The two days of the 12th Annual Lone Stars & Stripes Celebration on Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 4 attracted 42,759 fans to the Grand Prairie racetrack for live racing and post-race fireworks.
The two-day total was a four-percent increase of 1,672 fans from 41,087 total in 2007.
Continue reading "Lone Stars & Stripes celebration draws over 40,000" »
A Cedar Hill teen, Shannon Allcock, 13, drown Friday night while swimming at the Lynn Creek Park swim beach at Joe Pool Lake.
Sgt. Chris Chopin, Grand Prairie Police Lake Patrol, said Allcock was swimming approximately 75 to 100 yards from the shore in about 5 to 6 feet of water. Allcock was returning to the shore when she apparently slipped off a swim board she was using. A friend swimming with Allcock discovered the board floating in the water but Allcock missing. The friend notified Allcock’s parents who in turn notified police around 8:00 p.m.
James and Patricia Gallagher's Ernesto, a five-year-old gelding, established a new track record of 1:27.67 for seven-and-a-half furlongs over a firm turf course in Friday's eighth race at Lone Star Park. The previous record of 1:27.90 was set by Song Dancer on July 16, 2006. The record-setting win came in front of Lone Star Park's largest crowd of the 2008 season, which is estimated at more than 20,000.
Want to beat the summer heat? How about a pool party at the Kirby Creek Natatorium?
Lend a Helping Hand director Lanny Ford said the organization dedicated to helping the needy is selling raffle tickets for a free 1-6 p.m. pool party for forty at the Kirby Creek Natatorium for a date set by the winner.
The Grand Prairie AirHogs of the American Association of Professional Baseball has announced a Jessica Simpson Day promotion for July 6, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. against the Pensacola Pelicans. General Manager Dave Burke guarantees an AirHogs victory thatafternoon, or all fans in attendance will receive a free ticket to a future game.
"We don't believe Jessica was bad luck to the Cowboys in the playoffs, and we're going to prove it with our guarantee," said Burke. "Fans are also going to enjoy an unforgettable day at the ballpark."
Law enforcement personnel from the North Texas Auto Theft Task Force will be in Grand Prairie, July 9 in the Kroger's parking lot, Corn Valley Road and Pioneer Parkway, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. providing FREE VIN (vehicle identification numbers) etching as a part of “Watch Your Car” month.
National studies have indicated that vehicles with etched VIN numbers are 40 percent less likely to be stolen. Additionally, some insurance companies offer reduced rates to owners of cars with VIN numbers etched on the glass.
Continue reading "North Texas Auto Theft Task Forces offers free VIN etching" »
Marshall Warder, Project Manager, and Elspeth McDonald, Uptown Theater Managing Director, guided members of the Grand Prairie City Council through the Uptown Theater Tuesday for a first hand look at the progress of the theater’s renovation.
The Grand Prairie AirHogs baseball club announced a summer baseball camp for youth ages 7–14 to be held August 11-13 at QuikTrip Park. The camp sessions will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Cost is $125 and includes:
Today the Dallas County Commissioners announced a zero tolerance plan to apprehend those who fail to pay or dispose of their outstanding traffic citations. Dallas County has over 600,000 outstanding traffic citations representing approximately $200,000 million in fines and fees.
“It is not fair to honest taxpayers that some individuals don’t have to pay their traffic fines while our county is facing a $34 million budget shortfall,” said County Judge Jim Foster.
SUN Sports & Entertainment, Inc. announced today a new Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Event titled "Battle of the Shield" featuring Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Police Officers vs. (DFW) Fire Fighters to benefit the 501-C3 Charity, "Fallen Heroes Family Support Fund." The MMA Charity Event will feature active duty members of Police and Fire Departments who will be fighting as amateurs in the inaugural "Battle of the Shield" scheduled to take place at the NOKIA Theatre in Grand Prairie, Texas on October 11, and will feature over 10 amateur MMA bouts.
Continue reading "“Battle of the Shield” - police officers vs fire fighters" »
The classic summer thriller “Jaws” will be screened at Lynn Creek Park at Joe Pool Lake on July 7th at 8.00 p.m. Admission to the park is free for all Grand Prairie residents with a valid Texas driver’s license. All others are welcome and park admission is just $10.00 per carload. Everyone is encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair so that they can comfortably enjoy the festivities.
Independence Day celebrations begin on July 3 and continue through July 4 with some of the most spectacular fireworks displays in the area.
Lone Stars & Stripes Celebration
The camp sessions will be held from 1-4 p.m. and the cost of the camp is $50.
The annual police vs fire baseball game was held Saturday in the beautiful confines of QuikTrip Park at Grand Prairie.
With proceeds of the game going to charity, there were no losers in the hard fought game.
Continue reading ""Heat" vs heat fighters in annual baseball game" »
Family, friends and patriotic supporters gathered at Camden Road and East Jefferson Blvd.
early Saturday morning to show their support for the 302nd Military Police Company as they departed Grand Prairie to begin their year long deployment in Iraq.Continue reading "Army unit leaves for deployment to Iraq" »
Kevin D. Moore, who was convicted by a federal jury in Dallas in March on one count of transporting and shipping child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography, was sentenced June 26 by U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor to a total of 360 months (30 years) in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Judge O’Connor also ntencesed Moore, 45, of Grand Prairie, Texas, to serve a lifetime of supervised release.
The Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) will escort the 302nd Military Police Company as they depart the Grand Prairie Reserve Complex June 28 to begin their deployment to Iraq to support the Global War on Terrorism.
PGR Ride Captain, Don “Eagle” Massey said the group will escort the four bus convoy to Terrell. The 302 MP Company will continue traveling on to Hattiesburg, MS before leaving for Iraq.
The 302nd MP Company is expected to leave the main gate of the Grand Prairie Reserve Complex, near the intersection of Camden Road and East Jefferson, about 7:00 a.m., Massey said.
Continue reading "Patriot Guard Riders to escort Army unit" »
One lucky person will win a fabulous Grand Prairie Staycation package valued at $1,400 that will be announced August 1. Deadline for entry is July 31.
To enter the contest go to the City of Grand Prairie web site and click on Staycation or e-mail the following information to brwilliams@gptx.org with “Enter me in Staycation Giveaway” in the subject line:
Continue reading "Stay and play close to home with $1,400 "Staycation" package" »
The Grand Prairie AirHogs will have an Independence Day extravaganza following their July 4 game against the Pensacola Pelicans.
At the conclusion of the ballgame that begins at 6:35 p.m., fans will be invited onto the field to view the spectacular fireworks display from the adjacent Lone Star Park. The display which is one of the very best in the area is sponsored by Carter BloodCare and begins at 10:00 p.m.
The Grand Prairie Police and Fire will face each other in a baseball game June 28 at QuikTrip Park at Grand Prairie.
The Grand Prairie Arts Council’s presentation of “Singin’ In The Rain” begins Thursday night at the Grand Prairie High School’s Chambers Auditorium, 102 High School Dr.
The production features beautifully choreographed tap numbers fill the stage with a cast of more than 40 local and regional performers dressed in stunning costumes from the original motion picture.
Continue reading "Arts Council's - "Singin in the Rain" begins June 26" »
Courtesy Dallas County Health and Human Services
June 27, 2008 has been designated as National HIV Testing Day. In recognition of National HIV Testing Day, Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) will offer free HIV tests on June 27, 2008 at its Stemmons location. The DCHHS Mobile Medical Clinic will also be at Lancaster-Kiest Shopping Center on June 27th from 12pm-5pm offering free HIV test in collaboration with Dallas Urban League, Youth Angle, CADAP, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Mosaic Family Services, Welcome House, AIDS Resource Center of Dallas, and Imani, Inc.
Continue reading "Take the test, take control - national HIV testing day" »
The Grand Prairie AirHogs will hold their first annual Military Appreciation Night on Sunday, July 13 at QuikTrip Park with a 7:05PM game against the Fort Worth Cats. This will be a night for the Grand Prairie AirHogs and their fans to honor all active and retired military personnel and their families for their service to their country. The AirHogs have set special ticket prices for all people with a valid military ID for the July 13 game. Individual tickets will range from $4.00 for a General Admission ticket to $9 for a Club Seat. For groups of 20 or more the price range will be from $3 to $8.
Continue reading "AirHogs announce Military Appreciation Night" »
All “Twilighters” are invited to the Grand Prairie Mail Library August 2 to celebrate the release of Stephenie Meyer’s latest book in her Twilight series, “Breaking Dawn.”
The “Breaking Dawn” Release Party begins at 4:00 p.m. and there will be food, t-shirts, door prizes and activities. The Bella Cullen Project, an Arlington based Twilight fan-band, will make a special appearance and play Twilight based music.
For more information about the “Breaking Dawn” Release party, call the Main Library at 972-237-5700.
The Grand Prairie Boys and Girls Club will hold a football camp June 30 at the Gopher-Warrior Bowl.
The camp which is open to youth ages 7-17 is sponsored by former NFL players Joe “Turkey” Jones and Byron Williams. Celebrity coaches include:
In response the recent death of South Grand Prairie High School graduate, Lisa Chung, the Grand Prairie Library is offering a program aimed to help with grieving.
Dr. Pat O’Malley who is on the advisory board of the Fort Worth based non-profit agency The WARM Place, which works with grieving children and young people, leads the program to be held June 28 at 1:00 p.m. at the Betty Warmack Branch, 760 Bardin Road.
“All are welcome to come and benefit from Dr. O’Malley’s expertise, whether they knew Ms. Chung or not,” Elisabeth McMahon, PR/Outreach Librarian said.
The Grand Prairie Police released the latest update to their Ten Most Wanted List.
A 19-year-old Fort Worth man accidentally shot himself while attempting a home invasion robbery Tuesday morning.
Officers found Cameron Sands in the driveway of a home in the 2800 block of Garden Grove Road. Sands was dead at the scene with a gun shot wound to the lower abdomen.
The 302nd Military Police Company, U. S. Army Reserve, based in Grand Prairie will be honored during a Deployment Ceremony on June 27 at the Vivian Field Middle School Gymnasium, 13551 Dennis Lane, Farmers Branch.
The ceremony will recognize soldiers of the company along with their families as the unit prepares to depart for Iraq to support the Global War on Terrorism.
The Grand Prairie Arts Council (GPAC) announced this year’s open juried art show and sale is to be held September 14-26 at the Grand Prairie Memorial Library. The show has over $3,000 available for cash prizes.
Anyone age 18 and older who has not had their work previously exhibited in a GPAC exhibition is eligible to submit their original art work. The show accepts entries in all types of media.
Entry fee is $30 and deadline is August 18. Each artist may submit up to three entries.
Additional information and an entry brochure are available on the GPAC web site or by calling 972-642-ARTS.
Courtesy City of Grand Prairie
Under the cooling breeze of ceiling fans in the Prairie Lakes Golf Course Tournament Pavilion, 3202 SE 14th St., Grand Prairie, come enjoy Eddlemon’s award winning barbeque and popular Texas bands at 7:30 p.m. Friday nights, July 11-August 1.
Courtesy City of Grand Prairie
Spending a large portion of their budget on fuel is becoming a thing of the past for the City of Grand Prairie’s Housing and Neighborhood Services Department (HNS). HNS Director William A. Hills led the city’s conservation efforts by replacing six staff vehicles with Toyota Prius Hybrids which are twice as efficient as the city’s previously used vehicles.
By Tammi Ledbetter
PORT ARTHUR—Thirty-four volunteers from Inglewood Baptist Church transformed two hurricane-damaged homes June 1-6 for southeast Texas residents.
“We wanted to make this a family mission trip because we believe in doing ministry together,” explained Pastor Shawn Barnard. “We wanted to teach our children what it means to love God, serve him, and do it together.” Six other families brought children along who pitched in wherever needed, baking cookies and delivering Bibles and food to area residents, as well as doing manual labor.
"We have been amazed at how God has blessed our efforts," shared field foreman Jeffrey Hazleton of Nehemiah’s Vision. "Since the storm, more than 4,000 volunteers have logged over 100,000 hours in the rebuild effort.” To date, over $4 million worth of material has been nailed, brushed, and installed in order to repair and rebuild over 500 homes and churches.
Continue reading "Inglewood Baptist Church volunteers help hurricane victims" »
View more photos of Westchester Church Father's Day Car Show
Westchester Church held its second annual Father’s Day Car Show, Sunday, on the UA theatre parking lot.
Westchester Church which meets in the UA theatre sponsored the unique community event that attracted more than 125 hot rods, custom and antique cars for visitors to view.
The Golden Triangle Radio Control Club (GTRCC) put on their first annual Heli Blaze began June 13 at Jim Fulton Field, 2820 Seaton Road, which featured all types of sport, competition and demonstration R/C helicopter and airplane flying.
Ron Wedel, club president and Heli Blaze contest director, said Heli Blaze is the largest event the club has sponsored in its 46 year history. He said about 43 pilots of all skill level traveled from as far away as Washington, DC to participate in the three day “pilot’s fun fly event” which featured raffles, cash prizes and awards to winning pilots of flying competitions, Wedel said.
Courtesy City of Grand Prairie
On Saturday, Jefferson will be closed to east and west bound traffic between SE 9th Streetand Belt Line. One south bound lane of Belt Line will also be closed. This is so the bridge beams can be placed over Jefferson.On Sunday, Belt Line will be closed south bound between Main and Jefferson for the placing of the bridge beams over the rail road tracks.
There will be detours in place, but the area should be avoided and delays are expected.
Deputy constables and sheriff's deputies with the Dallas County Clean Air Task Force raided the Jefferson Street Inspections, 3200 E. Jefferson in Grand Prairie, Thursday, shutting down a major illegal auto inspection operation.
Continue reading "Major illegal auto inspection operation shutdown" »
The Grand Prairie Independent School District is holding a Critical Shortage Area Job Fair on June 18 between 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Grand Prairie High School 9th Grade Center, 102 High School Dr.
Continue reading "School district will hold critical area shortage job fair" »
View more photos of Lisa Chung Memorial Service
Hundreds of Lisa Chung’s family and friends gathered Wednesday evening in front of South Grand Prairie High School to remember the recent graduate that died Tuesday from injuries as a result of a boating accident near Cancun, Mexico.
Continue reading "Recent South Grand Prairie graduate remembered" »
A Grand Prairie police officer was injured in an early Wednesday morning traffic accident in Arlington. The officer, working off-duty, was escorting a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) work crew convoy south bound in the 3000 block of State Highway 360, near Mayfield Road.
Continue reading "Police officer injured in traffic accident" »
