Please also visit www.TheRockwallNews.com, “Rockwall County’s leading online news and information service”

When you’re done reading my blog, please visit our all-new daily news website www.TheRockwallNews.com, “Rockwall County’s leading online news and information service,” first to provide you with the latest news and sports info, feature stories, event listings, photos and videos!

Horizon Auto Center becomes area’s first AAA-approved repair center

Horizon Auto Center is Rockwall is one of the County’s largest auto repair centers.

Now they have added proof to their claim that they are the County’s best auto repair center.

Horizon just received the prestigious “AAA-approved” award from the American Automobile Association. It is the first and only auto repair center between Greenville and Garland to have earned such a distinction.

Horizon had to pass some pretty stringent business and ethical standards to get it, too, according to Service Manager Cliff Payne.

To qualify, he said a repair center must perform quality maintenance and repairs, employ ASE-certified mechanics, properly fix and guarantee repairs for at least 12 months or 12,000 miles, and offer a complimentary 38-point maintenance inspection upon request. 

In addition, Payne said several hundred customers are polled with a quality and satisfaction survey by an independent company.

“We are very pleased to announce that Horizon Auto Center has been named as Rockwall County’s only AAA-approved auto repair facility,” said Payne. 

 ”Now, you can use your AAA Roadside Assistance program to have your car towed for repairs to Horizon Auto Center.” 

“Meeting the requirements for AAA is an involved and meaningful.  To qualify, a repair facility has to be staffed by qualified technicians, have the proper equipment for diagnosing and repair of all common and unique problems, plus have a solid reputation in the community for honesty and longevity.”

“We are proud of our reputation and our customer service capabilities.  However, most of all, we are grateful to our loyal customer base, without whose support and faithful patronage, we would not have the opportunity of achieve this recognition,” he added.

In business for seven years at the same location, the nine-bay service center started by specializing in maintaining and repairing luxury foreign cars, including BMW, Jaquar, Lexus, Mercedes- Benz and Porsche.  The business quickly evolved into a full service repair facility for all makes and models. 

“Full service includes all functions from oil changes, to air conditioning, to tires, to all types of electrical and mechanical repairs and scheduled maintenance to tire.  It is a complete “one-stop” auto service facility,” said Payne.

Payne said the business sees an average of  20-25 customers per day and over 2,000 per year

Horizon Auto Center is located at 5335 Horizon Rd, just South of Presbyterian Hospital. 

For more information, call 469-698-8585 or visit www.horizonautocenter.com.

The website contains a section for discounts and coupons, as well as a wide variety of educational information about auto service and repair.

New steak house to open Aug. 3 in Rockwall brings more jobs

 

Logan’s Roadhouse, famous for grilled steaks, ice-cold longnecks and a “a kickin’, upbeat atmosphere with friends and family,” (according to their news release) will be opening Aug. 3 in Rockwall.

As great as the steaks may taste, what many area residents might like even better is the 130 jobs which the restaurant will provide - including servers, greeters, dishwashers and management opportunities.

Hourly employees will be able to apply at the eatery soon, said Logan’s spokesperson Molly Williamson. For career management opportunities, visit the website here.

Located on restaurant row between Saltgrass Steakhouse and Taco Cabana at 560 E. I-30, construction is nearly complete.

The 6,336-square-foot restaurant in Rockwall will seat 237 guests and is reminiscent of American roadhouses of the past, complete with neon signs and an interactive jukebox.

Williamson explained that Logan’s, “The Real American Roadhouse,” revisits the classic roadhouse from days past and brings it to life in a relevant, modern way.

“The high-quality, moderately-priced menu features over 30 entrees, including aged steaks hand-cut fresh on the premises, grilled chicken, fresh ground steakburgers, baby-back ribs, seafood, and specialty salads made from only the freshest ingredients,” she said.

Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Logan’s Roadhouse, Inc. presently runs more than 170 company-operated and 25 franchised Logan’s Roadhouse restaurants in 23 states.

More information can be found at www.logansroadhouse.com.

Stranded Russian acrobatic horse show rescued by new Heath equestrian facility

Horse trainer Lisa Blackmon and her family just moved into Heath last year, where they opened their huge new Black Star Equine & Equestrian facility to horse lovers who want to learn to ride and compete in horse shows.

When she learned last week that the famous Russian equestrian show called “Artania” somehow became stranded in Dallas, she invited the show’s performers, horses and all to come to her 255-acre facility, just south of Highway 549 and west of Hwy. 205.

To get back on their feet financially, Artania will begin performances again this weekend at Black Star. Days and times to be announced soon.

It appears to be a rather spectacular show – kind of a cross between acrobatic horses and Cirque du Soleil.

Click here to see the story, as shown last night on The 33 TV News.

Gov. Rick Perry featured speaker at Rockwall’s TEA Party

Texas Governor Rick Perry was in town and the featured speaker at Rockwall’s TEA Party protesting high taxes July 4th on the steps of the Historic Courthouse in Old Town Rockwall.

Several hundred people showed up to the second TEA party held in Rockwall.

U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall and TX Rep. Jodie Laubenberg were among the other speakers.

I have to wonder what good these TEA Parties actually do, but at least they give citizens upset by high taxes a chance to express their opinions and voice their concerns.

Thank goodness for freedom of speech – which we can see they don’t have in Iran!

S. Carolina luv guv finds “soul mate,” but now willing to try to fall back in love with wife

So South Carolina “Luv Gov” Mark Sanford says at least he can go to his grave knowing he found his “soulmate,” but now says he wants to try to fall back in love again with his wife of 20 years and mother of his four sons because it’s the right thing to do.

What an idiot! Since when does he care about doing the right thing, anyway?

The blubbering politico broke down in tears yesterday as he tried to explain  his bizarre behavior with his Argentine mistress Maria Belen Chapur, whom he admits he crossed the “sex line” with several times.

Then, showing the nation how not to confess, he further admitted to crossing the line with other women in the past – just not the sex line. Wonder what line was that?

Let’s see…who was it that said, “I did not have sex with that woman?”  He had some trouble drawing a line, too.

From what I’ve read about this philandering Gov, he confessed to his wife – after she discovered his affair in a letter on his desk – and then left the state supposedly for the Appalachian Trail to do some soul-searching.

But the TMZ.com reporters who interviewed the bar owner in Argentina where Sanford and his girlfriend were, reported that the two lovers were all over each other there and couldn’t keep their hands off of one another.

They also enjoyed several trysts in New York City.

As far as I’m concerned, Sanford should head out to the Appalachian Trail and take a long walk off a short cliff!

He’s just another politician who’s dumped on his wife, children and supporters… for what?  A few minutes of lustful, erotic adventures?

This guy has some real issues and should either resign or be booted out of office immediately!

Former Royse City minister sentenced to 17 years in prison for child porn

Former Royse City minister Steve Richardson was sentenced yesterday to 17 years in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, after pleading guilty in March to sending and possessing child pornography from his church office computer to others via the Internet.

The 36-year-old former pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Royse City was sentenced in Dallas by U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay, who also ordered him to register as a sex offender and serve a lifetime of supervised release, according to federal prosecutors.

Suspended after the arrest from his ministerial position last December by the North Texas Conference of United Methodist Church, the husband and father of three children has been in federal custody since his Sept. 24 arrest by U.S. ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents.

The arrest came after an undercover investigation by a federal agent who communicated with Richardson over Google Hello, an Internet service that enabled users to share photos via their computers, but has since been shut down.

Richardson, who used the identity of “cowboyspades,” admitted sending an image of a minor and possessing an external hard drive that contained more than 600 images of child pornography. Agents had seized a computer containing images of child pornography from his church office, said Acting U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks.

The former minister had pleaded guilty in March to one count of possessing child pornography and one count of transporting and shipping child pornography. He had faced a maximum of 20 years on the transporting charge, 10 years on the possession charge and a $250,000 fine on each charge.

New kids-only fitness center helps kids get physically fit playing video games

We read it about the problem all the time. So many kids becoming overweight because they spend so many hours playing video games and don’t get enough exercize or eat the right foods.

So what if somebody invented a way that these children – especially young teens - could still entertain themselves and hang out together playing their X-boxes, PlayStations and Game Boys, but get enough exercize at the same time?

Well, now it’s happened, and the unique idea has actually been invented and is being developed right here in little ol’ Rockwall!

It’s called the “Train Up” teens and kids fitness center, and it’s the brainchild of Rockwall pediatrician and former U.S. Men’s Olympic team gymnast Kurt Pflieger, M.D.

Since opening his private practice at Rockwall Pediatrics a few years ago, Dr. Pflieger said he has become more and more concerned about the ever-increasing number of overweight children he’s been seeing. 

Since he said he noticed that so few get enough exercise, yet so many love spending hours and hours playing video games, he conceived the unique idea to install these video games into fitness equipment to help them slim down, get healthier and improve their self-esteem. 

He calls his new concept “exergaming.”

Last year, after investing loads of time and quite a bit of money into his unique idea, his state-of-the-art exergaming, entertainment, strength and cardio facility became reality when he and his family opened Train Up just down the hill from Rockwall High School, at Yellow Jacket and Goliad. You’ve seen the sign.

Growth was slow at first, he said. His initial research suggested high school age teens were the primary market to utilize his unusual new equipment. As it’s turned out, younger teens of middle school age have become the majority of Train Up’s members. Parents, who say they just wanna’ have fun, too, while getting in shape, are also trying to get in.

The whole story will be out shortly at www.TheRockwallNews.com.

Click here for more info about Train Up’s unique fitness & fun programs,  

Rockwall County’s Eddy, Lemons, Pille named to All-area softball second team

Three girls from Rockwall County were named to the Dallas Morning News All-Area softball second team, it was announced last week.

Rockwall-Heath’s ace senior pitcher Chelsea Eddy, Rockwall’s slugging senior Haley Lemons and Royse City’s sophomore Area strikeout leader Alicia Pille received the honors for their outstanding 2009 seasons.

Eddy, who was also chosen as District 10-4A’s Most Valuable Player, finished with a 23-7 record, sparkling 1.03 ERA, and 280 strikeouts for the regional quarterfinalist Hawks.

Lemons hit an astounding .500, with 40 RBIs and 35 runs scored for the regional semifinalist Yellowjackets. She will play ball next at Texas State University.

Pille had a 22-10 record, a sparkling 1.16 ERA and led the area in strikeouts with 347 whiffs!

Click here to see the rest of the All-Area softball teams.  

Heath’s Lewis, Rockwall’s Ballew named to All-Area baseball teams

Rockwall-Heath’s hard-hitting Connor Lewis was named to the Dallas Morning News All-Area baseball team, it was announced last week.

Rockwall’s ace pitcher Travis Ballew was named to the second team.

Lewis hit .427 during the 2009 season, with 10 doubles, one home run, 27 RBIs and a .533 slugging percentage. He will attend Southern Arkansas this Fall to play baseball.

Ballew finished the season with a 9-1 record, with a sparkling 1.48 ERA, had 97 strikeouts and pitched two complete game shutouts.

Click here to see the remainer of the All-Area team.

Football magazine predicts Highland Park will overthrow champion Heath Hawks

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine’s 2009 edition is out and predicting that Highland Park will overthrow defending District 10-4A champion Rockwall-Heath this year and win the District crown.  

It ranks the Scots as the state’s no. 7 team in the Class 4A poll, after an 11-2 season last year.

Longview is ranked No. 1, followed by Denton Guyer, Cibolo Steele, Denison, Austin Lake Travis, Everman, Waco Midway, Aledo and Dallas Carter.

Texas Football also predicted Rockwall-Heath, Pearce, and Rockwall would be the other three playoff teams from the District.

The magazine, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, previews football from high school to college to the pros in the Lone Star State.

The Scots are ranked No. 3 in the coaches’ state poll with Lake Travis No. 1 and Longview No. 2.