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From teft Randen Wittiams of Borden County Pst ptace h Outstanding Presiding Officer ffi his second straight year medating after a th ptace finish in d Etizabeth Cook of OfDonnett Pnd ffi up from rth tast yeard Jewet Groves of Lometa Prd ffi atso nd ptace in d Ketty Cote of Gusne Pthd Saegan Motina of Spur Pthd and Jaxon Hodges of Aspermont Prth PHOTO BY SUE JAN SULLIVAN

From teft Randen Wittiams of Borden County Pst ptace h Outstanding Presiding Officer ffi his second straight year medating after a th ptace finish in d Etizabeth Cook of OfDonnett Pnd ffi up from rth tast yeard Jewet Groves of Lometa Prd ffi atso nd ptace in d Ketty Cote of Gusne Pthd Saegan Motina of Spur Pthd and Jaxon Hodges of Aspermont Prth PHOTO BY SUE JAN SULLIVAN

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STING OPERATION AT THE STATEHOUSE

News Staff
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Six of Texas’s sharpest young debaters show off their hardware at the State Capitol Annex in Austin following the 2026 UIL Congress 1A State Championship on January 8.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

News Staff
Thursday, January 8, 2026
January 8 th• Rotan City Council Meeting 7 AM• Roby City Council Meeting 12 PMJanuary 12th• Fisher Co.
The folding of clothes

The folding of clothes

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The folding of clothes

Sue Jane Sullivan
Thursday, January 8, 2026
The laundromat was not crowded on Sunday morning, not in this Bible Belt community where most people were either on the pews or had optioned for Saturday night mass.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK

News Staff
Thursday, January 8, 2026
“What are you willing to sacrifice for the truth? This is the year to decide.”~ Maria RessaTRANSLATION: If you say you care about truth, there will be a cost. You have to decide what you are willing to lose in order to stand by it.THINKING POINT: Maria Ressa is not talking about a slogan.
Exposed brickwork and chipped out concrete mark the early demolition phase inside Aspermont ISD’s junior high building, part of the district’s ongoing bond project to modernize facilities. Crews are nearing completion of the teardown before reconstruction begins in early 2026. JEFF HURT

Exposed brickwork and chipped out concrete mark the early demolition phase inside Aspermont ISD’s junior high building, part of the district’s ongoing bond project to modernize facilities. Crews are nearing completion of the teardown before reconstruction begins in early 2026. JEFF HURT

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SURPRISES UNDERFOOT, SAVINGS OVERHEAD

Jeff Hurt |
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Superintendent Zach Morris delivered a candid update to Aspermont ISD trustees late last month, describing steady progress — and a few surprises — in the district’s ongoing bond construction project. The $7.

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Grievance Filed After Rotan ISD Adopts New Public Comment Rules

News Staff
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Following Rotan ISD’s December meeting, district resident and DMC editor Jeff Hurt has filed a formal grievance challenging how the school district’s newly adopted public participation policy affects when citizens may address the board during meetings.

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ASPERMONT CITY COUNCIL REVIEWS EDC/IDC DECISION ON VENDOR LOT

Jeff Hurt |
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Aspermont’s Economic and Industrial Development Boards have declined to move forward with plans for a designated vendor lot, citing concerns that formally accommodating visiting food trucks and mobile vendors could draw business away from local restaurants and small shops.
Roby CISD Principal Michelle Cole presents an update to trustees during the December meeting, outlining how the district’s new Amira reading program uses artificial intelligence to assess student fluency and guide classroom interventions. JEFF HURT

Roby CISD Principal Michelle Cole presents an update to trustees during the December meeting, outlining how the district’s new Amira reading program uses artificial intelligence to assess student fluency and guide classroom interventions. JEFF HURT

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ROBY CISD TURNS UP THE VOLUME ON READING

Jeff Hurt |
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Elementary swaps I-Station for Amira, an AI tool to catch problems earlyRoby CISD trustees heard an update in December on the district’s use of an artificial intelligence- driven reading program that school officials say is helping teachers monitor student literacy and tailor interventions.