News for North Texas
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Big Tex Home For The Holidays In University Park

State Fair of Texas

Five stories that have North Texas talking: Big Tex has his head in the spirit, a Grinch caught in Parker County, rounds of ammo deserted at Love Field and more.

We've heard Big Tex is on the mend over the holidays. So what is his head doing on top of Wayne Smith's University Park roof? Well, it's actually his former head. Smith acquired the 1952 edition of Big Tex's noggin at an auction in 1992. On the occasion of Christmas this year, Smith dressed his prize in a stocking cap and neighbors on Southwestern Blvd. helped freshen the face up a bit with paint. A slideshow of the display's preparation -- a display in itself -- is featured on the Dallas Morning News' site.

  • A woman was caught stealing Christmas decorations on surveillance video after Parker County sent word that several reports of missing yard decor reached the sheriff's office. Authorities are asking residents of Aledo and the surrounding area to look out for this particular Grinch, though they aren't sure if she's responsible for all the cheer-plucking. [CBSDFW]
  • Apparently, ammunition recovered by TSA really stacks up at Love Field despite that fairly apparent no-guns-on-planes rule. Dallas police picked up a whole 65 pounds of ammo ditched by travelers "that accumulated over time," according to TSA spokesperson Luis Casanova. [Unfair Park]
  • You can bid on the white Ford F-150 former president George W. Bush drove on his Crawford ranch beginning next month. Proceeds will go help ailing veterans and their families find low-cost housing via The Fisher House Foundation. The 4 X 4 King Ranch SuperCrew's right airbag isn't the only thing Dubya has signed to help Fisher House -- Jay Leno's tractor autographed by the former president drew $535,000 for the same cause. [Dallas Morning News]
  • Our trusty informants who call Anything You Ever Wanted To Know with tips on gluten-free options in North Texas  will be glad to know NPR's Nicole Spiridakis has a feature on applying the diet's limits to holiday fare. Find recipes for Pumpkin-Leek Soup With Coconut Milk, Sweet Potato Hummus, and corn muffins that qualify as gluten-free. [NPR]