🌱 Mayor's Campaign For $398M Park Bond + 'Shingle Mountain' Removal

Hello all. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Dallas Patch newsletter. Here's what you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Sunny and very warm. High: 100 Low: 72.

Here are the top three stories today in Dallas:

1. A Dallas man, 24-year-old Davion Irvin, accused of setting animals free at the Dallas Zoo in January and facing charges of misdemeanor animal abuse and burglary, has been ruled "mentally incompetent" by a judge, leading to a suspension of the case. Irvin's involvement in a series of animal escapes, including a clouded leopard and Langur monkeys, prompted his identification by police after he was spotted at the Dallas World Aquarium, and he had previously expressed intentions to steal more animals if released. The case will be reviewed again after several months due to his mental status. (KRLD)
2. Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson has initiated a campaign for a $398 million bond to improve city parks, a key priority for his final four-year term; however, the request exceeds the city's borrowing limit. The Dallas Parks Coalition is advocating for increased funding, emphasizing the broader benefits of improved parks, including climate resilience and equitable economic development, and aiming for a 2024 public improvement bond referendum. The city faces competition from various groups seeking funding for affordable housing, new police and fire stations, animal services, and transportation projects, with the borrowing limit capped at $1 billion. (NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)
3. The City of Dallas is in the process of removing 40,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil from the former "Shingle Mountain" site in Southern Dallas, which will cost an additional $1.5 million on top of the $1.5 million already spent on the hazard's removal. The soil was contaminated with lead, and the cleanup is expected to be completed by the end of October, with the soil being relocated to the McCommas Bluff Landfill while measures are taken to ensure air and water quality during the process. The future use of the property is yet to be determined. (FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth)

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Today in Dallas:

Wednesday, August 30

• Wizard Wednesdays With Ethan At Lancaster Veterans Memorial Library (3:00 PM)
• Randy Sloan At Park House (5:00 PM)

From our partner:

Do you know an outstanding community leader in Dallas? Nominate them here for a chance to be featured on Patch!

From my notebook:

• As part of an ongoing bridge improvement project, there will be closures at the I-20 interchange with US 67 starting today, Aug. 30. Click the link to see road closure details. (Focusdailynews)
• The Texas Baptist Men in Dallas is preparing to provide storm assistance in Florida, with volunteers and resources ready to respond to the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia. Residents are taking precautions, including sandbags and evacuations, as the potential impact of the storm raises concerns about its potential devastation. (NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)
• Are you looking for Labor Day weekend plans? Visit the link to see events happening in and around Dallas this weekend! (PaperCity Magazine)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you around.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.