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.
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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.
15 hours ago
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…
Yesterday at 2:09 PM
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 concert series returns May 29
Three free outdoor concerts are coming to the Gainesville Farmers Market this summer, starting May 29 with The Wilder Blue.
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
Where Is Cooke County, Texas? Map, Cities & 2026 News
Cooke County, Texas sits 70 miles north of Dallas-Fort Worth along I-35, bordering Oklahoma at the Red River. County seat: Gainesville. Here is the map, the ci…
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
The 10 Best Restaurants in Gainesville, TX (May 2026 Update)
From craft beer and sushi to chicken fried steak and hickory-smoked barbecue, here's a guide to the best restaurants in Gainesville, Texas.
Mar 30
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
Gainesville Launches First Charter Review Since 1996
City Council appoints Charter Commission to review governing document; any proposed amendments require voter approval.
Jan 15
Cooke County Commissioners Enact Burn Ban
Cooke County commissioners enacted a burn ban Monday as dry conditions persist across the region.
Jan 14
Lindsay ISD to host blood drive Jan. 28
Lindsay ISD will host a community blood drive on Tuesday, Jan. 28, offering students, staff, and community members a chance to donate.
Jan 14
Gainesville Chamber to host 2026 Annual Meeting Jan. 30
The Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce will recognize outstanding members at its 2026 Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet on Friday, Jan. 30 at the Gainesville…
Jan 7
Depot Day 2026 returns to downtown Gainesville October 10
Gainesville's signature fall festival returns October 10, 2026, featuring a car show with over 200 vehicles, kids activities, vendors, and live entertainment.
Jan 3
Lindsay second graders perform 'Penelope the Pink-Nosed Puffin'
Second grade students at Lindsay Elementary presented their holiday musical 'Penelope the Pink-Nosed Puffin' to families on December 11.
Jan 3
Registration opens for 38th Annual Depot Day community event
Registration opened Monday for the 38th Annual Depot Day festival, inviting community members and vendors to participate in Gainesville's popular downtown cele…
Dec 15, 2025
North Texas Medical Center recognized as Best Hospital 2025-26
North Texas Medical Center in Gainesville has been named a Best Hospital for 2025-26 by U.S. News & World Report, acknowledging the facility's commitment to qu…
Dec 12, 2025
4-H Junior Master Photographer Workshop builds youth skills in Cooke County
Cooke County Extension hosted the Texas 4-H Junior Master Photographer Workshop II on December 6, providing youth with hands-on training in photography techniq…
Dec 11, 2025
Morton Museum schedules holiday events including Santa visits and home tour
The Morton Museum is scheduling holiday events throughout December, including Santa Claus visits, a Holiday Home Tour, and the PJ's and Pancakes breakfast...
Dec 10, 2025