[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6247759,"mediaKeyId","3212776-f0bf91073a612cb2bf0981723cff9835","parentId",3212776,"title","Council designates US 82 southbound overpass as Ray Gonzales Jr. Memorial Highway","audioSeconds",199,"startMs",2972000,"endMs",3171000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212776-f0bf91073a612cb2bf0981723cff9835&start=2972&end=3171","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212776-f0bf91073a612cb2bf0981723cff9835/thumbnail_2972000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6247759/Wichita-Falls/Wichita-County/Texas/Council-designates-US-82-southbound-overpass-as-Ray-Gonzales-Jr-Memorial-Highway","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247759-426c6e9dc4d87964626885edd54d61b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771006365&Signature=odnbsXF6qLNgVnBvHR-GTh6p0MghSM9rnpTqBEacNJrxiBmkjxByo61irG2P9Nv5BQM8reW7Nq8DvGMpkVri-F2JACEwy1kytfR2alaGmn819A0k6PVu-24PfA4URmKG~XomhC1Qu31c2rYCIq6vcuJ9gEHhYNa2dVajO78uMM-qXLmYCciuuqkmu-ai1Fryv2DJMbHY8TG-AuE5ogeGNrsvqsESZtaPRXg1iWxPFpAavAVGwwPAu1Cf-7WHFzxgq3SJvjQ0dVp8FwvDv-kgWm80WWGSI-RiAki9fLf2M4NDYWAWoN4URSG270JkNF2HdCTEP9~mImhb2X-K3tXgrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Wichita Falls TX","date","2025-05-07T16:29:54.597Z","article","The Wichita Falls City Council on May 6 approved a resolution to designate the southbound US 82 overpass as the Ray Gonzales Jr. Memorial Highway.

Why it matters: The honor recognizes Gonzales\u000027 military service and decades of civic involvement in Wichita Falls. City staff said the designation will not affect addresses and requires final approval by the Texas Department of Transportation before installation of a memorial sign.

Who Ray Gonzales Jr. was

Johnny Vilestrego of the Mexican American Veterans Association described Gonzales\u000027s service record and community leadership: Gonzales served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1969, was a Purple Heart recipient and participated in numerous local boards and civic efforts. Vilestrego urged the council to approve the sign as a lasting recognition of Gonzales\u000027s service.

City process and next steps

Terry (staff) explained that the proposed rename affects the TxDOT-owned flyover and that TxDOT approval is required; staff said no property addresses would be affected and that a single sign will be installed in a TxDOT-approved location. The planning and zoning commission recommended the resolution at its April meeting and council unanimously approved it at the May 6 meeting. The city will coordinate with TxDOT and traffic staff to install the sign and arrange a dedication event once TxDOT approval is received.

Family remarks and community reaction

Josefia Stiglio, president of the Mexican American Veterans Association, presented a plaque and thanked the council. A family member told the council the dedication was deeply meaningful and thanked the community for the honor.

Ending: The resolution now proceeds to TxDOT for its director\u000027s approval; staff will coordinate sign installation and a dedication event with the Gonzales family and the Mexican American Veterans Association.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council meeting from May 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Wichita Falls City Council approved a resolution to rename the southbound US 82 flyover for Ray Gonzales Jr., a local businessman, Purple Heart recipient and former county commissioner and councilman. The resolution will move to TxDOT for final approval and sign installation.","taxTitle","Wichita Falls, Wichita County, Texas","taxId",2821,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6247764,"Wichita Falls extends disaster declaration as emergency operations center remains active; officials urge damage reporting",189,6025000,6214000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212776-f0bf91073a612cb2bf0981723cff9835&start=6025&end=6214","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212776-f0bf91073a612cb2bf0981723cff9835/thumbnail_6025000.jpg","/articles/6247764/Wichita-Falls/Wichita-County/Texas/Wichita-Falls-extends-disaster-declaration-as-emergency-operations-center-remains-active-officials-urge-damage-reporting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247764-5758e6ac447a1ab36c7f54205e552f91/orig.mp4?Expires=1771006365&Signature=Sj10~swQx3S8DvHvc23gFifr6tuhgZHYI-OY8ABbHcfiDLMESNhqNe3jRdkekniQ1vbDmD7-MjaL187JmQVSecc7aQD~U9G1ar1X1eCxlmokPBxH-ZCuQXPuSSGveVBR5wMgbr9oE1uK0BNIPnnxF2pT0MogtpVFK4EDoeQX1-I4JieOFH3YZXwIEkigbOqi1SWAFhOwzDgYsh4zG~7X4MRyO-4jkvDZ5KuLFhAtC-ZzLVGEmF9OSQbzDLjH9i4T6SvaxYKolnWoFbFb8zIiC92ZK22I6l-Yej0idTwjpEsCNYsaR0UPniIoz5yr8E5M7vzycjvzvy3FAEFqzhb-CQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wichita Falls City Council on May 6 ratified an extension of a disaster declaration first signed April 30, 2025, keeping the city\u000027s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) active while staff monitored river and storm conditions.

Why it matters: An active disaster declaration enables the city to coordinate staffing and to document damage that may later qualify for state or federal reimbursement, if damage thresholds are met.

What officials reported

Chief (public safety) told the council the EOC had been staffed continuously and that emergency personnel had been out in neighborhoods to warn and assist; his remarks thanked volunteers and staff for advance outreach and described the response as an organized exercise with real-time operations. John Henderson, the city\u000027s emergency management coordinator, and others were credited with organizing briefings and cross-agency coordination.

Funding thresholds and forms

City staff explained why the declaration remains important. The transcript records staff citing state and federal thresholds for disaster assistance — the meeting transcript reported a state threshold of $600,000 and a federal threshold of $59,000,000 for qualifying reimbursement programs — and asked residents to submit damage and infiltration forms to help the city compile damage totals. Officials said each reported damage submission adds to the cumulative record used to determine whether thresholds are met for state or federal assistance.

Examples of damage reports

A meeting attendee, Michael Mitchell, said two rear apartments at a Garfield Street property suffered two to three feet of water infiltration during recent rains. Staff told him to contact emergency-management staff to file damage forms; the city said the forms and documentation are needed to make any future reimbursement request credible.

Discussion versus direction

Discussion: Staff summarized EOC operations, said the EOC was in a monitored posture and described the agencies involved (city departments, Wichita County, Texas Division of Emergency Management).

Direction/assignment: Council ratified continuation of the mayor\u000027s declaration; staff asked residents who had property damage to complete state damage-reporting forms in order to build an accurate damage total.

Ending: The council said it would reconvene the declaration at the next scheduled council meeting (the ordinance expires automatically on June 3 unless extended) and that ongoing monitoring would continue through the declared period.","The City Council ratified a continuation of a disaster declaration signed April 30, 2025, keeping the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) active as the city monitored possible flooding and storm damage. Officials urged residents to report damage to support potential state or federal aid.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6247768,"Meteorologist asks Wichita Falls to sound sirens on any NWS tornado warning; officials say change would require policy review",187,1553000,1740000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212776-f0bf91073a612cb2bf0981723cff9835&start=1553&end=1740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212776-f0bf91073a612cb2bf0981723cff9835/thumbnail_1553000.jpg","/articles/6247768/Wichita-Falls/Wichita-County/Texas/Meteorologist-asks-Wichita-Falls-to-sound-sirens-on-any-NWS-tornado-warning-officials-say-change-would-require-policy-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247768-a23b311428cea72328bb4d258efcccdd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771006365&Signature=UUHrK1c0Os2r4IXMM6kW9-8oZ3Jr8ToiixqZZDpHeFSsD3JS6DJdjpj4Es~5CQ04RykExTeRvPpMUwG3tHUr7qmbTXsOBK0agZSD2Dit6ASCuTkf7JtxuaCdzomfiWWO9Vl2WHz96zbUIrK1yyzK6Owxey4KjJSWh7VTzLMKBkq~QqdVx1fEFKb~k~tb3v2GCsqZgThYUJwPvHPOjnYupcjFf~YgdnJTuJPV4kaUszoLQGSwrZ~scjCIDURaqaxuWIB6hn6SYf3Ad1tbI6bv6EMss4AcNoh8UofVH4ZzLgSLZ6n3iqU~GJPLGXv5xCsNoLM8AmQ7lE76Uf4WyZ5jJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Wichita Falls meteorologist told the City Council on May 6 that the city should modify its tornado-siren policy so sirens sound whenever the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning.

Why it matters: Siren policy affects how people interpret warnings and how much lead time residents have during rapidly developing storms, especially for vulnerable populations and people caught outdoors.

What was said in council chambers

Michael Bowling, who described himself as a local meteorologist, told the council he understands why the city restricted siren activations in past years — to avoid trauma from false alarms and broad countywide activations — but said radar and warning specificity have improved. \"With all that being said,\" Bowling said, \"I would just like to ask y'all if you would consider changing the policy to when a tornado warning is issued, we'll sound the sirens because that is what most cities in Texas and Oklahoma follow.\" He argued that in some recent events a tornado that would be on the ground within city limits might produce little or no lead time under the current policy, particularly when storms are rain-wrapped.

Officials\u000027 framing and next steps

Council members and staff acknowledged the tradeoff between false alarms and consistent public messaging. City officials told the council that changing the policy would require detailed review and that public education would be essential to avoid confusion between National Weather Service warnings and local siren activations. No policy change was adopted at the May 6 meeting.

Discussion versus decision

Discussion: Meteorologist Michael Bowling urged the council to adopt a broader siren activation policy tied directly to NWS tornado warnings. Officials and some council members discussed the trauma and false alarm history that motivated the existing policy and the importance of clear public messaging.

Direction: Council asked staff to consider the request and to report back with policy options and communication strategies.

Ending: The council did not modify the siren policy at the meeting and asked staff to return with recommendations for any change in activation criteria and public outreach.","A local meteorologist urged the City Council to change its tornado-siren policy to sound sirens whenever the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning. Officials said the current policy was adopted to reduce false alarms and that a policy change would require council consideration and community messaging.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6247772,"Public works: Duncan Channel floodgates being replaced; gates damaged in 2019–2020, repairs months away",80,2122000,2202000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212776-f0bf91073a612cb2bf0981723cff9835&start=2122&end=2202","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212776-f0bf91073a612cb2bf0981723cff9835/thumbnail_2122000.jpg","/articles/6247772/Wichita-Falls/Wichita-County/Texas/Public-works-Duncan-Channel-floodgates-being-replaced-gates-damaged-in-20192020-repairs-months-away","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247772-4de135e9d6467fedc53edf3f29a8c31e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771006365&Signature=RpeepLa28JQdueCnaNN-viRuXm8v4BsNRH1UdBsx9A5dkQQMqGg3fDAKmuczbSN63D-31fuXPv3ka5abk8N1LUTVleYxhjKs2iZELTTYsGM8jyz7oT-J-hhqe6sR7x8Oupkv9EbI05s1XF13Qw2-0PkrGZ64UjZXPRscKxSX96OriS6hU5utQbLV~w2kH39vEEwxiJbtQQDePr4JEZ-zpET9gdo8kLch6Pbx1HT-l-tYcnafVPXSX8Nx3YjGFicYL~px813RYFwh~xOn5ZI~f2EUCxfKEpuEf1Qx1kyenM~3zJuTCZQlqFswI09ThTB7xEK7YAY7zofur7wLGK5AoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Wichita Falls public works officials told the council on May 6 that floodgates at the end of the Duncan Channel — a primary drainage route for the East Side — were damaged in a storm event between 2019 and 2020 and are currently being replaced.

Why it matters: Residents described past flooding that trapped neighbors and raised questions about access, evacuation plans and sheltering. Staff said the gates help protect roadways but, when closed, require bypass pumping to avoid trapping storm runoff inside the neighborhood.

What staff said about the gates and the repair timeline

Russell Shriver, director of public works, told the council: \"There are a set of floodgates there ... They became damaged in a storm event in somewhere between 02/2019 and 2020. The city then put a project to get it to replace those gates. That project is under construction now.\" Shriver said the contractor required almost a year to get the prefabricated gates built and delivered and that completion depends heavily on weather; he estimated, weather permitting, the project could be finished in the next four to five months.

How the gates function and operational limits

Shriver explained that the gates are typically closed when the Wichita River reaches \"around 16 to 17 feet,\" at which point the city must begin bypass pumping because closing the gates traps locally falling water on the East Side. He said the gates protect roadways up to a point: when the river overtops other storm drains, water still flows back into streets. During the May event, the city could not close gates because replacements were under construction.

Resident accounts and safety concerns

Several East Side residents described anxiety and evacuation risks. Josie Rose said she had been the first caller to 911 during a prior flood and urged the council to close or relocate a daycare center she said was vulnerable. Candace Archie asked whether a floodgate exists, where it is, and what its function is; Russell Shriver responded with the replacement status and operational explanation.

Technical and maintenance suggestions

Other residents and speakers urged study of local culverts, dams and drainage corridors — including the Duncan Corridor and the dam near Holiday Park — and asked the council to consider upgrades where creeks bank out and send water back into neighborhoods. Ricky Lowe and other residents suggested some culverts and structures might be undersized and in need of design updates.

Discussion versus direction

Discussion: Multiple residents recounted past floods and requested immediate mitigation, sheltering plans and clearer evacuation messages. Staff laid out the technical reasons for the current flooding patterns and the limits of the gates.

Direction/assignment: Public Works described the ongoing replacement project and said bypass pumping procedures are used when gates are closed; staff committed to continuing monitoring and to bring a design professional services agreement for future phases of drainage work (Quail Creek Phase 3 design) to council.

Clarifying details from the meeting

- Shriver said the gates were damaged in a storm event \"somewhere between 02/2019 and 2020.\"
- The city closes the Duncan Channel gates when the Wichita River reaches about 16–17 feet; once closed, bypass pumping is required to evacuate locally falling water.
- The gate-replacement project was under construction; staff said fabrication and contractor scheduling caused delays and estimated a remaining window of four to five months for completion, \"if it stops raining.\"
- Shriver noted that structures that flooded during the 2007 flood were bought out by FEMA after that event; current street flooding was described as roadway-level rather than widespread structural inundation in recent events.

Ending: Public Works said it will continue replacing the gates, pursue designs for additional channel and culvert work, and coordinate bypass pumping and emergency procedures during high-river events. Residents asked the council to accelerate work where feasible and to publish clearer evacuation and sheltering information for East Side neighborhoods.","City engineers said the Duncan Channel floodgates that serve the East Side were damaged in 2019–2020 and are now being replaced. Staff described how floodgates work, closing thresholds, and the need for bypass pumping; residents urged more immediate mitigation and raised evacuation and sheltering concerns.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6247777,"Wichita Falls council says lake lots won’t be sold after executive session; residents press for input, lower prices",1740,1355000,3095000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212776-f0bf91073a612cb2bf0981723cff9835&start=1355&end=3095","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212776-f0bf91073a612cb2bf0981723cff9835/thumbnail_1355000.jpg","/articles/6247777/Wichita-Falls/Wichita-County/Texas/Wichita-Falls-council-says-lake-lots-wont-be-sold-after-executive-session-residents-press-for-input-lower-prices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247777-dc5562dd0a1cb1698d1c961213794f64/orig.mp4?Expires=1771006365&Signature=YKB4XjL8leU~UK1xL0myQZsypcBG~DvJViRXAdoEAI1nBKi2ixEm3zgr61Nht18rT1zAnL-vvjJgshpew5y1VvqAMCngRlsQdbC7W4QSnHJS4ypkZccJ7aGnDrJa2RlMJZAQEl4oCYKKRQuTMZbHRW~e22XjhIrLCCnrmBsFJ6~y1ViQVegqVm~sSYdyZqP6o9j9z6gNHYINS0Lxoemu-UOW2T3POJvMzq1P42TMB9lOcglIB3rcLc3RFgMtfn4iSq0OdFGwIFzW-DvDfie8jrNjlvqGmby6qbNxkAoJu~qj0KG3lLNQQxoon4QJZjT9IIR8tYvzIXnJwGBkuQvMkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wichita Falls City Council voted after executive session on May 6, 2025, to keep city-owned lots at Lake Arrowhead and Lake Kickapoo off the market for the foreseeable future.

The decision follows months of resident requests to allow purchases of leased lots. In public comment at the council meeting, multiple residents said sample appraisals produced prices well above what many lot-holders could afford and asked the city to create a formalized process for resident input on lake property decisions.

Why it matters: dozens of lot owners told the council the parcels are core to family life and local recreation and said high appraisal figures would force some longtime residents to leave the lakes. The city’s appraisal work and legal obligations — and the council’s choice not to sell — affect household finances, local neighborhoods and future maintenance expectations for parks, roads and services at both lakes.

Council and staff description of the legal and appraisal constraints

Mayor Tim Short told the meeting that, following executive-session deliberations, “we are not gonna sell any lake lots at any price at any time in the foreseeable future.” City staff later said that state law requires municipalities to sell property at fair-market value as set by a certified appraiser. Council members said the city hired an outside appraiser with lake-lot experience; some sample appraisals returned values in the five-figure and low six-figure ranges.

Russell Shriver, director of public works, and other staff described the process: the city contracted a third-party appraiser from outside Wichita Falls to provide comparables and valuations for the lots. Councilmember comments made clear those appraisals were higher than many residents expected; one resident said her lot’s sample appraisal was $145,000 and called that figure “a relief” only because it meant she would not be forced to buy at that price. Other commenters noted the Clay County appraisal district’s values — one resident said the county’s assessed value on her lot was $7,040 and said lenders typically look at tax rolls when sizing loans.

Resident requests for process changes and relief measures

Tina Jones, who identified herself as a city employee and lake resident, urged the council to recognize the lakes’ community value and to increase maintenance and services around the leases. Stacy Darnell, another lot holder, asked the council to create “a representative group” from both lakes so residents could have a voice though not a vote on lease and maintenance matters.

Carrie Shepherd said sample appraisals produced numbers she could not meet and asked for “reasonable prices” if selling were reconsidered in the future. Several commenters — including Donna Nikas and Mark Fry — pressed whether lease revenue could be directed to volunteer fire departments, road repair or park maintenance; staff said the fire departments currently pay nominal leases (one speaker noted two fire department leases at 50¢ per year) and described current city maintenance responsibilities.

Discussion versus decision

Discussion: Residents raised affordability, representation, road and park maintenance, fire protection, trash cleanup and inconsistency between county-assessed values and third-party appraisals.

Direction/assignment: Council members encouraged formation of resident groups and town-hall–style meetings. Mayor Short and other councilmembers invited residents to propose representative committees and sign up for meetings with staff.

Formal action: After returning from executive session the council announced no sale of lake lots at this time. The meeting transcript records no roll-call vote tied to individual names; the council’s announcement followed executive-session deliberations.

Clarifying details from the meeting

- The city said it had hired a nonlocal certified appraiser who has prior experience appraising lake lots; sample appraisals produced figures residents described as high (one cited figure: $145,000).
- A commenter said the Clay County appraisal district’s assessed value for some lots was about $7,040.
- A city staffer said some leases remain at very low legacy rates (examples cited: $35–$60 a year for older generation leases) while newer leases are higher.
- Staff said the city considered surveying and platting costs if parcels were sold individually; a council member estimated a full surveying/platted-division process could cost in the neighborhood of $400,000–$500,000 and pose legal complications for creating access to sold lots.

Takeaway and next steps

The council’s formal stance is to retain ownership of the lake lots. Councilmembers asked staff to continue listening to residents and encouraged resident groups to propose a process for regular input and coordination with the city. The council did not adopt a sale plan, change appraisal figures, nor approve an immediate funding reallocation during the May 6 session.

Ending: City officials said they will continue to collect resident input and explore options within the constraints of state law and the city’s obligations; residents asked for a more formal, representative channel to advise future council consideration of lake properties.","After an executive session, the Wichita Falls City Council decided not to sell city-owned lots at Lake Arrowhead and Lake Kickapoo. Dozens of residents spoke during public comment urging sale options, lower prices or local representation; city staff described appraisal and legal constraints.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council designates US 82 southbound overpass as Ray Gonzales Jr. Memorial Highway

Wichita Falls extends disaster declaration as emergency operations center remains active; officials urge damage reporting

Meteorologist asks Wichita Falls to sound sirens on any NWS tornado warning; officials say change would require policy review

Public works: Duncan Channel floodgates being replaced; gates damaged in 2019–2020, repairs months away

Wichita Falls council says lake lots won’t be sold after executive session; residents press for input, lower prices