If you've ever wondered why your lights stay on during a storm—or why they sometimes don't—this conversation will help the "last mile" of electricity finally make sense. Ronnie Grace of Sanger Electric shares insights from 28 years of serving the City of Sanger, helping a small team deliver reliable power around the clock. We explore what a municipal electric superintendent actually does, how safety and planning guide every decision, and why local control can lead to faster response times an...

A tornado can level buildings on land, but when it tears through a marina, the damage doesn’t stack up neatly. It breaks apart, sinks, drifts, and turns recovery into a long, technical grind. We sit down with Elyse and Jason from Lake Ray Roberts Marina near Sanger, Texas, to tell the story of what happened, what it took to rebuild, and why getting “back to normal” is about more than replacing docks. We talk through the real day-to-day of marina operations: managing slips and leases, answerin...

A town can grow fast and still feel like home, but only if the people leading it make the hard choices early. We’re joined by Mayor Thomas Muir as he marks the end of 16 years in office, alongside Mayor Pro Tem Gary Bilyeu, who’s preparing to step into the role. Together, we talk about what the word “community” actually looks like on the ground in Sanger, Texas, and why that shared habit of showing up matters as change accelerates. We get specific about the work most residents never se...

A lot of musicians chase the spotlight. Victor Gann chased the work and it took him further than he expected, from a small-town start in Sanger, Texas to composing for major networks and stepping onto stages most players only see on TV. We talk with Victor about the real mechanics of an instrumental guitar career: how mentorship and formal music education sharpen your ear, why a routine matters more than raw talent, and what it means to finish ideas even when you’re unsure they’re “good.” Vi...

A ranch closes, a dream lights, and a field trailer becomes a landmark. That’s the arc Leonard and Stephanie share as we unpack how Pepperbelly Barbecue grew from a hand-built pit and a borrowed chance into one of Sanger’s most beloved spots—rooted in clean smoke, long nights, and a fierce commitment to the people who line up at the window. We get into the real work behind great barbecue: picking meat by hand across Denton to control cost and quality, managing a trailer that runs near 100 de...

Ever wonder how a child’s letter in a small Texas town finds its way to Santa’s hands? We invited Sugar Plum Mary—Santa’s senior correspondent elf—to pull back the curtain on the North Pole post office, Sanger’s magic red mailboxes, and the community teamwork that makes replies arrive right on time. Her stories prove that behind every “sparkle tunnel” and dusting of reindeer magic is a thoughtful system of checklists, care, and partnership with our city crew. Mary shares how Sanger became on...

You have been listening to The 266 Express, the official podcast of Sanger, TX. IF you have comments or suggestions, please send them to [email protected]

You have been listening to The 266 Express, the official podcast of Sanger, TX. IF you have comments or suggestions, please send them to [email protected]

What makes a small town worth staying in for decades? According to John Payne, president of Sanger's Type B board, it's intentional planning that balances inevitable growth with preserving community spirit. Since arriving in 1997, Payne has witnessed Sanger transform while maintaining its small-town heart—a delicate balance achieved through strategic economic development. The Type B board, established in 1998, has been instrumental in shaping Sanger's evolution by directing sales tax revenue...

You have been listening to The 266 Express, the official podcast of Sanger, TX. IF you have comments or suggestions, please send them to [email protected]