Understanding the state constitutional election questions
Deputy Secretary of State Joe Esparza last week drew the ballot order for 10 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution that will appear on the November 5 ballot. In order to appear on the ballot, the proposed amendments must be approved by at least two-thirds of the members of both the Texas Senate and the…
Read MoreCity property values up $10,000,000
Daniel Walker Vernon Record The Vernon City Commission held their July meeting Tuesday and dealt with a light agenda, with commissioners Don Aydelott, Pam Gosline and Mayor Doug Jeffrey in attendance. During a budget workshop City Manager Marty Mangum saying he had received the certified property tax roll for properties and minerals in the city.…
Read MoreDrivers license office to cut back days open
The Texas Department of Public Safety’s driver’s license office hours are changing – at least temporarily. Wilbarger County Judge Greg Tyra confirmed this week that the Vernon DPS drivers license office, located in the basement of the county courthouse, would be open only two days a week beginning in August due to the impending retirement…
Read MoreDriver license renewal red tape
Daniel Walker Vernon Record The red tape for renewing your driver’s license has gotten a lot thicker. New federal rules are creating hardships for drivers trying to renew their license. A representative with the Texas Department of Public Safety told the Vernon Record that a new rule that took effect in Texas means drivers cannot…
Read MoreCity contemplates grant program for downtown sidewalk repairs
Daniel Walker Vernon Record The Vernon City Commission continues work putting together a budget. The most recent budget, coming from a budget workshop earlier this month, saw the commissioners trim out a few capital requests but add $25,000 for sidewalk repairs in the Main Street corridor. Property owner Layne Chapman addressed the commission. “I’m…
Read MoreVernon College moves to seek tax support from Wichita County
Daniel Walker Vernon Record The Vernon College board of trustees took the first step in seeking property tax support from Wichita County property owners. The trustees voted Monday to send an application to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for approval to pursue a branch campus designation and a branch campus maintenance tax in Wichita…
Read MoreThornberry weighs in on House attempt to condemn tweets
President Donald Trump called on fellow Republicans Tuesday to stick with him, “not show weakness” and oppose a House resolution condemning his tweets urging four Democratic congresswomen of color to return to their countries. His comments, he insisted, “were NOT Racist.” Congressman Mac Thornberry weighed in on the issue to the Vernon Record on Tuesday…
Read MoreTexas A&M AgriLife vice chancellor gets hands-on look into agriculture’s local impact
Daniel Walker Vernon Record Texas A&M AgriLife’s vice chancellor, Dr. Patrick Stover, visited Vernon and Chillicothe on Monday and Tuesday to meet with AgriLife staff, local agriculture producers and community leaders to discuss the future of agriculture. On Monday night Stover met with about 80 local agriculture producers to discuss bridging the gap between producers…
Read MoreChillicothe hospital to close
The Chillicothe Hospital Board of directors held a special meeting on Monday, July 8. The board entered a closed session to discuss the hospital’s future, and set a tax rate. The board returned to open session and voted 5-0 to close the Chillicothe hospital, but leave the clinic open. The last day of operation for…
Read MoreAnother wind farm coming
Daniel Walker Vernon Record The Vernon Independent School District approved entering into a property tax appraised value limitation for another wind farm. The action was part of the July VISD board of trustees meeting held Monday night. Charlie Smith, of Lincoln Clean Energy, said his company has just finished construction of the Lockett Wind Farm…
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