Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) recently recognized the exceptional efforts of GoZone driver John Johnson, who went above and beyond in service to others.
During Winter Storm Fern, John was transporting an unhoused individual in a wheelchair from a hotel to two shelters, both of which were full and unable to assist her.
Although the passenger said it was okay to leave and that she would find a picnic table to sleep on for the night, John felt compelled to ensure her safety. He then took further time to call the City of Denton’s non-emergency line to find alternative resources. Ultimately, he decided to transport the individual back to the hotel and personally cover the cost of two nights, providing a safe refuge during the storm.
While honoring John’s kind act of service, DCTA CEO Paul Cristina said, “We are a data-driven organization. We measure KPIs and the cost of services, but we can’t measure these kinds of things, so it’s very appropriate for us to say thank you very much for what you’re doing, and we are so grateful.”
John Johnson shared, “At one point in my life, I didn’t love myself. It took different people to show me love and to show me that I was worthy of love. It took the Lord to show me that I could pass that love on.” Mr. Johnson said, “Between the help of God, this community, and my job, that’s one more person who’s not on the street.”
In addition to honoring John’s outstanding service, DCTA reported impressive ridership statistics during the storm that included 2,953 GoZone trips completed with zero injuries or collisions, 640 A-train passengers with a 97.9% average on-time performance, 132 hours of switch heater maintenance,109 life-sustaining Access trips, over 20,000 Connect/UNT fixed-route passengers, and 608 customer support calls.
“It’s a privilege to work alongside the men and women of the Denton County Transportation Authority every day, but there are some days when that is shown in ways that go above and beyond,” said Cristina. “Staff did some extraordinary things during the winter weather event we had.”
A permanent home for the Boys & Girls Club in Lewisville is starting to take shape after local officials celebrated the groundbreaking on the new facility Friday.
It will be the first brick-and-mortar club in Denton County and will be located in a converted Lewisville Fire Station.
Denton County Judge Andy Eads was glad to see a fire station he spent a lot of his youth at turn into something for the community to enjoy.
“To have it here, not far from where I grew up, and at a station where I spent many Thanksgivings with my uncle – one of Lewisville’s first firefighters – brings this full circle,” he said. “The fact the station is now being refurbished as a place to help our youngest become the leaders of tomorrow is something about which we can all be proud.”
The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Tarrant County announced it officially completed the purchase of the old fire station on April 9.
Located at 195 W. Corporate Drive in Lewisville, the old fire station is in an ideal location near Lewisville High School, three elementary schools, a middle school and many neighborhoods.
“This is a major step forward for Lewisville families,” said Daphne Barlow, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County. “For years, we have served Denton County through mobile and school-based programs. Having a permanent Club location means we can provide stability, consistency and long-term support that kids and families can count on every single day.”
According to Barlow, the facility will provide a safe community space with affordable childcare options, as well as a comprehensive youth development organization focused on long-term outcomes.
The Lewisville Club will deliver academic support, programming to support healthy choices, daily meals and strong mentorship, along with enrichment in arts, sports, technology and workforce preparation.
According to BGCGTC, the center will also host summer programs to ensure care for the community’s youth all year.
A rendering of the planned Boys & Girls Club of Greater Tarrant County location in Lewisville. (Photo courtesy of Merriman Anderson Architects)
Denton County Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell has been adamant about returning a permanent Boys & Girls Club facility to Denton County, which was officially announced in July 2025.
“I am so thankful for the support of my colleagues on the Denton County Commissioners Court for working with me… to help this project get started and to the Lewisville City Council for committing this facility for this project,” she said. “This fall, the permanent Boys & Girls club will be ready to receive its first children, giving them opportunities to grow into our leaders of tomorrow.”
BGCGTC has served Denton County through mobile and school-based programs since 2023.
The latest census data shows 1 in 17 children in the county live in poverty, and as of 2024, nearly 29% of public school students in Denton County qualify for free lunch under the National School Lunch Program.
According to BGCGTC, the organization expects the Lewisville Club to serve 6,000 youth annually, in addition to the organization’s mobile operation in Denton County.
Two students from Flower Mound High School and one from a Lewisville academy will have their art featured in Congressman Brandon Gill’s office after winning the 2026 Congressional Art Competition.
The theme for this year’s competition was “Celebrating 250 Years of America” in honor of America’s semiquincentennial.
Professional artist John Kokalis judged the artworks, which were submitted by public, private and homeschooled high school students from Texas’ 26th Congressional District.
“Echoes of Revolution” by Annika Niu of Lewisville. (Photo courtesy of the Office of Congressman Brandon Gill)
First place went to Annika Niu, a student of Min Sun at the Academy of Ivy Art in Lewisville.
Her acrylic paint artwork, titled “Echoes of Revolution,” will be displayed in the Cannon House Office Building tunnel at the United States Capitol for one year.
The tunnel is traveled daily by members of Congress, their staff and thousands of visitors who can view the artwork from congressional districts across the country.
Each piece will be highlighted with the congressional district, title of the artwork and the name of the artist.
She will have the opportunity to see the unveiling of her artwork at the national reception and exhibition in Washington D.C. on June 25 and get a tour of the White House.
“Weaving Together America” by Flower Mound High senior Emily Zhang. (Photo courtesy of the Office of Congressman Brandon Gill)
The second place winner, Flower Mound High School senior Emily Zhang, submitted an artwork titled “Weaving Together America,” which was created with ink pen, graphite, colored pen and colored pencil.
Zhang is a student of Michelle Soto.
As the second place winner, Zhang’s artwork will be displayed in Gill’s Capitol Hill office for one year.
“Riding Free” by Flower Mound High sophomore Maanya Varma. (Photo courtesy of the Office of Congressman Brandon Gill)
Third place went to Maanya Varma, a sophomore at Flower Mound High School and a student of Nancy Lawrence.
Her oil painting, titled “Riding Free,” will be displayed in Gill’s Flower Mound district office for one year.
Congressman Gill expressed his congratulations to the three winners via social media.
All participating student artists will receive a Special Certification of Congressional Recognition for their submissions.
Last year, a pair of students from Flower Mound earned the top two spots and a student from Argyle received third place honors.
Tim House of The Bartonville Store and other McMakin Road business owners say they are done politely asking the Town Council to consider a proposed sewer connection.
They have a lawsuit drafted and are ready to file.
According to attorney Brandon Shelby, who was hired by House and other businesses on McMakin Road, the next step is legal action.
“My clients have been patient, they’ve been reasonable and they’ve sought to resolve this without litigation, but I want to be direct with this council,” said Shelby. “We have drafted a lawsuit, it is ready to file and we are prepared to do so.”
The comment came during the public speaking portion of Bartonville’s Town Council meeting on Tuesday night.
Since House has retained legal counsel, the Town was not able to comment on the situation. Council also does not respond to anything said during the public speaking portion of its meetings.
Nearly 30 people spoke at the meeting, with about six staunchly opposing the idea, 20 speaking in support and a few that brought up general ideas in regard to the situation. The Town did not mention any emails sent in about the project.
Of the speakers in opposition, their main points were wanting to keep Bartonville rural, continuing the town’s current policies and that businesses on McMakin Road were already aware they would have to run on septic systems.
Many worried this exception could set a precedent that might allow large or high-density developments in the future.
Speakers in support of House’s proposal came from Bartonville, Double Oak, Highland Village, Lewisville, Flower Mound, Denton and Lake Dallas.
Some wore shirts with the phrase “You gotta fight for your right to potty” printed boldly on the front.
Many talked about the importance of The Bartonville Store, what it means to the community and hoped the sewer connection would help it continue to succeed.
They also noted the benefits House has talked about: more parking, the ability for the store to stay open an extra two days and not worrying about the stench of a septic system.
However, many also brought up the perceived unfair treatment of The Bartonville Store and other businesses on McMakin when it comes to sewer, which seems to be the center of the proposed lawsuit.
According to the town’s official zoning map, The Bartonville Store and other businesses on McMakin Road are zoned Rural Business. The Kroger shopping center across the street is zoned General Commercial as part of a Planned Development and the Bartonville Town Center area where Marty B’s Restaurant and other businesses are located is zoned Village Center.
A small group of businesses at the corner of FM 407 and FM 1830 is also zoned Rural Business, including a gas station, a liquor store and a lightning protection firm.
House and his supporters argue The Bartonville Store should be permitted to hook up to sewer service, as other businesses have.
“What my clients want is simple,” said Shelby. “They’re not to asking for special treatment, they’re asking to be treated equally under the law – to have the same access to the same service, the same contract that every other commercial property enjoys.”
Speakers opposed to the connection said this case shouldn’t be compared to Bartonville Town Center or Lantana Town Center because those developments were designed specifically for sewer.
Bartonville previously opposed a sewer connection for The Bartonville Store in 2017, when a Lantana resident proposed buying the building, connecting it to sewer service and converting it into a Western-style restaurant.
Nothing in the town’s code of ordinances specifically lists whether buildings within Rural Business zoning are allowed to hook up to sewer or not.
However, the definition of the zoning reads that it is intended to provide local shopping facilities with development regulations that ensure “uses will be compatible and complementary in scale and appearance with a residential environment.”
The sewer line House wants to connect The Bartonville Store to is about 23 feet away from the building and was put in by Lantana Fresh Water Supply District No. 7.
This small radius of possible service was confirmed by Kevin Mercer, general manager of Denton County Fresh Water Supply District 6 and 7, which serves Lantana. “We certainly do not have the excess capacity for the town if they wanted to serve urban development or residential developments,” he recently told the Dallas Morning News.
“Lantana is very clear,” said House. “They have no interest, inclination or capacity to serve Bartonville residential.”
He claimed Lantana would only serve the existing businesses on McMakin because it’s off-peak.
“I think if we could sit down and talk about this, we could work it out quickly and avoid all the controversy,” said House.
The recent minutes haven’t been released from Bartonville, but minutes from previous council meetings indicate 13 supported the connection and 35 opposed.
Residents of a Flower Mound senior living community are now official cardholders with the Flower Mound Public Library.
Staff from the Flower Mound Public Library made a house call to Sodalis senior living community and helped its residents set up library cards and online access.
The effort hoped to encourage the Sodalis residents to come together over a shared love for books and get connected to one of Flower Mound’s most-used public resources.
A Sodalis Flower Mound resident with her new library card to the Flower Mound Public Library. (Photo courtesy of Sodalis Flower Mound)
“Seeing the Flower Mound Public Library visit and get our residents set up was something we won’t forget,” said Shelby Anderson, VP of sales and marketing at Sodalis Flower Mound. “Our residents are part of this town and holding that library card is proof.”
As I write this article, our staff is working closely with various community stakeholders in preparation to test a statewide emergency alert notification across Texas. This test is scheduled for April 2 and is being conducted in response to lessons learned from last year’s tragic flooding during the July 4 weekend in Kerr County. This test will mark the first time the state of Texas has initiated a coordinated, statewide alert test.
By the time you are reading this, I am hopeful the test was successful – or at the very least – that it provided valuable insights into how we can improve future statewide alerting efforts.
While outdoor warning sirens and emergency broadcasts for radios and televisions are often viewed as the primary means of receiving alerts, it is important to understand their limitations. Outdoor warning sirens are designed to alert people who are outside, not those indoors, and should not be relied upon as the primary source of notification. In many ways, these systems reflect an earlier era of emergency communications.
Today, our society is much more connected than ever before. Mobile phones, weather apps, weather radios and wireless emergency alerts all provide faster, instant detailed messaging for more reliable and updated information. These technologies can even send phone call messages to land line telephones. During the statewide test, I anticipate you will likely have received multiple alerts from different sources. This redundancy is intentional. No single system can reach everyone in every situation, so layered alerting helps ensure critical information gets out quickly.
At the heart of all these alerts is something even more important than technology – our people. Strong, connected communities are the foundation of effective emergency response and recovery. I continue to be amazed by the strength of our communities and the way we selflessly come together to support one another during tragic events. When neighbors check on one another, when families have a plan, and when we all take preparedness seriously, we create a safer and more resilient community for everyone.
For the month of February, Denton County Emergency Services District No. 1 responded to 302 calls, with 61% being medical-related and 39% being fire or service related, and an average response time of 6:43 minutes. If you would like to sign up for Denton County ESD 1 & 2 emergency alerts via Everbridge, please visit the website.
To reach Chief Vaughan, send an email to [email protected] or call 940.464.7102.
A Flower Mound family is sharing a life-saving story after their 14-month-old son survived a drowning incident — thanks to quick CPR, a chance encounter and what they believe was divine intervention.
Marshall and Christa Miles never expected to face a moment where seconds would determine their child’s survival. But on that day, preparation and timing made all the difference.
Christa was inside with the couple’s daughter while Marshall was outside with their two boys. Their youngest, Jackson, was in a walker playing with a toy fire truck.
Despite a fenced pool with a secured latch, Jackson somehow got through and fell into the water.
By the time his parents reached him, he was not breathing and had no pulse.
Christa, who had previously completed CPR training, relied on instinct. She rushed Jackson to the front yard and began trying to save him.
“Those moments felt chaotic and impossibly fast at the same time,” Christa said.
At the same time, Dr. Lowell Phipps and his fiancée, Ashley, were driving nearby — on a route they don’t normally take.
In what Phipps described as a strange sense of compulsion, Ashley urged him to turn onto a different street.
“I’ve lived in Flower Mound since 1999 and I’ve never once been on that street,” Phipps said. “We’re pretty routine on our Sundays, but that day we did a bunch of things we normally don’t do, so we were on a different street and decided to go that way.”
That decision led them to a cul-de-sac, where they saw the Miles family rushing Jackson out from the backyard.
Phipps pulled over and immediately began chest compressions while Christa performed rescue breaths. Paramedics soon arrived and took over care.
Jackson was placed under medical sedation for 72 hours to protect his brain.
“Those hours felt longer than any we had ever lived,” Christa said.
Finally, the test results came back.
No brain damage.
No lasting effects.
“It’s a miracle,” Phipps said. “The entire situation, the entire day, it was a miracle that it worked out that way.”
According to Phipps, brain damage can occur after five minutes without oxygen, and survival becomes increasingly unlikely after 10 minutes.
“Jackson was gone from the time they brought him out to the street,” he said. “But [CPR] gave us enough time to keep the oxygen coming into his blood and keep the blood moving through his body.”
Medical staff emphasized that CPR played a critical role in saving Jackson’s life — something they rarely see in similar cases.
Since then, the Miles family has committed to sharing their story, advocating for CPR training and giving glory to God.
“CPR training is simple and absolutely worth the time. We took a class before bringing Jackson home from the NICU because he was born prematurely,” Christa said. “At the time, it felt like one more box to check. In the emergency, that familiarity helped us act instead of freezing.”
Phipps, a physician, said while his training guided his response, everyone should know basic lifesaving skills.
“Anybody should know that and I know Christa has a good heart for wanting to really push that,” he said. “It’s so important to be able to do anything to help preserve oxygenation in the blood flow because with a drowning, you only have five minutes.”
Jackson Miles with Dr. Lowell Phipps. (Photo by Andrew Krebs/Metron Video Production)
Both Phipps and the Miles family believe there was more at play that day.
“We will always see God’s hand in those details — the unexpected turn, the preparation that put CPR knowledge in our path before we ever needed it,” Christa said. “When we cried out for help, help arrived.”
“Ashley felt that compulsion and told me we needed to turn,” Phipps added. “And the fact that they ran out front and didn’t stay in the backyard waiting for the ambulance to come … all these different things just pointed me to what was going on.”
Local officials say training is widely available. Brandon Barth of the Flower Mound Fire Department said the department offers hands-only CPR and Stop the Bleed classes, and is working to expand certification training through the American Heart Association.
Body Bionics in Lantana hosts monthly CPR and first aid classes; visit bodybionics.com for schedules, pricing and registration.
Christa noted that local YMCA locations also frequently host CPR courses.
The Miles family emphasized that water safety must be layered and intentional — even with precautions in place.
“Accidents happen faster than anyone expects,” Christa said. “Gates, locks, supervision and redundancy all matter.”
Amy Clayton, owner of Amy’s Aquatics in Flower Mound, said early swim instruction is another key prevention tool. She begins lessons for children as young as 6 months old and teaches techniques that help children survive a fall into water.
“There are techniques that teach a child to roll over [if they fall in] so they can get air while they reach for a wall,” Clayton said. “That’s something I’m very interested in implementing into my lessons.”
With pools, lakes and beaches common in family activities, experts say the risk of water-related accidents remains high.
“There is a dire need for kids to know how to save themselves when they fall in,” Clayton said.
For the Miles family, Jackson’s survival is a reminder of preparation, community and divine intervention.
“We are profoundly grateful to Dr. Phipps and Ashley, to the paramedics and medical teams who cared for Jackson and to the neighbors, family, friends and church community who surrounded us with prayer and support,” Christa said. “We know people may interpret stories like this differently. For us, it deepened our faith.
“In the most terrifying moment of our lives, we saw God work through skilled hands, precise timing and people willing to step in when we needed them most,” she said. “And every time we hear Jackson laugh, we are reminded how much grace we have been given.”
A new 1-mile stretch of roadway was celebrated in Ponder as a major improvement for the town.
The Anderson Farms Parkway broke ground on April 12, which will serve as a second access point for Ponder ISD’s campuses.
It will run parallel to FM 156, connecting January Lane to FM 2449 and easing congestion on FM 156.
According to the town, it is the first new thoroughfare road built in Ponder in a long time that isn’t tied to a development or a private project.
“Its purpose serves a vital connection between north and west Ponder, and a much needed second entrance to the Ponder ISD campuses,” said Ponder Mayor Nick McGregor. “We are excited to see the project take shape and are thankful for our continued partnerships with Ponder ISD and Denton County that made it possible.”
The $6.5 million project is funded through the Denton County’s TRIP22 bond program, alongside the Town and Ponder ISD’s contributions of $1.5 million.
Anderson Farms Parkway was named in honor of the Anderson Family, longtime Ponder residents whose land made part of the project possible.
Construction has already started and is expected to be completed in fall 2026.
The project is about a mile away from the historic Ranchman’s Ponder Steakhouse, which is being revived by local entrepreneur Marty Bryan and transformed into Ranchman’s by Marty B.
It is currently hiring and is expected to open soon, according to Bryan and the Town.
“We are excited to see this project launching soon,” said McGregor. “Ponder is growing, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome this establishment to our community.”
Denton County looked to help Ponder in its growth, announcing in September 2025 the county would be acquiring the Ponder Volunteer Fire Department in a proactive effort to provide fire and emergency medical services to all areas of Denton County.
According to the county, proceeds from the purchase were used to fund 24/7 staffing at the Ponder Fire Station for three years.
A new Chinese restaurant is setting up shop in Flower Mound after a sign on the building announced Dumpling Queen is coming soon.
The restaurant, which claims online to serve fresh, handmade noodles, Chinese dumplings and authentic Asian cuisine, will take the place of HERE Asian cuisine in The Pines of Flower Mound shopping center.
It is located at the corner of Flower Mound Road and Morriss Road.
“Our mission is to bring traditional flavors, quality ingredients and warm hospitality to the community,” Dumpling Queen said. “Every dish is prepared with care for freshness and taste.”
The restaurant’s menu is expected to feature noodles, dumplings and a variety of popular Asian dishes.
According to social media post, the restaurant space has a patio that can create a perfect setting for guests to enjoy an authentic dining experience.
Dates for the restaurant’s opening have not been announced, yet.
“Whether dining in or takeout, we are committed to clean service, great food and a welcoming experience,” said the restaurant. “Visit Dumpling Queen and enjoy homemade quality everyday.”
HERE Asian Cuisine opened in Flower Mound in 2017 and was featured in The Cross Timbers Gazette‘s Foodie Friday column twice, showcasing its sushi rolls and asian menu.
In preparation for any severe weather, the State of Texas is giving residents the chance to purchase emergency preparation supplies tax free this weekend.
The two-day sale starts Saturday at midnight and lasts until midnight on Monday. Shoppers can buy in-store, online, by telephone, mail, custom order or any other means.
“Natural disasters will continue to happen,” said the Texas Comptroller Office in a press release. “Prepare yourself during the 2026 Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday for emergencies that can cause physical damage like hurricanes, flash floods and wildfires.”
According to the state, some items that qualify for tax exemption include portable generators priced under $3,000 and emergency ladders and hurricane ladders priced under $300.
Other items that will be tax exempt, as long as they are priced under $75, include:
Axes.
Batteries, single or multipack (AAA cell, AA cell, C cell, D cell, 6 volt or 9 volt).
Nonelectric can openers.
Carbon monoxide detectors.
Nonelectric coolers and ice chests for food storage.
Examples of items include: candles, flashlights and lanterns.
Mobile telephone batteries and mobile telephone chargers.
Radios – portable self-powered (including battery operated) – includes two-way and weather band radios.
Smoke detectors.
Tarps and other plastic sheeting.
There will not be a limit to the number of qualifying items that can be purchased and no exemption certificate is required to remove tax from the order.
According to the state, several over-the-counter self-care items, like antibacterial hand sanitizer, soap, spray and wipes, are always exempt from sales tax if they are labeled with a “Drug Facts” panel in accordance with federal Food and Drug Administration regulations.
The following items will not qualify to be bought tax free this weekend:
Medical masks and face masks.
Cleaning supplies, such as disinfectants and bleach wipes.
Gloves, including leather, fabric, latex and types used in healthcare.
Toilet paper.
Batteries for automobiles, boats and other motorized vehicles.
Camping stoves.
Camping supplies.
Chainsaws.
Plywood.
Extension ladders.
Stepladders.
Tents.
Repair or replacement parts for emergency preparation supplies.
Services performed on, or related to, emergency preparation supplies.
When purchasing an item online, delivery charges may put an item’s total price over the accepted threshold, which would force a buyer to pay taxes on the overage.
“For example, you purchase a rescue ladder for $299 with a $10 delivery charge, for a total sales price of $309,” explained the Texas Comptroller’s Office. “Because the total sales price of the ladder is more than $300, tax is due on the $309 sales price.”
If the sales tax is paid during the tax-free period, a customer can ask the seller for a refund or fill out a Form 00-985 that allows the customer to file the refund claim directly with the Comptroller’s Office.
Flower Mound police are on the search for a male that stole someone’s phone at gunpoint Sunday evening.
According to Flower Mound PD, officers responded to a reported robbery in the 3300 block of Devonshire Court.
The victim said an unknown male asked to use his phone. When he did, the male took out a handgun and demanded the victim give him the password to the phone.
Officials said the suspect also forced the victim to reset the phone before allowing him to leave.
The suspect fled the scene, as well, once the phone was reset.
According to police, the suspect was described as a young black male, approximately 16-20 years old and about 5 feet 7 inches with a thin build, light complexion with freckles, dreadlocks and was last seen wearing a hoodie.
“The investigation is still ongoing and the department’s Criminal Investigations Division is urging anyone with information to come forward,” said Flower Mound PD.
Highland Village police are advising residents to ensure their pets are up to date on their rabies vaccine after a skunk tested positive within City limits.
On Friday, Highland Village Animal Services responded to an injured skunk in the 300 block of Greenleaf Street.
When the skunk was found, it was humanely euthanized and a specimen was submitted to the State Health Lab in Austin on Monday.
The specimen was tested for rabies, which came back positive.
“At this time, there is no indication of an immediate threat,” said Highland Village PD. “However, it is a critical time for heightened awareness.”
The department encouraged anyone who had contact, or whose pets might have had contact, with a skunk in the area on or around April 17 to notify Animal Services promptly.
“This is an important reminder to ensure your cats and dogs are up to date on their rabies vaccines and to report any animals that may appear sick or injured to Animal Services for investigation,” said officials.
Rabies vaccines are required under Texas Health and Safety Code 826.021 for cats and dogs four-months-old and over.
For more information or to ask questions, contact Animal Services at 469-444-0915 or email [email protected].
I am a 38-year resident of Double Oak and feel the Mayor’s recent message about the proposed 407 Double Oak Shopping Center misses the point and is borderline delusional.
In his recent commentary he states that the shopping center is a “thoughtful” alternative to the town’s current lack of commercial development.
The reason that this high traffic shopping center is so adamantly opposed by town residents and current council candidates is that it is anything but thoughtful. Residents are not opposed to commercial development but a high traffic (9500 cars per day) development that dramatically worsens drainage and resident safety does not pass the test of “thoughtful.”
The mayor has been working with Lantana on this project since last July and just can’t seem to realize that this “high traffic” proposal does not fit Double Oak’s current and future needs.
A vote for Bump, McCormick and Blesch will assure a true thoughtful way forward for Double Oak.
Jane Ruestmann Elementary’s front office will see a few changes in the 2026-2027 school year with the departure of its principal and assistant principal.
Lauren Tullos, the current principal of Jane Ruestmann Elementary, will become Argyle ISD’s director of staff, student and learner services.
According to the district, Tullos has more than 15 years of experience in public education, including campus administration, school counseling and classroom teaching.
She has served within Argyle ISD since 2022 and helped open Ruestmann Elementary in 2022.
The district announced the promotion of Tullos among a few moves that would affect the Ruestmann campus.
Argyle ISD announced new district and campus administration moves affecting Jane Ruestmann Elementary. (Photo courtesy of Argyle ISD)
Hillary Laird will replace Tullos as the campus principal.
She has worked in public education for more than 20 years and will transition into the role of principal at Ruestmann Elementary after serving as the assistant principal at Hilltop Elementary.
“Since joining Argyle ISD in 2018, Laird has made a significant impact across the district,” said the district in a press release.
She earned the Argyle West Elementary Teacher of the Year Award in 2021.
Before becoming the assistant principal at Hilltop, Laird served as the district’s Gifted and Talented Specialist, where she helped expand and enhance advanced academic programming for students.
The assistant principal at Jane Ruestmann Elementary, Leeann Rudolph, will also be leaving for a new position within the district.
Rudolph will replace retiring Lisa Watson as Argyle ISD’s Learner Services Department as a curriculum specialist for English, Language Arts and Social Studies.
“With more than 20 years of experience as a classroom teacher, dyslexia specialist and special services coordinator, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to supporting both educators and learners across the district,” said the district.
Rudolph has served in campus leadership since 2023 when she joined Argyle South Elementary an assistant principal.
All three will remain at their current campuses through the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
During this election, Double Oak Town Council member Mike Gwartney filed a formal ethics complaint against me—to try to damage my reputation.
It failed.
The Texas Ethics Commission dismissed the complaint in full, finding no violation and no jurisdiction. The official dismissal letter is attached.
The Commission states plainly that the complaint “does not allege a violation of a law administered and enforced” and that “no further action will be taken.”
The allegation itself ignored clear state law.
This wasn’t accountability. It was a baseless complaint, filed in the middle of an election and used to create doubt where none existed.
Voters should ask themselves why an elected official would choose to use a formal ethics process this way—and what that says about their judgment. You would think he knows the legal aspects.
Double Oak deserves better than political tactics designed to mislead.
I’m focused on facts, transparency, and serving this community—not gamesmanship.
Linda Blesch Candidate for Double Oak Town Council
Construction on Post Oak Park in Flower Mound will start soon, replacing some gravel trails with concrete and adding in restrooms, among other improvements.
According to a presentation from Parkhill, the firm in charge of the park upgrade designs, the current playground equipment will be replaced with a berm-style playground.
It will feature synthetic grass hills with playground elements throughout, in addition to ground-level equipment and a pair of tot swings.
“We wanted to come up with something that is more engaging, but still natural in feel and fits into the aesthetic of Post Oak Park,” said Landon Bell of Parkhill.
The restrooms will be located near the entrance of the park, just before the playground and will have two family stalls within a pre-manufactured restroom building.
Some of the trails throughout the park are concrete, but there are still some sections with old, decomposed granite that have become overgrown, grassy or muddy.
Parkhill plans to replace those gravel trails with all concrete trails and improve a pedestrian crossing over the creek area near the back of the park.
Other improvements include lighting upgrades to brighter LED lights and improving the water flow and drainage throughout the park, which features a pond.
“We’re trying to alleviate mosquitos and create more of a habitat with grass and native plants that can serve as a drainage way, but not with standing water,” said Bell.
According to the town, the park will be closed during construction, which is expected to start in June.
The more than $1.1 million in renovations are expected to take about a month to complete.
Sales taxes dedicated to improvements will be used for the project, which was planned during the review of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan in 2017.
Post Oak Park was originally named Skillern Park in 2001, but was renamed Post Oak Park in 2012 when it was developed.
A CH-47 Chinook helicopter will take off from and land at Briarhill Middle School in Highland Village on Tuesday, but residents shouldn’t be alarmed.
It’s part of a planned exercise by the Texas Army National Guard, which will take place at the school’s football field between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
According to the Highland Village Police Department, the helicopter will take off and land multiple times as part of a special Air Force Junior ROTC Experience.
The exercise was planned by Marcus High School and Flower Mound High School.
It’s an exercise that has happened before in southern Denton County, including at Marcus High School.
In late February, I had the privilege of delivering the Town’s State of the City address at the annual State of the Cities luncheon, hosted by the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce, Highland Village Business Association, and Lewisville Area Chamber of Commerce. This event brings together business leaders from across our neighboring communities to hear updates on the progress and achievements of the past year. As part of this tradition, Flower Mound’s Communications team, once again, produced an entertaining and informative recap video. If you haven’t seen it yet, I encourage you to check it out at flowermound.gov, where it’s featured among the pinned videos toward the bottom of our homepage. While the video offers a great overview, I’d also like to take this opportunity to highlight a few key accomplishments that help tell the story of where we’re headed.
In many ways, 2025 marked the start of a new chapter for Flower Mound. With a renewed focus on strengthening our financial strategy, we’ve prioritized maintaining our existing assets, enhancing services, reinvesting in aging infrastructure, and planning responsibly for future growth. Most notably in 2025, Flower Mound voters passed a bond election for the first time in more than 20 years. Propositions A and B, totaling $112 million, fund critical improvements to the Town’s 30-year-old streets and upgrades to the Town’s parks and recreational facilities, including trail systems, parks and sports fields, and the expansion and renovation of the Community Activity Center. With the Town’s financial strategy now leveraging debt to fund non-utility capital projects, this vote of confidence from Flower Mound residents allows us to move forward with much needed investments in the town’s infrastructure without taking on new debt. We anticipate all projects that fall under the Town’s Bond 2025 program will start within the next five years. You can learn more about the program and the projects we’ve made progress on so far at flowermound.gov/bond2025.
Speaking of the budget, the Town’s Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget was perhaps the leanest passed by Town Council in recent years. The paired-down approach was a direct response to a decrease in the Town’s property tax base due to a lack of new home sales and development and a decline in sales tax receipts. Your Town Council was still able to hold the tax rate steady at 38 cents per $100 valuation and we increased the homestead exemption to 20 percent, the maximum allowed by state law. It is important that we offset the rising cost of homes with a higher exemption to help our residents.
Public safety was another key focus in 2025 to lead us into 2026. The Town kicked off the design phase for a permanent Fire Station No. 6 on 6.64-acres of Town-owned land in west Flower Mound. Construction on the new facility is expected to start in spring, with an estimated completion in 2027 and we will also have a new fire station No. 3 at Aberdeen and Long Prairie Rd. In case you didn’t know, Flower Mound is ranked as a top-tier ISO (insurance service office) rating of 1, which indicates the highest fire protection capabilities and gives you a lower home insurance rate, so remind your insurance carrier of this classification. In addition to our fire service expansion and outstanding ranking, staff began the land acquisition phase for a new police and municipal court facility, as our current police station is 30 years old and will soon not meet the operational needs of our growing community. Flower Mound ranks as the top 10 community leaders in safety in the United States.
The Town also took steps toward designing a performing arts center. Planned for 3.67 acres of Town-owned land within the River Walk development, the center is envisioned as a community hub for arts, cultural, and creative programming. Potential amenities include a main stage theater, flexible performance spaces, multipurpose rooms, administration and support spaces, a gallery, and exhibition space that can host, as well as outdoor spaces that provide opportunities for gathering, performances, and connectivity to the River Walk trail system and neighboring restaurants and retail locations. We plan to fund the project through the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) No. 1, which Town Council voted to extend in November 2024 with this vision in mind. You can learn more at flowermound.gov/artscenter.
This is just a sliver of the many things your Town accomplished in 2025 to build on this year. Be sure to watch the State of the City video for a recap from some of our major departments and how they earned their spot in the bunker (a reference you won’t get until you watch!). Happy spring – I’ll see you back on these pages in May.
Denton County Emergency Services Districts No. 1 and 2 are encouraging residents to safely dispose of unused or expired medications as part of National Drug Take Back Day, a nationwide effort to reduce misuse, accidental poisoning and overdose.
Officials said proper disposal is critical, as many misused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, often from medicine cabinets at home.
Through a partnership with the University of Houston’s Prescription Drug Misuse Education and Research (PREMIER) Center, all Denton County ESD 1 fire stations offer free medication disposal kits year-round in their lobbies. The kits allow residents to deactivate medications at home and safely discard them.
Drug overdoses continue to be a major public health concern. Nearly 105,000 overdose deaths were reported nationwide in 2023, according to officials. Unused medications left in the home can increase the risk of accidental poisoning, misuse, addiction and overdose, particularly among children and other household members.
Improper disposal can also harm the environment. Officials warn that flushing medications or throwing them in the trash can contaminate water supplies and negatively impact wildlife.
Residents are invited to participate in a local Drug Take Back Day event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 24, at Station 511, located at 511 Gibbons Road South. Free single-use disposal system (SUDS) kits will be available while supplies last.
In addition to fire station resources, permanent drug disposal kiosks are available to the public at the Argyle and Bartonville police departments for ongoing safe disposal options.
The party is on for JSP Banquet Hall after Flower Mound Council unanimously approved its specific use permit to open an assembly hall along Flower Mound Road.
JSP Banquets, as the project is currently referred to, will be located in the eastern-most suites, No. 500 and 600, of the building along Flower Mound Road that houses Maya Creamery & Lounge.
“We want to be a proud neighbor in the community,” said a representative from developer Chaluvadi Companies. “We believe the facility will be a great addition to the area.”
The hall will be 2,614 square feet and plans to be open from 9 a.m. to midnight everyday.
It is expected to host events such as weddings, birthdays, graduation, baby showers,
anniversaries and corporate meetings.
Council expressed concerns about the possible noise level since the facility plans to stay open until midnight during the week.
However, the developer said there will be a self-imposed guest limit by the hall, which will also have a staff member on site to monitor activities.
The guest limit, which town documents indicate will be 96 occupants, was calculated to ensure there is adequate parking.
In addition, there will be no events that would cause guests to be outdoors at any time.
The concept expects to open in October following some building renovations to upgrade and increase the number of restrooms.
Previous reporting indicates Chaluvadi also operates an upscale banquet hall in Frisco, has another under construction in Little Elm and has plans for another in Crowley.
According to the developer, Chaluvadi Companies also owns a restaurant that will cater events at JSP Banquets.
The hall will also have the options of a concierge, on-call bartenders, valet parking, technology support and a large network of vendors from decorators, DJs and performers to photographers and videographers.
