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(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Newcastle senior Ashleigh Taylor poses for a photo while showing her school spirit for homecoming which was Friday, Sept. 27. Along with numerous other achievements, Taylor recently received the news she made a perfect score on the math portion of the ACT.

Taylor makes all-around impact in Newcastle

Whether representing her school as cheerleading captain, homecoming queen or through her numerous academic achievements, senior Ashleigh Taylor has made an impact within Newcastle that is one of a kind.

Most recently, Taylor received the news that she scored a perfect 36 on the mathematics portion of the ACT test, only ten days after taking the exam Saturday, Sept. 14. While she, her family and friends are excited for her achievement, she said her work is not done.

(ARCHIVE PHOTO | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Students from Graham and surrounding districts gathered in October 2023 at Newton Field for the 15th annual Fields of Faith event put on by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

GHS preparing for annual Fields of Faith

For the 16th year in a row, Graham High School will play host to the annual Fields of Faith event put on by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

The event will be held Wednesday, Oct. 9 with gates opening at 6:30 p.m. and the main event starting at 7 p.m.

Fields of Faith is an interdenominational event that will be held at more than 500 locations throughout the nation as students gather to spend an evening sharing their faith and beliefs.

(STOCK PHOTO) The Grahamtoberfest will be held on the downtown square from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 with German beers and cuisine including bratwurst, sausage, pretzels and more. The event is the second put on by the Graham Downtown Business Association.

German festival hitting downtown Graham

Following the success of their Cinco De Mayo event in May, the Graham Downtown Business Association is kicking off another inaugural event on the downtown square this month with Grahamtoberfest. 

The event will take place from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 on Fourth Street and Oak Street. At the event will be a large tent offering authentic German beers and cuisine including bratwurst, sausage, pretzels and more. 

State Capital Highlights: Phelan’s GOP foes back one challenger


Texas House Republicans who want to oust Speaker Dade Phelan have coalesced behind a single opponent: state Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield. A total of 48 representatives are backing the two-term representative, including four who dropped their own bids for speaker.

Phelan’s opponents, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, claim he has given too much power to Democrats by naming some to lead legislative committees. 

(TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Graham Regional Medical Center CEO Shane Kernell (left) speaks to the board during a recent meeting Wednesday, Sept. 25. The GRMC board approved the tax rate and budget for fiscal year 2025, as well as a three-year capital expenditure plan.

GRMC approves budget, adopts same tax rate

With the new fiscal year set to start soon, the Graham Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees recently adopted a budget and tax rate for the coming year.

Following a public hearing at their monthly meeting Wednesday, Sept. 25, the board adopted the tax rate of $0.272984 per $100 valuation, which is the same rate as last year. To go along with the tax rate, the FY 2025 budget was adopted as well.

(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) A lot located inside the Graham downtown square at the corner of Second and Oak Street that was accepted by the city of Graham as a donation. The location is being considered for a downtown food truck park.

City accepts donation of renovated downtown lot

After completing renovations to a corner lot at Second and Oak Street inside the downtown square, the Graham Community Foundation on behalf of the Graham Benevolent Foundation will deed the land to the city of Graham.

The Graham Community Foundation purchased the property at 417 Second St. in Graham for use as a Young County Annex. The property was donated to Young County, and in exchange the county donated the empty lot on the inside of the downtown square at Second and Oak Street to the foundation.

(YCSO | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) Johhana Delira, 20, accepted a plea agreement Tuesday, Sept. 24 for eight years confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Delira accepts plea for intoxication manslaughter

An Olney woman involved in a two-vehicle, head-on collision in Young County in September 2023 accepted a plea deal this week for eight years in prison.

Johhana Delira, 20, accepted a plea agreement Tuesday, Sept. 24 for eight years confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Institutional Division, a fine of $1,500 and received 125 days of credit for time in jail. 

Delira was originally arrested Friday, Feb. 9 and booked into the Young County Jail on a bond of $25,000 for the charges of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle and terroristic threat.

(THOMAS WALLNER | THE GRAHAM LEADER) City Manager Eric Garretty speaks with the Graham City Council during their meeting Thursday, Sept. 26 regarding sales tax returns for the city. Shown from left to right are City Secretary/Finance Director Marci Bueno and Garretty.

City sales taxes forecast adjustments to be considered

With the sales tax revenue to the city of Graham coming in under the budgeted amount, the city will have to determine if it wants to adjust its sales tax estimates in the recently adopted budget.

The state of Texas imposes a 6.25% sales and use tax on all retail sales, leases and rental of most goods, as well as taxable services, while the city of Graham imposes a 2% sales and use tax. 

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