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Wylie Championship Rodeo canceled for 2026

Wylie Championship Rodeo canceled for 2026

The 2026 Wylie Championship Rodeo has been canceled after officials were unable to secure a temporary venue while renovations are underway at the Wylie ISD rodeo facility. For more than 30 years, the annual rodeo has been a community tradition, with the Wylie Area...

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City staff recommends 1.2% property tax increase

City staff recommends 1.2% property tax increase

The Murphy City Council will schedule a public hearing next month to consider staff recommendations for a 6% budget increase for Fiscal Year 2026-27, funded in part by increasing the local property tax by less than half a penny. Councilmembers meeting on Tuesday, Aug....

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Save during sales tax holiday

Save during sales tax holiday

Texans can save money on tax-free purchases of most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks — selling for less than $100 — during the Tax-Free weekend, a yearly event begun in 1999, the state comptroller’s office says.  Qualifying items can be purchased...

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A bash before going back to school

A bash before going back to school

Yuli and his mom read a book at the Murphy Back 2 School Bash Thursday, July 24, at the Murphy Community Center. It was the hottest day of the year so far as the temperature flirted with triple digits. But that didn’t stop hundreds of students and parents from...

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TEA to release 2024 school accountability ratings

TEA to release 2024 school accountability ratings

The 15th Texas Court of Appeals (COA) has thrown out injunctions that had blocked the Texas Education Agency from releasing school accountability ratings for the 2023-24 school year. The TEA is expected to release the ratings Aug. 15. “It is time for local courts to...

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Life & Style

Unlock the benefits of better sleep

Unlock the benefits of better sleep

Simple lifestyle changes may help improve rest, overall wellness By Carrie Dunlea A good night’s sleep can make all the difference between starting the day energized and focused or dragging through it feeling irritable, distracted and exhausted. Yet for many people,...

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Backyard Bliss: Create a peaceful outdoor retreat

Backyard Bliss: Create a peaceful outdoor retreat

In the past decade, backyards have evolved from simple spaces with patios or decks into extensions of our homes—versatile, tranquil sanctuaries designed for rest and renewal. Whether you're looking to boost your home's value or simply carve out a personal oasis,...

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Opinion

Out to eat

Out to eat

Columnist John Moore rarely went out to eat when he was young. But when he did, he had a pretty good idea where his family was going to dine. Photo: Moore Family Photos By John Moore | TheCountryWriter.com “Are we going out to eat?” was not a phrase my...

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Where there’s a will

Where there’s a will

Columnist John Moore lost his dog, Will, a few months ago. But Will's leash was called back up for active duty. Courtesy John Moore  I was driving to buy the morning paper when I noticed movement ahead. As I drew closer, I realized it was a dog. An English...

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Local newspapers keep communities strong

Local newspapers keep communities strong

Strong communities don’t just happen. They rely on connection—residents knowing what’s going on, businesses reaching the customers who keep them open, and citizens having the facts to make good decisions. Local newspapers provide that connection in ways no other...

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The Naturals

The Naturals

Columnist John Moore has never attempted to rough it in the mountains like Jeremiah Johnson did, but John has taken a picture of the mountains from inside the comfort of a tour bus. Courtesy John Moore Robert Redford was a movie star. At a time when movie stars...

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Disconnecting

Disconnecting

The 70s were a different era. Kids did things other than look at a cellphone all day. Columnist John Moore (top left) was in a rock band in 1976. Courtesy John Moore Before cable television, the Internet, and social media reshaped how we spend our free time,...

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