News

The Jacksboro City Council amended an ordinance earlier this month now requiring residents and businesses to post street address numbers in a visible location outside the structure.

This change comes as local police, fire and EMS say it will improve response times during emergencies.

The city council voted Monday, April 13 to amend the planning and development regulations subdivision code regarding required improvements and design standards. 

After months of negotiations, Jack County commissioners voted to grant a tax abatement for solar and battery storage projects in the southern portion of the county.

PK Solar and Jack County Energy submitted an application for an abatement on property taxes in February 2025 and the court approved an order in June 2025 to establish a reinvestment zone encompassing approximately 1,368 acres of land just south of Halsell Ranch Road in southern Jack County, stretching to the Palo Pinto County line.

Ronald Fitzgerald was sworn in as Jack County Precinct 2 Commissioner, vowing to continue the work and legacy of those who came before him.

He took his oath of office Friday, April 24 at the Jack County Courthouse after former Commissioner Amy Salazar stepped down from the seat. 

Following the tradition of the court, Salazar was appointed as commissioner following her husband and former Precinct 2 Commissioner Kenny Salazar’s death in February 2025. 

Jack County commissioners consider joining a groundwater conservation district and what it could mean to ensure water availability for local landowners for years to come.

Texas House District 68 Representative David Spiller said the last legislative session focused on the availability of water across the state over coming years. With thousands of people on average moving to Texas on a daily basis, he said studies projected the state could be “completely out of water” in the next few decades.

The city of Jacksboro and Jack County proclaim the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, highlighting local child advocacy services while striving to be more aware of child abuse in the community.

Jack County commissioners signed a proclamation Monday, April 13 from the Child Welfare Board and the city of Jacksboro signed a proclamation from the Children’s Advocacy Center for North Texas that same day.

Jack County commissioners will hold a public hearing later this month to consider tax abatement agreements with PK Solar, LLC for improvements related to solar panels and battery energy storage systems (BESS).
The hearings are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, April 27 at the Jack County Courthouse.

The Jacksboro Herald-Gazette provided the candidates in the upcoming May general election, in races in which there is more than one candidate, with questionnaires to fill out to let the citizens know a little more about their choices.

Each candidate received the same questionnaire via email, and their answers are provided below in ballot order.

Answers were limited to 200 words per question. If no photo is included, or not all questions are answered, it is because they were not provided by the candidate who made the submission.

Early voting begins Monday in Jacksboro where the city and Jacksboro ISD will elect candidates in the May local election.

Early voting for the election to be held Saturday, May 2 will run from April 20-28. The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is Monday, April 20.

All voting will take place at the Jack County Courthouse located at 100 N. Main St., Assembly Room 104 in Jacksboro.

Individuals can check their voting status on the Texas Secretary of State website at sos.state.tx.us. 

Bryson High School’s One-Act Play cast and crew members rack up awards this season, blowing past the competition to take their performance of “Angels of Bataan” to regional competition later this month.

Students took the stage in Bryson for district competition Thursday, March 26 to advance to the bi-district level Thursday, April 2 in Olney. From there, OAP advanced to area competition Friday, April 10 to qualify for a spot at regionals Friday, April 24 in Plano.

New opportunities are on the horizon for the community as Lisa Story joins Visit Jacksboro, a new arm under the Jacksboro Economic Development Corporation to drive business retention and development while also promoting local businesses and tourism.

Story will officially join Visit Jacksboro on Monday, April 27 as its business retention and destination marketing coordinator.

JEDC Director Brenda Tarpley said Story will work closely with both the JEDC and the Jacksboro Chamber of Commerce, bridging the two organizations together to promote the city.