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News

Explosion at water treatment plant injures one

An explosion occurred during a chemical delivery today at the Graham Water Treatment Plant, destroying the tank that stores bleach at the facility and injuring one.

Until the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality completes an assessment, there is no ETA on the plant returning to normal operation.

The explosion occurred at approximately 12:10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2 in the 400 block of Power Plant Road in Graham.

City Manager Eric Garretty said an individual was injured due to the explosion.

Early voting ends Friday

Early voting is off to a slow start in Young County with election day approaching next week. The ballot in Young County contains 14 constitutional amendments as well as a $33 million bond measure for the Olney Hamilton Hospital District.

According to the Young County elections office, the first week of early voting had a 3.7% turnout, or 437 of the 11,932 registered county voters. Early voting continues this week through Friday, Nov. 3.

Sidewalk project heads to city council for approval

A proposed sidewalk project, which includes paths from South Street to Walmart Drive and various other streets, will be presented to the Graham City Council for consideration. The city is looking to submit the project for consideration in a 2025 grant funding cycle from the Texas Department of Transportation.

The Transportation Improvements Committee met Tuesday, Oct. 24 with the sole agenda item being the sidewalk project. The proposed project will construct a 5-foot sidewalk on both sides of Elm Street from South Street to Walmart Drive.

Conquering the hill: Spivey Hill Challenge takes off soon honoring three locals

The ninth annual Spivey Hill Challenge is approaching in November honoring Dr. Jamie Epperson, Bill Spivey and Spencer Street III. The 5K race benefits two local organizations each year which give back to the community.

The race, which includes a 5K (virtual and in-person), 1K Fun Run and Walk & Talk, will be held Saturday, Nov. 11 at Firemen’s Park in Graham. Since its beginning in 2015, the race has raised $96,000 benefiting the Haitian orphanage Hands and Feet and the local organizations of Garments of Grace and Shine On.

Book (Ban)ter: Library board hears concerns regarding book

Members of the community voiced concerns this week regarding a non-fiction book and its place within the city’s library.

The Library of Graham board met Wednesday, Oct. 25 with the sole agenda item being a discussion regarding the removal or relocation of a book titled “We Need to Talk About Vaginas: An IMPORTANT Book About Vulvas, Periods, Puberty and Sex!”

The illustrated book shares information on sensitive topics such as anatomy, sex, periods, consent and more.

Ashing accepts plea for sexual assault of a child

Richard Henry Ashing, 54, was sentenced this week to four years deferred adjudication community supervision for two counts of sexual assault of a child under 18 years of age relating to a December 2022 offense.

Ashing accepted a plea from the 90th Judicial District Attorney’s office Wednesday, Oct. 25 of four years deferred adjudication community supervision, a $1,500 fine and $405 in court costs.

He will be required to register as a sex offender and cannot leave the state without prior written consent of the court or department of community supervision.

GRMC making progress on construction

Construction around Graham Regional Medical Center is well underway as GRMC CEO Shane Kernell provided an update on the progress during a hospital board meeting Thursday, Oct. 26.

The project involves the expansion of the surgery center and the west side of the hospital building. It also includes the addition of an ambulance bay to improve emergency efforts.

Most of the areas inside the hospital that are currently in use were built back in the 1950s and have continued to remain in use to this day.

Intersection of Elm, Cherry to be redesigned

A redesign of the intersection of Elm and Cherry Street is on the way from the Texas Department of Transportation following approval from the Graham City Council and Transportation Improvements Committee.

At the end of September the Transportation Improvements Committee discussed and approved a recommendation for a potential redesign of the intersection. The committee had safety concerns due to multiple entry points onto Elm Street from Cherry Street causing hazards for motorists attempting to turn south on Elm Street from Cherry Street.

Woodland Elementary parents, students establish ‘bike bus’

A social media trend that has grown in certain areas of the nation has now come to Graham. Parents and students of Woodland Elementary School have begun what is known as a “bike bus” — where groups of people meet together to ride bikes to school.

Kendra Irby, a parent of a student at Woodland Elementary, discovered the idea from a TikTok she saw online. Groups of students and adults in Portland, Ore. began riding their bikes to school as one big group, instead of driving their cars or taking other transportation.