Fire department refuses to enforce city ordinance
With almost a million citizens residing in Fort Worth, holiday celebrations such as the Fourth of July Weekend are big events. Through the city’s history, official fireworks shows are held generally each year along the Trinity River flowing just north of Downtown. When held on weekends, as was the case in 2022, the celebration is even bigger with sponsors of the official show partnering with the nearby military base – formerly Carswell Air Force Base, now Naval Air Station Fort Worth/Carswell Joint Reserve Base – to have a military display or exhibition as an added bonus for the citizens. In 2022, this was illustrated by a flyover of F-16s from the 301st Fighter Squadron.
Read full storyRenewed border threat: cartel violence
Located some 600 miles southwest of Brownsville, Texas, lies the capital city of Jalisco in Mexico, Guadalajara. Home to magnificent churches and other artwork and attractions, Guadalajara hosted almost four million visitors in 2018.
Read full storyWhy pet parents are moving to home-cooked dog food
Since 1860, dog food has been commercially available for those who wished to have others take the time necessary to cook food for their canine companions. Beginning as a mix of wheat meals, vegetables, beetroot, and beef blood, the recipe started a trend that would see various companies develop recipes known as biscuits or kibble for dogs. In the first quarter of the 20th Century, canned dog food made its entry into this market.
Read full storyStrong, prosperous, and growing - Mayor gives State of the City
On Thursday, September 29, 2022, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker gave her 2022 State of the City address at a Chamber of Commerce event held in Dickie's Arena. Through this address, she provided general ideas surrounding her administration's accomplishments since taking office in 2021, and a general vision for the future of For Worth. Below is an unofficial transcript of the mayor's address:
Read full story“Candy” causes law enforcement warning to parents
First developed in 1959 and distributed in 1960, fentanyl has become widely used as an anesthetic. Initially administered intravenously, the pain killer has expanded into a variety of forms including oral lozenges, multiple types of tablets, oral and nasal sprays, transdermal patches, and injectables. Due to its potency, which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rates as 50 times that of heroin and 100 times that of morphine, AddictionCenter lists fentanyl as the second most-dangerous drug available in the United States, and only so based on the availability of alcohol.
Read full storyBudget meetings scheduled for community input
Downtown Fort Worth from West 7th BridgeDepositPhotos.com. On Tuesday, August 9, the Fort Worth City Council was presented with the proposed budget for the Fiscal Year 2023 which begins on October 1. The finalized budget is scheduled for a vote and is expected to be adopted at the normal City Council Meeting on September 27.
Read full storySteer the Budget has ended, but resident voices can still be heard – FY 2023 Fort Worth City Budget
Having budgeted for approximately $800 million for the fiscal year 2022, the Fort Worth City Council is set to move into the phases of finalizing the budget for FY 2023 this week. A full slate of activities is scheduled or being scheduled to allow for input on the new budget.
Read full storyMass shootings by the numbers – where does your state and city rank?
Through the first six months of 2022, there were a total of 297 mass shootings reported by Gun Violence Archive. These resulted in a total of 1,617 casualties, with 325 of those being fatalities. Thirty-five states and the District of Columbia each encountered at least one mass shooting incident.
Read full storyNew law to give Texas homeowners more control over their property
Having become popular in the 1960s, homeowners’ associations (HOAs) are reported to have been developed to keep certain elements out of suburban neighborhoods. Business Insider claims that these groups were created to prohibit or at least limit black residents from moving into certain neighborhoods. While coming from racist roots, the idea of HOAs has continued, and actually expanded, through the years. It is virtually impossible to locate a suburban neighborhood in a major metropolitan area that is not subject to an HOA.
Read full storyERCOT’s “all or none” policy raises electric rates and puts the state’s supply in jeopardy
For right at 52 years, the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has been operating as an independent, not-for-profit organization responsible for overseeing the reliable and safe transmission of electricity over the power grid serving most of Texas. In 1996, ERCOT became he broker between competitive wholesale power buyers and sellers, paving the way for deregulation of the Texas energy industry in 2002.
Read full storyPolice force increasing at half the pace of residency
Fort Worth Police Department PatchCity of Fort Worth. At the turn of the century, Fort Worth was considered by many to be one of the safest places to live in the U.S. If something untoward happened, it seemed that a police officer was virtually just around the corner to respond and assist. The police force was so prevalent that it was not uncommon to find units located throughout the city protecting the roadways with so-called speed traps. It also was a regular occurrence to see the mounted patrol around Downtown, particularly around Sundance Square.
Read full storyOpioid settlements do little to deter crisis
Since introduced in the 1990s, opioid pain relievers have been increasingly produced and distributed by pharmaceutical manufacturers. The medications were determined to be highly effective for their stated purpose, but also, in spite of manufacturer claims, highly addictive.
Read full storyFentanyl surging from Mexico with China’s assistance proving national security threat
Opioid abuse has become a crisis in the United States, leading to lawsuits by state and federal officials against pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies. Just in the past week, states and municipalities have reached settlement agreements worth upwards of $26 billion.
Read full storyState fails to clarify Executive Order parameters
The position of Attorney General is vital to ensuring that the state’s laws are enforced properly. The office’s website describes the position as being “the State of Texas’s chief legal officer.” The website and statutes make it clear that the AG represents the state as a whole and that individuals are not represented by the office.
Read full storySpicy southwest chicken chowder warms the body and the soul
In spite of the warm front that has placed itself over the country, Winter is sure to make its arrival and bring frigid temperatures with it. When that happens, it will be time to spark up the fireplace and to place soups, stews, and chilis on the stove. Included in that is chowder.
Read full storyYuma declares state of emergency to avoid return of Wild West
Once known as a rugged, frontier town in the Wild West where only the toughest would tread, Yuma, Arizona, has become one of the nation’s most sought places to live. Settled along the Colorado River, the city provides spectacular views, wonderfully sunny weather year-round, and a populace known for being friendly and welcoming.
Read full storyMigrant crash indicative of new surge
On Thursday, the Mexican state of Chiapas was the site of a horrific truck crash that caused at least 53 migrants from Central and South America their lives. Witness accounts of the incident indicate that the driver of the truck, which was carrying over 160 undocumented migrants in the cargo carrier it was hauling, was speeding and lost control, causing the truck and trailer to overturn. The crash left bodies strewn across the highway, many writhing in pain with broken bones and serious internal injuries.
Read full storyBowl Time snacks: Guacamole
With a week to go to the start of college football’s Bowl Season, parties are being planned and menus created. Friends will group together to watch their favorite, or not-so-favorite, teams play in the highlight of the teams’ respective seasons. Crowding the tables will be loads of snacks and finger foods.
Read full storySocial media allowed to continue censoring without explanation
An attempt by the Texas Legislature and Governor Greg Abbott to bring social media censorship out from the shadows received a blow on Thursday when U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman ordered a preliminary injunction preventing a new law from taking effect.
Read full storyWinter is the time for chili
Winter is upon us, and it is a time for fireplaces and hearty, warm dishes to comfort the body and soul. Among those dishes is a Texas favorite: chili. Almost every person has their own recipe for chili, based on their own particular tastes. The basic ingredients, though, are meat, tomatoes, garlic, onion, peppers, and spices. These are all cooked together and simmered to allow the flavors to, as Emeril Lagasse used to say on his television show, “Get happy happy!”
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