Letter to the Editor:

I oppose the $59.4 million bond package Rockwall voters will consider May 12.  While the propositions in the package vary in merit, asking Rockwall property owners to support additional debt under current economic conditions is undesirable if not irresponsible.

The people of Rockwall already pay very high property taxes.  In 2012, according to Tax-Rates.org, Rockwall taxpayers will pay 2.16% of their property’s value in taxes.  Of 3,145 counties in the U.S., only 56 have higher taxes.  That puts us in the top 1.8% in the country!  According to Forbes.com, only four Texas counties have higher property taxes, and only one is in North Texas (Collin County.)  As a percentage of income, however, Rockwall County has the highest property taxes in the state, at 4.58% of median annual income.

Proponents tell voters 65 and over that their property taxes won’t be affected.  True, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be affected.  As Rockwall grows, every dime we spend on unnecessary things will be unavailable for critical infrastructure, police and fire protection, roads, schools, utilities, and public transportation.

Proponents of the package mention its total cost, worst case, is only 15.6¢ per $100 property valuation (a 30% increase.)  But that’s an annual cost of $285.80 to the owner of a property at the median value of $183,200 (again according to Tax-Rates.org.)  The athletic complex alone would cost the same taxpayer $120.90.  To proponents that may not seem like much, but if one put that money in a 5-year CD at 1.8% instead, at the end of the 20-year bond term, they would have accumulated $27,447.  Alternatively, if the city took that money out of our pockets right now to pay the bonds, it would cost each taxpayer $14,400.

I don’t opposed nice sports facilities.  In fact, I don’t oppose any of the improvements these bonds would support.  I do oppose the unnecessary incurrence of additional debt when there is such uncertainty regarding international markets, federal debt and leadership, and the substantial economic adversity that average families in Rockwall currently face.  Rejecting these bonds now doesn’t mean we can’t re-visit the issue when things improve.

Please vote AGAINST the bond package, or at least consider each proposal on its necessity and vote AGAINST those that can wait.

Thom Loafman

Rockwall Resident

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ROCKWALL – Under the guidance of the Texas Department of State Health Services, Rockwall County has established a Child Fatality Review Team (CFRT) to review the deaths of all children under 18 years old, regardless of cause or suspected cause.

According to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall Marketing Director Nikki Mutschler, the team brings together the expertise of 25 local law enforcement, legal, child advocacy and medical personnel who will review the reason for children’s deaths over the past decade, from a public health perspective.

By reviewing circumstances surrounding child deaths, she explained teams will identify prevention strategies that will decrease the incidence of preventable child deaths by:

• Providing assistance, direction, and coordination to investigations of child deaths;
• Promoting cooperation, communication, and coordination among agencies involved in responding to child fatalities;
• Developing an understanding of the causes and incidence of child deaths in the county or counties in which the team is located;
• Recommending changes to agencies, through the agency’s representative member, that will reduce the number of preventable child deaths; and
• Advising the State Committee on changes to law, policy, or practice that will assist the team and the agencies represented on the team in fulfilling their duties.

According to Gregory Sonnen M.D., a pediatrician with Pediatric & Adolescent Specialists of Rockwall, who is the Rockwall County CFDT Presiding Officer, there were 12 child deaths in 2011. Most died outside of the County, such as in traffic accidents.

Mutschler said the Rockwall CFRT is comprised of individuals who serve the community in a variety of occupations and whose backgrounds benefit the evaluation and review process for child fatality events. The team had its first quarterly meeting in January and will meet again May 29 at the County Courthouse.

Members of the Rockwall CFRT are:

• Gregory Sonnen, M.D., F.A.A.P., CFRT Presiding Officer; Pediatrician, Pediatric & Adolescent Specialists of Rockwall
• Tami Hawkins, RN, MSN, Child Fatality Review Team Coordinator; Vice President, Patient Care Services, CNO, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall
• Christy Peoples, Child Fatality Review Team Data Reporting, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall
• Kenda Culpepper, Rockwall County Criminal District Attorney
• Ashley Anderson, Rockwall County Assistant Criminal District Attorney
• Harold Eavenson, Rockwall County Sheriff
• Nancy Beaty, Justice of the Peace, Rockwall County Precinct 2
• Terry Garrett, Director of Public Safety, Heath, TX
• Sara Bonser, Assistant Superintendent, RISD Student/Family Services
• Nichol Smithers, RN, M.Ed., MSN, RISD Student/Family Services
• Laurel Tate, LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• David Lensch, M.D., Rockwall City Medical Director, Baylor Family Medical Center at Rockwall
• Gary Bonacquisti, M.D., Rockwall County Medical Director, Benchmark Family Medicine
• Katie Gerber, Child Protective Services Specialist
• Vickie Nettleton, Program Director, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
• Angie Scalf, Rockwall County Chief Juvenile Probation Officer
• Sumer Wassef, LPC, Victim Services, Texas Department of Public Safety
• Susan Clark, Traffic Safety Specialist, TxDOT
• Sue White, Rockwall County Victims Assistance Coordinator
• Samuel R. Crowley, M.D., Emergency Physician, Emergency Medical Consultants
• Vickie Oldham, Detective, Criminal Investigation Department, Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office
• Theresa Marie Snyder MS, RNC, CPN Womens Services, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall
• Tim Wolf, LP, CCEMT-P, Paramedic Supervisor, Rockwall County Emergency Medical Services
• Martin Ramirez, LP, Paramedic Supervisor, Rockwall County Emergency Medical Services
• Katie Martin, BS, RN, CEN, Director Critical Care and Emergency Services, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall

For more information on Rockwall County’s Child Fatality Review Team, contact Gregory Sonnen, M.D. at 214-771-3712.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

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Letter To The Editor:  More than “The Voice.”

As we celebrate and spend time this Father’s Day with the Dads and Granddads in our lives, it’s important to give thanks and show them love.  Some of us are lucky for the chance to embrace our fathers this Sunday, while others are reminded of how their lives were shaped by their father over the years.

I would like to take a few paragraphs to put the spotlight on a man that many of you in the Rockwall community know and love.  Like a famous prize fighter he is known by many names and aliases.  Friends and colleagues call him Gary, Mr. Gary, Big Tex, or even the “Voice of Rockwall”.  To me he is simply…Dad.

His selfless contributions to the lives of many in Rockwall County are well documented.  But this is not what drives him to help out a business, community playhouse, or even a beloved Congressmen.  Gary Freedman (shown above) is merely driven by the opportunity to make a difference by whatever means possible.  And for this I could not be more proud as a son.

My family and I were recently blessed to spend a week visiting the city of Rockwall and the surrounding areas.  Along the way we were lucky to meet many of the true pillars of the community.  To a man they had nothing but glowing comments to offer about my Dad.  Sure, I knew what kind of father and grandfather he was to my family.  But you never know the reputation of a man or woman in their hometown until you speak to the neighbors and residents.  After all, a story is only words on a piece of paper until it comes to life before your eyes through the conversations of the actors and actresses.  This week was confirmation that my father is much more than the stories he tells.

He and his beautiful wife Debbie – I think calling her Mom now may be more fitting – showed my wife and two boys the trip of a lifetime.  This vacation didn’t involve roller coasters, sun-drenched beaches, or four-star hotels.  We were instead treated to a week filled with backyard conversations, local restaurateurs and business owners, and the true charm of the great state of Texas.  These adventures will be etched in our memories forever.

I would like to close by saying how eternally grateful I am to call Gary Freedman my Dad for all these years.  I can hardly keep from grinning ear to ear in boundless pride as I recount what he truly means to me and the lives of my family.  Lastly, I ask a big favor from the wonderful residents of Rockwall County.  For those of you fortunate to cross paths with Gary Freedman on Father’s Day, please give him a big Texas-sized hug for me and tell him I said Happy Father’s Day.

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ROYSE CITY – A 20-year-old Royse City man died Sunday after he wrecked his all-terrain vehicle in Hunt County.

According to State Troopers, Keith Kip-Dalton Radabaugh was intoxicated when he crashed at about 12:30 pm, along County Road 2514 near the Cash Community.

The report says Radabuagh’s ATV ran off the road and hit a tree. He was flown to Parkland Hospital in Dallas where he later died.

Funeral details are pending.

By J.J. Smith

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DALLAS – Longtime Rockwall County Constable, law enforcement officer and community resident John Cullins passed away Sunday at Medical City Hospital from causes related to cancer. He was 66.

Elected as County Constable for Precincts 2 and 3 in 2002, “Johnny” was defeated by Tom Egan in the May 29 Republican Primary Election, but was finishing out his elected term until Egan is sworn in in early January.

Funeral services will be held Aug. 2 at 1 pm at First Baptist Church – Rockwall, 610 S. Goliad, with Minister Robert Jackson officiating.  The burial will follow at Heath cemetery.

Visitation will be Aug. 1, 6-8 pm, at Rest Haven Funeral Home, 2500 State Hwy. 66 East in Rockwall.

Cullins started his law enforcement career in Garland and received his certification while employed with Plano Police department in 1969. In 1973, he joined the Terrell Police department until he became Chief Deputy for the Rockwall Sheriff’s office in 1977. From 1980-2002, he worked as Deputy Constable, Pct. 3, in Collin County.

John attended Rockwall schools and graduated in 1965.  He played on the 1963 State Championship football team and joined the Marine Corps in 1967.

He was preceded in death by his father, J. W. Cullins, the first police chief and first paid police officer in Heath; as well as by his mother, Edna Shewmake Cullins, plus two brothers, all lifelong residents of Rockwall.

He leaves behind his wife of 42 years, Jane, and two daughters, Amy Pearson of Rockwall and Kathy Cullins of Royse City, plus numerous other family members, including Rockwall Chamber of Commerce President Dana Cullins Macalik.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Association, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association or Heath Church of Christ.

For more info, see his obituary at Rest Haven Funeral Home.

By J.J. Smith

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ROCKWALL -If you would like to donate toys to local children up to age 16, whose parents are not able to provide Christmas gifts, you can drop off unwrapped toys valued between $15-30 now through Dec. 13 at 11 local locations.

The goal again this year, according to Executive Director Margo Nielsen, is to provide at least three toys per child. She says they need all the toys they can get.

Last year the Rockwall County Helping Hands Toy Drive provided toys for 1,229 local children in almost 500 families, plus stocking stuffers.

View the 11 locations on the Helping Hands website page by clicking on the list to the right of the Toy Drive poster at:  www.rockwallhelpinghands.com

For more information, call Sherry Hamm at 972-771-HELP.

By J.J. Smith

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ROCKWALL – Over 100 family members, friends and sympathizers held a candlelight vigil Tuesday night for domestic violence victim Jessica Aguilar, the Rockwall mother of three who was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend, a former Hunt Co. Constable.

The vigil was held in the same parking lot at the same time that she was gunned down at The Harbor Saturday, between 7 and 8 pm.

Candles were lit. Prayers were said. People hugged, cried and spoke about what a wonderful person Jessica was; plus shared the grief and shock they feel about her being taken away so quickly.

Aguilar’s death leaves behind three children without a mother or a father: Rockwall High School students 18-year-old Jaime and 17-year-old Araceli Puente, plus their nine-year-old sister, Marisol Puente. Their father died in an accident nine years ago.

Now their aunt and Aguilar’s oldest sister, Isabel, will become the children’s guardian. She and her husband, Gee, who live in Rowlett, already have five children of their own. He owns a construction business. Isabel said she feels overwhelmed and they will need all the help they can get to aid the children.

“Give me the strength for these three kids,” she requested. “I lost my best friend.”

Aguilar’s oldest brother, Santos Aguilar from Arlington, conducted the vigil, thanked the crowd for coming and told them that the family wanted to remember his sister and “best friend” by launching some balloons just before 8 pm in the same spot that she lost her life.

“There goes an angel,” he said, as about a dozen pink balloons rose into the dark, windy sky.

Santos also stressed the importance of reporting domestic violence problems.

Aguilar’s family said they were not aware of any threats made by her former boyfriend, Anthony Dewayne Lewis, whom Rockwall Police say shot her point blank in the chest. Investigators say they apparently dated for about two years and Lewis lived with Aguilar and her children for a period of time.

But some of Aguilar’s co-workers said that Lewis had slashed her tires at work on at least one occasion and she was considering applying for a protective order. She had worked as an apartment complex manager.

Rockwall Mayor David Sweet also attended and offered words of condolences for the family.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

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HEATH – Samanth “Sammy” Knostman, the three-year old daughter of Doug and Ann Knostman, drowned in the swimming pool of a home in McClendon-Chisholm Saturday.

Rockwall County Emergency Medical Services confirmed their paramedics were called to the scene.

The Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office is investigating her death but no information has yet been received.

Ann Knostman works as an Instructional Technologist at Rockwall-Heath High School.

Doug Knostman is the President of the Heath High School Basketball Booster Club.

Samantha is also survived by her brothers, Bryan and Ben Knostman.

According to her Rest Haven Funeral Home obituary, there will be a Night of Remembrance Wednesday at Rest Haven Funeral Home – Rockwall Chapel, 2500 State Hwy. 66 East, from 6 to 8 pm.

A memorial service will be held at 1 pm, Thursday, at the Lake Pointe Church Auditorium, 701 E. I-30 in Rockwall, with Pastor Steve Stroope officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Children’s Medical Center, 1935 Medical District Drive, Dallas, TX 75235.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

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ROCKWALL – The publisher and owner of the Rockwall County News, Wesley Burnett, passed away suddenly from a stroke March 28.

He was 72 years old.

Mr. Burnett was the publisher of the Post Dispatch in Post TX from 1982 to 2008, when he moved to Rockwall and purchased the Rockwall County News.

According to his Rest Haven Funeral Home obituary, he is survived by his wife, Pat, and son, Timothy, both of Rockwall; as well as another son in Allen TX, a daughter in Mesa AZ, their families and several other relatives.

A memorial service was held March 30 at First Presbyterian Church in Rockwall with Rev. Cheryl Taylor officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Church at PO Box 692, Rockwall 75087; to Samaritan’s Purse Project #010350 by calling Chad at 828-278-1174; or to Rockwall County Helping Hands, 930 Williams St, Rockwall 75087.

TheRockwallNews.com extends our condolences and best regards to the Walker family.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

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ROCKWALL – The 13th Annual City of Rockwall Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day is April 20, from 9 am until 3 pm at the Service Center, 1600 Airport Rd.

City of Rockwall residents must present a current utility bill or driver’s license for proof of residency to participate, according to an email from the City.

Rockwall County and City of Heath residents must have a voucher to participate, which may be picked up at the Historic County Courthouse or Heath City Hall this week.

Household quantities of pesticides, paint products, household cleaners, herbicides, motor oil, automotive chemicals, swimming pool products and tires with no rims will be accepted. Document shredding and an electronic recycling will also be available. Trained workers will unload hazardous waste from vehicles.

There may be a long wait at the collection site, according to the City email.

“Please be patient,” it read. “The contractor and volunteers are working as quickly as possible to collect and identify the materials safely. ”

For safety purposes, please do not bring children or pets to the collection site.

For more information, please call the Utility Billing Department at (972) 771-7736.

By J.J. Smith

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By Liz Jones (Rockwall JER Chilton YMCA Membership & Wellness Director)

Our nation and our state have a growing obesity problem in adults and in our children.  27% of adults in Rockwall County are obese, 29% in Texas overall.  This compares to the national average of 25%, which is a horrendous fact in itself.  We also have a very serious problem with youth in our community being obese or at risk for obesity, or other adverse wellness issues such as diabetes, low self-esteem, heart disease and many, many other factors. 

The best way we can raise healthy children, to grow up to be healthy adults, is to be a good example in front of them.  How we take care of ourselves and behave in front of our kids will be the most impactful factor in how they live their own lives.  We also need to have tools to provide our children with healthy options.  A family needs to have access to healthy food, know how to prepare healthy meals, have quality medical care, a support system, and much more.  There are so many factors that go in to living a healthy life.  We need to address spirit, mind, AND body to support healthy families from a holistic perspective.

We are very pleased to announce that we are coming together as a community to encourage healthy family living.  The JER Chilton YMCA Wellness Program, along with Train Up, are partnering together to bring our community a much needed program.  We are collaborating with the support of other organizations in the community including the Rockwall Soroptimists, Erin Atkins Insurance, Providence Place Bridal Shop, and Midsouth Bank.  They are donating resources and funds to kick off the four week program that will include a healthy meal at each session, goal planning, physical fitness information and medically supervised fitness training (through the Train Up program), stress relief and relaxation, nutrition, meal planning and preparation and a provide a support system for families who have been referred through local health providers.  The program is set to begin May 7 and is tentatively planned to be held at the Soroptimist House.  We are looking for other community partners to help grow and expand the program. 

__________________

On Saturday April 20, the JER Chilton YMCA at Rockwall will be hosting Healthy Kids Day from 2:30-4:00 p.m.  We have 4 bikes and helmets we will be giving away, Minute To Win It games (each child gets a chance to win the bike with each game), bounce house, free items, snacks and information on many local activities and wellness providers!  We will be giving away jump ropes from Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial who have been a supporter of Healthy Kids Day, our Partners Campaign and have donated countless materials and resources for various projects.

Contact Liz Jones at ejones@ymcadallas.org or 972-772-9622 for more information.

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Dear Editor:

If you live in the Rockwall ISD area, the upcoming School Board elections have two positions to vote on: Place 4 and Place 5. It doesn’t seem like much of a reason to get out and vote, but it is.

RISD began using CSCOPE curriculum system this year. CSCOPE is so controversial it is currently under investigation by our State Congress and the Attorney General’s Office. The State Board of Education has never reviewed the content of the lessons.

Parents and educators have expressed outrage and concerns regarding lessons referring to the Boston Tea Party as terrorists, 6th graders designing communist flags and faulty math and science lessons. Many Rockwall families are considering leaving RISD. If that happens our tax base will go down and our test scores will likely go down too.

Senator Dan Patrick, Chairman of the Committee on Education states, “The whole setup is in question.” There are 20 Education Service Centers who formed the Texas Education Service Curriculum Center Consortium (TESCCC). This group “designed CSCOPE, set up a private company and I believe it is illegal. It is set up as a shell to not reveal what is in the lesson plans.”

In the last school board election only about 5,000 citizens voted. Let’s break that record! Go here to find out about the candidates:

Place 4
Jon Bailey
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jon-Bailey-for-Rockwall-School-Board
Bill Watts
https://www.facebook.com/electbill.watts?sid=0.14286910323426127
bill_watts@att.net

Place 5
Brian Pope
bpope@vilolaw.com
https://www.facebook.com/VotePopeRISD

Jim White
jimwhite50@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/JimWhiteForSchoolBoardRisdPlace5

Shana Young
voteforshana@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/shana4schoolboard

Rockwall Concerned Citizen,

Tina Millican

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FORNEY – The Forney branch of City Bank Texas “rewarded” five local charities from Rockwall and five from Forney May 6 with $2,500 each for rallying their friends to vote in the Bank’s March 29-May 3 online Community Rewards contest.

The Rockwall winners, in alphabetical order, are Lone Star CASA, Meals on Wheels, Pregnancy Resource Center, Rockwall Summer Musicals and Society of St. Vincent DePaul.

Shown above is a photo of City Bank Vice President Kevin Fowler on the left, with representatives from each of the five Rockwall non-profits.

The Forney winners, in alphabetical order, are: Forney High School Band Boosters, Johnson Elementary PTO, Pride of Falcon Nation Boosters, Rhea Elementary PTO and Sharing The Love.

The order of the winners will be announced at an upcoming winners banquet, according to the City Bank website, when the bank will also reward $10,000 for first place, $5,000 for second and $2,500 for third.

According to the Bank, Community Rewards was launched because one of its guiding philosophies throughout its history has been to be a staunch corporate citizen and regularly give back to their community.

By J.J. Smith

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ROCKWALL – The distraught mother of the Utley Middle School student who Rockwall police confirmed yesterday appears to have committed suicide says she has “no idea” why her daughter would do so and is struggling to understand.

In tears, Rockwall resident Christina Harrison (who provided the photo) told TheRockwallNews.com yesterday that there was no note left and that her 14-year-old daughter, Brianna “Bre” Escobedo, never appeared to be depressed.

“Bre was the one who was always smiling and the first person to want to help others who seemed sad or depressed,” her mother explained. “She would tell others to smile if they looked sad or depressed.”

The dozens of Utley Middle School students who spoke at a balloon launch in her memory yesterday evening at the Harry Myers Park lake all seemed to agree that she always seemed happy. Many remembered Bre as a funny, fun-loving girl who often made them laugh with her off-beat sense of humor.

For example, one girl said Bre once asked if she could hold her pencil for a minute. But when the girl asked for it back, Bre said, “Nope, you need to get your own pencil.”  The 200-300 students and adults who were gathered by the lake laughed and several more confirmed, “That was Bre.”

Harrison said that she and her family are hoping the Rockwall police investigation can provide more details about her death. A sales person, Harrison said she was in Beaumont yesterday working when she received the call about her daughter.

Rockwall Police stated in a news release yesterday afternoon that when they arrived at the family’s home at 12:29 pm they “were directed to a juvenile who appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.” Detectives are awaiting the results of an autopsy that will be conducted by the Dallas County Medical Examiner. The case is currently under investigation by the Rockwall Police Department Criminal Investigation Division.

If police are correct that is how she died, she would be the second Rockwall teen to die by a self-inflicted gunshot wound at her home in less than 30 days. Rockwall High School freshman Hanna Clark took her life at her home April 26, apparently because she was upset that her boyfriend had broken up with her, according to the Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office.

No funeral plans have yet been announced but a family friend at the balloon launch said a funeral home in Quinlan is handling arrangements and the family is trying to arrange services Sunday or Saturday at a Rockwall church or building large enough to accommodate what they expect will be a large crowd.

Rockwall ISD confirmed yesterday that grief counselors are available at Utley to help students deal with Bre’s sudden death.

Harrison said she is surprised and extremely thankful for all the support and condolences she and her family have received from their neighbors and the Rockwall community in general who have expressed their love and helped their family.

“I don’t even know anybody here,” she explained. “We just moved here recently. The community has really come together over this and we are very grateful.”

By J.J. Smith

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ROCKWALL – After months of preparation and a $1,000 donation from Walmart, the Rockwall County Kiwanis Club has started a countywide program to feed hungry kids from needy families and is seeking community partners to help expand the program by donating food, backsacks to carry food in and/or money.

According to Kiwanis President Glen Farris, although Rockwall is thought to be an affluent community, 26 percent of the families which live here have incomes under the national poverty level and thousands of young children are going hungry daily. Even though cash is limited, Farris says Kiwanis Club members feel feeding a small number of children is better than none at all.

“Statistically this means there are  thousands of children in our schools who do not get enough to eat, making it more difficult to learn,” he explained. “By providing food for children to take home, it makes it easier for them to concentrate on school and homework.”

“We are limited by budget but our philosophy is that if we can make a difference in a few children’s lives, it is better than not trying at all.”

Five hundred meals were prepared and distributed to children in March and April. Initially partnering with the Rockwall County Boys & Girls Club, Kiwanis held their March 19 and April 23 meetings at the Club to assemble the meals. Four hundred lunches and 100  breakfasts were then handed out to children who often do not have food to eat at home. Over 200 meals had already been sent home with kids.

The Kiwanis Club recently expanded into a partnership with Rockwall County Helping Hands to feed more children, as well.

“We are excited to help the children of Rockwall County and I am sure this will have a positive impact upon the lives of those children who would otherwise go hungry,” said Farris.

“This is going to make a world of difference in many children’s lives,” said Stephan Larson, Director of Programs with the Boys & Girls Club.

Farris said this is the first new service project that Rockwall Kiwanis has started in many years, bringing a new focus to the Club. Kiwanis continues to do many other service projects, like Angel League, Terrific Kids and others.

To donate or for more info, see the Kiwanis Club of Rockwall County website.

By J.J. Smith

ROCKWALL – The funeral for Utley Middle School student Brianna “Bre” Escobedo will be this Sunday, at 2 pm, at the Rockwall-Heath High School Performing Arts Center, 801 Laurence Dr. in Heath.

The service will be conducted by Pastors Clint and Angela Elsasser of Authentic Church, located at 4860 Hwy. 276 W. in Royse City.

Immediately following the funeral will be the burial service at the IOOF (International Organization of Odd Fellows) Cemetery, on Highway 6 between Caddo Mills and Josephine.

Visitation will be this Saturday from 6-8 pm at the Lynch Funeral Home in Caddo Mills at 2203 Gilmer St.

According to Bre’s obituary, she is survived by her parents, Chris and Christina Harrison; two brothers, Michael Escobedo and Christopher Harrison; sister Sidney Harrison; grandmother Kim Boedeker; and many more family members and friends.

She loved sports and was the only girl on the Utley baseball and football teams, plus played girls basketball.

A donation account to pay for Bre’s funeral and her family has been set up at American National Bank in Rockwall and the family says donations are very much appreciated.

By J.J. Smith

ROCKWALL  – A donation account has been set up at American National Bank to help pay for Brianna “Bre” Escobedo’s funeral costs and to help her mother, Christina Harrison, who will not be able to work again for a while so she can stay at home to help her three younger children with grieving the loss of their oldest sister.

The 14-year-old Utley Middle School student took her own life unexpectedly Thursday morning and her aunt said the children are taking their oldest sister’s death very hard. Professional counseling is being arranged for them to deal with their loss.

To donate, just contact any American National Bank and say you want to donate to the Brianna Escobedo account or fund. You can donate online or in person at any American National Bank, which has several locations in Rockwall County. The main Rockwall bank is located at the intersection of Ridge and Horizon Roads.  To donate online, call the bank’s customer service department at 800.837.6584 and ask for the proper way to do so.

The Rockwall-based, national non-profit, Lillian Smith Family Violence Foundation, arranged the bank account and is helping the Harrison family to arrange professional counseling for the children through its support services division. The group’s mission includes supporting victims and survivors of violence in families.

The founder and president of the group is family violence survivor J.J. Smith, publisher of the Rockwall News.  Leadership includes State Sen. Bob Deuell, State Rep. Cindy Burkett, former Rockwall ISD Board member Craig Zurek, Rockwall Co. Criminal District Attorney Kenda Culpepper and psychologist Dr. Judy Rand.

To volunteer or seek support for family violence victims or survivors, contact J.J. at 214-317-1718. Local volunteer training and support group meetings will be held soon.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

ROCKWALL – An estimated 400 students and adults attended the hour-long funeral services yesterday afternoon for Utley Middle School student Brianna “Bre” Escobedo at the Rockwall-Heath High School Performing Arts Center.

Normally reserved for musical and theatrical performances, the lighted stage was filled with her casket, surrounded by multiple bouquets of flowers, with the above photo of Bre on the large screen behind them. Before the service began, many of the 14-year-old’s favorite pop and country songs were played through the Center’s sound system.

The funeral began with the playing of the hit song, “I Can Only Imagine,” by Mercy Me, and ended with the playing of  hit song “One More Day” by Diamond Rio.

Plenty of tears could be seen throughout the audience as Authentic Church pastors Clint and Angela Elsasser spoke about Bre and how well-known she was for her cheerful smile and attitude. The Elsassers are also next door neighbors to Bre and her family.

Pastor Angela Elsasser offered a eulogy and reminded the audience how much Bre also loved loved sports. She said Bre was actually the only girl member of the Utley football and baseball teams, and she even scored a touchdown in a game. She also played on the girl’s basketball team.

(Correction: Bre played on a pee-wee football team and youth baseball team in Caddo Mills, but not at Utley.  She did play on the Utley girls basketball team)

The pastor shared that on Bre’s phone, an Instagram message read:

“I want to be remembered as the girl who always smiled, the one who could brighten up your day, even if she couldn’t brighten her own.”

Pastor Clint Elsasser, who is also a Garland ISD teacher, spoke about how full of love Bre was for her family, classmates and seemingly everyone else. He recited Biblical verses 1 John 4:8, which reads: “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love,” plus 1 John 4:12, which reads: “No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another. God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.”

Judging by those verses, he said, Bre was clearly full of God’s love, knew God and now is safely in his arms. He also urged students and parents to spend less time with such technology as smart phones and TV and spend more time with one another, as Bre enjoyed doing with her family.

After the services, arranged by the Lynch Funeral Service, her family and friends drove to the IFOO (International Foundation of Odd Fellows) cemetery in Caddo Mills where a burial service was held.

According to Bre’s obituary, she is survived by her parents, Chris and Christian Harrison; brothers Michael Escobedo and Christopher Harrison; sister Sidney Harrison; and grandmother Kim Boedeker, as well a host of family and friends.

A donation account has been set up at American National Bank for Bre’s family to pay for funeral costs and to help the family, now that her mother is going to stop working outside the home so she can help her younger children with grieving their oldest sister’s death. To donate, tell Bank customer service staff that you would like to donate to the Bre Escobedo/Harrison family burial fund.

Her mother, Christina Harrison, told TheRockwallNews.com Friday that she also intends to become active in preventing further teen suicides.

By J.J. Smith

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ROCKWALL – Sponsorships and entries can now be purchased for the Rockwall 4th of July Parade, which will be held July 4, at 11 am, beginning at RISD’s Wilkerson-Sanders football stadium.

Presented for the second year by TheRockwallNews.com, major co-sponsors thus far include the City of Rockwall, 17-term U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall and Sterling One Properties, developer of the Trend Tower at The Harbor. Several more are expected.

Parade sponsorships range from $250 to $750 and include a business ad on TheRockwallNews.com, plus inclusion in multiple ads on other local news and event websites, Facebook, local newspapers, fliers and more. For more details, contact TheRockwallNews.com publisher J.J. Smith at 214-317-1718 or email: jj@therockwallnews.com.

Entries will cost $40 for businesses and $20 for non-profits, organizations and others – the same fees charged by the Kiwanis/City of Rockwall Christmas Parade.

For the first time, the Rockwall High School Orange Wave Marching Band will participate and play patriotic music. Director Chris Kosterman said he expects at least 100 of the 200 band members to participate.

The location of the parade was changed because it has outgrown the Old Town Neighborhood where the Parade originated and because construction will begin soon on the Downtown Square. The Christmas Parade may also have to be moved to a different location because of the construction.

The 4th of July Parade will line up on the road between Utley Middle School and the RISD natatorium, head north on TL Townsend, turn left onto Boydston, turn right/north on Clark St. and end at the Dobbs Elementary School parking lot.

Parking for Parade entrants will be behind the natatorium. Parking for the general public will be in front of and behind the football stadium and natatorium.

By J.J. Smith

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ROCKWALL – The 2013 Rockwall 4th of July Parade will be held July 4, at 11 am, at a new location – beginning at Wilkerson-Sanders football stadium and ending at Dobbs Elementary School.

Presented for the second year by TheRockwallNews.com and co-sponsored by the City of Rockwall, U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall, Sterling One Properties and more to come, the Parade is expected to attract over 75 entries and more than 5,000 people to watch the parade.

For the first time, the Rockwall High School “Orange Wave” marching band will bring live, patriotic music to the event. Band director Chris Kosterman said he thinks at least 100 of the 200 band members will be available to participate.

The Parade will line up on the road between the RISD Natatorium and Utley Middle School, turn right onto TL Townsend and officially begin in front of Utley. It will then head north for about one-half mile past the County jail to E. Boydston Ave, turn left one block and turn right on S. Clark St. Then it will travel about six blocks to the Dobbs Elementary School parking lot.

Since the weather is expected to be hot and sunny, the large trees which line both sides of Clark St. will provide plenty of shade. TL Townsend is closer to parking but has only a few trees for shade.

Parade entrants should park in the parking lot behind the Natatorium and football stadium, while the general public can park in front of the football stadium and Natatorium, next the Utley.

There is also plenty of parking at the Rockwall County Appraisal District building and office park at TL Townsend and Justin Rd., as well as at Dobbs Elementary School and Harry Myers Park on E. Washington St.

Sponsors and parade entries are encouraged to sign up now by emailing jj@therockwallnews.com or calling 214-317-1718.

To enter the Parade, the fee is $40 per business and $20 for non-profits, organizations, families and everyone else (just as the Christmas Parade).

Excellent sponsorships are available for $250-$750, including your business name, contact info and promotional messages on website & newspaper ads, news articles, social media ads and articles, signage, fliers and more – well over your investment amount.

By J.J. Smith