14 minute read
Crime
Oct. 10
How easy was it for a thief to take various items from a Toyota FJ400 parked in the 3400 block of Wentwood Drive before 11:15 a.m.? The Toyota was left unlocked.
Advertisement
Oct. 12
Reported at 3:26 p.m.: a swindler used the information of a man from the 3600 block of Stratford Avenue to open a Comcast cable account and racked up $950 worth of debt that went into collections.
Oct. 13
A stealer found easy pickings of a bag/ wallet and various documents from a Jaguar XK parked in the 4100 block of Druid Lane and left unlocked before 5:30 a.m.
Oct. 25
A thief took a pair of taillights from a Ford F150 parked in the 4500 block of Rheims Place before 7:30 a.m.
Oct. 26
Not the crunch you want to hear at Mi Cocina: A careless driver backed into a bollard in front of the restaurant in Highland Park Village at 7:58 p.m.
Oct. 27
Political pilfery: A sign stealer took a Beto sign from a home in the 4000 block of Centenary Drive before 9 a.m.
Oct. 29
A stealer found easy pickings of a pistol and Apple device left in an unlocked Ford F150 in the 4400 block of Southwestern Boulevard before 9 a.m.
Nov. 4
A purse pilferer found easy pickings of a bag containing $600, four credit cards/debit cards, and more left in an unlocked Mercedes in the 6700 block of Preston Road at 4:45 p.m.
Nov. 6
How easy was it for a ne’er do well to take Louis Vuitton pieces, a Galaxy tablet, and $500 from a Mercedes E400 parked in the 8300 block of Preston Road before 3:30 p.m.? The Mercedes was left unlocked. A stealer snatched an inflatable black cat decoration from outside a home in the 3100 block of Cornell Avenue before 12:20 a.m. Oct. 31. Sounds like bad luck to us.
For More Crimes Visit: peoplenewspapers.com/ category/crime/
Oct. 15
A burglar found easy pickings of two backpacks containing books and more, as well as an iPad from a Range Rover left unlocked in Highland Park Village before 5:29 p.m.
40 35 30 Park Cities Crime Stats
Oct. 17
Robbers took products from the CVS store in the 3000 block of Mockingbird Lane after pushing and hitting store staff at 8:35 p.m.
Oct. 18
A stealer drove off in a Ford F250 parked in the 3300 block of Rosedale Avenue before 8 a.m.
Oct. 22
Road rage: A jerk punched and damaged a window of a Lexus 350 at Mockingbird Lane and Douglas Avenue before 8:07 p.m. after a spat with the driver of another vehicle.
25 20 15 10 5 0
Sep 21 Oct 21 Nov 21 Dec 21 Jan 22 Feb 22 Mar 22 Apr 22 May 22 Jun 22 Jul 22 Aug 22 Sep 22
University Park: Property University Park: Violent Highland Park: Property Highland Park: Violent Property crimes include burglaries, thefts, and vehicle thefts. Violent crimes include assaults and robberies.
(Sources: Highland Park Department of Public Safety, University Park Police Department, Illustration: Robert Williams and Melanie Thornton)
Building beautiful homes and communities across Dallas/Fort Worth.
214.495.7200
By William Taylor
william.taylor@peoplenewspapers.com
In a community increasingly known for tearing down old houses and replacing them with modern mansions, Cornell Avenue residents signaled there is another way.
With their homes turning 100 or more, residents of the 3400 to 3600 blocks of Cornell Avenue held a party and made a statement about the value of historic preservation.
“Help us spread the message that our historic and significant homes of the Park Cities can last centuries,” said Jana Paul, one of the hosts of the Cornell Centennial Celebration block party. “No need to raze!”
Her home in the 3400 block, which turns 100 this year, belonged to former Dallas mayor R.L. Thornton and still has a “T” in the ironwork railing of the front porch.
The Pauls, along with the Moores, Holloways, Woodwards, and Kerseys, hosted the Oct. 22 affair to celebrate “the homes on our blocks that are turning 100 this year (and a few that are even older).”
They blocked off Cornell between Byron and Hillcrest avenues and drew more than 110 RSVPs for the party and “mini home tour.”
Paul explained that owners of some of the oldest homes opened “our first floors for people to walk through and see how beautifully restored 100-year-old homes can be for modern families – and not torn down!”
Neighbors and guests wait in the 3500 block of Cornell Avenue outside one of several homes open for tours on an October evening. Neighbors tour the 100-year-old home of Marie and Stephen Kersey in the 3400 block of Cornell Avenue.
This dining room is in a home in the 3500 block of Cornell.
Neighbors tour the 100-year-old home of Marie and Stephen Kersey in the 3400 block of Cornell Avenue. (PHOTOS: CHRIS MCGATHEY)
Two leading companies joining forces to serve the Dallas-Fort Worth and N. Central TX area.
Feed your TREES AND LAWN
Members of the Murzin family and University Park officials celebrated the dedication of the Murzin Family Playground at Coffee Park on Oct. 22.
(PHOTOS: RACHEL SNYDER)
Learn more about our Eco-friendly programs on our website.
214.528.2266 | savatree.com
Designing homes for families that allow them to live their best lives is a privilege for our firm. We take pride in the creation of wonderful places to thrive and grow all over Texas.
WWW.MMDARCHITECTS.COM
214.969.5440 office@mmdarchitects.com
By Rachel Snyder
rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com
Visitors to the playground at Coffee Park will find a plaque in tribute to a man who helped advocate for the first barrier-free playground in the city of University Park.
The city on Oct. 22 dedicated the Murzin Family Playground at Coffee Park for Chris Murzin and his family in recognition of their legacy of advocacy for accessible public recreation spaces.
The unanimous vote by the University Park City Council naming Murzin Playground at Coffee Park came on March 1, just more than a year after Chris Murzin, 53, was fatally shot while driving on I-20 before the South Polk Street exit ramp at 1 p.m. Feb. 11, 2021.
Chris, a medical salesman, his wife, Christina, and their children – Caroline, Dutch, and Jack – moved to University Park in 2006. Chris quickly became known as a champion for people with special needs, including their son, Jack.
Chris’ wife, Christina, told the crowd at the dedication about how the idea for the barrier-free playground started with an essay contest in which the winner would get a barrier-free playground. The Murzins’ son Jack and his classmate didn’t win the essay contest but eventually got the accessible playground with the community’s help.
“It was time for this park to be redone, and the mayor told Chris if you can raise half the funds, we’ll match it, and we’ll make it happen,” Christina said. “Y’all know Chris, he likes a challenge, and he knew he couldn’t do it on his own. We had to bring in the community.
“This wouldn’t have happened without everybody’s help,” she said. “Chris certainly spearheaded it, (but) it was a community effort.” University Park resident George Chandler, who has a daughter with Down syndrome and got to know Chris through his work toward the playground, requested the naming of the playground for Murzin after his death. “After he was killed, and some
Y’all know Chris, he of the initial shock likes a challenge, and wore off, I knew that there should be he knew he couldn’t some way to honor do it on his own. We Chris,” Chandler told People Newshad to bring in the papers shortly afcommunity. ter submitting the request. “His adChristina Murzin vocacy of the playground was where most people first learned about Chris and got to know him.” On an application form asking the city to name the playground, Chandler wrote: “Chris was known as a fierce advocate for children with special needs and was actively involved with anything and everything that supported the lives of those children. Chris was strongly involved with the local school district and the community.” “In the mid-2000s, during a renovation of the park now known as Coffee Park, Chris began a movement, spending countless hours, to have the children’s playground designed for all children, regardless of physical or intellectual abilities.” UNSOLVED CASE Those with information about Chris Murzin’s death should contact DPD Homicide Detective McDaniel at 469-261-6790, or tonya.mcdaniel@dallascityhall.com and reference case number 0253795-2021. Additional information about the case is available at help4chris.com.
Protester with Protect Texas Kids Cited, Accused of Assault
By Rachel Snyder
rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com
University Park police cited one protester for misdemeanor assault during a Protect Texas Kids rally in Coffee Park.
An independent journalist documenting the Oct. 22 protest said the protester shoved him twice. The citation carries a fine of up to $500.
The Protect Texas Kids group shared a video on social media from the protest showing members carrying signage that read, “STOP Transitioning Kids it ’s child Abuse! (sic)” and chanting against a Dallas judge regarding a decision in a child custody case involving Jeff Younger, who, per the Dallas Morning News, is fighting to stop his child’s gender transition. District Court Judge Mary Brown is believed to live near the area.
Independent journalist Steven Monacelli said a protest organizer called him out shortly after he arrived at the park, and another protester called him an anti-Semitic slur.
“I walked away from the protest within two minutes of arriving, having been made to feel unwelcome,” Monacelli said. He said a woman followed him as he walked away, and he can be heard on video he shared on social media from the protest asking the woman to stop following him just before a man walked up and shoved him. “He began threatening me, pushing me, and claiming I’ve done things to him which I haven’t
After done,” Monacel li continued. “Af being ter being pushed pushed once, I told (the man) to not touch once, I told me. He did it (the man) again.” Police then esto not corted the protouch me. tester away. University He did it again. Park Police Chief Steven Monacelli Bill Mathes said the group, estimated at about 25 people, didn’t have a special events permit for the protest and were asked to leave the park. “The group was cooperative and ultimately moved away from the park,” Mathes said. People Newspapers reached out to Protect Texas Kids’ executive director for comment, but we haven’t heard back.
Letters to the Editor
Good job on Hyer story
I saw the article you ran about the Hyer art teacher in November’s paper. Thank you for running it. I really appreciate how you presented the story and the FACTS. Samantha Heidbrink University Park
Needs better reporting
I am an avid reader of Park Cities People. From “Comings and Goings” to general updates about the community, I appreciate your publication very much.
However, little of the article in your November issue titled “New Art Teacher Joins Hyer Elementary: What We Know” actually explains what we know about the former art teacher and situation.
Instead, much of it is a piece about a taxpayer and his school board speeches.
Here are some ways in which the article could be updated to be more fact-based than opinion-driven: 1. Instead of running a photo of the Hyer Elementary building, publish the former teacher’s referenced social media posts. (I am including some of them, although I do not have the screenshots of the drawings
of women being bound and handcuffed in sexual positions. Please note that her account was public when they were posted - which means there is no issue with you publishing them in your December issue, with my letter). These circulated the community, so it is surprising that you were unable to secure them 10 November 2022 | parkcitiespeople.com during research for the piece. 2. Interview two Hyer parents: one who is happy about the resignation and one who is unhappy about it. 3. Publish the email that was circulating in the community and was sent to HPISD by a concerned parent (perhaps this could be one of the two parents in #2 above). DALLAS 2707 W Northwest Hwy This email provides IRVING 8000 North MacArthur Blvd details about why so many parents were concerned about this teacher being around their 4 to 8-year-old children. Thank you for your time. Sara Wilcox University Park Editor’s note: We have yet to authenticate screengrabs of the social media posts mentioned and are not inclined to publish the drawings referenced. Attempts to secure an interview with the former art teacher have not succeeded so far.
By Rachel Snyder rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com
Hyer Elementary has a new art teacher more than a month after the previous teacher, who worked for the district from Aug. 10 through Sept. 9, resigned.
“The previous teacher … submitted [their] resignation because of personal reasons,” Hyer Elementary principal Debbie Burt wrote in an email to the campus community. “[They] asked me to share the following with you, ‘I am grateful for the opportunity provided to me by Hyer Elementary, and appreciate the support I have received from staff, students, and parents.’ We truly wish [them] the very best in the future.”
Prior to the school’s new art teacher, Jennifer Munsie, joining Hyer’s staff on Oct. 24, a substitute teacher staffed the art classroom in the interim.
Russell Fish, a University Park electronics inventor well known for his conservative advocacy on issues related to education, alleged during a Sept. 13 school board meeting that he’d learned that a student expressed concerns to a parent about the previous art teacher at Hyer and that some parents pulled their children as a result of personal art relating to the LGBTQ+ community posted on social media that they attributed to the teacher. The district, though, denied knowledge of any parents who may have pulled their children from school as a result of a teacher’s social media activity.
“First and foremost, HPISD is committed to the safety and security of all of its students and staff. Any allegations made about staff members are taken seriously and
BETTER BANKING, BETTER SAVINGS:
EXPECT MORE WITH AMERICAN BANK 18-Month CD Special *$25,000 minimum required 3.25%APY* NOW BOARDING. Step aboard DART, and start your summer of travel on the right foot. We offer fast and convenient service to DFW International Airport and Love Field, every day of the week.
Plan your trip at DART.org/airports Flying from DFW Airport?
ORANGE LINE to DFW Airport Station
Flying from Love Field?
LOVE LINK from Inwood/Love Field Station CMYK 214.358.3111 ABDallas.bank *Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 10/10/2022. $25,000 minimum required to earn stated APY. Rates are subject to change without notice. Rate does not apply to existing funds on deposit. Interest compounded quarterly. Penalty will be imposed for early withdrawal. Penalties, fees, and withdrawals may reduce earnings.
handled with discretion,” Highland Park ISD’s former communications director and chief of staff Jon Dahlander said. “While HPISD will not comment on issues related to individual personnel matters, the district is not aware of any students whose parents may have withdrawn them from school as the result of any current or former teachers’ alleged online social media activity, nor is the district aware of any sexualized social media content involving children by either current or former staff members.”
For context, during his comments at the Sept. 13 meeting, Fish also referred to the
New Art Teacher Joins Hyer Elementary: What We Know A new art teacher is on staff at Hyer Elementary more than a month after the previous teacher resigned. (PHOTO: RACHEL SNYDER) monkeypox virus as “gay pride pox.” News of the previous art teacher’s resignation also appeared in The Epoch Times, a far-right newspaper linked with the Chinese movement Felon Gong. People Newspapers has been unable to reach Hyer’s previous art teacher for comment.
FRIDAY December 2 Terre Johnson’s Magnificat
HIGHLANDER CONCERT SERIES
SATURDAY December 10 Handel’s Messiah
HIGHLANDER CONCERT SERIES
SATURDAY December 24 Christmas Eve
10 am–6 pm
Petting Zoo • Family Activities
12 & 2 pm
4, 6, & 8 pm
8 pm
CAROLS LED BY OUR CHOIR Candle Lighting
hppres.org/advent
3821 University Blvd., Dallas, TX 75205 214-526-7457 | hppres.org
