News

As summer is on the horizon and other cities around the state look at water conservation efforts, the city of Graham has laid out its conservation and contingency plan in the event of an emergency.

The plan’s purpose is to conserve the available water supply and integrity of water supply facilities for domestic water use, sanitation and fire protection and preserve public health, welfare and safety while minimizing the adverse impacts of a water supply shortage.

County residents have until the beginning of April to register to vote in the upcoming May election with local contested races on the ballot.

On the ballot in May will be local elections for the Graham Hospital District, Newcastle ISD, Olney ISD and the city of Olney.  

Early voting in the May election will run from April 20-28 and election day will be Saturday, May 2. 

The last day to register to vote in the election will be Thursday, April 2 and the last day to apply for a ballot by mail will be Monday, April 20.

A wreck Saturday on Hwy. 67 in Young County that caused multiple injuries has now been reported to have claimed the life of a 9-year-old male passenger.

Nine individuals, including four children and two teens, were transported to various hospitals across the state following a wreck involving three vehicles around 3:17 p.m. Saturday, March 14 on Hwy. 67 north of the Young and Stephens counties line.

Nine individuals, including four children and two teens, were transported to various hospitals across the state following a two-vehicle wreck on Hwy. 67.

The wreck occurred around 3:12 p.m. Saturday, March 14 on Hwy. 67 near the border of Young and Stephens counties. First responders from both counties were dispatched to the scene.

Claudio Alejandro Garza, of San Antonio, was traveling south in a 2025 BMW 230 Series on Hwy. 67 while a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Gustavo Adolfo Alvarez, of Midland, was following behind. 

The Graham City Council will discuss restricting motor-assisted scooters on certain public roadways this week in an effort to promote public safety.

The city council will meet at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, March 19 to continue a discussion of an ordinance amendment to restrict the use of motor-assisted scooters within the city.

State residents will have multiple opportunities this month to have films and videotapes digitized through the Texas Film Round-Up event. 

The Texas Archive of the Moving Image (TAMI) is a nonprofit organization that works to preserve, provide access and educate the community about the state’s film heritage. 

The organization partners with the Texas Film Commission each year to administer the Texas Film Round-Up event. The program has provided access to over 50,000 films and videotapes.

The cities of Graham and Olney, along with Young County, will see increases in sales tax returns this month from sales made in January by businesses that report tax monthly.

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced Wednesday, March 11 that the state will be sending cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $1.1 billion in local sales tax allocations this month, 2.1% more than in March 2025. 

Local Sales Tax Allocations

Graham

Since 2011, the Young County Warrior Ranch has held one event to support military heroes of all eras at the facility located outside of Graham, the Helicopter Hog Hunt Fundraiser.

YCWR is a nonprofit organization located on a 20-acre ranch on 1889 Turtle Hole Road in Young County. The event will be held this year from March 19-22, with all proceeds going to support the efforts of the organization.

Following his arrest in October 2025, Derek Licea has been sentenced to 20 years in prison on charges of indecency with a child by exposure and possession of child pornography.  

Licea, 33, of Comanche County, was arrested in October 2025 by the Brownwood Police Department on a Young County warrant for a charge of indecency with a child.  

The Young County Commissioners Court is pursuing a renovation of the first floor of the existing 1921 county jail as a restroom facility to be utilized for public events on the downtown square. 

The renovation would convert the first floor of the building off Second Street inside the square into new men’s, women’s and families restrooms and include a new handicap accessible ramp on the exterior to allow for public access.