Two environmental agencies have approved a new plan to improve water quality throughout the Rowlett Creek watershed.

The new plan was approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Aug. 24, according to Texas A&M AgriLife.

In a nutshell: Local partners are planning the following efforts to reduce the presence of E. coli bacteria in the watershed:

• Reduce pollutants from stormwater

• Promote responsible lawn care and pet waste practices

• Address illegal dumping and litter

• Expand education programs

• Support flood management strategies

• Continue water quality monitoring

Dig deeper: The study took samples from five sites along the creek, according to documents from Texas A&M AgriLife. Loads of E. coli were estimated to come from dogs, feral cats, livestock, feral hogs, ducks and wastewater treatment facilities.

The indoor sand playground, Diggers Cove, has opened in Plano.

The details: Diggers Cove offers four zones including its large sand pit, remote-control construction zone, animated sandbox and an interactive creative wall, Owner Saira Waheed said.

By the end of 2026, passengers will be able to fly to nine domestic destinations from McKinney National Airport.

Avelo Airlines announced the addition of four nonstop service routes that will launch at McKinney National Airport in mid-December, including Atlanta, Denver, Nashville and New Orleans. The newly announced destinations join the five nonstop routes to four Florida cities as well as Las Vegas that Avelo Airlines officials announced earlier this year.

The specifics: Air service will begin Nov. 11 upon completion of a new commercial passenger service terminal that's been under construction since 2025. Avelo Airlines signed on as the first commercial service provider in late 2025.

The airline will begin operations by offering flights to Las Vegas and four cities in Florida: Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando and Tampa.

The update: Service to the newly announced destinations is set to begin Dec. 16 and will be operated at varying frequencies depending on the destination. New destinations include:

• Atlanta, Georgia

• Denver, Colorado

• Nashville, Tennessee

• New Orleans, Louisiana

Quote of note: “The response from North Texas has been extraordinary, and the bookings back that up,” Avelo Airlines founder and CEO Andrew Levy said in a news release. “Adding four new destinations and a third based aircraft further cements our commitment to Collin County.”