This week's hot headlines

Stunning new tapas restaurant tops this week's 5 hottest Fort Worth headlines

Empanadas at Cafe Americana in Arlington.

Cafe Americana

Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines. Looking for the best things to do this weekend? Find that list here.

1. Stunning tapas restaurant and cocktail bar dips into downtown Arlington. Downtown Arlington is set to get an inventive new Spanish-inspired bar and restaurant with a distinct Texan flair. Called Cafe Americana, it’s a tapas-style cocktail bar with a fusion of flavors from Spain, Argentina, Peru, and the Caribbean.

2. Melt Ice Creams to churn up new shop west of Fort Worth in summer 2024. One of Fort Worth's favorite — and only — ice cream shops is expanding: Melt Ice Creams, which has been churning ice cream for Fort Worth since 2014, will open a shop in The District at Willow Park, a high-end restaurant row and entertainment venue in Parker County.

3. Ultimate guide to 50+ events for a spring break staycation in Dallas-Fort Worth. Spring break was here, but you weren't going anywhere. Boo. Not to worry, though. If your family wasn't jetting off to Europe, Breckenridge, Cancun, or Corpus, there was plenty to do right here in Dallas-Fort Worth. We rounded up more than 50 top family-friendly special events, experiences, and attractions happening across North Texas from March 8-17, 2024. (Yep, it includes some St. Patrick's Day events, too.)

4. Nashville hot chicken chain closes 3 locations in Dallas-Fort Worth. A local restaurant concept known for its combination of Nashville hot chicken and boozy slushies has shuttered: Hot Chicks Chicken has closed, after three years of operations in Dallas-Fort Worth.

5. Master list of where to watch the April solar eclipse in Dallas-Fort Worth. You could watch the upcoming total solar eclipse from the comfort of your own home, but venues around Dallas-Fort Worth are stepping up, and there's no shortage of places ready to play host, from hotels to public parks to restaurant parking lots. Here our list of every eclipse watch opportunity in DFW.

Holiday Mayhem

Tarrant County warns New Year's Eve partygoers - no fooling around

Toni Blay Flickr

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New Year's Eve is upon us and that means New Year's Eve parties, New Year's Eve dinners, and New Year's Day brunches.

However, before ringing in the new year, Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells is here to remind residents that Tarrant County is "no refusal" year-round.

"No refusal" means if someone is pulled over and refuses a breath test, law enforcement will get a search warrant for their blood. It's illegal for anyone to drive a motor vehicle in Texas if their blood alcohol content is 0.08 percent or higher.

The holiday increases awareness of the dangers of driving while intoxicated and the Tarrant County DA's Office isn't letting up.

“If you drink and drive, we will prosecute you,” Sorrells says. “There’s no reason anyone should drive intoxicated."

“Get a ride from a friend, or a ride share service,” he says. “Designate a sober driver. Be responsible.”

2023 holiday stats
In Tarrant County, 47 people were arrested and charged with DWI offenses from December 31, 2023, to January 1, 2024.

"Let's get that number to zero," Sorrells says. "There are no excuses for getting behind the wheel under the influence of drugs or alcohol."

During the entire year of 2023, there were 5,953 DWI cases filed in Tarrant County. We're doing better in 2024: So far, there've been approximately 4,700 DWI cases filed in Tarrant County.

In Texas, more than 1,000 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in 2023, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

“Have a safe, and happy, holiday season,” Sorrells says. "Don't start the New Year in jail."