News

Salt Creek Volunteer Fire Department received a $20,000 boost from the Oncor Cares Foundation as part of an effort to support fire departments in west and northwest Texas counties.

Oncor Area Manager Gordon Drake presented the check to the volunteer department Monday, Nov. 3. The grant is part of a $520,000 investment that the Oncor foundation is making to 26 volunteer fire departments.

The departments chosen for the grant were based on their volunteer status, community value and challenges they face while fighting fires in their respective area.

The candidate filing period for the primaries will open this weekend for those seeking a place on the Republican or Democratic ballot.

The first day to file will be Saturday, Nov. 8 to have a chance at being a party’s candidate in the upcoming general election. The filing deadline for primary candidates and independent candidates filing a declaration of intent is Monday, Dec. 8. 

Two inaugural events are being held this week supporting area children that utilize the Young County Toys for Tots program. 

All proceeds from the Lavine-Austin Memorial benefit shoot and a cornhole tournament will benefit the local effort.

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program distributed 2,587 toys to 804 children in Young County during 2024. 

The organizer of the events, Adam LaVine, who serves as the Young County Veterans Service Officer, said Toys for Tots is something that benefited him growing up.

After hitting a milestone with his 96th birthday in July, Young County veteran James Workman was presented with a quilt in honor of his 23 years of military service by the Quilts of Valor Foundation.

Workman was presented the quilt at his home in Eliasville with friends and fellow veterans in attendance Wednesday, Oct. 29. 

The veteran said he was stunned by the honor and thanked those who came out to his home to present him with the quilt.

A total of 25 cases were pleaded in the 90th Judicial District Court for September and October. Plea information is provided by the 90th Judicial District Attorney’s office. 

September cases

November is National Adoption Month and to raise awareness for that cause the Young County Child Welfare Board is displaying ‘Heart Galleries’ with photos of children seeking permanent homes.

The national adoption month is held to spread awareness of adoption, the need for adoptive families for teens in the foster care system and promote the value of lifelong connections.

An update on a traffic congestion relief route for Hwy. 16 was provided by Young County Judge Win Graham who is working with the city of Graham on the feasibility of the project.

The county judge spoke during the Transportation Improvements Committee meeting Tuesday, Oct. 21 regarding the project. 

Graham Fire Department is evaluating acceptance of a grant that was awarded through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program with Texas A&M Forest Service. 

GFD and Olney Volunteer Fire Department were one of over 800 departments awarded funding. The local departments were awarded $300,000 each for a water tender truck, which is equipped with a water tank used in firefighting.

Changes are on the way for Texas school districts after new laws were adopted during the recent legislative session. Among those changes is a shift from the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness to a new assessment program.

STAAR is the state standardized test utilized by school districts to measure growth for students in grades 3-8 and in high school. 

House Bill 8 was passed during the second called session of the 89th Texas Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in September. 

Registered voters in Young County have until Friday to cast ballots during the early voting period for the November constitutional amendment election.

The only items on the Young County ballot are 17 constitutional amendment propositions, with no local, state or federal offices.
Early voting has gotten off to a slow start in Young County with the first week closing with a 2.5% turnout, or 303 voters.