Former Rockwall High cheerleader found dead in Dallas in suspected drug-related death

We’re terribly sad to announce that a popular former Rockwall High School cheerleader and 2008 graduate was found dead in her Dallas apartment Saturday night.

The rumor being texted between former and current Rockwall High School students is that her death was drug-related.

Alexis Rae Lancaster, 19, is survived by her mother, Leah Pearl Gentzler, and husband, Stan, of Rockwall, plus her father, Stephen Scott Lancaster, and wife Kristi, of Caddo Mills.

Her sisters are Lindsey Mills of Caddo Mills and Samatha Gentzler of Rowlett. Her brother, Chris Gentzler, and family live in Kemp TX. 

Dallas Police this afternoon could only confirm her death, but said no cause of death will be determined for a few days.

Click here for more funeral details at TheRockwallNews.com.

Rockwall’s Belfiore Salon, Spa co-owner dies suddenly from stroke

We are sad to announce that the co-owner of Rockwall’s Belfiore Salon and Day Spa unexpectedly passed away from a stroke, Oct. 20, 2009. 

Cecil Hastings was 55 years old.

Together with his wife, Sheryl, and their daughter, Adrienne Mull, they opened the popular rest, relaxation and beauty business in 2006, located at 2995 Horizon Road, next to Sonic and Lowe’s.

Click here for more of the story at TheRockwallNews.com.

Undefeated Highland Park crushes Royse City, 51-13

Story coming…

Newman Smith breaks open close game with four TDs in second half, runs over Rockwall, 43-22

Carrollton’s Newman Smith broke open a close game that it led only 15-14 at halftime by scoring 37 points in a row with four second half touchdowns and a field goal to run over visiting Rockwall, 43-22, Saturday night at Standridge Stadium.

Included were a 71-yard TD run by the Trojans’ Randall Joyner, a 62-yard TD interception return of an Adam Dingwell pass by Al Lasker, plus three running TDs by Newman-Smith’s quarterback Aldo Quiroga.

The loss means Rockwall will likely have to win its two remaining games against undefeated District 10-4A leader Highland Park at home and then at Greenville to make the District 10-4A playoffs. Only four teams can qualify.

Click here for the rest of the story at TheRockwallNews.com.

Rockwall-Heath clinches playoff berth, rallies with fourth-quarter TD to beat Pearce, 27-24

Down 24-20 in the fourth quarter in a game with serious playoff implications, Rockwall-Heath’s Kevin Rodgers completed a 15-yard pass to Cameron Wilson and Trevor Wilson kicked the PAT as the Hawks rallied to beat Richardson Pearce 27-24 last night at Richardson’s Eagle-Mustang stadium and clinch a playoff berth.

Behind the almost perfect passing of Rodgers, who completed 16 or 20 passes for 250 yards, two TDs and no interceptions; plus the running of Dorian Lawry, who gained 167 yards on 31 carries and two TDs; the Hawks rallied from a 17-14 halftime deficit.

Click here to read the story at TheRockwallNews.com.

Top-ranked Covenant School tramples Rockwall HCA, 52-0, in six-man football

By Jeff Mateer. The Dallas Covenant School lived up to its No. 1 ranking in TAPPS Six-Man Football crushing district rival Rockwall Heritage Christian Academy, 52-0, Friday night.   

In a game dictated by Covenant’s defense, HCA turned the ball over 5 times in just one half of play. 

HCA (3-4) returns to action next Friday night to play Waxahachie Advantage Academy in non-district game at the Rockwall High School Practice Field.

Rockwall County’s population continues to grow

Rockwall County’s population increased by another 1,950 people and 2.5 percent in 2008, according to a new report by the North Central Texas Council of Governments.

The county population increased from an estimated 76,000 at the beginning of 2008 to 77,950 at the beginning of 2009 - an increase of 2.57 percent.

The City of Fate increased by 850 people to 5,650, an increase of 17.71 percent.

The population of Rockwall increased by an estimated 700 people to 32,100, an increase of 2.23 percent.

The population of Royse City increased by 50 people to 10,150, an increase of 0.5 percent.

Can’t find a breakdown of the estimates in Rowlett or McClendon-Chisholm, but after subtracting the three cities from the County total, 350 people either moved into those cities or just into the County.

New luxury apartments going up in Rockwall

Just learned from Rockwall City Council member that all that building going on off Hwy. 276, just southeast of Costco, is actually a luxury apartment complex.

I need to get more info but I can tell you that it’s huge! Must be at least a dozen buildings going up.

I’ll get some photos and more details soon.

Experts issue call to reconsider screening for breast cancer and prostate cancer

Ever wonder like me why breast cancer and prostate cancer deaths have not declined much during the past 20 years, despite all the awareness and billions spent on cancer screening and research?

Now there’s a startling new argument being made in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association that most of the screenings have been a waste of time and money!

Researchers say all the mammograms and prostate screenings have NOT led to desired results. In fact, they may have caused more harm than realized!

This will  be all over the media the next few days.

Read the whole story at TheRockwallNews.com.

Rockwall schools, businesses, health care, law enforcement co-sponsoring ‘Race to End Abuse’ 5K/Fitness Walk

Family violence, child abuse and dating abuse numbers have all skyrocketed dramatically over the past few years across Rockwall County and Texas.  Child abuse has soared 79% and family violence 61%. 

Now Heritage Christian Academy, Walmart, Rockwall ISD, Rockwall County DA Kenda Culpepper plus over a dozen more businesses, media, health care and law enforcement organizations are teaming up to raise awareness and funds for local campaigns to end abuse by co-sponsoring the first annual Lillian Smith Rockwall “Race To End Abuse” 5K/Family Fitness Walk.

The event is scheduled Oct. 31, 8-10 am, in the Kroger Food Store parking lot. Over 500 participants are expected. Runners will race 3.1 miles from Kroger to Country Club Dr. and then back to Kroger. Walkers will walk or jog one mile to Fox Chase Park and back.

Additional co-sponsors include Pepsi/Aquafina, Presbyterian Hospital of Rockwall, the Dallas Morning News Neighbors Go, TheRockwallNews.com, PegasusNews.com, Rockwall Enterprise-Success, Radio stations 93.5 FM “The Range” and 92.1 FM “The Possum,” Eclipse Fitness, Rockwall Running Center, Lady of America Fitness Clubs, Joe Willy’s and Taco Casa.

More co-sponsors can still participate with cash and/or in-kind donations of between $500 and $3,000. In return, co-sponsors receive a booth at the event, plus lots of positive publicity in current and future campaigns.

Organized by the Rockwall-based Lillian Smith Family Violence Foundation, the non-profit will use funds raised for ad campaigns and video productions in local media, schools and communities to help end domestic, dating, child and family pet abuse. It is Texas’ largest network of survivors and other concerned citizens, founded and directed by Rockwall resident and vetran marketing consultant J.J. Smith, who has worked with hundreds of TX brands, including Exxon, Macy’s, Southwest Airlines and The Dallas Cowboys.

Click here to read the complete story at TheRockwallNews.com.

To preregister online or for registration and event details, visit www.racetoendabuse.com.

Please bring your families, friends and co-workers and enjoy the event!