Good Morning, Justin and Neighbors!

We’re looking at a classic North Texas summer week with highs in the mid-90s and lows in the low 70s—perfect weather for discovering your car has officially become a portable oven.

Thunderstorms are expected Tuesday night and again Friday, giving us a couple rounds of rain to break up the heat.

It’s also Stepparents’ Week, National Garden Week, and Adopt-A-Cat Month all June long—so a little appreciation for family, plants, and the tiny rulers now living in your home.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, and have a great week—summer is here whether we invited it or not.

The latest City Council meeting covered a wide range of topics reflecting Justin’s continued growth, from downtown development and youth programs to infrastructure updates and community events. Key discussions focused on balancing long-term planning with maintaining the city’s small-town character.

Justin Funday Success
Over 1,500 visitors enjoyed rodeo events, vendors, contests, and family activities. Council is planning improvements for next year including better layout, online registration, expanded entertainment, and improved emergency preparedness.

Library Continues to Grow
Strong usage continues with 349 new patrons, 11,000+ visits, 500+ programs, and major participation in summer reading. Council also discussed improved signage so new residents can more easily find the library.

JRE Sports Program Expands
JRE now serves 500+ youth participants and continues growing competitive and recreational leagues. Leaders also shared a long-term vision for a future “Dream Complex” that could host regional and national events.

Gaston House Restoration Progress
Restoration continues with structural repairs underway and upcoming roof, window, and exterior work. Fundraising events will help support continued preservation.

Open Container Approved for Old Town Area
Council approved an ordinance allowing alcohol consumption within designated boundaries of the Old Town District while maintaining restrictions elsewhere in the city. The goal is to support downtown events, economic activity, and festivals while keeping public safety in place.

Filming Rules Sent Back for Revision
Council sent a proposed filming ordinance back for further review to ensure residents are not required to obtain permits for personal activities like filming family events or youth sports.

Replat Request Sent Back to P&Z
A property request in Hardeman Ranch Estates was referred back to Planning & Zoning for further review of a possible alternative layout to better meet the applicant’s goals.

Building Code Updates Approved
Council approved moving to the 2024 International Building Codes. Officials said the update improves safety standards, supports insurance ratings, and keeps the city aligned with regional growth.

Economic Development Financing Reviewed
Council reviewed a proposed financing tool for a joint EDC/CDC property acquisition aimed at supporting future economic development without using property tax dollars.

Meeting Schedule Changes Considered
Council discussed potentially moving meetings to Mondays and adjusting start times, but no final decision was made.

City Leadership Update
Outgoing City Secretary Amy Piana was recognized for her service, and new City Secretary Ingred Rex was formally welcomed.

Peterson Park Opening Delayed
The park opening was postponed due to weather, with a new celebration expected later this summer.

Looking Ahead
The meeting focused on balancing growth and tradition—expanding youth programs, supporting downtown development, updating city codes, and investing in long-term community infrastructure.

*This is our interpretation of the meeting. However the full meeting recording and agenda is available on the City of Justin’s website for you to review.

Northwest ISD is once again offering free summer meals for children ages 18 and under, and students with disabilities up to age 21, through the USDA Summer Food Service Program. This program helps ensure kids still have access to nutritious meals while school is out.

Dates: May 27 – June 30 (Monday–Friday)
Breakfast: 8:00–9:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
(Meals must be eaten on campus)

Locations:
• Clara Love Elementary – 16301 Elementary Dr, Justin, TX
• Prairie View Elementary – 200 Chisholm Creek Pkwy, Rhome, TX

A helpful summer resource for families who depend on school meals during the year and a great way to keep kids fueled and ready for summer activities.

As I sit down to write this first entry, the Texas sun is shining bright,  and school is finally out for summer. There’s something special about seeing the kiddos running free in our parks again; laughing, playing, and just being kids. It’s one of my favorite parts of this time of year.

One thing I’ve said many times, and I’ll keep saying: Rooftops do not kill a small town. The lack of relationship and familiarity with each other does.

That truth feels especially real right now. In Old Town Justin, there’s still a group of kids who gather on one of our larger lots to play football and baseball together. You’ll see them wrestling around, cheering each other on, and just enjoying being outdoors. Watching them takes me straight back to the 1970s when I was their age, doing the exact same thing. Those memories remind me why this kind of simple, unstructured play matters so much. It builds friendships, creates shared stories, and strengthens the bonds that hold our community together.

Growth is coming to Justin, there’s no doubt about it. New families are moving in and new homes are going up. I’m excited about that energy and the opportunities it brings. But we must be intentional. We need to make sure that with every new rooftop, we’re also building new relationships. That means protecting spaces where kids can play, supporting neighborhood events, keeping our parks active, and creating opportunities for people, old and new, to actually get to know one another.

In the months ahead, my focus remains on:

This summer, I hope you’ll get outside and enjoy our town. Take the kids to the park, wave at your neighbors, and maybe even join one of our local events. If you have ideas for how we can create more of these community moments, especially for our kids and families, I want to hear them. My door and inbox are always open.

To our longtime residents and our newest neighbors: thank you for being part of Justin. Whether you’ve been here since the 1900s or just arrived this year, this is our town. Let’s keep it the kind of place where kids still play together on open lots and neighbors still know each other’s names.

Together, we’re not just adding rooftops, we’re growing our family.

Sincerely, Mayor James Clark

...justjames

City of Justin, Texas

Back in December 2025, we shared with readers that Justin Primary & Pediatric Care was heading our way — and now the wait is almost over.

The new clinic officially opens July 1, 2026 and will provide full-service healthcare for patients of all ages right here in Justin and surrounding North Texas communities. For many local families who have been hoping for additional nearby healthcare options, this is exciting news to finally see becoming reality.

The clinic will offer a wide range of services including:

• Primary care and preventive medicine
• Pediatric care
• Women’s health services
• School, sports, and work physicals
• Chronic disease management including diabetes, hypertension, and thyroid disease
• Weight management and wellness programs
• IV therapy and hydration services
• Acute illness and same-day sick visits
• Preventive screenings and annual wellness exams
• In-office procedures

The practice is led by Dr. Narmeen Syed, MD, whose background includes family medicine, emergency medicine, and acute care. Her vision for the clinic is to create a welcoming, patient-centered environment where local families can receive comprehensive care close to home.

They’re also planning a grand opening and ribbon-cutting celebration in August 2026, along with discounted wellness services, IV therapy specials, giveaways, and community health initiatives during opening month.

The clinic is currently hiring for positions including medical assistants, front desk staff, office coordinators, and nursing support staff. Interested applicants can send resumes to [email protected].

If you missed our original announcement back in December, you can read it here: https://www.thejustinjournal.com/p/week-of-december-22-2025

We’ll also be stopping by soon to get a preview of the clinic and share photos and updates before opening day.

With all the rainy weather lately, we’ve been looking for more affordable ways for families to still enjoy summer without worrying about cancellations or spending a fortune every weekend. One thing we recently checked out was the The Cove at The Lakefront indoor water park, which is included with the annual GetOut Membership.

The membership also includes access to places like Hawaiian Falls, Fort Worth Zoo, Main Event, Slick City Denton, Frisco RoughRiders games, and more across DFW. In many cases, just one or two visits can make the membership worth it for families.

If you want to check it out, use code JUSTINJOURNAL for an extra $5 off the membership price.

Monday~ June 1

Tuesday~ June 2

Wednesday~ June 3

Thursday~ June 4

Friday~ June 5

Saturday~ June 6

Please always verify dates and times, as schedules are subject to change on short notice.