Several east Plano streets are set to see paving and drainage improvements coming soon.

What you need to know: At their Nov. 10 meeting, Plano City Council approved a $3.94 million contract for paving and water improvements for seven Plano streets. Construction is expected to begin in December and run to October 2026, according to the city’s community investment program website. The contract, awarded to Tri-Con Services Inc., includes replacing concrete pavement and sidewalk, water mains, and a new storm drain pipe.

One more thing: Without the improvements, city documents state the area would face worsening infrastructure, frequent flooding and higher upkeep costs.

Dillard’s will close its Plano store at The Shops of Willow Bend in early 2026, store employees confirmed.

What you need to know: Two employees told Community Impact the store is expected to close in January 2026, while a store representative said the exact closure date has not been set beyond sometime in 2026. 

Zooming out: The closure follows Neiman Marcus' recent decision to close its Willow Bend store in January 2027 as part of the mall's anticipated redevelopment plans. 

• 2501 Dallas Parkway, Plano

Halal Munchies is bringing New York flavors to Richardson later this month, owner Omran Hamidi said. 

The details: The restaurant will serve New York subs, wings, gyros, chicken sandwiches and burgers, Hamadi said. 

“We’re really motivated to be a great partner and servant to the community,” he said. “I’m really excited.” 

• 2000 N. Plano Road, Ste. 114, Richardson 

Every day for the past 25 years, at least one person has died in crashes on Texas roads. Texas officials and the families of some fatal crash victims commemorated the grim anniversary with a candlelight ceremony at the Texas Capitol on Nov. 7.

The impact: Jamie White said her 2-year-old daughter, Allie, was hit and killed by a distracted driver at Round Rock’s Old Settlers Park in September 2019.

“It only takes [a few] seconds… to kill somebody,” White said Nov. 7. “Can you imagine doing this, taking somebody's child from them, and living the rest of your life knowing that you caused that?”

Following Allie’s death, her parents launched Allie’s Way, a nonprofit aimed at ending distracted driving.

More details: TxDOT data shows that speed and impaired driving are involved in the majority of deadly crashes on Texas roads.

“These are not random events,” Texas Highway Patrol Chief Bryan Rippee said Nov. 7. “These are the results of making the wrong choices on our Texas highways."