Updated registered sex offenders lists
The Grand Prairie Police Department released on Monday the latest update to the city's registered sex offenders list.
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March 31, 2008
Those who host lose the most
A coalition of organizations and agencies gathered at Alliance Skate Park Monday to kick-off the Third Annual Those Who Host Lose the Most campaign that educates adults on the legal and health consequences of underage drinking during the up coming prom and graduation season.
March 30, 2008
Democrat convention held Saturday at SGPHS
Democrats held their State Senate District 9 Convention Saturday at South Grand Prairie High School.
Continue reading "Democrat convention held Saturday at SGPHS" »
March 29, 2008
Bell gets five year contract for V-22 Osprey
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, announced Friday that the U.S. Department of Defense has awarded a $10.4 billion, five-year Multi-Year Procurement contract for 167 V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft to a strategic alliance between Bell Helicopter and The Boeing Company. Portions of the V-22 Osprey are manufactured in Grand Prairie with final assembly in Amarillo, Texas.
Continue reading "Bell gets five year contract for V-22 Osprey" »
March 28, 2008
Lone Star Park puts final touches on park
With less than two weeks before the season’s first race, Harry Johnson, Director of Operations, Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, said that he somewhat feels like a thoroughbred horse in the starting gates, ready for the race to begin.
Continue reading "Lone Star Park puts final touches on park" »
Noted author visits library
Aspiring writers got an opportunity Thursday evening to get writing advice from noted author and writing teacher Lori Wilde.
Wilde, an author of forty-two novels for three major publishing houses, presented an informative session at the Grand Prairie Main Libray giving tips ranging from improving writing skills to motivation.
Singer/Comic Laura Ainsworth performs through Sunday
Laura Ainsworth performed her hilarious hit show, My Ship Has Sailed, Thursday night at the Woman’s Club of Grand Prairie.
Continue reading "Singer/Comic Laura Ainsworth performs through Sunday" »
March 26, 2008
Grand Prairie Historical Commission Awards Reception
The Grand Prairie Historical Commission held their annual awards reception Wednesday evening at the Ruthe Jackson Center.
Continue reading "Grand Prairie Historical Commission Awards Reception" »
March 25, 2008
AirHogs' logo in the Elite Eight
The results are in from Monday's voting, the Grand Prairie AirHogs move into the Elite Eight of the CNBC.com's Minor League Baseball Logo Contest.
So fans let's vote our AirHogs into the Final Four as they take on the Southern Illinois Miners. Voting begins at 8:00 a. m. Wedesday through 8:00 a.m. Thursday at CNBC.com.
Arts Council announces April Concerts in the Park lineup
The Grand Prairie Arts Council and the City of Grand Prairie Parks & Recreation Department present the April Concert in the Park 2008, free concerts each Friday evening in April at the Turner Park Gazebo.
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, a picnic, along with your family and friends for an evening of fabulous entertainment. The concerts begin at 7:00 p.m. and concessions will be available.
This year's lineup include:
Continue reading "Arts Council announces April Concerts in the Park lineup" »
Resort business partner sentenced in U. S. Court
Joseph Lavin of Woodinville, WA who was once a business partner with Wildflower Resort Co. was sentenced March 21 to 54 months in prison. The now bankrupt Wildflower Resort Co. planned to build a resort on Joe Pool Lake in Grand Prairie that included a luxury hotel, conference center, and golf course.
Continue reading "Resort business partner sentenced in U. S. Court" »
March 24, 2008
Vote for AirHogs logo!!!
Voting has begun for the Grand Prairie AirHogs logo in the Sweet Sixteen of the second annual CNBC.com Minor League Baseball Logo Contest.
Robotics team brings back prestigious award
The South Grand Prairie Robotics team traveled to Katy, Texas, to compete in Texas’ largest robotics competition, the FIRST Robotics Competition, Lone Star Regional, March 20 – 22.
The team of nine 7th – 12th grade students was one of 46 teams and more than 1,000 students from across the United States and Brazil at this year’s competition.
Continue reading "Robotics team brings back prestigious award" »
School Bus Safety Road-eo
Pylons, poles, and markings decorated South Grand High School parking lot Saturday afternoon as drivers from the Grand Prairie Independent School District maneuvered buses through a complex driving course that tested their skills.
March 23, 2008
Edible Book Festival
Courtesy Grand Prairie Library
Explore the world of food and books at the Grand Prairie Library Foundation’s Edible Book Festival. This lusciously literate event will be held Saturday, April 5 from 2 pm to 4 pm at the Grand Prairie Main Library.An Edible Book Festival is a celebration of books, reading, and food. Using food, entrants create a unique dish (it doesn't have to taste good!) that represents a book or particular title. Entries are judged in several categories.
Jackson and Thorn declared winners
The Grand Prairie City Council at the Tuesday night meeting declared Councilman Bill Thorn and Mayor Pro Tem Ruthe Jackson elected to new three year terms to the City Council. Both Thorn and Jackson were unopposed.
Car show fundraiser for Scouts
Hotrods and Scouts a fundraiser for Cub Scout Pack 538 and Boy Scout Troop 538 was held Saturday at the Turnpike Church of Christ, 1102 N.W.
March 22, 2008
Egg-Stravaganza - the traveling Easter egg hunt
View Egg-Stravaganza slideshow
The traveling Easter egg hunt, Egg-Stravaganza was held in six parks throughout Grand Prairie Saturday.
Continue reading "Egg-Stravaganza - the traveling Easter egg hunt" »
AirHogs's stadium getting that ballpark look
Despite the rains this week, construction at the AirHogs’ new ballpark continued. Crews were able to put two defining symbols of Grand Prairie baseball in place.
Arches were installed atop the front entrance of the stadium on Monday. The archway will hold a sign that reads “Grand Prairie” and ties to the cities aviation theme.
Continue reading "AirHogs's stadium getting that ballpark look" »
March 21, 2008
Good Friday - Stations of the Cross walk
March 20, 2008
Heavy rains cause wastewater overflow
The heavy rainfall Tuesday caused the Trinity River Authority of Texas wastewater collection system pipeline near Belt Line Road and Interstate 30 in Grand Prairie to overflow.
Lone Star Park's opening weekend ticket packages available online
Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie is offering online ticket packages for their opening weekend concerts, April 11 & 12, that feature top country music artists Gary Allen and Miranda Lambert.
Continue reading "Lone Star Park's opening weekend ticket packages available online" »
Medical equipment suppliers sentenced to federal prison
U. S. Attorney Richard Roper announced on Tuesday that Grand Prairie resident Friday Udo Johnny, the owner of Metropolitan Home Medical Equipment, was sentenced to 37 months in prison and ordered to pay $458,541.67 in restitution to the Medicare program by U. S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay.
Continue reading "Medical equipment suppliers sentenced to federal prison" »
March 19, 2008
Lend a Helping Hand to make special Easter visit
Lend a Helping Hand’s Executive Director, Lanny Ford, said the group will make a special Easter visit to the Grand Prairie Health Care Center, 820 Small St., on March 22.
Continue reading "Lend a Helping Hand to make special Easter visit" »
Mayor Pro Tem Ruthe Jackson wins excellence award
Tuesday the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality announced that Grand Prairie’s Mayor Pro Tem Ruthe Jackson has won the prestigious Texas Environmental Excellence Award for 2008.
Continue reading "Mayor Pro Tem Ruthe Jackson wins excellence award" »
Lend a Lawyer program aids city prosecutor
Patricia Nasworthy, City Prosecutor, who has a staff of one part-time legal assistant, found a unique way to get help prosecuting last year’s 1,600 cases in Municipal Court. Through a program called Lend a Lawyer she got lawyers from one of Dallas’ largest law firms to prosecute cases for free.
Continue reading "Lend a Lawyer program aids city prosecutor" »
March 18, 2008
No charge - Lynn Creek Park free to GP residents
Rick Herold, Director of Parks and Recreation, announced Tuesday night at the City Council Briefing Session that effective immediately Lynn Creek Park will no longer charge Grand Prairie residents for admission to the park.
Continue reading "No charge - Lynn Creek Park free to GP residents" »
March 17, 2008
Virgina clinic selects American Eurocopter aircraft
American Eurocopter in Grand Prairie announced Friday that Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, Virginia has chosen the EC145 to replace a Bell 412 in its Life-Guard air ambulance fleet.
Continue reading "Virgina clinic selects American Eurocopter aircraft" »
March 14, 2008
Vought reports profit for 2007
The aerospace industry in Grand Prairie continues to be strong with Thursday’s report that Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. had a net income of $46.3 million for 2007 compared to a $36.7 million loss in 2006.
Ground breaking for GPISD's "crown jewel"
On Wednesday afternoon the Grand Prairie Independent School District officially broke ground on what School Board member Chester McCrary called “one of the crown jewels” of the district, the Career High School.
Continue reading "Ground breaking for GPISD's "crown jewel"" »
March 13, 2008
Texas gardening expert speaks at library
Radio talk show celebrity and noted author, Neil Sperry, was a guest speaker Wednesday evening at the Grand Prairie Main Library. He presented a multi-media program on the challenges of Texas gardening that concluded with question-answer session.
Sperry’s name has been synonymous with Texas gardening since 1970. His weekend radio show, “Neil Sperry’s Texas Gardening,” broadcast on KRLD, has been helping Texas gardeners since 1980. His book “Neil Sperry’s Complete Guide to Texas Gardening” is the fourth best selling gardening book in American history.
Lone suspect robs food store
Grand Prairie police are investigating the Wednesday night robbery of the Handy Food Store located at 2401 Dalworth St.
A store employee told police that he was sweeping the store about 8:25 p.m. when he was approached by a lone suspect that displayed a revolver, shoved him towards the cash register, and demanded money.
March 12, 2008
Dalworth area grass fire burns acres
A Dalworth area grass fire around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday filled the air with smoke that at times limited visibility of motorists on W. E. Roberts St.
AirHogs on to second round in logo contest
The Grand Prairie AirHogs’ logo advanced to the second round of the CNBC.com minor league baseball logo contest with a 54 to 46 percent vote margin victory over the Durham Bulls Wednesday.
“It’s an honor to have defeated a team as well respected in baseball as the Durham Bulls,” said Dave Burke, AirHogs General Manager. “We are thrilled that our fan base and people all over the country have found our name and logo so appealing.”
Continue reading "AirHogs on to second round in logo contest" »
Local resident found guilty in child pornography case
A federal jury on Tuesday convicted Grand Prairie resident Kevin D. Moore of possessing and transporting child pornography.
Richard Roper, U. S. Attorney of the Northern District of Texas, in announcing the verdict said Moore is currently in custody awaiting sentencing by U. S. District Judge Reed O’Connor on June 17. Moore faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, $50,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release, Roper said
Continue reading "Local resident found guilty in child pornography case" »
March 11, 2008
Suspect in fatal accident surrenders to police
Steven Baesa, the 19 year-old driver in a fatal accident that Grand Prairie police have been hunting, turned himself in Tuesday afternoon.
Continue reading "Suspect in fatal accident surrenders to police" »
Lone gunman robs bank
A lone gunman robbed the Chase Bank, 3061 W. Camp Wisdom Road Monday morning around 9:00 a.m.
The suspect is described as a white male, 40-45, 5’9”-5’10”, 230-250 pounds with facial hair.March 08, 2008
Police seek suspect in fatal accident
Grand Prairie police are seeking the driver of a vehicle that was involved in a fatal traffic accident and fled the scene.
Sergeant Eric Hansen, Traffic Division, said Steven “Esteban” Baesa, 19 of Cockrell Hill was driving a 2003 Ford Expedition at high speed east on Interstate 30 around 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning. He apparently lost control of the vehicle near NW 19th causing it to overturn twice. Jacqueline Martinez, 19, of Dallas was ejected from the vehicle onto the roadway of Interstate 30 where she was struck by as many as three other vehicles whose drivers may not have known what they struck.
Baesa and two other passengers fled on foot after the accident. One, a 14 year-old boy, displayed a handgun and attempted to carjack a person who stopped to assist at the accident. The carjack victim managed to frighten off the juvenile who was taken into custody by the first arriving officers after a short foot chase, Sergeant Hansen said.
Investigators later determined that Baesa is the boyfriend of Martinez. They also found out that Baesa returned to his home around 7:00 a.m., gathered belongings, and fled.
Relatives told police that Baesa may be attempting to flee to Mexico.
Sergeant Hansen said Baesa has a history of drugs and family violence and is considered violent.
Investigators have obtained a warrant for Baesa’s arrest for the charge of Fail to Stop and Render Aid, a third degree felony. Law enforcement agencies across the state as well as the U. S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been alerted.
Investigators later located one of the drivers that struck Martinez. The 19 year-old Dallas man said he did not realize he struck a person. Police said he will not face charges.
Anyone with information on Baesa or the other passenger in the crash, as well as anyone who believes they may have also struck the victim, should call Grand Prairie police at 972-237-8790.
Martinez is Grand Prairie’s fourth traffic fatality this year, Sergeant Hansen said.
March 07, 2008
Grand Prairie Police - Top 10 Most Wanted
The Grand Prairie Police released their Top 10 Most Wanted list. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of these fugitives. If you have any information on their location, contact Grand Prairie Crime Stoppers at 972-988-TIPS or the Crime Stoppers web site.
LifeLine Shelter for Families benefit gospel concert
A benefit gospel concert for the LifeLine Shelter for Families was held Friday night at the Calvary Baptist Church. A host of musicians from local churches sang a variety of gospel music to near capacity crowd.
LifeLine Shelter for Families is a charitable organization dedicated to reducing homelessness for families with children enrolled in Grand Prairie ISD by providing emergency assistance, temporary shelter and life skills training to the parents. Last year LifeLine was able to help 93 families with a total of 247 children.
Allstate Insurance uncovers suspected fraud scheme
After an extensive investigation by its Special Investigative Unit, Allstate Insurance Company filed suit Thursday in United States District Court, Northern District of Texas against an Arlington chiropractor, Michael Kent Plambeck and his company, Chiropractic Strategies Group, Inc.
The suit alleges that Plambeck and his company along with related law office management companies, attorneys, and telemarketers were involved in a fraud scheme using automobile accident victims seen at his clinics in Texas, Ohio, Indiana, and Alabama. One of the clinics Plambeck operated was the Grand Prairie Chiropractic Clinic, 1101 N. Carrier Parkway.
According to the 69 page complaint, telemarketers solicited automobile accident victims with the promise of a free examination. At times the telemarketers falsely represented they were with Allstate or an insurance company.
Once at a clinic, the suit alleges, the solicited accident victims were often coerced and deceived into a course of treatment after being told they sustained substantial injuries that required attention. The patients were then referred to a personal injury law office associated with the clinic.
Allstate seeks in excess of $10 million for damages, reimbursement, attorney fees, and court costs for what it says are violations of the Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act.
“Insurance fraud is a billion dollar business that costs the average consumer $300 in higher insurance premiums every year,” said Edward Moran, Allstate assistant vice president in charge of the company’s Special Investigation Unit. “Allstate is aggressively pursuing the fight against insurance fraud to protect consumers and help keep insurance costs down.”
Anyone who may have knowledge or victimized by the alleged scheme is encouraged to call the National Insurance Crime Bureau at 1-800-835-6422.
Prime Retail selects partners for Prime Outlets - Grand Prairie
Prime Retail, one of the nation’s largest developers of outlet malls, today announced Dalpos Architects, LLC and TCB, Inc as the architectural and engineering development partners for Prime Outlets – Grand Prairie.
Dalpos Architects, LLC is an award winning, Syracuse, NY based firm, founded in 1971. Its building projects include regional shopping malls, hotels, office buildings and high-end residential.
TCB, Inc is a Texas based engineering, planning and project management company founded in 1946.
Ground breaking for Prime Outlets – Grand Prairie is slated for this fall. The 485,000 square foot open air, upscale shopping outlet will be located near Great Southwest Parkway and Interstate 20. With 120 top designer and name brand outlet stores, 2,700 parking spaces, on-site food court, and restaurant locations surrounding the outlet center it will be the region’s largest shopping destination.
Prime Retail expects to have Prime Outlets – Grand Prairie open to shoppers for the 2009 holiday season.
March 06, 2008
Winter hangs on
Update: 3/6/08 2/27 p.m. -- Moderate to heavy snow will affect western and northern sections of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex through 5 PM. Conditions will gradually deteriorate across this area as snow increases in intensity and at times is accompanied by thundersnow. The snow will accumulate quickly with one to three inches expected through 5 PM. Use extreme caution when driving in areas of heavy snow and icy roads.
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Grand Prairie until 6 a.m Friday.
As an upper system moves across North Texas heavier snow bands will continue to develop across western North Texas. Snow will then spread east into the metroplex this afternoon and into
northeast Texas this evening. Snow total amounts of 3 to 5 inches are expected in an area running from Eastland County eastward across the metroplex and on into the Sulphur Springs area. Near
the Red River up to six inches are possible. Snow will taper off in the early morning hours in the west to near sunrise central and east.
A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow sleet and ice are expected or occurring. This will make travel very hazardous or impossible.
Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or visit the National Weather Service web site
for updates on this developing winter weather situation.
Gomez Golden Glove Champion
Grand Prairie's Westside Boxing Club brought back a winner from the Fort Worth Regional Golden Gloves tournament held this past weekend.
Ricky Gomez, a ninth grader at Grand Prairie High School, won the Intermediate Division 119 pound class.
Coach Eddie Rangel said this was the first Golden Gloves for the talented Gomez who began boxing only nine months ago. Coach Rangel said Gomez won the title by defeating three boxers with experience ranging from seven to four years.
Coach Rangel said the club’s other winners at the tournament were unopposed in their class:
- Rafael Gaitan, 9
- Adolfo Rodriguez, 9
- Ivan Salinas, 10
- Rosa Rodriguez, 15
- Jose Salinas, Jr., 14
The next tournament for the club will be March 8-9 at the Fort Worth Diamond Hill Recreation Center.
March 04, 2008
City signs agreement to develop new outlet shopping destination
PRNewswire
Prime Retail, one of the largest and most successful developers of outlet centers across the country, announced today the City of Grand Prairie signed the official development agreement for the leading U.S. developer to begin construction on its newest outlet shopping destination this fall.
Following contract approval in October 2007 from the City of Grand Prairie City Council, Prime Outlets - Grand Prairie will feature 485,000 square feet of gross leasable area, along with more than 2,700 parking spaces, and is slated to open to shoppers in time for the 2009 holiday season. The development agreement, which also includes off-site improvements such as roadway reconfiguration and revamped traffic patterns for the new 64-acre site, was signed February 20.
Located on the north side of Interstate 20, between the future extension of the TX-161 toll way and 360, Prime Outlets - Grand Prairie will be built between the existing Garden Ridge and Cardinal Healthcare. In addition to Great Southwest Parkway, I-20 and SH 360, Sara Jane Parkway will be extended through to State Highway 360, providing additional access to the property in 2012.
"Grand Prairie is a wonderful market for the upscale and luxury outlet shopper," said Chief Operating Officer Nicholas King, Prime Retail. "When construction is complete, Prime Outlets - Grand Prairie will not only bring nearly 2,000 jobs to the Dallas/Fort Worth area, but the most compelling mix of world-renown designer and name brands available to shoppers at everyday savings of 25 to 65 percent off retail prices."
Designed in an open air architectural style environment, Prime Outlets - Grand Prairie will feature 120 outlet stores and an on-site food court along with restaurant sites surrounding the outlet center.
March 03, 2008
Winter weather advisory
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a snow advisory for Grand Prairie which is in effect from 6 p.m. to midnight.
An upper level system will combine with a cold and moisture rich atmosphere to produce snowfall along and north of Interstate 20 this evening and tonight. Temperatures are expected to fall into the mid and lower 30s by this evening as the snow begins to fall.
Temperatures will continue to fall through the night and accumulations of one to three inches are possible with the highest amounts occurring closer to the Red River. The snow is expected to begin to taper off after midnight as the upper level system pulls out of northeast Texas.
Most of the snow accumulation is expected to be on grassy surfaces and elevated surfaces. However, some travel difficulties may occur on bridges and overpasses.
Tune to the NOAA weather radio or go to the National Weather Service web site for the latest weather information.
March 01, 2008
Warriors take part in robotics competition
South Grand Prairie High School's Robotic Team took second palce in Saturday's First Tech Challenge, Southwest Regional Competition hosted by the University of Texas at Arlington's College of Engineering. Fifteen teams from around the area took part in this year's competion.
The team of 7th through 12th grade students lead by South Grand Prairie High School math teacher Phil Harris, designed and built the remote controlled robot used in the challenge.
The actual competition was held within small arena where robots from four teams battled each other to move and pick up objects in order to score points.
The next meet for the team will be the Lone Star Regional, March 20-22 in Katy, Texas. This is an international event with 46 teams compteing.
The Good Link Trail opened
Saturday Grand Prairie held a grand opening ceremony for The Good Link Trail. The 4.85 mile walking and biking trail links Mike Lewis Park with C. P. Waggoner Park.
The trail built with funding from the Texas Department of Transportation, features river outlook, 4 new pavilions, 5 shaded structures and more that 1,300 new trees.
The trail is named in the honor of the Good family who were long time residents on Lower Tarrant Road whose property took in a portion of the trail.
