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Smith Public Library patrons may notice a brightly colored van in the parking lot this summer. The new Friends of the Library outreach van, funded by Project Judy, promotes literacy by providing books for readers of all ages.

Project Judy is funded through an anonymous donation to the Friends of the Library.

“The purpose of the donation is to spread literacy and provide opportunities to those that may not have been as fortunate in life,” library Director Ofilia Barrera said.

Funds from Project Judy are also used for the library’s ESL classes, and GED classes are planned for the fall.

After receiving the donation, library staff spent about six months purchasing and equipping the van to meet the library’s needs.

The customized van features the Friends of the Library logo and graphics matching its bright color palette. The back showcases a photo of the Smith Public Library building as part of the Project Judy logo.

During June, the outreach van made stops alongside the Wylie ISD Bookmobile and will continue visiting locations throughout the summer. Barrera said the van will attend school and community events, including grand openings, when invited.

The free books distributed at each stop are donated, with selections available for everyone from infants to adults. Books can be returned for recirculation or, if a return is not possible, kept or passed along to another reader.

“We would eventually like to do pop-up library events, but we are working on a way to staff those without affecting service here at the library,” Barrera said.

Once a month, the van visits Silver Linings patrons to deliver library materials and pick up previously borrowed items.

“This service is for patrons who live in the Wylie city limits, have a current library card and cannot drive due to a medical condition, temporary or permanent,” Barrera said.

For updates on the outreach van’s upcoming stops, visit the Smith Public Library Facebook page.

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By Allison LaBrot | [email protected]

Soccer fans packed the Murphy Central Park Amphitheater Wednesday evening, cheering every goal as the United States advanced to the Round of 16 during a community World Cup watch party hosted by Texas Warriors FC.

The Murphy-based youth soccer club held the event in conjunction with its annual Signing Day celebration. Families began arriving as early as 5 p.m. to enjoy vendors, food trucks, a barbecue plate fundraiser and free cleat customization before the watch party kicked off at 7 p.m.

Fans chanted “USA! USA!” as the United States eliminated Bosnia and Herzegovina from World Cup competition.

The temperature in Murphy was 92 degrees with a light breeze as the Round of 32 match began in Santa Clara, California. A large-screen television on the stage of the Central Park Amphitheater brought the action — complete with Spanish-language commentary — to hundreds of residents gathered beneath more than 20 colorful canopies spread across the hillside.

Folarin Balogun’s early goal brought the crowd to its feet. Fans later booed and groaned when he received a red card that could have sidelined him for the Round of 16 match against Belgium.

The 2-0 victory was sealed by Malik Tillman’s free kick, giving the U.S. men’s national team its first knockout-stage victory since 2002.

Despite the drama on the screen, many young fans alternated between watching the match and creating games of their own as they chased soccer balls across the park.

Even though he was not watching every minute of the game, 9-year-old Arturo of Wylie admitted he could picture himself playing on a World Cup field one day.

“Me? Well, you know, maybe,” Arturo said.

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Even as construction continues on McKinney National Airport’s new passenger terminal, Avelo Airlines has announced it will begin service on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

Known since its start in the 1970s as general aviation airport TKI, the facility is now known as DTX, said Ken Carley, aviation director.

“TKI is still our FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] three-letter code,” Carley said. “The IATA [International Air Transport Association] assigned DTX as the code after Avelo applied.” 

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Much of the Tuesday, June 30, workshop focused on a detailed review of the city’s proposed fee schedule, including adjustments to solid waste collection, water and wastewater rates that city officials said are based on previously approved contracts and long-term planning rather than new policy decisions.

Finance Director Berna Fitzpatrick-Walker told council the recommended solid waste fees reflect the annual consumer price index adjustment allowed under the city’s contract with Republic Services. She said the proposal includes a 4.7% CPI adjustment across the various collection services.

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Comprising about 122,000 square feet, the H-E-B will include a barbecue restaurant with a drive-thru window, deli, bakery, pharmacy and sushi bar. It’s expected to employ 600 partners.

Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs over 175,000 partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers from more than 455 stores. It has been in business for 120 years and has annual sales of more than $50 billion.

Groundbreaking for the Murphy store was held on Nov. 21, 2024.

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Because those values have not been finalized, spending plans, revenue projections and the eventual property tax rate remain subject to change.

The preliminary budget is being developed using the maximum allowable voter-approval tax rate of 36.39 cents per $100 of taxable value, compared with the current rate of 35.75 cents. 

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The Collin County Commissioners Court has voted 3-1 to conditionally approve a final plat for a dense 101-acre development between Parker and Murphy.

County Judge Chris Hill was the lone vote against the Restore the Grasslands project, which would have 624 single-family lots with only one way in or out. 

Commissioner Cheryl Williams made the motion to accept the plan. Commissioners Darrell Hale and Duncan Webb also voted in favor although both questioned the wisdom of putting so many people in such a small space. Commissioner Susan Fletcher was absent from the Monday, June 22, meeting.

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Serving the community for more than five years, City Missions continues to provide essentials to individuals experiencing homelessness and is working toward developing a resource center. 

City Missions currently serves Collin County and the surrounding area through its mobile outreach unit. During Saturday Outreach opportunities, volunteers distribute necessities such as socks and hygiene items directly to individuals in need and build relationships in the process. 

“Our outreach team visits general areas where we have built trusted relationships with friends experiencing homelessness, while remaining flexible as needs and locations change,” Cherie Privett, founder and executive director, said. 

Part of City Missions’ values is maintaining dignity and connecting individuals with resources to guide them toward stability. Resources include medical care, identification cards, showers through Street Side Showers, recovery programs and housing solutions. The organization also has a mobile closet open twice a month near downtown Plano. A current need is men’s clothing. 

“About 80% of the Friends we serve are men, yet most of the clothing donations we receive are for women,” Privett said.  

Individuals, local churches, faith-based organizations and businesses support City Missions’ efforts.

Recently, two Wylie schools also helped their community through donations to City Missions. Students at Harrison Intermediate collected hygiene products and other items during last semester. The Burnett Junior High PTA selected City Missions to receive a grant that was presented in May. 

“City Missions was co-founded by my husband, Kevin Privett, who also works for Wylie ISD,” Privett said. “It has been meaningful to see local schools come alongside this mission in such a tangible way.” 

New donors and existing partnerships are important to City Missions as needs change with each season. 

Privett said one of the best ways to get involved is by supporting the organization’s future resource center. 

“We are still actively working toward funding a resource center with plans for it to be located in Plano,” Privett said. “This space would allow us to expand what we’re already doing and create a consistent place where individuals can come for support, resources and community.”

For ways to donate and volunteer, visit citymissions.org. Donations of clothing for adults and travel-size toiletries may be dropped off at A1 Affordable Garage Door Services in Plano from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

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By Allison LaBrot | [email protected]

More than 300 community members gathered Thursday, June 25, to celebrate the official grand opening of Jericho Village, a milestone years in the making that city leaders and organizers say will provide not only affordable housing for the resident but also hope and long-term support.

Located at 511 W. Brown St., Jericho Village is Wylie’s first income-based urban housing village. The 38-unit development is a project of Plano-based Agape Resource & Assistance Center, founded by CEO Janet Collinsworth to help women and families transition from homelessness, domestic violence and human trafficking. The community offers studio to three-bedroom apartments, including ADA-accessible units, along with on-site education, counseling and other wraparound services that promote long-term stability.

The celebration featured food trucks, face painting, a Wylie Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony and remarks from civic and community leaders marking the project’s significance.

Serving as master of ceremonies, Hope for the Cities Executive Director Jon Bailey praised the perseverance of Agape founder and CEO Janet Collinsworth, noting that many people in attendance had watched the vision evolve from an idea into reality.

“It has been such a privilege to have walked alongside her, to have prayed with her, to encourage, to be challenged and to be inspired,” Bailey said. “So many of you today are inspired by who she is and what she has been able to accomplish.”

Wylie Mayor Matthew Porter recalled one of his first meetings after taking office, when he was introduced to the Jericho Village concept.

Porter said the name of Agape immediately resonated with him because of a family heirloom bearing the same Greek word, which represents unconditional love.

“That is exactly what we are called to do as a community,” Porter said. “To take care of everyone, not just one specific type of person, not just one group of people that vote for you. You’re supposed to care for everyone within that community.”

He said Jericho Village represents more than affordable apartments because residents will receive services designed to help them build lasting stability.

“It means it’s not a Band-Aid solution of just a roof over the head for today with no thoughts for tomorrow,” Porter said. “Instead, those services provide a new opportunity for generational uplifting.”

A congressional recognition from Keith Self was presented during the ceremony, commending Collinsworth, along with those of Agape Resources, and the many community partners who helped bring the vision to life.

“Jericho Village stands as a powerful example of what can be accomplished when compassion is spirited action,” the inscription read. “The opportunities created through this community will strengthen families, foster independence and provide hope to those who need it.”

Taking the podium, Collinsworth thanked the hundreds of volunteers, donors, churches, board members and community partners who supported the project, but first directed the crowd’s attention elsewhere.

“Without God, we would not be here,” she said. “It was a calling for each and every one of us to serve our neighbors and to love our neighbors as ourselves.”

Collinsworth reminded attendees that they are part of the change, referring to Ghandi’s “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

“We collectively — all of us, each one of us here — we’re in the hope business,” she said. “We do that by standing in the gap for our friends and our neighbors that struggle each and every day just to have a roof.”

Agape Chief of Staff Christin Mixon reflected on watching the property transform from “a flat piece of ground” into a community made possible by volunteers, churches, businesses and civic organizations.

“What you see around you today is the result of prayer, generosity and partnerships,” Mixon said. “But today is not the finish line. In a lot of ways, today is the starting line. The opening of Jericho Village represents the beginning of a new chapter and a larger vision.”

Collinsworth emphasized that the housing itself is only one part of the organization’s mission.

“The secret to transforming lives is not a roof,” she said …“The secret sauce is really the wraparound services. It’s the love, it’s the prayer and hope. We are in the hope business.”

The same educational, counseling and empowerment services already offered through Agape will now be available on-site to Jericho Village residents, she said.

“It’s not just a roof, and it’s not just a key that we hand you to get into your door,” Collinsworth said. “We are your family. We are your village.”

Perhaps the day’s most emotional moment came when Collinsworth invited Jericho Village’s first resident, Keoni Hudson, to speak.

Hudson’s story reflects the vision behind Jericho Village. After escaping a domestic violence situation, she moved from Agape’s transitional housing into the village with her two children. Organizers said other women will follow the same path, creating space for new families entering Agape’s program while former residents continue building independent lives.

“I love Jericho,” Hudson said. “It’s more than just the roof. It’s the community. It’s the help that you get. It’s the services that you receive. It’s everything.”

She said paying an income-based rent has allowed her to support her children, pay for childcare and return to school without relying on government assistance.

“I’m able to enroll myself back in school,” Hudson said. “This has helped my family in so many ways.”

Asked why communities need places like Jericho Village, Hudson fought back tears.

“Nobody understands how hard it is for people to just be able to afford the basic things of life,” she said. “Just to be able to have someone that looks out for you and leaves you something left over so you can provide clothes and shoes for your kids — every community needs this. This is such a blessing.”

After the program, guests toured the apartments, playground, community center and garden, getting a firsthand look at what organizers hope will serve as a model for supportive housing across North Texas.

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