ROCKWALL – Five speakers will discuss local, national and international human trafficking and explain how area residents can help stop this global problem at an evening of educational awareness, prayer and worship May 18, 7-9 pm, at Emmaus Church, 316 S. Goliad St. Rockwall.

Speakers are: Rockwall resident, sexual assault survivor and author Mary DeMuth; Dr. Tomi Lee “T.L.” Grover, with TraffickStop; Tara Kirk, with Alert Ministries; Lori Warren, with Jesus Said Love; and Mike Vinson, with Children’s Hopechest.

According to Vinson, the event organizer, attendees wiill leave with a greater awareness of human trafficking, real-world resources for themselves and their church, plus multiple opportunities to connect with ministries fitting their calling.

“Anyone desiring to learn more about local, national, and international human trafficking issues and take action steps towards being a part of the solution should attend,” he said.

For info, call local organizer Darren Sapp at 214-477-4039, or visit Facebook and search for STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

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ROCKWALL – Experience matters. That’s why we highly recommend you vote for widely-respected Rockwall attorney and former twice-elected Dallas Co. Criminal Court Judge Jim Pruitt for State Representative in House District 33 on Texas Primary Election Day, May 29, or during early voting which runs now through May 25.

The new House District 33 includes all of Rockwall County and portions of Collin Co., including Frisco.

Many others agree. The pro-life conservative has been endorsed by The Dallas Morning News, the Texas Association of Realtors, Americans Ending Abuse, State Sen. Bob Deuell and most of Rockwall County’s elected officials.

Besides being elected twice by voters in 1994 and 1998, Judge Pruitt was elected by his judicial peers as the Dallas County Presiding Judge for three years and Local Administrative Judge for two years.

As the Presiding Judge, he worked closely with the legislature regarding laws that would affect the criminal justice system and was instrumental in creating the first dedicated family violence court in Dallas Co. He also collaborated with the Department of Public Safety to write the first regulations governing driving-while-intoxicated ignition-interlock providers.

While on the bench, Judge Pruitt was also active in outside legal activities. He became Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (about one percent of the lawyers in Texas are board certified in this area) and was elected Chair of the Dallas Bar Association Criminal Law Section, a group whose membership includes prosecutors, judges and defense lawyers.

A dedicated believer in Second Amendment rights, Pruitt was the founder and a lead lecturer for a Weapons Education Safety Training Program. This class taught weapons law and law regarding self defense and protection of property to groups including attorneys and law enforcement officers.

He has been a member of the Dallas County DWI Task Force, the Interlock Ignition Advisory Council, the American Probation and Parole Association and, currently, the North Texas Crime Commission. He has spoken to numerous legal groups regarding various legal issues including weapons, DWI laws, family violence issues and judicial ethics.

Judge Pruitt earned a reputation as a tough but fair jurist, who demanded that criminal defendants pay financially for the system that was created to deal with their actions. In his eight years as a judge, he collected millions of dollars in fines and court costs from defendants. He once put notorious Dallas Co. Commissioner John Wiley Price in jail.

For his honesty and integrity, he has been lauded by his peers and citizens as a man of action who can work and communicate with people from all walks of life.

After leaving the bench, Pruitt moved to Rockwall County and became the managing partner of Culpepper and Pruitt with offices in Rockwall and Dallas. When his wife, Kenda Culpepper, was elected as the Rockwall County District Attorney in 2008, he created the Pruitt Law Firm which practices law in areas including mediation, family law and intellectual property law. Jim’s daughter also works for the firm.

He recently rolled out a comprehensive plan to improve ethics and transparency in the Texas House. His reform plan comes after several public scandals involving State Representatives and a special interest lobbyist. His proposed reforms include:

• Require all political advocacy groups to provide the names of donors and donation amounts on their website.
• End pension benefits for State Representatives convicted of felony criminal activity.
• Phase out the state pension program for State Representatives because their public service was never meant to be a full-time career.
• Impose additional disclosure requirements when Representatives meet with registered lobbyists.
• Enact more severe fines and penalties, including possible incarceration, for Representatives guilty of egregious ethics violations.
• Prohibit Representatives from serving as paid lobbyists immediately after stepping down from the Texas House.

His ethics reform plan is a first step towards shining the light on the Texas House and ending the backroom politics that have caused Texans to lose trust in their elected leaders.

Although his opponent, businessman Scott Turner, seems to be fine man with plenty of conservative endorsements, this is not his time. Turner has nowhere near the experience nor qualifications that Pruitt has.

Rockwall and Collin County voters would be smart to vote for Pruitt because he is honest, fair and a dedicated, life-long Republican who knows the territory who will hit the ground running as soon as he is elected. Turner would have to spend months learning the ropes in Austin, due to his inexperience.

For more info about Pruitt, see www.pruittfortexas.com or call (469) 698-8550.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

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ROCKWALL – Under the guidance of the Texas Department of State Health Services, Rockwall County has established a Child Fatality Review Team (CFRT) to review the deaths of all children under 18 years old, regardless of cause or suspected cause.

According to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall Marketing Director Nikki Mutschler, the team brings together the expertise of 25 local law enforcement, legal, child advocacy and medical personnel who will review the reason for children’s deaths over the past decade, from a public health perspective.

By reviewing circumstances surrounding child deaths, she explained teams will identify prevention strategies that will decrease the incidence of preventable child deaths by:

• Providing assistance, direction, and coordination to investigations of child deaths;
• Promoting cooperation, communication, and coordination among agencies involved in responding to child fatalities;
• Developing an understanding of the causes and incidence of child deaths in the county or counties in which the team is located;
• Recommending changes to agencies, through the agency’s representative member, that will reduce the number of preventable child deaths; and
• Advising the State Committee on changes to law, policy, or practice that will assist the team and the agencies represented on the team in fulfilling their duties.

According to Gregory Sonnen M.D., a pediatrician with Pediatric & Adolescent Specialists of Rockwall, who is the Rockwall County CFDT Presiding Officer, there were 12 child deaths in 2011. Most died outside of the County, such as in traffic accidents.

Mutschler said the Rockwall CFRT is comprised of individuals who serve the community in a variety of occupations and whose backgrounds benefit the evaluation and review process for child fatality events. The team had its first quarterly meeting in January and will meet again May 29 at the County Courthouse.

Members of the Rockwall CFRT are:

• Gregory Sonnen, M.D., F.A.A.P., CFRT Presiding Officer; Pediatrician, Pediatric & Adolescent Specialists of Rockwall
• Tami Hawkins, RN, MSN, Child Fatality Review Team Coordinator; Vice President, Patient Care Services, CNO, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall
• Christy Peoples, Child Fatality Review Team Data Reporting, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall
• Kenda Culpepper, Rockwall County Criminal District Attorney
• Ashley Anderson, Rockwall County Assistant Criminal District Attorney
• Harold Eavenson, Rockwall County Sheriff
• Nancy Beaty, Justice of the Peace, Rockwall County Precinct 2
• Terry Garrett, Director of Public Safety, Heath, TX
• Sara Bonser, Assistant Superintendent, RISD Student/Family Services
• Nichol Smithers, RN, M.Ed., MSN, RISD Student/Family Services
• Laurel Tate, LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• David Lensch, M.D., Rockwall City Medical Director, Baylor Family Medical Center at Rockwall
• Gary Bonacquisti, M.D., Rockwall County Medical Director, Benchmark Family Medicine
• Katie Gerber, Child Protective Services Specialist
• Vickie Nettleton, Program Director, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
• Angie Scalf, Rockwall County Chief Juvenile Probation Officer
• Sumer Wassef, LPC, Victim Services, Texas Department of Public Safety
• Susan Clark, Traffic Safety Specialist, TxDOT
• Sue White, Rockwall County Victims Assistance Coordinator
• Samuel R. Crowley, M.D., Emergency Physician, Emergency Medical Consultants
• Vickie Oldham, Detective, Criminal Investigation Department, Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office
• Theresa Marie Snyder MS, RNC, CPN Womens Services, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall
• Tim Wolf, LP, CCEMT-P, Paramedic Supervisor, Rockwall County Emergency Medical Services
• Martin Ramirez, LP, Paramedic Supervisor, Rockwall County Emergency Medical Services
• Katie Martin, BS, RN, CEN, Director Critical Care and Emergency Services, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall

For more information on Rockwall County’s Child Fatality Review Team, contact Gregory Sonnen, M.D. at 214-771-3712.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

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ROCKWALL – A Rockwall woman who lost 54 lbs. over the past four months won $1,000 last Wednesday in a local version of the Biggest Loser contest sponsored by Rockwall Healthy Solutions Weight Loss Center.

Shannon Raymond, 34, who also lost 20.4 percent of body fat, won the prize by defeating five other finalists.

They were:  Joelle Vercher, who lost over 50 lbs; Mario Aguilar, who lost over 44 lbs; Johnny Seals, who lost 27 lbs; Lisa Coppler, who lost 23 lbs; and Lou Williams, who reduced his insulin by 75 percent.

The combined weight loss of all the contestants was 200.8 lbs. The contest which was conducted from Jan. 6 – May 2.

The award ceremony was held at L’Trevinos restaurant May 9, where Healthy Solutions owner Pam Benedetto also provided a $1,000 donation to Rockwall Helping Hands. Executive Director Margo Nielsen was present to receive the donation.

Benedetto said all of the contestants were thrilled with the results of the four-month contest.

“Two of the contestants were able to have previously-required daily medications totally removed or reduced.”

“One contestant who is insulin-dependent decreased daily insulin by 75 percent by following our simple dietary recommendations (meal plan?).”

She explained that, from the beginning, each finalist was provided with Healthy Solutions all-natural amino acids and received a B6B12 injection at their weekly weigh-ins. They were also asked to follow their individual meal plans and get as much exercise as possible.

To assist each finalist, free workouts and a personal trainer were arranged at Eclipse Fitness Club, located just north of The Harbor.

“Frizz and Scott, the owners of Eclipse, provided the finalists with free memberships so they could work out there for free during the four-month contest,” said Benedetto. “Hector, one of Eclipse’s trainers, even donated his time free-of-charge.”

She explained the contest began with 19 people writing a short essay about how losing weight would impact their lives. The six people with the best reasons to lose weight were chosen as finalists.

For more info, call Rockwall Healthy Solutions Weight Loss Center at 972-412-6600 or visit http://rockwallhealthysolutions.com.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

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ROCKWALL -Soft-rock recording artists, the Little River Band, with 13 top-40 hits and over 25 million records sold worldwide, will perform at Rockwall’s free Founder’s Day Celebration May 19, from 7 – 9 pm, at the historic Downtown Square.

Their songs “Reminiscing” and “Lady” have been recognized by BMI as two of the most frequently played songs on American radio stations, according to Wikipedia.

The Band will follow Texas Blues artist Clay McClinton at 3:30 pm, country-rocker Jolie Holliday at 1:15 pm and the classic-rock Jeanne Lay Band at 11 am.

Celebrating the 158th anniversary of the City’s founding, entertainment will begin at 10 am with safari guide Critterman and his animals.

For all the information, see the Rockwall Founders’ Day Festival website.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

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ROCKWALL – Texas Blues artist Clay McClinton will perform at this Thursday’s free family “Concert By The Lake” at The Harbor, sponsored by the City of Rockwall every Thursday night through July 26, from 7:30 – 9 pm.

Click here to see and hear his McClinton’s music on his website.

Many other new bands will appear this year. Regular favorites scheduled to play in 2012 include Bon Jovi tribute band Blaze of Glory on May 31, Professor D June 7 and Random Axis on July 5.

The concerts are presented with the financial help of Supporting Sponsors Rockwall Ford/Dodge, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, AAA of Texas, Dodie’s Cajun Diner, Gloria’s Restaurant and Metro PCS.

Concert-goers should bring a blanket or lawn chairs to sit on and are welcome to bring food and drinks. Trash clean-up is requested by the City when you leave.

The concert series has become so popular that an average of 5,000 people attend each week, according to the City’s Parks & Recreation department. Many of those who attend come from outside of the Rockwall area.

To see the concert schedule for the entire summer, click here on the Parks & Recreation Department’s website.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

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ROCKWALL – On the heels of this past Saturday’s city and school board elections, early voting begins today for the Texas Republican and Democrat Primary Elections, scheduled May 29, after originally being scheduled for March 6 and then April 3.

The changes were due to redistricting challenges by minority groups, which were finally resolved by the courts.

Early voting will continue through May 25 for the following federal, state and county offices:

• US President
• US Senate
• US Representative
• State Railroad Commissioner
• State Supreme Court
• State Board of Education
• State Representative
• Fifth Court of Appeals District
• County Commissioner
• County Constable

There are also five Referendums on the ballot dealing with:

• School Choice
• Repealing Obamacare
• Public Prayer
• Balancing State Budget
• Redistricting

To see the actual ballots, identify voting locations, hours or obtain voting information, visit the Rockwall County Elections Department website at:

http://rockwall-tx.connect4.clarityelections.com/

It is too late to register to vote in the May 29 election or early voting.

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

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ROCKWALL – A candidate debate and forum between the numerous candidates running for County commissioner, constable and Justice of the Peace positions will be hosted by the Rockwall County Republican Women and Young Republicans Monday, May 14, at 6:30 pm, at the Utley Middle School Cafeteria, 1201 T. L. Townsend Dr. across from the RISD stadium.

The three candidates for County Commissioner are former three-term Rockwall Mayor and Council member Bill Cecil, three-term Rockwall City Council member Cliff Sevier and businessman Dick Demien.

Running for County constables in the new Precinct 1 are Police Academy graduate and businessman John Benedetto vs. businessman and Denton Co. volunteer constable Vince Zubras.

Former Rockwall Police Officer Paul Britt is running against former Rockwall Police Officer and County Commissioner Trey Chaney in the new Precinct 2.

In Precinct 3, incumbent John Cullin vs. Tom Egan.

In Precinct 4, incumbent Randy Earl Parks vs. James Cookston.

In the new Precinct 3, Justice of the Peace candidates are former County Judge Chris Florance, former County Commissioner Joe Florey and two-term Rockwall City Council member Mark Russo, who will resign from Council if elected.

In the new Precinct 4, Justice of the Peace candidates are Royse City Council Member James Branch, Former Justice of the Peace David Karr and former County District Attorney Office Felony Administrator Liana Bell Whitten.

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ROCKWALL COUNTY – Linda Mitchell Duran in Rockwall ISD and Eric Forte in Royse City ISD were elected as new school board members today.

In a close contest, retired educator Duran (above) defeated Brian Young by 49% to 45% (2,256 to 2,054 votes), with Daniel Fuqua third at 6% (295 votes).

Unopposed candidates Russ Childers and Chris Cuny were also re-elected as Trustees to the RISD school board.

In Royse City, Forte received 72% of the vote, beating Joseph Bennett 197 to 76 votes.

Unopposed RCISD Trustees Charlie Carroll and Don Palmer were also re-elected.

Results are still unofficial.

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ROCKWALL – Rockwall voters today elected Dennis Lewis (left) and Mike Townsend (center) as new City Council members, re-elected unopposed Mayor Pro Tem Mark Russo to a third Council term and voted “For” Propositions 2 (Downtown Improvements) and 5 (Road Projects).

Propositions 1 (Athletic Complex), 3 (Fire Improvements) and 4 (Heritage Park) were defeated.

Results are now official.

Lewis defeated Michael Johnston and Freddie Jackson, with 1,366 votes (52%) to their 909 (35%) and 358 (14%) votes, respectively.

Mike Townsend received 2,323 votes (86%) to Jonathan Gideon Singh’s 371  votes (14%).

Proposition 2 – $8.6 million Downtown Improvements, including sidewalks and more parking – was passed by 52% voters (1,822 to 1,710 votes).

Proposition 5 – $19.175 million Street and Road Construction – was passed by 58% of voters (2,050 to 1,456 votes).

Proposition 1 – $25 million Athletic Complex – was defeated by 67% of voters (2,354 to 1,162 votes).

Proposition 3 – $1.6 million Fire Improvments – was defeated by 59% of voters (2,084 to 1,421 votes)

Proposition 4 – $4.95 million Heritage Park – was defeated by 64% of voters (2,251 to 1,265 votes).

By J.J. Smith, Publisher

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