City Of Keller Connect Weekly E-Newsletter: January 5-12, 2023

Government and Politics

January 6, 2023

From: City Of Keller

KPD employees recognized for life-saving service
We recently bestowed Lifesaving Awards on three team members whose efforts contributed to a citizen’s survival during a medical emergency. Join us in congratulating NETCOM dispatchers Michelle Eckley and Rachel Hawk, and Officer Kirsten Furin, for their commitment and heroism.

Eckley and Hawk were recognized for walking 9-1-1 callers through CPR before emergency medical services arrived. Furin was honored after arriving on the scene of an emergency and taking over CPR that had been started by family members, continuing her efforts until Keller Fire Rescue relieved her.

In all three instances, these skilled public servants are credited with extending the opportunity for recovery and having a hand in saving the individual’s life. Congratulations on a job well done!

Bear Creek Pkwy. West closes near Pryor for water leak excavation
Public Works has identified a leak in our shared water transmission line with Southlake along Bear Creek Parkway West near Pryor Court South (in the neighborhood west of Hwy. 377). Wildstone Construction began excavation work in the area today.

Drivers headed to and from Western Trail will use Dodge Trail as a detour. Residents on Pryor Court will be able to access their homes via Bear Creek, east of the closure. We will have a better idea of the repair timeline once crews can assess the extent of the damage.

Since this main is not connected to individual homes’ service lines, residents will not lose water as part of these repairs. Area homeowners may recall that repair work on this line over the summer was a 24/7 operation. At this time, thanks to the low water demands of January, we do not anticipate needing to have construction crews working outside of regular business hours.

Thank you for being so patient as we fix this critical water infrastructure! We will update posts on the city's social media accounts as we receive additional information.

Toss those live trees curbside
Christmas tree disposal is simple this year! Keller customers can place their live Christmas trees curbside for collection by CWD.
Trees will follow the same schedule as regular yard waste. That means trees collected on customers' first service day of the week will go to a Living Earth facility, while those gathered on the second service day will go to the landfill. Please be sure to remove all ornaments, tinsel, etc.
Note: There is no separate drop-off location for trees this year as there has been in the past.

Keller Fire Rescue fills the pantry for low-income seniors

Earlier this week, our Keller Fire Rescue family was proud to donate food, cleaning supplies, and other knick-knacks to Evergreen at Keller as part of their "Fill the Pantry" initiative.

Evergreen is an affordable housing community for people 55 and older with limited income. KFR has been donating to Evergreen residents for nearly 10 years, and this year's contribution couldn't have come at a better time.

"As you know, inflation has taken a toll on everyone, especially seniors, and to see the smiles and relief on our residents' faces when they realized they don't have to be concerned anymore was priceless," Assistant Community Director Jan Heineman said.

If you would like to join us in donating to Evergreen at Keller (501 Bourland Road), they will accept the following unexpired items:
- peanut butter
- cereals
- canned fruits
- toiletries
- dish soap
- laundry and dish pods

For more information about Evergreen, visit www.evergreenkeller.com.

Monday night hike explores trail in southern Keller
If staying active and getting to know your community better are among your resolutions for the new year, we have a great opportunity coming up Monday night! Join us at 6 p.m. on Jan. 9 for a walk on one of Keller's trails with our Keller Parks & Recreation staff.

This month's meeting location is the parking lot of the Kroger at 2061 Rufe Snow Dr. The walk with take about an hour, and participants will travel a bit under 2 miles. Strollers and leashed pups are welcome. See you there!

Fishing event invites children to catch rainbow trout
Later this month, grab your fishing rods and head over to the Bear Creek Park Pond! Our first Fishing for Fun event of the new year is set for 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, on-site at 400 Bear Creek Park Road.

Aimed at inspiring a love for fishing in children, this event, in partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, is free for anglers 16 and younger. The pond will be stocked with rainbow trout, and we’ll be giving away prizes in a number of competitions.

Attendees should bring their own supplies, and participating children should have an adult buddy. (Please note that children 16 and younger do not require a fishing license; if accompanying adults plan to fish personally, they will need a valid fishing license from TPWD.)

Firefighters complete rocket rescue mission

When one of our smallest residents (and aspiring astronaut-firefighters) lost his brand-new toy in a tree earlier this week, Keller Fire Rescue blasted into action!

Beau’s mom, Kayla W., tells us he’d been playing with a rocket from his grandparents nonstop since Christmas, but after 20+ launches on that fateful day, a gust of wind blew it into a neighbor’s tree. The family tried to knock it loose by climbing up and hitting branches with brooms and other tools but to no avail. Keller, we had a problem.

They eventually decided to call the non-emergency number (mostly because they didn’t want to leave a rocket in their neighbor’s tree, mom explained) – though if you ask us, a heartbroken 3-year-old is absolutely an emergency.

“I couldn’t believe it when the dispatcher said they’d come,” Kayla said. “I went in and told Beau, ‘the firefighters are coming to rescue your rocket!’ and he was SO excited he went and put his firefighter outfit on for them.”

Our team managed a quick and efficient rescue and returned the rocket to Commander Beau. It was the least we could do, honestly; we recognized Beau and his family because they take time to bake some pretty sweet treats for our fire stations around the holidays each year when they’re not organizing rocket launches.

We know firefighter and astronaut are running neck-and-neck in this kiddo’s dreams for what he wants to be when he grows up, but we like to think we gained an edge this week. At the very least, Kayla said, we “made a 3 – almost 4-year-old’s day.” And that’s good enough for us.

Friendly reminder: Continue to HIDE, LOCK and TAKE
Christmas has come and gone, but property theft is an ever-present possibility. So keep that in mind while exchanging gifts and scouring clearance racks over the next few weeks! Remember to hide your goods, lock your cars, and take your valuables with you.
Don’t make it easy for the bad guys! Oh, and make sure you take your keys with you; most car burglaries in Keller happen when the keys are in the ignition or doors are left unlocked.

SAVE THE DATE: Daddy Daughter Dance

We cordially invite all the kings and their little queens to our Royal Ball-themed Daddy Daughter Dances set for Friday, Feb. 3, and Sat., Feb. 4.

This party is open to young ladies ages 4 to 12, regardless of where they live, so invite your friends to ball out with you in the new and spacious Keller Senior Activities Center (640 Johnson Road, Bldg. C).

Registration is $20 per person, and the dress code is formal unless you dress to the theme. A professional photographer will be on hand for paid portraits.

Friday, Feb. 3
6-7:30 p.m. (4-7 years old)
8-9:30 p.m. (8-12 years old)

Saturday, Feb. 4
6-7:30 p.m. (4-7 years old)
8-9:30 p.m. (8-12 years old)

Space is limited, so get your tickets now!

For more information, call Keller Parks and Recreation at 817-743-4050 or email [email protected].

Parks & Rec announces holiday contest theme
We know many of our annual competitors like to get a start on decoration planning early, so here ye, here ye! The City of Keller is proud to present the 2023 Holiday Yard Decorating Contest theme: A Royal Christmas! We look forward to seeing your elegant and stately decorations fit for a king or queen in *checks notes* roughly 11 months.

NOW HIRING -

The City of Keller is searching for talented people! Click on any position below to learn more and submit your application.

Administrative Assistant - Parks & Recreation
Animal Control Officer II
Customer Service Technician
Facility Maintenance Worker
Heavy Equipment Operator
Library Technician
Maintenance Worker - Parks
Maintenance Worker - Streets/Storm Drainage
Maintenance Worker - Streets
Program Coordinator
Water/Wastewater Maintenance Worker
Water/Wastewater Maintenance Worker II