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What may have started as a deal too good to pass up could end up costing you for months to come. Costly subscription services could be charging your debit or credit card monthly and if you don’t keep close tabs on your accounts, you may not even be aware.

April is Global Volunteer Month, a time to recognize the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest challenges.

Kim Buttram has been named the new Director of Economic Development for the City of Mesquite. She returns to Mesquite where she served in the Economic Development Department as the Assistant Manager from 2016 - 2017 and the Assistant Director from 2017 - 2020. Buttram said, “It’s a thrill to be back in Mesquite. It is an exciting time in this community with so many current developments underway and new prospects to pursue. I am grateful for this opportunity.”

Let’s face it, 2020 was a handful! People’s schedules flipped upside down, causing loads of worry and confusion about their loved ones, and whether they’d ever be able to live a normal life. While the pandemic caused lots of events, games, and productions to come to a grinding halt, the theater department of First Baptist Academy, led by Mrs. Lisa Emmick, was determined to bring some semblance of normality back into the students’ lives.

Hunting regulations for the 2021- 22 season were approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission at its public meeting held online March 25. Hunters will see some changes this fall, including the elimination of the experimental pronghorn season in the northern Panhandle and extension of the general pronghorn season from 9 to 16 days statewide, and the addition of two days of hunting opportunity in the Special White-winged Dove Days within the South Dove Zone.

Anglers delivered three more Legacy Lunkers last Tuesday followed by a fourth Sunday during the final weekend of the 2021 Toyota ShareLunker season. Tuesday marked the second triple Lunker day of the season, with O.H. Ivie producing the first two Lunkers of the day, extending an incredible run that has bumped the season total for that lake to 12.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.