Good Morning, Justin and Neighbors!

We hope you had an amazing Mother’s Day weekend celebrating all the mom figures, bonus moms, grandmothers, and everyday “you’ve got this” women who make life a little brighter in our community.

Now that we’re rolling into spring, everything is blooming, the weather can’t quite make up its mind, and we’re all just one surprise thunderstorm away from either cozy sweatshirts or full-on backyard barbecues. Welcome to Texas spring—where the seasons change hourly and we just go with it.

Wishing you a great start to your week!

THE DIGEST

As local elections approach, many residents have asked a simple question: How does Justin stack up when it comes to compensating elected officials?

Here’s a quick look at how Justin compares to nearby communities:

In Justin, both the mayor and city council receive modest stipends tied to meeting attendance. Council members earn up to $150 per month, while the mayor can receive up to $250 per month. These roles are clearly structured as part-time public service, with additional reimbursement available for official expenses.

Roanoke follows nearly the exact same model, reinforcing a common approach for cities of similar size.

Meanwhile, cities like Argyle, New Fairview, and Ponder take a different route—offering no compensation at all to their mayors or council members. In these communities, leadership is entirely volunteer-based.

Then there’s Krum, which stands out. Krum provides its mayor with a full-time salary of $48,000 per year, along with additional allowances. City council members there, however, remain unpaid.

Across the area, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Some cities rely fully on volunteer leadership, others provide small stipends, and a few—like Krum—have moved toward a more full-time executive role for their mayor.

No matter the structure, one thing remains consistent: local leaders are investing their time and energy to serve their communities.

Mayor & City Council Pay Comparison (2026)

The first 10 days of the Justin Spending Challenge have been a fun mix of local eats, sweet treats, coffee stops, and everyday favorites that make Justin feel like home.

So far we’ve visited: Ace Hardware, Grapes to Wine+, MyLan Pho & Grill, Dollar General, Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant, Escape Donuts & Coffee, Santini’s Sweets & Gelato, Just Cakeballin’, Outlaw Burger & BBQ, and Higher Grounds Coffee.

Thank you for following along and supporting local businesses—every stop helps keep our community strong. More local features are coming soon, so stay tuned!

At Arise Foot & Ankle, hometown pride meets expert care. Led by Justin native Dr. William Stephens (Northwest High School, Class of 2008), the practice brings advanced podiatric services back to the community he calls home.

From everyday concerns like ingrown toenails and routine care to diabetic foot management and plantar fasciitis relief, the focus is simple—helping you stay comfortable, active, and healthy. Sports medicine and surgical options are also available when needed.

Located just behind Valor Dental—look for the Big Blue Foot—this is care rooted in community, where neighbors take care of neighbors.

Arise Foot & Ankle
17516 Matany Road, Suite 200
Justin, TX 76247

_{**This content is a paid promotion provided by the business.**}

The Mary Emma Tate Community Library invites readers of all ages to join the 2026 Summer Reading Program, running June 1 – July 31.

Kick-Off Event: Friday, June 5 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | City Hall Park
Enjoy a fun day with a petting zoo, pony rides, balloon artist, pirate ship ride, and more.

Program Basics

Tuesday~ May 12

Thursday~ May 14

Friday~ May 15

Saturday~ May 16

Sunday~ May17

_{Plan Ahead:}

^{5/20~ Cool off at Reatta Ranch
5/23~ 4th Annual Car Show and Cruisn’ in Justin at Justin Town Square
5/22~ Early Release NISD and Argyle ISD/ Last Day of School
5/25~ Memorial Day
6/6~ Community Clothes Closet Purse Auction
6/8-11~ Community United Methodist Church of Krum Vacation Bible School}

In August of 1847, a wagon train carrying about twenty-five families left Moniteau County, Missouri, and headed south toward the unsettled frontier of what would become western Denton County. Among them were the Allen, Medlin, Reynolds, Barcroft, Dunham, Loving, Stewart, Robertson, Ellis, and Revis families — pioneers willing to trade certainty for opportunity on the Texas prairie.

Their journey covered nearly 600 miles. Twenty-five to thirty large freight wagons creaked across the countryside, drawn by work oxen and milk cows. Inside those wagons were entire lives packed tightly together: tools, food, clothing, children, and the hope of finding land they could finally call their own.

The trip was long and difficult, and not every family stayed with the convoy. Along the way, some settlers chose to remain at Preston while others stopped at Sherman. But many continued onward, determined to reach the open prairie lands farther south and west.

When the wagon train arrived at Holford Prairie, near present-day Lewisville, they met the Harmonson family, Andy Holford, and others familiar with the region. After resting briefly, the group pushed farther into the vast grasslands of western Denton County.

A few days later, the Allen family settled on a prairie that would later become known as Allen’s Prairie, near present-day Justin. From there, some of the men rode farther west to explore the surrounding country, searching for the best land for water, timber, and grazing.

What they discovered left a lasting impression.

Those words, recorded by T.R. Allen in 1916, described the prairie country that would eventually grow into communities like Justin and the surrounding settlements of western Denton County.

For the Allen and Harmonson families, the search was over. On the rolling prairie of current day Justin, they had found home.