Step into your lederhosen and refresh your schuhplattler dance moves for McKinney's 10-year Oktoberfest celebration in Downtown McKinney Sept. 22, 23 and 24 presented by the City of McKinney and McKinney Main Street. This three-day event is a family favorite, offering authentic German food and drinks, entertainment, children's activities and fun. Patrons will feel like they are right in the middle of Munich and enjoy authentic German fare like bier, brats, strudel, pretzels and live music. photo by Allen Rich

The Fannin Central Appraisal District Board of Directors is seeking Appraisal Review Board (ARB) members from qualified property owners of Fannin County for the upcoming 2018-2019 term. The ARB serves a vital role in ensuring the property owners of Fannin County have an impartial citizen panel to hear their property value disputes.

Excellent verbal & written communication skills. Ability to work well with others. Seeking dedicated, dependable, organized and flexible team player. Must pass background and credit checks.

6:00 p.m. September 28 at Mulberry Methodist Church

5:30 p.m. Monday, September 25

9:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 26

This week's column is the fifth in a series outlining the seven proposed constitutional amendments on which Texas voters will decide on November 7, 2017.

(L-R) Firefighter Danny Jones, Kennedy, Capt. Mike Roberts, and Firefighter Jevan Gonzales

On Saturday, October 7 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., there will be a Book Sale at the Windom Book Exchange on the corner of Main and 3rd in Windom, Texas. The building has been sold, and all books must go.

Jeffrey Wittman, 52, and his company JBJ Services, LLC ("JBJ"), appeared in federal court yesterday morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez and pleaded guilty to charges related to the ownership and operation of at least two businesses that were fronts for illegal brothels in Dallas, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

All proceeds from the Book Sale are used to help support the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center and Library in Durant, Oklahoma.

1:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 20 at Darrell Hall Education Center

Would you like to learn about hunting for fossils locally and the roll Master Naturalists play in National Fossil Day? The program will be Tuesday, September 19, 6:00 p.m., at Derrell Hall Education Center, 2505 N. Center Street, Bonham.

Today I would like to talk about the IPMC Section 302.1 Sanitation (Trash). All exterior property and premises shall be maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition.

Any resident of Cooke, Fannin or Grayson counties, 50 years of age or older as of September 22, 2017, is eligible to participate in the Tri-County Senior Fishing Festival coming up Friday, September 22, 2017, from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., at Waterloo Lake Park, Denison, Texas.

5:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 19

5:30 p.m. Monday, September 18

Celebrate three decades of Addison Oktoberfest at the country's best Bavarian blast -- one of the largest and most authentic celebrations in the U.S.

9:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 19

11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 16, 2017 at Bethlehem Baptist Church Fellowship Hall

"It is a little less than it was last year and I think that is important," Fannin County Judge Spanky Carter said of the proposed lower county tax rate. "I went around the county and talked to several groups and we told people that we could restore our courthouse without raising taxes. That's my intention as long as I am county judge."

Come meet Commie Linson, a local candidate for Sherman City Council – District 2 in November 2017 and Kim Olson, the Democratic Candidate for Agriculture Commissioner in 2018.

Join us for a Post-Session Wrap-up with Representative Matt Rinaldi of the Texas Freedom Caucus and Representative Scott Sanford of the Freedom of Religious Exercise Exchange.

Applications must be received by Oct. 16.

The Trinity River Wind Festival originally planned for Saturday, September 16, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. has been postponed. Given the current situation in Texas due to Hurricane Harvey and the amount of City of Dallas services that are being redirected to the ongoing assistance and relief efforts throughout the state, the 2017 Trinity River Wind Festival was postponed. For future updates please visit www.trinityriverwindfestival.com or call 214-671-9500.

The proposed Budget is utilizing the Rollback Rate of .6864 per $100 of taxable value which will result in an increase in taxes of $172,482.

Hickory Creek at Tom Cole Road near McKinney. (Texas Water Resources Institute photo) The Texas Water Resources Institute's Texas Riparian and Stream Ecosystem Education Program will host a free workshop from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. September 13 in McKinney for area residents interested in land and water stewardship in the Upper Trinity and Lavon Lake watershed.

CASA volunteers are needed to be advocates for children in foster care. At last check, two children in foster care from Fannin County do not have a CASA volunteer advocate. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. When home is no longer a safe place for a child, a judge may order a child to be removed from their home and assign CASA to be the volunteer advocate for the child.

This week I would like to talk about inoperative and unlicensed motor vehicles at your residents or on your property. This is an adopted Code for the City of Bonham, and also of the State of Texas. Improper storage of inoperable vehicles can be a serious problem for a community.