Dallas, TX
Dallas City Council halts proposal to close four neighborhood libraries
Dallas City Council members and residents slammed a proposal this week that would have closed at least four libraries throughout the city. While the plan to close these libraries is now on hold, a solution for what to do next is still up in the air.
One of the libraries on the chopping block was the Oak Lawn Branch Library, a space referred to as a neighborhood staple.
“It brings, I think, just a good cultural piece to the community,” said Kevin Miller, the president of the Cedar Springs Merchants Association. “It has the greatest number of authored books for the LGBTQIA generation. It also serves as a resource for folks that may not have access to technology, or the internet, or materials that might be needed to help them get a job.”
But the future of this library is now in limbo, along with three other branches: Skyline, Renner Frankford and Arcadia Park. That’s after residents and city council members raised concerns Tuesday over a city proposal to close the four libraries under a new regional model.
“I think that would be very hurtful for our community, and I know that’s a simple term, but I think it would have ripple effects for future generations,” Miller said.
The new regional model would have extended hours and shifted staff to larger branches. Library officials said the proposed model would have saved the city an estimated $4.5 million. But council member Cara Mendelsohn, whose district includes the Renner Frankford Branch, said the plan was poorly executed.
“The whole plan was developed without input from communities, without input from the library commission, which all of the council members appoint somebody to that, and without even talking to the council member who is in the affected area,” she said.
After unanimous pushback from the council, the plan is now on hold; however, Mendelsohn said taking away services from certain communities to save money isn’t the answer. Some of these libraries also serve as voting locations.
“The truth is we can save all these libraries and have them stay open and serve the residents, and reduce costs in other places pretty easily,” said Mendelsohn.
Community members like Miller agree.
“Just because it’s the easiest doesn’t mean that’s the right thing,” said Miller. “So let’s look a little bit harder and see what else we can do to preserve these places, because they’re important to our community.”
Council is expected to revisit the issue sometime in March.
Photo: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Card-carrying SAG member Timothée Chalamet was “starstruck” to meet the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders — doubtless due to their impressive collective bargaining skills, as depicted in docuseries America’s Sweethearts. Or because they’re classic Americana, either way. The Cheerleaders and Anna Kate Sundvold posted a video of Chalamet meeting the group and expressing his starstruckedness. “Imagine when he finds out that every single one of these dancers trained in ballet…” one commenter wryly snarked.
Chalamet was in Dallas for the FIFA World Cup, watching the France vs. Spain game. He wore a France jacket to the event, eliciting cheers and boos at Dallas Stadium in equal measure according to People. So Mr. Knicks met the cheerleaders for America’s football team at a fútbol match? Is there a single sport this guy isn’t stumping for? We eagerly await learning Timmy’s favorites in hockey, lacrosse, and individualized synchronized swimming (it’s real, look it up).
5 teens hurt after police chase ends in crash
Five teenagers were hurt after a crime spree ended in a crash. Police say they found multiple handguns inside the vehicle after the crash, and all five teens were taken to the hospital.
DALLAS – Five teenagers were hospitalized late Tuesday night after crashing a carjacked sedan into a traffic light pole during a brief police chase, Dallas authorities said.
Carjacking and crash
What we know:
The incident began at 10:37 p.m. in Old East Dallas, where a man was carjacked at gunpoint by a group of armed juvenile suspects in the 4500 block of Live Oak Street, according to Dallas Police Department records. The suspects left the scene in the victim’s white Honda sedan.
Just before 11 p.m., a Flock license plate recognition camera flagged the stolen vehicle at an apartment complex in the 9400 block of Bruton Road in Pleasant Grove.
Responding patrol officers spotted the Honda traveling west on Bruton Road near South Buckner Boulevard. When officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the driver accelerated and sped off, initiating a pursuit.
The chase came to a violent end at 11:02 p.m. at the intersection of Bruton Road and Second Avenue. Police said the driver lost control of the sedan and slammed directly into a steel traffic signal support pole.
Officers found five teenagers inside the heavily damaged vehicle. Dallas Fire-Rescue paramedics took all five suspects to local hospitals. Police said some of the teenagers suffered serious injuries, but all are expected to survive.
Investigators recovered multiple handguns from inside the crashed vehicle.
What’s next:
Detectives from the Dallas Police Department’s robbery and vehicular crimes units, alongside crime scene investigators and patrol officers, are continuing to investigate the incident. Charges against the juveniles are pending.
The Source: Information in this article is from the Dallas Police officers at the scene.
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