Good Morning, Justin and Neighbors!

Hope you all had a great weekend. Justin stayed busy with the Farmers Market, Academy Block Party, candidate meet-and-greets, and the car show at Kahwa.

This week brings a big one with the Justin Decides Mayoral Debate and Justin Clean Up Day. Grab your favorite morning drink and keep an eye on the forecast—looks like spring storms may make a few appearances.

THE DIGEST

The Justin Decides Mayoral Debate is set for April 14, 2026, featuring candidates Joe Cokel, James Clark, and Tomas Mendoza. It will be held at The Abbey (116 N. Jackson Ave.) with a live stream available. Questions must be submitted in advance—no live audience questions.

Attendees should follow venue guidelines: no outside food or drinks (water only), no noise makers, and remain respectful. Guests will be asked to exit promptly after the event. Santini’s (407 N. Sealy Ave.) will be open late nearby.

Election Day is May 2, 2026 (7 a.m.–7 p.m.), with early voting from April 20–28. Voters can cast ballots at Justin City Hall or any Denton County location. The election includes Mayor and City Council Places 4, 5, and 6.

Visit our website to learn more about each candidate and watch their video interviews.

TxDOT is moving forward with plans to reconstruct and widen FM 407 between Bill Cook Road and FM 1830, and the community is invited to review the project and provide feedback.

The proposed project would transform the existing two-lane rural roadway into a six-lane divided urban corridor spanning approximately 11.5 miles. Plans also include space for pedestrians and cyclists. The expansion will require additional right-of-way and is expected to impact several properties along the route.

A public hearing will be held on Thursday, April 30, with both virtual and in-person participation options. The in-person open house will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Justin, with a live presentation at 5:30 p.m. The same materials will be available online beginning at 5 p.m. that day and will remain accessible through May 15.

Residents can review project materials, ask questions, and submit comments as part of the draft environmental assessment process. All public comments must be received by Friday, May 15.

This is an important opportunity for residents to provide input on a project that will significantly impact traffic, development, and mobility across southern Denton County.

As you’ve likely seen circulating across social media, the City of Justin has officially announced a Walmart Neighborhood Market as part of the Justin Crossing development.

According to the City, the approximately 45,000-square-foot store will be located near John Wiley Road and FM 156, include a full-service pharmacy, and is being developed in partnership with Marathon Development and Warner Group.

City officials say the project is more than just a new grocery option—it’s a strategic investment in Justin’s long-term growth. Expanding the commercial base helps diversify revenue, support economic stability, and attract additional development along the FM 156 corridor. The store is also expected to create 75 to 100 jobs.

While construction timelines are still being finalized, additional updates will be shared as the project progresses.

Now Hiring:

Skip the social media debates—this is the real one. The Justin Decides Mayoral Debate is the biggest event of the week and your chance to hear directly from the candidates on the issues that matter most to our community.

Tuesday~ April 14

Wenesday~ April 15

Thursday~ April 16

Friday~ April 17

Saturday~ April 18

Sunday~ April 19

_{Plan Ahead:}
^{4/22~ Earth Day
4/20~ Justin Business Associate Mixer
4/23-4/25~ Pate Swap Meet at TMS
4/23~ Spring Concert Sabrina Carpenter Tribute in Westalke
4/25~ Father Daughter Prom in Flower Mound
4/25~ Fuel Fest at TMS
4/25~ Justin Fun Day}

In a previous feature, we highlighted Mrs. Alpha Ruth Sims, who became the first female city council member in 1961, along with Mrs. Mary Emma Tate, who ran but was not elected.

Just a year earlier, in 1960, two other women made early bids for city council with the support of the 20th Century Club: Edna Louise Bond (often referred to at the time as Mrs. G.E. Bond) and Laura Bea Ridlon (often referred to at the time as Mrs. Harvey Ridlon).

At the time, elections were decided by highest vote totals, with only 81 votes cast in the race. Edna Louise Bond received 39 votes, and Laura Bea Ridlon received 38 votes—both narrowly missing election.

They lost to Carl Smith, who received 62 votes, Newton Knox (owner of Justin Bank) with 53 votes, and Melvin Leverett with 40 votes. With three council positions available, both women came extremely close, falling short by just one and two votes respectively.

It was a tightly contested election that marked an important early chapter in Justin’s civic history and the growing role of women in local leadership.