News

An Olney man previously indicted on charges of solicitation of a minor under 14 years old and promotion of prostitution was indicted on an additional charge of promoting prostitution following a grand jury ruling. 

A missing child investigation from the Olney Police Department led to the arrest Sunday, June 2 of Jordan Grayson, 30. Grayson was indicted Wednesday, Dec. 18 on a charge of promoting prostitution of an individual younger than 18 years of age, a first degree felony.

After receiving four bids for municipal solid waste collection and disposal services, the Graham City Council established a committee to make a recommendation on which provider to accept.

The city of Graham accepted proposals for municipal solid waste collection, hauling and disposal services from Tuesday, Oct. 1 through Thursday, Dec. 12. The city was seeking proposals for collection, hauling and disposal of all residential, commercial and industrial solid waster, including refuse and bulk waste.

The Young County Junior Livestock Show County Fair is taking off this month and registration is still open in multiple events.

The fair will be held at the and Young County Arena, encompassing the Creative Arts Contest, Floral Design Contest, Ag Mechanics Contest and Pound Cake Contest.

Creative Arts Contest

The YCJLS Creative Arts Contest is open to all Young County residents, but participation from Young County 4-H, FCCLA and FFA is encouraged. 

Smoke filled the air on the corner Grove and Third Street as members of the Young County Masonic Lodge 485 worked overnight Sunday to Monday to cook turkeys for the community.

For over a decade, the organization has cooked and provided smoked turkeys at Christmas for the community. This year, a total of 164 turkeys were smoked overnight by the masons Sunday, Dec. 22 and delivered to customers Monday, Dec. 23. 

Lodge member Mike Sipes said the small project has turned into an anticipated community affair that many have come to recognize and cherish.

Following a trend of declining sales tax returns, the city of Graham will have to adjust its forecast as it plans out its budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

The city of Graham imposes a 1.5% rate on sales tax, which is placed in the general fund and a portion is also allocated to the Graham Economic Improvement Corporation for economic development and property tax relief.

The city sales tax returns continued to decline in December for sales made in October by businesses that report monthly.

The Transportation Improvements Committee presented five years of data from the Texas Department of Transportation regarding wrecks within the city.

TxDOT had a total of 3,088,030 crashes in the state during the period from Oct. 31, 2019 through Oct. 31, 2024, with the data displaying that Graham had a total of 476 during that time. The data was presented to the committee by TxDOT Graham Area Engineer Zach Husen.

A traffic signal at the intersection of Montgomery Road and Hwy. 16 has been on the radar of the Transportation Improvements Committee since its creation and now is one step closer to becoming a reality.

Texas Department of Transportation Graham Area Engineer Zach Husen spoke Thursday, Dec. 12 with other members of the committee regarding a study from the engineering firm Garver.

Repair and construction of the waterline on Virginia Street is approaching completion with work scheduled to be finished in January. 

The Graham City Council granted emergency contracting authority for the project in August to City Manager Eric Garretty. Fambro Construction of Stephenville was chosen as the contractor to emplace 900 feet of new waterline along Virginia Street between Brazos Street and South Street.

Director of Public Works Randall Dawson and Garretty gave an update to the city council on the project Thursday, Dec. 19.

After closing their season this month, Graham Regional Theatre will take the stage again for a new season beginning in February 2025.

The nonprofit theater group recently announced their new season which will run from February through December. 

The new season will kick off Feb. 21-23 with the melodrama “Blazing Guns at Roaring Gulch: Or The Perfumed Badge.” GRT board member Kay Berru said the annual melodrama always provides a unique experience for the audience.

For two years, Graham resident Joanie Edwards has served on the U.S. Service Academy Board for Congressman Roger Williams, and she is pushing for local participation from Young County residents.

The Academy Selection Board for Williams reviews applications and evaluates applicants based on academic record, athletic activities, extracurricular activities, leadership abilities and SAT/ACT scores.