Giovanni Capriglione
Representative Capriglione’s able Chief of Staff

Amanda Calongne, emailed me back after several conversations the following:

Hi Nelson,

I’m still working with TCEQ on a resolution. I hope to have an answer for your soon. Thank you for your patience.

Amanda Calongne
Chief of Staff
State Representative Giovanni Capriglione 

It was my understanding, literally with a full schedule in Austin, that Gio took the time to walk over to the TCEQ and speak to someone.  He apparently was capable to shake the Bureaucratic brain block for at least a moment, because the following letter was finally received:
Final TCEQ Ltr 001

A note about Representative Capriglione.  As Editor of LNO, I have not always agreed with Gio’s actions on the local scene.  In particular, his propensity to become involved in local elections, supporting individuals that have also been city council candidates simultaneously while running for Precinct Chairs.  However, he continues to be a very active conservative legislator.

And most of all, a tremendous servant along with his Chief of Staff, to take time from his busy schedule to resolve a bureaucratic quagmire for a citizen.

As a follow up, I have made the property and building available to the 501 (c) (3) group known as Hardin-Jefferson Hunger Initiative at no charge at this time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LNO Introduces the Lone Star Voice Guest Column Section

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Austin, Texas,  July 01, 2017

By agreement with Teresa Beckmeyer, the Founder of Lone Star Voice, LocalNewsOnly.com is now adding Lone Star Voice to a recurring featured Guest Column.

Lone Star Voice is an unbiased, fact based media and training source available to Texans.

Through Lone Star Voice, citizens can access information about political happenings around the state and regions.  Training is available to individuals, schools, civic, political, religious and governmental groups.

Lone Star Voice will keep Texans up-to-date and informed about state and local government, public policy, and current, relevant issues that will affect them everyday.  Subscribers to Lone Star Voice will regularly receive current information about issues, events, training, legislation, and the Texas legislative session.

The focus of Lone Star Voice is to ensure direct, truthful, and current information to the people of Texas in order for them to be able to become effective and productive participants in their state government.

Today’s Column:

GRASSROOTS COALITION PETITIONS ABBOTT TO HELP BAN RED LIGHT CAMERAS

A statewide coalition of grassroots activists presented a letter to Governor Abbott today, asking him to add a Red Light Camera Ban to his call for the upcoming special session.

Activists Kelly Canon of Tarrant County, and Kelli Cook of Montgomery County hand-delivered the letter to Abbott’s office this morning and posted the video on Facebook.

The letter pointed to the Governor’s own words from his 2013 election, when he compared the cameras to an Orwellian domestic surveillance program, saying:

“Big brother is not only collecting and selling your information,
he is also watching you as you drive through traffic lights.”

They then summarized their petition: “We need your support to ban red light cameras, period.”

Red light cameras represent a serious divide between elected officials and the citizens they represent, demonstrated by the fact that poll after poll shows the cameras to be wildly unpopular, yet the state continues to permit their existence.

In fact, the Republican Party Platform calls for a statewide ban, yet the Republican-controlled legislature has opted not to enact it.

One by one, cities around the state have been banning the cameras because of public outcry and local activism. Houston and Arlington are among the state’s largest cities to ban them.

But local bans aren’t enough for the dozens of big name letter-signers whose number includes former Texas Congressman and Presidential candidate Ron Paul, State Representative Kyle Bierdermann, and Tarrant County Tax Assessor Ron Wright, as well as leaders of local Tea Parties and statewide groups like Campaign for Liberty, Texas Eagle Forum, and Grassroots America.

Activists point to data suggesting that the cameras do not improve public safety. They point to reports that cities like Chicago, IL have been caught shortening yellow light times to increase camera ticket profit. They also complain that the cameras violate the Constitution because you have no ability to face your accuser in court, because your accuser is a machine.

In 2017, SB 87 and SB 88 (both by Sen. Bob Hall) were the two bills that gained any traction at all, and they were both killed in the House.

SB 87 would have removed the teeth from ticket enforcement, and SB 88 was intended to phase the cameras out altogether.

Rep. Geanie Morrison chaired the House’s Transportation Committee, and didn’t bring either one to a public hearing before the deadline.

Camera ban activists have been very public with their calls to replace her in the coming Republican Primary, but no challenger has announced a run for the seat for now.

If you haven’t already, please vote in our poll and let us know if you want the cameras to stay or go!

Do you support a ban on red light cameras?
  •   89.19%
  •   10.81%

 

 

Celebration of July 4th..Support Independent Journalist Day! Memberships Available

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Colleyville, Texas  July 4, 2017

16 years ago in Highland Meadows celebrating July 4th Colleyville Style.  Click Below;

First a look back at July 4, 2001 in Highland Meadows from LocalNewsOnly.com!

To celebrate our 17th year of Independent Journalism LocalNewsOnly.com is launching our membership program!  Our July 4th, 2017 to July 4th, 2018 is your opportunity to help LocalNewsonly.com continue to grow our coverage in the NE Tarrant County market.

We have opted for a membership program as a voluntary support mechanism versus a subscription basis.  This will allow LNO to retain all of it’s readers, even the casual ones, along with our loyal following of frequent visitors.  It also will allow LNO to be more of an interest to local businesses looking to reach our market area.

This program follows a similar one by a number of America’s new Local Independent Online News Sources (LIONS).  These news sites are owned and provided by Independent Publishers in more than 150 locations across the United States.  Their appeal, as it is for LNO, is to call for support of independent journalism on the local level.  I have been told by many readers that they would rally to further support LNO and our brand of local journalism.  So we are now asking for you to become a member to support local Independent Journalism

We want to thank everyone that reads and supports LocalNewsOnly.com.

We would like to expand our coverage with a group of dedicated volunteer (at least initially) reporters.  The first thing you need to understand you do not have to have a Journalism Degree, you simply have to recognize the difference between independent journalism and today’s FAKE NEWS that has broken out like a contagious disease infiltrating the more traditional non-independent sources of news.

We need journalists to help us cover City News, Sport’s News, Investigator Reporting, Police News and GOOD NEWS in the community.

You do not have to be a member of LNO Independence News Membership annual program; your initial volunteering time and effort is reward enough.

Join the swell of Independent Journalist, by writing coverage on behalf of LocalNewsOnly.com in the following locations; Bedford, Colleyville, Euless, Grapevine, Keller North Richland Hills and Southlake.  You will get your own byline and the readership of more than 25,000 monthly visitors to LocalNewsOnly.com

To support LNO please   CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT  to offer your journalism creative skills, send an email, city and topics of interest and contact information to editor@localnewsonly.com

Others also get a T-Shirt: (in large only at this time) 

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