🌱 Frisco Football Brings Economic Boost + McKinney Santa Makers

Hello, people of McKinney-Frisco! It's me again, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the McKinney-Frisco Daily.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and very warm. High: 76 Low: 63.

Here are the top 3 stories in McKinney-Frisco today:

1. The three post-season college football games at Toyota Stadium are bringing more than sports fans to Frisco — it's also bringing an economic boost to the area. With the Frisco Bowl between San Diego State and the University of Texas on Dec. 21, the Frisco Football Classic Bowl between North Texas and Miami (Ohio) on Dec. 23, and the upcoming FCS Division One Championship Game on Jan. 8, local businesses have experienced a surge of visits from fans who traveled to the area for the games. Visit Frisco estimates the economic impact from the three post-season football games to be $15.5 million dollars. (CBS DFW)
2. For the last 35 years, McKinney couple Brian and Cynthia Kidwell have been making one-of-a-kind, handcrafted Santas in their very own local toy shop. The Kidwells are known for transforming reclaimed items into heirloom Santas, which has become a year-round project. The couple says they are carrying on the legacy of Brian's father, Al Kidwell, an artist who "created for fun and found the whimsy, even in the most mundane of objects." (WFAA)
3. The McKinney-Frisco housing market is heating up, and properties are being listed for sale all the time. If you want to kick off the new year by buying a new home, check out these five recent listings that have just hit the market, including a home in the McKinney area with 4 beds and 2.5 baths for $430,000, and another in the Frisco area with 5 beds and 4.5 baths for $760,000. (McKinney-Frisco Patch)

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Today in McKinney-Frisco:

• Winter Break Camp - Session 2 At The Apex Centre, Hosted By McKinney Parks And Recreation (8:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• The City of Frisco has announced this week's ongoing pavement repairs, and joint seal work for the week of Dec. 27, including ongoing work on Southbound Teel Parkway, Eastbound Lebanon Road, and Legacy Drive. (Facebook)
• The City of McKinney can compost your Christmas tree and Waste Connections will pick it up at your home. Christmas tree collection and composting will be provided Dec. 27 through Jan 14. Click for more details and guidelines. (Facebook)
• The Collin County Sheriff's Office reminds residents that the consequences of a DWI can last a lifetime. It can cost you up to $17,000 in fines and fees, jail time, and even impact your career. Learn more at SoberRides.org. (Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.