Local News
County’s bond rating upgraded
WEATHERFORD — Parker County’s continued growth and financial management led Standard and Poor’s Rating Service to upgrade the county’s general obligation bonds and tax notes from an A+ rating to an AA- rating this week.
Parker County Judge Mark Riley commended his court, elected officials and department heads and the office of Parker County Auditor Mike Rhoten for their work in strengthening the county’s finances.
“This rating increase will certainly save taxpayer dollars in the event the transportation bond election we will hold in November passes,” Riley said.
Echoing Riley, Nick Bulaich, vice president of First Southwest Company, congratulated the county on the new.
“For every $1 million borrowed, the total benefit would be approximately $8,700, based upon 20 year level debt service,” Bulaich said. “Recently, we have observed many issuers selling on their own credit; therefore the increase in rating for the county has come at a good time. Also, a result of the rating increase is that the market will be more receptive to future County bond issues.”
Rhoten said his office maintains a strict enforcement of the statutory laws governing finances.
“The county auditor is charged with protecting the integrity of the county’s financial administration through a dual control system of checks and balances and cooperation with a multitude of elected officials, appointed officials and various department heads,” Rhoten said.
While the county’s growth has helped financially, it has created a strain on the existing roadway system throughout the county.
Riley said the influx of population to Parker County means the county has to be proactive and aggressive with transportation improvement projects.
“With the growth we are experiencing, transportation problems will only get worse and that is why we have to take action now,” Riley said. “The commissioners court has been fully supportive on this with approving the hiring of our transportation engineering firm, Freese and Nichols. That has allowed us to move forward on the transportation bond program that we plan to bring to the voters this fall. There are transportation projects that are needed in all areas of the county. TxDOT and the North Central Texas Council of Governments have some specific areas they want to work on, such as the Weatherford Loop and infrastructure in the Aledo area, but we also want to address problems and needs that are in other areas of the county as well.”
Engineers with Freese and Nichols are currently working with a citizens committee and the Parker County Commissioners Court on selecting road projects for the bond package.
Transportation is not the only pressing issue facing the growing county, according to Riley.
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Hannah’s House seeks helpers for court ordered, supervised visitations
WILLOW PARK — Did you know several tragedies involving children have prompted new Texas laws for increased safety and reduced trauma for children of divorced parents? Now more than ever, there is an increased demand for safe supervised visitations and conflict-free child exchange between divorced parents.
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2010 Hamfest set for March 27
WEATHERFORD — Sponsored by the Amateur Radio Club of Parker County, the 2010 Weatherford Hamfest is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at Couts United Methodist Church, 802 N. Elm St. in Weatherford.
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Roos baseball, softball rescheduled
Due to Tuesday's local weather, Weatherford High School baseball and softball games have been rescheduled.
- Weatherford College offices closed for Spring Break
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Chuckwagon Camp at Doss set for spring break
WEATHERFORD — For three days, children in the fifth grade through adults can learn about the challenges pioneers and cowboys had cooking on the trail.
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Library to offer Spring Break fun
WEATHERFORD — Spring Break 2010 is here and the Weatherford Public Library is offering a full schedule of children’s activities.
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Annual golf tourney set for April 1
WEATHERFORD — The Weatherford ISD Education Foundation will host its ninth annual Fools for Schools Golf Tournament Thursday, April 1 at Split Rail Links and Golf Club.
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WC raises tuition
Parker County residents who choose to attend Weatherford College this fall will pay $4 more per semester hour; the 6.6 percent increase to $65 per semester hour was approved by Weatherford College trustees in regular session Thursday.
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Weatherford College raises tuition rates
Parker County residents who choose to attend Weatherford College this fall will pay $4 more per semester hour; the 6.6 percent increase to $65 per semester hour was approved by Weatherford College trustees in regular session Thursday.
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Hannah’s House seeks helpers for court ordered, supervised visitations
