News

Famous outlaws and Western art with a twist are specialties for artist Chuck Roach, whose work will be featured and on sale at the Old Post Office Museum and Art Center from Saturday, Sept. 10 through Nov. 11. An opening reception featuring Roach is Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. at the OPOMAC. Roach has been involved with art since he was a child and won an art prize at the age of 9. As he grew up he found that he was not the only one interested in the allure of his artwork. “I went to a really small school in Coleman County and it’s not even a school there anymore, it’s (the town) called Novice.

Graham Regional Theatre is kicking off its new season of productions in October and former Managing Director Christian Sanders will now hold a full-time position with the group. Having a full-time director allows the theater to host not only new performances but a variety of classes and other programs. Sanders said the three-year plan for the theater is to make sure they can find something to fill up the theater on a regular basis.

Texas Film Commission Director Heather Page presented an award to the city of Graham for being the 100th Film Friendly Certified City in Texas on Wednesday in the Graham Visitor and Business Center. The reception was hosted by the Graham Convention and Visitors Bureau and city councilmen and dignitaries from the community came to join in on the event. The Film Friendly Certification program was started in 2007 and since that time has provided training and guidance to help Texas communities market themselves as possible film destinations and accommodate filming in these communities.

Undergoing a sexual abuse treatment program is one of the many restrictions placed on former Graham Junior High teacher’s aide Allison Amber Oliver, who was given 10 years of community supervision and 180 days of jail time after being sentenced Tuesday.

Oliver pleaded guilty Monday in 90th District Court in Stephens County to three second-degree felony counts of sexual assault of a child. A change a venue was granted to Oliver in early August and the trial was moved to Stephens County.

The two-day deluge Thursday and Friday that flooded roads and filled creeks across northern Young County, caused evacuations and closed highways in Olney and Newcastle and even forced rescue of two men across a raging creek may be gone, as is Young County’s burn ban, but the threat of more rain on already-soaked ground will return this weekend. In Graham Friday, a few cars driven into deep water at intersections, including along Cherry Street, had to be towed.

Graham, Bryson and Newcastle Independent School District students will be heading back to school on Monday, Aug. 22, but before that happens there are a few reminders for GISD parents and students. With enrollment rates down in the month of June according to a report by Graham ISD Superintendent Sonny Cruse, it is important for students to make sure they not only enroll, but complete the online verification process by Aug. 22. All GISD students are required to complete the online enrollment verification process.