Nearly 150,000 Collin County residents were estimated to lack consistent access to adequate food in 2024, according to newly released data from Feeding America, with the number of children experiencing food insecurity increasing by more than 9,000 in one year.

Feeding America released its 2026 Map the Meal Gap report July 28. The study uses data through 2024 to estimate food insecurity at the state, county and congressional district levels. Food insecurity is defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as limited or uncertain access to adequate food at some point during the year.

The numbers present a mixed picture in Collin County.

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The Texas Department of Transportation is reminding motorists to slow down and stay alert as students across the state return to school.

In 2025, Texas recorded 877 crashes in school zones, a 12% increase from the previous year. Another 2,358 crashes involved school buses. Distracted driving and speeding were the most common contributing factors.

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Trustees of Collin College have called for a November bond election to raise $600 million for expansion including three new facilities.

The board voted unanimously to place Proposition A on the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election ballot.

The proposition would authorize $600 million for workforce and academic expansions at the McKinney Campus, the Technical Campus located in Allen, the Frisco Campus, the Wylie Campus, the Farmersville Campus and the Courtyard Center located in Plano. 

The proposition also includes funding for new facilities, including an Aviation Academy in McKinney, a new campus in Anna and a new campus in Royse City.

“Based on current financial projections, the college does not anticipate an increase in the tax rate if voters approve the bond proposition,” the college said in a release on Friday, Aug. 7.

“The Board of Trustees has always believed in planning for the future while honoring the commitments we’ve made to our community,” said Jay Saad, chair of the Board of Trustees. “The projects completed through our previous bond program have strengthened the economic impact of our region, while providing accessible and affordable pathways for our students.”

The release said the proposed bond package is the next step in implementing Destination 2030, the college’s long-range master plan designed to expand educational access, strengthen workforce training and modernize facilities to serve one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions.

The college said credit enrollment over has increased by more than 31% over the past decade, and the pace of growth is expected to continue. As enrollment and workforce demand continue to rise, the college developed Destination 2030 as a three-phase roadmap to expand capacity to address this growth.

Phase I prioritized projects addressing near-term enrollment growth, workforce shortages and aging learning spaces. Most Phase I projects are complete, with the remaining work scheduled for completion in 2027. 

Phases II and III focus on expanding educational opportunities in the county’s fastest-growing communities, increasing capacity in high-demand workforce and academic programs and modernizing existing facilities.

Collin College said it serves more than 62,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 200 degrees and certificates.

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Jacob Day, Place 6; Stacie Smith, Place 1; and Virdie Montgomery, Place 5, are seeking re-election.

Place 2 will be open after current trustee Mike Williams decided not to seek another term. Brett Fagan, Brandon Thomas and Sam Satterwhite are seeking the Place 2 seat.

Williams, who has served Wylie ISD for nearly 30 years as a teacher, coach, campus principal and trustee, reflected on his time with the district.

“During my almost 30 years of service to Wylie ISD as a teacher, coach and campus principal, and trustee, one thing really stands out: In all positions, we put all students and staff first in all decisions that were made,” Williams said. “Policy, budget, additional campuses, equity for all no matter what side of town you lived — and as a result, our students, staff and community have enjoyed great success academically, athletically, in the fine arts and career education.”

“Our students have been able to reach their potential and become contributors to our community and world,” he said.

Satterwhite previously served on the Wylie ISD board from 2006 to 2009.

The candidate filing period is underway and ends Aug. 17 at 5 p.m. Applications may be submitted Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wylie ISD Educational Service Center, 951 S. Ballard Ave., Wylie, or faxed to 972-941-6005, attention Krystal Smith.

 There is no filing fee.

Candidates for the Wylie ISD board must be at least 18 years old, registered voters and have lived in Texas for at least 12 months and within Wylie ISD for at least six months before the filing deadline. Candidates run for specific places on the seven-member board but represent the district at large.

Early voting is scheduled for Oct. 19-30, with Election Day set for Nov. 3.

The candidates are listed by the district in the order their applications were received. The Wylie News will feature profiles of the candidates in the coming weeks.

For more information about campaign finance reporting, contact the Texas Ethics Commission. 

Election information is available through the Texas Secretary of State, and additional information about school board service is available through the Texas Association of School Boards.

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The City of Sachse is accepting applications through Friday, Aug. 14, for openings on the Animal Shelter Board, Board of Adjustment, Economic Development Corporation Board, Library Board, Municipal Development District Board, Parks and Recreation Board and Planning and Zoning Commission. The advisory groups make recommendations to the City Council on issues ranging from land use and development to parks, library services, economic development and animal welfare.

Serving on a board or commission gives residents an opportunity to participate in local government by offering recommendations and sharing their expertise on issues affecting the community. While the City Council makes the final decisions, board members play an important role by reviewing proposals, studying issues and providing guidance before many items reach the council for consideration.

Among the city’s advisory bodies, the Planning and Zoning Commission reviews zoning requests, plats, comprehensive planning efforts and other development-related matters. The Parks and Recreation Board advises on park improvements, recreational programs and trail development, while the Library Board provides recommendations on library services, policies and long-range planning. Other boards focus on economic development, municipal development projects, animal shelter operations and zoning appeals.

According to the city’s website, members are appointed by the City Council and typically serve staggered terms. Most positions require applicants to be qualified voters and residents of Sachse, although specific eligibility requirements vary by board.

Residents interested in serving may complete an online application through the city’s Boards and Commissions webpage. Additional information about each board’s responsibilities, meeting schedules and qualifications is available on the city’s website. Questions may also be directed to City Secretary Leah Granger at [email protected].

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For more than 30 years, the annual rodeo has been a community tradition, with the Wylie Area Chamber of Commerce partnering with Wylie ISD for the past 20 years to host the event at the F.O. Birmingham Agricultural Facility and Rodeo Arena.

Earlier this year, Wylie ISD began renovations to the facility as part of improvements intended to better serve students. In response, the Chamber and the City of Wylie spent several months exploring alternative locations for this year’s rodeo.

According to the Chamber, none of the sites considered could provide the space, infrastructure and safety needed to host the event while remaining logistically and financially feasible.

“Canceling our annual rodeo is an incredibly difficult decision,” said Tina Stelnicki, CEO of the Wylie Area Chamber of Commerce. “Over the past several months, the Chamber and the City of Wylie explored multiple alternative locations, but none could provide the space, safety and amenities needed to produce the quality event our community expects. We understand Wylie ISD’s need to improve its facilities and look forward to returning to the newly renovated rodeo grounds in 2027.”

The Chamber said it will  begin contacting sponsors and vendors in the coming weeks to discuss opportunities for the 2027 Wylie Championship Rodeo.

The rodeo has long been one of Wylie’s signature annual events, featuring professional rodeo competition and family-friendly entertainment. Chamber officials said they expect the event to return in 2027 following completion of the renovations to the rodeo grounds.

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They made history Sunday at Sachse High School by renaming the gymnasium in honor of a man who left an indelible mark on generations of students. The gym now carries the name of Steve Hammerle.

In inviting the community to the celebration, Garland ISD described the dedication as a “historic occasion,” honoring an educator who “dedicated himself to the students, staff and community of Sachse High School, leaving a lasting impact through his leadership, commitment and service.”

The dedication ceremony drew a large crowd of former students, fellow educators, family members and friends. The Sachse High School Mighty Mustang Band, color guard, drill team and cheerleaders performed before the ceremony.

Hammerle called the recognition “the highlight of my career” and thanked the students he met throughout his years in education “for everything you taught me.”

Hammerle spent nearly 50 years as a public educator, including more than 30 years with Garland ISD, serving as a teacher, assistant principal, middle school principal and high school principal. During his career, he earned Principal of the Year honors at both the high school and middle school levels, TASSP Region 10 Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year honors and a PTA Lifetime Membership Award. A graduate of Texas A&M University, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1977 before completing graduate studies in counseling and student services and school administration.

Former Sachse High principal Shae Creel, who succeeded Hammerle in 2016, praised his predecessor’s vision and leadership.

“Stepping into a post that Steve founded was truly special,” Creel said.

Construction on Sachse High began in 2000, and the campus opened in 2002 with an inaugural class of 815 freshmen and sophomores. Additional grade levels were added in subsequent years, with the school’s first graduating class earning diplomas in 2005.

Creel said Hammerle, who oversaw the project from “the ground up,” was dedicated to ensuring “everything was done right” and built a culture that continues to shape the campus today.

Brandy Schneider, a former Sachse High assistant principal, recalled Hammerle’s high standards during construction of the campus.

“Everything must look in 20 years like it does today,” he insisted.

Steve Evans, who met Hammerle while the two attended Garland High School, remembered him as someone who “never had a negative thing to say about anyone” and said he was “passionate about friendships and was always willing to help others.”

The announcement of the dedication on the Sachse High School Facebook page prompted dozens of congratulatory comments from former students and colleagues. Richie Harris wrote, “He was the only reason I graduated from Garland High School in ‘90. He was tough but fair.” Another former student, Charles Stiles, a member of Sachse High’s first graduating class, wrote that Hammerle encouraged students “to leave our mark on the campus,” adding, “You knew he cared about every student that walked in those doors.”

The ceremony also included heartfelt remarks from Hammerle’s son, Sean, who spoke about his father’s decision to adopt him after marrying his late wife, Marlene, former principal of Rowlett High School.

“I knew I was a Hammerle all along,” Sean said. He closed by thanking his father “for showing me what a father should be.” He also recalled family vacations that often turned into impromptu reunions because his father seemed to know someone everywhere they went. “Our family vacations became more like family reunions,” he said to laughter from the audience.

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Proceedings began with the presentation of the Going the Extra Mile, or GEM, Award to Myriam Diaz, who was also recognized for 35 years of service to the district.

The district also introduced two new administrators to the community: Assistant Superintendent of Leadership Michael Arreola and Assistant Superintendent of Safety and Operations Jennifer Duplessis.

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By Andrew Norsworthy | [email protected]

Council members received a lengthy report on the budget process from finance director David Baldwin, assistant city manager Lauren Rose and public works director Corey Nesbitt. 

City Manager Gina Nash introduced the discussion by reminding council members that the city “accelerated the budget process” from previous efforts.

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A long-missing World War II sailor from Farmersville is among five Collin County service members newly honored in the Hall of Heroes at the Collin County Courthouse.

The portraits, unveiled during a ceremony in June, bring the courthouse collection to 115 memorials honoring local men and women who died while serving the nation.

Among them is Pharmacist Mate 1st Class William “Billy” Bain Honaker, 24, of Farmersville, who was serving aboard the USS Jarvis when the destroyer disappeared in the Pacific during World War II. Honaker and the ship’s entire crew were declared missing in action July 12, 1942.

Artist and project co-founder Colin E. Kimball said the Jarvis had been struck by a torpedo while protecting Marines landing on Guadalcanal. Although the ship did not sink, it was severely damaged. Seven wounded sailors were transferred to other ships, and the remaining crew completed emergency repairs before departing without an escort for Australia.

Kimball said the Jarvis was later spotted by a Japanese aircraft and “was ultimately struck, split in half and sank.”

“Honaker remains missing in action to this day,” Kimball said.

The four other portraits span nearly a century of military service.

John Meyers McKinney, 65, served with Capt. James Fitzhugh’s Company of Bell’s Mounted Volunteers of the Texas Rangers and was killed in the line of duty Nov. 26, 1847, during the Mexican War.

Private First Class James Marlow Morgan, 18, of Anna, served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and was killed in action Feb. 1, 1944. 

Sgt. J.L. Montgomery, 21, of Copeville, served with the U.S. Army’s 740th Tank Battalion and was killed in action Feb. 2, 1945.

Second Lt. Lindsey L. Bowen, 22, of McKinney, served with the 15th U.S. Army Air Force and went missing Nov. 15, 1944, during a mission over Yugoslavia. His remains were discovered in 1948 and returned to McKinney.

For Kimball, each portrait is more than a historical illustration.

“I always hand paint the eyes when I create the portraits, as they are the most important piece,” he said. “It gives a sense of the warrior’s spirit and soul.”

Kimball creates the portraits digitally, beginning with an original black-and-white photograph. He researches uniforms, military regulations, medals, badges, rank insignia and unit patches before assembling and painting the image in a realistic style.

Depending on the available material and research required, a portrait may take 12 hours or several months to complete.

Kimball co-founded the North Texas Fallen Warrior Project in 2013 with the late Ronnie “R.D.” Foster, a Farmersville native, Vietnam veteran and U.S. Marine who spent years researching Collin County’s fallen service members.

“He was the audio and I was the visual,” Kimball said of their partnership.

Together, they identified fallen warriors whose names were added to the memorial wall at McKinney Veterans Memorial Park, now named in Foster’s honor. Kimball continues the work, particularly the stories of World War II service members Foster was unable to complete.

Kimball is also a military history writer and has contributed to more than a dozen editions of the “True Stories of Heroism That Defy Comprehension” series. His latest contribution focuses on Audie Murphy as an “unlikely hero.”

“I discovered a few interesting details about Audie that have either been overlooked or gone largely unreported,” he said. “That was a lot of fun to research.”

Beyond the courthouse collection, Kimball has created more than 200 portraits of posthumous Medal of Honor recipients, along with portraits honoring fallen police officers, firefighters and other local heroes.

The courthouse exhibit preserves the stories of more than 400 known fallen service members from Collin County. More than a dozen additional portraits are awaiting installation.

“I plan on continuing this work until the Lord has other plans for me,” Kimball said.

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