News

Texas FFA Agricultural Issues teams from Jacksboro ISD and Perrin-Whitt CISD made their case in front of local leaders last week, speaking on issues facing today’s agriculture industry. JISD students presented their findings to the Jacksboro Lions Club before heading to Perrin where they, along with the PWCISD team, delivered their presentation to Rep. Mike Olcott and PWCISD administration.

Commissioners signed an order Monday, Oct. 27 banning outdoor burning in Jack County, effective for the next 90 days. 

Jack County Judge Keith Umphress signed an emergency order Wednesday, Oct. 15, prohibiting outdoor burning for the next seven days. The order expired Wednesday, Oct. 22 and Umphress said last week he was confident the expected rain over the weekend would dampen much of the threat of spread of wildfire.
                             

Water customers in Bryson can expect an increase to water and sewer fees on their bill starting in November after city council members voted Monday, Oct. 13 to increase rates.

The water rate increase comes as Fort Belknap Water Supply Corporation in Graham increased its rate to the city from $7.76 per 1,000 gallons used to $8.75 per 1,000 gallons used—an increase of 99 cents effective Wednesday, Oct. 15 for the city of Bryson.

Friends of the Jacksboro Animal Shelter invited Jack County officials to tour the animal shelter Wednesday, Oct. 15, part of a deal to open lines of transparency as to how donated funds were being put to use.

Commissioners voted in September to commit $25,000 of the county’s community support budget to the Friends after removing the $30,000 typically reserved for the Jacksboro Animal Shelter from the operating budget in August.

Jacksboro Lions Club prepares for the 11th annual Pack the Pickup event along with Lowe’s Market and Four Stars Ford, collecting food items and monetary donations to benefit the Jacksboro Community Food Bank.

Lions will be on hand from 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29 through Friday, Oct. 31 at Lowe’s Market in Jacksboro asking shoppers to consider a donation.

“The Jacksboro community has always been so generous in their giving and support of our project, knowing it provides for the needs of local individuals,” Lions Club Project Chairman Tim Cassle said. “Lions appreciate it.”

City of Bryson issued a notice as required by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on Monday, Oct. 20 notifying all city water customers to boil their water before consumption. 

Due to a possible malfunction at the water well screen, customers should boil water for use before drinking, cooking, washing hands or the face, brushing teeth, etc., with children, seniors and people with a weakened immune system particularly at risk.

City of Bryson will hold a town hall meeting starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Senior Citizens Center, located at 201 College Street in Bryson.

Residents are invited to attend the public meeting to discuss current issues including street and road conditions, animal control, water quality, property inspections and funding for the sewer system package plant. 

Jack County officials enacted a burn ban Wednesday, Oct. 15 as the threat of fire spread increases.

On the recommendation of Jack County Rural Fire Chief Jason Jennings, Judge Keith Umphress signed the order declaring a state of natural disaster, banning all outdoor burning for the next seven days. 

As of Tuesday, Oct. 14, the county’s Keetch-Byram Drought Index was at 535, indicating a high fire danger level typical of late summer and early fall conditions. As vegetation fuels are dry, fires are likely to start, spread rapidly and burn intensely.

Celebrating 10 years of building a safer, healthier and more resilient community, Jack County STOMP cuts the ribbon at its new location on the courthouse square in Jacksboro, signifying the start of the next chapter in comprehensive drug and crime prevention education in local schools. 

STOMP, or Standing Together on Meth Prevention, was born out of tragedy after Linda Green-Bennett’s husband, OK Highway Patrolman Nik Green, was killed on December 26, 2003 by a man manufacturing methamphetamines just north of the Red River.

Perrin-Whitt CISD voters will head to the polls to decide in November on a $28,220,000 school bond package that would support campus renovations and new builds to satisfy state safety regulations and address aging facilities—all while adding to the student experience at PWCISD.