We're closing Dec. 25-26 and Jan. 1

Most City facilities, with the exception of public safety, will be closed Thursday and Friday, Dec. 25-26, and Thursday, Jan. 1, in observance of Christmas and New Year's Day. Hidden Creek Golf Course will be closed on Christmas, but will be open at its regular hours - 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. - Dec. 26 and Jan. 1. There will be no trash or curbside recycling collection on two Thursdays - Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. If you are on the Monday/Thursday schedule, your next collection date after the two holidays is Monday, Dec. 29, and Monday, Jan. 5. If you are on the Tuesday/Friday schedule, your trash/recycling will be collected on your normal days. The City's Compost/Mulch/Recycling Center will be closed on Friday, Dec. 26, but if you want to drop off the curbside recycling that was not collected on Christmas Day or New Year's Day, please stop by the center on the Saturdays following the holidays - Dec. 27 and Jan. 3. The center is also open on Friday, Jan. 2. The center is located behind Fire Station #2 at 620 Memorial Plaza. The BRiCk will be open Dec. 31, but the hours are shortened to 5 a.m.-5 p.m. The library will be closed Dec. 24-26 for Christmas (as well as New Year's Day). The Burleson Animal Shelter and the Senior Activity Center will be open for business on Saturday - Dec. 27 and Jan. 3. More

Detectives recovering; suspect in jail

The Burleson Police Department has identified the suspect in the Dec. 19, 2014, shooting of two detectives and the robbery of Wells Fargo Bank as Andre Jackson Jr., 19, of Grand Prairie. Three charges have been filed against Jackson, including two felony charges of aggravated assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon and one felony charge of aggravated robbery. Det. Nick Grace was released from the hospital Dec. 19. Det. David Feucht was released from JPS Dec. 23. Jackson's bond is $1.5 million ($500,000 on each charge). The Johnson County District Attorney's Office will prosecute the case. This is an ongoing investigation. More  

Valentine dance tickets on sale Jan. 8

The City's parks and recreation department is hosting their annual Father/Daughter & Mother/Son Valentine Dance at the BRiCk on Saturday, Feb. 7. There will be two times, 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., so if your little ones need to be home in bed they can attend the first dance while the older ones attend the second. The fun includes pictures, corsages, dinner, dancing, and games. The games aren't just for the children! Parents, start practicing now for the three-legged race and the limbo. Pre-event tickets are $16 per couple ($8 per person) and are available at the BRiCk, 550 N.W. Summercrest Blvd., starting Thursday, Jan. 8. If you wait until Feb. 7 to buy your tickets, the cost is $25 per couple or $12.50 per person.

Traffic signal work slated for Monday

Stay on the alert Monday, Dec. 29, when City workers power down the traffic signal at Alsbury Boulevard and Renfro Street to replace the power panel. Weather permitting, this will happen in the morning, after 8:30 a.m. Power to the signal is expected to be off for two-four hours. City workers will post temporary stop signs at the intersection to control the traffic. Burleson Police will also be on scene to assist with any potential traffic issues. If the weather turns bad on Dec. 29, the work will be delayed. 

Recycle your Christmas tree

If you live inside the city limits of Burleson, it's easy to recycle your Christmas tree when it begins dropping needles. The City's compost/mulch/recycling center is open 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. The center will be closed Friday, Dec. 26, but you can drop off your tree on Saturday, Dec. 27, and again on Friday/Saturday, Jan. 2 and Jan. 3. The compost/mulch/recycling center is located at 620 Memorial Plaza, behind Fire Station #2. You have to be a resident of the city of Burleson to use the City's center.More
 

The donkeys entertained the crowd . . .

The donkeys were in rare form when visitors arrived at Russell Farm Saturday for Christmas at Russell Farm. The City's 30-acre historic farm at 405 W. County Road 714 was the site for fun Dec. 18-20. The fun included pictures with a donkey wearing antlers; checking out the Christmas trees decorated by community clubs and organizations; hay rides; handmade crafts for sale; tours of the historic Russell-Boren house as well as the Russell Farm Art Center gallery; and hot chocolate, cookies and coffee. To see the rest of the pictures go to the Christmas at Russell Farm 2014 photo album on the City of Burleson Facebook page.

Do you have a golfer in the family?

Do you need a gift for that hard to buy for person? Hidden Creek Golf Course has gift certificates for you, in any denomination. They make great holiday gifts for the golfer in the family. Call 817-447-4444 or stop by the course at 555 E. Hidden Creek Pkwy. The course is open seven days a week (except for Christmas day). 

Start the new year off by saving lives!

Sign up now and start the new year off by saving lives! Carter BloodCare and the City of Burleson will be hosting a blood drive on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., in the city hall parking lot at 141 W. Renfro St. Carter BloodCare is a provider of blood components and transfusion services for north, central and east Texas. Approximately 1,100 blood donors a day are critical to meeting the community's need. Are you eligible to donate? You must be at least 16 years of age (must have written parental consent); bring a valid photo ID; weigh at least 110 pounds; and you must be feeling well and healthy on the day of donating. Check out the blood donation FAQs on the Carter BloodCare website, then sign up for the City's Jan. 13 blood drive. For more information call Deidre Hall in the City's Human Resources department at 817-426-9642 or call Carter BloodCare at 1-888-480-8200 or Metro 817-412-5603. 

Register pre-teens for basketball camp

Register today for Elite U Basketball Camp at the BRiCk! This camp is for ages 8-12 and is designed to teach players of all skill levels, pro-style techniques and concepts. This camp will emphasize full player development which will include basketball skills training concepts, on and off the court, lifestyle consulting, as well as controlled game competition. Competition winners will receive notification awards and giveaways. Basketball camp is Monday/Tuesday, Dec. 29/30,  9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

BARSEA hosts Connect with Council

The Burleson Area Retired School Employee Association will host Connect with Council on Monday, Jan. 12. Mayor Ken Shetter and Councilmember Ronnie Johnson will speak to the group at 2 p.m. BARSEA meets at the Burleson Senior Activity Center, 216 S.W. Johnson Ave.

Library's Story Time hours change in January

Things are switching around soon at the Burleson Public Library. Beginning in January 2015, Story Times will have new times and age groups. Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m., is Toddler Time, 18 months to 3 years old. Staff and families will read stories, sing songs, and participate in other fun activities. Thursdays, 10:15 a.m.-10:45 a.m., is Baby Time for newborns up to 18 months old. Staff will read stories and have music movement for the babies. Also on Thursdays, 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m., will now be Preschool Time for children ages 3 to 6 years old. Staff and preschoolers will read stories, sing songs, and more. The library is located at 248 S.W. Johnson Ave. 

Pick up candidate packets in January

If you want to represent your neighbors on the Burleson City Council, candidate packets for the May 2015 City election will be available in January at Burleson City Hall. The three seats on the ballot include Place 1 held by Councilmember Stuart Gillaspie, Place 3 held by Councilmember Jerry Allen, and Place 5 held by Mayor Pro Tem Dan McClendon. Council profiles are available on the City website.The 2015 election is for three-year terms. Burleson City Hall is located at 141 W. Renfro St. For more information, contact the city secretary's office at 817-426-9662 or email them.

Help senior citizens and their pets via Ani-Meals

If you want to make a difference in the life of an elderly or homebound resident and their pets, become a part of Ani-Meals. Ani-Meals is a partnership between Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties and area animal shelters. Ani-Meals started because Meals-on-Wheels volunteers found that homebound elderly clients were sharing their meals with their pets because they could not afford to buy pet food. The Burleson Animal Shelter helps coordinate the program and stores donated pet food. On the first Saturday, Meals-on-Wheels volunteers meet at the animal shelter to pick up and deliver donated pet food to 10-20 Meals-on-Wheels recipients in Burleson. If you want to donate pet food, toys, or treats, call the animal shelter at 817-426-9283.