News

With the recent rainfall and cooler temperatures forecast in the near future, Young County has rescinded the burn ban that’s been in place since July.

At their commissioners court meeting Monday, Sept. 23, county commissioners voted unanimously to rescind the burn ban effective as of that date. The burn ban had been in effect since Monday, July 8.

Although the ban has ended, those wishing to perform controlled burns are requested to contact the Young County Sheriff’s Office at 940-549-1555 before any burning.

Nearly a month after being opened, Young County accepted a bid for the renovation of the former tax assessor-collector’s office.

At commissioners court Monday, Aug. 26, the county received one bid for the project from Mann Made Construction, the same company that completed the new annex building, which currently houses the tax assessor-collector’s office. The bid came in at $398,000, which was a higher amount than the county had estimated.

The construction of three bridges in Young County has been completed through funding from the Texas Department of Transportation.

TxDOT Graham Area Engineer Zach Husen provided an overview and update of the FM 701 and FM 1974 bridges over the Clear Fork of the Brazos River. The three bridges together had a total construction cost of approximately $7,868,432.96.

The three projects were included in the TxDOT Wichita Falls District Rural Transportation Improvement Program (Rural TIP) for 2023-2026.

With a goal of raising $100,000 and a little over halfway to that goal, Graham Area United Way kicked off its fundraising campaign which will benefit seven local agencies within Young County.

The organization held a kickoff luncheon Friday, Sept. 20 and announced it had already raised $53,000, or 53% of its 100,000 goal. The amount was raised through the advanced gifts of $27,115, pacesetters funding of $10,850, Graham ISD employee funding of $7,676  and through other pledges.

Joining around 34,000 students around the country, Graham High School senior Rebekah Gilbertson was recently announced as a Commended Student through the National Merit Scholarship Program.

GHS Principal Joe Gordy announced the accolade Friday, Sept. 20 and presented Gilbertson with a Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which conducts the program.

State residents have a little over two weeks left to register to vote in the November general election with federal, state and local races on the ballot.

The deadline to register to vote is Monday, Oct. 7, and the last day to apply for a ballot by mail will be Friday, Oct. 25. To register to vote, complete a voter registration application and return it to the Young County election office.

The search for a new assistant city manager has begun as the city of Graham seeks to fill the position which is scheduled to be vacated in October.

After approval Thursday Aug. 29 from Graham City Council to conduct a recruitment for the position and discussion with the Graham Economic Improvement Corporation (GEIC) and Graham Industrial Association (GIA), the city began advertising the position this week.

With a goal of opening a public launch for kayaks in Salt Creek, the city of Graham is taking steps to apply for a grant through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Habitat and Angler Access Program.

The Habitat and Angler Access Program (HAAP) provides funding for projects that develop and increase shoreline and bank fishing access and restore and enhance fishing habitats in public inland waters.

Assistant City Manager Grant Ingram spoke with the Graham Parks Department Board of Directors in July about the program. 

After having learned their lesson last year with the fundraiser coming on a hot, June day with temperatures reaching 106 degrees, the Murray Volunteer Fire Department is gearing up for their annual barbecue and auction on what they hope will be a cooler day this fall.
 

Beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, Murray VFD, located at 9365 FM 209, will host its biggest fundraiser of the year with a barbecue, silent auction and live auction. The department moved the date this year to avoid any problems with the heat that occurred in the past.