Many things caught fire this week, literally; cops did good and bad things; Cowboys will be Cowboys; celebrities scored gigs and got personal; new restaurants are opening closing and chefs are getting famous; and so much much more.

Yes, we are a new outfit with a small staff. Our goal is to make sure readers get all the news they might need or want to know, whether we write it ourselves or not. Links to longer versions of every item included.

Our streets and their issues 

Left behind: Bulky trash on Live Oak in East Dallas. Photo by Will Maddox

Waves of just-built homes and provocatively posh multifamily properties are part of today’s landscape. While mildly inconvenient, the construction boom is legit, like our city’s getting richer and prettier, right? That is, if we can ignore the countless citizens who can no longer afford their homes — nothing attractive about that. But plenty of Dallas dwellers despise the dreaded G word, GENTRIFICATION, at least in theory, thus, the city worked $1 million into its budget for the purpose of maintaining affordable, older neighborhoods. (NBC 5)

Meanwhile, an American artist explains how the history of Rosa Park’s home elucidates the tradition of redlining in cities like Dallas and nationwide. “The legacy of racism in the built environment is more insidious, and still permeates everything from public transportation to multifamily zoning restrictions,” activists contend.  (Next City)

Recycling. It’s ever a hot topic — reduce, reuse, recycle and all that — and our city dumped a bushel of bank into a state-of-the-art recycling center. (Lakewood Advocate)  Now these Canadians are trying to tell us recycling is a waste. (The Walrus)

We’re No. 3! Suck it Silicon Valley and San Francisco — you, too, Austin — we’re so, uh, almost winning when it comes to top cities for tech workers. (SmartAsset)

New lease on life for ‘iconic’ building: In one of the year’s largest property sales, Cityplace Tower — the 1.4 million-square-foot high-rise flanking North Central Expressway — has new owners with a vision for the future. (Dallas Morning News)

No more excuses: Wheelchair users in Atlanta, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York and Long Beach have filed lawsuits alleging their cities’ sidewalks aren’t properly maintained and, as a result, violate the Americans With Disabilities Act. A Dallas lawyer says municipalities historically cite budget constraints. But these latest lawsuits reject that excuse. (CityLab)

We HEART trees

Shady characters: Dallas needs some 300,000 trees to curb concrete-island-induced heat. Texas Trees Foundation mapped timber cover citywide, discovering that poorer areas lack leaves, making those, like, 15 degrees hotter than shaded neighborhoods. So altruists, who hope to launch a larger movement, are planting 1,000 trees in southern Oak Cliff. (City Lab) Add, another piece about heat islands in another Dallas neighborhood … (Lake Highlands Advocate)

Dallas ranks lucky 13: That is, in a list of the world’s most innovative cities, taking in consideration “tech, smart, startups, economic opportunity” and other benchmarks. It’s sixth in America. Dig into the data, if you wish. (Innovative Cities Program)

Decisions, decisions: Is Amazon really still trying to choose where to put its new headquarters? Make up your mind, Bezos, geez. Anyway, a new analysis places Dallas and Austin at the top of the crop of potential HQ2 homes. (Texas Monthly)

Approved for a housing voucher, with no place to go: Texas years agobanned the creation of local laws that would prevent voucher discrimination. It’s becoming tougher for in-need families in cities like ours to find voucher-affordable units. (Next City)

Left behind: Exploring Old East Dallas backstreets, one might first notice all the freshly constructed “boutique apartments” and “coming soon” townhomes “starting at $400,000,” but amid the shiny and new are remnants of teardowns and evictions, including out-of-control, putrefied piles of trash. (Lakewood Advocate)

About those Cowboys …

AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

Hard blocks: The Dallas Cowboys receivers’ plan for preventing dropped balls? Bricks. (ESPN)

Cowboys are entering another age of suckage —Deadspin

“Cowboys occasionally fart out a 13-3 season … lose in the divisional round, and then suck for another four years…” Harsh words from one national sports site that analyzes NFL teams as football season commences. Our Cowboys reportedly are entering another age of suckage. (Deadspin)

David Irving, recently sidelined for violating conduct rules, spills his secret. “Every game you seen me play in, I was medicated,” the Cowboys defensive lineman notes in IG rant. He’s a card carrying Californian medical marijuana patient who concedes he’ll comply with the NFL’s “ridiculous” regulations. (Sports Day)

George Andrie in 1967. NFL/Associated Press

RIP, George Andrie: A crucial member of the Dallas Cowboys “Doomsday Defense” in the 60s, George died peacefully this week, at age 78, in his Waco home. In a familiar scenario as older players pass away, his family will donate his brain to a CTE study, as they continue to fight the NFL over football-related brain injuries. (KWTX 10 Waco/New York Times)

Things on fire

Photo by Danny Fulgencio

Lightning might have caused an inferno that engulfed a home under construction near White Rock Lake last weekend. (Dallas Morning News)

The wheels on the bus … were burning: A Greyhound operator kept driving though his bus was on fire. Once the 40 passengers convinced him to stop, they were stranded in Dallas for 16 hours. Then one of the weary travelers punched a Greyhound staffer. (CBS DFW)

Building burns down, but no human casualties: The school, formerly Dallas Christian Academy, was vacant. The inferno nonetheless petrified residents in Pleasant Grove as they watched the big building burn. (CBS DFW)

the driver kept going though his bus was on fire … Then one of the weary travelers punched a Greyhound staffer

Bravo! Firefighters from Dallas returned home safely after two weeks spent battling one of California’s most ferocious and fatal infernos to date. These 11 studs went in with the understanding that the blaze already had killed six firefighters. They worked 24 hours on and 24 hours off, facing extreme fatigue. The wildfire, 45 percent contained when the Dallas team arrived, now is 90 percent under control, officials say. (Fox 4)

Cops caught up in colossal collision: A messy, massive, fiery car-crash along Marsh Lane involved two Dallas Police officers. Everyone reportedly is alive and in OK shape. Their cars, on the other hand, are trashed. (WFAA)

Hell shall freeze over: Summer’s been Hades hot, but we’re used to that. Winter could be worse. Meteorology maestro Pete Delkus demonstrates. (WFAA)

People behaving (allegedly) badly

Photo by Danny Fulgencio

Wanted for murder, busted at the border: Eduardo Garcia, 25, lived in Dallas and was wanted for killing Uptown’s Anita Abreu, 34. He tried to cross the Mexican border and Laredo police arrested him. (Dallas Morning News)

Bad cop: Demetrick Pennie, a “charismatic” Dallas sergeant, ran charities collecting funds following Dallas’ 2016 police massacre. But the bulk of contributions reportedly went not to the families of fallen officers, but into Pennie’s pocket. (Dallas Morning News)

Troubled youth: Remember the 25-year-old dude who posed as a Hillcrest High Schooler in order to relive his basketball glory days and prey on teenage girls? The creeper is parlaying his infamy following felony tampering and indecency-with-a-child charges into a music career. (Dallas Morning News)

Priest on the lam: Father Edmundo Paredes of St. Cecilia in southern Dallas stands accused of molesting three males when they were teens a decade ago. The Catholic Diocese straightway reported allegations to police. The priest already was under a financial misconduct investigation. Now he’s disappeared. (NBC 5)

Good Samaritans foil abduction: Good thing this wasn’t the Seinfeld gang — a man kidnapped a woman as she departed a Walgreens near Central and North Henderson. But some who witnessed the gun-wielding perp forcing his victim into a car gave chase, alerting police along the way. (CBS DFW)

Weird coincidence?: A strikingly similar incident occurred at a different nearby Walgreens last week. As far as we can tell, the two crimes are not connected. (Lakewood Advocate)

Dude ran down rental-bike riders and fled to bar: A woman is dead and her companion injured after a suspected drunk driver hit the pair, who were riding bikes, then left the scene. Police found Jacob Albiar, 22, at a nearby club, issued a field sobriety test and arrested him for intoxication manslaughter. (Fox 4)

Fancy Forest Park Medical Center.

Dr. Deception, I presume? Remember that swanky Forest Park Medical Center along North Central Expressway that opened in 2014 and closed less than two years later? The luxury hospital’s owner faces jail time after admitting involvement in a “massive kickback scheme” embroiling 21 physicians total.  (DMN)

Hell to the naw: Dallas County Schools — you know, the scandal-soaked onetime bus business that took down local politician Dwaine Caraway — expects us taxpayers to cover its debt. In related news, the aforementioned outfit’s last superintendent Rick Sorrells, who confessed to pocketing $3 million in bribes, awaits sentencing … in his $1.3 million East Dallas home. (WFAA)

Dallas’ vibrant LGBTQ culture: Has it historically been too racist? Certain veteran members of the community say, yes, and, furthermore, prejudice professedly is still a problem. (Dallas Observer)

Pay the woman: Former Dallas County employee who accused her boss of sexual harassment could win more than $1 million in a lawsuit filed this week. (NBC 5)

A Dallas policeman pulls over a van: He suspected it was stolen. The passenger bolted and the cop followed. But the runner hopped atop a car, which ran over the officer. Said sprinter is still at large; no one seems to know whether the van actually was stolen, although it and the driver are in DPD custody. So is the operator of the other car. And the patrolman is physically OK. (NBC 5)

Dallas Police officer accused: He allegedly molested a 6-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl. The suspect cop turned himself into DeSoto police this week and is out of jail after posting a $5,000 bond. (CBS DFW)

Eating-related

 

Photo by Danny Fulgencio

Fantastically futuristic fare: Ahh, the increasingly sophisticated ice cream industry — dreaming up rococo recipes like Earl Grey-lavender, cereal milk and rose-flavored scoops  — and science-y, too. Take these nitrogen frozen ice cream and bubble cones headed to Knox Street. (Dallas Eater)

Thai, Thai, baby!  Japanese native George Kaiho brings Ka-Tip, a true Thai street food restaurant, to Dallas Farmers Market in 2018. (Culture Map)

Size matters: Two ludicrously large dining destinations open digs in Uptown next month (one features two swimming pools). Operators say Texas’ “legendary love of food and drink, and strong economic growth” drew them. Read: They recognized how much we love big stuff. (Dallas Morning News)

Something’s brewing: Oak Cliff Brewing Co. — the project of Oak Cliff native Joel Denton and partners, who built a brewery and taproom at Tyler Station — opens Sept. 1. (Oak Cliff Advocate)

Meat for the masses: Texas’ hunger for BBQ is so huge, pitmasters, including those at Dallas’ Cattleback Barbecue, are purchasing thousand-gallon smokers. (Texas Monthly)

Lease resistance: Mesero — masters of modern Tex-Mex — suddenly shuttered its Henderson Avenue restaurant. Seems a rent dispute caused the closure. (Dallas Eater)

Go to Hell’s Kitchen, again: Look for Chef Roe DiLeo (most recently of the new Deep Ellum honky tonk Mama Tried now) on “Hell’s Kitchen” season 18. The theme? “Rookies vs. Veterans,” and DiLeo sides with the latter, because she was a contestant before, in 2014. (Central Track)

See Blythe Cook: Pink Magnolia Chef Blythe Beck has a weekly TV segment — this week she dishes about “spicing up after school snacks!” (CW33)

Victor Tangos successor is a go: The Henderson space once occupied by restaurant-bar Victor Tangos, welcomes a new pub and eatery, Felix Culpa, which “will do contemporary New American with a European influence.” (Culture Map)

North Dallas’ Hill: The development officially scored two new tasty tenants. One of New York City’s most popular spots for raw fish bowls, PokeWorks, will make its Dallas debut there. Sauce Pizza and Wine will follow. (Dallas Eater)

Fast-casual Halal-Pakistani brunch and BBQ: We’re talking paratha and kebabs whipped up like nowhere else in Dallas County — it’s all ours for the tasting at Carrolton’s new Gulabo’s. Take it from an expert in Dallas-area eating. (Dallas Observer)

“Donuts. Is there anything they can’t do?” —Homer (Simpson):Doughnut-fiend favorite Jarams Donuts opens this coming fall in Lakewood. Mmmmmmm. (Culture Map)

Fireside Pies: The pizzaria plans to open in Creekside, East Dallas’ new entertainment central. (Lake Highlands Advocate)

Trammell Crow Center: The Ross Avenue development undergoing a $140 million makeover has secured new tenants including restaurants —Roti Modern Med and Southpaws Grill — retailers and a grocery store. (Dallas Morning News)

Noodles: Ready those slurping skills for the latest Laotian eatery, Khao Noodle Shop, coming to Old East Dallas “sometime in September” (maybe). (Eater Dallas)

That’s entertainment! (5)

Two Dallas celebs appear in director Nancy Meyers’ “What Men Want,” a sort-a sequel to her “What Women Want” starring Mel Gibson. In this version, Erykah Badu and Mark Cuban hold supporting roles —respectively, a weed-, peyote- and crack-infused-jasmine-tea-supplying psychic and a billionaire poker player at the table with the likes of Shaquille O’Neal and Tracy Morgan. (Central Track)

Remember how Lupe Valdez purportedly misplaced her pistol? Well … SHE DIDN’T. Some ignoramus manning the property room failed to log in the weapon, which the ex-sheriff surrendered according to protocol. The department that let Lupe take the blame issued a public apology. (NBC 5)

We knew that: Dallas has long sustained a solid hip-hop culture, which has turned out talent for the enjoyment and enlightenment of the masses. But we did not grasp the entire extent of Dallas rappers’ current coast-to-coast sway, until this specialist in the genre spelled it out. (Central Track)

Deep Ellum musician branches out: This entrepreneurial-spirited singer/songwriter sunk some resources into the retail biz. Now she’s profiting off the bullish pop-up shop craze. (Market Scale)

Back to school 

Photo by Danny Fulgencio

Not just Dallas — several spots merit props for this one … No secret, back in the day, school bathroom graffiti delivered little hope for humanity to its reluctantly captive readers. Sure, we derived some intel — who to call 4 a good time or which guy Jenny hearts 4ever today. But a new movement bucks traditional toilet tagging: creative parents and teachers from North Carolina and California to Texas painting positive content on stalls and walls. (Scary Mommy) The practice made its way to (at least) one Dallas ISD campus. (Lakewood Advocate)

Dallas county students: Four seniors sing National Anthem at a back-to-school rally and stir not only classmates’ souls but also those of the 50,000 (and counting) viewing the poignant performance on social media. (CW33)

A missing crossing guard? The city says this Merriman Park Elementary-vicinity intersection is staffed. Parents say, no, no one is there. Parents are (rightly) concerned about their children’s safety. We are a little worried about the person who’s supposed to be on duty. (NBC 5)

Boys can play too: Ever noticed most high school volleyball teams are all-girls? Dallas ISD parents are pushing for an all-boy volleyball team. Sorta like the Olympics. (NBC 5

The good, the madness, the ugly and sadness

Phys.org

Small shelter opens: It is specifically for homeless LGBTQ people and part of a longer-term project by Cathedral of Hope. (NBC 5)

Sober as a judge: Lawyers presented barely legible scrawl as evidence in a big-money lawsuit. Those terms, scribbled across a scrap of Mansion at Turtle Creek memo paper, made all the difference for a former Bridger Logistics partner. The barroom business transaction held up in court as a legally binding contract. The previously unpaid party walked with $1 million. (CW33)

Bat out of hell: Dallas bats tested positive for rabies. We seldom hear of humans contracting rabies, a nightmarish disease, but when we do, it’s inevitably the fault of these nocturnal flying mammals. Once bitten, shots can prevent onset of rabies, however, if symptoms set in, you are pretty much dead. (NBC 5)

It’s personal, even for a pop star: Demi Lovato, the celeb singer with Dallas roots, marked a bittersweet b-day 26 on the heels of her overdose and rehab stint. How does it feel to have a loved one in such a precarious situation? It’s friggin’ sad, as sister Madison demonstrates. (Hello Giggles)