78° / 61° countywide · storm watch tonight
Rain 40% PM · NWS Fort Worth · no boil-water orders
Parker County Desk — community news, civic information, and reference
☕ Countywide brief Thu, Jul 16
Early voting ends Friday
12 days to general election · 3 props on ballot · all 8 cities
I-20 westbound · shoulder work Sat
Mile 408–412 · expect 10-min delays through Aledo
County fair entries close Sat
July fair · livestock + 4-H + handicraft · weatherfordcountyfair.com
News · Today in Parker County All news →
🏛️ Civic · Parker County Civic · Parker County
Parker County commissioners adopt resolution opposing open-loop data centers after packed, hours-long hearing
Parker County commissioners adopted a resolution opposing open-loop data centers and stated the county will not offer tax abatements to data centers, capping a roughly 180-minute special meeting Tuesday, June 9, that drew a standing-room-only crowd to the downtown Weatherford courthouse. The single-item agenda was set aside for public input; resident after resident voiced opposition over water, land and pollution concerns, with one landowner urging the court to call it 'overwhelming rage by the citizens of Parker County.' The meeting followed news that an energy company had purchased a large tract off Pearson Ranch Road with potential data-center plans. County Attorney John Forrest outlined the county's limited authority and pointed to litigation in nearby counties — Hill County faces a $100 million lawsuit after passing (then trying to rescind) a moratorium, and Hood County denied a related plat. Forrest said Parker County has adopted a checklist of existing authorities — fire and safety review, floodplain permitting, sewage-facility oversight and health and safety — that it will enforce. Representatives from the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District and the Texas Public Utility Commission addressed water and electricity demand, and officials said they would look into hosting a future evening meeting so daytime workers could attend. Source: Weatherford Democrat (Sally Sexton) · Published 2026-06-11
- Schools · Weatherford Weatherford FFA sends six state-champion AgriScience projects to national judging Weatherford FFA students competed with 14 projects at the state-level AgriScience Fair, conducting in-person interviews July 6 and learning results the following day, the Weatherford Democrat reports. Thirteen of the 14 projects placed in the state's top three; six earned state championships and advance to national judging, three were runners-up, four placed third and one placed fifth.
- Business · Willow Park Willow Park designated a Film Friendly Texas Certified Community Willow Park has been designated a Film Friendly Texas Certified Community by the Texas Film Commission, part of the Office of the Governor's Economic Development & Tourism division, after completing the program's multi-step training and certification process, according to the Governor's Office and the Weatherford Democrat. The designation adds Willow Park to a statewide network of more than 200 certified communities that receive ongoing training on media-industry standards and best practices for accommodating on-location filming. City Manager Toni Fisher said the recognition affirms Willow Park is “full of opportunity for our residents and businesses, and now, filmmakers,” while State Sen. Phil King said the city is “ready to welcome new opportunities in media production and investment.”
- Sports · Weatherford Former Weatherford College pitcher Ryne Rodriguez drafted by the Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers selected former Weatherford College left-handed pitcher Ryne Rodriguez in the 14th round of the 2026 MLB Draft (433rd overall) Sunday, the Weatherford Democrat reports. Rodriguez, a Fort Worth native, was an all-star on the mound for WC and was named the 2023 NJCAA National Pitcher of the Year during the Coyotes' World Series run, before transferring to Ole Miss for two seasons and then the University of Houston for his senior year, where he posted a 4.39 ERA across 55.1 innings with 57 strikeouts in 21 appearances.
- Civic · Mineral Wells Mineral Wells council overhauls dangerous-buildings ordinance, shifts final call to council
- Sports · Aledo Aledo's Jenkins, Cunningham shine at TABC Showcase
- Sports · Brock Brock Eagles win Class 4A State Lineman Challenge
Parker County, by the numbers
168k
County pop.
8
Incorporated cities
5
School ISDs
$385k
Median home
$1.96
Tax / $100
📬 Three mornings a week. Free.
The Morning Bell — Parker County's daily brief in your inbox. Sourced, dated, no clickbait.
💡 Spotted a story? Tip us.
What's happening on your block, in your school, at your meeting? Email the desk and we'll look into it. Moderated review, no public posting.
Email a tip →Sponsored · Local Business
Wild West Home Services
Roof, AC, removal services, garage doors, generators — one phone number, locally owned, Parker County based. Free inspection on storm-damaged roofs.
Call +18174588387 🗓️ Coming this week Full calendar →
THU
9
Springtown City Council
7pm · agenda online
MON
13
Willow Park City Council
6pm · agenda online
TUE
14
Aledo City Council
7pm · agenda online
TUE
14
Hudson Oaks City Council
6:30pm · agenda online
TUE
14
Reno City Council
7pm · agenda online
WED
15
Azle ISD Board of Trustees
7pm · agenda online
MON
20
Parker County Commissioners Court
10am · agenda online
MON
20
Aledo ISD Board of Trustees
6pm · agenda online
MON
20
Weatherford ISD Board of Trustees
6pm · agenda online
MON
20
Springtown ISD Board of Trustees
6:30pm · agenda online
MON
20
Mineral Wells ISD Board of Trustees
6pm · agenda online
MON
20
Brock ISD Board of Trustees
7pm · agenda online
MON
20
Peaster ISD Board of Trustees
7pm · agenda online
MON
20
Poolville ISD Board of Trustees
7pm · agenda online
TUE
21
Mineral Wells City Council
6:30pm · agenda online
🔥 Most asked this week All Q&As →
❓ Ask the Desk · featured All Q&As →
Q · Asked 2026-05-26
What does Weatherford Prop C (4-year staggered council terms) actually change?
Council terms grow from 2 to 4 years; half the seats every cycle. No direct tax impact. Per the Desk's read of the city's ballot language, Prop C moves Weatherford City Council from 2-year terms to 4-year staggered terms — half the council on the ballot every two years instead of the full council every two. Supporters (council majority) say it stabilizes long-cycle projects; opposition (Weatherford for Term Limits) says longer terms reduce voter leverage. No direct tax impact. Confirm exact ballot wording at parkercountytx.gov/elections before voting.
1% to Parker County
1% of Parker County Desk revenue funds local Parker County 501(c)(3) organizations every quarter. Q1 2026 recipient: Aledo ISD Education Foundation. That\'s the model — no ads, no engagement skim. Journalism that pays for itself and pays the community back. How it works →
From the editor · Derik
Most county news pages are databases pretending to be journalism. We're trying to do the opposite — pay attention to what's actually happening across Parker County, write it plainly, and answer your questions when you have them. Weatherford, Aledo, Azle, Springtown, Willow Park, and the small towns in between. If something on this page is wrong, vague, or missing, tap Ask the Desk. We read every one.
— Derik Glick · Parker County Desk
🗺️ Neighboring counties
Part of The County Desk network — one publication, independent regional editions.