Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a tiny beetle could erase a million Dallas trees

Also, don't miss Crain & Wooley: Free Estate Planning Webinar on the Dallas Patch calendar

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Friday January 9th Patch AM
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Good morning Dallas! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a tiny beetle could erase a million Dallas trees
  • How firefighters saved a man from a burning Buena Vista condo
  • Which Dallas fourth grader is carrying MLK’s legacy on stage?

Also on today's calendar: Crain & Wooley: Free Estate Planning Webinar and 7 more events.

Find out what's happening in Dallasfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the shovel say to the dirt? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Dallasfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Partly sunny, with a high of 70 and low of 39 degrees.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny; windy, cooler, temps: high: 56, low: 37.
  • Sunday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 57 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Tiny beetle, massive impact: emerald ash borer reshaping Dallas' tree canopy (wfaa.com) — Dallas is losing hundreds of ash trees in parks and neighborhoods as the emerald ash borer spreads, forcing the city to cut down aging, hazardous trees like an 80-year-old giant in Norbuck Park. Officials warn up to a million local trees could be affected, and while some can be treated, most will be removed and slowly replaced with more diverse plantings.
   

2. Man hospitalized after fire at three-story condo in Dallas, officials say (wfaa.com) — Dallas Fire-Rescue crews pulled an unresponsive man from a burning three-story condo on Buena Vista Street Thursday afternoon and were able to restore his pulse before taking him to the hospital. No other residents were home, and firefighters brought the blaze under control in just over an hour.
   

3. Dallas ISD set to host 2026 MLK Jr. Oratory Competition (tspantx.com) — Dallas ISD students are gearing up for the 2026 MLK Jr. Oratory Competition finals on January 16, continuing a beloved three-decade tradition in the city. Fourth grader Cameron Seaon Kinder, coached by veteran teacher Betty Glover, is among the young speakers using Dr. King’s legacy to explore unity, courage, and self-belief on stage.
   

4. North Texas widow of detainee killed in Dallas ICE facility says mourning seems unreachable, ICE events reawaken pain (cbsnews.com) — A North Texas mother of five is still reeling after her husband, a detainee, was fatally shot in an ambush at the Dallas ICE facility last September. As she juggles newborn care, older kids, and mounting bills, new ICE-related incidents and even a delayed citizenship letter keep reopening the wound of his death.
   

5. Hundreds protest in Dallas on Thursday after ICE shooting death in Minneapolis (star-telegram.com) — Hundreds of people marched through downtown Dallas on Thursday evening, protesting the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Demonstrators gathered at City Hall, circled a nearby federal immigration courthouse, and were escorted by Dallas police as local and national advocacy groups demanded accountability and an end to ICE and police violence.
   

📸 Around Dallas

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Dallas

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📣 Dallas Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Friday January 9
  • Bilingual Storytime / Hora de cuentos
    Oak Lawn Branch Library , 4100 Cedar Springs Road , Dallas
    10:30 am
  • HPHS Scots Basketball @ The Colony(District)
    The Colony High School
    4:45 pm
  • JV Blue Scots Soccer vs S. Grand Prairie
    Allen High School Track and Field Stadium
    5:00 pm
  • Josh Abbott
    House of Blues Dallas , 2200 N Lamar St , Dallas
    7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Dallas PatchAM possible:

  • Crain & Wooley — (972) 560-6288
    Estate Planning and Probate Attorneys serving DFW
  • Hvac Services Pro — (866) 879-8122
    Best Deals on New AC Units – Dallas & DFW Area
  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
  • PeakPower Learners — (469) 396-6182
    The Power Of Two: Online Classes for Dual Language Students

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas drops dental care deposit fees for adults —Stephanie Patrick Read on Patch
  • Last Chance to Experience the Magical Glow: Tianyu Lights Festival Open Through January 18, 2026 —Katie Mudd Read on Patch
  • Ahead of the Curve: Harmony Dallas Students Earn Health Care Credentials Before Graduation —Klarrissa Rios Read on Patch
  • Grant Halliburton Foundation’s Beacon of Hope Luncheon to Feature Steve Burns of Blue's Clues —Juliette Coulter Read on Patch
  • Meet Dozer!
    Dozer is a sweet, 2-year-old pittie with the most adorable short little legs and a face that’s impossible to say no to, especially when he’s asking… (Nextdoor Preston Center)
  • German Shepherd needs a home ❤️
    Male 1 year old Neutered We rescued Zolo a few months ago and are not able to keep him with us. Looking for a new home that can help train him and… (Nextdoor Casa View Gill)
  • LIVE: Tune in NOW for the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees briefing. (X: dallasschools)
  • Downtown Dallas remains a vital part of our city and one of many areas we serve daily. Our officers worked consistently throughout 2025 to address... (X: DallasPD)
  • ABM Industries posted a job opening for Warehouse Janitorial Cleaner in Dallas. Apply here.
  • Whataburger posted a job opening for Team Member - 99 | Whataburger99 (Dallas, TX) in Dallas. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Dallas here.

Ok Dallas! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I really dig you!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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