News

A traffic stop turned into a sheriff’s office shooting incident last month in the 1200 block of 4th St. in Graham. The incident took place Dec. 28, around 9:45 p.m.

A release from the Young County Sheriff’s Office states Jimmy Ray Earl Merrifield, 45, of Gainesville, refused an order to step out of a vehicle, identified as a 2009 silver Chevrolet Silverado by the Graham Police Department. The release states Merrifield drove off, nearly striking the deputy in the process.

The Graham Chamber of Commerce announced this week that 6th grade Graham Junior High School students in the Hot Shopolicious program raised a total of $1,765 through the program which will go to area nonprofits.

The Graham City Council last Thursday approved the use of $10,000 from the Special Park Fund to clear the banks of Salt Creek along the proposed trail area for the planned Salt Creek Park project. Graham Parks and Recreation Board President Lee Boyd said during the meeting he got a quote from the company Pierce Land Clearing, of Blum, to proceed with the project this week.

Early voting in the Texas House of Representatives District 68 election began this week in Texas and started off slow in Young County with 10 voters as of Monday. This election is to fill the seat vacated by Drew Springer, who won the Texas Senate District 30 position in December 2020.

Five candidates filed to run for the Texas House of Representatives District 68 seat by Monday at 5 p.m. with the Texas Secretary of State. Those candidates and the order in which they will appear on the ballot according to the Texas Secretary of State are, John Berry (R), Jason Brinkley (R), Craig Carter (R), Charles D. Gregory (D) and David Spiller (R).

The Texas Department of State Health Services tasked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ship COVID-19 vaccines to more than 949 providers in 158 Texas counties during the fourth week of COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Adjoining counties received their first doses during the previous allocation and Young County was set to receive more doses during the fourth week allocation.

Early voting in the Texas House District 68 election begins Monday in Young County and will run for one week at two locations. Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation last Monday setting the date for a special election for HD68 in Texas.

The seat was vacated by Drew Springer who won the special runoff election for the Texas Senate District 30 position held in December. Candidates had until 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, to have their names placed on the special election ballot and must have filed with the office of the Texas Secretary of State.

The Graham Chamber of Commerce Chamber Banquet will be moving to a virtual, in-person event which will be held at multiple locations around Graham. The event will also incorporate a model for those who wish to stay at home and view the banquet and Grahammy awards ceremony.

The event will be held Tuesday, Jan. 26, from 6-7:30 p.m. at multiple locations throughout Graham. Graham Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO, Krisa De La Cruz, said the group was looking to keep the event, but change it in a way that was safe for attendees.

Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation Monday setting the date for a Special Election for Texas House District 68. The seat was vacated by Drew Springer who recently won the Special Runoff Election for the Texas State Senator District 30 position.

Candidates have until 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 4, to have their names placed on the special election ballot and must file with the office of the Texas Secretary of State. Early voting by personal appearance in the election will begin Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 and the election will be Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021.

The Texas Department of State Health Services tasked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ship COVID-19 vaccines to more than 350 providers in 94 Texas counties during the third week of COVID-19 vaccine distribution. While Young County will not be receiving vaccine during this allotment, adjoining counties will be receiving their first doses.