News

Jenell May becomes a member of the seven-day weekend club as she retires after 42 years of working for the hospital in Jack County.

Coworkers and friends at Faith Community Hospital in Jacksboro celebrated May’s retirement on Wednesday, Dec. 31 with cake, sparkling grape juice and plenty of well-wishes.

FCH CEO Frank Beaman toasted to May’s retirement, thanking her for her years of work for the hospital. He said it was unusual for an individual to work so many years for the same healthcare organization.

The city of Jacksboro could reconsider its one-way street footprint near the middle school and Gladys Johnson Ritchie Public Library, making accommodations for a more convenient entrance into the library’s parking lot.

In July the city sent a letter to residents near Jacksboro Middle School, asking for their opinions to make 4th and 6th streets one-way streets to relieve morning and after school traffic congestion.

It’s showtime at the fair grounds in Jacksboro as the Jack County Fair Association gears up for the annual county youth fair where kids and teens exhibit their knowledge and skills with livestock, Ag mechanics projects and arts and crafts.

The Jack County Youth Fair kicks off Tuesday, Jan. 6 and runs through Saturday, Jan. 10 at the county fair grounds at Lake Jacksboro.

The arts and crafts fair opens things up starting at 4 p.m. Tuesday with entries including collections, creative hobbies, art and photography to be judged after the doors close at 6 p.m.

Jack County commissioners approved a joint resolution for the Tuesday, March 3 primary elections where locally, voters will select a new district judge and precinct 2 voters will choose their next commissioner.

With several county seats up for election this cycle, only the race for precinct 2 commissioner was contested after current commissioner Amy Salazar decided not to run for election. Salazar was appointed to fill the remainder of the term for her husband, Kenny Salazar, who passed away in early 2025.

Stepping into the new year, Jacksboro Herald-Gazette is taking a look back at local news over the last 12 months.

The series’ second installment includes top stories from May, June, July and August 2025.

Counting down the days to kick off the new year, Jacksboro Herald-Gazette is taking a look back at local news over the last 12 months.

The series’ first installment includes top stories from January, February, March and April 2025.

The city of Jacksboro could reconsider its one-way street footprint near the middle school and Gladys Johnson Ritchie Public Library, making accommodations for a more convenient entrance into the library’s parking lot.

In July the city sent a letter to residents near Jacksboro Middle School, asking for their opinions to make 4th and 6th streets one-way streets to relieve morning and after school traffic congestion.

High school seniors have the opportunity to win up to $4,000 in prize money as the Sons of the Republic of Texas announce the opening of the 2025-2026 Texas History Essay Contest.

The essay contest is open to all graduating high school seniors, including home-schooled students. Awards will be presented to the winners at the annual San Jacinto Day observance on April 21, 2026, traditionally held on the steps of the San Jacinto Monument. Prizes include $4,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place and $2,000 for third place.

The middle school auditorium was filled with sounds of the season as the Jacksboro High School concert and jazz bands regaled the community with fun renditions of favorite Christmas classics in the band’s annual Christmas concert.

The jazz band, led by assistant band director Marissa Mikel, opened up the evening Thursday, Dec. 18 with “Hot Chocolate” before moving into more traditional titles of “Silent Night” and “The First Noel.” 

The Gladys Johnson Ritchie Public Library in Jacksboro is seeking additional funding from the city, saying its unique position as an entity of the city justified more financial support.

This comes as the city council approved a plan to create a committee to review financial contribution requests from nonprofit organizations ahead of budget season each year.