News

Two bond propositions will potentially be heading to the May 2024 ballot for Graham ISD after being approved by the GISD Board of Trustees this week. Proposition 1 would include changes to multiple district campuses while Proposition 2 will be for the construction of a student activity center.

The board received updated project costs Wednesday, Nov. 1 from Harper Perkins Architects and Teinert Construction regarding the two bond options. The total cost for Proposition 1 is estimated to be  $27,432,520 and for Proposition 2 is estimated to be $10,530,000.

Newcastle and Murray Volunteer Fire Departments are two of 260 volunteer departments to receive grant funding through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Grant Program from Texas A&M Forest Service.

More than $15.7 million in assistance grants were awarded at the end of October to reimburse rural volunteer fire departments for equipment purchases which include fire trucks, training aids, slip-ons and chassis.

Two programs were approved by the Graham Economic Improvement Corporation this week to assist local business owners and provide incentives for businesses to move to Graham. The two programs essentially follow the mission of the GEIC, to fund projects for business development.

Local Incentive Program

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 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.

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.

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.

North Central Texas College in Gainesville is celebrating 100 years with a poster contest open to students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Entries into the poster contest are accepted from all NCTC branch campuses, including the campus in Graham. The entry must be a birthday poster celebrating the college’s 100th year.

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.

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.