The Texas Transportation Commission recently awarded DART $25 million for the next phase of construction on the Cotton Belt Trail.

The overview: The Cotton Belt Trail is a hike-and-bike trail that, once completed, will stretch 57 miles from Plano to downtown Fort Worth.

The second phase of construction began in spring 2025 on 11 miles of the trail from Addison to Plano, including nearly 3 miles that will run through Richardson. This portion of the trail is projected to be completed in early 2027, said Mario Zavala, Dallas Area Rapid Transit communications project manager.

The third phase of construction, which the new $25 million will go toward, is slated to begin in mid-2027 and will connect DART stations in Cypress Waters, Addison and downtown Carrollton.

Another thing: Cotton Belt Trail primarily runs alongside the Silver Line, where active quiet zones keep train horns largely silent. However, when trail construction is in the area, Zavala said residents may hear train horns.

STS Plus Accessories marked 30 years in business on Nov. 22. The salon offers haircuts, color services, and styles like weaves, twists and braids. The studio also sells hair products, jewelry and gifts in-store or online.

Quote of note: “All my clients have become family to me,” said founder LaTrisa Edwards. “If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have survived.”

A 12.3-acre shopping center and grocery store may be coming to the southeast corner of Spring Creek Parkway and Preston Road.

The details: In addition to a grocery store, the development plans to add five new buildings for retail and restaurants.

The big picture: The property is part of a larger mixed-use development, Promontory on Preston, which was approved in 2020.

News about airports is flying around Dallas-Fort Worth with DFW International Airport aiming to open its sixth terminal by 2027 and McKinney National Airport gaining its first commercial service provider. 

See details from these stories and more in this list of the top six most-read stories from Community Impact's DFW coverage areas from Dec. 15-19.

1. Stonebriar Centre announces new tenants for 2026 in Frisco

2. H-E-B set to build 51,599 square-foot electronic fulfillment center in Frisco

3. Check out 6 restaurants newly opened in the Dallas-Fort Worth area

4. Avelo Airlines signs on as 1st commercial service provider at McKinney National Airport

5. See 14 senior living options in Frisco

6. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport board approves additional work on Terminal F, Skylink Station

Community Impact compiled important holiday travel-related information, including what to know about traffic and airport activity, gas price data, and driver safety tips ahead of the year-end travel season, which runs Dec. 20-Jan. 1.

The overview: Texans should give themselves extra time to reach their destinations the weekend before Christmas, with many travelers expected to hit the road Dec. 21-22. Congestion is also expected as some Texans return home Dec. 26, according to INRIX, a transportation data company.

Minimal traffic is expected Dec. 24-25 and Dec. 31-Jan. 1, although AAA warned in a Dec. 10 news release that unexpected delays could arise from severe weather or crashes.

For the first time, more than 8 million people nationwide are expected to take domestic flights during the year-end holidays.

More information: Texas drivers will likely pay less for gas this holiday season than in recent years, AAA fuel data shows. On average, one gallon of unleaded gas costs about $2.51 in Texas as of Dec. 18, down from $2.65 one year prior.