🌱 Murder-For-Hire Trial Begins + Shared Scooter And Bike Complaints

Morning, friends. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Dallas Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Hot with plenty of sunshine. High: 102 Low: 79.

Here are the top three stories today in Dallas:

1. This week, the trial began for Darrin Ruben Lopez, 49, who has been accused of murdering his former girlfriend's husband in Dallas in a murder-for-hire scheme. The incident occurred on Oct. 9, 2020, when police say Lopez drove to Dallas from Tennessee to shoot Jennifer Faith's husband, Jamie Faith. Faith, 49, admitted to police to having an emotional affair with Lopez, and she faces charges of obstruction of justice and murder-for-hire, which is a capital offense. Lopez pleaded not guilty to murder and gun charges in his trial that began on Tuesday, Jul. 24. (NBC DFW)
2. Complaints are rolling in following the city's decision in May to allow shared scooters and bikes back onto the streets. Although there are new rules for vendors, a memo from Friday, Jul. 21 revealed that there have been nearly 700 complaints about shared scooters or bikes since they were reintroduced in May, mostly concerning improper storage or parking. Jessica Scott with the Dallas Transportation Department said the city is satisfied with the vendors' responsiveness in addressing these concerns. The new rules include stipulations that only three shared companies are allowed to operate, with a limit of 500 bikes and scooters each. (NBC DFW)
3. Dallas and North Texas are facing elevated risks of fire through early next week due to hot, dry weather. Today (Jul. 27), temperatures in North and Central Texas are expected to reach from the mid-90s to nearly 106 degrees. These conditions are expected to last through Friday, and residents are advised to limit time outdoors and stay hydrated. To reduce the chances of fires, residents are asked to avoid dragging tow chains on the ground and parking or driving over tall grass. (CW 33)

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Today in Dallas:

Thursday, July 27

• Sam The Magic Man At Reunion Tower (2:00 PM)
• Candlelight: A Tribute To Taylor Swift At Edison's (6:30 PM)
• "Global Grooves" Adult Ladies Summer Dance Series: Breakin' Hip Hop At Anita Martinez Recreation Center (6:45 PM)

From my notebook:

• Are you searching for an after-school solution? Dallas Parks and Recreation offers an Out of School Time program that is free for city residents. Click here to learn more. (Dallas Parks and Recreation Department via Facebook)
• It's almost time for the seventh annual Texas Latino Comic Con! On Saturday, Aug. 5, the Latino Cultural Center in Dallas will host this event that highlights Hispanic comic book artists and creators. (KETR)
• On Saturday, Aug. 5, Dallas native Kenya Diaz will lead a Still Life Drawing and Painting class at the Bath House Culture Center from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This event is for children ages 7-11, and registration is available here. (City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture via Facebook)

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• Taste of Jalisco Four-Course Tequila Pairing Dinner (July 27)
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That's it for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update.

— 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.