Applications are now open for the vacant Place 3 seat on Richardson City Council after council member Dan Barrios announced his resignation on July 13 in order to focus on his campaign for U.S. Congress.

The overview: Applications opened July 22 and will close Aug. 7. Council will interview applicants and appoint Barrios’ replacement over a roughly nine-week process.

Richardson’s city charter states that a single vacancy on the council must be filled by appointment, decided by a majority vote by the remaining members of council. Although Barrios will remain in his position until his successor is appointed, he will not participate in voting for his replacement. The appointed council member will serve out the remainder of Barrios’ term, which lasts until the May 2027 election. In May, residents will vote for the Place 3 seat.

Action Behavior Center is set to open a new location in Richardson next year, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

The details: Action Behavior Centers provide applied behavior analysis therapy for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The organization operates locations across the country, including one on North Greenville Avenue in Richardson.

• 3317 Essex Drive, Ste. 200, Richardson

Harry Potter has been confirmed as the theme for the 2026 ice! experience at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine.

The display will feature 10 different scenes inspired by the wizarding world and will use 2 million pounds of ice to create the sculptures and scenes within the resort, according to the website. Each theme also features two-story ice slides and passageways throughout the experience.

The details: This year’s ice! runs from Nov. 13-Jan. 3, 2027, according to a news release. Tickets for the event are available starting at $33.32.

The experience, which is inspired by the Harbin Ice Festival in China, uses more than 300 Harbin-based artisans to create the sculptures, the news release states. The artisans spend about 40 days hand carving 60,000 ice blocks.

On-site, the experience is kept at 9 degrees Fahrenheit to preserve the ice sculptures.