Good morning, Justin and neighbors!
It’s Halloween weekend, which means the ghosts are out, the candy bowls are filling up, and somewhere a parent is already sneaking a piece of their kid’s candy. (We won’t tell.)
Hope your Saturday is full of treats, a few tricks that are actually fun, and just the right amount of spooky!
THE DIGEST

Railroad Crossing Emergency Notification
Save These Numbers Before You Need Them!
We all know to call 911 in an emergency, but there are a few other numbers Justin residents may want to save in their phones. Keep this list handy for those unexpected moments when you need help with something around town.
Emergency & Public Safety
911 — Police, fire or medical emergencies
940-349-1600 — Justin Police non-emergency dispatch
940-648-2561 — Justin Fire Department non-emergency
City Services
940-648-2541 — Justin City Hall. Call for general questions and ask to be directed to the right department.
817-876-7956 — After-hours water emergency contact
Gas & Railroad Safety
866-322-8667 — Atmos Energy gas emergencies
Railroad crossing issues: Look for the small blue-and-white Emergency Notification System sign at the crossing. It lists the railroad's emergency phone number 1-800-832-5452 and that crossing's identification number. Save the number for the crossing you use most often, and provide the crossing ID when reporting a problem.
If a railroad crossing gate or signal malfunctions, something is stuck on the tracks, or you notice another immediate safety hazard, contact the railroad using the number on the sign. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. Never drive around a lowered gate.
A little preparation now can save precious time later. Save the numbers you may need, share this list with your family, and keep an eye out for that blue railroad sign the next time you cross the tracks.
Phone numbers can change, so check the city's official contact page for updates
November Is for Giving Thanks
November is all about gratitude, and we want to fill The Justin Journal with stories about the people and places that make our corner of North Texas special!
Maybe it’s an emergency responder who came to your rescue, a local business that always makes you feel welcome, a friend who showed up when you needed them, or even a stranger whose small act of kindness made a big difference.
We want to hear those stories! Throughout November, we’ll be sharing your moments of gratitude to celebrate the people, businesses, and organizations that make our community a little brighter.
Who are you thankful for, and why? Send your story (and a photo, if you have one) to [email protected].
You never know how much a simple act of kindness means to someone. Let’s spread a little gratitude around town and give some well-deserved shoutouts to the people who make a difference!
DOCTOR’S CORNER
Healthy Feet: Mission 5 — Bunions & Hammertoes: When Your Shoes Start Fighting Your Feet
By Dr. William Stephens, DPM (Northwest High school graduate) Arise Foot and Ankle – Justin, Texas
If you've noticed your big toe slowly drifting toward the others—or a smaller toe beginning to curl or rub against your shoe—you're certainly not alone.
Bunions and hammertoes are common structural changes that can become increasingly uncomfortable over time. Sometimes the first sign isn't actually the deformity itself. It may be a red spot, corn, callus, or a favorite pair of shoes that suddenly doesn't feel so comfortable anymore.
One misconception I'd like to clear up: seeing a podiatrist for a bunion or hammertoe doesn't mean you're automatically headed for surgery. However, for a long-term fix that is generally recommended. I can release a flexible contracture in the office with local anesthesia. For rigid contracture we offer minimally invasive and traditional techniques under general anesthesia at local surgery centers.
Treatment depends on how much the condition bothers you. Changes in footwear, padding, activity, orthotics, and other conservative treatments may help manage symptoms. When a deformity becomes persistently painful or begins interfering with daily activities, we can discuss additional options—including surgery when appropriate.
Most importantly, you don't have to wait until you can barely fit into a shoe before asking about it.
Our goal at Arise Foot and Ankle is to keep our neighbors comfortable, active, and moving.
Arise Foot and Ankle 17516 Matany Rd Ste 200 | Justin, TX 76247 (940) 260-7741
Whether your next adventure takes you across town or across the galaxy, every journey starts with a step.
This article is part of a paid partnership with Arise Foot and Ankle. We appreciate the support of our local advertisers, whose sponsorships help make the Justin Journal possible while bringing helpful information to our community.
BUSINESS BUZZ
What's Next for Justin Town Square?
More restaurants, shopping and places to gather could be on the horizon for Justin Town Square! The City of Justin is looking for a development partner to help bring new life to nearly 11 acres of city-owned property, including land designated for a future City Hall.
The city's vision includes full-service restaurants, specialty shops, outdoor dining, entertainment and welcoming spaces where neighbors can spend time together. With Justin continuing to grow, the goal is to bring more options closer to home.
The process is just getting started. Initial proposals are due November 19, with developer selection and negotiations planned for early 2027. Of course, the final plans will depend on the proposals received and agreements approved by the city.
Meanwhile, several businesses are listed at Town Square, with more on the way: two medical facilities that are not confirmed, and Crickles & Co. are among the planned additions, though confirmed opening dates aren't available for all three.
For a closer look at the proposed development, the timeline, and what the city is looking for in a development partner, read the full story on our website.
Tyler Clark Golf Closing their Indoor Facility~ 208 FM156 Justin
Tyler Clark Golf has announced it will close its indoor facility, with October 29 being the final day for indoor bay rentals and lessons with Ryan. Tyler will continue teaching at Robson Ranch and partner with The Green Room in Argyle for alternate-weather lessons beginning November 1. Remaining lesson packages will still be honored, and golf balls and gloves will be deeply discounted while supplies last. Thank you to Tyler and Ryan for being part of our local golf community!
EVENTS
What’s Happening This Week
Tuesday~ Oct 27
Love PTA Trunk or Treat~ 4:30-6 p.m.
Wednesday~ Oct 28
Southlake Police & Fire Trunk or Treat~ Sensory hour 4-5 p.m.; General Public Hours 5-7 p.m. Southlake DPS Headquarters 600 State Street
Thursday~ Oct 29
Early Bird Community Clothes Closet Benefit Sale~ 5-7 p.m. 117 W 6th St., Justin
Mary Emma Tate Haunted Library~9 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Kim Croisant- Small Town Texas Book Signing~ 11:30 a.m. Justin Coffee
City of Justin Police Chief Finalists Meet and Greet~ 4-6 p.m. Fire Station 2, 11042 FM 407
Justin Elementary PTA Fall Festival~ 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Safe Spook Downtown Krum~ 4-6 p.m. Downtown Krum
Mule Barn Halloween Trunk or Treat~ 5:30-8:30 p.m.
JRec Trunk or Treat~ 6-7:30 p.m. Justin Community Park Fields 3&4
156 Produce Trunk or Treat & Car Show~ 4-8 p.m. 3036 FM 156 Krum
Fall Festival~ 6-8:30 p.m. Roanoke
Twilight Tunes-Denton~ 6-7:30 p.m. Free outdoor concert featuring Rock N Roll Cannibals Downtown Denton
Halloween Town Market- Denton~ 6 p.m. Quakertown Park
N. Texas Mean Green Football~ 6:30 p.m. DATCU Stadium University of N. Texas
Dracula- UNT Dance & Theatre~ 7:30 p.m. RTFP Studio Theatre 132, Denton
Friday~ Oct 30
Community Clothes Closet Benefit Sale~ 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. 117 W 6th St., Justin
Mary Emma Tate Haunted Library~9 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Monster Mash Family Bash~ 6-9 p.m. Main Event
Bewitched by the Barn~ 7-9 p.m. Historic Nash Farm
Halloween Town Market- Denton~ 6 p.m. Quakertown Park
Live Music~ Chadwick Cook 9PM at the Mule Barn
Live Music~ 7-9PM Marty B’s Ranchman’s Ponder
Saturday~ Oct 31
Halloween
Community Clothes Closet Benefit Sale~ 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. 117 W 6th St., Justin
Denton Community Market~ 9 a.m. Denton County Historical Park
Downtown Denton Trick-or-Treating~ 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Aubrey Haunted Harvest~ 4:30-6:30 p.m. Aubrey’s Historic Downtown
Trick or Treat on Oak Street~5-8 p.m. Oak Street, Roanoke
PaPa’s Annual Trunk or Treat and Costume Contest~ 2-5 p.m. Justin Fire Dept 310 N. Sealy Ave Justin
Sip or Treat Halloween Bash~ 8-10 p.m. Grapes to Wine+ 112 W. 4th St., Justin. Halloween costume contest, live music, and Halloween themed Cocktail and Mocktails.
📅See our online calendar for upcoming and ongoing events
Nov. 2-3~ NISD Student Holiday
Nov. 6~ Ponder ISD Staff Development
Nov. 14~ City of Justin Veterans’ Day Event
Dec. 12~ Justin’s Old Town Christmas
Submit Your Event Here
HISTORY

A Ghost, Four Disturbed Graves and Sam Bass’s Missing Gold
Nearly 100 years ago, a Denton newspaper shared a story that sounds like something straight out of a Halloween tale. A deserted house overlooking an old pioneer cemetery was reportedly visited by a ghostly figure in a white dress. Then there were reports of four graves being disturbed and a legend about $75,000 in gold that may have been hidden near Hickory Creek by the notorious outlaw Sam Bass.
The August 21, 1926, Denton Record-Chronicle article left plenty of questions unanswered. Who was the mysterious figure? Why were the graves opened? And was there really a fortune buried somewhere nearby?
The newspaper account weaves together local folklore, early Texas Ranger history and a mystery that was never fully solved. We can’t verify the ghost or the missing gold, but the story is a fascinating glimpse into North Texas’s past.
Ready for the full story? Find out what the old newspaper reported and how Sam Bass became part of the legend.
Have a great week Justin and Neighbors!
Thanks for being part of the Justin Journal community. Keep an eye out for next week’s edition — and if you’re a local business interested in reaching more people right here at home, contact us to learn more about advertising with the Justin Journal.
See you around town!

