Issuu

Wylie FFA Show and Sale this week, see section D

Volume 69 Issue 48

THE WYLIE NEWS Covering Wylie and the surrounding area since 1948

Wylie, Texas

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Wednesday, April 5, 2017

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C&S Media Publications

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4 Sections, 26 Pages

$1.00

news@wylienews.com

Community honors heroes

Joe Reavis/The Wylie News

On your mark! Participants take off for the sixth annual 1LT Robert F. Welch III Run for Our Heroes held Saturday, April 1 at Olde City Park in downtown Wylie.

By Joe Reavis Staff Writer

news@wylienews.com The sixth annual 1LT Robert F. Welch III Run for Our Heroes drew more than 300 runners and walkers who helped start a daylong event at Olde City Park in downtown Wylie on Saturday, April 1. Activities from the event raise funds to benefit military families, police and fire departments, as well as support a college scholarship fund. “It was a great day,” said Becky Welch, widow of the lieutenant. “We had a good crowd.” Welch was a Wylie High School graduate who was killed in 2011 while

Joe Reavis/The Wylie News

Wylie High School student Thomas Sanitae was the first to cross the finish line in the 5K portion of Run for Our Heroes.

serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. The event honors the memory of the lieutenant and all who have served in the military, police and fire services, and those who were killed in the line of duty. “We’re here to honor our heroes, our military, our police, our firefighters,” Welch said during the opening ceremony. “This is our day to just say thank you.” The Wylie Fire-Rescue Color Guard presented the colors to start the day and Kayli Thomas sang the national anthem. Thomas also provided musical entertainment during the day, along with Clay Mobley and the Retired Army Chaplain Band that traveled to Wylie from Florida.

The 5K race was led by a group of active and former servicemen who marched the course while wearing fully loaded rucksacks. First runner to complete the 5K was Thomas Sanitae, a 15-year-old Wylie High School student. Displays and vendor booths were set up throughout the park to add to the celebration. A memorial with pictures of military, police and firefighters who died while serving was set up in the park gazebo, several businesses and organizations manned information booths, military and police vehicles were parked for inspection, and there were bounce houses, face painting and See RUN page 8A

New home approved in downtown historic district By Joe Reavis Staff Writer

news@wylienews.com Wylie City Council approved construction of a new house in the historic district of town and agreed with a program through which the city will receive sales tax proceeds on materials used to build homes in residential subdivisions. The council met in regular session Tuesday, March 29, at City Hall. Approval of construction of a new house in the downtown historic district, at 307 W. Oak Street, was completed in two parts, replatting of two lots to accommodate the house and ensuring that plans for the house meet with architectural standards in the district. The requests were made by June Martinez who owns the lots that include a 960 square foot frame house built in 1931 and is in a state of disrepair. Martinez was reared in the house and inherited it when her mother died years ago. The new 3-bedroom house will be

How to reach us: 972-442-5515 phone news@wylienews.com

2,106 square feet, slightly smaller than the 2,400 square foot standard in the city, and is to be built by South Collin County Habitat for Humanity. Exterior details call for concrete board siding that mimics historic construction, a wraparound porch with columns and railings, and square scalloped siding on the upper facade of the gable roof. Under a Chapter 380 agreement proposed by Bloomfield Homes and approved by the council, Wylie will receive a portion of sales tax revenue assessed for materials used in construction of homes by the company in town, taxes that normally are paid where the materials are purchased. Bloomfield will self-assess the sales taxes and pay them directly to the State Comptroller’s office, which will then remit the portion due to the city. Out of a normal 2-cent sales tax assessment, Wylie will receive 100 percent of the portion due to its 4A and 4B funds and 20 percent of the penny of the general fund collections. Bloomfield will be reimbursed 80 cents of each penny of See CITY page 8A

THE WYLIE NEWS (USPS) 626520) is published each Wednesday at 110 N. Ballard, Wylie, 75098. Second Class Postage paid at Wylie, 75098. Send address changes to P.O. Box 369, Wylie, 75098. Published by C&S Media, Inc. ©Copyright 2017. No reproduction without permission.

The last day to register to vote in spring elections is Thursday, April 6. Wylie voters are being asked to select a mayor, two members of the city council and four members of the Collin College board of trustees, and decide the fate of a $600 million Collin College construction bond issue. Officially, election day is Saturday, May 6. Of three positions to be filled in Wylie city government, only one, for City Council Place 5, is contested. Seeking the job are Zewge “Ziggy” Kagnew and Timothy “Toby” Wallace, DVM. Incumbent William Whitney III opted to not seek re-election this year. Running unopposed are incumbent Mayor Eric Hogue and council incumbent David Dahl, Place 6. The Collin College bond issue, if approved by voters, will provide funds to build a 7,000-student campus in Wylie, education centers in Farmersville and Celina, and a technology center in McKinney, as well as provide for maintenance projects at existing facilities. Three seats on the college board of trustees are contested. Seeking those spots are Fred Moses and Greg Gomel, both of Plano, in Place 1, incumbent Nancy Wurzman and Jeri Chambers, both of Plano, in Place 2, and incumbent Larry Wainwright of Allen and Stacy Donald of Plano in Place 3. Running unopposed to fill the remaining portion of an unexpired term on the college board is incumbent Raj Menon of Plano. Early voting runs from April 24 through May 2.

Show and Sale runs this week By Joe Reavis Staff Writer

news@wylienews.com

Fire destroys home

Greg Ford/The Wylie News

Area firefighters survey damage to a home gutted by a fire Friday, March 31 in the 3500 block of Olivia Drive.

Inside this issue

Classifieds........................ 4C Education ........................ 4A Life & Style...................... 1C Opinion............................ 7A Sports .............................. 1B

Lake Lavon Levels Normal 492

490.32 ft. as of 04/27/17

Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Judges will look over a total of 153 livestock, food, horticulture and shop projects this week during the 50th annual Wylie Show and Sale, an event that showcases the work of FFA and 4-H Club members. The event starts Wednesday and runs through Saturday, April 8, with most activity centered at the F. Ovid Birmingham Agricultural Center, 1301 Hensley Lane. Because it is the 50th year, a special alumni social is planned for 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at the ag center. Judging gets started at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the WHS agriculture classroom. To be judged are food, horticulture and shop projects. Rabbits, chickens, goats and lambs enter the show ring at the ag center for judging Thursday, starting at 5 p.m. with chickens. Next in order are breeding goats, market goats, breeding lambs and market lambs. Starting at 3:45 p.m. Friday, in order, is judging of breeding swine, market swine, heifers and steers. From 8:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. is the buyer’s brunch Saturday at the ag center, with the Parade of Champions and livestock auction starting immediately after the brunch. See special section inside this issue.

Have a Safe & Happy 4th of July

Volume 70 Issue 8

THE WYLIE NEWS Covering Wylie and the surrounding area since 1948

Wylie, Texas

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Wednesday, June 28, 2017

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C&S Media Publications

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3 Sections, 18 Pages

Brookshire’s closing in July

Man saves drowning child

From Staff Reports

news@wylienews.com

Brookshire’s supermarket in Wylie, located at 701 Hwy. 78 S, is one of three North Texas Brookshire’s stores slated for closing in July. The other stores to be closed are in Ennis and Forest Hill. Wylie employees were told of the closing last week. Brookshire’s CEO Brad Brookshire cited pressure on the industry as the reason for the closings, specifically the purchase of Whole Foods by Amazon for $13.7 billion, expansion of Aldi and Lidl into the United States and a number of discount chains, drugstore chains, dollar stores, restaurants and online markets all competing for food dollars. Aldi has a store in Wylie and Lidl is currently building a store. Closing the Wylie, Ennis and Forest Hill stores, identified as underperforming, allows the grocer to invest in higher-potential markets, the CEO said. Brookshire’s employs 13,650 people and operates 178 stores in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.

NEWS YOU NEED

News offices closed July 4

The Wylie News offices, located at 110 N. Ballard Ave. in Wylie, will be closed Tuesday, July 4 and will reopen Wednesday, July 5. Deadlines for classified ads and legals will be noon Friday, June 30. We wish each and everyone a very safe and happy 4th of July.

Clinic for the Cities changes to Thursdays at FBW

The free medical clinic, Clinic for the Cities, hosted by FBC Wylie, will be permanently moved to Thursdays starting July 6. It will still run from 5:30-8 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Event Center at 200 N. Ballard Ave. and no appointment is needed. The clinic was changed to Thursday because Tuesday was a harder day to get doctors out to Wylie. The doctors will also be volunteering at the WISD back to school fair from 8-10 a.m. on Aug. 12 at the event center. They will be offering free physicals and immunizations for those who bring their shot records.

Lake Lavon Levels Normal 492

491.56 ft. as of 06/26/17

Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Inside this issue Classifieds............................ 4C Life & Style......................... 1C Opinion................................ 7A Obituaries............................ 3C Sports . ................................ 1B THE WYLIE NEWS (USPS) 626520) is published each Wednesday at 110 N. Ballard, Wylie, 75098. Second Class Postage paid at Wylie, 75098. Send address changes to P.O. Box 369, Wylie, 75098. Published by C&S Media, Inc. ©Copyright 2017. No reproduction without permission.

How to reach us: 972-442-5515 phone news@wylienews.com

$1.00

Greg Ford/The Wylie News

Veterinary dentists, from left, Dr. Eric Davis and Dr. Barron Hall work with Dr. Charles Dyer, a human periodontist, and Dr. Brian Hewitt, a veterinarian, on the teeth and gums of a sedated tiger named Jafar Saturday, June 24 at the InSync Exotics Wildlife and Rescue Center in Wylie. The team treated four tigers, one lion and one cougar.

Daring dentistry at In-Sync By Sonia Duggan

sduggan@csmediatexas.com The operating room at In-Sync Exotics was a busy place over the weekend of June 24-25. More than 13 volunteers from

around the nation assisted in the efforts to provide dental care to In-Sync feline residents, four tigers, one cougar and one lion. A team of five doctors, consisting of three veterinary dentists, Dr. Steven Holmstrom, Dr. Eric Davis, Dr. Bar-

ron Hall, one veterinarian, Dr. Brian Hewitt, and one human periodontist, Dr. Charles Dyer, donated their time and traveled to In-Sync to perform the dentistry work. The veterinary dentists See DENTISTS page 8A

A Good Samaritan credited with saving the life of a 5-year-old boy from possible drowning has been identified through a social media plea as Devonte Emory, 20, of Wylie. Emory is credited with pulling the child from the Kreymer Estates Amenities Center pool in the 1000 block of Sheldon Lane on Tuesday, June 20, but was not identified for several days. The 20-year-old left the scene after pulling the child from the pool and Wylie Police posted requests to identify the young man so that he could be recognized, Wylie Police Department Public Information Officer Donald English said. Wylie Fire-Rescue and WPD responded to a call in reference to a possible drowning, provided treatment and transported the child to a hospital. The 5-year-old has been released from the hospital. Through social media posts and witness information, Emory was subsequently identified as the Good Samaritan. WF-R and WPD thank the 20-year-old for his lifesaving effort and plan to publicly recognize him at a future date. WPD reminds everyone to implement safety measures when around pools, the most important measure being adult supervision. It only takes a second for a child to go underwater and not be noticed by bystanders, English pointed out. Children should be constantly monitored while at a pool and it is important to use proper life vests or floats if a child is unable to swim. In the case of emergency, having knowledge of CPR is beneficial until medical personnel can arrive. As always, immediately dial 911 when there is a drowning, the officer said.

WISD trustees approve 2017-’18 budget By Joe Reavis Staff Writer

news@wylienews.com In spite of a few lingering school finance issues to be addressed in a special session of the Texas Legislature next month, Wylie Independent School District trustees last week approved the fiscal year 2017-’18 budget. The approval comes shortly before the start of the WISD fiscal year on July 1. Approval of the property tax rate to fund operations will come after

Collin Central Appraisal District certifies property values July 25. Assistant Superintendent Michele Trongaard presented budget figures to the board Monday, June 19, and pointed out that the property tax revenue estimate is based on a 7.5 percent increase in values. Collin CAD estimated the increase in taxable property values at 10.42 percent this year and the exact number will not be known until property value protests are concluded this week and new calculations are made.

Bluegrass on Ballard tunes up Saturday By Joe Reavis Staff Writer

news@wylienews.com More than 10,000 people are expected to converge on historic downtown Wylie this Saturday, July 1, for a full slate of activities that is Bluegrass on Ballard. Live music, a car show, arts and crafts vendors, and a blood drive are all on tap from the afternoon on into the in an event sponsored by Wylie Downtown Merchants Association, city of Wylie and Bluegrass Heritage Foundation. WDMA President Jeremy Meier pointed out that the celebration started as an ice cream social more than 28

years ago and has materialized into the largest event in Wylie. Founding sponsor North Texas Equestrian Center again will be providing pony rides to younger attendees. Stage sponsor is Bush’s Chicken, which recently opened a restaurant in Wylie, and Jubilee sponsors are Farmers Electric Cooperative, Frontier Communications, Methodist Richardson Medical Center and Tahiti Village. A major change this year is moving the music stage from the middle of Ballard Avenue to Olde City Park, where arts and crafts vendors are located. The move is to accommodate the car show that has grown every year See BANDS page 8A

In 2016, the school district based its budget calculations on a taxable property rise of nine percent and the certified increase as determined by the Collin CAD was 14.5 percent. The difference between the two percentages created some additional revenue for WISD. Maintenance and operations portion of the budget, day-to-day expenses of operating schools, is $125.6 million in the new budget, up from $122 million for FY 2017-17. Funding sources are $59.8 million from property taxes,

$57.9 million in state aid, $5.4 million from TRS On-Behalf, $1.6 million from miscellaneous sources and $925,955 in federal aid. Expenses in the M&O budget are $100.9 million for payroll, $5.4 million TRS-On Behalf, $7.4 million contracted services, $7.4 million supplies and materials, $3.1 million miscellaneous, $764,630 debt service and $720,914 capital outlay. The budget includes a three percent See WYLIE page 8A

Emily Sharp/The Wylie News

Hoo loves owls?

A barred owl from the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center in Lucas sat regally on the arms of the volunteer as it was presented to children June 22 at the Smith Public Library. See more photos on 5A.

Special Health & Fitness Section inside this issue

Volume 70 Issue 19

THE WYLIE NEWS Covering Wylie and the surrounding area since 1948

Wylie, Texas

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Wednesday, September 13, 2017

•

C&S Media Publications

3 Sections, 18 Pages

$1.00

City Board of Ethics hears complaint

NEWS YOU NEED Japanimation Club to meet

Smith Public Library will host a meeting of the Japanimation Club from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14. Students in the sixth through the 12th grades are invited to the meeting to geek out about all things anime and manga. Japanimation describes Japanese cartoons made in the 1980s or earlier, usually television series made on small budgets. The meeting will be in the Storytime Room at the library, 300 Country Club Rd., Bldg. 30. No registration is required.

By Joe Reavis Staff Writer

news@wylienews.com The Board of Ethics of the city of Wylie convened for the first time ever last week to hear a complaint against two officials with Wylie Economic Development Corporation, dismissing the complaint after a legal presentation. The board was formed about two years ago and had never before been called on to hear a complaint. In its meeting Thursday, Sept. 7, the first order of business was to select a chairman and vice chairman.

To vote in the Nov. 7 Constitutional Amendment election, Wylie citizens must register to vote by Oct. 10 if they are not currently registered. Texas voters are being asked to approve seven amendments to the Texas Constitution. Some communities, but not Wylie, also are conducting city council and school board elections. Early voting for the Nov. 7 election starts Oct. 23 and runs through Nov. 3. To register, pick up a form available at the office of the Collin County Election Administrator, 2010 Redbud Blvd., Suite 102, in McKinney, or at the County Clerk’s Office in McKinney. Registration forms are available online through the office of Wylie City Secretary or the Texas Secretary of State.

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City Manager Mindy Manson opened the session in the absence of presiding officials. Elected as chairman was Steven Wright, and William Martin was chosen vice chairman. The complaint lodged by Wylie business owner Jal Dennis alleged that WEDC President Marvin Fuller and Executive Director Sam Satterwhite failed to disclose a conflict of interest and acted for personal financial gain in the sale of a WEDC property in 2015. Attorney Ryan Pittman of the City Attorney’s Office See COMPLAINT page 3A

Kids can now collect WPD trading cards By Joe Reavis Staff Writer

news@wylienews.com Victor Tapia/The Wylie News

One smokin’ ride!

A bronc rider manages to keep a cigarette in his mouth despite losing his hat as he rides Saturday night at the 25th annual chamber rodeo. More photos, page 6A.

Wylie Police Department officers now have something in common with professional athletes, their own trading cards that are handed out on request and at community events. The trading card project was put together by Officer Nuria

Arroyo, the community relations and crime prevention officer, on a request by Chief Anthony Henderson. With persistence, children in Wylie could collect the entire set of 54 officers. “We try to offer them to any kids we see, and we take them to community events,” Arroyo See PROJECT page 3A

Swiftwater team conducts patrols, rescues utilizing various water craft By Joe Reavis Staff Writer

news@wylienews.com

Courtesy Art

Wylie firefighter Keith Jenkins watches for underwater hazards as the Swiftwater Rescue Team conducts a search in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

Lake Lavon Levels Normal 492

491.94ft.

as of 09/11/17 Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Hours of training and practice paid off in spades for members of the Wylie Fire-Rescue Swiftwater Rescue Team who put their skills to use in Hurricane Harvey floodwaters along the Texas Gulf Coast. The fire department sent five of its members and three watercraft as part of a 20-boat flotilla that composed Strike Team I in response to a call by Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System. Heading up the strike team was Wylie Battalion Chief Bri-

an Ritter, who is over special operations for the department. Other swiftwater personnel were Capt. Katy Willoughby, who leads the WF-R team, Jimmy Johnston, Patrick Hewitt and Keith Jenkins. The department also dispatched Quint 143 with four firefighters, Capt. Brandon Gibson, Michael Towne, Jared Buckmeier and Tim Turquette, an ambulance was dispatched with paramedics John Hunt and William Sullivan, who were relieved by paramedics Eric Owens and Chad Lloyd, and its top two administrators, Chief Brent Parker and Assistant Chief Brandon Blythe.

Wylie Police department responded to the relief effort by sending Chief Anthony Henderson, Lt. Tommy Walters, Lt. Matt Miller and Sgt. David Larocca to the coast. The swiftwater team utilized its hovercraft, rigid boat and inflatable raft to conduct patrols and rescues, leaving Monday, Aug. 28, and returning Monday, Sept. 4. “The needs for the boats were done,” Willoughby said. “The water had started to go down and we came home.” On their first day at the disaster area, the fire captain reported the swiftwater team conducted

hasty searches in its boats, looking for people needing help. They evacuated seven people, three dogs and four cats, handing them over for transportation to shelters. “There actually were people who didn’t want to leave because they had electricity,” Willoughby said. Firefighters warned those people that water and electricity don’t mix. The second day they were dispatched by 911 to specific locations to clear emergency calls, then spent much of their time on reconnaissance and more hasty See TEAM page 3A

Laubenberg will not seek re-election By Joe Reavis

thing else. That will probably include a beach, rescue dogs news@wylienews.com and, hopefully, grandchildren someday,” she added. State Rep. Jodie Among her acLaubenberg of Parker complishments in announced last week Austin, Laubenberg that she will not seek cites legislation to a ninth term of office protect the unborn, in 2018. provide stronger Laubenberg, a Reballot security and publican, has represtrengthen Second sented District 89 in Amendment rights. Jodie the Texas House of The veteran legLaubenberg islator serves as Representatives since 2003. The Collin County dis- chairman of the Elections trict includes Allen, Fairview, Committee and as a member Lavon, Lowry Crossing, Lu- of the Judiciary and Civil cas, Murphy, Nevada, Parker, Jurisprudence Committee. Plano, Princeton, Sachse, St. Previously she served on the Paul and Wylie. committees for public health, “After eight very produc- financial services and natural tive and successful terms, I resources. have decided not to seek re“I don’t believe in term election,” she said. “I am very limits, but I am doing my own grateful to the Lord for giving term limit,” she pointed out. me the privilege and honor Political party primary to serve in the Texas House. elections are set for March I represent some of the best 6, 2018 in Texas. Candidates constituents in this state.” can file for the primaries from “I am ready to do some- Nov. 1 through Dec. 11. Staff Writer

Inside this issue Classifieds..................... 6C Life & Style.................. 1C Obituaries..................... 2C Opinion......................... 5A Sports . ......................... 1B THE WYLIE NEWS (USPS) 626520) is published each Wednesday at 110 N. Ballard, Wylie, 75098. Second Class Postage paid at Wylie, 75098. Send address changes to P.O. Box 369, Wylie, 75098. Published by C&S Media, Inc. ©Copyright 2017. No reproduction without permission.

How to reach us: 972-442-5515 phone news@wylienews.com

Wyndi Veigel/C&S Media Texas

Wylie firefighters Travis Araujo, Wesley Gheen, Jimmy Johnston, Travis Martinez, Kyler Paredes, Michael Towne and Charles Vowels get ready to climb 110 flights of stairs at the Dallas 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Sept. 9.

They climbed, they conquered By Wyndi Veigel Staff Writer

news@wylienews.com Climbing 110 flights of stairs is no easy feat, much less when one adds bunker gear, air packs and fire helmets into the mix. For seven Wylie firefighters, the Dallas 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Saturday, Sept. 9 marked a time of camaraderie, laughter and a time of remembrance for those first respond-

ers who died Sept. 11, 2001 in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center. Wylie firefighters Travis Araujo, Wesley Gheen, Jimmy Johnston, Travis Martinez and Charles Vowels are no stranger to participating in the Dallas Stair Climb, as all five have participated in the past. Kyler Paredes and Michael Towne are new to the climb. “I’ve always wanted to do it but I’ve had a scheduling conflict,” Towne said. “I’m ex-

cited to be able to climb.” Embracing the motto, “They climbed so we climb,” the first responders took step after step to climb 55 flights to the top and then returned to the bottom at the Renaissance Tower to do it all over again until 110 floors were climbed, equivalent to the number of flights in the World Trade Center. For Probationary Firefighter Paredes, who has only been a See EACH page 3A

Get your pick of blueberry recipes, information... section C

Volume 70 Issue 10

THE WYLIE NEWS Covering Wylie and the surrounding area since 1948

Wylie, Texas

•

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

•

C&S Media Publications

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3 Sections, 14 Pages

Special legislative session starts next week

By Joe Reavis Staff Writer

news@wylienews.com Texas legislators return to Austin next week for a Special Session to take care of one required bill, then address a laundry list of business they did not complete in the 140-day regular

session that ended in May. Gov. Greg Abbott called the Special Session to convene for 30 days beginning July 18. Only the governor can call legislators back to the capital and set the agenda. The only item the legislature must pass is a Sunset Bill that continues funding of five state

agencies including the Texas Medical Board that licenses doctors. After the Sunset legislation is approved, the governor will open the session to the 19 other items. Generating the most interest is a “bathroom bill” that would limit the use of municipal and school bathrooms based on the

sex of individuals as listed on their birth certificates. The measure passed the Texas Senate but died in the Texas House. Legislators are asked to consider approval of $1,000 teacher pay raises, but it is so far unclear whether the state would pick up the tab or if the raises would be an unfunded mandate to be paid

by school districts that have already passed budgets for fiscal year 2017-’18, or are currently working on new budgets. Three other school matters are providing administrators flexibility in teacher hiring and retention policies, providing public funding for private educational programs for some spe-

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cial needs students, and forming a commission to study school finance reform. Property tax reform is being considered in two bills, to lower the tax rollback ceiling from its current level that reflects an eight percent increase in income See FOUR page 6A

Robbery information sought by PD From Staff Reports news@wylienews.com

Wylie Police are asking that anyone who may have information about an armed robbery at Dollar General Store, 421 N. Hwy. 78, contact the department. Police responded to a report of a robbery in progress at 10:23 p.m. Thursday, June 29, at Dollar General. Employees reported that a black male entered the business with a handgun and demanded money.

The suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash and fled in a dark gray, 4-door sedan that is believed to have damage to its front, Officer Donald English reported. Witnesses described the suspect as a black male, approximately 5-10 to 6-0 feet tall, slim build and with a medium length beard. Anyone in the area at the time of the robbery, or who recognizes the description of the suspect, is asked to contact police at 972-429-8020.

Police investigating death of Wylie man From Staff Reports news@wylienews.com

Wylie Police are investigating the death of a 52-year-old man on Wednesday, July 5, as a possible suicide. Officers responded to a call at 10:06 a.m. to a residence in the 1600 block block of Kathryn Street in reference to a welfare concern and found a man dead

inside the residence, Officer Donald English reported. Based on information collected at the scene, the case is being investigated as a suicide, English said. The body was transported to the Dallas County Medical Examiners Office for an autopsy. Name of the deceased is not being released at this time pending notification of the next of kin.

Greg Ford/The Wylie News

Pint-sized patriot

Ava Crowder, 4, of Wylie keeps herself cool and hydrated during the July 3 Red, White & Blue Blast at Sachse’s Heritage Park.

International competitor trains horses in Wylie Equines, students benefit from trainer’s experience By Joe Reavis Staff Writer

news@wylienews.com From England, to Germany, to Venezuela, horse trainer Becky Sanoja settled in Wylie almost 20 years ago to teach riders how to compete in jumping events and to train horses. “We came here because we

Librarians Randall Cross and Elizabeth Tate-George show off a couple of items they made with the 3D printer at Smith Public Library. Joe Reavis/The Wylie News

How to reach us: 972-442-5515 phone news@wylienews.com

wanted a new life,” Sanoja said, and explained that political turmoil in Venezuela had become dangerous, causing her and her husband to move. She and husband Carlos, a native of Venezuela, moved to the United States with their three children in 1991 and made it to Wylie in 1998. She operates Bryherstone Farm on 10 acres south of town, equipped with stables for 15 horses, an indoor arena with jumps, an outdoor arena and several paddocks to turn out the horses to graze. Sanoja was reared near York,

England, and admits that she was a poor student, preferring to ride horses and fox hunt instead of study. “My dad spoilt me terribly,” she recalled. “I was a bad student and started riding horses.” When she was 15-16 years old, she represented England on its Junior Olympics team, competing in Switzerland, Mexico and Puerto Rico. In 1970, she won the Young Riders championship in Mexico. She also won the European Young Riders bronze medal in competition in England.

“I just wanted to ride horses,” she said. To further her skills, she met 5-time Olympic Gold Medalist Hans Gunter Winkler at a competition and was invited to come to his school, the German Olympic Center in Warendorf. She followed up that brief meeting with a letter of introduction but received no response. At another competition, she met Winkler again and accepted an invitation to train at his school. Wasting no time, she traveled to Germany with the horses. During the time at the Ger-

man Olympic Center, and six months afterward with another German trainer, she competed in international events in Germany, Switzerland and Italy. The equestrian recalled that her father gave her 300 pounds to cover expenses in Germany, a sum she spent in about two weeks at the disco. She continued to receive an allowance, meager at best, that managed to cover her food expenses. “I was very lucky and got to ride very, very good horses,”

By Joe Reavis

technology. Overseeing the project are Adult Services Librarian Randall Cross and Electronic Services Librarian Elizabeth TateGeorge. “The challenge has been a lack of information,” Cross said. “We are still learning.” The pair has poured through the operator manual for the

printer and has annotated the manual with information they gleaned from other sources and through trial and error. “We have learned a lot, more than you ever thought you would need to know,” TateGeorge noted. The library received the printer in October 2016 as a donation from Friends of the

See TRAINER page 6A

Emily Sharp/The Wylie News

Becky Sanoja of Bryherstone Farm gives some love to Dolly, a pony she rescued and trained.

Librarians plan, prepare 3D printer classes Staff Writer

news@wylienews.com For the past several months two librarians at Smith Public Library have been studying the manual and working through the intricacies of a new 3D printer in preparation to offering classes in the cutting edge

Inside this issue

Classifieds............................ 2C Church Directory................. 2C Life & Style......................... 1C Opinion................................ 5A Sports . ................................ 1B

Wylie budget season underway Wylie City Council gets into the middle of the budget season this week and next with department presentations and a second work session on the fiscal 2017-’18 document. The council heard department presentations Tuesday of this week, and meet again at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 13... See 2A

Library. Cost of the equipment, technically a polyprinter that was manufactured in Midlothian, was about $4,000. Cross and Tate-George explained that libraries are expanding beyond being repositories for books and are setting up special spaces for a variety of See SMITH page 6A

Lake Lavon Levels Normal 492

492.19 ft. as of 07/10/17

Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Crafting Christmas can be fun and easy, see 1C

Volume 70 Issue 31

THE WYLIE NEWS Covering Wylie and the surrounding area since 1948

Wylie, Texas

•

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

•

C&S Media Publications

•

3 Sections, 18 Pages

$1.00

Christmas Outreach marks change in direction By Joe Reavis Staff Writer

news@wylienews.com The Bridge Connection nonprofit that sees to the needs of less fortunate people in the Wylie area is busy with its annual Christmas Outreach that brings holiday joy to 50 families, but the organization is going to step back after that to reassess its pri-

orities. Today, the food pantry and Bridge Café programs are closed for the season and AdoptA-Block has been taken over by The Lakes Church of Sachse. “The Bridge Connection is not going away,” founder Ginger Shocklee declared. “I’m taking a break.” Before she goes on a sabbatical, though, Shocklee is riding

heard on the 10th annual Christmas Outreach set for Dec. 15 at the First Baptist Wylie Event Center and an after-party breakfast Dec. 16 at which Christmas lists will be filled for more families. The Outreach event is an entire evening for pre-selected families that includes a restaurant style dinner, pictures with Santa, a campfire with smores,

a prayer room, and shopping areas where parents shop for kids and the kids in turn get to shop for their parents. Desperately needed at this point are volunteers to ensure that the evening runs smoothly. About 150 volunteers are needed on the night of Outreach. Volunteer signups may be completed on The Bridge Connection website and all volunteers

are required to attend training at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8. A second big need is someone, preferably a restaurant, to bake 15 turkeys and 15 hams for the dinner. Additionally, there are still some Christmas wishes on trees displayed throughout town that need to be filled. Those locations in Wylie are Mansions at Wylie, Walmart, Meteor Hamburgers,

Chili’s, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, New Hope Church, Summit Church, McDonald’s, Inwood National Bank, Gateway Community Church, Taste of Home and The Rock, Chick Fil A, La Flor Mexican Grill, Whataburger and Country Burger in Murphy, and The Lakes Church of Sachse. Toys See NONPROFIT page 3A

2-year-old drowns From Staff Reports news@wylienews.com

Wylie Police last week investigated the death of a 2-yearold girl who fell into a pond at South Fork Mobile Home Park near McCreary Road and McMillen Drive. Officers responded to a call reporting the incident at 11:32 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30 and found that the victim had been removed from the pond and that CPR was being administered. Wylie Fire-Rescue took over CPR efforts and transported the child to a Dallas area hospital, Sgt. Donald English reported. The 2-year-old, identified as Juliana Alas, was pronounced dead at the hospital. Investigation showed the girl exited her residence unnoticed and fell into the pond. She was located and removed from the pond by her father, English said.

David Grote/The Wylie News

Joe Reavis/The Wylie News

Hartman raises Blue Ribbon flag

Hartman Elementary School in Wylie pulled out all the stops last week in a celebration to raise a flag designating its selection for the national Blue Ribbon School award. See 4A

Lake Lavon Levels Normal 492

488.92 ft. as of 12/04/17

Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Inside this issue Classifieds..................... 4C Kid Print....................... 6A Obituaries..................... 2C Opinion......................... 7A Sports . ......................... 1B

Santa’s little helper

Christmas elf and family friend, Logan Dickey, age 7, peeks out a window of the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate float sponsored by Realtor Jenn Rock-May. The annual Festival of Lights parade down Ballard Avenue was sponsored by FBW and Wylie Downtown Merchants Association. Over 50 entries from area businesses and organizations participated in the parade.

Hopefuls continue to fill out primary election slots By Joe Reavis Staff Writer

news@wylienews.com With less than a week remaining to file for March 6, 2018 political primary elections, a number of contests have developed from the top to the bottom of ballots, although some of the challenges will not occur until the November General Election. Most candidates are signed

up for the Republican Primary, which dominates Collin County and Texas, but a number of Democrats are throwing their hats into the ring. Filings opened Nov. 11 and run through Dec. 11. At the top of ballots is the office of U.S. Senator held by Ted Cruz, who has not yet filed for a second term. Challenging Cruz in the GOP Primary are Geraldine Sam and Mary Miller, while Beto O’Rourke,

currently a U.S. Representative from El Paso, is so far running unopposed for the Democratic nomination. The U.S. Representative seat for District 3, occupied by Sam Johnson who is not seeking re-election, is sought by Republican Van Taylor, currently serving in the Texas Senate and unopposed for the nomination. On the Democratic slate, also unopposed, is Lonnie Burch. Seeking re-election to the

District 32 seat in the U.S. House is Pete Sessions, GOP, who will be challenged in November by one of two Democratic hopefuls, Ron Marshall or Ed Meier. Running for re-election to the U.S. House, District 4, is John Ratcliffe, who is challenged in the Republican Primary by John Cooper. There are no Democratic candidates seeking that party nomination. On the GOP slate for Gov-

ernor are incumbent Greg Abbot and challenger SECEDE Kilgore (also known as Larry Scott Kilgore). The primary winner will face one of three Democratic hopefuls, Adrian Ocegueda, Grady Yarbrough, or Tom Wakely, in the fall. Signed up in the GOP Primary for a second term as Lieutenant Governor is Ken Paxton, who is so far unopposed. See CANDIDATE page 3A

Playing Santa is a seasonal calling

By Joe Reavis Staff Writer

news@wylienews.com

How to reach us: 972-442-5515 phone news@wylienews.com Joe Reavis/The Wylie News

Ada and Robert Mooney, aka Santa and Mrs. Claus

Christmas is a special time of the year, but for Robert and Ada Mooney of Wylie the season is doubly special as they don their red and white suits to bring holiday cheer as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. Robert made his first appearance as Santa about 17 years ago when he was asked to ride on a firetruck in the Wylie Christmas Parade, and Ada joined him the next year. “We do it, not for the money

but for the joy of seeing the kids,” Ada said. “It’s an experience I wish everyone could have because of the connection with kids.” Robert recalled that the first time he put on the red suit, he rode on the front bumper of a firetruck in the Christmas parade in Wylie and noted that the fire chief made him ride in the truck for safety the next year. For 15 years he appeared in the parade as Santa, and added the Wylie Arts Festival, but the couple was replaced for 2017. However, their calendar is full this season with appearances in

neighboring communities. “If somebody calls and our schedule is open, we do it,” Ada said. The couple will make 15-20 appearances during the holiday season between Thanksgiving and a few days prior to Christmas. They stop before Christmas so they can enjoy that time with their family, and because Santa has to get ready to make his annual toy deliveries. Robert, 70, is an ideal candidate for Santa because he sports his own beard that started See SANTA page 3A