Grand Prairie Reporter

Continue reading "Texas Trust Credit Union Offers Relief to Small Businesses" »

Posted by Editor at 10:07 AM | Permalink

Shreveport-Bossier Captains catcher Brian Peterson stunned Grand Prairie AirHogs closer Jon Hunton, the AirHogs and the crowd of 1,242 at QuikTrip Park on Wednesday, hitting a two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to give the Captains a come-from-behind 4-3 win.

Continue reading " Ninth Inning Blast Stuns AirHogs" »

Posted by Editor at 06:55 AM | Permalink

Other city services affected are:

Continue reading "Grand Prairie City Services Independence Day Schedule" »

Posted by Editor at 09:23 AM | Permalink

Richard Salazar shut down the Grand Prairie AirHogs for six strong innings on Tuesday, as his Shreveport-Bossier Captains squeaked past the AirHogs 6-1 in front of 1,260 fans at QuikTrip Park.

Salazar (3-3) actually fell behind in the game, allowing an unearned run on a Guillermo Martinez RBI single in the second, but the Captains' lefty got some very good defensive plays behind him for the rest of his outing, allowing just one fly ball out and no more runs in his six innings of work.

Continue reading "Captains Bullpen Shut Down AirHogs" »

Posted by Editor at 12:15 AM | Permalink

The Grand Prairie AirHogs got off to a good start in the first inning of the first game of a big mid-season series with the Shreveport-Bossier Captains, scoring five runs in the first before holding on late to win 8-5 in front of 1,162 at QuikTrip Park on Monday.

Continue reading "Early Lead Holds Up as AirHogs Top Captains" »

Posted by Editor at 06:50 AM | Permalink

All-Star Texas Rangers Third Baseman, Adrian Beltre kicked off the “Building Smiles Together” program at the Grand Prairie Walmart Monday, teaching local children (ages 1-12) about healthy oral-care habits in an effort to “strike out cavities.”

Posted by Editor at 04:47 PM | Permalink

Sometimes in baseball it is better to take what the opponent gives, and the Grand Prairie AirHogs did that on Sunday night, taking advantage of 15 walks, six hit batters, four wild pitches and two errors to beat the El Paso Diablos 14-7 in front of a crowd of 1,282 at QuikTrip Park.

Continue reading "AirHogs Walk Over Diablos to Take Series" »

Posted by Editor at 06:33 AM | Permalink

City Council Chambers – City Hall, 317 College Street
July 28, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.

Betty Warmack Library, 760 Bardin Road
July 30, 2011 at 10 a.m.

Continue reading "Public Hearings Scheduled to Discuss City Council Redistricting" »

Posted by Editor at 07:33 AM | Permalink

Unfortunately for the crowd of 4,949 at QuikTrip Night at QuikTrip Park, the Grand Prairie AirHogs were defeated 14-0 by the El Paso Diablos on Saturday night.

El Paso starter Scott Hodsdon (1-2) held the AirHogs (28-13) to just three hits, a walk and two hit batters in seven shutout innings, and Rigoberto Almonte and Scott Vander Weg each threw a scoreless inning to finish off Grand Prairie's worst loss of the year.

Continue reading "Big Crowd Sees Big AirHogs Loss" »

Posted by Editor at 07:04 AM | Permalink

In celebration of June as National Homeownership Month, the City of Grand Prairie hosted a family-friendly, information-packed Homebuyers Fair, Saturday at the Ruthe Jackson Center.

Continue reading "Homebuyers Fair at The Ruthe Jackson Center" »

Posted by Editor at 03:43 PM | Permalink

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) recently honored the city of Grand Prairie with a CLIDE Leadership Award for the city’s Downtown/Main Street Redevelopment Plan. Grand Prairie’s redevelopment project shared the honor with only three other North Texas cities in the “Redevelopment” CLIDE Award category.

Continue reading "Downtown Redevelopment Plan Wins Award" »

Posted by Editor at 03:28 PM | Permalink

Richard Whitman (center) with Dallas Children's Charities delivers a check to Brook Boleyn, Executive Director, White Bridle Society.

On Wednesday, Richard Whitman and Roy Whitfill with Dallas Children's Charities presented Brook Boleyn, Executive Director, White Bridle Society with a generous donation.

Continue reading "White Bridle Society Receives Generous Donation" »

Posted by Editor at 03:15 PM | Permalink

With an ending befitting the wild antics of Friday's guest of honor at QuikTrip Park, the Grand Prairie AirHogs beat the El Paso Diablos 3-2 when Tyler Henley stole home plate in the bottom of the ninth inning, sending the crowd of 3,126 home happy after they were entertained by the Famous S.D. Chicken all night.

Continue reading "Henley Steals Home to Give AirHogs Dramatic Win" »

Posted by Editor at 07:16 AM | Permalink

Thursday morning the Grand Prairie Parks and Recreation Department kicked off Olympic Day in Grand Prairie and held a ribbon cutting ceremony at its newest walking trail circles Bowles Life Center.

Grand Prairie, one of only 115 cities nationwide selected to be Official Hosts of Olympic Day 2011, celebrated the day with a mini-Olympics for children aged 6-12.

Continue reading "Olympic Day 2011, Bowles Trail Opening" »

Posted by Editor at 12:14 AM | Permalink

Adriana Camarillo, 18, a backseat passenger in a 2000 Volkswagen GTI driven by Manuel Mondragon, 18, was trapped in the over turned car and had to be extricated by firefighters. She was flown by a CareFlite helicopter to Parkland Hospital.

Continue reading "Teen Critically Injured in Street Racing Crash" »

Posted by Editor at 01:58 PM | Permalink

Continue reading "Grand Prairie Officer Takes First Place in Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Challenge" »

Posted by Editor at 01:16 PM | Permalink

Most mornings at Mike Lewis Park arena White Bridle brings in miniature horse for recreational therapy session for children with developmental delays and physical disabilities. Most of these children have been diagnosed with Autism spectrum disorder.

Continue reading "White Bridle - Equine Assisted Therapy for Autism" »

Posted by Editor at 11:42 PM | Permalink

On Tuesday night, the Shreveport-Bossier Captains snapped the Grand Prairie AirHogs' seven-game winning streak with a 3-0 win. On Wednesday, the Captains halted another streak, beating the AirHogs 4-3 at Fair Grounds field to send the AirHogs to their first road series loss of the year in six tries.

Continue reading "Captains Snap Another AirHogs Streak" »

Posted by Editor at 11:37 PM | Permalink

Thanks to a grant from Lockheed Martin Corporation and the assistance of a number of organizations, business and individuals, Lee Elementary School hosted the nationally acclaimed Camp Invention.

Continue reading "School District Hosts Camp Invention" »

Posted by Editor at 12:02 AM | Permalink

After scoring 15 runs the night before, the run well went dry for the Grand Prairie AirHogs on Tuesday night, as were unable to score despite nine hits, a walk and two errors, leaving 10 men on base as they were shut out 3-0 by the Shreveport-Bossier Captains at Fair Grounds Field.

Continue reading "AirHogs Waste Chances, Winning Streak Ends" »

Posted by Editor at 11:44 PM | Permalink

Another game away from QuikTrip Park turned into another win for the Grand Prairie AirHogs, as they broke open a tight game late against the second-place Shreveport-Bossier Captains with a nine-run, 15-batter ninth inning to win 15-2 at Fair Grounds Field, the AirHogs' seventh straight win and their 14th in 17 games on the road.

Continue reading "AirHogs Stay Hot Beat Captains" »

Posted by Editor at 03:23 AM | Permalink

Continue reading "Atmos Energy Replacing Steel Service Lines" »

Posted by Editor at 12:19 AM | Permalink

The Grand Prairie AirHogs completed a four-game sweep of the El Paso Diablos on Sunday, with David Espinosa finishing a triple shy of the cycle, Greg Porter homering and driving in three and Bo Schultz pitching six solid innings for his first win of the year as Grand Prairie won 4-1 in front of a Father's Day crowd of 2,188 at QuikTrip Park.

Continue reading "Espinosa and Porter Lead AirHogs to Sweep" »

Posted by Editor at 10:41 PM | Permalink

Posted by Editor at 01:53 AM | Permalink

Posted by Editor at 11:33 PM | Permalink

A brief memorial remembrance service on the seventh anniversary of the slaying of Grand Prairie Police Sergeant Gregory L. Hunter was held Saturday in the Walmart parking lot on Interstate 20 where he was killed.

Posted by Editor at 10:20 PM | Permalink

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a Heat Advisory until 6:00 p.m. Saturday for Grand Prairie.

High temperatures today will range from 100 to 108 and when combined with the humidity will result in heat index values between 105 and 110 degrees. In addition, little relief from the heat is expected tonight with low temperatures only falling into the upper 70s and lower 80s.

Continue reading "Heat Advisory in Effect for Saturday" »

Posted by Editor at 07:44 AM | Permalink

Police said Patino and a friend were driving east on Lakeview Dr. around 4:40 p.m. when they passed a group of four Hispanic males walking along Lakeview Dr. The group flashed gang signs at Patino.

Continue reading "Teen Killed in Shooting" »

Posted by Editor at 03:00 AM | Permalink

The town hall meeting will address tobacco use and its effects on the body, cessation resources, secondhand smoke exposure, and the benefits of a smoke-free community.

Featured speakers will include:

Continue reading "Tobacco-free North Texas Hosts Town Hall Meeting" »

Posted by Editor at 01:16 PM | Permalink

Officials from a local Masonic lodge symbolically leveled the cornerstone of the Grand Prairie Municipal Airport Terminal at 3116 S. Great Southwest Parkway on June 16.

Continue reading "Cornerstone Ceremony at New Grand Prairie Airport Terminal" »

Posted by Editor at 12:05 AM | Permalink

With one hit in their first eight at-bats with runners in scoring position on Thursday, the Grand Prairie AirHogs were a frustrated bunch as they trailed the El Paso Diablos 5-1 in the seventh inning on Thursday night. But with one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, the AirHogs finally got a big hit by Cesar Nicolas. Then they got another, followed by an error and a hit batter to tie the game. Two more hits gave the AirHogs the lead, and they went on to beat the Diablos 10-6 in front of 2,112 fans at QuikTrip Park.

Continue reading "Nine-run Seventh Gives AirHogs Comeback Win" »

Posted by Editor at 12:01 AM | Permalink

A fresh take on one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular comic operas, this updated version of “The Pirates of Penzance” took New York by storm when it premiered in Central Park in 1980. Wacky, irreverent and as entertaining today as it was when it first opened in 1879, “The Pirates Of Penzance” spins a hilarious farce of sentimental pirates, bumbling policemen, dim-witted young lovers, dewy-eyed daughters and an eccentric Major-General, all morally bound to the often-ridiculous dictates of honor and duty.

Continue reading "Arts Council’s “The Pirates of Penzance” Opens Thursday Night at The Uptown" »

Posted by Editor at 08:16 AM | Permalink

In a rare American Association matchup where both starting pitchers were former Major League Baseball players, the Grand Prairie AirHogs' Jason Jennings out-pitched his counterpart Mike Bacsik of the Fort Worth Cats, as Grand Prairie beat Fort Worth 8-1 to take the three-game series two-out-of-three, the fifth series win in five tries for the AirHogs away from QuikTrip Park.

Continue reading "AirHogs Take Series From Cats" »

Posted by Editor at 07:09 AM | Permalink

The normally steady eighth and ninth inning relievers for the Grand Prairie AirHogs, Dustin Cameron and Jon Fulton, were both tasked with protecting a slim lead against the Fort Worth Cats on Tuesday night - a club each of them had played for in the past. It was not the smoothest of nights for the Grand Prairie duo, but they held on to keep the Cats off the board despite allowing a combined five baserunners, as the AirHogs won 4-2 at LaGrave Field to even the three-game series at one apiece.

Continue reading "AirHogs Score Late to Beat The Cats" »

Posted by Editor at 06:30 AM | Permalink

An upper level ridge of high pressure will remain over the region through the weekend. This will result in persistent hot weather with high temperatures ranging from the mid 90s to 104 degrees.

Continue reading "Hot Weather Expected Through This Weekend" »

Posted by Editor at 02:49 PM | Permalink

Fort Worth Cats righty Derek Blacksher started his outing on Monday night with strike one to the Grand Prairie AirHogs' David Espinosa. On his next pitch, the AirHogs' second baseman hit his first home run of the year into the rightfield bleachers to put Blacksher in a quick 1-0 hole. After a strikeout of David Thomas, Cesar Nicolas and Greg Porter singled, and the AirHogs looked to have Blacksher on the ropes. But the righty wriggled out of trouble with a pop-up and a groundout, and absolutely dominated the next seven innings as the Cats beat the AirHogs 6-1 at LaGrave Field.

Continue reading "Cats Cut Down AirHogs" »

Posted by Editor at 06:51 AM | Permalink

After another road sweep, the Grand Prairie AirHogs returned to the Metroplex to find good news - and not just a happy populace after the Dallas Mavericks' NBA Championship. First, lefthander Greg Smith became the first AirHog of 2011 to be picked up by a Major League organization, as he was signed by the New York Yankees.

Continue reading "Yankees Sign Smith - Nicolas Named Player of Week" »

Posted by Editor at 02:04 PM | Permalink

After a nine-game winning streak put the Grand Prairie AirHogs at 15-5, they lost four straight games to St. Paul and Amarillo. But the AirHogs have gotten back on the winning side again, with a streak in the right direction that hit four on Saturday night, as Grand Prairie got back to 10 games over .500 with a 10-3 thrashing of the El Paso Diablos at Cohen Stadium.

Continue reading "Rainwater Wins Fifth, AirHogs Win in El Paso" »

Posted by Editor at 12:00 AM | Permalink

The Grand Prairie AirHogs offense exploded on Friday night as they scored a season-high 18 runs, matched a season-high with 19 hits, as all nine hitters had at least one hit and one run scored and eight had at least RBIs in an 18-2 thrashing of the El Paso Diablos at Cohen Stadium.

After a scoreless first inning, the AirHogs (18-9) got the onslaught going in the second, with two hits and a walk to load the bases. With one out, David Espinosa opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly, and David Thomas tripled to bring in two more, before he scored on a passed ball to make it 4-0.

Continue reading "AirHogs Pound Diablos in Series Opener" »

Posted by Editor at 12:40 AM | Permalink

When: Monday, June 27, 2011 at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Wal-Mart Supercenter (Parking Lot), 2225 W. Interstate 20

Continue reading "Wal-Mart to Host All-Star Adrian Beltre “Strike Out” Cavities Program" »

Posted by Editor at 02:33 PM | Permalink

Dr. Joseph Lukaska, MD (center) cuts the ribbon at Thursday's grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at the Family Health Center of Grand Prairie hosted by the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce Branding Irons.

A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce Branding Irons was held Thursday at the Family Health Center of Grand Prairie, 2950 W. Camp Wisdom Road.

Continue reading "Grand Opening of New Medical Clinic" »

Posted by Editor at 11:22 PM | Permalink

Dye was the lone finalist out of more than 100 applicants for the position that opened up in January with the retirement of Chief Glen Hill.

Continue reading "New Police Chief Hired" »

Posted by Editor at 04:42 PM | Permalink

Continue reading "Free Homebuyers Fair and How to Avoid Foreclosure Workshop" »

Posted by Editor at 03:59 PM | Permalink

Richard Whitman (left), President Children First Counseling Center, receives a $400 check from Sondra Johnson (right) of the Duncanville Women's Club. Looking on is Women's Club memberJanet Rogers and Dacy Harris, Executive Director of Children First. © 2011 - Bob Fitch/Grand Prairie Reporter

On Wednesday, the Duncanville Women’s Club delivered a $400 check to Darcy Harris, Executive Director of Children First Counseling Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing for the mental health needs of children, adolescents and adults through education and counseling with emphasis on the prevention of and recovery from abuse, neglect, and victimization.

Continue reading "Children First Receives Donation From Duncanville Women’s Club" »

Posted by Editor at 12:00 AM | Permalink

It's not often that a baseball team can get out-hit by eight but still win by four, but the Grand Prairie AirHogs did it on Wednesday, leaving only two men on base to the Amarillo Sox's nine as they beat the Sox 6-2 in front of a Summer Camp Day crowd of 2,864 at QuikTrip Park.

Continue reading "AirHogs Get Out-hit by Eight But Win by Four" »

Posted by Editor at 09:26 PM | Permalink

City Manager Tom Hart (Left) introduces Charlotte Baccus (Right) the City of Grand Prairie Employee of the Month for June to the City Council at Tuesday's regular meeting. © 2011 - Bob Fitch/Grand Prairie Reporter

At Tuesday night’s City Council Meeting, Charlotte Baccus, a Police Department Criminal Case Technician, was recognized as the City of Grand Prairie Employee of the Month for June.

Sgt. Randy Isbell wrote in his recommendation that Baccus does an outstanding job filing cases along with investigating and attempting to locate runaways.

Continue reading "Charlotte Baccus City Employee of the Month" »

Posted by Editor at 12:05 AM | Permalink

As the fifth starter in the Grand Prairie AirHogs rotation, John Brownell was not one of the big name pitchers with lofty expectations when the season started. But on Tuesday night, the Oklahoman rose to the top of the AirHogs' list with his fifth win in five starts, snapping Grand Prairie's four-game losing streak with eight strong innings, as the AirHogs beat the Amarillo Sox 9-4 in front of 1,874 fans at QuikTrip Park.

Continue reading "Brownell Gets Fifth Win as AirHogs Snap Slide" »

Posted by Editor at 12:04 AM | Permalink

Amber Bermudez, who teaches U.S. history at South Grand Prairie High School, will attend “The Making of Modern America” on the UT Austin campus, and Jayson Mikus,who teaches U.S. history at Grand Prairie High School, will attend “Shaping the American Republic to 1877” at TCU.

Continue reading "History Teachers Selected to Participate in Humanities Course" »

Posted by Editor at 08:16 AM | Permalink

The Grand Prairie AirHogs' season-high losing streak hit four games on Monday, as Lee Cruz hit a one-out solo home run in the eighth inning to break a 4-4 tie and send the Amarillo Sox to a 5-4 victory in front of 1,150 fans at QuikTrip Park.

Continue reading "Slide Hits Four as Sox Get late HR to beat 'Hogs" »

Posted by Editor at 12:49 AM | Permalink

Continue reading "Pitney Bowes Opens New Mail Presort Facility" »

Posted by Editor at 12:15 PM | Permalink

In the first two games of the series against the St. Paul Saints, the Grand Prairie AirHogs had plenty of opportunities to get victories, but could not get the big hit they needed. On Sunday, the AirHogs were simply overwhelmed at the plate by three Saints pitchers, as St. Paul won 7-0 to complete a three-game sweep in front of 1,552 fans at QuikTrip Park.

Continue reading "Rainwater Suffers First Defeat, 'Hogs Shut Out for First Time" »

Posted by Editor at 12:01 AM | Permalink

A 32 year-old Dallas man was killed Friday night when the vehicle he was riding in on I-30 was struck from behind by a suspected drunk driver.

The victim whose identity is being withheld by police until notification of next of kin was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at Arlington Memorial Hospital.

Continue reading "Suspected Drunk Driver Held After Fatal Crash" »

Posted by Editor at 08:09 PM | Permalink

Atmospheric conditions are expected to be favorable for producing high levels of ozone air pollution in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Sunday. Ozone levels could reach the level orange "unhealthy for sensitive groups" category.

Continue reading "Level Orange Air Pollution Watch Issued for Sunday" »

Posted by Editor at 02:33 PM | Permalink

Parents began lining up outside Garner Elementary School at 2:00 p.m. Friday to wait for the 8:00 a.m. opening Saturday to make application for their children to attend the new Garner Elementary Fine Arts Academy for the 2011-2012 school year.

The Garner Fine Arts Academy will feature a rigorous curriculum that will accommodate extended Arts instruction in addition to 30 minutes of physical education daily.

Continue reading "Parents Camp Out for Spots at New Arts Academy" »

Posted by Editor at 01:53 AM | Permalink

Kevin Thompson only played five games for the Grand Prairie AirHogs this season, but he hurt them on Friday night, homering and scoring the game-winning run in the 11th inning as his new team, the St. Paul Saints, shook off a three-run first to beat the AirHogs 6-3 in front of 1,988 fans at QuikTrip Park to end Grand Prairie's franchise-best winning streak at nine.

Continue reading "Former AirHog Helps Snap Winning Streak" »

Posted by Editor at 01:50 AM | Permalink

Twelve GPISD 10-12 grade students recognized for their attendance were randomly drawn for a chance to win a new car Thursday at the culmination of the district’s Every Child, Every Seat, Every Day attendance incentive program that began in January.

With twelve keys on a table but only one that would start the car; each student selected a key to try in the car’s ignition.

Continue reading "GPHS Senior Wins Car for Perfect Attendance" »

Posted by Editor at 12:01 AM | Permalink

On a day where almost everything clicked, the Grand Prairie AirHogs extended their winning streak to nine straight, as they beat the Kansas City T-Bones 10-4 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on Thursday afternoon to complete a four-game sweep.

The AirHogs (15-5) got hitting all throughout the order, good pitching and solid defense as they cruised to the victory over the T-Bones (7-13) in a game with an 11 a.m. start - coming after Wednesday's rain-delayed game that ended at 11:48 p.m.

Continue reading "Brownell, Bats Keep AirHogs Rolling" »

Posted by Editor at 04:30 PM | Permalink

Photos courtesy Grand Prairie Police Department

Grand Prairie police are investigating the robbery of the Chase Bank, 700 E. Main that occurred on May 27 at about 4:26 p.m.

Police described the suspect as:

Continue reading "Police Seek Suspect Linked in Two Bank Robberies" »

Posted by Editor at 06:45 AM | Permalink

Taking advantage of the Grand Prairie ISD’s open enrollment policy, the newly configured Garner Elementary Fine Arts Academy will begin accepting applications for the 2011-2012 school year on Saturday, June 4, beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the campus located at 145 Polo Road.

Continue reading "Open Enrollment for Garner Fine Arts Academy - June 4" »

Posted by Editor at 06:44 AM | Permalink

The red-hot Grand Prairie AirHogs did not let another early deficit or some rain get in their way on Wednesday, beating the Kansas City T-Bones 9-5 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark to extend their winning streak to eight games.

Grand Prairie (14-5) fell behind for the second day in a row, as Brian Joynt's two-out, two-run double off Jae Jung (2-1) in the first inning gave Kansas City (7-12) an early 2-0 lead. But Jung worked around five more baserunners in the next three innings to avoid further damage.

Continue reading "AirHogs Get Past Rain, T-Bones for Eighth Straight Win" »

Posted by Editor at 06:43 AM | Permalink

John Alonso hit two home runs to help make up for his team's four errors and 11 baserunners left on as the Grand Prairie AirHogs extended their winning streak to seven games, defeating the Kansas City T-Bones 5-2 for the second night in a row at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

The AirHogs (13-5) wasted chances against Reid Santos (2-2) in the first three innings, and then their own sloppy defense allowed Kansas City (7-11) to take the lead in the bottom of the third.

Continue reading "Alonso's Two Homers Take Winning Streak to Seven" »

Posted by Editor at 06:27 AM | Permalink