Latest News
Property taxes on a median value home in Murphy will increase by $165 if City Council gives final approval to the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 tax rate.Council gave preliminary approval to a 1.2% tax increase — $.004 — at the regular Tuesday, Aug. 18, meeting and...
A comparison shows an e-bike with pedals and an e-motorcycle, designed for off-road riding on private land, that does not have pedals. Courtesy Photo City officials want parents to know that electric motorcycles are designed to be ridden off-road on private property...
A North Texas company will soon begin replacing about 5,300 copper water service lines throughout the city. The Murphy City Council approved the bid of nearly $6.6 million from ANA Site Construction, LLC, of Valley View to replace service lines of various size with...
The new Friends of the Library outreach van promotes literacy by providing books for readers of all ages. Courtesy Smith Library Smith Public Library patrons may notice a brightly colored van in the parking lot this summer. The new Friends of the Library outreach van,...
Cheers erupt at Murphy Central Park as the United States scores during a World Cup watch party Wednesday, July 1. Soccer fans of all ages gathered to watch the Americans take on Bosnia and Herzegovina on the park’s big screen. Bob Wieland/Murphy Monitor Soccer fans...
Sports
Plano East junior Addison Tucker serves during a match against Garland ISD Tournament. Photo by Tina Lopez / C&S Media By David Wolman [email protected] Two days after winning the Garland ISD Volleyball Tournament for the third time in the last four years,...
Plano East’s Landon Weeks sprints around third base for an inside-the-park home run against Bryan Adams on Saturday. Photo by Andy Redmond / C&S Media By David Wolman [email protected] Plano East won two games last week against McKinney to remain in playoff...
Plano East sophomore Liana Wright raises her left hand in the air after she won the District 6-6A title in the girls 100-meter dash. Sophomore Lauryn Bowen, right, took second place. Photo by Andy Redmond / C&S Media By David Wolman [email protected] Photo...
Plano East third baseman Rylan Speight and the Panthers baseball team will play crosstown rival Plano at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Rowlett High School. Photo by David Wolman / C&S Media By David Wolman [email protected] Plano East's baseball team (4-5 in District...
Plano East junior infielder La’Courtnia Butler looks a throw into her glove as she steps on the bag at first base during last Friday’s home game against Prosper. Photo by Andy Redmond / C&S Media By David Wolman [email protected] Plano East's baseball team...
Education
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...
Wylie ISD trustees are considering several new measures to save money in the upcoming school year. The Board of Trustees convened for its final meeting of the year during a special called meeting Monday, Dec. 8. Trustees unanimously approved three items: the 2024-25...
Wylie P&Z unanimously approved the site plan for a major new career and technical education facility at Collin College Wylie campus. The continued expansion of Collin College’s Wylie campus — a significant educational resource for Murphy and surrounding...
Wylie ISD Board of Trustees convened for its regular monthly meeting on Nov. 17, welcoming new staff members and receiving several departmental updates. The meeting opened with recognitions and introductions of new district leaders, including Dr. Jessica Branch as...
The Wylie ISD Board of Trustees held three meetings over the past week—two special called meetings and one regular meeting—to address leadership changes and recognize student achievements. During a special called meeting Tuesday morning, Sept. 23, trustees named...
Life & Style
By Carrie Dunlea Backyards have evolved far beyond basic patios and grills. Today’s outdoor spaces are increasingly designed as extensions of the home — places where families can stream movies, host game-day gatherings or simply unwind outdoors without sacrificing...
Excelsior House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas, Courtesy Excelsior Hotel Do you have a penchant for the peculiar and perhaps haunted happenings? If so, plan a special trip this fall and visit some spooky hotels in Texas towns to get you in the Halloween spirit. Let’s...
Spooky Spiderweb Ingredients • 1/4 cup butter • 8 cups mini marshmallows, divided • 1 tbsp vanilla extract 9 cups popcorn, divided ...
Special Contributor Halloween isn’t just about costumes and candy. For kids, it’s also a chance to get creative, let their imaginations run wild, and make something fun with their own hands. Parents and teachers know that holiday crafts do more than keep little hands...
Casa Loma, Toronto, Canada, Courtesy Hector Vasquez People love to explore the uncanny and unexplained as Halloween draws near. One way to do so is by visiting some of the purportedly haunted places around the world that also happen to be spectacularly beautiful. Not...
Opinion
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...
Columnist John Moore's cat, Sammy, has helped renew his faith in hope. Courtesy John Moore There’s an old English idiom that says, “To have no truck with.” It basically means that someone doesn’t go in for syrupy or emotional stuff. I’ve never been overly sentimental....
“DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.“Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. “Papa says, ‘If you see it in THE SUN it’s so.’“Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus? “VIRGINIA O’HANLON.“115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET.” VIRGINIA, your little friends...
Columnist John Moore collects cookbooks. Especially ones with a family touch. Courtesy John Moore The transition to digital is understandable in some areas. Watching old movies is easier online. But when it comes to reading, I still prefer a hard copy. A book....
Columnist John Moore grew up with just about everything coming from the Sears catalog. You can buy reprints of the old catalogs, such as the one pictured, which is available on Amazon. Courtesy John Moore For much of the twentieth century, the Sears Roebuck catalog...
