After tensions between the two entities continued to fester, the Young County Commissioners Court made the decision Monday to unseat the members of the Young County Historical Commission.
In January of odd numbered years, the commissioners court will appoint members of the historical commission for a term of two years for the preservation of the country’s historical cultural resources.
Facing a violation of her community supervision, Jasmine Smith accepted the state’s recommendation to serve 18 months in prison following a hearing this week.
Smith, 28, of Jack County, was sentenced Tuesday, Jan. 14 to 18 months in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, with 85 days of credit for time served in the Young County Jail. She was also ordered to pay a fine of $750 and court costs of $515.
Though the season of giving just passed, local sixth graders this week presented over $4,500 to local nonprofits from funds raised during the annual Hot Chocolicious competition.
During the event held in December, two teams of Graham Junior High School students were set up with booths downtown selling hot chocolate and other various goodies in support of nonprofits.
The opportunity opened this week for candidates to file for area positions in the upcoming May election.
City council and school board seats in Graham, Olney and Newcastle are up for election with applications available at each individual entity. Additionally, there will be open seats for the Olney Hamilton Hospital Board of Directors.
As part of a submission process for a federal grant, the Young County Commissioners Court will be hosting a public hearing this month seeking input on infrastructure projects.
The commissioners court voted unanimously in favor of pursuing the federal grant and approved the formation of a committee to begin work on the project in June.
A public hearing was set for 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27 by the commissioners to discuss the Safe Streets for All planning process for transportation infrastructure in the county with a goal of preventing roadway deaths and serious injuries.
Since October, the city of Newcastle and representatives of volunteer fire departments have worked to establish an antenna to improve communications. After Young County approval Monday, that project will now move forward.
The Young County Commissioners Court met Monday, Jan. 13 and ratified a lease agreement between the city of Newcastle and the Young County Rural Volunteer Fire Department for use of the water tower for an antenna.
The Olney Economic Development Corporation and Young County Commissioners Court signed a new lease agreement for use of the Olney annex building as the city works to renovate the location.
With the city of Olney making the decision to conduct major renovations on the building, the county was informed that the lease would be terminated Tuesday, Dec. 31. County offices that have locations in the sub-courthouse building are the tax assessor-collector, justice of the peace and adult and juvenile probation.
The Texas Senate’s chief budget writer said state agencies and higher education institutions have requested nearly $25 billion in funding as the legislative session gets underway. State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, told The Dallas Morning News that the requests for new money reflect the growing functions and purposes of state agencies that serve the public.
“As the state continues to grow and inflation remains an issue, one can expect that agencies may request additional funding to maintain operations,” Huffman said in an email.
It was community support and a pursuit of a passion that kept Vineyard Branch as an iconic downtown location in Graham, and after over 25 years owner Sherry Massey has made her last sale and moved on to a new pursuit.
It was in 1995, after leaving work and having all of her children out of the house, that Massey made the decision to settle down. After hosting a garage sale and seeing a birdhouse her cousin made, Massey wondered if she could do the same.
Charges of solicitation of a minor under 14 years old and promotion of prostitution were dismissed for Jordan Grayson, who is facing a first-degree felony charge of promotion of prostitution for a person younger than 18 years old.
Grayson, 30, of Olney, was indicted on the dismissed charges in October, which were enhanced due to being a repeat felony offender.
