Southlake native Korban Best has been running toward greatness his entire life. His running shoes have taken him far — beneath the lights of Dragon Stadium when he played Varsity Football, through the arid desert of California to train among the best athletes in the country, and most recently, across the ocean to win silver and bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
“When Korban was very little in first grade, he was telling us he was ‘Cheetah Fast,’” Korban’s mom, Kimberly Best said. “He was always saying he wanted to be a professional athlete. Every kid says that. You just never really know where it’s going to go – but he really stuck with it. His work ethic is undeniable.”
In his first trip to the Paralympics, Korban secured silver in the T47 100m and a bronze in the Universal Relay. But even before becoming a two-time Paralympic champion, Best made it clear that despite being born with ulnar dysplasia — a rare bone condition in his right arm — there was nothing he couldn’t do.
Growing up, he competed in soccer, jujitsu, swimming, golf, and more. He even left a legacy within the City of Southlake’s premier camp for kids, Camp Mania, where he participated both as a camper and later as a volunteer, eventually earning the affectionate title of “Dodgeball Champion.”
Returning to his hometown after making history was particularly meaningful for Korban, who fondly remembers playing football and feeling the community's support. Luckily for him, that support has continued in a new way, as members of Southlake excitedly tuned in to watch his success in Paris and now prepare to honor him with a celebration on November 2nd at 9:00 a.m. at Town Hall.
“I always tell him to take advantage of his opportunities,” Korban’s dad, Roger Best said about his son’s ambition. “When one door closes and one door opens, don’t be afraid to go through that door and see what’s out there.”
Little did the Best family realize that on the other side of that door would be worldwide recognition. In his first Paralympic Games, Korban became the first American man to medal in the 100m T47, securing his place in history.
At just 21 years old, “history-maker” is a fitting title for Korban, though he balances the pressure of proving doubters wrong—his greatest motivation—with a lighthearted approach. Before races, he keeps things loose by dancing, a pre-race ritual that has become a fan favorite during Team USA broadcasts. With his family’s unwavering support behind him, Korban is well on his way to even greater achievements, both on and off the track.
“He’s an amazing person—son, friend, brother,” Kimberly Best shared. “All the titles he has, including Paralympian, are just a testament to how incredible he is.”
Though Korban has already made history, he’s far from finished. With his sights set on the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles, he remains focused on training and preparing for the next challenge.
“Don’t let anything stop you,” Korban advises to those wanting to follow in his shoes. “We’re all athletes. Paralympians and Olympians are both athletes; we just do things a little differently. Keep working, and it’ll come eventually.”
As Korban continues running, we are confident he will stride into even greater achievements. Wherever his shoes may take him next, he should know he’s always welcome to run—or dance—back home. The community will be ready to celebrate him either way.
You can view Mayor McCaskill’s full Southlake City Spotlight interview with Korban Best below:
Southlake’s newest recreational facility has quickly made a name for itself among pickleball enthusiasts, earning recognition for its world-class design. Since opening in February, the Southlake Pickleball Complex has been buzzing with activity, and now it has another reason to celebrate! The facility has been awarded the prestigious TRAPS North Recreation Facility Design Excellence Award.
The Texas Recreation and Parks Society (TRAPS) North Region is a nonprofit organization that has supported the advancement of parks, recreation, and leisure services in Texas for over 75 years. When the Southlake Pickleball Complex opened its doors, we knew it had to be a contender for this award. The Design Excellence Award highlights projects with outstanding professional design, encourages high levels of recreational use, and fosters collaboration between design and parks professionals. The Southlake Pickleball Complex is a testament to Southlake’s commitment to meeting community needs, achieving excellence, and encouraging teamwork.
This state-of-the-art, championship-level facility welcomes players of all skill levels, offering eight shaded courts, a Championship Court with stadium seating, a Pro Shop, and plenty of seating areas. Since opening, the staff has introduced innovative programming, such as Intro to Pickleball, custom drills, and community league opportunities, enriching the experience for members and guests.
Congratulations to everyone involved in this achievement! City staff will officially accept the award at the TRAPS North Region Conference in Denton on November 4, 2024.
If you’ve visited recently, you might have noticed the delightful thump of kids settling into the brand-new furniture or the gentle rustle of pages turning near our cozy fireplace. The library recently upgraded the seating to offer an even more inviting experience.
The new collection includes spacious family chairs which are perfect for sharing a story with your little one. Throughout the library, find comfortable and colorful reading spaces to keep you warm and relaxed as you enjoy your favorite books. And don’t miss the adorable new bear in the early readers section, affectionately named Barry by the staff (though his name is always up for debate!).
Wondering what happened to our previous furniture? We’ve repurposed it for our Public Works team, ensuring it continues to be put to good use.
Next time you’re near the Southlake Library, stop by to enjoy the new furniture and maybe even sign up for a library card.
Check out a fun video featuring the new furniture from the Southlake Library Instagram.
Starting today through October 14th, weather permitting, the Southlake Drainage Team will be performing routine maintenance along the North Peytonville Avenue right of way, between Woodbrook Lane and Raven Bend Court in the northern portion of town. Southbound traffic will be directed to merge into the northbound lane, so please drive cautiously to keep our hardworking team safe.
Chief Casey’s opening remarks thanked the officers of the department for their “relentless dedication, professionalism and tireless efforts to serve and protect the community of Southlake.” She also thanked Chief Luna’s family stating “behind every successful officer, is a family who makes sacrifices and provides a strong support system, and they play an essential role in an officer’s overall success and well-being.”
Chief Luna is a U.S. Army veteran, and has 20 years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience, promoting to the ranks of Corporal, Sergeant and Captain. He has served as Police Captain in a variety of operational roles in the department since 2015, and he has served as the Commander for North Tarrant Regional SWAT for the past 8 years. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration, he holds a Master Peace Officer Certification, and he is a recent graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session 291.
“Your promotion is a direct reflection of your exceptional skills, dedication, and commitment to upholding our department’s values,” Chief Casey said. “I am confident that you will embrace your new role and responsibilities with integrity, and you will inspire and empower those around you to excel to new heights.”
Has your little one ever dreamed of seeing a garbage truck up close? Now’s their chance! The CWD crew (Community Waste Disposal, the City’s waste management service) will be there with a super-clean, brand new garbage truck. Kids can enjoy music, dancing, and a special story about garbage trucks in the Rustin Park pavilion. This event is perfect for children aged six and under.
Please note: This will be the only Story Time of the day, but Open Play will continue in the library afterwards.
Don’t miss out on this fun and educational experience! We look forward to seeing you there.
No registration or fee.
At the Southlake Public Library, we are incredibly fortunate to have a passionate and dedicated group of volunteers who are instrumental in keeping our library vibrant and welcoming. From shelving your favorite books to ensuring our space remains inviting, their contributions are invaluable. Our volunteers are also at the heart of our special projects, working closely with librarians to create programs that foster learning, creativity, and joy within our community.
One standout example of their efforts was our Summer Reading Program, which saw over 2,000 enthusiastic participants. Thanks to our volunteers, registration ran smoothly, and prizes were distributed to our eager young readers. Each volunteer's dedication adds a unique chapter to the ongoing story of our library’s impact on the community.
We extend our deepest gratitude to every volunteer for their hard work and for helping to create unforgettable experiences this summer. Your commitment has truly made a difference!
If you're inspired to join this amazing team of volunteers, we have opportunities available year-round. To learn more about how you can contribute, please visit our volunteer page on the Southlake Public Library website.
Thank you for being a part of our story!
In this episode of Southlake City Spotlight, Mayor Pro Tem Randy Williamson and Police Chief Ashleigh Casey talk about Southlake’s SRO division recent achievement of being awarded Role Model Agency Award by the National Association of School Resource Officers.
Southlake’s SRO officers receive a high level of police training to protect and serve Southlake students and the school community. Public Safety education, mentorship roles, and building positive relationships with the students and staff are all a large part of how School Resource Officers invest in the safety of Southlake’s students.
Click the video below to watch this week’s Southlake City Spotlight featuring Mayor Pro Tem Randy Williamson, Police Chief Ashleigh Casey, and Captain Blas Hernandez.
The City of Southlake has received notice from Tarrant County Public Health that one mosquito trap in Southlake has tested positive for West Nile Virus.
The positive West Nile Virus trap is located in the 600 block of Winding Creek Court.
The city will spray within a half-mile radius of the trap location. Spraying will occur on Thursday night, July 25th through Saturday night, July 27th, weather permitting. The chemicals in the spray are specifically designed to target mosquitos with a quick burn-off in sunlight to mitigate any pet health concerns.
Residents should continue taking protective measures to help reduce the mosquito population including:
· Drain standing water in artificial containers; this is the primary source of mosquitoes
· Dress in long sleeves
· Wear insect repellent containing DEET
For more information about West Nile Virus, personal protective measures, or response actions, please visit CityofSouthlake.com or MySouthlakeNews.com. As always, if you have any mosquito concerns, please reach out to our Emergency Management Department at (817) 748-8624 or email at kmeehan@ci.southlake.tx.us.
The Summer Reading Program thrived thanks to the generosity of its sponsors. The Southlake Public Library is incredibly grateful to our sponsors who made our 2024 Summer Reading Program a resounding success. Sponsors are truly the backbone of our program, bringing joy and inspiration to the kids of the Southlake Public Library.
Thanks to the incredible donations of Frost Bank and Peppa Pig, we were able to offer some of our most cherished prizes, including a Nintendo Switch and a snow cone machine. These fantastic prizes have become favorites among our participants.
The Library Foundation of Southlake played a pivotal role this summer by sponsoring a visit from New York Times Best Selling author James Ponti. James delighted our young readers with an engaging writing workshop, guiding them through the process of creating their own stories. Additionally, the foundation hosted a two-week writing workshop camp, teaching the principles and guidelines for crafting fun and imaginative stories.
The Friends of the Southlake Library are an indispensable part of our library community. They not only keep our book donations organized and ready for sale but also generously sponsor most of the Summer Reading prizes. Their generous donations make it possible for us to offer both small and large prizes. These prizes bring immense joy and excitement to the faces of our young participants, who absolutely love receiving them!
Thank you to these wonderful sponsors for their contributions, which made our Summer Reading Program such a memorable experience for all the kids and parents who visited the Southlake Public Library. Their support has helped foster a love of reading and learning in the library community.
To learn more about our sponsors and their contributions, visit the following links:
Learn more about the Library Foundation of Southlake
Learn more about the Friends of the Southlake Library
Learn more about Frost Bank
Learn more about Peppa Pig Theme Park