Double Oak - Friday Updates (02/23/2024)
Skunk Mating Season
At times, you must appreciate the power of the internet regarding research and inquiry. There is no doubt that all Double Oak residents have, at one time or another, encountered skunks at this time of the year.
The following was an article by Zach Tuggle of the Mansfield Ohio News Journal that applies to our citizen's experience. We have inserted some relevance to Texas within the article.
Warm Weather Means Extra-Busy Skunk Mating Season
“Love and a pungent odor are in the air this week, and it has nothing to do with holidays commemorating patron saints.
Skunk mating season has reached the Buckeye State (TEXAS, TOO) in full force, according to Jamey Emmert, an education coordinator for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
The fowl-smelling weasels typically breed in Ohio from February to April.
Like most other mammals, they prefer warmer weather.
"They'll be more active when the weather allows for it," Emmert said. "They certainly are more active than if we had what you would expect a typical February to be because they're not super cold-hardy."
Skunks, like many animals in this part of the world, do not hibernate; instead, they torpor.
Torpor can be thought of as a short-term, miniature hibernation.
"Their heart rate drops a little bit, and they'll just sleep away a few days of brutally cold, nasty weather," Emmert said. "When the weather improves, they'll come out, be active. And then when the weather takes a dip, they'll sleep it away again."
That's why squirrels, groundhogs, and, of course, skunks can come out to play on warm winter days — hibernating animals don't have that luxury.
Skunks tend to shake off their torpor for the start of the mating season, no matter the temperature.
"Mating season is always around Valentine's Day, easy to remember," Emmert said. "Skunks have a stronger sense to be active and to go out and search for a mate, so they may be willing to be more active even in really cold and nasty weather because they just have that one thing on their mind."
Recent high temperatures across Ohio (TEXAS) have made them very active.
"Two days ago, a skunk was crossing the road right in front of my house," Emmert said. "My dogs were barking. That was the first one I'd seen in a while."
Skunks are 'imperative to our ecosystem'
Despite their unpopularity, skunks are helpful critters to have around.
"They are imperative to our ecosystem," Emmert said. "They fill a very important niche of keeping pests at bay."
Their aeration of lawns and flower beds might be frustrating at times, but it's done with good intentions.
"They're just searching for those grubs that are beneath the soil surface," Emmert said. "They eat a lot of insects and grubs, and they'll even feed on carrion. They're opportunistic, quintessential omnivores."
For anyone who has had a nest of yellowjackets underground, skunks would make a nice friend.
"They don't mind raiding yellowjacket nests," Emmert said. "All that stinging doesn't seem to bother them too much. It's worth the reward of the all that delicious larvae they can find if they dig deeply."
'You don't want skunks living there'
If they become too comfortable with a property, though, skunks tend to outstay their welcome.
The best skunk-eviction tactic is to eliminate access to food sources like fallen bird seed, garbage cans, and compost piles.
"Having a catch underneath the bird feeder where the seed falls into a basket and doesn't hit the ground will make a big difference," Emmert said. "There's all kinds of bird-feeding systems out there that will help alleviate those problems."
Pet food should be kept inside, especially at night.
Leftover human food around grills will attract skunks. So will unsecured trash cans.
"If I were to throw my compost into the tree line, I can surely bet that skunks are going to come around," Emmert said. "Even if they don't want those coffee grounds, for instance, they're going to be curious, so they're likely to be more attracted to my yard."
Once food and water sources are eliminated, homeowners can close off potential living areas, like holes under sheds, loosened latticework, and cubbies in decks.
"Keeping those areas inaccessible is of utmost importance," Emmert said. "You don't want skunks living there, especially nesting and reproducing."
The next level of skunk deterrence would be to shout at them whenever they linger. Some people like to clap their hands, leave on radios, and install motion-sensitive lights.
"Implement a series of different harassment techniques," Emmert said. "Keep them guessing. Keep them uncomfortable."
Skunks that get too startled will release their infamous spray.
Even babies are armed with the disgusting liquid.
"Once they're adults, skunks will spray 15 feet or more," Emmert said.
The nauseating smell tends to linger longer than anyone would care to experience, which is why they have almost no natural predators.
Except wildlife agents and professional trappers.
"You can always give us call," Emmert said.
50th Birthday Update
Plans continue to take shape for the Town's 50th Birthday Party on May 18, 2024.
Vendor Spaces Available
If you are a small business owner, artist, or crafter who would like to showcase and sell your wares during the birthday celebration, you can rent a 10’ x 10’ booth space to promote your products. We will provide the space you need to provide your canopy, tables, chairs, and whatever you need for your display.
- Rental fee: $ 50
- Time: Noon to 5 p.m.
- To learn more or to get a rental space agreement, contact Bonnie Morrow (bonnie4asl@outlook.com)
Volunteer Opportunities
On the day of the celebration, we will need volunteers to help man carnival games, give residents tickets, set up, clean up, and sell t-shirts and hats. This is just a heads-up so people can mark their calendars to volunteer. We will have sign-up capabilities in March, showing jobs and time slots available. If you volunteer for a three-hour time slot, you will receive a 50th Birthday volunteer t-shirt as a thank-you for your service. So – watch for the sign-up on the town website in March and an announcement in future Friday Blast Newsletters.
DOWC - Annual Pancake Breakfast & Egg Hunt
When: Saturday, March 23rd
Where: Double Oak Fire Station & John B Wright Park
Breakfast: 9:00 - 11:00
Egg Hunt at 10:30
Candy donations are being accepted at Town Hall starting Monday, February 26th.
To volunteer for the event or ask questions, please text or call Billie Garrett - at 214-300-1776.
Primary Election – March 5th, 2024 – Please Mark Your Calendars-UPDATED
Primary Election – March 5th, 2024
On Tuesday, March 5th, 2024, primary elections will come to Denton County and the Town of Double Oak. Early voting starts Wednesday, February 20th, and ends Friday, March 1st.
Who or What are we voting on?
Voting is by and for each party, Republican and Democratic. If you are a Republican, then you can vote for Republicans. If you are a Democrat, then you can vote for Democrats.
Republicans will vote on the President, US Senator, US Representatives, Railroad Commissioner, Justices, Judges, State Board of Education, State Senators, State Representatives, County Commissioners, Constables, County Chair, Precinct Chair, and 13 Propositions.
Republicans in Double Oak have two residents running for Precinct Chair. Councilperson Mayor Pro Tem Mike Gwartney and Councilperson Jean Hillyer (Pick One). Precinct Chairs are area leaders for the Republican Party, working to elect Republican candidates to office, organizing your precinct, and helping with elections.
Democrats will vote on the President, US Senator, US Representatives, Railroad Commissioner, Justices, Judges, State Board of Education, State Senators, State Representatives, County Commissioners, Constables, County Chair, no Precinct Chair or Propositions.
Early Voting
- February 20 - 23, Tuesday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- February 24 Saturday 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- February 25 Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- February 26 March 1, Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Early voting closest location
Senior Center
2701 W. Windsor Dr. Ballroom C
Flower Mound 75028
Election Day Voting
March 5, Tuesday, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
March 5th location voting at Double Oak Town Hall
Double Oak Town Hall
320 Waketon Rd. Community Room
Double Oak 75077
The following are links to the Denton County Elections website.
Current and Upcoming Election Information - Denton County, TX Elections (votedenton.gov)
PM24-Rep_Verity_Active_Contest.pdf (votedenton.gov)
To see a sample ballot that Double Oak Citizens will receive when they vote, please visit Voter Lookup - Denton County, TX Elections (votedenton.gov) Page.
Saturday, May 4, 2024, General Election for the Town of Double Oak
The notice to apply for a place on the ballot for the Saturday, May 4, 2024, General Election has been posted. Filing starts on January 17, 2024, and ends on February 16, 2024, at 5:00 pm.
The citizens of Double Oak will elect three council members.
Candidate Packets can be picked up at Double Oak Town Hall. As Candidates file, information will be posted on the Town website. Please get in touch with the Town Hall Administration Office at (972) 539-9464 with any questions.
In Double Oak, terms expiring are as follows:
2-Year Term:
- Council Member - Jean Hillyer (Incumbent)
1-Year Term:
- Council Member - Mark Dieterich (Incumbent)
- Council Member - Khourschid Favero Dr. "K" (Incumbent)
Double Oak Candidates running for these seats are as follows and in order as they will appear on the ballot in May.
- Jaquelyne Barrow
- Khourschid Favero – a/k/a Dr. K (i)
- Janet Robertson
- Mark Dieterich (i)
- Ginger Brittain
- Jean Hillyer (i)
(i) means incumbent
Double Oak Police Speed Tracker Trailer Statistics
Reminders:
The Denton County Burn Ban Is No Longer in Effect
Due to recent rainfall, Denton County Commissioners lifted the county's burn ban Friday.
Despite the removal of the ban, Friday is not considered a "good burn day" by the county due to excessive wind speed.
The disposal of vegetation by open burning is allowed in unincorporated Denton County and some cities, but only on "good burn days."
The determination of whether each day is a "good burn day" or "bad burn day" is made each morning between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Cross Timbers Water Regarding Stage 2 Water Restrictions
CTWS is in Stage 2-Yellow.
STAGE 2: YELLOW ODD/EVEN DAYS
- Odd/Even Outside Watering by Last Digit of Address
- Odd-numbered last digits of the address will water on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- Even numbered last digits of the address will water on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
- Permitted Activities
- Trees, gardens, and shrubs can be watered daily if a hand-held hose, drip irrigation, or soaker hose is used.
- Filling of new pools must be scheduled, and three (3) days’ written notice must be given to Cross Timbers Water Supply Corporation’s office date. A time will be determined and assigned.
- Lawns that have just been seeded, sodded, or mulched can be mechanically watered daily for a maximum of two (2) weeks after application
- Avoid watering during the following hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
https://www.crosstimberswater.com
Save these 2024 dates for the 50th Birthday celebration of Double Oak!
- May 4, 2024, Auto Show and Movie Night
- May 18, 2024, 50th Birthday celebration with historical museum displays, birthday cake, food trucks, band, dancing, photo booths, contests, a ceremony to honor prior town officials, and many more fun events!
Do you have photos or memorabilia from the past 50 years that you can share with our 50th birthday committee? We plan to create a mini museum to display the progress of Double Oak over the past 50 years, so please contact us to arrange to collect or scan your documents/photos, etc.
Learn more about these details via the link on the town website Town's 50th Birthday Committee | Double Oak, TX (texas.gov)
We wish everyone a safe and wonderful weekend.
Double Oak Town Administration