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News

Young County Jail gas leak forces transfer of inmates

A gas leak occurred at the Young County jail over the weekend which forced the temporary rehousing of inmates in other counties around the area.

On the evening of Saturday, Dec. 16, reports were made about a gas smell outside the jail. The gas company was called and upon inspection a regulator had blown out which forced the shutoff of the gas throughout the entire jail.

Parks board updated on Firemen’s Park projects

The city is awaiting approval from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to move forward with multiple projects within Firemen’s Park. The city is planning multiple improvement projects which include a dog park, new playground equipment with ADA-accessible access and trails.

The Graham Parks Department Board of Directors met Tuesday, Dec. 12 and received an update on Firemen’s Park projects from Jacob & Martin Project Manager Tristan King.

GISD board shuts down UIL participation for home-school students

Following a discussion in October, the Graham ISD Board of Trustees came to a consensus last week to not place an item on a future agenda allowing home-school students to participate in UIL extracurricular and academic activities.

The 87th Texas Legislature passed HB 547 in 2021 and with the 2021-2022 school year began allowing non-enrolled home-school students to participate in UIL activities. The board took no action on the item during their October meeting to get feedback regarding interest, but discussed the item again Wednesday, Dec. 13.

Jury sentences Garibay to 70 years

An Olney man was found guilty and sentenced to 70 years Wednesday following a three-day district court jury trial.

Andrew James Garibay, 32, was found guilty of continuous sexual abuse of child under 14. Garibay will serve 70 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Correctional Institutions Division, and will be required to register as a sex offender.

He will receive 483 days time served for his incarceration at the Young County Jail.

Transportation committee discusses possible Hwy. 16, Hwy. 67 bypass

Two proposed routes connecting Hwy. 16 and Hwy. 67 were discussed with the Transportation Improvements Committee this week. The agenda item was presented as a proposal to reduce truck traffic along Hwy. 16.

City Manager Eric Garretty spoke about the proposals during the meeting Tuesday, Dec. 12 and said the issue of truck traffic was previously discussed by the committee.

Giving back locally: Five GJHS teams donate over $6,000 to area nonprofits in Hot Chocolicious

Five sixth grade Graham Junior High School teams presented over $6,000 this week to area nonprofits they sponsored in the Graham Chamber of Commerce Hot Chocolicious Competition.

During the Hot Chocolicious event, teams of junior high students were set up on the downtown square with booths selling hot chocolate and other various goodies in support of area nonprofits.

The teams met Wednesday, Dec. 13 for the finale event at North Central Texas College. The students this year raised a total of $6,350.23.

Local candidates file for March election

Filing for seats open in the March primary election ended Monday in Young County. Young County Sheriff and Young County Precinct 3 Commissioner had more than one candidate file for the positions.

National, state and local seats are up for election during the primaries. The first day to file for an office up for election was Saturday, Nov. 11. The deadline to file for primary candidates was 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11.

Remembering animals during the giving season

While Christmas is around the corner and gifts will be given to many in the community, one nonprofit in Young County continues to look for support. With the Humane Society of Young County being overcapacity for months, the organization is looking for assistance.

The nonprofit shelter is currently housing 71 animals: 34 dogs and 37 cats. The shelter’s capacity for dogs is 24 and it has been overcapacity, according to HSYC Director Shelby Brogdon.

One of the primary challenges faced by the shelter in 2023 has been the treatment of animals in the county.

City charter committee considering amendments

The city of Graham Charter Review Working Group will consider six proposed charter amendments Thursday.

The group is developing a proposed list of changes to present for council consideration which, if approved, will be included within a charter amendment election.

In October, the Graham City Council approved a committee to review the city of Graham charter, which was last amended 32 years ago in May 1991.

GISD awarded TDA local food grant

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) recently announced Graham ISD was awarded $85,000 through the Local Food for Schools (LFS) grant program.

LFS supports local and regional food systems, with a focus on historically underserved and small businesses, according to TDA. The state agency awards a total of $22.3 million and individual districts can receive up to $250,000 based on enrollment.