A 20-year dream of Eleanor Burkett is close to becoming a reality as renovations are underway on the square to bring a new food outlet downtown.
In 2023, Clint Gage and Eleanor Burkett took over the National Theatre after being owned for 20 years by Pam and David Scott. Burkett also owns and operates the Middle Sister on the downtown square which offers handcrafted cocktails, coffee and food.
After being found in violation of conditions of community supervision, Michael Winslow was sentenced to 15 years in prison related to a 2021 plea deal for indecency with a child by sexual contact.
Winslow, 80, of Olney, was found guilty of violating multiple conditions of community supervision during a motion to adjudicate hearing Tuesday, Oct. 29. The conditions were placed on him in October 2021 following his plea of 10 years deferred adjudication community supervision.
With Republicans regaining majority control of the Senate, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, is making his bid to become that chamber’s majority leader. U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, had previously announced he would step down as party leader. Republicans will hold at least a 53-45 edge in January, with Senate races in two states still undecided as of Friday morning.
Young County saw a surge in voters Tuesday as county residents took one final opportunity to cast their ballots in the general election.
Local contested races were for County Clerk, County Tax Assessor-Collector and for the unexpired term of a city of Olney city council member.
For County Clerk, Tina Gilliam and write-in candidate Walter Harvey were vying for the seat. Gilliam won the race with 7,318 votes, or 98.48% of the overall vote, over opponent Harvey who received 113 votes, or 1.52% of the overall vote.
Juan Diaz, Jr. took a plea deal this week of 27 years in prison for the February offense of evading arrest or detention with a vehicle.
Diaz, 59, of Graham, accepted a plea agreement Tuesday, Nov. 5 of 27 years confinement in Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Institutional Division and a fine of $6,000.
Diaz’s sentence was enhanced due to prior convictions for driving while intoxicated, for which Diaz pleaded true. He received 259 days of credit for time served while confined in the Young County Jail.
As the winter season kicks in the fundraising season for Graham Area United Way is coming to a close. The organization is making one final push to achieve its $100,000 campaign goal.
The organization announced in September during its kickoff luncheon that they had raised $53,000, or 53% of its $100,000 goal. Since that time the organization has raised $75,920.65, or 76% of its goal and is not stopping until it hits, or exceeds, that goal.
GAUW is a local nonprofit that accepts donations for partnering agencies and distributes that funding to those agencies.
The search for a new assistant city manager concluded this week after the announcement was made that Melinda Brown was hired for the position.
Brown has nine years of local government experience in civic engagement, program development, budget preparation, staff supervision and capital project management.
Multiple projects are underway or being considered within Graham as the city looks to fill a growing need for housing in the area.
Public Works Director Randall Dawson said there are currently three different builders looking at future projects and roughly 12 houses currently being built.
As the need for food in the community is on the rise so too is the demand for volunteers at the Graham Crisis Center food pantry.
The food pantry located at 705 Indiana St. served 486 households and 1,450 individuals in October alone. GCC Executive Director Joy Petersen said the organization has seen a 45-50% increase in the demand for assistance with food and necessities.
The Graham Friends of The Arc is set to receive a $82,500 boost from the Graham Economic Improvement Corporation after they approved funding through their Business Expansion and Relocation Program.
After purchasing a facility in Graham for The Arc of Wichita County, the Graham Friends of The Arc is working to outfit that facility for the needs of those in the area with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
The Hero House at 611 South St. in Graham will serve IDD adults in Young County and as a permanent location for those individuals.
