News

Suspect killed after police chase ends

Bill Spinks wspinks@cherryroad.com A police chase that started in Tarrant County early last Friday morning ended in Midlothian with the suspect dead following a shootout with officers. The pursuit, which started in Dalworthington Gardens, ended shortly after Midlothian officers deployed spikes on U.S. Highway 67 southbound. The car rammed two Midlothian patrol cars and came to a stop near an apartment complex in the 100 block of East Ridgeway Street, where the suspect fired at responding officers. Officers from the Midlothian, Dalworthington Gardens and Pantego police departments returned fire, striking and critically injuring the suspect. The suspect was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he died. No officers were injured in the shooting. The name of the suspect has not been released. In a press release, Dalworthington Gardens police said they received a tip from the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office on July 3 that a man was threatening another family and police. The suspect involved had an active warrant for family violence. As a result, the home where the family lived was placed on a “Close Patrol” where officers checked on the location multiple times per shift. Officers were at the residence shortly before 2:30 a.m. when they saw the wanted person. When officers tried to stop the suspect, he drove off, starting a pursuit. The Texas Rangers are conducting a criminal investigation, and Midlothian police will be conducting an internal investigation into its officers’ involvement.

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City celebrating Parks & Rec Month

July is National Parks & Rec Month, but Midlothian’s parks offer budget-friendly family entertainment year-round. An array of parks can be found throughout the city with shaded playgrounds, picnic facilities, and public courts. Hours of all the parks are 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Dogs on leashes are allowed at parks. Pet waste stations are also available at the parks, which help keep our environment clean.

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Council OKs design work at water plant

Bill Spinks wspinks@cherryroad.com The Midlothian City Council on Tuesday night authorized an agreement that will start the ball rolling for improvements to the Tayman Water Treatment Plant. Councilmembers gave the green light to an agreement for professional services with Enprotec/Hibbs & Todd, Inc. for design and other engineering-related services associated with the water plant’s sludge mechanical dewatering press. The cost of the agreement is $230,000. The design work will set up the installation of a sludge press at a later date, city director of engineering and utilities Mike Adams said. The council will have to authorize the estimated $2 million expense at that time. The improvements are needed because the amount of sludge at the plant has increased along with its output of treated water, and Adams said dealing with it has resulted in more man-hours of work. The sludge, which comes from sediment in Joe Pool Lake, dries out in beds at the plant and is then hauled to the Auger water treatment plant, where it is land-applied in accordance with a state permit, Adams said. A press would speed up the process and remove the need for drying beds as well as reduce man-hours of work. Adams said the Tayman plant has a present peak capacity of 12 million gallons per day and in the future will be expanded to as high as 24 million gallons. All councilmembers were present. Other items The approved consent agenda included previous meeting minutes, and special event permits for four upcoming events in the city: the Rock City Summer Bash on Friday, July 26; Midlothian Revival Night on Sunday, July 21; the Minority Baseball Prospects Junior World Series July 25-27; and the Spike for Hope Sand Volleyball Tournament on Friday, July 19. A specific-use permit was granted for a new grocery store […]

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