Wylie East graduate Eno Benjamin enters this season for Arizona State as the featured running back. (Courtesy Arizona State Athletics)

The 2019 college football season will have a distinct flavor of local talent on the Div. I level.

Perennial playoff and district title contender Sachse will have the largest contingency.

By David Jenkins • Sports Editor • [email protected]

For the full story, see the Aug. 8 issue or subscribe online.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced on June 23 that more than $5.2 million in Texas Talent Connection grants would be awarded to 15 innovative workforce skills training and job placement programs across the state, including Collin College. “We are very excited to be working with the team at the North Texas Municipal Water District to create a new Waterworks program that is so important to the health of our community,” said Natalie Over the next five years, to maintain quality water services, the NTMWD expects to hire more than 200 employees. The waterworks training pro- gram consists of two training paths, one for water operators and the other for wastewater operators. The college was awarded $158,664 for its Waterworks training program.

From Staff Reports • [email protected]

For the full story, see the Aug. 8 issue or subscribe online.

CBD American Shaman co-owner Liza Marabella provides education as well as sells hemp-based products that customers use to help in relieving pain, anxiety, stress and other ailments. (Joe Reavis/Murphy Monitor)

After finding relief from years of anxiety issues, Liza Marabella decided that she wanted to help others and recently opened CBD American Shaman in Murphy to sell a wide variety of products made from hemp.

The store was opened by Liza and Paul Marabella in April at 305 E. FM 544, Suite 909, and a second store is planned for opening in August at Addison.

By Joe Reavis • Staff Writer • [email protected]

For the full story, see the Aug. 8 issue or subscribe online.

Winning a gift basket door prize to go along with a bag of goodies at the New Teachers Lucneon was Emily Tucker of Whitt Elementary School. The luncheon was hosted by Wylie Chamber of Commerce. (Joe Reavis/The Wylie News)

Teachers new to Wylie Independent School District this year were welcomed top the community last at the annual New Teacher Luncheon hosted by Wylie Chamber of Commerce.

The luncheon, attended by about 400 people, was held at Wylie East High School.

By Joe Reavis • Staff Writer • [email protected]

For the full story, see the Aug. 8 issue or subscribe online.

Collin County’s Operation Athena resulted in the arrest of 19 individuals on child pornography related cases. (Courtesy photo)

The Collin County Sheriff’s office continues to work to keep child predators off the street.

Last week the department conducted “Operation Athena,” an operation that directly targeted individuals who use the internet to prey upon children and traffic in child pornography.

From Staff Reports • [email protected]

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Clear the shelter will happen Saturday, Aug. 17. (Courtesy photo)

Murphy residents are invited to Murphy Animal Shelter to give a dog or cat a new “furever” home during the annual Clear the Shelters Day pet adoption event Saturday, Aug. 17.

The annual event starts at 9:30 a.m. and continues until the shelter is clear. Murphy Animal Services is located at 203 N. Murphy Road behind the Community Center.

From Staff Reports • [email protected]

For the full story, see the Aug. 8 issue or subscribe online.

Unofficial voting totals for Murphy City Council have been released.

For Murphy Councilmember Place 1, Elizabeth Abraham has been elected with 823 votes (70.07 percent) while challenger Doug Davis received 358 votes (29.93 percent).

In Place 2, incumbent Jennifer Berthiaume was reelected with 690 votes (61.61 percent) while Gayathri Nagarajan received 430 votes (38.39 percent).

In Place 4, Ken Oltmann won with 692 votes (64.79 percent) while incumbent Betty Spraggins was defeated and received 376 votes (35.21 percent).

For Place 6, Jene’ E. Butler won with 560 votes (52.09 percent) while challengers Jim Otto Jr. received 295 votes (27.44 percent) and Andrew Chase received 220 votes (20.47 percent).

Murphy’s proposition passed with 779 votes in favor (66.41 percent) and 394 in opposition (33.59 percent).

For Collin College board of trustees, in Place 2, unopposed candidate Jay Saad won with 31,607 votes (100 percent).

For Place 4, Greg Gomel won with 23,003 votes (64.04 percent) while challenger Buzz Kolbe received 12,917 votes (35.96 percent).

In Place 5, unopposed candidate Raj Menon won with 29,530 votes (100 percent).

For Place 6, Stacy Anne Arias won with 21,523 votes (54.38 percent) while Tim Chappell has 18,055 votes (46.45 percent).

Election results remain unofficial until canvassed by local boards.

For Murphy Councilmember Place 1, Elizabeth Abraham is in the lead with 471 votes (66.71%) while challenger Doug Davis has 235 votes (33.29%).

In Place 2, incumbent Jennifer Berthiaume has 435 votes (65.91 percent) while Gayathri Nagarajan has 225 votes (34.05 percent).

In Place 4, Ken Oltmann is in the lead with 401 votes (64.06 percent) while incumbent Betty Spraggins has 225 votes (35.94 percent).

For Place 6, Jene’ E. Butler has the most votes with 285 votes (45.60 percent) while challengers Jim Otto Jr. has 182 votes (29.12 percent) and Andrew Chase has 158 votes (25.28 percent).

Murphy’s proposition is passing with 466 votes in favor (67.15 percent) and 228 in opposition (32.85 percent).

For Collin College board of trustees, in Place 2, unopposed candidate Jay Saad has 21,593 votes (100 percent).

For Place 4, Greg Gomel is in the lead with 15,649 votes (63.56 percent) while challenger Buzz Kolbe has received 8,972 votes (36.44 percent).

In Place 5, unopposed candidate Raj Menon has 20,178 votes (100 percent).

For place 6, Stacy Anne Arias has 14,499 (53.55 percent) while Tim Chappell has 12,579 percent (46.45 percent).

Final election results will be posted once they become available, most likely after 10 p.m.

Flooding is anticipated across the region due to heavy rainfall associated with a storm system moving throughout the week. Severe weather is also possible. (Courtesy photo)

Governor Greg Abbott today deployed state resources to the North Texas area and other locations in anticipation of severe weather expected to hit the region through Friday. In addition to water rescue operations teams, the Governor has also deployed helicopters and boats – and placed other resources on standby – in the event search and rescue operations are needed.

“As severe weather moves into the North Texas area, the state is taking every precaution including pre-positioning helicopters and boats to ensure we are ready to assist local officials with potential search and rescue operations,” said Governor Abbott. “I urge all residents to stay up to date on local weather reports and heed warnings from local officials throughout this severe weather event.”

State agencies involved in the emergency response effort include the Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas A&M Texas Task Force 1, Texas Department of Transportation, and the Texas State Guard of the Texas Military Department. Thirteen water rescue boats and crews, six helicopters with hoisting capability and 30 high profile vehicles have been deployed.

Eight ambulance buses, eight ambulance strike teams, a Type One mobile medical unit, eight medical incident support teams and one task force leader have been put on standby.

Current forecasts indicate heavy rainfall and flash flooding with this storm system, as well as a potential for damaging winds, hail, river flooding and tornadoes across the state this week. While these storms may be widespread, the North Texas is expected to see some of the most severe weather. The Texas State Operations Center (SOC) is continuing to coordinate with the National Weather Service and closely monitor this severe storm system.

Texans are encouraged to follow these safety tips:

• When severe storms threaten, the safest place to be is indoors.
• Avoid areas already flooded and avoid any fast-flowing water.
• Be extremely cautious of any water on roads or in creeks, streams, storm drains or other areas – never attempt to cross flowing streams or drive across flooded roadways and always observe road barricades placed for your protection. Remember, Turn Around Don’t Drown.
• Dangerous waters can seem deceptively calm, and if you encounter flooding, move to higher ground.
• Keep in mind that flood dangers are even harder to recognize at night.
• Stay informed by monitoring weather radios and news broadcasts for updated information on current and anticipated severe weather in your area.
  

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The Wylie High improv group rehearses for their show next week by playing a game. For the story, see the May 2 issue or subscribe online.