Plastic waste is polluting ecosystems, affecting health In the bustling urban landscape of modern America lies a problem that’s as pervasive as it is pernicious: plastic waste. And despite the concerted efforts to recycle paper, cardboard and metals, plastic continues to permeate our landfills, oceans and even infiltrate our bodies. A recent report by Greenpeace USA paints a stark picture of the situation, revealing that out of the estimated 51 million tons of plastic waste generated by U.S. households in 2021, a mere 2.4 million tons were recycled. This dismal figure underscores a larger issu ..read more

Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Scott Roderick gave an update on the 2024-2025 budget. Property values were previously projected to grow by 3.5%, but Roderick said the Collin County Central Appraisal District’s (CCAD) new estimate is now 1% due to declining values in apartments and office space. At the Monday, April 15 board of trustees meeting, he listed district budget priorities including safety and security, competitive compensation packages, being staffed for growth and technology expenditures. Deputy Superintendent Kim Spicer presented the Texas Academic Performance Re ..read more

Fire Chief Brandon Blythe outlined a proposal for a new training tower to replace the current tower, which was constructed by WFR personnel in 2002. Courtesy of Wylie F-R The College Park development saga continued last week. After viewing a third proposed site plan last month, council finally approved a change in zoning request from Agricultural to Planned Development with single family attached, single family detached, commercial development and open space for the development.  At the Tuesday, April 9 regular council meeting, the developer appeared in front of council for the fifth ..read more

Collin County property values will take center stage as property owners will soon see how much the county thinks their property is worth.  Collin Central Appraisal District (CCAD) has been busy collecting and entering information in preparation to generate appraisal notices for residential and commercial property owners.  The CCAD mailed the 2024 real property appraisal notices on April 15.  According to Brian Swanson, deputy chief appraiser-business operations and compliance, take action quickly if you have a question after receiving your notice. “We encourage everyone to revie ..read more

Wylie Fire Station No. 2 was presented with the Life Save Award at the Tuesday, April 9 regular council meeting for saving the life of a man experiencing cardiac arrest who only had a 9% chance of survival.  Jeremy Hallock/The Wylie News During a work session at last week’s regular council meeting, Fire Chief Brandon Blythe presented an overview and five-year plan for Wylie Fire Rescue.  The department has five divisions. Administrative handles policy and finance. Operations includes fire and rescue response and EMS, which is moving inhouse beginning Oct. 1. Communications includes d ..read more

National Sexual Assault Awareness Month In a world where silence and shame can perpetuate suffering, a local nonprofit serves as a beacon of hope and support for those impacted by all forms of sexual violence. For over 40 years, The Turning Point Rape Crisis Center of Collin County has stood as a testament to resilience, compassion and unwavering dedication by advocating, counseling, educating and empowering the women, men and children they serve. For more on this story see the April 10, 2024 print, or digital edition of The Wylie News. Subscribe today and support local journalism in your comm ..read more

Recently, I saw something I haven’t seen in many years. A young man driving a car he was fixing up. It was an older Mustang. By older I mean a 90’s model. The car had spots of primer, there were a few dents, and the exhaust system appeared to be loose. By John Moore For more on this story see the April 10, 2024 print, or digital edition of The Wylie News. Subscribe today and support local journalism in your community ..read more

People traveled from all over the world to see the eclipse Monday, April 8, but for Rita Smith Elementary students, the path of totality was right outside their classrooms. It was like an extra recess — except they had to sit on the ground, wear their certified eclipse viewing glasses and look up at the sky. To get optimal viewing, some sat on curbs, some sat in the grass and others laid on their backs. It was an overcast day and the clouds occasionally blocked the view. The students screamed every time they saw the partially eclipsed sun come out of the clouds and a few started a “solar eclip ..read more

An annual spring free event that honors and supports local veterans and first responders is back for the 13th year. Opening ceremonies for this year’s 1LT Robert F. Welch III Run For Our Heroes begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 27 at Olde City Park downtown. The 5K Run/Walk and 1-mile fun run start at 9 a.m. Registration to participate is $10, which includes a swag bag, or $20 for registration with a swag bag and a t-shirt. Register at 1ltwelchrunforourheroes.org. For more on this story see the April 10, 2024 print, or digital edition of The Wylie News. Subscribe today and support local j ..read more

As Wylie has grown in the last 15 years, so have the needs of the department responsible for maintaining the city’s infrastructure. In a presentation to city council last week, Public Works Director Tommy Weir highlighted multiple administration and facility needs facing the department in the next five years. For more on this story see the April 10, 2024 print, or digital edition of The Wylie News. Subscribe today and support local journalism in your community ..read more