Old Town will be taken over by trick-or- treaters Oct. 25

Old Town will be taken over by superheroes, princesses, and more on Saturday, Oct. 25, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. for the City's seventh annual free Burleson Old Town Boo Bash. Children, birth-12 years old, will arrive in their favorite Halloween costumes - trick-or-treat bags in hand - for the ultimate in trick or treating. Local businesses, churches, and civic groups set up booths and decorate their vehicles for trunk-or-treat fun. Children will enjoy free candy, games, bounce houses, a pumpkin patch full of free pumpkins to decorate, and a costume parade. For more information, call the BRiCk at 817-426-9104 or 817-426-9112.

Johnson County, know where to vote

Johnson County voters, early voting for the Nov. 4 election started this week. This is not a City election, so please check the election websites for the county in which you live. If you live in Johnson County, go to the Johnson County Elections page or call 817-556-6197. Go to early voting sites in Johnson County for a list of early voting sites countywide. Early voting hours in Johnson County are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Oct. 24; 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26; and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 27-Oct. 31.

Burleson Police welcome three rookies

The Burleson Police Department welcomed three new police officers Oct. 17 when Jason Tauch, Austin Reed, and Marque Jones were sworn in at Burleson City Hall by Police Chief Billy Cordell. All three come from a law enforcement background. Reed's father is a retired police chief from the Azle Police Department. Tauch's father is a deputy chief in Galveston County and Jones' uncle is in law enforcement. Tauch retired as a staff sergeant after 18 years with the United States Marines. He was nominated vice president of his police academy class. Reed's father, Randy Reed, did the honors of pinning on his son's badge. Jones' nephew, 4-year-old Jaiden Moss, had to pull up a chair to pin the badge on his uncle. And Tauch looked on as his wife Robbin secured the badge on his new uniform. Reed, Jones and Tauch will go through four months of field training under the guidance of their fellow officers before being released on their own. With the addition of these three officers, the Burleson Police Department has 63 sworn personnel and 21 non-sworn personnel. More pictures

Don't miss 'Hotel Transylvania' Dive-In movie on BRiCk's big screen tonight

Check out the Dive-In movie at the BRiCk's indoor pool tonight. The staff will be showing "Hotel Transylvania" on the BRiCk's 18-foot big screen at 7 p.m. Never heard of "Hotel Transylvania?" Well, it's about Dracula and his lavish five-stake resort where monsters and their families can live it up and no humans are allowed. Dracula invites his best friends to celebrate his daughter's birthday. Everything is going swimmingly until an ordinary guy (a human!) stumbles in and changes everything. Check out the movie trailer then head to the BriCk with your swimsuit, towel and friends to lounge around the indoor pool and watch the movie. Bring your own Coast Guard-approved float or noodle. Admission is $5 per person (children 2 and under are free). Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Popcorn will be served for $1. Get your tickets at the BRiCk, 550 N.W. Summercrest Blvd. Call 817-426-9104.

Military veterans will be honored Nov. 8

When military veterans gather at Veterans Memorial Plaza on Nov. 8 for the City's annual Military Veteran Tribute, the plaza will have a whole new look (click on this link to see the design which encompasses all of the Plaza's amenities, including the eagle). Also, with the Plaza's renovation comes all new veteran bricks. The old bricks can be retrieved at the Nov. 8 Military Veteran Tribute or after Nov. 8 at the Burleson Public Library, 248 S.W. Johnson Ave. The new plaza will be able to accommodate 3,024 veteran bricks, two times what is currently on display. The new bricks contain the name, branch of service, and the name of conflicts in which the veteran served. To add a brick to the plaza, call the Burleson Public Library at 817-426-9212 or go to the Operation Remember page on the City website. The Military Veteran Tribute kicks off at 2 p.m. at 298 E. Renfro St. For more information about the tribute, call the parks and recreation department at 817-426-9104.

BHF hosts book signing for Arnold's 'Pioneer Pups' Nov. 8

Nancy K. Arnold is coming to Burleson Saturday, Nov. 8, for a book signing for her second book, "Pioneer Pups." She will be at the Burleson Visitors Center and Museum, 124 W. Ellison St., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Burleson Heritage Foundation is hosting the event. The 96-page book is written in rhyme and features fictional yet heroic canine characters that accompany humans on the wagon train trip from Iowa to Texas. Those humans are Arnold's ancestors. Benjamin Bransom, her great-great grandfather, brought his family by ox-drawn wagons to Johnson County in 1853. Arnold is the granddaughter of Mallie Bransom, daughter of Robert James Bransom, and niece of Doyle Bransom. She is also a former teacher. Arnold's first book, "Patriotic Pups," was a story about a litter of pups born at Mount Vernon (George Washington's home). For more information about the Nov. 8 book signing call John Duke Smith at 817-713-2729.

Tarrant County residents, do you know where to vote?

Tarrant County voters, early voting for the Nov. 4 election started this week. This is not a City election, so please check the election websites for the county in which you live. If you live in Tarrant County, go to the Tarrant County Elections page or call 817-831-8683. Go to early voting sites in Tarrant County for the list of voting sites countywide. Early voting hours in Tarrant County are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Oct. 24; 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26; and 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Oct. 27-Oct. 31.

Library welcomes Anime &Manga fans Nov. 8 for BAM festival                            

The Burleson Public Library has hosted a number of events dedicated to the study of Anime (Japanese animated films) and Manga (Japanese comics), but on Saturday, Nov. 8, the library will combine the two for the Burleson Anime & Manga Festival.  The event is slated for 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at 248 S.W. Johnson Ave. Those on the Nov. 8 roster include Michael Champion (artist), Chaka Cumberbatch (cosplayer/podcaster), Taffeta Darling (cosplayer/podcaster), Drew Edwards (writer/creator), Taylor Elizabeth (cosplayer/podcaster), Chris "Oz" Fulton (artist), Eddie Medina (artist/creator), Mangaka and voice actress Kristen McGuire(Haganai Next and Date A Live), Terry Parr (artist), voice actress Whitney Rodgers (Dead Man Wonderland and Haganai), Halo Sama (artist) and cosplayer Josh Watson. For more, see the BAM brochure.

Gather your paper, electronics and household hazardous waste for Nov. 8 event

Get ready for the City's household hazardous waste collection, electronic recycling, and paper shredding event Nov. 8, at the old service center, 133 N. Main St. The event is 9 a.m.-11 a.m. and is only available to residents (proof of residency including a City water or solid waste bill is required). Household hazardous waste items are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Electronics and appliances (except for TVs) will be taken for free. TVs will not be accepted. There is no fee for paper shredding, but you are limited to three boxes per vehicle. For more information, call David Lenartowicz, the City's environmental specialist, at 817-426-9842.

Keep pets safe during Halloween

Do your dogs go nuts when the pizza delivery person or a neighbor rings your doorbell? How do they react when someone comes to your door in costume? Make sure your pets feel safe and secure during the Halloween season. Dog owners, secure your dog behind a closed door or in a crate in a room away from the front door. Give your pet a Kong or other hollow chew toy stuffed with soft dog treats or give your pet a favorite chew toy. Play music or leave a TV or radio playing in the dog's room to help mask the sounds of the activity at the front door. Close drapes and blinds so the dog doesn't see people coming and going. And, if you have a dog that barks at the sound of the doorbell, disconnect it or watch for trick-or-treaters so that they do not have to ring or knock.  

Firefighters Association has 2014 'Fight for Hope' t-shirts

The Burleson Professional Firefighters Association has unveiled the 2014 "Fight for Hope" t-shirts in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This year's design features light and hot pink lettering and a Maltese cross design on solid black. T-shirts are available in short-sleeve ($18) or long-sleeve ($20) styles. Sizes range from adult small to 3X (short-sleeve) and adult small to extra large (long-sleeve). Shirts are available now at Burleson Fire Station #1, 828 S.W. Alsbury Blvd. Contact Kristie Menchaca at 817-426-9176 for more information.