During the AISD board meeting June 15, Sain presented his annual athletic report to the trustees, explaining that the department's mission is to develop students into “champions for life” — something he plans to do for every student as the district moves into the 2026-27 school year.

“The biggest thing that we have to remember is that we’re trusting these sons and daughters to develop into champions for life … We’re trusted with the most precious thing day in and day out that our families have, and with that comes a certain responsibility that we must live up to,” Sain said. “We need to create a product that is second to none across any place whatsoever, and when people are looking, they’re looking at Azle for the way athletics should be done.”

With a total of 1,938 athletes in the district, Sain said the department’s goal is true program alignment, which means leaning into AISD’s ability to be a “one high school” town.

Since arriving in Azle, Sain said the department has pursued vertical alignment in athletics for seventh- through 12th-grade students by expanding sport-specific camps for all ages, showing more pride for junior high games and developing a sixth-grade pre-athletics program.

However, with athletic camps growing in popularity at the elementary school level, Sain said the department is now working toward long-term athlete development — from pre-K to the graduation stage.

“In a ‘one high school town,’ we have the ability to do this,” he said. “Even from pre-K and kindergarten, these are measurable goals. We’re not just waiting until they're in the ninth grade.”

With coach Matt Holt working alongside elementary PE teachers and the Hornet Ready strength and conditioning camp entering its second summer, Sain said the department is already on its way to a cohesive athletic program.

“Those third through sixth graders are going through strength and conditioning and learning what they need to do and how they need to do it, so by the time they get into sixth grade pre-athletics, those kids are able to do things that our current ninth graders can do,” he said.

Sain added that strengthening relationships with local youth leagues is another priority for the department, including opening athletic facilities and hosting coaching clinics.

“We’re creating an environment that closes the gap with our seventh-grade athletes, so it’s not such a shock to the system when they step into seventh grade and they start competing,” he said. “They’re being trained by our campus athletic coordinators — the very people that are going to be running the athletic programs on campus every single day.”

As the athletic department continues to work to develop long-term athletes, Sain said the focus is to ensure the district is constantly evolving without losing sight of its mission: developing “champions for life.”

“We’re here to serve,” he said. “That’s our only role.”

The Azle Senior Activity Center will celebrate its 40th year in the community from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, June 24 at the center, located at 601 Southeast Parkway in Azle.

Psssst: Elvis will be in the building!

Plan your advance care at AML June 24

The Faith Community Nursing Education department of Texas Health Resources will present “Advance Care Planning: What I need to know” from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, June 24 in the Green Room at the Azle Memorial Library, 333 W. Main St.

Attend this two-hour course (in person only) to learn about Texas law and how to ensure your wishes are met; discuss how to talk with your family, and those close to you, about your future healthcare choices; and prepare the legal documents to share with your family and your health care team.

Azle Lions Club Car Show due June 27

The Azle Lions Club will host a car show beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 27 at 404 W. Main St. in Azle in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

Entry fee is $25, and the event will begin with registration from 9-11 a.m. Twenty-five awards will be presented starting at 1 p.m. Raffles and drawings will also take place.

For more information, contact Brandon at 817-994-0074.

Jukebox Heroes closes MIP June 27

DFW’s Jukebox Heroes will take the stage at this year’s final Music in the Park performance from 8-10 p.m. Friday, June 27 at the Central Park amphitheater, 263 W. Main St.

Get ready for a high-energy night as this talented band brings an exciting mix of pop, rock, dance and crowd-pleasing hits that everyone knows and loves to the stage.

America’s 250th Celebration set June 28

Ash Creek Baptist Church invites the public to join for a special community-wide patriotic worship celebrating America’s 250th anniversary at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 28 at Ash Creek Baptist Church, located at 300 S. Stewart St.

The event will feature a 100-plus voice community choir presenting the new patriotic musical “In God We Trust,” celebrating faith, freedom and unity through music.

Follow the Flag arrives July 4

The Azle Area Ministerial Alliance invites the community to the 33rd annual Follow the Flag event from 6-10 p.m. Saturday, July 4 at Central Park, 263 W. Main St.

Booths will open from 6-8 p.m. and will feature free hot dogs, snow cones, iced tea, water, face painting, temporary tattoos and more. Christian entertainers, an opening ceremony, and presentation of the Lew and Sandy Shaffer Award will take the amphitheater stage from 7-9 p.m. The event will conclude with a fireworks extravaganza around 9:30 p.m.

Chamber fundraiser raffle due July 7

The Azle Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a raffle to raise funds for a new building it plans to construct on Main Street.

Raffle items include a custom-fit Titleist or Calloway golf set, a Browning Citori CX Micro 12-gauge shotgun and a two-day Fredericksburg getaway.

Tickets are $25 each or five for $100 and must be purchased in person from a chamber representative. Tickets will be sold through July 6, with the final drawing taking place July 7 at the chamber luncheon.

EMPHC Coffee Hour set July 16

Eagle Mountain Pregnancy Help Center will host a Coffee Hour for ministry and community leaders from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 16 at 10328 Jacksboro Highway in Fort Worth.

The event will allow attendees to meet with the staff and board while learning more about the organization’s outreach and services.

Those interested in attending can RSVP at emphc.org/coffee-hour.

Kids take over The Feedlot July 25

Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 25, as kids will take over The Feedlot from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. during a car show at 225 Church St.

During this free event, local kids will be running their own booths and selling products they’ve created while learning real-world skills.

Young entrepreneurs ages 5 to 17 can sign up at kidsmarkets.com/markets/azle

Meanwhile, car enthusiasts can also marvel at the various vehicles on display. 

The car show will be open to all cars and awards will be given out to outstanding vehicles. Attendees can look forward to other vendors as well as food trucks and family-friendly fun.

Visit tx-azle3.civicplus.com/716/Food-Truck-Park for early registration and event details.

Azle ISD Vendor Fair expected Aug. 7

Azle ISD will host a Vendor Fair for anyone who registers before June 25. This is a free event from 11 a.m. to noon Friday, Aug. 7 at Azle High School.

If you plan to attend, you must register and bring peanut butter, jelly and/or cereal. If you would like to register or have any questions, call 817-444-3235, or email mneely@azleisd.net.

Mata comes to Azle from Little Elm, where she has served as an assistant coach since 2023. This will not be her first head coaching position. She previously served as head soccer coach in Wichita Falls and was named Assistant Coach of the Year while serving as an assistant coach in San Angelo from 2019-21.

Mata attended Angelo State University and will begin her ninth year of coaching in August. A graduate of Lewisville High School, she has played soccer most of her life, beginning at age 4. She played collegiate soccer and later competed semi-professionally with San Angelo FC.

With the FIFA World Cup taking place this year in the United States, The Azle News asked Mata what it was like coaching soccer during such an exciting time for the sport.

"It's absolutely amazing," Mata said. "Soccer is kind of a lifelong language for everyone. You can see it on TV that everybody is intermingling and having fun with different cultures."

When asked about her expectations as she gets to know her players in Azle, Mata said, "We finished second in district last year, and honestly, I'm hoping for first. I know we have plenty to build on, and we'll be ready for multiple rounds of the playoffs."

Mata's husband, Mario Mata, also will be on campus. He has been hired as an assistant football coach for the Hornets.

The Matas have one child and are looking forward to moving to Azle and getting settled in the community.

                                                                        Eddy Prather | The Azle News

The camp was led by boys soccer coach John Epps and new girls soccer coach Rechelle Mata. The four-day camp attracted strong participation from young athletes across the district.

A total of 145 Azle ISD students in kindergarten through sixth grade attended the morning session, while 45 students in grades 7-9 participated in the afternoon session.

Campers focused on the fundamentals of soccer, including passing, dribbling, shooting and teamwork. Coaches also incorporated a variety of drills and skill-development activities designed to help players improve their understanding of the game.

Some of the most popular portions of the camp were the competitive games and contests, which allowed campers to showcase their skills while having fun with teammates and friends.

The camp serves as an opportunity for Azle coaches to introduce young players to the program while helping develop future Hornet and Lady Hornet soccer players.

                                                                      Eddy Prather | The Azle News

What is your name and grade?

“River Allen, and I’ll be a senior.”

Do you have any pets?

“No pets.”

What is your favorite sport?

“My favorite sport is soccer; I’ve played since I was 5 years old.”

Do you have a shout out for anyone?

“Shout out to my mom and dad, they are there for me always.”

What is your favorite class in school?

“Probably AP pre-calculus, I’m really good at math.”

Where did you move from?

“We lived in Antrim, New Hampshire.”

What advice would you give younger athletes?

“If you want that spot, then go get it. Don’t hesitate about it.”

What is your pre-game routine?

“I haven’t figured out one yet, but usually, a simple warmup, stretch, juggle the ball a little. It’s really not a set routine.”

Are you planning on attending any FIFA World Cup matches?

“I wish — tickets cost too much.”

What has sports taught you about life?

“It taught me how to communicate with team members, meet new people, work together, and just become really competitive.”

Who is your all-time favorite athlete?

“Lionel Messi. He had a hat trick last night in the World Cup.”

Bell served as the head wrestling coach at Eaton High School from 2023-26. A 2017 graduate of Azle High School, Bell participated in both wrestling and football and was a state qualifier on the mat.

Bell said his introduction to wrestling came from former Azle coach Chris Allen.

"After football was over, he asked me if I wanted to wrestle," Bell said. "I'd never wrestled before, and I was decent, so I ended up wrestling."

When asked what made him want to return to Azle, Bell pointed to the tradition and support surrounding the program.

"There's a legacy there," Bell said. "I think coach Allen did a great job establishing wrestling and building a community that supports it, and coach Harrison did a great job building on that. I just hope to add more layers."

Following his high school career, Bell continued wrestling at Emmanuel University in Franklin Springs, Georgia. After graduating, he began his coaching career and eventually returned to Azle as an assistant football and wrestling coach before accepting the head wrestling position at Eaton.

Bell said he was happy in his previous position, but the opportunity to return home to Azle was too good to pass up.

This summer, Bell looks forward to open mat sessions as he begins building relationships with his wrestlers and becoming familiar with the program.

"This program invested in me, and now I'm ready to invest in the program," Bell said.

Bell takes over an Azle wrestling program coming off one of the most successful seasons in school history. The Hornets captured district and regional championships and finished as the UIL Class 5A state runner-up during the 2025-26 season. The program also produced individual state champions Chase Yancey and Tyler Yancey; Tyler Yancey will return in 2027.

Bell said he is excited to work alongside girls wrestling coach Jayson Conger, whose Lady Hornets captured the UIL Class 5A state championship last season.

With strong traditions on both the boys and girls teams, Bell believes the future of Azle wrestling remains bright as he begins the next chapter of the program.

                                                                           Photo Courtesy Seth Bell

According to a news release from the Parker County Sheriff’s Office, a local man faces a first-degree felony and a $2 million bond in connection with the fatal shooting of his adult daughter following a family altercation earlier this week.

Authorities say deputies responded to a 911 call in the Deer Ridge subdivision south of Azle following a report of a gunshot victim at a private residence in Azle. Upon arrival, authorities found an adult female suffering from a gunshot wound and immediately began performing lifesaving measures. Fire Rescue and Medic 71 personnel also arrived on scene and took over CPR and other life-saving measures but were unsuccessful.

PCSO Public Information Officer Sgt. Shane Cartwright said deputies learned early in the investigation that the victim’s father, Charles Tod Brooks, was responsible for the fatal shooting.

Statements from those involved indicated that a physical altercation had occurred between the victim and her mother inside the residence. According to an official statement made by Brooks, he had retrieved a handgun, loaded it and chambered a round before attempting to separate the two women. He stated that during the attempts, the weapon discharged, striking the victim in the chest.

Brooks was arrested and charged with murder — a first-degree felony — and transported to the Parker County Jail, where his bond was set at $2 million by Parker County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Kelvin Miles.

Parker County Sheriff Russ Authier said the thoughts and prayers of those in his agency are with the family and loved ones of the victim. The PCSO is continuing its investigation with assistance from the Texas Rangers.

Spratt, a member of Azle High School's Class of 2023, spent the past three seasons playing baseball at Dallas College Eastfield in Mesquite, one of the nation's premier junior college baseball programs.

The left-handed hitting catcher joined the Harvesters in 2024 and quickly became part of a program that has consistently competed on the national stage. During his time at Eastfield, Spratt helped the Harvesters advance to the NJCAA Division III College World Series, where the team finished third in the nation.

Spratt played during the 2024 season before suffering an injury that forced him to redshirt in 2025. He returned to the field in 2026 and helped Eastfield make another successful postseason run.

When asked to reflect on his most memorable moment in college baseball, Spratt pointed to Eastfield's district championship during his freshman season.

"I think definitely the most memorable moment is when we won our district tournament to get us to the World Series my freshman year," Spratt said.

While baseball has been a major part of his life, Spratt's future now lies in military service.

In March 2026, he received acceptance into the United States Naval Academy, one of the nation's most prestigious military institutions.

"I'm headed to Annapolis in two weeks, getting all my paperwork, uniforms and basically starting boot camp," Spratt said.

After graduation from the academy, Spratt hopes to serve as a naval aviator.

"I want to be a pilot," he said. "I want to fly some sort of aircraft."

Baseball may still remain part of his future as well. Spratt plans to walk on and try out for the Naval Academy baseball team once he arrives on campus.

"I definitely want to try to make that baseball team," Spratt said. "I know it will be a little more difficult since I didn't get recruited, but I think I have a shot and I'm excited for whatever happens over there."

Spratt credits much of his success to the coaches and mentors who helped him during his time at Azle High School, particularly former Hornet head baseball coach Stephen Smith.

"Coach Smith, just because I ended up playing college baseball and he was my high school coach," Spratt said. "He's probably one of the best ones around, especially with how much work he puts into the game."

The lessons learned under Smith's guidance continue to impact him today.

"I think all the lessons he taught us really stuck with me," Spratt said.

As Spratt prepares to leave Azle for Annapolis, he does so having already achieved success as a collegiate baseball player and with a clear vision for his future. Whether on the baseball diamond or in the cockpit of a military aircraft, the former Hornet is ready to embrace the next chapter of his journey.

                                                                                Photos Courtesy Billy Spratt

Miles served as the junior high football coach last year after reaching out to head football coach Chad Geeslin about helping with the program.

"After contacting coach Geeslin, I asked him if he needed help," Miles said. "He told me he needed a junior high football coach, so I took that on."

When former athletic director Danelle Skartvedt decided to step down, Miles felt he could contribute in a larger role and help support the entire athletic department.

One of the areas generating excitement is CRUFACTOR, the school's summer strength and conditioning program, which Miles helped revitalize.

 CRUFACTOR is not necessarily new, but last year we had about eight or nine kids showing up, and this year we have 48 kids, and that's not counting the middle school girls. They meet on a different day," Miles said.

The CRUFACTOR program meets Monday through Thursday from 8-10 a.m.

Miles also has plans for facility improvements across the campus.

"We're actually adding a press box above the bleachers this year," he said.

Not all the upgrades are football related.

"We are getting a new scorer's table for the gym as well," Miles said.

Miles is a graduate of Springtown High School, where he played football and baseball before continuing his baseball career at Tarleton State University.

He also recently announced the hiring of former Azle Christian standout Laney Geeslin. Geeslin graduated from Azle Christian School in 2023 and returns to her alma mater as head volleyball coach.

Miles said the emphasis at Azle Christian extends beyond athletics.

"Something we preach to the kids is, 'Who do you represent?'" Miles said. "You are not just representing yourself; you are representing the person next to you. That goes back to CRUFACTOR, but it's more than that. You represent Azle, ACS and your family, but most of all you represent Christ. That's what we are trying to teach our kids."

                                                                             Eddy Prather | The Azle News

Freiberg — a therapist who holds a doctorate in traumatology — is the founder and president of Designed to Heal Outreach, a nonprofit organization that provides free EMDR trauma therapy for at-risk, low-income women in the Azle and Dallas-Fort Worth areas.

EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a psychotherapy method designed to help individuals process and heal from anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other forms of trauma.

“We use bilateral stimulation, so it can be auditory, it can be tactile, it can be visual, but it (EMDR) tricks your brain into lowering your corpus callosum, which is what separates your left hemisphere from your right,” Freiberg told The Azle News. “We store our trauma in our right brain, but we talk about it with our left and that’s why when people are really upset about something, or something really awful has happened, they can’t necessarily speak about it.”

Freiberg explained that EMDR works to reprocess traumatic memories over a series of about eight sessions, helping to “cleanse” not just the brain but the body. 

“It literally rewires your brain on how you think and believe about yourself, and about the world and experiences,” she said.

While Freiberg originally planned to teach parenting after earning her degree in marriage and family therapy, she later shifted her focus to traumatology and EMDR after witnessing the lasting effects trauma had on her clients.

After opening her private practice, however, Freiberg began to notice a different problem: many of the individuals who desperately needed trauma therapy simply couldn’t afford it.

“When you’ve had severe traumas — especially if they were chronic and during your formative years — it really skews the way you see everything. It’s really hard to maintain a job, be a good parent, stay in a healthy relationship — all of it,” she said. “I just thought, ‘How are we going to get to those people?’ because they don’t have any resources.”

Feeling inspired to help at-risk women, Freiberg founded Designed to Heal Outreach, located at 1169 Southeast Parkway in Azle, in July 2025. Currently, the organization is in its infancy, with Freiberg serving as the only therapist in DTHO’s pilot program helping survivors of sex trafficking at Unbound Now in Fort Worth.

As the organization grows, Freiberg said she plans to launch a training program so she can build a network of EMDR-trained therapists who will dedicate one day a week to helping at-risk women.

“These people … they don’t have families, they don’t have income,” she said. “Most of them are homeless, have been on drugs or have been incarcerated. We’re trying to give them a chance to live a normal life in spite of what they’ve been through.”

Freiberg said the long-term goal is to get DTHO fully funded so the organization can offer mobile EMDR therapy, allowing women in juvenile detention centers, homeless shelters and safe houses to receive the help they need.

“How can we reestablish families? That’s what we really want to do,” she said. “We thought if we can get to women who have already had these struggles, we can do treatment with them and see if we can impact the whole picture.”

While Freiberg has only been able to help about 12 women through EMDR since March, she says the changes have been incredible, with many seeing improvements after just a few sessions.

“All of them qualified statistically for PTSD, but after four sessions, none of them did,” Freiberg said. “EMDR is just different than regular therapy. Our objective is to stabilize these women to the degree that they can hold down a job, go to school, own a home or pay for their own way — and we’re seeing that happen in six to eight sessions; it’s been really impactful.”

Because financing is DTHO’s biggest challenge, Freiberg is seeking the public’s help for donations to hire more therapists to allow the organization to heal more women at one time.

“The waitlist is forever; there’s no limit to the women who need it,” she said. “When we get funding and we have two more therapists, we'll see about 21 women a week.”

Freiberg said her hope is to continue expanding awareness of EMDR to help more trauma survivors reclaim their lives.

“We’re just trying to bring hope and healing to people who don’t have it in a very quick, efficient way,” she said.

For more information or to donate to the nonprofit, visit designedtohealoutreach.org.

Searching for the stone among the stones.

So many, big, little and majestic. Weathered, 

Shining, mossed, leaning and broken.

And there, all alone, near the edge of the field,

A simple granite, still erect, my father's resting place.

Ashamed of the weeds, the grass burrs, 

I knelt down and began to clear the lonely,

Ugly site with tears in my eyes.

Then suddenly, I noticed those bright hardy

Flowers, yellow, pink, red and blue on those

Weeds I had cursed. And then marveled, "what

Uncared for beauty."

Loneliness, no!

The bees were busy collecting the nectar.

The butterflies strutting about in the soft breeze.

And, I sitting very still, could hear nature's

Melody, orchestrated by the wind.

That's worth saying up front because when some people hear the word "independent," they assume we're talking about a third party. We're not. An independent candidate is simply someone who runs for office without a Republican, Democratic, or any other party label beside their name.

That question landed in my inbox this week when former Amarillo State Senator Kel Seliger, former State Representative Glenn Rogers, and Sarah Stogner, the district attorney for Ward, Reeves and Loving counties, joined independent lieutenant governor candidate Mike Collier in a federal lawsuit challenging Texas ballot-access laws.

Texas maintains some of the most restrictive ballot-access laws in the country for independent candidates. Under current law, an independent candidate running statewide in 2026 must collect more than 81,000 valid signatures — and can't gather a single signature until after the primaries are settled. Anyone who voted in a Republican or Democratic primary is barred from signing.

In a normal year, that leaves about 113 days. But the lieutenant governor's race went to a runoff this spring, shrinking Collier's window to roughly 30 days to find more than 81,000 Texans who sat out both primaries. That's a difficult task under any circumstance, but especially for grassroots candidates without access to large donors or professional petition operations. The result is a system where getting on the ballot often depends as much on resources as it does on voter support.

The lawsuit is significant, and its biggest impact may ultimately be at the local level. County races are often centered on roads, public safety, county government, and other issues that are fundamentally nonpartisan. Yet Texas election laws make it extraordinarily difficult for independent candidates to compete.

What also caught my attention is that the lawsuit arrives just as the Republican Party of Texas is pushing to close primary elections, making it one of its top priorities coming out of the state convention.

At first glance, those seem like separate debates. I don't think they are.

Both raise the same question: How much choice should Texans have when they walk into a voting booth?

Texas has run open primaries for decades. Any registered voter can choose a Republican or Democratic primary each election cycle without registering with a party.

Supporters of closed primaries argue that Republicans should choose Republican nominees and Democrats should choose Democratic nominees. That's a reasonable argument.

But across rural Texas, the primary is often the election. In many counties, winning the primary is effectively winning the seat. Closing primaries would place even greater emphasis on party identity and less on the independent-minded voters who don't fit neatly into either camp.

Viewed separately, closed primaries and ballot-access restrictions may seem unrelated.

Viewed together, they point in the same direction: fewer choices.

And that's what concerns me.

Not because I think Texans should vote for independents. Not because I think Republicans or Democrats are wrong. But because systems matter. The rules we create shape the kinds of candidates who emerge from them.

When participation narrows and competition declines, candidates have greater incentive to appeal to the most active partisan voters rather than the broader public they will eventually represent. And it isn't only a Republican habit—the same dynamic exists in safely Democratic districts.

The question is whether we're building a system that rewards problem-solvers or partisan performers.

That matters in rural Texas because most of the issues we deal with every day aren't partisan. A farmer worried about groundwater, a community trying to keep its hospital open, or a county commissioner struggling to maintain roads isn't looking for ideological purity. They're looking for solutions.

The problems themselves don't care about party labels. They care about results.

That's one reason local government often works differently than national politics. The best local leaders are rarely the ones who can recite the most talking points from Austin or Washington. They're the people who know the community, understand its challenges, and have to live with the consequences of their decisions.

That's what I've always meant by Dirt Democracy: the people closest to the problem usually have the clearest view of the solution.

It's important to view this lawsuit through two lenses: the legal argument itself and the people making it.

Seliger, Rogers, and Stogner have spent much of their political careers putting constituents ahead of party expectations. They don't agree on every issue, but they seem to agree on one thing: Texans should have more opportunities to choose their leaders, not fewer.

Texas has always prided itself on independence — not as a political party, but as a core Texas value.

And that's really what this debate comes down to.

Not whether independent candidates should win. Not whether Republicans or Democrats should lose. But whether the people, rather than the parties, remain in charge of the system.

Dirt Democracy starts with a simple belief: the people closest to the impacts of a decision should have the strongest voice in making it. If that's true for schools, water, roads and land use, it ought to be true for elections too.

The question isn't whether Texans will make the right choice.

The question is whether we trust them enough to make it.

In a twist of fate, the News found itself in a three-way tie for third place for the coveted Sweepstakes award — the equivalent of the grand prize — in its division. But a tiebreaker based on scores from the general excellence category gave the Ingram-West Kerr Current the edge, placing that newspaper in third place and leaving The Azle News tied for fourth with the Vernon Daily Record.

Nevertheless, it was a banner year for the local newspaper.

Two headlines written by staff writer Ashley Terry — “A ‘hole’ new vision: City ‘tees’ up plans …” and “Ho-ho-hold that pose” — along with one written by editor Carla Stutsman for a story former staff writer Zach Freeman wrote — “Lettuce wait: Opening of hydroponic freight farm delayed” — combined for a first place win in the headline writing contest. “Very clever without losing context or accuracy. Nicely played wording; good impact on the shorter headlines,” were among the judges’ comments.

The Azle News also took first place in page design, thanks to the creativity of page designer Hilary McAllister. The Aug. 6, 2025, and Oct. 1, 2025, editions were the submitted entries. The judges said, “Clean lines, clear divisions of stories and clear messaging. This is fantastic work. Great use of white space despite the cramped nature of the medium. Impressive!”

The annual Veterans Day special section — a collaborative work involving every member of The Azle News staff — also earned a first-place award. “Well-executed and inspirational celebration of local veterans,” said one judge.

Sportswriter Eddy Prather earned a second-place finish in sports photography with a packet of entries. Judges commented, “Good job of catching the action and what makes it better is the look on the faces of the athletes as the pic is taken. Nice selection of work and impressive job of getting it done right.”

Prather’s work in the Oct. 29, 2025, and Dec. 24, 2025, took third place in sports coverage. “Goes further than just reporting scores. Good writing and storytelling as well as very good presentation. Worth reading every issue,” were among the judges’ comments.

Last but certainly not least, monthly columnist David Shaffer contributed to the success of The Azle News in the contest, placing fourth in the column writing contest. “Nicely written stories about observing life,” the judges said of Shaffer’s pieces, “From mud to motivation: The impact of a timely voice” and “Wrapped in a gown, surrounded by stories.”

The Azle News’ sister newspaper, the Springtown, won Sweepstakes in its division at the state contest.

The 25-plus-year veteran of the Azle Police Department was appointed last week to serve as chief of police by City Manager Amber Beard. Rogers served as interim police chief since May 15, when former Chief Ben Hall retired.

While Rogers aspired to someday lead his department, he told The Azle News by phone the promotion is still sinking in.

“I’m still finding it hard to believe,” he said. “It’s truly an honor to get to lead in a department you grew up in, in a community you grew up in. It’s an extremely humbling experience. I don't think any promotion I've ever had here, or anything I've ever done, has been more of an experience than this — especially to see the true support from everyone.”

Although he was born in Sweetwater, Rogers’ family moved back to its ancestral home of Azle when he was in fourth grade. He attended school at Liberty Elementary, the historic Rock School — now the administration building for the Azle Independent School District — and Azle Junior High before graduating from Azle High School.

His family ties to Azle go back six generations. Rogers’ fourth-great-grandfather on his father’s side was John Jeremiah “Coho” Smith, an early settler in Azle who served as a Texas Ranger in the 1860s and later taught students in Azle’s first log cabin schoolhouse. Smith was called upon to translate for Cynthia Ann Parker, who was kidnapped from Limestone County as a girl by the Comanche and was the mother of Comanche Chief Quanah Parker. Smith’s 1850s-era homestead stood on land that is now the 18th hole at Azle’s Cross Timbers Golf Course, where he dug a well that still exists. Smith’s grave in the Ash Creek Cemetery was honored with the Texas Rangers Cross.

Rogers’ mother’s roots trace back to another early settler, John Giles Reynolds. Ironically, Smith, who was also a furniture maker, built a rocking chair for Reynolds; some of Smith’s furniture is on display in the Azle Historical Museum.

After high school, Rogers worked in construction and volunteered as a firefighter/EMT with the Briar Volunteer Fire Department. Then he attended Tarrant County College’s police academy, working at the Parker County Jail while attending school at night.

He worked for a time at the Hudson Oaks Police Department before accepting a position in Azle in June 2000. Rogers was promoted to the rank of corporal in May 2003; he put on sergeant stripes in August 2004. In January 2018, he attained the rank of lieutenant and served in that capacity until he stepped into the role of interim chief in May.

TOP NOTCH TRAINING

Rogers earned a master's degree in criminology and criminal justice from Texas Christian University in 2023 and also received a certificate from TCU’s Leadership, Executive and Administrative Development program.

“Dr. Kendra Bowen and Dr. Johnny Nhan were instrumental in these two programs, and I am thankful to have been accepted and completed my coursework through TCU, which was a building block for my success in completing the (Federal Bureau of Investigation’s) National Academy,” Rogers told the Azle News at the time.

As the first Azle Police Department officer to attend the prestigious FBI National Academy, Rogers now knows nearly 200 law enforcement officials from around the country and the world he can call on for advice.

He graduated March 15, 2024, from the FBI National Academy’s Session 289. The academy — dedicated to being the world’s premier law enforcement learning and research center as well as an advocate for law enforcement’s best practices worldwide — is operated by the FBI's Training Division on a sprawling, 547-acre campus in Quantico, Virginia.

Because of a brief closure of the academy in 2020 due to COVID-19 and the resulting backlog of applicants, Rogers’ acceptance was delayed almost four years, but he began his training there in January 2024.

“Less than 1% of law enforcement executives are accepted into the academy, so it was truly an honor to be accepted and attend the FBINA,” Rogers said in a 2024 interview.

ROGERS’ PLAYBOOK

Asked what the Azle PD will look like under his direction, Rogers flipped the script, preferring instead to talk about his officers and staff.

“There are a good bunch of officers who work here, from animal control to dispatch, the Criminal Investigations department (CID) and administrative staff to the patrol division. They're all good troops — they all have good qualities,” he said. “Our words to go by are ‘accountability’ and ‘ownership.’ We want to treat everyone as if they were family to give the best service we can.”

Rogers says he feels his role is to coach and mentor officers and personnel, following the transformational leadership style.

“I like to be supportive, and you know, you get the best leadership skills and life lessons from the Bible, so we try to treat everybody with the grace and mercy that we're given. At the end of the day, they're (officers) the ones doing the work. I'm just getting resources and giving support,” he said. “Their families give them to us for a 10-hour, 12-hour day, and we return them home differently because of the things they're exposed to. We want to try to figure out a way to give those families the support and understanding they need to help preserve those relationships at home.”

Although there will be some change, Rogers said it won’t be anything drastic and will be directed to providing better service to the community and balancing the workflow.

“We know leadership has a big role in quality of life, and our mission is to provide the best quality of life to our staff that we can,” he said.

TOP PRIORITY

Rogers’ devotion to the quality of his personnel’s lives begins with his recognition of his own family’s importance in his life.

“I am blessed with an amazing wife and kids who supported my adventures of attaining my master’s degree and attending the FBINA,” Rogers told The Azle News in a 2024 interview. “It takes a special person to be a first responder, but it takes a lot more to be the spouse of a first responder. So ‘thank you’ to all the first responder spouses for your support.”

His wife, DaLania, is the center of his world, followed closely by their children and grandchildren.

Son Dwight is an firefighter/engineer with Parker County Emergency Services District No. 1. Dwight’s wife Jolene is a labor and delivery nurse, and the couple are the parents of Rhett and Ryder, the Rogerses’ 3-year-old twin grandsons.

Daughter Haleigh, a dental assistant, and her husband Fisher, an electrician, are expecting grandchild No. 3 in October.

Daughter Taylor is a teacher in Frisco, while youngest daughter Nicole is currently enrolled in college courses.

In his day-to-day life, it’s Rogers’ faith that keeps him grounded, whether it’s in his family life or his law enforcement career.

“God continues to provide calmness in the chaos and gives me knowledge and strength to achieve the daily tasks I’m given,” he said.

RCM Hill argued that the county lacked the legal authority to impose the temporary ban, which came after the company had already secured contracts for more than 800 acres for more than $80 million.

“You’re not going to see anybody else trying a moratorium at this point because they’ve seen what happens when you do it,” said Robert Paterson, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin who specializes in land use law. “You basically just get clubbed with a ridiculous amount of money.”

In Hood and Somervell counties, both southwest of Fort Worth, at least nine proposed data center projects are under consideration. Concerned citizens are filling county commissioner meetings, saying the projects could raise electricity bills, strain water resources, and harm tourism.

Earlier this month, Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Public Utility Commission to ensure that new data centers actually reduce residential electric bills and proposed that new laws be passed during next year’s legislative session to further regulate the data centers.

TEXAS GOP PUSHES FOR CLOSED PRIMARIES

Abbott and other state GOP leaders declared at the recent state convention in Houston that they will push to require voters to register with a party to prevent crossover voting, The Texas Tribune reported.

“We are going to make clear that in the future, only Republicans will vote in Republican primaries,” he said at the Houston convention. The party has made closing primaries a top legislative priority. The state’s current open primary system doesn’t require party registration, so voters can cast ballots in whichever primary they want — just not both.

The Texas Republican Party sued Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson last year and was later joined by Attorney General Ken Paxton in asking a federal judge to strike down parts of the election code that allow open primaries. Nelson, who is stepping down next month, opposed Paxton’s motion and argued that it is up to the state Legislature to change election law.

HIGH COURT SIDES WITH WEED USER BANNED FROM OWNING GUNS

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously last week that a Texas man’s conviction for possessing both marijuana and a pistol under an existing law that prevents “unlawful” drug users from owning guns was unconstitutional. Both gun rights groups and civil liberties advocates filed briefs urging the court to take Ali Hemani’s side. He challenged the law after being arrested in 2022 by federal agents who found a pistol and 60 grams of weed when his home was searched.

His attorneys argued the law violated his Second Amendment rights and was vague since it does not define “unlawful user.”

“Is someone who uses a controlled substance once a year, ‘an unlawful user’? What about someone who uses that substance every six months, or every two weeks?” they argued. “Does it matter how much one consumes, or only how frequently one does so? The statute does not say.”

Adding to the issues in the case is that marijuana is legal to some degree in more than 40 states. Texas has a limited medical marijuana program.

NEW WORLD SCREWWORM CASES UP TO 15

As of Sunday, the number of confirmed New World Screwworm cases totaled 15. The Texas Animal Health Commission has placed a quarantine on parts of Coke, Edwards, Gillespie, Kerr, Kimble, La Salle, Schleicher, Sutton, Tom Green, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb and Zavala counties. All warm-blooded animals in a quarantine zone may not be moved without prior authorization from TAHC.

Federal and state agencies are working together to eradicate the NWS by introducing sterile male flies into affected areas. Abbott has issued a statewide disaster proclamation in response. The pest lays its eggs in open wounds, then the eggs hatch into larvae that feast on living flesh. While it is mostly found in cattle, one case has been found in a dog.

TAHC is urging livestock and pet owners to stay vigilant, monitor their animals, and report any suspicions of NWS infestations by calling 1-800-550-8242.

STATE SAYS CAMP LEADERS HAD CHANCES TO PREVENT TRAGEDY

A state investigation has concluded the deaths of 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic last summer were not inevitable, The Dallas Morning News reported. Investigators found the camp “failed to meet emergency planning requirements, train its staff, or evacuate quickly despite multiple chances to prevent the tragedy.”

The report said that as the Guadalupe River flooded, at least 39 adult staff members were within reach of the children and, for hours, could have safely assisted with evacuations. Camp leader Richard “Dick” Eastland died in the flood, along with as many as 13 children and counselors, according to investigators.

The 115-page report was presented to a joint legislative committee last week, as several parents of children who died in the floods listened. Lawmakers have created new regulations that require emergency address systems, ban camps from being in floodplains, and mandate redundant internet access to improve awareness of weather emergencies.

“We owe it to the victims and their families to learn every lesson that's possible, and to ensure that those lessons result in meaningful action,” said the chair of the Senate flood investigative committee, Sen. Pete Flores, R-Pleasanton.

Paxton’s platform short on specifics, except for crypto bill

Paxton’s platform in his bid to be the state’s next U.S. senator is mostly devoid of specifics, according to the Houston Chronicle. The one piece of legislation he argues is critical is a cryptocurrency bill called the CLARITY Act. Supporters say it would bring stability to the crypto market, which uses a digital form of cash.

The law was passed by the U.S. House a year ago but is stuck in the Senate. Critics include some of the country’s largest unions and banks, who say it doesn’t provide sufficient consumer protections or safeguards against money laundering.

The bill is the only piece of legislation named on Paxton’s website. He also vows to “carry the torch for Trump’s agenda.”

During the opening of the commencement program, Hornet Academy Principal Chris Hill shared the philosophy that Hornet Academy is built on the idea that every student deserves their own song. In 2008, leadership in Azle ISD recognized a profound truth — a traditional eight period, one-size-fits all high school schedule doesn’t fit the reality of every student’s life.

“It was created as a sanctuary of opportunity, an alternative accelerated program designed to meet students exactly where they are. It stripped away the distractions and the rigidness, replacing them with flexibility, individualized pacing, and an intense focus on poor success,” Hill said. “Hornet Academy didn't lower the bar for you. It gave you a personalized ladder, so you can define it to your own terms. It proved that alternative doesn't mean ‘less than’ it means ‘adaptable,’ it means ‘resilience.’”

Hornet Academy has graduated 988 students since its establishment in 2008, including the graduates of the spring class of 2026.

“Nine hundred eighty-eight — that is nearly 1,000 lives changed, that is 988 families who watched their loved ones break through barriers, 988 stories of perseverance, 988 futures rewritten, 988 citizens that go out into the world with a diploma in hand, ready to make a difference,” Hill added. “Tonight, you are adding your name to that proud registry. You are the legacy of this academy. You are proof that the system works when compassion meets hard work.”

Bill Lane, president of the Azle ISD school board, spoke during congratulatory remarks and shared, on behalf of the Azle Education Foundation, that the organization raises and awards $100,000 to teachers and students in the district every year through teacher grants, campus grants, college scholarships and several other programs.

The AEF was established in 2010; since then, it has given $1.6 million to students in the district.

Every year, the AEF gives 25-26 $1,500 scholarships to Azle High School seniors and one is set aside for a Hornet Academy graduate. This year’s recipient was Serenity Pritchett Martin, who plans to attend college and eventually work in pediatrics.

For the past three years, Hornet Academy has partnered with the Eagle Mountain Pregnancy Center. Pritchett Martin is one of 10 students who have graduated with the help of this partnership.

Community members and residents alike enjoyed an afternoon of classic carnival games including a dunk tank, ring toss, duck pond and a cake walk. During the event, community members also had the opportunity to connect with representatives from senior resources.

Legacy Oaks was inspired to host a carnival centered around Alzheimer’s disease because of its many residents are affected by it. Last year, the facility raised $3,000 for the association through this event. The Longest Day Carnival takes its name from the longest day of the year, when daylight lasts the longest.

While the Longest Day Carnival focuses on raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s disease, Legacy Oaks also supports residents and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia through community support groups facilitated by Freedom Hospice. They also go into the community and raise awareness about dementia through Dementia Live, where people experience what it’s like to have dementia.

“People don't know what to do when they're faced with this, and I always say you don't know until you know. So, educating people ahead of time, they can look for signs of the disease, (and) get the right doctors in place,” Community Relations Director Kelly Case told The Azle News.

Beyond fundraising and awareness efforts, the carnival reflects Legacy Oaks’ broader goal of enhancing residents’ well-being and creating meaningful memories.

“We are all about making people's lives better, extending their lives, giving them better quality of life, and nothing better than a carnival to make them smile and be happy,” Case said.

For the past 11 years, however, Wesley Chapel has been much more than a building to the Rev. Delbra Calton. It has been a mission.

Since arriving at the church in 2015, Calton has worked to restore the aging chapel, organize community events and create a welcoming place for anyone who walks through its doors. Through changing seasons, financial challenges, and countless hours of work, she has remained committed to keeping Wesley Chapel alive.

Located at 1129 Park St. in Azle, Wesley Chapel was founded in 1870 by former slaves. The church has survived two fires, rebuilding after each of them.

When Calton first arrived in Azle, the church looked very different.

“The sanctuary is different,” she said. “They had pews, they had windows that were cracked. They didn’t have a water heater. They did not have a stove.”

Years of wear had taken a toll on the historic building. The church needed repairs, updates and attention.

Rather than seeing a problem, Calton saw potential.

“I asked the Lord, ‘Let me fix up this church so people will come here,’” she said.

Over the next decade, that prayer became a goal.

Improvements gradually transformed the church. Cracked windows were replaced, facilities were upgraded, and the building became more comfortable and inviting while still preserving pieces of history.

The work was never simply about renovating a building. For Calton, every improvement represented another step toward making Wesley Chapel a place where people felt welcome.

That belief has shaped her ministry from the beginning.

Born in Louisiana and raised near Shreveport, Calton moved to Texas in 1987 in search of better opportunities for herself and her children. Long before she became a pastor, she was a musician who spent years playing piano for churches.

“I didn’t think I was going to be a preacher,” she said. “All I was doing was playing that piano and singing these songs.”

Eventually, she felt called into ministry and became an ordained pastor in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Her journey led her to congregations across Texas before bringing her to Wesley Chapel.

Throughout her time in Azle, Calton has become known for more than her sermons. She regularly attends community events, participates in local prayer gatherings, and supports organizations whenever she can.

“Anytime they invite me, I figure that’s an honor, and I always go,” she said.

Her ministry is rooted in the belief that people can come together despite their differences.

“You should be able to disagree and agree,” she said. “That should have nothing to do with your heart.”

That philosophy is reflected at Wesley Chapel.

At 74 years old, Calton continues planning services, organizing programs and looking for ways to keep the church alive. During a recent interview, she spoke less about herself than she did about the future of the chapel.

“Wesley will be here,” she said. “It needs to be here. It’s part of the community.”

For Calton, a church survives when people invest in it.

“You watch a building that nobody ever goes to,” she said. “The roof falls in. It just dies.”

After more than a decade of pouring her time, faith, and energy into Wesley Chapel, Calton hopes others will help carry that mission forward. Whether through attending services, volunteering, or simply becoming involved, the church’s future depends on the community it serves.

For 11 years, Calton has shown up for Wesley Chapel. Her hope now is that others will show up, too.

The program began with members celebrating the anniversary with a cake. Kyle Johnson led the program and shared a story about an old American flag that once flew on his mother’s flagpole in Oklahoma. The group then listened to “Ragged Old Flag” by Johnny Cash.

During the meeting, members also reflected on significant events spanning the past 250 years of American history, including the sacrifices made throughout the nation’s history.

Past President Bob Buckel talked about his experience visiting Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., during the program.

“I wish every American young person could go stand there and look at those lines of crosses and think, ‘You know, a lot of them weren't much older than me, and they had plans, they had dreams, they had girlfriends, boyfriends, and they wanted to live, and they laid down their lives for their country,’” Buckel said. “I don't know how anyone could possibly disrespect the country after seeing what those people sacrificed, and how they're just lined up there. It was the most sobering thing.”

The meeting concluded with members singing “God Bless America” together.

Officials noted the appointments mark the first time in several years the Planning and Zoning Commission has operated with all places and alternate seats filled.

Another first for the commission came when two members were nominated for the position of chairperson, leading to a discussion about improving communication, efficiency and coordination between the Planning and Zoning Commission and Reno City Council.

Place 2 member Justin Williams and Place 1 member Greg Miller were each nominated for the position.

During discussion of the chairperson position, Miller outlined a vision focused on developing standardized procedures and checklists to help streamline processes and improve communication between the commission, city council and city staff.

“My background is very technical — I would like to develop the process and procedures for our typical activities so that we know where we’re at in that process,” said Miller when asked by members what he would bring to the role.

Miller said clear processes will help define responsibilities between the commission and city council while reducing confusion and improving efficiency.

When members asked Williams about progress made during his two-and-a-half-year tenure as chair, he said recently filled staff positions have allowed the city to begin addressing duplicate or conflicting ordinances and code regulations that have slowed progress.

“We have a lot of duplicates, we have a lot of contradictions in our codes and things like that,” he said.

“That’s the beauty of a checklist,” Streiffert said while voicing support for Miller’s proposal and nomination. “Right now, we’re slowing citizens down. We don’t have this stuff squared away.”

Members also discussed the importance of Planning and Zoning representation at city council meetings when recommendations made by the commission are presented for final approval.

Place 3 member Jesse LaForest said stronger engagement could help build trust and improve communication.

“To me, the chair really needs to connect,” LaForest said.

“We need to be connecting with council. We need to be connecting with the actual employees to where we’re a cohesive unit. Once we get a relationship where they trust us and we trust them, then a lot more stuff is going to get done. So, we need a chair that is going to embrace that and push that forward,” he said.

Former Reno City council member Shelli Swift and newly elected council member Darrin Talley, who attended the public meeting, echoed support for having Planning and Zoning representation at city council meetings to provide additional context on commission recommendations and the reasoning behind them.

“If we could regularly see that and answer any questions that might come up, that would expedite things and allow us to move forward quicker, more efficiently and more as a team,” Talley said.

Following discussion, commission members elected Miller as chairperson. Williams will continue serving on the commission as Place 2 representative.

The meeting concluded with Streiffert’s appointment as secretary.

Since the early 1980s, this simple boutique has served not only as a one-of-a-kind hidden gem for affordable bargains but also as a fundraiser for Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Azle.

The shop — run by volunteers and members of the Texas Health Resources Hospital Auxiliary Azle — collects donations from the community, which are then resold at discounted prices.

“Everything is donated and our prices are very, very reasonable — lower than anybody else’s,” Barbara Pace, public relations specialist for the hospital auxiliary, told The Azle News. “We always get the comment that it looks more like a boutique-type store than just a resale shop.”

With prices ranging from $1 to the rare $15 for normally high-end or expensive items, the Attic offers something for everyone, including books, clothing, kitchenware and decor — everything except large appliances, furniture and children’s toys.

All proceeds are funneled directly back into Texas Health Azle, helping to fund equipment and resources that fall outside the hospital’s regular budget.

“We do whatever the hospital needs that it can’t budget for within a certain limit,” Mary Fonville, treasurer-secretary of the auxiliary board, explained. “We have a certain amount of funds, but we do buy equipment for the hospital. We bought chairs for the patient rooms, we managed to buy a new portable X-ray machine, we bought a new EKG machine and the SoftTouch mammography machine.”

In an article previously published by The Azle News, it was reported that funds raised through the auxiliary’s efforts have also supported major hospital improvements, including a $100,000 remodel of the hospital lobby and registration area, surgical equipment and upgrades like drills and autoclaves, and a cardiac telemetry system. The auxiliary also paid for an automatic door opener for radiology and funded nearly $100,000 in scholarships for local high school students pursuing medical careers.

Described as the hospital’s “main moneymaker,” Pace said the Attic can earn up to $700 a day and raises about $25,000 annually.

“The auxiliary as a whole is appreciated so much by the hospital,” Mary Dement said, who oversees nominations for the board.

While the auxiliary’s main purpose is to help fund needs for Texas Health Resources, Fonville said part of what keeps them going as volunteers is knowing the giving doesn’t stop at the hospital doors.

“We’ve gotten a couple of people who have come in, and their houses had burned down, so they’ll come in and get clothes and little appliances and things to help them start off,” Fonville said. “The Good N.E.W.S. program, there have been times when they have had clients who were in desperate need of clothes and we’ve been able to donate the clothes … We give back to the community as much as we can and our customers love it.”

Dement said her favorite part about being a volunteer is knowing every item in the store is reasonably priced, which allows customers to buy nice things for a small amount of money.

“One lady told me that if we weren’t here, she would never be able to buy anything for herself — we have a lot of new things that people donate — because all she gets is Social Security,” she said. “They come and they tell us this is their therapy because they can’t get out. They’re older people, so this is a place where they can go.”

Quoting the sign that’s hanging up in the store, Pace said, “Life is too short to wear boring clothes,” and explained how several individuals have donated designer dresses, wedding gowns and jewelry to the shop.

“Sometimes we’ll have men’s tuxedos and men’s suits, so if you’re going on a cruise and you need to dress up, you could just come in here,” Pace said.

While she does get surprised sometimes to find out that a high-priced item has been donated, Pace said her favorite part is when dresses become outdated because that means they can then be sold for a dollar — which oftentimes leads to a grand donated gesture from the Attic volunteers themselves.

“If dresses don’t sell for the dollar, normally what I would do is pass them out for the kids who will be going to the national event in February, Night to Shine,” Pace said.

Night to Shine is a prom-night experience specifically for teens and young adults with special needs and is hosted annually by local churches on the Friday before Valentine’s Day. Pace explained that she worked the event in Azle last year and greeted a prom attendee who had received one of the dresses from the Attic.

“She must have taken it and had it altered, but it was one of the most beautiful gowns,” she said. “The lady who donated the gowns told me they paid $400 apiece. I was just so happy … That’s what keeps me going.”

Although many donations have been rare and priceless finds — like original artworks valued at more than $1,000 apiece — there have been some donations that have left the Attic volunteers a little puzzled.

“There’ve been a number of things we couldn’t figure out what they were, and we turned it this way and then that way. There was one that was a bench that had a whole cut out like a horseshoe and you could put your head in there and then do a head stand,” Pace said, chuckling.

Despite the occasional odd donation, Pace said the auxiliary appreciates every item it receives from customers. However, she said what they’d like more than anything is more volunteers.

“The auxiliary has about 200 members, but we only have about 35 volunteers,” she said. “Before COVID, we had volunteers who served as greeters at the front door of the hospital and we had volunteers who worked in the office, but COVID kind of threw a wrench in that plan. When people were off for that length of time, many of them just didn’t come back. The staff meetings used to be full. I remember we had 15 and now it’s down to eight.”

The Attic Rerun Resale Shop is open for customers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Donation drop-offs are also accepted on those days as well as Mondays and Thursdays.

Pace added she wants to encourage the community to visit the Attic if they haven’t yet, as their purchases and donations benefit not only the hospital but the community as well.

“It’s what keeps me going every time my alarm goes off at 7 o’clock on a Monday. I go, ‘Why am I doing this?’ and then I get here and remember why,” she said. “It feels good.”

To volunteer for the auxiliary or to help with the Attic, visit texashealth.org/volunteer.

During the Azle City Council meeting June 16, newly appointed City Manager Amber Beard updated the council and city staff on the current fiscal year budget summary through Jan. 1. She explained that one of the major issues affecting the budget this year is a 2.69% decline in property tax revenue.

“The total taxable volume in Parker County is decreasing from $486,000 to $473,000,” Beard said, during the roundtable discussion. “This next year, property taxes are going up 1% in Tarrant County, and this is very low … Property tax is decreasing, which impacts our budget and our projected revenues.”

Another problem, Beard said, is that Azle is operating in a budget deficit across multiple different funds, with the biggest shortfall occurring in the general fund with a $3.08 million deficit. Because the city has pulled money from its fund balance for the past two years to cover operating expenses, Beard said a solution is needed to recoup those funds — and fast.

“The hope was, ‘OK, tax values will go back up,’ but it’s not looking like that’s going to happen,” she said. “I know it’s a big deficit, and there’s a lot of work to do … but we can’t continue down the path we’re on; it’s not sustainable.”

Voicing one solution, Mayor Randa Goode directed city staff and department heads to return to council in two weeks to present proposed 20% budget cuts.

“You know your departments better than we do. You know what you can and cannot live without,” Goode said. “We’re not saying everything you present will be cut; we’re just looking for ideas. We don’t know what the answer is, but we’re early enough in this that we can start looking for solutions.”

Place 4 council member Josh Berry said council could also increase taxes to make up the funds. However, he pointed out that even increasing the tax rate by 1 cent wouldn’t come close to covering the city’s $3 million shortfall.

“At the end of the day, we have to balance the budget. Even if we were to increase tax revenue, it doesn’t cover this, so what other options do we have? That’s where we have to get creative, so that’s why we're kind of asking you all to help,” Berry said, addressing city staff.

Goode explained that if council did decide to increase the tax rate and encountered pushback from the public, it could then show residents what city services would be cut if the increase is not approved.

“It does put more of a base to what we’re (doing) and what a few cents will actually mean to everyone’s day-to-day lives in Azle,” she said.

Council is expected to revisit the discussion at its next budget meeting June 30, where members will continue to work on closing the budget gap.

According to the district’s 2026-2036 Long-Range Greenprint, Azle High School is projected to be in dire need of an expansion within the next decade due to an influx of planned housing developments in the area.

During the AISD school board meeting June 15, Superintendent Todd Smith explained that this growth is largely located in three different attendance zones, with Parker County contributing to the most development.

“We always get asked, ‘What is the breakpoint?’ and what we continue to see is that the Parker County side continues to grow, just because there’s more available land to use,” Smith said.

In fact, the Zonda demographics study for spring 2026 shows that the district’s largest growth is expected in the Cross Timbers Attendance Zone, where the Hills of Walnut Creek development will account for 1,848 future lots in the development pipeline. With an additional 124 future lots planned across both the Silver Creek and Hoover attendance zones, AISD is projected to have a total of 2,069 potential single-family lots in its long-term development pipeline — and that’s in addition to the 91 homes currently under construction and the 322 vacant developed lots ready for construction.

While AISD’s enrollment has continued to decline in recent years, Smith explained that the projected surge of housing development in the area is expected to raise enrollment from its current number of 7,203 to 8,766.

“Even though we know that enrollment has dropped … we’re still projected to grow,” he said. “We will be pushing almost 9,000 students in the next 10 years projected if we continue on the growth. One of the things we always talk about is that the housing development is coming.”

This “suburban boom,” as it was referred to in the district’s demographics study, will eventually force Azle High School into a facility expansion and capacity management. According to Smith, AHS’ functional capacity is 2,401 and even though current enrollment is 2,198, the campus is projected to serve 2,445 students by 2032 — meaning it will then cross its functional capacity threshold, prompting intervention from the district.

“We do not have capacity in our projected growth within the high school. There were a lot of high school projects that have not passed previous bonds, whether that’s locker room needs, athletic space or capacity … When we were forming the 2023 bond, we really said, ‘Let’s focus on pre-K through eighth grade, and then we’ll come back to the high school,’ so that’s kind of where we landed,” Smith said. “The biggest challenges are going to be our growth with over 2,000 future lots and the needs at the high school.”

Smith explained that the plan moving forward is for the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee to discuss these challenges once committee meetings resume in September, adding that regular updates will be brought back to the board throughout the process.

Among those who earned a spot on the list are Meagan Johnson of Paradise, Kamryn Leonard and Olivia Dawson of Poolville, and Jace Riggs of Weatherford.

Johnson is studying to earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing at the College of Education and Health Professions.

Leonard is pursuing a Psychology Bachelor of Arts in psychology at Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences.

Dawson is studying apparel merchandising and product development in pursuit of a Bachelor of Science in human environmental sciences at Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

Riggs is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in business administration at the Sam M. Walton College of Business.

"Earning a perfect GPA while balancing a full schedule of coursework and commitments outside the classroom is truly an achievement worth celebrating," said Chancellor Charles Robinson. "These students set a high standard for academic excellence at the University of Arkansas, elevating the experience of their classmates and professors alike. I congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to all they will accomplish in the years ahead."

The Spring 2026 Chancellor's List is available online.

All students on the Chancellor's List also automatically earn recognition on the university's Dean's List, which honors undergraduates who achieve a minimum grade-point average of 3.75 for the term while completing at least 12 credit hours.

Seay joins a distinguished group of students recognized for outstanding academic achievement by earning a grade-point average of 3.75-3.99 during the semester while completing at least 12 credit hours required for graduation. School of Law students are named to the Law School Dean's List by earning a 3.0 grade-point average or higher for the semester.

"These students have worked incredibly hard to earn a place on the Dean's List this spring, and I'm pleased to congratulate them on this outstanding academic achievement," said Provost Indrajeet Chaubey. "I also extend my thanks to the family members, friends, mentors and faculty whose encouragement and guidance contributed to this success. Their support makes a meaningful difference, and I look forward to seeing these students continue to excel at the U of A and in their future careers."

The spring 2026 Dean's List is available online.

Students on the Chancellor's List who achieve a 4.0 grade-point average for the semester while completing at least 12 credit hours of coursework, also automatically earn recognition on the university's Dean's List.

The grand jury handed down indictments against seven Azle residents and six Springtown residents, among others.

• April Ann Cradoct, 45, of Springtown, was indicted on a charge of prohibited substance/item in a correctional facility, a third-degree felony, as well as for possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 1/1-B, 4-200 grams. The charge is a second-degree felony.
• Aaron Lynn Free, 34, of Azle, was indicted on a charge of possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 1/1-B, less than 1 gram, a state jail felony.
• Kimberly Deon Fuller, 48, of Springtown, was indicted on a charge of possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 1/1-B, 1-4 grams. The charge is a third-degree felony.
• Daniel Earl Gregory, 41, of Springtown, was indicted on a charge of possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 1/1-B, less than 1 gram. The charge is a state jail felony.
• Charles Albert Haynes, 33, of Azle, was indicted on a charge of possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 1/1-B, less than 1 gram. The charge is a state jail felony.
• Ryan Anthony Sampson, 37, of Azle, was indicted on a charge of theft of property $30,000-$150,000 elderly. The charge is a second-degree felony.
• Alyssa Shannon David, 44, of Springtown, was indicted on a charge of driving while intoxicated, third or more. The charge is a third-degree felony.
• Sabrina Marie Day, 40, of Azle, was indicted on a charge of possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 1/1-B, 4-200 grams, a second-degree felony; as well as a charge of temper or fabricate physical evidence with intent to impair. The charge is a third-degree felony.
• Heather Amy Harvell, 40, of Azle, was indicted on a charge of possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 1/1-B, less than 1 gram. The charge is a state jail felony.
• Heather Renee Haskins, 32, of Azle, was indicted on a charge of burglary of a building. The charge is a state jail felony.
• Candice Marie Lockheart, 31, of Springtown, was indicted on a charge of possession of a controlled substance in penalty group, less than 1 gram. The charge is a state jail felony.
• Tony Orosco Jr., 28, of Springtown, was indicted on a charge of possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 1/1-B, 4-200 grams. The charge is a second-degree felony.
• Clinton Waylon Ratliff, 53, of Azle, was indicted on a charge of evading arrest or detention with a previous conviction. The charge is a state jail felony.