2025
was a time of change throughout the Ranch Cities area.
This week, The Post-Signal
looks back on January through June to show a view of some of the biggest news of the area in that window.
The Around Town, Police Reports and Weekly Calendar in this issue are current, but the rest is a refresher of what we covered.
Here is our annual review of some of the biggest news from the first half of the year.
January
Both the Pilot Point and Aubrey fire departments are looking to keep up with the communities’ growth in the form of new stations.
Pilot Point Mayor Elisa Beasley faces a sworn complaint from resident Monica David regarding campaign finance reports.
Ranch Cities residents can let someone do the work cleaning up for the New Year or upcoming spring for them with help from Abbott’s Haul Off & Transport.
The city of Pilot Point gains a new landmark after raising the bowl on its new elevated storage tank.
Aubrey ISD Deputy Superintendent Terrie McNabb receives a surprise from the district she’s spent 35 years growing by renaming the existing middle school after her.
The district’s most recent long range planning effort concludes as the Pilot Point School board receives a report on the process from several committee members that would direct the district’s next roughly $27 million bond to be presented to the community in November.
The Tioga ISD school board restructures itself following the passing of President Stacy Price.
The Providence Village Town Council adjusts development zoning to ensure a future daycare goes in a preferred location.
More than 100 people gather at Lone Star Lodge and Marina to hear updates about the city of Pilot Point from City Manager Britt Lusk, Municipal Development District Executive Director Denise Morris and Main Street Director Wendy Adkins.
A young mother and her two children are found dead in their car by the Denton County Sheriff’s Office after being discovered during a welfare check by the Pilot Point ISD Police Department.
The Pilot Point City Council again runs into concerns regarding wet events during voting days.
The Aubrey City Council passes a resolution that allows it to move toward approving the Duck Point Public Improvement District for one of the city’s new residential developments.
February
May is election season for the Ranch Cities with council and school board seats open all along U.S. 377.
Mark Craig, a director, screenwriter, producer and actor based out of Denton, is working on concept scenes for a screenplay 15 years in the making while using Pilot Point locations and local performers.
Chief Angela Mathews has her first official day on the job after being sworn in by Lt. Preston Green at the Pilot Point Police Department.
A shed fire on McKinney Street receives a quick response from the Pilot Point Fire Department.
The students of the Pilot Point FFA get an early look at their animals’ and mech projects’ strengths and weaknesses as they head into this year’s show season.
Lisa Cave, last year’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year, passes the torch to Cindy Faris, who is also site manager of Meals on Wheels for Pilot Point, the year’s Non-Profit Business of the Year.
A process server has a message to deliver to the city manager, city attorney and city council— excluding the mayor—at the Feb. 13 Pilot Point council meeting.
The four Tioga ISD campus administrators receive a contract extension as did Superintendent Josh Ballinger.
Aubrey ISD school board receives an update on the recent flooding at the high school during its February meeting.
Former Pilot Point Mayor Matt McIlravy pleads guilty of online solicitation of a minor under 14 on Feb. 4 and is sentenced to five years deferred adjudication probation.
Around 200 people attend the Pilot Point Educational Foundation gala in Denton, which raises around $70,000 for mini-grants and scholarships.
The Providence Village Town Council gives the go ahead for Freestone Development to move forward with a planned development along Brewer Road.
March
The city of Aubrey is again considering changing the name of Spring Hill Road to Main Street from U.S. 377 into downtown Aubrey.
The Texas Comptroller’s office finally comes calling for the near million dollars of sales tax Krugerville received from Burnco several years ago.
The Providence Village Town council moves forward on a ground storage tank and upgraded site for the water tower during its March meeting.
Behind the Pilot Point fire station on Washington Street sits a 1942 International engine that once helped keep the city safe and that the department now plans to renovate.
Denco 9-1-1 supplies Denton County residents with emergency help, but its mission goes beyond connecting calls with Textto- 911 and PulsePoint AED to save lives before first responders arrive.
The city of Aubrey’s new Historic Commission’s first projects will focus on historic homes and the creation of a historic downtown district, starting with the recently purchased peanut dryer.
The Pilot Point City Council is set to consider entering an interlocal agreement with Texas Government Accountability Association at the request of Mayor Elisa Beasley.
Another fatality occurs along U.S. 377 in Krugerville on March 12.
The Bassmaster Classic returns to Lake Ray Roberts, bringing world class anglers back to the Pilot Point area.
The Pilot Point Fire Department is adding some history to the apparatus bay with funds raised from the community at the Restore the Rig auction and dinner.
In May, the ballot for Pilot Point residents will be packed thanks to four contested positions on council, including the mayoral seat.
Aubrey ISD Superintendent Dr. Shannon Saylor provides the board its first look at a three-tiered bus schedule and school start and end times for next year.
April
The Pilot Point community comes together to support the Pilot Point FFA and 4-H programs by raising $86,000.
Aubrey’s Main Street will stretch from downtown to U.S. 377 after the council votes to approve the name change of the small stretch of Spring Hill Road from the highway intersection to the train tracks.
The Pilot Point City Council says no to the Texas Government Association after addressing concerns with the quality of the contract and the lack of transparency from the organization itself.
Jill Cannon drops out of the running for Providence Village Place 3.
An Aubrey High School student is found with a handgun at school and arrested.
Post-Signal Editor and Publisher Abigail Allen steps in as contest director this year at the North and East Texas Press Association conference, which she will help bring to Pilot Point next year.
Bryan Firth and Shane Kading hope to serve the city of Krugerville in Place 3 on the city council.
The Master Plan Set for Pilot Point gains a 6-1 approval during a special meeting of the Pilot Point City Council.
Head Aubrey ISD ag teacher Steven Seale talks about the value of the annual local show for the district’s growing program.
Denton County Commissioner Bobbie J. Mitchell is recovering from an attack that resulted in the death of her husband, Fred Mitchell.
Polls across the Ranch Cities open for city council elections in Pilot Point, Krugerville and Providence Village.
The cast of the Aubrey One Act Play have their final performance of “A Light in the Darkest.”
May
In reassessing the district’s student transfer fees, the Pilot Point school board opts to reduce the fee to $0 from the $2,500 fee it recently adopted.
Aubrey High School students who plan to continue their pursuits of the creative celebrate their future plans with a signing day.
Pilot Point residents come out to take advantage of the largest Trash Off event so far.
The Providence Village Town Council finalizes an ordinance against sleeping in public spaces, though several members expressed reticence to pass it.
The Pilot Point community reminds another family what it means to be a part of the small town with a benefit and auction for fifth grade student Hudson Dean who is battling Lyme disease.
An impromptu town hall meeting at the Point-Bank Community Center gives community members another look at the status of the White Oak Municipal Utility District proposal, which has been contested since early in its development.
Pilot Point ISD’s joint signing day sees 19 students with plans for their futures prepare to take the next step in several different directions.
The community shows up for the Robinson family during a benefit for Raymon Robinson, who is fighting cancer for the second time in five years.
After swearing in its new members, Mayor Chad Major, Place 4 Brian Murrell and Place 5 Mike Wilson, Pilot Point City Council returns to business, starting with the reappointment of Place 6 Andrew Ambrosio as Mayor Pro Tem despite Ambrosio’s pending runoff election in June.
A Bearcat by raising and Eagle by trade, Matt Russell, principal of Allen High School, looks back on his time growing up in Pilot Point on the eve of his retirement.
The Pilot Point Community Library celebrates its 50th birthday with an updated library card designed by the community.
Tioga High School’s chapter for Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is headed to the 2025 National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida, in July.
The fledgling theater department at Tioga ISD again sees success at the state level with seven of 12 students making it to Austin to compete.
Aubrey will have a new ordinance regarding open storage throughout the incorporated city.
The Pilot Point City Council begins making a creative move to secure grant monies for the Square during its May 22 meeting.
June
The lost dog, Gunnar, who set the town ablaze receives a grand welcome home hosted by Pilot Point Neighborhood Events.
Aubrey Fire Department’s Medic Crew 523 receives a special follow-up with a stroke survivor on May 28, thanks to Texas Health Plano.
The Summer Reading Program at the Pilot Point Community Library returns for the season with a third age breakdown and new prizes, some funded by the community.
Veterans Logan Peterson and Thomas Bradley receive Quilts of Valor honoring them from Tioga 4-H members at the Tioga Volunteer Fire Department.
The Aubrey Chaparrals Class of 1975 celebrates their 50-year reunion as marked by the Aubrey School Reunion Committee.
The runoff election for Place 6 of the Pilot Point City Council comes to a close with incumbent Andrew Ambrosio securing 72.37% of the votes.
The 27th annual Pilot Point Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament wraps up with a short tribute to a past member, Joe McGee, who passed away earlier in the week.
The Pilot Point City Council discusses storm sirens during its June 12 meeting.
Fresh state legislation forces Pilot Point ISD to approve a budget without final state contribution numbers for several programs.
With first place finishes in editorial writing, general excellence and sports coverage, the Post-Signal staff again earn a sweepstakes victory in Division 6 Weeklies at the Texas Press Association Convention.
Dontarianna Neria Zatrice Boyd passes away on June 18 after colliding with an Aubrey ambulance at the intersection of FM 424 and Fishtrap Road.
Aubrey ISD approves another sale from the 2025 bond series, piggybacking off recent legislation to take a more aggressive approach to debt sales.
— Kim Fleming
