A Burleson resident bent on preventing loss of life and a Burleson police officer determined to save one are both being heralded for their actions.

Kevin Terry, a former Johnson County Sheriff's Office patrol and transport deputy, was returning from a family outing in Fort Worth in the early morning of Aug. 23 when he was nearly sideswiped by an intoxicated driver near downtown.

"I didn't call 911 for another mile or two, until he almost sideswiped another car," Terry said. "He was back and forth in his lane [on Interstate 35S] and against the wall and close to other cars."

He placed a call to 911 in Fort Worth. A police unit was unable to respond, so Terry asked to be transferred to Burleson, once the intoxicated driver passed Sycamore School Road.

"He tried to get off at Renfro and nearly wiped out," Terry said. "Then he was up to almost 80 mph at the Briaroaks exit."

Meanwhile, Terry was communicating with Burleson emergency dispatch, and Sgt. Tom Catron responded to the call.

"The car dove left and nearly hit a concrete wall, then went to the right shoulder," Terry said. "He hit the guardrail there and the car went airborne."

It landed nose down and caught fire.

Terry was prepared to help the motorist, and looked up to see Catron behind him. Then in front of him.

"Before I could get out of the car, the officer was already at the fire," Terry said.

Catron immediately broke the car window, yelled out to determine if any one else was in the vehicle and asked the occupant if he could free himself to get out, Police Chief Billy Cordell said.

"He got the driver out of the car," Cordell said. "What he did reflected well upon himself and positively upon our department."

The fire quickly developed following the crash, Cordell said.

"Sgt. Catron was in position to get him out of the fire," Cordell said. "If he hadn't been, I'm not sure he would be alive today. This driver lived because of Sgt. Catron's actions."

The driver was charged with DWI, Cordell said. Terry is deserving of credit for caring enough to begin an emergency call in Fort Worth and complete it in Burleson. The exit to his home off Interstate 35W is Alsbury Boulevard, about three miles north of where the call terminated.

"I would have to say kudos to this resident for not giving up on the call," Cordell said. "He put us in the position to save this person's life. We can't predict what the outcome would have been had all of this not have unfolded just as it did."

Henry Jackson Parr was delivered at 11:31 p.m. Sunday, becoming the first baby born at the new Texas Health Huguley Hospital building.

The hospital opened to patients earlier Sunday.

Baby Henry was delivered by Dr. Bowyer to parents Michelle Bailey and Anthony Parr. Dr. Bowyer has served as Michelle's doctor for more than 20 years. Baby Henry weighed in at 8 pounds, 8 ounces and becomes the Crowley couple's first child.

“Every staff member has been absolutely wonderful and accommodating, my family has not needed or wanted for anything,” Michelle said.

More than 1,000 babies are born each year at Huguley.

The family was honored with a gift basket, presented by the Huguley Volunteer Auxiliary, that included stuffed animals, clothing items, a photo album and frame, a blanket, toys, diapers and personal care items. They will also take home a monogrammed blanket Texas Health Huguley blanket to commemorate the special day.

Children are invited to Joshua City Park for an evening of fun and help for those in need with school supplies for students in elementary and middle school grades.

SPARK Worldwide's annual Back to School event is 6-9 p.m. Saturday at 831 N. Main Street in Joshua. Backpacks filled with school supplies will be given away to children, who must be present. Also, student haircuts will be offered, along with food and other fun.

The backpack drive is sponsored by SPARK Worldwide and OpenDoor Church. See SPARKWorldwide.org for information.

Lindsay Parker has been named the interim executive director of Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties, the organization's board of trustees has announced.

She has served during the past three years as controller for Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties.

A search is ongoing to find a new executive director, following the July resignation of Vinsen Faris. He had served in the position since 1988. Faris has accepted a position as chief executive officer with Christian Senior Services, the senior meals program of San Antonio.

“We are confident in a smooth transition as we conduct our search for the next executive director," said Paula Baucum, board chair of Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties. "Ms. Parker and our incredible staff will ensure our organization continues to meet the needs of our homebound clients in Johnson and Ellis Counties.”  

Among her duties, Parker will be asked to ensure the success of the organization's major fundraiser.

“We are ramping up for our annual golf tournament [Sept. 15] and with Lindsay at the helm we will maintain positive momentum,” Baucum said.

A public reception for Faris will take place from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, at Lost Oak Winery.

Burleson residents awoke Saturday to conditions that almost didn't feel like summer.

An afternoon and evening cool front and storm system significantly dropped temperatures, and the National Weather Service predicts temperatures could continue to fall throughout the weekend.

The previous two days were record-setting in North Texas. On Thursday, the minimum daily temperature of 83 degrees tied a daily record set in 2008 and 2011. The mercury rose to 107 degrees Friday, breaking a 17-year-old daily record set at 106 degrees in 1999.

Then the cool front blew in and 0.82 inches of rain was recorded Friday at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. It was the first time since July 24 that any measurable precipitation had been recorded.

The National Weather Service predicted a Saturday high temperature of 95 degrees, with highs falling to 90 degrees Sunday and into the upper 80s Monday and Tuesday.

A short pursuit developed Thursday evening when a suspect in a case investigators were working fled from police.

"We had someone place a skimmer on a banking ATM," Police Chief Billy Cordell said. "Our investigators recovered the skimmer and set up to see if anyone came back to recover it."

A skimming device, Cordell explained, is used to capture debit or credit card information. The device will be placed on a card-reading machine and will appear to look identical to what a customer might expect, he said.

"When a debit card is slid into the machine, the customer will get a response that might say the machine is down," Cordell said. "It has just captured information to be used for identity theft."

The surveillance assignment ended with what police believe to have been a suspect returning in a vehicle to recover the device.

"We went in to apprehend him," Cordell said. "He ran into one of our unmarked police cars and fled."

That's when the pursuit began.

"It began to get to high rates of speed and we called off the pursuit," Cordell said. "It was the right call for the safety of our residents."

Police are working with the bank to determine if the ATM captured a photo of the person who installed the skimmer.

"These machines take a photo when you use the ATM, so we're hopeful we have some evidence," Cordell said.

It is unclear whether police were able to get a license plate of the vehicle in the pursuit. Anyone with information that might lead to an arrest in the case may call Johnson County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 817-469-8477 or text "JCCS" and a message to 274637.

Several Burleson police officers gathered Friday morning with residents at Elk Diner to have "Coffee with a Cop." Among the officers attending were community resource officers, a sergeant and a traffic officer. Additionally, police were joined by Johnson County Sheriff's Office Deputy Charles Grover.

Johnson County's Emergency Services District commissioners could possibly act Thursday on department response contract funding levels as related to the fiscal year budget. Commissioners will meet at 7 p.m. at 2451 Service Drive in Cleburne.

If approved, Keene would receive the highest contract funding total of $182,000 and Alvarado would get $177,000. Briaroaks and Godley, each operating two stations, would get $175,000 and $170,000, respectively. Joshua would be funded at $141,000.

Contracted funding is required to be approved as a portion of the budgetary process.

The proposed budget is balanced at $3.874 million, without requiring a reserve fund drawdown. Response contract funding represents $1.534 million in the budget.

Burleson and Cleburne fire departments are not members of the ESD.

A proposal related to Johnson County's Emergency Services District's fiscal year budget would allot excess reserve funds to individual departments.

The board would allow fire department chiefs or their designee to request funds to be used to purchase items, upon approval by the ESD board.

The proposal allots $75,000 to most departments, including Briaroaks. Cresson and Rendon would receive a $31,250 allotment, Blue Water Oaks would receive $10,000 and Pecan Plantation would get $2,500. The complete allotment is for $975,000.

Burleson and Cleburne fire departments are not members of the ESD.

Johnson County Emergency Services District Commissioner Darren Yancy, who once campaigned for a Texas senate seat, had asked the board of directors to consider pledges of allegiance to the state flag at the beginning of each board meeting.

Vice President Rick Cumins has placed the request on Thursday's meeting agenda as an action item. Commissioners will meet at 7 p.m. at 2451 Service Drive in Cleburne.

"It would match the manner for what is done with the county," Baskett said. "We thought this should be something we voted upon to make it official."

If approved, President R.C. McFall will open meetings with an invocation, followed by pledges to the U.S. flag and then the Texas flag.

A proposal for restructuring of fire operations at two stations and related engine companies would improve efficiency, Emergency Service District Executive Director Burney Baskett says.

"This will allow us to cut down a level of bureaucracy and operate as one fire department, which we are," Baskett said.

The proposal calls for a merger of operational management of Stations 82 and 83. Station 82 responds within the Lillian fire district bordered by Alvarado, Briaroaks, Mansfield, Rendon and Venus. Station 83 responds along a Chisholm Trail Parkway district bordered by Burleson, Godley and Joshua.

"We presently operate as if we have three separate fire departments – two stations and the paid crews," Baskett said.

But state law stipulates departments under the ownership and operation of the ESD are in fact a single operation of the ESD, he said.

There are a number of advantages to restructuring, Baskett said.

ESD commissioners will be asked to support the proposal when they meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at 2451 Service Drive in Cleburne.

One difference between the stations and a department like Briaroaks is contracting. Because the two stations are in fact an operation of the ESD, the ESD is unable to contract for service with itself, Baskett said.

Funding is allocated to the stations, but that causes another issue. Typically, the stations expend no more than $75,000 of a $100,000 allocation. In an operation like Briaroaks, the unspent funding would remain with the department. In the case of Stations 82 and 83, the unspent funding returns to an ESD reserve account.

"The board agreed to earmark these funds," Baskett said. "The funds can then be allocated by board vote to the stations, but all funding requests must go through the board."

The result is overstatement of assets and revenues, Baskett wrote in a report to the board. At the close of the financial year, an auditor is required to reconcile accounts to reflect true expenditures, he wrote.

The proposal will conserve and reduce needed supplies and equipment, and develop a capital replacement program. It suggests an elimination of two part-time paid fire chiefs and replaces those positions with a "volunteer coordinator" working with an operations manager to certify ESD volunteers.

The proposal improves efficiency by assigning the two engine companies each permanently to one station and no longer have them respond to calls across districts without request. That will save on "wear and tear," Baskett said, and the total result could be $50,000 in annual budget savings.

He's not opposed to later revisiting the naming conventions for the stations.

"One is in Lillian, and the other along the Chisholm Trail," Baskett said, agreeing perhaps they should just be ESD Station 1 and 2.

Following are calls reported Aug. 8-14 by Burleson Fire Department.

Monday, Aug. 8
4:59 a.m. – EMS call, Glenhaven Court.
9:27 a.m. – Canceled call, SW Wilshire Boulevard.
9:38 a.m. – Vehicle accident, N. Interstate 35W.
11:26 a.m. – Medical assist, S. Hurst Road.
12:30 p.m. – Medical assist, S. Hurst Road.
1:49 p.m. – False call, SW Wilshire Boulevard.
2:39 p.m. – Vehicle accident, S. Interstate 35W.
5:13 p.m. – EMS call, SW Rand Drive.
8:15 p.m. – Hazardous materials investigation, Valley Ridge Road.

Tuesday, Aug. 9
12:22 a.m. – Medical assist, W. Bethesda Road.
2:00 a.m. – Medical assist, NE Alsbury Boulevard.
2:40 a.m. – Medical assist, Vaughn Drive.
3:24 a.m. – Medical assist, Chestnut Avenue.
7:27 a.m. – Medical assist, NW Jayellen Avenue.
7:50 a.m. – EMS call, Cathy Drive.
8:08 a.m. – Medical assist, NW King Street.
8:52 a.m. – Vehicle accident, N. Broadway Street.
11:37 a.m. – EMS call, Brighton Way.
2:08 p.m. – Person in distress, W. Hidden Creek Parkway.
2:53 p.m. – Medical assist, SW Wilshire Boulevard.
6:37 p.m. – Vehicle accident, N. Burleson Boulevard.
6:52 p.m. – Vehicle accident, SW Burleson Boulevard.
8:24 p.m. – Medical assist, SW Alsbury Boulevard at Sierra Drive.

Wednesday, Aug. 10
11:55 a.m. – Medical assist, SW Wilshire Boulevard.
3:21 p.m. – Building fire, Rusk Avenue (Alvarado).
3:24 p.m. – Alarm, Ben Drive.
4:37 p.m. – EMS call, N. Burleson Boulevard.
5:31 p.m. – EMS call, NE Wilshire Boulevard.
6:05 p.m. – Medical assist, Merion Drive (Fort Worth).
6:58 p.m. – Canceled call, S. Wildcat Way at Thomas Circle.
7:17 p.m. – EMS call, Oakdale Court.
11:34 p.m. – Person in distress, Pine Mountain Drive.

Thursday, Aug. 11
2:23 a.m. – Canceled call, NE Alsbury Boulevard.
8:44 a.m. – Outdoor equipment fire, E. Ellison Street.
10:54 a.m. – Electrical concern, SW Wilshire Boulevard.
11:23 a.m. – Medical assist, Oakdale Court.
11:43 a.m. – EMS call, Elk Drive.
11:53 a.m. – Canceled call, SW Wilshire Boulevard.
12:05 p.m. – Smoke detector malfunction, W. Ellison Street.
2:03 p.m. – Medical assist, S. Burleson Boulevard.
6:18 p.m. – Lockout, NW John Jones Drive.
7:34 p.m. – Canceled call, W. Hidden Creek Parkway.
8:23 p.m. – Medical assist, Bellville Avenue.
10:45 p.m. – Medical assist, Maple Avenue.

Friday, Aug. 12
8:02 a.m. – Medical assist, NW Jayellen Avenue.
10:59 a.m. – Medical assist, S. Interstate 35W.
1:15 p.m. – Medical assist, NE Alsbury Boulevard.
1:23 p.m. – EMS call, N. Burleson Boulevard.
2:52 p.m. – Alarm, S. Hurst Road.
9:16 p.m. – Medical assist, S. Interstate 35W.
9:20 p.m. – Canceled call, S. Interstate 35W.

Saturday, Aug. 13
6:17 a.m. – Medical assist, Collins Drive.
10:33 a.m. – Vehicle accident, SE John Jones Drive.
11:49 a.m. – Medical assist, Stella Street.
8:59 p.m. – Gas leak, SW Moody Street.

Sunday, Aug. 14
10:43 a.m. – Unknown call, NW Wood Drive.
12:10 p.m. – Unknown call, SW Alsbury Boulevard.
2:22 p.m. – Unknown call, NW John Jones Drive.
2:52 p.m. – Unknown call, NE Alsbury Boulevard.
2:55 p.m. – Canceled call, Old FM 1187.
3:22 p.m. – Unknown call, NW Charlyne Drive.
5:18 p.m. – Canceled call, S. Interstate 35W.

Following are calls reported by the Burleson Police Department Aug. 8-14. An arrest should not be construed as a conviction of guilt. Subjects have a presumption of innocence until convicted in a court.

Monday, Aug. 8
12:00 a.m. – Recovery of stolen property, 3100 block Mansfield Highway.
9:12 a.m. – Criminal trespass, 900 block Cardinal Ridge Road.
10:40 a.m. – Theft of material, 5700 block Highpoint Parkway.
11:14 a.m. – Theft, loss valued at less than $100, 1300 block Windy Meadows Drive.
11:42 a.m. – Criminal mischief, loss valued at $750 to $2,500, 800 block NW Park Meadow Lane.
2:43 p.m. – Theft, loss valued at $100 to $750, 300 block NW John Jones Drive.
3:32 p.m. – Firearm theft, 300 block NW John Jones Drive.
3:10 p.m. – Vehicle burglary, 300 block NW John Jones Drive.
3:45 p.m. – Assault, 800 block Peach Lane.
4:12 p.m. – Debit or credit card abuse, 2600 block Glenn Ranch Drive.
9:00 p.m. – Criminal mischief, loss valued at $100 to $750, 900 block W. Hidden Creek Parkway.

Tuesday, Aug. 9
11:36 a.m. – Fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, 1100 block SW Wilshire Boulevard.
2:52 p.m. – Criminal mischief, loss valued at $100 to $750, 600 block NW Lorna Street.
5:16 p.m. – Home burglary, 1100 block Hidden Lake Drive.
8:55 p.m. – Assault, 500 block S. Fox Lane.
10:51 p.m. – Marijuana possession, less than 2 oz., 500 block W. Hidden Creek Parkway.

Wednesday, Aug. 10
11:05 a.m. – Forgery of a prescription, 800 block SW Wilshire Boulevard.
11:48 a.m. – Debit or credit card abuse, 1900 block SW Wilshire Boulevard.
4:55 p.m. – Building burglary, unlawful entry without force, 2000 block County Road 913.

Thursday, Aug. 11
7:12 a.m. – Unlawful use of criminal instrument, 800 block NE Alsbury Boulevard.
5:43 p.m. – Theft, loss valued at $2,500 to $30,000, 200 block Betty Lane.
6:36 p.m. – Home burglary, unlawful entry by force, 700 block West Bend Boulevard.
8:28 p.m. – Evading arrest with a vehicle, 800 block NE Alsbury Boulevard.
9:48 p.m. – Assault, 500 block NW Carlyne Drive.
10:17 p.m. – Possession of prohibited weapon (brass knuckles), 100 block SW Thomas Street.

Friday, Aug. 12
3:36 a.m. – Resisting arrest, search or transport, 300 block Bernice Court.
10:33 a.m. – Criminal trespass, 600 block SW Wilshire Boulevard.
12:29 p.m. – Shoplifting, loss valued at less than $2,500 with prior convictions, 1100 block N. Burleson Boulevard.

Saturday, Aug. 13
2:26 a.m. – DWI, second offense, 100 block N. Burleson Boulevard.
5:13 p.m. – Marijuana possession, less than 2 oz., 1900 block E. Renfro Street.

Sunday, Aug. 14
10:53 a.m. – Harassment, 800 block Cedar Ridge Lane.
11:30 a.m. – Criminal mischief, loss valued at less than $100, 900 block Clubhouse Drive.
3:41 p.m. – Shoplifting, loss valued at $100 to $750, 800 block NE Alsbury Boulevard.
4:04 p.m. – Deadly conduct, 900 block SW Wilshire Boulevard.
6:27 p.m. – Disorderly conduct, 900 block NW John Jones Drive.
6:27 p.m. – Abandoned, junked or towed vehicle, 300 block Springwillow Road.
9:13 p.m. – Harassment by threat, 1900 block E. Renfro Street.

ARRESTS

Monday, Aug. 8
5:00 a.m. – Gregory Cruse, 100 block SE Newton Drive.
4:08 p.m. – Cristobal Camacho, 3100 block Mansfield Highway.
4:48 p.m. – Susana Escalante, 3100 block Mansfield Highway.

Tuesday, Aug. 9
7:37 p.m. – Sandra Bailey, 900 block SW Wilshire Boulevard.
9:00 p.m. – Jordan Tinsley, 1100 block SW Wilshire Boulevard.
10:51 p.m. – Dakota Hattaway, 500 block W. Hidden Creek Parkway.

Wednesday, Aug. 10
8:26 a.m. – Latresha Ramsour, 1500 block Arkansas Lane.
7:24 p.m. – Wesley Bryant, 300 block NW Renfro Street.

Thursday, Aug. 11
No arrests reported.

Friday, Aug. 12
12:10 a.m. – Jaquan Johnson-Pitts, 1100 Marc Street.
12:20 a.m. – Krystal Martell, 300 block Bernice Court.
1:10 p.m. – Ashley Barbour, 1100 block N. Burleson Boulevard.
7:44 p.m. – Christopher Vanderlinden, 200 block NE Cindy Lane.

Saturday, Aug. 13
2:26 a.m. – Anthony Gomez, 100 block N. Burleson Boulevard.
5:13 p.m. – Johnny Hudson, 1900 block E. Renfro Street.

Sunday, Aug. 14
No arrests reported.

Bettie Bailey has painted oil on canvas for 39 years. The past year has provided her opportunities to expand.

"When I began, I didn't have formal training," she said. "I guess I didn't know mixing yellow and blue makes green until I was 38."

She was approached by Pat Dexheimer to paint water barrels for a library beautification project, so she gave it a try. The result was water barrels each with a different pastoral landscape scene.

The notoriety of that project led to another opportunity.

"If she could paint water barrels, we wondered what else she could paint," Burleson Star general manager Brian Porter said. "We asked if she'd like to try a newsrack."

The result is a transformation of a mundane rack that had been positioned outside the newspaper's office to a public art project.

"Those are the toughest two projects I've done," Bailey said. "I had always just painted on canvas."

She was asked to paint bluebonnets on the newspaper's rack, because that's the thing for which she's most known. She had freedom to create from there.

"I enjoy painting landscapes," Bailey said. "Painting clouds and water are my favorite."

The newsrack includes some of all of it, as does the water barrels.

"The toughest part is getting started. You're trying to determine what the final picture will be," Bailey said. "You begin to paint and it just comes together."

Bailey spent an estimated 30 hours painting the single newsrack and "probably more," she said.

The final result arrived last week.

"I still have the very first painting that I created," Bailey said. "I am just as proud of it as I am the newsrack or the rain barrels."

She once painted an elephant she saw pictured in National Geographic, just because she liked it.

"I don't even like painting animals," she said. "It just talked to me, and I painted it."

Bailey is also known for her chicken and dumplings, a treat she used to serve at her tea room.

"If you think her paintings are good, try her chicken and dumplings," Porter said.

She admits to preferring one over the other.

"Painting," Bailey said. "The chicken and dumplings are a lot more work."

She's created so many paintings through the years that she can't begin to keep track.

"People will say they have a work of mine," Bailey said. "I'll see it and honestly not remember painting it. When I'm finished with one, I like to think about what I want to paint next."

Summer vacation is nearly over.

Students in the Burleson ISD will be asked to report for the first day of school on Tuesday. School employees returned for staff development and work days this week.

While teachers are readying their classrooms, custodial staff are putting a glimmer to the halls and administrators are preparing for campuses again bustling with activity, those in the community are being reminded to slow for flashing school zone lights.

"We hope everyone will slow down for our children," Superintendent Bret Jimerson said. "School zone safety lights are there for a reason. It is a reminder school is in session and to watch out for our children."

Residents may have already noticed buses traveling throughout Burleson, Jimerson said.

"They've been out practicing safety protocols," he said. "Some drivers have been out practicing and fine-tuning their routes."

GoldStar Transit has recently received top grades from district leaders. It began servicing the BISD about a year ago.

"They transport our most prized possessions on a daily basis," Jimerson said. "That makes them an integral part of the BISD."

Each school bus provided by GoldStar is equipped with air conditioning and is new, Jimerson said.

"They have lived up to expectations," he said. "Safety is always our top priority, but customer services is too. That's why we have a lot of confidence with our transportation department."

Parents or students seeking information on start times, bus routes, supply lists and more should visit burlesonisd.net, where each campus has a page with information. Residents may also connect with campuses through social media accounts and the old-fashioned way, by calling campuses directly. You can get started by calling the main administration office at 817-245-1000.

Police are continuing to piece together what may have led to an exchange of gunfire in a Burleson neighborhood.

"I don't know that we yet have a definitive understanding of what transpired," Police Chief Billy Cordell said.

Officers were dispatched to a call of shots fired at 5:54 p.m. Thursday evening in the area of Gardens Boulevard at Sue Ann Drive.

"It appears someone had shot maybe a BB pellet at a house, but we aren't sure which house," Cordell said. "Then someone else seems to have fired a weapon."

He's not clear what caliber round may have been fired in return, or from what direction. It is also not definitive what the intended target may have been.

"We believe they ran into a house, but weren't sure which house it was," Cordell said. "We don't know if the shot was fired at someone, or at what else it may have been fired."

Police are continuing to investigate the case.

Anyone with information that might lead to an arrest in the case may call Johnson County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 817-469-8477 or text "JCCS" and a message to 274637.

A Benbrook man was killed Thursday afternoon in a collision with a tractor-trailer in the 900 block of Interstate 35, south of Alsbury Boulevard.

Bryan McCormick, 49, was the passenger in a box truck that police believe was unable to avoid a tractor-trailer that had been parked on the shoulder of the highway and was merging into traffic.

"We're still in the process of matching witness reports to help us determine how the accident happened," said Burleson Police Sgt. Brian O'Heren.

Police are unclear as to the reason the tractor-trailer had been parked on the highway shoulder. The operator of the tractor-trailer merged into the far outside lane and into the next lane, O'Heren said.

"We are not sure if he already occupied [the left inside lane], or if he was merging and the box truck hit him," he said.

The left rear trailer was struck by the right front of the box truck, killing McCormick at about 2 p.m. The Tarrant County medical examiner's autopsy determined blunt force trauma to his chest, pelvis and right leg as the cause of death.

It is too early to tell if speed may have been a factor in the crash, O'Heren said.

"Anytime we have a fatality on a roadway, it is very unfortunate," Police Chief Billy Cordell said.

The operator of the box truck was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The operator of the tractor-trailer was not injured in the crash.

Andrew Medford, 18, was killed when he lost control of his vehicle and died Thursday morning in a single-vehicle crash on the Chisholm Trail Parkway.

Medford was a standout pitcher at Fort Worth Paschal and had signed a letter of intent to attend TCU this fall and play baseball for the Horned Frogs.

The crash in the 4900 block of Chisholm Trail Parkway marks the first fatality on the roadway.

Hill College has unveiled its first mascot change in more than a decade.

"Rowdy Rebel" will be replaced by the new mascot during an athletics rebranding. The mascot change will not alter the colors or naming of Hill College teams.

“Based on survey results, no one really cared for the Rowdy mascot,” said Derik Moore, Hill College's director of marketing and communications. "So we formed a focus group to help oversee a new athletic identity for the college.”

Six individuals were asked to serve on a focus committee to select a new mascot, Moore said. The group included faculty and staff from various Hill College operations and a freshman student.

The group worked with a graphic designer, answering questions and reviewing two rounds of concepts before the final mascot was selected. The group was given the restrictions the colors of red and blue must be retained, as well as the name "Rebels." The new image includes those items.

“Throughout the entire re-branding process, our board of regents and President Dr. Pam Boehm were kept in the loop,” Moore said.

The mascot gained approval in June, and was kept a secret until the return of staff and students for the fall semester.

“The original Hill College ‘square’ logo is the official image of Hill College,” Moore said. “The new image will be primarily used as the college’s athletic identity.”

Flags, signs and banners containing the college’s news mascot are already prevalent at each of Hill College’s campuses and centers. Also, additional items have been ordered – such as apparel – and will be available for purchase at the Hill College campus stores.

Following are calls reported Aug. 15-21 by Burleson Fire Department.

Monday, Aug. 15
12:01 a.m. – Medical assist, NW Summercrest Boulevard.
12:49 a.m. – Medical assist, Elk Drive.
1:05 a.m. – Electrical concern, Meadowcrest Drive.
7:25 a.m. – Medical assist, Marybeth Drive.
7:53 a.m. – Medical assist, SW Wilshire Boulevard.
8:23 a.m. – Medical assist, Firewheel Road.
8:38 a.m. – Alarm, Greenway Drive.
9:13 a.m. – Medical assist, Elk Drive.
1:40 p.m. – Medical assist, Willow Circle N.
2:27 p.m. – Vehicle accident with injury, N. Burleson Boulevard.
4:27 p.m. – EMS call, Lauren Lane.
5:59 p.m. – Medical assist, Azalea Court.
6:27 p.m. – Person in distress, SE Gardens Boulevard.
6:33 p.m. – Vehicle accident with injury, SW Southridge Drive at NW Summercrest Boulevard.
9:34 p.m. – Medical assist, NW Ann Lois Lane.

Tuesday, Aug. 16
2:43 a.m. – Vehicle accident with injury, N. Burleson Boulevard.
5:01 a.m. – Medical assist, Maple Avenue.
10:27 a.m. – Vehicle accident with injury, SW Wilshire Boulevard.
12:11 p.m. – Canceled call, S. Burleson Boulevard.
1:01 p.m. – Alarm, Lynne Lane.
1:28 p.m. – Medical assist, Penny Lane.
2:12 p.m. – Canceled call, Shenandoah Drive.
5:05 p.m. – Canceled call, S. Burleson Boulevard.
6:43 p.m. – Vehicle accident with injury, SW Wilshire Boulevard.

Wednesday, Aug. 17
3:28 a.m. – EMS call, Green Mountain Road.
4:29 a.m. – Medical assist, Downwood Drive.
7:43 a.m. – Good intent call, SW Alsbury Boulevard.
7:45 a.m. – Medical assist, Elk Drive.
9:22 a.m. – Canceled call, Old FM 1187.
11:26 a.m. – Medical assist, Elk Drive.
11:47 a.m. – Vehicle accident with injury, FM 1187.
12:45 p.m. – Assist police, S. Interstate 35W.
12:48 p.m. – Lockout, SW Wilshire Boulevard.
1:58 p.m. – Alarm, N. Burleson Boulevard.
2:14 p.m. – Medical assist, N. Burleson Boulevard.
2:38 p.m. – Canceled call, Lakewood Drive.
4:10 p.m. – Canceled call, Memorial Plaza.
4:21 p.m. – Canceled call, Lakewood Drive.
4:32 p.m. – Medical assist, NE Wilshire Boulevard.
4:57 p.m. – Canceled call, NW Renfro Street.
5:15 p.m. – False call, Heberle Drive.
5:23 p.m. – Medical assist, Elk Drive.
5:28 p.m. – Vehicle accident with injury, N. Burleson Boulevard.
6:30 p.m. – Canceled call, SW Brushy Mound Road.

Thursday, Aug. 18
4:04 a.m. – EMS call, Mitchell Lane.
5:31 a.m. – Alarm, SW Wilshire Boulevard.
6:27 a.m. – Medical assist, Vera Drive.
11:04 a.m. – Extrication, S. Burleson Boulevard.
12:50 p.m. – Canceled call, S. Interstate 35W.
2:00 p.m. – Vehicle accident with injury, N. Interstate 35W.
3:02 p.m. – Medical assist, SW Alsbury Boulevard.
5:49 p.m. – Canceled call, Acorn Lane.
5:57 p.m. – EMS call, Acorn Lane.
8:56 p.m. – Canceled call, Glenwood Drive (Alvarado).

Friday, Aug. 19
2:33 a.m. – Medical assist, Linda Drive.
3:24 a.m. – Canceled call, S. Interstate 35W.
5:57 a.m. – Medical assist, W. Bethesda Road.
6:44 a.m. – Person in distress, Castle Pines Drive.
12:13 p.m. – EMS call, Meador Lane.
12:37 p.m. – Vehicle accident with injury, NW Summercrest Boulevard.
6:41 p.m. – Structural investigation, N. Burleson Boulevard.
8:18 p.m. – Police matter, SW Wilshire Boulevard.
9:23 p.m. – Medical assist, Maple Avenue.
10:30 p.m. – Medical assist, Carter Court.

Saturday, Aug. 20
11:56 a.m. – Vehicle accident with injury, SW Wilshire Boulevard at NW Ellison Street.
12:17 p.m. – Medical assist, SW Wilshire Boulevard.
2:54 p.m. – Medical assist, Mitchell Lane.
5:29 p.m. – Vehicle accident with injury, N. Burleson Boulevard.
6:21 p.m. – Medical assist, Delaware Street.
6:30 p.m. – Medical assist, NE Wilshire Boulevard.
7:12 p.m. – Lockout, E. Renfro Street.

Sunday, Aug. 21
1:26 a.m. – Medical assist, NE Taylor Street.
7:26 a.m. – Medical assist, SW Wilshire Boulevard.
5:27 p.m. – Lockout, Elk Drive.
6:01 p.m. – Cooking fire, Anna Lea Lane.
7:11 p.m. – EMS call, Elk Drive.
8:02 p.m. – EMS call, Irene Street.
8:48 p.m. – Gas or flammable material, NW John Jones Drive.
9:17 p.m. – Medical assist, NW Jayellen Avenue.