Parker County Judge Pat Deen signed an emergency order declaring hazardous fire conditions across all unincorporated areas of Parker County effective Aug. 11. The order institutes a strict burn ban to protect public safety due to critical wildfire conditions.

The order will remain in effect for seven days from the date of signing. The Parker County Commissioners Court could issue a new burn ban if conditions persist.

PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES

Under the provisions of the emergency order, the following actions are strictly prohibited in all unincorporated areas of Parker County:

• Outdoor burning: Burning any combustible material outside an enclosure that fully contains all flames and sparks or ordering others to conduct such burning.
• Outdoor welding: Conducting outside welding/cutting/grinding without meeting designated safety protocols.

Violations of this order constitute a Class C misdemeanor, enforceable by any duly commissioned peace officer, with prosecution held in the Parker County Justice of the Peace Court. Additionally, injunctive relief may be pursued to prevent violations or threatened violations.

EXCEPTIONS & MANDATORY SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

• Welding: Outdoor welding/cutting/grinding is permitted only if a positive water source is available on site and a designated individual is present to provide a continuous fire watch during activities. These activities are not allowed on Red Flag Warning Days.
• Authorized burns: The order does not apply to outdoor burning related to public health and safety authorized by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and conducted by a certified prescribed burn manager (under Sections 153.047 and 153.048 of the Natural Resources Code) for firefighter training, public utility/natural gas/mining operations, or agricultural crop harvesting.

MANDATORY BURN NOTIFICATION

Prior to conducting any allowable outdoor burning activity, individuals must notify Parker County Fire Alarm with the burn type, location, and scheduled time by calling 682-229-2062.

ENFORCEMENT PROTOCOL

Local fire departments will respond immediately to extinguish suspected unauthorized outdoor fires. The Parker County Fire Marshal or a commissioned peace officer will investigate reported incidents. At the investigating officer's discretion, formal warnings may be logged in the dispatcher's system for first instances, or immediate citations may be issued.

Both grew up in Mineral Wells and later became college sweethearts before marrying Aug. 13, 1976. They made their home in Springtown, where they built a life centered around faith, family and their community.

Together, they have been blessed with three married children and four cherished grandchildren, who continue to bring them immense joy and pride.

Their patience, devotion and enduring commitment to each other have been an inspiration for many. Their marriage has been an example of God’s love and grace.

May God continue to guide them, strengthen their bond, and fill their hearts with joy as they celebrate this incredible milestone. Here’s to many more years of love and laughter!

In a joint announcement last week, Space X and Tesla unveiled an initial $16.8 billion investment in a plant called Terafab. It is expected to employ at least 3,000 people. Many of those jobs are expected to go to residents of Grimes and neighboring Brazos counties.

“We’re now embarking on the most epic chip-building effort,” Musk, CEO of both companies, said in a statement. “The Terafab is bringing cutting-edge manufacturing to America, creating thousands of high-paying jobs in the Lone Star State and enabling us to produce AI chips at scale for use on Earth and in space.”

Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed last week that the project is receiving a $30 million Texas Enterprise Fund grant from the state. Grimes County has previously approved a property tax waiver in exchange for annual payments of $20 million.

The plant would eventually span 100 million square feet.

STATE FAIR OF TEXAS’ GUN BAN UPHELD BY APPEALS COURT

A Texas appeals court upheld a handgun ban at the State Fair of Texas, rejecting the state’s claim that the city of Dallas unlawfully allowed a private operator to prohibit guns on city-owned property, according to The Dallas Morning News.

The 15th Court of Appeals affirmed a Dallas County judge’s dismissal of a case originally filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and three gun owners. It rejected the state’s argument that the restriction on cities banning guns doesn’t automatically apply to private tenants operating on public property. The ban will remain in place unless the Texas Supreme Court intervenes.

“The decision to prohibit firearms on the fairgrounds is the correct decision to protect the safety of our patrons," Karissa Condoianis, a State Fair of Texas spokesperson, said. This will be the third year the ban will be in place.

TALARICO VOTED USING PARENTS’ ADDRESS, REPORT SAYS

Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico voted in five elections using his parents’ address after buying a nearby home for himself, according to The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, a practice that may have violated state voting laws. The revelation comes weeks after Talarico accused Paxton, his GOP opponent, of voting from his estranged wife’s address despite not having lived there for two years.

Talarico has taken advantage of a state law that allows some public officials to redact personal information, such as home addresses. The news organizations pieced together the information from unredacted records provided by the Talarico campaign.

Texas law requires that residents register to vote where they live. The Talarico campaign declined to answer questions about his residency and voting history, saying “right-wing actors” have made threats about trying to locate the candidate and his family.

Talarico’s house is in the same county as his parents’ home. Both residences are located in the same state House district he represents, but in different jurisdictions for some local elections, according to The Tribune.

WILDFIRE DANGER INCREASING AS CONDITIONS TURN DRY

August is typically the peak month for wildfires in Texas. The Texas A&M Forest Service expects wildfire potential to increase due to dry vegetation, particularly in the Panhandle and North Texas.

The state is deploying numerous wildfire response resources as a result, including the state’s mutual aid system and assistance from a number of state agencies.

There were two active wildfires as of Sunday. The 200-acre Round Up fire west of Amarillo was zero percent contained at that time.

The service recently acquired three multi-mission aircraft, adding to its first dedicated, state-managed wildfire aviation fleet. It previously had acquired two wildfire suppression helicopters.

“Every wildfire is different, which is why a diverse aviation fleet is so important,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief Jared Karns. “Having multiple aircraft types available, including multi-mission aircraft platforms that can serve a variety of roles, allows us to respond effectively to the unique demands of each incident.”

SALMONELLA CASES LINKED TO JALAPEÑOS

The popular jalapeño pepper has been linked to 345 cases of salmonella illness in 27 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The San Antonio Express-News reported three cases in Texas, stemming from peppers imported from Sinaloa, Mexico.

No deaths have been reported nationwide, but 36 people have been hospitalized, according to the CDC. Nearly all the cases were reported by people after eating at a Mexican-style chain restaurant.

Two affected chains, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba, said they had taken steps to remove potentially contaminated peppers.

TALARICO UNVEILS HIS ‘AFFORDABILITY AGENDA’

Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico last week unveiled an "affordability agenda" that would help Texans buy homes, cancel medical debt, raise the minimum wage and expand the child tax credit, according to The News.

“The top 1% put the American Dream behind a paywall,” Talarico told about 1,300 people at an Arlington rally. “For too many of our neighbors, for too many Texans, the American Dream has become an American Nightmare.”

Talarico also touted the endorsements of former Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, a Republican, and Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, a self-described independent.

“He’s the most corrupt politician that Texas has ever seen,” Whitley said of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee.

Paxton has faced numerous ethical and legal challenges during his time in office. He has denied wrongdoing and was acquitted by the Texas Senate in his impeachment trial.

At the Arlington rally, Talarico blamed both parties for economic policies that he said benefit the wealthy at the expense of working families.

“Republicans and some Democrats sold the false Gospel of trickle-down economics,” he said. “Trickle-down economics isn’t a theory. It’s a theft.”

DISTRACTED DRIVING PUTS SCHOOL CHILDREN AT RISK

As the school year begins, the Texas Department of Transportation is urging drivers to pay special attention in school zones. More than 3,200 traffic crashes in school zones involved school buses last year. Distracted driving and speeding were the most common contributing factors in these crashes.

“School zones can be chaotic places, with people in a rush and children not always watching for cars while they hop on and off buses or in and out of cars. Drivers can become impatient or distracted, which leads to mistakes,” TxDOT said in a news release.

In the stack were photos of my favorite golden-era luchador, Mil Mascaras, or the Man of a Thousand Masks, and Texas legend Fritz Von Erich, who I’ve heard countless locals tell me about through stories of iconic matches his family had at the Dallas Sportatorium.

Holding those two photos in my hand took me back to a cold winter day in 1997, when my dad took me and my brother to the legendary Sportatorium.

I remember that day started with me faking a cold so I could avoid going to school because I did not like my second-grade teacher very much.

That’s for another column.

I had pulled the old “cough” routine many times that year to avoid school, so when my dad came home from work that afternoon and yelled my name throughout the house, I thought the excuse finally struck a nerve.

I met him in the hallway — a final standoff.

To my surprise, he had a wide grin and told me the exciting news he had heard on the radio while driving home.

“Mil Mascaras is in town! Mexico vs. USA for the final wrestling match at the Dallas Sportatorium! Get dressed!” he said.

“But … I’m sick,” I responded, followed by a cheap cough because I thought this was a trap.

My dad’s eyes bulged from behind his glasses; he raised his hands like a wrestler ready to lock up with an opponent.

“Mil Mascaras! Dallas Sportatorium! Once in a lifetime!”

I knew he was serious, and as I got dressed, I overheard him hyping up the event on the phone to my uncle Angel.

“Mil Mascaras! Let’s go, homeboy!”

I cannot speak to how the area was back in its heyday, but when we got to the historic event center, it was pretty sketchy.

There was no pavement in the parking lot, just dirt and shards of broken beer bottles.

The only lights outside came from the lamps attached to the beat-down building that was the Dallas Sportatorium.

On the walls before the door entry were posters for that night’s wrestling event.

My uncle looked both ways before quickly snatching one.

“Make sure you get Mil Mascaras’ autograph, punk,” he said as he handed me the poster.

The building was practically empty.

We were met with the sound of water falling from dripping pipes, squeaky rats, sticky floors and the stench of decades-old nachos and popcorn.

I was excited.

We got front-row seats, as did the 10 other people who came out to see this “once in a lifetime” event.

The hype began to fade with each passing minute of the hour as the DJ played Queen’s “We Will Rock You” for what felt like the 15th time.

I remember my uncle went to the front office to check on what the holdup was and he came back with news of wrestlers cancelling their appearances.

To keep us occupied, my dad and uncle told my brother and me to stand outside the locker room to catch autographs from all the wrestlers.

One by one, the wrestlers started coming in.

About eight of them.

Not exactly the stacked roster the radio and poster promised.

Looking back, it must have been depressing for those wrestlers to walk into a dingy Dallas Sportatorium and only be met by two kids asking for autographs.

In Mexican pop culture, luchadores are like Marvel superheroes.

That was the only time I ever saw Mil Mascaras. Seeing him in person was an amazing experience.

I got his autograph and ran back to my seat to show my uncle the mission was accomplished.

The event was probably a chore for all the wrestlers, but it was pure excitement for the crowd of 10.

If it weren’t for YouTube, the only thing I would have to remember about the event would be the autographed poster that still hangs in my childhood room at my parents’ house.

I was ecstatically surprised one night when I found a four-minute video of the final match.

The video is blurry, but I recognize my young, chubby self in my green and gray Old Navy sweater chanting for Mil Mascaras.

The best thing about that video is that it captures the voice of my uncle, who is no longer with us.

Every now and then, I watch it just to hear his voice.

A once-in-a-lifetime event caught on film.

Mental health event slated Aug. 15

Safe Harbor Counseling will host its Hands Up for Mental Health Community Event from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at First United Methodist Church, 109 W. Third St.

The free event will include food trucks, family activities, mental health discussions, and community resources. All ages are welcome.

For more information or to RSVP, call 817-441-9345 or visit SafeHarborCounseling.org.

Mobile Health Exams set Aug. 15

Texas Health’s Wellness for Life Mobile Health Unit will offer mammogram screenings, well-woman exams and take-home colon cancer test kits from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at First United Methodist Church, 109 W. Third St.

Appointments can be made by calling 1-855-318-7696 from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Attendees should bring an insurance card and a driver license or state-issued ID. Fully funded screenings are available for qualifying women without insurance.

Library hosts adult craft event Aug. 18

Springtown Public Library will host its Stay Crafty adult craft night Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 6 p.m. at the Springtown Courthouse Annex, 200 N. Main St.

 The monthly program features a different craft each session, with all supplies provided. Adults are invited to attend an evening of creativity and fellowship.

Museum hosts STEM fossil casting Aug. 28

The Springtown Legends Museum, 839 N. Main St., will host a STEM fossil casting activity from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28 for children ages 3-12.

For more information, contact ahedges@cityofspringtown.com.

Adult game night begins Sept. 1

The Springtown Public Library and Springtown Legends Museum will host monthly adult game nights from 6-7 p.m. starting Tuesday, Sept. 1 at the Annex Building, 200 N. Main St.

The event will feature a different game each month, including trivia, board and party games. The games will be held the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.

SBA storm loan deadline Sept. 4

The deadline to apply for storm relief through the Small Business Administration has been extended to Sept. 4 for Springtown homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the April 25 storms.

To begin the application process, visit the SBA disaster assistance portal at sba.gov/disaster.

For more information, call the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

• Allexis Lynn Slane, 23, of Azle was arrested Monday, July 20 by Parker County Sheriff’s deputies and charged with assaulting a peace officer or judge, resisting arrest, search or transport, a warrant for evading arrest or detention and criminal trespass. Slane posted $7,500 bond for the assault charge, two separate $2,500 bonds for the resisting and evading arrest charges and $1,000 for the criminal trespass charge. She was released from the Parker County jail on the same day.
• Samantha Nicole Oliveira, 19, of Springtown was arrested Monday, Aug. 3 by Parker County Sheriff’s deputies and charged with possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 2, 400 grams or more. Oliveira is also charged with evading arrest and driving while intoxicated. She posted $15,000 bond for the possession charge, $10,000 bond for the evading arrest charge and $1,500 bond for the DWI charge. She was released from the Parker County jail Saturday, Aug. 8.
• Jennifer Dawn Yuschock, 44, of Springtown was arrested Tuesday, Aug. 4 by Reno police and charged with possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 1-B, 4 grams or more. Her bond is set at $15,000 and she remains in the Parker County jail as of Monday, Aug. 10.
• Jade Raeann Stoker, 25, of Springtown was arrested Thursday, Aug. 6 by Reno police and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She posted $50,000 bond and was released from jail the same day.
• Brooke Tylynn Baloga, 32, of Weatherford was arrested July 6 for a warrant for manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance in penalty group 1, 4-200 grams. She posted a $25,000 bond and was released from jail the same day.
• Kay Lee Chaffin, 29, of Azle, was arrested July 7 for a warrant for burglary of a habitation. She posted $25,000 bond and was released from jail July 8.

Springtown traveled to Azle Aug. 7 to scrimmage Azle, Lake Worth and Tolar. The early-season competition allowed the Lady Porcupines to see how different rotations and combinations worked against outside competition.

The Lady Porcupines were back in action the next day, traveling to Aubrey Aug. 8 for another round of scrimmages.

The back-to-back scrimmages gave the Lady Porcupines valuable court time before the matches begin to count. With the scrimmages behind them, the Lady Porcupines will quickly turn their attention to tournament play.

Springtown travels to Round Rock for its first tournament of the season Aug. 11-13. The three-day event will give the Lady Porcupines their first extended stretch of regular season competition.

There won’t be much time for the team to ease into the new season. With two scrimmages followed quickly by tournament action, the Lady Porcupines begin the year with a fast-paced schedule.

The season is underway, and for Springtown, the opening stretch promises to be fast and furious.

The course has quickly developed a reputation as a difficult one, with hills and sandy terrain creating an early-season challenge for runners.

SHS state qualifier Madelyn Walker did not let the conditions stand in her way, placing first in her division.

The meet gave the Porcupines an early-season warm-up and a chance to run a challenging course while continuing to build conditioning for the weeks ahead.

Springtown will now have a break from competition before returning to the course later this month. The Porcupines will use the time between meets to continue training and preparing for the next stage of their schedule.

Springtown returns to action Aug. 21 when the Porcupines travel to Carrollton for the Hawk Invitational.

The meet will feature a two-mile race and give Springtown another opportunity to measure its progress as the cross-country season begins to pick up pace.

The University Interscholastic League uses National Collegiate Athletic Association football playing rules with certain UIL exceptions, meaning changes adopted at the college level can also affect Texas high school teams.

One of the most noticeable changes this season involves offensive pass interference. The penalty will now be 10 yards instead of 15.

The change could have an impact in passing situations, particularly on long down-and-distance plays where a 15-yard penalty previously created a larger setback for an offense.

Another new rule gives teams an unusual option following a fair catch.

After making a fair catch of an opponent's punt or free kick, the receiving team may elect to attempt a fair catch kick from the spot of the catch, or the succeeding spot following a penalty. If the fair catch occurs as time expires in a half, the team may attempt the kick on an untimed down.

UIL rules allow the holder to place the ball on a tee for the attempt. The tee may not elevate the ball's lowest point more than 2 inches above the ground.

The rule could create an interesting late-game or end-of-half strategy if a team makes a fair catch within kicking range.

Officials will also have updated guidance when enforcing unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

Taunting directed at opponents and abusive, threatening or demeaning actions remain subject to penalties. Examples identified in the updated rule include gun-related conduct, throat-slashing and nose-wipe gestures, improper removal of a helmet after the ball is dead and certain dead-ball contact.

UIL also clarified procedures for suspended nondistrict games. Schools are expected to make a good-faith effort to resume games stopped because of weather or other conditions, preferably the next calendar day.

If a nondistrict game does not reach halftime and cannot be continued, it will be declared a no contest. A nondistrict varsity game in which the third quarter has begun is considered an official contest. If the schools make a good-faith effort to complete the game but cannot finish it, the score at the time of suspension can become the final score under UIL procedures.

Another important change involves heat safety.

Beginning Aug. 1, UIL heat-stress procedures moved from recommended guidelines to required standards for member schools. The requirements affect football practices and other outdoor athletic activities and include mandatory monitoring of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature conditions.

The changes give players, coaches, officials and fans several new rules and procedures to become familiar with as the 2026 Texas high school football season gets underway.

For more information about the rule changes, visit uiltexas.org.

Expectations are high after another successful season, and Springtown enters the fall with statewide recognition. Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine ranked the Porcupines No. 3 in Class 4A Division I behind Stephenville and Lindale.

Springtown will rely on experience at several key positions, beginning with senior quarterback Kaine Hill. Hill returns to lead the offense and gives the Porcupines an experienced presence behind center as they face a challenging schedule.

Defensively, Springtown will lean heavily on linebacker Rome Ewell, who returns as one of the leaders of the Porcupines’ defense.

District play will look different this season following UIL realignment.

Springtown’s new district includes Alvarado, Godley and Lake Dallas, along with longtime rival Decatur. The changes should provide the Porcupines with a more competitive district schedule than they faced in 2025.

The addition of several established programs means Springtown will have little room for error once district play begins. The Porcupines will have to navigate a schedule that combines familiar opponents with new district challenges as they compete for another postseason berth.

Before the games begin to count, Springtown will play two preseason scrimmages.

The Porcupines travel to face Arlington Heights for their first scrimmage Aug. 13. They return home Aug. 20 for a second scrimmage against Wichita Falls Memorial.

The two preseason tests will give the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate personnel, establish rotations and make adjustments before the regular season begins.

Springtown High School football opens the regular season at home Aug. 28 against perennial power Brock at Porcupine Stadium.

With a veteran quarterback, an experienced defensive leader and a No. 3 preseason ranking, the Porcupines enter the 2026 season with plenty of expectations. A tougher district and demanding early schedule should provide an immediate test as the Pines work to build on the program’s recent success.

“My name is Abigail Carr and I’m a senior.”

How long have you been in the band?

“I’ve been in band since the sixth grade. I play the saxophone and I’m a drum major.”

Do you have any pets?

“Yes, I have my cat and he’s my baby. His name is Apple Cider. I also have a dog named River.”

Do you have a shout out to anyone?

“Yes, to my fellow band members and drum majors.”

What is your favorite class in school?

“My favorite classes in school have been math classes.”

Is there one moment in band you’ll never forget?

“Yes, the moment when we were at area and we heard that we were going to state. Such a cool moment.”

LeBron or Michael?

“Michael B. Jordan? I don’t really know sports.”

What has being in the band taught you about life?

“Being in the band has taught me not to take advantage of everything, so take your time with it and always have fun.”

What does life after high school look like?

“I want to go to college, don’t know where yet. I think I want to be in real estate.”

What advice would you give younger athletes?

“Make your years last. I was very shy to meet everyone and wish I would have met people sooner because it’s actually a lot of fun.”

Representatives from 7-Eleven joined Reno Mayor Hector Bas and members of the Reno City Council for the ceremony.

Reno has relatively few retail businesses compared with surrounding communities, and city officials hope the new convenience store will help spur additional development along the State Highway 199 corridor.

Bas also announced that McCoy’s Building Supply has contracted to build on property immediately west of the new 7-Eleven site.

“We’re looking forward to being able to make things a little brighter for the city of Reno,” Bas said. “It’s like we are turning a corner to a new beginning of what Reno can be.”

The addition of McCoy’s would give the city another retail business and further expand development in the area surrounding the new 7-Eleven.

Construction of the 7-Eleven is expected to be completed later this year, with the store projected to open in late fall.

According to the reward notice posted to Facebook by Operation Game Thief and Texas Game Wardens, at least three alligators have been shot at the nature center between May and July. One of the alligators survived, but the other two died and their carcasses were abandoned left to waste.

At least one of the alligators was shot with a crossbow bolt.

Please call, text, browse or use the Operation Game Thief app to report an information you may have about these incidents:

• Text 847411 with keyword “TXOGT” followed by your tip.
• Report online at tpwd.texas.gov/warden/connect/ogt
• IOS app: apps.apple.com/us/app/texas-ogt/id6747773233
• Android app: play.google.com/store/apps/details
• Call 1-800-792-GAME (4263)

The event is intended to give individuals an opportunity to learn about the squadron’s cadet and adult programs before its next cohort, which begins Sept. 1. Visitors will move through stations covering aerospace education, emergency services, communications, safety and more.

Attendees are not required to join that evening.

Capt. Ronda Kilian, public affairs officer for the Azle Composite Squadron, said the volunteer-based organization works alongside the United States Air Force to help locate missing people and downed aircraft, and assess damage following natural disasters using technology such as drones and geographic information systems.

These technological skills are among the many abilities cadets can develop through the Civil Air Patrol cadet program.

“Our cadet program is one of the highlights that we have,” Kilian said. “It’s teaching our next generation some very important values and leadership skills.”

Kilian said cadets start by learning how to wear their uniforms, follow directions, teamwork and the basics of Civil Air Patrol. She emphasized that the program welcomes youth as young as 12, regardless of prior experience.

“They come in and they know nothing,” she said. “Pretty soon they learn a little bit more and then they take those skills and apply it to different areas within the squadron. Once they have mastered some of those skills, they start teaching them. They pour back into others.”

Kilian noted the Civil Air Patrol is an excellent opportunity for career exploration and is not designed to recruit young people into the armed forces.

“Some of our cadets may want to go into an emergency medical technician role, paramedic or firefighter,” she said.

“We also have a program that’s called CyberPatriot, where we introduce cybersecurity concepts and STEM-related subjects. A lot of our emphasis is, what are they wanting to do with their life? We give them opportunities to do career exploration.”

As a volunteer for nearly seven years, Kilian said her “paycheck” is witnessing how the program transforms young people. She recalled a young cadet who initially struggled to sit still and focus.

Nine months later, she was surprised to see a different level of confidence and maturity demonstrated by the cadet.

“He was so articulate in all of his answers. His uniform was impeccable,” she said. “I was like, ‘Whoa!’ It made such a difference for him.”

Kilian credited much of that growth to the squadron’s structured program and adult mentors, who guide new members through the program.

“We have some real quality adult members that come from all walks of life,” she said.

“We are very protective of our cadets. There’s a very regimented screening process to get quality adults — people who have life experiences and can pour back into others. Some have made a career in the military; some have never been in the military. Everybody has something to offer.”

Although Azle is in the squadron’s name, Kilian said the squadron serves a much larger area. Members come from Azle, Springtown, Weatherford, Decatur, Fort Worth and other surrounding communities.

Kilian said adults are also welcome to attend the open house to learn about joining the squadron’s adult program.

“Come see what we’re about,” Kilian said. “Anybody that wants to give back to their community and invest in the leaders of tomorrow — that’s what we need.”

The Springtown High School marching band and choir opened the ceremony, bringing high energy to the event. Hilltop Family Church Pastor Brent Coplen followed the band and choir’s performances with a prayer.

“God, I pray — from the classrooms to the hallways, football fields, courts, band hall — to every area that students are involved in our community — your Holy Spirit will be moving around in all of those areas here. Lift up each and every one of these awesome teachers. They’re trying to do their best to pour into the students here. There’s so much that goes on in that,” he said.

Springtown ISD board President Chris Gilley followed with a message of gratitude and encouragement, thanking employees for the work they do throughout the district.

“We believe in your professionalism, your passion and your commitment to our students,” Gilley said.

“We know the hours you invest often go unseen, and we know the work you do isn’t always easy. Thank you for your dedication, your heart and the difference you make in the lives of our students. On behalf of the board of trustees, we are proud to serve alongside you, and we can’t wait to see what this year holds.”

Guest speaker Donnie Campbell, a retired high school math teacher and basketball coach, shared lessons from his 40-year career in education. Campbell became the real-life inspiration behind the Emmy Award-winning television series “Ted Lasso” after he coached the show’s star, Jason Sudeikis, in high school basketball.

Naturally competitive, Campbell told educators his philosophy changed when he realized success was about more than winning games.

“Success was about developing my players to be the best version of themselves,” he said.

“You can’t change behavior until you connect with that student, with that player. It’s all about relationships; that’s so important. I realized when you create better people, you create winning teams.”

He also encouraged teachers to approach their work with enthusiasm, which he referred to as bringing the “juice.”

“Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm,” Campbell said.

“Bring the ‘juice’ every day. I told my kids, ‘I don’t know anything, but I do know this: I will bring the juice.’ So, come every day, juiced up. Bring that energy. Love what you do. You’re making a huge difference every day with kids.”

Superintendent Shane Strickland closed the convocation with words of wisdom from a devotional and encouraged all SISD staff to believe in “POJO Magic.”

“Wisdom invites us to grow beyond where we have been. We’re always looking to tomorrow,” he said. “In conclusion, I would like to say believe in POJO Magic. I truly believe in what we’re doing. Your role as educators is incredible. We don’t have to do it — we get to do it. We get to make an impact on the future of our society.”

Langston, who has been involved in Scouting America since first grade, said his natural love for animals inspired the project.

Over two days, Langston organized family, friends and fellow Scouts to staff donation tables at NRS Feed and Tractor Supply Co., collecting essential items for the shelter and raising $1,010 in monetary donations.

Holly Lowe, Langston’s Eagle Scout mentor, said completing the project at the age of 15 is a significant accomplishment.

“He knew he wanted to complete this Eagle project, and he’s getting it done sooner than most Scouts,” Lowe said. “Most Scouts wait until their 18th birthday, but not him.”

Lowe said she has enjoyed watching Langston grow and develop confidence over the years.

“For him to come out of his shell and watch him grow — it’s been amazing,” she said.

Bobby Lowe, Chartered Organization Representative, said Eagle Scout projects are designed to teach Scouts how to lead and manage a project from beginning to end.

“An Eagle project is a vital step in a Scout’s journey — they are responsible for their vision,” he said.

“They go find where they can help the community and lead the journey. They plan it, conduct it, find the help and the donation.”

Langston’s mother, Sabra, said she is very proud of her son.

“He’s accomplished a lot since he first started,” she said.

“Scouts has helped him talk to people — skills that he would have never known if he wasn’t in Scouts. Scouts helps in so many ways — it gets them ready to be an adult. It’s just been a lot for him.”

The couple earned environmental science degrees from the University of North Texas and have worked at native plant nurseries, landscaping companies, state parks, land restoration projects and the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge.

“It’s been a whole career of native plants — and ecology is really our main focus for sure,” Taylor Phillips said.

Taylor said he grew up hiking, camping and exploring outdoors. Although animals first captured his attention, he later became interested in plants and the role they play in supporting ecosystems.

“I always loved animals, as a lot of kids do,” he said.

“Plants were never really my thing until after my degree. I started becoming more interested in them as they are the base on which all of ecology is sort of built on. You can’t have these diverse animal communities without a really diverse plant community. I just became super fascinated with the diversity that Texas has.”

Emory Phillips said she also spent much of her childhood outside.

“I’ve always been interested in nature since I was a kid — being outside, catching frogs, lizards, bugs and all sorts of stuff,” she said. “I went to college and realized I love native prairies, and ever since then I’ve been obsessed with learning about plants.”

The couple’s shared passion influenced the search for a home in Springtown. Both said they were less concerned with a home’s cosmetic features and more interested in finding enough outdoor space to grow native plants.

“For the houses we looked at, it was more like, ‘What is the yard like? What is the area around us like? Are we getting close to nature?’” Taylor Phillips said.

“We wanted a house for the land,” Emory Phillips said. “We found our house and just fell in love with the lot. We immediately saw our dream garden.”

Since purchasing their home last October, the couple has worked to landscape their yard with native plants to preserve the natural Texas wildlife habitat.

“Texas is one of the coolest states that has a wide range of environments,” Taylor Phillips said. “Our local environment is so unique — it’s one of the rarest ecosystems on Earth, and it’s very endangered.”

The couple said many Texans may be unfamiliar with native gardening practices because many stores sell plants not suited to survive the Texas environment.

“I feel like there are generations that don’t even realize how this entire land was covered in vast, beautiful, gorgeous wildflowers,” Emory Phillips said.

“I feel we should be bringing pieces of that instead of exotic, foreign plants that require extra water and fertilizer and honestly don’t do as well in these conditions. I just want to do something — I want to preserve this.”

Taylor Phillips said they aim to use their yard to advocate for plants that have been here before humans settled the area.

“It’s like being an advocate for plants that are adapted to this climate — the amount of water they get and the soil type,” he said. “For example, people try to plant tropical plants in our limestone soils, and they just don’t do very well. If you were to use plants that are already adapted to handle the environment — you would do a lot better and put a lot less work in.”

As native plants became established in their yard, the couple noticed an increase in wildlife. They enjoy visits from deer, dragonflies, butterflies, fireflies, ladybugs and several types of bees that feed on the natural vegetation in their garden.

Emory Phillips described the experience as “bringing a national park home.”

“If everybody had a little bit of prairie in their yard, it would make a huge difference in our cohabitation with wildlife. People would get to experience nature at home,” she said.

Taylor Phillips emphasized that native landscaping is not the same as allowing a property to become neglected.

“We’re definitely not advocating for just letting your yard grow crazy,” he said. “We planted them all. We selected them all. It requires management and work.”

Taylor Phillips suggested using wildflower.org, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s online database, to find the type of trees, grasses, shrubs and flowers native to the region.

“That website is by far the easiest way to get into it and just learn what plants are in your area, your community and ways to acquire them,” he said.

The couple also recommended community groups such as the Native Plant Society of Texas and Native Prairies Association of Texas.

“At the end of the day, we’re just a bunch of nature nerds,” Taylor Phillips said. “If you just have that curiosity, they’ll welcome you and would love to talk all day about this sort of thing.”

“There’s a way for us to coexist — native plants bring so much beauty to the world. We want to show people the plants that they don’t get to see anymore because they’re in the D-FW metroplex,” Emory Phillips said.

I keep hearing some version of that statement as Texas debates data centers, economic development and the future of our rural communities.

And frankly, I am tired of it.

Rural Texas has challenges. Some communities are losing population. Schools are fighting for enrollment. Healthcare can be difficult to access. Housing is a problem in many towns. Small businesses struggle to find employees. I’ve written about all of this.

But rural Texas is not dying.

And we are certainly not some problem waiting for Austin to come fix.

Recently, Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian has been on the stump saying “Rural Texas IS dying,” pointing to population losses across rural counties. His answer includes welcoming data centers that he says can bring billions in investment, jobs and economic prosperity to communities that “desperately need it” and creating a “commission” to study our “decay.”

This narrative about rural Texas bothers me.

Sure, most rural communities are dealing with population decline, but that can’t be the only metric by which to judge us. Calling rural Texas “dying” reduces hundreds of very different communities to a statistic — and then uses that statistic to justify somebody else’s idea of what we need.

Life in rural Texas has changed dramatically over the last several generations. Agriculture has become more efficient. One farmer can work land that once required several families and hired hands. Technology is better. Families are smaller. Retail has consolidated. Young Texans leave for college and careers.

But a town doesn't have to double in size to be healthy. Maybe success means having enough children to sustain the school, enough customers to support local businesses, enough workers to provide essential services and enough opportunity that young people who want to stay can build a life there.

That isn't decay. That's viability.

And there is something else that gets lost in all this talk about rural decline: a lot of us actually like living this way.

We like knowing our neighbors. We like small schools where people know our kids. We like open spaces, locally owned businesses and communities where people still show up when somebody needs help. We don't necessarily want to become the next booming suburb, and growth for the sake of growth isn't automatically success.

We want our communities to be strong enough that the people who choose this way of life can continue to live it.

And people all over rural Texas are working on that every day.

Since I’ve been back in the Panhandle, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with these folks — chambers of commerce, economic development corporations and county and city officials — and all are doing amazing work to make their communities places where their neighbors can live, work and play.

They are building housing, figuring out childcare, helping businesses expand, keeping Main Street stores open and recruiting industries that fit their communities and create good jobs.

They aren't sitting around waiting for Austin to rescue them.

That's why I am bothered by the idea that the answer to rural Texas is simply finding somebody willing to announce another billion-dollar investment.

There is a difference between investment in rural Texas and investment that benefits rural Texans.

A project can carry an enormous price tag because the equipment inside it costs billions. That doesn't necessarily mean billions of dollars will circulate through the local economy.

Before we declare data centers the answer to rural decline, let's ask some basic questions. How many permanent jobs will they create? How many families will those jobs support? How much business will they generate locally? And what resources will the project require in return?

Those aren't anti-growth questions. They are economic development questions.

Good rural economic development isn't about chasing the biggest capital investment number. It is about building an economy capable of sustaining a community.

That might mean a manufacturer employing 40 people, expanding an agricultural business, supporting new ag technology, training plumbers and mechanics or building houses so families can actually move to town.

And yes, in the right place and under the right circumstances, it might even be a data center.

But the starting question should be “What does this community need?” Not “What can we put there?”

If state leaders really want to understand what rural Texas needs, there is an easy way to find out.

Ask us.

Before creating another commission to study rural decline or prescribing another economic-development solution from Austin, put rural economic development professionals, county judges, school leaders, business owners, farmers and young families around a table.

Ask what's working. Ask what's getting in their way. Ask why families leave and why others choose to stay.

The answers will probably be boring and they won't make headlines. They will involve housing, workforce, healthcare, childcare, infrastructure, education, access to capital and giving communities the tools to shape their own futures.

There are rural Texas communities facing serious challenges. Pretending otherwise doesn't help them.

But neither does declaring rural Texas a dying place that needs to be saved.

Rural Texas is not monolithic. It is a collection of communities with different economies, resources, challenges and ideas about their futures.

Rural Texas does not need Austin to rescue it. It needs Austin to listen to it.

And if our state leaders really want to have that conversation, I'll gladly help put some people around the table.

They've been doing the work for years.

The Lady Porcupines finished 43-10 overall and 12-3 in district last season. They advanced to the Class 4A Division I Region I final before falling to district rival Decatur in four sets.

SHS head coach Abby Zipoy begins her third season leading the program with an experienced group returning from that playoff run.

Seniors Libby Tedder, Ryleigh Strickland and Reagan Beall are among the returning letterwinners. Olivia Williams also returns.

“We’re fortunate to return a strong core in Libby, Ryleigh Strickland and Reagan Beall,” Zipoy said. “They bring valuable varsity experience and lead by example every day.”

Tedder headlines the returning group after an All-State junior season. The outside hitter finished with 689 kills, a .297 hitting percentage, 392 digs and 79 service aces.

Among players whose statistics were reported to MaxPreps, Tedder’s 689 kills ranked No. 23 nationally, No. 7 in Texas and first among Conference 4A players. She was also selected to the Texas High School Coaches Association’s Class 4A Super Elite Team.

Springtown’s returning experience extends beyond Tedder.

Strickland recorded 573 assists, 250 kills, 271 digs and 74 aces last season. Beall led the Lady Porcupines with 45 total blocks, while Williams posted a .246 hitting percentage.

When Zipoy was interviewed before tryouts, Springtown had not finalized its varsity roster.

“We haven’t had tryouts yet, so it’s too early to name specific players,” Zipoy said. “That said, we’re excited about several of our returning underclassmen who have made tremendous strides throughout the offseason. We’re also looking forward to welcoming a very strong freshman class that should bring energy and depth to our program.”

Zipoy said the chemistry built during the offseason and the leadership of the senior group should be among Springtown’s biggest strengths.

“They’ve done an outstanding job creating a positive culture, holding each other accountable and bringing the team together,” Zipoy said.

Springtown wants to be known as a team that competes for every point, plays with relentless effort and puts the team first. Zipoy wants opponents to understand they will have to earn every point against the Lady Porcupines.

Springtown will compete in a reshaped District 7-4A this season. The district includes Bridgeport, Burkburnett, Decatur, Iowa Park, Lake Worth, River Oaks Castleberry and Springtown.

Eagle Mountain and Krum are no longer in the district, while Iowa Park joins the group.

Decatur remains one of the biggest obstacles in Springtown’s path after ending the Lady Porcupines’ season in last year’s Region I final.

“Every match against Decatur is a battle, and on any given day, anything can happen,” Zipoy said. “We’ll have to be our best every time we step on the court.”

Tryouts began Aug. 1. The Lady Porcupines travel to Azle for their first scrimmage Aug. 7, where they are scheduled to see Azle, Lake Worth and Tolar. Springtown travels to Aubrey for another scrimmage Aug. 8.

The regular season begins Aug. 11 when Springtown hosts Peaster and Ponder at the Springtown High School gym.

The early schedule also includes the Round Rock Westwood Showcase Aug. 13-15, the Top of Texas Tournament Aug. 20-22 and the Buckel Up For Lane’s Sake Tournament Aug. 27-29 in Nocona.

District play begins Sept. 8 when Springtown hosts Decatur.

The Lady Porcupines will carry experience from last season’s regional run, but Zipoy said the team will also introduce supporters to the next group of Springtown players.

“Fans are going to see a lot of new faces this season,” Zipoy said, “and they’re going to remember them.”

Eddy Prather | Springtown Epigraph

Cheyenne Frontier Days ran July 17-26 at Frontier Park. Established in 1897, the event is known as the “Daddy of ’em All.” Organizers describe it as the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and Western celebration.

Walker built his rodeo career in Springtown before moving into the college and professional ranks. A two-time high school regional steer wrestling champion, he also competed for Springtown’s varsity football team.

After graduating from high school, Walker continued competing at Hill College and Tarleton State University. Those college stops gave Walker additional rodeo experience before he entered the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association competition.

Walker emerged as one of the leading young steer wrestlers during his 2024 rookie season. His success that year placed him among the top competitors in the PRCA rookie race and established him as a young cowboy to watch.

His third-place finish at Cheyenne added another major result to his career.

For more than a century, Cheyenne Frontier Days has brought top professional competitors to Frontier Park. Placing among the top three gives Walker another strong showing on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

Photo Courtesy Facebook                                                                                                                                                        

What is your name and grade?

“My name is Trent Owens, and I am a senior at Springtown High School.”

How long have you played football?”

“Since peewee, all here in Springtown. I play right tackle on the offensive line.”

Do you have any pets?

“I have two dogs; they are French bulldogs. Their names are Troup and Luna.”

Do you have a shout out to anyone?

“Yes, my mom and the rest of my lineman.”

What is your favorite class in school?

“I know that’s hard … welding.”

Is there one moment in sports that you’ll never forget?

“Yes, I can’t remember what game it was, but we ran a pass play and Kaine threw it to Pilot and he ended up catching it behind his back where his butt was. It was pretty funny.”

Lebron or Michael?

“I’m going to go with Michael.”

What has sports taught you about life?

“There is always going to be hard things that you need to overcome. It may take some time, but you will eventually overcome it.”

What is your favorite sport?

“It’s going to be between football and wrestling; I’m also in powerlifting.”

What advice would you give younger athletes?

“Put the work in, even when you don’t want to. Get up, go work, eat right, get some good sleep.”

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine selected Hulett as its Class 4A representative on its list of the state’s most underrated high school football coaches entering the 2026 season. The publication cited his ability to build successful programs at Eastland and Springtown while producing postseason appearances year after year.

Hulett has missed the playoffs only once during his 18 seasons as a head coach. That came during his first season at Eastland in 2008, when the Mavericks finished 6-4.

Even that season represented progress for an Eastland program that had gone 2-8 in each of the previous two years.

The Mavericks finished 12-1 in 2011, 10-3 in 2012 and 13-1 in 2013. Those seasons produced Eastland’s first deep playoff runs since the late 1980s.

That success continues in Springtown, where Hulett has become the winningest head football coach in program history.

Before Hulett’s arrival, Springtown recorded seven double-digit-win seasons from 1954 through 2013. The Porcupines have reached double-digit victories five times during Hulett’s 12 seasons at the helm.

The Porcupines finished the 2025 season 12-1, won a district championship and completed an undefeated regular season. Springtown defeated Lake Worth 55-0 in the bidistrict round and outlasted Frisco Panther Creek 49-41 in the area round before its season ended against Alvarado in the regional semifinals.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine named Hulett its Class 4A Coach of the Week following the win over Panther Creek, which improved Springtown to 12-0.

Hulett’s recognition as one of the state’s most underrated coaches is built on sustained success at two programs. His teams have reached the playoffs in 17 of his 18 seasons, including every year since he arrived in Springtown.

                                                                            Eddy Prather | Springtown Epigraph

SHS graduates Mark Bryant, Dru Doggett and Paul Bryant wrote the locally created hype song during the summer of 1990. Clips from the recording are still played after Porcupine touchdowns, firing up players and fans more than three decades after the trio recorded it.

“It was something we did for fun when we were in high school,” Mark Bryant said.

The song grew from a phrase that was already part of Springtown football.

The POJO tradition dates to 1983, when Lucky Gamble arrived as Springtown’s head football coach and helped establish a new identity for the program. Seven years later, the trio turned the phrase into a song celebrating Springtown football and the winning tradition the Porcupines were building.

Mark Bryant and Doggett came up with the song the summer before their senior year at SHS. Paul Bryant, Mark’s older brother, had the recording equipment and instruments needed to bring the idea to life.

“So we were always hanging out with him,” Mark Bryant said. “He was eight years older than us.”

Mark Bryant said Paul Bryant played the instruments and handled the recording while Mark Bryant and Doggett provided the vocals.

What began as a summer project among friends became a Springtown football anthem.

The song was not intended to replace the school’s fight song. Instead, the trio wrote it to recognize the history and identity of Springtown football while giving players and fans something of their own to build excitement before and during games.

Its lyrics focus on Springtown football, the Porcupines and the POJO spirit associated with the program.

Over time, “POJO Magic” became more than an old recording from 1990. It continued to be played at games, school events and throughout the Springtown community.

Today, clips from the song are played following Porcupine touchdowns. The recording has also found a place outside the stadium.

“You can call the Springtown administration building right now, and when you get put on hold, they play ‘POJO Magic,’” Mark Bryant said.

The recording has survived changes in coaches, players, classifications and football districts. Springtown players who were not born when it was recorded now hear it while representing the Porcupines on Friday nights.

Parents who remember the song from their own school days can hear it while watching another generation of Porcupines take the field.

That staying power has made “POJO Magic” a recognizable part of Springtown athletics.

It may not be an official school song, but “POJO Magic” has earned a place in Springtown’s Friday night tradition.

Eddy Prather | Springtown Epigraph

SPT POJO Magic 1

“POJO Magic” was written by (l-r): Mark Bryant, Paul Bryant and Dru Doggett.

The following individuals were arrested and charged with felony offenses between June 25-July 30.

• Jerry Lynn Sheppard, 65, of Weatherford was arrested Thursday, June 25 by Parker County Sheriff’s deputies and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Sheppard’s bond is set at $50,000 and he remained at the Parker County jail as of Monday, Aug. 3. 
• Scott Henry Bradley, 37, of Azle was arrested Sunday, July 5 by Parker County Sheriff’s deputies and charged with enhanced theft of property, $750 to $2,500. Bradley posted $10,000 bond and was released from jail the following day. 
• Ethan Eli Martinez, 20, of Azle was arrested Friday, July 10 by Parker County Sheriff’s deputies and charged with violating a bond or protective order two or more times within a 12-month period. He remained in the Parker County jail as of Monday, Aug. 3 in lieu of $20,000 bond.
• Kevin Michael Blasingame, 34, of Springtown, was arrested July 23 by Springtown police and charged with driving while intoxicated. He posted a $1,500 bond and was released from jail July 24.
• Iederico Esinosa Ibarra, 65, of Springtown was arrested Sunday, July 26 by Department of Public Safety troopers and charged with driving while intoxicated. He posted $1,500 bond and was released from jail the same day.
• Jeffery Dwayne Snell, 52, of Springtown was arrested Tuesday, July 28 by Springtown police and charged with driving while intoxicated. He posted $5,000 bond and was released from jail the following day.
• Juan Antonio Cano Jr., 49, of Azle was arrested Tuesday, July 28 by Parker County Sheriff’s deputies and charged with assault of a family or household member by impeding breath or circulation. Cano posted $30,005 bond and was released the same day. 
• Elizabeth Grace Roberson, 19, of Springtown was arrested Wednesday, July 29 by Parker County Sheriff’s deputies and charged with assault of a family member with a previous conviction. Her bond is set at $10,005 and she remained in the Parker County jail as of Monday, August 3.
• Abbygail Melissa Gutierrez, 30, of Springtown was arrested Thursday, July 30 by Parker County Sheriff’s deputies and charged with driving while intoxicated. She posted $1,500 bond and was released from jail the same day.

Copies of Springtown ISD's policy for providing free and reduced-price meals are available for public review at each district campus and the administration office.

Springtown ISD began distributing letters about eligibility benefits and the actions households need to take to apply for these benefits to households of children in the district July 20.

Applications are available in the district’s Child Nutrition Office at 212 Ave. D, Springtown, TX 76082, by calling 817-220-2460, or online at schoolcafe.com or springtownisd.net.

District staff will review applications to determine whether families meet income eligibility requirements. Reviewers will also consider whether a family receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or TANF, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations or FDPIR; a child’s status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant or has been displaced by a declared disaster; and a child’s enrollment in Head Start or Even Start.

CATEGORICAL OR PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

Springtown ISD is working with local agencies to identify all children who are categorically and program eligible. Springtown ISD will notify the households of those children that they do not need to complete an application. Any household that does not receive a letter and feels it should may contact Laura Champagne, child nutrition director, or Jenifer Law, assistant director of child nutrition, at 817-220-2460.

Likewise, any household that wishes to decline benefits should contact Champagne as well.

Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year.

DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY

Households or guardians who disagree with an eligibility determination may first discuss the decision informally with the reviewing official. Households wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to Michael Chavez, executive director of operations at Springtown ISD, 301 E. Fifth St., Springtown, TX 76082, 817-220-1700.

UNEXPECTED CIRCUMSTANCES

If a household member becomes unemployed or the household size increases, families should contact the school. These changes may make children eligible for meal benefits if household income falls at or below the current income eligibility guidelines.

The grand jury handed down 47 indictments; among them were indictments against five Azle residents as well as two Springtown residents.

• Sasha Marie Carter, 50, of Azle, was indicted on one count of theft of property less than $2,500 with two or more previous convictions. The charge is a state jail felony.
• David Wayne Conklin, 27, of Springtown, was indicted on one count of possession of a controlled substance in penalty 2, less than 1 gram. The charge is a state jail felony.
• Anthony Lee Downs, 62, of Springtown, was indicted on one count of injury to a child, a third-degree felony.
• John Derek Kemp, 43, of Azle, was indicted on one count of evading arrest or detention with a vehicle. The charge is a third-degree felony.
• Trenton Alexander Kitch, 47, of Azle, was indicted on one count of manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance in penalty group 2 or 2A, 1-4 grams. The charge is a second-degree felony.
• Cody Trey Lawrence, 50, of Azle, was indicted on one count of possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 2, 1-4 grams. The charge is a third-degree felony.
• Mary Beth Williams, 47, of Azle, was indicted on two counts of manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance in penalty group 1, 4-200 grams. The charge is a first-degree felony.

More than a century ago, the country was rapidly shifting from a nation of farms and small towns to one of growing cities, factories and industry. As Americans left rural communities for urban opportunity, Roosevelt worried that something valuable might be lost in the rush toward progress.

“There are no two public questions of more vital importance to the future of this country,” Roosevelt said, “than the problem of conservation and the problem of the betterment of country life.” Roosevelt understood that conservation was about more than protecting forests, rivers and wildlife. It was also about preserving the communities that had cared for those places for generations.

Over the past year, I have written about school vouchers, data centers, property taxes, the state budget and local control. Each of those debates raises a larger question about the direction Texas is heading and what that future will mean for the people who call rural Texas home.

What kind of future is Texas trying to build, and is there still room in it for a rural way of life?

Too often, conversations about rural Texas begin with what we lack. Some communities have lost population. Hospitals have closed. Main Streets are quieter than they once were, and young people often leave to pursue careers elsewhere. Those challenges are real, but they do not mean rural Texas needs to be rescued from itself.

Many of us live here because we choose to. Others are the fourth, fifth or sixth generation to care for the same ranch or farm. We stay not because it is the easiest place to make a living, but because it is where we find purpose.

There is value in knowing your neighbors, supporting your local school, serving your church, volunteering at the fire department and believing your children and grandchildren might someday want to come home.

That isn't nostalgia. It's a culture worth protecting.

As I have covered the debate over data centers, I have begun to wonder whether rural Texas is increasingly viewed not as a culture of people worth protecting, but as a collection of resources waiting to be developed.

Land to develop. Water to pump. Electricity to consume. Transmission corridors to cross. Tax incentives to offer.

None of those things are inherently bad. Rural Texas needs investment and opportunity, and we should welcome businesses that create jobs, respect local resources and become part of the communities where they locate.

But as our leaders consider this wave of development, they should remember there is a difference between investing in a place and investing in its people.

A data center in a rural county may add millions of dollars to the tax rolls, and that matters. But a larger tax base is not the same thing as investing in a community.

Property taxes help fund government services. They do not, by themselves, bring families, strengthen local businesses, fill school classrooms or build the civic relationships that allow a town to grow and thrive.

Communities are built by families who buy homes and raise children. They are built by business owners who sponsor the football team, parents who fill the school auditorium, volunteers who answer fire calls in the middle of the night and neighbors who show up with casseroles after a funeral or tractors after a storm.

In rural Texas, our communities are ecosystems, not simply economies.

That is why stewardship matters.

As Texas enters this new era, policymakers, community leaders and investors alike should think beyond the next quarterly earnings report or legislative session and consider what today's decisions will leave for the next generation.

It means understanding that land is more than an asset, water is more than an industrial input and a community is more than its taxable value.

The measure of progress should not simply be how much land we develop, how many megawatts we consume or how much taxable value we create. It should also be whether a project reflects the community's own goals, strengthens local businesses and leaves rural Texas a place the next generation will still want to call home.

I do not believe the answer is to stop growing.

But growth should not happen to rural communities without their input.

Before policymakers commit rural land, water and electricity to projects that will reshape communities for generations, they should slow down long enough to ask better questions.

Why this much growth? Why this much land? Why this much water? Why this much electricity? Why so much, so fast?

And what will the people who already live here gain—and what might they be asked to give up?

Those are not the questions of people who fear progress. They are the questions of people who understand that stewardship is our responsibility to future generations.

Texas does not have to choose between growth and rural communities. But it must choose to value both, because rural Texas is more than open land on a map or resources waiting to be developed.

It is a people. It is a culture. It is a way of life.

Do not build the future of Texas by leaving rural Texas behind.

Region 11 includes Corpus Christi and the southernmost part of Texas. Of the 106 lab-confirmed cases statewide, 48 were reported from that region — or 45%. Region 6/5S includes the city of Houston and Harris County, and an additional 29 cases were reported in that region. Together, the two regions account for roughly 73% of the state’s cases.

The diarrhea-inducing parasite has hit other states hard. Michigan, for example, has reported thousands of cases. Texas thus far has seen cyclosporiasis cases at about the same level as in the past few years.

THC HEMP PRODUCTS ONCE AGAIN BANNED IN TEXAS

Effective July 31, products containing cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC and THCP are banned in Texas, following a years-long legal fight over state hemp regulations, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

The Texas Supreme Court on May 1 upheld the authority of the Texas Department of State Health Services to adopt rules that in effect ban those THC products.

The Texas Hemp Business Council warned businesses on July 15 to prepare for the change.

“Businesses should evaluate their inventory and prepare to remove or sell through products containing more than trace amounts of delta-8, delta-10, delta-6, THCP, and other cannabinoids that fall within the reinstated definition before the July 31 effective date,” the council said.

Texas consumers are now largely limited to ingestible and topical hemp products made with compliant delta-9 THC. Gummies, edibles and beverages containing no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight remain legal.

PAXTON SAYS HE WILL DEBATE TALARICO

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said last week that he will debate state Rep. James Talarico, D-Round Rock, in the state’s U.S. Senate race, though no date has been set, The Texas Tribune reported.

Talarico, the Democratic nominee, said he had accepted invitations from Texas media groups for three debates. The Paxton campaign confirmed it had received the same debate invitations and said the attorney general plans to debate but did not commit to specific dates.

“Of course, we are going to debate James Talarico, and we look forward to engaging with potential debate hosts,” Paxton senior adviser Nick Maddux said in a statement.

Talarico has agreed to televised debates on Sept. 22 in the Rio Grande Valley; Oct. 6 in Dallas; and Oct. 13 in Austin.

Maddux said the Paxton campaign was “close to terms with one outlet now and expect an announcement to be forthcoming shortly.”

Meanwhile, a new Fox polls shows Talarico with a slight lead, according to the Houston Chronicle. The poll shows him leading Paxton by three points, 51-48, boosted by strong leads among independent voters and other key constituencies.

MEASLES OUTBREAK REPORTED IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

The Texas Department of State Health Services issued a health alert after four cases of measles were reported in Montgomery County. All were members of the same family, were unvaccinated, and became infected after a person with measles traveled to Texas from out of state.

Because measles is highly contagious, DSHS is warning that additional cases could occur among unvaccinated people in the area. The agency encouraged health care professionals and the public to remain vigilant to the signs and symptoms.

Measles is spread through coughing and sneezing. It can be caught by simply being near someone who is infected.

VOTERS WRONGLY FLAGGED AS POTENTIAL NONCITIZENS

Election officials across Texas should immediately reinstate some voters who were incorrectly flagged as possible noncitizens through a federal program, according to The Tribune. Christina Adkins, the state elections director, told county officials in a phone call that Texas Department of Public Safety records have confirmed the citizenship of some of the 2,724 registered voters singled out as potential noncitizens.

The voters were flagged after the state checked its voter roll through a federal program called Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, that is used to verify the citizenship of registered voters.

Former Secretary of State Jane Nelson sent a letter in April to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that raised concerns about the accuracy of the SAVE program, after county election officials found citizens wrongly labeled noncitizens.

ABBOTT PLAN CALLS FOR LOWER HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS

Gov. Greg Abbott last week revealed plans to lower health insurance costs and drug prices by making it cheaper for small businesses to offer insurance to their workers, the Chronicle reported. He said state mandates have made it too expensive for many small businesses to offer health insurance for their employees.

Abbott called for legislation that would allow those businesses to offer plans that don’t meet all state mandates that exceed what is required by the federal government. That generally would mean thinner coverage for employees.

“Small businesses want to provide their employees with health care insurance. It's just good policy, it's a good strategy, but also, it’s essential for them to be able to compete with other employers,” Abbott said at a campaign event.

The state leads the nation in uninsured people, with some 5 million Texans lacking health insurance.