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Legislators strike down just-passed mail-in voter rules

House Bill 658, which placed an extra burden on nursing home residents and elections administrators throughout Texas, is set to be repealed by a bill signed by Gov. Greg Abbott on Aug. 11. HB 658 was put through in the regular session and started as a bill to address voters who have trouble waiting in lines at polling locations because of a disability or health concerns.

Concert Association season kicks off with Asleep at the Wheel

Graham Concert Association continues a 70-plus-year tradition with the kick-off of their new season Sept. 19, starting with a performance by Western Swing group “Asleep at the Wheel,” at 7 p.m. in Memorial Auditorium. The GCA has been bringing entertainment to Graham since 1944, through local support and grants. GCA board program chairwoman Ellen Morris said the goal of the organization is to keep that tradition alive.

Hearings on budgets, tax rates underway

Local municipal and county taxing entities are reaching the end of their budget periods and have scheduled a number of public hearings before finalizing their budgets and tax rates for their new fiscal years. Graham ISD The Graham Independent School District has proposed a rate which is unchanged from their last four year’s actual total tax rate of 1.347 cents per $100 valuation.  A public meeting was held at the GISD Administrative Office Building at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30 to discuss the school district’s budget and determine a tax rate to be adopted.

City’s sales tax rebate up for third month

The city of Graham saw an almost-5-percent rise in sales tax rebates, compared with the same month last year. This marks the third month in a row rebates are up for the city. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar will send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $779.2 million in local sales tax allocations for August, 1.3 percent more than in August 2016.

GISD proposes same tax rate, but bills will rise

The Graham Independent School District has proposed a rate which is unchanged from their last four year’s actual total tax rate of 1.347 cents per $100 valuation. A public meeting will be held at the GISD Administrative Office Building at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30 to discuss the school district’s budget and determine a tax rate to be adopted. According to the Young County Appraisal District records, GISD has had a tax rate of 1.347 cents per $100 valuation since 2012.

DPS trooper seizes $370,000 in illegal drugs after Jack County stop, chase

The Texas Department of Public Safety seized more than 4 pounds of methamphetamine, 16 grams of cocaine and 11 grams of marijuana Tuesday after a Texas Highway Patrol trooper conducted a traffic stop in Jack County. At approximately 12:45 p.m. Aug. 15, a DPS trooper stopped a 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe, traveling north on U.S. 281 near Jacksboro, for a traffic violation. After the trooper discovered a baggie of marijuana in the driver’s possession, the suspect jumped back into the Tahoe and fled the scene, evading arrest in his vehicle.

Updates made in pair of fatal accidents

The victim of one of two fatal crashes that occurred in less 24 hours last week has been named, and a piece of new information has come to light in the other wreck. Graham Police Department said the man killed Monday morning when two pickup trucks hit head-on Friday morning was 62-year-old Manuel Ramos, of Graham. Ramos was driving 1986 GMC small pickup which collided around 8 a.m. with a 2005 Dodge Ram 4x4 king cab pickup, driven by a person under the age of 17. The wreck took place on S. Hwy. 16 in Graham, in the 35-mph stretch of highway between a grocery store and a bank.

Martin murder trial set for next month in Breckenridge

A 2015 murder that has haunted the Graham community may finally come before a judge in Stephens County, and a gag order has been placed on the trial’s participants. A trial date has been set for Elton Carroll “E.C.” Blair, who has been charged with capital murder for his alleged part in the death of 22-year-old Leah Donnice Martin of Graford. A change of venue to Stephens County was approved by 90th District Judge Stephen Bristow, a move meant to insure Blair receives a fair trial.

Park project takes another step forward

The Army Corps of Engineers released implementation guidance on the Salk Creek park project for the City of Graham last week and District 19 Congress Jodey Arrington celebrated movement on the project. The federal de-authorization of the project was included in the 2016 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The purpose of the park is to help control flooding in the area around the Salt Creek area by West Street in Graham and provide a venue for recreation for citizens and visitors.