Friday, March 29, 2024

Three More Samples for West Nile Found in Southlake

WNV 4DsThe City of Southlake was notified Wednesday (10/8/2014) that three mosquito samples have tested positive for the West Nile Virus. The samples were taken from traps at the 800 block of Shady Lane, the 100 block of Meadowlark Lane, and at the 700 block Ashleigh Lane.  A small portion of the Shady Lane spray zone is scheduled to take place in the 76051 zip code in Grapevine.

“We have seen recurring positive samples at these locations,” says Public Works Director Bob Price. “The City is following the West Nile Virus Action Plan to prevent positive samples, but we need the help of residents as well.”

Price adds that those residing outside of the half-mile spray radius should remain cautious, “We have six traps located strategically throughout the City—five that are stationary and one mobile. This means that when we see positive samples at these locations everyone in the area needs to be on alert.”

Price reminds everyone to look for sources of water in both the expected and unexpected places on a weekly basis and eliminate mosquito breeding grounds by draining standing water, covering outdoor containers, and treating undrainable areas with larvacide. Also, always wear insect repellent containing DEET when outdoors—especially at dusk and dawn.

The City intends to ground spray within a half-mile radius of the affected areas (see maps below) tomorrow night (10/9), Friday night (10/10), and Saturday night (10/11)—weather permitting.

For more information about the West Nile Virus Action Plan and what Southlake is doing in the area of mosquito surveillance and control, please see CityofSouthlake.com/WestNileVirus.

800 Block of Shady Lane.

800 Block of Shady Lane.

100 Block of Meadowlark Lane.

100 Block of Meadowlark Lane.

700 Block of Ashleigh Lane.

700 Block of Ashleigh Lane.

City Urges Residents to Help Fight WNV after Three More Positive Samples Found

Mosquito Backyard

Click to enlarge.

The City of Southlake was notified Wednesday (9/10/2014) that three mosquito samples have tested positive for the West Nile Virus. The samples were taken from traps at 2201 Shady Oaks Drive, 870 Shady Lane, and the 700 Block of Ashleigh Lane.

The City intends to ground spray within a half-mile radius of the affected areas (see maps below) for two consecutive nights beginning Friday (9/12/2014)—weather permitting.

“Weather forecasts are predicting thunderstorms through the end of the week, which will aide in flushing existing mosquito larvae,” said Public Works Director Bob Price.

Price adds, “The rain will provide new opportunities for standing water. Following the rain, residents are strongly encouraged to thoroughly inspect their backyards and treat any standing water with larvacide.”

Anything that can hold water for just a few days can become a mosquito breeding ground. Be sure to check your property for standing water. In addition to checking small containers, house gutters and French drains, staff encourages you to check for unexpected areas such as your water meter box, any tree holes, blocked irrigation heads, gutter drains and other underground pipes, pool overflow pipes, storm drains for the presence of standing water.

Residents should always remember to wear insect repellent containing DEET when outdoors, especially at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

For more information on what Southlake is doing in the area of mosquito surveillance and control, please see CityofSouthlake.com/WestNileVirus.

Half mile radius of 870 Shady Lane.

Half mile radius of 870 Shady Lane.

Half mile radius of  2201 Shady Oaks.

Half mile radius of 2201 Shady Oaks Drive.

Half mile radius of the 700 block of Ashleigh Lane.

Half mile radius of the 700 block of Ashleigh Lane.

City Delays Opening for 3/3/2014; Parks & Rec Evening Programs Canceled

UPDATE 12:10 p.m., :  All evening Parks and Recreation activities that take place at Carroll ISD schools are canceled tonight, 3/4.  For more information please click here.

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In the interest of safety and caution, City of Southlake offices will open at 10:00 a.m. for 3/3/2014.

Republic has not advised the City of any delays to trash and recycling pickup.  Emergency services are not affected, but drivers are asked to use caution on the roadways.

 

Southlake Ice Storm Cleanup – Latest Information

TxDOT Sweep of road ice on SH 114 12/8/2013

TxDOT Sweep of road ice on SH 114 12/8/2013

UPDATE 12:55 p.m. 12/10 We would like to remind residents that for the week of Monday 12/9 – Friday 12/13, Republic Waste Services will resume all trash and recycling collection according to their typical schedule.

Due to the delayed pick ups at the end of last week, Republic anticipates an increased volume of trash and recycling throughout the week. As such, the collection of limbs, bagged leaves, or other debris may be delayed until later in the week. Questions should be directed to Republic Services at (817) 317-2424.

UPDATE 6:15 a.m. 12/9 City highways and roadways are beginning to clear but ice still remains in patches on major arterials and in sheets on neighborhood roads and parking lots.  Drivers are urged to use caution.  City of Southlake offices will open at 10:00 a.m. Monday, 12/9/2013, Tarrant County offices are scheduled to open at noon.

UPDATE 7:10 p.m. 12/8 Republic Services has advised the City that they are planning to run their regular schedule Monday 12/9.  Limbs and brush that have fallen as a result of the storm may not get picked up until the end of the week.  Republic would also like to remind customers who had their Friday pickup rescheduled that the new pick up day for trash is Tuesday 12/10.   Recycling is scheduled for pickup on Friday 12/13.

UPDATE 6:15 p.m. 12/8  City of Southlake  Community Services programs have been canceled for Monday evening 12/9.  For more information please click here.   The National Weather Service has issued a Freezing Fog Advisory for tonight until 10:00 a.m. Monday.

UPDATE 4:30 p.m. 12/8 TxDOT’s sweep team arrived in Southlake around 4:00 p.m.  The caravan swept SH 114 as part of a larger effort all over Tarrant County highways.  Temperatures are expected to dip below freezing again in the overnight hours so drivers will need to be careful tomorrow morning.

UPDATE 8:30 a.m. 12/8 TxDOT will use heavy machinery to sweep  SH 121 and SH 114 to help clear out of the ice.  They are asking all drivers to stay off the highways so they can complete their tasks quickly.  Many churches have either canceled services or are streaming them online.  The Freezing Fog Advisory has been extended to 12 noon for North Texas.  If you must be on the roads, drive slowly and use caution.

UPDATE 7:15 p.m. 12/7 The National Weather Service has issued a Freezing Fog Advisory for Southlake and much of the DFW metroplex until 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning.  This could bring a light layer of ice to the area.

UPDATE 3:45 p.m. 12/6 The National Weather Service has canceled the Winter Storm Warning that was to remain in effect until 6:00 p.m. Friday (12/6) evening.   Now they have issued a Hard Freeze Warning from midnight tonight to 9:00 a.m. Saturday (12/7).

First responders from the Southlake Police and Fire Departments have been keeping a close eye on conditions all day long.  While some of the ice on the roadways has turned to slush, temperatures remain below freezing.

“When the sun goes down, the temperatures will fall into the teens and ice and snow on the roads will re-freeze,” said Fire Chief Mike Starr.  “We are encouraging everyone to  keep that in mind and think twice before heading out on the roads this evening.”

“Since 6:30am, officers assisted 65 stranded motorists on area roadways to include SH 114. We are very grateful to citizens for heeding the warnings generated regarding weather and road conditions” said Police Chief Stephen Mylett. “For everyone’s safety, to include first responders, we continue to encourage citizens to stay off the roads as we expect ice conditions to continue through the weekend. If you have to be out, please drive slowly and defensively.”

The City of Southlake Public Works crews will continue sanding Southlake streets through out the weekend.  Drivers are asked to give the sand trucks a wide berth if they encounter them on the roadway.

UPDATE 3:00 p.m. 12/6:  The Southlake Library, the Bob Jones Nature Center and the  Southlake Tennis  Center will be closed Saturday, 12/7 because of the weather.

UPDATE  9:05 a.m. 12/6:  Due to the weather, Southlake Community Services has canceled Breakfast with Santa and the Youth basketball games that were scheduled for Saturday, 12/7.  For more information please click here.

UPDATE  8:45 a.m. 12/6: Tarrant County offices at Town Hall are closed today due to inclement weather.

UPDATE  7:00 a.m. 12/6:  Trash collection for 12/6 will be delayed until Tuesday, December 10th.  Recycling pickup is delayed until Friday, 12/13.

UPDATE 6:15 a.m. 12/6/2013:  City of Southlake offices are closed Friday, December 6, 2013 due to inclement weather.  The roads around Southlake are covered with up to an inch of  frozen precipitation.  Drivers are asked to stay off the roads if at all possible.

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(December 5, 2013) A Winter Storm Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service beginning Thursday(12/5) at 6 p.m. to remain in effect until Friday(12/6) at 6 p.m. Rain, and possibly sleet or ice, along with freezing temperatures are expected—which could create icy conditions. According to the current forecast, temperatures are expected to remain in the 20’s and 30’s for at least the next 48 hours.

The City of Southlake will be monitoring conditions throughout today and tomorrow, and will be sending out public works crews as needed to help keep area roads safe. Southlake first responders will also be on stand-by to respond to emergencies as needed.

“If you need to drive, please slow down, drive smart and exercise caution throughout the duration of this storm,” said Police Chief Stephen Mylett. “If you can, stay off the roads, we would like to see storm-related emergency calls kept to a minimum.”

Expected ice accumulations could cause hazardous road conditions throughout the duration of the storm. Should these conditions occur, it is advised that residents only drive in case of an emergency.

These conditions may result in a delay of trash and recycling collection on Friday(12/6). Residents will be notified of this delay by Friday morning.

Residents should be aware of the risk of branches breaking due to ice accumulation—which may cause power outages. Oncor advises everyone to have an emergency kit with flashlights and batteries and a plan to stay with friends or family that does have electricity in the event there is a widespread outage. Residents should stay at least 10 feet away from any area with fallen power lines. Please report fallen power lines to Oncor at 1-888-313-4747 or online at: http://stormcenter.oncor.com.

Southlake Fire Chief, Mike Starr, urges residents to be prepared, “Stock up on food, water, and other essentials before the storm hits. Also, make sure to fill gas tanks and keep food, water, and blankets in your vehicle in case of emergency.”

The City of Southlake is monitoring these conditions and will activate the Emergency Operations Center if needed. For the latest updates during this storm, visit www.CityofSouthlake.com and www.MySouthlakeNews.com, as well as our Facebook and Twitter pages.

For more information on how to be prepared in winter weather, please visit the City’s Office of Emergency Management webpage.

City of Southlake Closures as of 12/5 at 3:30 p.m.

Southlake Public Library: closing today at 5 p.m.
Southlake Tennis Center: closing today at 5 p.m.
Bob Jones Nature Center: closing today at 5 p.m.

All City events Thursday afternoon are canceled. 

Mother Nature Inspires Creative Writing

Even though the weather in Texas is unpredictable, students in Donna Clarrissimeaux’s class at Walnut Grove Elementary can count on an outdoor lesson. The veteran teacher knows Mother Nature delivers when it comes to inspiration. Clarrissimeaux has been a teacher for 40 years and spent the last 20 years focusing on reading and writing in her elementary students.

“It’s good to take kids out and have them see, feel and hear,” Clarissimeaux said.

For the past few years, Clarrissimeaux has made a regular lesson out of irregular weather events. Several years ago in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, she took her students to a safe place outside to experience the remnants of the storm as they passed over Southlake.

“I had one student write how she could hear the cries for help in the wind…” Clarrissimeaux added. “Weather provides a great opportunity because its always changing.”

On the morning of Thursday, February 21 a storm moved through the North Texas area. Students in Clarrissimeaux’s fourth grade class were quick to notice and asked to go outside. The class quickly grabbed their notebooks and pencils and found a sheltered area to sit and write. She said each student spent 8-10 minutes writing about what they heard and saw.

“All you could hear was the sound of the rain and wind. The sensory description students experience is great for personal narrative,” Clarrissimeaux said.

Here are some samples of what two students wrote:

Fourth graders in Donna Clarrissimeaux's class get sensory description lesson

        Imaad Virani, student: “The clouds turn darker and darker as the pitter-patter of rain hitting cement reaches my ears.  The gutter is shooting out water like it’s a water slide for ants.  The hammer-like rain looks like it’s dimming all the lights around the playground. Right in front of me is a small river made by the rain.  It deposits itself into a gutter, and the rain has still created more.  I’m sure the plants are getting the perfect amount of water because they aren’t bending over, nor are they missing out on water.  Now the clouds are starting to part and behind them peeks the light we all love.  The clouds are moving faster and farther apart, and that tells me just maybe we will have our regular 2:00 recess today!”

     Emily Backoo, student: “The rain is coming down hard now.  It’s coming in sheets of pure white. Roaring sounds fill my ears and a faint chill crawls up my spine. Gushing water is streaming out of the gutters and the sun is just coming out from behind the grove of trees that are far, far, far away. The plants next to the science lab are swaying back and forth with smiles on their faces, or so it seems.  They play structure has dribbles of freezing cold water dripping off of it.  The ground of soil is soaking wet, and it looks like candy, with sugar on top.”

Clarrissimeaux says the outdoor lessons are just one way to get students to organize their thoughts and become strong writers. She says its important- no matter what career a student may choose- that they are able to accurately communicate and stay focused on the point. The outdoor writing exercises will also help students prepare for the STAAR writing test later this spring.

“It is amazing what kids can do when you open up that door to creativity,” Clarrissimeaux said, “allowing them to use their imagination.”