The Vernon City Commission is considering giving hazardous pay to the city’s first responders including Fire, EMS, and Police personnel. The Commission is slated to discuss the matter as part of the regular July City Commission meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Funding for the proposal is expected to…
Texas has given public schools permission to keep campuses closed for more than 5 million students well into the fall as the state scrambles to contain the coronavirus pandemic. Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, Senate Finance Committee Chair Jane Nelson, Vice Chair Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, and House Appropriations Committee…
Texas’ budget forecast plummeted to a projected $4.6 billion shortfall as the coronavirus pandemic and low oil prices take a heavy toll on one of America’s largest economies, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said Monday. The new assessment is a sharp reversal from October’s forecast that had Texas in line for an estimated $3 billion…
Marilyn Ramirez, Wilbarger Relay for Life chairman, has announced that the 2020 Relay for Life will proceed here as planned. The event, which raises funds for cancer research and awareness, is scheduled to be held from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 22, at the CLC of the First Baptist Church. Ramirez said…
The Vernon College board of trustees held a board retreat on Wednesday, and then their regular July meeting. In an enrollment update, trustees were told there were no students enrolled at the Vernon campus during the Summer II session, compared to 15 last year — and only 19 students were enrolled at Century City, compared…
Sentences were handed down in several cases during proceedings last week in the 46th Judicial District Court. Felony DWI Joe Angel Gloria, 40, of Denton, was sentenced to five years in prison following his plea of guilty to felony driving while intoxicated. On November 29, 2019, a DPS trooper responded to a report of a…
The Wilbarger General Hospital board of trustees held a special meeting last Wednesday to deal with several action items, postponed from the regular July board meeting a week earlier. The meeting was held by conference call due to COVID-19 restrictions. The directors approved adding a new ventilator, to be purchased at a cost of $25,394.…
Representatives from the proposed Adams Creek Solar Project met with the Vernon College board of trustees last week. The solar project is planned in eastern Wilbarger County under development by Savion. The company requested a tax value limitation agreement with the Harrold ISD in February and is expected to ask tax breaks from other county…
Two county races that began as three-way contests were settled Tuesday night in a run-off primary election. Incumbent John Wright lost to Billy Taylor for the Commission Precinct 1 nomination by a 310 (62%)to 190 count. Taylor had led in the first round 343 votes to 252 for Wright and 157 for Guy Spears. Incumbent…
The Wilbarger County Commissioners Court met on Monday to discuss whether to enact a 2 percent hotel occupancy tax, the authority to enact it was authorized by the state legislature in SB 3127 last session. The matter was ultimately tabled. Three members of the public spoke against implementing it and one spoke in favor of…