News

As senior Aaron Booker finishes his chapter at Jacksboro High School, he’s looking forward to a new kind of adventure after being accepted into the University of Chicago on a full scholarship.

Booker was selected on early admission, choosing a school in a city he fell in love with from the very beginning, and after attending a three-week program on campus last summer, he decided he wanted to immerse himself somewhere completely new.

Unofficial election results are in as primary elections close in Jack County Tuesday, March 3, with totals for local candidates in contested races for Commissioner Precinct 2 and 271st Judicial District Judge.

The race for the commissioner’s seat in precinct 2 was contested as Commissioner Amy Salazar chose not to run for election after being appointed to her seat last year. In the running was Ronald Fitzgerald, who received 54.89% of the vote, along with Bob Ricks and Mandy Estes Horn.

The Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center has been working since 1997 to provide compassionate and comprehensive service to victims of violence in Wise County and surrounding communities. 

In 2007 the organization was expanded to include offices in Jacksboro, Bowie and Decatur. Today, more than 6,000 survivors are served every day by family violence and sexual assault programs in Texas.

As the city of Jacksboro looks to relocate its bulk water distribution station on south Main Street to county-owned property on FM 3344 near the Jack County Law Enforcement Center, the city and the county are negotiations to reach an agreement. 

Faith Community Hospital could soon see its fair share of $50 billion in federal funding allocated to rural communities nationwide meant to provide immediate relief to rural hospitals while allowing facilities to establish tools necessary to be successful in the long term.

As Easter approaches, the Oakwood Cemetery Association will begin its annual spring cleanup on Sunday, March 1.  

Oakwood Cemetery Association President Ted Lewis said it was always the association’s goal to have work completed at the historical cemetery in Jacksboro ahead of the annual holiday, this year falling on Sunday, April 5.

Families were asked to check on burial spaces to remove any misplaced or unsightly flowers, or any remaining Christmas or holiday arrangements. 

As early voting wraps up Friday ahead of the Tuesday, March 3 primary election, Jack County residents will select a new district judge and precinct 2 residents will select a new county commissioner to appear on the ballot for the November general election.

The Republican primary candidates drew no opposition from the Democratic Party and if any filing candidate received the majority of votes in their respective primary races, they would claim the party nomination and the seat in November.

It was an evening to remember as local businesses and community leaders came dressed to the nines for the prom at Jacksboro Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet and awards dinner.

The event, held in the Burkett Event Center on Friday, Feb. 20, was a time to look back at moves made by the chamber to promote local businesses and business owners while honoring those who committed themselves to the betterment of Jacksboro.

The Jacksboro Education Foundation continues its support of students and faculty at Jacksboro ISD, handing out its largest grant to date for high school students in dual credit courses.

Led through the halls by Jacksboro High School cheerleaders, foundation members showed up in force to deliver the grant.

Collegiate Prep Advisor Hillary Deffebach and her class of sophomores accepted the grant Tuesday, Feb. 17 for $6,000 for a professional communications course through McMurray University in Abilene.

Jack County commissioners updated the county’s public information request policy, agreeing to license information tracking software and establish a public information officer to facilitate those requests.

Jack County Judge Keith Umphress said he presented the software to the court two years ago but it had yet to gain any traction amongst commissioners. 

Now, as the county offices were inundated with public information requests, officials were ready to give the tracking software another look.