Star-Telegram.com: Arlington

Dallas Cowboys stadium gets luxurious touches

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:56 CDT

By ANDREA AHLES

ARLINGTON — Granite countertops, a full-size refrigerator and embossed leather are going into the suites at the new Cowboys stadium.

Crews are finishing out suites on the silver level, installing marble-tile floors and chocolate-brown carpeting.

"You’ll see a lot of the rich appointments that you would usually see in a lot of the nicer homes," said construction manager Jack Hill. The suites "are nicely finished out. We think the fans are just going to love them."

Work also continues on the 72-foot-high, 180-foot-long scoreboard frame in the middle of the field. Seat installation is ongoing, with several sections completed on the silver level.

By the numbers 1,600 Workers on-site

300 Suites

3 Color palette choices for suite owners

$300,000 Yearly cost of a 20-year contract for an 18-seat suite in a corner of the silver level

Several vehicles damaged in north Arlington incident

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:26 CDT

Several vehicles were damaged, but no one was seriously hurt late Monday morning when a disposal truck crashed into an electric utility pole at an apartment complex in north Arlington.

The wreck was reported 11:14 a.m. at the Trinity Oaks Apartments, in the 811 NE Green Oaks Blvd. The area is northwest of the intersection of Texas 360 and Interstate 30.

The truck hit the pole and several cars in the apartment complex parking lot were damaged.

The driver of the truck was receiving first aid at the scene, but an emergency dispatcher in Arlington said he declined to go to the hospital.

No other information was immediately available.

Armed robber hits Arlington grocery store

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:30 CDT

BY NATHANIEL JONES

Police are seeking the identity of a man who robbed a Kroger grocery store in east Arlington.

Police on Monday released images of the robbery that occurred at the store in the 2500 block of East Arkansas Lane. The armed man in the images can be seen jumping a counter during the 6 a.m. robbery.

The masked man is described as being between the ages of 25 and 30 and about 5-feet-6 inches to 5-feet-9-inches tall.

The man was wearing a black jacket with a white emblem over the left breast, according to Arlington police.

The suspect was seen leaving the robbery in a newer model gray Honda car.

Anyone with information on this offense is asked to call Arlington Police Detective Anthony Wright at 817-459-5637 or Crime Stoppers at 817-469-TIPS (8477). Anonymous tipsters are can receive for up to a $1,250 reward.

Political analyst, former governor, former senator to speak at area universities

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:25 CDT

By GENE TRAINOR

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, former Sen. Bill Bradley of New Jersey and Fox News political analyst Juan Williams will speak Tuesday at Tarrant County universities.

It’s all part of the election season.

Bush, a Republican and the brother of President Bush, and Bradley, a Democrat and 2000 presidential candidate, will appear at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. They are expected to talk about the presidential election and how their experiences shape their viewpoints, said Lea Robinson, TCU’s academic program coordinator.

Williams will also speak about the presidential election and will answer questions at a University of Texas at Arlington forum. He appears on Fox News Sunday and works as a news analyst for National Public Radio.

Juan Williams Breaking Down Barriers: The Historic Election of 2008

7:30 p.m. Tuesday

Lone Star Auditorium, Maverick Activities Center

550 W. Nedderman Drive, University of Texas at Arlington

Free, but tickets are required: www.utatickets.com or 817-272-2963.

Jeb Bush and Bill Bradley Fogelson Honors Forum

8 p.m. Tuesday

Ed Landreth Auditorium

University Drive at West Cantey Street, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth

Free, but tickets are required: www.hon.tcu.edu. For information, call 817-257-4862.

Cook Children's seeks tax subsidy for pediatric clinic in Mansfield

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:56 CDT

By ROBERT CADWALLADER

MANSFIELD — Cook Children’s Health System wants a $100,000 sales tax subsidy to help develop a pediatric clinic that would consolidate its two facilities in Mansfield.

The City Council will consider granting that aid at a meeting at 7 tonight at City Hall, 1200 E. Broad St.

Cook started construction last month on an 8,500-square-foot clinic near the southwest corner of Matlock Road and Cannon Drive, near the Methodist Mansfield Medical Center.

The $1.6 million facility, which is set to open in early March, will replace the two sites Cook is leasing at 980 Walnut Creek Drive and at 2851 Matlock Road. The Matlock site lease expires Dec. 31.

George Montague, Cook’s vice president for real estate, said that eventually a second facility will be added to the 6.4-acre site of the clinic now under construction. That expansion would include space for pediatric specialties such as cardiology and neurology, providing Mansfield one of only three full-service pediatric specialty clinics in the Metroplex, Montague said.

"We don’t have a definite time frame on that, but our hope, our expectation would be that in the future we would develop the rest of that corner," Mantague said.

Cook requested $136,000 from the Mansfield Economic Development Corp. to pay for water and sewer extensions, a median cut in Matlock Road and a right turn lane. The development corporation, which administers a half-cent sales tax for business projects, decided to recommend $100,000, which the council will consider ratifying today.

Scott Welmaker, city economic development director, said the infrastructure improvements also will help draw other development to that area within the city’s burgeoning healthcare district.

"It certainly brings in high-paying jobs to the city — doctors, nurses, RNs — all the people who work at that facility are generally pretty well-paid," Welmaker said.

Hotel study

The council will take try to break its deadlock on the development corporation’s request to spend $29,000 on a hotel market study. At the Sept. 22 meeting, the council split 3-3 with one member absent.

"We’re going back to see if we can get a swing vote," said Richard Nevins, the city’s assistant economic development director.

The development corporation wants to attract an expanded-service hotel with significant meeting space to complement the city’s six limited-service hotels, including four that opened recently. A seventh is in development.

Welmaker said the city is fielding more inquiries from hotel developers, and a study would give the city an advantage by helping officials answer questions about how much additional hotel and conference services the city’s hospitality market can support.

Some council members at the last meeting said they didn’t think the expense was necessary because they believe the developers will conduct their own market assessments.

In other business

The council will also:

Consider spending $38,000 for design and survey services for drainage improvements in the Country Club Estates Addition. The project would build an underground storm drain system to replace an open channel with eroding slopes.

Consider making appointments to the development corporation, Planning and Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment and Keep Mansfield Beautiful Commission.

Consider setting a permanent time cycle on a Country Club Drive traffic signal in front of the Walnut Creek Country Club during rush hours.

Barton faces 2 challengers in District 6 race

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:38 CDT

By ANNA M. TINSLEY

U.S. Rep. Joe Barton didn’t support the $700 billion bailout bill, but he said he wants to be in Washington to help lay out how it will work.

Barton said he realizes that much work lies ahead to ensure that the Wall Street rescue, which he voted against even after President Bush called and asked him to support it, truly helps Americans.

"We need to bring the deficit under control, and with what just happened with the financial system, we need to [reconstruct] the market," said Barton, 59, of Arlington. "I think we still need a conservative voice in Washington. I think I still have work to do."

In his bid for another two-year term, Barton faces Democrat Ludwig Otto and Libertarian Max Koch.

Otto, 74, an English professor at Tarrant County College, said he’s running because he believes that the country is heading down the wrong path.

"We need to change our direction," said Otto, of Arlington. "I am honest, experienced and hardworking. I listen and act on the issues that concern people."

Koch, 40, a construction consultant from Mansfield, likewise said he would bring needed change.

He said he is running "to introduce honesty and usher in a new era of limited government."

Early voting begins Oct. 20. Election Day is Nov. 4.

Barton

The ranking Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, who earned the nickname "Smokey Joe" by some for defending industries against tighter pollution controls, said the economy, energy and national security are key issues in this election.

If re-elected, he would be serving his 13th term.

"America faces huge challenges right now. We need greater honesty and fiscal responsibility in government and the private sector. And we need to harness our private sector to solve our energy challenges," he said. "I represent a point of view on these issues that must be heard, and in the end, a view which must be adopted if we are going to sail successfully through these difficult times."

Koch

He said that he would be an advocate of the people and in touch with "real citizens" and that his main campaign promises are to return freedom to Americans, stop production of corn ethanol, end the war and make Wall Street accountable.

"This country has been stolen by faux conservatives, and it is time for the patriots to reclaim our country," said Koch, who previously made one unsuccessful bid for the Texas House of Representatives.

Otto

He was an undefeated professional boxer in the 1950s and has held several ministry, education and military posts.

He says his main issues are the economy, healthcare, jobs and the environment.

"My bold new plan is everybody working together — Democrats, Republicans and independents all working together," he said. "The one thing I’ve done all my life and I’m really good at is getting everyone to work together. District 6 needs some common unification of purpose."

2009 transportation plan raises questions about North Texas highway projects

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:58 CDT

By GORDON DICKSON

ARLINGTON — North Texas officials are alarmed at the state’s 2009 transportation plan, which includes only partial funding for long-delayed projects such as expansion of Loop 820 in North Richland Hills, Interstate 35W in north Fort Worth and Texas 114/121 in Grapevine.

For weeks now, state and local officials have predicted that the economic crunch and a lack of state resources will make it much harder to deliver promised road projects for the next few years. Last week, those thoughts crystallized as the Regional Transportation Council approved a scaled-back version of the state’s 10-year Unified Transportation Program that includes funding cutbacks — painting a more realistic picture of what can be afforded and what can’t.

Unfunded projects were moved to a "backlog" list — temporarily, regional planners hope — until money becomes available.

"We need to take a step back and prioritize," a dejected Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley said. "We’re going to have to make a decision about whether we’re going to build a whole bunch of half roads or we’re going to build a couple of full roads. "

There’s no reason to panic, Texas Department of Transportation officials said after the RTC meeting. The shortfalls can be made up with alternative sources beyond the usual funds driven by gas taxes — including toll financing and agreements with private developers, Fort Worth district engineer Maribel Chavez said.

Loop 820 is a good example, she said. In the transportation plan approved Thursday, the Loop 820 expansion is technically only partially funded with state road dollars — $220 million of $422 million needed.

But in reality, Chavez said, the Loop 820 project will likely be fully funded and possibly under construction by 2009. Two private developers are competing for the project and likely will bring their own money to the table, which will help make up the shortfall.

The 820 proposal is part of a comprehensive North Tarrant Express project that includes new toll and nontoll lanes on I-35W in north Fort Worth and Texas 183 in Northeast Tarrant County. The work would be done in phases over several years, starting with Loop 820 improvements from North East Mall to I-35W. The Transportation Department is expected to select a bidder in December or January.

Also urging calm was Michael Morris, transportation director for the North Central Texas Council of Governments. He said many "moving pieces" will fall into place over the next few months and make it more clear which projects can be built. Those pieces include:

Uncertainty about federal funding, now that the highway trust fund has run dry.

Delayed decisions by the North Texas Tollway Authority about projects such as Texas 161 east of Arlington and Southwest Parkway/Chisholm Trail.

A desire among state leaders to overhaul the oft-criticized Texas Department of Transportation during the next legislative session, which begins in January.

Funded projects A sample of projects with at least some money in place:

Texas 114/121 DFW Connector, Grapevine — The project, also known as the Grapevine Funnel, has $192 million of $618 million needed. But private developers could bring additional money.

Southwest Parkway, Fort Worth — The proposed toll road to Cleburne has $211 million of $805 needed. But the North Texas Tollway Authority is the lead agency and will fill the gaps with toll financing.

I-35W, Fort Worth — Interchanges at North Tarrant Parkway and U.S. 287 have $8 million of $14 million needed.

Commuter rail connection to D/FW Airport — All $31 million is in hand. (But that’s only part of the estimated $471 million needed to build the line from southwest Fort Worth to Grapevine.)

Backlog list A sample of projects awaiting funding:

I-35W, Fort Worth — Toll/managed lanes from U.S. 81/287 to Denton County line, $91 million

Airport Freeway, Hurst-Euless-Bedford — Expansion of Texas 121/183 to six nontoll lanes, six toll lanes and four frontage lanes, $289 million

Money available to encourage projects that cut diesel idling

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:55 CDT

By BRYON OKADA

ARLINGTON — Diesel idling — truck drivers’ idling their engines to keep cab air conditioners running while they are resting or waiting to load or unload cargo — is often a simple fact of trucking in Texas, with its frequently unfriendly temperatures.

But while some cities, such as Arlington, Dallas and Little Elm, have placed restrictions on diesel idling, there is no universal mandate on the issue. In general, states and local agencies view long lines of idling trucks as a significant source of nitrogen oxide emissions, a precursor of low-level ozone and of particular concern if the idling is near homes.

Now a new regional diesel-idling program intends to reduce emissions by reducing the idling — and there’s federal money to be had for those with the best ideas.

To that end, the Regional Transportation Council is looking for the first time at funding area projects specifically designed to cut down on diesel idling. Projects can be either on-board devices or on-site solutions like electrified parking spaces. It can also be other innovative projects — something nobody has thought up yet.

Trucks are an obvious focus for the program, but not the only one.

"In addition, extended idling also sometimes occurs with locomotives, construction equipment and heavy-duty transit vehicles like buses," said Lori Pampell, transportation planner with the North Central Texas Council of Governments, which acts as staff for the council.

The region has $1.2 million in federal air-quality money to dole out on the projects, as well as a possible $750,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency. As this would be the program’s first year, it hasn’t been decided yet whether this is a one-time only allotment of money, said Amanda Brimmer, senior transportation planner with the council of governments.

Projects would be graded on nitrogen oxide reductions, cost-effectiveness, feasibility, regional partnership and the council’s own strategic priorities. Private and public entities that operate within the Dallas-Fort Worth nonattainment area are welcome to apply.

A briefing scheduled for Thursday was postponed. However, because the issue is not considered controversial, the council members were asked to review the program on their own. The Surface Transportation Technical Committee is expected to recommend the program this month.

A formal call for projects would likely come in November and remain open into January, Pampell said.

Diesel-idling reduction is one part of the regional effort to bring the nine-county nonattainment area into compliance with federal ozone standards. The area in question consists of Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwell and Tarrant counties.

Online: www.nctcog.org/trans/committees/rtc/2008/Oct/Ref.Itm_11.rtc100908.pdf

www.nctcog.org/dirp

Pastor's office looted during church service

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:58 CDT

By ANDREW CHAVEZ

FORT WORTH — The Rev. Rob Hamby took the pulpit at Fort Worth Presbyterian Church on Sunday and delivered a sermon encouraging the congregation to go out and show mercy to others.

And as he did so, someone snuck into a back room at the church and snatched his briefcase, which he said contained a laptop, credit cards, keys and receipts for business expenses. In all, he estimates that he’s out more than $5,000.

Even before the 10 a.m. service was over, charges started showing up on his credit card: $200 for shoes at Foot Locker, $676 for a diamond from a department store, a $333 charge at Lowe’s — even a purchase of gasoline.

Fort Worth police are investigating but were not available for comment Sunday.

Hamby, a campus minister at Texas Christian University, was filling in for the church’s pastor.

He and others at the church were shocked that someone would walk into a church during a service and loot its office.

"To know that people are bold enough to go to the pastor’s study and take something, and 30 minutes later they’re spending the pastor’s money — you just don’t think that would ever happen at a church," Hamby said.

While he’s troubled by the financial loss, Hamby said it should be a reminder to churchgoers to be vigilant in protecting their belongings.

Steve Fults, an elder at the church and its ministry coordinator, said he’s afraid that it might not be an isolated incident. He plans to warn other churches and distribute surveillance photos if they’re available.

"If somebody got away with something, they’re going to attempt it again," Fults said. "It’s like a bank robber who gets away and robs another bank."

Fults said that if the thief was in need, the church would have gladly helped out.

"It reminds us that we live in a world that’s broken," he said.

Tarrant County trying to identify people with sickle cell trait

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:45 CDT

By JAN JARVIS

Michael Jackson knew he carried the sickle cell trait. But he didn’t give it much thought until he became ill during a trip to Keystone, Colo.

The high altitude brought him to his knees.

"I had this awful pain, and it wouldn’t stop," said Jackson, a Fort Worth real estate broker. "The pain was just unbearable."

A nurse who quickly made the connection between Keystone’s high altitude and the sickle cell trait gave Jackson oxygen. He bounced back but was later hospitalized when the pain that settled in his spleen worsened.

Ten years after the ordeal, Jackson still lives with pain in his spleen.

"It’s not like it was, but I will have it for the rest of my life," he said.

Educating people about the trait before they experience a crisis like Jackson’s is the goal behind a new outreach effort by the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Tarrant County.

The sickle cell trait can be passed on to children and can cause complications when the person is under extreme stress.

It differs from sickle cell disease, which is an inherited disorder that causes red blood cells to become hard and pointed instead of soft and round, according to the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.

The disease can damage the spleen, kidneys and liver. The life expectancy for people with the disease is about 45 years. A bone marrow/stem cell transplant is the only cure.

Education

The Tarrant County organization wants to reach parents of newborns who screen positive for the trait and educate them about the risks, with the help of Tarrant County Public Health.

"For years people thought having the sickle cell trait is not really a problem, but it is," said Jinnell Killingsworth, office manager of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Tarrant County. "Typically with the trait they don’t have serious health problems, but some do."

Jackson, 53, is one example. He played football in high school and was always physically active but never knew he had the trait until 1985, when his children tested positive, he said. Even then, he did not have any symptoms until he confronted the high altitude in Colorado.

When sickle cells travel through small blood vessels, they can get stuck and clog blood flow. In Jackson’s case, the cells lodged in his spleen.

"My spleen could have burst, and I would have died," he said.

People with the trait often have no symptoms but can become ill when exposed to high altitudes, low oxygen, an infection or dehydration. Mountain climbing, scuba diving and intense athletic training can put people at risk.

Prevention

Although African-Americans have the highest rate of sickle cell disease and the trait, people of others ethnicities can also carry it, including Hispanics, Greeks, Italians, East Indians, Saudi Arabians, Asians, Syrians, Turks, Sicilians and Caucasians. About 1 in every 12 African-American babies is born with the trait.

In Texas, all newborns are screened for sickle cell disease. The trait is sometimes, but not always, detected at that time. Additional testing is often needed to identify the trait.