Friday, March 21, 2025
Latest Community News
Legacy Oaks of Azle memory care resident Shirley holds her baby doll and smiles next to Mary Greer March 6.
Legacy Oaks uses baby dolls in dementia therapy
AZLE — Memory care residents living in Azle are being reintroduced to parenting with great success. The Dallas-Fort Worth-based Grand Baby Project, a 25-year initiative by Tonja Moon, uses …
Jack Bradshaw and Angie Akmakjian of the North Tarrant Chamber speak in Azle to promote Leadership North Tarrant at a March 4 luncheon.
North Tarrant Chamber promotes leadership classes in Azle
AZLE — Jack Bradshaw and Angie Akmakjian of the North Tarrant Chamber of Commerce visited Azle Tuesday, March 4 to speak about new opportunities for local business owners and public sector …
Director of Secondary Curriculum and Federal Programs Jordan Thiem presents the district’s middle of year data at an Azle board of trustees meeting Feb. 24.
Azle students make mid-year gains
AZLE — With the end of the school year approaching, the Azle Independent School District is proud of the gains and growth it made in the latter half of 2024. AISD Director of Secondary …
Sports
Boys and girls soccer coach Robert Alvarez in his first year at Lake Worth ISD.
Lake Worth soccer becomes one family under coach Robert Alvarez
Lake Worth ISD made a change this past summer to hire Robert Alvarez as boys and girls high school soccer coach. This will be his first season as head coach for both girls and boys as he switches his …
Azle swimmers compete at regionals
Eight members of the Lady Hornets will be competing this weekend at the Class 5A Region II Swim Meet in Mansfield. Karla Rodriguez is competing in three events, while Kayley Brekel is in two. …
Golf course comeback
AZLE — No mulligan was needed after a rough year turned to aces for Cross Timbers Golf Course. On Jan. 21, Cross Timbers Golf Course Manager Matt Sommerfield presented an annual report to …
Philip Dunn sits with his mother, Cynthia Payne, with many of his medals spread out over the table.
Azle teen breaks boards, barriers
AZLE — An Azle teen is making flying leaps in the world of special abilities taekwondo. Just four years ago, Philip Dunn began practicing taekwondo in lieu of physical therapy. Today …
The city hopes to prevent winterkill damage, shown from last year, at the Cross Timbers Golf Course.
Cross Timbers Golf Course closes for weather
AZLE — Starting Jan. 5, Cross Timbers Golf Course will be temporarily closed until stated otherwise due to cold weather. The Pro Shop and Roadrunner grill at 1181 South Stewart Street will …
Education
A student throws a plastic axe at the axe-throwing bounce house.
Best day ever!
SPRINGTOWN — On Thursday, March 6, Goshen Creek Elementary students had the time of their lives at the “Best Day Ever” PTA celebration. The festivities were in celebration of all …
Springtown Middle School principal highlights progress amid challenges
SPRINGTOWN — Despite facing challenges last year, Springtown Middle School is making substantial strides in academic improvement, creating a more vibrant school culture and focusing on the …
Who is running for Springtown ISD Board of Trustees’? Here is the list
SPRINGTOWN — The election for Springtown ISD board of trustees 2025 is set for May 3, and Places 1, 2 and 3 are up for grabs. The final day to file for a place on the ballot was Feb. 14. …
Business
Local Government
Photo Galleries
Popcorn Players conclude “Anybody Out There?”
AZLE — Azle’s Popcorn Players Theater finished it first show of 2025, with the final performance of “Anybody Out There?” occurring Sunday, Feb. 2. The farcical comedy was …
Legacy Oaks of Azle Community Relations Director Kelly Case talks to the seniors about the importance of maintaining healthy eating habits.
Lake Worth Senior Center hosts Legacy Oaks of Azle
LAKE WORTH — On Friday, Jan. 24, the Lake Worth Senior Center hosted seniors from Legacy Oaks in Azle plus staff for a healthy cooking event to demonstrate how to keep eating healthy in the …
Hornet Academy graduates, Azle ISD trustees and administrators gather for a group photo.
Hornet Academy graduates 28
AZLE — Since it was pioneered in 2008 by Ray Lea, former superintendent, and former director of administration Ray Ivey. Hornet Academy has graduated 840 students, including 28 this year. …
Columnist
Dr. David Shaffer and his wife, Daniele, are Azle-area residents. David is the director of Son Shine Ministries (equipfamilies.org), the president of the Azle Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors and a chamber ambassador (azlechamber.com). david@equipfamilies.org | 817-444-3777
HOPE MATTERS
Editor’s note: Dr. Shaffer wrote this touching column before he was aware of the sale of the Tri-County Reporter to Bryson and Ashley Burtnett of Springtown, who plan to transition that …
Dr. Newbury, longtime university president, continues to speak and write. The Idle American, begun in 2003, is one of the nation's longest-running syndicated humor columns. Contact: 817-447-3872. Email: newbury@speakerdoc.com. Website: www.speakerdoc.com.
Kids and a food fight …
Column deadlines often are near enough to nudge before first paragraphs are actually written. Some might think such to be sheer procrastination. I prefer to consider my “delays” to …
“The Lamb: A Novel”
What’s for lunch? You probably know at breakfast what you’re having a few hours later. Maybe breast of chicken, sauteed in tomato sauce. Barbecued ribs, perhaps? Leg of lamb, beef …
Sam Houston is a syndicated columnist and newspaper executive. He is also an actor, author, playwright and entertainment producer/promoter.
The thoughts of a common-sense taxpayer and citizen
The Texas legislature is back in session. Heaven save us from the political rigmarole they seem to have planned for us citizens. The Texas legislature only meets every other year. No telling what …
Mort and the rumor mill …
Uncle Mort doesn’t own a smartphone, and only recently found a well-worn flip phone for $10 on eBay. Neither does my ancient uncle own a computer, claiming he’d never remember where the …
Obituaries
Obituaries
Jeanette Hoffman 1943 — 2025
Jeanette Hoffman, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and devoted member of her church community, passed away peacefully Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. She was surrounded by the love of her family in her …
Carl Earnest Voss Jr. 1946 — 2025 Retired USAF Major
Carl Earnest Voss Jr., age 78, passed away Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at his home, surrounded by his family. Visitation is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12 at Biggers Funeral Home, Lake Worth, …
Mary Jo (Starr) Chapman 1942 — 2025
Mary Jo (Starr) Chapman of Azle, our beloved mother, went to her heavenly home Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, where she was reunited with her “Danny Boy.” She was 82. Visitation was from 5 …
Harold Eugene Durham 1942 — 2025
Harold Eugene Durham, 83, went to be with his Lord and Savior Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Fort Worth. He was born Jan. 6, 1942, in Albany to Howard and Greydelle Durham. Visitation was 6-8 p.m. …
Robert “Bobby” Ray Nobles 1944 — 2025
Robert “Bobby” Ray Nobles II, 80, beloved husband, father and grandfather of Granbury, formerly of Abilene, passed away Saturday evening, Feb. 1, 2025, in his Granbury home. …
Around the web
Have the benefits of meditation been overhyped in the West?
There is much more to mindfulness than the popular media hype
A scholar studying the relationship of Buddhism and medicine explains how the popular media has misrepresented mindfulness.
The flourishing Black business district in Detroit, Mich., photographed in 1942.
The story of the Great Migration often overlooks Black businesses that built Detroit
Detroit’s Black population grew sixfold from 1910 to 1920, and many businesses that sprouted to welcome the newcomers flourished.
A male satin bowerbird stands before his creation.
Can animals make art?
Without being able to get into the heads of animals, it’s hard to say for sure. But instances of pig painters, whale crooners and bird sculptors certainly make it seem plausible.
What the history of ZIP codes reveals about the most in-demand neighborhoods in the US
Spokeo conducted an analysis using data from Realtor.com to explore the most sought-after ZIP codes in the United States and homebuyers.
Thrilling Spring Adventures in Myrtle Beach
(BPT) - Looking for the perfect spring getaway? Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is one of America's most beloved family beach destinations, delivering a perfect mix of adventure, entertainment and …