Texas
North Texas author begins trek to schools in bookmobile with faith-based literacy
DALLAS – Trinity Basin Preparatory became the first school for author Franklin Edwards to test out his bookmobile. The 24-year-old has written 16 faith-based books in three years.
“I was always told I was good at writing, but I never really envisioned myself being an author,” Edwards said. “I never knew how to write a book or where to get started, but when people keep telling you you’re good at something, I take it as a sign.”
Edwards, known as “Franklin the Helper,” sells his books for $10, mentors young authors, and does speaking engagements. He is now adding “The Franklinmobile” to his arsenal.
“I had a bookstore, but I wanted to go to the community and not wait for the community to come to me,” Edwards said. “Sitting in a mall in a bookstore, you have to wait and hope people come to you.”
On Thursday, he parked his first iteration of the bookmobile in front of the West Ledbetter school, set up a makeshift library, and read two of his books to elementary school students. There are plans to get a colorful wrap for the vehicle.
“Any way that God can bless me to be a blessing in others’ lives, I try to take advantage. I don’t try to say no to any reading opportunities or anywhere I can affect a kid’s life positively,” Edwards said.
Principal Dr. Rufus Johnson said reading scores were challenging when he arrived at Trinity Basin Preparatory. Tenacity toward achievement, he said, helps change that negative into a positive.
“Our reading levels have increased significantly,” Johnson said.
He said community partners like Edwards inspire students to reach mantras like “Do more. Expect more. Be more.”
Kayden Boyd, a school ambassador, is proof. The 14-year-old said he’s a talker with confidence, but that’s now.
“When I was in sixth grade, that was my first year here, my confidence in reading was not good. I didn’t like talking,” Boyd said.
Boyd admits that his improvement could still use enhancement between video games and committing to reading.
“Discipline to be able to read in and out of school, to read books at home to help my confidence with reading,” Boyd said.
Johnson said the possibilities for his students always start inside the pages of a book, especially in a community where the kids could confront crime and challenges on the homefront each day.
“We are the hub of this community. We are a place of peace for our students, for learning, for guidance,” Johnson said. “And Ledbetter loves better.”
Edwards is already talking about coming back to the school. He said his goal is always to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through his books and infuse light into students he meets.
NORTH TEXAS — A Sunday morning carjacking led to a multi-agency chase and the arrest of an 18-year-old suspect, police say.
Around 8 a.m., Van Alstyne Police Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a carjacking in the 400 block of North SH 5.
The victim said he was standing by his vehicle when the suspect, dressed entirely in black and wearing a face covering, threatened him with a gun, telling the victim he was “not playing,” and demanding the victim’s keys and money, according to Van Alstyne police.
The victim said he feared for his safety and complied with the demands, police said.
Van Alstyne police said officers arrived “within minutes of the call,” however, the suspect and vehicle were gone. Investigators were able to get surveillance footage showing the suspect in the moments leading up to the incident.
The Van Alstyne Police Department’s License Plate Recognition System received a hit around 12:30 p.m. that the stolen vehicle was traveling southbound on SH 5 in Anna, heading toward Van Alstyne. Van Alstyne police continued tracking the vehicle as it headed north on US 75.
Officers initiated a traffic stop, however, the suspect attempted to flee, leading to a high-speed pursuit that spanned multiple cities including Anna, Melissa, McKinney, Fairview and Allen.
Van Alstyne police said the chase “peaked” when the suspect exited the highway at Ridgeview Drive in Allen. Police said he made a U-turn, heading back northbound on US 75 before veering off the highway and driving through a construction barrier into a residential area in McKinney.
The suspect abandoned the vehicle on Pride Ct., according to McKinney police, and fled on foot
A perimeter was set up, McKinney police said, and K-9 units were called in. The K-9 units were able to track the 18-year-old suspect, later identified as Manuel Hernandez, and he was taken into custody without incident or injury.
Hernandez was booked into the Grayson County Jail and charged with aggravated robbery, evading arrest with a vehicle, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
The Van Alstyne Police Department said it was assisted in the pursuit by the Anna Police Department, Melissa Police Department, McKinney Police Department, Fairview Police Department, Collin County Sheriff’s Office, and Texas Game Warden.
The investigation is ongoing.
Steve Sarkisian could be in for an interesting offseason once Texas’ College Football Playoff run ends.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, NFL teams could call and inquire about Sarkisian as they look to fill open head coaching roles. Schefter added that Sarkisian has drawn some interest from the NFL level.
ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter just said he expects NFL teams to inquire about Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian.
Needless to say, Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte needs to make sure those calls go to voicemail. pic.twitter.com/cs4AVIYCOQ
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) January 5, 2025
Sarkisian is currently in the middle of his second CFP push with the Longhorns. Texas sits at 13-2 and is one win away from playing for a national championship.
In February 2024, Sarkisian received a four-year extension that keeps him at Texas through 2030. He has led the Longhorns to a 38-16 record since taking over the program in 2021.
Sarkisian has experience at the NFL level, previously serving as the Oakland Raiders’ quarterbacks coach in 2004 and the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive coordinator from 2017-18.
Texas looks to keep its strong season rolling when it takes on Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl Classic on Friday at AT&T Stadium.
Find more Texas coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
WATCH: Cedric Golden on Quinn Ewers’ clutch gene that beat Arizona St.
The Longhorns topped the Sun Devils 39-31 in double overtime to set up a CFP semifinal showdown against Ohio State on Jan. 10 in Arlington.
Two of the most recognizable programs in college sports will face off soon in North Texas.
Texas football versus Ohio State football will not only be a clash of blue bloods, but it’s a national-title game qualifier. The College Football Playoff semifinal decides one spot in the Football Bowl Subdivision championship game later this month. The other finalist will be determined by the Orange Bowl between Notre Dame and Penn State.
So where is the Cotton Bowl? Where will Texas play Ohio State?
BUY TICKETS TO TEXAS VS OHIO STATE
Remember, the Longhorns and Buckeyes won’t be playing at the Cotton Bowl. For decades the Cotton Bowl Classic took place at the Cotton Bowl stadium on the Texas state fairgrounds in Dallas. But for the last 15 years, this New Year’s Six bowl been played just west of “Big D,” in Arlington.
Here’s everything you know about the game at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys:
Where is the Cotton Bowl?
The postseason college football game known as the Cotton Bowl Classic has been at AT&T Stadium since 2010 after more than 60 years in Dallas. AT&T Stadium may be almost two decades old but the billion-dollar venue still seen as one of the country’s premier sites for sports events. Meanwhile, the Cotton Bowl stadium still stands in Dallas and still hosts ballgames, including the Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma.
Location: AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
WATCH THE COTTON BOWL LIVE ONLINE
What channel is showing Ohio State vs Texas football?
The Cotton Bowl will be broadcast Friday on ESPN. You can also stream the game on ESPN here as well.
TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN
What time is the Cotton Bowl?
The home of the Dallas Cowboys will be the home of the Longhorns — though technically it will be neutral-site game — when Texas plays inside AT&T Stadium for the Cotton Bowl at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10.
Date: Friday, Jan. 10.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
College Football Playoff remaining schedule
- Orange Bowl: No. 6 Penn State vs No. 7 Notre Dame | 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9 | ESPN
- Cotton Bowl: No. 5 Texas vs No. 8 Ohio State | 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10 | ESPN
CFP National Championship
- 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20 | ESPN
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