T E X A S
MetroNews DELIVERING NEWS YOU NEED
• Vol. 10 • May 18 - May 24, 2023
MY TRUTH By Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER
To Text or Not to Text Have you ever had serious regrets? Wondered if you could just have another chance? You have all the answers, don’t you? After all, hindsight is 20-20 and oh what you would do if you had a chance for a do over. Now some may ask why I didn't write this column a week or two ago, and that is a very good question. My answer is, better late than never because hopefully you will get a chance for a do over as Father’s Day approaches. Which brings me to my truth. Sometimes I just really don’t have a good feeling about texting. Back in the day at Paul Quinn College I would tell my students that they couldn’t text me because I knew I would be editing their messages instead of paying attention to the message. Then too, I told them there were special times they could text, but don’t waste time with messages telling me you’re going to be late for class, especially when you are already 15, 20, 30 minutes late. Finally, identify who you are because you may not be locked into my phone so I don’t know who to respond to if I deem your text worthy of a response. Now Father’s Day is approaching and we know that Dads don’t get the love that Moms do, but here’s something for you to consider with either parent. 1. First pick up the darned phone and call! - I know you are busy but just think about it. If you are fortunate enough to have a mother or father that you have deep love, affection and respect for; if you outlive them, one day you are going to long to hear that voice again! There are so many who wish they could have picked up a phone any day, and you have a parent to call and you send a darned text! Shame on you! 2. Have your signature if you do text! - You may say it is a display of love to friends but if they don’t have you locked in their phones, for whatever reason, like they have a new one, or lost their contacts; well it can be awkward! I wouldn’t want to respond “same to you” to someone who is saying “Happy Mother’s Day” to me, only to find out that the well-wisher was either a man, or worse, someone who wanted to have children and couldn’t! 3. No one is that busy! What comes around can go around, and I guarantee you that you won’t like the feeling if and when you're a parent!
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Allen Mall Shooting Survivor Speaks About Journey to Recovery
By Ayesha Hana Shaji Texas Metro News Team
What started out as a somewhat typical day for many turned into trauma for a Texas community. With weather reports of pleasantly warm and breezy with average highs in the mid 80s, thousands were out shopping at the Allen Premium Outlet Mall in Allen, Texas when mayhem erupted, on May 6. Irvin Walker II dropped off his girlfriend at an entrance and was on his way to park when he heard bullets shatter his windshield, hitting him multiple times. Fortunately she was not injured during the attack that left several dead and injured. “I didn’t see the shooter, I just felt the shots,” Walker said. “I was bleeding profusely.” The Louisiana native said he
Medical City McKinney Chief Nursing Officer Cassidi Summers, Medical City Mckinney Trauma Director Dr. Elizabeth Kim, Victim Irvin Walker, Walker's attorney Daryl Washington and Janet St. James, assistant vice president of PR and Media Communications at Medical City Healthcare.
immediately got out of his car and started “running, then I started jogging and then I started walking fast as I knew the urgency of my situation.” He ran to a security guard
– Christian LaCour, who lost his life at the shooting while he bravely escorted visitors to safety – who asked him to have a seat. Walker, an independent con-
tractor, reportedly was the first to get shot and was also the first to be taken to the hospital, Medical City McKinney. See ALLEN MALL SHOOTING, page 9
Expo focuses on Hope and Healing The resounding messages of hope and healing are the central theme to the You Can Live Again Expo taking place Saturday, May 20th at Gilley’s Dallas located at 1135 Botham Jean Blvd., Dallas, TX, 75215. Doors open at 10 AM. Actress and comedian Cocoa Brown is the event emcee. The You Can Live Again Expo features nationally recognized guest speakers in the areas of sports, business, entertainment, health and wellness as well as musical performances and specialty vendor activation stations. Hosted by award-winning philanthropist and You Can Live Again, L.L.C. Founder Kertrina Dauway, the expo was created to provide men and women from all walks of life and varied experiences a clear path to reclaiming their power and forging ahead beyond life’s difficulties and traumas.
Lady Diamond Kertrina Duaway, You Can Live Again Founder and LeeAnne Locken, Real Housewives of Dallas
“I know what it’s like to experience intense feelings of loneliness and hopelessness,” said Dauway. “It was my faith that helped me pull through those times, but I have also learned that different people need different coping mechanisms to not only survive but thrive. I
created this platform so that no man or woman is left behind. If someone is experiencing mental or emotional struggles, we have experts to speak to that. If the issues are rooted in financial illiteracy, we have experts for that. So many times, people fall through the cracks, but the
You Can Live Again Expo provides empowerment sessions conducted by different speakers who tap into very specific areas.” Another highlight of the expo is the announcement and introduction of the 2023 You Can Live Again award recipients! The honorees will walk the Green Carpet at 12:30 pm just prior to the announcement. “We are thrilled to recognize this amazing group of men and women who serve as inspiring examples in their communities of rising from despair to excelling in their respective fields and professions,” said Dauway. You Can Live Again Expo panel discussions include financial literacy and health and wellness presented by Baylor Hospital. To purchase tickets, become a vendor or for more information, visit www.youcanliveagain.net.