News

Texans have less than one week left to provide input on the Texas Digital Opportunity Plan, which was designed to address broadband access, affordability and adoptions for those across the state.

The Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO), under the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, developed the plan to complement broadband infrastructure programs underway in the state such as the Bringing Online Opportunities to Texas (BOOT) program and the state’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.

Since Fall 2022, 41 students from Graham ISD have participated in the Red River Promise (RRP) program through North Central Texas College and the number has increased each academic year.

Through the program, GISD graduating students can receive varied support services and the cost of tuition and fees covered for up to two years, or 60 credit hours.

As the Graham Drive In theater approaches its 75th anniversary in 2024, owners Therrol and Becky DuBois are looking to hand ownership to someone who has the same passion and love for theater that they share.

The theater, founded in 1949, was purchased April 1, 2019 from Pam and Dr. David Scott. Becky is retired after working in the school system for 22 years and Therrol continues his 38-year work as a minister at First Baptist Church in Jacksboro.

The Young County Jail has returned to normal operations following a gas leak last week that necessitated the movement of inmates to various jails in neighboring counties.

Young County Sheriff Travis Babcock confirmed Thursday, Dec. 21 that the gas leak had been repaired and all the inmates that were sent to surrounding counties had been returned to Young County.

Cooking from dusk to dawn the Young County Masonic Lodge worked on smokers last week to provide 164 turkeys, with 124 donated to those less fortunate in the community.

The annual Christmas turkey program from the organization continued for its 13th year at the lodge located on Third Street in Graham.

Donated smokers lined the back of the lodge which were loaned to the organization by various members of the community.

Lodge members said the fires started around 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21 with the first batch taken off around 2 a.m. Friday, Dec. 22.

A 43-year coaching career spanning schools across Texas is coming to a close.

Graham High School head football coach and athletic director Kenny Davidson has announced his retirement effective at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year.

Davidson has coached in Graham for the past 19 years and been the head coach of the Steers since 2010.

Graham ISD announced Davidson's retirement Tuesday, Dec. 19, wishing him the best.

Following a recommendation from the Library of Graham Advisory Board, DeAnna Bullock was appointed as director of the Library of Graham by the Graham City Council this week. Bullock will move from an interim role to the permanent position overseeing the facility.

Bullock began working at the library in early 2022 after working on a contract basis doing various projects while utilizing the library for her son’s tutoring. When former director Kelly LaFarge was appointed in February to replace Sherrie Gibson, Bullock saw new positions open at the library.

The Young County William P. Johnston Preservation Committee recently met with a representative from Texas Tech University about the possibility of making the cemetery a project. The county is waiting on a survey of the property to determine the next step for the project.

The committee updated the Young County Commissioners Court in September and voted to close the William P. Johnston Memorial Cemetery for future burials, recruit members for the committee and plan for surveys of the cemetery.

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.

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.