People choose where they live for lots of different reasons. Sometimes they seek out certain schools. Others might be more interested in the proximity to their job or ease of commuting. Affordability likely plays a role, and people are also often influenced by the overall quality of life and amenities a city offers.

Here at Community Impact Newspaper we believe all those factors are important. They get at the heart of what we do—cover community news. People want to know what is happening down the street, in their schools and with their tax dollars.

I recently joined the staff here to follow my passion for local news, which is vital in this day and age. Keeping people informed makes for better communities.

That is why readers will find lots of useful information in this issue. Miranda Jaimes and Renee Yan are highlighting the top issues in Grapevine, Colleyville and Southlake. From stories about the revitalization in the train district to the improvements to SH 26, they’ve got you covered.