Vernon ISD closed for the week due to staff shortage
Vernon ISD will be closed for the remainder of this week, and the first two days of next week.. From Tuesday, Jan. 11 through Friday, Jan. 14, Vernon will be closed due to a shortage of staff due to COVID-19 quarantine requirements. Students will not have online assignments during this closure. Classes are set to…
Read More287 closed due by fiery train wreck, updated
According to an official with BNSF Railway company, 28 of the 98 cars on the train derailed at approximately 9:45 a.m. Saturday. As of 5:32 p.m., that night 25 of the derailed cars carrying ethanol were on fire. There are no reported injuries to crewmembers. BNSF stated there is no threat to the surrounding community.…
Read MoreEarthquake reported southwest of Vernon
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…
Read MoreElevated fire danger through Tuesday
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:…
Read MoreFatality accident on U.S. 70
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…
Read MoreFour contested races set for Wilbarger County primary
The filing period for county offices ended Monday with four contested primary races set on the Republican ballot in Wilbarger County. County Treasurer has two candidates, Angie Boyd and Amber Lagunas Cobb. Incumbent Joann Carter did not seek reelection. County Commissioner Pct. 4 incumbent Josh Patterson drew an opponent in Jerry Pennartz. Justice of the…
Read MoreFriday grass fires caused wrecks, two firefighters injured
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…
Read More287 closed, multiple fires reported, two firefighters injured
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…
Read MoreVernon, Dr. Dariusz Malinowski recognized by Texas Senate for hibiscus program
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…
Read MorePounds, former AG pastor, sentenced to 45 years for sexual assault of a child
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…
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