The front page highlights several “Swearing-In” ceremonies.
Willow Park: Teresa Palmer takes office as the new mayor. Eric Contreras and Chawn Gilliland were also sworn in as council members.
Weatherford: Paul Paschall was sworn in for another term as mayor.
Weatherford ISD School board members Dan Woods, Adam Feriend, Wally Wallace, and Kindra Lucia were sworn in.
Aledo: New Aledo Mayor Shane Davis was sworn in.
Weatherford: McGratton Park Makeover (Weatherford): Approval was given for a $188,335 upgrade to McGratton Park, which will include new lighting, restrooms, shaded seating, improved basketball courts, and a skateboard pump track.
Correction: The paper corrected a previous article, clarifying that Sharon Suarez was the first woman mayor of Willow Park in the early 1990s.
Willow Park: The city is pursuing grants for bike lanes and pedestrian walkways and will consider a proposal to transition to a home rule class city. The council approved applications for a federal grant (TXDOT Transportation Alternatives) to fund active transportation plans, including bike lanes and crosswalks. A quarterly financial report showed the city’s general funds on budget, with strong cash and reserves, despite a temporary deficit in water and wastewater funds expected to recover.
Weatherford ISD Board Honors Retirees: The board recognized retiring teachers and safety officers, praising their service. Campus principals provided updates on their schools’ focus areas, and the board addressed instructional coaching and safety. New business included applying for a Flexible School Day Program and approving gym elevator repairs.
Page 2: Aledo Fine Arts
This page features the article “Aledo fine arts wow crowds with Heroes and Icons.” It covers the annual spring extravaganza where Aledo’s band, drama, and dance groups collaborated for two evenings, featuring pop music and movie hero themes, and recognizing emergency first responders. Several photos from the event are included.
Obituaries: Timothy “Tim” Keith Watts, 64, of Cresson, co-owner of Watts Drilling Co., passed away on May 9, 2025.
Community Life - Wild Outdoors
This section showcases “In the Wild Outdoors,” featuring photos of wildflowers blooming in Parker County, such as Indian Blankets, Brown-eyed Susan, and Bluebonnets. Another photo essay, “The horn section,” displays Longhorn herds on properties along Old Annetta Road in Aledo.
Commentary
Randy Keck’s “Slings & Arrows”: The publisher discusses “Delayed gratification and why we haven’t had a party,” explaining how health issues (knee replacement, cancer, hip replacement) have continually postponed plans for the newspaper’s 30th-anniversary celebration.
Rick Mauch’s “Look at it This Way”: The columnist writes about “Bigfoot is everywhere,” detailing various Bigfoot sightings, including several reported in Parker County and near Aledo, and shares his personal interest in the cryptid.
The front page features a large photo of the Aledo Ladycats softball team celebrating their Region I championship and advancing to the state semifinals. The main headline is “On to State!”
Aledo AISD Board Meeting: The Aledo ISD board of trustees approved the purchase of district-wide instructional materials for phonics and growth assessments. They also approved seven new staff positions across several elementary and middle schools, including classroom teachers, a PRIDE paraprofessional, and speech-language pathologists. Trustees Forrest Collins (President) and Lynn Morgan (Seat 5) were sworn in. The Aledo Education Foundation presented a $100,000 check to the board. Parents raised concerns about the quality of special education.
The article details presentations on instructional priorities (lesson frame, critical writing, small group talk, active participation) showing improvements across K-12. The math department also reported on its curriculum goals, planning to add a pre-AP Algebra 2 class. Numerous students and faculty were recognized for academic achievements, including Bearcats of Character, UIL Journalism, VASE, State Golf Qualifier, State Tennis Qualifier, Swim and Dive Super Elite Team, Academic All-State Athletes, Robotics, HOSA State Qualifiers, and State Track and Field Qualifiers.
North Texas Company Starts Fiber Internet in Aledo: Syntrio, an internet service provider, is beginning fiber internet development in Aledo. They will be laying fiber optic cables, providing faster and more reliable internet, and plan to open a local storefront. Construction is expected to start in June.
Syntrio’s fiber internet development will be a multi-phase project. While not covering all of Aledo initially, it will focus on areas with the greatest need, with potential for expansion. Syntrio will send communications to residents during construction and plans to be active in the community, including an appearance at the Aledo Summer Blast.
Aledo High School Robotics Team: The Maximum Resistance robotics team from Aledo High School placed in the top ten at the UIL Class 5A competition. Another team, the 6566 Circuit Breakers, received a high award for their engineering portfolio and will compete nationally.
Charles J Murray Outstanding Jurist Award: The Honorable Graham Quisenberry, Judge of the 415th District Court (Parker County), received the Charles J Murray Outstanding Jurist Award for 2025 from the Tarrant County Trial Lawyers.
Community Life - PC Cruisers Celebrate 30 Years
This feature highlights the Parker County Cruisers, a classic car club that socializes, competes, and dedicates itself to community service. They have donated thousands of dollars to 16 local organizations annually for 12 years. The article showcases various classic cars owned by members, including a 1957 Chevy Bel Air, a 1972 Dodge Challenger, a 1936 Ford Coupe, and a 1974 Corvette Stingray. It also mentions a 1955 Chevy Bel Air used to promote Wreaths Across America and Service With Heart, an initiative to install defibrillators in Parker County.
Robert M. Edsel’s Guest Column, “We Were Young, They Say. We Have Died. Remember Us.”: This column discusses the Dutch grave adoption program at the Netherlands American Cemetery, where Dutch citizens adopted and care for graves of American soldiers who died in World War II. It highlights the story of Lt. Col. Robert G. Cole and the enduring gratitude of the Dutch people.
Randy Keck’s “Slings & Arrows”: The publisher reflects on his recent hip replacement surgery and the effects of pain medication, humorously recounting how two specific songs (“1-2-3” by Len Barry and “We’re Marching to Zion”) were stuck in his head during recovery.
Aledo - Search for New City Manager: The city of Aledo is seeking a new city manager after the mutual agreement of separation with outgoing city manager Noah A. Simon. A council member raised concerns about the process, stating the decision seemed to originate outside of formal council discussions. SGR will be engaged to find an interim city manager.
Aledo - New Sex Offender Registry Adopted: The city council adopted a city-wide sex offender registry ordinance based on state law. Public safety director Carol Riddle presented the ordinance, which defines “child safety zones” and restricts sex offenders from residing or loitering within 1,000 feet of these zones. An appeal process for registered offenders is included. The ordinance will take effect September 1, coinciding with the anticipated operational date of the Aledo police force.
Public comments were received on the sex offender registry ordinance, with residents suggesting stronger language. Public Safety Director Carol Riddle addressed these concerns, emphasizing the balance between community safety and individual rights. The council also postponed the purchase of two police pursuit vehicles and held public hearings for property annexations.
Willow Park - YMCA Coming to Parker County: Willow Park Baptist Church and the YMCA are partnering to bring a new dedicated YMCA building to Willow Park, located in the old church building. Congressman Roger Williams and Pastor Clark Bosher are involved in this initiative, which aims to provide sports, after-school programs, and community events. The project is currently in a fundraising stage.
The YMCA facility in Willow Park aims to employ over 100 people and attract over 1,000 memberships. Plans include not just sports but also creative programs like video/audio production, culinary arts, and auto mechanical training. The growth of Willow Park and the proximity to UTA West are seen as factors for its success.
Hudson Oaks - City Welcomes New Police Officer: The Hudson Oaks City Council meeting included the swearing-in of re-elected council members Daniel Cross (Place 5) and Sean Cannon (Place 4). Police Chief Michael Baldwin also announced the hiring of police officer Agnew Mathis IV, highlighting an increase in calls due to construction, traffic, and population growth.
Obituary - Debra S. Smith: Debra Sue Smith, 69, of Weatherford, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2025. She was a successful businesswoman, majority owner of Pulliam Pools, and a devout Christian. She was known for her generosity, compassion, and mentorship.
Community Life - “Have sermon, will travel”
This article features Aubrey Robertson, known as “The Hippie Preacher,” a Weatherford resident who pastors in unconventional settings like YMCA, strip malls, city parks, and even a truck stop restaurant. His goal is to reach people not served by traditional churches, focusing on the words of Jesus without compromise. He also hosts a podcast, “The Hippie Preacher,” and has started series on practical application of Jesus’s commands and disciple-making. Robertson shares his personal journey, including falling away from faith and overcoming addiction before returning to ministry. He details his past experience in radio and how it shaped his communication skills.
Willow Park Town Hall: A town hall meeting was held to update residents on the Squaw Creek Road reconstruction project. Engineers from Jacob Martin LLC presented the plan, which includes road reconstruction, new water lines, and drainage improvements. The project timeline estimates design completion by September 2025, construction starting March 2026, and finishing by February 2027. Residents raised concerns about asphalt vs. concrete, potential internet disruption, utility conflicts, driveway turning radius, ditch depths, and flooding.
Weatherford College Academic Expansion: Weatherford College is launching seven new academic programs in Fall 2025, marking its largest academic expansion in history. These include Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) in Computer Science, Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Golf and Sports Turf Management, AAS in Automotive Technology, AAS in Medical Laboratory Technology, Associate of Arts (AA) in Mass Communication, AAS in Radio/TV Broadcasting, and AAS in Culinary Arts. Additional recent programs include BAAS in Early Childhood Education, AAS in Welding, and AAS in Robotics and Automation Technology.
Annetta City Council & History: Mayor Sandy Roberts, Brandon Thompson (Place #3), and Mayor Pro-Tem Kent Stasey (Place #5) were sworn in. The article also provides a historical account of how the City of Annetta received its name, tracing it back to A.B. Fraser and his daughter Anneta. Jim Zimmermann, the reporter, announces his departure from The Community News.
Gathering Hope Non-Profit Feature: An in-depth article about Peyton Lauderdale and her non-profit, Gathering Hope, founded after the loss of her infant son, James. The organization provides support, community, and healing for “loss moms” (mothers who have experienced infant loss). They offer workshops and educate healthcare and faith workers on how to support grieving parents.
78th Annual Parker County Sheriff’s Posse Frontier Days Rodeo: A feature on the upcoming rodeo, which was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame and nominated as one of the top five national rodeos. Events include a Cattle Drive, Street Dance, Mutton Bustin’, PRCA Extreme Bull Riding, and various traditional rodeo competitions. Nightly concerts are scheduled.
New Utility Billing Procedures Adopted in Aledo: Following an audit, the Aledo City Council adopted new utility billing and operation policies. These policies aim to streamline procedures, reduce billing confusion, improve leak detection, and update metering systems to address issues like unpaid accounts and high call volumes. Water cutoffs for unpaid accounts will resume.
Willow Park Home Rule City Discussion: The Willow Park City Council discussed the concept of becoming a “home rule city” versus remaining a “general law city.” Mayor Teresa Palmer advocates for home rule to give citizens more say. City attorney Pat Chesser explained the differences, including citizen initiative, referendum, recall, and removal powers in home rule cities, but also warned of state preemption (like HB 2127, the “Death Star” bill) and the costs of the charter process. The council accepted a budget calendar with a September deadline.
The Willow Park City Council discussed further steps for potentially becoming a home rule city, including forming a charter commission and the importance of citizen involvement in the budgeting process.
Willow Park Green Ribbon Grant: The city of Willow Park received a Green Ribbon Grant from TxDOT to beautify highway corridors with trees and plants.
Other Council Business: Designation of city manager Bryan Grimes for tax rate calculation, postponed approval of minutes, and postponement of health/dental benefits proposals due to a new bid.
Weatherford City Council Meeting: Approvals were made for the reappointment of city board chairs and actions on several properties (final plats for residential lots, subdivision improvements, conditional use permits).
“Sometimes, City Business Can Be Fun”: Two elementary school students, Camryn Coffey and Melanie Maples, successfully petitioned the Weatherford City Council to donate old playground equipment from McGratton Park to their church, Friendship Baptist Church, as part of a fundraiser.
Malt Shop Reopens (Weatherford): The Malt Shop reopened under new owners, David Hart and Shawn Allen, now serving breakfast. The article highlights their goal of creating a community gathering place and their plans for future events like trivia nights and car shows.
Roger Williams, SBA Administrator Visit Local Business: Congressman Roger Williams and Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler toured the Ida Mae Home manufacturing plant in Fort Worth. They discussed challenges faced by large manufacturers and federal support efforts. Aledo Mayor Shane Davis emphasized the importance of small businesses and traditional trades like textiles, advocating for early exposure to such careers for young people.
Aledo Education Foundation Golf Tournament: The 24th Annual Don R. Daniel Aledo Golf Classic was a success, raising funds for student and teacher programs.provider.
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