 On Monday, August 12, Scott Walker was officially sworn in as the new City of Waco fire chief. Chief Walker will serve as the 14th fire chief, marking a new chapter in the Waco Fire Department’s 151-year history.
Chief Walker was selected from a competitive pool of 60 applicants after an extensive nationwide search. He brings over 30 years of fire service experience to Waco. The City of Waco is excited to have Chief Walker join the team, and we are confident that he will build on our department’s strong foundation to enhance the safety and well-being of our residents.
Waco Welcomes 22 South African Penguins to Cameron Park Zoo
 We're so excited, we could almost fly! Cameron Park Zoo celebrated the grand opening of the highly anticipated Gloria and F.M. Young Penguin Shores exhibit on Thursday, August 8. The $12.8 million state-of-the-art habitat is now home to the largest colony of endangered South African penguins in Texas.
Meet the Penguins
Our colony, affectionally named the Waco Waddlers, consists of 11 pairs of charming penguins: Shirley & Tom, Rita & Mauri, Daisy & Sinclair, Thumper & Sprocket, Possum & Finley, Dottie & Little Jim, Newton & Cosmo, Flapjack & Frankie, Rosie & Rupert, Sushi & Theodore, and Winnie & Maple.
Join us in welcoming our new penguin friends to Waco on your next visit to Cameron Park Zoo!
Spaying/Neutering Your Pet is Free in Waco
 Spaying/neutering and microchipping your pet are essential — and the law in Waco! Do your part in decreasing Waco's stray population.
Waco residents qualify for free spay/neuter and microchip services for their pets through the Animal Birth Control Clinic. Current appointments are booking into the fall.
To schedule an appointment, call (254) 750-7099. If you reach the voicemail, please leave a message. (Se habla español.)
Lake Waco Wetlands Celebrates 20 Years
 Located on the North Bosque River and covering over 180 acres, the Lake
Waco Wetlands provides a diverse habitat for the early development of
plants and animals. They also provide protection from flood waters and
naturally treat about 11 million gallons of water a day from the Bosque River.
The Wetlands were created to replenish habitats that were lost after Waco City Council authorized raising Lake Waco’s water level in December 2000. Over the next few years, the nursery area was constructed and educational and research programs started. Later, on August 27, 2004, the Research & Education Center was opened. Twenty years later, the Wetlands remain a valuable open-air educational area available for guided tours and exploration.
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 Starting tomorrow, Tuesday, August 20, Wooded Acres Drive will be CLOSED to through traffic from Lake Shore Drive to Bishop Drive to install a new layer of asphalt. Alternative routes will be marked.
Thank you for your patience as we work to improve and preserve Waco's roads!
 Happy Labor Day! Let's take a moment to celebrate the hardworking people who make Waco great.
Please remember that City of Waco offices will be closed on Monday, September 2 for Labor Day. Residents with a Monday trash collection day will have their gray waste carts and blue recycling carts collected later on Wednesday, September 4.
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