Good morning, Justin and neighbors!

Grab your coffee, stir up a pumpkin spice latte, pour yourself something orange and mysterious, or mix up a little Halloween magic in your favorite mug. Whatever your spooky-season drink of choice, it’s time to get this hauntingly good day started!

Fair warning: things are about to get a little spooky around here. For the rest of October, our History section is taking a detour from the usual trip down memory lane into the darker corners of North Texas history. We’re talking ghost stories, strange sightings, local legends, and tales that might make you think twice about turning off the porch light tonight. Some stories are rooted in local history, others live somewhere between folklore and the unexplained. We’ll let you decide what you believe!

So settle in, get comfortable, and keep an eye on those shadows. Around here, history is getting a little haunted, and who knows what we’ll dig up next?

Have a boo-tiful morning, y’all! 👻

Justin neighbors had a chance to come together on October 7 for National Night Out, an annual event that brings residents, local law enforcement, firefighters, and other first responders together to build relationships and strengthen the community.

It’s a good reminder that a hometown is about more than the houses we live in. It’s about the people around us, the folks who show up when we need them, and the connections we make along the way.

A big thank-you to everyone who helped make the evening possible and to the residents who came out to visit, connect, and spend a little time with their neighbors!

Were you there? We’d love to see your photos! Share them with us and let us know how you enjoyed the evening.

October 8, 2026 | Justin, Texas

The Justin City Council met October 8 to discuss city operations, park improvements, economic development, and future projects. Here are the important updates for residents.

Parks and Recreation Improvements

The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and Community Development Corporation (CDC) approved $225,000 for park improvements for fiscal year 2026–2027.

Planned projects include:

Possible FM 407 Roadway Name Change

Council added a proposal to a future agenda to consider naming the FM 407 realignment Mitchell Heritage Parkway, recognizing the Mitchell family's longstanding contributions to Justin, including its involvement with the community's volunteer fire department.

No name change was approved at this meeting. The proposal will be discussed at a future meeting.

Community Events and Fire Safety

Here are the biggest takeaways from this meeting: more park improvements are in the works, the City is continuing efforts to breathe new life into Old Town and bring more businesses to Justin, and early steps are moving forward for the proposed Crestview development. The possible FM 407 roadway name change is still a conversation for another day.

This recap focuses on the updates we feel are the most relevant to Justin residents. As always, plans can change, and proposed projects and anticipated business openings aren't set in stone just yet. Watch the full meeting

As cooler weather rolls into North Texas, Hitch Hip Hooray, Co. is helping make sure Justin neighbors have warm coats, blankets, and other cold-weather essentials this winter.

The community coat and blanket drive is collecting new or lightly used coats, jackets, blankets, hats, gloves, scarves, warm socks, and other items to help keep neighbors warm. Donations will go to the Justin Community Clothes Closet so they can reach local residents who need them.

Donation deadline: October 28, 2026 Drop-off location: 1201 Alderwood Drive, Justin

The goal is to collect 100 items for the drive’s first year. If you have an extra blanket, a coat your family has outgrown, or a few warm essentials to spare, this is a great way to help someone in our community prepare for winter.

Sometimes doing good starts with something as simple as sharing a little warmth with a neighbor.

Justin's EDC/CDC shared updates on business growth and plans to revitalize Old Town.

The EDC/CDC's broader priorities include Old Town revitalization, attracting new businesses, supporting existing businesses, and promoting Justin to potential investors.

Trunk or Treat Guide

Pumpkin patches, fall festivals, trunk-or-treats, haunted trails, and more! We’ve gathered our fall guides in one place to help you plan your next autumn adventure. Check out our Fall Fun Guide and find something fun to do with family and friends this season! Explore All Things Fall

Monday~ Oct 12

Tuesday~ Oct 13

Thursday~ Oct 15

Friday~ Oct 16

Saturday~ Oct 17

Sunday~ Oct 18

In the summer of 1963, a strange report out of Denton turned an ordinary patch of creek-side brush into the center of a neighborhood mystery. Two boys said they had encountered a towering, hairy creature near the eastern end of Prairie Street. Within days, rumors were spreading, residents were on edge, and a crowd was reportedly heading into the woods to find out what was lurking near Pecan Creek.

According to accounts published years later, roughly 150 people joined the search. Some were armed, and shots were reportedly fired at something moving through the thick brush. Denton County Sheriff Andy Anderson stepped in to confiscate weapons and restore order. The next day, he and 16 reserve deputies searched a three-mile area of East Denton. His assessment, as quoted in a later account, was simple: “If he was out there, we scared him out.”

The mystery didn't end neatly there. Reports of a similar creature surfaced in nearby communities, including Sanger and Krum, but no one ever established what the witnesses had seen. Was it a prank, a misidentified animal, or a story that grew more frightening with each retelling?

More than 60 years later, the Pecan Creek Monster remains one of Denton's stranger local legends. The reported search is part of the story's history; the creature itself remains unconfirmed.

Would you have joined the hunt—or stayed inside and locked the door?

Read the full story