News

Graham City Manager Eric Garretty started his new position Monday and convened with the city council Thursday for his first council meeting.

Garretty follows former City Manager Brandon Anderson, who announced in April he would be resigning from the position, and Interim City Manager Larry Fields, who was appointed in June.

The city made a conditional offer Wednesday, Aug. 31 to Garretty for the position of city manager. Garretty was one of three candidates presented to the city council in an interview process the same day.

Graham Area United Way hosted its second campaign organization meeting Tuesday, announcing the organization raised $60,202.70, or 60%, of its $100,000 goal. The nonprofit organization raises funds within the community through its campaign to benefit local partnered agencies.

Donations for the campaign are made through businesses, schools, individuals and fundraisers. At the same time last year, the organization had reached 71% of its annual $100,000 goal.

A new trial date has been set for an Olney man awaiting trial on the alleged charge of continuous sexual abuse of a child. Justin Ryan Snow, 42, will face trial beginning Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, in the 90th Judicial District Court.

As the Christmas season approaches, the Young County Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program along with the Lions Club’s Angel Tree project have started their 2022 campaign to help bring some Christmas joy to underprivileged youth residing in Graham. Applications have been delivered to schools for the Angel Tree project and Toys for Tots applications will go live online Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Graham ISD and the Graham Chamber of Commerce have partnered to offer programs honoring Students of the Month and Teachers of the Month. The chamber is sponsoring monthly awards for two Graham High School seniors, and two education teachers, one elementary and one secondary.

Chamber Manager Cayley Strickland and Graham Chamber of Commerce CEO Cathy Partridge thought of the idea after the chamber’s Teacher Appreciation Breakfast received an abundance of support.

Last week, the Graham Chamber of Commerce kicked off the Hot Chocolicious program. Through the program, student teams from Graham Junior High School and Open Door Christian School will sell products in December benefiting area nonprofits.

Since 2016, the Graham Chamber of Commerce Hot Chocolicious program has raised $30,000 for area nonprofit organizations. Last year was a record fundraising year for the program, with nine teams from GJHS and ODCS raising $8,579.47.

The Young County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a fatal vehicle incident that occurred late Wednesday, Oct. 19 on FM 1191, north of Hwy. 16 South. The incident involved a California woman who was killed after allegedly falling out of a vehicle.

YCSO received a call around 8:30 p.m. to a one-vehicle wreck at FM 1191, north of Hwy. 16 South in Young County, according to YCSO Chief Deputy John Orr.

Julia Ovalles-Ramirez, 35, of Mexico, will be deported after pleading guilty to a smuggling of persons charge, a third-degree felony. Ovalles-Ramirez appeared Tuesday, Oct. 11 in the 90th Judicial District Court.

The 90th Judicial Assistant District Attorney Phillip Gregory confirmed Thursday, Oct. 20 that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have started the process of deportation for Ovalles-Ramirez.

The Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards this month named Gary and Amy Moore, of Graham, as Foster Parents of the Year. TCCWB is a nonprofit organization which is concerned with the welfare of children, with an emphasis on those suffering from abuse and neglect.

Foster care is a temporary service provided by states for children who are unable to live with their families, according to the federal Child Information Gateway. Children who are in foster care can live with relatives or with unrelated foster parents.

The Young County Historical Commission announced this week that the 1921 Young County Jail is now listed as a Texas Historical Commission Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. The marker that will be included with the jail is still undergoing a final revision before it can be created and placed alongside the jail permanently.