The cost of the membership kit is $93.  If you previously took the class, you’re always welcome to sit in on any session free of charge.  There are a few scholarships available for people who need it.

For more information, please contact Marc Farmer at 214-616-5147.

Thanks to 20PM forum member Laura for bringing this to my attention - for more info and feedback from people who have participated in this program, check out the thread she started about the Financial Peace University.

Press Release from the Forney Police Department

December 30, 2008 at approximately 9:20 P.M. Forney Police Department received a 911 call from a Forney resident who stated that his 19 year old nephew had been run over by a truck. 

19 year old Johnny Borrago of Dallas was ran over in the 300 Blk of Hillside Dr in Forney.  Mr. Borrago was outside of his uncle’s residence playing with a remote controlled car when a white Chevrolet pickup truck came by, running the remote controlled car over. 

The truck then turned around in a dead end road and drove back up to where the victim was standing in the middle of the roadway. Borrago tried to get the driver’s attention by stating “You ran over my car!” The truck came to a stop, then began revving his engine and then struck the 19 year old Borrago, running him over. The truck then left the area, leaving Borrago in the roadway.

Borrago was transported by East Texas Medical ambulance to Baylor Dallas where he is listed in critical condition.

Eyewitnesses report that the 2000 or later white Chevrolet pickup truck has a black brush guard, is raised, and may be a four by four. A second vehicle of interest to this hit and run is a white mustang with two blue racing stripes running from front to back. It’s believed to be between a 1998 to 2005 model.

Any information in regards to these vehicles or this incident, please contact Detective Prewitt @ 972-552-3932.

Don’t worry, I’m still here and 20PM isn’t going anywhere! After the holidays things should start returning to normal and I’ll be able to post a number of exciting stories I’ve been working on. Also, if you’ve sent me an email or submitted a story and I haven’t responded yet, please don’t be offended, I’ve just been very behind on submissions lately.

In the meantime, I hope everyone has a chance to relax and enjoy the holidays with friends and family. Merry Christmas!

To help assist in his recovery, both the Forney and Mesquite Chick-Fil-A locations will be donating a portion of their sales as well as 50% of the proceeds of all calendar sales on this Saturday, December 13th. In addition, they will be accepting donations for Collin.

Donations for Collin’s recovery are also being accepted at the Forney Capital One, located next to Chick-Fil-A in the parking lot in front of WalMart and Lowe’s.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Collin during this difficult time and I ask that everyone consider frequenting Chick-Fil-A this Saturday or consider dropping by Capital One to make a donation.

After several months of searching, the City of Forney has a new Director of Community Development. Noah Simon begins his new duties on December 10. Mr. Simon previously worked for the City of Arden Hills, Minnesota. He has several years of senior management experience in planning and growth management for small, growing communities. Prior to the City of Arden Hills, Mr. Simon worked for the Town of Culpeper, Virginia and the City of College Park, Maryland. He has a Bachelor’s Degree from Emory University, in Atlanta, Georgia, and a Master’s of Public Policy from American University, in Washington, DC. “This community’s vision and values reflect my own, including a strong interest in downtown revitalization, creating and maintaining a sense of community and a sense of place and providing a community for families. It is important to ensure that small town charm is preserved and maintained despite the growth of the community,” said Mr. Simon.

As Director of Community Development, Mr. Simon will be responsible for Planning, Building Inspections and Code Compliance departments and will oversee the City’s development review process. “Noah’s knowledge and expertise will be valuable additions to our staff resources,” said City Manager Brian Brooks, “We are very excited about having him join our team.”

The event will be held in the parking lot of the Capital One Bank, near Chick-Fil-A in the WalMart parking lot.

For more information about the Santa Cop program, please read the story posted earlier this month about the Forney Rotary Club & Forney Police Department partnering to create Forney’s Santa Cop program.

Twelve suspects arrested seven remain at large.

Press release by Sgt. Bryan Francis, Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office

A month long Kaufman County narcotics investigation resulted in the issuance of over 30 arrest warrants with 22 different defendants.  While some individuals had been arrested during the month of November several suspects remained at large.  On December 5, 2008 a team of Kaufman County Investigators served 4 arrest warrants in the cities of Terrell, Kaufman and Greenville.  Sheriff’s Investigators also contacted other law enforcement agencies to inform them of wanted individuals in their jurisdictions.  Multiple agencies assisted in the arrests including Kaufman Police, Dallas Sheriff’s Department, Terrell Police and Grayson County Sheriff’s Department.  In total 12 suspects were arrested yesterday throughout north Texas. 

Arrested by Kaufman County Sheriff’s Deapartment:

Joseph Quinn 24 of Terrell was arrested at his home in the 100 block of Gordon drive in the city of Terrell.  Quinn was charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance a first degree felony and sell or offer to sell dangerous drugs a state jail felony.  Quinn remains in custody awaiting arraignment. 

Linda Joyce 36 of Quinlan, was arrested at the Wal-Mart in Greenville.  Joyce was charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, a state jail felony.  Joyce remains in custody awaiting arraignment.   

Hilario Alonzo 24 of Terrell was arrested at the Terrell City Park.  Alonzo was charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance a first degree felony.  Alonzo remains in custody awaiting arraignment. 

Brandon Lemons 24 of Forney turned himself in after he discovered that the Sheriff’s Office was looking for him.  Lemons is charged with 2 counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.  Lemons remains in custody awaiting arraignment. 

Currently seven suspects remain at large.  Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office is continuing with the warrant round up today and will pursue the suspects until they are all brought to justice.  All of the warrants were issued after the defendant sold narcotics to an undercover police officer or confidential informant. 

Also arrested:
Eddie Miles    B/M      57
Delivery of Controlled Substance PG 1 over 1 gram under 4grams        1st degree felony
Arresting Agency:  Kaufman PD

Darrell Blankenship   W/M       18
Delivery of Controlled Substance 3 or 4 less than 28 grams          3rd Degree Felony
Arresting Agency:  Dallas County Sheriff Department

Anesto Hawkins    B/M      32
Delivery of Controlled Substance PG 1 over 1 gram under 4 grams     1st Degree Felony
Arresting Agency:  Kaufman PD

Margarito Soto Jr    H/M     30
Delivery of Controlled Substance PG 1 over 1 gram under 4 grams        1st Degree Felony
Engaging in Criminal Activity                                                                  1st Degree Felony
Arresting Agency:  Terrell PD

Shawna Wolf     W/F        36
Engaging in Criminal activity     1st Degree Felony
Arresting Agency:  Grayson County

Luis Alonzo     H/M       25
Delivery of Controlled Substance PG 1 over 4 grams under 200 grams   1st Degree Felony
Arresting Agency: Kaufman County Sheriff Department

Micouss Cosby    B/M    27
Delivery of Controlled Substance PG1 over 1 gram under 4 grams    1st Degree Felony
Arresting Agency:  Kaufman PD

Casey Brockway     W/M     25
Delivery of Controlled Substance PG1 over 4 grams under 200 grams    1st Degree Felony
Arresting Agency: Kaufman PD

Lion Susanne Orman with City Manager Brian Brooks; in the background is the now-bare Lions Club Angels Tree. Brooks adopted the final angel from the Lions Club Angels Tree at Forney Hometown Christmas today.

The event is completely and totally free and open to anyone interested in attending - come have fun, meet your neighbors and vote for Forney’s best Christmas cookies!

While the event is free, in continuing with the theme of bringing the community together in the spirit of the season while also encouraging everyone to help those in need this holiday season, we will are collecting items to benefit local area families in need this Christmas.

We ask that each person attending considers bringing one of the food items Hands to the Heavens is in need of (see list, below) or a new or gently used blanket.

When: Sunday, December 14th, 2008; 2PM-5PM

Where: Family Life Center @ First United Methodist Church, 414 W Broad St, Forney, TX.

Who: Everyone is invited!

What: A relaxed, community-oriented party. Christmas cookies and other light food will be available and the event is designed to allow you to arrive late or leave early if necessary. We will be announcing the winners of the 20PM Community Christmas Light Contest (enter now, if you haven’t already!) as well as the 20PM Community Christmas Cookie Contest.

RSVP: While not required, we would greatly appreciate the favor of your RSVP to allow us to better prepare for the number of people who will be attending the party. If you will be able to attend, please fill out the form below to RSVP.

cforms contact form by delicious:days

Hands to the Heavens is in particular need of the following food items:

• Canned Meats
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Canned Vegetables and Fruits
• Spaghetti and Spaghetti Sauce
• Canned Soups and Top Ramen
• Bagged Rice and Beans
• Breakfast Cereals
• Peanut Butter
• Jelly
• Crackers
• Hamburger Helper
• Fruit Juice
• Canned Beans

Dropping off donations: If you are unable to attend the 20PM Community Christmas Party but would like to donate a food item or a new/gently used blanket, please contact me at Josh@TwentyPeacefulMinutes.com and we will make arrangements for your donation. We are working to secure a local drop-off point for your donations, as well.

If you have any comments, questions or concerns about the Community Christmas Party, please feel free to email me at Josh@TwentyPeacefulMinutes.com!