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News

Jacksboro Chamber ecstatic with Outdoor Expo

In its second year, Jacksboro Chamber of Commerce officials were ecstatic with their overall Outdoor Expo/ChiliFest.

Chamber Executive Director Leslie Chalmers said there was more of everything this year during the Saturday event, moved to the downtown square from the Twin Lakes Activity Center the year before.

“We doubled the number of servings of chili and had a fantastic turnout of about 350 people,” Chalmers explained. “We continue to try to revitalize tourism in the downtown area.”

Friends of Shelter needing more

Friends of the Jacksboro Animal Shelter is seeking volunteers to help fulfill a vision.

Since its organization nearly a decade ago, the Friends have worked diligently to aid in the needs of the city’s animal shelter. One of the biggest needs is a new facility.

In 2018, that dream took its first step toward reality. The land located directly in front of the current facility on Highway 380 West became available and was eventually deeded to the city for the express purpose of building a new shelter.

Grass fires burn about 600 acres

Two fires burned up around 600 acres around the county Sunday.

The largest fire was off of Martin Road and U.S. Highway 281 and was estimated at around 450 acres. Jack County Emergency Management Director Frank Hefner said the fire started when a hay swather hit a rock. The owner tried to put out what he could, but the wind took the flames and moved it quickly.

JMS working to improve accountability

After receiving a C for its accountability grade recently, Jacksboro Middle School officials presented a plan to help improve the school’s score.

One of the goals is providing high quality instruction for all students to get an ‘A’ on state standards while preparing students to achieve post-secondary goals. Goals for students on the STAAR tests will include 81% approaches grade level, 50% meets the level and 22% masters the level. 

Family fun at Fall Fest

Children and adults gathered at the Fall Festival at the Jack County Fair Barn Oct. 26.

The event was organized by STOMP, or Standing Together on Meth Prevention. The event was organized by Jack County STOMP director Linda Green-Bennett, who said she got the idea for the event from previous volunteer experience.

“We did an event like this in the past when I served on the Big Brothers Big Sisters board that was here,” Green-Bennett said. “That shut down several years ago so as director I just thought it would be a community event.”

Jacksboro FFA presents to Lions Club

Jacksboro High School FFA members spoke at the Lions Club meeting Oct. 23 to prepare themselves for their district meet.

The FFA students presented a pros-and-cons argument on in-vitro meat, or meat grown in a laboratory. Sophomore Carah Moore was one of the presenters and spoke in-depth about the process.

“It’s meat created in a science lab, Moore said. “Instead of using a feedlot or pasture organizations like Memphis Meats are trying to make a cruelty-free way of producing beef. They are trying to produce other kinds, but right now they are only able to produce beef.”

Black belt teaches self-defense class

The Jack County Sheriff’s Office and Jack County Wise Hope banded together to bring a martial arts legend to Jacksboro.

Bob Nuttall, 10th Degree Black Belt and owner of The Karate University in Weatherford, taught a women’s self-defense class at the Swan Wellness Center on Oct. 22. Nuttall is one of a select group of 10th degree black belts in the world, which include names like American Karate inventor J. Pat Burleson and cinema icon Chuck Norris. 

Jacksboro Elementary looks to improve academically

Writer’s Note: This is the first of a three-part series to show how Jacksboro ISD schools are looking to improve this school year.

Jacksboro Elementary School, much like the two other schools in Jacksboro ISD, is looking to improve and described their goals during the October board meeting.

At Jacksboro Elementary, six goals for the 2019-2020 school year were provided. Using the Marzano High Reliability School and Arts and Science of Teaching model, the school wants to provide the most updated, rigorous practices and methods of instruction.

Bryson achieves superior FIRST rating

Bryson ISD announced its FIRST scores at their Oct. 21 school board meeting.

Bryson achieved a 96 on their FIRST rating, making them a superior school when it comes to their financial integrity.

Bryson Superintendent Greg London is in his first year at Bryson, but is proud of how his district performed.

“We exceeded the minimum requirements set forth by the state of Texas,” London said. “You need a 60 to pass and we scored a 96, which is a superior rating for financial integrity.”