Merkel Observer

09/07/2026

09/06/2026

09/06/2026

We still have player and guest tickets available as well as sponsorship opportunities. We look forward to seeing a packed house for a night of fun and games! Remember to dress accordingly, 20's/30's speakeasy style.

09/06/2026

Bankruptcy Records Raise Questions as Jones County Weighs Mesquite Solar Tax Abatement - now on our website

If it matters to you, it matters to us.

09/06/2026

We had a GREAT first week! We wanted to take a moment to thank the wonderful people at Mulberry Creek Square for letting us use their Merkel flag! We are so grateful for your support!💜💛🦡
The Table at Mulberry Creek Square
The Lovely at Mulberry Creek Square

09/06/2026

📌 Reminder: No School Monday!

All Merkel ISD campuses and district offices will be closed on Monday in observance of Labor Day.

Monday: Closed for Labor Day
Tuesday: Regular School Hours Resume
💜💛

09/05/2026

Jones County Proposes Lower Tax Rate While Collecting More Property-Tax Revenue check out our website www.merkelobserver.com for the story.

If it matters to you, it matters to us.

09/05/2026

Yes — the Merkel Observer can publish public and legal notices.

We’ve had several people ask, so we wanted to clear that up.

The Merkel Observer operates as a DBA of the Western Observer, an established newspaper serving Jones County. Because a portion of Merkel lies within Jones County, the Western Observer has actually been positioned to serve part of the Merkel community all along. The Merkel Observer was established under the Western Observer to provide dedicated Merkel coverage while maintaining that publication continuity.

We can provide affidavits/proof of publication for notices published with us, and our public-notice rates are approximately half the cost of the Abilene Reporter-News.

Most importantly, we believe a public notice concerning Merkel should be published where Merkel residents are actually likely to see it.

Attorneys, governmental entities, businesses and individuals with a notice to publish are welcome to contact us. We’ll be happy to review the notice, provide a quote and determine the appropriate publication schedule.

Keep it local. Keep Merkel informed.

Send a message to learn more

09/05/2026

⚠️ MERKEL RESIDENTS — PUBLIC HEARING SEPT. 8

The City of Merkel has published a Notice of Public Hearing regarding the proposed Fiscal Year 2026–2027 budget.

The notice was placed in the Abilene Reporter-News rather than the Merkel Observer. We were not paid to publish or advertise this notice, but we believe Merkel citizens deserve to know when their city is considering a budget that will increase the amount of property-tax revenue collected.

According to the City's notice:

The proposed budget will raise more total property taxes than last year's budget by $114,330 — an increase of 11.39%.

Of that increase, $29,342 is tax revenue expected from new property added to the tax roll this year.

📍 PUBLIC HEARING
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
6:00 p.m.
Heritage Hall
111 Taylor St.
Merkel, Texas

This is a public hearing, which means residents have an opportunity to attend and provide input on the FY 2026–2027 budget.

Again, the Merkel Observer is not being compensated to publish this notice. We're sharing it because a public hearing involving the City budget and an 11.39% increase in total property-tax revenue is information we believe Merkel citizens should have before the meeting.

Please share so Merkel residents know about Tuesday's hearing.

Send a message to learn more