By SCOTT PRICE Wednesday, May. 20, 2009
The deadline for most property owners in Tarrant County to protest their appraisals with the Tarrant Appraisal District is June 1, 2009.
Fort Worth-based attorney Ryan E. Ray said many people do not take advantage of their opportunity to have the tax value of their home or other property reduced. He said this can save people a lot of money.
Ray said last year he assisted a Colleyville homeowner whose tax value was reduced from about $1 million to $750,000. He said that reduced the annual property tax bill by about $6,000.
Full Story
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Cowtown City Hall Considers Going Postal
By BRETT JOHNSON May 19, 2009
The Fort Worth City Council has approved money for a study on moving City Hall into the city's historic downtown Post Office building.
The city is considering renovating the state landmark into a new City Hall.
"And we should do that, because its a centrally located facility, it's at the heart of the Lancaster corridor development (and) it has great access to current and future mass transit," said Randall Harwood, director of the city programs office.
The City Council approved $200,000 for a study to determine if the project would be economically feasible.
The question is: Do the numbers work?
The city would be on a 20 to 30-year lease purchase agreement at up to $6.4 million a year.
"And if they (the numbers) don't work, then as excited as I am about this project, as excited as this council is, I will be the first one willing to say, 'Let's pull the plug,'" Mayor Mike Moncrief said.
In a soft real estate market, are tax dollars better spent on existing structures?
The city of Southlake is considering buying the soon-to-be vacated Gateway Church for a multipurpose facility.
"There's a whole lot of variables that may make buying an existing structure much more beneficial for the taxpayer," Southlake Mayor Andy Wambsganss said.
Full Story
The Fort Worth City Council has approved money for a study on moving City Hall into the city's historic downtown Post Office building.
The city is considering renovating the state landmark into a new City Hall.
"And we should do that, because its a centrally located facility, it's at the heart of the Lancaster corridor development (and) it has great access to current and future mass transit," said Randall Harwood, director of the city programs office.
The City Council approved $200,000 for a study to determine if the project would be economically feasible.
The question is: Do the numbers work?
The city would be on a 20 to 30-year lease purchase agreement at up to $6.4 million a year.
"And if they (the numbers) don't work, then as excited as I am about this project, as excited as this council is, I will be the first one willing to say, 'Let's pull the plug,'" Mayor Mike Moncrief said.
In a soft real estate market, are tax dollars better spent on existing structures?
The city of Southlake is considering buying the soon-to-be vacated Gateway Church for a multipurpose facility.
"There's a whole lot of variables that may make buying an existing structure much more beneficial for the taxpayer," Southlake Mayor Andy Wambsganss said.
Full Story
Friday, April 24, 2009
Red River Wine Fest celebrates Texas' grape-growing traditions
Just call it a swell swiller.
The Red River Wine Festival has been fermenting for a few years now, and we’ve heard through the grapevine that the two-day celebration of Texas’ grape-growing gumption will return for the fifth year, well ripened on the vine and full-bodied, to say the least.
The two-parter wine fest, presented by the Senior Junior Forum, uncorks itself tonight at the Woman’s Forum for the posh, limited-seating Wine & Food Affair. It’s an elegant seated dinner in which several courses are paired with the perfect wines — a culinary art, you might say.
Hundreds gather to protest taxes at TEA Party in Town Square
About 450 people met at Southlake Town Square to blast bailouts and higher taxes on April 15, the day that federal income taxes are due. The event also drew about 50 counter-protesters.
In a partisan presentation, the crowd listened as conservative radio host Mark Davis and U.S. Rep. Kenny Marchant, R-Coppell, criticized government spending. Crafted after the famous 18th century Boston Tea Party, which protested British taxation without representation, the TEA in this event stood for "Taxed Enough Already." After a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of God Bless America, Marchant professed his opposition to the federal stimulus package.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Southlake's Three Dogs Bakery to send Obamas' pooch 'Bo' a special treat
A Southlake bakery is sending a bit of Texas love to Bo, the Portuguese water dog, as he settles into his new digs at the White House.
The Three Dogs Bakery in Southlake is shipping a specialty doggie dessert to D.C. for Bo, who was bred at Amigo Portuguese Water Dogs in Boyd, 35 miles northwest of Fort Worth.
Hundreds turn out for 'tea party' protest at Southlake Town Square
Southlake's Town Square rarely caters to more than lunchtime retreats, making the hundreds of tea bags, "Downsize DC" signs and tiny American flags at noon even more distinctive.
In what amounted to a warm-up for the Dallas "Tax Day Tea Party" on Wednesday night, about 500 people stood in front of Southlake's town hall to boo governmental intervention, burgeoning bank bailouts and the recent stimulus package.
DFW rains help put out most smoldering grass fires
The day belonged to the ducks instead of Easter bunnies.
Booming thunderstorms dumped heavy rains in Tarrant County on Sunday morning, washing out many outdoor Easter plans.
Rain totals ranged from 0.75 inches in Southlake to an inch in the Texas Christian University and Wedgwood areas of Fort Worth to almost 2 inches in Haltom City and north Arlington.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Thursday's agenda: Grapevine Market opens and more
Get ready to shop in the great outdoors
Now you know it’s spring: The open-air Grapevine Market opens for business today in downtown Grapevine. The outdoor marketplace, which offers handmade jewelry, antiques, sweet potato pies and more, will be open 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. every Thursday and Saturday through Oct. 17. The market is between the 100 and 300 blocks of Main Street at Liberty Park, across from City Hall. 817-410-3185; www.grapevinetexasusa.com.
Floral tributes
Flower arrangements inspired by Spanish masterworks are on display at Dallas’ Meadows Museum from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Founders Garden Club presents "The Splendor of Spain: the Meadows in Bloom" with 20 interpretive floral creations inspired by paintings in the Meadows collection. There will also be a large number of floral entries on exhibit in Jones Great Hall. Tickets are $6-$8, 5900 Bishop Blvd. on the Southern Methodist University campus. 214-768-2516; www.smu.edu/meadows/museum.
Main Street time!
It’s the kickoff for the four-day feast of arts, music and entertainment otherwise known as the Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival. This is the 24th year of the festival, which showcases fine art and fine craftworks, live concerts, performance artists and street performers — along nine blocks of Main Street, from the Tarrant County Courthouse to the Fort Worth Convention Center. Through Sunday. Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. today; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. www.mainstreetartsfest.org.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Crowds of teens spark concern at Southlake Town Square
SOUTHLAKE — Some teens appear to be making themselves a little too at home in Southlake’s Town Square, city officials and others believe.
Residents, retailers and city officials say that hordes of unsupervised and unruly teens descend on Southlake’s signature commercial development and stay there for hours on end, making the square an unwelcoming place to visit on Friday and Saturday nights.
Monday, March 30, 2009
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.
Southlake Real Estate Homes for Sale
Monday, March 23, 2009
Stocks jump on bank plan, rise in home sales
By TIM PARADIS, AP Business WriterNEW 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, 2009By 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.
Read Full Story
Fort Worth Southlake Texas Homes For Sale
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
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.
Full Story
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.
Full Story
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.
Full Story
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.
Full Story
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.
Full Story
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.
Full Story
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.
Full Story
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.
Full Story
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Chesapeake, city, homeowners, spar over well drilled beneath unleased property
By Jim Fuquay
Feb. 25, 2009
Texas Railroad Commission examiners say Chesapeake Energy should temporarily plug the portion of a well the company knowingly drilled too close to unleased property in east Fort Worth, a move that observers said could prove costly for the company.
Chesapeake was granted a drilling permit by the commission to drill a natural gas well southwest of the intersection of Meadowbrook Drive and Cooks Lane. The horizontal portion, or lateral, of the well eventually extended nearly twice as far as the permit allowed, and 15 unleased lots fell less than 330 feet from the well bore, the minimum distance allowed in the Barnett Shale without a special exception from the Railroad Commission.
The unleased properties include Fort Worth’s Eastbrook Park.
Full Story
Feb. 25, 2009
Texas Railroad Commission examiners say Chesapeake Energy should temporarily plug the portion of a well the company knowingly drilled too close to unleased property in east Fort Worth, a move that observers said could prove costly for the company.
Chesapeake was granted a drilling permit by the commission to drill a natural gas well southwest of the intersection of Meadowbrook Drive and Cooks Lane. The horizontal portion, or lateral, of the well eventually extended nearly twice as far as the permit allowed, and 15 unleased lots fell less than 330 feet from the well bore, the minimum distance allowed in the Barnett Shale without a special exception from the Railroad Commission.
The unleased properties include Fort Worth’s Eastbrook Park.
Full Story
Choice Homes suspends operations
By STEVE BROWN / The Dallas Morning News
February 25, 2009
One of North Texas' largest homebuilders is suspending operations because of the tight credit markets.
Choice Homes, which has been in business for 21 years, is the latest in a string of local builders forced to shut down because of the lack of lending.
The Irving-based high production builder constructed more than 580 houses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area last year.
Full Story
February 25, 2009
One of North Texas' largest homebuilders is suspending operations because of the tight credit markets.
Choice Homes, which has been in business for 21 years, is the latest in a string of local builders forced to shut down because of the lack of lending.
The Irving-based high production builder constructed more than 580 houses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area last year.
Full Story
You Can't Drive 65 on 121 in Fort Worth
NBCDFW.com
Speeders along Highway 121 -- consider this fair warning, and take your foot off the gas.
The speed limit on a portion of the state highway in Fort Worth will soon be lowered. The stretch of road between Sylvania Avenue and Interstate 35W in Fort Worth will drop from a brisk 65 mph to a lazy 55 mph.
So far, there are no plans to drop the speed limits on other roadways.
Full Story
Speeders along Highway 121 -- consider this fair warning, and take your foot off the gas.
The speed limit on a portion of the state highway in Fort Worth will soon be lowered. The stretch of road between Sylvania Avenue and Interstate 35W in Fort Worth will drop from a brisk 65 mph to a lazy 55 mph.
So far, there are no plans to drop the speed limits on other roadways.
Full Story
Police: Mystery object tears through Dallas roof
DALLAS (AP) — Police say an unidentified falling object dropped out of the sky with enough velocity to tear a hole through the roof and the second floor of a Dallas home. Senior Cpl. Kevin Janse said Wednesday the six-pound piece of metal with two drill holes in it fell Tuesday evening when the person who reported the incident wasn't home. Janse said there were no injuries.
Officers couldn't determine the source of the debris. Janse said radioactive tests on the metal were negative. Several state agencies were notified of the incident, but Janse said none offered a theory about what happened.
Janse said there were no reports of similar incidents in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Full Story
Officers couldn't determine the source of the debris. Janse said radioactive tests on the metal were negative. Several state agencies were notified of the incident, but Janse said none offered a theory about what happened.
Janse said there were no reports of similar incidents in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Full Story
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
