The Tarrant County Commissioners and the Johnson County Commissioners have approved bans on outdoor burning. Tarrant County's ban was enacted Dec. 4 and is good for 90 days.Johnson County's ban was enacted Dec. 10 and will be place until March 9. The burn bans in Tarrant and Johnson counties only apply to the unincorporated areas of the counties. The City of Burleson fire code prohibits outdoor burning in the city limits at any time of the year. However, a City homeowner can have a recreational fire as long as it is one of the burn-type pits (with a grate cover that can be put over it) that can be purchased at Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, etc.

If your child is under the age of 2, should that child be in a front-facing or rear-facing child safety seat? At what age may your child ride in the front seat? How long does your child need to stay in a car seat or booster seat? Burleson firefighters were recently certified as child passenger safety technicians. Parents may call Fire Station #1 at 817-426-9176 and set up an appointment to have a child's car seat checked out.

Volunteers with Heart for the Kids collected between 65 and 70 toys, including two bicycles, at the Red Vs. Blue benefit for Heart for the Kids on Dec. 8. The softball game ended with a 13-13 tie. This is the 12th year that the Burleson Professional Fire Fighters Association Local #4025 and Burleson Police Officers Association have hosted the event. The nonprofit Heart for the Kids assists children who live in the city of Burleson and those who attend Burleson schools. Heart for the Kids will distribute the donated items to families the week of Dec. 16. For more pictures, go to the Red vs. Blue Heart for the Kids softball benefit album on the City of Burleson Facebook page.

Are you looking for gifts that will make the receiver smarter, pampered, or loved unconditionally? Then the City of Burleson has some great ideas for you. The Burleson Recreation Center (BRiCk) is offering the New Year's Resolution 3-month membership special as well as specials on one-hour Swedish massages. The Burleson Animal Shelter is offering gift certificates, good for six months, for the adoption of a pet and the Burleson Public Library has a plethora of ideas for you from free library cards to a book about the history of Burleson. Read the news release for the rest of the story.

What were the Top 5 code violations in Burleson in November? How many new cases did the City's two code enforcement officers work in November? How many involved citizen complaints? Go to the Code Enforcement page on the City website for the November 2012 Monthly Report.