Annual Tri-City Cleanup to be held on October 14

The Cities of Dallas, Rowlett and Garland will come together at Lake Ray Hubbard on Saturday, October 14 for the annual Tri-City Cleanup event.

Volunteers from across the Dallas-Fort Worth area will work to clean up litter along the lake shoreline and down Rowlett Creek. Lake Ray Hubbard borders Garland and Rowlett, and is an important water supply for the City of Dallas.

To pre-register to volunteer, visit their website. Volunteer check-in begins at 8 a.m. at the Hella Shrine Outdoor Pavilion, 2121 Rowlett Rd., Garland TX 75043. The first 1,500 volunteers will receive a free event t-shirt. Kick-off and a flag raising ceremony will take place at 9 a.m., with deployment to work locations immediately after.

The morning will conclude with a Volunteer Appreciation Picnic at 11:30 a.m., with food, music and prizes.

The post Annual Tri-City Cleanup to be held on October 14 appeared first on Dallas City News.

source http://www.dallascitynews.net/annual-tri-city-cleanup-held-october-14

City employee rescues kitten from City Hall garage

Sir Tobias Mewer, Toby for short, was found by City Hall employee Janet Gifford in the employee parking garage. Gifford is a life-long animal advocate, who has several other rescued animals, and Toby fit right in.

First seen in the L2 parking garage at City Hall, Toby quickly learned how to survive. He lived among City vehicles that aren’t frequently used, coming out in the evenings to hunt for food. Gifford heard about this, and started looking for him by checking cars for tiny paw prints. She left out small dishes of cat food, looking for where he tended to hide out.

Gifford narrowed down the area that Toby frequented and set out a trap to safely catch and transport him to Dallas Animal Services. Working with DAS staff and volunteers, she got Toby fast-tracked through the DAS system, where he was checked by a veterinarian, neutered and given his shots. A day later, she took him home to begin the slow process of socializing him with her other animals.

Currently, Toby lives in Gifford’s closet – a small space where he can feel safe, but is slowly becoming more confident with each day.

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source http://www.dallascitynews.net/city-employee-rescues-kitten-city-hall-garage

Dallas recycling facility named Best in North America

The City of Dallas’ material recovery facility (MRF) has been named the Best Recycling Facility in North America by the National Waste and Recycling Association. The MRF is operated by FCC Environmental Services, and opened at the beginning of 2017.

The MRF met several important measures to win this award. Key points included innovation, types of material recovered and the quality processed, and sustainability measures put in place. The 15,000-square foot facility can process 140,000 tons of recyclables a year, and can handle over 40 tons per hour.

The MRF is an important part of Dallas’ Zero Waste Plan, which aims to have 40 percent recyclable waste by 2020, 60 percent by 2030, and Zero Waste by 2040. The facility also has exclusive rights to all recycling containers in the City for the next 15 years.

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source http://www.dallascitynews.net/dallas-recycling-facility-named-best-north-america

Dallas Police Department now offering online alarm permit registration

The City of Dallas Police Department Alarm Permit Compliance Unit’s false alarm program is now offering online registration for the convenience of the public beginning October 9, 2017. The online registration service is part of an agreement between the Dallas Police Department and Public Safety Corporation to handle most administrative functions of the false alarm reduction effort.

All City of Dallas alarm users are required to register under City Code 15(c). This includes all residential and commercial locations within the City of Dallas. Residential and commercial users can register online.

Any business that provides alarm monitoring, servicing or installation is also required to be registered as an alarm provider. Registration for alarm companies or registration for those without computer access can be done through Public Safety Corporation at its customer service phone number: (855) 809-2058.

Web registration –  www.crywolfservices.com/dallastx

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source http://www.dallascitynews.net/dallas-police-department-now-offering-online-alarm-permit-registration

West Nile Alert: DCHHS reports 21st, 22nd and 23rd human cases of West Nile Virus

Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is reporting the 21st, 22nd and 23rd human cases of West Nile Virus infection in Dallas County for the year 2017. The 21st case is a resident of the 75240 zip code of Dallas. The 22nd case is a resident of the 75230 zip code of Dallas. The 23rd case is a resident of the 75229 zip code of Dallas. All patients were diagnosed with West Nile neuroinvasive disease. For medical confidentiality and personal privacy reasons, DCHHS does not provide additional identifying information.

“Our mosquito surveillance program and the county and municipal abatement teams are taking appropriate actions to ensure the safety of our residents. However, it is important for residents to take the necessary precautions,” said Zachary Thompson, DCHHS director.

The best way to avoid exposure to West Nile Virus is to avoid mosquito bites. Residents should use the 4Ds to reduce their risk:
•DEET All Day, Every Day: Whenever you’re outside, use insect repellents thatcontain DEET or other EPA approved repellents and follow instructions.
•Dress: Wear long, loose, and light-colored clothing outside.
•Drain: Drain or treat all standing water in and around your home or workplace.
•Dusk & Dawn: Limit outdoor activities during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

 

“Since there is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatments for WNV infection, residents should adhere to preventive measures to protect themselves and their loved ones,” said Dr. Christopher Perkins, DCHHS medical director/health authority.

For more information on mosquito prevention, go to: /> For information on previously reported cases and zip codes impacted by WNV go to:

The post West Nile Alert: DCHHS reports 21st, 22nd and 23rd human cases of West Nile Virus appeared first on Dallas City News.

source http://www.dallascitynews.net/west-nile-alert-dchhs-reports-21st-22nd-23rd-human-cases-west-nile-virus

City partners with Kiest Cliff volunteers to keep neighborhood safe

On September 23, several City of Dallas departments teamed up to educate one of Dallas’ communities, Kiest Cliff, to show how they can keep their neighborhood safe, attractive and clean.

Employees from Code Compliance, Dallas Police Department, Community Prosecution and several other City departments provided educational packets on frequent code violations, and information on City services. This was the first phase of the Kiest Cliff neighborhood partnership that encompassed the boundaries of Kiest to Blue Ridge and Westmoreland to Cockrell Hill. The second phase will be Saturday October 14, and will cover the boundaries of Blue Ridge to Ledbetter and Westmoreland to Cockrell Hill.

The main purpose of this initiative is to help residents understand common code violations that may occur on their property so that corrections can be made to prevent receiving any violation notices.

Common violations include:

• Grass and weeds taller than 12 inches
• Overgrown vegetation obstructing the right of way (street, alley and sideway)
• Tree limbs hanging lower than 15 ft. over the street or alley and 8 ft. over the sidewalk
• Substandard structures (including fences) having peeling paint, rotted wood, holes or missing slats
• Improperly placed bulky trash, litter, or outside storage
• Junk motor vehicles that are inoperative and/or partially dismantled and have expired license tags or safety stickers
• Roll carts not stored on the side or rear of the structure

Programs such as the Community Hand Tool Program are available to provide groups like neighborhood associations with equipment at no cost to mow grass, cut vegetation and clean up litter in their neighborhood. For information about this program please contact the Department of Code Compliance Services, Nuisance Abatement Division, 2721 Municipal Street, 75215​, or by phone at 214-670-8200.

In addition, neighborhood associations interested in eliminating graffiti, can reach out to the Graffiti Abatement and Prevention Program and receive paint, supplies and training to paint over graffiti in their neighborhood. For more information contact the Department of Code Compliance Services, 2721 Municipal St., 75215, or call 214-670-8200.

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source http://www.dallascitynews.net/city-partners-kiest-cliff-volunteers-keep-neighborhood-safe

Dallas unveils the first City Cultural Plan since 2002

The City’s Office of Cultural Affairs announced the start of the 2018 Dallas Cultural Plan – the first since 2002.

This plan will analyze the cultural priorities of the City, discover how residents experience culture in their daily lives, and plan how Dallas can stay arts-friendly for the future.

Over the next year, Dallas residents will have the opportunity to give their input in the plan. In-person and virtual community conversations will be held throughout Dallas, and as the plan is crafted, it will be accessible online. The plan will include economic sustainability to ensure future support for the arts in Dallas.

The Dallas Cultural Plan needs public input – put one of the many community conversations on your calendar:

Cultural Plan Kick-off Walnut Hill Recreation Center	Thursday, September 28 6 – 8 p.m.	Walnut Hill Recreation Center, 10011 Midway Rd., 75229
Cultural Plan Kick-off Southwest Center / Red Bird Mall	Saturday, September 30 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.	Southwest Center / Red Bird Mall, 3662 W Camp Wisdom Rd., 75237
Community Conversation South Dallas Cultural Center	Tuesday, October 10 6 – 8 p.m.	South Dallas Cultural Center, 3400 S Fitzhugh Ave., 75210
Community Conversation Oak Cliff Cultural Center	Monday, October 16 6 – 8 p.m.	Oak Cliff Cultural Center, 223 W Jefferson Ave., 75208
Community Conversation Bath House Cultural Center	Saturday, October 21 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.	Bath House Cultural Center, 521 E Lawther Dr., 75218
Community Conversation Pleasant Grove Library	Tuesday, October 24	Pleasant Grove Library, 7310 E Lake June Rd., 75217
Community Conversation West Dallas	Thursday, November 2 6 – 8 p.m.	Location TBD

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source http://www.dallascitynews.net/dallas-unveils-first-city-cultural-plan-since-2002