By Mary Jane Farmer, Scene In Town for the Van Alstyne News. More photos at the bottom of this article. Anyone can download any photo(s) he/she wishes h to have. No charge-no problem.

There was absolutely no shortage of participants in this year’s National Night Out Tuesday night (Oct. 1, 2024). The annual event, which has happened in This smaller town since, at least, 1996, was held again this year at the town’s Central Social District Park.

There were two blow-up bounce houses, one a slide and the other a quite-literally bounce/jumping house. Vendors covered the ground offering information on how to prevent and/or handle crises, or  medical or the outlaw kind; and handing out yummy foods and take-home gadgets.

The Van Alstyne Police Department had the help of the Parks’ Event Coordinator Kandi Hessell, and between them, they obtained numerous raffle give-aways. The kids, as always, enjoyed the splash pads and the children’s playground, along with some face-painting and the train rides around the park. Of course, they were really crazy for Spiderman and the 9-1-1 Fox, who helped referee the Tug-of-War between the two first-responding departments. The Fire Department had held the trophy for the last  two years, but gave it up when the Police Dept. won the Tug this year.

Kids really enjoyed climbing into the various police vehicles on site, and most of them got the chance to turn the sirens on. And when the raffle drawing was held, there was more-than-one kiddo who approached Kandi with the winning ticket.

National Night Out is explained by its parent organization, The National Association of Town Watch, as “National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.” One thing that always happens here is… The city’s Fire Department is always involved, also. And it was the city’s Parks & Recreation Department who set up most of the grounds, the booths, and just about anything they were asked to do.

And the crowd is to be commended for (among other qualities), keeping the park grounds reasonably free of debris.

In Texas, NNO is always held on the 1st Tuesday of October, which in 2025 will be October 7 — Save The Date and See You There.

By Mary Jane Farmer, Scene In Town for the Van Alstyne News

Just a reminder here — National Night Out is from 6-8 pm this coming Tuesday, Oct. 1, to be held at the Central Social District Park in downtown. Van Alstyne Police have participated in NNO since, at least, 1996, and invite all Van Alstyne residents to the free event. There, they get to meet all the officers and many of the firefighters/paramedics as well.

The National Association of Town Watch, defines NNO as “An annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.” Locally, NNO is organized by the City and its Parks and Recreation Department.

Arrest — Sept. 17, the police department receive a report of a stolen bicycle, taken in the 600 block of Blassingame. The resident told police the bike belonged to her son and had been left in a fenced-in area. Police Lt. Steven Hayslip said.

While police were taking the report, they learned that a video of the theft taking place was available. Many of the officers reviewed it and recognized the suspect from prior encounters. They then obtained a warrant for the suspect’s arrest.

Soon, they arrested the suspect on a charge of Theft Under $2,500 w/Two or More prior Convictions. Hayslip said they jailed the suspect in the Grayson County Jail and then recovered the stolen bike, which was returned to the victim.

The suspect, a Van Alstyne man, posted bail of $5,000 with a surety bond the next thing and was released. Hayslip said this offense is classified as a state jail felony.

Arrest — Sept. 22, about 2:30 am, police on patrol were sent to the area of U.S. Highway 75 and Van Alstyne Parkway, regarding a reckless driver. The reporting party had told dispatch that the vehicle was being driven recklessly and not staying in its lane of traffic.

Police found the described vehicle and saw it being driven too fast and not staying in its lane. They conducted a traffic stop.

Once the vehicle stopped and officers approached its windows, they smelled the odor of an intoxicating beverage and saw an open can of that beverage in the front passenger seat. They, following protocol, put the driver through Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, then jailed the suspect on a charge of Driving While Intoxicated w/Two or More Prior Convictions. Hayslip said the driver was a Dallas man; and jail record show that he posted bail of $2,000 with a surety bond later that same day.

DRUG INDICTMENTS — The most recent convening of the Grayson County Grand Jury had them indicting many people on many charges, but no one from Van Alstyne. A count of the illegal drug indictments was: Methamphetamine-15; Cocaine-4; Hydromorphone-1; Heroin-2; and Psilocin-1.  There were none Indicted this session for possession Fentanyl.

By Mary Jane Farmer, for the Van Alstyne News

TxDOT updated this information, as shown in red.

The Texas Department of Transportation officials announced that Encino Landscape of Cleveland, Texas, will be creating a new 10-foot-wide shared-use path in Van Alstyne along State Highway 5 (Waco St) from Williams Way to Blassingame Avenue, then along Tolson Avenue from SH 5 to Main Street and then on Main Street from Tolson Avenue to Van Alstyne Parkway. For safety reasons, a crosswalk with flashing lights are planned to be installed over Waco Street.

A shared-use path is defined as a foot path which can be used by both pedestrians and bicycle riders, possibly other wheeled vehicles as well, such as roller skates, wheelchairs, and skateboards. No information has, as yet, been received as to what wheeled vehicles will be allowed on this one.

City Manager Lane Jones said the City applied for this TxDOT grant to fund 80 percent of the cost to install this shared-use path to the Central Social District Park.

TxDOT UPDATE:  The shared use path program is a federal program that requires the local government (City of Van Alstyne) to pay for 20% of the cost.

“The City was successful in securing the grant award. Mobilization is expected in the next few weeks. The project is expected to be completed in the Spring of 2025,” Jones said.

TxDOT UPDATE:  Crosswalk markings will be installed at each street crossing including SH 5.  The SH 5 crossing will also have a push button on each side for a pedestrian to push before crossing SH 5 in order to activate the flashing beacons at the advanced warning sign for the shared use path crossing.  There will also be Stop Here for Pedestrian signs installed along SH 5.

The Contractor has been granted 120 working days to complete this $1,226,270 project, TxDOT said in a press release. Work was to have begun Wednesday, Sept. 18, weather permitting.  The contract is anticipated to be completed in April of 2025, TxDOT said.

Jones said, “The City of Van Alstyne has been working diligently to improve walkability within our community.  We have been successful in securing two prior grants for Shared-Use Path Installation, both of which are in place today.” Jones added, “Additionally, the City has applied for and been awarded a Phase IV Shared-Use Path grant that will connect the future Umpress/Hynds Park to Forrest Moore Park.  We anticipate Phase IV contract will be awarded in May 2025 with an anticipated completion date of 2026.”

By Mary Jane Farmer for the Van Alstyne News

August 28 — About 3:00 pm, officers initiated a traffic stop on US 75 and Jim Jones, after seeing that the license plate was obstructed. Lt. Steven Hayslip, the Van Alstyne Police Department’s Public Information Officer, reported. When the officers approached the driver, they smelled the distinctive odor of marijuana. That gave them probable cause for a search. They found a medication, an amphetamine between 4-200 grams, in the driver’s possession which required a prescription, but he had none. They also found marijuana in his possession.

Police placed the suspect, a Euless man, in jail  on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance PG 2 (Amphetamine) 4 grams-200 grams and Possession of Marijuana less than ounces. He posted bail, according to Grayson County Jail records, of $16,500 total in surety bonds and was released later that day.

They jailed him on two counts: Possession of Marijuana under 2 ounces and Unlawful Carry of a Weapon. A magistrate at the jail set bail at a total of $4,000, and the suspect, a Plano man, paid that for his release.

August 29, about 2 pm, police initiated a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 75 at Farmington Road. Hayslip said the vehicle was going 85 in a 75 mph zone. Again, when they approached the vehicle, the distinct odor of marijuana came from inside the vehicle. While conducting a probable cause search, police located a clear bag containing marijuana and, separately, a firearm.

They jailed him on two counts: Possession of Marijuana under 2 ounces and Unlawful Carry of a Weapon. A magistrate at the jail set bail at a total of $4,000, and the suspect, a Plano man, paid that for his release.

August 30 — About 1 in the afternoon, police made a traffic stop on U.S. 75 at Farmington. This vehicle was being driven at 90 mph in a 75 mph zone, Hayslip reported.

Police also determined there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest out of an Oklahoma county. Upon making contact with the driver, a Colbert, Oklahoma man, officers found an outstanding warrant for his arrest issued in Ellis County, and placed him under arrest on that warrant.

Jail records show the suspect left Grayson County Jail on August 31.

August 30 — About an hour later (2 pm) the same day, police made another traffic stop o U.S. 75 AT Farmington Road because that vehicle, too, was going 90 mph in that 75 mph zone. This driver, a Garland man, gave him a false name, but police kept investigating until they identified the suspect as a Garland man.

VAPD jailed the suspect on a charge of Failure to Identify by Giving False/Fictitious Information.

August 30 — About 1 in the afternoon, police made a traffic stop on U.S. 75 at Farmington. This vehicle was being driven at 90 mph in a 75 mph zone, Hayslip reported.

Police also determined there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest issued in Ellis County, and placed him under arrest on that warrant.

Jail records show the suspect left Grayson County Jail on August 31.

September 8 — About 10:30 pm, police made a traffic stop on Henry Hynds road and Van Alstyne Parkway after they saw the vehicle hadn’t been stopped for a stop sign.

The driver, a Van Alstyne woman, had slurred speech and the officers smelled the distinctive odor of an intoxicating beverage. They conducted Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, after which they jailed her on a charge of Driving While Intoxicated.

The magistrate on duty set her bail at $1,500, and she posted that in a surety bond for her S

September 9 — At about 7 p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to the area of East Jefferson and Sherman because of domestic disturbance. They determined that a Van Alstyne man had assaulted a family member by striking that person in the face. Hayslip said the victim did not require medical attention.

They jailed the suspect on a charge of Assault Causing Bodily Injury-Family Violence.

Grayson County Jail records show that bail was set at $2,500 with conditions set on it. As of Sunday, the suspect remained incarcerated.

September 10 — Police made a traffic stop about 8 am on U.S 75 at Redden Road, after seeing a vehicle being driven on a public roadway without a valid license plate. Hayslip said, “The state developed a database that enables officers to verify insurance information when they initiate a registration check on the vehicle.”

They soon found out that the driver, a Carrollton man, also had-and admitted to having-a fake driver’s license.

Police jailed him on a charge of Tampering w/Government Record.

The suspect posted $2,500 in surety bonds and was released the next day.

September 11 — A traffic stop made about 2 am on U.S. 75 at Van Alstyne Parkway, because the car didn’t have the right license plate, Hayslip reported. The officers also found on an outstanding warrant issued in Collin County and charging the suspect is Possession of Marijuana under 2 ounces.

Van Alstyne police jailed him on that outstanding warrant. Bail was set at $10,000 and the suspect was released that same day. Records do not say if he was transported back to the Collin County Jail or released, but he is accordingly not in the Grayson County Jail.

September 12 — Police made a traffic stop on U.S. 75 at Farmington Road about 3:30 a.m. because the driver was moving the vehicle at 91 mph in the 75. Mph zone. They found an outstanding warrant charging t he driver, a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, woman with Fugitive From Justice/Theft of Property valued between $100,000 and $200,000.

Jail records show that no bail has been set and this suspect remains in Grayson County. Jail.

September 13  — About 2:30 pm, police stopped a vehicle on State Highway 5 (Waco Street) and Jefferson St (FM 121). They made the stop after determining there was no liability insurance on the vehicle.  Upon making contact with the driver, a Sherman man, Hayslip said the officer could smell the odor of marijuana. While conducting a probable cause search, they located a clear bag containing marijuana and jailed the suspect on a charge Possession of Marijuana u/2 ounces.

The suspect posted his bail of $1,500 and was released the following day.

September 14 — About 3 in the morning, officers stopped a vehicle and, when they got to the vehicle’s windows, they smelled the odor of an intoxicating beverage. Officers put the female driver, a Sherman resident, through Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and then arrested her on a charge of Driving While Intoxicated.

Jail records show she posted bail of $1,500 in a surety. Bond and was released Saturday..

September 8 — About 10:30 pm, police made a traffic stop on Henry Hynds road and Van Alstyne Parkway after they saw the vehicle hadn’t been stopped for a stop sign.

The driver, a Van Alstyne woman, had slurred speech and the officers smelled the distinctive odor of an intoxicating beverage. They conducted Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, after which they jailed her on a charge of Driving While Intoxicated.

The magistrate on duty set her bail at $1,500, and she posted that in a surety bond for her S

September 9 — At about 7 p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to the area of East Jefferson and Sherman because of a domestic disturbance. They determined that a Van Alstyne man had assaulted a family member by striking that person in the face. Hayslip said the victim did not require medical attention.

They jailed the suspect on a charge of Assault Causing Bodily Injury-Family Violence.

Grayson County Jail records show that bail was set at $2,500 with conditions set on it. As of Sunday, the suspect remained incarcerated.

September 10 — Police made a traffic stop about 8 am on U.S 75 at Redden Road, after seeing a vehicle being driven on a public roadway without a valid license plate. Hayslip said, “The state developed a database that enables officers to verify insurance information when they initiate a registration check on the vehicle.”

They soon found out that the driver, a Carrollton man, also had-and admitted to having-a fake driver’s license.

Police jailed him on a charge of Tampering w/Government Record.

The suspect posted $2,500 in surety bonds and was released the next day.

September 11 — A traffic stop made about 2 am on U.S. 75 at Van Alstyne Parkway, because the car didn’t have the right license plate, Hayslip reported. The officers also found on an outstanding warrant issued in Collin County and charging the suspect is Possession of Marijuana under 2 ounces.

Van Alstyne police jailed him on that outstanding warrant. Bail was set at $10,000 and the suspect was released that same day. Records do not say if he was transported back to the Collin County Jail or released, but he is accordingly not in the Grayson County Jail.

September 12 — Police made a traffic stop on U.S. 75 at Farmington Road about 3:30 a.m. because the driver was moving the vehicle at 91 mph in the 75. Mph zone. They found an outstanding warrant charging the driver, a Philadelphia Pennsylvania, woman, with Fugitive From Justice/Theft of Property valued between $100,000 and $200,000.

Jail records show that no bail has been set and this suspect remains in Grayson County. Jail.

September 13  — About 2:30 pm, police stopped a vehicle on State Highway 5 (Waco Street) and Jefferson St (FM 121). They made the stop after determining there was no liability insurance on the vehicle.  Upon making contact with the driver, a Sherman man, Hayslip said the officer could smell the odor of marijuana. While conducting a probable cause search, they located a clear bag containing marijuana and jailed the suspect on a charge Possession of Marijuana u/2 ounces.

The suspect posted his bail of $1,500 and was released the following day.

September 14 — About 3 in the morning, officers stopped a vehicle and, when they got to the vehicle’s windows, they smelled the odor of an intoxicating beverage. Officers put the female driver, a Sherman resident, through Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and then arrested her on a charge of Driving While Intoxicated.

Jail records show she posted bail of $1,500 in a surety. Bond and was released Saturday.