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(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO | TXDOT) A map of the Texas Department of Transportation Wichita Falls District projects which are part of the 2024 Unified Transportation Program through TxDOT.

Young County part of TxDOT’s $142 billion transportation program

Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of Transportation this week announced a $142 billion total investment in the state’s infrastructure through the 2024 Unified Transportation Program (UTP). The Wichita Falls District of TxDOT has 18 projects planned.

TxDOT’s UTP is a 10-year plan organized into 12 funding categories which helps to guide the development of state transportation work.

(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Young County Commissioners Court met Monday, Aug. 14 to discuss the upcoming fiscal year budget and tax rate. The county will have a public hearing Monday, Aug. 21 at the Young County Courthouse regarding the proposed budget and tax rate.
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) County officials met Monday, Aug. 14 to discuss the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Shown from left to right are Young County Treasurer Kyle Milam, Precinct 3 Commissioner Stacey Rogers and Young County Judge Win Graham.

Young County public hearing Monday for budget, tax rate

Young County is holding a public hearing Monday for its proposed 2023-2024 tax rate and budget. The proposed tax rate for the county is an increase of six cents over the current rate of $0.587609 per $100 valuation.

The public hearings will be hosted at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21 at the Young County Commissioners Court meeting at the Young County Courthouse, 516 Fourth St., Room 106.

Following the public hearings, the county will consider adoption of the budget and tax rate.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO | YCSO) Seth Cody Wakefield, 33, of Olney, Andrew James Garibay, 31, of Olney, and Michael Lee Moore, 35, of Newcastle, have upcoming jury trials scheduled for the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024.

Trials set for three facing charges of crimes against children

Three Young County defendants facing charges of child sexual assault, child sexual abuse or child sexual contact had their jury trials set in the 90th Judicial District Court.

Seth Cody Wakefield, 33, of Olney, Andrew James Garibay, 31, of Olney, and Michael Lee Moore, 35, of Newcastle, have upcoming jury trials scheduled for the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024.

Wakefield jury trial

(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Bret Allen, Paragon Sports Constructors Vice President of Sales, shows off samples of turf for the Graham ISD School Board during its meeting Wednesday, Aug. 16.

GISD approves bid for baseball, softball field renovations

The Graham ISD Board of Trustees selected a company this week to take on the baseball and softball fields synthetic turf conversion project.

During its meeting Wednesday, Aug. 16,  the board approved Paragon Sports Constructors (PSC) to carry out the renovation project of the two fields. The goal is to have the project completed in time for the spring baseball and softball seasons which begin around February 2024. GISD superintendent Sonny Cruse believes the project will be completed by December 2023.

(FILE PHOTO | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Individual STAAR report cards were made available to parents across Texas today.

TEA releases 2023 STAAR test results

The Texas Education Agency has released spring 2023 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) results for students in Grades 3-8. Individual STAAR report cards were made available to parents across Texas today.

Parents and guardians can visit TexasAssessment.gov to see the specific STAAR results for their child, how their child answered each question on the test, and specific recommendations to help their child grow academically.

(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Volunteer Fire Department units attempt to control a fire Thursday, Aug. 10 which started near Campbell Ranch Road and Hwy. 79. The fire, now called the Campbell Fire, jumped county lines into Archer and was 8,000 acres and 85% contained as of Monday, Aug. 14.
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) A smoldering pile on Hwy. 79 which was a result of the Campbell Fire which began Thursday, Aug. 10 in Young County and spread to Archer County.
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Approaching Campbell Ranch Road where a fire had broken out Thursday, Aug. 10. Local units worked late into the night to contain the fire which rekindled the following day and then jumped Hwy. 79.

Holding the line: Federal, state units continue containment of Campbell Fire

An 8,000-acre wildfire, which started Thursday in Young County and jumped county lines into Archer, continued to burn Monday as federal and state units continued progress made by local units last week.

The Campbell Fire was last reported Monday, April 14 at 8,000 acres and 85% contained by Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS). Federal and state units took over for local responders during the weekend after the fire started Thursday, April 10 and then rekindled Friday, April 11.

(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Visitors watch the last performance in the Summer Concert Series from Gary P. Nunn which was held Saturday, Aug. 12 on the Graham downtown square.
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Gary P. Nunn performs on the downtown square Saturday, Aug. 12 as part of the Summer Concert Series.
(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) A visitor to the Graham downtown square listens to a concert from Gary P. Nunn held Saturday, Aug. 12.

Summer Concert Series draws crowds downtown

The Summer Concert Series closed out its inaugural season Saturday and a successful run which drew crowds and visitors to the Graham downtown square. The free concerts were provided as a partnership between Visit Graham and the Graham Concert Association.

Five concerts were held as a way to utilize the downtown square and attract locals and visitors. Visit Graham CEO and GCA board member Cathy Partridge said Visit Graham are interested in bringing the series back next year.