Please also visit www.TheRockwallNews.com, “First with the News You Want to Read”

When you’re done reading my blog, please visit our much more complete news website at www.TheRockwallNews.com, “First with the News You Want to Read.” Including the latest news and sports headlines, feature stories, event listings, photos, videos and free classifieds, it is Rockwall County’s leading online news and information service – with over 25,000 monthly readers, as of Jan. 1, 2010!

Son of Heath Public Safety Chief brings home American flag that flew over Afgan Marine base

Just learned that the son of City of Heath Public Safety Chief Terry Garrett and Rockwall High School Assistant Principal Shelley Garrett has just returned home from a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

U.S. Marine Sgt. Travis Garrett, a 2002 Rockwall High school graduate, brought with him an American flag that flew over the Marine base in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on Sept. 11, 2009.

The flag is now framed and hanging on the wall in the Heath Public Safety Dept. for all to see.

Watch for a story soon in TheRockwallNews.com about Travis and his “kid” brother, Tyler Garrett, who’s a 2005 RHS grad and has already completed one tour of duty in Baghdad, Iraq.

The Garrett family really believes in public service. We should be grateful to have them in our community!

The above photo was provided  by the City of Heath and features:

Heath DPS officers display the American flag that once flew over a Marine base in Afghanistan and now hangs in their station. The flag was brought to Chief Terry Garrett by his son Travis, who recently completed a tour of duty to Afghanistan. From left: DPS Officers Brian Burton, Andrew Poindexter, Chief Garrett  and Mark Rogers. Inset into photo from left: Sergeant Travis Garrett, USMC, and Specialist Tyler Garrett, Army National Guard.

Many vote early in elections

For all of you politicals out there, there were 40,898 registered voters in the 2008 election in Rockwall County.

Among Republicans who voted, 2,960 (7.24%) voted early and 4,785 (11.7%) voted on election day (about 19%).

Among Democrats who voted, 2,638 (6.45%) voted early and 4,078 (10%) voted on election day (about 16%).

Despite the label Rockwall County is Republican territory, it’s interesting to note that almost as many Democrats as Republicans voted. Of course, Pres. Obama had something to do with that.

Advertising sales representatives needed by TheRockwallNews.com

Full and part-time advertising sales representatives are needed immediately by TheRockwallNews.com to sell eye-catching, animated website ads, feature stories, plus additional advertising and public relations projects and services across Rockwall and neighboring Counties.

These are commission-sales only positions – meaning there is no base salary nor insurance benefits – but good sales people can expect to earn at least $500-$1,000 a week or more to start, depending upon ability and number of hours they work. We pay high commmissions, plus pay checks can be issued within 1-3 days after collecting payments from clients.

Positions are extremely flexible and representatives can work from home or wherever they want. All that’s needed is an up-to-date computer for emailing and a cell phone for calls.

TheRockwallNews.com now attracts over 25,000 readers per month and is growing fast. It is Rockwall County’s leading online news and information source and we expect to double our readership by year’s end.

Publisher and sales manager J.J. Smith has successfully negotiated, sold and purchased nearly $15 million worth of TV, radio and print advertising during his sales and marketing career, working with thousands of small businesses and dozens of leading brands, including Exxon, KVIL-FM Radio, Macy’s, Southwest Airlines, The Dallas Cowboys and Time Warner Cable TV.

He will be glad to train the right people to succeed.

Personable, attractive and persistent sales people with experience are preferred, especially with a media sales background, but others may also apply – especially those who are acquainted with Rockwall County and neighboring area business owners and mangers.

Please email letters and resumes to jj@therockwallnews.com. Interviews will be arranged as quickly as possible, depending upon the number of emails and resumes received.

Wife of Rockwall Council member Farris is Democrat precinct chair

Just noticed while researching Rockwall County candidates online that Julie Farris, the wife of Rockwall City Council member Glen Farris, is a Rockwall County Democrat Party Precinct 1c Chair.

She is listed on the County Democrat website candidate filings page as a non-incumbent.

All of you Rockwall County Republicans might like to remember this next year if City council member Glen Farris campaigns for re-election, although I think I’ve read or heard Glen say that he is basically non-partisan.

Rowlett girl in coma in hospital after barrel racing accident

Just learned that young lady Baylee Neal from Rowlett suffered a serious head injury and was knocked unconscious in a barrel racing competition Jan. 14 near Terrell.

She was rushed by ambulance to Children’s Hospital, where X-rays and CT scans that evening revealed Baylee had a fractured skull and bleeding within and outside of her brain.

According to family sources, the good news is that the bleeding was isolated and her vital signs are good.  She was in critical condition but a stable state last week.

Sources said doctors decided to place her in a medically-induced coma to reduce pressure on her brain to avoid or at least reduce swelling.

We just spoke to Baylee’s mother at Children’s Hospital but she could not speak to us at the time.

Look for a full report within a few days in TheRockwallNews.com.

New Burger House franchise opens successfully in Rockwall

A new family-oriented Burger House location opened last Monday in Rockwall in the shopping center on the south side of I-30 next to Friday’s, where Double Dave’s Pizza used to be.

According to the corporate and franchise owners, business was great and beyond expectations for their first week. They had standing room only during three weeknights!

Burger House first opened in Dallas in 1951 and this is their seventh location. Owners attribute their success to fresh and healthy high-quality products, great service and lots of their secret seasoning salt that they put on everything from burgers to fries.

Watch for a more complete feature news article this week in TheRockwallNews.com.

For more info, visit: www.burgerhouse.com

Congrats to teenage ventriloquist Laryssa Bonacquisti for winning $1,000 talent show prize

Congratulations to teenage ventriloquist Laryssa Bonacquisti who won the $1,000 first prize at the “Rockwall’s Got Talent” show last Saturday night at Utley Middle School, sponsored by the Rockwall Community Playhouse .

Laryssa won the prize, donated by Rockwall Coldwell Banker realtor Vicky Chesna, for the performance with her two puppets, Lucky and Lucy.

Congratulations, as well, to second place winner Cole Ragsdale, who won $500 donated by Heath Hair Day Spa owner Juana French for singing “Bring Him Home,” accompanied by Josh Miller.

One more kudo for the third place winner Dennis Guillon for his song, “This is the Moment.” He won $250 donated by Community National Bank.

“Rockwall’s Got Talent” show semi-finals, finals tonight, tomorrow

The Rockwall Community Playhouse will present over 30 talented singers, musicians and more at their production of “Rockwall’s Got Talent,” tonight and tomorrow night at 7 pm at Utley Middle School, next to the RISD football stadium.

The grand prize winner will receive $1,000. Second place will receive $500 and third, $250.

Tickets are just $10 each and everyone admitted will be able to vote for their favorite entertainer, according to a spokeman for the Playhouse.

The event is a fundraiser to help RCP build a larger theatre to accommodate more people out near the Rockwall airport.

Winter algal bloom affecting Rockwall water taste, odor

A winter algal bloom is affecting the taste and odor of Rockwall’s water supply but the water remains safe for use with no health risks.

According to a statement issued by the North Texas Municipal Water District, “a winter algal bloom is occurring in Lavon Lake.”

“Taste and odor changes in treated drinking water caused by blooms may be detected by our consumers who are more sensitive to these changes. The taste and odor is a palatability issue only. The palatability change that results from a naturally occurring algal bloom does not alter the quality of the water provided to the cities and the communities served by NTMWD.”

“The water supply remains safe for use with no health risks created by these events.”

Now that we have a water filter on our Whirlpool refrigerator, neither the taste nor odor of Rockwall water has been affected. If you don’t like the musty or dirty taste or odor of the water, I’d recommend you purchase a water filter, as well, or even just a Brita pitcher to keep in your refrigerator.

Bottled water is another good alternative, until the algal bloom ends.

Young Rockwall woman engaged to be married in May passes away

A 24-year-old Rockwall woman, who was engaged and planning to be married in May, passed away last Sunday.

Laura Melissa Vick passed away Jan. 10. The cause of death is not yet known.

She was engaged to be married to Michael Moore.

According to Rest Haven Funeral Home in Rockwall, her family will accept visitors Friday, Jan. 15, from Noon until 2 pm. A funeral service will be held at 2 pm, officiated by Dr. Aubrey Patterson of Rest Haven. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park.

According to her obituary, Ms. Vick enjoyed drawing, writing poems and singing. She loved her family and her dog, Rollie. She worked in sales and attended Lake Pointe Church.

She is survived by her parents, Wendy and Larry Ryan of Rockwall; her fiancee, Michael Moore, and his parents, Kay and Mike Moore; plus several aunts and uncles.

We send our condolences to her family and friends.