• Square-facebook
  • X-twitter
  • Instagram

News

City looking at improvements for arena, auditorium

The city of Graham is looking to improve the lights at Graham Memorial Auditorium and the speaker system at the Young County Arena.

The city council met on Thursday and discussed the situation regarding lighting at Graham Memorial Auditorium, which have not been overhauled since 1986, according to Graham Regional Theater Director, Christian Sanders.

“It is a need and the lights need to be updated at the auditorium. It is something they (the arena board) have been discussing probably for about a year and a half,” City Manager Brandon Anderson said.

90th District Court holds rocket docket, disposes felonies

The 90th District Court disposed of 63 felony cases from Young and Stephens counties over two days of a rocket docket in late February.

The felons received sentencing of probation to 40 years in a state penitentiary depending on their crimes. The rocket docket was implemented by District Court Judge Stephen Bristow as a tool to bring together opposing counsels in an effort to dispose of cases without using a trial.

Community fundraising for family after house fire

The Young County Greater Good Project is helping the Elliott family after their house on Colorado. Ave. caught ablaze on Feb. 26.

The Greater Good Project is working on partnering with Xcalibur Container to raffle off a storage container. Tickets will be sold for $20 at Neri’s on the Square, Norman’s Cleaners or through the Young County Greater Good Facebook page according to Ventura Monrreal, YCGGP co-founder.

Humane Society seeking donations

The Humane Society of Young County is seeking donations for cat and dog food among other items as the shelter approaches the busy seasons for both animals, Director Hollie Larance said.

Paper towels, laundry detergent, bleach, janitorial mops, puppy pads, contractor bags and regular trash bags are among items some of the most needed along with food. The shelter needs both adult food for cats and dogs as well as food for kittens and puppies, Larance said.

Rotary kicks off Duck Derby sales

The Graham Rotary Club kicked off their fundraising efforts last Wednesday for the second Duck Derby event and over 1,300 ducks had already been sold as of Monday morning.

The first Duck Derby event was held last year and was a huge success for the organization with 9,000 rubber ducks sold almost doubling the organization’s original sales goal of 5,000 ducks. Graham Rotary Club President Pam Scott, said last year’s success could be attributed to being a new event, and this year the club can reference the event to make changes.

James Steege celebrates last day of port chemotherapy

James Steege was 7 years-old when he was diagnosed with Acute B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Since then he has been fighting through aggressive forms of chemotherapy, blood transfusions and spinal taps. Last Week, Steege had his last day of port chemotherapy.

The Young County Greater Good Project, a non-profit Christian based movement, helped celebrate the milestone by tying balloons to the front porch of their residence and encouraging members of the community to come and write notes on the balloons, note pads or make a donation.

Time to explore the Reading Safari

Pioneer Elementary School will hold its annual Reading Safari on Friday, March 8, allowing parents, grandparents, other Graham ISD students and community members to read one-on-one with one of the school’s 300 students.

“Our goal is that every student on our campus will get to read with at least two people on the day of Reading Safari,” Donna Gatlin, Pioneer Elementary Principal, said.

House fire on Colorado Avenue

A fire started on the back porch of a residence at 200 Colorado Ave. early Tuesday morning and spread through the house before Graham Fire Department extinguished the flames.

The law enforcement blotter shows the call came into dispatch at 2:33 a.m. and Graham Police Department was first on scene at 2:35 a.m. followed by GFD at 2:40. Graham FD Chief Jerry David said he believes the cause of the fire is heat lamps, which the owners put out for their dogs.

Revitalizing ‘the most important fort in North Texas’

An updated museum, electrical and restrooms, and a healthier grape arbor are coming Fort Belknap’s way starting as soon as this year.

Young County Commissioner’s Court designated $40,000 from the county’s Hotel Occupancy Tax funds for renovations and restoration projects. Fort Belknap Director Jim Hammond and Young County Commissioner Pct. 1 Mike Sipes met with the Leader on Tuesday to discuss plans for the fort.

“The vision of Fort Belknap is to make it the most important historical fort on the Texas Forts Trail in North Texas,” Sipes said.