Five stories that have North Texas talking: a Dallas man’s Halloween decorations are raising eyebrows, a historic downtown Dallas building gets a revival, cooler temperatures aren’t helping the region’s water shortages, and more.
A man who lives in University Park has used Ebola fears as inspiration for his Halloween decorations. The Associated Press reports James Faulk stacked up barrels labeled “biohazard” and surrounded his yard with caution tape. He told Fox 4 he loves Halloween and “figured Ebola was the scariest thing out there right now.”
Faulk didn’t buy his decorations at a typical Halloween store; he bought most of his décor at a hospital auction. After police were called to his house, Faulk put up a sign that read “Happy Halloween.” Some of his neighbors thought the decorations were funny, while others thought it was too soon to be making jokes. Faulk says he plans to add more to his display: he wants to put a dummy in a hospital bed near the front window. Here are some photos of the controversial decorations.
- Many North Texans have welcomed cooler temperatures, but it’s not doing much for the state’s drought problem. The Dallas Morning News reports the North Texas Municipal Water district is asking 1.6 million customers to limit sprinkler use to once every two weeks beginning Nov. 1. The National Weather Service says the North Texas area and counties to the west deal with some of the worst drought conditions in the state.
- Early reports from the Secretary of State’s office are showing a larger turnout for early voting in this election. The Star-Telegram reports in Tarrant County alone, 10,000 more people have shown up to vote early. “My suspicion is that the governor’s race is driving it,” Tarrant County elections administrator Frank Phillips told the newspaper. “But I don’t know which candidate that helps.” Early voting will continue through Oct. 31. Find your nearest early voting polling station.
- A historic building at 508 Park Avenue in Dallas will make its re-debut today. Stephanie Kuo reports 508 Park was once a recording studio and film exchange, but the building eventually fell into disrepair. Its neighbor, First Presbyterian Church, bought the building and construction crews have been repairing 508. It makes its re-debut today with performances and spoken word. All events are free. Check out the schedule here.
- This will be the last weekend for DART users to take the trains to downtown Dallas for some time. DART will be spending the next six weekends replacing tracks along Bryan Street and Pacific Avenue. The track work is expected to affect travel time for weekend events at American Airlines Center as well as Thanksgiving holiday. The agency has planned for alternate shuttle buses to take service the closed rail segments.
