By ED HOUSEWRIGHT / The Dallas Morning News
High-flying Collin County has been grounded.
Property values here, which have surged throughout the decade, are now flattening or declining, according to appraisal records.
Countywide, taxable values have dropped slightly less than 1 percent, but some cities and school districts have seen larger dips. As a result, they may have to cut spending, reduce services or raise taxes. A county that once seemed immune from downturns has been jolted by the dismal national economy.
Even Frisco, which routinely posted double-digit appraisal increases, has joined its neighbors in the malaise. Its tax base in Collin County dropped from 2008, according to preliminary figures from the Collin Central Appraisal District.
Full Story
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Collin County Foreclosures show decline
May 20, 2009 -
By Aleshia Howe
Just in time for the start of the home buying season, new reports show residential foreclosure numbers in Collin County and surrounding areas are on the decline – but so are home sales prices.
The first quarter of 2009 showed an 11.9 decrease in the number of new foreclosures compared to the same time last year, according to the Collin County Association of Realtors. The CCAR Pulse, which studies the 36 real estate markets of 36 local communities, also showed more than 25 percent of area homes sold in the first quarter were foreclosure listings – up 19 percent from the same time last year.
In a separate report, Addison-based Foreclosure Listing Service Inc., a company that tracks foreclosure postings and auctions in 19 Texas counties, tallied a 13 percent drop in Collin County foreclosures from May 2008 to May 2009.
Full story
By Aleshia Howe
Just in time for the start of the home buying season, new reports show residential foreclosure numbers in Collin County and surrounding areas are on the decline – but so are home sales prices.
The first quarter of 2009 showed an 11.9 decrease in the number of new foreclosures compared to the same time last year, according to the Collin County Association of Realtors. The CCAR Pulse, which studies the 36 real estate markets of 36 local communities, also showed more than 25 percent of area homes sold in the first quarter were foreclosure listings – up 19 percent from the same time last year.
In a separate report, Addison-based Foreclosure Listing Service Inc., a company that tracks foreclosure postings and auctions in 19 Texas counties, tallied a 13 percent drop in Collin County foreclosures from May 2008 to May 2009.
Full story
Monday, March 23, 2009
Collin, Denton debate future Dallas North Tollway extension
March 23, 2009
By ED HOUSEWRIGHT / The Dallas Morning NewsA simple line on a map could translate into billions of dollars for either Collin County or Denton County.
That line represents a proposed extension of Dallas North Tollway, and the adjacent counties are squabbling over the alignment because of the economic bonanza it could bring as homes and businesses spring up around it.
Collin and Denton county officials had agreed the 7-mile stretch should be on the counties' common border to let each share in the riches.
Read Full StoryFriday, October 03, 2008
Plano: International Festival naturalizes 75 citizens under beautiful skie
October 2, 2008
The weather is expected to be absolutely stunning on Saturday for the Fourth Annual Plano International Festival in Downtown Plano’s Haggard Park. Showcasing the sights, sounds and tastes of more than 60 cultures, the Plano International Festival celebrates the vivid diversity that makes up the City of Plano.
The festival will begin at 11 a.m. with a Parade of Nations, where nearly 100 students from the Plano Independent School District carry flags from around the world.
Mayor Pat Evans will give opening remarks followed by a keynote speech from Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Harry LaRosiliere. State Senator Florence Shapiro will later lead the new citizens in reciting their first Pledge of Allegiance in a naturalization ceremony, welcoming and granting U.S. citizenship to 75 people.
DK
Full Story
The weather is expected to be absolutely stunning on Saturday for the Fourth Annual Plano International Festival in Downtown Plano’s Haggard Park. Showcasing the sights, sounds and tastes of more than 60 cultures, the Plano International Festival celebrates the vivid diversity that makes up the City of Plano.
The festival will begin at 11 a.m. with a Parade of Nations, where nearly 100 students from the Plano Independent School District carry flags from around the world.
Mayor Pat Evans will give opening remarks followed by a keynote speech from Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Harry LaRosiliere. State Senator Florence Shapiro will later lead the new citizens in reciting their first Pledge of Allegiance in a naturalization ceremony, welcoming and granting U.S. citizenship to 75 people.
DK
Full Story
Plano: Verizon Foundation supports Plano ISD Family Literacy Program
October 1, 2008
The Verizon Foundation continued its ongoing support for the Plano Family Literacy Program with the recent presentation of a $10,000 grant.
This is the third year that the Verizon Foundation has presented a $10,000 grant to this program. As part of the district’s Student and Family Services Department, the Plano Family Literacy Program works with children and families to support the mission “of building healthy families by working with the entire family.”
“The grant monies pay for reading books in the classroom and book clubs and instructional reading materials,” said Jane Lilliston, Plano Family Literacy program coordinator. “It’s wonderful to have received the grant again because we see day to day how much literacy can help people’s lives.”
DK
Full Story
The Verizon Foundation continued its ongoing support for the Plano Family Literacy Program with the recent presentation of a $10,000 grant.
This is the third year that the Verizon Foundation has presented a $10,000 grant to this program. As part of the district’s Student and Family Services Department, the Plano Family Literacy Program works with children and families to support the mission “of building healthy families by working with the entire family.”
“The grant monies pay for reading books in the classroom and book clubs and instructional reading materials,” said Jane Lilliston, Plano Family Literacy program coordinator. “It’s wonderful to have received the grant again because we see day to day how much literacy can help people’s lives.”
DK
Full Story
McKinney: County close to getting $1.5 billion for road repairs
October 2, 2008
By Danny Gallagher McKinney Courier-Gazette
FUNDING: The Regional Transportation Council will fund local road dollars with SH 121 toll revenue.
Collin County will get a huge chunk of the State Highway 121 toll revenues for their own road constructions and repairs.
The Regional Transportation Council approved a measure in August approving the disbursal of more than $2.5 billion in toll road revenue to local counties collected along SH 121, according to records filed by the North Texas Council of Governments.
Approximately $1.5 billion of those funds will go towards projects in Collin County in addition to the $235.6 million the county has in transportation bonds approved in November of 2007, according to RTC and Collin County records.
DK
Full Story
By Danny Gallagher McKinney Courier-Gazette
FUNDING: The Regional Transportation Council will fund local road dollars with SH 121 toll revenue.
Collin County will get a huge chunk of the State Highway 121 toll revenues for their own road constructions and repairs.
The Regional Transportation Council approved a measure in August approving the disbursal of more than $2.5 billion in toll road revenue to local counties collected along SH 121, according to records filed by the North Texas Council of Governments.
Approximately $1.5 billion of those funds will go towards projects in Collin County in addition to the $235.6 million the county has in transportation bonds approved in November of 2007, according to RTC and Collin County records.
DK
Full Story
Program in McKinney to focus on emerging pests, fire ant-control
October 02, 2008
Mike Jackson
MCKINNEY – The Texas AgriLife Extension Service will co-host the program, “Fire Ant Control and Insect Management,” from 8 a.m. to noon on Oct. 10 in McKinney.
The program will be held at the Myers Park and Event Center, 7117 County Road 166, in McKinney.
“It will be a field day farmers, ranchers, gardeners, landscapers and pesticide applicators won’t want to miss as experts will present preliminary results of ongoing fire ant research at Myers Park,” said Greg Church, an AgriLife Extension agent for horticulture in Collin County.
DK
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Individual indicted for animal cruelty for leaving dog in car
Planostar - August 16, 2008
Despite constant community awareness, the Plano Animal Services reported one death and cited 17 individuals for leaving their animals unattended in their vehicle this summer.
With the peak temperature this summer reaching a scorching 110 degrees, Jamey Cantrell, Plano’s Animal Services manager, said he does not understand why this problem continues to occur.
“This is something that happens more frequently than it should,” Cantrell said. “I don’t understand how people think. It is beyond me.”
Cantrell said in July alone, the one death and 10 of the 17 citations were issued.
“People will normally leave their windows cracked and think this is enough, but it’s not,” Cantrell said. “A dog cools themselves by panting. If it’s that hot and humid, they can’t cool down. Their temperature rises significantly. It’s sad people think their animal is going to be OK.”
According to reports, on July 4, a woman left her Scottish Terrier in her vehicle in direct sunlight for nearly three hours while inside the Denny’s located on U.S. 75.
When police arrived, the dog’s body registered at 115 degrees.
Full Story
Despite constant community awareness, the Plano Animal Services reported one death and cited 17 individuals for leaving their animals unattended in their vehicle this summer.
With the peak temperature this summer reaching a scorching 110 degrees, Jamey Cantrell, Plano’s Animal Services manager, said he does not understand why this problem continues to occur.
“This is something that happens more frequently than it should,” Cantrell said. “I don’t understand how people think. It is beyond me.”
Cantrell said in July alone, the one death and 10 of the 17 citations were issued.
“People will normally leave their windows cracked and think this is enough, but it’s not,” Cantrell said. “A dog cools themselves by panting. If it’s that hot and humid, they can’t cool down. Their temperature rises significantly. It’s sad people think their animal is going to be OK.”
According to reports, on July 4, a woman left her Scottish Terrier in her vehicle in direct sunlight for nearly three hours while inside the Denny’s located on U.S. 75.
When police arrived, the dog’s body registered at 115 degrees.
Full Story
Friday, July 18, 2008
Fairview a fertile site for homebuilders
The Dallas Morning News - July 3, 2006
Fairview's motto is "Keeping it country."
But one look at a map shows why that's hard to do.
Wedged between Allen and McKinney on the east side of U.S. Highway 75, the Collin County town of 5,700 is next in line for a development boom.
Builders are already putting up new subdivisions lined with custom homes.
And starting next year work will begin on a 200-acre shopping center that's as big as some malls.
While the big city is knocking at Fairview's front door, city leaders say they want to keep the rural flavor for much of the town.
"We are trying to take advantage of the growth and protect ourselves at the same time," said Fairview City Manager John Godwin. "It looks like we are going to be able to do that."
Full Story
Fairview's motto is "Keeping it country."
But one look at a map shows why that's hard to do.
Wedged between Allen and McKinney on the east side of U.S. Highway 75, the Collin County town of 5,700 is next in line for a development boom.
Builders are already putting up new subdivisions lined with custom homes.
And starting next year work will begin on a 200-acre shopping center that's as big as some malls.
While the big city is knocking at Fairview's front door, city leaders say they want to keep the rural flavor for much of the town.
"We are trying to take advantage of the growth and protect ourselves at the same time," said Fairview City Manager John Godwin. "It looks like we are going to be able to do that."
Full Story
Collin's newcomers stretch dollars, legs
The Dallas Morning News - August 13, 2005
For many, a bigger home is better, and it's cheaper here than in many places
LOS GATOS, Calif. – Nestled on a wooded hillside in this tidy Silicon Valley community is a subdivision of newer tract homes with media rooms, breakfast nooks, granite countertops and other modern touches.
Like models on a Monopoly board, big new homes line the streets in the Twin Creeks subdivision in Allen. The homes are not unlike those you'd see in a similar high-income neighborhood in Allen, McKinney or Frisco – until you compare the price tags.
A $300,000 home in or near Collin County would cost about $1 million in Los Gatos.
When families move to North Texas from places like Silicon Valley, they are awestruck by the monster houses they can afford. They don't tend to hold back, said Jan Richey, a Realtor with Keller Williams in Frisco.
"Instead of buying the $300,000 house – which they should – they have so much more money from the equity in their previous house that they extend themselves as far as they can go," she said. "We have to protect them from themselves."
Full Story
For many, a bigger home is better, and it's cheaper here than in many places
LOS GATOS, Calif. – Nestled on a wooded hillside in this tidy Silicon Valley community is a subdivision of newer tract homes with media rooms, breakfast nooks, granite countertops and other modern touches.
Like models on a Monopoly board, big new homes line the streets in the Twin Creeks subdivision in Allen. The homes are not unlike those you'd see in a similar high-income neighborhood in Allen, McKinney or Frisco – until you compare the price tags.
A $300,000 home in or near Collin County would cost about $1 million in Los Gatos.
When families move to North Texas from places like Silicon Valley, they are awestruck by the monster houses they can afford. They don't tend to hold back, said Jan Richey, a Realtor with Keller Williams in Frisco.
"Instead of buying the $300,000 house – which they should – they have so much more money from the equity in their previous house that they extend themselves as far as they can go," she said. "We have to protect them from themselves."
Full Story
Friday, April 11, 2008
DFW won't see big home price declines
Report: Dallas-Fort Worth won't see big home price declines 11:08 PM CDT on Thursday, April 10, 2008 By STEVE BROWN / The Dallas Morning News stevebrown@dallasnews.com
While North Texas' housing market decline has accelerated in recent months, analysts are still betting that the Dallas-Fort Worth area won't see measurable price declines. Indeed, the latest report from mortgage insurance firm PMI Group says that D-FW is one of the last places in the country likely to see a drop in home prices during the next couple of years. There's less than a 1 percent chance that home prices will fall here, according to PMI's spring risk index report, which was released Thursday. At the same time, PMI says that 13 of the nation's top housing markets have more than a 60 percent likelihood of home price declines. Full Story
While North Texas' housing market decline has accelerated in recent months, analysts are still betting that the Dallas-Fort Worth area won't see measurable price declines. Indeed, the latest report from mortgage insurance firm PMI Group says that D-FW is one of the last places in the country likely to see a drop in home prices during the next couple of years. There's less than a 1 percent chance that home prices will fall here, according to PMI's spring risk index report, which was released Thursday. At the same time, PMI says that 13 of the nation's top housing markets have more than a 60 percent likelihood of home price declines. Full Story
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