Latest news with #ChrisKelley
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
June 2025 marks ten years since Hutto police officer was killed
The Brief June 2025 marks ten years since Hutto Police Sgt Chris Kelley was killed Kelley was run over by a suspect attempting to drive off with his patrol car His legacy lives on in his family, coworkers and the Chris Kelley Foundation HUTTO, Texas - The blue light that shines on Hutto Police Officer Chris Kelley's memory hasn't dimmed after 10 years. Community members continue to honor the ultimate sacrifice he made. The backstory Kelley served in the United States Air Force and then eventually became a sergeant with the Hutto Police Department. On June 24, 2015, Kelley was killed. Law Enforcement officers to pay tribute to fallen Hutto Sgt. Chris Kelley A hope for healing after the funeral of Sgt. Chris Kelley Hutto PD honors fallen police officer Chris Kelley Kelley was trying to arrest a man when the suspect got into the driver's seat of the patrol car and ran him over. The man accused of killing him, Colby Williamson, went on trial in 2017. He was convicted and sentenced to prison. What they're saying "It means that his life is not going unnoticed, that his servant heart meant the world to the community, to the police department and to all of us just as much," Chris Kelley's widow, Michele Kelley, said. An eternal blue glow burns not just in memory, but in gratitude. "Everyone was drawn to Chris. I don't think Chris didn't have a friend in this police department," Hutto Police Department Lt. Josh Bellenir said. Kelley was known for his sense of humor. "He always kept things lively. There was never a dull moment," Lt. Bellenir said. He was also known as a leader in the department. "We all knew he was going to be a chief here one day," Lt. Bellenir said. "I tell people that it feels like yesterday, but also feels like a lifetime ago," Kelley said about Chris's death. She said it was a time when strangers were united by tragedy. "I think that through the tragedy, though, people were able to embrace not only the police department and police officers as human beings, but it was also able to help them be served at hearts and for them to see some beauty in the tragedy," Kelley said. Kelley's family in blue continues to remember him. "His fingerprints, his memory, his legacy is on everything that we do in this department and what we have done and what we will continue to do," Hutto Police Department Chief Jeffrey Yorbrough said. "We're never going to let his name be forgotten," Lt. Bellenir said. Dig deeper To continue his legacy, Michele started the Chris Kelley Foundation. "We continue to help first responders and military members in need financially. We also provide school scholarships, so it means a lot to be able to help the next generation as well as help those who serve us each and every day," Kelley said. They hold an annual 5K. This year's is on June 21st at 7:30 p.m. at the Brushy Creek Amphitheatre in Hutto. There will be live music, a silent auction, and a memorial for fallen officers. "Just like the day that we brought Chris home, the community was there when we were heading to the Catholic Church. There wasn't a single empty space on the side of that road as we were escorting Chris to the church. The 5K is just as tremendous because all these years later, and we still see many of the same faces that were lined up along the road, holding the blue flags, wearing the shirts and yeah, 7610, that's a number that we don't forget," Lt. Bellenir said. Though his shift is over, his courage lives on forever lit in blue. "Sergeant Christopher Dan Kelly, end of watch June 24th, 2015," Kelley said. The Source Information in this report comes from reporting/interviews by FOX 7 Austin's CrimeWatch reporter Meredith Aldis.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hard Rock Casino, opening by year's end, pitches job, vendor opportunities
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) – The president of the new Hard Rock Hotel and Casino was in Bakersfield Monday to speak to the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce about what we can expect from the entertainment venue. It's full speed ahead for the hotel and casino at the base of the Grapevine – not only for those who like to wager, but for those wagering on the Kern County economy. In agreement, is Chris Kelley, president of the Hard Rock, currently under construction in the burgeoning new community of Grapevine near Mettler, about 20 miles south of Bakersfield. Kelley said the billion-dollar project will create about 5,000 jobs, including 1,000 direct full-and part-time positions. He spoke Monday about employment and vendor opportunities. 'We were just out at the site a little while ago,' he told KGET. 'This thing is moving quickly. You can see it coming out of the ground. All that cement and steel…it won't be too long before we're able to welcome our friends in the community.' This project, owned by the Native American Tejon Tribe, has been on the table for five years. Kelley, who has been in the casino business for 25 years, says to be patient. 'You and I will be sharing a glass of champagne between now and the end of the year,' he said. Man guilty of firing shots into south Bakersfield home Phase 2, the hotel portion of the project, comes later, without a set date for completion. Same for Hard Rock's concert venue, who's opening date is not yet determined. Jessica Jones of the Marcom Group was one of the potential vendors who attended the luncheon in hopes of pitching her local company's creative services – website development, social media, fresh-content blogging, etc. 'We are definitely looking to work with the Hard Rock if there's anything we can help them with – logo design, anything like that,' she said. The Hard Rock's neighbors will include a number of retail-corporate warehouses, as well as the Tejon Outlets and, coming soon from all appearances, residential apartments – a look new for this area. Slowly but surely, a new community is coming together at the very southern tip of the San Joaquin Valley – and the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino might be the most important piece to date. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hard Rock hiring, contracting event set for April
The initial phase of construction probably won't finish until December, but hiring has already begun — and vendor contracting is next — at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon in Mettler. The casino's president told a meeting of the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's Government Relations Committee that an event has been scheduled for April 4 and 5 at Bakersfield College where people will be able to speak with Hard Rock representatives about opportunities to work with the company or directly for it. But even before that, President Chris Kelley said, Hard Rock is hiring senior executives in the areas of finance, food and beverage, gaming operations, human resources, marketing, security and surveillance, compliance, facilities and purchasing. Kelley said he made offers to candidates in three of those positions Sunday "but there will be many, many more." "Ultimately it takes a village to build a project like this," he said. At the event in April, Kelley said, the company plans to speak with people interested in working in cash operations, food and beverage, entertainment, executive and administration, finance, hotel operations, HR and information technology. He said the company looks for people with a positive attitude and a passion for entertaining who are also team players, energetic, trustworthy, reliable, diverse and flexible. Hard Rock is also looking to hire card dealers and other personnel who will guide players through the gaming side of the operation. Kelley said successful candidates will go through a training course lasting six to 12 weeks. They will learn how to deal games including blackjack, craps and roulette, Kelley said. The plan is to hire 1,000 people before the casino opens its first phase. The casino also hopes to work with a variety of local service providers, including landscapers. Kelley did not provide a list of opportunities but invited contractors to speak with Hard Rock representatives at the event in April, details of which have not yet been announced. Companies may contact him to discuss the casino's needs in the meantime, he said, though he did not provide contact information. Hard Rock is a well-known brand with a "DEI" strategy that emphasizes diversity, equity and inclusion, he said. The casino wants employees to get involved, feel a sense of purpose and gain a sense of connection, he added. The first phase of the casino, planned to open by the end of this year, will include a casino floor measuring more than 100,000 square feet with more than 2,500 slot machines and at least 50 gaming tables. It will also come with several restaurants. The second phase is planned to add a 400-room hotel and a 2,800-seat Hard Rock Live events venue, as well as additional dining, a pool, a spa and other amenities. Company representatives said in September the plan was to open that phase in late summer 2027. But on Monday, Kelley responded to a question about the specific timing by saying, "We'll see." He went on to say his "highest priority is making sure we open with the best facility we can." After that Hard Rock will focus on next steps, he said. Kelley opened his presentation by comparing Sunday's Super Bowl with the kind of experiences the hospitality industry tries to create. "That common experience creates a sense of connection, creates a sense of engagement," he said. "It gives us a bridge to each other in ways that we don't often see throughout the year." The casino will be a place guests can come and enjoy together while they celebration job promotions, birthdays and other special events, Kelley said. "It's also an opportunity to build a career that can take you to some of the most amazing places," he added.
