DTX-DEN: Impact 10/30/2025

The Denton County Commissioners Court unanimously approved the final payment of $156,141 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Outer Loop project at an Oct. 28 meeting.

The Denton County Outer Loop project includes a six-lane highway through the Greenbelt Corridor between Lake Lewisville and Lake Ray Roberts that will eventually connect I-35 and the Dallas North Tollway, according to county documents.

A closer look: The Regional Outer Loop in Denton County is part of a larger system of proposed highways that link together to form the Regional Outer Loop, extending east into Collin County, and then south through eastern Collin County and into Rockwall and Kaufman counties.

The Army Corps of Engineers owns the land at the site of the proposed project. In order for the agency to enter into an agreement with Denton County, it must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of proposed major actions, per its website.

Florida-based pizza chain Stoner’s Pizza Joint will open a new location near the University of North Texas in Denton in mid-November, a company representative said.

The Denton location will be the third location in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and the sixth location in Texas, Erica Roomy Vice President of Marketing for Stoner's Pizza said.

What's on the menu: The pizza place will offer calzones, wings, salads and several kinds of pizza, including Hawaiian, barbecue chicken and hot honey pepperoni, according to the restaurant's menu.

1507 W. Oak St., Denton

Need something to do this weekend? Here is a list of five events happening in and around the Dallas-Fort Worth area Oct. 31-Nov. 2. This list is not comprehensive.

1. Red Zeppelin’s Halloween Party in McKinney: The Groovy Coop in downtown McKinney is hosting a Halloween-themed dance party and costume contest. Individuals of all ages are welcome to attend.

• Oct. 31, 7-10 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 109 S. Tennessee St, McKinney

• Oct. 31, 5-7 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 317 W. Mulberry St., Denton

Texas homeowners could see larger property tax breaks on this year’s bills if voters approve two state propositions on the Nov. 4 ballot.

The details: Proposition 13 would raise the property tax exemption on a Texas homeowner’s main residence, known as a homestead exemption, from $100,000 to $140,000. Proposition 11 would give homeowners who are over 65 years old or have a disability a $200,000 exemption.

The exemptions would apply only to taxes charged by public schools.

The impact: Sen. Paul Bettencourt, the Houston Republican who authored the legislation, estimated in June that the average Texas homeowner would see about $484 in annual savings if the tax cuts are approved by voters, with roughly $950 in savings for seniors and people with disabilities. These estimates do not account for potential tax rate increases by local governments.

If voters approve the two ballot measures, the cuts will take effect for the current tax year and appear on homeowners’ upcoming tax bills, according to the Texas House Research Organization.