Congratulations and welcome to our new City Council Member Blake Vaughn, who took his ceremonial oath of office during this week's City Council meeting! If you would like to watch the meeting video, you can view it online at your convenience.

The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado with estimated maximum winds near 90 mph caused damage in North Richland Hills on Tuesday morning in the northeast portion of the city. The path of damage started near Davis Boulevard north of Starnes and continued northeast to Precinct Line/North Tarrant Parkway. Homeowners and businesses are encouraged to report damage from Tuesday’s storm to the Texas Division of Emergency Management at https://damage.tdem.texas.gov/. We encourage community members to self-report their damage to the state for purposes of tracking the overall regional effects of the storm. If you need any resources beyond reporting damage, please call the city's non-emergency number, so we can help connect you to the appropriate resource - 817-281-1000.

Whenever there is storm damage, there are scam artists looking to take advantage of victims. Even though you want repairs completed in a hurry, you should always take the time to screen your contractor, get written bids and check references. You should also be wary if a contractor asks for a large or full down payment. Visit the Texas Department of Insurance website for tips on avoiding contractor scams.

In NRH, emergency repairs may be started without a permit, but permits and inspections should be requested as soon as possible. Homeowners’ insurance often requires work to be done by a licensed professional under permits and inspections in order to process an insurance claim. A roofing permit is needed anytime decking is being replaced, and a fence permit is required when four or more fence panels are being replaced. If you have questions or need more information, please give the Building Inspections & Permits Office a call at 817-427-6300 or visit www.nrhtx.com/inspections.

Join us for a holiday bell choir concert on Monday evening, Dec. 19, at the NRH Library! The concert will feature the accomplished Bell Conte Ringers of Arlington Heights United Methodist Church. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door (while supplies last) and will help fund a new mural for the children's area in the library. Not only will attendees enjoy a night of holiday cheer, but they will also have the first opportunity to see a sample of the mural design and learn more about this re-envisioning of the children's area. Please visit the Friends of the Library website to get information and reserve your tickets online.

Tipps Canine Hollow Dog Park is temporarily closed until further notice due to damage from Tuesday's storm. Repairs will be made as quickly as possible and updates will be shared on our website and social media. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

North Richland Hills Municipal Court is temporarily closed Dec. 15 - 19 due to a software system conversion. During this closure Court services, inquiries into case information and online payments will not be available. The Court will resume all services on Tuesday, Dec. 20. Any due dates that fall within this closure period will be extended to Dec. 20. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Court at 817-427-6700 during normal business hours.

City Hall and other non-emergency city offices will be closed on Monday, December 26 in observance of the Christmas holiday and Monday, January 2 for the New Year’s holiday. Holiday hours for the NRH Centre, library and animal shelter vary. You can find details on each facility's webpage or by calling them directly.

Since Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on Sunday this year, there is no change to the residential garbage and recycling schedule. Collections will take place on your normal days.

We wish you safe and happy holidays!

Congratulations to the winners of the Keep NRH Beautiful annual Christmas Lighting Contest!

Area 1 - 3865 Diamond Loch W.

Area 2 - 4332 Ken Michael Ct.

Area 3 - 6320 Pinehurst Dr.

Area 4 - 6004 Wessex St.

Area 5 - 8505 Hudson St.

Area 6 - 7101 King Ranch Dr.

Area 7 - 8329 Thornhaven Ct.

Area 8 - 7109 Douglas

Area 9 - 8100 Shadow Wood Dr.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's contest. Follow Keep NRH Beautiful at www.facebook/KeepNRHBeautiful to see photos of all of the winning homes.

The City of North Richland Hills and Republic Services are offering a Christmas tree recycling program for residents starting December 26, 2022.

Bare Christmas trees can be dropped off Dec. 26 through Jan. 3 at Green Valley Park at 7701 Smithfield Road or at the parking lot on the north side of the BISD Plaza located at 6351 Boulevard 26. Please place trees in the marked dumpsters. In order for trees to be recycled they should be free of tinsel, ornaments, bags, plastic and stands.

Mulch from the recycled trees will be available for residents to pick up at the two drop-off locations Jan. 5 - 9, while supplies last. Please bring your own container and shovel to load the mulch.

If you’re unable to take your tree to one of the drop-off locations, you can put it on the curb on one of your regular trash collection days; however, it will go to the landfill and will not be turned into mulch. Trees larger than 5 feet should be cut in half before placing them on the curb. If you have questions, please contact Neighborhood Services at 817-427-6650.