News

A vaccine mandate for health workers was the topic of discussion for the Faith Community Hospital board during their Nov. 22 meeting.

FCH CEO Frank Beaman said the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) now have a rule for those who have not received their vaccines yet. All medical employees with two exceptions must have their initial vaccinations by Dec. 6 and their second vaccinations by Jan. 4, 2022.

The mandate includes all employees and volunteers. Beaman said it does not include vendors who come by weekly or radiologists or other telehealth workers.

A holiday tradition is coming to Jacksboro Thursday, Dec. 2.

Jacksboro’s Christmas Parade is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Entries are encouraged by all organizations, clubs, churches, businesses and citizens. The city Christmas tree which usually is near the Jack County Courthouse will also be lit at around the same time.

PERRIN – To aid in hiring more substitute teachers during the current shortage, Perrin-Whitt Consolidated Independent School District’s board of trustees voted to increase substitute pay during its latest regular meeting, Thursday, Nov. 11.

PWCISD Superintendent Cliff Gilmore said the district modeled its changes after what Jacksboro ISD was offering its substitutes. For non-certified substitutes, the daily pay rate went from $60 to $80, and for certified teachers, the rate went from $65 to $90 per day.

By the time students reach their senior year in high school, the Class of 2022 probably felt like they know it all.

Not by a long shot.

Studies have shown that seniors may know about the three R’s, reading, writing, and arithmetic, but show very little knowledge in those life skills like changing a tire, proper etiquette, or first aid/CPR.

Students at Jacksboro High School learned a few things about the outside world during Senior Day, held Tuesday, Nov. 16.

Thirteen competitors took part in the annual Jacksboro Chamber of Commerce ChiliFest and Classic Car Show Saturday, Nov. 13 on the Jacksboro square. The ChiliFest Grand Champion team was South Side Senate and included Stephen James, Yancey Laake and Ethan Daniels; the Second Place team was Backroad Chili and included Karen Umpress and Michael Beck; the Third Place team included Brody Rocky and Kyle Myers; and the Faith Community Health Systems team won the People’s Choice award. Chili competitor Cathy Amburn frying some meat for her chili.

A Fort Worth district manager for a valuation consulting firm gave an overview of tax abatements on wind farms to Jack County Commissioners during the Monday, Nov. 8 meeting.

A Jacksboro parent voiced his support for the present state of the athletic department during the Jacksboro ISD meeting Monday, Nov. 8.

Greg Robinson said he was surprised and disheartened after hearing the community voice their displeasure of the coaches and department during the October board meeting. The meeting drew a full house in the board room interested in what was being said.

Robinson said he couldn’t ask for better role models to his kids and expressed fear that a “seed of doubt” about the department will spread like a cancer.

Turning 40 is a traumatic experience for many people. For Kelly Mower, it turned into an inspiration.

Mower, a Jacksboro ISD school board member, turned 40 years old earlier this year and admitted to himself he wanted to get back into shape. He had done a number of smaller races including a marathon and half marathon about six or seven years ago.

He had a friend who was preparing for an Ironman competition in Galveston and was following him and his workouts. Mower decided he wanted to try it and was put in contact with the man’s coach.

Tiffany Wallon has taken over as the Jacksboro Chamber of Commerce Executive Director following the unexpected departure of Sandy Peevey.

Peevey resigned after less than a month on the job. Wallon, a friend of Chamber board member Kim Veselka, explains how she got the position.

“I was working in the wedding business and had known Kim for 15 years,” Wallon said. “She asked me to come to a Chamber board meeting. I did and the decision was made.”

Voting in the November Constitutional Amendment Election ended last Tuesday throughout the state, with a total of 561 voters turning out in Jack County, or a 10.35% total turnout. The ballot had eight constitutional amendments, but no local ballot measures.

Early voting began Monday, Oct. 18, in the November Constitutional Amendment Election and ran through Friday, Oct. 29. Early voting was held at one location, with election day voting occurring Tuesday, Nov. 2, at four locations throughout the county.