78° / 61° · Storm watch tonight · lake cleanup likely OK
Rain 40% PM · boil-water? No
City · Parker County
Azle
Population ~14,126 · Azle ISD
Lakeside, lake-led
Hornets
7,218
Students
C
TEA rating
97.7%
Grad rate
☕ Azle brief Wed, Jul 15
Eagle Mountain Lake cleanup
Sat 8am-noon · marina lot · pizza after
Hornets baseball at home
Sat 1pm · district closer
This day in Azle
Azle High School's Hornet mascot was selected by student vote in 1958.
Local News
Azle Headlines
Sourced from the city of Azle, Azle ISD, Azle News, Star-Telegram · Updated throughout the week
Civic · Lead
Azle weighs $42M water-plant expansion vs Tarrant partnership
The plant is hitting capacity on hot weekends. Council has two paths and 18 months to decide. Town hall Wednesday 7 PM.
Updated · Source: city of Azle
Community
Eagle Mountain Lake cleanup volunteers needed Saturday
Marina lot 8 AM. Bags, gloves, water provided. Free pizza after. Year three of the EMLA partnership with TPWD.
This week · Source: EMLA / TPWD
Sports
Hornets baseball seeded into the regional bracket
Azle (7-seed) draws Springtown (2) in the Region I-5A first round after a tough late stretch.
This week · Source: MaxPreps, UIL
🏗️ Civic
Azle weighs $42M water-plant expansion vs Tarrant partnership — town hall Wed 7pm
The plant is hitting capacity on hot weekends. Council has two paths and 18 months to decide. Continuing coverage.
🚤 Community
Eagle Mountain Lake cleanup volunteers needed Saturday
Marina lot 8am. Bags, gloves, water provided. Free pizza after. Year three of the EMLA partnership with TPWD.
From across Parker County
🐴 Animal Health · Parker County
State officials confirm equine herpes (EHM) case in a Parker County donkey
The Texas Animal Health Commission has confirmed a case of equine herpes myeloencephalopathy — the neurologic disease linked to equine herpesvirus — in a weanling donkey at a Parker County horse rescue on June 24, according to an Equine Disease Communication Center report. Clinical signs began June 17 with extreme lethargy and labored breathing, followed by fever, an elevated heart rate, diarrhea and discolored areas of the mouth; the donkey was eventually euthanized. TAHC said epidemiological investigations indicate the exposure does not involve large equine events such as rodeos, and that staff are working with the owner and veterinarians; exposed animal owners have been notified and placed under a hold order until further assessment. The agency noted EHM, a potentially fatal disease, saw an outbreak in November after it was found in a Texas quarter horse that had competed at a rodeo in Waco. Thirty EHM cases with neurological signs have been recorded in Texas, with twelve confirmed in Oklahoma and additional cases reported in Louisiana, South Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Washington. Officials urged equine owners to practice strong biosecurity, monitor their animals closely and consult a veterinarian immediately if signs appear.
🏆 Sports · State Championship
Robinson defeats Brock 3–1 to win first state baseball title in program history
Robinson defeated Brock 3–1 Friday at Dell Diamond in Round Rock to claim the Rockets' first-ever state baseball championship in the Class 4A Division II final. Brock strung together 10 hits but stranded 10 base runners. Robinson's Caden Coe was named game MVP after a two-RBI single in the fifth inning provided the decisive margin. Brock pitcher Weston Pickard had a no-hitter through four innings before Brock took a 1-1 tie in the fourth on an RBI double. Source: Sports Illustrated High School · kcentv.com · Published 2026-06-05
🪦 History · Parker County
Texas Historical Commission marker unveiled at Parker County's 1869 Dicey Cemetery
A Texas Historical Commission marker was unveiled at Dicey Cemetery, a Parker County pioneer burial ground established in 1869. Nearly 100 supporters attended the dedication ceremony. Parker County Historical Commission President Teri Hubbard unveiled the marker; Dicey Cemetery Association President Mark Woolsey also spoke. The marker was provided through the THC's Undertold Stories Program, which funds applications documenting significant local stories from across Texas. The cemetery application was submitted in 2023 and selected for the program that year. Sources: Weatherford Democrat · Springtown Epigraph · Azle News.
All Azle + Parker County stories → Around Town
Notices, Events & What's Open
City notices, things to do, and new businesses around Azle & Eagle Mountain Lake · Curated & confirmed weekly
Outdoors
Eagle Mountain Lake
Boat ramps, shoreline parks, and lake access define Azle. The marina lot is the hub for cleanups and events.
Year-round
Cleanup
EMLA Lake Cleanup — Saturday
Volunteers wanted Saturday 8 AM at the marina lot — bags, gloves, water provided, free pizza after.
This week
Civic
Water-Plant Town Hall — Wed 7 PM
The city's $42M water-plant decision goes to a public town hall Wednesday at 7 PM.
This week
Schools
Azle ISD — Hornets
Azle students attend Azle ISD. See Sports below for Hornet athletics.
In session
Nearby
Reno & Sanctuary
Neighboring Azle ISD communities on the Parker side — see their coverage as pages roll out.
Ongoing
Known for
- Eagle Mountain Lake access
- Hornet football
Neighborhoods
- Eagle Mountain Lake shoreline
- Reno-adjacent
The Story of Azle
Azle's story starts in 1846, when a young doctor named James Azle Steward moved into a log cabin on the frontier northwest of Fort Worth. When the area got its first post office in 1881, it was briefly called O'Bar — but in 1883 the name was changed to Azle at Steward's request, after he donated the land for a townsite.
Early Azle was farm country, growing wheat, corn, peanuts, sorghum and cotton alongside orchards of peaches, plums and pears and fields of watermelons and cantaloupes. By 1920 the census counted about 150 residents.
Everything changed with water. The lake on the Trinity River just east of town had been spotted by nesting bald eagles back in 1907 — which is how Eagle Mountain Lake got its name. The dam was built between 1930 and 1932, and once State Highway 199 reached town from Fort Worth, Azle became a lakeside community.
Today Azle straddles the Parker–Tarrant county line as a lake-led town of Hornets and weekend boaters, with most of the city in Tarrant County and a slice in Parker.
Sources: Texas State Historical Association, Handbook of Texas; City of Azle.
🗓️ 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
🎈 Kids Trading Post · Azle 3 activities →
Storytime, classes, camps, leagues, and open-play in Azle, sourced from libraries and partner orgs. Updated nightly · no manual data entry.
See all 3 kid activities →
Sports
Azle Hornets
Azle ISD · ~7,218 students · Source: UIL Texas, MaxPreps, Azle News
Region I-5A first round vs Springtown (2).
Fri · 7:00 PM · Ram Stadium · district matchup.
Azle ISD, B rating — the Hornets across all sports.
Note: Azle straddles the Tarrant–Parker line (mostly Tarrant); Azle ISD is shared. Full county sports hub → parkercountydesk.com/sports · Coaches: submit a score to tips@parkercountydesk.com
⭐ Game of the week
Aledo Bearcats — district football
🏈 District football · See schedule
Aledo brings the most successful Texas HS football program (12 state titles, most in state history) into every district matchup. See the live schedule + ticket info on the official Aledo Athletics site.
📜 On this day in Parker County sports
1998
🏈 Aledo Bearcats win their first UIL state football championship (Class 3A) — the start of a dynasty that would grow to a Texas-record 12 state titles.
2009
🏈 Aledo opens a run of three straight 4A Division II state titles (2009–2011) — the program's first three-peat under the Bearcat dynasty.
2018
🏈 Aledo Bearcats finished the season 16-0, claiming their 9th state football title (now 12 total — most in Texas high-school history).
2020
🏈 Aledo completes a second three-peat (2018–2020) with another 5A Division II state football championship.
2023
🏈 Aledo claims its 12th state football championship (51-8 over College Station) — extending the Texas record for most state titles by any program.
📻 Radio guide
Aledo Bearcats football
92.1 Hank FM (KTFW-FM, Glen Rose) — flagship radio home for Aledo football
Kevin Lonnquist (play-by-play, 20+ yrs), with Kyle Hix and Mercedes Myer
Aledo Bearcats football (video stream)
Aledo Sports Network / aledoisdathletics.com/broadcasts (official ISD stream)
Aledo ISD Athletics broadcast
Weatherford Kangaroos football
Hudl Fan + NFHS Network (weatherfordisdkangaroos.com/broadcasts)
Weatherford ISD Athletics broadcast
Springtown Porcupines football
NFHS Network (nfhsnetwork.com — Springtown HS)
NFHS Network stream
🏆 UIL playoff bracket
No active Parker County UIL playoff bracket on the desk. Populates when a Parker County team is in a UIL playoff round (football, basketball, baseball/softball, volleyball). Source: UIL playoff records.
Activities
Things to do in Azle
Kids, library, sports, fitness, classes, camps, open play — sourced from libraries, parks, and partner orgs across Azle.
story-time
Toddler Story Time
Wednesdays 10:30 AM — story, singing, rhymes, and interactive play for toddlers and caregivers
Azle Memorial Library · Azle Memorial Library, 333 W Main St, Azle
story-time
Preschool Story Time
Thursdays 10:30 AM — stories, dancing, singing, and crafts for preschoolers and caregivers
Azle Memorial Library · Azle Memorial Library, 333 W Main St, Azle
event
Summer Reading Program: Unearth a Story
Annual summer reading program with kickoff event and weekly activities for all ages
Azle Memorial Library · Azle Memorial Library, 333 W Main St, Azle
Civic & Government
Azle civic life
Reach the right desk
By the Numbers
Azle at a Glance
Town statistics — sourced & reconciled to the Parker County Desk data file (updated 2026-05-18)
Source: Redfin, Mar 2026 (21 sales) — median SALE price.
Sources: U.S. Census estimates, Azle ISD, Texas Education Agency, Parker County Desk housing data (Apr 2026 MLS). Azle is mostly in Tarrant County; figures reflect the Azle area. Market figures approximate, updated quarterly. Full housing coverage → Parker County Desk Housing
Population
14,126
Source: Census-derived 2024 est (population.us / texas-demographics)
Type
city
School District
Azle ISD
ISD Enrollment
7,218
As of 2026-05-22
Grad rate
97.7%
Per-pupil spend
$10,395
County
Tarrant + Parker (mostly Tarrant)
School ISD comparison
All all 9 Parker County ISDs side-by-side: enrollment, accountability rating, graduation rate, per-pupil spending, AP offerings. Updated when TEA accountability publishes.
| ISD | Students | Rating | Grad rate | Per-pupil | AP courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weatherford | 8203 | C | 94.6% | $11,874 | 22 |
| Aledo | 8127 | A | 98.1% | $10,512 | 28 |
| Azle | 7218 | C | 97.7% | $10,395 | 18 |
| Springtown | 4166 | C | 92.1% | $10,928 | 12 |
| Mineral Wells | 3300 | C | 88.7% | $9,840 | 9 |
| Brock | 2190 | A | 95.0% | $10,800 | 11 |
| Millsap | 1100 | B | 100.0% | $14,256 | |
| Peaster | 720 | B | 95.3% | $11,200 | 6 |
| Poolville | 610 | B | 94.1% | $11,400 | 5 |
Updated 2026-05-18
Property tax comparison (2026)
Combined tax rate per $100 of assessed value — county + city + ISD + special districts. Lower is better. Updated when 2027 rates publish in October.
| City | County | City rate | ISD | Total / $100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aledo | 0.36 | 0.42 | 1.18 | $1.96 |
| Weatherford | 0.36 | 0.46 | 1.16 | $1.98 |
| Hudson Oaks | 0.36 | 0.41 | 1.18 | $1.95 |
| Willow Park | 0.36 | 0.45 | 1.18 | $1.99 |
| Azle | 0.36 | 0.51 | 1.21 | $2.08 |
| Springtown | 0.36 | 0.48 | 1.19 | $2.03 |
Updated 2026-05-18
Ask the Desk
Questions about Azle
Eagle Mountain Lake cleanup Saturday — what to bring and where to start?
Saturday 8am at the marina lot, bags/gloves/water provided, pizza after. Year three of the EMLA partnership with TPWD. Plan to be there before 8am for sign-in at the marina lot. Bags, gloves, and water provided; free pizza …
After the water-plant town hall, what's the actual decision timeline on Phase II vs the Tarrant partnership?
Council frames it as two paths, 18 months to decide; pull the council agenda for the formal schedule. Council's framing: 'two paths, 18 months to decide.' Phase II expansion (the capex path) vs a regional partnership with T…
Where do Azle residents vote on May 30?
Azle is mostly Tarrant County — Tarrant-side residents vote at Tarrant locations, Parker-side at the three Parker locations. Azle straddles Tarrant and Parker counties (mostly Tarrant). Parker-side Azle residents can use an…
Why is the mayor's town hall focused on the water plant?
Capacity. Azle's plant is hitting its design ceiling on hot weekends and the city is weighing a Phase II expansion vs a regional partnership with Tarrant County. Town hall Wed 7pm at the community center is the public Q&A.
Is there a burn ban right now?
Yes — county-wide as of May 12. Commissioners imposed the ban after the dry stretch in April. Lifted only after measurable rain and the fire marshal's sign-off. Current status always at parkercountytx.gov/firemarshal.
All Azle Q&As → Community Voice
What Azle Means to Them
Submit your own — moderated, sourced + curated (per Runbook: no public-posting widgets).
Post to Board →🗺️ Neighboring counties
Part of The County Desk network — one publication, independent regional editions.