Texas could see a shift in its weather pattern later this fall as a strengthening El Niño begins to exert more influence on the southern Plains, according to new NOAA forecasts released Thursday. The Climate Prediction Center’s Sept. 17 outlook gives much of Texas about a 40% to 50% chance of above-normal precipitation during the…
The City of Vernon is asking water customers to voluntarily reduce their use by 20% under Stage 2 conservation measures after reporting a static aquifer level of 37.82 feet. Stage 2, classified as a moderate water shortage condition, is triggered when the static aquifer level reaches 38.5 feet or when low aquifer levels result in…
Vernon city commissioners adopted a $31.88 million budget and lowered the city’s property tax rate by one cent Sept. 15, but the spending plan is expected to raise $219,931 more in property taxes than last year’s budget. The adopted rate is 52 cents per $100 of taxable value, down from 53 cents. The rate includes…
The paper trail surrounding Sabey Data Centers’ proposed North Texas campus has grown considerably stronger, but it still points to pre-development rather than construction of a data-center building. The July 21, 2026, certified Wilbarger County appraisal roll identifies NPDC LLC/Sabey Corporation as owner of three tracts along FM 2897 totaling 1,245 acres. The largest is…
Google will contribute $4.5 million to the City of Vernon to replace an aging water pipeline, making Vernon the first Texas community to receive funding through the technology company’s new $10 million community water infrastructure commitment. Google announced the investment Tuesday, Sept. 1, saying the project is intended to reduce water loss and strengthen the…
Wilbarger County has returned to extreme drought as persistent heat and a lack of widespread rainfall erase much of the improvement that developed during late spring and early summer. The U.S. Drought Monitor released Thursday, Aug. 27, places Wilbarger County in D3, or extreme drought. The weekly map reflects conditions through Tuesday, Aug. 25. D3…
Sabey Data Centers is not a technology company in the traditional sense. It does not manufacture computers, operate a social-media platform or sell artificial-intelligence software. Instead, the Seattle-based company develops, owns and operates the specialized buildings where large customers place and run their computer systems. Sabey provides the land, buildings, electrical infrastructure, cooling systems, security,…
A second wastewater treatment plant proposed by Platon Investments LLC in Wilbarger County would be designed to serve a new industrial site with approximately 440 full-time employees, according to a newly released 204-page application filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The proposed plant would have an average design capacity of 20,000 gallons of…
Dangerous heat is expected to remain entrenched across Vernon and Wilbarger County through early next week, with afternoon temperatures approaching or exceeding 110 degrees on several days, according to the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma. A heat advisory remains in effect for Wilbarger County until 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, and another advisory has…
A proposed cell tower at Orbison Park will move into the city’s public notification and planning review process following action by the Vernon City Commission. Commissioners authorized city staff to proceed with public notices and consideration by the Vernon Planning and Zoning Commission. The action does not constitute final approval of the tower or a…