🌱 McKinney COVID Dashboard Offline+ Signing Day + Weekend Events

Welcome back, McKinney-Frisco! It's Friday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on today in town.

First, today's weather:

A t-storm; breezy in the a.m.. High: 76 Low: 51.

Here are the top stories today in McKinney-Frisco:

1. The City of McKinney has taken its COVID-19 dashboard offline due to "fluctuating case numbers." Residents seeking the latest updates on Collin County caseloads are being redirected to the state's website. As one city spokesperson said, "Since COVID-19 is now widespread and travel and normal activities have resumed, city-level data is no longer viewed as a useful decision-making tool." (Subscription: The Dallas Morning News)
2. McKinney ISD was well-represented on signing day for colleges across the country this week. The school district had at least one student-athlete from all three of its high schools ink a letter of intent to play for a college football team. In total, six McKinney players committed to schools both near and far, from the University of North Texas and Southern Methodist University to Davidson College and the University of Louisiana. (Star Local Media)
3. Looking for something fun to do in the McKinney-Frisco area this weekend? There are plenty of events happening around town, including community holiday parties, high school sports games, and Michael Manzoni's BIG Christmas Variety Show at the McKinney Performing Arts Center. (McKinney-Frisco Patch)

Today's McKinney-Frisco Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Verizon. They're building the fastest 5G network in the country. To learn how 5G is going to change life for you and your community — and to get access to this amazing technology — click here. And thank you Verizon for sponsoring this community resource in McKinney-Frisco!

Today in McKinney-Frisco:

• Light Up the World Holiday Party, Hosted By McKinney Parks And Recreation At 1611 N. Stonebridge Dr. (10:00 AM)
• Holidays At The Heard Event At The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary In McKinney (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Frisco Square has a jam-packed weekend of holiday festivities planned to get everyone in the spirit before Christmas next week. (Facebook)
• McKinney's last historic walking tour of the year is happening at 11 a.m. tomorrow, Dec. 18. This popular tour is free and leaves from the Visitors Center on 200 W. Virginia. Snacks, water, hot chocolate, and coffee are provided. (Facebook)
• Love art and culture? The City of Frisco has announced that the latest Art in the Atrium Exhibition is now on display at the George A. Purefoy Municipal Center. (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Free Covid Testing LLC — (Visit website)
• Dynamic Multi-Services — (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Brighten The First Day Of Winter With 15 Percent Off FTD’s Sunniest Blooms (December 21)
• Add your event

Loving the McKinney-Frisco Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow 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.