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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) took action, along with Dr. John Hellerstedt, Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, and declared a Public Health Disaster in the state of Texas. The declaration gives state and local officials more tools to more effectively respond to the spread of COVID-19 across the state.

“(Dr. Hellerstedt) insists that Texas needs a unified, robust response to contain COVID-19,” Abbott said. “To achieve that goal, Dr. Hellerstedt, earlier today, declared a Public Health Disaster in the state of Texas.”

The Young County Commissioner’s Court met in an emergency meeting at the Young County Courthouse on Monday afternoon and voted to approve Dr. Pat Martin as the Local Health Authority for Young County.

Dr. Martin replaced Dr. Purty, of Olney, who left the position last summer after his two-year appointment expired. Young County Judge John Bullock also expressed his interest in declaring a declaration of disaster in Young County.

They were outside the past two months standing outside of Wal-mart or United Supermarkets, walking neighborhoods pulling their wagon and at school or local business, but besides selling Girl Scout cookies they were raising money for a local water safety organization.

The local Graham Girl Scout Daisy/Brownie Troop #8513 began their annual cookie sale on Jan. 17, finishing their cookie season on March 1. Between the five Daisey/Brownie members they sold 3,357 boxes of cookies.

She felt it was time for a change, this change brought her to Graham as the new Director of Operations and Outreach Coordinator at the Graham Crisis Center.

Cathy Partridge brings experience and a passion to the Graham Crisis Center with more than 30 years experience as a paralegal and law firm management, another 13 years as a Methodist pastor.

Editor’s note: If your school, entity or event has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and is not listed below please send the information by email to editor@grahamleader.com, call the office at 940-549-7800 or by Facebook comment or message. This article will continued to be updated as information is provided.

In an effort to support the health and safety of students and communities, the UIL announced Friday it is suspending all UIL interscholastic competition from March 16 until March 29 due to the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Young County Judge John Bullock sent a request to Governor Abbott this morning requesting a Local Declaration of Imminent Disaster in order to assist Young County in its preparations for the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In the declaration, Bullock states, COVID-19 poses the threat of infection, serious illness and possible death to all ages of people, those with pre-existing conditions, the aged and those with a weakened immune system.

City and county leaders met at Graham Regional Medical Center Monday in an effort to establish a combined effort in combating COVID-19 (coronavirus) before it appears in the area and spreads.

Representatives from the city of Graham, city of Olney, Graham Police Department, Young County Sheriff’s Office, Graham Regional Medical Center, Graham Medical Associates, Young County Courthouse and more came to Graham Regional Medical Center to listen to a presentation and ask questions.

The yellow ducks are back on sale as the Rotary Club of Graham has started their duck sales for the 2020 Duck Derby, quickly approaching the 50% mark of their goal.

The third year of the Rotary’s annual fundraiser will be held Saturday, April 18 at Firemen’s Park.

The idea for the derby began after the former Rotary president visited Aspen, Colorado.

Graham ISD school board approved a budget amendment for the Graham High School greenhouse Wednesday, with an additional $78,000 to be used for various aspects of the project.

The board approved a vendor for the construction of a greenhouse at GHS in May 2019 and the district set aside $60,000 originally when developing the 2018-2019 budget for the project. The board accepted a $40,000 proposal from S&M Consulting, which GISD Superintendent Sonny Cruse said, in the May 2019 board meeting, would cover the cost of the greenhouse.