http://www.murphymessenger.com en-us http://www.murphymessenger.com N/A jeellis@digitakes.com Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:49:07 -0500 20 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/1206/1/State-Power-Emergency-Impacts-Oncor-Customers.html Weather, Plant Outages Led to Demand Exceeding Supply DALLAS (Feb. 2, 2011) — Oncor, the electric transmission and distribution company serving most of North Texas, is in the process of temporarily turning off power across its service territory to compensate for unexpected generation loss in the areas of the state served by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.  Oncor, which does not own any generation, along with other transmission and distribution utilities across Texas are taking direction from ERCOT to manage the situation.   By temporarily turning off power in a controlled manner, ERCOT is attempting to prevent uncontrolled outages from occurring across the state. While the length of the outage for each individual customer can vary in length, Oncor is working very hard to ensure that no outage lasts longer than 30 minutes.  If a customer’s outage lasts longer than 30 minutes they should call 1-888-313-4747 because they may be experiencing an outage caused by weather or other reasons.  Oncor also is providing regular updates on Facebook and Twitter. ERCOT, which manages the electricity grid across most of the state, made the demand for controlled outages across the state after some generating plants unexpectedly went off line shortly before 6 a.m. Wednesday which, when coupled with the significant electricity demand from the severe cold weather, created an electricity shortage.  At this time, it is unclear how long the rolling outages will last.  ERCOT is closely monitoring both supply and demand for the electricity in most of the state. staff@murphymessenger.com (Staff Writer) Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/1084/1/MURPHY-CITY-COUNCIL-ELECTION-RESULTS.html City Council, Place 1 - Murphy    TotalNumber of Precincts  3 Precincts Reporting  3 100.0 %Vote For  1 Times Counted  574/8909 6.4 %Total Votes  383 Times Blank Voted  191 Times Over Voted  0 Number Of Under Votes  0 ________________________________________Colleen Halbert  383 100.00% City Council, Place 2 - Murphy    TotalNumber of Precincts  3 Precincts Reporting  3 100.0 %Vote For  1 Times Counted  574/8909 6.4 %Total Votes  345 Times Blank Voted  229 Times Over Voted  0 Number Of Under Votes  0 ________________________________________Dennis Richmond  345 100.00% City Council, Place 4 - Murphy    TotalNumber of Precincts  3 Precincts Reporting  3 100.0 %Vote For  1 Times Counted  574/8909 6.4 %Total Votes  356 Times Blank Voted  218 Times Over Voted  0 Number Of Under Votes  0 ________________________________________Scott D. Bradley  356 100.00% City Council, Place 6 - Murphy    TotalNumber of Precincts  3 Precincts Reporting  3 100.0 %Vote For  1 Times Counted  574/8909 6.4 %Total Votes  457 Times Blank Voted  117 Times Over Voted  0 Number Of Under Votes  0 ________________________________________Dave Brandon  246 53.83%Gus Delaloye  211 46.17% staff@murphymessenger.com (Staff Writer) Sun, 09 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/1083/1/PISD-and-WISD-School-Board-Election-Results.html Board of Trustees, Place 1 - Plano ISD    TotalNumber of Precincts  88 Precincts Reporting  88 100.0 %Vote For  1 Times Counted  6001/180929 3.3 %Total Votes  5303 Times Blank Voted  698 Times Over Voted  0 Number Of Under Votes  0 ________________________________________Bart Ridley  1926 36.32%Tammy Richards  2929 55.23%Robert Canright  448 8.45% Board of Trustees, Place 2 - Plano ISD    TotalNumber of Precincts  88 Precincts Reporting  88 100.0 %Vote For  1 Times Counted  6001/180929 3.3 %Total Votes  5434 Times Blank Voted  566 Times Over Voted  1 Number Of Under Votes  0 ________________________________________Raj Menon  1953 35.94%Paul P. Kaminsky  1181 21.73%Carrolyn Moebius  2300 42.33%   CONGRATULATIONS! Board of Trustees, Place 3 - Plano ISD    TotalNumber of Precincts  88 Precincts Reporting  88 100.0 %Vote For  1 Times Counted  6001/180929 3.3 %Total Votes  5517 Times Blank Voted  484 Times Over Voted  0 Number Of Under Votes  0 ________________________________________Bret Cullers  2292 41.54%Nancy Humphrey  3225 58.46% Board of Trustees, Place 5 - Wylie ISD    TotalNumber of Precincts  14 Precincts Reporting  14 100.0 %Vote For  1 Times Counted  895/27427 3.3 %Total Votes  811 Times Blank Voted  84 Times Over Voted  0 Number Of Under Votes  0 ________________________________________Lacey LaPointe  114 14.06%Heather Leggett  567 69.91%Art Borgemenke  130 16.03% Board of Trustees, Place 6 - Wylie ISD    TotalNumber of Precincts  14 Precincts Reporting  14 100.0 %Vote For  1 Times Counted  895/27427 3.3 %Total Votes  829 Times Blank Voted  66 Times Over Voted  0 Number Of Under Votes  0 ________________________________________Joe Stooksberry  564 68.03%Tanisha M. Owens  265 31.97% Board of Trustees, Place 7 - Wylie ISD    TotalNumber of Precincts  14 Precincts Reporting  14 100.0 %Vote For  1 Times Counted  895/27427 3.3 %Total Votes  797 Times Blank Voted  98 Times Over Voted  0 Number Of Under Votes  0 ________________________________________Stacie Gooch  613 76.91%Curt Marcantel  184 23.09% staff@murphymessenger.com (Staff Writer) Sun, 09 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/1082/1/PUBLIC-SERVICE-NOTICE.html MURPHY POLICE DEPARTMENTFOUND PROPERTY NOTICE!  REFERENCE:  Found Boy’s BicycleSPECIAL ATTENTION:  Glen Ridge EstatesDATE: May 5, 2010CASE NUMBER:  10008930  Murphy TX – On April 28, 2010, a resident located a boy’s bicycle in the 300 block of Fountain Drive. If have lost a bicycle please contact Detective Kyle Kucauskas at (972) 468-4229. marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Thu, 06 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/1081/1/WYLIES-ANGEL-IDENTIFIED.html Friday, April 23, 2010- The Collin County Child Abuse Task Force and Wylie Police Department have made an arrest in the death of 6 years of age, Gerren Joseph Isgrigg.  Investigators obtained a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which led them to Gerren’s primary caretaker, 63 years of age, Darlene Phillips, his maternal grandmother.  Phillips was interviewed by investigators at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County.  Phillips is being charged with Murder and is currently being held in the Collin County Detention Facility.  Phillips bond has been set at $500,000.00.          staff@murphymessenger.com (Staff Writer) Sat, 24 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/1080/1/TASK-FORCE-NEEDS-PUBLIC-HELP.html UNIDENTIFIED DECEASED CHILD  On Thursday, April 15, 2010 at approximately 9:10A.M. Wylie Police Department responded to a dead body in the 1900 blk of Skyview Drive.  The Collin County Medical Examiner was able to establish the victim was a white male child approximately 6 years of age, brown hair, brown eyes, approximately 39” tall and approximately 28lbs.  It appears the child had significant medical needs.  The child shows signs of being fed through a feeding tube.The Collin County Child Abuse Task Force is asking that any persons with information about the identity of this child, specifically In-Home health care providers, school personnel, day care personnel or community based social services to contact:1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).       staff@murphymessenger.com (Staff Writer) Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/1079/1/UPDATE-ON--FOUND-BODY-IN-WYLIE.html On Thursday, April 15, 2010 at approximately 9:10 A.M., Wylie Police Department responded to a possible dead body in the 1900 block of Skyview Drive.  Upon arrival officers discovered the body of a small child.  The child is described as a white male approximately 3 years of age or older.  The boy has not been identified.  Results of the autopsy are pending.  The Collin County Child Abuse Task Force and Wylie Police Department ask that if anyone has any information to please call 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST). staff@murphymessenger.com (Staff Writer) Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/1078/1/Dead-Body-Found-in-Wylie.html On Thursday, April 15, 2010, at approximately 9:10 A.M., Wylie Police Department was dispatched to the 1900 block of Skyview in reference to a deceased person.  Upon arrival Officers observed the body of a child near Eastfork Park.  Wylie Police Department is working with the Collin County Child Task Force to investigate this incident.     staff@murphymessenger.com (Staff Writer) Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/1063/1/PISD-AND-HUNT-ELEMENTARY-CANCELATIONS-DUE-TO-WEATHER.html The following information was sent to the schools by the Plano Independent School District... All afternoon and night events for PISD are canceled. This does not include PASAR. Please make note that there will be NO tutoring, Art Club or Chess Club this afternoon, Thursday, February 11th at Hunt.   Linda EngelkingPrincipal, Hunt Elementary staff@murphymessenger.com (Staff Writer) Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/1055/1/House-Fire-in-Windy-Hill-Farms-One-Fatality.html Murphy, TX – At 10:27 a.m. November 29, 2009  Murphy Police received a call regarding a structure fire in the 200 block of Seleta. Units arrived at approximately 10:32 a.m. and found the house fully involved. Murphy Fire with the assistance of Plano, Wylie, and Sachse Fire Departments extinguished the fire at approximately 11:18 a.m. There is one fatality. The preliminary investigation indicates that the fatality is not associated with the fire. The cause of death and the fire are currently under investigation.   marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/1033/1/CRIME-ALERT.html MURPHY POLICE DEPARTMENTCRIME ALERT! REFERENCE:  Burglary of a HabitationSPECIAL ATTENTION:  Ranch SubdivisionDATE: September 16, 2009CASE NUMBER:  09018001 Murphy TX – A Burglary of a Habitation took place in the 500 block of Seminole Trail On August 16, 2009 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into the residence by breaking out the backdoor window.  Once inside the suspect(s) stole several items including jewelry and money.   If you remember seeing a suspicious vehicle(s) and/or person(s) in and around the 500 block of Seminole Trail during the daytime and early evening hours of September 16, 2009 please contact Detective Kucauskas at (972) 468-4229.  You may also report anonymous information to Crime Stoppers at 1-877-373-TIPS (8477) or via secure online submission at https://www.tipsubmit.com/WebTips.aspx?AgencyID=197.  Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information that will lead to the arrest and indictment of a suspect that has a Felony warrant or for information concerning a Felony case. marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/1027/1/The-Ranch-Family-Lost-Home-in-House-Fire.html Chris Anderson, his son Aiden and daugher Isabella, lost almost everything they own in a tragic fire that destroyed most of their home in The Ranch in the aftermath of the storms Friday night.  Lightening struck the Anderson home around 6:15 p.m. Friday evening resulting in flames and smoke that could be seen from many neighborhoods in Murphy and Wylie as five surrounding areas' fire companies battled together to put out the flames.  A busy night for the Murphy FD and PD, after putting out a smaller fire on Rodeo Drive earlier in the storm, they worked throughout the night to secure the area to ensure the safety of local residents, who turned out in full force to support the Anderson family in their hour of need. Chris is a detective for the Dallas Police Department and has served our country in the US Air Force.  Chris has spent his life trying to make our world a safer place to live, now we have a chance to bless him the way he has blessed us and so many others.  Please help us continue to support the Anderson family with monetary donations.  Gift cards to Wal-Mart or Visas that can be spent anywhere are recommended.  Their immediate needs have been addressed by neighbors, coworkers and classmates, but their long-term needs will be greatly helped by your generous donations.  Donations can be dropped off at or mailed to The Assist the Officer Foundation 1412 Griffin Street East, Dallas, TX  75215.  Donations can also be made via the Foundation’s website at www.atodallas.org  Please designate your donations for the Chris Anderson family.  marcia@murphymessenger.com (Reader Submitted) Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/1026/1/LOST-CAT---BRENTWOOD-DRIVE.html Our cat, too, disappeared from our front yard at 1017 Brentwood Drive, on Wednesday afternoon. She is a gray, long haired cat, with some orange in it (a diluted gray torti cat). She is about 12 years old and very pretty. We miss her like crazy. We put up signs but they have not withstood the weather. Her name is Isis, and is dearly loved. Pictured is “Iris” with our son. Would you please contact us if you find her? hwaterhouse78759@yahoo.com or call 214-533-6465.   marcia@murphymessenger.com (Reader Submitted) Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/1025/1/LOST-CAT---FAMILY-PET.html Thursday night September 3, someone took our cat from our front yard. His name is Andy and his breed is Ragdoll. The person or persons who took Andy have no idea what a trauma this has caused our family. To those persons, Andy was just a cat. To us, he was family. Not knowing where Andy is, is heart breaking. We don't know if he is being taken care of or is he hungry or being mistreated or being sold for a few dollars or even worse, is he still alive? Andy was wearing a collar with all his tags on it so whoever took him knows where he lives. He weighs 13 1/2 pounds and is white and grey. He has a knot on his tail bone about 4" from the end. If you know where Andy is, please bring him home or just put him in the front yard, he can get in the house by himself or call Murphy Animal Control at 972 468 4200.                                                    Buddy & Pat Russell                                                   313 Shady Timbers Ln.                                                   Murphy, Texas                                                   972 741 9426 marcia@murphymessenger.com (Reader Submitted) Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/1017/1/Public-Service-Announcement.html Murphy, TX – Murphy Police Warn Motorists of New State Law Banning Use of Hand Held Cell Phones in School Zones The Murphy Police Department would like to inform city motorists of the new state law (House Bill 55) that prohibits the use of hand held cell phones in all school zones that goes into effect today, September 1, 2009.  This law makes it illegal to use a wireless communications device in a school zone unless the vehicle is stopped or a hands-free device is used.  Cities or counties wanting to enforce this law must post a sign at the beginning of each school zone to inform drivers that using a wireless communications device is prohibited and the operator is subject to a fine.  It is a defense to prosecution if the operator was making an emergency call.  At this time, the City of Murphy does not have the signs posted; however this item is on the City Council agenda for the meeting on September 8th to consider posting the appropriate signage.  The meeting starts at 6:00 p.m. and residents are encouraged to attend to voice their concerns on this matter. Murphy police are dedicated to ensuring safe driving throughout the city, but particularly in all school zones and hope that motorists do their part to make this school year a safe one.    marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/1014/1/-FOUND-PROPERTY-NOTICE.html Murphy TX – MURPHY POLICE DEPARTMENT                      REF: Case # 09016182 INCIDENT:  Found Property LOCATION:  300 Block of Royal Oak Drive SPECIAL ATTENTION:  Northeast District Crime Watch Detective Assigned:  Kucauskas # 4121 A bicycle was located in the front yard of a residence located in the 300 block of Royal Oak Drive.  To identify and claim this bicycle, please contact Detective K. Kucauskas at (972) 468-4229. “Your Safety is our Concern”   marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/1013/1/CRIME-ALERT.html MURPHY POLICE DEPARTMENT CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION ATTENTON:  Northwest District Crime WatchOFFENSE:  Burglary of a HabitationCASE NUMBER:  09016123DATE:  August 16, 2009 to August 22, 2009LOCATION:  300 block of Christopher CircleDETECTIVE:  Kyle Kucauskas DETAILS:  Unidentified suspect(s) forced entry through a rear entry door and stole several appliances. If you have any information regarding this crime please contact Detective K. Kucauskas at (972) 468-4229. "Your Safety Is Our Concern"   marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/1012/1/Public-Service-Announcement.html Murphy, TX – The Wylie Police Department received information that led investigators to obtain arrest warrants for subjects believed to be responsible for the Robbery at the Burger King in Wylie, TX.  Two suspects to the robbery in Wylie were questioned and confessed to investigators that the same three males also robbed the 7-11 Convenience Store in Murphy, Texas on the morning of August 16. Arrest warrants for Aggravated Robbery, a first degree felony, related to the Wylie robbery, were obtained for Miguel Valdez, 17, Samuel Ortiz, 19, and Juan Ortiz, 21, all of Wylie.  Miguel Valdez and Samuel Ortiz were taken into custody without incident on Friday, August 21 in Plano, TX.  Juan Ortiz remains at large. On Sunday August 16, 2009, in the early morning hours, the 7-11 store at 721 East FM 544, in Murphy, Texas was robbed at gun point by 3 unknown male subjects. The suspects had their faces covered and they spoke with an accent, possibly Hispanic. Official charges are pending against the three suspects identified in this press release for the Murphy 7-11 robbery. Several pieces of evidence related to the robbery have been recovered including the weapon believed to have been used to commit the offense in Murphy. marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/1001/1/Three-White-Lions-Confiscated-by-USDA-and-Placed-with-In-Sync-Exotics-Wildlife-Rescue.html It was just four months ago that the United States Department of Agriculture confiscated one lion and two tigers from a for-profit entertainment facility in Kauffman, TX and placed the neglected exotic cats with In-Sync Exotics.  On Friday, July 10th, the USDA once again returned to In-Sync Exotics, this time with three rare white lions. The two male and one female lions were removed from the same Kauffman facility for similar reasons as in the March confiscations. All three white lions are suffering from various levels of ataxia which is a condition that causes a loss or impairment of muscular coordination and in some cases is characterized by involuntary trembling. The males are estimated to be between 8-10 years old. Both are underweight, have multiple open sores and their coats are dull and dirty. “Shazam” has no mane at all which the USDA veterinarian said could be from a vitamin deficiency and/or the lion rubbing his mane off due to stress. The other male, “Jazz” has a mane that resembles Michael Bolton’s hair. The mane is in poor condition and badly matted. The female, “Diamond,” is estimated to be about 18 months old and although she looks the best of the three, she has difficulty holding her head upright and the USDA veterinarian warned that she may be so bad off with ataxia and other ailments that euthanasia may be necessary. Vicky Keahey, Founder and President of In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue, looked into “Diamond’s” eyes and said, “Look at me little girl. You will not die now that you are here. You hear me? No dying allowed here.”  The new lions have been placed in enclosures that can only be used by them temporarily. Several of the “residents” were moved around Friday morning to make room for the afternoon arrivals. It will now be imperative that new enclosures are built to accommodate the recent influx of neglected tigers and lions from the Kauffman facility. Sadly, the USDA reported that ten other exotic cats still remain at the negligent entertainment facility. If you would like to help In-Sync Exotics restore the health and happiness of these once-beautiful white lions, please consider making a donation to their cause. You may visit the website: www.insyncexotics.com where donations can be made on-line. You will also find directions to In-Sync Exotics on the website for weekend visits.  marcia@murphymessenger.com (Marcia Jowers) Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/1000/1/quotBEAUMONTquot---has-returned-home-on-his-own.html Thanks to all who kept a look out for him. staff@murphymessenger.com (Staff Writer) Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/980/1/CRIME-ALERT.html MURPHY POLICE DEPARTMENTCRIME ALERT! Attention – Northeast District     Reference Service Number: 09007669      Location:  600 block of Rothschild Lane      Activity: Daytime - Burglary of a Habitation A residential daytime Burglary of a Habitation occurred on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 between 8:00 AM and 4:10 PM in the 600 block of Rothschild Lane.  Unidentified suspect(s) forced entry through a back patio door.  Once inside the suspect(s) ransacked several rooms inside the house and stole a large amount of cash.  A neighbor witnessed a blue 2007 Chevrolet Malibu occupied by two males believed to be of Hispanic origin prowling the neighborhood earlier in the day.  If you observe a vehicle matching this description or observe ANY suspicious activity you are encouraged to contact the Murphy Police Department immediately.  Please contact police communications at (972) 468-4236 – OR – Dial 9-1-1 in an emergency. The Murphy Police Department requests that everyone lock and secure all valuables.  Please remember to close your garage door. “Your Safety Is Our Concern” Kyle Kucauskas, CCPSMedia RelationsMurphy Police DepartmentDesk: (972) 468-4229 marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Thu, 07 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/965/1/NORTH-MURPHY-ROAD-AT-BETSY-LANE-CLOSED-UNTIL-FURTHER-NOTICE.html Murphy, Texas (April 15, 2009) – North Murphy Road between Betsy Lane and McWhirter Road has been closed to both northbound and southbound traffic due to an accident.  A portion of the bridge over Maxwell Creek has been damaged.  The Texas Department of Transportation will need to inspect the bridge to assess the amount of damage in order to determine what repairs will be necessary.  At this time, it is not known when the roadway will be open to traffic.  Motorists are urged to use caution in the area and to seek alternate routes. If you would like more information, you may contact Jeff Bickerstaff, Assistant City Manager at 972-468-4000 or at jbickerstaff@murphytx.org. marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/964/1/CRIME-ALERT.html ATTN:  All City Districts Last week, several Home Invasions occurred in the Sachse, Wylie and Lavon area.  It was reported that two black male subjects wearing bandanas forced their way into homes, and took various personal property from their residence.  The homeowners were forced into a closet and the suspects fled from the residence with the victim's vehicle.  The victim's vehicles were recovered in Richardson, Texas at a later time and the two black male suspects have not yet been identified.  One of the black male subjects was called "Rock" during one of the incidents.   On April 09, 2009, at approximately 4:20 p.m., a Silver Cadillac Escalade was stolen from the Murphy Neighborhood Wal-Mart parking lot. The victim observed a Hispanic male subject inside his vehicle and drive away at a high rate of speed.  A White Chevrolet Tahoe with possible Texas License Plate 020JNT was possibly involved with the incident.  On April 11, 2009, at 5:33 p.m., a Black Toyota 4Runner was burglarized at the Murphy Market Place Center.  At this time, there is no reason to believe that the Home Invasions are related to the other two incidents aforementioned.    Please remember to always be aware of your surroundings, keep your residential and vehicle doors locked at all times.  If you notice any suspicious behavior, please don't hesitate to call the Murphy Police Department at 972-468-4236 or 911 for emergencies. An officer from the Murphy Police Department is available to speak with any HOA group, neighborhood group and Crime Watch group regarding crime prevention programs. If you would like us to come and speak to your group please contact Kyle Kucauskas at (972) 468-4229.    "Your Safety Is Our Concern"   staff@murphymessenger.com (Staff Writer) Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/894/1/UPDATED-MURPHY-RESPONSE-TO-HURRICANE-IKE.html Murphy Tx – The City of Murphy will be deactivating its Emergency Operation Center at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 13th. The city is releasing some of the additional crews; yet, we will continue to be ready to respond to any anticipated emergencies that may occur as a result of Hurricane Ike. According to the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Ike will pass east of our county.  The anticipated weather for our area will be periods of heavy rain totaling 1.5”-3” throughout the day.  These heavy rains may be accompanied by strong gusty winds from the northeast.  Please contact the city’s non-emergency number 972/468-4236 if you need any assistance or have concerns. Please continue to secure all loose items, i.e. lawn furniture, garbage cans, toys, bicycles tonight. Please be cautious when going outside after the storms as there may be down power lines and broken tree limbs that are lying across lawns. If you need any assistance or have questions during this time, please call 972/468-4236 if it is a life threatening emergency call 9-1-1.   marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/892/1/MURPHY-PREPARES-FOR-HURRICANE-IKE.html Murphy Tx – The City of Murphy will be activating its Emergency Operation Center at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 13th. The city is bringing on additional crews to respond to any anticipated emergencies that may occur as a result of Hurricane Ike. Please contact the city’s non-emergency number 972/468-4236 if you need any assistance or have concerns during this event. Please be sure to secure all loose items, i.e. lawn furniture, garbage cans, toys, bicycles tonight. Please be cautious when going outside after the storm as there may be down power lines and broken tree limbs that are lying across lawns. If you need any assistance or have questions during this time, please call 972/468-4236 if it is a life threatening emergency call 9-1-1. marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/891/1/Oncor-Preparing-for-Hurricane-Ikes-Impact-on-Coast-North-Texas.html DALLAS (Sept. 12, 2008) — With Hurricane Ike approaching the Texas Coast with winds of up to 125 mph, Oncor is taking all the necessary precautions to be prepared for the problems that the hurricane might bring to its service area. Oncor is studying the progress of the storm and alerting contractors and employees to be prepared for potential extended outages, which in some locations could last up to several days, due to the damage that Hurricane Ike could cause. Oncor crews and contractors are preparing for departure to areas where their assistance is needed the most. “With a storm of this magnitude, outages will be unavoidable,” said Brenda Pulis, Oncor Senior Vice President, Distribution. “Our crews are anticipating and preparing for the worst while the priority in this situation is safety for both our crews and the people we serve. Oncor’s system reliability comes first, but we are in constant contact with other utilities in Texas to assess needs.” Even for areas not directly on the coast, such as in North Texas, Oncor is still bracing for Ike’s effects. Initial reports predict sustained winds of 40 mph in North Texas. These winds would be strong enough to blow tree limbs and debris into power lines, causing potentially extensive outages. In East Texas, consumers in Oncor’s service area are expecting winds up to 70 mph, with the worst part of the storm hitting on Saturday starting at 3 a.m. Oncor is prepared for outages in this area, as well. During storms it is important to remember these tips: • Consumers should call the outage phone number on their electric bill to report the power is out, so that Oncor has a record of the outage, especially in remote areas. Consumers can help by having the last seven numbers of ESI ID from their electric bill when reporting the outage. • Beware of power lines — contact with power lines can seriously injure or even kill someone. If you see a downed power line, leave the area and call 9-1-1. In addition to the downed line potentially being electrified, anything touching the power line, such as a tree branch, could also be electrified. Do not touch the power line or anything else touching it. • Avoid debris lying on the ground, as it may conceal downed power lines. • Make sure there are no downed lines before allowing children out to play. • When leaving your home and the power is off, turn off the main breaker as a precaution until power is restored. Additionally, having a storm safety kit on hand can help consumers prepare for whenever an electrical outage occurs. Storm safety kits should include a combination of the following: flashlight, bottled water, radio, pen and paper, extra batteries and a storm safety card from www.oncor.com/safety. Most of these items can be found in hardware stores.   marcia@murphymessenger.com (Reader Submitted) Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/890/1/Oncor-Preparing-for-Hurricane-Ikes-Impact-on-Coast-North-Texas.html DALLAS (Sept. 12, 2008) — With Hurricane Ike approaching the Texas Coast with winds of up to 125 mph, Oncor is taking all the necessary precautions to be prepared for the problems that the hurricane might bring to its service area. Oncor is studying the progress of the storm and alerting contractors and employees to be prepared for potential extended outages, which in some locations could last up to several days, due to the damage that Hurricane Ike could cause. Oncor crews and contractors are preparing for departure to areas where their assistance is needed the most. “With a storm of this magnitude, outages will be unavoidable,” said Brenda Pulis, Oncor Senior Vice President, Distribution. “Our crews are anticipating and preparing for the worst while the priority in this situation is safety for both our crews and the people we serve. Oncor’s system reliability comes first, but we are in constant contact with other utilities in Texas to assess needs.” Even for areas not directly on the coast, such as in North Texas, Oncor is still bracing for Ike’s effects. Initial reports predict sustained winds of 40 mph in North Texas. These winds would be strong enough to blow tree limbs and debris into power lines, causing potentially extensive outages. In East Texas, consumers in Oncor’s service area are expecting winds up to 70 mph, with the worst part of the storm hitting on Saturday starting at 3 a.m. Oncor is prepared for outages in this area, as well. During storms it is important to remember these tips: • Consumers should call the outage phone number on their electric bill to report the power is out, so that Oncor has a record of the outage, especially in remote areas. Consumers can help by having the last seven numbers of ESI ID from their electric bill when reporting the outage. • Beware of power lines — contact with power lines can seriously injure or even kill someone. If you see a downed power line, leave the area and call 9-1-1. In addition to the downed line potentially being electrified, anything touching the power line, such as a tree branch, could also be electrified. Do not touch the power line or anything else touching it. • Avoid debris lying on the ground, as it may conceal downed power lines. • Make sure there are no downed lines before allowing children out to play. • When leaving your home and the power is off, turn off the main breaker as a precaution until power is restored. Additionally, having a storm safety kit on hand can help consumers prepare for whenever an electrical outage occurs. Storm safety kits should include a combination of the following: flashlight, bottled water, radio, pen and paper, extra batteries and a storm safety card from www.oncor.com/safety. Most of these items can be found in hardware stores.   marcia@murphymessenger.com (Reader Submitted) Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/889/1/ONCOR-and-National-Preparedness-Month-Information.html Oncor Wants You Prepared for the WorstOncor has top three electrical safety tips for National Preparedness Month DALLAS (Sept. 11, 2008) — This month marks the fifth annual National Preparedness Month. Oncor wants to help all Texans prepare for the worst by educating them on what to do to prevent electrical-related injuries. The best way you can be prepared is through educating yourself and your family. Safety is Oncor’s No. 1 priority, and it should be one of yours, too, during National Preparedness Month and all year. In honor of that, here are Oncor’s top three electrical safety tips from its year-round Lifetime of Safety campaign to follow and share with your family: 1. Make a storm safety kit — Yes, we know it’s September, but bad weather can still happen. Additionally, these kits are good for whenever an electrical outage occurs, whether it is storm-related or not. Storm safety kits should include a combination of the following: flashlight, bottled water, radio, pen and paper, extra batteries and a storm safety card from www.oncor.com/safety. Other than the card, most of these items can be found in hardware stores. 2. Perform the Lifetime of Safety Home Safety Checklist, an electrical safety home audit — Going through this safety checklist, which consists of a checklist of common indoor and outdoor electrical hazards, can point out potential electrical dangers that need to be addressed before they become problems. Many problems can be fixed by the homeowner, although some may require a qualified electrician. Visit this month’s Lifetime of Safety Web page at www.oncor.com/safety to view Oncor’s audit, located in the “Additional Lifetime of Safety Resources” box. 3. Beware of power lines — Contact with power lines can seriously injure or even kill someone. Teach your family, including children, to beware of power lines. If you see a downed power line, leave the area and call 9-1-1. In addition to the downed line potentially being electrified, anything touching the power line, such as a tree branch, could also be electrified. Do not touch the power line or anything else touching it. If your vehicle comes into contact with a power line, it and the ground around it may be electrified. It is safer to stay in the vehicle and wait until Oncor arrives to shut off power. Only leave if you are in imminent danger, then jump free of the vehicle, as far as you can, and hop to safety with both feet together. To view a diagram of a storm safety kit, download an audit or view other electrical safety tips from Oncor’s Lifetime of Safety program, visit www.oncor.com/safety. * * * Oncor is a regulated electric distribution and transmission business that uses superior asset management skills to provide reliable electricity delivery to consumers. Oncor operates the largest distribution and transmission system in Texas, providing power to 3 million electric delivery points over more than 102,000 miles of distribution and 14,000 miles of transmission lines. While Oncor is a subsidiary of Energy Future Holdings Corp., Oncor is a separate entity with a separate board that is comprised of a majority of independent directors. marcia@murphymessenger.com (Reader Submitted) Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/888/1/MURPHY-PREPARES-FOR-HURRICANE-IKE.html  Murphy Tx – In anticipation of the threat posed by Hurricane Ike’s landfall along the Texas coast, the City of Murphy is taking necessary precautions by inspecting and clearing all drainage culverts, new home construction sites and streets of all debris. According to the National Weather Service on Saturday, September 13th wind speeds are estimated to be between 30 to 40 mph with possible wind gusts up to 60 mph. Residents are urged to secure all property that might be susceptible to strong winds and have a battery powered radio tuned to Murphy Alert Radio at 1670 AM in case of power outages. If power outages do occur, please contact your electric provider at the numbers listed below: • Oncor at 888/313-4747• TXU at 800/242-9113• FEC at 972/442-6669 To report a non-life threatening issue, please contact our non-emergency number at 972/468-4236. In case of an emergency, please dial 9-1-1. For the latest information on Hurricane Ike visit: http://www.weather.gov/ or http://www.murphytx.org. marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/850/1/Police-Chief-Relieved-of-Duties.html Murphy, TX – As of today, Chief Billy Myrick is no longer with the Murphy Police Department. He has been relieved of his duties as Police Chief and terminated from the City of Murphy. Myrick served as a patrol officer for one year before becoming Chief of Police in 2005.Effective immediately, Louis A. Barrow, Jr. will serve as Interim Police Chief. Chief Barrow has been in law enforcement for 38 years of which the last 19 have been as chief of police or interim chief of police in 5 Texas cities. He previously served as a management consultant and president of a counter terror security company. During his long tenure, he has worked extensively with the Department of Justice and the Department of Defense.The City and the Police Department wish to move forward in providing excellent service and safety for the citizens and the community. marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/805/1/Murphy-City-Complex-Brimming-with-Caucus-Voters.html Almost 400 citizens from precinct 25 showed up for the Presidential Caucus held after  primary voting. Unofficially, 303 voted for Illinois senator Barack Obama while 85 voted for Senator Hillary Clinton from New York.  The caucusers from four precincts met in front of City Hall, but the turnout was so large that the courthouse and the fire engine bays were needed to accommodate everyone.   Murphy resident Onditi Nunda and his son "Tata" came to the firehouse for the caucus process 4 March 2008. Photos by Andre Guerin andre.amgphoto@gmail.com (Andre Guerin) Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/792/1/Lightening-Suspected-as-Culprit-of-Murphy-2-Alarm-Fire.html When the weather turned rough Tuesday afternoon, the two story home of Raymond and Shurandia Holden at 400 Huntington caught on fire. According to Murphy Fire Chief, Kelley Stalder, the exact cause has not yet been determined, but lightening is suspected. He said, “It appears to have been started by a lightning strike as several neighbors heard and saw the strike as the storm passed through. It was a two alarm fire. We had Wylie, Richardson, Plano, and Parker (firefighters) on the scene.” Foam was used to squelch the fire making the Holden’s yard and the street look like a snow storm had hit Murphy instead of rain, hail, high winds and lightning.  Insurance adjusters were on the scene about 6 p.m. Tuesday evening assessing the damage.   Photos by Shelly Bottlinger and Marcia Jowers staff@murphymessenger.com (Staff Writer) Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/787/1/Collin-County-Burn-Ban-In-Effect.html (McKINNEY, Texas) -- In response to the number of brush fires currently burning in Collin County, an order prohibiting outdoor burning is now in effect. Until further notice, all outdoor burning is prohibited in the unincorporated areas of Collin County. Brush fires are currently burning in the following areas (Tuesday): • Celina (Preston Rd and CR 95) • Fairview (Bush Rd and Hwy 5) • Wylie • Weston (CR 136 and CR 138) • McKinney (FM 2933 near CR 410 and 342)• CR 830 near CR 1106• Lucas (1100 Forest Grove)A county declaration of disaster has also taken effect due to the fires. The declaration triggers access to additional federal and state resources. marcia@murphymessenger.com (Collin County) Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/724/1/Child-Injured-in-Murphy.html [Murphy] -  The Murphy Police Department is currently investigating an incident regarding an injury to a young child which occurred this evening. At approximately 7:26 P.M., a 9-1-1 call was received from a residence on Brookmere Lane located on the city’s East side. The child was found by his mother in the backyard of the residence, in a distressed condition. The mother immediately took the child inside the residence and called 9-1-1. Personnel from both the Murphy Police and the Murphy Fire-Rescue Departments responded to the scene. On arrival, Emergency Medical personnel found the child to be in an unresponsive condition. Resuscitation efforts were begun on scene and the child was then transported to Medical City of Dallas by Murphy Fire-Rescue Ambulance. Detectives from the Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division were called and arrived at the scene a short time later. Additional assistance for this investigation was requested from the Investigators at the Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center and their personnel also responded to the scene. At last report, the child was listed in critical condition and continues to undergo treatment by hospital personnel. The investigation into this matter continues and additional information will be released as it becomes available. marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/720/1/IMPERSONATOR-ARRESTED-BY-MURPHY-PD.html [Murphy] -  Over the last several months, numerous incidents have been reported throughout the DFW Metroplex of persons impersonating public servants and attempting to make traffic stops of female motorists. One such incident occurred on July 28, 2007 in the City of Murphy when a male, driving a white vehicle and wearing a dark colored uniform and gun belt, stopped a female driver late at night near the North end of the city. The female driver became alarmed when the male shone a flashlight in her eyes and ordered her out of her car. She told the male that she was going to call 9-1-1 which statement caused the impersonator to immediately return to his vehicle and flee the area. Another similar incident occurred, also in Murphy, during the month of April 2007, when an individual also driving a white vehicle enjoined in a police pursuit on F.M. 544 near the city limits between Murphy and the City of Wylie. In this instance, the impersonator actually passed the marked police vehicle, driven by Corporal Kevin McGee and pulled alongside the violator car with flashing headlamps and tail lamps activated, then illuminated the inside of the violator’s vehicle with a bright spotlight which could have created a more dangerous situation by blinding the driver of that car. The violator then pulled to the side of the road at which time the pursuing Murphy unit pulled in behind and the impersonator stopped in the center lane of traffic. When a second Murphy unit driven by Officer Pete Schulte arrived on scene and motioned the driver of the white car to park behind his patrol vehicle, the driver fled the scene at a high rate of speed. On Saturday, September 22, 2007 at approximately 9:50 P.M., Officer was on patrol when he observed a white Chevrolet Impala, displaying Texas license number 020-CJM stop next to him at the intersection of F.M. 544 and Murphy Road and he recognized that as being the same vehicle which had interfered in the April pursuit. Officer Schulte immediately activated his emergency lights and effected a stop of that vehicle, near the intersection. There, Schulte made contact with the driver who was identified by Texas Driver’s License as Wesley Kevin McIntire Sr., a White male who is 48 years of age. During interviews by Murphy Police personnel, McIntire admitted to being the one who routinely operates and being the driver of the vehicle during the April pursuit. McIntire was subsequently released pending further investigation. On Tuesday, September 25, 2007, police personnel presented information to the Collin County District Attorney’s Office and received approval to obtain search and arrest warrants for Wesley McIntire. After the submission of the necessary affidavits, those warrants were then issued by Judge Curt Henderson of the 219th District Court in Collin County. Police officers from the Murphy and Plano Police Departments then located and arrested McIntire at his place of employment in Plano. McIntire was transported and booked into the Collin County Jail in McKinney on the charge of Impersonating a Public Servant, a Felony of the 3rd Degree. Judge Henderson set a bond on the charge of $10,000.00.According to the Texas Penal Code, Section 37.11 - Impersonating a Public Servant: (a) A Person commits an offense if he: (1) Impersonates a public servant with intent to induce another to submit to his pretended official authority or to rely on his pretended official acts; After McIntire was in custody, officers seized the vehicle in question and proceeded to McIntire’s home in Plano to execute the search warrant. At that residence, officers found and seized several police style uniforms, gun belts, firearms and police/security badges. Those items were taken to the Murphy Police Department where they were inventoried and tagged as evidence, pursuant to the search warrant. The Murphy Police Department wants all citizens to be aware of the dangers imposed by those would impersonate a police officer or other public servant as defined above. If you believe that you have been a victim of this type of crime in the City of Murphy, please contact the Murphy Police Department at 972-468-4200 or your local police department if it occurred in another area. If you are stopped by an unmarked police vehicle and you feel unsafe, drive to an occupied location or well lit area. If you have one, use your cell phone to contact the police department and verify that it is an actual police vehicle making this stop. This investigation continues and additional information will be released as it may become available. marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Thu, 27 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/719/1/MISSING-COUPLE-FOUND-SAFE-IN-MURPHY.html [Murphy] -  On Monday, September 25, 2007 at approximately 9:18 P.M., the Murphy Police Department was notified of two missing persons who were last seen in a city park. A relative, Yujie Guo reported that their elderly parents had walked with their daughter to Mustang Park, located on Mustang Ridge Drive around 8:00 P.M. The daughter returned home alone to get her vehicle to drive them back home, but when they returned to the park, her parents were nowhere to be found. Police personnel responded to the scene and made contact with the complainant who identified the missing couple as Heng Wang Zhou and his wife, Fan Ying Kong, both in their mid to upper 60’s. The couple was described as both wearing white or light colored shirts and dark colored pants. After an initial check of the surrounding area yielded nothing, the Police Department called upon the Murphy Fire Department for assistance in continuing the search. An intensive search of the area was undertaken. Additional assistance was requested and received from the Wylie Police Department and the Allen Police Department, both of whom dispatched Police K-9 Units to assist in possible tracking, as well as the Parker Fire Department who sent two Engine companies to help search city streets and the surrounding areas. The Dallas Police Department also dispatched a Police Helicopter to provide an aerial search capability. A Unified Command Post, jointly staffed between Murphy Fire-Rescue and the Murphy Police Department was established inside the Murphy Fire Department and all search efforts were coordinated from that point. Units from all assisting agencies were assigned specific areas to search and then reported back to the command post if that specific search produced no results. All personnel were informed that the couple was visiting from China, were unfamiliar with the area and did not speak English. At approximately 11:25 P.M., nearly 3 ½ hours after they were last seen by relatives, a Murphy Fire-Rescue Medic Unit located the couple walking on Parkview Lane in the Rolling Ridge subdivision, a considerable distance from where they were last seen. The couple had apparently tried to walk back to their relatives home on Westminister Drive, but were disoriented and subsequently became lost. The couple was found to be in good condition and required no medical attention. Their son-in-law was driven to the location by Assistant Chief Mark Lee from Murphy Fire-Rescue and reunited with the couple to ensure their safe return home. Murphy Police Chief Billy Myrick and Murphy Fire-Rescue Chief Kelley Stalder would like to thank all of those who came to assist in this joint effort and both said that it is through these combined efforts that allow our agencies to be successful in events such as this marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Tue, 25 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/709/1/VOTER-REGISTRATION-INFORMAION.html The deadline to register to vote in the Tuesday, November 6, 2007 Special Elections is Tuesday, October 9, 2007 To be eligible to vote in Texas, you must:• Be a U.S. citizen;• Be a resident of the county;• Be 18 years old (you may register at 17 years and 10 months)• Not a convicted felon (unless a person’s sentence is completed, including probation)• Not declared mentally incapacitated by a court of law.You must be registered at least thirty days prior to an Election. marcia@murphymessenger.com (Collin County) Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/705/1/Town-Hall-Meeting.html Murphy, TX – The City of Murphy will be holding a Town Hall Meeting on Monday, September 10, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 206 N. Murphy Road.The meeting is to discuss the proposed development of a 14 screen movie theater to be located in the Murphy Marketplace Shopping Center at the northwest corner of FM 544 and North Maxwell Creek Road. Citizens are encouraged to attend the meeting and address any concerns they may have about the proposed development. The site plan, development criteria, and additional information regarding the development can be found on the City’s website.  The City’s website address is http://www.murphytx.org. Questions regarding this Town Hall Meeting may be directed to Jeff Bickerstaff, Assistant City Manager, via the Community Development Department at (972) 468-4040 or jbickerstaff@murphytx.org. marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/703/1/UPDATE-MISSING-PERSON--LOCATED.html  [Murphy] - On Sunday, September 2, 2007 at approximately 10:30 p.m., the Murphy Police Department responded to 341 Mimosa Dr., Murphy, Texas 75094 reference a Missing Person. Today at approximately 11:20 a.m. the Murphy Police Department was contacted by a relative of ROSE NICKELL, WHITE FEMALE AGE: 87, after Ms. Nickell arrived at the granddaughter’s residence in Tatum, New Mexico. The granddaughter stated that Ms. Nickell is in good condition and is resting. Officers from the Tatum Police Department have been requested to make contact with Ms. Nickell and confirm her condition. The appropriate alerts that were sent out throughout the State of Texas and New Mexico are being cancelled at this time.Detective Sergeant Snow RobertsonCommander – Criminal Investigation DivisionMurphy Police DepartmentMurphy, Texas 75094972-468-4236 marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/702/1/Councilmember-Murray-Sanderford-Resigns-to-Take-a-Job-in-Houston.html In a statement read at the September 4th council meeting and sent to the Messenger, Murray Sanderford and family will be leaving Murphy, TX for a new job opportunity in Houston. His resignation letter follows:Murray SanderfordMurphy City Council, Place 5City Of Murphy206 N. Murphy RoadMurphy, Texas 75094 To the Murphy City Council, City Staff and Citizens of Murphy: It is with both regret and anticipation that I submit this letter of resignation from the Murphy City Council, effective September 17, 2007.  I have accepted a job opportunity in Houston which will require my family and me to move there in the coming months. I would like to thank the voters of Murphy for giving me the opportunity to serve on their City Council for the past 2 ½ years. Words cannot express how rewarding it has been to serve as a Murphy City Councilmember. There have certainly been some difficult times, but the good times have outweighed the bad by a huge margin. Playing just a small part in the growth and development of Murphy has been immensely satisfying. But the most rewarding part of my service has been working with our outstanding city staff. Our wonderful quality of life here is directly tied to the city staff’s dedication and hard work. I know I haven’t said this nearly enough, but thank you city staff for all that you do for Murphy.Thank you again for allowing me the opportunity to serve you. I wish the current City Council, and my replacement, the best of luck in continuing to move the city forward. Sincerely, Murray Sanderford staff@murphymessenger.com (Staff Writer) Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/701/1/MISSING-PERSON--ENDANGERED.html [Murphy] -  On Sunday, September 2, 2007 at approximately 10:30 p.m., the Murphy Police Department responded to 341 Mimosa Dr., Murphy, Texas 75094 reference a Missing Person.  Officers with the Murphy Police Department contacted the grandson of HELEN ROSE NICKELL, WHITE FEMALE  AGE: 87  DOB: 12/31/1919  WHITE HAIR/BLUE EYES, who related that his grandmother was missing.  According to the grandson, Ms. Nickell has been agitated for approximately two weeks due to her husband being hospitalized. The grandson also related that his grandmother, Ms. Nickell, has Alzheimer's and has just recently moved to Murphy from East Texas. HELEN ROSE NICKELL was last seen at approximately 7 p.m. on Sunday, September 2, 2007 at DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport) in a 1993 Maroon Ford Crown Victoria 4-DR. bearing Texas Handicapped plates 9MMLD.  Ms. Nickell was attempting to get directions from Officers with the DFW Department of Public Safety due to her being lost and wanting directions to Interstate 20. HELEN ROSE NICKELL was last seen wearing Dark Green Pants with a Green blouse with a red flowered design and white tennis shoes.  Detectives with the Murphy Police Department are aggressively pursuing leads as to the location of Ms. Nickell.  Detectives have contacted the Texas Department of Public Safety and have submitted a request to issue a “SILVER ALERT”  throughout the State of Texas. The Murphy Police Department is requesting that anyone with any information concerning Ms. Nickell please contacted the Murphy Police Department at 972-468-4236 or their local law enforcement agency. Upon obtaining any further pertinent information concerning this incident, an updated News Release will be disseminated.          Detective Sergeant Snow Robertson         Commander – Criminal Investigation Division         Murphy Police Department         Murphy, Texas 75094         972-468-4236 marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Tue, 04 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/688/1/CRIME-ALERT.html REF: BURGLARY OF MOTOR VEHICLES – FAR SOUTH MURPHY Murphy Farms sub-division was hit Saturday, August 17, 2007 with a rash of Motor Vehicle Burglaries. There were a total of five separate offenses that took place on Love Bird Lane. The offenses occurred sometime between 9:00 PM on August 17 and 7:00 AM on August 18. The unidentified suspect(s) forced entry inside the vehicles by breaking out the driver or passenger side windows. If anyone has any information or observed any suspicious person(s) or vehicle(s) prowling the neighborhood overnight please contact the Murphy Police Department at (972) 468-4200 or dial 9-1-1 in an emergency. Thank you, Sgt. Kyle Kucauskas, CCPS Public Information OfficerMedia Relations UnitMurphy Police Department(972) 468-4200 marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/672/1/CRIME-ALERT---POLICE-IMPERSONATOR-IN-MURPHY.html A 19 year old female was stopped on Saturday, July 28, 2007 around 12:46 AM in the 200 block of Betsy Lane by a white male driving an unmarked white police sedan possibly a Ford Crown Victoria or Taurus. The suspect was described as a white male wearing a police type uniform.  The suspect approached the female and stated “step out of the car”.  The female told the suspect that she was calling 9-1-1. The suspect walked back to his car and sped westbound on Betsy Lane towards Plano.  The female was unable to provide any other information. The Murphy Police Department asks that all residents be aware of this incident.  If you are ever stopped by an “unmarked” police vehicle precede to a well lit area possibly a convenience store or a populated area and call 9-1-1.    Sgt. Kyle Kucauskas, CCPS Public Information Officer (PIO) - Media Relations UnitMurphy Police Department - (972) 468-4200   marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Sat, 28 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/655/1/CRIME-ALERT.html Case # 07009003Criminal Mischief / 07-02-2007 7:21 AM800 block of Meadowlark Drive                                                     Crime Watch District 2Unknown suspect(s) entered an unlocked window of a brand new home for sale and caused approximately $8,000.00 worth of damage to the house.  The suspect(s) most likely juveniles wrote profanity on the walls with permanent markers, kicked holes in the walls, threw bricks into the walls causing damage and damaged a Honeywell mounted thermostat. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Murphy Police Department at (972) 468-4200. Sgt. Kyle Kucauskas, CCPS Field Training SupervisorPatrol Services DivisionMurphy Police Department(972) 468-4200 marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Sun, 08 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/651/1/Murphy-Water-Restrictions-End.html North Texas Municipal Water District and the City Move to Water Conservation Plans Effective immediately, the City of Murphy is terminating Mandatory Water Restrictions in response to the mandate set forth by the North Texas Municipal Water District.  Due to consistently heavy rainfall, all area lakes that serve the North Texas area are at full capacity.  Citizens are encouraged to continue the practice of good water conservation measures:  • No watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. • Do not water your lawn when it is raining The City of Murphy would like to extend our thanks to all citizens for following the strict guidelines in place during our drought conditions.    marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Fri, 06 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/647/1/James-Berzina--An-Opportunity-for-Murphy.html James (Jim) Berzina, has accepted the position as Murphy’s Interim City Manager, replacing former City Manager, Craig Sherwood.  Mr. Berzina began his duties at City Hall on Monday, June 25th.  Mr. Berzina holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Dakota and a master’s degree from the University of Kansas. Prior to his retirement two years ago from a distinguished 22 year career as City Manager for Wichita Falls, he served as City Manager for both Joplin and Warrensburg, Missouri and prior to that, Assistant City Manager for the City of Springfield. To read more about Mr. Berzina, click on "Full Story." staff@murphymessenger.com (Staff Writer) Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/640/1/MOVIE-NIGHT-HAS-BEEN-CANCELLED-TONIGHT.html Movie Night in the Park has been cancelled due to the impending bad weather.  This event will be rescheduled and promoted for it\'s new date. marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Fri, 22 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/639/1/Revised-Watering-Days.html North Texas Municipal Water District has agreed to allow cities to relax water restrictions from 1 day per week to 2 days. Dear Murphy Resident/Water Utility Customer: A revision to Murphy’s Restrictions will be effective on June 19, 2007. The new schedule was developed to allow water customers to irrigate their landscape twice per week. The City will still continue however, to enforce all of the other requirements of Stage 3 Water Restriction guidelines. Please review the new allowed watering times below. The following summarizes the water restrictions in effect under Stage 3 for residential and business customers regarding automatic irrigation. Irrigation of existing landscape areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems is limited to the following schedule based on the last digit of the address: Street address ending in an odd number (1,3,5,7,9)Wednesday watering time6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM to 10:00 PMSaturday watering time:6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM to 10:00 PMStreet address ending in an even number (0,2,4,6,8)Thursday watering time6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM to 10:00 PMSunday watering time:6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM to 10:00 PMThe use of automatic irrigation is prohibited on any other day other than your designated schedule above. However, you can water by means of hand-held hoses on any day, at any time. The watering days have been changed to be consistent with Stage 2 of the City of Murphy Drought Contingency Plan. Common areas within subdivisions owned and maintained by a Homeowners Association are being recognized as even number addresses and may only water on Thursdays and Sundays during the watering times listed above. For questions about Stage 3 or to get a copy of City of Murphy’s Drought Contingency Plan, please visit City Hall, call 972-468-4000. Thank you for your continued support of water conservation. marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Tue, 19 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/638/1/Murphy-City-Council-and-City-Manager-Sherwood-Agree-to-Settlement.html Murphy, TX –As a result of a Special Called Council Meeting on June 13, 2007, Councilmember Colleen Halbert made a motion to approve a settlement with City Manager Craig Sherwood regarding his separation from the City, with the terms as follows: Payment of $255,000.00, provision of insurance benefits for up to one year or until he obtains new employment, vacation benefits, the opportunity for transition assistance at an hourly rate of $75.00 not to exceed $25,000.00, with the authorization to the Mayor to execute appropriate documentation, effective July 5, 2007, to amend his contract with the City.  Councilmember Eric Barna seconded the motion. A vote was taken and passed, 6-0. The Murphy City Council issued the following statement regarding the action taken at the Special Called City Council Meeting on June 13, 2007. “After long and thoughtful consideration and deliberation with the City Manager, Craig Sherwood, the Murphy City Council has decided that it is in the best interest of everyone involved for us to part ways, and do so on good terms. Mr. Sherwood has served the City faithfully since 2002 as Public Works Director and City Manager. We are deeply grateful for his hard work and service. He has benefited the City in many ways. Mr. Sherwood has agreed to help the City through this transition process. We feel that this action is best for Mr. Sherwood and the City. We hope the citizens of Murphy will come together, support us in this decision, and help us move forward as a community.”City Manager Craig Sherwood issued the following statement “Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve the citizens of Murphy. Murphy is a great city and is going to be an even greater city in the future with the vision of the City Council and as parks and economic development occurs. I would like to thank the City Council for honoring my request to address this issue.  I want to make it clear that it was my decision to bring this forward to the Mayor and City Council and ask them to consider this at this time. I am very grateful for the three City Councils that I have worked for during my five years in Murphy. The City has a very dedicated and hard working staff and I feel the City will benefit with a new leader that can hopefully unite the City and take it to the next level. Again, I would like to thank the City Council and the staff who have been very supportive. We’ve taken the City over the last three years from the verge of bankruptcy to a very sound financial condition with the support of the citizens and the City Council. Thank you Mayor Baldwin and Council.”The City Council and staff have no further comment at this time and wish to move forward in a positive direction for the benefit of the City of Murphy.   marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/636/1/Bank-Robbery-Suspect-Apprehended.html Press Release    # 2007-13For Immediate ReleaseJune 12, 2007 [Murphy] -  On Monday, June 11, 2007 at 3:42 P.M., the Murphy Police Department was notified of a Bank Robbery which had just occurred at the Compass Bank located at 108 East F.M. 544, near the intersection of F.M. 544 and North Murphy Road, in Murphy, Texas. Police personnel responded to the scene and made contact with bank employees who reported that a White male, approximately 6’03, 220 lbs. wearing a blue plaid shirt, grey t-shirt, blue jeans and a tan colored safari hat entered the bank at approximately 3:40 P.M. and approached one of the tellers. Once at the counter, the suspect passed a note to the teller demanding that she hand over U.S. Currency. When the teller complied, the suspect left the location with an undisclosed amount of money and without further incident. At approximately 7:11 P.M. on Monday evening, Dallas Police officers were dispatched to an unknown disturbance in the 10400 block of Ferguson Road in Dallas. The reporting party had informed Dallas 9-1-1 Operators that they had observed a white male being thrown from a moving vehicle. Officers arrived on scene to find an intoxicated individual, later identified as Joshua Ash Toler a 36 year old white male, being treated for apparent injuries by Dallas Fire personnel. Toler reportedly commented to DFD and DPD personnel that he had robbed a bank in Murphy earlier in the day. DPD officers then made contact with the FBI in Dallas and Detectives from the Murphy Police Department to confirm that information. Toler was subsequently taken into custody and later transported to the Emergency Room at Medical City Dallas for additional treatment to injuries observed by those on scene. Toler remained at that location until treatment was completed. An arrest warrant was issued, charging Joshua Ash Toler with the offense of Robbery, a Felony 2nd Degree. Toler was released to the custody of Murphy Police officers at approximately 2:30 A.M. on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 and transported to the Collin County Jail where he was booked on the robbery charge. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is continuing to investigate this case in conjunction with Detectives from this agency. marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Tue, 12 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/634/1/Bank-Robbery-in-Murphy---Monday-Afteroon.html Press Release    # 2007-12For Immediate ReleaseJune 11, 2007 BANK ROBBERY IN MURPHY [Murphy] -  On Monday, June 11, 2007 at 3:42 P.M., the Murphy Police Department was notified of a Bank Robbery which had just occurred at the Compass Bank located at 108 East F.M. 544, near the intersection of F.M. 544 and North Murphy Road, in Murphy, Texas. Police personnel responded to the scene and made contact with bank employees who reported that a White male, approximately 6’03, 220 lbs. wearing a blue plaid shirt, grey t-shirt, blue jeans and a tan colored safari hat entered the bank at approximately 3:40 P.M. and approached one of the tellers. Once at the counter, the suspect passed a note to the teller demanding that she hand over U.S. Currency. When the teller complied, the suspect left the location with an undisclosed amount of money and without further incident. Officers from the Murphy Police Department were on scene within two minutes from the time the 9-1-1 call was received from inside the bank, but were unable to locate the suspect. Witnesses told the officers that the suspect was last seen on foot, headed in a westerly direction away from the bank across South Murphy Road. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been notified and is investigating this case in conjunction with Detectives from this agency. The Murphy Police Department is asking for the assistance the public who may have been in the area and could have possibly seen the suspect as he left the bank. The suspect may have had a vehicle parked in the parking lot of a nearby Wal-Mart store. The Murphy Police Department has obtained photographs of the suspect and is asking anyone who may be able to identify this individual to call the department at 972-468-4200 or the Dallas Office of the FBI at 972-559-5000. marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Mon, 11 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/632/1/Special-Called-City-Council-Meeting---This-Wednesday.html MURPHY CITY COUNCIL AGENDAJUNE 13, 2007 SPECIAL CALLED COUNCIL MEETING – 8:00 P.M.COUNCIL CHAMBERS/COUNCIL WORKROOM, ROOM 107206 NORTH MURPHY ROADMURPHY, TEXAS 75094 NOTICE is hereby given of a special called meeting of the City Council of the City of Murphy, Collin County, State of Texas, to be held on June 13, 2007 in City Hall Council Chambers/Council Workroom, 206 North Murphy Road, Murphy, Texas, for the purpose of considering the following items.  The City Council of the City of Murphy, Texas, reserves the right to meet  in closed session on any of the items listed below should the need arise and if applicable pursuant to authorization by Title 5, Chapter 551, of the Texas Government Code. CALL TO ORDER INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL AND CERTIFICATION OF A QUORUM EXECUTIVE SESSION The City Council will hold a closed Executive Session meeting pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, Vernon’s Texas Codes Annotated, in accordance with the authority contained in: Section 551.071                      Consultation with City Attorney to receive legal advice regarding the Municipal Complex and pending litigation – Pavecon Commercial, Ltd. v. AUI Contractors, L.P. matter. Section 551.074         To deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of the City Manager.   Section 551.071 Consultation with City Attorney to receive legal advice regarding recent correspondence from the Collin County District Attorney’s Office regarding status of criminal prosecutions. RECONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION The City Council will reconvene into Regular Session, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, Vernon’s Texas Codes Annotated, to take any action necessary regarding: Section 551.071                      Consultation with City Attorney to receive legal advice regarding the Municipal Complex and pending litigation – Pavecon Commercial, Ltd. v. AUI Contractors, L.P. matter. Section 551.074         To deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of the City Manager.   Section 551.071 Consultation with City Attorney to receive legal advice regarding recent correspondence from the Collin County District Attorney’s Office regarding status of criminal prosecutions. ADJOURNMENT   marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Sun, 10 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/625/1/Collin-County-Update-on-the-Criminal-Investigation-Regarding-the-Murphy-Texas-NBC-Dateline-Program.html Update on the Criminal Investigation Regarding the Murphy, Texas NBC Dateline Program   June 1, 2007 - Gregory S. Davis, First Assistant District Attorney for Collin County, Texas, has issued the following statement: “The Collin County District Attorney’s Office reviewed the 23 cases in question, and declined prosecution because they failed to meet our evidentiary standards. We don’t anticipate any further action on these cases.” There will be no further comment on this matter. Eric Nishimoto Public Information Office210 S. McDonald StreetSuite 626McKinney, Texas 75069www.collincountytx.gov marcia@murphymessenger.com (Collin County) Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/624/1/Murphy-Water-Restrictions-Relaxed.html North Texas Municipal Water District has agreed to allow cities to relax water restrictions from 1 day per week to 2 days.Dear Murphy Resident/Water Utility Customer:A revision to Murphy’s Restrictions will be effective on June 2, 2007. The new schedule was developed to allow water customers to irrigate their landscape twice per week. The City will still continue however, to enforce all of the other requirements of Stage 3 Water Restriction guidelines. Please review the new allowed watering times below. The following summarizes the water restrictions in effect under Stage 3 for residential and business customers regarding automatic irrigation. Irrigation of existing landscape areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems is limited to the following schedule based on the last digit of the address:To see the schedule, click on "Full Story"   marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/613/1/Election-Results-for-Murphy-TX-City-Council.html Election Summary ReportCollin CountyMay 12th, 2007 COMBINED ACCUMULATED TOTALS REPORT Place 1 Colleen Halbert      712 Votes    63.12%  Eddy Mullins         338 Votes 29.96%  Charles Callender   78 Votes   6.91% Place 2 Roxanne Bogdan     728 Votes     61.90%  Michelle Long      448 Votes   38.10% Place 4 Scott Bradley            756 Votes    66.96%  Michael Jones      338 Votes   29.94%  Jon Clark               35 Votes   3.10% Place 6 Eric Barna                748 Votes    64.77%  Bob Russell           408 Votes  35.29%   staff@murphymessenger.com (Staff Writer) Sun, 13 May 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/611/1/Child-Predator-Sting-Update.html This Press Release is issued to clarify a recent news story that appeared on WFAA TV Channel 8, Dallas, on Tuesday, May 8, 2007.  The Child Predator Sting Operation that was the subject of the newscast was planned for more than two months. During the time prior to the execution of the sting operation, all police personnel involved were given specific duty assignments and were given detailed information relative to their duty assignments. Walter Weiss and Sam Love, both former Murphy Police Officers, were assigned the task of conducting interviews, gathering evidence and preparing criminal cases for submittal to the Collin County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.  As a result of this sting operation, twenty-four (24) criminal cases were filed with the Collin County District Attorney’s Office in January, 2007. Additional information has now been submitted to the District Attorney’s Office on eight (8) of these cases.  The Search Warrant Affidavit referred to in the Channel 8 newscast was prepared by former officer Walter Weiss.  During the newscast, reference was made to a letter prepared by Assistant District Attorney Chris Milner. Several key portions of that letter were not included in the newscast, particularly that part of the letter where Assistant District Attorney Milner stated that “if, as a result of this operation, the Murphy Police Department brings us solid criminal cases, we will prosecute them vigorously.” It is and always has been the intent of the Murphy Police Department to forward the District Attorney’s Office solid criminal cases and the Murphy Police Department believes it has done so.   The following is a quote from City Manager Craig Sherwood at the Murphy City Council meeting on May 7, 2007. The information reported in the newscast was not completely accurate.  Mr. Sherwood stated as follows: “The latest activity on these cases involves the filing of subsequent paperwork on 8 cases and about 3 weeks ago, 6 of them had some additional information filed and there were 2 cases that had some additional information filed last week. These are open investigations that have not been to the Grand Jury, so no other comments other than that at this time.”   marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Wed, 09 May 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/565/1/Incumbent--Roger-Davis-Withdraws-From-Place-1-Race.html In a press release issued late yesterday afternoon, the City announced that Incumbent Roger Davis, who also serves as Deputy Mayor Pro-Tem,  will not run for re-election in May. Three candidates remain for Place 1. Murphy City Council Candidates after Write-in and Withdrawal Deadlines Murphy, TX – The Write-In Candidate deadline for the May 12, 2007 City of Murphy General Election was March 19, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. No candidates filed as a write-in. The deadline to withdraw as a candidate was March 20, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. Current Councilmember Roger Davis who filed as a candidate for Place 1 filed a  Certificate of Withdrawal with the City Secretary’s office on March 20, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. Therefore, Mr. Davis will not be a candidate for Place 1 in the May 12th Election.To read the complete press release, click on \"Full Story\" marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Wed, 21 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/508/1/INFORMATION-ALERT.html Information Alert # 07-001 Reference # 07000265 Found PropertyDETAILS:  Two boy’s bicycles were found at the corner of Foxcreek Drive and Betsy Lane.  Anyone with information, or if you have lost a bicycle and can identify it, please contact the Murphy Police Department at (972) 468-4236. marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Mon, 08 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/497/1/Crime-Watch-District-Citywide---Scam-Alert.html Area banks have received today that counterfeit ANBTX Cashier Checks are floating around the country, probably the world by now! It appears that the recipient is being notified, via mail, that they are the lucky lottery winner from an International Promotional Program.  They have won $52,990 and included with the letter is the check as advance payment for fees.   Supposedly, once the check is cashed and the proceeds wired back to the issuer, the customer will get their winnings.....   Attached is a copy of one of the counterfeit checks as well as a copy of the winning notification letter. The check number on each one varies, but they are in the serial range of current ones being issued now!  The amount has remained constant at $2,990 each, however, I am sure that will change as they see we are catching onto their scheme.....  Be alert!  Sgt. Kyle Kucauskas, CCPS Field Training SupervisorPatrol Services DivisionMurphy Police Department(972) 468-4229 marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Wed, 20 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/493/1/SUSPICIOUS-DEVICE-FOUND-IN-MURPHY.html [Murphy] -  On Friday, December 15, 2006 at approximately 12:12 P.M., the Murphy Police Department was notified by a U.S. Postal Service employee of a suspicious device that had been attached to a U.S. Postal Service mail depository box located on the corner of the old City Hall property at 205 North Murphy Road. Officers from the Murphy Police Department were dispatched to the scene and made a visual observation of a white colored device of unknown origin that had been attached to the mail box. The postal service employee, who was still on the scene, reported to officers that he had been at that drop location earlier in the morning and the device was not there at that time. Unaware of what the device was or of its capabilities, on-scene personnel immediately called for the Murphy Fire/Rescue and Police command staff.To read more about this incident, click "Full Story." marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Fri, 15 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/486/1/MURPHY-RESIDENT-ARRESTED-AS-INTERNET-PREDATOR.html Murphy, TX – The Murphy Police Department announced the arrest of a second Murphy resident today, in relation to an Internet Sting operation conducted by the Murphy Police Department in November to catch child predators. Police officials reported that a Murphy resident, Harjinder Singh Virk, a 27 year old male was arrested today on a warrant issued by a State District Judge charging him with the offense of On-Line Solicitation of a Minor.Click on \"full story\" to read more about this arrest. marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Thu, 07 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/458/1/Activity-on-High-Point-in-Rolling-Ridge-Continues-on-Monday.html In a press release emailed to media at 12:10 this afternoon, Murphy Police Chief Billy Myrick explained the weekend events at a home on High Point in Rolling Ridge as a sting operation in partnership with Perverted-Justice and NBC Dateline, where 22 sexual predators, 21 non-residents of Murphy, were arrested. The 22nd predator listed on the press release was Louis W. Conradt, age 56 from Terrell who shot himself in his home  on Sunday when police showed up to arrest him. Mr. Conradt was the Rockwall County Chief Felony Assistant District Attorney.  The Messenger contacted Xavier Von Erck, Director of Operations for Perverted-Justice early this morning asking if there is any monetary benefit for cities participating in partnered sting operations. Here is what Mr. Von Erck replied:For the complete story, click on Full Story staff@murphymessenger.com (Staff Writer) Mon, 06 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/457/1/INTERNET-STING-OPERATION-IN-MURPHY-NETS-MORE-THAN-20-ARRESTS.html Murphy, TX –  In July of this year, police officers in Murphy, Texas worked with the group Perverted Justice in an attempt to identify, locate and capture those in society who would prey upon the children of this and other communities. Perverted Justice has been operational now for some four (4) years and has been the catalyst behind more than 260 arrests this year which now represent more than 80 convictions nationwide. The efforts in July produced four arrests based on information received from Perverted Justice. In addition the Murphy Police Department made two more arrests during that time period. One case began as an internet chat and the other a case of a Murphy resident who had been sexually abusing his own niece. With the success realized in July during such a short time span, it became evident that such activity was even more prevalent in the North Texas area than what the Murphy Police Department would have ever realized. As a result, the department made plans and partnered again with Perverted Justice and Dateline NBC to run another sting operation in an effort to try and remove as many of these predators from the streets as possible. This time, a four (4) day operation run from a location inside the City of Murphy netted more than 20 internet child predator suspects. While some residents do not agree with the operation being brought into our city, Chief Billy Myrick states that everyone needs to understand that this is not just a problem affecting this city. These internet predators are operating everywhere, they know no bounds and will go after anyone’s child to satisfy their own personal interests. The predators captured during this event did not know that our department had partnered with Perverted Justice and Dateline NBC. They had no way of knowing that this was a sting operation or that they were about to be arrested. These offenders came to Murphy because they actually believed that they were in contact with a 13 to 14 year old child with whom they would engage in sexual contact. Two of these predators drove from the Houston, one came from Oklahoma and many others live just moments away from this community. We are committed to this community’s welfare and we believe that we are doing the right thing. The following is a list of those who were arrested or charged in the most recent operation. After arrest, these offenders were arraigned before Murphy Municipal Court Judge, Cathy Haden, who set bonds ranging between $50,000.00 and $100,000.00. They were then transported to the Collin County Jail by personnel from the Collin County Sheriff’s Department. 1. Eric Rubalcava, age 31 from Houston;2. John Baker, age 25 from Frisco;3. Stanley Kendall, age 54 from Mesquite;4. Timothy Gilliam, age 32 from Flower Mound;5. Asif Khokar, age 27 from Houston;6. Samuel Tanguma, age 27 from Grand Prairie;7. Steve Rosello, age 32 from Kennedale;8. Edward Hollingsworth, age 35 from Dallas;9. Milan Mehta, age 46 from Richardson;10. Sajjad Mohammad, age 43 from MURPHY11. David Pann, age 40 from Lewisville;12. Alan Chernnay, age 58 from Plano;13. William Dow, age 63 from Carrollton;14. Kevin Carroll, age 37 from Carrollton;15. Jose Soto, age 54 from Mesquite;16. Christopher Cothrum, age 23 from Westworth Village;17. Justin Estes, age 27 from Plano;18. Paulo Deassuncao, age 37 from McKinney;19. Timothy Knowles, age 35 from Euless;20. Patrick Parr, age 33 from Frisco;21. Randall Wolford, age 52 from Whitewright; and22. Louis W. Conradt, age 56 from Terrell All of the men in these cases have been charged with the offense of ON-LINE SOLICITATION OF A MINOR. Based on the specifics of the individual cases, some of these individuals have been charged with a Felony of the 3rd Degree and some with a Felony of the 2nd Degree. These cases will be presented to the Collin County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Additional charges could be forthcoming as these investigations continue. marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Mon, 06 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/456/1/Murphy-Rolling-Ridge-Residents-Angered-By-NBC-Dateline-Sting-Operation.html Rolling Ridge resident and HOA Vice President, Mike Daniel, and dozens of his neighbors became frustrated and disconcerted Saturday, November 4th, over Murphy Police Department’s decision to allow and participate in a Perverted Justice/NBC Dateline sting operation in this Murphy neighborhood. It is believed the purpose of the sting was to arrest sexual predators lured to Murphy via on-line chat room invitations for possible sex, although the Murphy Police Department refused to comment on the situation. Several neighbors approached Mr. Daniel early Saturday morning and requested the HOA investigate the bizarre happenings taking place at a home in the neighborhood, including strange wiring, additional and excessive lighting, an industrial-sized “cherry picker,” U-Haul truck backed up to the garage next door, strange decorations converted to attempt to conceal cameras, and unusual traffic patterns around the home. Mr. Daniel had been taking pictures of the home, hastily wired with hidden cameras and excessive flood lighting, when a suspicious black Tahoe with dark tinted windows slowly approached the house. The driver and passenger of the vehicle confronted Mr. Daniel and initially refused to identify themselves. Mr. Daniel identified himself as a resident of the neighborhood. When pressed, the individuals in the car lied saying they were the owners of the home. This suspicious activity, along with other incidents in the neighborhood, were reported to the Murphy Police Department and summarily ignored, according to several Rolling Ridge homeowners. As neighborhood children played outside, predators showed up at the Rolling Ridge  sting house.Click to read the full story staff@murphymessenger.com (Staff Writer) Sun, 05 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/322/1/Roger-Carlisle-Press-Release---Submitted-by-Attorney-for-Roger-Carlisle---John-E-Richards-Richards-and-Valdez-Dallas-TX.html The City of Murphy was forced to settle its case with Roger Carlisle, former City Manager, right before the trial that was set for June 26, 2006 in the amount of $192,500 rather than risk a worse result before a jury. Although the City is trying to put a positive spin on the settlement, the settlement actually represents a major defeat for the City in the positions it has taken.   marcia@murphymessenger.com (Reader Submitted) Mon, 26 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/317/1/Insurance-Carrier-Settles-Roger-Carlisle-v-City-of-Murphy-Lawsuit.html City Manager Craig Sherwood announced June 22, 2006 that the lawsuit, Roger Carlisle v. The City of Murphy, Texas, apparently has been resolved, ending a dispute which has been pending in federal district court in Sherman, Texas for two years. The City’s insurance carrier notified the City this morning that it negotiated a tentative settlement in the amount of $192,500.00 with Mr. Carlisle, who had complained about his termination from the City in July 2004. marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Fri, 23 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.murphymessenger.com/articles/304/1/-THE-CITY-OF-MURPHY-ADOPTS-NEW-DROUGHT-CONTINGENCY-PLAN---INITIATES-STAGE-3-OF-DROUGHT-CONTINGENCY-PLAN.html The City of Murphy has initiated Stage 3 of the Murphy Drought Contingency Plan. Due to the continued drought conditions that include below normal rainfall and above normal temperatures for the North Central Texas area, effective today, the City of Murphy has initiated Stage 3 of the Murphy Drought Contingency Plan. At the June 5, 2006 Murphy City Council meeting, City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 06-06-693, a new Drought Contingency Plan establishing procedures and criteria for declaring a water emergency and implementing and terminating drought response stages. marcia@murphymessenger.com (City of Murphy) Tue, 06 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0400