05:07 AM CDT on Wednesday, April 19, 2006

A Carrollton animal shelter this week is caring for a 10-month-old pit bull that was found with severe burns Friday. The puppy, named Mercy by Operation Kindness employees, was found in woods near an apartment complex near Belt Line and Preston roads. Veterinarians who examined the dog said someone poured gasoline on her and set her on fire. An Operation Kindness official said Dallas animal services employees are investigating the incident. Mercy will have to undergo a long process in which her burned skin will be scraped away to allow new skin to grow. Her recovery time is estimated at two to three months. A fund to pay for treatment has been set up. Donations can be sent to Operation Kindness, Attn: For Mercy's Sake, 3201 Earhart Drive, Carrollton, TX 75006. Anyone with information is asked to call the shelter at 972-418-7297.

Brandon Formby

Former Fort Worth Deputy Fire Chief Eddie Burns begins his tenure as Dallas Fire-Rescue chief today after being selected seven weeks ago by Dallas City Manager Mary Suhm. Chief Burns was chosen from a nationwide field of 37 candidates. He will replace former Chief Steve Abraira, who resigned in September. Chief Burns' formal installment ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at City Hall.

Dave Levinthal

Dallas City Hall should woo retail businesses and restaurants with about $700,000 in new incentive funds, a downtown retail committee recommended Tuesday to the City Council's economic development and housing committee. The council-appointed committee also agreed in principle to offer more than $280,000 of that amount – subject to the overall incentive program's approval – to clothier Jos. A. Bank, which is considering opening an outlet in a Commerce Street storefront. The incentive program is an extension of a now-depleted downtown retail recruitment initiative.

Dave Levinthal

A small helicopter on a training flight crashed in a field west of Denton about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. The two people on board were flown to hospitals for treatment after the crash off U.S. Highway 380 west of State Highway 156. The rotors of the Schweizer 269C helicopter were twisted, and the fuselage was bent or broken away from the cockpit. The helicopter is registered to Longhorn Helicopters, based at Denton Municipal Airport. Tandy Whitehead, one of the company's owners, said pilot Dale Williamson was flying with a student when the helicopter went down. Neither person was seriously injured, she said. The name of the student was not disclosed.

WFAA-TV

An elderly woman lost control of her vehicle and crashed into the 7-Eleven in the 8900 block of FM423 about 7:45 a.m. Tuesday, police said. "She was screaming, 'I can't believe I did this,' " said 7-Eleven employee Sue Plunkett, who was serving customers. The driver, whose name was not disclosed, did not appear to be seriously hurt, said Little Elm Fire Chief Joe Florentino. She was taken to Trinity Medical Center in Carrollton as a precaution. No one else was injured, Chief Florentino said. The 7-Eleven was closed pending repairs.

Walt Zwirko, WFAA.com.