Mineral Wells Area News

By Amy Bearden

Mineral Wells Area News Publisher

Pulling Triple Duty

At the regular City Council meeting for Mineral Wells on January 16th, three fire fighters for the City of Mineral Wells, who also work as paramedics, were sworn in as police officers.

Lieutenant Randall Noe, Captain Ethan Weathers and Captain Jared Self took the oath of duty as Fire Marshals for the City of Mineral Wells and Deputy Chief Craig Hedrick swore them in.

In a partnership with the MW Police Department, MWFD sent three of their own to the police academy for 18 months to train as officers with the intention of streamlining the criminal investigation side of firefighting.

“Not only are they firefighters, paramedics, and as of tonight, police officers,” said Fire Chief Ryan Dunn.

“This gives us a real time response to any kind of arson fire,” Dunn told the Council. “It gives us a head start in collecting evidence or doing things that are needed in these high profile, hard to solve arson cases.”

In other fire related news..

At the same meeting, Council approved a mutual aide agreement between Mineral Wells Fire/EMS and Sacred Cross EMS for emergency medical services.

The ETJ (surrounding areas outside of City limits) once served by MWFD/EMS is now under contract with Sacred Cross beginning January 2024 and the mutual agreement updated the arrangement.

Other Council Meeting Action…

Council approved an Order of Election for May 4th, 2024 to elect a Mayor and Two Council Members.

They also approved a Special Election for the the same date as the unified election for the purpose of voting on the recall of Council Member Ward 1 and Ward 4.

The Council voted to approve seven propositions to put up for a vote on the May 4th election. Five are related to bringing the City’s charter in compliance with State law as well as two propositions for the Special “Recall” Elections.

Council Hears Objection to Replat; Approves Applicant but Directs Staff to Listen to Concerns of Neighbors

Residents from the 1600 Block of NW 3rd Avenue approached the Council during the public comment portion of a replat discussion. Applicant Edwin Hamlon has requested the replat of two lots to be combined to allow him to build another duplex behind an existing one. According to permit applications, he will build two 1 bedroom/ 1 bathroom residences at the location.

Officials noted that there were no protests at the original planning and zoning meeting when the replat was first approved.

However, nearby neighbors Victoria Allen-Meneley, Krista Allen and Christopher Allen objected to the replat because they feel the existing road into the property is inadequate for more traffic, causing safety issues for their children. They feel another duplex will cause safety issues, as well as more drainage concerns with more people moving into a small tract of land.

Council listened to their concerns and explained that the applicant will be required to bring the road and the combined lots up to code before any kind of construction could occur.

Fire Chief Dunn also explained the replat would have to address the fire codes before any building permits could be issued, which includes the location of fire hydrants, and providing access to the property for their fire trucks.

Honorary Council Member Gavels In

Every year, each school in Mineral Wells chooses one representative to be named Honorary Council Member at a City Council meeting.

Bodhi Sabbatini, a 13-year-old Mineral Wells Junior High 7th grader, was honored by Mayor Reagan Johnson for his outstanding grades, character and dedication to his academic future.

Sabbatini is currently a junior cadet in the Civil Air Patrol, where he is learning to become a pilot and has dreams of attending the Air Force Academy. He also plays basketball, tennis, baseball and plays the drums in the MWJH band. He is the son of Amy Bearden and grandson of Joe and Sandra Meyer.

Rumor Has It….

We also decided to do some fact checking to dispel any misinformation we see on social media. As many of you know, last year, Pride Cleaners closed its doors and it was rumored the building would be leveled and a Popeyes chicken restaurant would be built.

Heavy equipment was recently parked in front of the old dry cleaners building and MWAN has official word from the City that the building will be taken down in the upcoming days and it’s true indeed that Popeye’s Chicken would be built right there.

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