News

Shelley Sewell is a medical show fanatic.

She said she has always watched shows and movies about pandemics much like what we are facing right now. Sewell admits she has been preparing for COVID-19 since January when she began reading and hearing about it in books and TV.

Sewell, who owns and operates a daycare in Jacksboro, came up with the idea of sewing masks for medical workers. She worked in a factory for six years where she developed sewing skills.

Jack County officials continue to work with regional and state officials on the best way to get information out to the public.

County Judge Keith Umphress said, after a conference call Friday afternoon, officials are now reaching out to businesses and asking if they are in any immediate danger and finding out what they need.

With small businesses across the nation being economically affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jacksboro Economic Development Corporation created a business rescue grant to help local businesses get through this hard time.

JEDC executive director Lynda Pack said the grant will give a maximum of $2,500 for a 45-day period to local businesses with less than 25 full-time employees. She said the JEDC has a total of $25,000 to award to businesses.

District superintendents from Jacksboro and Bryson took time to speak about their plans after Governor Greg Abbott announced he was extending school closures through May 4 due to COVID-19.

Jacksboro ISD superintendent Dwain Milam said the district had begun preparing for extended closures after President Donald Trump extended social distancing guidelines through April 30 on Monday, March 29.

Jack County Judge Brian Keith Umphress has filed a lawsuit against the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

He filed the lawsuit March 4 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas’ Fort Worth Division, Umphress showed support for McLennan County Justice of the Peace Dianne Hensley who recuses herself from officiating at same-sex ceremonies on account of her Christian faith.

Concerned Citizens of Jack County and Meals on Wheels has been synonymous with good food and getting it to elderly residents in the county.

Whether it be for dine-in or Meals on Wheels, residents got fed and had time to socialize as well. With the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down the dine-in portion of restaurants, Concerned Citizens was affected in much the same way.

Executive Director Russonna Jones-Briscoe said she has since seen a 20% increase in both the Meals on Wheels and drive-through portions of their business.

Gov. Greg Abbott issued an Executive Order Tuesday implementing Essential Services and Activities Protocols for the state of Texas. The order includes directions to minimize non-essential gatherings and in-person contact with people who are not in the same household.

Jacksboro Police Chief Scott Haynes presented the department’s annual racial profiling report to the Jacksboro city council Monday, March 23.

He said the department conducted 1,783 traffic stop in 2019, which was an 11% increase over 2018.

“I’m proud of the department because we continue to increase that number every year and that’s good law enforcement work,” Haynes said. “There’s no alarming numbers, most of the stops are males and most of the stops are white or Hispanic and Latinos.

Both the Lindsey State Jail and Jack County Jail are doing what they can to manage the COVID-19 virus at their respective facilities.

In a letter to the public, Lindsey State Jail officials are following directives from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to stop the spread of the disease and have implemented everything. The jail is also following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to minimize risk to both the men and women in custody, as well as jail staff.

City Manager Mike Smith gave the Jacksboro City Council a copy of the city’s current property tax abatement policy to be reviewed during the council meeting Monday, March 23.

The city manager some laws have changed recently and the policy will need to be approved after a public hearing in their next meeting. He also discussed the need for a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone.