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Planning Manager Stephanie Scott-Sims said at the Oct. 6 City Council meeting that Murphy had previously considered rental registration. 

In August 2014, city staff identified about 360 single-family rental properties, but council discussed the issue without pursuing a registration program, she said.

Read the full story in the October 22nd edition. Stay informed — subscribe to Murphy Monitor.

A bright red cabinet filled with children’s books has become Murphy’s newest and only library — one that requires no library card, charges no fines and is open whenever a reader stops by.

Seven members of the Plano-based Mary Shirley McGuire Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution dedicated the Little Free Library on Oct. 17 outside the rear entrance of the Murphy Community Center, 205 N. Murphy Road.

About a dozen community members joined the chapter for the dedication on a sunny, cool morning, along with city representatives including Murphy Parks and Recreation Director Matt Foster.

Read the full story in the October 22nd edition. Stay informed — subscribe to Murphy Monitor.

Several area districts offer opportunities for seniors to attend school-sponsored events at a discount or for free. Wylie ISD and Garland ISD, specifically, issue cards to seniors ages 65 and older, active-duty military personnel and veterans that act as a general admission ticket to athletic and fine arts events. 

Wylie ISD cards are accepted at Garland events and vice versa. 

Plano ISD issues discount cards to residents 60 or older.

“Each district may have slightly different criteria or name for obtaining a card, but the goals are the same: to make sure our senior citizens stay connected to our schools and provide affordable entertainment options for this valuable community,” Ian Halperin, Wylie ISD executive director of community relations & marketing, said. 

Wylie ISD has issued 200 Gold Cards this semester and more than 3,200 total since beginning over 40 years ago. Eligible residents can apply online at wylieisd.net/goldcard or by contacting Halperin at 972-429-3019. The application contains a few short questions, and the process is the same for seniors, active-duty military personnel and veterans. 

The district also allows its retired teachers to apply for the Gold Card. Recipients can choose to have the card mailed to them or to pick it up at the Educational Service Center. Once issued, the card never expires. 

In addition to high school events, the WISD card also covers junior high activities that have an admission fee. Halperin said there are some events where licensing requirements prevent the free admission benefit from being used. 

Plano ISD has a Retired Seniors Valued in Plano (RSVP) program for residents aged 60 or older. The free membership card allows for free or discounted admission to most PISD sporting and fine arts events. 

Members recently took a hosted by Superintendent Theresa Williams and Johnny Hill, deputy superintendent for business, employee services and technology.

Attendees visited Plano West Senior High School, Haggard Middle School, Plano Senior High School and the new Career and Technical Education Center. 

“I found it absolutely fascinating to see how much construction is occurring in Plano, as well as the unique types of construction,” said RSVP member Mark Ball “You’ve got schools that are being rebuilt featuring brand new things that I didn’t think about when I was in school, or my wife Jane, who was a former principal in the district, even was aware of. It really is an opportunity for the students to have such wonderful campuses.”

PISD RSVP Membership Cards do not expire and membership does not have to be renewed annually. The program provides free admission to all home games for all sports for middle school and high schools, both junior varsity and varsity. It excludes away games, playoff games and non-school events held in school facilities. 

Fine arts events hosted by the UIL are regular price with no discount or free admission, but campus performances of plays, variety shows, band, orchestra, choir and vocal music offer free admission on opening night. The RSVP offers discounted admissions only on opening night for musicals and the Drill Team Spring Show. 

For more information, or to apply for a card, search RSVP on PISD.edu. 

To receive a Garland ISD VIP pass, eligible residents can call 972-494-8580 to schedule an appointment during the window of Monday through Thursday from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. Applicants must bring a government-issued picture ID or document to prove military service. Garland’s VIP passes also never expire. 

For more information, visit garlandisd.net/garland-isd-vip-pass.

Reporter Bob Wieland also contributed to this story.

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The Sage Hippie, which opened in late August at 105 S. Ballard Ave., Suite A, offers mindfully sourced crystals, herbs and other products for customers interested in everything from geology to spiritual practices.

But West is quick to point out that visitors don’t have to believe in the metaphysical properties of crystals to appreciate them.

Read the full story in the October 22nd edition. Stay informed — subscribe to Murphy Monitor.

Murphy’s annual family campout is returning to Central Park Pond next month, offering families a chance to spend a night under the stars without venturing far from home.

Now in its third year, the overnight event has become a popular fall activity. Last year’s campout offered space for 50 families and sold out quickly.

This year’s event is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 13, through Saturday, Nov. 14, with an evening of outdoor activities, food and entertainment planned for participants.

Campers can begin checking in at 3 p.m. Friday, with fishing and yard games available until dusk. The s’mores pit opens at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. An outdoor movie is scheduled for 8 p.m., although the film has not yet been announced.

Quiet hours begin at 10 p.m., giving campers a chance to settle in for the night.

The following morning, breakfast will be served at 7 a.m., with campers expected to pack up and clean their campsites by 9 a.m.

Registration costs $50 per campsite for up to five campers and includes a complimentary dinner and breakfast, along with a commemorative T-shirt. Vegetarian meal options are available upon request.

Participants should bring their own camping supplies, including a tent, sleeping bags or cots, flashlights, insect repellent, extra clothing, jackets and lawn chairs. Fishing gear, water bottles and any necessary medications are also recommended.

Parking will be available at the PSA North Lot, 330 N. Murphy Road, with overflow parking at the Murphy City Hall Complex, 206 N. Murphy Road.

Registration is open to Murphy residents and nonresidents, with a deadline of Thursday, Oct. 15. Campsites can be reserved through the city’s website at https://bit.ly/4hwVuFQ.

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In the 3rd Congressional District, Rep. Keith Self, a Republican, is seeking his third term in the U.S. House. He is opposed by Evan Hunt, the Democratic nominee. 

Four Republicans in the Texas House are seeking re-election. They include Katrina Pierson in District 33, Jeff Leach in District 67, Candy Noble in District 89 and Angie Chen Button in District 112.

The Democratic challengers are Orlando Lopez in 33, Jordan Wheatley in 67, Angie Carraway in 89 and Zach Herbert in 112.

Non-partisan local elections on the ballot include board members for the Wylie ISD.

WISD voters will choose trustees for four board seats, with five candidates competing for the open Place 2 seat.

Trustees serve four-year terms and, although candidates run for numbered places, represent the district at large. 

Incumbents Stacie Smith, Virdie Montgomery and Jacob Day are seeking reelection in Places 1, 5 and 6, respectively. 

Place 2 is open because current trustee Mike Williams is not seeking another term. The five candidates for Place 2, in ballot order, are Bonnie Tinsley, Brett Fagan, Brandon Thomas, Sam Satterwhite and Scott Johnson.

Two big county-wide bond elections are also on the ballot. 

The Collin County Commissioners Court is asking voters to authorize up to $817.5 million in bonds for county facilities, roads and bridges, parks and open space, and a new elections and records storage facility.

A six-year program, covering fiscal years 2027 through 2032, would divide the proposed investment among four propositions.

Proposition A would provide $296.5 million for court and detention facility projects, including improvements to court facilities, adult detention facilities, medical and mental health detention facilities and adult probation facilities.

Proposition B would provide $475 million for road improvement projects, including the design, construction, improvement and maintenance of non-tolled roads and bridges. The proposition also would cover land and right-of-way acquisitions and participation in joint county-state and county-city projects.

Proposition C would provide $6 million for parks and open space projects, including the acquisition, development, construction and improvement of park and open-space land and joint county-city projects.

Proposition D would provide $40 million for a new elections and records storage facility. The facility would include elections offices and training space, election and equipment storage, and storage for county records and historical documents.

Collin County Trustees are seeking to raise $600 million for expansion including three new facilities. The proposition wound fund workforce and academic expansions at the McKinney Campus, the Technical Campus located in Allen, the Frisco Campus, the Wylie Campus, the Farmersville Campus and the Courtyard Center located in Plano. 

The proposition also includes funding for new facilities, including an Aviation Academy in McKinney, a new campus in Anna and a new campus in Royse City.

Early voting runs daily from Monday, Oct. 19, through Friday, Oct. 30.

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Several Murphy residents have recently asked City Council why City Manager Aretha Adams does not live in the city.

According to the Murphy City Charter: “The City Manager need not be a resident of the city when appointed but shall within a reasonable time after such appointment reside within the city during the balance of the tenure of his or her appointment.”

Adams, who had been city manager in Heath, was hired by council in December 2023 and began work in February 2024.

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In a presentation to council’s Oct. 6 meeting, Police Chief Jeff Gibson dispelled myths about the cameras, saying they only capture the rear of a car, the system does not track motorists and data may be accessed for no more than 30 days.

He said each search requires officers to enter a case number, case type and reason for the search.

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Cooler weather — or at least the promise of it — is bringing a full slate of festivals, Halloween celebrations and family activities to Wylie, Sachse and surrounding communities throughout October.

From costume contests and haunted attractions to trick-or-treating and a nighttime drone show, residents won’t have to travel far to find something to do as Halloween approaches.

Sachse will get into the spirit Saturday, Oct. 17, with its third annual Fall-O-Ween from 4 to 8 p.m. at Heritage Park, 4408 Hudson Drive.

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