Editor's note: The top Dallas news of the week is chock-full of happenings in the restaurant scene. Exciting openings include a burger joint's new location, BBQ hidden gem, and the new Gas Monkey IceHouse from Richard Rawlings. Get the details on the most popular Dallas stories of the week below, and then head to our event planner for some weekend fun 1. Award-winning Dallas burger joint opens location in Forney An ambitious burger restaurant from Dallas has debuted in Forney Blues Burgers is from Howard and Catherine Baldwin who opened the original Blues Burgers near Love Field in Dallas in 2014 2. Family Tex-Mex shutters and more Dallas restaurant news This roundup of Dallas restaurant news has one tragic closure but also some upbeat reopenings and relocations 3. Hidden gem BBQ spot in Grand Prairie boasts up-close golf course views There’s a hidden gem for BBQ now open in Grand Prairie 4. Dallas celeb Richard Rawlings opens Gas Monkey IceHouse at The Colony The day has arrived for the opening of Gas Monkey Icehouse the new concept from automotive icon and DFW native Richard Rawlings 5. Dallas foodie fave restaurant Cris and John relocates after 7 years A major Dallas foodie favorite is on the move Cris and John Vietnamese Street Food is leaving its location in Far North Dallas at 5555 Preston Oaks Rd. and moving yet further north to 6090 Campbell Rd. in a shopping center at the corner of Preston Road A new era of professional soccer is coming to North Texas: The soccer entity previously known as USL Dallas has a new identity USL Dallas, now known as Atlético Dallas, is a professional soccer team coming in 2027 as part of the USL Championship. Founded by soccer enthusiasts Matt Valentine and Sam Morton, it'll be part of the United Soccer League (USL) Championship It'll be the second men's soccer team in the region joining FC Dallas a professional soccer club based in Frisco that plays in Major League Soccer (MLS) The announcement about the new branding was made during a fanfare-filled event in downtown Garland on May 2 featuring appearances by local personalities such as Armando “El Chiquilín” Ulloa of La Grande 107.5 FM who also joins the club as a minority owner and brand ambassador “This brand launch is more than a name reveal —it's a declaration of who we are and what we stand for,” Valentine said and our commitment to uniting the community through our shared love of soccer." Part of the new brand identity includes bold team colors: Texas Topaz (light blue) Atlético Dallas' youth division will now be known as Atlético Dallas Youth following a recently announced partnership with Renegades Soccer Club With more than 2,500 young athletes and a reputation for competitive excellence the transition will strengthen the club’s commitment to developing homegrown talent through a clear and direct pathway to the pros The club is preparing to kick off play in the USL Championship in 2027 joining the fastest-growing professional soccer organization in the U.S or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to read or post comments Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Get quarterly updates Check here to sign up Be a WNC insider with The Guide’s e-newsletter and you’ll always have plans Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account CW33 Dallas / Ft. Worth TX (KDAF) -There’s a coffee shop in Forney where you don’t just get a drink Goat Farm Coffee House is a working farm that also has a coffee shop and more You can grab a coffee and then go hang out in the field with the goats You can even get goat milk put in your drinks.  They also make other fun treats from goat milk There’s also a room full of products they make from goat milk Because they’re an actual farm, you have to sign up for a membership to their Private Membership Association to be able to buy the products they make. A lifetime membership is only $10 for one person, $15 for a couple, or $20 for a family. To find out more, click here. Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. According to Babycenter, these are the actual most popular baby names so far in 2025. Whether it’s a short vacation or they’re jetting off to begin their career, show the future traveler you care with a meaningful graduation gift. National Teacher Appreciation Week begins May 5. If you’re a teacher, take advantage of these freebies and deals! As a sophomore, ran an 11.05 100, per MileSplit. Recorded an 11.16 100 as a freshman in Spring 2023. 2024: As a junior, ran for 1,227 yards and 25 TDs on 6.52 yards per carry in 11 games for a Texas 5A D-I first-round playoff team. Also caught 10 passes for 167 yards and 1 TD. 2023: Finished huge sophomore campaign with 2,231 yards and 39 TDs on 7.69 yards per carry. Added 15 receptions for 181 yards and 2 TDs. Helped Forney to a 13-2 record and the Texas 5A D-I state semifinals. 2022: Texas District 7-5A D-I Offensive Newcomer of the Year and first-team all-district honors at running back as a freshman. Ran for 1,064 yards and 8 TDs on 7.39 yards per carry. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc The content on this site is for entertainment purposes only and 247Sports makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event This site contains commercial content and 247Sports may be compensated for the links provided on this site The production shutdowns will occur in Minnesota They’re the latest in a string of closures as part of Smurfit Westrock’s streamlining efforts Smurfit Westrock announced a series of upcoming production line and facility closures late Wednesday ahead of its first-quarter 2025 earnings release The company will close its coated recycled board mill in St and stop production at its containerboard mill in Forney The specialty coating facility at Forney will not be affected Smurfit Westrock also initiated talks with local work councils in Germany about closing two converting facilities there A WARN notice dated April 30 in Minnesota states that layoffs there will happen on or shortly after June 30 closures will reduce its containerboard and CRB production capacity by more than 500,000 tons and Germany closures are expected to affect approximately 650 employees The company says it will provide employees with severance and support such as career transition assistance and relocation opportunities “While closing facilities is never an easy decision it is based on a realistic expectation of current and future capacity needs operating costs and an unrelenting focus on improving our business,” CEO Tony Smurfit said in a statement “We are very grateful for the significant contributions made by the teams at these locations over the years and we will do all we can to support them throughout this process.” The company expects it will incur $99 million in pre-tax charges from these closures, according to a Wednesday securities filing That breaks down to approximately $42 million for severance payments to former employees and $57 million for other restructuring costs are expected to be realized in the second quarter while the remaining $61 million is expected to be recognized during the rest of this year and into 2026 Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional information from a Minnesota WARN notice Get the free daily newsletter read by industry experts Growing regulatory and public pressure on single-use plastic is creating market opportunities for fiber products DS Smith and others are helping clients innovate bottles Soaring use of these medications for weight loss is shifting demand including for packaging manufacturers that serve pharma and food customers Analysts say the game-changer is an opportunity for innovative companies Subscribe to the Packaging Dive free daily newsletter The free newsletter covering the top industry headlines Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application She was the daughter of the late Lawrence Gibbs and Elizabeth Haley She is also preceded in death by her husband Georgia devoted much of her professional life to Mountain Projects where she served on the board and dedicated many years to improving the lives of others as she was an active participant in the Foster Grandparent Program through Mountain Projects at the First United Methodist Church for over thirty years This role allowed her to share her love and nurturing spirit with countless children As a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church and a regular attendee at Jones Temple Georgia cherished the fellowship and bonds formed with her church community Her warmth and kindness were evident in all her interactions and she was known for her unwavering support of her loved ones Georgia was particularly proud of her family Her legacy of love and support will continue to resonate through them at the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time Burial will be at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park memorials may be mailed to Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center’s Georgia Haley Forney's life was a testament to her love for family and her commitment to her community and her memory will forever remain in the hearts of those she touched Forney has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors SAN DIEGO – 08 April 2025 - General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that Scott Forney president of GA-EMS gratefully accepted the Navy League of the United States’ Fleet Admiral Chester W Nimitz Award during an award presentation held at the Sea Air Space 2025 conference in National Harbor Nimitz Award honors a leader of industry who has made a major contribution to the nation’s maritime strength or enhanced national security A committee appointed by the National President of the Navy League selected Mr Forney as the recipient of this year’s award from a field of nominated civilian leaders that best exemplifies the leadership statesmanship and dedication to the nation that was exhibited by the award’s namesake Forney has forged a path of rapid innovation to advance a portfolio of transformational technologies and products supporting naval warfare and national security GA-EMS developed and implemented the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) to provide greater efficiency and enhanced operational capabilities for the Ford-class aircraft carriers The company is also spearheading development of high-energy laser weapons and space systems and satellites that will help redefine engagement in a multi-domain battlespace Forney has guided the company’s investment in its infrastructure and personnel to establish a modern Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Tupelo contributing to a more resilient domestic industrial base with capabilities to support a range of naval projects including the design and manufacture of critical components for Virginia and Columbia-class submarines About General Atomics Electromagnetic SystemsGeneral Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) develops innovative technologies to create breakthrough solutions supporting operational environments from undersea to space power generation and energy storage systems and space systems and satellites GA-EMS offers an expanding portfolio of capabilities for defense GA-EMS also provides commercial products and services targeting the hazardous waste remediation For further information, visit www.ga.com/ems Media ContactEMS-MediaRelations@ga.com Go Back Portland, ME t:207.477.7010 Email With a career spanning over 18 years in government service and private practice Geoff Forney has a wealth of experience handling a variety of litigation matters in federal court with a focus on employee benefits litigation under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and administrative law litigation under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Geoff represented the Department of Labor during investigations and in civil actions where the Department alleged violations involving the administration of employee benefit plans he represented agencies in federal court in disputes involving employment-based immigration programs Geoff also previously worked in private practice helping employers and foreign national employees challenge immigration-related regulations and adjudications There are three primary aspects to Geoff’s practice: Geoff represents clients in employee benefits disputes throughout the United States with a focus on ERISA litigation involving claims against fiduciaries and services providers relating to the administration or management of employee benefit plans Geoff spent nearly seven years with the U.S Department of Labor (DOL) Office of the Solicitor in the National Office and in the Philadelphia Regional Office During his most recent time with DOL (through February 2025) Geoff worked at the Plan Benefits Security Division as a Trial Attorney and as an Acting Counsel for Health Benefits Investigation and Compliance he represented the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) in investigations of employee benefit plans and assisted in preparing cases for litigation He advised EBSA about possible violations in the management of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and health plans Geoff also represented DOL in a civil action against a third-party administrator health insurance carrier he handled a case against a company and the fiduciary committee responsible for administering an ESOP During a prior term serving in the Philadelphia Regional Solicitor of Labor’s Office Geoff assisted EBSA during investigations of fiduciaries responsible for pension plans and self-funded welfare plans He also handled civil litigation in federal courts involving fiduciary breach claims and prohibited transactions he was responsible for advising EBSA in compliance matters related to employee benefit plan and health insurance carrier investigations under ERISA and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) As at Trial Attorney and as Acting Counsel for Health Benefits Investigation and Compliance he assisted with EBSA’s investigations and comparative analysis reviews including issues relating to provider network adequacy and out-of-network reimbursement practices.  As a Trial Attorney and later as Senior Litigation Counsel Geoff represented federal agencies in civil litigation in district and appellate courts He defended agencies against challenges to immigration-related regulations and adjudications under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Geoff also spent over two years in private practice focusing on the litigation of employment-based immigration disputes under the INA and APA on behalf of employers and foreign national employees Geoff represented employers in the Court of Federal Claims in a Tucker Act case challenging the Department of Homeland Security’s alleged illegal exaction of fees for H-1B petitions He additionally represented employers in prevailing wage disputes in connection with the H-1B program Geoff practiced employment-based immigration law with a large U.S law firm and a boutique immigration firm in Philadelphia Media Outlets Cover the Arrival of Geoffrey Forney Fisher Phillips Continues Growth Momentum in Portland An ambitious burger restaurant from Dallas has debuted in Forney: Called Blues Burgers, it’s a mom-and-pop burger spot and make their own sauces and spreads in-house They also offer vegetarian and vegan options for burger patties including Impossible Burger They maintain a dedicated fryer for those who prefer plant-based cooking oil and they also have a gluten-free bun baked by Local Oven These are all steps that earned them a spot on a 2016 list of best burgers by Texas Monthly The couple closed the Dallas location in February to focus attention on the Forney restaurant as they have plans to open a location in Dallas but the location never had any dinner traffic," she says Blues Burgers skewered tater tots served with ranch of course.Blues Burgers Their menu features a dozen burger options including: plus a whole host of fun sides including fried pickles and jalapeno poppers They do French fries and tater tots plain or loaded plus a unique dish featuring skewered tater tots layered with bacon & jalapeno and topped with cheese The Forney location does not yet have their signature local beers on tap but Catherine says that's in the works as soon as they get their liquor license “A lot of the people that visited us in Dallas live out this way and we even have some regulars drive from Dallas to visit since the other location closed,” Catherine says "Forney has more of a small town feel here and it's a little more of a community.” The project will upgrade the current asphalt road from FM 548 north of US 80 to Windmill Farms Blvd into a concrete paved roadway has secured a contract worth around $80m from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for the improvement of a portion of Farm to Market Road 548 (FM 548) located near Forney This project will upgrade the prevailing asphalt roadway from FM 548 north of US 80 to Windmill Farms Blvd into a concrete paved roadway Additional travel lanes and drainage enhancements are also part of the planned improvements The funding for this project is set to come from state sources and will be included in the company’s first-quarter CAP The improvements are expected to increase traffic capacity particularly through the commercial area in the city and help alleviate congestion in the City of Forney and surrounding Kaufman County This project‘s scope encompasses over 200,000 square yards of 10-inch concrete pavement and over 40,000 linear feet of new storm drain Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis  Construction is slated to begin in July 2025 Granite Regional Operations vice president Steve Kaesler said: “Our home market strategy in North Texas is complemented perfectly by this strategic project.” “It fits well with our core competencies and is a result of capitalizing on other wins in the nearby area.” In March 2025, Granite also secured an estimated $66m contract from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for improvements to the Caldwell Avenue interchange on State Route 99 (SR99) in Visalia This contract involves constructing two new precast girder bridges including a two-span structure over SR99 and a single-span structure over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks In January 2025, Granite Construction was awarded a contract worth approximately $71m from the US Army Corps of Engineers to expand and improve the rail yard at Fort Bliss in El Paso Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network By Chase RogersStaff Writer according to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by The Dallas Morning News Artinamas Dequann Searcy was arrested after the shooting and remained in Kaufman County custody Tuesday It was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney The arrest was based on interviews and surveillance footage from residential cameras that captured the shooting a 2023 graduate of North Forney High School The second person was hospitalized and was in critical condition as of Friday Crime in The NewsRead the crime and public safety news your neighbors are talking about GoogleFacebookBy signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy The condition of the person injured was unclear Tuesday A spokesperson for the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office declined to answer a list of questions about the shooting I will have an update as soon as there is something new,” Scott Whitaker Kaufman County sheriff’s deputies were called about 1:54 p.m Friday afternoon after a report of a shooting in the 2000 block of Chisholm Trail Responding deputies spotted a Chrysler sedan leaving the location and later found it parked in the lot of Brown Middle School The person who was hospitalized was found inside suffering from a gunshot wound to the head who was seen walking near the shooting location and arrested told investigators that he and Rider had met with the people in the sedan moments before the shooting Surveillance footage described in the affidavit captured the encounter showing the sedan’s driver flashing money — suggesting a planned exchange — before Rider pulled out a firearm and pointed it at the driver The driver then appears to return fire at Rider An investigator said it appeared Rider and Searcy attempted to rob the people in the car prior to the shooting He grew up in Granbury and studied journalism at Texas State University in San Marcos he reported for the Austin American-Statesman and the Corpus Christi Caller-Times He can be reached at 361-239-6527 and Signal at crogers.95 Thanks to its large fiber network and fast speeds, AT&T Fiber is Forney's best internet provider. AT&T Fiber also ranks as CNET's best fiber optic internet provider for 2025, meaning you can trust its reliability wherever you are in Forney Fiber connectivity is available to 68% of Forney homes with AT&T Fiber being the largest fiber provider in the area Optimum offers the cheapest service in Forney: $40 per month for download speeds up to 300Mbps you can also go with T-Mobile Home Internet for $30 The fastest speed available in Forney is 5 gigabits which is offered by AT&T Fiber for $245 monthly If you're after the fastest internet speed in Forney our CNET experts once again point to AT&T Fiber The provider has plans of up to 5 gigabits for $245 per month which isn't cheap but well worth it for the speeds you get you can always use AT&T's 2-gigabit plan for $145 which is cheaper but still has decent speed If you're after budget-friendly internet in the city and it gives you download speeds of up to 300 Mbps The best internet deals and top promotions in Forney depend on what discounts are available during that period but we look frequently for the latest offers.  may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time run the same standard pricing year-round.  For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.  Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed service and performance vary by connection type For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need It doesn’t end there: We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page Thanks to its large fiber network and fast speeds, AT&T Fiber is Forney's best internet provider. AT&T Fiber also ranks as CNET's best fiber optic internet provider for 2025, meaning you can trust its reliability wherever you are in Forney Peachtree’s management division will operate the property Peachtree Group recently opened the 87-suite TownePlace Suites Forney in Forney Vishnu Rageev R is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience in business journalism As a senior journalist with Asian Hospitality TownePlace Suites Forney is now open in Forney The pet-friendly hotel, located 22 miles east of Dallas, features a 24-hour fitness center and an outdoor pool, the companies said in a joint statement It is near the Spellman Museum of Forney History and Mesquite Metro Airport HQZ “As we continue to expand our third-party management platform we remain focused on partnering with top-tier companies that share our commitment to operational excellence,” said Vickie Callahan Peachtree’s president of hospitality management developing hotels that are both professionally executed and uniquely designed to stand apart in their competitive set connecting each property to its local community.” Peachtree partnered with TEKMAK to manage a selection of its Texas hotels and now oversees six properties: Fairfield Inn & Suites Paris expressed excitement about joining the Forney community and serving the nation’s fastest-growing county with the new TownePlace Suites “We’re grateful for the Peachtree team’s hard work in getting the hotel open and are thrilled about the strong leadership they’ve assembled to manage daily operations,” he said “We take great pride in the quality of the hotels we develop and have full confidence in Peachtree’s ability to deliver an equally high level of service to our guests.” Atlanta-based Peachtree is led by CEO and Managing Principal Greg Friedman, Managing Principal and Chief Financial Officer Jatin Desai, and Principal Mitul Patel, while Dallas-based TEKMAK is led by Chief Executive Officer and President Thomas Kirkland “Third-party hotel operators are increasingly recognized for delivering superior service often outperforming chain-managed hotels in key areas that matter most to guests,” Callahan said “The opening of TownePlace Suites Forney reflects the strength of our collaboration and our shared vision to exceed expectations and raise standards across every hotel we manage.” PEACHTREE GROUP RECENTLY launched the 114-key Residence Inn Ocean Township along the Jersey Shore in New Jersey This marks the company’s eighth DST offering since launching the program in 2022 The Residence Inn is in Monmouth County, one of the wealthiest counties in the U.S., known for its high median income and vibrant year-round economy, Peachtree said in a statement “This newly developed property represents everything we look for in a DST offering: strong market fundamentals and long-term upside driven by secular tailwinds in travel,” said Tim Witt Peachtree’s president for 1031 exchange and DST products Atlanta-based Peachtree is led by Greg Friedman managing principal and CFO; and Mitul Patel The hotel benefits from its proximity to beach destinations such as Asbury Park The region’s diverse economy—anchored by healthcare and technology—drives consistent lodging demand throughout the year Netflix is investing $900 million to redevelop nearby Fort Monmouth into its primary East Coast production hub a project expected to create 3,500 construction jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs “With the opening of Residence Inn Ocean Township in 2024 we’re providing investors access to a debt-free income-generating asset in a premier coastal market,” Witt said “It’s a strategic fit for those seeking tax deferral through a 1031 exchange while maintaining exposure to one of the most resilient sectors in commercial real estate.” Peachtree’s DST properties offer a compelling option for 1031 exchange investors seeking to reinvest proceeds from the sale of appreciated real estate while deferring taxes and maintaining exposure to the hotel sector The firm’s eight DST offerings total more than $220 million in debt-free real estate transactions In February Peachtree appointed Jordan Hylton as senior vice president of multifamily acquisitions for its DST platform which recently expanded its portfolio to include multifamily assets Hyatt Studios Mobile/Tillmans Corner is now open in Mobile was developed and franchised by 3H Group and is managed by LBA Hospitality Chattanooga, Tennessee-based 3H Group is led by President and CEO Hiren Desai, while Dothan, Alabama-based LBA Hospitality is headed by President Beau Benton “As the first developer to break ground on a Hyatt Studios hotel and now the first to open one, we’ve seen firsthand how this brand fills a critical gap in the extended-stay space,” said Desai efficient design and a flexible operating model that resonates with both guests and owners Its focus on quality extended-stay experiences paired with Hyatt’s strong support and reputation and we’re excited to continue growing with additional Hyatt Studios projects in the future.” located in Tillmans Corner less than 10 miles from Mobile International Airport provides access to downtown Mobile and the Gulf Coast It also is near the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park Bellingrath Gardens and the Mobile Carnival Museum The new hotel offers 122 studio suites with a fitness studio and an outdoor patio The Hyatt Studios brand also provides EV charging stations at all locations said the new hotel’s opening marks a milestone in expanding extended-stay accommodations “This is just the beginning for the Hyatt Studios brand which has generated enthusiasm among hotel owners and developers,” he said “We’re proud to celebrate the grand opening with 3H Group and LBA Hospitality whose dedication has brought the Hyatt Studios vision to life.” Hyatt plans to have 40 Hyatt Studios operational by 2027, the statement said. In February a select-service brand for transient guests and conversions expanding its upper-midscale segment in the Americas ahead of global rollout 3H Group is advancing Hyatt Studios projects in Huntsville The company is developing a Caption by Hyatt hotel in Chattanooga set to open in 2026 It recently acquired Hyatt Place Tampa Airport/Westshore and is building dual-brand Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotels in East Nashville In November 3H Group and LBA Hospitality opened their first dual-branded IHG hotels in Chattanooga—Candlewood Suites Chattanooga East and Holiday Inn Express Chattanooga East—adding 154 rooms to the market JALARAM SLEEPY HOLLOW acquired the 91-key Fairfield Inn & Suites Memphis Southaven in Southaven Hunter Hotel Advisors’ Senior Vice President Tim Osborne and Vice President Chase Perry brokered the deal The hotel, renovated in 2023, is near several demand drivers in Southaven, 15 miles south of downtown Memphis, Hunter said in a statement They include major employers such as Amazon XAI recently opened a nearby supercomputer site with expansion plans “Southaven is our home and a strategic market for our company’s growth,” said Rohan Patel of Jalaram Hotel Group “It was a pleasure to work with Hunter and Helix on the acquisition.” HBS Investment Group recently acquired the 122-key Hilton Garden Inn Louisville East in Louisville SHRIV SHAKTI HOSPITALITY recently acquired the three-storey 111-key Comfort Inn East Evansville in Evansville from Priyansu Hotels for under $50,000 per room and a member of Hotel Brokers International The new owner will maintain the Choice Hotels affiliation and plans improvements for the property Niehaus & Associates said in a statement is the economic hub of a 24-county region and a trade center for parts of Indiana Vrindavan LLC recently acquired the 48-room SureStay by Best Western Bardstown General Nelson in Bardstown, Kentucky, from Dhamdhani LLC, in a deal brokered by Huff, Niehaus & Associates acquired the 189-key Westin Great Southern Hotel in Columbus in an all-cash deal—its 14th purchase in 24 months and first in downtown Columbus The company selected ZMC Hotels to manage the property Whitestone Cos "While we've acquired many assets nationwide this one is especially meaningful as it's in our hometown," Batra said "We're excited to add this historic property to our portfolio." is listed on the National Register of Historic Places Originally the Great Southern Fireproof Building and Opera House it has hosted figures including Presidents William McKinley "When you step into the two-story marble lobby you feel a century of history around you," said Batra "You see the craftsmanship that built it They don’t make them like this anymore." The hotel offers more than 10,000 square feet of event space said investors and designers value projects like this "While different from our traditional value-add offerings this project blends restoring a historic asset and enhancing the guest experience," he said In December Whitestone acquired the 144-room Homewood Suites by Hilton Minneapolis-Mall of America its first investment in Minnesota and fourth Homewood Suites purchase in 18 months