The city of Arlington and 13 property owners have settled eminent-domain cases related to the new Dallas Cowboys stadium, attorney Glenn Sodd said Thursday.

He said the deal, struck last week, gave his clients a combined $5.8 million, about five times the city's original offer.

Mr. Sodd is one of two lawyers who handled most of the condemnation cases.

The City Council used eminent domain when it couldn't settle with property owners at the stadium site. The neighborhood that was displaced was mostly filled with small houses – many of them rentals – and low-income apartments.

It wasn't clear how many eminent-domain cases connected to the stadium were still outstanding, but most have been settled.

Jeff Mosier

Police in DeSoto have arrested a 19-year-old in connection with the slaying of his girlfriend.

Nelson L. Davis of DeSoto turned himself in at the Dallas County Jail early Thursday after a warrant was issued for him.

He was being sought in the death Wednesday of 28-year-old Melissa Evans.

"His mother was pleading on TV last night for Davis to turn himself in," DeSoto police Capt. Ron Smith said.

When Mr. Davis surrendered at the jail, he was accompanied by a second, unidentified man, who was present at the time of the shooting, Capt. Smith said. Both men remain in custody, he said.

Ms. Evans was killed at her residence in the BrookHollow Apartment complex at 205 Gilbert Ave. in DeSoto, he said.

Ms. Evans' three children, ages 3, 7 and 10, were present during the shooting. They told police their mother had been dating Mr. Davis "for a couple weeks," Capt. Smith said.

Caitlin Myers

An Ellis County grand jury indicted a man Thursday who authorities believe broke into Maypearl City Hall and tried to shoot the town's police chief.

Gretchon Windell Powell, 34, was indicted on one count of attempted capital murder and one count of aggravated assault on a public servant.

According to police documents, Chief Lester Taylor sat at his desk about 5:30 a.m. Sept. 15 when Mr. Powell broke through the door and told the chief he had been in an accident and needed help.

Chief Taylor asked to see Mr. Powell's driver's license, and the two walked to an adjoining garage. That's when Mr. Powell grabbed the chief's loaded gun and pointed it at him.

Mr. Powell pulled the trigger of the pistol several times, but the gun never fired. At one point, Mr. Powell ejected the magazine.

As Mr. Powell struggled with the gun, Chief Taylor ran to an office to call for help. Mr. Powell fled before authorities arrived.

Mr. Powell evaded police for more than a week before he was taken into custody at a Dallas apartment complex.

According to documents, Mr. Powell has a lengthy criminal background that includes convictions for evading arrest and burglary in East Texas.

Jon Nielsen

Fort Worth police are warning residents about a robber who appears to be targeting elderly women as they return home from the grocery store.

Police believe the female robber is responsible for five attacks since mid-October, including one last week in the 1800 block of Martel Avenue, in which the victim was a 92-year-old woman.

According to police, the 92-year-old was followed home from a grocery store in East Fort Worth, grabbed by her assailant and forced into her own house.

The robber then rummaged through the woman's purse before fleeing, police said.

None of the victims has been injured.

Police have surveillance video of the robber, but they have not released it.

People with information about the crimes are asked to contact Fort Worth robbery detectives at 817-392-4370 or Crime Stoppers at 817-469-TIPS.

Dan X. McGraw

A woman and child were hospitalized for smoke inhalation after escaping a fire that destroyed their home early Thursday in north Mansfield.

The fire started about 2 a.m. at a home in the 1700 block of Fairfax Drive, officials said. Neighbors spotted the blaze and called 911, Mansfield Assistant Fire Chief Eric Peterson said.

The woman and her daughter were treated and released from Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, officials said.

The fire destroyed the home, which is appraised at about $223,000, officials said. The cause has not been determined.

Debra Dennis

Lynda Humble, DeSoto's assistant city manager, has been named the lone finalist to take over the position of city manager in Rowlett.

The City Council unanimously selected Ms. Humble as the finalist Tuesday. Rowlett Mayor John Harper said the city now would work on finishing up the selection process, including negotiating a contract.

"We're probably looking at mid-January, if all goes well, for her to become city manager in Rowlett," Dr. Harper said.

Ms. Humble has been assistant city manager in DeSoto since 2002. She previously served that city as managing director of management services. She also has worked for Garland and Cedar Hill.

Ms. Humble would replace Craig Owens, who resigned in June to take a similar position in Clayton, Mo., near St. Louis. Mr. Owens had served as city manager for three years.

Frank Trejo