News

The city of Graham saw a drop in the amount of sales taxes returned to the city for October, continuing a trend for the year so far in areas strongly tied to stagnant low oil prices. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced today he will send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $650 million in local sales tax allocations for October, 5.5 percent more than in October 2015. “The cities of San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano and McKinney saw noticeable increases in sales tax allocations,” Hegar said.

More than 100 miles of Texoma roads, including some in Young County, will get new striping, reflective markers or centerline rumble strips over the next six weeks. Crews will move into Young County first to work on U.S. 380 and Hwy. 16. The Texas Department of Transportation has hired a contractor to do the work for more than $500,000. The project was scheduled to start Oct. 17. The improvements will be performed at various locations in all four counties. Highways included on the list are U.S. 81, U.S. 82, Hwy. 59, Hwy. 16, U.S. 380, U.S. 287, Hwy. 240, and Hwy. 25.

Young County Commissioners met Monday but made no appointment of an interim sheriff to fill Bryan Walls’ term which will end on Halloween, rather than Jan. 1. The Young County Commissioners Court was given notice of the resignation, which is set to be effective Oct. 31. Walls requested Chief Deputy John Orr fill his role until January, when newly-elected sheriff Travis Babcock starts his term. Young County Judge John Bullock said Orr could not fill Walls’ term due to being an out-of-county resident.

Compiled and Written by Brenda Sommer Friday, Oct. 7 2:47 a.m. – Disturbance of some sort, Ohio St., Graham. 6:06 a.m. – Graham Police kept the peace in a civil standby on Ohio St., Graham. 7:11 a.m. – Miscellaneous fire, Upper Flat Rock Road, Young County. 8:55 a.m. – Wreck, no injuries, S. Hwy. 67, Young County. 10:32 a.m. – Police went to a civil matter at that same address on Ohio St. 10:52 a.m. – Assist a householder, Virginia St., Graham. 11:15 a.m. – Criminal mischief, U.S. 380 bypass, Graham. 11:32 a.m.

The Young Soil and Water Conservation District is now taking orders for windbreak seedling purchases. The container species available come in multiples of 25 in plastic containers (10 cubic inch root volume, 6-12 inch top) with several different species to choose from. Bareroot species come in multiples of 25 with several different species to choose from. Orders cannot be mixed or split up. Anyone interested in ordering the 12-18 inch seedlings should call 549-0422 ext. 3 or come by 1591 U.S. 380 bypass in Graham. The district clerk is on hand to take orders for trees from 9 a.m.

Young County Sheriff Bryan Walls will retire on Halloween, rather than at the end of his term on Jan. 1. The Young County Commissioners Court was given notice of the resignation, which is set to be effective Oct. 31. Due to their being no quorum present at the commissioners court meeting Tuesday, County Judge John Bullock said they could not discuss that item and could only state that the courthouse was aware of the resignation. Bullock and Commissioner Pct.

Despite recent concerns regarding the integrity of voting machines in the United States, Young County Elections Administrator Lauren Sullivan said local voting equipment is safe and secure. In late August, suspected Russian hackers cracked into voter databases in Illinois and Arizona. No changes were made to the election systems in those states. The act was committed instead to cast doubt on the integrity and validity of the election process, Sullivan said.