Commercial Roofing Contractors in Argyle, TX

The Argyle Town Council on Monday unanimously approved a resolution to formally oppose proposed routes for a disruptive transmission line through town.

Oncor Electricity Delivery Company recently informed area residents that it is proposing a new transmission line from a new switch outside Rhome, in Wise County, to a proposed switch southeast of the FM 1171/Hwy 377 interchange in west Flower Mound. The company is considering many different routes for this transmission line — dubbed the Ramhorn Hill-Dunham 345 kV Transmission Line Project — including some that would cut through developed areas in Argyle and Northlake. Residents said they were concerned about the impact a transmission line would have on their property values, the environment and “prudent avoidance of EMF exposure.”

Leaders in Argyle and Northlake have been working together to do what they can to discourage the most disruptive routes through their towns. They came up with their own route, farther south and more direct than all of Oncor’s proposed routes, and they’re asking U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, TX-26, and both U.S. senators from Texas to ask the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for permission for the transmission line to go through part of the Corps land just west of Lake Grapevine. During Monday’s meeting, Mayor Bryan Livingston said that after initial talks, the Corps is open to the idea of the line going through its land, but the time crunch may be an issue in getting it done.

On Monday night, the council unanimously approved a resolution stating “in the strongest language possible, the Town of Argyle opposes the proposed alignments of the Transmission Line through the Town.” The resolution also states that the town will formally and fully support a southern route for the transmission line, and authorizes the town administrator “to take all necessary action, including the expenditure of funds,” to oppose the routes through town.

In a separate motion, the Town Council on Monday also authorized the mayor and town administrator to hire an attorney and/or public relations firm to help the town in its opposition to the transmission line routes.

Oncor representatives attended the meeting to provide more information about the transmission line. They said the project is deemed “critical to reliability,” meaning it will be fast-tracked into service. Oncor plans to file the project with the Public Utility Commission of Texas in May, and it will then go through a six-month litigated process, after which it will be known which route will be built. Construction wouldn’t be complete until 2025 at the earliest.

During the meeting, council members asked Oncor lots of questions, and then allowed residents to come up and ask the Oncor representatives their own questions. This was quickly ended because residents kept asking questions that Oncor couldn’t answer or had already answered.

Residents can voice their opposition or support for the proposed transmission line routes by filling out the Oncor questionnaire forms here by Jan. 20.

The chief had resigned from his position weeks before his arrest.

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ARGYLE, Texas — Agents with the FBI arrested Denton County Emergency Services District No. 1 Fire Chief Mac Hohenberger after he allegedly stole money from the fire department's pension fund, sources told WFAA.

According to sources, officers were waiting for Hohenberger at DFW Airport, where he was returning from Las Vegas.

Sources added that FBI authorities were at an Argyle fire station earlier Thursday, looking for evidence related to the theft of pension funds.

Hohenberger appeared in court Friday, where he pleaded not guilty to all the charges he's facing. He was then released by the judge on his own recognizance. The judge said a new court date will be scheduled in January.

Argyle Mayor Bryan Livingston said he is "shocked and dismayed something like this is going on in Argyle."

Livingston stressed that Station 511, or Denton County ESD No. 1, is not under the jurisdiction of the city of Argyle.

However, Hohenberger has been with the Argyle Fire District since 1991 and was promoted to chief of the volunteer fire department there in 2000.

Argyle Professional Fire Fighters released a statement following Hohenberger's arrest, stating they have strongly supported an independent investigation of allegations that the retirement funds were mismanaged.

"We are monitoring today’s developments with federal investigators and local law enforcement officials; and we look forward to finding answers to the troubling questions raised by this matter," the statement reads.

Hohenberger became District No. 1 Fire Chief after merging with the county.

A lawsuit was filed a year ago against Denton County ESD No. 1, where Hohenberger served as chief, and against Hohenberger himself by a former engineer with the district, Harold "Trey" Ring.

The suit stated Hohenberger maintained all of the department's finances, leading to problems like employees not being paid for several days after payday. He was also the sole administrator of the department's 401(k) plan.

The suit stated that this 401(k) plan held at least $3,478,428 in assets, with about 33 beneficiaries. Hohenberger had been listed as the plan administrator since at least 2010.

"As the 401K’s administrator and as AVFD’s sole financial manager, Hohenberger removed funds from each employee’s paycheck for the purposes of putting the funds in the individual employee’s 401K accounts," the suit stated.

"However, Hohenberger failed to maintain a habit and practice of properly and timely moving these funds to the employees’ individual accounts or timely providing AVFD’s matching funds."

A class-action certification hearing was supposed to be held Thursday in connection to the lawsuit but was postponed due to a "scheduling conflict."

Ring's legal counsel said if certification were granted, an outside auditor could review the 401(k) fund for any alleged financial impropriety.

A job posting on Denton County ESD ESD No. 1 shows the department is hiring for a new fire chief and stated Hohenberger retired after 30 years with the district.

Ring filed his lawsuit against Hohenberger and the county in November of 2021.

The lawsuit, per court documents, was sparked by Ring's termination in April of 2020, which attorneys believe was for bringing up financial irregularities with his 401(k) account to Hohenberger.

Per court documents, "Sometimes payments were delayed for up to a month, and then an apparent catch-up payment was made. Sometimes payments were made in the wrong amounts. Sometimes the payments were too small, and sometimes they were too large."

When Ring confronted Hohenberger with questions, Hohenberger became enraged, per the suit, and loudly told Ring to "Mind your own f***ing business."

Ring's lawsuit also holds another major allegation surrounding the 401(k) fund stating, "there have been multiple times when beneficiaries have been marked as deceased, but no such death of a firefighter has occurred, nor has there been any recognition of a prior member of the AVFD passing away."

Ring's attorney, Eric Roberson, also alleges in his suit that evidence collected by his firm shows at least 18 payments for his client and other firefighters were missed from 2017-2020 prior to COVID.

"Defendants are wrong about their errors or wrong about fixing them," Roberson wrote.

Three days before his arrest, an attorney for Hohenberger and Denton County Emergency Services District No. 1 filed a response to Ring seeking class-action certification.

The response states that "401(k) payments were accurate and never missed."

Attorneys for defendants do admit that two months of 401(k) payments were missed due to financial burdens from COVID.

However, they also add that any issues were eventually cleared up.

"Fidelity undertook an analysis of each participant’s account for the time period from 2018 to September 2021 and informed Hohenberger that it used a DOL standard to calculate any effects of delays on each participant’s investments. The net result following that review was that any negative effect was remedied, and any shortfalls were paid by AVFD into the participant accounts, which Fidelity determined had been adversely affected by any delay, on the basis of their positive interim investment performance," attorney Lawrence McNamara wrote.

McNamara added that "AVFD’s accounting firm annually has compared participants’ paycheck deductions for 401k contributions with the sums transferred to Fidelity, and it has found no deficiencies."

"No 401(k) Plan participant has informed Hohenberger that he/she suspects any deficiencies or anomalies relating to their 401k account."

A heated discussion during a specially-called meeting Monday led to a no confidence vote in mayor Bryan Livingston, but he will remain in office until the votes from the May 6 election are canvassed.

The no confidence vote stems from Livingston’s decision to release a report containing attorney/client privileged information concerning an investigation into the resignation of former town secretary Laura Calcote last June.

The Town Council voted 4-1 in favor of the resolution declaring a no confidence vote in the mayor.

Sherri Myers voted against the motion, stating that she never observed the mayor behaving inappropriately or yelling at employees.

When asked to comment on the vote, Livingston said, ”It is purely symbolic ... I am disappointed in the outcome.”

The votes will be canvassed May 15. Livingston is not seeking reelection for mayor but he is running for the Place 2 seat against Ronald Schmidt. Rick Bradford is running unopposed for mayor.

Council member Cynthia Herman, who asked for the no confidence vote, said it was a sad time in Argyle because of the divisiveness.

“The fact that we’re here tonight is not taken lightly,” she said.

She described how she and Livingston used to be friends.

“I sat next to him. I worked closely with him. I considered him to be a friend,” Herman said. “We campaigned together. I felt like we were moving this town in the right direction. However, I no longer recognize the person that sits to my right. I do not understand what has happened,” she said.

Brenda McDonald, an attorney representing Argyle, said the mayor can continue to hold office, and the council would have to file a petition with a district court to remove the mayor.

Several council members chastised Livingston for refusing to follow McDonald’s advice against releasing the report.

Livingston released a report regarding an investigation into allegations that he created a hostile work environment. ‘The report, conducted by an outside law firm, cleared Livingston.

On Thursday, Livingston sent a text message with a link to the report to all residents

This story was originally published April 24, 2023, 9:50 PM.

Parents looking for camps for their children have a number of options to choose from in the Flower Mound, Highland Village and Argyle area. This list is not comprehensive.

1. Spanish Schoolhouse Camp

This camp immerses children in Spanish language and culture with hands-on activities. This camp is for ages 3-8 and features a variety of educational themes. The program includes options for children with little to no Spanish experience. https://spanishschoolhouse.com/home.

2. Camp Yipiyuk

This summer day camp from the Cross Timbers YMCA serves children ages 5-12. Activities include outdoor learning, fitness, community service, improvisation games and performing arts. The camp also features off-site field trips. www.ymcadallas.org/locations/cross_timbers/day_camps.

3. Adventure Camp

This camp is offered through the Flower Mound Parks and Recreation Department. It consists of activities, such as paintball and laser tag, and daily field trips to places, such as SpeedZone and Jump Street. The camp is available for weeklong sessions to keep middle school students busy during the summer months. www.flower-mound.com/camp

4. Explorer Camp

Offered through the Flower Mound Parks and Recreation Department, this weeklong camp for elementary school students offers arts and crafts, games, swimming, and more. Campers will also take a weekly field trip. www.flower-mound.com/camp.

5. Life Time Summer Kids Camp

Offered through Flower Mound’s Lifetime Fitness location, these daily summer camps for kids offer swim lessons; Friday field trips; science, technology and math activities; and a number of other elective activities campers can choose from. www.my.lifetime.life/clubs/tx/flower-mound.html.

6. Skill Samurai STEM Camp

A STEM camp offered in Flower Mound lasting throughout the summer, camps include Python Day Camp, Roblox Camp, Robot Day Camp and YouTube Day Camp. www.skillsamurai.com/tx-flowermound.

7. Camp Play

This summer camp focuses on PLAY— programming and learning for active youth. Activities include swimming, games, and crafts. www.lewisvillethrive.com.

8. YMCA Camp on the Lake

The regional program is run by YMCA Dallas and offers a day camp for children near Lewisville Lake. The camp includes archery, crafts and water activities. www.ymcadallas.org.

9. Camp Highland Village

The city of Highland Village is offering nine weeks of day camp this summer at Doubletree Ranch Park. Camps will offer athletics, art, team building, rock climbing, archery, field trips, special guests and more. www.kidventure.com/dallas-summer-camp.

10. Camp Invention

Children will experience hands-on activities as they explore science, technology, engineering and math topics. Camp will be led by local educators and held at several area locations, including Lance Thompson Elementary in Argyle. An at-home camp experience is also available. www.invent.org/camp.

11. Argyle Recreation 4 Kids (ARK)

Nine weeks of summer camps at Argyle United Methodist Church feature sports, art, science, a chess camp and more. Morning and afternoon camps will be available. www.argyleumc.org/ark.

Editor, Flower Mound/Highland Village/Argyle - Lewisville/Coppell

Tim joined Community Impact in 2023 as an editor for the Flower Mound/Highland Village/Argyle and Lewisville/Coppell editions. He graduated from the University of North Texas in 2009. Tim has been a local news journalist for more than 10 years in Dallas-Fort Worth.

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With a trip to Jerry’s World waiting in the wings, Argyle and Dallas South Oak Cliff left everything on the field on Friday night at Crowley ISD Stadium.

In a defensive slug fest on a foggy evening, SOC running back Danny Green scored from the 1 with under three minutes left and the Golden Bears held Argyle out of the end zone for the 14-6 win in a Class 5A Division 2 state semifinal.

SOC (12-3), winners of 12 straight after an 0-3 start, will defend its 5A D2 championship against Port Neches-Groves (13-2) next Friday Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

SOC won its first state title over Liberty Hill last season, Dallas ISD’s first in football in more than 60 years.

PNG beat Liberty Hill 42-14 on Friday to clinch its spot.

The last time a Dallas ISD school won a state championship was Dallas Washington in 1958, a Prairie View Interscholastic League (PVIL) 3A game over Houston Washington.

Washington also won a PVIL title in 1950 over Houston Yates. Dallas Sunset won a city championship over Houston Reagan also in 1950. Dallas Carter beat Converse Judson in 1988, but was later stripped of its title.

Meanwhile, Argyle ends the season at 14-1.

The Eagles had every chance to tie or take the lead in the second half despite offensive struggles. Argyle trailed 7-0 at halftime, but picked up some momentum off two defensive interceptions.

The first interception came from Devon Owen midway through the third quarter to set Argyle up at the SOC 28. The Eagles managed to get to the 10, but had to settle for a 27-yard field goal by Carter Buxton to cut it to 7-3 with 3:09 left in the period.

On the ensuing possession, Argyle picked off its second SOC pass when Darian Doyle deflected William Little’s attempt at the line and Grant Mirabal came down with it at the Bears 33.

One play later and Argyle QB John Gailey connected with Wayne Pritts for a 27-yard gain to set the Eagles up with first-and-goal at the 6. It was Argyle’s longest play of the night.

Jacob Robinson got to the 2, but on third-and-goal, Argyle was called for a false start to push it back to the 7. The third-down pass was incomplete and Buxton made a 29-yard field goal to pull the Eagles within 7-6 with 11:52 left in the fourth quarter.

SOC did its best to put the game away with an ensuing 16-play, 75-yard scoring drive.

The Bears converted a third-and-7 on the fifth play of the possession when Argyle was flagged for a defensive pass interference. It was a spot foul and ball was at the Argyle 49.

On a fourth-and-3 at the Argyle 19, Little hit Rickey Evans for 6 and a first down to the 13. Then the Bears went to Green on four straight plays, the last one resulting in his 1-yard touchdown run to up the lead to 14-6 with 2:53 remaining.

Still, Argyle had a chance down one possession.

Gailey hit Will Krzysiak for 45 yards on the first play of the ensuing Argyle drive to the SOC 41. Krzysiak caught the next pass and appeared to get away from a tackle, but was ruled down after a 7-yard gain to the 34. The Eagles got to the 25 before a pass attempt sailed over Pritts, who was wide open and ready to walk into the end zone.

Then SOC’s defense made the biggest plays of the night with back-to-back sacks from Billy Walton and Courtland Kidd to give Argyle a fourth-and-20. Gailey rolled out on fourth down before an incomplete pass turned it back to SOC, which took to knee to run the clock out.

Argyle was held to its fewest points in its playoff history.

The Eagles finished the game with 203 yards of total offense (98 rushing, 105 passing). RJ Bunnell led with 52 yards on 16 carries. Robinson added 47 yards on nine attempts. Krzysiak had 66 yards on four catches.

SOC had 200 yards with 131 coming on the ground. Green had 78 yards on 18 carries. His 29-yard touchdown run gave the Bears a 7-0 lead with 3:18 left in the first quarter.

Argyle’s first half drives included four punts and a turnover on downs.

The Eagles also punted on their first drive of the second half.

This story was originally published December 9, 2022, 11:33 PM.