Members of Highland Village City Council discussed the value of services provided by the Denton County Transportation Authority at a Dec. 9 meeting.

The context: DCTA provides transportation throughout Denton County via rail and bus routes, rides for senior citizens and GoZone, its on-demand ridesharing service, per the organization’s website. The city of Highland Village voted to join the organization and levy a half-cent sales tax to finance the system in 2003, according to DCTA’s website. 

What they're saying: Council member Kevin Cox said he thinks the best way to move forward is to ask the DCTA board for a rate adjustment.

“I think there’s room for negotiation with DCTA in regards to what we pay in [and] what we get back,” Cox said.

Council member Shawn Nelson said he wants to “follow in the footsteps” of DART member cities who are voting to withdraw.

“At this point, I don’t see any benefit with regards to DCTA as it pertains to Highland Village,” he said.

A new restaurant, Vinifera Wine Lounge & Bistro, has opened its doors in Flower Mound’s River Walk in early December.

What they offer: Vinifera’s menu includes a selection of seafood dishes, salads, a lobster roll, pastas and ratatouille. On the drink menu, there are several wine options, including reds, rose and whites, beers and cocktails.

Owner Jamie Creevy said Vinifera aims to provide upscale dining in a family-friendly environment.

• 4120 River Walk Drive, Flower Mound

Crave Cookies is coming soon to Northlake, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. 

The details: Construction began in November and is expected to wrap up in March. The 1,500 square-foot project is estimated to cost $230,000.
The business offers deep dish cookies with new flavors every two weeks, according to its website.

• 101 Plaza Place, Ste. 100, Northlake

Texas voters will see 18 statewide races on the ballot in 2026.

The overview: Texas will hold Republican and Democratic primary elections on March 3 to determine who will appear on the statewide ballot in November. Texas is one of 17 states with open primaries, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, meaning registered voters can cast their ballots in either primary and do not need to register with a specific party.

What to know: The 18 statewide races on the 2026 primary ballots are:

• U.S. Senate
• Governor
• Lieutenant governor
• Attorney general
• Comptroller of public accounts
• General land commissioner
• Agriculture commissioner
• Railroad commissioner
• Texas Supreme Court, chief justice
• Texas Supreme Court justice, Place 2
• Texas Supreme Court justice, Place 7
• Texas Supreme Court justice, Place 8
• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judge, Place 3
• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judge, Place 4
• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judge, Place 9
• 15th Court of Appeals, chief justice
• 15th Court of Appeals justice, Place 2
• 15th Court of Appeals justice, Place 3