Mold Remediation in Plano, TX

Mountain lion sightings are rare in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, state wildlife officials say, but the last few weeks seem to challenge that notion.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department confirmed the third mountain lion sighting in North Texas in less than a month — this time in Plano.

Plano city officials on Tuesday shared a Facebook post with a screenshot of security video showing a mountain lion trotting down what looks to be a neighborhood alley. The time stamp in the screenshot showed the footage was taken shortly after 2:30 a.m. Friday.

The city’s post also included a link to a video of the security video.

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Last week, state wildlife officials confirmed two separate sightings. A mountain lion was seen in late October at an RV Park in Lake Dallas and less than a week later in western Frisco — both near Lewisville Lake.

Sam Kieschnick, an urban wildlife biologist for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, said a single mountain lion is likely moving through the area.

“It’s hard to predict what nature wants to do. We’re kind of seeing through these three sightings that it is roaming. It is looking for room; it’s looking for an area,” Kieschnick said.

Given the rarity of mountain lion sightings in North Texas, Kieschnick and other state wildlife officials have said the cat is likely the same animal seen in Denton County.

“This is almost certainly the same cat. It’s impossible for us to say that it’s definitely the same cat, but it’s highly probable,” Kieschnick said.

Mountain lions are nocturnal, and attacks are rare, according to state wildlife officials. The department is monitoring the situation and asking people to report sightings.

“It’s an interesting time,” Kieschnick said. “In the past, you had to be a wildlife biologist with trail cameras set up to see wildlife, but now, with our security cameras, we can see wildlife all the time.”

If people encounter a mountain lion, they should pick up any children and small animals off the ground and not approach the animal, state wildlife officials advise.

They should try to remain calm, not turn their backs to the mountain lion and back away slowly if possible.

If a mountain lion is aggressive, people should not run. They should try to enlarge their body profile and throw objects, including stones and sticks, to scare the animal away. In the case of an attack, fight back.

People in Dallas-Fort Worth should report mountain lion sightings to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by emailing rachel.richter@tpwd.texas.gov.

The Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Center (TMC), located at 5801 W Parker Rd, Plano, is set for its most extensive renovation in its 17-year history, beginning in early 2025. The center will close on Feb. 17, 2025, to start the project, which will impact the entirety of the center.

The recreation center, expected to reopen in winter 2025, will undergo major upgrades to the facility, including modernized amenities, new equipment and improved infrastructure.

As Local Profile previously reported, the project was funded by the 2021 bond to enhance various aspects of the building, including the pool area and exercise rooms, addressing critical infrastructure needs.

Since its opening in 2007, TMC has become the city of Plano’s most popular and heavily used recreation facility, prompting much-needed upgrades. This project includes essential maintenance that, if postponed, could lead to more costly repairs in the future.

The renovation will include comprehensive building maintenance, HVAC and roofing replacements, landscaping upgrades, technology infrastructure updates, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance enhancements, and improvements to locker rooms, pool facilities and outdoor areas, ensuring the recreation center remains a community asset.

“By combining all necessary maintenance work with cosmetic and refresh updates, we save the city money, and our patrons down time of the facility,” the city of Plano said on its website dedicated to community questions.

Members may request to withdraw their memberships before the closure date. After the closure, members can contact Chauncey Deller at 972.769.4420 to process their membership withdrawal. If you renew your membership within 30 days of the reopening, the center will honor the loyalty discount for annual memberships.

To follow along with updates to the Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Center, visit the city of Plano’s dedicated project website.

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The company held a grand opening on Oct. 30, 2024

Listen to this article 00:02:24

Diversified, a global technology solutions company, officially moved its new headquarters from New Jersey to Plano. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to fuel Diversified’s expansion in key markets and continue to serve the company's 70 Fortune 100 clients.

This new headquarters will house the company’s executive leadership team and offer a collaborative workspace for local staff and visiting associates, fostering innovation and client engagement.

“We are very excited about the opening of Diversified's new global headquarters at Granite Park in Plano,” said Plano Mayor John B. Muns in an official statement. “This location is in a growing hub of business and technology innovation. Diversified will surely have a tremendous impact on the industry and the City of Excellence. Welcome to Plano!”

Diversified’s new headquarters is equipped with advanced audiovisual and collaboration technology designed to enhance both visitor experience and internal productivity.

In the foyer, guests are welcomed by a large, direct-view LED wall that displays dynamic, curated content. The wall can be controlled through a touch panel or wireless interface. In the open area, a 1.2mm curved LED wall serves as a collaborative workspace and production backdrop. This space is equipped with high-bandwidth connectivity, ceiling-mounted speakers, and multiple audio zones for independent volume control. A ceiling-mounted camera with presenter tracking capabilities makes the area adaptable for various future production and collaboration needs.

The main conference room is optimized for collaboration, seating up to 10 and featuring dual displays with Microsoft Teams Room solutions and AI-powered cameras. The setup includes automatic presenter tracking, dual cameras and ceiling-mounted microphones for clear audio and video conferencing.

“This new headquarters is a working example of what we do best — integrating advanced technology into functional spaces,” said CEO Eric Hutto. “It’s designed to showcase how modern technology can adapt to the needs of any business, providing an interactive space for our clients to see the practical benefits of the solutions we deliver.”

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A billion dollar tech company ditched its New Jersey headquarters for a new corporate hub in Plano, Texas.

Diversified, an audiovisual and media company with clients like the National Football League (NFL) and Lululemon announced the opening of its new global headquarters in North Texas, according to a statement. The company, which reports an annual revenue of $1 billion, says the move will support the goals of securing a central location for clients and open access to new talent.

The new office in Granite Park will be located in the heart of Plano's growing business corridor. The location boasts prime access to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and the larger Dallas metro, giving Diversified a more central location for clients and partners, the company said.

“This new headquarters is a working example of what we do best—integrating advanced technology into functional spaces,” said Eric Hutto, CEO of Diversified. “It’s designed to showcase how modern technology can adapt to the needs of any business, providing an interactive space for our clients to see the practical benefits of the solutions we deliver.”

The company focuses on building "experiential environments," for major brands and retailers. It recently worked on a build-out of a sound system at Oracle Park and worked on the digital signage of Lululemon, according to a report by The Dallas Morning News.

The move is part of a larger trend of more and more tech companies opening offices in the North Texas area. Global tech company Simplilearn announced it was moving its headquarters from San Francisco to Plano earlier this month. Tech company iRely moved into the Dallas metroplex from Indiana earlier this summer.

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No contact with people or pets was reported

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On Oct. 24, 2024, a bat found near the entrance of Campisi’s restaurant at 8100 Dallas Pkwy in Plano tested positive for rabies. While no known contact with people or pets occurred, the bat was submitted for testing due to the high public traffic in the area.

“This positive test highlights the importance of keeping all vaccinations current — especially rabies — since there is no way to predict when a pet may come into contact with a wild animal,” Animal Services Director Jamey Cantrell said in an official statement.

In September a bat found on the 1700 block of Throwbridge Lane in Plano tested positive for rabies. Although there were no reported interactions with people or pets, the bat was sent for testing due to concerns about its condition.

The Plano Animal Shelter does not routinely test wild animals unless they have had contact with a person or pet. However, exceptions are made for five high-risk non-domestic animals, including bats, foxes, skunks, coyotes and raccoons.

Texas law requires that dogs and cats receive a rabies vaccination by the time they are 4 months old, and it must be given by a licensed veterinarian. For an animal to be considered protected against rabies in potential exposure cases, at least 30 days must pass after the initial vaccination, and the time since the last vaccination must not exceed the interval recommended by the manufacturer for booster shots. Local authorities may impose more frequent vaccination requirements.

Signs of rabies in pets or wildlife may include unusual behavior, such as a wild animal acting unusually "friendly" or a sudden onset of aggression in a pet. Other symptoms, like difficulty walking, eating or drinking, may also be present, though a definitive diagnosis can only be made through testing.

Residents who believe they or their pets may have come into contact with the bat at or near Campisi's are urged to contact Plano Animal Services at 972.769.4360 to report any interactions.

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