It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Lewisville Clovis Site gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Lewisville, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Great place to work.”
“We are so grateful to Always Best Care for the exceptional care they provided to”
“My experience working with Always Best Care has been amazing! The team goes above and”
“I have worked for this company for almost 2 and half years and it has”
“Every staff member we have worked with is kind and passionate about their job and”
“A great place to work and team members all around to help out anytime Dixie is”
“Melissa Watson did an amazing job with our mother. She worked so hard, changed her”
“Employees caring, compassionate folks with empathy and love for those they care for! Office staff”
“Dixie is a great resource! She shared valuable information around getting my Father In Law”
“I have worked here for awhile and it's the best. I have great clients and”
“ABC is an amazing company to work for, always were respectful, courteous, and caring of”
“The Always Best Care team (Dixie, Matthew, Shane, Shelley, and Jermey) really care about their”
“Their staff was wonderful and very trustworthy for my mom’s care- they were there for”
“A great place to work and team members all around to help out anytime Dixie is”
“I have worked for ALWAYS BEST CARE for many years and have always had the”
“I have worked for a few home health care agencies in the past 15 years”
“This company is awesome! They treat their employees great and they treat their clients even”
“We contacted Always Best Senior Care for additional hospice support for our family member. Jeremy”
“Amazing place to work. This company takes pride in helping their clients!”
“Awesome place to work and the owner and office Staff take care of there employees”
“I called , and spoke with Kelly Strong about helping me with a caretaker, and”
“I don’t even know where to begin to tell you how incredibly awesome Always Best”
“Always Best Care has been providing care for my father for over two years now;”
“Great place to work.”
“We are so grateful to Always Best Care for the exceptional care they provided to my father-in-law. From the very first conversation, we felt supported and reassured that we were in good hands. Their team went above and beyond, treating him with kindness, patience, and genuine compassion every step of the way. The care service providers that we worked with were professional yet warm, and they quickly became like family to us. They didn’t just meet his medical needs—they truly cared about his comfort, dignity, and well-being. It gave us so much peace of mind to know that he was in such capable and loving hands, whether it was with personal care, companionship, or simply making him smile throughout the day. The communication was seamless, and the staff was incredibly responsive to any changes or needs. We always felt heard, understood, and valued as a family. Having Always Best Care involved made such a difference in our lives, and we cannot thank them enough. If you're looking for home care service providers who treat your loved ones with respect and compassion, I wholeheartedly recommend Always Best Care. They made a challenging time easier for us all, and we will forever be grateful for their kindness and professionalism.”
“My experience working with Always Best Care has been amazing! The team goes above and beyond to make sure my moms is taken care of and I couldn't be happier with my moms care giver, Taelyn! She is the best! I would highly recommend entrusting the ABC team with your family member.”
“I have worked for this company for almost 2 and half years and it has been the best one I have ever worked for (dixie, Matthew ,Shane,Shelly,Jeremy) care for their clients and employees couldn't ask for a better company to hire to care for your family members”
“Every staff member we have worked with is kind and passionate about their job and ABC. They are responsive to families and helpful in making documentation easy for the families. We are new to the service, but so far very pleased, especially with our mom’s caretaker Ailie. She is attentive and caring and respectful to our mom, treating her with dignity and kindness. We are so thankful to have found this service provider who came highly recommended by close friends who have been using them since the company’s inception. Thank you, Shane, and team!”
“A great place to work and team members all around to help out anytime Dixie is a great person to talk with about joining our wonderful team.”
“Melissa Watson did an amazing job with our mother. She worked so hard, changed her schedule when we needed her and was very loving to our mother.”
“Employees caring, compassionate folks with empathy and love for those they care for! Office staff goes (Dixie , Shane, Shelly, Matthew and Jeremy ) above and beyond to make sure all aspects of care are covered.”
“Dixie is a great resource! She shared valuable information around getting my Father In Law benefits through the VA. I had no idea these were available. Highly recommend!”
“I have worked here for awhile and it's the best. I have great clients and great coworkers especially Dixie. Everyone is so understanding when I went through a family emergency. I'm really blessed.”
“ABC is an amazing company to work for, always were respectful, courteous, and caring of both their clients AND their staff.”
“The Always Best Care team (Dixie, Matthew, Shane, Shelley, and Jermey) really care about their caregivers! I have loved working for them and they have done so much for me as well. I would definitely recommend this job for college students who have a passion for helping others!”
“Their staff was wonderful and very trustworthy for my mom’s care- they were there for her through ice storms and hail!! Melissa and Laina took great care of my mom and I didn’t have to worry!! Very trustworthy company!!!”
“A great place to work and team members all around to help out anytime Dixie is a great person to talk with about joining our wonderful team.”
“I have worked for ALWAYS BEST CARE for many years and have always had the Support of a Wonderful Owner and Management Team. This Team not only takes care of its Clients and their Family, but we also make sure that We take care of each other as well! I am truly Grateful and Blessed to be a part of this Team.”
“I have worked for a few home health care agencies in the past 15 years and none compare to ALWAYS BEST CARE! I have never worked with a group who TRULY care about each and everyone of their clients. I have never seen a group so committed to what they do. I feel it is an honor and a privilege to work here. I enjoy the dynamics in the office and never mind getting up to go to work. If you want an agency who truly cares about theirs clients, then ALWAYS BEST CARE is for you and your loved ones.”
“This company is awesome! They treat their employees great and they treat their clients even better.”
“We contacted Always Best Senior Care for additional hospice support for our family member. Jeremy was so prompt in returning our call and putting together a care plan that would work for us. I highly recommend their services as well as Jeremy as the coordinator. Top Notch!”
“Amazing place to work. This company takes pride in helping their clients!”
“Awesome place to work and the owner and office Staff take care of there employees 10/10 would recommend this place for anyone looking for a job in the health care industry.”
“I called , and spoke with Kelly Strong about helping me with a caretaker, and explained my needs. She told me she had the perfect person for me, and I can testify, that she was the best caretaker ever. She was patient, kind, had a great personality , and had great work ethics. I have to say that Kelly Strong has the same qualities as a coordinator. Kelly has always helped me with whatever I needed. It’s great to know that if I need help, I can always depend on her. Thank You Sincerely , Cathy Sewell”
“I don’t even know where to begin to tell you how incredibly awesome Always Best Care is! I had someone recommend them to me and I called them as soon as I could! As soon as Shane answered the phone they immediately started taking care of us! They scheduled the most amazing team of people to be by our side and by my mother-in-laws side. They even jumped through hoops to gather extra people when we needed them round the clock! They always found ways to work their schedule around us! The people they hire are incredible people who truly know how to do their job and truly love who they are taking care of. All of them became family to us and are still family to us to this day. I just cannot tell you how awesome they are, but I can give you the best advice and that is to not call anybody else but Always Best Care!!!!!”
“Always Best Care has been providing care for my father for over two years now; and I’m not quite sure where we’d be without their meticulous care, attention to detail, and compassion for my elderly dad. Their support has enabled our family to have our dad home with us and involved in our daily lives as much as possible. We are forever grateful to Kelly and her team!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Central Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Prairie House RestaurantLewisville or visit Texas International Pop Festival State Historic Marker, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Lewisville, TX, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Lewisville, TX understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Lewisville, TX 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Thousands of bagels, every day, boiled and baked out of an unassuming storefront in a strip mall in Lewisville — Starship Bagel, the brainchild of Oren Salomon."Bagels were there in almost every single important moment of my life," recalled Salomon. "Bar mitzvahs, bris, the morning after weddings."He made New York bagels for his friends years ago, and they wanted more. He didn't start Starship Bagel until 2021 after taking over his dad's cafe. However, that round piece of dough already consumed his lif...
Thousands of bagels, every day, boiled and baked out of an unassuming storefront in a strip mall in Lewisville — Starship Bagel, the brainchild of Oren Salomon.
"Bagels were there in almost every single important moment of my life," recalled Salomon. "Bar mitzvahs, bris, the morning after weddings."
He made New York bagels for his friends years ago, and they wanted more. He didn't start Starship Bagel until 2021 after taking over his dad's cafe. However, that round piece of dough already consumed his life as he consumed it.
"In many ways, I feel like I didn't choose the bagel," Salomon said. "The bagel chose me."
And the bagel has been giving back to Salomon. He recently won Schmear of the Year at the 2024 New York BagelFest for his basil schmear and won Best Bagel for his plain bagel.
Starship Bagel can crank out thousands of bagels every day, but if you ask Salomon, an admittedly bagel purist, it's the plain bagel that has his heart.
"When I bite into a bagel," Salomon explained. "It transports me to all of those childhood memories, and I get a chance to reconnect with that every morning."
The store is being recognized for its success too. On June 6, it was featured on Food Network's 'Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives' with Guy Fieri. It was also nominated for a James Beard Award for Outstanding Baking — the first bagel shop to be nominated in that category. The awards are on June 16.
As search efforts continue in Central Texas, loved ones are mourning a North Texas couple who were swept away by floodwaters on July Fourth.Jeff and Tanya Ramsey, residents of Lewisville, were spending the holiday weekend in a camper at the HTR RV Park in Kerrville when the river began rising rapidly.Final act saved othersThe couple managed to call and wake up family members staying at nearby campsites before they were caught in the flood, according to friends — a move that likely saved lives.That's why th...
As search efforts continue in Central Texas, loved ones are mourning a North Texas couple who were swept away by floodwaters on July Fourth.
Jeff and Tanya Ramsey, residents of Lewisville, were spending the holiday weekend in a camper at the HTR RV Park in Kerrville when the river began rising rapidly.
The couple managed to call and wake up family members staying at nearby campsites before they were caught in the flood, according to friends — a move that likely saved lives.
That's why their friends are calling them heroes.
Tanya, a breast cancer survivor, worked at Wigs.com, a company that provides hair solutions for people experiencing medical hair loss. Jeff volunteered at the Adaptive Training Foundation, a gym that serves veterans and others with physical disabilities.
"Jeff spent every waking moment of his life trying to uplift, support and care for others before himself. He was a servant of HOPE," their friend Trent Fielder said. "Tanya was the perfect complement to Jeff. She only helped him become, as a spouse should, the best version of himself. He loved her with everything he had, and whatever peace could be found in those tragic moments they gave to each other."
Friend joins search efforts
Fielder recently returned to North Texas after spending several days in Central Texas helping search for the Ramseys, combing through debris and water.
He said the couple's legacy of service will live on, and he plans to honor them in everything he does moving forward.
Caroline Vandergriff joined the CBS 11 News team in September 2019. She grew up in Arlington (go Lamar Vikings!), and is thrilled to be back home in North Texas.
The Texas Department of Transportation delayed construction along I-35E in Lewisville, which was supposed to close lanes Friday until early Monday morning.An update from the City of Lewisville announced the construction would be moved back to the weekend of June 14-16.The project was intended to set steel girders for a new Main Street overpass in Lewisville. It would have affected southbound traffic on I-35E, forcing it to exit at Main Street, and force northbound traffic to exit at Fox Avenue.A pair of specimen trees wi...
The Texas Department of Transportation delayed construction along I-35E in Lewisville, which was supposed to close lanes Friday until early Monday morning.
An update from the City of Lewisville announced the construction would be moved back to the weekend of June 14-16.
The project was intended to set steel girders for a new Main Street overpass in Lewisville. It would have affected southbound traffic on I-35E, forcing it to exit at Main Street, and force northbound traffic to exit at Fox Avenue.
A pair of specimen trees will come down with the building of a new warehouse near the corner of Lakeside Pkwy and Enterprise Drive after Flower Mound Town Council voted 4-1 on Monday to approve the removal.
Specimen trees are singled out for their beauty, rarity or unique form. They often perform well as landscaping as they draw attention and stand out.
Flower Mound’s Environmental Conservation Commission had approved the removal of four specimen trees by a vote of 4-1. When it first came to Town Council in April, it was unanimously voted to be tabled so the developer could work to save as many as possible.
At the June meeting on Monday, the developer came back with a plan to save one specimen tree, but said it wouldn’t be feasible to save any more than that.
Cameron Ehn of Claymoore Engineering represented the development team at the meeting. He talked about the ability for the team to get one specimen, as well as another 11 trees, saved.
“Our goal from last time we spoke was to do everything we could to take another look and see if we could save from additional trees,” he said. “We followed up with our client and they fortunately agreed to allow us to remove that connection.”
Another specimen tree, which Ehn said could not be saved due to elevation and current roadwork, was off of Lakeside Pkwy.
“Trying to get down and getting that existing elevation for that specific tree right there was not feasible without taking out a big chunk of the site and making it unable to be developed,” he said. “But, a legitimate effort was made to see if we could give up square footage, but it was not feasible, unfortunately.”
Mayor Pro Tem was appreciative of the effort made by Ehn and the developer.
“I want to say thank you for working with us and trying your best and saving some younger trees,” she said. “I appreciate your flexibility and willingness to do that.”
However, the council ended up pushing back, largely led by Deputy Pro Tem Adam Schiestel’s persistence to save that tree, a 39.5-inch post oak.
“I am going to challenge you on this one tree,” he said. “When you go back to the original plan, those trees were always planned to be saved. In order to get the warehouses, they had to save all these environmental features, specifically these trees.”
In the end, the council approved the removal of the two specimen trees, but denied the removal of the specimen that faces Lakeside Pkwy.
“What I’m asking you to do is to build the building that was contemplated 20 years ago in the manner that was contemplated in the original plan,” said Schiestel. “Just stick to the original plan and let’s save those trees.”
Before the ocean swallows the light and the hatch seals shut, every submariner carries one thing below the surface — their story.
For Petty Officer 2nd Class Dustin Peterson, a native of Justin, Texas, serving as a fire control technician, that story began in the halls of Ponder High School, sparked by a decision to change course and seek a new purpose.
“I joined the Navy to change the path my life was on,” Peterson said. “It was a chance to reset, challenge myself and find something greater to be part of.”
Today, that decision has taken him aboard USS Springfield, a Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine forward-deployed to Guam.
From small-town Texas to the silent depths of the Pacific, Peterson’s journey has always been driven by grit, resilience and a commitment to personal growth.
“Growing up in Justin, I learned the value of working hard and pushing yourself — even when things get tough,” he said. “That mindset has been key to everything I’ve achieved.”
That same determination now fuels his service beneath the sea. On Guam, Peterson supports a key outpost in the Western Pacific, helping uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific through the Navy’s forward-deployed submarine force.
Known as America’s “Apex Predators,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security.
Serving as a fire control technician aboard Springfield, Peterson is responsible for operating and maintaining the submarine’s advanced combat systems, ensuring the crew is always ready to respond.
“One of my proudest moments was becoming the top Fire Control Technician on the Springfield,” he said. “It took a lot of dedication and I’m proud to set that standard for myself and others.”
Peterson’s success didn’t happen alone — it was shaped by the family who supported him and the lessons they instilled early on.
“I want to thank my Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt, Uncle, Mom and Dad,” said Peterson. “I carry the lessons I learned from you every single day.”
Looking back, Peterson hopes his story shows others that no matter where you start, a different future is possible — one built on service, growth and purpose.
“Serving in the Navy gives me the chance to give back, protect our homeland and help pave the way for future Americans,” he said.
To see the original story posted by the Navy, or to see more stories like Peterson’s, visit the U.S. Navy blogspot.
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