Breaking Dallas News

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Apartment Shootout Video

Apartment Shootout video backs up the story by resident Ethan Rodriguez from late August when two men tried to break into his apartment.

Other Side Dallas reported in August on the apartment shootout caused by Dallas’ ongoing crime problem.

In the video Aaron Contreras is seen coming to an apartment, posing as a maintenance worker.

Rodriguez answers through his cellular telephone security app telling the would be attackers he is not home.

Contreras and an accomplice then try to kick in the door before Rodriguez defends himself firing multiple rounds though the door.

Apartment Shootout Video

Dallas Police have been limiting the public’s access to crime data for almost two years.

During that time crime has become more obvious and touching more families.

Apartment Shootout Video

Contreras is in the Dallas County jail on a $150,000 bond.

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Heat Advisory

A heat advisory will start our first week of September as temperatures remain in triple digits.

Temperatures are expected to be at least one hundred through Friday, before a cold front drops the area to a cool mid nineties this weekend.

The National Weather Service extended forecast appears to show highs in the 90s starting next week.

Heat Advisory Continues for North Texas

This heat will continue to hit the oldest and youngest hardest.

Reminder: Heat Safety Tips

 IF YOU ARE UNDER AN EXTREME HEAT WARNING:

  • Find air conditioning.
  • Avoid strenuous activities.
  • Wear light clothing.
  • Check on family members and neighbors.
  • Drink plenty of fluids.
  • Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
  • Never leave people or pets in a closed car.

HOW TO STAY SAFE WHEN EXTREME HEAT THREATENS

Prepare NOW

  • Find places in your community where you can go to get cool.
  • Keep your home cool:
    • Cover windows with drapes or shades.
    • Weather-strip doors and windows.
    • Use window reflectors, such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside.
    • Add insulation to keep the heat out.
    • Use attic fans to clear hot air.
    • Install window air conditioners and insulate around them.
  • Learn to recognize the signs of heat-related illness.

Be Safe DURING

  • Never leave a child, adult or animal alone inside a vehicle on a warm day.
  • Find places with air conditioning. Libraries, shopping malls and community centers can provide a cool place to take a break from the heat.
  • If you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
  • Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
  • Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. If you or someone you care for is on a special diet, ask a doctor how best to accommodate it.
  • Do not use electric fans when the temperature outside is more than 95 degrees, as it could increase the risk of heat-related illness. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature.
  • Avoid high-energy activities.
  • Check yourself, family members and neighbors for signs of heat-related illness.

Heat Advisory Continues

Dallas has had forty-nine 100 degree days this summer including two six day consecutive runs of 100 degree days.

Other Side Dallas will continue to report breaking news that is important to our readers.

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Johnson Sides With ERCOT

Johnson sides with ERCOT over local consumer needs in Wednesday email urging consumers to adjust their thermostats.

In an email to supporters, Johnson noted a recent tweet from ERCOT asking consumers to raise their household temperatures. He then says they are right before asking for contributions to his senate re-election campaign.

Johnson Sides With ERCOT

Nathan Johnson was first elected in 2018 and since then has tacked further and further left. In 2022, there were rumors of a centrist challenge.

Now it appears Johnson is carrying water for the same energy organization that left Dallas out in the cold in 2021.

Johnson Sides With ERCOT Over Consumers

Texas is growing at a rapid rate, but rather than increase supply, Johnson readily admits his focus is on taking away power.

ERCOT was hit after Winter Storm Uri in 2021, but Johnson was unable to move legislation forward to increase supply.

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Apartment Shootout

Apartment shootout brings out Dallas Police and the arrest of one man for attempted burglary of a habitation.

Ethan Rodriguez was in his apartment on Saturday near 6:00PM when someone he didn’t recognize knocked on his door. That person is alleged to be Aaron Contreras who stated he was a maintenance worker.

Apartment Shootout

Rodriguez reported via his security system he was not home. Contreras and another masked man then attempted to kick in the door.

Rodriguez who was at home retrieved his firearm and opened fire on the would be criminals.

Apartment Shootout

The shootout is one more reminder that Dallas crime numbers are being manipulated to show less crime.

Other Side Dallas will update this story as new information becomes available.

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Dallas Budget Showdown 2023

Dallas Budget Showdown 2023

Dallas Budget Showdown 2023 is here now that the budget was released over two weeks ago and the usual sparklers, not fireworks, have begun.

Late last week, Mayor Eric Johnson sent a memo to TC Broadnax, directing him to develop a new FY 2023–24 Budget. The new budget is based upon a no-new-revenue tax rate.

Dallas Budget Showdown 2023

The mayor is following the lead of Cara Mendelsohn, who has been a consistent voice on the budget since Lee Kleinman left city council two years ago.

Dallas Budget Showdown 2023 Details

Other Side Dallas notes that year in and year out some council members provide performative actions against the budget.

These consistently result in no tax savings to the taxpayer or structural support long term.

Specifically, Dallas has a shortfall anticipated in the next five years that may total one billion dollars. Part of the problem is non response to another structural problem with public safety pensions.

Smoke and mirrors have provided some illusion of lower crime, but most citizens see crime problems creeping further into Dallas.

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Dallas Pension In Crisis

The Dallas pension in crisis is not news to anyone who was here for the 2016 debacle that led to its near collapse.

The new pension crisis has been expected since 2016. The city budget debate coming is shedding new light on the old problem.

City council and city officials now face tough decisions about how to start building back the two public safety funds.

Dallas Pension In Crisis

In 2016, the fund nearly went bankrupt. This happened after money that had been invested in luxury real estate did not turn a profit. There had been a risk of default at the time

City staff says there is currently $4B in in unfunded liabilities for both the Police and Fire Pension Fund and the city’s employee retirement fund.

Dallas Pension In Crisis – Hurting Recruitment?

There are requests to hire nearly 300 more police officers and 100 more firefighters. There are also new requests for overtime funding for both sides of the public safety spectrum.

One consideration is to issue nearly half a billion dollars in pension obligation bonds, i.e. take out a loan to pay the current loan owed.

Other Side Dallas will provide Dallas local breaking news and updates to this important public safety story.

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Dallas ISD Fails HB3

Dallas ISD fails HB3 standards by its own admission and is leaving Dallas Independent School District children unprotected.

House Bill 3, or HB3, is a historic school finance bill. In 2019 the 86th Texas Legislature in passed the bill into law.

Dallas ISD Fails HB3

HB3 brings more money into Texas classrooms, increases teacher compensation, and provides that every campus is protected by police officers.

Dallas ISD officers are assigned to all secondary campuses, but they are short nearly two hundred officers to comply with HB3.

the move may help what has been a clear cut case of Dallas ISD failing to educate local children.

Dallas ISD Fails HB3

Dallas ISD police have a poor record of local safety though.

Last school year there were multiple accusations against an elementary teacher at Geneva Heights of sexual assault. The district allowed him to leave to another ISD this year and families remain angry over the decision.

Similarly, Dallas ISD was unable to keep firearms off campus last year. Several years ago a 3rd grader brought a handgun onto school grounds.

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First Day Of School

First day of school for Dallas Independent School District.

First day of school for Dallas Independent School District is here so drivers should expect a slower commute and the need to slow down.

First day of school for Dallas Independent School District.

Saturday, the City of Dallas put on a Back to School Fest providing free supplies to Dallas students.

Dallas ISD has partner on multiple supply drives this year. The focus on recovering from COVID19 learning loss is evident.

Backpack Policy

Dallas ISD will require clear backpacks for all students in K – 12th grade for the 2023-2024 academic year. This requirement will not apply to pre-K students.

Students also have the option of carrying a mesh backpack, however clear ones are preferred.

First day of school for Dallas Independent School District.

Students may carry a small, nonclear pouch in their backpack to hold personal items, such as cellphones, money, and hygiene products.

To support families, each student will be provided a durable clear backpack at no cost. Parents may also purchase the preferred clear backpack, or the acceptable mesh backpack, for their students.

First Day Of School Driving

Drivers are specifically reminded to slow down.

Last year almost 250 tickets were issues for speeding in a school zone. Similar enforcement is expected this year also.

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Back To School Fest

Back To School Fest is happening tomorrow to provide students with school supplies before school starts Monday.

Supplies will be given out on a first come, first served basis, and students must be in attendance to receive items. Items include backpacks, notebooks, binders, rulers, headphones, pencils, pens and much more.

Back To School Fest

The school supply drive is being held at Martin Luther King Jr. Center, 2922 MLK Jr. Blvd. Dallas, TX 75212.

Back To School Fest Highlights Return To Class

Dallas Independent School District classes start back on August 14, 2023.

Additionally, clear backpacks will be required of students again in 2023 – 2024.

Dallas ISD will require clear backpacks for all students in K – 12th grade for the 2023-2024 school year. This requirement will not apply to pre-K students.

Students also have the option of carrying a mesh backpack, however clear ones are preferred.

Students may carry a small, nonclear pouch in their backpack to hold personal items, such as cellphones, money, and hygiene products.

To support families, each student will be provided a durable clear backpack at no cost. Parents may also purchase the preferred clear backpack, or the acceptable mesh backpack, for their students.

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American Airlines Karen Identified

American Airlines Karen identified as 38-year-old Dallas resident Tiffany Gomas who went viral after losing it over air pods.

In July, a woman went viral as she departed an American Airlines flight screaming about someone who was “not real.”

The encounter blew up on social media – the video is below – and social media users across the country scrambled to identify the ‘Karen’.

American Airlines Karen Identified

Police reports indicate that Gomas was not willing to leave the flight.

A complaint states, “The female then started claiming the aircraft was not safe and did not want the aircraft to leave due to her believing it would not make it to its destination.”

American Airlines Karen Identified As Tiffany Gomas

“Due to the statements the flight attendants felt the aircraft needed to be rescreened.”

Gomas left the area at the direction of staff and law enforcement. She then tried to get back to the boarding area multiple times.

Police tracked her down where she was waiting for an Uber.

She received a criminal trespass notice. However, Gomas would not sign it. Police declined to detain her.

Gomas reportedly lives in a $2M Dallas area home and works for Elevate Brand Marketing. Other Side Dallas has reached out to Elevate for their comment.

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