News

The Texas Department of State Health Services will hold a free immunization clinic in Jacksboro later this month, offering routine immunizations for children and adults.

The clinic is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22 at Live Oak Baptist Church, located at 1014 Wichita Ave.

Immunization schedules for children and adults, as well as a list of recommended vaccinations is available on the Texas DSHS website at dshs.texas.gov.

Jacksboro ISD school board trustees took pause last month before certifying instructional materials for the 2026-27 school year, asking for more time to garner feedback from teachers and other districts using Bluebonnet Learning.

The Texas Education Code requires school systems to certify to the state annually that students have access to instructional materials covering Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for all required subjects.

As the Jacksboro Education Foundation winds down its founding donor campaign, the organization invites the community to take part in something that will impact JISD students for generations to come.

Now with less than 30 days remaining, the foundation launched on Wednesday, April 8 its “Final 30” campaign, making an intentional push to rally support and celebrate JEF’s impact throughout the school year.

A new housing subdivision is in the works for northeastern Jack County after plans for development were approved by county commissioners.

The development of Stone Oak Preserve subdivision in Precinct 1 approved by commissioners Monday, March 23 sits on a 268-acre tract of land with 68 lots on FM 2127, about three miles east of Newport. Lots were parceled at approximately three acres apiece.

Jack County Judge Keith Umphress said required paperwork was in order, including engineering reports, surveys of the land and a groundwater availability study.

The city of Jacksboro is looking into a citywide emergency notification system, adding another layer of communication between the city and its residents to enhance safety and security.

Jacksboro City Manager Mike Smith said Monday, March 23 he had previously asked staff members to find alternative ways to provide notices to the public, whether through text or by phone call or email.

“That could be for any emergency issue…we can use it for a number of different categories,” Smith said. “I think this is a good opportunity and a good way for us to notify our residents.”

The city of Bryson saw an increase in sales tax returns in March made in January by businesses that report tax monthly while the city of Jacksboro saw a decrease in sales tax returns for the month.

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced Wednesday, March 11 he would send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose districts $1.1 billion in local sales tax allocations for March—a 2.1% increase from March 2025 allocations.

Voters in the city of Jacksboro and Jacksboro ISD will soon have their say 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. 

With a new state mandate coming down regarding three-point seat belts in all school buses, Jacksboro ISD school board members will soon be tasked with whether to replace the district’s fleet with new buses or retrofit its current units to comply with the law.

Senate Bill 693, passed in 2017, made state law that all school bus models 2018 and newer must be equipped with three-point seat belts—one for each passenger, including the driver.

The Jacksboro City Council awarded a bid to clear brush and trees from a two-acre tract of land in preparation for the relocation of the city’s bulk water distribution station.

The city received a total of 16 bids Thursday, Feb. 26 with estimates ranging from $5,500 up to $32,500, with differing methods of removal from burning the brush to mulching or hauling it away.

Council members directed city staff earlier this month to narrow down the number of bids to be considered to just three, giving preference to bids from local contractors.

The Jack County Appraisal District is close to the number of votes it needs to finance the purchase of a new office building.

The JCAD Board of Directors met in late February to adopt a resolution authorizing the board chairman and chief appraiser to acquire property at 203 S. Church St. in Jacksboro for a cost not to exceed $500,000. The cost included the purchase of the building valued at $345,000 along with any remodeling work necessary to create functional office space for the district.