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Year in review: Top news stories of 2006
By RENEE CALDWELL
Published: Friday, December 29, 2006 12:25 PM CST
At the stroke of midnight Sunday night, 2006 will be gone and we will salute a new year once again.
The following is a compilation of highlights of a year that was filled with anticipation, laughter, smiles, and tears.
As we reflect on the past, we must not forget the future and what 2007 is sure to have in store in the way of new growth, new challenges and new friends.
January
Frisco Independent School District started off the new year by welcoming its 20,000th student, junior Amelia France.
Dr. Pink Field, Frisco Independent School District's stand-alone turf field at Pizza Hut Park, was dedicated. The dedication was held before a boys soccer game between Centennial and Forney.
The City of Frisco's talks with private developers and Federal government regarding the city's major creed ordinance paid off as they paved the way for a multi-million dollar gated community of luxury homes near Stewart Creek and Lake Lewisville.
February
The Citizen Bond Committee presented the Frisco City Council with a proposed $198 million bond package. This included $100 million for roads and $44 million for parks and other open spaces and $31.5 million for public safety.
Five-year-old Sydney Dudley became a local hero when she found her four year old sister unresponsive and called 9-1-1.
Phony Preston Road panhandler, Kevin Rowell, was finally arrested after eluding police many times for violating Frisco's solicitation ordinance.
Frisco arts benefactor, Richard McKennon, was killed in a motorcycle accident.
March
A Dallas man was shot and killed by Frisco resident Stephen McPherson after a disagreement over a girl.
Frisco Family Services Center hosted its 2006 Gala. The theme was "Shake, Rattle and Roll" and featured 1950s music, a dance contest, a bubble-gum blowing contest, and contests for best costume.
School board approved the recommendation to hold a bond election for a $798 million bond package.
The Frisco Police Association and Frisco Firefighters Association faced off in a friendly fund-raising game of broomball during a Texas Tornado game.
Francis Justus, the self proclaimed "dreaded Frisco tax assessor/collector," retired after 18 years.
Frisco wins in pageantry - Jennifer Gilchrist was named Mrs. Frisco and Ilsa Abigail Levine was crowned Miss Texas Teen America.
City decides to enact a resolution stating if the North Texas Tollway Authority weren't involved as the builder of the State Highway 121 toll they would stand firm against tolling the road.
Welcome rain adds to lake levels, but city hires additional staff to enforce Stage 3 restrictions due to continued drought.
Joseph W. Hebert of Frisco was killed after he lost control of his car and crashed into a sport utility vehicle.
April
Dr. Erwin G. Pink, the man who served as Frisco's only doctor in the 1950s and 1960s, passed away.
Reasonable doubt leaves 20-year-old case of the murder of Refugio "Cookie" Ortega, who was shot 17 times in the parking lot of the Moseley's Grocery Store, unresolved.
May
Frisco resident Jennifer Hayden walked away with the Mrs. Texas title allowing her to represent the state in the Mrs. United States Pageant.
Kenneth Alexander Mills was arrested and charged with indecency with a child, which stemmed from an incident at Stonebriar Community Church.
The North Texas Tollway Authority agrees to bid to build State Highway 121 toll in a 4-3 split decision.
Texas USA Wrestling league coach, Timothy Daniel Morriss, was accused of molesting two Frisco teens on a bus ride home from a meet.
June
Ann Warren, Frisco resident and wife of former Mayor Bob Warren, passed away after suffering a massive brain hemorrhage.
Frisco woman was sexually assaulted and beaten at a Hickory Springs neighborhood pool.
Seniors from both Centenninal and Frisco High School conducted graduation ceremonies at the Garland Special Events Center. It was the first graduating class for Centennial.
The opening of several new campuses within the Frisco Independent School District called for an increase of $18.7 million for the salaries of 469 new employees.
Troy Pelias, Frisco Public Art Board president, and Michael Hitchcock, FC Dallas general manager, dedicated artist Larry Kirkland's "Golden Goal" and "Frisco Flyer" sculptures at Pizza Hut Park.
A hot air balloon traveling northwest from Plano was caught in a windshear and crashed in an area near Wade Boulevard and Preston Road. No injuries were reported.
Domestic violence claims the life of a local mother of four who was seeking refuge. Jennifer Barron was abducted and held at gunpoint by her husband, Jose Trevino. He shot her twice in the head before committing suicide.
Frisco opened the doors of its new City Hall inside Frisco Square.
July
Audie Adkins resigned as the president of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce after 11 years of service.
Kool and the Gang performed during Freedom Fest at Pizza Hut Park.
Craig Ranch real estate agent, Sarah Anne Walker, of Frisco, was stabbed at least 27 times in the kitchen of a model home in the Hemingway town homes in McKinney.
Miss Frisco, Shilah Phillps, was crowned Miss Texas in her first appearance, making her the first African-American woman to represent Texas in the Miss America Pageant.
The City Council named the new City Hall-Library complex the George A. Purefoy Municipal Center after the city's first and only city manager. Over 300 residents showed up for the first town hall meeting in the new complex. The communications staff handed out "I Love Frisco, Texas" T-shirts and ice cream scoops with frozen custard coupons attached.
Owners of historic homes seek property tax incentives as reward for maintaining Frisco's heritage.
August
Sixteen-year old Edward Ji was arrested and placed in a Collin County Juvenile Detention Facility for shooting a 14-year old boy.
Council members approved a proposed property tax rate of 45 cents for fiscal year 2007.
September
Kate Utley, 2002 Frisco High School graduate and biomedical engineering major at Texas A&M University, started work at the NASA Cooperative Education Program.
Frisco ISD art teacher Sydney McGee, who had taught in the district for six years and 28 years in Texas schools, came forward with allegations of hostility from a former principal regarding a field trip to the Dallas Museum of Art. She was placed on leave and Frisco school district Superintendent Rick Reedy stated he would recommend that the district not renew her contract. It was also found that McKinney ISD had received complaints about the teacher when she was an employee there.
An arrest is made in the Walker murder. Kosoul Chanthakoummane, 25, was arrested for capital murder and held on a $1 million bond. A week after his arrest, the judge presiding over the case removed his attorney because of lack of qualification guidelines in a capital murder case.
Frisco's Fire Station No. 5, which houses the city's first engine equipped with the Compressed Air Foam System, opened.
Collin County Community College District professor John Preston Creech allegedly possessed sexually explicit images of young girls on his work computer, according to an arrest warrant.
The Great Steak of Texas festival hitched a ride into Frisco for the third year.
October
Artemio Quiroz received life in prison for the shooting death of Refugio "Cookie" Ortega in 1986. Quiroz was found in prison serving a 9-year sentence under another name for a Dallas shooting.
Third annual Storytelling Festival attracts people of all ages to Frisco Square.
Sydney McGee and FISD reach settlement in long-running dispute. The settlement was OK'd by the school board.
November
City amends sign ordinances by setting limitations on garage sale, real estate, and other signage.
Frisco police officers moved into their new 87,000-square-foot, $16 million station at Stonebrook Parkway and Parkwood Drive.
Council votes for a smoke-free Frisco by a 4-3 margin.
Frisco ISD teacher's aide, Nancy Torres was arrested after school officials discovered that she had been involved in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old male student.
Incumbents cruise through county elections. Texans showed up at the polls to re-elect Republican Rick Perry to the Texas governor's seat, however the nation shifted leadership in both the house and senate.
The Collin County District Attorney stated he would seek the death penalty for Kosoul Chanthakoummane for the murder of Sarah Anne Walker.
Frisco held it's inaugural community parade in conjunction with Veteran's Day events. Brigadier Gen. Michael Cates was the grand marshal of the parade that featured all four Frisco ISD high schools in a homecoming-style event.
Frisco Raccoons beat the odds by winning the bi-district playoff game against West Mesquite.
Frisco officials promote water wisdom in hopes to keep water supplies up despite little rain.
December
Frisco Chamber of Commerce hired John Land as president and CEO.
Frisco Community Theatre was forced to shut its doors until repairs can be made to the structure, which have made it unsafe for public occupancy.
Break-in at a Frisco Kroger leaves police investigating burglary of drugs.
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