Community
Daily reporting on Gainesville, Valley View, and every corner of Cooke County to city hall decisions, neighborhood wins, and the people who make them happen.
Top stories
Fairview Cemetery to host free living history walk July 4
Reenactors will portray Civil War, World War I, and World War II veterans at a free walking tour through Gainesville’s historic Fairview Cemetery on the mornin…
Wednesday
Fourth of July in Gainesville & Cooke County: 2026 Guide
Confirmed: Gainesville's Great American Birthday Bash is July 3, 5–10 p.m. at the Municipal Airport — free, with live music, food trucks, and fireworks. Plus S…
Jun 17
Cooke County, Texas: Cities, Government, History & 2026 News
Cooke County, Texas: 45,000 residents, county seat Gainesville, I-35 corridor 60 miles north of Fort Worth. Complete guide to cities, schools, and 2026 busines…
Jun 17
Where to stay in Gainesville, TX: A visitor's lodging guide
From chain hotels on I-35 to a giraffe barn in Valley View and a glamping dome in Cooke County — here's where to stay when you're visiting Gainesville.
Jun 8
Urgent Care in Gainesville, TX: Your Options at NTMC and Beyond
Need urgent care in Gainesville, Texas? Here is when to go to the NTMC emergency room, when a walk-in clinic makes more sense, and what telehealth options are …
Jun 5
Outdoor Recreation Near Cooke County: Lakes, Parks & Oklahoma Day Trips
From Moss Lake ten minutes outside Gainesville to Turner Falls in Oklahoma, Cooke County sits at the center of some of North Texas's best fishing, hiking, camp…
May 28
Moving to Cooke County? A Newcomer’s Guide to Life in North Texas
Everything you need to know about relocating to Cooke County — from school districts and housing costs to the I-35 commute, local healthcare, and what makes Ga…
May 27
From Camp Howze to the Medal of Honor: Cooke County’s Veterans Legacy
On Memorial Day, a look at the military history woven into Cooke County — from the 300,000 soldiers who trained at Camp Howze in World War II to the only city …
May 26
Where to buy farm-fresh in Cooke County
Six Cooke County farms sell beef, dairy, eggs, produce, and more directly to the public — here’s a guide to what’s available and where to find it.
May 22
Things to Do in Gainesville, TX This Summer (2026)
Free concerts, the Frank Buck Zoo, downtown dining, and day trips to Lake Ray Roberts — a practical guide to summer in Gainesville, Texas.
May 19
Gainesville Depot Day Festival: Guide, History, and What to Expect
Gainesville's Depot Day Festival is held every October in historic downtown — free admission, 200+ vehicles, live entertainment, and the story of the 1902 Sant…
May 18
Where to Eat in Gainesville, TX — A Local Dining Guide (Updated June 2026)
Best restaurants in Gainesville, TX: Krootz Brewing, Hungry Hippo, El Tapatio, and 25+ local dining spots — updated June 2026.
May 14
United Way Honors 2026 Donors, Plans November Fundraiser
Cooke County United Way recognized top donors and businesses from its 2026 annual campaign and has set November 5 for the 15th annual Power of the Purse event.
May 13
Frank Buck Zoo summer guide: encounters, hours, and what's next
Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer at Gainesville's Frank Buck Zoo — here's the full lineup of animal encounters and what to know before yo…
May 12
The I-35 corridor boom: Rail parks, ranches, and billions in development reshaping Cooke County
From a WWII-era army camp turned rail park to a 600-acre grocery empire supply hub, more than 2,000 acres of new development are converging along the I-35 corr…
May 4
Muenster Elementary 3rd Graders Tour Gainesville Medal of Honor Museum
Days after Gainesville's 25th Medal of Honor Week, Muenster Elementary's 3rd grade classes spent Thursday at the Medal of Honor Museum in Gainesville, explorin…
Apr 28
Gainesville marks 25th Medal of Honor Week honoring nine recipients
Nine of the nation's most decorated military heroes spent four days in Gainesville last week as the city marked a quarter-century as America's...
Apr 23
Muenster roundup: ISD earns safety award, RRC visits Kiwanis
Muenster ISD was honored for workplace safety at a statewide conference, and the Railroad Commission of Texas stopped by the local Kiwanis Club to talk oil and…
Apr 19
NCTC honors 2001 NJCAA championship baseball team at reunion
North Central Texas College welcomed back its 2001 NJCAA National Championship baseball team at a recognition ceremony March 28.
Apr 16
Gainesville Fire-Rescue honors crew for Jan. 6 rescue at annual ceremony
Five officers received the city's Medal of Distinction for a January rescue. Lt. James Fuller was named Firefighter of the Year.
Apr 15
Gainesville Summer Sounds 2026: Free concerts June 26 and July 31
Two free outdoor concerts remain in the Gainesville Summer Sounds series — Champagne Yacht Club Band on June 26 and Uncle Lucius on July 31, both at the Gaines…
Apr 13
Medal of Honor Week 2026: Your complete guide to Gainesville's events
Gainesville marks its 25th year as America's Official Medal of Honor Host City April 15–18. Here's every event, time, and location you need.
Apr 10
NTMC invests $1.25M in cardiac CT imaging technology
North Texas Medical Center has invested $1.25 million in a new Cardiac CT imaging system to expand heart care diagnostics in Cooke County.
Apr 7
Frank Buck Zoo spring guide: Hours, encounters, and what's new
Spring is the best time to visit Gainesville's Frank Buck Zoo. Here's what to know about hours, animal encounters, pricing, and seasonal programs for 2026.
Apr 6
Texas Master Naturalist program opens applications April 6
The Texas Master Naturalist Elm Fork Chapter is accepting applications April 6 through April 24 for its next training class serving Denton, Cooke, and Wise cou…
Apr 3
Shopping and services in Gainesville, Texas: A local guide
A complete guide to major retailers, grocery stores, home improvement shops, and local services in Gainesville, Texas — from Walmart and H-E-B to Atwoods and d…
Apr 2
Muenster invites residents to spring clean up April 11
The City of Muenster is hosting its annual Keep Muenster Beautiful Spring Clean Up on April 11 at Muenster City Park, starting at 9 a.m.
Mar 27
Gainesville's retail boom: New shops and storefronts in 2026
From a new McDonald's at 82 and Grand to an incoming Aldi, a planned 7-Eleven, and a QuikTrip travel center off I-35, Gainesville's retail and commercial scene…
Mar 20
Sights & Sounds fundraiser returns to NCTC April 11
The Cooke County Arts Council hosts its annual Sights and Sounds fundraiser on April 11 at NCTC's First State Bank Center, featuring the Gainesville Swing Orch…
Mar 18
NTMC launches digital intake to cut wait times
North Texas Medical Center has launched a digital patient intake system that lets patients complete registration, upload insurance cards, and verify personal d…
Mar 17
Cooke County Library receives $10,000 Carnegie grant
The Cooke County Library has received a $10,000 gift from the Carnegie Corporation of New York as part of a nationwide initiative honoring Carnegie Libraries s…
Mar 16
NTMC receives $135,000 grant for infant warmers
North Texas Medical Center received a $135,000 grant from The Moody Foundation to replace Giraffe infant warmers in the hospital's nursery, supporting nearly 3…
Mar 11
Metzler wins county judge primary; Cornyn-Paxton runoff set for May
Business owner Karla Metzler captured the Republican nomination for Cooke County Judge with 62 percent of the vote, while the Cornyn-Paxton U.S. Senate race he…
Mar 4
Rand Brown named Cooke County emergency management coordinator
Rand Brown brings nearly three decades of military and federal emergency management experience to his new role as Cooke County's Emergency Management Coordinat…
Feb 27
Texans urged to prepare as wildfire risk remains elevated
Nearly 850 wildfires have burned across Texas since January 1, and warm, dry conditions are expected to keep fire danger high through early spring.
Feb 26
Kiwanis Club of Gainesville celebrates 87 years at luncheon
The Kiwanis Club of Gainesville hosted its annual Past-Presidents Luncheon on Tuesday, honoring nearly nine decades of community service in Cooke County.
Feb 23
Early voting underway for March 3 primary in Cooke County
Cooke County voters can cast early ballots through Feb. 27 at the Courthouse Annex ahead of the March 3 primary election.
Feb 23
Merlin Award-winning illusionist Reza brings 'Edge of Illusion' to Gainesville
The 2025 Illusionist of the Year brings his touring production to the State Theatre for two shows on Feb. 22.
Feb 19
Early voting begins Tuesday for March 4 primary elections
Registered voters across Texas can cast early ballots beginning Tuesday for the March 4 primary elections, with contested races on both Republican and Democrat…
Feb 17
I-35, California Street closures begin Sunday in Gainesville
TxDOT will close sections of I-35 and California Street in Gainesville for three consecutive nights beginning Sunday for work zone construction.
Feb 16
Local author Mark Dickson wins PenCraft Book Award for debut thriller
Cooke County author and retired surgeon Mark Dickson earned a PenCraft Seasonal Book Award for his debut novel "Enemy at the Helm," a thriller about coordinate…
Feb 16
North Texas Developer Buys 815-Acre Pace Ranch Along I-35 Near Gainesville
Frisco-based developer Rex Glendenning has purchased the 815-acre Pace Ranch along Interstate 35 in Cooke County, with plans for up to 1,000 homes, thousands o…
Feb 11
Gainesville ISD sets May 2 board of trustees election
The Gainesville ISD Board of Trustees election will be held on May 2, 2026, with three trustee places on the ballot.
Feb 10
Three Cooke County students earn calf scramble certificates
Three Cooke County agricultural students earned $500 heifer purchase certificates at the 2026 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo calf scramble.
Feb 10
Calabrese seeks city approval for mobile shower facility
Marc Calabrese, founder of Soul Food of Cooke County, is seeking city approval for a mobile shower facility called Suds for Souls to serve those in need.
Feb 9
Cooke County commissioners vote 3-1 to lift burn ban
Cooke County Commissioners voted 3-1 to temporarily lift the county's burn ban following recent ice and snow that left debris across the area.
Feb 2
Major winter storm to bring ice, snow to Cooke County this weekend
A massive winter storm threatens more than 170 million Americans with heavy snow and freezing rain, with North Texas expecting significant ice accumulation sta…
Jan 23
North Texas Medical Center Earns Women's Choice Award
North Texas Medical Center in Gainesville earned recognition on the 2026 Women's Choice Award Best Hospitals list, a distinction achieved by fewer than 15 perc…
Jan 21
Cooke County hires new emergency management coordinator ahead of storm
Rand Brown, a former U.S. Marine with FEMA experience, takes the helm of Cooke County's emergency management just as a major winter storm approaches the region.
Jan 21
City to Host Street Improvements Workshop Feb. 14
Residents invited to learn how street projects are prioritized and ask questions at second Talk of the Town event.
Jan 15