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Rockwall County had 3,681 voters cast ballots during the election. Dallas County saw a relatively tame election day, as 66,223 citizens cast their votes, the majority of whom were in favor of the 11 constitutional amendments on the Nov. 3 ballot. The amendments were all approved statewide, and having previously been passed in resolutions by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate, the propositions will now be made part of the Texas Constitution.

Wind energy was the topic of discussion during the joint meeting this week of the Rowlett City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission.

A single shot from a handgun rang inside Town East Mall Friday afternoon at approximately 4:43 p.m. The owner of Classique Jewelers Louis Fuentes fired the shot from his handgun at a suspect fleeing from his store a ‘snatch and grab’ type theft. The bullet ricocheted off shelving inside JCPenney department store and came to rest fully intact on the carpet near a rack of men’s sweaters. No one was injured and there was only minor damage to property.

Gallery 219 at Eastfield College presents Sue Anne Rische: “Coalesce” now through Nov.13. An artist lecture and reception will be held on Friday, Oct. 23 from 6 – 8 p.m. Gallery 219 is located on the upper floor of the Fine Arts Building (Building F) in Room F219C.

During the joint work session on Tuesday, the City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission discussed a philosophy dubbed the “dark skies movement,” which seeks to decrease light pollution throughout the city of Rowlett.

The city of Rowlett has revised building codes concerning accessory structures over the last two years. The revisions are aimed at regulating size and neighborhood compatibility concerns. Unfortunately, some of the revisions

Joanne Desso of Rowlett was sworn in as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) on Oct. 23 in the 305th Dallas County District Court by Presiding Judge Cheryl Lee Shannon.

During the city council work session Tuesday, a discussion about the width and proper path for the reconstruction of Merritt Road was held. The council previously was presented with four options regarding the path the new road would take. The project was divided into two segments, Phase 1A and Phase 1B.

The Rowlett City Council unanimously approved changes to the existing local stimulus plan in an attempt to enhance the program’s success. The improved program is proposed to run from Jan. 1, 2010 to June 30, 2010. This timeframe will provide incentives for shopping and dining in Rowlett after the holiday season, when sales tax dollars are traditionally low.

The city council approved an agreement to hire CivicPlus to redesign and maintain the city’s Web site. An agreement with the company will be made as part of an interlocal agreement already in place with the city of Cedar Hill. Councilman Chris Kilgore voted against the new Web site.

The Arts, Language and Literature Division at Eastfield College will sponsor a Student Fine Arts Sale Nov. 9-12 in the Learning Center Building (G Building), Rooms 101/102. The sale represents the talents of Eastfield Fine Arts students, with a portion of the proceeds going toward an EFC Fine Arts Scholarship fund. There will also be a raffle of pieces donated by the internationally known and award-winning faculty. Opening reception for the sale will be 6-8:30 p.m. Nov. 9 and will include food, refreshments and music. The sale will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 10 and 11 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 12. Raffle drawings for faculty-donated pieces will be at noon.

One charitable experience can change a life forever, and such a moment was no different for West Lake, Texas, native and Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Vernon Wells.

Representatives for the North Texas Tollway Authority met with area residents and business owners Oct. 8 in the city council chambers to discuss the President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension. The highway project is nearing the one-year mark since the start of construction.

On Saturday the Rowlett Animal Shelter, 4402 Industrial St., is looking to match some orphaned pets with new owners. The shelter has been above capacity now for more than two years and is currently so crowded that workers are using temporary kennels to house some of the animals.

Rowlett police received a report of a possible child enticement at about 8 a.m. Oct. 8 in the 9500 block of Waterview Parkway.

For those looking for some Halloween excitement, get your costume ready. The city of Rowlett has numerous family-friendly events to celebrate the holiday, and it all starts this weekend.

Lieutenant Steve Ferrie, a 20-year veteran of

Every team hopes to start the season on a high note, especially a team that is beginning its first competitive season ever. In the case of Plano-based Elite Champion Gymnastics, it has already given up just hoping for a good start and is now thinking of winning championships.

Great news, working moms: there’s a secret weapon that can help you with the hardest part of your day – and it’s an industrial-sized case of toilet paper.

Shoppers at the Rowlett Farmer’s Market may soon be able to buy more than just fresh fruits and vegetables if the city council approves a recommendation presented Tuesday night by Assistant City Manager Katie Corder. The Farmer’s Market Association’s board of directors thinks a bigger merchandise mix will enhance the market’s viability.

The Rowlett Chamber of Commerce will host its 4th annual Taste and Trade, an event to promote area restaurants, businesses and organizations from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 27 at Rowlett High School.

SPCA of Texas seized approximately 400 animals from Kearney Feed Store in Sunnyvale and transported them to the SPCA of Texas Perry Animal Care Center in McKinney on Oct. 6. The SPCA of Texas will care for the animals until the custody hearing.

The Mesquite Championship Rodeo announced plans for its first-ever holiday rodeo season. There will be Thanksgiving rodeos held Nov. 27-28

This year during the 26th Annual National Night Out event on Oct. 6, the Rowlett Police Department and the city of Rowlett will be hosting an event at the Super Target, located at Lakeview Parkway and Liberty Grove, from 6 p.m. to dark. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet officers and take a look at the Police Mobile Command Vehicle.

Barbara Blanton Sims, 60, of Rowlett, pleaded guilty Sept. 29 to an indictment charging her with possession with intent to distribute heroin, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks. She was arrested in February of 2009 by officers of the Rowlett Police Department after they searched her home and found Mexican black tar heroin and the drug known as “cheese.”

Hundreds of people were turned away at the door 15 minutes before the event started. Audience overflow was directed to watch the health care reform discussion via live video feed in adjacent conference rooms.

The City Council discussed the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) during the final budget work session on Monday.

One of the most discussed items Monday during the City Council budget work session was the way in which the city manages its fleet of vehicle. The CIP budgets for the replacement of four police cars at a cost of $30,000 each.

The Rowlett City Council postponed a vote on a $70,000 contract with an engineering firm started by a former employee to provide management of the Capital Improvement Plan. The mayor and several council members voiced concerns over the selection of the firm and wording in the resolution that appeared to give them little competition.

Rowlett residents who fail to pay utility bills may soon find their utilities cut off faster, but they are also likely to resolve utility problems more efficiently through changes presented to the City Council at a work session Tuesday.

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