News

A vehicle pursuit early Saturday morning ended near the intersection of First Street and Texas Street in Graham when the vehicle went airborne, landed and struck a tree resulting in the deaths of the driver and passenger.

A Young County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted a stop for a traffic violation at 1:18 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 on a Dodge Caliber on Elm Street in Graham, according to a release from DPS Sergeant Juan Gutierrez. The vehicle was driven by Eddric Laquinn Mickle, a 51, of Seguin, who refused to stop and began evading the deputy.

Eight contestants took the stage at the annual All-American Girl Pageant this weekend and Madi Wilde walked away crowned All-American Girl.

Since 1972, the pageant has showcased local high school talent and served as the Graham High School Thespian Society and Theatre Department fundraiser. After celebrating its 50th year in 2021, the pageant made its return this year with a few changes.

Representatives of the Humane Society of Young County and the public received information from the Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) of laws passed in the 88th Texas Legislature.

THLN is a nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals through legislation and advocacy. Executive Director Shelby Bobosky, an attorney who became passionate about animal laws to protect animals and shelters, spoke at the event Sunday, Feb. 25.

Multiple area law enforcement agencies were involved in a vehicle pursuit that began on FM 209 in Young County, ended in Throckmorton County and resulted in one arrest Wednesday afternoon.

Juan Diaz, Jr., 58, of Graham, was arrested Wednesday, Feb. 21, on two charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, resisting arrest, search or transportation, a parole violation and insufficient bond.

Early voting in the primary election kicked off Tuesday and will continue into next week across the state and in Young County. Local, state and national seats are on the Republican and Democratic ballots.

The primary election had 563 voters turnout for early voting as of the end of the day Thursday, Feb. 22, or a total turnout of 4.7% of the 12,015 registered county voters.

The candidate filing deadline for a place on the general election ballot in May ended last week across the state with local candidates filing for positions open in Young County.

The filing period for political subdivision seats up for election in May was open from Wednesday, Jan. 17 through Friday, Feb. 16. The election will take place Saturday, May 4 at polling locations around Young County.

Early voting in the election will run from Monday, April 22 through Tuesday, April 30. The last day to register to vote in the election will be Thursday, April 4.

Construction progress continues at Graham Regional Medical Center as it works toward an August project completion date.

GRMC CEO Shane Kernell provided another update on the construction progress during the hospital board’s meeting Thursday, Feb. 22.

As part of his monthly CEO report, Kernell shared that the project remains on schedule and that the major work is on track to be completed by August. Certain aspects of the overall project may be done and usable sooner, but the major scope of the project will be finished in approximately the next six months.

After receiving a request in January to have a food truck once a month on the Graham downtown square, the Graham City Council tabled and then denied the request in order to host a public hearing and have the public voice their concerns or support.

In January, Alexander Smith, who owns the Panda Pearl boba truck in Graham, made a request to the city to have access to the square once a month and cited the Chick-fil-A food truck, which was given access to the square in September 2023. Smith requested an electrical hookup, if available, and said he would pay for power usage.

A public hearing was held last week for the 2022-2023 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) for Graham ISD, which serves as a means for school districts to analyze their assessment results and monitor progress year to year.

Graham ISD Director of Curriculum and Instruction Gary Browning presents the TAPR from the Texas Education Agency to the GISD Board of Trustees during a public hearing Wednesday, Feb. 14.

Located outside of Graham is Prairie Haven Texas which is a 120-acre property that hosts the SkyEarth family outdoor skills gathering event and is gearing up for its seventh annual event in April. From making fire and tanning hides to weaving baskets and forming metal, the event provides a number of classes with skilled instructors.

The event is held on the family land of Scott Ezzell who started the event in 2018 with help from Rabbitstick/Wintercount founder Joshua Sage, which are similar events striving to reconnect people with primitive and homesteading skills.