After months of preparation, the 42-member cast of “Newsies” is ready to take the stage this weekend. Courtesy Wylie Acting Group
By Allison LaBrot | [email protected]
Wylie Acting Group (WAG), a nonprofit community theater organization, is gearing up for two weekends of performances of “Newsies.” The musical will be presented July 24-26 and July 31-Aug. 2 by a cast of 42 teenagers and a six-member crew.
Co-directors Barb Holder and Melissa Johnson said many of the young cast and crew members have already gained experience through WAG or their schools.
“Their passion and dedication shine in every performance,” the directors said.
Read the full story in the July 23rd edition. Stay informed — subscribe to The Sachse News.
Members of the Wylie East Solar Car Team and advisers pose with the “East Beast 2.0,” before departing for the 2026 Solar Car Challenge. The team is competing in the five-day, cross-Texas event this week. Photo Courtesy Wylie East Solar Car Team
By Allison LaBrot | [email protected]
The Wylie East Solar Car Team set out on a cross-Texas journey in their newly built vehicle Sunday, July 19, for the annual Solar Car Challenge. The five-day competition sent 24 high school teams on a cross-Texas journey of up to 619.8 miles from Fort Worth to Fort Stockton.
After winning the Advanced Classic division national championships the past two years, the Wylie East team built a new car, “East Beast 2.0,” from the ground up to comply with updated rules for the 2026 competition.
Planning for the competition started 18 months ago, with construction beginning at the start of the 2025-26 school year. The team has worked continuously, spending two to three days a week on the car this summer and adding in extra workdays over the past month.
Students contribute to every aspect of the project, from welding and fabrication to aerodynamics, electronics and other critical systems.
Ten of the team’s 16 members competed in this year’s Solar Car Challenge.
While the 2025 event took place at Fort Worth’s Texas Motor Speedway, students from around the country will travel through several Texas cities this year. Team adviser Matthew Karlsen said there will be three days of tech inspection, called “scrutineering,” before the race. Each race day includes a route with two rest stops and a lunch break.
This year, the team faced challenges during their tech inspection.
“After two days of repair for an incident that happened on day two of scrutineering, we are ready to start the race,” they relayed on social media,
“Teams can only drive from 9 to 5, so if you don’t get all the way, you must trailer to the destination,” Karlsen said. “Only the miles they drive in the solar car get counted towards their total.”
The winner is determined by total miles driven, with the fastest overall time serving as the tiebreaker. Solar cars are preceded on the road by a truck and trailer and followed by two chase cars with lights and large signs to alert other drivers of the car’s presence. The first chase car also transports a judge who keeps track of mileage and ensures rules of the road are followed.
Preparation for the cross-Texas race differs from what is needed for the track event.
“Drivers need to practice driving without cruise control to keep a steady foot, study driving hills and getting through multiple stops and starts without consuming precious energy,” Karlsen said.
The competition began Sunday in Fort Worth and includes stops in Palestine, Round Rock, Fredericksburg, San Angelo before concluding in Fort Stockton. At each stop, community members can view the solar cars during public displays held from 4 to 9 p.m. For more information and race updates, follow the Solar Car Challenge or Wylie East Solar Car Team on Facebook.
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The Choo Choo Express will return for the third annual Train Day Saturday, July 25. File art
Train enthusiasts and families are invited to climb aboard for the return of Sachse Train Day, a free community event hosted by the Sachse Historical Society from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 25.
“This is our third year to host Train Day, and it is absolutely getting bigger each year,” said Tricia Lindsey, president of the Sachse Historical Society. “The LEGO layout is new… and everyone is excited to see what the North Texas Brick Society is going to create.”
This year’s event follows the same popular format as previous years, encouraging visitors to travel between four “depot” stops, collect stamps on a map and redeem a completed passport for a prize.
The new exhibit, located in the Sachse Library meeting room, joins returning attractions including model train displays, caboose tours and interactive activities at each location.
Aside from the meeting room, activities will take place at the Sachse Historical Society Museum, 3033 6th Street; the Sachse Community Center, 3815 Sachse Road and the historic caboose.
Guests can enjoy N-scale model train displays presented by North Texas T-TRAK Modular Railroad Club, caboose tours and opportunities to build their own train mini modules while learning about the important role railroads played in Sachse’s history.
Choo Choo Express trackless train rides will once again be available for purchase on-site.
The Sachse Historical Society’s museum features railroad artifacts and exhibits highlighting the city’s heritage, while the historic caboose offers visitors a glimpse into early Sachse through a detailed diorama depicting the community during its railroad era.
“It’s easy to forget how transformative the railroad was to America,” Lindsey said. “It didn’t just move crops and products to market faster. The railroad gave people the freedom to travel, experience new places, and helped shape the growth of cities. I hope visitors can catch a glimpse of that as they explore the different depot stops.”
For more information, visit the Sachse Historical Society website or call 972-496-6577.
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Registration is open for the Sachse Police Department’s R.A.D. Basic self-defense course, a free program designed to teach women practical techniques for protecting themselves.
The Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) program is a nationally recognized course that provides realistic, hands-on self-defense instruction for women of all fitness levels. According to organizers, the goal is to provide practical defense options participants can use in real-world situations.
The course consists of four three-hour sessions scheduled from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 14, 21 and 28 and Nov. 4 at 3815-D Sachse Road.
To register, participants must be Sachse residents and at least 16 years old. Space is limited.
For more information about the national R.A.D. program, visit rad-systems.com. To register for the Sachse course, visit cityofsachse.com/RADTraining.
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The N5SAC Amateur Radio Club held a general class licensing course recently for students interested in upgrading their licenses. Courtesy photo
Nearly 90% of participants earned their General Class amateur radio license during a licensing course and Field Day demonstration hosted June 27 by the N5SAC Amateur Radio Club at the Sachse Fire Department’s Emergency Operations Center.
The event combined classroom instruction with hands-on operating experience, allowing participants to make their first General Class radio transmissions after completing the course. Nearly all students who took the exam successfully upgraded their licenses, resulting in an 89% pass rate.
The class was supported by Sachse Fire Chief Marty Wade, whose assistance allowed the event to be held at the fire station’s Emergency Operations Center.
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Sachse sophomore Abigail Leonard won the District 9-6A title in the girls’ 3,200-meter run. Photo by David Wolman / C&S Media
By David Wolman
Weather conditions were less than ideal for the District 9-6A track and field meet from Williams Stadium.
Cooler than normal temperatures settled over Garland, but Sachse didn’t let the chilly weather deter them from the ultimate goal – a berth in their respective area meets.
Sachse impressed, winning a total of six individual District 9-6A championships.
Abigail Leonard and Samuel Ledbetter set the tone for the Mustangs in long-distance running.
Leonard won the girls’ 3,200-meter run in a time of 11:39.74 and the 1,600 with a 5:41.05. Her time in the 3,200 was 18 seconds faster than her nearest competitor. Ledbetter, meanwhile, won the boys’ 3,200 with a time of 9:54 and the 1,600 in 4:38.78.
Kamryn Harry won two district titles of his own, capturing the 9-6A title in the 100-meter dash (10.59) and 400-meter run (49.07). Harry added a third area qualification in the 200 (2nd, 21.79).
Cameryn Fair was crowned district champion in the 200, posting a winning a time of 24.9. She qualified for the area meet in three individual events. Fair took second in the 100 dash in 12.21 and was also third in the long jump with a leap of 17-2.
Other area qualifiers for Sachse are: Ozzy Heredia (800, 3rd, 2:03.59), Dominic Richardson (1,600, 3rd, 4:41.54), Roman Rabel (3,200, 3rd, 10:08), Sadiki Mburu (3,200, 4th, 10:16.48), Ngozi Ofili (high jump, 4th, 6-0), Elliot Haas (pole vault, 4th, 11-6), boys’ 4×40 of Jackson Chapman, Hekma Harrison, Josh Eziagwu and Cory Taylor (4th, 3:32.6), Alicia Payne (400, 4th, 1:00.27; 800, 2nd, 2:28.25), Arora Dinh Ngo (800, 3rd, 2:29.87; 1,600, 3rd, 5:43.48; 3,200, 3rd, 12:16.02), Kyla George (pole vault, 3rd, 9-6), Shamyra Hamilton (shot put, 3rd, 33-11.5), girls’ 4×100 of Channing Phillips, Tierney Wesley, Jaeda Bradshaw and Maicen Keefer (2nd, 48.2), 4×200 of Phillips, Wesley, Bradshaw and Keefer (3rd, 1:44.54) and 4×400 of Phillips, Wesley, Trinity Thompson and Payne (2nd, 4:07.58).
Sachse tossed a one-hitter with three strikeouts during last Friday’s 19-0 win for the Lady Mustangs over South Garland. Photo by Tina Lopez / C&S Media
From Staff Reports
Final scores for games played by Sachse from April 7-12:
Friday, April 11
Baseball
Sachse 24, South Garland 0
Softball
Sachse 19, South Garland 0
Wednesday, April 9
Baseball
Sachse 12, South Garland 4
Monday, April 7
Softball
Sachse 16, North Garland 0
Wylie ISD FFA students exhibit their steer at the F.O. Birmingham Ag Center at the Wylie Show and Sale last week.
The future of agriculture was on display at the 58th Annual Wylie Show and Sale at the F.O. Birmingham Agricultural Center in Wylie. Over the course of four days, Wylie ISD FFA and 4-H students showed the dedication they have put toward projects ranging from homemade baked goods to livestock.
Starting at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 30, Food, Shop and Horticulture projects were shown along with Rabbits.
Broilers, Lambs and Goats were on the schedule for Tuesday, April 1. The third day included Cattle and Swine showings on Thursday, April 3. A Buyers Breakfast kicked off the final day of events at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 5. The Parade of Champions started at 9:30 a.m. and was followed by the Community Champion Awards and the live auction.
Kassie Klakamp, Wylie East FFA Advisor and Agricultural Science Teacher said there were multiple classes of a species shown at one time, adding, “each group got their own place in the class and the top two from each class competed for the Grand and Reserve Champion spots.”
In the Food division, Madison Triguero earned first place with the Grand Champion title, while MaryKate Ratcliff took second place and Reserve Champion honors.
In Shop, Madison Triguero earned the Grand Champion title, while Reese Liles and Dakota Measles placed second.
The Grand Champion title for the Horticulture division went to Addison Weir, and Melaina LaRose took second place and Reserve Champion.
Rabbits shown by Jake Podlucky in the Breeding Rabbits division earned three first-place tags and one third-place tag in addition to the Best in Show title. Charlee Wilson showed a first-place rabbit and received Reserve in Show. Sammi Hensley and Kate Nelson each earned second place and fourth place. Morgan Podlucky earned second, fifth and sixth place. Jillian Logan earned third and fifth place, with Angelica Giles taking sixth.
In Market Rabbits, Jake Podlucky was named Grand Champion, and Adeline McKay was named Reserve Champion with a second-place entry. Isabel McKay showed a third-place rabbit while Faith Haberman and Jameson Welch earned fifth and sixth, respectively.
In the Broilers division, Jillian Logan claimed first place and earned the Grand Champion title, while Jake Podlucky finished second as Reserve Champion. Camille Duplessis and Logan Timbes placed third and fifth, respectively.
In the Breeding Lamb division, Isabel McKay showed first and-second place entries, securing the Grand Champion and Reserve Champion titles. Adeline McKay earned a third-place tag.
In Market Lambs, Juliet Salazar earned first place and Grand Champion, with Kaitlyn Boles earning first place and Reserve Campion and Kaylie McBride earning first place. Both Melaina LaRose and Grace Evans showed third-place lambs. Isabelle Hargrove, Kaitlyn Timbes and Olivia Evans each placed fourth, while Grai Murret placed fifth.
The Breeding Goat division saw Juliet Salazar take first and second, earning both the Grand Champion and Reserve Champion titles. Isabel McKay earned third, while Adeline McKay and Salazar earned fourth and fifth, respectively.
In the Market Goat show, Mimi Erwin was named Grand Champion, while Abigail Felthous was named reserve Champion. Alexis Schmidt and Josslyn Welch also earned first place. Cash Welch showed a second-place goat, and Melia Maier, Chloe Brooks and Kaiya Seal each earned third. Angelica Giles placed fourth.
The Breeding Swine division saw Ryan Parman claim first place and the Grand Champion title, with Reese Liles earning Reserve Champion with second and third place entries.
In Market Swine, Reese Liles earned the Grand Champion title, and Dakota Measles took second place and the Reserve Champion title. Emma Layne, Mitchell George, Cayden Reynolds, Emory Reynolds and Baylie Summers each earned first-place tags. Teghan Jacobson, Adeline Leggett, Carrick Wallis and Aydia Brock each earned second. Isabel McKay, Elyssa Lopez, Chloe Cooper, Charles Hayden Evans and Morgan Podlucky each earned third. Addison Seale, Tobynn Wallis, Gracie Deegear and Kira Sears each earned fourth. Claire Monroe, Brooklyn Julius and Hallie Parker each earned fifth. John Charnecki, Kiera King, Alexia Heid and Cambrie Cooper each earned sixth.
The Grand Champion steer was shown by Ryleigh Thomason, who also showed a fourth-place steer. Second place and Reserve Champion went to Breelyn Willoughbey, and Jacob Eckhaus earned third.
Isabel McKay won Grand Champion Senior Rabbit Showman, Reserve Champion Senior Lamb Showman, Reserve Champion Senior Goat Showman and Reserve Champion Senior Swine Showman. Reserve Champion Senior Rabbit Showman was awarded to Morgan Podlucky. Jameson Welch received the Reserve Champion Junior Market Rabbit Showman title. Juliet Salazar was named the Grand Champion Senior Lamb Showman. The Grand Champion Senior Goat Showman was Mimi Erwin. The Grand Champion Senior Swine Showman title went to Dakota Measles. Ryleigh Thomason earned the Grand Champion Steer Showman title, with Jacob Eckhaus receiving Reserve Champion Steer Showman.
“Our students showed off their hard work. From baking cookies, building shop and horticulture projects, to the countless hours they spent raising their animals, I am extremely proud of all the exhibitors in this show,” Klakamp said. “It was a great experience for them, and we’re thankful for all the community support. Events like this really bring us together, and we hope to see even more people involved next year.”
Results were “unofficial” at press time and will be updated online. Exhibitors who placed seventh and above were not included in this summary.
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Mignon Morse, former Sachse Library Director, penned a children’s book based on the adventures of her dog Sadie, and Sadie’s best friend Moose. The book is available on Amazon.
A former librarian’s long-awaited dream of seeing her name in a library catalog is about to come true.
Mignon Morse, a Woodbridge resident, recently published her first children’s book, “Sadie & Moose on the Loose.”
The book, inspired by the adventures of Sadie, Morse’s 9-year-old Aussie/Shepherd rescue, and Moose, a golden retriever mix, was officially released March 19.
“I wanted to write a book so that I could have my name in the card catalog, and, well, that’s not the way most people think,” Morse said. “I talked about it for about two or three years, and then I finally just said, ‘Okay, it’s time to do it.’”
Morse, who has worked in public library management in Sachse, Wylie, Garland and McKinney, self-published “Sadie & Moose on the Loose” through Amazon.
Sadie and Moose’s real-life friendship was the inspiration for the story. Morse said she and Sadie first met Moose, a neighbor’s dog, through her pet sitting business she established after retiring to care for her elderly mother.
Morse said Moose and his owner walk over about once a week for a play date.
“When I say, ‘Sadie, Moose is coming,’ she goes and stands in the window and waits for him,” Morse said.
The story is based on the dog’s adventure after the backyard gate blows open.
The book took about a year to complete, with six months spent on illustrations. Morse hired Canadian artist Chris MacLeod, a chalk pastel and watercolor artist, to bring her story to life.
She asked MacLeod to capture a style like the Carl books by Alexandra Day.
“God has just blessed me through the whole thing,” she said, “with the hiring and finding people to help and do things—because I’ve never done anything like this before.”
Because of her background in municipal libraries, Morse wanted to ensure her book would hold up for multiple checkouts. In addition to the paperback version published through Amazon, she contracted with IngramSpark, a subsidiary of Ingram Content Group, to release a hardcover edition.
Now, Morse is focused on marketing her work. She plans to donate a copy to the Wylie Library, among others, for consideration in its collection.
As for future adventures of Sadie and Moose, Morse said she has thought about writing another book.
“If Sadie does well in this adventure, we might consider another one,” she said.
Beyond her love of storytelling, Morse is giving back to the community. Because of her ties to Sachse, she plans to donate part of the book’s proceeds to the Sachse Animal Shelter.
Aside from selling her books on Amazon, Morse will be at the Hwy 78 Food Trucks and Outdoor Vendor Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 19.
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Houston lawyer Dan Cogdell, who successfully defended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against impeachment charges two years ago, is now defending a proposed Islamic community against an investigation by Paxton.
“This project is simply the victim of racial profiling,” Cogdell said after being retained by Community Capital Partners, the developer of EPIC City and EPIC Ranch in rural Hunt and Collin Counties.
For more on this story see the April 10, 2025 print, or digital edition of The Sachse News. Subscribe today and support local journalism in your community.