Good morning, Justin!

Today is the first meteorological day of fall — officially saying goodbye to August heat and hello to… well, here in Texas, it’s still a little too hot for sweaters, but you can light some pumpkin spice candles and pretend the breeze is cooler. Football season is back, and this week the spotlight isn’t just on the players… with Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s engagement making headlines, whether you’re a die-hard Swiftie or wishing the camera would just stick to the field, it’s safe to say the season is off to a lively start!

And just for fun… why did the scarecrow become a Swift fan? Because he was outstanding in his field. 😄

Here’s to a great first week of September — pumpkin spice is optional, hometown pride is mandatory!

Agenda: View here
Meeting Recording: Watch here

1️⃣ School Vouchers & Funding
Families could qualify for ~$10,000/year per child (Education Savings Accounts), while local schools also see $8.5B in new state funding for teacher pay & programs.

2️⃣ Phones Banned in Classrooms
All school districts (including Denton ISD, NISD, LISD) must roll out policies restricting student use of phones/smartwatches during the day.

3️⃣ Smaller-Lot Housing Allowed
New subdivisions (≥5 acres) in bigger cities must allow smaller lots (min. 3,000 sq ft). Expect more starter-home communities in Denton County.

4️⃣ Stronger Public Safety Rules
“Jugging” (ATM-follow robberies) is now a felony, penalties for road-rage gunfire increased, and schools must coordinate with police on annual active-shooter drills.

5️⃣ Medical Cannabis Expansion
Patients with chronic pain, Crohn’s disease, or TBI can now qualify. Vapes/aerosols also approved under Texas’ Compassionate Use Program.

Read More: Texas Legislature Bill Lookup

This week, our business spotlight is taking a little break so we can shine a light on ways you can give back.

Mark your calendars! North Texas Giving Day, the largest community-wide giving event in the nation, is right around the corner. Early giving opened August 28, with the big day of generosity happening on Thursday, September 18.

The best part? Every dollar you give goes directly to the nonprofits—no transaction or tech fees—thanks to the Communities Foundation of Texas and their sponsors.

Here are some local organizations in and around Justin you can support this year:

Last year alone, North Texas Giving Day connected over 3,200 nonprofits with supporters, raising more than $70 million across the region. Let’s make this year even stronger for our local causes!

👉 Learn more and find organizations at NorthTexasGivingDay.org

In addition to North Texas Giving Day, here’s another simple way to make a big difference close to home: join the JES PTA as a Community Partner this year.

Your membership helps ensure students and teachers have the resources they need for a successful school year. Even if you don’t have a student at JES, your support as a Community Partner shows how much our town values its schools.

👉 Learn more and join at: www.jespta.com

Let’s rally behind our schools, Justin!

Fall Fridays and Saturdays mean Friday Night Lights and Mean Green Football! Before you head out, make sure you know what traffic and schedules look like. Also remember to abide by the clear bag policy that has been impleted as a safety precaution.

UNT Game Day Travel Alert:
With major construction at the I-35E/I-35W interchange, TxDOT is urging fans to plan alternate routes when traveling to DATCU Stadium. Expect heavy congestion near US 380 and McCormick Street before and after games. Consider taking Loop 288, FM 1173, or US 377, and give yourself extra travel time so you don’t miss kickoff.

UNT Football Schedule: Mean Green 2025 Schedule
NISD Football Schedule: NISD Athletic 2025 Schedule

Thursday~ Sep 4

_Upcoming:
^{9/11~ Grapefest begins on Historic Main Street in Grapevine}
_{9/25-9/27~ Fort Worth Oktoberfest
9/26~ Boots and Bling Hope Gala}
^{9/27-9/28~ Monster Truck Wars in Denton
9/29~ NISD Band Showcase
10/1~ North Pole Express Grapevine Tickets go on Sale}

Originally called the Justin Service Station, the name later changed to Henderson Butane Company and stayed in the family until it was sold to Bill Clinkscale in 1997. The station was a cornerstone for Justin residents and the Henderson family alike. Many Hendersons grew up working there before heading off to college and starting their own careers—Phillip at the Ponder Veterinary Hospital for 50 years and Daniel at the service station until his retirement.

Over time, the “Butane” was replaced with “Propane,” reflecting changing times. The station remained one of the last full-service stations in Texas until it stopped selling gas in 2012. From 7 a.m. until dark, you could rely on the station for almost everything—checking tire pressure, topping off oil, washing windshields, and filling up with top-quality fuel. A level of service we rarely see today.

The location is still visible in Old Town Justin and even had its moment on the silver screen. In 1988, the station’s front appeared as a saloon in the movie Baja Oklahoma, and it can also be spotted in the background of a 1956 newsreel showing the Justin State Bank robbery.

A piece of history that still stands as a reminder of simpler, community-centered times in Justin.