Idyllic Summer

Idyllic Summer

(ROCKWALL, TX — June 14, 2019) Ireland and I watched The Sandlot awhile back which conjured stories of my kid summers. My buddy lived next to an abandoned ball field behind a church. The church still worshipped but the softball team was a relic. It was Sandlot-esque, a large grass and dirt field and a […]

Reps. Ratcliffe, Himes Introduce Bill to Punish Election Interference

Reps. Ratcliffe, Himes Introduce Bill to Punish Election Interference

(WASHINGTON – June 12, 2019) Reps. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) and Jim Himes (D-Conn.) introduced a bipartisan bill today to establish election interference as a federal crime. The Defending the Integrity of Voting Systems Act would make it a federal crime to hack any voting systems used in a federal election. According to the Justice Department, […]

YMCA Spring Soccer, Volleyball Programs Score Big in Rockwall and Heath

YMCA Spring Soccer, Volleyball Programs Score Big in Rockwall and Heath

(ROCKWALL, TX — June 12, 2019) The J.E.R. Chilton YMCA at Rockwall (1210 N. Goliad St.) wrapped up another highly successful spring sports season last week. The Rockwall Y partnered with the City of Heath in January to bring its rapidly-growing Small Fry and Youth Soccer programs to the fields at Towne Center Park. Despite […]

Commissioners Discuss Rockwall County Subdivision Regulations

Commissioners Discuss Rockwall County Subdivision Regulations

(ROCKWALL, TX – June 11, 2019) During its regular meeting on Tuesday, the Commissioners Court welcomed a presentation from Freese and Nichols, Inc. (FNI) on a diagnostic report project for subdivision regulations in the county. Daniel Harrison, AICP with FNI, said the project would involve interviewing county commissioners, landowners, developers and other stakeholders to identify […]

‘Returning the Favor’: Royse City Honors Beloved Resident Barney Jones

‘Returning the Favor’: Royse City Honors Beloved Resident Barney Jones

(ROYSE CITY, TX  — March 7, 2019) Earlier this week, 82-year-old Royse City resident Barney Jones found himself sitting in an old red pickup next to a national celebrity, on his way to the most heartwarming reception of his life. On March 5, Royse City welcomed famous TV host Mike Rowe and the rest of […]

On Earth and in Heaven—Hooray for Fatherhood

On Earth and in Heaven—Hooray for Fatherhood

(ROCKWALL, TX — June 10, 2019) He’s been known to pull out a thick leather belt to warn misbehaving grandchildren. The kids, wide-eyed and open-mouthed, freeze in place for a few seconds before breaking into relieved smiles as they realize that Grandpa is “all bark and no bite.” But their parents—back in the day—did feel […]

Home of the Free Because of the Brave

Home of the Free Because of the Brave

(ROCKWALL, TX — June 10, 2019) What were you doing June 6, 1944?  My Mother was working at the drugstore in Brownwood, TX, while Daddy, Uncle Sam & Uncle Joe (his two brothers) were in Africa & Sicily fighting to keep their homeland free from the horrors of Nazi Germany. I have all of the […]

Amy Parks-Heath Elementary Brings Education Outdoors

Amy Parks-Heath Elementary Brings Education Outdoors

(HEATH, TX — June 6, 2019) This past school year, kiddos channeled their green thumbs and learned all about nature thanks to a unique outdoor learning opportunity at Amy Parks-Heath Elementary School. APHE Kindergartners, first and second graders took their studies outside the classroom to the APHE Outdoor Garden, where they learned all about plant […]

A Day in the Life: Kathie Truitt

A Day in the Life: Kathie Truitt

(ROCKWALL, TX — June 6, 2019) She may be a former Mrs. Missouri but don’t refer to Kathie Truitt as anything but a Texas gal. Her love of our amazing state happened when her mother in law walked into a church in the Ozarks. Kathie was so enthralled by the pure glamorous look of this […]

5 Key Bills Passed During the 86th Legislative Session

5 Key Bills Passed During the 86th Legislative Session

(ROCKWALL, TX — June 6, 2019) On June 4th, State Representative Justin Holland provided a summary of the 86th Texas Legislative Session during a Rockwall Chamber of Commerce breakfast event. The House and the Senate filed more than 7,500 bills during the session, which ended on May 27th. Of those, less than 20 percent (1,427 […]