City of residence: Killeen
What was your upbringing like, what is your education level, and what brought you to the Killeen area?
I grew up in a nuclear family household with parents of different races and backgrounds. My father was a helicopter pilot, my mother was a homemaker, and then thereâs my younger brother. Living in multicultural communities such as the Fort Hood/Killeen area gave me the opportunity to be exposed to different cultures and experiences. The Army brought my father to Fort Hood, but my mother convinced him to retire here. I am a graduate of Killeen High School and went on to earn a B.S. in Psychology, M.S. in Computer Info. Systems, and a M.S. in Counseling Psychology.
Killeen may have a new assistant city manager â the cityâs top administrator behind City Manager Kent Cagle â on Tuesday night if the City Council approves the promotion of Executive Director of Public Works Danielle Singh to the spot, which comes with a $175,000 annual salary.
Danielle Singh
But that could be a big âifâ after some councilmembers told the Herald they were not kept in the loop on the ânationwideâ search for Killeenâs new assistant city manager, which became vacant after the resignation of David Ellison in October.
âAs far as the hiring procedures are concerned, this again lays at the feet of the City Manager,â Killeen City Councilman Ken Wilkerson said in emailed response after the Herald sent questions to the council Friday. âAs far as I am aware, we were never asked about using taxpayer dollars to search for any positions. This may have occurred with the council before I was elected, but I am not aware of it.
The Easter Bunny, and a giant panda friend, were spotted at Faith Point Churchâs Easter celebration in Killeen on Sunday.
Outreach pastor Cecil Bowles, a Faith Point Church pastor for the past 18 years, said this Easter is particularly important given the ongoing global pandemic.
Faith Point Church outreach pastor Cecil Bowles was seen Sunday, April 4, at the church s Easter celebration. Lauren Dodd | Herald
âThe pandemic has helped us realize how important, if we didnât already, our family and friends are,â Bowles said Sunday. âAnd gathering and getting together, how significant that is to us as humans. We need to be together, not just the church, but as humans we need to be together.â
It has been nearly a month since Gov. Greg Abbott decided to lift the statewide mask mandate and allow businesses to open to 100% capacity after about a year of closures because of COVID-19.
Even with those changes, most customers at restaurants are choosing to continue wearing masks even if they donât have to.
Jim Januszka, the owner of Village Pizza and Bite the Bagel in Killeen, said he has had that experience since no longer requiring masks be worn by his customers.
âAll employees are still wearing masks and customers have the option, but over 90% of our customers are still wearing their mask,â Januszka said.
Killeen
Theft was reported at 12:30 a.m. Saturday in the 1600 block of East Central Texas Expressway.
Driving while intoxicated was reported at 1:00 a.m. Saturday in the intersection of Stringer Street and West Hallmark Avenue.
Burglary of a habitation, forced entry was reported at 2:25 a.m. Saturday in the 4200 block of Alleeta Drive.
Burglary of a vehicle was reported at 3:00 a.m. Saturday in the 2600 block of Schwald Road.
Possession of a controlled substance was reported at 3:29 a.m. Saturday in the intersection of East Hallmark Avenue and South 2nd Street.
Possession of drug paraphernalia was reported at 5:24 a.m. Saturday in the 1000 block of East Central Texas Expressway.