Eastern extension of Highway 190 opens

Kim Everett | December 27, 2011

After more than 50 years since its original planning, the eastern extension part of the Loop 9/State Highway 190 opened Wednesday, December 21.  First planned in 1957, the $958 million dollar, 9.9 mile extension is now giving motorists the opportunity to travel from northwest Garland to Interstate 30 in record time. 

The extension cuts commute times for residents in the eastern suburbs drastically, and the completion of the toll road is also expected to relieve congestion on local roads.  In addition, it provides Rowlett and Sachse long-awaited highway frontage which should be an advantage for economic development in both cities.

The cost for driving on the new, three-lane section of the toll road is 15.3 cents for vehicles with a toll tag.  The fee jumps 50 percent for drivers without a toll tag.

Construction on the connection to Interstate 30 frontage roads is expected to be completed in February, and a connector from Rowlett’s Merritt Road to Liberty Grove Road should be finished in mid-2013.

“The NTTA is committed to improving mobility throughout the North Texas region,” said NTTA Interim Executive Director of Project Delivery Elizabeth Mow. “Opening the Eastern Extension on-time and on-budget is an example of our dedication to enhancing the driving experience for our customers.”

State representative sentenced to five years’ probation

Kim Everett | December 22, 2011

Update:  Republican state Representative Joe Driver received five years’ probation in a Travis County court for using taxpayer money to reimburse himself for expenses that had already been paid by his campaign. 

The sentence was announced December 19.  Prosecutors recommended this sentence after Driver’s guilty plea last month.   In addition, the representative was fined $5,000 and ordered to pay back more than $63,000.

State representative pleads guilty to third-degree felony

Kim Everett | November 27, 2011

According to an Associated Press report, state Representative Joe Driver of Garland pleaded guilty Tuesday, November 22 to using taxpayer money to reimburse himself for expenses that had been paid by his campaign.  He paid for airline tickets, meals, luxury hotel stays, and conference fees with campaign funds, then submitted receipts to the state for the same expenses.

The guilty plea was for official abuse of capacity, which is a third-degree felony.  The deal will allow him to avoid jail time, and sentencing is set for December 19. 

Driver has already repaid more than $49,000, and prosecutors are recommending that he be sentenced to five years’ deferred adjudication, pay a $5,000 fine, repay more than $14,000 to his campaign account, and undergo any treatment/counseling recommended by the probation department.

The AP report further states that when the double-dipping was revealed, Driver said that he did not know that he was doing anything wrong.  He referred to the double dipping as an inadvertent mistake. 

The document filed with Travis County in lieu of an indictment does not list the amount of money involved, and it states that Driver admitted to wrongdoing between September 2005 and August 2010.

Also according to the AP report, Driver could have owed more in taxpayer reimbursements, but House travel records before 2005 already had been destroyed, and his campaign said he was unable to calculate the amount of any double-billing that happened more than five years ago. 

Driver's term ends in January 2013, and he has announced that he will retire at that time.

Hawaiian Falls to add new attractions

Record growth brings $6.3 million in improvements, 60 new jobs to North Texas waterparks

Posted December 19, 2011

Coming off a record-breaking 2011 season, Hawaiian Falls unveiled plans for $6.3 million in expansions at its Garland, The Colony, Roanoke and Mansfield waterparks. The growth has already created 10 new permanent positions and will generate more than 50 new seasonal jobs at its four waterparks. All of this growth is in addition to the new $10 million waterpark currently under construction in Waco. All improvements and additions will be completed by Memorial Day 2012.

“Our mission is bringing families closer together,” said David Busch, president and CEO of Hawaiian Falls. “We’re always looking for ways to improve the guest experience and focus on attractions that mom, dad and the kids can play on together. We concentrate the rides within a small footprint so parents can engage their younger children while keeping up with their older kids at the same time.”

Hawaiian Falls Garland is adding The Abyss, a two-person dark ride that uses state-of-the-art special effects to create a thrilling, multi-sensory experience with lights, sound and projections on a water wall to simulate sliding into a shark’s mouth, spinning blades, etc. The attraction will have the ability to change effects so the ride can offer multiple experiences. Garland’s Splashwater Harbor area is being transformed into Keiki Kingdom, a special world of climbing, jumping, sliding and spraying with a floating obstacle course and more.

“All total, we’ll be spending $6.3 million in additions and improvements to our North Texas parks,” said Busch. “We’ve already added 10 new permanent positions this year to handle our growth. And we plan to hire an additional 50 seasonal employees this summer. We’re excited about all the new opportunities we’ll have to bring families closer together.”

Tiki Man was so popular at the Roanoke park that Hawaiian Falls plans to install similarly-themed Aqua Talkers at all of the parks for the 2012 season. The animated statue entices guests to come close then surprises them with a variety of spray features.

In Roanoke, there are plans to build the Cyclone Fury, a $1.6 million multi-slide complex.  The park is adding more shade, additional food service options, and other guest amenities, bringing the total new investment to more than $2 million after only one season.

Hawaiian Falls recently announced a $3 million expansion at its Mansfield park. The park plans to add two major family water slides, including the Cliff Hanger, a three-person tube slide featuring a 40-foot drop; and the Boomerango, a two-person tube slide which will send riders down a huge drop, then catapult them up three-stories, then backwards for a spectacular finish.

Plans are underway to spend $1 million at The Colony waterpark to add the Whirlwind, a new body slide with a twist. Two riders enter separate launchers at the top of the 60-foot tower. The floor drops and both riders are launched simultaneously, travelling opposite arcs around a large bowl at up to 40 mph. After several revolutions, they come to a gradual stop and climb out on a staircase in the middle of the bowl.

Hawaiian Falls’ is open daily 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Season passes are on sale now for $69.99 each, or four or more at $64.99 each. There’s an Early Bird Flex Pay plan with five payments of $14 each.  Season passes are good at all four North Texas waterparks plus the new park in Waco. More info at http://www.hfalls.com/.

Sam Johnson formally files for re-election

Posted December 10, 2011

U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) filed official paperwork Thursday, December 8 to formally launch his re-election efforts to serve the Third District of Texas.

Johnson recently sent a letter to his supporters. "As a 29-year Air Force veteran and a former Prisoner of War for nearly seven years in Vietnam - more than half of that time in solitary confinement - you have honored me by allowing me to serve as your voice in Congress and I am humbled by your support," he wrote.

"You know my record; you know that I know that freedom isn't free. I don't take our liberty for granted. As a Constitutional conservative like you, I have fought for our liberty and freedom every day that I've been in Congress," he professed.

"My belief is if families across America have to balance their budget and live within their means, so should the federal government. I am proud to be known as a strong advocate of smaller government. That means balancing the budget, cutting spending, shrinking the deficit and reducing burdensome taxes and regulations that hamper our economic growth. The sign in my office reads, ‘It's the spending stupid,'" he said.

Johnson sits on the powerful tax­-writing Ways and Means Committee, where he chairs the Social Security Subcommittee. House leadership appointed him to the Joint Committee on Taxation and he serves as a Deputy Whip (vote counter). Johnson helped found the Republican Study Committee – formally known as the Conservative Action Team – and recently the nonpartisan publication National Journal ranked him as the most conservative Member of Congress in the last session solely based on his voting record.

"It's time for Washington to stand back and help - not hinder - the American Dream. I hope you'll join me. I believe America's best days lie ahead of us," said Johnson.

Johnson has held numerous events to garner support for his campaign. Additional cities added to the re-crafted Third District include Celina, Fairview, Lowry Crossing, Lucas, Princeton, Prosper, and St. Paul.

To learn more about the campaign, visit www.SamJohnsonforCongress.com.

State representative pleads guilty to third-degree felony

Kim Everett | November 27, 2011

According to an Associated Press report, state Representative Joe Driver of Garland pleaded guilty Tuesday, November 22 to using taxpayer money to reimburse himself for expenses that had been paid by his campaign.  He paid for airline tickets, meals, luxury hotel stays, and conference fees with campaign funds, then submitted receipts to the state for the same expenses.

The guilty plea was for official abuse of capacity, which is a third-degree felony.  The deal will allow him to avoid jail time, and sentencing is set for December 19. 

Driver has already repaid more than $49,000, and prosecutors are recommending that he be sentenced to five years’ deferred adjudication, pay a $5,000 fine, repay more than $14,000 to his campaign account, and undergo any treatment/counseling recommended by the probation department.

The AP report further states that when the double-dipping was revealed, Driver said that he did not know that he was doing anything wrong.  He referred to the double dipping as an inadvertent mistake. 

The document filed with Travis County in lieu of an indictment does not list the amount of money involved, and it states that Driver admitted to wrongdoing between September 2005 and August 2010.

Also according to the AP report, Driver could have owed more in taxpayer reimbursements, but House travel records before 2005 already had been destroyed, and his campaign said he was unable to calculate the amount of any double-billing that happened more than five years ago. 

Driver's term ends in January 2013, and he has announced that he will retire at that time.