Community's 'go-to guy' is Burleson Police Department's Officer of the Year

The Burleson Police Department's 2014 Officer of the Year is the community's "go-to guy," and "it is this type of relationship with the community that sets this officer head and shoulders above the others." Why is he the go-to guy? David Wardlaw has served as the department's sole community resource officer for the past year. The Burleson Police Department hired Wardlaw in November 2002. The 44-year-old Burleson resident joined Jack Goleman as a community resource officer in 2013. He received about one year of training before Goleman's retirement. "He has done the work of two officers this last year and has continued to bring high acclaim to the department," according to the nomination. Read More

Vietnam veterans honored March 27

The fourth annual Vietnam Veterans Celebration is slated for Friday, March 27, at 2 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Plaza. Dale Dexheimer and the City of Burleson are hosting the event, which will include music, the presentation of colors, a speaker, the Burleson Police Department's firing team and taps. The plaza is located at 298 E. Renfro St., adjacent to the I-35W service road. More details are coming!

Do you have your tickets for the dance?

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. If you wait until Feb. 7 to buy your tickets, the cost is $25 per couple or $12.50 per person. For more information about the sweetest dance, call the BRiCk at 817-426-9104.

Medal of Valor, Purple Heart, Medal of Honor and commendations awarded

The 2014 case that will strike a chord with the Burleson Police Department, and the community that rushed to provide support, is the robbery of Wells Fargo Bank and the shooting of two Burleson Police detectives. At the Jan. 29 Burleson Police Department awards banquet, detectives David Feucht and Nick Grace were each presented with a Medal of Valor and a Purple Heart. Officers K. Martin and A. Reed earned a Medal of Honor and dispatchers Sabrina Rivera and Maria Gonzalez were recognized with police commendations. The Jan. 29 awards banquet highlighted the work of many, including the six top award winners. Community Resource Officer David Wardlaw was named 2014 Officer of the Year. Officer Caitlin Swenson was tapped as Rookie of the Year. Deputy Chief Doug Sandifer took home the 2014 Supervisor of the Year. Kathy James, civilian records supervisor/crime analyst, was awarded Civilian of the Year. The Most Outstanding Community Policing Award went to Officer Don Adams, and Officer Joseph Byrom was honored with the 2014 Ofelia Blair Character Award. Read More 

Deputy chief selected as Supervisor of the Year

A supervisor who has dedicated his life to the Burleson Police Department was humbled and honored Jan. 29 when he was announced as the 2014 Supervisor of the Year. Deputy Chief Doug Sandifer guided the department during the transition after Police Chief Tom Cowan retired in December 2013 and Police Chief Billy Cordell took over the reins in June 2014. "Doug was instrumental in making numerous police projects the success they were during his time at the top," according to the nomination. "He has proven his worth over and over again as someone who can be counted on when he is needed. Doug single handedly completes and monitors the department's annual budget of more than $9 million. This undertaking each year is very labor intensive and must be monitored throughout the year as each dollar is spent." Sandifer started as a reserve police officer with Burleson in January 1984, and then was hired as a full-time officer in August 1984. He was promoted to corporal in 1986, sergeant in 1988, and captain in 1993. His title changed to commander in 2007, then to deputy chief in 2013. Read More

Five file for three seats on city council 

As of 2 p.m. on Feb. 5, all three incumbents and two challengers had submitted their paperwork for the May 9 Burleson City Council election. The latest to throw her hat in the ring is Shannan Sutter, who is a challenger for the Place 3 seat on council. That seat is currently held by Councilmember Jerry W. Allen. Sutter filed on Feb. 4. Dan McClendon, Place 5, was the first to file on Jan. 28. He is the incumbent and mayor pro tem. McClendon was followed by John Garrison, who filed as a challenger for Place 3, and Allen. Stuart Gillaspie filed for his Place 1 seat Jan. 29.  The 2015 election is for three-year terms. The filing period ends Friday, Feb. 27, at 5 p.m. Candidate packets are available at city hall, in the city secretary's office, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday and at the city council meetings on Feb. 2 and Feb. 16. The work sessions start at 6 p.m. and the council meetings start at 7 p.m. The candidate packet is also posted on the City website. If you haven't registered to vote, the deadline to do so and still be eligible to vote in the May 9 city council election is April 9. You need to register with the county in which you reside. Go to the Texas Secretary of State Voter Registration page. For more information, contact the city secretary's office at 817-426-9662 or email.  

Rookie Officer of the Year is Swenson

Caitlin Swenson "does not hesitate to act and faces obstacles head on," and that earned her the Burleson Police Department's 2014 Rookie Officer of the Year award. The 27-year-old Arlington native was hired by Burleson on April 25, 2013. Swenson "has demonstrated how to handle courage under pressure, which does not come naturally to most officers. She takes the initiative and applies solid problem solving skills." Read More

Citizens Fire Academy teaches what it takes to be a firefighter

Are you interested in a crash course on what it takes to be a firefighter? Then sign up for the Burleson Fire Department's free five-day Citizens Fire Academy. Class is April 6-10, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. This is for the adults (the department hosts a Junior Firefighter Academy each summer). The academy is open to residents of Burleson and employees who work in Burleson. The curriculum includes fire operations, fire apparatus, personal protective equipment, search and rescue, fire attack/hose, fire extinguishers, vehicle extrication, special operations, and an introduction to CERT (Community Emergency Response Team). Students will learn basic CPR and first aid. The deadline to apply is April 3. Call 817-426-9176.   

Sign those tiny tots up for a triathlon!

Yes, tiny tots can do a triathlon! The BRiCk is hosting a Tiny Tots Triathlon on Saturday, April 11, at 9 a.m. This is for children between three and five years old. The tots will bike, splash through sprinklers, and dash to the finish line in this triathlon. Each participant will take home a medal. Pre-registration is required. Sign up at the BRiCk, 550 N.W. Summercrest Blvd. The cost is $15 per child. Registration starts March 16. This is a great event for the entire family, and it promotes fitness! For more information call the BRiCk at 817-426-9104.

Spruce-up is in store for Old Town

Changes are coming to Old Town in 2015. The focus is to create a more pedestrian-oriented area with brick crosswalks, wider sidewalks and benches, seat walls and trash cans. Traffic flow should improve with angled parking along Main Street and an elliptical roundabout at the intersection of Main and Ellison Street. Sidewalks along Main will be widened from Renfro Street to Bufford Street. Landscaping and lighting upgrades will brighten Main as well as Ellison, between Main and Wilson Street. The alley between Wilson and Ellison will become a pedestrian link between outlying parking and the shops and restaurants of Old Town. Construction should start in March and be completed by September. See the detailed presentation.

Sign up for March 28 Aqua Egg Hunt

Grab your swimsuits, grab your goggles - it's almost time to hunt for Easter eggs in the BRiCk's indoor pool. The Aqua Egg Hunt fun begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 28. Children up to age 11 will be divided into four age groups for hunts in the play structure area and the lap pool. The fee is $2 for each child. Participation is limited, so preregistration is recommended. You can start signing up on March 2 at the BRiCk, 550 N.W. Summercrest Blvd. For more information, call the BRiCk at 817-426-9104.

Senior citizens, this is for you!

Are you a senior (62 and older) who is looking to get fit or just gain overall better health? Take the first step by coming to the BRiCk! The City's recreation center is proud to announce the addition of SilverSneakers and the Silver&Fit program as an additional health and wellness service for our seniors! Be sure to check eligibility with your insurance company to see if you qualify for either program. BRiCk hours are 5 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 5 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday; 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday; and 1 p.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call the BRiCk at 817-426-9104.