K9 Protection Dogs in Plano, TX

ARLINGTON — Former Plano West baseball star and 2013 first-round draft pick Billy McKinney made his debut with the Texas Rangers on Tuesday.

“It’s a little surreal,” McKinney said before Tuesday’s game. “I’m really grateful to be here. Definitely a bucket list thing. It’s tough to put into words.”

Growing up in Plano, McKinney was a Rangers fan who said he had been to a good amount of games at The Ballpark in Arlington. His favorite players were former Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton and former Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus.

McKinney and Andrus later overlapped at the Athletics, where McKinney was able to tell Andrus stories of watching him play.

McKinney had a similar moment with Rangers Manager Bruce Bochy on Tuesday, telling him about watching Game 5 of the 2010 World Series in person, where the Rangers played the San Francisco Giants.

“It’s cool that I was there and now I’m playing for them,” McKinney said.

McKinney was released by the New York Mets on May 18, and signed by the Rangers to a minor league contract nine days later. In Round Rock, his slash line was .295/.433/.487/.920.

The Rangers selected the contract of the outfielder to take the place of outfielder Evan Carter, who was placed on the Bereavement List. McKinney was the designated hitter in Tuesday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles.

The 30-year-old made his major league debut on March 30, 2018 for the New York Yankees. Since then he has played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Athletics, New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates.

“Very grateful for all the places I’ve been in my career,” McKinney said. “It’s been pretty hectic, that’s for sure. Thirteen years now, I’m not sure how many teams.”

Back in the city he grew up going to watch the Rangers, McKinney said he had five or six friends and family members at Tuesday’s game, including his parents.

Want to experience historic charm and modern luxury? Then visit Plano, TX! Try some outdoor activities like the Go Ape Plano Adventure Course. Head to Crayola Experience Plano, TX for artistic family fun. Splurge at one of the unique shopping areas. No matter what you’re into, you’ll find plenty of enjoyable and fun things to do in Plano, TX.

1. The Crayola Experience Plano, TX

The Crayola Experience, located in the Shops at Willow Bend, is a little artist’s dream come true. Start with the factory show to learn how crayons are made. Then make your own creations such as melted crayon art and personalized Crayola crayons. Tables full of art supplies allow the imaginations of your little ones to come alive.

Computer stations actually bring their coloring pages to life on a big screen. Plan to stay for 3-4 hours, plus time to browse the Crayola store. If your “colorful” family just can’t get enough, consider buying an annual pass. They cost only slightly more than your regular admission and include a year full of fun at all Crayola Experience locations.

2. Oak Point Park & Go Ape Plano

Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve offers 800 acres for hiking, biking, or paddleboarding. Kayak rentals are available on summer weekends (must be at least 10 years old to paddle independently). After exploring the ground, head to the treetops. Kids as young as 10 can try the Go Ape Plano Treetop Adventure Course. The course includes 40 different crossings and obstacles. Before participating, an instructor makes sure everyone is safely outfitted and aware of the safe rules. Then you are free to tackle the course and ziplines while enjoying the view from 27 feet in the air.

3. PINSTACK

For some indoor fun, check out PINSTACK entertainment complex. This place has something for everyone. Challenge your family to a game of bowling complete with snacks (the Mac and Cheese Pops are amazing!). Head to the game room where you’ll enjoy everything from giant Pac-Man to the virtual reality hit, Virtual Rabbids: The Big Ride. In addition to the best video games, you’ll find attractions for the whole family: a high ropes course, climbing wall, laser tag, and bumper cars.

4. Historic Downtown Plano Arts District

Downtown Plano was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. Wander the streets looking for murals or listening to live music. Then stop by some of the unique shops and restaurants. When the kids need a break, Haggard Park entertains families with a cool playground and Interurban Railway Museum. At this free museum, visitors can explore the historic train car and learn some Plano history.

Like Trains? Read this article to find Where to Take you Train Enthusiast Kid.

5. Experience Plano History

Step back in time to North Texas’ booming agricultural days at Heritage Farmstead Museum. This late-Victorian farm house is now a living history museum where you can experience life on the Blackland Prairie. Another place to discover some Plano history is Southfork Ranch. This ranch, formerly the set on the hit TV show, Dallas, offers tours and trail rides around the property. Want to see what Plano looked like before people moved in? Head to Arbor Hills Nature Preserve for some natural hiking trails and interconnecting playgrounds the kids will love.

While you’re in the area, make time to visit nearby Dallas. Check out the Top 10 Things To Do in Dallas.

Where to Eat

There are so many delicious and unique places to eat in Plano, Texas. Luckily, you don’t have to choose just one. Legacy Hall at Legacy West is not your typical food court. Local chefs create food masterpieces at 24 food stalls. Choose anything from Mediterranean street food at The Shawarma Bar, to gourmet waffles at Press Waffle Co.

Another great foodie location is the Boardwalk at Granite Park. Restaurants offer seating outdoors with an amazing waterfront view. One great option is Chips Old Fashioned Hamburgers, an area favorite for over 30 years. Or try Union Bear Brewing Company which offers American classics with a unique chef-driven flair.

If you’re looking for a meal after visiting Crayola Experience Plano, TX, head to Mexican Bar Company located in The Shops at Willow Bend. Their ceviche and street tacos can’t be beat. And kids love feeling grown up while drinking their “mocktails.” Or if taste buds vary among family members, The Shops at Willow Bend also has a food court featuring a Chick-Fil-A, Phil’s Philly Grill, and Made in N.Y. Pizza.

You can’t leave Plano without a visit to Wow Donuts and Drips. These gourmet donuts not only look pretty; they taste divine! I recommend the Berry Medley.

Where to Stay

Get that classy-meets-cowboy vibe at Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel. The decor hints at the rough ranching life, but the beds radiate comfort. The third floor pool boasts an outstanding view as well as plenty of room to play and lounge. And you can’t beat the location for some high end shopping.

Located just under a mile from Crayola Experience Plano, TX is the North Plano Holiday Inn Express & Suites. Outstanding family amenities include free continental breakfast, free shuttle service to local attractions, and an outdoor pool. The low prices at this hotel also make it a great value for the area.

The Hampton Inn and Suites Dallas/Plano is a great place to stay to be close to Oak Point Park and Go Ape Plano. The full American breakfast and 24-hour pool and jacuzzi make it one of the highest rated places to stay with kids in the area. The Fairfield Inn and Suites also provides close access to Oak Point Park and has similar amenities.

Another great option is Hilton Dallas/Plano Granite Park. This full-service hotel features a resort-style outdoor pool and is pet-friendly. And the location is right next the the delectable eateries at The Boardwalk at Granite Park.

Explore more around the state with our Top 10 Things to do in Texas.

Disclosure: The author was hosted by Visit Plano to facilitate this article. However, as always, her opinions are always entirely her own.

PLANO, Texas - When someone finds an injured or orphaned wild animal like a bird, duck, or bunny, the non-profit rescue center is the go-to place to save a life, but now they are the ones in need of a helping hand.

The North Texas Wildlife Center has grown so much in recent years that it's outgrown its home in the Plano neighborhood. The city now gives them 60 days to find a new location, or they will be forced to close their doors.

What they're saying:

While the organization's expansion is a good thing for wild animals such as opossums, raccoons, cotton tails, squirrels, skunks, water fowl, egrets, herons, blue jays, owls, hawks and more.

Rebecca Hamlin is President of the rescue center, and one of about 50 volunteers.

"We rescue, rehabilitate, and release them into the wild. They are not friendly. They are not our pets. We want them to recover and go back into the wild to serve their ecological value," said Hamlin.

"We've had over 2,548 animals since January 1, which is a 50% increase."

All the increased traffic and street parking that comes along with the growth is not good for the neighborhood and, while the center has a permit, the City of Plano says they can no longer operate in residential zoning.

"They said, typically, we will give 13 days to vacate, but we will see what you are doing, and we appreciate you. We will give you 60 days, so Plano is being really generous to find a new place to call our home, which is scary, but I'm confident with community support we can make it happen."

Local perspective:

Hamlin says the wildlife center serves a key role in society for both wildlife and humans.

"People don't know about wildlife rehab until they need it," she said. "We've had people bring us skunks, and they will say I hated skunks until I found this baby and I needed to save it, and they will have this emotional response."

The wildlife center provides a way for people to know they helped someone helpless, such as these tiny opossums, whose mom had ingested rat poison.

"A resident saw her, pulled the babies out of the pouch, saved by a good Samaritan," said Hamlin. "Had no chance until someone picked him up and said, ‘I see you and want to help.’"

Hamlin tells FOX 4's Lori Brown that the people who bring in these animals are evidence for everyday residents who want to help.

"There are wildlife heroes every day, and we can't stop here. This is not where it ends for us, this is where it starts."

Dig deeper:

Saving an opossum is what changed everything for Hamlin.

"I suffered from depression started rehabbing to save them and they saved me."

You may wonder how all of these little ones raised on a bottle here can learn how to be wild. In the hit movie Wild Robot, Bright Bill had to be taught how to fly. Well it turns out for these wild animals, it is all instinctual.

Mela Singleton is the founder of North Texas Wildlife Center and showed us one of their newest rescues.

"This guy is being tube-fed formula," she said. "He is doing great and expecting a full recovery," said Singleton.

"Wildlife are hard-wired for these things, as long as they have an environment conducive to recovery. They will do really well."

What's next:

The City of Plano told us in a statement that the facility appears to be well managed, and the only issue is that it violates their zoning ordinance.

Hamlin says it is important that they stay in a central location so they can remain easily accessible to people who find injured or orphaned wildlife.

They also need outdoor space, so something similar to a former daycare or church would be ideal.

FOX 4 has a link HERE for those who are looking to get involved.

The Source: Information in this article was provided through interviews conducted by FOX 4's Lori Brown and the North Texas Wildlife Center.

One Plano restaurant was temporarily closed during June 15-21 inspections because of a roach infestation, and four others had repeat violations, according to data from the city compiled by the Star-Telegram.

Lita’s La Mexicana at 7224 Independence Parkway scored 76 on June 16 and was closed by the city after the inspector found several live roaches in the kitchen and bar. Around four flies were also found in the establishment, and the salsa was stored at an unsafe temperature.

The restaurant passed a follow-up inspection on June 24.

The city of Plano scores restaurants and other business that serve food on a 100-point system. A score of 100 is considered a perfect score and 70 is extremely poor. Out of 69 inspections, three restaurants scored below 70.

Panaderia Guatemalteca La Unica at 1401 Jupiter Road scored 69 on June 18. Some employees weren’t properly washing their hands, several bottles of chemicals and containers of food weren’t labeled, and cloths for wiping down surfaces were dirty.

The Great Wall of China at 901 W. Plano Parkway scored 68 on June 18. The inspector noticed a mold or slime-like substance in the ice machine, employees hadn’t completed an accredited food-handler course, and coolers and equipment were dirty.

Winners BBQ at 3200 14th St. scored 66 on June 15. Flies were found in the kitchen, and the establishment’s permit had expired.

The inspector also found repeat violations from the past three inspections, including uncovered bulk food containers and frozen meat thawing at room temperature.

In addition to Winners BBQ, three other establishments had repeat violations.

El Fenix at 810 N. Central Expressway wasn’t given a score during a June 16 follow-up inspection. The inspector noted eight repeat violations, including flies in the kitchen, uncovered food, improperly stored disposable containers, damaged floor tiles, no trash can at some of the sinks, an outside door that didn’t close all the way and a dishwashing hose and paper towel dispenser that weren’t working properly.

Fish N’ Tails Oyster Bar at 1320 N. Central Expressway wasn’t scored during the June 18 follow-up inspection. The inspector found five repeat violations, including food stored at an unsafe temperature, no paper towels at sinks, a refrigerator that wasn’t cooling properly, no trash can at the bar’s hand sink and damaged flooring and baseboards.

Restaurante Corazon Latino at 1828 K Ave. also didn’t receive a score during the June 16 follow-up inspection. The inspector noticed eight repeat violations, including food held at unsafe temperatures, employees not properly washing hands, unlabeled chemical bottles, refrigerators not cooling properly, no inspection report posted, the person in charge not performing their duties, damaged gaskets on refrigerator doors and outside doors that were difficult to open and close.

Here are the inspection scores and violations for restaurants within the city limits of Plano for June 15th - June 21st, 2025. A score of 100 is a perfect score and 70 is considered to be extremely poor. Each establishment receives between one and four routine inspections per year. To search the restaurant inspections, type in a keyword or restaurant name. You can also sort by score.

Some data analysis in this chart was conducted using AI. For more information on how the Star-Telegram and McClatchy newsrooms are using AI, go here.

Take a ride on Intermodal Parkway in the Tarrant County city of Haslet and you'll come across warehouses and distribution centers for all kinds of big retailers and companies. There's a Michaels Distribution Center, an SC Johnson warehouse, a delivery center for Kraft Heinz, and facilities for Coca-Cola and Amazon. It's a wealth of manufacturing and distribution riches, quite honestly.

But Intermodal Parkway will soon be without one of these companies, because the logistics center for JCPenney will be shutting down, according to reports citing a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) letter filed to the Texas Workforce Commission. Nearly 300 workers at the JCPenney plant will be laid off as part of the closing.

Layoffs will occur over two waves, according to the WARN letter. One group of employees will lose their jobs during the first two weeks of August, while a second group will be let go in the first two weeks of November. The warehouse is scheduled to close around Nov. 1.

"JCPenney is always seeking ways to adapt and enhance our operations with the goal of providing a better experience for our customers," JCPenney said in a statement to the Dallas Morning News. "After a thorough review of our organization, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our JCPenney Alliance Regional Logistics Center."

Only two months ago, JCPenney slashed 9 percent of its corporate staff, according to reports; and two months before that, the department store let go about 5 percent of its corporate staff. All of this came after JCPenney merged with other retailers to create Catalyst Brands, a joint venture that also includes Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand and Nautica, aka half of your favorite shopping mall in 2003.

In April, Catalyst told the Morning News that the cuts back then were "in the early stages of our integration."

Retailer James Cash Penney started opening dry goods stores in 1902, turning his small empire in the Rocky Mountain states into the brand JCPenney. The chain became a nationwide force by the 1920s and soared to more than 2,000 stores in the 1970s. The company moved its headquarters to Plano in the late 1980s, but the Covid-19 pandemic hit the brand especially hard. As of today, there are somewhere around 650 JCPenney stores nationwide.