News

Texas Department of Transportation will have a public meeting Feb. 12 in the Hamilton Junior High School cafeteria to discuss its proposed US 281 relief route.

Hamilton Community Center is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are served at 11:30 a.m. each day. Menu subject to change Thursday: Chicken tetrazzini, carrots and brownies. Donated by Calvary Baptist. Dominoes and cards Friday: Chili, cheese, Fritos and Little Debbie cookie.

The Board of Adjustments is seeking applications for open positions. Applicants must be residents of the City of Hamilton. Applications can be picked up at City Hall or downloaded from the City’s website, hamiltontexas.com. For more information, please contact the Hamilton City Secretary at 254-386-8116.

As the Mar. 3 Primary Election draws nearer, voters have less than a month to make any necessary changes to their registration, such as an address or name change. Texas voter registration cards expired at the end of 2025, as they normally do on the last day of December every odd year. New registration cards are typically mailed out right away. Since the implementation of the new Texas Election Administrative Management platform this past August, however, that process has been interrupted.

CASA for the Cross Timbers Area announces a leadership transition following the semi-retirement of longtime Executive Director Mindy Wooley at the close of the 2025 calendar year. After five years of dedicated service, Wooley leaves behind a strong organizational foundation marked by program stability, financial health, and continued growth in services to children across the Cross Timbers Area. During her tenure, Wooley’s leadership was defined by her deep care for children, families, staff, and volunteers. Under her guidance, CASA CTA strengthened its capacity to advocate for children involved in the child welfare system while maintaining a steady, mission- focused presence in the community. “Serving as Executive Director of CASA for the Cross Timbers Area has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Mindy Wooley. “I am incredibly proud of this organization and the people who make this work possible. The staff, volunteers, and community partners show up every day with compassion and dedication for children who need a voice. I am grateful to have been part of this mission and confident in the strong foundation that has been built.” To support the transition, Wooley will remain with CASA CTA in a part-time role as Administrative Assistant for a season, providing continuity and support during this period of leadership change. As CASA CTA honors Wooley’s legacy, the organization is pleased to announce that Kristy Allen assumed the role of Executive Director effective January 1, 2026. Allen brings years of experience within the organization, having first served as a volunteer advocate and most recently as Collaborative Family Engagement Lead and Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Practitioner on staff. Allen’s background in trauma-informed care, collaborative family engagement, and community partnerships provides both continuity and momentum for the organization’s future. “This organization has shaped my heart for advocacy from the very beginning,” said Kristy Allen. “From my first experience as a CASA volunteer to serving on staff, I have seen firsthand the power of consistent, caring adults in a child’s life. I am honored to step into this role and deeply committed to supporting our volunteers, strengthening families, and ensuring children feel safe, valued, and heard.” As Executive Director, Allen will continue advancing CASA CTA’s vision of building a community where children feel safe, supported, and empowered. The organization looks forward to continued collaboration with community partners, volunteers, and supporters as it strengthens advocacy efforts throughout the Cross Timbers Area. About CASA for the Cross Timbers Area The mission of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for the Cross Timbers Area is to ensure that all children we serve secure a stable, nurturing environment while working to meet the ongoing needs of the child and their family. We accomplish this through the recruitment, training, support, and retention of volunteers who advocate for the best interests of the children and families in our community. CASA CTA serves children and families in Bosque, Eastland, Erath, and Hamilton Counties. For more information, visit www. casacta.org or email outreach. development@ctacasa.org or call (254) 965-6610.

GREAT WRITER A MISERABLE HUMAN BEING By Bartee Haile