2003 in Review, Part 2: Tragedy, growth mark second half of year

The loss of two Little Elm High School seniors, changes in Little Elm staffing and the dedication of the log cabin in Miss Eva Dennis' honor were among the highlights in the second half of 2003.

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July A construction worker is killed when the shed in which he is working collapses. Four others escape from the building, two of whom are transported to area hospitals, one for a broken arm and leg, the other scrapes and bruises.

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As Button Memorial United Methodist Church prepares to celebrate its 150th anniversary, members celebrate the groundbreaking of the church's new building.

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The Oak Point City Council approves the formation of a committee to oversee the implementation of its comprehensive plan.

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The log cabin at Beard Park is dedicated in long-time resident Eva Dennis' honor on her 94th birthday.

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The Little Elm Town Council authorizes the sale of $4.7 million in revenue bonds for water and wastewater improvements.

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Little Elm administrative and police personnel move into their new home at the new Little Elm Town Center.

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Kim Long, 44, of Little Elm is killed when the motorcycle he is riding is struck by a pick-up, driven by Gustavo Burgos, attempting to turn left onto Lobo Lane off FM 720.

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The Little Elm Town Council hires Tina Hager as director of Little Elm Community Library as the library prepares to move into the new Little Elm Town Center.

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An office warehouse building burns on King Road.

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As Lakewood Village's new water well nears completion, the town implements Level Red water rationing as the 370-plus residents use 300,000 gallons of water in a 36-hour period.

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August

Little Elm hires Pam Mundo as its first economic development director.

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Lakewood Village Tim Hunt is welcomed home by family and friends following a three-month tour with the Air National Guard in the Middle East.

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Waylan Rhodes and Marty Corn are named the police officer and firefighter of the year during the Little Elm Area Chamber of Commerce's banquet.

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Cottonwood Creek Marina celebrates its grand opening on National Marina Day.

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Little Elm Police Chief Tommy Morale is reassigned as shift sergeant. Officer Waylan Rhodes is named interim police chief.

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Taco Delite announces plans to build in Little Elm.

The new restaurant will be located east of Sonic Drive-in.

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Little Elm ISD begins the school year with 3,417 students.

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After years with the city, Oak Point City Clerk Stacey Beard will say good-bye as she moves to California, where her husband is taking a job.

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September

Oak Point votes to purchase the assets of the Mayhill-Cooper Creek Volunteer Fire Department, which include a 2000 pumper truck, and construct a new office building and garage to house the new fire equipment.

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Little Elm Fire Chief Keith Belew is given a vote of no-confidence by the Little Elm Fire Association and placed on two weeks administrative leave.

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LEHS and the community pull together following the deaths of two LEHS seniors, Therisa Schmidt and Wilbert Martin, and a friend, 21-year-old Amanda Keating of Frisco in an early-morning accident. Fellow senior Kelmy Oviedo and former student Johnny Garcia are transported to Baylor Medical Center.

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The Little Elm School Board announces Steve Murray of LaVernia as its finalist for superintendent. Murray, selected from a field of 52 candidates, will be voted on at the Oct. 2 board meeting.

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Chicken Express adds it name to the growing list of businesses coming to Little Elm.

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Jennifer Gurley and Tracy Ekeocha are named the 2003 LEHS Homecoming Queen and King.

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October

While major improvements on FM 720 aren't scheduled to begin until late 2006, TxDOT begins the addition of shoulders on FM 423.

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The Little Elm Town Council gives local developers the go-ahead with plans for a boardwalk center at Little Elm Park.

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The Little Elm School Board votes to hire Steve Murray as superintendent.

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Cathy Shull of Little Elm reconnects with her dad via the Internet after a 47-year separation.

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Little Elm holds the grand opening of its new municipal complex.

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The Little Elm Fire Department gets serious about fire safety with its new clown program.

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LEHS sophomore Trevor Hale, a classically trained pianist, performs in concert with the New Orleans Civic Symphony, an honor earned in an international competition over the summer.

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LEHS' theater department presents "Snoopy! The Musical" as a gift to the community.

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November

The Little Elm Town Council hires Lara Feagins as the town's first finance director.

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Button Memorial United Methodist Church reconnects with its past in a special re-enactment ceremony held to celebrate its 150th anniversary.

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The Oak Point City Council votes against entering into contract with Cross Oak Ranch and providing fire and police services to the subdivision.

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December

Little Elm names Waylan Rhodes as police chief following a four-month stint as interim.

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Charles Reed, 31, of Little Elm dies after being stabbed in Rocky Point as a result of a domestic dispute. Todd A. Johnson, 21, is arrested and charged with murder.

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Robert Spears is named new Little Elm Fire Chief.

Spears, currently serving as chief in Mineral Wells, has over 23 years experience as a firefighter and EMT.

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Mother and son Crystal Turnage and Billy Caughie earn the people's choice award in the professional division of the 12th Annual Home Sweet Gingerbread Home at NorthPark Center.