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(ARCHIVE PHOTO | THE GRAHAM LEADER)

Olney woman arrested on aggravated sexual assault of a child

An Olney woman was arrested last week on a charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child. 

Alexa Villalpando, 20, of Olney, was arrested Friday, July 17 and booked into the Young County Jail on a bond of $100,000 where she remained as of Tuesday, July 22.

Following a tip regarding a possible sexual relationship with a minor, Olney Police Department interviewed the suspected juvenile victim Tuesday, July 8. 

Upon consent and search of the minor’s cellphone, multiple explicit photos were found, including some with Villalpando.

(ARCHIVE PHOTO | THE GRAHAM LEADER) A visitor to Graham Up Graham in 2024 picks out a lunch bag to use for the new school year. The annual event distributes school supplies and other necessities for students at no charge.

Prepping students: Gear Up Graham in August

Four local churches are banding together in August for Gear Up Graham, a back-to-school giveaway event aimed at helping families in need while building community.

The event will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3 at the Eastside Church of Christ activity building located at 705 Indiana St.

Now in its 11th year, Gear Up Graham has grown into an annual event that has benefited many through the gifting of school supplies, backpacks and more, organizer Hannah Caddell said.

(KENZIE KLINE | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The finale for the  Library of Graham Summer Reading Program was held Monday, July 14 at North Central Texas College. Animal Art with Lindsey Jenkins was the final event for the program.

Closing the book on summer reading: Library sees successful turnout

With over 400 participants, the Library of Graham’s Summer Reading Program encouraged a love of reading for children and young adults.

The reading program draws in the youth of the area to read books and earn prizes and rewards. The reading challenge encourages participants to read 30 minutes per day and bring their logs to the library each week. 

(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The Graham ISD Board of Trustees recognized its teachers of the year during their meeting Wednesday, May 14. The teachers were Lisa Lester, Kalin Westerman, Kandice Craig, Jennifer Patrick and Paige Reese.

Two GISD teachers in running for Teacher of the Year honor

Two Graham ISD teachers will be recognized by the Region 9 Education Service Center next week as local Teacher of the Year nominees and considered as region nominees for Texas Teacher of the Year.

Pioneer Elementary School teacher Lisa Torres-Lester and Graham Junior High School teacher Jennifer Patrick will take part in a ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 30 in Wichita Falls to recognize their local selections.

(ARCHIVE PHOTO | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Members of the Graham City Council listen to members of the public and City Manager Eric Garretty speak on the budget during discussions earlier this year. The city council has approved readings of proposed increases to the property tax rate and water and sewer rates.

City approves first reading of property tax rate increase

The first of three readings of a 5.34% property tax rate increase was approved by the Graham City Council this week. 

The increased rate approved during the first reading Thursday, July 17 is $0.69 per $100 valuation, an increase of $0.035 from the current property tax rate is $0.655 per $100 valuation. 

The proposed rate increase is just under the voter approval tax rate of $0.690478 per $100 valuation. The voter approval rate is the highest tax rate the city may adopt without holding an election to seek voter approval of the rate. 

(ARCHIVE PHOTO | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Jacob & Martin Project Manager Tristan King (at right) speaks with the Graham Parks Department Board of Directors during a February 2024 meeting. Jacob & Martin was approved to assist with the city with the scope and cost of a lead service line inventory.

City hires firm to provide cost of water line inventory

Following a notice of violation from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for failure to submit a lead service line inventory, the city is retaining an engineering firm to assist with the cost and scope of the project.

The Graham City Council met Thursday, July 17 and approved engineering and architectural firm Jacob & Martin to assist the city.

(ARCHIVE PHOTO | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Kendrex White’s Attorney Jana Ortega speaks to the media in December 2018 after White was ruled not guilty by reason of insanity for the May, 1 2017 killing of Harrison Brown.

Kendrex White hearing postponed

A court hearing this week to determine if Kendrex White could be released from a forensic mental health facility was postponed.

After being found not guilty by reason of insanity for the May 2017 fatal stabbing of Harrison Brown, White had a hearing scheduled for 10:15 a.m. Thursday, July 17 at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center in Austin. 

That hearing was postponed due to the flooding in Kerrville, where White is being held at a forensic mental health facility. 

(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) A ground penetrating radar survey is conducted Monday, July 14 by Dan Kieninger with Texas Cemetery Restoration at the Oak Grove Colored-William P. Johnston Cemetery. Shown is Kieninger pushing a GPR cart in an area behind the cemetery.

County approves ground penetrating radar survey of local cemetery

Following a presentation to the Young County Commissioners Court, Texas Cemetery Restoration was approved to use ground penetrating radar to search for unmarked graves at the Oak Grove Colored - William P. Johnston Cemetery.

GPR uses electromagnetic radiation in the microwave band of the radio spectrum and detects the reflected signals from subsurface structures. Detections can include objects, changes in material and voids and cracks.

(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Benjamin Burk speaks as class salutatorian Friday, May 23 at the Newcastle High School graduation ceremony.

Newcastle alum receives $16,000 scholarship

Despite Newcastle’s senior class graduating back in May, those who can now call themselves alumni still manage to leave an impact on the school and their community. 

The latest example of this is 2025 class salutatorian Benjamin Burk receiving a prestigious scholarship as he advances to the next stage of his academic career. Burk received the Mike A. Myers Foundation Scholarship.

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