Corps plans changes to hunting program

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) officials announced recently that the Whitney and Aquilla Lakes Project will be changing the administration procedures of the project’s public hunting program. The legacy website that has been used to manage the public hunting program at the Whitney and Aquilla Lakes Project for more than 20 years is being … Continue reading Corps plans changes to hunting program

Sales tax distributed to cities and counties

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced last week that he will send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose districts $1.3 billion in local sales tax allocations for August, 5.2% more than in August 2024. Hill County's August allocation totaled $419,077, up 5.20% compared to last August. To date in 2025, the county's payments have … Continue reading Sales tax distributed to cities and counties

Gaines Grant applications now available

The board of directors of the Dorothy Gaines Foundation is now accepting grant applications for 2025. The Dorothy Gaines Foundation was established in 2003 by Dorothy Gaines as a private foundation with the primary purpose to promote the quality of life in Hill and Tarrant counties. Applications for grants to be awarded must be received … Continue reading Gaines Grant applications now available

Council discusses park grant, drainage plan

The Whitney City Council met in a special session Thursday, July 31, and discussed a grant resolution for a local park project, moved forward with a master drainage plan for the city, heard about a community volunteer initiative and discussed other business. The park project has been an ongoing effort spearheaded by the Lake Whitney … Continue reading Council discusses park grant, drainage plan

Whitney ISD to begin four-day school week

Classes at Whitney Independent School District will resume Monday, August 11. This year, Whitney campuses are transitioning to a four-day school week. Most weeks, classes will be held Tuesdays through Fridays. The approved calendar generally lists two Mondays a month as staff-only days and two Mondays as “no school” days. Superintendent Todd Southard recently notified … Continue reading Whitney ISD to begin four-day school week

USACE taking comments on lake reallocation

A public meeting has been set for Thursday, August 14, in Hillsboro to present the Whitney Lake Reallocation Study to the public. Comments on the plan will be accepted through Wednesday, August 20. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has announced that the 2025 draft of the Whitney Lake Reallocation Study Integrated Feasibility Report … Continue reading USACE taking comments on lake reallocation

Filing ends August 18 for Nov. elections

Candidates planning to seek positions on the Aquilla ISD Board of Trustees or Blum city offices have until Monday, August 18, to file. Both entities have announced November elections, while other cities and schools normally hold elections in May. Aquilla ISD will have the school board seats currently held by Diane Montgomery, Courtney Lewis and … Continue reading Filing ends August 18 for Nov. elections

Back-to-school sales tax holiday this weekend

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock has announced that Texas families are expected to save an estimated $133.2 million in state and local sales taxes during this year’s sales tax holiday, which runs Friday, August 8, through midnight Sunday, August 10. “Back-to-school costs can add up fast,” said Hancock, who announced this year’s projected savings during … Continue reading Back-to-school sales tax holiday this weekend

Council discusses Whitney street conditions

The Whitney City Council met Thursday, July 24, and discussed ongoing citizen concerns regarding street conditions in the city. Council member Amy Teal introduced the agenda item, saying that a lot of people have been talking about road work in Whitney, and the council didn't get the chance to discuss the different costs involved at … Continue reading Council discusses Whitney street conditions

WISD board hears budget presentation

The Whitney Independent School District Board of Trustees met in a special session Tuesday, July 22, and heard a preliminary budget report for the coming fiscal year. Superintendent Todd Southard gave an overview of the preliminary budget for the 2025-26 year. One of the main goals of this year's budget is to resolve issues and … Continue reading WISD board hears budget presentation