A moderate magnitude 4.6 earthquake was reported 26 mi southwest of Vernon, Wilbarger County, Texas on Monday, Dec 27, 2021 7:56 p.m. local time. Vernon was reported as the closest town to the quake, with Seymour 30 miles away. It was at a depth of 5 km (3.3 miles) with Epicenter latitude / longitude: 33.91484°N…
Governor Greg Abbott, on Thursday, directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to ready resources ahead of elevated conditions for critical wildfire danger in the Texas Panhandle, South Plains, and West Texas. These resources will support local officials’ response to wildfires if they exceed local response capabilities. The National Weather Service state d Thursday:…
A fatality accident was reported on U.S. 70 in Wilbarger County between Lockett and Thalia on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. The deceased identity has not been verified as of midday Thursday, according to law enforcement on scene. The highway was still closed as of midday Thursday, TxDOT personnel were clearing the roadway and working to…
Friday was a rough day for area firefighters. The day’s event started for Vernon firefighters shortly after midnight when a structure fire was reported in the 2100 block of Pearl. It had started in the kitchen. The morning was quiet until a front rolled into North Texas at around 11:20 a.m., bringing wind gusts above…
The annual Christmas Holiday Spirit Meal will be held on Christmas Day at Wilbarger Auditorium. To request a meal, call 940-414-0401. Delivery requests up to eight meals will be taken. If you do not get your request in you will need to come to the auditorium on Christmas Day from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.…
U.S. 287 between Harrold and Electra has been closed temporarily due to zero viability, according to Vernon City Manager Marty Mangum. As many as seven fires are reported burning in Wilbarger and Wichita County, with high winds including gusts of 50 mph reported. State Highway 240 is also closed between Harrold and Punkin Center. Mangum…
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 30 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Dr. Dariusz Malinowski and the City of Vernon for the development of an outstanding hibiscus-breeding program; and WHEREAS, Dr. Malinowski is the plant physiologist at Texas A&M AgriLife Research in Vernon; he started breeding winter-hardy hibiscus plants in his…
Former Vernon Assembly of God Pastor Brian Pounds, 46, pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child and was sentenced to 45 years in prison during proceedings of the 46th Judicial District Court of Wilbarger County on Wednesday afternoon. Pounds became the target of a law enforcement investigation on July 1st this year when…
The annual Christmas on the Western Trail Parade will begin at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11, and will follow the traditional rodeo parade route. Lighted floats, classic cars, bands, novelty entries and others will make up the parade, and prizes will be awarded in the various categories. Entries must be at the intersection of Maiden…