We hope you can join us at the 25th Annual Home for the Holidays – Christmastime in Southlake celebration on November 23rd, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for the sights and sounds of the holidays!
This week on SLK City Spotlight, we join Mayor Shawn McCaskill and City Council as they share everything to expect at Home for the Holidays. From delicious hot chocolate to photos with Santa, tune in to this week’s episode to learn more about Home for the Holidays – Christmastime in Southlake.
To watch this week’s episode of SLK City Spotlight, click on the link below:
For ten years, Youth Services Librarian Stacy Wells has been a driving force at the Southlake Public Library, championing resources, programs, and a welcoming environment for young readers. Through her innovative work, Stacy has elevated the library’s offerings, making it a trusted space for children and young adults to grow and discover the joy of reading.
“My responsibility is to support the youth in our community, from babies to teens,” Stacy shared. “Whether that’s through books, audiobooks, or programs like Summer Reading that foster a love for reading.”
Stacy’s service philosophy is rooted in the idea of meeting each child exactly where they are by recognizing their different experiences and abilities. Her commitment to constantly learning, adapting to the needs of the patrons, and thinking outside of the box are just some of the reasons she was awarded the 2024 Employee Appreciation Excellence Award.
A prime example of Stacy’s impact is her leadership in the annual Summer Reading Program, which brings energy and creativity to the library, making it the busiest and most exciting time for the youth department. Her dedication to continuous learning is evident in the programs she creates, which resonate with young readers and adapt to the evolving needs of the community.
“Although we often get jokes that librarians read all day, the reality is that to be a subject matter expert in my role, I must read voraciously – and on my own time at home,” Stacy said. “Similar to other roles, beyond the foundation that my degree offered, the real education is in the growth and learning that comes with experience over time.”
But Stacy doesn’t settle even amid successes – she strives for continued innovation and excellence, always pushing the envelope to elevate the customer experience, no matter how young the customer is. After the latest summer program, she revamped the children’s area, improving signage, reorganizing collections, and enhancing team training to create a more intuitive and engaging space for families.
As Stacy celebrates a decade with the City of Southlake, her impact is clear. Through her expertise, innovation, and commitment to youth, she has transformed the library into a vibrant, essential community hub. Ten years in, Stacy continues to inspire and innovate, ensuring the Southlake Public Library remains a place where curiosity flourishes and the next generation of readers feels right at home.
You can view Stacy’s full 2024 Employee Appreciation Award video below:
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:
Whenever possible, these interviews take place in what is referred to as a “soft interview room,” which is geared towards making the survivor feel more comfortable and at ease. Last week, Southlake PD’s soft interview room received a special makeover, thanks to SPD Crime Analyst and Crime Victim’s Liaison, Diana Smith, and the non-profit foundation “Project Beloved.”
As one of their primary initiatives to support survivors of violent crimes, Project Beloved provides interview room makeovers to police departments across the state to transform the environment into a more welcoming and comfortable space for investigators to meet and speak with survivors. The furnishings, lighting, and artwork used to soften the space are provided at no cost to the agency through donations received by the foundation.
Diana learned about Project Beloved and the story of its founder, Tracy Matheson, while training at a crime victim services conference last year. Ms. Matheson’s daughter, Molly Jane, was sexually assaulted and murdered by a former boyfriend in Fort Worth in 2017. At the time, investigators were unaware that Molly Jane’s attacker was a person of interest in several sex assaults in other cities across Texas. He had not been charged in those offenses, and Texas law enforcement agencies had no consistent process to compare similar sexual assault crimes that occurred within the state and the United States. Ultimately, Molly Jane’s killer went on to sexually assault and murder another woman 9 days later.
Ms. Matheson’s work through the state legislative process resulted in the creation of H.B. 3106, also known as “Molly Jane’s Law”, which requires Texas law enforcement agencies to enter vital information and details about sexual assault offenses into the FBI’s national database known as the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program, or ViCAP. This important tool provides investigators the ability to search for similarities in offenses nationwide, and it allows them to link sexual assaults to a particular offender, based on characteristics of the assault.
Ms. Matheson was present at police headquarters last week to officially “open” the Department’s updated soft interview room. We are grateful to Southlake PD’s Crime Victim Liaison, Diana Smith, and Project Beloved for their work and collaboration to create a more calm and peaceful space for Southlake officers to interact with survivors during some of their most difficult moments.
Of special note: The artwork used in each of Project Beloved's makeovers holds special meaning and is provided by the family of Megan Gertrum, another victim of Molly Jane's assailant. Gertrum was an amateur photographer, and her prints serve as a silent, but prominent pledge to seek justice for victims and survivors of violent crimes.
In the past year, Built 4 It has opened a Southlake location that focuses on Adult Fitness Training, Physical Therapy In-House, and Chiropractic Care.
Councilmember Amy Torres-Lepp joins the founders of Built 4 It, former Dallas Cowboys player Kavon Frazier and Kecia Mckenzie, PT, DPT, about their journey opening Built 4 It and the importance of bringing physical health and wellness to Southlake.
To view this episode of Southlake City Spotlight, click the video below:
The City of Southlake’s Office of Communications and Customer Experience (OCCE), Southlake DPS, and Community Services earned top honors at the 2024 3CMA Savvy Awards, held in Arlington, Texas. Recognized for their innovative communications efforts, the teams showcased creativity and dedication across a variety of categories, cementing their place among the best in local government communications.
The Savvy Awards, presented by the City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA), celebrate outstanding achievements in strategic communications, marketing, and public relations. The Savvy is the highest honor one can receive within a category, making these accolades a testament to the team’s hard work and impact on the Southlake community.
Check out the list of award-winning social media efforts below.
Savvy Winner
This fun and engaging video highlighted the importance of citizen feedback, using a creative spin to encourage residents to participate in the City’s satisfaction survey.
Silver Circle Winner
A humorous take on public safety, this PSA offered an entertaining yet informative look at the duties of Southlake’s finest.
Silver Circle Winner
This clever social media post connected the excitement of the Texas Rangers' World Series run with pedestrian safety, earning engagement and praise from the community.
Award of Excellence Winner
This educational video combined roundabout navigation with humor, helping drivers master these increasingly popular intersections.
Award of Excellence Winner
A community-favorite, this event promoted healthy living while fostering friendly competition between neighboring cities.
Want to tune in to the award-winning communication efforts from the City of Southlake? Follow us at the social media platforms below:
Experience Southlake Instagram
Southlake is set to honor Olympic hero Sam Watson with a victory ceremony celebrating his remarkable achievement at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Watson, who secured the bronze medal in speed climbing and broke his own world record, has become a source of immense pride for the entire community.
The ceremony will occur on the steps of Town Hall this Saturday (8/17) at 9:00 a.m. with residents and visitors encouraged to attend and show their support. To mark this special occasion, the public is invited to wear red, a symbol of strength and determination, in honor of Watson's outstanding accomplishment.
"We are incredibly proud of Sam and his dedication to his sport," said Mayor Shawn McCaskill. "This ceremony is a way for the community to unite and celebrate his success on the world stage. We hope to see everyone at Town Hall wearing red and cheering him on."
As a trailblazer in the sport, Watson's achievement has put speed climbing on the map and inspired a new generation of athletes. His bronze medal victory is a testament to his hard work, perseverance, and passion for the sport.
Mark your calendars and join us in celebrating this historic moment!
Sam Watson is not just any Olympian; He is currently the fastest Speed Climber in the world with a record of 4.798 seconds.
Sam fell in love with climbing at a young age and won third place at the Youth National Championship. He eventually competed in his first international competition, where he won a silver medal. After qualifying for the Adult National Team, Sam worked his way up to winning the 2023 Pan American Games, earning him a spot at the Olympic Games at just 17 years old. Sam successfully balanced school and climbing competitions while attending Carroll High School by keeping his teachers and counselors informed about his training and competition schedule.
It wasn't until Sam arrived home after winning the Pan American Games that he truly realized he was not only the world's fastest speed climber, but also an Olympic athlete. With the help of his supporters, Sam feels ready to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
"I definitely have the confidence that I can win,” Sam said. “But at the same time, I do respect the other athletes that I'm competing with and I know that they believe that they can also win."
To hear Mayor McCaskill and Sam Watson discuss the journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics, click the link below:
Get ready for Southlake’s Birthday Bash, a fusion of community and culture! Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to our community, Celebrate Southlake is the perfect opportunity to connect with neighbors, discover local talents, and celebrate everything that makes Southlake extraordinary! This year, we are commemorating our city’s 68th birthday with a day of cultural performances, dazzling entertainment, delicious food, and much more. We hope you will join us for this exciting community event!
Save the date for September 7th from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Town Square and let’s make this year’s Celebrate Southlake the best one yet!
The Southlake Police Department is proud to announce the promotion of Police Captain Jose Luna to Assistant Chief of Police, effective July 15th. With an impressive 14-year tenure with the department, Assistant Chief Luna's commitment to public safety and community service has been a cornerstone of his distinguished 20-year career.
Police Chief Ashleigh Casey expressed her confidence in the new Assistant Chief, stating, "Assistant Chief Luna has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to our community. His strategic vision and operational expertise will undoubtedly strengthen our department. I know he will excel in this critical role."
Assistant Chief Luna's law enforcement career started with the Killeen Police Department in 2004. In early 2010, he was hired as an officer in Southlake. His career is marked by a series of significant accomplishments and steady advancement through the ranks. Beginning as an officer in 2010, his diligence and exemplary performance led to rapid promotions. He has served as an officer, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain, and in each role, he has showcased his adeptness in field operations and administrative responsibilities. For the past eight years, Assistant Chief Luna has served as the SWAT Commander for North Tarrant Regional SWAT, where he has successfully led the multi-agency team through a variety of high-risk incidents.
In addition to his extensive on-the-job experience, Assistant Chief Luna holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Criminal Justice Administration. Currently, he is attending the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. This 10-week advanced training program equips law enforcement leaders with cutting-edge skills in various aspects of policing, including leadership, investigative techniques, and crisis management.
"The Academy training not only reinforces his already robust skill set but also prepares him to tackle the dynamic and evolving challenges faced by modern-day law enforcement agencies," Chief Casey said.
Following his return from the FBI National Academy in September, Assistant Chief Luna will be honored in a formal promotion ceremony, which includes his badge pinning and the celebration of his achievements and dedication to the Southlake Police Department.
