Five stories that have North Texas talking: A Fort Worth family claimed their lost dog Saturday after it went missing in mid-2009; the latest case of old landmark versus new construction in Dallas; pencil on that Harry Potter scar this weekend; and more.
In mid-2009, Corky, a small, scrappy terrier adopted from the Humane Society of North Texas, left home. His owners, the Montez family, searched for six months, but had to stop because of an impending move from the Decatur area to Fort Worth.
He was micro-chipped and wore a collar, so it was just a waiting game, Kimberly Montez told KXAS (NBC 5). Last Saturday, the Humane Society of North Texas called the family. Corky was there — at the same shelter the Montez family first met him nearly seven years ago. A good Samaritan found Corky and two other dogs on a major highway and took them to the shelter, KXAS reported.
One of the dogs didn't survive its injuries, but the other, a one-eyed stray, befriended Corky, the Humane Society said on Facebook. The Montezes adopted him, too, and named him Captain to join Corky, their two other dogs and four children — two more than when Corky left home. [KXAS, The Dallas Morning News]
- Texas A&M is threatening to use eminent domain against Elbow Room, a beloved Dallas dive bar. The university wants to build its new dental college where the century-old storefront currently stands near Deep Ellum. The Dallas Morning News reported: “There was a vote and everything: On April 27, A&M's board of regents went behind closed doors and OK'd initiating eminent-domain proceedings to vanish the Elbow Room if the owner won't sell.“ The nail on the Elbow Room’s coffin could come any day if/when the university asks Attorney General Ken Paxton to file a condemnation lawsuit. Read more about The Nagys, Elbow Room owners and A&M season-ticket holders. [The Dallas Morning News]
- After nine years, the wait for Harry Potter’s return ends this weekend. Several North Texas bookstores will host release parties for the script, “Harry Potter and The Cursed Child” on Saturday at midnight, marking the birthdays of “the boy who lived” and his creator, J.K. Rowling. GuideLive compiled this list of participating stores across Dallas-Fort Worth, including Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million and Half Price Books. Be sure to read the rules of each participating store, wear your best robes and BYOW (Bring Your Own Wand). [GuideLive]
- A Vermont woman wants to bring “maple syrup sweetness” to Dallas police officers. Valerie Mullin thinks her upcoming business trip to Dallas is the perfect opportunity to express her gratitude with one of the quintessential treats from her state — fresh maple syrup. As the wife of a first responder, she says she understands the emotional stress — and not to mention the intense summer heat — weighing heavy on the Dallas police. Mullin, who says she’s able to purchase syrup at little-to-no-cost, has a GoFundMe page for people to contribute and help her make the gift of sweetness go far. [WMUR]
- Arlington is using “Pokémon Go" hype to encourage people to visit the city’s public parks. The City of Arlington created Parkémon, a map of every Pokéstop and Pokémon Gym located at five of their largest parks. Parks and recreation assistant director Gary Packan told KXAS: "We have 92 parks in Arlington and a lot of people don't know where half of them are, so we try to educate our residents and visitors to our community as much as possible. Whether it's Pokémon Go or geocaching, it's a great way to do that.” Department staff spent hours walking miles of trails in each of the five parks to make sure you can “catch ‘em all.” [KXAS]
