🌱 Five Guinea Pigs Abandoned + Dallas Police Officer Fired

Nicole Fallon-Peek
Updated ·3 min read

Rise and shine, Dallas! Let's get you started this Thursday with everything you need to know going on around town today.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy and warmer. High: 57 Low: 35.

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Here are the top three stories in Dallas today:

  1. A Dallas police officer who was seen repeatedly punching a man in Deep Ellum last year has been fired for excessive force. While attempting to break up a fight, Sr. Cpl. Melvin Williams hit a man in the face while on the ground and had to be pulled away by other officers. The 15-year veteran is also reportedly under investigation for two other incidents. (FOX 4 Dallas)

  2. An animal crate containing five guinea pigs was abandoned at the Sante Fe Trestle Trail located at 2295 S Riverfront Blvd. on or around Jan. 17. Of the five guinea pigs, four of them survived despite the cold and are now doing well. The Dallas Police Department’s Animal Cruelty Unit is looking for the suspect responsible and is asking the public to reach out if they have information. (CBS Dallas / Fort Worth)

  3. Under a new policy, Dallas County will require weekly COVID-19 tests for its unvaccinated workers. Fully vaccinated employees will not be required to take the weekly test. In addition, any vaccinated worker who contracts the virus will now receive six extra days of paid sick leave to help them recover. (FOX 4 Dallas)

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Today in Dallas:

  • Stage & Screen: Jewish Influence From Broadway To Hollywood, At The Jewish Community Center Of Dallas (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

  • Did you know that A Woman’s Garden at The Dallas Arboretum celebrates its 25th anniversary this year?⁠⁠ As one of the premier gardens and wedding venues at the arboretum, this garden is a world-renowned display garden and the only public garden in the United States conceived by women, funded by the efforts of women, and dedicated to the spirit of women. (Instagram)

  • The City of Dallas officially proclaimed Jan. 26 as Octavio Medellín Day! The Dallas Museum of Art is delighted to celebrate the legacy of this notable Mexican artist and sculptor who helped shape the Texas art scene.(Instagram)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with a new update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.

This article originally appeared on the Dallas Patch