Latest News
The Texas Rangers are investigating allegations of criminal misconduct by a Murphy police officer, Police Chief Jeff Gibson said in a Wednesday, July 29, release.After receiving a report on July 24, the officer was placed on administrative leave while the department...
Growth is spreading in Collin County, increasing overall property values, while average home values are down slightly, says Brian Swanson, deputy chief appraiser-business operations and compliance of Collin Central Appraisal District (CCAD). “The overall value of the...
Mary Lange, commander of American Legion Hale-Combest Post 315, received the Texas Legionnaire of the Year award earlier this month. File Art A Wylie woman whose leadership helped bring “The Wall That Heals” to the community last year has received one of the Texas...
Students working in teams of two consider whether to inspect a body on the floor of a crime scene scenario, Thursday, July 23, at the Youth Citizens Police Academy. Bob Wieland/Murphy Monitor There was a lot of noise and confusion at a crime scene. A manikin, bleeding...
All three bids for the lighted FM 544 bicycle and pedestrian bridge over Maxwell Creek were over budget and the low bidder was not pre-qualified with TxDOT, Director of Public Works Donald Reese says. In addition, the other two bidders did not submit all required...
Sports
Plano East incoming senior Bilal Habib earned fifth place at 106 pounds at the Class 6A state wrestling tournament. Photo by Niall Morga Media By David Wolman [email protected] Plano East remained one of the premier athletic programs in Plano ISD during the...
Plano East alum Myles Dennis (16) helped lead the Panthers' boys soccer team to a 2-1 win over Plano and their first playoff berth since 2018. Photo by Andy Redmond / C&S Media By David Wolman [email protected] Plano East remained one of the premier athletic...
Plano East incoming junior Arianna Robinson scored 14 points in an 82-73 win for the United States over Spain in the championship game of the FIBA U17 World Cup in Brno, Czechia, to secure the gold medal for the Americans. Photo by Andy Redmond / C&S Media By...
Former Plano East head football coach Johnny Ringo will be inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Hall of Honor on Saturday in Houston. Photo courtesy Johnny Ringo By David Wolman [email protected] Former Plano East head football coach and athletic director...
Plano East sophomore running back Treyce Seldon (28) is raised in the air after scoring a touchdown during an Oct. 3, 2025, home game against McKinney Boyd. Seldon finished the 2025 season with 870 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Photo by Andy Redmond / C&S Media...
Education
The Plano ISD Board of Trustees will meet next month to set a 2026-27 tax rate after receiving certified taxable property values from the Collin Central Appraisal District. The school board will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 4, and a work...
By Andrew Norsworthy Wylie ISD trustees approved the district’s 2026-27 budget during their June 16 meeting, adopting a spending plan that projects a nearly $15 million deficit while providing pay increases for teachers and staff and maintaining the current tax rate....
Murphy Chamber of Commerce scholarship winners were presented to City Council. From left, Steve Dault, vice-chair, Chamber Scholarship Foundation; Sevy Wang, a graduate of Wylie High School; Syan Tecuatl, a Plano East grad; Suri Wang, a Wylie High grad; Roheemat...
The Plano Independent School District will hold a public meeting June 23 to discuss the district’s proposed 2026-27 budget and tax rate. The hearing was set by the PISD Board of Trustees at the board’s regular meeting on May 19. The meeting is scheduled for 5:30...
Graduating PESH seniors stand for the Pledge of Allegiance at the Thursday, May 28, commencement exercise in the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco. Andy Redmond/Murphy Monitor With the toss of a cap, a chapter ended for nearly 1,300 members of the Plano East Senior...
Life & Style
By Carrie Dunlea Retirement often brings more freedom, but it can also mean fewer daily opportunities to connect with others. Whether you're newly retired or simply looking to expand your circle, building new friendships can improve both physical and mental well-being...
Few things are as delicious and refreshing as watermelon on a warm day. Watermelon grows quite readily in summer and is often ready to pick after three months of growing time. Harvesters look for a pale buttery yellow spot on the bottom of watermelon (the ground...
The rusted water tower is one of the last visible reminders of the Princeton POW Camp, which briefly housed German prisoners of war during World War II. The Stories Collin County Forgot to Notice Every time I drive through Princeton, I pass the same brown sign. You...
How misinformation may be undermining cancer prevention Photo courtesy of Shutterstock Despite its wide recognition as an effective tool for skin cancer prevention, many Americans still say they aren’t sure how sunscreen works. In fact, confusion about its use and...
By Carrie Dunlea Surrounded by mountain landscapes and natural beauty, mountain retreats in the United States offer an idyllic escape for those who seek solitude and a peaceful getaway. From the rolling hills of the Appalachians to the majestic Rockies, these...
Opinion
Columnist John Moore rarely went out to eat when he was young. But when he did, he had a pretty good idea where his family was going to dine. Photo: Moore Family Photos By John Moore | TheCountryWriter.com “Are we going out to eat?” was not a phrase my...
Columnist John Moore bought a lot of books when he was young. He still has many of them. Photo: John Moore By John Moore | TheCountryWriter.com I’m not sure what fundraisers try to sell to grade school kids today, but when I was a kid, it was books. The...
Columnist John Moore still listens to vinyl on the types of stereos on which he grew up. Photo: John Moore By John Moore | TheCountryWriter.com Transistor radios were a breakthrough in entertainment. Especially for young people. When they debuted in the...
Columnist John Moore still writes letters. His latest went to his mom while she was on vacation. Photo: John Moore By John Moore | TheCountryWriter.com When I was about 10, I wrote a letter to my aunt, who lived in Oklahoma. I’d never written a letter to...
Columnist John Moore still isn’t allowed to use the good towels. His is behind the bathroom door. Photo: John Moore As a kid, I was fairly certain I’d never get any couth. I wasn’t sure what couth was, but it seemed to be important to my grandparents. If you made a...
