Great city key to developing Fort Worth tourism

Building a city that will attract tourists starts with building a city that will attract residents.

This idea on how to have successful tourism and urban growth was one of many remarks from the mayor of Charleston, S.C., Joseph P. Riley, who was the keynote speaker at Downtown Fort Worth Inc.’s annual meeting March 26.

Riley, who currently is serving his ninth term as mayor of Charleston, explained his work in revitalizing downtown Charleston at the meeting, and offered tips on how Fort Worth can continue to build its downtown and tourism industry.

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Southlake Real Estate Homes for Sale

Stocks jump on bank plan, rise in home sales

By TIM PARADIS, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK – Wall Street is getting the good news it wants on the economy's biggest problems: banks and housing.

Investors reignited a two-week rally Monday after hearing the government's plan to help banks remove as much as $1 trillion in bad assets from their books and home sales showed a surprise increase. Major stock indexes jumped as much as 4 percent, including the Dow Jones industrial average, which rose nearly 300 points.

The Treasury Department said its plan would rely on the government's $700 billion financial rescue fund, the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., as well as private investors.

Full Story March 23, 2009

February existing home sales rise by 5.1 percent

March 23, 2009
By ALAN ZIBEL, AP Real Estate Writer

WASHINGTON – Sales of previously occupied homes jumped unexpectedly in February by the largest amount in nearly six years as first-time buyers took advantage of deep discounts on foreclosures and other distressed properties.

Economists said sales, while still at levels not seen since 1997, may finally be coming back to life after declining sharply following the stock market plunge last autumn.

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Fort Worth Southlake Texas Homes For Sale

In Tarrant courts, new electronic system should speed felony docket

By MARTHA DELLER Mar. 09, 2009
FORT WORTH — On any given Thursday morning, about 40 defendants fill all but two rows in Criminal District Court No. 4. Another 20 wait in holding cells for their turn on Judge Mike Thomas’ weekly docket.

Some defendants wait hours to consult with their attorneys, sign paperwork, be sworn by the court clerk, be sentenced by Thomas, and meet with a probation officer, if necessary.

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Tarrant County toll road project to get $250 million in stimulus funds

By MICHAEL A. LINDENBERGER / The Dallas Morning News 3/6/09

State transportation officials voted Thursday to spend $250 million in stimulus funds to advance a major toll project in Tarrant County.

In all, the Texas Transportation Commission awarded some $1.2 billion for projects throughout Texas even as it has endured criticism from lawmakers who wanted a greater role in deciding which projects would be funded.

"Today's vote reflects four months of hard work by TxDOT staff and community leaders," commission chairwoman Deirdre Delisi said in a written statement. "Now, it's time to put Texas to work."

The North Texas work will be done on the DFW Connector, a $917 million project that mixes free and toll lanes near Grapevine and D/FW Airport.

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Weigh in on how stimulus money is spent in Tarrant County

By GORDON DICKSON
Mar. 10, 2009

The public will finally get an opportunity to speak about federal stimulus funding.

A state legislative committee will conduct a field hearing Saturday morning in Arlington to take public testimony about the American Recovery and Investment Act. In Texas cities and counties, some officials see the federal funds as a jump-start for long-overdue purchases, but others worry that the one-time of use of federal funds will create unforeseen expenses down the road.

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Can Police Help You Save Money?

3/03/09
DALLAS, Texas – Some homeowners are keeping their home insurance costs down by calling their local police department.

Most consumers are unaware security home inspection can save you money on your homeowner’s insurance.

"They're going to look for an open door, they're going to look for an open window. They're easy access in, they're easy access out," said Mike Bedrich of the Southlake, Texas Police Department.

The free home security inspection can save some hundreds of dollars on homeowner’s insurance.

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