News

The 16-hour online fundraiser Texoma Gives took place last week with participation from 10 Young County nonprofits which raised over $220,000.

Since 2016, the Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation has hosted the online fundraising day Texoma Gives. 

Their final event was held Thursday, Sept. 4 benefiting Young County and other area nonprofits.

Participating nonprofits in Young County raised a total of $222,667 and a total of $1,430,865 was raised overall among all participating nonprofits. 

The Young County Commissioners Court approved the signing of a 12-month contract with Flock Safety for the installation of cameras around the county to aid in law enforcement investigations. 

The court unanimously approved the item during their meeting Monday, Sept. 8. 

The contract for the installation of the cameras as well as license plate readers was presented to the commissioners court by Young County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Will Cauthern. 

The Young County Sheriff’s Office gave a final farewell to retired K-9 Rocky who died this week due to age-related illnesses. 

YCSO Sheriff Travis Babcock announced that Rocky passed Tuesday, Sept. 2, at the home of his handler Devin Wright.

“He had transitioned to ‘spoiled pet’ living since his retirement and will be missed greatly by his family,” Babcock said. “He earned second place in tracking and third place in patrol with USPCA Region 25 and earned a life-saving award by tracking an individual having a medical crisis during his time of service.” 

The Humane Society of Young County will host their largest fundraiser of the year with the Jordan’s Way livestream event next week. 

This will mark the third time HSYC has partnered with Jordan's Way running a fundraising event. This year’s event will start at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10.

The shelter will continue to look for volunteers and participants for the event leading up to it, however they are currently expecting around 50 volunteers to be in attendance. 

A total of 40 cases were pleaded in the 90th Judicial District Court for July and August. Plea information is provided by the 90th Judicial District Attorney’s office. 

Cases pleaded in July 

• Lee Marvin Rains, 56, of Graham, pleaded guilty to the offense of possession of controlled substance Penalty Group 1/1-B less than one gram – methamphetamine, and was sentenced to 20 years confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Institutional Division (TDCJ-ID), and was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, court costs and restitution. 

The Texas Lottery announced a Graham resident claimed a $1 million prize in the Mega Jumbo Bucks scratch ticket game.

The announcement was made Thursday, Sept. 4 by the Texas Lottery organization. The ticket was purchased at United Supermarkets in Graham and the winner chose to remain anonymous.

According to the organization, this was the second of four top prizes worth $1 million to be claimed in the Mega Jumbo Bucks game. The game offers more than $89.5 million in total prizes.

The odds of winning any prize in the game are one in 3.76, including break-even prizes.

The Young County Sheriff’s Office made an arrest in August for an alleged March offense of online solicitation of a minor.

Chance Teakell, 20, was arrested Wednesday, Aug. 6 on the third-degree felony charge and booked into the Young County Jail. Teakell was released Monday, Aug. 18 and was rearrested Tuesday, Sept. 2 for insufficient bond.

The city of Graham and Young County may be considering alternative options to house animals — a move that could jeopardize longstanding partnerships with the Humane Society of Young County.

HSYC is a nonprofit organization that receives funding from the city of Graham, city of Newcastle, city of Olney and Young County under different contracts for the housing of animals.

Within the last year, the organization reached out to both the city of Graham and Young County regarding raising their funding amounts.

After months of planning and coordination, the Young County Commissioners Court adopted the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget along with the tax rate for the county.

Both were adopted during the Monday, Aug. 25 meeting and will be effective Wednesday, Oct. 1.

The meeting started with an opening statement by Young County Judge Win Graham about the process of putting the budget together.

After connecting with the Young County Veterans Service Officer, Dallas VA Medical Center will be providing resources and gun locks to assist veterans and others in the area.

Dallas VAMC provides primary care and specialty health services such as cardiology, mental health services and treatment for spinal cord injuries, suicide prevention, women’s health care and more.