Median work on US 377 and rezoning request garnered approval from the Roanoke City Council during the Aug. 11 meeting. In addition, a public hearing date was set for the fiscal year 2026-27 budget and tax rate.

Median contract: Central North Construction, LLC, was awarded a $524,710.50 contract for median work along US 377.

The Allen-based company will plant trees, shrubs and ground cover, and install irrigation from Denton Street to the north of SH 114, according to city documents.

Rezoning: Johnny Hunt requested that vacant land near Crosby Street and James Street be rezoned from single-family residential to light commercial district.

The tract of land is 0.6887 acres, and Hunt said the move was made with the land's future use in mind.

Public hearing: A public hearing date was set for Aug. 25, at 7 p.m., for the fiscal year 2026-27 budget and proposed tax rate.

A car wash location with a pet wash station is coming to north Fort Worth.

The details: Baywash’s third location in Texas is underway on SH 114, and a social media post states the location will open this fall. The other locations are in Bay City and Grand Prairie, according to its website.

The car wash offers a drive-thru system with various membership levels for its ceramic-coating washes. There are also free vacuums available to customers to use.

The background: The city of Fort Worth approved plans for the car wash in 2024, according to city documents.

• 1349 SH 114, Fort Worth

Northwest ISD secured an overall B rating from the Texas Education Agency’s A-F rating system for the 2025-26 school year based on data released Aug. 14.

In a nutshell: Northwest ISD got an overall score of 82 out of 100, a one-point increase compared to the previous two years, according to previous reporting. This score measures how much students are learning in each grade in the district and whether students are ready to move on to the next grade based on State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness testing, according to TEA’s website.

What they’re saying: “Northwest ISD remains proud of the academic performance by our students and teachers, though our district firmly believes that a single-day, high-stakes test is not the best measure of student achievement and progress,” according to a statement from the district.

By the numbers: Northwest ISD had an enrollment of 32,722 students in the 2025-26 school year. A majority, 45.4%, were white, with Hispanic being the second-highest race/etchnicity by enrollment with 25.7%. African-American made up 14.1%, according to state data.

Keller ISD has earned a ‘B’ rating from the Texas Education Agency for its student performance.

The TEA released the ratings Aug. 14, giving KISD 84 out of 100. Keller has maintained the ‘B’ rating, according to state data.

In a nutshell: KISD had a total student enrollment of 30,440 students with an attendance rate of 94.7%. The district had a chronic absenteeism rate of 14%, which is being absent 10% or more of the school year, or 18 or more days.

Of the 40 schools, 29 had either an “A” or “B” rating, according to the state data.

Dig deeper: Throughout the state, 24% of Texas public schools improved year-over-year, according to Community Impact reporting. State law requires that annual A-F ratings be issued by Aug. 15 of each year.

Check out five ongoing and completed transportation projects around Dallas-Fort Worth.

1. Sherman Street, Lingco Drive reconstruction
Project: Crews in Richardson are reconstructing Sherman Street from Kaufman Street to Lingco Drive, and Lingco Drive from Sherman Street to Spring Valley Road.
Update: Pavement installation on Sherman Street is now complete. Concrete replacement is underway on the south half of Lingco Drive.

• Timeline: winter 2023-summer 2026
• Cost: $6.56 million
• Funding source: city of Richardson

• Timeline: Construction expected to be complete in March 2027
• Cost: $4.87 million
• Funding source: city of Allen

The North Texas Irish Festival will move to Denton from Dallas in 2027, according to a news release from the organization.

The details: The festival will be held at the North Texas Fairgrounds, the location of the North Texas Fair & Rodeo, from March 13-14, according to the release. 

The festival celebrates Irish and Celtic music, dance and culture and includes events and entertainment such as live music, dance shows, storytelling, food, education and art exhibits.

The 2027 event will have multiple stages for live music, Irish step dancing performances, cultural demonstrations, historic storytelling, vendor and shopping opportunities, activities for children and authentic food and beverages, the release states.

The backstory: The North Texas Irish Festival started in 1983 and has been located in Fair Park in Dallas since 1984, according to the organization’s website. It is produced by the Southwest Celtic Music Association, a Dallas-based nonprofit.