PALESTINE, Texas (May 24, 2017) – The City of Palestine has announced the Memorial Day holiday schedule for city facilities.

The following city offices and facilities will close on Monday, May 29 and will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, May 30:
• City Hall, which includes Customer Service, Municipal Court, Finance, Development Services, Public Works, Utilities, City Manager’s Office, Police Administration, Fire Administration, City Secretary, Human Resources, Streets, Emergency Management Office and Warehouse Services.
• Palestine Economic Development and Main Street Offices
• Palestine Community Services Offices
• Palestine Visitor Center
• Palestine Public Library will close Saturday, May 27 and Monday, May 29. All library materials (books, CDs, and DVDs) can be returned 24/7 in the book drop located on the curb outside of the Mall’s main entrance.

The following city facilities will be closed:
• The Palestine Mall Concourse and Mall shops will be closed on Saturday, May 27, Sunday, May 28 and Monday, May 29.

The following city facilities will be open:
• Palestine Civic Center Offices

The following is scheduled from Public Works:
• City garbage/recycling services will run as scheduled
• The compost site on Spring Street will be closed on Saturday, May 27.
• To report after-hours and holiday water/sewer/road issues that require immediate attention, please contact City Hall at 903-729-2254, and press "0" for assistance.

Residents are asked to dial 911 for emergency issues.

PALESTINE, Texas (May 22, 2017) – Palestine police veteran John Herod, an interim chief with the department, has resigned from the chief’s role and will become the city’s Emergency Management Director.

In Herod’s place, Lt. R.C. Johnson has been named as the interim police chief while a search begins for a permanent chief.

City Manager Mike Alexander said administration “fully supports Herod’s transition into the role.”

“The police department was better served, having John serving as one their leaders,” Alexander said. “However, due to family, school and work obligations, he felt it was in his best interest, both personally and professionally to step down as the Police Chief and move into his new role as the emergency manager.”

Herod replaces Scott Parkhurst, who resigned as the city’s Emergency Management Director earlier in May. Through discussions with Herod on the position, Alexander felt Herod would be the right person for the vacant job.

“John will bring a wealth of knowledge in emergency services, grants, and management which will help to create a strong leader in our Emergency Management division and a stronger connection with police and fire,” Alexander said. “John Herod’s years of service in the police department, coupled with his analytical and critical thinking skills, will prove to be an asset to the city as the new Emergency Manager.”

Both Herod and his replacement, Johnson, are veterans of the department. Before his role as interim chief, Johnson was most recently the commander of the Criminal Investigation Division. Before his time at CID, Johnson was also the Lieutenant in charge of the Patrol Division.

Alexander said during Monday’s City Council meeting the search for a permanent chief will begin immediately.

PALESTINE, Texas (May 22, 2017) – The City of Palestine Historic Landmarks Commission is seeking volunteers to serve. The commission currently has two vacancies.

If you are an eligible voter who resides within the City of Palestine, and have an interest in the shared heritage of the community, please feel free to apply to the Commission. Palestine is a Certified Local Government, has over 100 blocks of designated historic resources spread across four historic districts, and benefits economically from the tourism and investment generated by the community’s unique heritage.

Historic Landmarks Commission members typically meet once a month, and may also call special meetings. Ideal commissioners have expertise in architecture, history, planning, archaeology, or any other discipline related to historic preservation, but anyone with an interest is encouraged to apply.

Information regarding historic preservation in Palestine is available online on our historic preservation pages.

To apply, submit an application and brief resume summarizing experience and interest to City Hall at 504 N Queen Street in Palestine. Board Appointment Applications are available at City Hall, as well as online at cityofpalestinetx.com.

PALESTINE, Texas (May 23, 2017) – The Boil Water Notice for the 600 block of South May Street has been rescinded.
Here is the legal notice language:

Boil Water Rescind Notice

On May 21, 2017, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requiredour public water system ,City of Palestine Utilities Department, PWS ID 0010001 to issue a Boil Water Notice (BWN) to inform our customers that due to the presence of contaminants or an interruption in service, water from our system must be boiled prior to consumption.

Our system has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore adequate pressure, disinfectant levels, and/or bacteriological quality and has provided TCEQ with testing results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling as of May 23, 2017.

If you have questions, contact Felipe Garcia at 903-731-8423.

If a customer wishes to reach TCEQ, they may call 512-239-4691.

From earlier:
PALESTINE, Texas (May 21, 2017) – The City of Palestine is issuing a boil water notice for residents on the 600 block of South May Street. The following is the legal notice.

Public Notice to Boil Water

Due to a water main replacement for residents in the area of the 600 block of South May Street, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required our water system City of Palestine, PWS 0010001 to notify customers of the need to boil their water prior to consumption.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to use. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source.

When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the water system officials will notify you that the water is safe for consumption. Instructions to discontinue boiling will be issued in the same manner as this notice.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Felipe Garcia at (903) 731-8483.

PALESTINE, Texas (May 19, 2017) – Celebrated children’s author and illustrator John Manders will be the featured artist for the second Dogwood Arts and Literacy Festival on June 10.

The historic Anderson County Courthouse square will play host to the festival, a collaboration between the Palestine Public Library, the Palestine Library Friends and the United Way of East-Central Texas.

All four sides of the courthouse will feature games, readings and fun. A costume contest celebrating Manders’ popular titles will also be held. Manders will be on hand during the event, and during an author dinner on June 9, called “Munching with Manders.”

Manders is a celebrated illustrator of over 30 children’s books including, “Where’s My Mummy?” “Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians,” and “Jack and the Giant Barbecue.”

“The search for the perfect author-illustrator is such a tedious but fun task,” Youth Services Librarian Jamie King said. “We spent hours looking for an illustrator who has enough fun and interesting book illustrations that the dinner committee, headed by retired Westwood ISD distict librarian Lynn Calcote, is able to create an amazing storybook world that will awe every child and adult when they walk through the library doors.”

The costume contest is open to all ages, and will celebrate characters from Manders’ books. The library has a display and collection of his books available for inspiration. Library Director Theresa Holden said the festival would not be possible without the generous sponsorship of the Library Friends and the United Way.

“Palestine Public Library thanks the Palestine Library Friends and the United Way of East/Central Texas for their support of the Dogwood Children's Literacy and Art Festival. The Friends volunteer countless hours to organize the book sales so that the proceeds can be used to fund events for the children and families of our community. Thank you to the United Way, an organization committed to childhood literacy.”

During the “Munching with Manders” dinner at the Palestine Public Library, Manders will present and announce the winners of a comic book contest. The contest, held by the library’s Youth Department, had a great many entries and was not surprised by the amazing artistic talent again this year, King said.

Tickets for the festival’s “Munching with Manders,” are $10 and can be purchased at the library’s youth department during business hours. Each child will receive a book illustrated by Manders and a goodie bag of surprises at the dinner. For more information on the festival, including contest rules, details and registration, visit dogwoodchildrensfestival.com.

The festival kicks off a summer of fun events for children and families at the Palestine Public Library. Events like the Texas A&M Chemistry Roadshow, puppet shows, Adulting 101 classes, and more are scheduled.

“The summer calendar of events is packed with brand many new performers, and programs this year,” King said. “Several parents have told me how pleased they are that the library offers so many fun and free activities.

“The Palestine Library Memorial Board has once again graciously funded summer reading activities. Our community is so very blessed to have the funds when so many libraries around the country are struggling to bring quality program to their facilities.”

For more information on those events, visit the library’s website at youseemore.com/palestine/, or on Facebook. Information on the United Way of East-Central Texas, including sponsorship opportunities can be found online at unitedwayofeastcentraltexas.org.

PALESTINE, Texas (May 11, 2017) – The Boil Water Notice for 900 block of Hunter Drive and the 400 block of East Jolly Street has been rescinded. The following is the legal language.

Boil Water Rescind Notice

On May 10, 2017, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) required our public water system,City of Palestine Utilities Department, PWS ID 0010001 to issue a Boil Water Notice (BWN) to inform our customers that due to the presence of contaminants or an interruption in service, water from our system must be boiled prior to consumption.

Our system has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore adequate pressure, disinfectant levels, and/or bacteriological quality and has provided TCEQ with testing results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling as of May 11, 2017.

If you have questions, contact Felipe Garcia at 903-731-8483.

If a customer wishes to reach TCEQ, they may call 512-239-4691.

From Earlier:
PALESTINE, Texas (May 10, 2017) – The City of Palestine is issuing a boil water notice for residents on the 900 block of Hunter Drive and the 400 block of East Jolly Street. The following is the legal notice.

Public Notice to Boil Water

Due to a water leak for residents in the area of the 900 block of Hunter Drive and the 400 block of East Jolly Street, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required our water system City of Palestine, PWS 0010001 to notify customers of the need to boil their water prior to consumption.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to use. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source.

When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the water system officials will notify you that the water is safe for consumption. Instructions to discontinue boiling will be issued in the same manner as this notice.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Felipe Garcia at (903) 731-8483.

PALESTINE, Texas (May 8, 2017) – In the interest of public safety, the City of Palestine has decided to remove two dead trees at Reagan Park.

Pardue Tree Service will remove the Live Oak trees on Tuesday, May 9. Community Services Director Patsy Smith said the trees have to be removed for the safety of the park’s visitors. To help with the removal, a lane of traffic into Reagan Park and on Crockett Road will be rerouted for safety.

Unfortunately, the trees have been deceased for a while, according to Ronnie Pardee, an arborist who also owns a tree removal service. Pardee, along with Parks and Recreation Department staff, had inspected the tree in 2015. They had diagnosed the trees were dying. The cause of death is believed to be a tree fungus called hypoxylon canker.

To honor the memory of those Live Oak trees, the city plans to replant new trees in Reagan Park. The city also plans to save the remaining plantings from a 2015 beautification project and help an alive tree adjacent to the dead trees. Smith said she plans to contact an artist to create a carving from the stumps of the deceased two trees.

Here are the unofficial election results from the 2017 City of Palestine election:

Mayor