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STAR Transit is providing free rides for persons with confirmed appointment to get the COVID 19 vaccine shots. The curb-to-curb service extends outside of the agency’s service area. Rides are available Monday – Friday, 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. For this purpose, STAR Transit is temporarily adding Saturday service from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Reservations should be made at least one service day in advance and are based on vehicle availability.

“We are Easter people this day. The day of Resurrection is just beginning! He is risen! Alleluia!” “He is risen indeed, Alleluia!” These words, spoken joyfully by Reverend Shawn Deterding, and then echoed by the worshippers, opened the first Easter Sunrise Service of “Water of Life,” Missouri Synod Lutheran Church, Forney, Texas, on April 4, 2021.

The COVID-19 pandemic may end up changing our lives in some significant ways. To cite one example, it’s likely we’ll see a lot more people continue to work remotely, now that they’ve seen the effectiveness of tools such as videoconferencing. Education, too, may be forever changed in some ways. Perhaps just as important, though, is how many people may now think more about the future – including how they invest.

This past week on one of those cool clear mornings, the urge to do a bit of campfire cooking hit me. I had fashioned a couple of ‘pot hangers’ from a dry cedar limb and another from a deer antler and was anxious to put my old cast iron Dutch kettles to work. My wife saw me rustling around the fire pit in front of my little cabin situated in the trees behind the house and asked what I was up to.

Even though we aren’t seeing many just yet, be patient, Texas bluebonnets and wildflowers will come. According to a Texas A&M AgriLife expert, the freeze likely had minimal effects on both the Texas bluebonnets and wildflowers.

Texas State Parks have begun a strategic and thoughtful process of expanding capacity statewide, tracking Gov. Greg Abbott’s latest reopening order, and allowing more Texans the opportunity to visit their favorite parks. Masks are strongly encouraged for park visitors, especially when indoors or in areas where it is difficult to socially distance. Also, restrictions affecting group sizes have been lifted.

With spring around the corner, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists are asking residents with bird feeders to routinely clean them, and the areas surrounding them, in order to help slow the spread of potentially deadly diseases among bird species.

Forney ISD campuses recently took time to recognize their most outstanding teachers when they announced their 2020-2021 Campus Teachers of the Year! Each campus announced the one teacher, either a face-to-face teacher or a virtual teacher, at their school that stood out above the others and excelled for the students of Forney ISD.

On Sunday, March 28th, 2021 at around 5:56 p.m., Forney Police officers responded to the Forney Icehouse, located in the 100 block of E US Hwy 80, in regard to a disturbance involving a firearm. Upon arrival, Officers observed an armed suspect outside the front of the business. The suspect dropped the firearm and put his hands up when he saw Police Officers and was taken into custody without incident. Upon further investigation, it was learned the suspect was believed to be intoxicated and tried to leave with his small child. It was reported there was an altercation with another customer when the suspect tried to leave with the child in the vehicle. During the altercation, the suspect displayed a firearm but it was taken away from him. As customers took the child and went back inside, the suspect obtained another firearm and tried to re-enter the business but had been locked out. Forney Police Officers then arrived and took the suspect into custody.

Throughout the month of April, Whole Earth Provision Co. will hold a fund drive at all six store locations across the state in support of Texas State Parks. The Texas-based travel, adventure and nature store will give all funds gathered during the effort to help fund state parks’ day-to-day operational expenses, including enhanced visitor programs, park trail maps and facilities maintenance. This State Parks Month marks 10 years of partnership between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Whole Earth Provision Co.

Mesquite Police Department Interim Police Chief David Faaborg announced the promotion of Lieutenant Brandon Borden to the rank of Captain and Sergeant James Stanley to the rank of Lieutenant. Captain Borden will oversee the Technical Services Bureau and Lieutenant Stanley will serve as Watch Commander.

Billions of people across the globe are gaming enthusiasts. A recent ESA survey showed that more than 214 million Americans are playing video games, which can help develop familial bonds. Furthermore, with more time spent at home, video games may be a way to pass the time and maintain social interaction with friends and other family members. However, excessive gaming may be too much of a good thing. In 2018, the World Health Organization added “gaming disorder” to their International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), which is the latest list of diseases and medical conditions that health professionals use to diagnose issues affecting their patients. According to the ICD-11, individuals with gaming disorder have trouble managing the amount of time that they spend playing video games. In addition, gaming may be put ahead of other activities. Over time, excessive gaming may lead to other negative effects, including behavioral issues akin to other addictive behaviors, such as alcohol use and gambling. The WHO says for gaming disorder to be diagnosed, the pattern of behavior must be severe enough to result in significant impairment to family, personal, social, educational, occupational, or other important areas for at least 12 months.

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden presents the return of the international blockbuster exhibit ZimSculpt, a worldrenowned collection of hand-selected, modern Zimbabwean stone sculptures. As the signature event of Summer at the Arboretum, ZimSculpt runs from May 1 to August 8.