Latest news with #ChrisHorgen
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
City of WF remind public of grass and weed violations
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — With all the rain we've received in Wichita Falls over the past couple of months, some lawns are becoming overgrown, which is why city officials are reminding the public of the dangers and consequences of an overgrown yard. Wichita Falls Code Compliance Administrator, Rita Miller said yards must be at a length of nine inches or shorter. Public Information Officer for the city, Chris Horgen, said as of January 1, the city has received 236 complaints due to weeds and yard violations. More than 1,400 new cases have been filed, with 10 citations handed out so far. Miller said having an overgrown yard comes with several health issues. 'It's a health and safety hazard. If you have tall weeds and grass, it could create a rodent issue. Snakes, all kinds of other wildlife that lives in tall grass. And it also, when it's wet, like it's due to rain, it creates a mosquito issue as well. So, keeping it under nine inches. Also, when the grass is dry, it also dries out. And tall grass creates a fire hazard as well,' Miller said. Miller said if you see a yard that is above nine inches and is overgrown, and you would like to make a complaint, you can call the office at 940-761-8841 or click here to file online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wichita Falls maintains drought restrictions amid lake levels
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — As local lake levels reach almost 90%, the City of Wichita Falls is still under drought restrictions. While the U.S. Drought Monitor no longer lists Wichita Falls as in a drought, City of Wichita Falls Public Information Officer Chris Horgen said removing restrictions requires a resolution from the city council. This safeguard was put in place years ago. 'Written in the ordinance that was passed years ago, after the last drought, it takes city council and a resolution from city council to turn [drought restrictions] around, and lift, I guess, those restrictions,' Horgen said. 'They did that as a safeguard.' Horgen said it also keeps the city from going in and out of drought restrictions when the lake levels bounce around the 65% mark. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Why didn't tornado sirens go off in Wichita Falls? Here's the criteria
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — Many Wichitans wondered why tornado sirens across the city did not sound the night of Tuesday, April 29, during tornado warnings. City officials said the criteria to sound the alarms were not met. According to Wichita Falls Public Information Officer Chris Horgen, city officials go by the following criteria: A confirmed report of a tornado within the City limits is received. A confirmed report of a tornado that will enter the City limits is received. A confirmed report of sustained (3 minute duration) winds in excess of 58 miles per hour is received. Current Weather ConditionsRadar School Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Lake levels top 70% for first time this year
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — The combined levels for lakes Arrowhead and Kickapoo saw a drastic climb after rainfall over the weekend. On Monday, April 28, the combined levels for both were 75.2 percent. That number is 5.7 percent more than the previous Monday. According to Wichita Falls Public Information Officer Chris Horgen, the last time lake levels were above 70 percent was in December 2024. He added that the last time they were more than 75 percent was in June 2024. However, despite the rise, Wichita Falls water customers are still in Stage 1 Drough Watch restrictions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wichita Falls announces new ways to pay utility bills
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — Wichita Falls city officials announced a new 'improved payment portal' for online utility payments Monday. The new system is called 'Utilities Access' and it went live April 7 alongside a new automated phone system to pay utility bills as well. The phone system, which can be dialed at (888) 421-9508, is also available 24/7. Chris Horgen, public information officer for Wichita Falls, said the new phone system was enacted after residents raised concerns about the old online payment system. 'The Utility Collections Department took that feedback into consideration, and is excited to make this change and provide users with a more seamless process to pay their utility bills,' Horgen said in a press release. City officials also noted residents will continue to be charged a 3.5 percent service fee when paying bills online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
