Author: Editor Staff

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Zephi Trevino Certification Hearing Today

Certification Hearing

The certification hearing on whether Zephi trevino will be tried as an adult will be held today.

Certification Hearing

Justin Moore is representing the Trevino family.

The focus of the story: 17-year-old Zephaniah “Zephi” Trevino and 19-year-old Philip Baldenegro. Both have been accused in the deadly shooting that happened in August 2019.

The young girl claims she isn’t guilty. Her family has said she was being sex trafficked by Baldenegro.

David Finn, Baldenegro’s attorney called the sex trafficking allegations a “smoke screen.”

Beyond The Certification Hearing

Beyond the certification hearing, Trevino’s case has attracted Hollywood attention from Jamie Lee Curtis, Demi Lovato, and now, Kim Kardashian West.

It has also attracted attention of political activists angry that Dallas District Attorney John Creuzot shared a Facebook post of another defense attorney stating why Trevino should be tried as an adult.

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Dallas First Responder Vaccinations

Dallas First Responder Vaccinations

Dallas First Responder vaccinations have started in the City of Dallas for first responders from Dallas Fire Rescue (DFR), the Dallas Police Department (DPD) and the Dallas City Marshals.

These efforts were made possible through the Texas Department of State Health Services’ allocation of 2,000 Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.

Dallas First Responder Vaccinations

Recent new infections have ranged from 1500 to 2000 per day. During the summer Dallas was a hot zone for COVID19 then with far lower infections per capita.

Dallas First Responder Vaccinations Process

The process consists of a check-in, vaccination stations, made up of strike teams (two paramedics and one documentation officer) specially trained to administer the vaccine, and an evaluation area where members can be monitored for potential side-effects before leaving.

The City expects 250 first responders to be vaccinated per day and expects this first Moderna allocation to be followed in the coming months by additional vaccines to inoculate remaining City of Dallas first responders. 

Dallas First Responder Vaccinations
Dallas First Responder Vaccinations

In the weeks leading up to the vaccine allocation, DFR, DPD and the Office of Emergency Management put together a plan for a drive-thru style vaccination process using a parking garage at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.  

In addition to those that will be vaccinated with this allotment, there have been over one hundred DFR members to receive their first round of the vaccine through Parkland Hospital and Dallas County Health and Human Services. 

Tracking is being done electronically; first responders will be automatically scheduled for their second round of the vaccine intwenty-eight days.  

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Chief Eddie Garcia Introduction

Eddie Garcia Introduction

Dallas held a Chief Eddie Garcia introduction press conference this afternoon as he prepares to take his new position leading Dallas Police Department. Questions he faced immeidately were how to bring down violent crime, the inter-office politics of working with other applicants for his job working in the office, and his focus on the night time economy that 24 Hour Dallas is working on.

Eddie Garcia Introduction

He noted Dallas reminded him of San Jose – particularly its diversity. In a question about using relationship-based policing model Chief Garcia stated “we are open to any ideas that we can have to ensure residents and visitors are safe, but also businesses thrive.”

He stated that it is important to “ensure businesses are successful” and that in San Jose he had been contacted by the Chamber of Commerce to find out what they could do for San Jose police. His response was “what can the police do for them.”

Garcia also stated that his focus will be violent crime, but that he did not like the term petty crime. What is petty to one, isn’t to another.

Eddie Garcia Introduction

Chief Garcia said it is important that the police community acknowledge that their badges did not always shine as brightly as it should.

He specifically mentioned mistakes being made in a number of cities related to this summer’s protests. He mentioned specific goals of keeping the community, protestors, and officers safe. He did not make specific mention of the issues with the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge events or the accountability issues surrounding it.

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Brisketgate: Cornyn Roasted By NBC5

Brisketgate

Brisketgate has come to Texas thanks to senior US Senator John Cornyn who has demonstated he has no idea about brisket or Texas traditions.

Brisket’s big business in Texas and it is surprising to see Cornyn advertise an important export so poorly. His photo looks nothing like Terry Black’s or Pecan Lodge in Deep Ellum.

Brisketgate Politics

Brisketgate

Some surmised Cornyn would have lost the election if he had posted this picture prior to November 3rd, 2020.

Others took him to task for talking about food when so many are in food bank lines because Congress has not extended unemployment and disaster benefits for millions.

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Merry Christmas 2020

From everyone at Other Side Dallas we wish you a very Merry Christmas 2020 and hope the New Year brings us all closer together. We wanted to share the quote below from one of our favorite holiday stories in hopes that we all find these days to be filled with charity, mercy, and general good acts of kindness. These are the same traits that brought America together in difficult times past and together we accomplish so much more than apart.

We hope you will remember the many front line responders (police, fire, EMS) and hospital workers who work today to bring you safety while you spend time during this pandemic, COVID19.

Christmas 2020

An Old Quote For Christmas 2020

“…and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!” – Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

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Eddie Garcia Named New Dallas Police Chief

Eddie Garcia

Eddie Garcia is the new chief of the Dallas Police Department per a city press release. Chief Garcia has been police chief for the San Jose (CA) Police Department.

Eddie Garcia

City Manager T.C. Broadnax Wednesday announced that Eddie Garcia will become Dallas’ 30th Chief of Police, making him the first Latino to preside over the ninth largest police department in the country. Garcia began his career with the San Jose Police Department in 1992 and has served as its Chief since 2016.

“My story began as a young boy moving to a new city, learning to speak English in a community that promoted me to Chief. It’s an honor to be welcomed into one of America’s greatest cities for the second time as Chief.” said Garcia. “I’m truly humbled by the thought of wearing the DPD uniform and working alongside such an amazing group of committed men and women. Together in partnership and collaboration with the Dallas community, we will meet the challenges of today and beyond.”

Chief Garcia replaced Chief Reneé Hall who accelerated her departure after an inappropriate relationship with local activist Dominique Alexander was revealed.

Eddie Garcia

Eddie Garcia Background

Chief Garcia holds a bachelor’s degree from Union Institute and University. Since he started as an officer in February 1992 in San Jose, the nation’s 10th most populous city, he worked in the Patrol, Narcotics, Special Operations – M.E.R.G.E (Mobile Emergency Response Group and Equipment) unit; was a patrol sergeant, night detective and homicide investigator; and commanded the Community Services Division and the Special Investigations Unit.

During Chief Garcia’s tenure in San Jose he led initiatives to help build community trust; increase transparency; and embrace fair, impartial, and constitutional policing. Among the department’s successes they implemented basic Spanish in the police academy, launched a Spanish language Facebook page and significantly increased minority recruiting.

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TEA Interferes In COVID19 Response Again

TEA COVID19

TEA COVID19 response at cross roads again.

Per a local school site, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) is interfering in local direction again. COVID19 response plans have been shot down by Commissioner Mike Morath. He has rejected a proposal submitted by dozens of South Texas superintendents earlier this week that would have given districts the ability to continue a mostly remote instruction curriculum should COVID19 numbers surge over the winter break. While this decision does not impact Dallas now, it could if COVID19 numbers continue to rise.

TEA COVID19

South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley has faced a disproportionate number of COVID19 numbers. The Rio Grande Valley is just 4.7% of the entire Texas population, but accounts for 17% of deaths throughout Texas.

At a press conference Tuesday, Cortez and McAllen Superintendent J.A. Gonzalez outlined the plan, which would have included a waiver allowing districts to continue online instruction for 100% of families in areas with a hospitalization rate greater than 15% without having district funding affected. It also requested rapid COVID-19 tests be made available for priority students who do choose to attend on campus, with Cortez and Gonzalez citing potential superspreader events over the holidays as a chief motivator for the proposal.

TEA COVID19 Response and Funding

TEA has a long standing problem on the COVID19 question.

TEA has kept federal dollars meant for local school districts while demanding local schools be open despite the innovation shown, including here in Dallas.

TEA COVID19

Dallas ISD Trustees Mackey and Michiche have previously both publicly stated it is better if students stay home and learn virtually. COVID19 continues to hit school after school including shutting down two campuses and numerous classrooms.

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Dallas Democrats Audit Shows Almost No Financial Controls

Dallas Democrats Audit

Minutes into Monday night’s CEC Meeting, Dallas Democrats Audit showed major problems and no mention of the recent DWI arrest of Judge Audrey Moorehead.

A recent audit showed a quarter million dollars had not been accounted for when transferred to the Coordinated Campaign committee. Those funds were unaccounted for block walkers, literature, and other campaign expenses.

Dallas Democrats Audit

One Precinct Chair who provided us with information about the audit report noted the block walkers expense was particularly interesting since the committee had gotten away from block walking due to COVID19.

Additionally, Philip Courtney Hogan who oversaw the audit process noted a major risk for embezzelment which he desribed as “room for people to steal” that the Dallas Democrats allowed the Director of Finance to both write checks and reconcile monthly bank statements.

Reportedly, additional problems were listed including no Director and Officer insurance, problems with payroll taxes not matching – i.e. W-2 and 941 payment mismatches, and IRS 1099 Forms not being submitted to the IRS for paid block walking employees.

Dallas Democrats Audit Report

Other Side Dallas is working to get a copy of the audit report. If we are able to get a copy of these issues we will publish immediately.

Joanna Cattanach To Lead Development

Another interesting development is the appointment of Joanna Cattanach to be the Dallas County Democratic Party’s Development Director. In October, Cattanach returned a contribution to the staffer of a primary opponent in her own race she lost against Morgan Meyer.

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Drinks On Brink Zoominar This Tuesday

Drinks On Brink

24 Hour Dallas is holding a Drinks On Brink Zoominar this Tuesday, December 15, 2020.

Join 24HourDallas as they host Drinks On The Brink, a free Zoominar that explores Dallas’ independent bars and how they might navigate the coming months. Guest panelists include Dr. Eric Anthony Johnson of Dallas’ Economic Development office, Stephanie Keller Hudiburg, the Executive Director of the Deep Ellum Foundation, and Jeff Brightwell, a partner at Dot’s Hop House.

You can register for this event at no cost to you here.

Drinks On Brink
Drinks On Brink

Neighborhood pubs, taverns, bars, and saloons have played pivotal roles in United States history. Paul Revere was known to frequent Boston’s Bell In Hand while first President George Washington favored Williamsburg’s Christiana Campbell tavern. The ideas, treaties, and revolutions that have shaped our nation have often been crafted and confirmed with a tip of a glass.

COVID19 and public health issues are concerns, but independent bars, pubs, and restaurants need financial relief they need to weather the pandemic. A major concern is what ideas, treaties, and revolutions are being lost with independent bars being lost to a pandemic.

24 Hour Dallas: Drinks On Brink

This is just the latest effort by the 24 Hour Dallas coalition to bring attention to issues hitting the Dallas service industry the hardest. 24 Hour Dallas had Seize The Night – Carpe Noctem – and race consciousness events in the summer and has existed to assist the Dallas service industry since 2015.

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