Friday at 5 Newsletter for 10.16.20

TOP STORIES FOR 10.16.20

Heroes Memorial Bridge
NBC DFW Story about Heroes Memorial Bridge

Heroes Memorial Bridge


Thank you NBC DFW for the story on Heroes Memorial Bridge, featuring Rowlett Police Officer Jeff Freeman.
 
“Over Highway 66, across Lake Ray Hubbard, drivers may notice a new sign that veteran advocates hope will make a big change. Nearly two years into a monthly Walk the Bridge initiative, in which volunteers walk two miles on the 22nd of each month to raise awareness for veteran suicide, the bridge now bears the name Heroes Memorial Bridge...”
 
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting ‘Home’ to 741741.

#MyRowlett  #BetterTogether  #Rowlett4All

Important City Meetings


City Council –
Regular Meetings: Oct. 20 *check agenda on website* each Friday before the date
**The November 3 City Council meeting will be held on Thursday, November 5**
 
Special Council Meetings - None at time of publishing 
 -----------------
Other Board and Commission Meetings:
Oct. 19 – Senior Advisory Board @ 10am
Oct. 19 – Youth Advisory Council @ 6:30pm
Oct. 21 – Diversity & Inclusion Commission @ 7:30pm
Oct. 27 – P & Z Commission @ 6:45pm
Nov. 2
– Community Investment Advisory Board @ 6pm
Nov. 3
– Golf Advisory Board @ 8am
Nov. 5
– City Council @ TBD

Check Here  For All Meeting Agendas


**CHECK THE WEBSITE CALENDAR FOR MEETING DATES & TIMES** 


Watch on Rowlett’s Cable Channel RTN16 or online

Spotlight Story GISD Tax Rate Election

Spotlight Story featuring Mayor Tammy Dana-Bashian and GISD CFO Dr. Brent Ringo - Discussing the TRE (Tax Rate Election)

Do you have questions about the Garland ISD Tax Rate Election (TRE)? Get the answers along with some great information in this Spotlight Story as Rowlett Mayor Tammy Dana-Bashian interviews GISD CFO Dr. Brent Ringo. This discussion covers the facts about the upcoming election and does not advocate for it or against it. 

Early Voting is at the Rowlett Community Centre this year

Early Voting Information for Dallas County and Rockwall County 
*Including Mail-in Ballot Information


Dallas County Early Voting 

The Rowlett early voting location for Dallas County Rowlett residents will be at the Rowlett Community Centre, 5300 Main Street. A list of all early voting locations within Dallas County can be found here. Curbside voting is also available at the Rowlett Community Centre, please drive around to the back of the building. 

*Dallas County Ballot by Mail Information and FAQs


Rockwall County Early Voting 

Rockwall County Rowlett residents will be early voting at the Rockwall County Library, 1215 E. Yellowjacket Lane. 

*Rockwall County Ballot by Mail Information and FAQs

YOUR VOTE COUNTS!

DART Ride Free to Vote

DART Ride Free to Vote!

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is once again providing free trips to voting locations across the service area. Voters can ride at no charge on all DART bus, light rail, Dallas Streetcar, GoLink and Paratransit service, and on the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) between EBJ Union Station and CentrePort/DFW Airport Station.

DART will provide free rides to voters on the following days:
• Early voting on Saturday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 24.
• Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Plan Your Trip on DART to a Voting Location - Customers who need customized trip planning can map it with the "Plan" tool 
READ MORE ...

DART to Restore Service Starting October 19

DART Light Rail to Restore Service

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (Official DART page) is implementing major changes in bus, rail and GoLink starting Monday, October 19, beginning with restoring service to a group of routes and increasing frequency on others. This will restore #DART service to just under 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels. The Downtown Rowlett DART Station connects City of Rowlett, Texas businesses, workforce and residents to the entire DART system and the #DFW region, including the DFW Airport.

Sasha - Soon to be a Mom
Sasha - One of the Garland Animal Services Dogs 

Community Development -
Animal Services

Animal services is working on renovation plans to spruce up the lobby and office areas.
Shown in the picture is Sasha, one of the last dogs that we helped Garland Animal Services with; she turned out to be pregnant. Her condition was not known before bringing her to Rowlett, nor would it have prevented it. She passed her suspected due date and her “glow” became more luminous as the days passed. One of our rescue partners scrambled to find a soft landing for this soon-to-be momma. So this week, Sasha left the Rowlett Animal Shelter to go into a foster home to comfortably and safely have her babies. After they're of age the entire family will be transported to “the Big Apple” to ready them for their forever homes.                Visit our website to find your forever friend!

CDC Picture of DEET

Remember to Practice the Four D's

DRAIN: Drain or treat all standing water in and around your home or workplace. Standing water can be found in swimming pools that are not kept clean, ponds, pet watering dishes, birdbaths, potted plants, old tires, empty containers, toys and clogged rain gutters.
DUSK/DAWN:  Limit outdoor activities during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
DRESS: Wear long, loose, and light-colored clothing outside.
DEET All Day, Every Day:  Whenever you're outside, use insect repellents that contain DEET or other EPA approved repellents and follow instructions.

Hilton Home2 Suites at Bayside
Hilton's Home2 Suites and Retail Sites @ Bayside

Economic Development

Progress is being made at the future Home@ Suites and retail sites at Bayside. The Home2 Suites is projected to open on February 1, 2021.

The Three River Canyon Restaurant will be opening in the former Main Street Bistro location at the corner of Dalrock Rd. and Lakeview Pkwy.

Three River Canyon Restaurant
Three River Canyon Southern Eats
A Chat with Rowlett Public Library
A Chat with Rowlett Public Library

Village of Rowlett Downtown

Read the latest Downtown blog about the Rowlett Public Library:

A Chat with the Rowlett Public Library

Firefighter Messner - Show & Tell at Community Helper Week
Firefighter Messner - Show & Tell at Community Helper Week

Fire Department Does Show & Tell

Crosspoint Church in McKinney was unable to schedule a fire engine visit this year due to COVID precautions, so Firefighter Mike Messner personally brought all his gear to show the kids during Community Helper week.  He met with two different groups (3 year olds and 4 year olds) to show them how firefighters put on their gear, how an SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) works, what a fire engine sounds like, and not to be scared if they see a fireman coming to help.  He answered all of their questions, and the kids absolutely loved him! He also went to our younger classes (1 and 2 year olds) to say hi, take a picture, and allow them to see a real life firefighter! 

Thank you Firefighter Messner for representing Rowlett so well!

Library to Resume Normal Hours on October 19

Exciting News!!   Rowlett Library Opens Monday, October 19! 

Beginning Monday, October 19th the Library will resume normal operating hours of Monday - Thursday from 9:30 am to 8:30 pm and Friday – Saturday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm.  The Library will also be able to offer a limited number of computers for the public to use.  
 
Other restrictions are still in place at the Library.  Patron capacity is 50 people and visits are still limited to 30 minutes.  The Library currently does not have seating or study areas, and we have not yet returned to our regularly scheduled in-person programs.   

Remember ... Storytime is virtual on Tuesdays at 10am on the  
Library's Facebook page ... Ms. Lauren can't wait to see you!

Crime Report for City of Rowlett

Police Department 

Rowlett Crime Statistics and Information

The Rowlett Police Department wants you to know where crime is occurring in your City and neighborhood. Find crime mapping throughout Rowlett and also a list of registered sex offenders. Go here to report a crime unless it is an emergency or crime in progress. If that is the case, please call 911 immediately.

Rowlett Parks Virtual Halloween Costume Contest
Contest Ends on Halloween - Saturday, October 31

Parks & Recreation Virtual Halloween Costume Contest

Whose the spookiest of them all?? Is it you this year?  Join us in our virtual Halloween Costume Contest - to enter, upload a picture of yourself in costume to the Parks and Rec Facebook page or Instagram using #RowlettPARD.

Age categories are 0-4, 5-9 and 10+ - and we encourage you to be as creative as possible.  Upload your pic today! 
Show us your scariest YOU! 

City of Rowlett's Drive-thru Trunk or Treat
Reserve Your Spot on Monday, October 19!

Drive-thru Trunk or Treat!

Drive-thru  Trunk or Treat Trail 
Saturday, October 31 - 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Rowlett Community Centre/Wet Zone parking lots - 5300 Main St

Families are invited to enter the  spooky, haunted drive-thru trail on Halloween night and receive prepackaged candy from trunks all along the way!

*Preregistration required to attend - the link to register will be posted on the 
City of Rowlett Parks and Recreation
 Facebook page and at Rowlett.com on Monday, October 19.

Are you or your organization interested in sharing some fun with your community by participating as a 'trunk' at this event? Great! Visit https://tx-rowlett2.civicplus.com/1681/Trunk-or-Treat and submit an application.

Working on Sanitary Sewer Line
Wilson Constractor Services excavating on Miller Rd. Project
Atkins Brothers installing hydro-mulch grass seed at Rowlett Creek sewer line
Atkins Brothers installing hydro-mulch grass seed at Rowlett Creek Sanitary Sewer 
Crew Digging at Southridge Alley
KIK Underground Inc. completed installation of sewer line in the Southridge Alley. Because of a conflict with a gas line, Atmos has it's sub-contractor lowering the gas line. Afterwards, KIK will resume reconstruction.
Smoke Testing on Wastewater Lines in Rowlett
Smoke Testing is Used on Sewer Lines to Locate Breaks and Defects - It Is HARMLESS

Smoke Testing to Begin in Rowlett Next Week Through November

Why is the ground smoking?
 
Starting next week, RJN Group, an engineering consultant hired by the City of Rowlett, will perform a physical survey of the wastewater collection system in some of our neighborhoods. They will be starting in the southeast quadrant and the downtown area of the City. The study involves opening manholes in the streets and backyard utility easement.
 
Additionally, they will also be using smoke in the sewer lines to locate breaks and defects. During this testing, smoke will exit through vent pipes on the roofs of homes and through sewer line breaks. The smoke is non-toxic, leaves no residue, and creates no fire hazard.
 
**If you have seldom-used drains, please pour a gallon of water to fill the drain trap. This will prevent smoke entering your living areas through the dry drains. Check out the video for additional information! 

AT NO TIME WILL FIELD CREWS NEED TO ENTER YOUR
RESIDENCE OR BUSINESS.

UPCOMING EVENTS

FREE Electronic Recycling & Document Shredding

Free Electronic Recycling

and Document Shredding

When:     Saturday, October 24
Where:    Wet Zone Parking Lot
                5304 Main Street
Time:       9am to 1pm
Cost:       1st 3 boxes of shredding FREE
(limit of 4 additional boxes @ $3 each)


This Fall event is hosted by Keep Rowlett Beautiful, Inc. 

DEA Prescription Take Back Day

DEA Prescription Take Back Day

When:      Saturday, October 24
Where:     Wet Zone Parking Lot
Time:        10am to 2pm

Drive-thru and drop off expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications with the Rowlett Police Department. This is a collaborative effort with state and local law enforcement agencies coordinated by the Drug Enforcement Agency focused on removing potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation’s medicine cabinets.

Drive-thru Trunk or Treat

Trunk or Treat Drive-thru

When:     Saturday, October 31
Where:    Rowlett Community Centre Parking Lot
Time:       5:30 to 8:30pm

This year the event will be a drive-thru where participants will enter a spooky, decorated trail and receive pre-packaged candy along the way!

***Preregistration is required to attend this event. The registration link will be posted on Parks & Recreation website page and Facebook page on Monday, 10/ 12***

Application for those interested in being a "Trunk" at the event

Neighborhood Summit 2020: Neighborhood Values, Home Values

Neighborhood Summit | 2020

Neighborhood Values, Home Values

When:    Saturday, November 7
Where:   Online
Time:      9am to 12:30pm
Cost:       FREE!

Learn how you to love where you live - even more than you already do!! Topics include establishing your neighborhood values, building a neighborhood network, how to preserve or increase your home value and do-it-yourself home improvement tips from the experts. Residents from Rowlett, Garland, Plano and surrounding communities are welcome to attend.

COVID-19 UPDATE

COVID-19 Case Counts

COVID-19 Counts for 10-13-20

The chart shows the confirmed COVID-19 case count numbers and available data (Dallas County updated numbers were unavailable) as of 7pm Tuesday, October 13. 

Rowlett added 15 new cases. We will continue to update you about any new cases, but will restrict information to age range and gender as it is available to us. Please visit website for more information, how to get tested, closures and the measures instituted to help protect our community. 

Individual and Household Assistance Program
If you need help paying your mortgage or utility bills due to COVID-19, please apply now!

City of Rowlett Individual and Household Assistance Program -
A COVID-19 Relief Program for Rowlett Residents

The City of Rowlett has partnered with Catholic Charities of Dallas, Inc. to provide emergency rent/mortgage and utilities (gas, electric and internet) assistance to eligible City of Rowlett residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Application period runs through October 31. Please click on the link for all information and to see if you qualify for assistance.

Drive-thru Testing Site at Neighborhood Walmart

Drive-thru Testing Site in Rowlett

The drive-thru pharmacy window at Rowlett Walmart Neighborhood Market is now open. 

Location: 8800 Lakeview Parkway
Hours:     Monday-Tuesday from 7am-8:45am
                Wednesday from 7:45am-8:45am
Sign up for testing here: www.MyQuestCOVIDTest.com 

Thank you to our community partners at Walmart for continuing to provide testing in Rowlett! 

FOR MORE COVID-19 INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE

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4000 Main Street, Rowlett, TX 75088

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