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Collin WSM Summer/Fall 2026 Registration #2
Saving lives one mile at a time

Saving lives one mile at a time

Day in, day out for nearly a decade, volunteer drivers with Families to Freedom have shown up at hospitals, police stations and carefully arranged meeting spots to transport people escaping abuse. Sometimes the passenger is a woman carrying little more than a purse...

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A fair time to go back to school

A fair time to go back to school

With two weeks before the start of classes, the Plano ISD held a crowded back-to-school fair in the Plano Center on Wednesday, July 29. Bob Wieland/Murphy Monitor Thousands of Plano ISD students and their families swarmed the Plano Center for the district’s annual...

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Flock cameras capture less than many think

Flock cameras capture less than many think

Lowes operates five Flock Safety automated license plate readers in the parking lot of Murphy Marketplace on the northeast corner of FM 544 and North Murphy Road. Murphy PD has access to vehicle data uploaded to Flock from the cameras. Bob Wieland/Murphy Monitor...

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Public hearing on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026

Public hearing on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026

The Murphy City Council will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 4, and consider and/or Act on an ordinance approving a Specific Use Permit for a bank on property described as Lot 2R, Block A, Walmart Addition Replat, and located at 205 W. FM 544. The...

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Sports

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Bluegrass

Education

A fair time to go back to school

A fair time to go back to school

With two weeks before the start of classes, the Plano ISD held a crowded back-to-school fair in the Plano Center on Wednesday, July 29. Bob Wieland/Murphy Monitor Thousands of Plano ISD students and their families swarmed the Plano Center for the district’s annual...

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Collin WSM Summer/Fall 2026 Registration #2
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Life & Style

Building connections in retirement

Building connections in retirement

By Carrie Dunlea Retirement often brings more freedom, but it can also mean fewer daily opportunities to connect with others. Whether you're newly retired or simply looking to expand your circle, building new friendships can improve both physical and mental well-being...

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Magical mountain retreats

Magical mountain retreats

By Carrie Dunlea Surrounded by mountain landscapes and natural beauty, mountain retreats in the United States offer an idyllic escape for those who seek solitude and a peaceful getaway. From the rolling hills of the Appalachians to the majestic Rockies, these...

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Creating the ultimate outdoor TV retreat

Creating the ultimate outdoor TV retreat

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...

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Safe summer fun

Safe summer fun

Getty images Longer days and lighter schedules make summer perfect for relaxing, having fun outdoors and spending time with loved ones. However, more physical activity and time spent in the sun can also translate to increased health and safety risks. As you and your...

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Bluegrass

Opinion

Milestones

Milestones

Columnist John Moore (bottom left) is pictured with his father, mother, and sister in 1965. Photo: Moore Family Photos By John Moore | TheCountryWriter.com In 2014, I was contacted by a newspaper in Tyler, Texas. Unbeknownst to me, the publisher of said...

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Collin WSM Summer/Fall 2026 Registration #2
To the letter

To the letter

Columnist John Moore still writes letters. His latest went to his mom while she was on vacation. Photo: John Moore By John Moore | TheCountryWriter.com When I was about 10, I wrote a letter to my aunt, who lived in Oklahoma. I’d never written a letter to...

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Have you no couth?

Have you no couth?

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...

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Glad you’re here

Glad you’re here

Columnist John Moore is offering to teach anyone who's visiting the US how to eat biscuits and gravy. Photo John Moore By John Moore | TheCountryWriter.com I’m not much on soccer, but it seems the rest of the world is. As I write this, America is covered up...

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Summer of ‘76

Summer of ‘76

Columnist John Moore still has and uses the radio that kept him, his cousin, and best friend company during the summer of the 1976 American Bicentennial celebrations. Photo John Moore By John Moore | TheCountryWriter.com Author’s note: This week’s column was...

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