SFOT RH 2026

Latest News

Early voting begins next week 

Early voting begins next week 

There’s a lot for voters to consider on the ballot for the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election. In the 3rd Congressional District, Rep. Keith Self, a Republican, is seeking his third term in the U.S. House. He is opposed by Evan Hunt, the Democratic nominee.  Four...

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Elected officials receive salary increases

Elected officials receive salary increases

Collin County elected officials began receiving higher salaries Oct. 1 as part of the county’s 2026-27 fiscal year budget. The Commissioners Court approved the compensation schedule last month, with County Judge Chris Hill casting the lone vote against it. The 4-1...

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Council considers public works, IT contracts

Council considers public works, IT contracts

Rodeo Drive Water Tower. File Art Three public works projects worth nearly $2 million were on the consent agenda for the Oct. 6 meeting of the Murphy City Council. Engineering services for a redesign for the FM 544 pedestrian bridge over Maxwell Creek had a...

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Islamic Knowledge Center returns to P&Z

Islamic Knowledge Center returns to P&Z

Two houses on North Murphy Road are proposed to house The Center of Islamic Knowledge. Bob Wieland/Murphy Monitor The Murphy Planning and Zoning Commission is again being asked to approve a site plan for The Center of Islamic Knowledge on 2.64 acres at 1030 and 1026...

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Murphy to discontinue Flock cameras

Murphy to discontinue Flock cameras

The Murphy City Council has decided there are too many uncertainties about Flock Safety automated license plate readers (ALPRs) to continue using them.Following a presentation by Police Chief Jeff Gibson at council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 6, members opted...

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Sports

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Panthers run in Cowboy Jamboree

Panthers run in Cowboy Jamboree

Plano East senior Meena Milford, pictured in previous action, captured 19th place in the large-school girls 5K race at the Cowboy Jamboree in Oklahoma on Saturday. Photo by David Wolman / C&S Media By David Wolman [email protected] Plano East traveled to...

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Strong finish lifts Plano East past Plano West

Strong finish lifts Plano East past Plano West

Plano East senior Javon Rogers tackles Plano West senior quarterback Blake Tevis as senior James LaFleur (23) backs up the play during a 24-6 win for the Panthers at Clark Stadium on Friday, Sept. 25. Photo by Andy Redmond / C&S Media By David Wolman...

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SFOT RH 2026

Education

Plano ISD lowers tax rate

Plano ISD lowers tax rate

Plano ISD Trustees have confirmed the Fiscal Year 2026-27 property tax rate will decrease less than one cent, or $0.0068, per $100 of appraised valuation. Meeting Tuesday, Sept. 8, the school board formally adopted the voter-approved rate of $1.03275 per $100...

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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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Life & Style

Fall tree planting

Fall tree planting

Fall is the perfect season to celebrate trees as they transform the world into vibrant shades of red, orange, green and gold. You can do more than just admire existing trees – because in many areas, fall is also an ideal time to plant new ones.  While spring is...

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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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Sweet, refreshing summer treats

Sweet, refreshing summer treats

Few things are as delicious and refreshing as watermelon on a warm day. Watermelon grows quite readily in summer and is often ready to pick after three months of growing time. Harvesters look for a pale buttery yellow spot on the bottom of watermelon (the ground...

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Hidden in Plain Sight

Hidden in Plain Sight

The rusted water tower is one of the last visible reminders of the Princeton POW Camp, which briefly housed German prisoners of war during World War II. The Stories Collin County Forgot to Notice Every time I drive through Princeton, I pass the same brown sign. You...

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SFOT RH 2026

Opinion

Drive my car

Drive my car

Columnist John Moore prefers the cars of yesteryear over the cars of today. Pictured is his high school car, a 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. By John Moore | TheCountryWriter.com It was the 1970s, and my uncle was behind the wheel. His 1969 Cadillac...

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Scouting for opportunities

Scouting for opportunities

Columnist John Moore still has a couple of things from his days in the Cub Scouts. A Scouting knife and many memories. Photo John Moore By John Moore | TheCountryWriter.com Scouting was once as common for kids as Cap’n Crunch and Post Toasties. Learning how to tie...

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Mom knew

Mom knew

By John Moore | TheCountryWriter.com Moms used to be more versatile. If you were in the back seat of the Buick, they could discipline you from the driver's seat and never swerve or knock the ashes off their Marlboro Red. My mom never smoked, so it’s possible...

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Better shop around

Better shop around

The first man cave columnist John Moore experienced was his grandfather's blacksmith shop. Today, John has his own man cave. Photo: John Moore By John Moore | TheCountryWriter.com In the North, dads have basements. In the South, they have shops. Both...

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The price was right

The price was right

Thanks to his grandmother, columnist John Moore knows the price of most items. Which will help if he's ever selected as a contestant on The Price Is Right. Photo John Moore By John Moore | TheCountryWriter.com Long before anyone knew who Drew Carey was,...

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