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…
Benny Barnett has been named as the new principal of Northside ISD. Barnett succeeds Molly Lemon, who resigned to accept a position as first grade teacher at McCord Elementary School in Vernon. Barnett was raised in Sentinel, Okla., where he graduated from Sentinel High School. He received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Education in…
The Vernon Police Department K9, “Jak” assisted in the capture of a man who allegedly fled from officers late Thursday night. A Vernon Police officer attempted to make a traffic stop on a white suburban in the 1400 block of Nabers. The officer’s report stated he recognized the driver, identified as Willard Damont Bell, 48…
The Vernon Independent School District board of trustees will hold a special meeting on Thursday, July 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Administration building boardroom. The only action item on the agenda is approval to purchase more Chromebooks. The board has previously discussed the need for the computers in case the district has to…
In addition to the cancellation of Summer’s Last Blast, the 2020 Vernon Burnin’ Bike Ride has also been cancelled, according to Ride coordinator Rick Graf. Graf said the decision to cancel the Ride, which traditionally follows the weekend after Summer’s Last Blast and is co-sponsored by the Vernon Jaycees and the Vernon Optimist Club, was…
First responders and private citizens were pressed into action following an accident which set off an explosion rocking the south part of Chillicothe during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers stated a semi, hauling a trailer full of cattle, was northbound on U.S. 287. The 18-wheeler drifted across the…
WGH directors will hold a special meeting on Wednesday to correct issues related to last week’s meeting. Action items from last week’s regular meeting were voted on incorrectly and will be dealt with in a special meeting, scheduled by telephone. The meeting is set for 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 8. Call 940-553-2800 and use pin…
The Wilbarger County Grand Jury recently met and returned more than 40 indictments, including one stemming from a federal investigation into a two-state drug ring. Steven Anthony Mitchell was indicted for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance. Mitchell was arrested on Sept. 19, 2019 in Vernon. On that date five…
Vernon City Manager Marty Mangum announced early Friday morning that Vernon City Hall will again close to inside business, starting Monday, July 6. All business will be conducted through the office’s drive-thru window. Mangum said this is in response to the rise in coronavirus cases statewide and Gov. Abbott’s recent directives. The latest numbers from…
The City of Vernon offices and the Wilbarger County Courthouse will both be closed on Friday, July 3 for the Fourth of July weekend. On Saturday, July 4, the Post Office will be closed with no box or home deliveries. Carnegie City-County Library will be closed on Saturday as will the Red River Valley…