DAVID STONE | OUR TOWN
In early 2023, the Temple Police Department had 22 vacant positions. That deficit has evaporated, however, and today the department is 100 percent fully staffed.
“Yes, we are fully staffed in our police department,” said Temple City Manager Brynn Myers. “We will be adding more positions and two new patrol districts in upcoming years. We wanted to fill the vacancies before creating new jobs, and that has been accomplished.”
The new patrol districts will become reality in the next two years, Myers said.
“Our business plan increases the number of patrol districts from eight to ten,” Myers said. “Police personnel would work a 10-hour shift with one patrol officer per district, but we will have some overlap during peak hours.”
“Right now, the west side of Temple is one very large police district,” she said. “When we increase the number of patrol districts, we will have at least three officers on patrol on the west side at any given time.”
Two of the districts on Temple’s west side — Districts 8 and 9 — will stretch from an area near Texas 317 eastward toward Downtown. District 10 will be exclusively in the growing far-west area of the city, mostly west of Texas 317 near Lake Belton.
A couple of districts in the city’s core will be tightened to give officers a smaller district to patrol in higher crime areas.
In addition to adding new patrol districts, TPD will utilize 10-hour shifts.
“Temple police have been working 12-hour shifts,” Myers said. They get tired — the 10-hour shifts will help police stay at their best and brightest.”
The 10-hour shift approach will give Temple three patrol teams every day.
“Each shift will overlap by two hours, so for several hours a day we have two patrols in every district,” Myers said. “We can also use some of this overlap time for training.”
Become an Our Town member
Our Town is distributed free of charge, but if you really liked today’s issue, feel free to support community journalism with a small donation. Or, for $7 a month, become a member and receive bonus material and issues. Thanks so much to the many readers who have supported our efforts. Click the button below to find out more.
Academy HS celebrates 2025 ‘Commended’ student
DAVID STONE | OUR TOWN
Academy High has announced that senior Katy Garmon has been named a commended student in the 2025 National Merit scholarship program.
A letter of commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, the organization that conducts the program, will be presented to Garmon.
According to Jacki Wright, head of communications for Academy ISD, about 34,000 commended students across the country are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.
Although they will not continue in the 2025 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, commended students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2025 competition by taking the 2023 preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
“Those being named commended students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation.”
“We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success,” the spokesperson said.
Garmon’s counselor, Amy Hodges, said: “Throughout Katy’s high school years, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence.”
“Academy High School is excited for her to receive this honor and to see what the future holds for her, knowing that whatever path she chooses, she will undoubtedly continue to shine brightly,” Hodges added.
Baylor Scott & White expert: About 40% of women have dense breasts
DAVID STONE | OUR TOWN
As of last month, all women in the US will receive notification if their breasts are classified as dense when they get mammogram results. The regulation has been in effect in Texas since 2012, but as of September it will apply nationwide.
Why is such a notification important? Dr. Sherronda Henderson, director of Hematology/Oncology at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, explains.
“Learning that you have dense breasts is important because it provides more clarity about your personal risk factors,” Henderson said this week.
“Dense tissue can make it harder to detect breast cancer, so having this information helps guide the next steps in your care, such as additional screenings if need,” she said.
"Finding out you have dense breasts gives you an opportunity to discuss your overall breast health with your doctor,” Henderson added. “Together, you can determine if any further screenings or tests are needed, so you can continue taking the right steps for your long-term well-being.”
Henderson said dense breasts contain more glandular and connective tissues than fatty tissue. A radiologist can identify breast density through a mammogram.
“About 40 percent of women have dense breast tissue,” she said. “It is both a risk factor for breast cancer and it can make cancer more difficult to detect. Knowing if you have dense breasts helps guide decisions on additional screenings.”
Henderson said factors such as age, menopause status and ethnicity can influence breast density. Women with dense breasts should follow up with their healthcare provider to assess risk factors and determine if additional screening or imaging is needed.
New stations, two fire districts on horizon
DAVID STONE | OUR TOWN
A land acquisition contract that would be used for a new Temple fire station goes before City Council in November, City Manager Brynn Myers said this week.
Station No. 9 likely will be built in West Temple at the intersection of Outer Loop and Tarver/Jupiter streets, Myers said, and an existing West Temple station will be relocated to give that side of town improved coverage. Station No. 7 on West Adams will be moved to a new location.
“I’m hoping the two stations can be built simultaneously,” she said. “The new station will be a ladder truck station and it will also serve as a west side command for Temple Fire & Rescue.
Once Station No. 9 is built and No. 7 is relocated, Temple will have a total of nine firehouses. Right now, all stations are under the command of a single battalion chief for each shift, but that will change once the new west side stations are operational.
“We will need to break Temple Fire & Rescue into two fire districts,” Myers said. “Each will have a battalion chief every shift. The district boundary could be in place by 2026, and the boundary likely will be I-35. Central Fire Station on North Third will be the headquarters for the eastern district, and Station No. 9 will be the headquarters for the district west of the Interstate.”
“We currently have three battalion chiefs to cover all three shifts, and once we add the second district, we will need three more,” Myers said.
“Each shift will also have an accountability officer that assists the battalion chief, monitors levels of oxygen during an emergency situation and makes sure our firefighters have what they need in a particular situation.”
The Bell County Annex in downtown Temple will eventually become property of the city, but according to City Manager Brynn Myers, no decision has been made as to the property’s future. David Stone photo
Future of annex building still in limbo
DAVID STONE | OUR TOWN
The current Bell County Annex building in downtown Temple may become part of a future pocket park or a convention center, according to City Manager Brynn Myers.
“Nothing has been determined, but I think the current annex will eventually be torn down,” Myers said. “We may use it temporarily, but I think that property will eventually become part of something else such as a Downtown convention or meeting center.”
Myers emphasized that future use of the annex property has not officially been determined.
“There’s a possibility that the property could be sold to developers,” she said.
Bell County and the city of Temple reached an agreement about three years ago that would give the city ownership of the property at 205 E. Central Ave. for $1 plus the deed to land on the east side of MLK Boulevard on a block bounded by Avenue C on the north, South 10th on the east and Avenue D on the south.
Temple and Bell County struck a deal about three years ago that will give the city ownership of the Central Avenue annex building. As part of that deal, Bell County will begin construction of a new Temple annex before Dec. 31, 2024. The new annex should take about 18 months to build, and 90 days after completion the city will purchase the existing annex, Myers said.
“We anticipate the city will own the current facility no later than Sept. 30, 2026,” Myers said. “It may be sooner.”
While the city hasn’t determined a use for the Annex Building, Myers said the facility’s parking lot off Central Avenue likely will be converted to green space and maybe a children’s play area.
“There’s another parking lot behind the annex,” she said. “We would consider moving the main entrance to face the police station on Avenue A.”
The existing annex is right in the heart of City Centre, which once complete will include the new 415-space parking garage, Central Plaza Apartments, Hawn Plaza and the renovated Arcadia Theater, and several other new businesses.
Several of the larger developments in the area will bring apartment living to Downtown on a large scale, and some of the buildings undergoing renovation also will house retail stores, offices, bars and restaurants.
Utilities in the City Centre strip of Central Avenue have been moved underground and street-scaping projects are in progress.
Grow your business with advertising in Our Town
Our Town features super-affordable advertising opportunities for businesses, churches and social organizations for a fraction of the cost of our competitors.
Here’s a look at our advertising rates:
Monthly rate (4 issues) … $60.
Quarterly rate (12 issues) … $125
Annual rate (52 issues) … $500.
Ads will be clickable to take readers to a specific website, Facebook page or landing page.
If interested in advertising, email OurTownTemple@gmail.com with your name and phone number. Story ideas also can be sent to this email address.
Our Town would like to thank Temple College, Jeremiah’s Ice, Christ Episcopal Church, Las Maria’s, Huntington Learning Center and the Cultural Activities Center for their support through advertising.
We know you will enjoy our brand of community journalism, and we want your input on stories. After all, Our Town is your voice.
Around Town
In The Pink walk/run is Oct. 26
The NAACP branch in Temple will host its annual In The Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Walk/Run will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Miller Park, located at 1919 N First Street.
In case of rainy or cold weather, the event will be moved indoors at the New Day Fellowship Church gymnasium, 510 E Ave J.
Dr. Stella Amaechi, an oncologist at the Waco Cancer Center at Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest, will be the guest speaker.
Registration for the event is $25 at https://bit.ly/naacpinthepink and will include a T-shirt and other giveaways. Participants are urged to bring at least one canned food item to donate. Proceeds from In The Pink will support breast cancer awareness programs, the Vasicek Cancer Treatment Center in Temple and Feed My Sheep.
The event will include a stretching session, a Pink Awareness Honor/Memory Wall featuring photos of friends and family members of those participating in the walk/run, music, refreshments and prizes.
Vendors and information about health resources will be on site.
For additional information and to see a list of vendors, visit https://www.templetxnaacp.org/2024_in_the_pink and www.templetxnaacp.org.
Haunted Hayride is Oct. 26
The 11th annual Haunted Hayride will soon transform the tranquil countryside near the Leon River into a realm of mysteries and ghostly surprises.
The event will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 26 at Reuben D. Talasek Bend of the River, located on the east side of I-35 just north of Belton.
Guests can climb aboard one of eight tractor-drawn trailers for a 10- to 15-minute hayride and a spooky tour full of scary scenes and creepy characters.
The creep-o-meter for the hayride registers medium-low, so all ages are welcome and families will enjoy this fall adventure.
“The Haunted Hayride is a local favorite, and we are diligently preparing to provide some scary fun,” said Amanda Weckbacher, Temple Parks & Recreation’s special events coordinator. “Make sure to secure your spot to experience it.”
Tickets to this year’s hayride are $12 at the gate.
Lake Belton fishing report
EXCELLENT. Water stained; 78 degrees; 1.99 feet below pool.
What was already hot white bass fishing has become even hotter, according to Bob Maindelle, owner of Holding the Line fishing guide service in Salado.
“Another mild and dry cold front knocked the water temperature down slightly, pushing it even closer to that magical 70 to 74 degree mark,” Maindelle said.
“Mornings are fishing much better than afternoons, with the morning bite starting around 8:10 a.m. and staying solid for about 3 hours on most days,” he added. “Fish are using deep breaklines, starting in around 25 feet and slowly moving out to 35 to 40 feet before the morning bite ends.”
Maindelle said the MAL Original used by cranking it up off the bottom about 6 to 7 times is outproducing slabs while the white bass and shad are both moving far and fast in this temperature of water.
“Very little surface action and very little bird action exists, so fish must be found with sonar,” he said.
According to Brian Worley of B&S Catfishing, good numbers of blue catfish under 10 pounds can be found in the mouths of creeks and along old river channels in 10-20 feet of water.
“Drifting with fresh cut shad has worked best,” Worley said. “Channel catfish have been slow using punch bait around gravel beds and timber. Flatheads have been slow but can be found around large rock piles using live bait.”
Stillhouse fishing report
FAIR. Water stained;78 degrees; 0.51 feet below pool.
“Largemouth bass anglers report hit-or-miss fishing, especially around sunrise and sunset,” said Bob Maindelle of Holding the Line fishing guide service.
“After the loss of the hydrilla crop on the lake during the flooding in May, bass have relocated to sparse natural cover,” he said.
“Some cover holds nothing, while other cover may harbor a dozen or more fish. Fishing thoroughly once a single fish is landed may well lead to additional catches. Texas and Carolina-rigged small, dark soft plastics do well on this very clear reservoir,” Maindelle added.
Central Texas ag report
Stock tanks shrank significantly as dry conditions persisted and temperatures cooled during the past week in Central Texas, according to reports by Texas AgriLife experts.
Evaporating stock ponds are resulting in poor water quality.
Plowing and planting of cool-season grains ceased in most areas until additional rainfall is received. Some producers planted winter wheat.
In other areas, pecan and hay harvests continued without interruptions, and the cotton harvest was winding down.
Overall, crops have suffered. Dryland small grains that emerged began to run out of moisture. Cattle producers fed hay and supplemental rations as pastures continued to dry.
Established trees showed signs of stress. Live oaks and cedar elms developed cankers, anthracnose and leaf spot disease along with sloughing and split bark.
End Polio Now event is Oct. 25
The Rotary Club of Temple will hold its End Polio Now Trivia Night at 7 p.m. on Oct. 25 at 3 Texans Winery & Vineyard.
The event will include four rounds of trivia, including US History, Disney, Rotary Club and General Knowledge.
According to Ashley Mulch, a spokesperson for the Rotary Club of Temple, there will be no charge to play but donations to Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign will be appreciated.
“This is World Polio Awareness Month, and contributions will help Rotary and it’s partners reach every child around the world with the polio vaccine,” Mulch said.
Carve pumpkins at Frogtober Fest
Jeremiah’s Ice is teaming up with the Temple Professional Firefighters Association and Rescue Elves Toy Donations for a free pumpkin carving event on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 254 Green Hollow Drive in West Temple.
The event will run 2 to 4 p.m., and those attending can carve a free pumpkin with Temple Fire & Rescue firefighters.
“The firefighters will provide free pumpkins, as well as carving tools or paint and brushes for younger participants,” said Lynn Reichl, owner of Jeremiah’s Ice.
Those attending are encouraged to bring a new toy that will be donated to Rescue Elves. Toy donors will receive a free tadpole mini treat during the event and will be entered to win free ice cream treats for a year, Reichl said.
Smokey, Temple Fire & Rescue’s Dalmatian, will be on hand, plus guests can check out a firetruck onsite.
Play set for Oct. 25-26 at Backstage Theatre
The local premier of a play penned by Temple College English professor Chistopher Krejci will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 25 and at 2 p.m. on Oct. 26 in the Jackson-Graeter Backstage Theatre.
The play, The Tragical, Comical, Historical Adventures of Pinocchio, will be performed by Temple College Theatre and Musical Theatre students, according to Dr. Sara Baker, dean of Temple College’s Fine Arts Division.
“This is theater for young audiences,” Baker said. “It’s a retelling of the classic Pinocchio story designed for school-age audiences. This story is the timeless tale but offers different theatrical styles.”
Tickets for The Tragical, Comical, Historical Adventures of Pinocchio $5 for non-students and free for TC students with a school ID. They can be purchased at centraltexastickets.com.
Wet fun at Halloween Splash Bash
Get ready for a night of fun at the Halloween Splash Bash from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 25 at Sammons Indoor Pool, 2220 W Ave. D in Temple.
The event will feature a floating pumpkin patch and bobbing for pumpkins. Participants just might find spooky surprises.
Get creative at the Halloween-themed crafts station, or test your skills with thrilling poolside games that will keep everyone entertained.
Splash Bash is $5 per person.
Upcoming events at Barrow Brewing
KD Hill, co-owner of Barrow Brewing Company in Salado, submitted this list of upcoming events. Area breweries, restaurants and other businesses are encouraged to provide their events to Our Town in list form.
Here’s are Barrow’s upcoming events:
Oct 25: Al Shire 6 p.m. Vic Ruggiero 7 p.m.
Oct 26: Barktoberfest!!
Oct 27: Emily Shirley 4 p.m.
Oct 30: Guest food truck: Lula Mae's Cajun
Oct 31: The Amanda Brown 7 p.m.
Nov 1: Wes Perryman 7 p.m.
Nov 2: MACT Music & Arts Festival
Nov 3: Noah Derrick 4 p.m.
Nov 6: Guest food truck: Korean Kravings
Nov 7: Frankie G 7 p.m.
Nov 8: Murder the Stout 8 p.m.
Nov 9: Flashback Band 11 a.m. Murder the Stout 8 p.m.
Nov 10: Live music TBD
Nov 13: Guest food truck: Big Tony's Cheesesteaks
Nov 14: Sherita Perez 7 p.m.
Nov 15: Wayworn Traveler 7 p.m.
Nov 16: Everett Wren 7 p.m.
Nov 17: Chris Beall 6 p.m.
Nov 20: Guest food truck: Check Point Germany
Nov 21: Brad Brockman 7 p.m.
Nov 22: Neapolitan 7 p.m.
Nov 23: Scott Taylor Band 7 p.m.
Nov 24: Daydreaming Owl 4 p.m.
Nov 29: Live music TBD
Nov 30: Chris Grigbsby's Band 7 p.m.
Dec 1: Smokin' Maxx 4 p.m.
Dec 4: Guest food truck: Korean Kravings
Dec 5: Live music TBD
Dec 6: Wes Perryman 7 p.m.
Dec 7: Christmas Market 12-6 p.m. Denny Cullinan 12 p.m. JR's Jukebox 7 p.m.
Dec 8: Grace Church Carols 5 p.m.
Dec 11: SHS Band 7 p.m. Guest food truck: Cousins Maine Lobster.
Dec 12: Emily Shirley 7 p.m.
Dec 13: Wayworn Traveler 6 p.m.
Dec 14: Christmas Market 12-6 p.m. Wook Wizard 12 p.m. Marshall G and the Delta Tease 3 p.m.
Dec 15: Twilight in Texas 4 p.m.
Dec 18: Guest food truck: Check Point Germany.
Dec 19: James Stone 6 p.m.
Dec 20: Marshall G solo 7 p.m.
Dec 21: Eric Turner 6 p.m.
Dec 22: Jonna Mae 4 p.m.
Dec 26: Austin Mayse 7 p.m.
Dec 27: Live music TBD
Dec 28: The Amanda Brown 7 p.m.
Dec 29: March Charlotte Young 4 p.m.
Recurring events:
Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Not Rocket Science Trivia.
Thursday 6 p.m. Bikes & Brews
Thursday 6:30 p.m. Barrow Run Club
Saturday 9 a.m. Asanas & Ales