Originally published October 21, 2026. Times, weather and references to “today” reflect the original date.
MICROPLEX NEWS
Tarleton No. 1 • Parker turnout up • Square closes Friday
October 21st, 2026AD
The top 10 stories everyone around the Hood County Microplex is talking about right now.
TODAY’S TOP 10
- Tarleton tops FCS coaches poll
- Parker first-day turnout up
- Cleburne weighs $62.5M bond
- Graford solar zone approved
- Hill College wins $3M grant
- Square streets close Friday
- Weatherford takes square upkeep
- Couple takes bookstore reins
- Aledo, Walsh plan school site
- Clerk successor appointed
TARLETON TAKES NO. 1 IN FCS POLL
Tarleton State football is the No. 1 team in the country in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll released Monday, Oct. 19, Tarleton State University Athletics says.
It is the first time in program history that Tarleton has held the No. 1 rank at any level. The Texans earned 24 of 26 first-place votes and have started 7-0 for the second straight season.
Tarleton also leads the FCS in total offense, at 509.3 yards per game.
PARKER FIRST-DAY EARLY VOTING NEARLY DOUBLES
Parker County's first day of early voting drew nearly twice as many voters as the first day four years ago, county officials told the Weatherford Democrat.
Voting began Monday, Oct. 19, and cars lined up to get into a parking lot at the Parker County Elections office that afternoon. The comparison is with opening day in 2022.
Early voting continues through Oct. 30.
CLEBURNE VOTERS TO DECIDE $62.5M BOND
Cleburne Mayor Derek Weathers outlined a proposed $62.5 million bond during his first Cleburne Rotary Club visit since winning office in May, the Cleburne Times-Review reports.
If approved, the bond would fund a public safety facility to house the Cleburne Police Department, Cleburne Municipal Court and the Cleburne Fire Department's administrative offices.
Election Day: Nov. 3.
COMMISSIONERS APPROVE GRAFORD SOLAR REINVESTMENT ZONE
Palo Pinto County commissioners designated an area around Graford as a tax reinvestment zone on Tuesday, Oct. 13, to accommodate a planned solar farm, the Weatherford Democrat reports.
The planned solar farm has an expected taxable value of $182 million.
A county notice called it the PK Solar Reinvestment Zone No. 1, covering about 1,574 acres in northern Palo Pinto County, north of State Highway 337.
Residents could speak for or against it at a public hearing before the vote.
HILL COLLEGE RECEIVES $3M RURAL EDUCATION GRANT
Hill College has been awarded a $3 million, five-year federal grant, the Cleburne Times-Review reports.
It will expand educational and workforce opportunities across Johnson, Hill, Bosque, Somervell and surrounding counties through a program called Core to Career: Building Rural Futures.
That initiative is designed to help students move from high school to college and into careers close to home. Funding comes through the U.S. Department of Education's Strengthening Institutions Program.
GRANBURY SQUARE STREETS CLOSE FOR WEEKEND
Bridge and Crockett streets on the Granbury square will close for an event this weekend, according to a City of Granbury news release posted Oct. 19.
City officials ask drivers to plan ahead, use alternate routes and watch for pedestrians in the area.
Closed: 12:01 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, through 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 26.
WEATHERFORD TAKES OVER DOWNTOWN SQUARE MAINTENANCE
The City of Weatherford will now maintain the downtown square for the foreseeable future, or at least a decade, the Weatherford Democrat reports.
On Oct. 13, the City Council approved a 10-year interlocal agreement with Parker County, according to an OpenPublica meeting summary.
It covers all four quadrants of the downtown square and the county's parking lot on York Avenue. County commissioners approved it earlier that morning.
The deal gives the city a right of first refusal if the county sells the property.
COUPLE TAKES REINS AT ARTS AND LETTERS
Dakhota Rodgers and Megan Cline took over Arts and Letters on the Granbury square in January when the previous owner retired, Hood County News reports.
The store opened about seven years ago, and four book clubs are associated with it. It sells mostly new books, with a growing shelf of used ones, and hosts a Book Nerd Night once a month.
Rodgers and Cline are scheduled to marry Oct. 31.
ALEDO ISD AND WALSH PLAN SCHOOL SITE
Aledo ISD and the team at Walsh have announced a land donation for a future elementary school site, the district says.
The land totals nearly 13 acres fronting Quail Meadow Drive. It is the second elementary school land donation to Aledo ISD by the Walsh family.
Any new school would be built only after a citizen-led growth committee recommends a bond proposal and voters pass a bond election, the district says.
PALO PINTO APPOINTS COUNTY CLERK SUCCESSOR
Palo Pinto County commissioners appointed a successor early for County Clerk Janette Green on Tuesday, Oct. 13, the Weatherford Democrat reports. Green wasn't in the room for the vote.
She is retiring as county clerk after four terms. The county's list of elected officials shows her current term ending in 2026.
The county clerk's office is on the Nov. 3 general election ballot, according to Ballotpedia.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Parker County early voting continues through Oct. 30. Cleburne's public safety bond goes to voters Nov. 3.
Plan an alternate route around Bridge and Crockett streets on the Granbury square Oct. 23-26.
CURRENT: Clear and calm at Granbury Regional Airport this morning, according to the National Weather Service.
Six counties. One region. Plenty happening.
