After receiving a report on July 24, the officer was placed on administrative leave while the department conducted an internal investigation, the release said.

“Following the completion of that investigation, the officer’s employment with the city of Murphy was terminated effective July 29,” the release said. The Texas Rangers were then asked to conduct an independent criminal investigation.

“Protecting our community and maintaining the public’s trust are among our highest responsibilities,” Gibson said “We take these allegations extremely seriously and are committed to ensuring they are addressed thoroughly, fairly and with full accountability.”

The release said, “The city made an employment decision based on its findings and applicable personnel policies. The Texas Rangers are responsible for the criminal investigation, and any determination regarding criminal charges or guilt will be made through the criminal justice process.”

No additional information about the alleged misconduct was released.

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“The overall value of the county increased by 4.43% while the average home value decreased from $603,190 in 2025 to $588,119 in 2026,” Swanson said as CCAD released 2026 certified taxable values as of July 23. 

“We continue to see significant growth in the northern part of the county with Celina and Melissa, and now more in the east side of the county in Lavon, Nevada, and Princeton,” he said.

CCAD said Collin County certified taxable values increased to $280.17 billion, with $7.7 billion in new property added to tax rolls as of July 23, 2026.

In the city of Murphy, CCAD data shows a 3.25% increase in total certified taxable value, up from $3.95 billion to $4.07 billion with $32 million in new construction. 

The 2026 average market value of a home in Murphy is $615,856. Last year’s figures showed the value of a home at $611,297.

Murphy residents pay property taxes to the city, county, Wylie or Plano Independent School District and Collin College.

Wylie Independent School District had a 0.35% decrease in taxable value to $10.7 billion with $174.6 million in new construction. The average value of a home within WISD is $471,442, compared with $484,637 in 2025.

Plano ISD showed a 1.91% increase from $74.36 billion to $75.77 billion with $700.5 million in new construction. The average value of a home in the PISD is $614,707, compared with $613,290 in 2025.

The numbers for Collin College show a 4.68% increase to $251.2 billion, with $7.4 billion of new property added to the tax rolls.

In nearby Parker, the certified taxable property value was $2.3 billion, a 9.47% increase with $67.3 million of new property. The average value of a home in Parker in 2026 is $1,183,182, compared with $1,133,599 last year.

Certified values in Lucas increased by 7.74% to $2.9 billion with $71.9 million in new construction. The average market value of a home in Lucas increased from $1,140,526 in 2025 to $1,180,774 this year.

Lovejoy ISD saw a 5.55% increase to $4.9 billion, with $101.5 million in new construction added to the tax rolls. The average market value of a home in the Lovejoy ISD is $1,090,233 compared with $1,076,142 in 2025.

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A Wylie woman whose leadership helped bring “The Wall That Heals” to the community last year has received one of the Texas American Legion’s highest individual honors.

Mary Lange, a U.S. Air Force veteran and commander of Hale-Combest American Legion Post 315, received the honor during the 107th Annual Convention of the American Legion Department of Texas, held July 10 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel. Department Commander Richard Huntley presented the award.

The Legionnaire of the Year Award recognizes members whose service extends beyond their local post through involvement at the district, department and national levels, as well as meaningful contributions to their communities.

For Lange, the recognition came as a surprise.

“When they started talking about the Legionnaire of the Year, it never dawned on me it was going to be me until they started talking about the Wall and community service,” she said, adding “It is an honor.”

Lange, commander of Hale-Combest Post 315, is perhaps best known locally for spearheading the effort to bring The Wall That Heals to Wylie in 2025. The three-quarter-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., drew hundreds of visitors during its four-day stay, giving veterans, families and residents an opportunity to honor those who served and sacrificed during the Vietnam War.

Lange’s commitment to veterans and community service has earned numerous honors in recent years. In 2024, she received the Congressional Veteran Commendation from U.S. Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, and was named the Wylie Area Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year. The City of Wylie also proclaimed Nov. 18, 2025, as “Mary Lange Day” in recognition of her service to the community.

Beyond that project, Lange devotes countless volunteer hours to mentoring young people through American Legion programs.

She chairs the American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program, known as “A Constitutional Speech Contest,” and Texas Boys State for Post 315. She also serves as chair of the oratorical program for the American Legion Department of 

Texas Fourth District and First Division.

In addition, Lange is a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 315 and serves as chair of Texas Bluebonnet Girls State.

“We have over 200 programs in the American Legion,” Lange said. “My hot button is Girls State, Boys State and Oratorical. That’s what I focus on. The kids learn so much from those programs.”

Founded in 1919 and chartered by Congress, the American Legion is the nation’s largest veterans service organization, with nearly 2 million members in more than 12,000 posts in the United States and abroad.

Guided by its motto, “Veterans Strengthening America,” the organization focuses on mentoring youth, promoting patriotism and honor, advocating for a strong national defense and supporting veterans, military members and their families.

Lange said she is honored by the recognition but remains focused on continuing the work that has defined her years of service.

“It’s really about the programs,” she said. “Helping young people through Boys State, Girls State and Oratorical is what I enjoy most.”

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There was a lot of noise and confusion at a crime scene. A manikin, bleeding badly from a head wound, lay on the floor near a bloody crowbar. Two women were shouting and fighting with each other. A man nearby was banging on a barbecue grill while another man was parked in a truck blaring loud music. What to do first?

The scenario, staged in the garage of the Murphy Police Department, was part of the crime scene exercise for members of the Youth Citizens Police Academy.

Working in teams of two, students attempted to gather information and secure the scene.

“He’s not dead!” a training officer yelled. “You’re not trained to treat him, but you can’t call the medics until those women are in handcuffs!”

One of the women who had been fighting, a Police Cadet playing the role, picked up the crowbar and began bashing the manikin. “That’s aggravated assault; tell her to drop the weapon!” the instructor barked.

In the debrief, an instructor said, “This scene is overwhelming … oh my God, this guy’s head is bashed in! But am I a medic? Do I know how to do surgery? I’m a police officer. I sure should have known how to put on handcuffs. I sure know how to give commands.”

The students nodded in agreement. 

“What would I need to do in order to me be able to focus and do what I need to do?” the instructor said. “Tell that one to quit banging on stuff. Tell him to turn his music off and the other one to sit down.”

The scenario was part of the Murphy Police Department’s free academy held in two, one-week courses starting July 20 and July 27 in conjunction with Murphy Fire-Rescue. 

Events included a helicopter landing and K-9 demonstration. Students learned basic laws, the use of force and how calls are received and dispatched. Hands-on training included traffic enforcement, clearing buildings, CPR/first aid and extrication of victims from traffic crashes.

During the course, students were issued equipment belts, handcuffs and non-functioning sidearms and were drilled in their use. They learned how to recognize dangerous drugs, search vehicles and survive high-risk traffic stops. 

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Reese told the Tuesday, July 21, meeting of the Murphy City Council that the bids opened April 30 ranged from $5.6 million to $6.5 million.

“During bid review, the Engineer of Record, Neal-Schaffer, Inc., determined that all bids were considered non-responsive,” Reese said.

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A virtual public hearing will be held at 2 p.m. CDT Wednesday, July 29, and comments close at 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3, TxDOT said.

Collin County Commissioner Darrell Hale says the current proposals do not include widening of any farm-to-market roads “and only a pittance of money” for state highways.

“While the UTP is not a final step prior to the start of project construction, members of the public do have multiple opportunities to engage with and provide comments to their local TxDOT districts during the pre-construction process,” TxDOT said. “Since each project must be awarded funding to proceed, local community engagement and support increases the likelihood of a project receiving funding in the UTP.”

“Contact the state and send them a comment about what you think about the inclusion or exclusion of different state roads (US, SH, and FMs),” Hale said. “Tell them what you are dealing with on what FM, SH, or U.S Highway. Tell them your desires. Nothing will change with no comments. Tell TXDoT what you support and what you need!”

There is an online comment form at surveymonkey.com/r/2027UTPOnlineCommentForm or residents may email [email protected]. Hale said that can also be used to send photos or videos.

To phone in a comment, call 800-430-2070.

The full public involvement link is https://www.txdot.gov/projects/planning/utp/utp-public-involvement.html.

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The school board will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 4, and a work session on Tuesday, Aug. 18.

District officials are proposing to decrease the total tax rate for property within the Plano ISD by $0.0068 or less than one penny. 

The current total tax rate for 2025-26 is $1.03955 per $100 valuation and the district will consider a proposed 2026-27 rate of $1.03275 per $100 valuation, the voter-approved rate.

The proposed rate is made up of $0.79540 for maintenance and operations and $0.23735 for debt service (interest & sinking) tied to voter-approved bonds. Under the proposed rate, the M&O of $0.80220 would decrease but I&S would remain the same.

The district’s total taxable property value is estimated at $75.22 billion for the current tax year, down slightly from approximately $74.36 billion last year. 

New taxable property value is estimated at about $665.2 million, an increase of roughly 0.89% from the previous year.

Plano ISD’s total appraised property value is listed at approximately $105.76 billion, compared with $100.83 billion during the preceding tax year.

For homeowners, the district estimates taxes on the average residence would increase slightly. Based on a mean taxable home value of $368,605, taxes are projected at $3,807 annually, an increase of $54 from the previous year.

Meeting on June 23, PISD trustees adopted a $691.6 million general operating budget for fiscal year 2026-27 that projects a $44.8 million operating shortfall, reflecting continued pressure from declining enrollment, inflation and state funding formulas that district officials say have not kept pace with rising costs. 

The spending plan anticipates $634.6 million in general fund revenue and $691.6 million in expenditures, with the deficit to be covered through existing fund balance and other financing sources.

District officials said enrollment is expected to fall to about 41,830 students, continuing a multiyear decline driven by lower birth rates, changing demographics, rising housing costs and growing competition from charter schools, private schools and homeschooling. Because state aid is largely based on average daily attendance, fewer students translate directly into lower revenue. While House Bill 2 increased state funding, Plano ISD said the additional money does not fully offset enrollment losses, inflation and growing maintenance needs for aging facilities.

Instruction remains the district’s largest expenditure at about $340.8 million, followed by maintenance and operations at $55.6 million, school leadership at $32 million and guidance and counseling at $27.2 million. 

The budget also includes a 2% salary increase for eligible employees; market-rate pay adjustments and continued health care contributions to retain staff. 

Rising recapture payments, utilities, insurance and transportation costs were identified as major spending pressures, although the district plans to offset some increases through staff attrition tied to declining enrollment, payroll efficiencies and continued zero-based budgeting.

Revenue changes include higher Available School Fund distributions and proceeds from property sales, offset by lower local tax collections resulting from state-mandated tax rate compression, reduced investment earnings and lower reimbursements. 

District leaders said they will continue focusing resources on classroom instruction while seeking operational efficiencies to preserve long-term financial stability despite ongoing funding challenges.

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By Allison LaBrot | [email protected]

Wylie Acting Group (WAG), a nonprofit community theater organization, is gearing up for two weekends of performances of “Newsies.” The musical will be presented July 24-26 and July 31-Aug. 2 by a cast of 42 teenagers and a six-member crew. 

Co-directors Barb Holder and Melissa Johnson said many of the young cast and crew members have already gained experience through WAG or their schools. 

“Their passion and dedication shine in every performance,” the directors said. 

Read the full story in the July 23rd edition. Stay informed — subscribe to Murphy Monitor.

The county could seek $820 million in bonds to fund several projects, including  a major expansion of the county jail, which officials acknowledged is at or above capacity most of the time.

County administrator Yoon Kim said he considered a package totaling $1.2 billion but reduced the proposal to the $820 million total that is now under consideration. 

Read the full story in the July 23rd edition. Stay informed — subscribe to Murphy Monitor.

Seven artists already have their works hanging in the Murphy Activity Center, and the Parks & Recreation Department is seeking new submissions for the fall show.

The three-month rotating exhibit allows artists to display their works and price them for sale, if they wish. 

Prices of the 17 works now hanging range from $125 to $600.

Special Events Manager Ashley Hudson said the “Arts and Rec” gallery has attracted visitors who heard about the exhibit. But, she said, the city would like to do more to promote it.

“I’m hoping we can have some sort of small event for the artists to have a moment and bring them some exposure,” Hudson said. “It’s in the works.”

The first works went on display in June and will be replaced in September for the fall show, she said. The city is currently accepting works for consideration.

“All visual art mediums are welcome, including — but not limited to — painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, digital art (printed), fiber art and collage,” the rules specify.

Hudson said submissions must be two-dimensional and no more than 24 inches by 36 inches. Canvasses do not need to be framed, but all other works must be mounted in a plain black frame. 

Each artist may submit up to three pieces per exhibition cycle and all works are juried for display.

According to the rules, “Artwork will be evaluated based on artistic quality, creativity, craftsmanship, originality and suitability for display in a public facility.”

The art is hung on the right wall of the main entry hallway to the activity center, 201 N. Murphy Road. But there is plenty of space on the opposite wall or inside the large meeting room.

The artists don’t have to be from Murphy, she added.

“A lot of people either live in Murphy or work around here, but we opened it up to everybody,” Hudson said.

In announcing the program, the city said, “This rotating gallery is designed to showcase local talent and celebrate creativity within our community.”

The submission rules are available at: https://bit.ly/4aY0P6O.

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