News

The city of Jacksboro established a community services grant program and review board, a decision meant to streamline the review of requests for funds from nonprofit organizations ahead of budget season each year.

“As we’re preparing for the budget every year, the council can decide they want to set aside ‘X’ amount of dollars for nonprofits, and then nonprofits can come in based on this program to apply for funds from the city,” City Manager Mike Smith said. “This would all happen prior to council actually approving the budget.”

Jacksboro Garden Club will honor veterans and first responders ahead of Christmastime, placing wreaths at Jack County Memorial Park as part of the nationwide program Wreaths Across America.

Wreaths Across America is a non-profit organization that coordinates ceremonies in more than 4,500 locations across the country, including Arlington National Cemetery, where wreaths are laid at the graves of veterans, ensuring their sacrifices have not been forgotten.

Jacksboro Elementary School students explored Wonderbooks firsthand this week—the library’s newest tool to help students develop literacy skills like vocabulary and reading comprehension.

JES library paraprofessional Becky Burks purchased Wonderbooks for her library earlier this year after receiving a $500 classroom grant from the Jacksboro Education Foundation, as well as a $200 grant from the Region 9 Education Service Center.

The Jack County Sheriff’s Office announced Saturday, Dec. 6 the conclusion of its undercover narcotics investigation operation, Take Back Jacksboro, resulting in 31 defendants facing a combined 54 felony charges connected to illegal drug activity.

With the Area IV Leadership Development Events competition in the books, many FFA students representing schools in Jack County headed to state competition in Huntsville this week, proof that hard work and dedication pay off.

FFA LDE is a program designed to develop leadership, communication and job-related skills in public speaking. Events focus on parliamentary procedure and agricultural advocacy, preparing students for careers in agriculture.

Jacksboro ISD dedicated the Burkett Event Center inside the district’s newly constructed career and technology education building, honoring longtime Ag teacher and FFA advisor Joe Ray Burkett.

“We’ve been looking forward to this for many months,” JISD Superintendent Brad Burnett said. “This multi-purpose room will benefit not only the students and staff of Jacksboro ISD, but the community as well. We’re extremely honored to have this facility named in [Burkett’s] honor.”

Graham Police Department will be providing field training for Jacksboro Police Department officers in an effort to help train and certify the department rebuilding its force.

The Graham City Council approved an interlocal agreement Thursday, Nov. 20 between the city of Graham and city of Jacksboro to assist in providing fully trained and certified police officers for JPD.

It’s down to the wire for candidates to file for a place on the ballot in the March primary election, with several seats in Jack County up for grabs. The filing period ends at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8.

Jack County Judge Keith Umphress announced his intent to run for reelection last month and has since filed for the lone place so far on the Republican ticket. 

Bryson ISD is looking towards the future, considering how best to use property tax revenue generated through a Chapter 313 agreement between the school district and Hecate Energy Longhorn Solar LLC.

A Chapter 313 agreement is a tax break given to companies, encouraging them to build or expand facilities like power plants, manufacturing plants or data centers in Texas. Local school districts agree to limit how much the company pays in property taxes for a period of up to 10 years.