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.

According to the statement, TRWD entered into a short-term Temporary Raw Water Supply Agreement with BKV Corporation, a private oil and gas company. The agreement is effective from July 13 through Aug. 31. It authorizes BKV to withdraw up to approximately 32.7 million gallons from Eagle Mountain Lake.

At normal conservation pool levels, the statement says Eagle Mountain Lake stores approximately 185,000 acre-feet of water. The total volume authorized under the agreement represents less than one-tenth of one percent of the lake’s total storage capacity.

TRWD said the authorized withdrawal is less than the amount of water Eagle Mountain Lake typically loses to evaporation in a single day. During the agreement period, natural evaporation is expected to total about 10 inches.

The statement also addressed speculation that the agreement involves Kenneth Copeland Ministries. The ministry’s only connection to the agreement is that pumping equipment and a water line must cross or be located on church property to access the lake, the statement says.

“TRWD remains committed to providing accurate information about reservoir operations and water supply management while continuing to steward the region’s water resources responsibly,” TRWD officials said.

District officials also emphasized that lake levels are influenced far more by rainfall, watershed runoff, reservoir releases, and evaporation than by the temporary withdrawal authorized under the agreement in question.

ABOUT EAGLE MOUNTAIN LAKE

According to the TRWD website, a devastating flood in 1922 prompted the creation of the Tarrant County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1. The district’s primary role of flood control expanded two years later to include water supply.

Work to build Eagle Mountain Lake was completed in 1932, one year after the completion of Lake Bridgeport. Together, the two lakes satisfied the water needs of residents in Tarrant County and surrounding areas through the early 1970s. Additional capacity was added with the creation of Cedar Creek Lake and Richland-Chambers Reservoir.

Today, TRWD provides raw water to more than 50 wholesale customers in 11 North Texas counties.

With more than 2.5 million people in the district’s rapidly growing service area, its mission is to ensure residents and businesses have a safe, reliable water supply that meets their needs today and for decades to come.

TRWD also manages an extensive floodway system that protects Fort Worth.

The system encompasses Lake Bridgeport, Eagle Mountain Lake and 27 miles of floodway levees built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These structures work together to provide vital flood protection to area residents and businesses and protect billions of dollars of property behind the levee system.

During the Aug. 3 Azle City Council meeting, members voted unanimously to propose a de minimis property tax rate of $0.6756 per $100 of taxable value — around an 8% increase compared to the current rate of $0.6246. Since this is a proposed tax rate, council members will hold a public hearing on the rate Monday, Aug. 17, with adoption scheduled for Monday, Aug. 24.

According to finance director Angelia Garrett, the city’s certified taxable property value only increased 1.16% this year, which city officials say is not enough to sustain Azle’s current operations without raising the tax rate.

“Certified values are established annually by Tarrant and Parker County Appraisal District and not the city. These values are the basis of our calculation that we use for property tax revenue, and as the tax bases change, it affects the amount of revenue that we can generate to provide essential city services,” Garrett explained. “As the total taxable value increases, each penny of the tax rate generates more revenue.”

Garrett explained that the city’s maintenance and operations tax rate — which is used to fund day-to-day operations such as police, fire, parks and library services — is increasing, while the interest and sinking portion, which pays debt on capital projects, is slightly decreasing.

Despite the decrease in the I&S rate, Garrett said the increase in the M&O rate more than offsets it, resulting in a net increase of about $0.051 per $100 of taxable value.

Garrett said if approved, the de minimis rate would be applied to the current year’s certified taxable property value to levy approximately $13 million for maintenance and operations, debt service and tax increment reinvestment zones.

The proposed de minimis rate exceeds the no-new-revenue rate, meaning it would generate additional property tax revenue beyond what the city would collect from existing properties under the no-new-revenue calculation.

RESIDENTS PUSH BACK

During public comments, Azle resident John Fowler expressed concern about how much the proposed tax rate will affect Azle’s “low-income homeowners.”

“The median income in Azle is $68,000 per year, and one-third of the Azle homeowners are on a fixed income,” Fowler said. “Apparently, the Azle mayor and city council will approve any tax increase proposed by the city manager, regardless of its impact on low-income homeowners.”

Because he said so many residents are on a fixed income, Fowler asked council to consider approving the no-new-revenue rate, which would allow the city to collect about the same amount of property tax revenue as last year.

“In the workshops in the past, I saw a lot of discussions about balanced budget, but if balanced budget means balanced on the back of an 8% property tax increase on citizens, then I guess they don't know what ‘balanced budget’ means,” Fowler said. “Property taxes doubling every seven years is unsustainable for many on a fixed income. Azle is not a wealthy town.”

Jerah Turner, who serves as Precinct 4340 chair for the Tarrant County Republican Party, explained that she wasn’t upset about the city needing more money due to rising costs — but she was irritated about how it was handled.

“When I left the meeting on July 21, I was assured that social media rumors of a nearly $3 million deficit were unfounded, and that the budget had been brought into balance through the appropriate cuts to the originally proposed figures,” Turner said. “That assurance has proven to be, I think, slightly incorrect.”

Turner said any claim about a budget being balanced should rest solely on the no-new-revenue rate and not on a tax increase that was introduced with “limited prior public scrutiny.”

She also argued council should scrutinize compensation and other expenses more closely before “shifting additional costs onto taxpayers in an already strained economy.”

“I did find some legitimate operational increases, but I think that this really needs to be looked after a little bit better,” Turner said. “That's the expectation from the residents.”

COUNCIL RESPONDS

Mayor Randa Goode explained that while the city’s initial proposed budget showed a $3.1 million gap, $1.75 million of that amount was a planned transfer from the general fund to the capital improvements fund for future projects. However, after determining it could not afford to set aside the $1.75 million this year, the city canceled the transfer, reducing the remaining budget gap to about $1.35 million.

From there, Goode said city staff was instructed to identify budget cuts of up to 20% — resulting in a hiring freeze, the elimination of cost-of-living adjustments, suspension of nonmandated training, staffing changes within the Azle Fire Department and reductions to the library budget. 

Because of these changes, City Manager Amber Beard said the city was successfully able to reduce the budget by 8.7% from when it was initially proposed.

“We have worked very hard to get that (the budget) down, because if we didn’t, we were going to have to take funds out of our reserves,” Goode said. “If we continuously do that, at some point we’re not going to have those funds available and then we will be asked years later, ‘Why didn’t we plan for the future?’ This is us planning for the future.”

Goode explained that the proposed rate would increase the city tax bill on a median-valued home by an estimated $152 per year, which equates to $12 a month or 42 cents a day — and that’s only to maintain the same city services as today. She said the difference between the de minimis and no-new-revenue rate is only $80, but the additional funds will be enough to provide an “extra cushion” for contingencies and additional expenses such as rising health insurance premiums and electricity costs as well as wastewater plant chemicals and unfunded state mandates.

“All of us sitting up here, we are not immune to this decision. We have to pay taxes just like you do,” Goode said. “It’s a hard decision, but we've sat through the meetings, we've looked at the numbers and in order for us to prepare for the future and also maintain the services that we have, I feel like this is the best choice that we have at this time.”

Place 6 council member Brian Conner made a motion to propose a tax rate of $0.6756 per $100 of taxable value to be considered at the public hearing scheduled for Monday, Aug. 17. With a second from Place 5 council member Rouel Rothenberger, the motion passed unanimously.

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.

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.

Head coach Kenly Buckholt enters her ninth year with Azle ISD and fourth season leading the Lady Hornets.

Azle is coming off a 30-win season, finishing 30-13 overall and 10-2 in district play in 2025. The Lady Hornets’ season ended earlier than they hoped, however, with a loss to Grapevine in the bidistrict round of the playoffs.

Azle returns a strong group from that team, including junior middle blockers Tori Moore and McKynlee Walden, junior setter Bailey Seward, senior defensive specialist Marialy Garcia, junior outside hitters Abbie Yochum and Clara Strew and senior right-side hitter Charli Fair.

The Lady Hornets will also look to several younger players to make an immediate impact.

“I have some awesome underclassmen who are going to be able to contribute this year,” Buckholt said.

Those players include sophomore hitter Gia Lardizabal, sophomore defensive specialists Jordyn Searcy and Zaylyn Woods and freshman setter and hitter Caydence Combs.

While the ladies bring plenty of experience to the table, the road to the postseason will not be easy following the University Interscholastic League’s latest district realignment.

Azle’s new district includes two programs that reached state championship matches last season, Eagle Mountain and Argyle. Eagle Mountain captured the 2025 Class 4A state championship before moving into Class 5A for the 2026 season.

“We gained two really competitive programs in our district in Eagle Mountain and Argyle,” Buckholt said. “Both are coming off state final appearances from last season.”

Buckholt believes one of Azle’s biggest strengths will be its returning players and the work they put in during the offseason.

“I am really proud of the leadership and commitment that they have shown,” Buckholt said.

That experience should be particularly noticeable at the net, where Azle returns size and experience in the middle. The Lady Hornets will be younger in the back row, but Buckholt believes the group has the ability to develop quickly.

“Our back row may be young, but they are focused and fast,” Buckholt said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do on the varsity stage.”

With a combination of veteran leadership and young talent, Buckholt expects the Lady Hornets to bring an aggressive approach to the court throughout the season.

“We are going to compete hard and give it our all each game,” Buckholt said. “We would love to pack our games with high energy and a loud atmosphere. Be sure to come support.”

Azle will get its first opportunity to see how the pieces fit together when the Lady Hornets host Springtown, Tolar and Lake Worth for a scrimmage Aug. 7.

The Lady Hornets will open the regular season Aug. 10 against Justin Northwest.

                                                                                     Eddy Prather | The Azle News

The high-intensity camp was conducted by coaches from outside Azle ISD and was designed for incoming ninth- through 12th-grade players. The Lady Hornets spent four hours each day working on skill development, game knowledge, speed and team development.

The Metro Elite format gave Azle players an opportunity to train alongside the teammates they will compete with during the upcoming season.

The camp also gave head volleyball coach Kenley Buckholt the chance to step back from instruction and watch her players work with different coaches. Buckholt and her staff were on hand throughout the three-day camp, observing the returning veterans and younger players in the program.

For AHS players, the timing provided valuable work immediately before the official start of the season. The camp concluded July 29, with Lady Hornet tryouts scheduled to begin Aug. 1.

With summer camps behind them, the Lady Hornets now turn their attention to the 2026 season.

                                                                            Eddy Prather | The Azle News

Hornet Elite held its final day Thursday, July 30, bringing an end to nearly two months of summer work for Azle athletes.

For a group of athletes, perfect attendance came with an unusual reward.

Those who recorded 100% attendance throughout the summer were recognized for their dedication with the chance to put a pie in the face of Azle ISD strength and conditioning coach Matt Holt.

After spending the summer being pushed through workouts by Holt and the Azle High School coaching staff, the athletes finally got a little payback.

The lighthearted ending capped a summer built around a more serious goal — getting the Hornets physically ready for the upcoming school year and their competition seasons.

Hornet Elite began June 1 and served Azle ISD athletes in grades seven through 12. Hornet Ready, designed to begin building the same foundation with younger athletes in grades three through six, began June 8.

Throughout the summer, athletes worked to improve strength, speed, agility, mobility and conditioning while developing habits they can carry into their individual sports.

Holt congratulated the athletes who earned perfect-attendance recognition while also giving credit to every athlete who chose to spend part of the summer working to improve.

With the summer strength and conditioning programs complete, the focus now shifts from preparation to competition.

Athletes will take the work they put in during June and July and carry it into their respective sports as fall seasons begin.

Cross-country is among the first fall sports to get underway. The Hornets are scheduled to host the Clash of the Classes meet Aug. 7 at the cross-country course located behind Forte Junior High.

Volleyball hosts a scrimmage Aug. 7, while football practice will get underway as the Hornets prepare for their first scrimmage at Decatur Aug. 20. Other athletes will continue preparing for competition later in the school year.

The end of the summer programs also marks the transition into the 2026-27 school year, with Azle ISD students returning to class Aug. 12.

For the athletes who spent much of their summer training, the work that began in June was designed to pay off long after the final workout — even if the final day ended with a little whipped cream on the coach's face.

                                                                                      Photo Courtesy Matt Holt

Sexton, a 2023 AHS graduate, suffered the injury during the Hornets’ first scrimmage of his senior season and underwent Tommy John surgery. Instead of taking the mound for the Hornets, Sexton spent his senior year rehabilitating his arm and working toward getting back on the field.

The setback did not keep him from pursuing college baseball.

Sexton signed with Dallas College Eastfield and took a medical redshirt season while continuing his rehabilitation. By 2025, the 6-foot-3 right-hander was healthy and quickly became one of Eastfield’s top bullpen arms.

As a redshirt freshman, Sexton posted a 3.55 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings over 15 relief appearances. He turned in nine scoreless outings and earned second-team All-Dallas Athletic Conference honors while helping Eastfield capture its fourth consecutive conference championship.

Sexton took another step forward in 2026.

He finished his sophomore season with a 5-1 record and 3.35 ERA, striking out 68 batters in 53 2/3 innings over 21 appearances. Sexton allowed 41 hits and 18 walks.

His performance earned him first-team All-Dallas Athletic Conference honors and a spot on the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings NJCAA Division III All-America Third Team as a relief pitcher.

Sexton said reaching the Junior College All-Star Game was another goal he had set for himself.

“One big goal of mine was to make the JUCO All-Star squad,” Sexton said. “It’s pretty much the best JUCO players in Texas. They go to Dallas Baptist University to play in front of college scouts.”

Following the all-star opportunity, Sexton received an NCAA Division II scholarship offer from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma, where he will continue his baseball career with the Bulldogs.

SWOSU competes in NCAA Division II as a member of the Great American Conference.

Sexton also played travel baseball with the Cooperstown Cobras. 

Sexton said AHS head baseball coach Stephen Smith helped him develop as a player.

“I was very blessed to have coach Smith as a coach,” Sexton said. “There are not many coaches out there who will do as much for their kids as he does.”

Sexton’s 2026 season also gave him an opportunity to be part of a memorable postseason run with Eastfield.

“I just told myself that I needed to go all out this year, and the good Lord blessed me with some amazing coaches,” Sexton said. “We got third in the World Series. It was a heck of a run. It was an amazing team.”

The journey to Southwestern Oklahoma State has been anything but direct for Sexton. He went from losing his final high school season because of an elbow injury and surgery to spending a year rehabilitating and eventually becoming an All-American junior college pitcher.

Now he will get his opportunity at the NCAA Division II level.

As for what comes after SWOSU, Sexton is keeping his plans simple.

“I’ll finish up here at SWOSU, and we’ll see where life takes me,” Sexton said.

                                                                             Photos Courtesy Cooper Sexton

What is your name and grade?

“My name is Creek Vines. I am a junior.”

Do you have any pets?

“Yeah, I’ve got three dogs or four dogs if you count both houses, and a cat. Their names are Sterling, Toby, Mitzi and MJ, the cat is Mittens.

What is your favorite class right now?

“PALS.”

What is your favorite sport?

“I really don’t have a favorite, I just like doing it all. I play football and baseball.”

Do you have a shout out for anyone?

“Yes, mainly my dad. My dad and mom have been by my side since I started.”

How long have you been playing football?

“Since I was about 6 years old.”

Who is your favorite college or professional athlete?

“Jason Kelce, retired NFL player.”

What advice would you give younger athletes?

“Be ready just to come in here and work hard every day. There’s no relaxing.”

Michael or Lebron?

“Michael.”

Tell me about a game or moment you’ll never forget in sports.

“My sixth-grade year we were playing Aledo. It was fourth and one, we were up by two, and I got the game winning tackle.”

What has sports taught you about life?

“Sports has taught me hard work and striving for what you want.”

What does life after high school look like?

“I’d like to follow in my dad’s footsteps and become a coach and teacher.”

Children who completed at least five hours of reading earned admission to the finale, which featured Kona Ice, giant bubbles with Mr. Bubbles, the BFF Mobile Petting Zoo, and visits from local first responders.

The Summer Reading program attracted 2,093 participants this year. Adult Services Librarian Rebecca Buchanan said 668 adults, 267 teens, 993 children, and 225 littles registered, with every age group showing an increase over last year.

Library Director Curren McLane said the program is about more than prizes and parties. She said reading throughout the summer helps prevent the “summer slide,” a decline in learning that can happen when kids are out of school. By making reading fun, the library encourages children to continue learning while exploring books that match their interests.

McLane said graphic novels, especially the “Dog Man” series, remained favorites among young readers, while nonfiction books about animals and sports continued to be in high demand. Buchanan added that many adult readers gravitated toward fantasy, romance and mystery thrillers. The library’s new read-along books, which feature built-in audio players that read stories aloud while prompting children to turn the page, also proved especially popular.

McLane said she hopes families leave the program knowing the library offers much more than books. With free programs, technology, study spaces and community events available year-round, she encouraged residents who have not visited recently to stop by and see everything the library has to offer.

The sense of nostalgia instantly hit me, and I found myself remembering my days in band. What began as a story assignment became a reminder of how much those rehearsals, performances and especially the friendships shaped my high school experience.

My journey with band began with a flute in the sixth grade at Hoover Elementary. Band was a blur until I got to high school. I remember my first day of band camp as a freshman member of the Marching Green Pride and feeling intimidated. But the members of my section were quick to welcome me with open arms.

Suddenly, rehearsing in the scorching July heat wasn’t too bad because I had my friends, and we had each other. I’m still extremely close with Tori and Tony, who I met in the flute section, and it was all thanks to band those friendships blossomed.

Sophomore year of high school brought some of my favorite competitions and football games. After our marching season was over, I decided to do something I had never done — audition for the indoor wind group — which introduced me to tenor saxophone.

Although I was placed with the low reed section and away from the flute section, the low reed section quickly became another family. Learning a new instrument was tough, but once again, members of the section were extremely supportive in helping me learn and get caught up in the world of saxophone, making the transition easier.

I was already friends with some people in the low reed section, but being a part of it introduced me to some of my best friends in high school, Elli and Holt. We didn’t get to perform our indoor production, “Midnight City,” too many times because — thanks to COVID-19 — our season was cut short.

After playing flute and tenor sax during my sophomore year, I made the switch to playing only tenor my junior year — one of the best decisions I made throughout high school. We didn’t have a traditional marching season or indoor season because of the COVID pandemic that year. But playing in the football stands was still fun. I remember playing as loud as possible, dancing with my section and everyone laughing nonstop after.

Before I knew it, senior year of high school had arrived. I remember walking into the band hall on the first day of band camp and feeling it was going to be a special season. Our production, “The Road Not Taken,” was my favorite marching production of all I had been part of. Everything about the production was perfect, from the music to the visuals to the props.

I can’t forget about rehearsals, which were very well structured, but still fun. The bus rides were full of energy, which helped me feel hype and ready for the contests. I remember blasting early 2000s music with Elli, Holt and another close friend, Alex, on the bus and having the time of my life. Contests were equally fun, and we always had a good time.

That season is unforgettable as it marked the first time in years because the Marching Green Pride became a Bands of America Regional finalist for the first time in the history of the program and a UIL Area 5A finalist. Nothing beats the feeling of getting on and off the field at the Alamodome at the Bands of America San Antonio Super Regional competition.

The last production of my senior year was the 2022 indoor production, “Moon River.” I won’t ever forget the bittersweet feeling that lingered in my body on the first day of indoor rehearsal. Every rehearsal and performance during this season will never be matched.

The best part of the season was traveling with my friends by bus to Dayton, Ohio. The 18-hour trip was full of exciting moments. Prelims went well at the Winter Guard International Sport of the Arts competition, and I remember hugging my friends extra tight before we performed in the finals as a few tears rolled down my cheeks — I knew it would be the last time to perform this show with this group.

How could we ever forget the feeling of hanging out with other indoor band groups from around the world at the competition and being awarded second place medals in the Scholastic World Class category.

I don’t remember every set I marched or every note I played, but I remember the people. I will always cherish the unforgettable memories, lifelong friends and the band for giving me a place where I truly felt I belonged.

Fast forward to today. The earliest forms of choir and musical instruments now have a permanent spot in our schools to give students a creative outlet and to increase their musical theory knowledge.

But which subject has more benefits for students? In this edition of “Double Take,” the choir position will be argued by Jolee Skinner and the band position will be represented by Cynthia Garcia.

CHOIR POSITION

Although singing may be the most vulnerable and nerve-wracking form of musical performance, choir teaches more than just how to sing. Many freshman choir classes focus on music theory. Students learn to read sheet music and different music keys, how to sight-read and practice vocal exercises. An important aspect of choir is learning how to work together as a team. As a vocal choir, students must learn how to sing as one versus singing individually. The basic vocal skills students will develop include learning to breathe at the same time during a song, rhythm, pitch, diction and posture. Choir students will also be challenged to sing in different languages, including Latin, Spanish, Italian, French and German. Learning these different languages through songs exposes students to different cultures and international music. Choir students can also compete in UIL competitions and potentially earn scholarship money for college. Competition gives students a chance to perfect their voice and challenge themselves in a way they may not experience otherwise.

BAND POSITION

Both band and choir provide students with musical skills, including music theory, reading sheet music and sight reading. However, band students learn instrument-specific techniques such as fingerings, breath control for woodwinds and brass and stick control for percussionists. Playing an instrument requires fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and the ability to multitask. A student in band from sixth grade through their senior year of high school may strengthen their multitasking abilities before college.

Band often requires students to think about more than the notes written on the page. Many instruments are built in a specific key, which requires students to transpose music to understand how their notes relate to concert pitch.

Different musical texture is also offered in band. In choir, singers are usually divided into four parts: soprano, alto, tenor and bass. In band, there are different parts written for the same instrument and different instruments that play the same part, which creates a rich, layered sound. Band allows students to perform concert music, jazz, marching band and pep band, which provide more performance opportunities.

A lot of the same opportunities available to choir are available to band students. Band also provides students with the opportunity to compete in UIL, All-Region and All-State solo and ensemble contests. Scholarship opportunities are also available to band students

Working as a team isn’t a unique aspect of choir. In band, students learn to work together as a team since different instruments and parts blend together under the direction of one conductor.

Cody Savage — owner of Joe Rider Propane on Jacksboro Highway — recently transformed one of his propane delivery trucks in honor of his 17-year-old daughter, Ryleigh, and her 10-year journey with epilepsy.

“In the propane industry, there’s lots of breast cancer awareness,” Savage told The Azle News. “One day, I was reading a trade magazine and saw a breast cancer awareness truck and got the idea. I was like, ‘You know what? I’m going to do an epilepsy awareness truck in honor of Ryleigh, and it’ll make her feel special.’”

Unbeknownst to both Ryleigh and his employees, Savage went to a dealership and shared his vision for a custom company truck — complete with a vivid purple cab, an epilepsy awareness ribbon and matching purple accents.

“The drivers have been really excited about it,” Savage said. “I drove it home one day and showed it to my family and they loved it. When Ryleigh first saw it, she just walked over and she’s like, ‘Daddy, I love it.’ It was the moment I was wanting. She was so proud.”

Because winter is normally the company’s busiest season, Savage said the plan is to have his employees rotate the truck on a set schedule to help spread awareness about epilepsy during their delivery routes, which range from south of Granbury to Justin.

“(We deliver to) four counties,” Savage said. “We go until maybe 10 miles west of Springtown and as far east as Keller, all the way up to Argyle, so it’s a big area that it will get seen.”

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT

Savage said Ryleigh was first diagnosed with generalized idiopathic epilepsy with absence seizures — characterized by sudden, brief blank stares — when she was in first grade. He explained her condition was initially misdiagnosed as attention deficit disorder and later thought to be night terrors because her seizures were so short they often went unnoticed.

“Most of the time when you think about an epileptic, you think about somebody laying on the ground (convulsing) and those are called grand mal seizures,” Savage explained. “But Ryleigh’s seizures were bursts that were one to three seconds long and she may have 60 of them in an hour.”

Because Ryleigh’s seizures only lasted a few seconds at a time, Savage said it was easy for her to miss key instructions at school or not notice when someone was calling her name.

“She would just kind of not pay attention … and we just thought she was being disobedient,” he said. “We would keep calling her name and then she's finally like, ‘What? Why are you screaming at me?’ But we were able to get her to Cook (Children’s Medical Center) in Fort Worth and get her on medicine that worked.”

NEVER DEFINED

While the diagnosis was a shock to the whole family, the hope that Ryleigh may someday grow out of it helped her maintain a positive attitude and an upbeat outlook on life.

“She was really up-spirited and was always like, ‘God gave me this for a reason, and I'm going to use it,’ and she was always really trying to help other kids that might have epilepsy,” Savage said. “She's really had a heart for that kind of stuff, like she would have her birthday parties, and she would have all the kids bring gifts that she could then take to Cook Children’s and donate to other kids with epilepsy who had it worse than she did.”

Savage said the seriousness of her condition didn’t set in for Ryleigh until her seventh-grade year, when she experienced her first grand mal seizure in the back of the car on the way to school.

“It was a traumatic event,” Savage said. “We were at a stop sign, and I was going to turn left, so I just happened to turn to make sure there was no traffic coming, and I caught her out of the corner of my eye … As most teenagers, she just wanted to dismiss it. In her mind, it was like, ‘Well, I don't want this anymore, so I'm just not going to have it.’”

Despite her diagnosis, Savage said Ryleigh went on to become an “incredible athlete,” and played on both the varsity soccer team and basketball team at her school, Grapevine Faith.

“She has this attitude of, ‘This is not defining me. Don't treat me different. I don't want teachers treating me different,’” Savage explained.

THE TURNING POINT

Ryleigh’s stubbornness with her epilepsy, Savage said, continued until her junior year of high school, when she missed two doses of her medication and suffered a six-minute grand mal seizure during the first basketball game of the season.

“She has to take her medicine every 12 hours, so every morning, every evening … but it was a battle to get her to take her medicine. It was still just like, ‘I don’t want to deal with it,’” he explained. “She didn't take her medicine Friday night, Saturday morning … She got up Saturday morning, went to her game … She’s standing next to her coach, and the coach is kind of talking to her about the play coming, and she literally goes into a grand mal seizure, and he just catches her, takes her to the ground and holds her.”

While it was an embarrassing moment for Ryleigh, Savage said it was the perfect wake-up call she needed to start taking her medication — and epilepsy — seriously.

“It’s like she had to have that moment that was in front of all of her friends for it to really click like, ‘OK, I need to take care of myself,’” Savage said.

Today, Savage said Ryleigh is staying on top of her medication and recently spent two and a half weeks in Europe.

“She’s thriving, like she’s really trying,” he said. “She hopes to go to the University of Oklahoma where her sister is.”

BEYOND THE DIAGNOSIS

While Savage’s truck was inspired by his daughter’s journey, he said he hopes it will spark more conversations about epilepsy and help educate others about a condition that is often misunderstood.

“Epilepsy, it's a really rare thing, and because it's rare, I don't think it gets a lot of education or knowledge,” he said.

Savage’s wife, Mandy, said knowing what to do when someone is having a seizure can be just as important as recognizing one. She explained taking simple measures such as comforting the person and ensuring they’re in a safe place can go a long way toward helping someone during a seizure.

“A lot of times, people are disoriented,” Mandy Savage said. “Don’t try to hold their tongue, don't try to hold their head and don’t try to restrict them because if it is a grand mal, a lot of times that comes with jerking and that can be more dangerous.”

She said overall, she wants the public to know that there’s different types of epilepsy and it’s more common than people think.

“It affects one in 26 people — that’s an elementary classroom,” she said. “When people first get that diagnosis or they hear of epilepsy, they think life as you know it is over … That is definitely something a lot of people think — that they can't drive, that they can't live life — but they just have to adjust their expectations and be extra cautious.”

As residents start seeing the epilepsy truck this winter, Cody Savage said he hopes they begin seeing epilepsy differently — and not just as someone’s diagnosis.

“Ryleigh is proof you can do anything any other kid can do,” he said.

One of Texas’ most popular fast-food chains opened its doors at 417 Northwest Parkway July 30, as hundreds of customers donned their best cow attire to celebrate the grand opening and “Eat Mor Chikin.”

As the Azle Area Chamber of Commerce honored the occasion with a ribbon cutting ceremony — and Mayor Randa Goode proclaimed July 30 “Chick-fil-A Day” in Azle — owner and operator Mike Tipton shared how he and his wife, Tina, were able to bring the highly anticipated Chick-fil-A to Azle.

“We've operated the Chick-fil-A at Lake Worth for 20 years, and we had an opportunity to decide to stay put or come to Azle,” he explained. “What attracted me to Azle is the community, honestly. We have participated in a lot of the community events out here. We did Music in the Park this summer, Sting Fling and the Christmas parade … So, I wanted to really plug in and become a part of this community. That's what brought me to Azle.”

Mike Tipton didn’t anticipate he would ever be a restaurant owner — especially one that would bring Northwest Parkway to a crawl on opening day. In fact, his career path initially led in the complete opposite direction, where Friday night lights reigned supreme over chicken sandwiches.

“It’s actually a funny story,” Tipton told The Azle News. “I came out of college to be a teacher and a football coach.”

When a bad knee ended his football career before it even began, he said becoming a coach was the next best thing and just as fulfilling.

“I enjoyed it,” he said. “I loved mentoring, teaching and coaching young people.”

However, once he and Tina started a family, Tipton said he realized he was spending more time mentoring other people's children than making memories with his own.

“I was watching my daughter sleep a lot, so that bothered me,” Mike Tipton said. “I felt like I was sacrificing a lot in pay, but also in time with my family.”

Motivated to find a career change, Tipton put his math and science skills to work at a pharmaceutical company. Though he ended up becoming one of the nation’s top sales representatives for one of the company’s products, he said a “big dose of corporate politics” made him realize it was time for another change.

“I wanted to be a part of something special, so after a term with a horrible manager, I decided I want to work for myself,” he explained. “If I make a mistake, I'll pay for my own mistakes, and if I have successes, nobody else can steal those successes.”

Tipton was first introduced to Chick-fil-A at a summer camp, where founder Truett Cathy spoke about the company's purpose of putting people first. With Truett’s remarks leaving a lasting impression — and with encouragement from a longtime friend who was also a Chick-fil-A owner-operator at the time — Tipton left his career with a Fortune 500 company and became the owner-operator of Chick-fil-A Lake Worth Jan. 12, 2006.

While many people see owning a Chick-fil-A location as an investment opportunity, Tipton explained that becoming a franchise owner requires many responsibilities and everyday duties.

“They’re looking for someone to actively operate the restaurant, be here on the property, grow their business and be the face of Chick-fil-A for that community — and that’s what I was looking for,” he said.

Tipton said it wasn’t until much later that he realized just how many stars had to align for him to be picked out of 20,000 applicants to lead the Lake Worth location. He said it was that reason alone why he felt the opportunity was truly God-led.

“I felt like I came home,” he said. “I’m still mentoring and coaching young people. I just do it in business and in life instead of sports.”

Tipton said he also experienced that same “meant to be” feeling when the opportunity arose to take over the Azle location.

“We put a lot of prayer and thought into it,” he said. “I knew Azle was a close-knit community. They’re very proud of this town and this school district, and I like that.”

While many in Azle are already familiar with Chick-fil-A, Tipton said he’s excited to introduce the brand — and the original chicken sandwich — to new customers.

“We served a lot of Azle from Lake Worth, but not everybody in Azle goes through Lake Worth all the time … so I’m excited about giving them a little dose of how we serve people,” he said. “Just an outgoing, friendly service and genuine hospitality. That’s the way I was raised, and that’s what we hope to bring to Azle.”

As Mike and Tina Tipton say farewell to the Lake Worth location, Mike said their goal is to become a staple in the Azle community — and welcome a brand-new generation of self-proclaimed Chick-fil-A fanatics in the process.

“Our first goal is to become the Azle/Springtown/Boyd area’s favorite restaurant,” Tipton said. “We know we have to earn that … so give us feedback and let us know how we’re doing because that’s our goal. We know it’s lofty … but we’re striving to be your favorite restaurant.”

It’s police versus fire in Azle’s Battle of the Badges, a community blood drive featuring a friendly competition between the Azle Police Department and Azle Fire Department.

From 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at Azle City Hall, 505 W. Main St., donors can give blood during the Azle Area Ministerial Alliance’s bimonthly drive and choose which department gets their vote.

All donors will receive a $25 e-gift card and a Battle of the Badges T-shirt.

Sales tax holiday set Aug. 7-9

Texas’ Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday is set for Friday through Sunday, Aug. 7-9.

Texas residents can support Texas businesses while saving money on tax-free purchases of most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced at less than $100 each during the annual tax-free weekend.

A complete list of qualifying clothing, footwear and other items can be found at this link. Follow this link for a list of qualifying school supplies.

Community clothing swap due Aug. 8

Revive United Methodist Church will host a clothing swap from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8 at 404 W. Main St. in Azle. Bring clean, lightly used clothing, browse clothing donated by others.

The first 250 families will receive a free swag bag. Drawings for $100 Walmart gift cards throughout the event will also be included, as well as free hot dogs.

Find updated information at Revive United Methodist Church.

Popcorn Players’ Improv set Aug. 8

The Azle Arts Popcorn Players will host a one-night-only improv show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Azle Arts Association theater at 1012 Southeast Parkway.

All seats are $5. Visit azlearts.org to purchase tickets.

Talking Book Program debuts Aug. 10

Anyone who has difficulty reading standard print material is invited to the Community Room at Azle Memorial Library, 333 W. Main St., from 2-3:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10 to learn about the Talking Book Program.

During the information session, attendees will see a demonstration of the Digital Talking Book Machine and learn who qualifies for the program.

Call the Azle Memorial Library at 817-752-2682 and speak with the Adult Services Librarian for more information.

AJH ribbon cutting, open house Aug. 11

Come celebrate the opening of the new Azle Junior High campus Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 201 School St.

The celebration will kick off at the AJH back entrance with an Azle Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m., followed by an open house until 6 p.m.

Azle FCCLA Craft Fair expected Oct. 3

Azle High School FCCLA will host its fourth annual Craft Fair Fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 3, at Azle High School. The event will feature vendor booths throughout the cafeteria, gyms and Hall of Fame Commons, along with food trucks outside the stadium.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will support FCCLA programs and activities. Vendors interested in participating can find application information through DFW Craft Shows or by contacting FCCLA adviser Natasha Deramee at nderamee@azleisd.net.

During the public comments portion of the July 7 council meeting, resident Andy Rector asked members to consider amending the Azle Fire Code, which requires buildings 6,000 square feet or larger to have a fire suppression system installed — and that includes single-family residences.

“The house we are building would be required to include a fire suppression system in it, and I’m asking that the single-family residences be excluded from that provision across the board,” Rector told council members. “I’m not looking for any exceptions for just my particular situation. I don’t think it makes sense to require fire suppression systems in any houses.”

Rector said there are two state statutes — Local Government Code 250.012 and Texas Occupations Code 1301.551 — that specifically prohibit a city from requiring fire suppression systems in residential homes.

While both codes prohibit municipalities from requiring fire sprinkler systems in one- or two-family dwellings, Rector pointed out that the Local Government Code includes an exception for cities that adopted such requirements before Jan. 1, 2009.

However, Rector said since there is no exception to the Texas Occupations Code, he believes the city of Azle is not in compliance.

“In March, when you guys adopted the 2024 International Fire Code as part of Azle Fire Code, an amendment that you included requires fire suppression systems in any residences over 6,000 square feet,” Rector said. “And in my opinion, I think that violates the Texas Occupations Code.”

Rector said he wasn't there to argue the legal point but wanted council to also consider the practical implications of requiring residential fire suppression systems.

“What are these fire systems? They are water sprinkler systems located in the ceilings and the attics that activate in case of fire,” he said. “These systems are not designed to put out a structure fire … They are designed to give the occupants more time to evacuate.”

Rector explained these systems are also not foolproof and could activate without a fire, which could result in a flood. He added that the attic water lines can also freeze during the winter, which requires homeowners to heat portions of their attic space.

While the system would cost Rector more than $41,000 to install, he said his main concern is the potential risk of damage, especially since his home already includes fire mitigation features such as a tile roof and rock wool insulation.

“The safety of the general public is not at issue here; it's just my family. If you don't have a fire sprinkler system in your house, it’s because you chose not to put one in there. I'm just asking the ability to have the same right to make that decision on behalf of mine,” Rector said. “I'm asking you guys to amend the fire code to exempt single-family residences because it's the common-sense thing to do. It's the right thing to do.”

COUNCIL DISCUSSION/RESPONSE

During council discussion, Azle Fire Chief Will Scott said he reviewed fire suppression ordinances from 20 other cities within Tarrant County — including Lake Worth, Saginaw, Haltom City and Watauga — and found they all have similar ordinances as Azle regarding the 6,000-square-foot requirement.

“This (requirement) has been going on for roughly, I believe, since 2006 so for us to go back on that, I think that the council would be greatly causing concerns and issues in the fire service itself,” Scott said. “Mr. Rector is very right when he believes that residents should have an opinion. However, sometimes we have to save ourselves from ourselves, and that's where laws and ordinances come into place.”

Scott said the 6,000-square-foot threshold exists because that’s the same size as a small to medium commercial building, which will typically have “bigger flow paths” for fires. He added that modern homes are also built with engineered construction materials and furnished with synthetic materials that allow fires to spread more rapidly.

Following an executive session, Mayor Randa Goode announced that at this time, council will not be taking any further action on the city’s fire suppression ordinance.

“We are, however, open to looking at case by case,” Goode said. “It’s just hard for us to make a blanket amendment to this without knowing the effects it would have.”

Place 4 council member Josh Berry agreed and told Rector if he presented his specific case to council, it would help them decide whether or not there is a safety issue.

“We drew the line as a community, and several other communities like us have similar ordinances that are in line with that,” he said. “I personally don’t feel comfortable removing that ordinance for various reasons because it does serve the general public.”

Although the ordinance will remain in place, City Manager Amber Beard told Rector he was welcome to work with city staff if he wished to pursue a variance request for his property.

The two-day event served as an Azle ISD crash course, with Superintendent Todd Smith and other district leaders going over the ins and outs of Azle ISD as new teachers connected with fellow educators.

As orientation kicked off, Smith spoke words of encouragement, reminding teachers that he was exactly where they were about 30 years ago — and he’s remained in the Azle ISD ever since.

“You’ve got a great community support here, and I believe you’re in one of the best districts in the state — so much so that this is the only district I’ve been in,” Smith explained, adding that he first came to Azle ISD as an agriculture teacher in 1994. “No matter where you are in your career — if this is your first stop or you’ve been in other districts, and you finally made your way over here — we're proud to have you.”

Throughout the morning, new teachers were treated to welcoming gestures from the community, including free breakfast and a $100 giveaway from Educational Employees Credit Union, school supplies from Walmart and a goodie bag from the Azle Area Chamber of Commerce. The Azle Education Foundation also awarded 26 first-time teachers with a $250 gift card to help furnish their classrooms.

State Rep. Charlie Geren, who sponsored lunch for the event, welcomed the district’s newest educators and praised Azle ISD for its strong leadership and support.

“The superintendent here and all the administrative staff will have your back — and I can't say that in every district,” Geren said. “Really, you have the best administrative staff and the best school board of all the districts; it's an honor to be here.”

With the district experiencing a period of transition due to grade-level reconfiguration and campus realignment, Smith encouraged new teachers to be patient and create welcoming environments in their classrooms — a mindset he said reflects the district’s mission of making a difference to “Every child, every chance, every day.”

“Every instructional minute matters,” Smith said. “If you look at the big picture, it's very limited, so we're going to be very focused on every minute, every chance that we get with that student, whether that's in the classroom, out on the field or out with the band marching — wherever the case may be.”

Smith said the district’s motto — “It makes a difference to this one” — also serves as a reminder that even small acts of kindness and encouragement can have a lasting impact on a student’s life.

“Everybody in this room knows a teacher who touched your life, who got you to where you are today, so I just encourage you to be that teacher who makes a difference,” Smith said. “That creates what I like to call that ripple effect of not only are you impacting that child, but you're impacting generations. Those little actions that you do — not only in the classroom, but in whatever your role is — can have those lasting impressions for years to come.”

Using a jar of pennies as an analogy, Smith pointed out that not every penny looks the same — some are tarnished and some are “nice and shiny” — but he explained that just like students, they all have the same value.

“When we have that first day of school, you're going to have those students who are going to be dressed to the nines,” Smith explained. “But then you're going to have those who are wearing the same clothes and same shoes that they probably had the last two or three years for the first day of school — but they all have the same value.”

As 95 new teachers prepare to teach a whole new generation of students in the Azle ISD, Smith encouraged them to keep in mind how much of an impact they can have on just one student — even on the first day.

“I think we could all go around this room and remember that teacher we didn't care (for), or who almost made us want to quit that program,” Smith said. “You don't want to be that teacher. You want to be the teacher who creates that ripple effect of that positivity in generations to come — not only with that student, but with their families and their families after that.”

Smith added he looks forward to watching every new teacher grow in the Azle ISD, whether they’re teaching the youngest minds in prekindergarten or the senior about to graduate.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know you and watching you grow through your career,” Smith said. “I’m hoping you — whether through your new teacher onboarding, your time in here this morning or hearing from our campus principals — are finding that this is a very special place to be.”

Council members were left with several questions during a previous budget workshop July 14, after learning the police department had exceeded its fiscal year 2026-27 payroll budget by approximately $200,000.

While last year’s payroll budget was $385,000, Mayor Tamra Olague previously explained that this year’s proposed $587,000 budget includes the loss of a grant for one officer position and the department’s transition to full-time staff.

Although rumors have circulated that part of the payroll increase is because of several new officers on staff, Anderson said the city only has five full-time officers.

“I’ve been hearing a lot that we have 13 paid officers; we don’t,” Anderson explained. “We have 13 people who are carrying commissions. It’s a completely different thing.”

Along with the department’s five paid officers, Anderson explained that several reserve officers are either nonpaid employees or currently in the hiring process. He added that he hopes to hire a sixth officer soon on a 32-hour schedule, which will help with overnight coverage and require less reliance on the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office to fill in the gaps.

“Tarrant County does come out and patrol,” he said. “We do have an agreement with them right now to where they handle all our crime scenes, major accident investigations, sex offender registrations … They come out and back our guys up, so we have all those resources that we do pull from a lot … but we’re getting to where we have way more coverage than we used to.”

Anderson explained that the department currently operates on four 10-hour shifts — leaving about four hours each day without any patrol coverage — but he added that many of his staff also assist in other areas, like code enforcement and animal control.

“We’re doing as much as we possibly can with what we have. We know there’s always more to do, and we’ll do everything we can moving forward,” he said.

Place 5 Alderman Kathy Bender explained that the quality of the police department isn’t an issue; it’s the coverage, and Olague agreed.

“I know we have quality officers, and Chief and I had discussed that,” Olague said. “In the beginning, we didn’t want to hire a bunch of young, gunning ‘make a name for yourself’ officers — but if you compare us with other cities, we’re the 13th lowest-paying city in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.”

Anderson said the department also prides itself on only hiring recommended officers instead of “blindly hiring” just anyone who applies.

“It's been a slow process — a tedious process — but we're getting some extremely high-quality guys,” he said. “Any other people who work in that network can step in and do my job any day of the week — that's the level of people we have.”

While council members praised the quality of the police department, one question still remained: how will the city cover the proposed $200,000 increase in payroll?

Even though the council could decide for itself where to cut from the police department’s budget, Bender asked Anderson if he had any ideas, adding that they need his input and expertise before making any decisions.

Anderson told council they could cut, “wherever they’d like,” whether that means a hiring freeze, reducing the number of part-time positions or converting some full-time positions to part time.

“I only spend what y’all give me. If y’all give me all the money in the world, I’m going to spend it,” he said, chuckling. “But if you got to cut back, you got to cut back — and I’ll make that work as well … We’ll do what we have to do to make the budget work and get y’all the best service we possibly can.”

FUNDING THE FUTURE

Beyond police staffing, council also reviewed employee benefits, infrastructure needs and the city's overall financial outlook.

While many of the city’s expenses — including health insurance, liability coverage and electricity — increased this year, Olague said the city is expected to generate enough revenue to offset those costs.

“I’m projecting that the revenue for the year will be $1,655,117,” she said. “Now, that number is going to change once I get our tax rate in — because I’m really just guessing on what the no-new-revenue rate is going to be — but my expenses are exactly the same, so I’ve got it at zero.”

One proposed cost-saving measure, Olague said, includes opting out of Social Security for city employees and instead, increasing the city’s investment in the Texas Municipal Retirement System.

“We’ve been talking about ways to be able to save the city money, and one of the things that we discovered is that if we have our own retirement plan that is within what the government requires us to have, we do not have to pay Social Security,” Olague explained.

According to Olague, the city currently withholds 6.2% from employees’ paychecks for Social Security and then matches those deductions at 100%. Since the city spends anywhere between $54,000 and $70,000 a year in Social Security, Olague proposed discontinuing its participation and increasing employee TMRS contributions from 6% to 7% — a move she said could save the city as much as $30,000 a year.

“It is a good way for us to save money,” she said. “It's a good way for us to invest in our staff by giving them that 6% back and letting them put that into their retirement benefit by allowing them to put more in and for us to match it at a higher rate.”

With these changes, Olague said the city would save around $15,000 in the general fund, nearly $12,000 in the utility fund and a “lot of savings” in the police department budget.

“Overall, they (city employees) are getting more benefits in their retirement fund, (because) they’re getting more money on their paycheck,” she said. “They can do what they want to do with that money — they can invest it or put it in their pocket and spend it.”

Olague said the city also anticipates an additional $90,000 in revenue from the sale of a property at 1333 White Sands Drive, which is expected to go before council Aug. 11. If the sale is approved by council, Olague said she hopes to spend these funds on park improvements and street repairs, particularly Sherry Lane and Long Avenue.

Pelican Bay City Council is expected to consider the proposed budget and no-new-revenue tax rate Aug. 25.

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.

That's why when I report on the happenings in local and state government, I always watch the budget just as closely as I watch the speeches.

Last week Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows instructed state agencies to prepare their next budget requests with a 3% reduction from current spending levels.

This caught my attention.

Most Texans have never heard of the Legislative Budget Board or read an LBB policy directive letter, but they are important because they quietly begin the state's budgeting process. Every two years, before the Legislature convenes, state agencies receive instructions on how to prepare their initial budget requests. Those requests go to the Legislative Budget Board and the governor's budget office, where budget analysts begin shaping the recommendations lawmakers will eventually use to write the state budget.

This is the starting point for building a state budget. And this year’s starting point is agencies being told to plan for less.

On its own, a 3% reduction isn’t headline news. As a conservative, I think government should always be looking for ways to spend taxpayer dollars wisely.

It is, however, worth stopping to consider the timing.

For years, state leaders have been telling Texans that our economy is among the strongest in the nation. Businesses continue moving here. Jobs are growing. The Rainy Day Fund remains healthy. They have built a compelling narrative that Texas is thriving because of conservative leadership.

The letter from the Big Three says the reduction is intended to demonstrate “prudent stewardship of taxpayer resources” and establish a “fiscally conservative budget.”

Those are reasonable goals. The question is why the budgeting strategy changed now.

State agencies were asked to make 5% reductions in 2020 as Texas confronted the economic uncertainty created by COVID-19. But the state returned to baseline budget instructions in the next two cycles.

If prudent stewardship, efficiency and fiscal conservatism have been the guiding principles of this administration all along, why weren’t agencies asked to plan for less in 2022 or 2024?

I think there are a couple of reasonable explanations.

One possibility is that despite the optimistic message Texans have been hearing, state leaders think the next budget is going to be tighter than the last.

Abbott, Patrick and Burrows have access to revenue estimates, tax collections and economic projections before most Texans ever study them. They may be seeing signs that the next two-year budget will be tighter than the last. If so, asking agencies to prepare for less is prudent government.

Politics could also be part of the answer.

Texas is in an election year, and Abbott is seeking a fourth term as governor. There are predictions that Republicans could lose seats in the Texas House. They also lost a seat in the Texas Senate earlier this year, when Democrats flipped Senate District 9 in a special election.

Texans are also feeling financial pressure at their kitchen tables, with continuing concerns about affordability, gas prices, insurance and property taxes. In that environment, a tighter state budget makes for a strong political talking point.

A directive requiring every agency to begin 3% lower helps make that case. It gives Texas leaders something tangible to point to when they talk about smaller government, fiscal restraint and property tax relief.

There’s another piece to this. Abbott is governing for a national audience.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis built his national profile by presenting Florida as the model of conservative government. I believe Abbott is following the same playbook. For Abbott’s national ambitions to work, Texas must be seen as the conservative bulwark — the state that cuts taxes, restrains spending and sets the standard for Republican governance. I believe this directive is part of the political resume Abbott is building for national office.

Viewed that way, the budget letter isn't just about preparing the next budget. It's also about sending a political message.

Of course, those two explanations aren't mutually exclusive.

State leaders may see enough economic uncertainty to justify caution while also recognizing that spending reductions create a useful election-year message. In government, those two things often travel together.

The 3% reduction may be a good budgeting move, but that’s not the story.

Either the Texas economic picture is looking bleaker than state leaders are letting on, fiscal restraint makes for a good campaign message, or maybe it’s both.

Politicians spend a lot of time telling us where they think Texas is headed. Budgets tell us where they’re actually preparing to go.

That’s why we should all watch the budget.

Head volleyball coach Kenley Buckholt said 35 incoming freshmen attended the morning session, while approximately 78 incoming seventh- and eighth-grade students participated in the afternoon session.

The three-day camp focused on volleyball fundamentals and preparing players for upcoming school tryouts. Freshman tryouts begin Aug. 1, while junior high tryouts are scheduled for Aug. 17.

AHS enters the 2026 season following an impressive 2025 campaign. The Lady Hornets finished 30-13 overall and 10-2 in district play, with both district losses coming against Aledo.

The ladies advanced to the UIL Class 5A playoffs before their season ended with a BI district loss to Grapevine.

Following tryouts, the Lady Hornets will have little time before preseason play begins. Azle is scheduled to host Springtown, Tolar and Lake Worth in a multi-team scrimmage Aug. 7 at the Azle High School gym as the team prepares for the start of the regular season.

                                                                     Eddy Prather | The Azle News

Sheets, a 2022 Azle graduate, is coming off his best collegiate season at Texas A&M University-Texarkana after batting .302 with eight home runs, 40 RBIs, nine doubles and 37 runs scored this spring.

His success continued this summer with the Nacogdoches Niners of the Mid-America League. Sheets entered the week of July 20 leading the league with a .416 batting average while ranking third in stolen bases with 20.

The road to success was not always easy.

Sheets began his college career at the University of Texas Permian Basin, where injuries forced him to redshirt his first season. He transferred to Dallas College Eastfield in 2025 before moving to Mid-America Christian University. He later transferred to Texas A&M-Texarkana, where he enjoyed a breakout season.

Looking back, Sheets said his senior season at Azle gave him the confidence to believe he could compete at the next level.

"I gained the confidence to believe I could compete in college after my senior year at Azle," Sheets said.

Baseball has been part of Sheets' life since he was 3 years old. He also played football and basketball while growing up, but after seventh grade he decided to focus entirely on baseball.

When asked about his favorite memory at Azle, Sheets pointed to a playoff victory over Birdville during his senior season.

"My favorite high school game was our playoff win against Birdville," Sheets said. "Even though we lost the series, that win was a huge turning point in my baseball career and gave me the confidence in what I was capable of."

His favorite college memory came this past spring during Texas A&M-Texarkana's dramatic postseason comeback against Texas A&M-Victoria.

"My favorite college game was our recent win over Texas A&M-Victoria," Sheets said. "We came back from an eight-run deficit in the eighth inning to advance to the conference championship. It was one of the most exciting games I've ever been a part of."

Sheets credits Azle head baseball coach Stephen Smith with having the greatest influence on his development.

"I would say coach Smith had the biggest influence on my development, both as a player and as a person," Sheets said. "His impact on my life has been tremendous."

Sheets encourages young athletes to develop a strong work ethic both in athletics and in the classroom.

He said success comes from outworking the competition every day and carrying that mindset into every aspect of life.

Although he has already enjoyed success at the collegiate level, Sheets hopes his baseball career is far from over.

"I would love the opportunity to play overseas or wherever the game takes me," Sheets said.

Looking back, Sheets said the one thing he would change would have been to bring his current work ethic to his high school career.

Now he understands how much dedication it takes to compete at the college level, a lesson he hopes future Hornets will learn early as they pursue their own dreams.

                                                                    Photos Courtesy Brandon Sheets

Officially known as the Texas High School Coaches Association Coaching School and Convention, the annual event has long served as the unofficial beginning of a new school year for Texas high school athletics.

The 94th annual Coaching School and Convention was held July 19-21 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. The event rotates between Houston and San Antonio. Fort Worth previously was part of the rotation but is no longer a host city.

Founded in 1930 by a group of Texas high school football coaches, the Texas High School Coaches Association was established to promote coaching education, improve the profession and advocate for student athletes. What began as an organization for football coaches has grown into one of the nation's largest coaching associations.

 More than 18,000 coaches, athletic administrators, exhibitors and industry representatives from across Texas and neighboring states each year.

Azle High School head football coach Wilson Rigg and members of his coaching staff attended this year's convention.

"I think it's a great opportunity to hear from coaches from around the state," Rigg said. "It is a very unique event that no other state can replicate."

The convention features educational sessions covering nearly every UIL-sanctioned sport. College coaches serve as many of the featured presenters, while successful high school coaches also share ideas and best practices. Occasionally, professional coaches or former NFL players are invited to speak.

The event is structured so an entire athletic department can attend, allowing football, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, track and field and other coaching staffs to participate in sport-specific presentations while also attending general sessions.

Networking remains one of the convention's greatest benefits. Coaches from every UIL classification exchange ideas, discuss successful strategies and build professional relationships that often last throughout their careers.

"I try to pick up at least one thing as a program from every lecture that we can implement," Rigg said. "It may be as small as a term or as large as a new scheme."

Beyond sport-specific instruction, coaches also attend presentations covering UIL rule changes, leadership and program culture, strength and conditioning, sports medicine and injury prevention. The convention's expansive trade show gives coaches an opportunity to meet with equipment manufacturers, technology companies and other vendors while learning about the latest products available for their athletic programs.

For many coaches, Coaching School also represents one final opportunity to spend time together before the demanding fall season begins. Once practices start, coaching staffs often work seven days a week while preparing for competition.

"With so many great speakers, every year is extremely productive," Rigg said.

As the convention concludes, coaches return to their schools with new ideas, updated UIL information and strategies they hope will improve their programs. For generations of Texas coaches, Coaching School has marked the end of summer and the beginning of another high school sports season.

                                                                             Eddy Prather | The Azle News

In addition to having players recognized with Academic All-State honors, the Hornets have once again earned the Team Academic Excellence Award from the American Baseball Coaches Association, marking the sixth consecutive year the program has received the national honor.

The Team Academic Excellence Award recognizes high school baseball programs that demonstrate outstanding achievement in the classroom. To qualify, a team must post a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.3.

Azle was one of just 22 Texas high schools and one of 300 high school baseball programs across the country to earn the award this year.

The honor reflects the program's commitment to academics as well as athletics. Throughout the school year, players balance practices, games, travel and classroom responsibilities while maintaining the academic standards necessary to qualify for the award.

In addition to team recognition, Azle players also earned Academic All-State honors during the past season, adding to the program's growing list of academic accomplishments.

Stephen Smith will begin his 12th season as head baseball coach at AHS this fall. During his tenure, Azle has consistently emphasized the importance of succeeding both in the classroom and on the baseball field.

The Team Academic Excellence Award continues that tradition and recognizes the work student athletes put in every day away from the diamond.

Maintaining a high team GPA takes a commitment from every player, along with support from teachers, parents and coaches throughout the school year.

For the Hornets, this recognition is another reminder that success is measured by more than wins and losses. Academic achievement remains a cornerstone of the program as players prepare for college, careers and life beyond baseball.

As Smith and the Hornets prepare for the upcoming season, the latest academic honor serves as another milestone for a program that continues to set high expectations both on the field and in the classroom.

                                                                                     Eddy Prather | The Azle News

• Juan Peralta Bulmero, 46, was arrested July 5 in the 900 block of Boyd Road and charged with driving while intoxicated, second offense. He posted a $750 bond and was released from jail the following day.
• Christian Frias, 25, was arrested July 8 in the 1400 block of Yacht Club Drive and charged with online soliciting of a minor for sexual conduct. He remained in jail as of July 26 in lieu of a $150,000 bond.
• Jonathan Escamilla-Montelongo, 35, was arrested July 9 in the 1000 block of Boyd Road and  charged with possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 2, 1-4 grams. He posted a $2,000 bond July 11 and was released from jail.
• Jarrod Long, 42, was arrested July 10 in the 1500 block of Lark Court and charged with assault of a family or household member with a previous conviction. He remained in jail as of July 27 in lieu of a $75,000 bond.

Born in Colorado Springs, she graduated from Mesquite High School in 2002. She attended Navarro College in Corsicana before transferring to the University of North Texas, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in social sciences in 2007.

McLane was first introduced to Azle while she was obtaining her master’s degree in library and information sciences at the University of North Texas. At the time she knew she wanted to work in public libraries and already had five years of experience working at the University of North Texas libraries.

While she was finishing her master’s degree in late October 2008, the library assistant II position — essentially the adult services librarian position — opened at the Azle Memorial Library. While she was applying for the job, the library was still located in the old building on Southeast Parkway next to the former city hall.

She applied for the position, was hired and began working at the library in November 2008. During that time, she worked closely with former library director Judy Whitt and spent five months at the old library before moving into the current library building.

McLane said she got to know the people in the community during the grand opening of the new library building.

“I got to meet people, and I realized how much the citizens in Azle really care about this community, and they've been very supportive of the library and everything else in town,” she said.

During her first year in Azle, she said the community felt like home.

“I've just always had that feeling of Azle being this welcoming, just southern hospitality and warmth place to be, and I love that about this community,” McLane said.

In December 2009, Whitt retired, and McLane was appointed by the city to serve as the new library director.

She has been involved with the Lions Club since 2011 and currently serves as first vice president.

“The library has served as its (the Lions Club’s) main Angel Tree dropoff point for gifts. They asked me around 2010, and I thought ‘This is a really cool program that they do.’ I wanted to join the organization,” she said.

She also serves as president of the Community Caring Center board. McLane met Kristie Cooper, executive director of the center, through some fundraisers the CCC helped the library with, and she also knew the former director. When a board position became available, Cooper was looking for someone who understood the community’s needs. Through her work at the library, McLane had helped community members connect with local resources, making her a natural fit.

“She asked me to be on the board, as well as the board (asked me). They invited me, and I felt like it was a great connection because a lot of people come to the library who also go there (the CCC), and it's just another way to be involved in the community,” McLane said.

She has also served as chair of several different committees for the Texas Library Association.

There have been many people who have inspired McLane along the way, including Janie Rector and Whitt.

“Working with her (Whitt) and seeing the love she had for Azle really set that foundation for knowing that this community was really special. There have been other individuals who've been very supportive of the library, such as Debra Jenkins and Terri Bartlett, Kristie Cooper — just people around town that are so warm and friendly, and I've just had a wonderful chance to get to know them over the years,” she said.

For McLane, the library is about building connections with the community.

“It means connections and a community feel. It means that I can help through the library to improve people's lives, a place where they can bring their children, a place they can come to find resources or reading. Having that connection and being able to support the community in that way means so much, and Azle is amazing,” she said.

Outside the library, McLane enjoys gardening, cooking, camping and spending time with her dog.