🌱Train Kills 1 Near West Irving Station + Fatal Shooting On MacArthur

Hello Irving! Writing your daily newsletter is truly a rewarding experience, and your loyalty has made it all the better! I just wanted to say, you might be missing the Irving Patch for awhile -- but don’t worry! It won’t be away for long, we just are focusing on some other Patch communities at the moment. Thanks for your support and patience, and we will be back and better than ever, sooner than you think.

This is Merlin Douglass, your guest curator, and here’s what we have for you this morning,

First, today's weather:

Breezy and more humid. High: 83 Low: 68.

Here are the top five stories in Irving today:

1. North Texas native, Trevor Reed, is returning home after being imprisoned in a Russian prison for nearly three years. He was exchanged for a Russian convicted of drug dealing who was serving a 20-year sentence in the United States. Reed was arrested in 2019 after being accused of assaulting a police officer as he was being escorted to a Russian police station after a night of heavy drinking. (Fox 4)
2. DART officials are investigating a death that occurred when an individual was killed by an Amtrak train as they crossed the tracks at the West Irving Station. The train was traveling from Chicago to San Antonio when it struck the person just after 4 P.M. on April 26. The identity of the person who was killed has not yet been released. (CBS)
3. Police are asking the public for information regarding a fatal shooting in Irving in the early morning hours Sunday. They were called to the scene at the 10200 block of N. MacArthur Boulevard at 4 A.M. April 24, where they found Divirea Smith, 19, lying beside his car bleeding from a gunshot wound. If you have any information that will help police unravel the events that led to the shooting please call 972-273-1010. (WFAA)
4. Hey Irving, it’s the last week to pick up free mulch at the Hunter Ferrell Landfill, 110 E. Hunter Ferrell Rd. You have today, Friday and Saturday from 7 A.M. to 4 P.M. to gather the black gold that will help retain water in your planting area and suppress weeds. Stop at the weigh station and show some evidence of residence (driver’s license, utility bill, etc.) and either fill up your pickup or bags you’ve brought from home. (City of Irving)
5. Irving will host the 2022 Inaugural USA Triathlon Multisports National Championship Festival starting today. Over 2,500 competitors will descend on Irving along with all the festival organizers for a weekend of competition over nine different events. The competitions will take place at the Levy Event Plaza which opened in 2020 along Lake Carolyn. (Team USA)

Today in Irving:

• The Valley Ranch library is inviting 3- to 5-year-olds to Preschool Storytime today from 10:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. There will be stories, games, puppets and crafts designed to encourage children to become more independent from their parents. Parents or caregivers must also attend and are encouraged to participate.
• Disney’s Moana Jr. is being presented this evening with additional shows through Saturday. at the Grapevine Middle School, 301 Pony Parkway, from 6:00 P.M. to 7:15 P.M.. After the show, hang around and meet the cast. Ticket costs are $10 for adults, $5 for children over the age of 5 and children under the age of 5 are free.
• An Overeaters Anonymous Support is meeting this evening at the First United Methodist Church of Irving at 7:30 P.M. There are no dues or fees to attend. For additional information contact Bob at 214-636-7260

From my notebook:

• This is a great time of year to visit the Grapevine Botanical Gardens. They are open from dawn to dusk all year long. They have a playground for kids, and you can bring your dog as long as you clean up after them. (Yelp)
• If you or someone you know is struggling to make ends meet, there’s an organization in town that might be able to help. Irving Cares offers food, money management classes or help with rent or utilities.

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Thanks for reading today Irving.

—Merlin Douglass

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Irving Daily? Contact me at ash.the.copyartist@gmail.com.