Cyclists in Frisco are finally getting what they have been praying for. More than 300 signs will be going up along some major roadways, reminding drivers to share the roads with cyclists. It’s an effort to make the Frisco area safer for those on bikes.

“A lot of us are on the road and it can get a little dangerous,” explained bicyclist Jeff Ellis. He was among a group who showed up to watch the signs go up. Ellis loves riding in Frisco because of all the open spaces and hills.

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No cases of the deadly strain have been reported locally, but health officials are continuing to monitor the situation.

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A gas flare and loud noise may startle residents Thursday morning, but the 50-foot high flame is only part of regular utility work along south Custer Road between Eldorado Parkway and State Highway 121.

On Thursday morning, Atmos utility crews will be clearing (or flaring) a 16-inch natural gas pipeline. The flaring is necessary to relocate the pipeline on south Custer Road, between Eldorado Parkway and State Highway 121.

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FISD board meets April 20

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Shopping, uninterrupted.That’s the message General Growth Properties Inc., the second-largest U.S. mall operator, struggled to get out Thursday after it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The company said none of its 200 malls – including several in the Dallas area – is closing and shoppers shouldn’t notice anything different. But there’s a chance your favorite mall could be sold over the next few months, the company said.
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TxDOT has switched eastbound traffic on Eldorado Parkway (FM 2934), from FM 423 to Legacy Drive, to the new concrete pavement. Both directions of traffic on Eldorado Parkway are now on the new concrete pavement.

Motorists are urged to use caution in the area as traffic adjusts to the switch.

Outdoor Watering Restricted To Two Days Per Week During Summer Months

The City of Frisco has new, mandatory water restrictions for summer months which emphasize watering efficiently and reducing waste. Last night, the Frisco City Council approved the plan.

As of today, the City of Frisco’s new Water Management Plan takes effect.

This new plan encompasses a Drought Contingency Plan and a Water Efficiency Plan. Under the new Water Efficiency Plan, outdoor watering is restricted to two days per week and is based on residents’ trash and recycling service schedule and an additional, designated day.

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ANIMAL CONTROL REMIND RESIDENTS TRAPS ARE ILLEGAL AND MAY INJURE PEOPLE, PETS

(March 23, 2009) Animal control officers remind residents that setting metal traps to catch unwanted wildlife is illegal within city limits and may result in injuries to people and pets, as well.

Shortly after 9 a.m. yesterday morning, March 22, dispatchers were alerted an injured bob cat was in the alley of the 4100 block of Freedom Lane. Animal control officers were called and they were able to capture the injured bob cat. Animal control officers say the animal was missing a back paw. Staff says it appears the injury resulted from the animal being caught in a claw type¨ trap. Animal control officers add, the animal was a juvenile cat and appeared thin, indicating the bob cat may have had the injury for sometime.

The traps are considered inhumane and therefore, illegal in the City of Frisco¨ said Gregg Carr, Animal Control Administrator. We appreciate residents apprehension about wildlife, such as bob cats and coyotes, but we don’t recommend traps because the devices don’t discriminate and children and family pets can easily become caught and hurt in the traps, too.¨
The injured bob cat was taken to the Outdoor Learning Center in Plano, which rehabilitates injured wildlife. However, the Outdoor Learning Center is not equipped to rehabilitate bob cats, so the animal will eventually be transferred to another facility.

Carr stresses city animal control officers were only able to capture the bob cat because it was hurt. Otherwise, Carr adds, the animals usually scare and run away when they see people. Carr reminds residents to use the following tips to help keep their families and pets safe from wildlife.

• Do not leave pet food out overnight. Keep food outside for only a half an hour during the day, if possible.
• Remove any fallen fruit from trees, daily.
• Keep trash in a secure container. This alleviates easy meal access. Place container outside on trash pick up day.
• Be mindful of birdfeeders and scattered seed on the ground. Birdseed attracts squirrels and rodents.
• Make a disturbance when confronted with wildlife so the animals know they’re in your territory. Waving a stick or banging pots and pans are good means for creating a disturbance.
• Take a stick with you when walking pets. This can be used to harass a wild animal, if you’re confronted during your walk.
• Keep eye contact and slowly back way from larger, wild animals. Don’t turn your back and run, as this can trigger an animal to attack.
• Physically restrain all pets and bring them into the house overnight, if possible.
• Keep landscaping trimmed back around the house and pool. This helps prevent wild animals from finding shelter at your home.
• Immediately report sightings of wildlife which appear to be staggering.

Call the DFW Wildlife Coalition Hotline at 972-234-WILD. Normally, wild animals run away at the sight of humans. However, if an animal is staggering and continues to move towards you, it’s possible the animal may be rabid.

For more information, contact the City of Frisco Animal Control at 972-292-5303. Call the local division of the Texas Wildlife Damage Management Service at 817-978-3146. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department also provides information at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild. To donate or to find out more information about the Outdoor Learning Center and Living Materials Center, call 469-752-1195. The Outdoor Learning Center is supported by the Plano Independent School District.

By ELIZABETH LANGTON / The Dallas Morning News
Frisco is projecting a $3 million gap in this year’s budget, prompting immediate spending cuts and a hiring freeze, officials said this week.
While the city’s property and sales tax revenues remain at or near projected ranges, earnings from building permits and interest are well below budgeted levels, Assistant City Manager Nell Lange said.

In response, city staff has been directed to cut 4 percent from each department’s budget and freeze 28 open jobs. The cuts will not require layoffs, Lange said.

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February 25, 2009, Austin Business Journal

A February survey of public and private builders across the country from John Burns Real Estate Consulting shows that Texas saw new home sales, traffic and expectations pick up in January. The survey gathered information from 236 home building industry executives.

“I spent several days in Texas this month and can confirm that the pick-up is real and is driven by lower mortgage rates in an area where home price appreciation was insignificant and the economy is still OK,” said John Burns, CEO of Irvine, Calif.-based John Burns Real Estate Consulting.

However, Burns said, new home prices are still trending downward everywhere, including Texas.

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