Posts Tagged ‘Duncanville’

DeSoto Man Charged With Murder in Car Accident

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

A 22 year-old DeSoto man has been charged with a murder after a Cedar Hill car accident that killed a woman just before midnight February 4. It began with a Duncanville officer attempting to pull Tyrone Lee Sims II over for a defective headlight.

As the officer was approaching the suspect’s vehicle, the suspect fled heading south toward the intersection of Wintergreen Road and Duncanville Road.

The officer returned to his patrol car and drove towards where Sims fled and witnessed both the suspect’s and victim’s car spinning out of control. Both had been heading south on Duncanville Road and collided when Sims passed another vehicle and hit the victim while she was turning east in the 1400 block Wintergreen Road.

Sims was initially charged with evading arrest and detention. The charges were upgraded because while in the act of committing a felony, Sims caused the death of another person.

He was driving a dark blue Chevy Tahoe when he collided with the victim, a 21 year-old Gladys Isela Barrientos, of DeSoto,who was driving a white Honda Civic. She was transported to Charlton Methodist Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Sims was not injured in the crash and did not appear to be intoxicated at the time of his arrest. However, officers did find an empty beer can outside of his vehicle. As a result, a toxicology report has been ordered to verify whether alcohol was a factor in the collision.

Another Student Brings Gun to DHS

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

There will be more security in place at Duncanville High School after the second gun incident in a week’s time at the campus. Roberto Araiza Jr, 18, brought an unloaded gun to the campus Tuesday, just days after a 16-year-old student snuck a loaded gun into the school. Authorities do not believe the incidents are related. The 16-year-old’s case is being investigated by juvenile authorities. Araiza has been charged with possession of a weapon in a prohibited place.

Both students are suspended for the rest of the school year. Security measures are being put in place including random searches and Dallas County law enforcement officials. The school will also install metal detectors and use portable detectors.

Student Caught With Gun At Duncanville High

Monday, February 1st, 2010

An anonymous Crime Stoppers tip allowed police to track down a Duncanville High School student that brought a loaded gun to school Friday in a backpack.

In a letter to parents posted on the school website, Principal Mike Chrietzberg had this to say:

“The student was taken into custody and removed from the campus. School administrators will continue to work closely with the Duncanville Police Department during further investigation of this matter,” the statement reads.

“We encourage you to talk to your children about informing teachers and school administrators when they are aware of important and potentially serious issues. Please note that following any such situation, I will communicate with you in this manner to keep you involved and informed on behalf of your child,” he continued.

DHS parents received a school messenger to alert them about the incident.

Duncanville’s Debra Carlson Runs for Dallas County Judge

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

We have another local candidate for Dallas County Judge, former Duncanville city employee Debra Carlson. She would be considered a long shot at this point, but then the same was true of current Dallas County Judge Jim Foster.

Foster, however, rode a Democratic party surge into office as did current Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez. Carlson is running as a Libertarian, which will make things more difficult.

Cedar Hill City Councilman Wade Emmert is running for the Republican County Judge nomination,and former Cedar Hill School Board member Ken Mayfield has a battle for his District 4 county commission seat on his hands.

Duncanville Police Arrest Suspect in Weekend Murder

Monday, December 7th, 2009

There are more questions than answers available in the Saturday shooting of 38-year-old Haranondez Love, but Duncanville police have a suspect in custody.

Clayton C. Bookman, 35, was arrested 11:30 p.m. Saturday in Little Elm and is charged with Love’s murder. His bail is set at $750,000. According to police reports, Love and Bookman had been playing dominoes Saturday afternoon at a home in the 700 block of Valley Hill Road.

The pair decided to go to the store for cigarettes and according to witness reports, Bookman pulled out a handgun and shot Love. Love ran outside and collapsed on the ground as Bookman drove away. An agent of the Dallas County medical examiner’s office pronounced Love dead at the scene.

Shalonda Robertson and her three children shared a home with Love. Bookman is Robertson’s relative by marriage, but Robertson told police she had no idea why Bookman would do such a thing.

Lend a Hand This Holiday Season

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

It is great to give thanks for all that we have, but it is even better to give back. Especially in today’s trying times, if you have a roof over your head, food to eat and your lights are turned on there are many who are not as fortunate.

There are a lot of dedicated Best Southwest Citizens already helping, and they can always use a little assistance.

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Duncanville Seeks Civil Service Commission Members

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

Duncanville is currently accepting submissions from citizens who would like to serve on the civil service commission. This important group has responsibilities including discussing the causes for removal or suspension of city employees, promotion and discipline as well as exams for promotion and entry level eligibility.

As you can see, it’s a really fun board. In all seriousness, this one is traditionally one of the harder boards to find members for because of the thorny issues they deal with. If you’d like City Manager Kent Cagle to owe you a favor, this is the probably the way to do it.

To be considered for the commission, you must be a U.S. citizen over 25 years of age and of good moral character, a current resident of Duncanville and have not held public office within the past three years. Cagle will interview applicants.

To apply, forward a completed application to City Secretary Dara Crabtree P.O. Box 380280, Duncanville, TX. 75138-0280. Applications can be picked up at City Hall or by visiting the city web site.

Local Suspects Plead Innocent of Medicare Fraud

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Five people, including two from the Best Southwest, yesterday pleaded innocent of conspiracy to defraud Medicare and Medicaid in U.S. District Court in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

The  indictment alleges Statewide Physical Medicine Group Inc. billed Medicare and Medicaid for more than $39 million in services in Mississippi from 2000 to 2005. The government agencies paid out $18 million.

On Wednesday Theddis Pearson of Houston, Telandra Jones of Duncanville, Dr. Cassandra Thomas of Jackson; Alonza Williams of DeSoto,  and Dr. Colie Crutcher of Meridian all pleaded innocent and were released on $50,000 unsecured bond.

Beer And Wine Sales Approved for DeSoto

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

In a huge turn of voter support from two years ago, beer and wine sales passed in DeSoto by a wide margin Nov.3.  Sixty-two percent of the nearly 5,000 voters that weighed in were in favor of packaged beer and wine sales. Those sales failed by nearly 400 votes in 2007.

Duncanville’s passage of packaged beer and wine sales in 2003 wasn’t enough to move DeSoto voters in favor of the measure. But when Glenn Heights approved beer and wine in 2008, it appears to have dramatically changed the political climate in DeSoto.

Nearby Lancaster has brought the issue to a vote on more than one occasion but  measures to bring beer and wine have failed.  Lancaster Mayor Marcus Knight, during his 2008 campaign, said he stands by what the community has done and would not bring the issue forth again.

Duncanville’s Multicultural Commission Starts

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

The City of Champions’ hotly debated multicultural commission is now past the initial planning stages and recruiting members.

To be eligible, one must be a resident and qualified Duncanville voter and not delinquent in the payment of fines or ad valorem taxes to the city. The city will be accepting applications through November 30 and after that deadline, the council will conduct interviews with each applicant.

Anyone wishing to apply should forward a completed application to City Secretary Dara Crabtree, P.O. Box 380280, Duncanville, TX, 75138-0280. Those forms are available at the city website or by calling Crabtree at 972-780-5017.