City News Roundup

Digging up old graves casts spooky spell in this week's Dallas news

Where is Craig T. Nelson when you need him?

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Saving old houses, digging up graves, and putting a price on trees were hot topics in Dallas this week. Here's a roundup of the latest city news:

This old house
The demolition of a 19th-century Victorian house in the Cedars district is on hold until people figure out if it can be saved. Visible from I-30 and standing near the Ramada Plaza Hotel, the old blue house has been abandoned in recent years. It's owned by Time Warner, who planned to raze it for a parking lot, even though there is a parking lot next door not being used.

In previous times, the demolition might have moved forward, but Dallas is becoming more preservation-minded. The property is now on the Landmark Commission agenda, to be considered for designation as a landmark. Preservation Dallas is encouraging citizens to show up at the meeting on February 1 and support the property. Brush up on the history of the "Blue House on Browder" with this detailed report on Flashback Dallas.

Trinity toll road committee
There were three Trinity toll road items this week. First, six people will serve on a toll road committee led by Dallas city council member Sandy Greyson and Jere Thompson. They include former mayor Ron Kirk; Lee Jackson, a former Dallas County judge; Rafael Anchia, state representative from Dallas; Angela Hunt, former council member; and Mary Ceverha and Robert Meckfessel, both on the board of the Trinity Commons Foundation.

Second, in a story in the Dallas Morning News, regional transportation director Michael Morris offered a new set of reasons why the toll road is a good idea. He now claims that we can have a four-lane toll road if we improve I-35, which is nonsensical since the toll road is supposedly necessary to reduce congestion on I-35.

The Dallas Observer had difficulty making sense of this, but did create a handy history of all the excuses offered over the years for why we need a toll road.

How much is that tree?
Dallas needs to up the value of its trees, says arborist Steve Houser. The value of a tree in Dallas is $100 per diameter inch. City officials have been reluctant to increase the value because they're afraid to alienate developers. That is one thing we do not want to do, upset the developers. However, trees in Dallas are valued lower than other cities: Houston's trees are $240 to $535 per diameter inch. Flower Mound is $250 per diameter inch. Fort Worth and Austin are $200. C'mon, our trees are better than theirs.

Paging Spielberg
Trinity Groves' march forward has been momentarily impeded by the inconvenient discovery of an old family cemetery, established in 1903 by a family named Scott. It's located on the grounds of what will become a high-rise tower. A search for remains using radar was inconclusive. An archeologist said they may have been moved. If they do find remains, they'll cremate them and move them to another spot. Hello, haven't these people seen Poltergeist?

city-news-roundup

Flood Response

New relief fund launches for 2026 Texas Hill Country flood victims

People look out at flood on July 16, 2026 in Center Point, Texas

Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images

The same foundation that collected more than $60 million for the 2025 floods has launched a new fund for 2026.

Texans looking to support Hill Country neighbors affected by floods over the past few days can turn to the same organization they did for the July 2025 floods: The Community Foundation of the Hill Country has launched a new Texas Hill Country Flood Relief Fund that is accepting donations now.

The foundation emphasizes that the two funds are distinct (last year's was called the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund), so donors should note that their contributions will specifically go toward Hill Country residents affected by the current floods. The money raised will offer emergency assistance and long-term recovery support.

According to the Associated Press, nearly 1 trillion gallons of water fell on the three hardest-hit Texas counties over three days — enough to fill 1.5 million Olympic-sized swimming pools or supply 11 million homes for a year. First responders rushed to save people trapped in high waters Friday, as more heavy rain widened the danger from floods that have killed at least two people and left hundreds more in need of rescue.

Earlier in the week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a disaster in 59 counties including Travis to help emergency services respond quickly.

Although many regional businesses, churches, and other groups organized donations for the 2025 floods, the Community Foundation was the main entity holding and distributing funds. The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund totaled more than $60 million by the end of that July.

"Our hearts break that the Texas Hill Country is once again facing catastrophic flooding. Just one year after the devastating July 2025 floods, many of our neighbors are again in harm's way," said Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country CEO Austin Dickson. "People from across Texas and around the world came together to help Kerr County begin the long road to recovery. As first responders and local and state officials continue their response efforts, the Community Foundation's role is to help ensure communities have the philanthropic resources they need to recover in the weeks, months and years ahead."