With its vicious campaign cycle, mass shootings, political unrest and endless celebrity deaths, even the New York Times is questioning whether 2016 was the worst year in history. But here in East Dallas, it was a much rosier picture luckily. We got new developments (even some that neighbors actually liked), restaurants and even a landmark. Here, we look back at the top stories we covered in 2016, determined by the number of clicks they garnered. What do you want to see more of in 2017? Use the comment section here or on Facebook to let us know what you want us to cover in the coming year. Have a safe and happy New Year, neighbors!
Erykah Badu and her kids hand out ice for passersby at White Rock Lake. Photo by Kato Bentley
10) Erykah Badu and family cool down White Rock Lake — The queen of R&B is a well-known lake resident. During the heat of summer, she and her young ones helped runners stay hydrated by passing out ice water, and the neighbors loved it.
Aston Martin submerged in White Rock Lake. (Photo by Elissa Chudwin)
9) Someone drove an Astin Martin into the lake — The headline says it all. Rumor has it a young man took his dad’s car and caused the accident. Luckily no one was hurt, but the luxury auto fully submerged was a sight to behold.
8) East Dallas is home to two of the state’s top schools — Several neighborhood school’s shined in the Texas Education Agency ratings.
Photo from Facebook
7) What’s the richest, whitest public school in Dallas? — While we took some heat for this headline, it certainly got readers to pay attention to this piece on how Lakewood Elementary School breaks the typical city mold
6) Teen causes fatal accident — On the first day of winter break, a 17-year-old peeled out of Bishop Lynch High excited for the vacation ahead. His reckless driving proved deadly on rain-slicked Buckner Boulevard.
5) Dog fight at Truck Yard — Bad pet owners were to blame when the fur flew at this popular bar. The lesson: Always leash your pet in public.
4) New business at the lake — We always want to know where we can shop and eat, as proved by this post about a new liquor store, restaurant and animal hospital coming to the neighborhood.
Rendering of the future Alamo Drafthouse at Skillman and Abrams. (Image courtesy of Alamo Drafthouse Cinema)
3) Here comes the Alamo — While our readers continue to debate whether this is actually coming to our neighborhood, they were certainly interested to read the news. We broke the story that popular theater chain Alamo Drafthouse had signed a contract to build at the Skillman Abrams shopping center.
2) Supporting the Parks family — Tragedy struck a Lakewood Elementary School family who was vacationing in Florida. Patriarch Mark Parks was swept out in a riptide and drowned. Friends of Lakewood rallied around his widow, Dorothy, and her two small children, raising more than $20,000.
Dixie House (photo by Brittany Nunn)
1) Dixie House closes — Many longtime Lakewoodians were saddened to hear that the casual corner eatery would serve its final plates. While restaurant officials said the business was flourishing and forced out, Lincoln Properties, which owns the center, said Dixie House was behind on rent.
