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News

CEO updates about GRMC opening

As Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has began to allow Texas to open while the country navigates through the COVID-19 pandemic, Graham Regional Medical Center is still taking precautions when it comes opening to full capacity.

GRMC CEO Shane Kernell spoke to the board of directors Tuesday, May 19 to discuss what the hospital is doing in terms of limiting restrictions on reopening. The hospital has started to do elective surgeries and radiology, but Kernell updated the board on what precautions and restrictions the hospital is still keeping in place until a later date.

State begins to reopen driver license offices

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday, May 21 the Texas Department of Public Safety will begin a phased opening of driver licenses offices starting May 26.

As driver license offices begin their phased reopening, services will be limited to customers with appointments only seeking a first-time Texas driver license, commercial driver license, learner license or identification card, and those who need to take a driving test. These will be the only services available at driver license offices during these initial phases of reopening.

Splash into Summer

Summer has unofficially kicked off as Graham and Olney opened their city pools with precautions in place amid COVID-19.

Olney opened its pool Tuesday, May 19, while Graham held their annual Splash Day Saturday, May 23. Both pools have put precautions in place to protect the community from the spread of COVID-19.

On Splash Day, the city of Graham pool offered two different sessions to allow more people to enjoy the pool and stated there would be limited capacity to protect attendees.

GRMC sees decrease in April revenue due to COVID-19

With statewide shutdowns of elective medical procedures, including radiology and surgery, because of COVID-19, Graham Regional Medical Center has seen a decrease in revenue because of patient volumes over the last couple months. However, the hospital has been assisted with close to $6 million dollars in funds over April and May.

GRMC board met Tuesday, May 19 and spent some time going over the financial outlook of the hospital as they continue to tread through this unknown time during COVID-19.

Library Summer Reading Program kicking off events

Summer is right around the corner and the Library of Graham will begin their summer reading program the day after Memorial Day, May 26.

With the precautions and protocols in place because of COVID-19 things may seem a little different, but the Library of Graham is doing their best to keep things like the Summer Reading Program and other summer programming in place.

This year’s Summer Reading Program is entitled ‘Imagine Your Story,’ and will be conducted very similarly to years past.

Federal judge allows mail-in ballots in Texas

Texas federal judge Fred Biery, on May 20, ruled that all voters afraid of catching COVID-19 can request absentee mail-in ballots due to the pandemic.

Biery ruled that "disability" extends to registered voters who lack immunity from COVID-19 and fear infection at polling places. Texas' election code defines "disability" as "a sickness or physical condition that prevents the voter from appearing at the polling place on election day without a likelihood of needing personal assistance or of injuring the voter's health."

Two vehicles crash in creek during Friday storm

Heavy rain and winds hit Graham Friday night, causing two separate vehicles to leave the roadway and end up in Shawnee Creek, according to Graham Police Department.

Graham Fire and Police Departments responded to the 900 block of Elm Street Friday, May 15 at 8:55 p.m. for reports of a 1995 maroon Buick Regal in the creek.

Graham Police Sgt. Pedro Marrufo, Officer Kirk Freeman and K-9 Officer Hailey Calcote arrived on scene to find the driver, Miranda Cedillo, 29, and passenger Jose Baez, 34, out of the vehicle.

Gov. Abbott opens more businesses under Phase II of Open Texas plan

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott held a press conference May 18, where he announced the next phase in his plan to reopen the Texas economy. Phase II of Gov. Abbott’s plan includes bars, bowling alleys, child care facilities, professional and youth sports, among other businesses and organizations.

“We are getting through this, but now more than ever we need to work together as one Texas,” Abbott said.

City repairs main water line, updates council on repairs

The city of Graham completed another repair to their 24-inch water line into the city Wednesday and updated the city council with some improvements made to water lines in the city Thursday.

The city released a press release Tuesday afternoon stating they would be performing another repair to their main 24-inch water line into the city Wednesday, May 13 which was anticipated to take six to nine hours. The city enacted a Stage 5 Water Emergency under their Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan from Tuesday, May 12 until the leak was repaired and in place.