News

Following a long line of teachers in her family, Samantha Purdy continues the tradition at North Central Texas College in Graham heading the Licensed Vocational Nursing program. Since February, Purdy has been excited to offer opportunities locally for those looking into the nursing field.

The LVN program with NCTC is designed to be completed in one year and is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing. The program prepares entry-level practitioners to provide direct care to patients of all age groups under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed physician.

The Graham Chamber of Commerce ‘Hallmark in my Hometown’ Christmas parade and stroll and Hot Chocolicious events are kicking off the holiday season in Graham next week on the downtown square.

The night of festivities will be held Thursday, Nov. 30 with the stroll from 5-7 p.m. and the lighted parade starting at 7 p.m. The Hot Chocolicious event will be held from 5:30-7 p.m.

Following an Olney Police Department and Texas Rangers investigation, and a Young County Grand Jury indictment, Jasmine Alexis Kay Smith, 27, was arrested Wednesday for criminally negligent homicide of an 8-month-old infant.

Smith was arrested Wednesday, Nov. 22 in Jack County on a charge of criminally negligent homicide, according to a joint statement released late Wednesday from the Texas Department of Public Safety and Olney Police Department.

More than four years after a fire broke out at the Worthington CDJR dealership in Graham, the original suspect has been convicted of arson.

Tyler Neff, 24, took a plea deal of 10 years deferred adjudication community supervision, pleading guilty to the April 2019 arson of the property.

Along with the deferred adjudication community supervision, Neff accepted $2,500 in restitution, $365 in court costs and conditions of supervision during a plea negotiation hearing Wednesday, Nov. 15.

Smoke filled the air and the smell of delicious barbecue came with it as Graham played host last weekend to a regional high school barbecue contest, presented by High School BBQ Inc.

Twenty high school barbecue teams gathered Saturday, Nov. 18 on Graham’s downtown square to put their meat cooking skills to the test and look for a qualification to the state championship in May 2024.

A total of three rollover wrecks occurred within almost a 24-hour period across different areas of Young County from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Rocky Mound Road rollover

The Young County Sheriff’s Office responded at 8:51 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14 with other local emergency units to a vehicle rollover wreck in the 2900 block of Rocky Mound Road.

Graham EMS, Graham Fire Department, Salt Creek VFD and other emergency units arrived and assisted in extraction of the driver, Donald Kramer, from the unloaded Mack dump truck.

A traffic stop turned into a vehicle pursuit Tuesday morning in and outside of Graham and led to a Graham Police Department arrest.

Cody Scott Gilmore, 27, of Graham, was arrested Tuesday, Nov. 14 for evading arrest or detention with a vehicle and possession of a controlled substance, according to a release by GPD Chief Brent Bullock.

Early Tuesday morning, a GPD officer made a traffic stop at Fourth and Oak Streets in Graham. As the officer approached the vehicle, Gilmore fled from the officer in his vehicle.

Olney Police Department arrested a driver and detained eight passengers early Wednesday on East Main Street.

An OPD officer, with support from Young County Sheriff’s Office deputies, conducted a traffic stop for speeding at approximately 12:09 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15 in the 200 block of East Main Street, according to a release from OPD Chief Dan Birbeck.

The driver of the vehicle, Yostin Gonzales-Chanax, 24, of Colorado, provided false information about his identity to the officers.

The Graham ISD Calendar Committee has begun the planning process for establishing a calendar for the 2024-2025 school year. The committee reviewed parent, guardian and staff data regarding the modified four-day school calendar and will present two calendar drafts to the GISD Board of Trustees in 2024.

The district’s calendars are created by the committee, made up of staff, parents and community members, who establish several drafts which are narrowed down to two for school board approval.

Bethel Baptist Church in Graham is hosting its 36th annual community Thanksgiving meal next week welcoming all for friendship and fellowship.

The free meal will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 23 at the church’s Family Life Center at 209 Tennessee St. Options are available for dine-in, take-out or delivery by calling the church at 940-549-0619. Meals can be requested for others who may have a need.

According to member Roma Brightman, the church is planning for 625-650 meals to be served. She said the amount served increases each year.