News

Bryson ISD released its modified graduation plans on Thursday, May 7, due to COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions.

The district plans on hosting their graduation at Cowboy Stadium at 8:30 p.m. May 22, according to a press release.

Starting at 8 p.m. on graduation day, graduates will enter the parking lot on the south entrance of the track and head to the field house. At the field house, the graduates will be split into two locker rooms, screened and observe social distancing.

A fire at H-Brand Feed Store Tuesday, April 28 gutted the business’ warehouse, but owners David and Melissa Harmonson said they will rebuild.

The cause of the fire, which was toned out about 4:40 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, is still to be determined. Departments from Jacksboro, Bryson, Newport, Cundiff, Perrin, Jack County Rural and others fought the blaze into the evening with smoke still seen through Jacksboro nearly 24 hours after.

Jacksboro High School has released its altered plans for graduation due to COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines. The school plans to host the ceremony in Tiger Stadium at 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 22.

The change in location from the high school gymnasium to Tiger Stadium will allow for a greater opportunity for social distancing and keeping those in attendance as safe and healthy as possible, according to a press release.

The communities of Bryson and Jacksboro will each be hosting blood drives in May allowing for blood banks to rebuild their blood supply.

The Bryson ISD Blood Drive partnered with Texas Blood Institute will be held from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, at the Bloodmobile stationed at Smith Corner.

To schedule an appointment, contact Linda Wade at 940-229-9964.

The Jacksboro Community Blood Drive partnered with the American Red Cross will be held from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 21, at Fellowship Hall located at  200 N. Knox St.

In these days of trying times, much of the focus has been on high school seniors and what they are losing at this point in their lives.

While seniors appear to be getting graduation in some form or fashion, two Jack County school districts are making sure seniors are getting attention and knowing they are being thought of. Both Perrin and Bryson have started Adopt a Senior programs for the Class of 2020. 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday, April 27 that Phase I of ‘Re-Open Texas’ will begin on May 1 and includes opening all retail, restaurants, movie theaters and malls under limited capacities and allowing Executive Order GA-14 to expire.

Abbott spoke during a press conference on Monday, announcing that he will allow GA-14 to expire at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, April 30. This executive order is the statewide shelter-in-place that went into effect on April 2.

Jack County officials gave an update on its COVID-19 activity during Monday morning’s Commissioner Court activity.

Emergency Management Coordinator Frank Hefner said there have been no new cases in the last two weeks. Three of the prior four cases have recovered with only one still being an active case being monitored by health care professionals, Hefner said.

Hefner warned there could still be some more cases, but right now the county is in a holding pattern. County Judge Keith Umphress said law enforcement has gotten its personal protective equipment.

Much like the students they teach, Jacksboro ISD teachers are learning in the age of online learning due to COVID-19.

Brian Davenport, who teaches history at Jacksboro Middle School, said he is being as effective as he can be, but admits with things changing almost on a daily basis it has been difficult.

“There’s just a huge amount of unknowns, even though we’re seeing the kids about once a week,” Davenport explained. “In many cases, you can’t tell who’s getting it and who’s not. The interaction with the kids that we’re not getting makes things difficult.”

Jacksboro Community Food Pantry has been serving residents since 2013. With the COVID-19 pandemic putting many individuals out of work, many are beginning to line up for food distribution for the first time. 

During a food distribution Monday, April 20, each family received a five-day supply of breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“I was working and then lost my job,” a man on a bike, who called himself Steve, said. “This is my first time here and I’m grateful.”

Michael Edgin, with Edgin, Parkman, Fleming and Fleming; presented the 2018-2019 financial report to the Jacksboro City Council during its meeting Monday, April 13, on a Zoom video conference.

Edgin said the city received the Government Finance Officer Association’s certificate of achievement in excellence in financial reporting, which is the highest level the organization issues in financial reporting.