News
Fire destroys longtime Graham business
by David Rupkalvis
(Posted Today 02:03 pm)
Graham Fire Rescue firefighter Rudy Perez works to put out a fire that destroyed Ramsey's Lock and Key on Fourth Street early Thursday morning. Nothing in the store was saved after the fire burned for more than two hours. (Photo by David Rupkalvis) editor@grahamleader.com
A longtime Graham business burned to the ground early Thursday morning.
Ramsey’s Lock and Key in the 1000 block of Fourth Street was declared a total loss after a fire broke out and burned for several hours before firefighters finally got the blaze under control. The contents of the building were also a total loss after the roof collapsed.
Graham Fire Rescue Chief Dennie Covey said the initial call didn’t let firefighters know what they were about to encounter.
“At 1:30, dispatch called over here and said we had smoke in the area,” Covey said. “So they went Read More...
by David Rupkalvis
(Posted Today 02:03 pm)
Graham Fire Rescue firefighter Rudy Perez works to put out a fire that destroyed Ramsey's Lock and Key on Fourth Street early Thursday morning. Nothing in the store was saved after the fire burned for more than two hours. (Photo by David Rupkalvis) editor@grahamleader.com
A longtime Graham business burned to the ground early Thursday morning.
Ramsey’s Lock and Key in the 1000 block of Fourth Street was declared a total loss after a fire broke out and burned for several hours before firefighters finally got the blaze under control. The contents of the building were also a total loss after the roof collapsed.
Graham Fire Rescue Chief Dennie Covey said the initial call didn’t let firefighters know what they were about to encounter.
“At 1:30, dispatch called over here and said we had smoke in the area,” Covey said. “So they went Read More...
An honor 60 years in the making
by David Rupkalvis
(Posted Today 01:57 pm)
Louis Pitcock Jr., left, and Mary Pitcock, center, accept the Citizen of the Year Grahammy from Mike Sipes during the Chamber Banquet on Tuesday. editor@grahamleader.com
For more than half a century Louis and Mary Pitcock have given back to Graham. On Tuesday, Graham said “Thank you.”
The Pitcocks were honored with the Citizen of the Year Grahammy during the Graham Chamber of Commerce Banquet, receiving an award that has been given to just a handful of Graham residents through the years.
Chamber Chairman Brandon Bates said the honor was well-deserved.
“This couple has been an active force at work for the good of Graham for more than 60 years,” Bates said. “They have been at the forefront and in the background, supporting Read More...
by David Rupkalvis
(Posted Today 01:57 pm)
Louis Pitcock Jr., left, and Mary Pitcock, center, accept the Citizen of the Year Grahammy from Mike Sipes during the Chamber Banquet on Tuesday. editor@grahamleader.com
For more than half a century Louis and Mary Pitcock have given back to Graham. On Tuesday, Graham said “Thank you.”
The Pitcocks were honored with the Citizen of the Year Grahammy during the Graham Chamber of Commerce Banquet, receiving an award that has been given to just a handful of Graham residents through the years.
Chamber Chairman Brandon Bates said the honor was well-deserved.
“This couple has been an active force at work for the good of Graham for more than 60 years,” Bates said. “They have been at the forefront and in the background, supporting Read More...
Drivers pose danger to police, firefighters
by David Rupkalvis
(Posted Today 01:56 pm)
editor@grahamleader.com
A minor accident Tuesday evening nearly turned tragic — not once, not twice but three different times.
Capt. Greg Speck said Graham Fire Rescue was dispatched to the scene of an accident on Highway 16 South just before 6 p.m. Tuesday. When firefighters arrived on the scene, one vehicle was in the right hand lane while the other had left the scene. Since no other law enforcement officials were on the scene, Speck said he had two fire engines block both lanes of northbound traffic.
Since the accident was minor, there were no injuries, but firefighters chose to Read More...
by David Rupkalvis
(Posted Today 01:56 pm)
editor@grahamleader.com
A minor accident Tuesday evening nearly turned tragic — not once, not twice but three different times.
Capt. Greg Speck said Graham Fire Rescue was dispatched to the scene of an accident on Highway 16 South just before 6 p.m. Tuesday. When firefighters arrived on the scene, one vehicle was in the right hand lane while the other had left the scene. Since no other law enforcement officials were on the scene, Speck said he had two fire engines block both lanes of northbound traffic.
Since the accident was minor, there were no injuries, but firefighters chose to Read More...
Council agrees to help National Theatre
by Cherry Rushin
(Posted Today 01:56 pm)
newsdesk@grahamleader.com
The National Theatre will get an upgrade thanks to the Graham Economic Improvement Corporation.
The Graham City Council voted to approve the lending of $150,000 to the theater for the purchase and installation of new digital equipment after a public hearing and the first of two resolution readings as part of a GEIC 4B project. Council member and owner of the National Theater, Pam Scott, abstained from the vote.
“Without this help from GEIC, the business may or may not survive,” said Mayor Barry White.
“The theater business has become so they have to have digital equipment, and Read More...
by Cherry Rushin
(Posted Today 01:56 pm)
newsdesk@grahamleader.com
The National Theatre will get an upgrade thanks to the Graham Economic Improvement Corporation.
The Graham City Council voted to approve the lending of $150,000 to the theater for the purchase and installation of new digital equipment after a public hearing and the first of two resolution readings as part of a GEIC 4B project. Council member and owner of the National Theater, Pam Scott, abstained from the vote.
“Without this help from GEIC, the business may or may not survive,” said Mayor Barry White.
“The theater business has become so they have to have digital equipment, and Read More...
Robinson, Singleton inducted into hall of fame
(Posted Today 01:52 pm)
Dean Singleton, left, MediaNews Group chairman of the board, and Roy Robinson, former publisher of The Graham Leader, are inducted into the Texas Newspaper Foundation Hall of Fame last week. (MediaNews Service photo by Mark Engebretson) Roy Robinson, former publisher of the The Graham Leader and vice president of Graham Newspapers Inc., and Dean Singleton, president of Graham Newspapers, including The Leader, and chairman of the board of MediaNews Service, Inc., parent company of The Leader, were inducted into the Texas Newspaper Foundation Hall of Fame last week during the Texas Press Association annual Mid-Winter Conference.
Regarded as an innovator, mentor and problem solver, Robinson, 72, is often sought by fellow Texas newspaper publishers for counsel and advice.
He grew up in the back shop of his father’s Goodland Daily News in northwest Kansas, officially Read More...
(Posted Today 01:52 pm)
Dean Singleton, left, MediaNews Group chairman of the board, and Roy Robinson, former publisher of The Graham Leader, are inducted into the Texas Newspaper Foundation Hall of Fame last week. (MediaNews Service photo by Mark Engebretson) Roy Robinson, former publisher of the The Graham Leader and vice president of Graham Newspapers Inc., and Dean Singleton, president of Graham Newspapers, including The Leader, and chairman of the board of MediaNews Service, Inc., parent company of The Leader, were inducted into the Texas Newspaper Foundation Hall of Fame last week during the Texas Press Association annual Mid-Winter Conference.
Regarded as an innovator, mentor and problem solver, Robinson, 72, is often sought by fellow Texas newspaper publishers for counsel and advice.
He grew up in the back shop of his father’s Goodland Daily News in northwest Kansas, officially Read More...
Sports
Steers hold off Iowa Park in overtime
by Travis Lisle
(Posted Today 01:42 pm)
Brian Sides dives on the floor after a loos ball during Graham's 53-51 victory over Iowa Park. Sides has been one of the Steers best defensive options on the perimeter. sports@grahamleader.com
The Graham Steers took on the Iowa Park Hawks on Tuesday nigh in a memorable battle that was tied at regulation before the Steers grabbed the 53-51 overtime win.
The Steers started out hot, getting steals and fast-break points in the opening quarter. Brian Sides had seven points in the first quarter while Jake Graham scored six.
By halftime, the Steers felt comfortable with a 27-14 lead.
But the Hawks came storming back in the second half. Switching between a 1-3-1 full-court zone press and a full-court man-to-man press helped the Hawks get steals and score 17 Complete Story...
by Travis Lisle
(Posted Today 01:42 pm)
Brian Sides dives on the floor after a loos ball during Graham's 53-51 victory over Iowa Park. Sides has been one of the Steers best defensive options on the perimeter. sports@grahamleader.com
The Graham Steers took on the Iowa Park Hawks on Tuesday nigh in a memorable battle that was tied at regulation before the Steers grabbed the 53-51 overtime win.
The Steers started out hot, getting steals and fast-break points in the opening quarter. Brian Sides had seven points in the first quarter while Jake Graham scored six.
By halftime, the Steers felt comfortable with a 27-14 lead.
But the Hawks came storming back in the second half. Switching between a 1-3-1 full-court zone press and a full-court man-to-man press helped the Hawks get steals and score 17 Complete Story...
Lady Blues roll over Hawks, 37-26
by Travis Lisle
(Posted Today 01:40 pm)
Kaitlin Kramer goes up for the shot in the paint. Kramer led the Lady Blues with 15 points in the win over Iowa Park. sports@grahamleader.com
The Graham Lady Blues came out with a 37-26 win over the Iowa Park Lady Hawks on Tuesday night.
It was a coming of age game of sorts for the Lady Blues who shot 14 percent when the two teams first met and lost the game. During that first meeting, Kaitlin Kramer struggled and missed several open shots under the basket.
In the two weeks since, Kramer and the entire Lady Blues team has been steadily improving, and in the win over the Lady Hawks, Kramer led the way with a season high 15 points.
The game started Complete Story...
by Travis Lisle
(Posted Today 01:40 pm)
Kaitlin Kramer goes up for the shot in the paint. Kramer led the Lady Blues with 15 points in the win over Iowa Park. sports@grahamleader.com
The Graham Lady Blues came out with a 37-26 win over the Iowa Park Lady Hawks on Tuesday night.
It was a coming of age game of sorts for the Lady Blues who shot 14 percent when the two teams first met and lost the game. During that first meeting, Kaitlin Kramer struggled and missed several open shots under the basket.
In the two weeks since, Kramer and the entire Lady Blues team has been steadily improving, and in the win over the Lady Hawks, Kramer led the way with a season high 15 points.
The game started Complete Story...
Tennis team falls to Burk
by Travis Lisle
(Posted Today 01:38 pm)
Allie Hawkins fires a shot across the net during a dual match with Burkburnett. Graham pushed Burkburnett to the limit before losing 10-9. (Photo by Travis Lisle) sports@grahamleader.com
The Graham tennis team played Burkburnett in a meeting that went down to the wire last week.
After several hours of playing, the matchup came down to the final set with the two teams tied at 9-9.
“We lost overall 10-9,” coach Josh Boyd said. “Kolton Lewis was playing in the last match. He lost the first set, came back in the second and and won it.”
In the third tet tie-breaker, Lewis was down 9-5, giving Burkburnett four match point.
But Lewis refused to quit and fought back to tie the set before eventually losing, 15-13.
Complete Story...
by Travis Lisle
(Posted Today 01:38 pm)
Allie Hawkins fires a shot across the net during a dual match with Burkburnett. Graham pushed Burkburnett to the limit before losing 10-9. (Photo by Travis Lisle) sports@grahamleader.com
The Graham tennis team played Burkburnett in a meeting that went down to the wire last week.
After several hours of playing, the matchup came down to the final set with the two teams tied at 9-9.
“We lost overall 10-9,” coach Josh Boyd said. “Kolton Lewis was playing in the last match. He lost the first set, came back in the second and and won it.”
In the third tet tie-breaker, Lewis was down 9-5, giving Burkburnett four match point.
But Lewis refused to quit and fought back to tie the set before eventually losing, 15-13.
Shooting stars
(Posted Today 01:34 pm)
Halle Black takes an open shot during a Little Dribblers basketball game. The Little Dribblers season is under way.
(Photo courtesy of Corey Gober)
(Posted Today 01:34 pm)
Halle Black takes an open shot during a Little Dribblers basketball game. The Little Dribblers season is under way.(Photo courtesy of Corey Gober)
Lady Blues push Burkburnett to the limit
by Travis Lisle
(Posted Tue 01:23 pm)
Bonni Peeks gets a jump on her defender for the easy layup during a recent game. Left, Allie Buchanan takes the open shot from the three-point line. Buchanan has become a versatile weapon for the Lady Blues, getting it done all over the court. (Photos courtesy of Bryan Ray) By Travis Lisle
sports@grahamleader.com
The Graham Lady Blues lost 37-33 to the Burkburnett Lady Bulldogs on Friday night.
With just 11 seconds left on the clock and a tied 33-33 score, Graham was called for a foul. The Burkburnett player went to the line and sank both free throws. Bonni Peeks caught the following inbound and raced down the right sideline. Just as Peeks crossed half court, the Lady Bulldogs stole Peeks’ dribble and made a last second layup to get the four-point win.
Burkburnett took a small 12-9 lead after the first quarter. The second quarter was Complete Story...
by Travis Lisle
(Posted Tue 01:23 pm)
Bonni Peeks gets a jump on her defender for the easy layup during a recent game. Left, Allie Buchanan takes the open shot from the three-point line. Buchanan has become a versatile weapon for the Lady Blues, getting it done all over the court. (Photos courtesy of Bryan Ray) By Travis Lisle
sports@grahamleader.com
The Graham Lady Blues lost 37-33 to the Burkburnett Lady Bulldogs on Friday night.
With just 11 seconds left on the clock and a tied 33-33 score, Graham was called for a foul. The Burkburnett player went to the line and sank both free throws. Bonni Peeks caught the following inbound and raced down the right sideline. Just as Peeks crossed half court, the Lady Bulldogs stole Peeks’ dribble and made a last second layup to get the four-point win.
Burkburnett took a small 12-9 lead after the first quarter. The second quarter was Complete Story...
Lifestyles
Teachers concerned pension plan may change
by Gay Storms
(Posted Today 01:55 pm)
Don and Sandy Williams, Graham Area Retired Teachers members, compliment keynote speaker De Cottrell, TRTA District IX president, on her presentation telling teachers how to fight against a change in their pensions. lifestyles@grahamleader.com
The future is uncertain for retired teachers and those who will eventually retire from the Texas public school system.
Graham Area Retired Teachers listened intently to De Cottrell, District IX TRTA president, during the January meeting of local educators at the Library of Graham.
With one in 20 Texans affected — one in 20 Texans is a member of TRS (Texas Retirement System), the sixth-largest pension fund plan in the country — and 1.2 million active and retired educators or public school workers in the system.
De Cottrell presented facts about Texas teacher’s current retirement plans called the Complete Story...
by Gay Storms
(Posted Today 01:55 pm)
Don and Sandy Williams, Graham Area Retired Teachers members, compliment keynote speaker De Cottrell, TRTA District IX president, on her presentation telling teachers how to fight against a change in their pensions. lifestyles@grahamleader.com
The future is uncertain for retired teachers and those who will eventually retire from the Texas public school system.
Graham Area Retired Teachers listened intently to De Cottrell, District IX TRTA president, during the January meeting of local educators at the Library of Graham.
With one in 20 Texans affected — one in 20 Texans is a member of TRS (Texas Retirement System), the sixth-largest pension fund plan in the country — and 1.2 million active and retired educators or public school workers in the system.
De Cottrell presented facts about Texas teacher’s current retirement plans called the Complete Story...
Calendar of Events
(Posted Today 01:50 pm)
Saturday, Jan. 28
Historical Commission
The Young County Historical Commission will meet at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Graham Country Club. M.L. “Red” Foster will present the history and structure of the Texas Historical Commission.
Frisbee Golf Kickoff
All those interested in playing frisbee golf are invited to an orientation meeting from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at the old GHS gym. Organizer Danny Brendon will talk about plans for the spring, improvements to the course in Fireman’s Park and sign up interested players. Players pay no entry fees or dues.
Graham Jamboree
The Complete Story...
(Posted Today 01:50 pm)
Saturday, Jan. 28
Historical Commission
The Young County Historical Commission will meet at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Graham Country Club. M.L. “Red” Foster will present the history and structure of the Texas Historical Commission.
Frisbee Golf Kickoff
All those interested in playing frisbee golf are invited to an orientation meeting from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at the old GHS gym. Organizer Danny Brendon will talk about plans for the spring, improvements to the course in Fireman’s Park and sign up interested players. Players pay no entry fees or dues.
Graham Jamboree
The Complete Story...
Recovery Meetings
(Posted Today 01:50 pm)
Alanon Third Street
Graham Alanon meets from 8 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at 904 Smith St.
Solutions Alanon
Solutions Alanon meets from 8 to 9 p.m. Thursdays at First United Methodist Church at Second and Cherry streets.
Graham AA
Graham Alcoholics Anonymous meets from 8 to 9 p.m. Sundays and Tuesdays and from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at 904 Smith Street.
Unseen Masters
Unseen Masters Spiritual Recovery group is based on a 12-step spiritual recovery program. The group meets from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays at Faith Center Assembly of God on the Highway Complete Story...
(Posted Today 01:50 pm)
Alanon Third Street
Graham Alanon meets from 8 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at 904 Smith St.
Solutions Alanon
Solutions Alanon meets from 8 to 9 p.m. Thursdays at First United Methodist Church at Second and Cherry streets.
Graham AA
Graham Alcoholics Anonymous meets from 8 to 9 p.m. Sundays and Tuesdays and from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at 904 Smith Street.
Unseen Masters
Unseen Masters Spiritual Recovery group is based on a 12-step spiritual recovery program. The group meets from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays at Faith Center Assembly of God on the Highway Complete Story...
Frisbee golf kickoff meeting set
(Posted Today 01:49 pm)
All those interested in playing frisbee golf are invited to an orientation meeting from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at the old GHS gym. Organizer Danny Brendon will talk about plans for the spring, improvements to the course in Fireman’s Park and sign up interested players. Players pay no entry fees or dues.
(Posted Today 01:49 pm)
All those interested in playing frisbee golf are invited to an orientation meeting from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at the old GHS gym. Organizer Danny Brendon will talk about plans for the spring, improvements to the course in Fireman’s Park and sign up interested players. Players pay no entry fees or dues.
Death Notices
Kenneth Matthew Lewis
(Posted 12/30/2011 02:19 pm)
Kenneth Matthew Lewis, age 29, of Archer City, died Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, in a Wichita Falls hospital. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, at First Baptist Church in Archer City. Interment will follow in the Mountain Home Cemetery in Jack County under the direction of Aulds Funeral Home.
Ken, known to his family as Matthew, was born May 26, 1982 in Olney, Texas to Kenneth Odis Lewis and Shelley Gail Onnen Lewis.
(Posted 12/30/2011 02:19 pm)
Kenneth Matthew Lewis, age 29, of Archer City, died Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, in a Wichita Falls hospital. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, at First Baptist Church in Archer City. Interment will follow in the Mountain Home Cemetery in Jack County under the direction of Aulds Funeral Home.
Ken, known to his family as Matthew, was born May 26, 1982 in Olney, Texas to Kenneth Odis Lewis and Shelley Gail Onnen Lewis.