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News

Sales tax rebates continue to show steady improvement

The city of Graham’s sales tax rebate rose just over 2 percent this month, compared with the same month last year, continuing a trend of rebates improving over the previous year. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced he will send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $660.4 million in local sales tax allocations for October, 1.6 percent more than in October 2016.

Deadline extended to submit names for New Century Veterans Memorial

The deadline to submit applications for veterans’ names to be engraved on the Young County New Century Veterans Memorial was Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, but that date will be extended to the end of the year, Board Chairman Reta McCallum said. The organization will not be advertising that applications will be accepted after Nov. 11, but will be accepting applications until year’s end, because the company will have to begin the plaques and engravings Feb. 1, McCallum said.

Plenty of sweet chances to fill pails at lots of local events

A number of Halloween and seasonal fall events are happening next week in Graham and the Lake Country that are sure to keep both communities busy. Wednesday, Oct. 25 • The Palo Pinto County Cowboy Church will be hosting a fall festival on Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 6-7:30 p.m. at their location, 2731 S. 129 in Santo. The festival will include a family friendly costume contest, food, games, hay rides and more fall fun. The event is free to attend. For more information, visit palopintocowboychurch.com. Friday, Oct.

Constitutional election voting runs through Friday primary filing begins soon

Seven constitutional amendments will be on the ballot Tuesday, Nov. 7, and filing for next year’s primary elections begins Nov. 11. Though election day doesn’t come around for another two weeks, early voting for the election began Monday, Oct. 23 and will continue until Friday, Oct. 27 for the first round of early voting. Election Administrator Lauren Sullivan said after a successful run of the new voting machines in two prior elections, that they are ready for voters in Graham.

Leaking tank causes Woodland evacuation

Students at Woodland Elementary were evacuated last Monday morning due to concern about a leaking water storage tank near the school. The students were transported to Graham High School and within a few hours were allowed to go home as the situation with the water tank remained unchanged. City officials drained the tank Friday until it was empty so they could begin assessing the problem. “As a precautionary measure we had to drain the storage tank,” Graham City Manager Brandon Anderson said.

Events bring area history to life again this weekend

Two history-based events will be in Young County next Saturday, one detailing the local history of Graham notables called Talkin’ Tombstones, and one serving as a 19th-century living demonstration of daily life called Fort Belknap Days. Fort Belknap Days Fort Belknap Days, sponsored by The Friends of Fort Belknap and Young County Historical Commission, is a living history event with 19th century demonstrations from actors portraying blacksmiths, candle makers, military units and more. There is no fee for the event and food and novelty vendors will be on site.

City, private effort creates new, improved Salt Creek pedestrian bridge

After being closed in April due to safety issues, the bridge over Fireman’s Park is open again thanks to the combined efforts of the City of Graham, Keep Graham Beautiful and the Bertha Foundation. The total cost of the project was $17,000 and the construction of the bridge was done at the city warehouse by city workers over a couple of months as time allowed and took two weeks to position across Salt Creek according to Graham City Manager Brandon Anderson.

Board sets FY 2018 budget for Graham Hospital District

The Graham Hospital District board of directors approved its fiscal year 2018 budget and tax rate for Graham Regional Medical Center, keeping the same property tax rate as last year, but cutting expenses. Graham property owners will continue to be taxed at the previous rate of $0.388478 per $100 in valuation. At its Sept. 29 meeting, the board adopted the new effective tax rate of $0.388478 per $100 of property value. That amount is an increase of $0.020478 from the 2015 fiscal rate of $0.368 per $100 in valuation, but is unchanged from last year’s rate.

Jury finds Blair not guilty in 2015 murder of Martin

Elton Carroll “E.C.” Blair of Graham, tried for allegedly arranging the murder of Leah Martin, was found not guilty Thursday night by a Stephens County jury. Following closing statements from the prosecution and the defense, the jury began deliberating at 11:45 a.m. Oct. 5. By the seventh hour of deliberations, 90th District Judge Stephen Bristow received a note from the jury stating it was deadlocked 10 to 2, with 10 seeking to acquit Blair. They were sent back to keep trying to reach a verdict, which was announced shortly before 10 p.m.