Four 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…
Read MoreMan indicted in burglary, shooting livestock
The man accused of a breaking into a home, stealing a gun and shooting livestock this past summer has been indicted by the Wilbarger County Grand Jury. Trenton Ray Wilson was indicted for the Felony-2 offense of Burglary of a Habitation; Felony-3 offense of Criminal Mischief with a Firearm (Death of Livestock); and State Jail…
Read MoreFour county incumbents announce re-election bids; filing period opens Nov. 13
Four Wilbarger County elected officials announced they will seek re-election to office. County Judge Greg Tyra, County Clerk Jana Kennon, County Commissioner Josh Patterson, and County Commissioner Phillip Graf all announced Monday that they will be seeking re-election. Other positions up for election this year include District Judge (Dan Mike Bird), District Court Clerk (Brenda…
Read MoreNTSH Forensic Conference: Using Art as Therapy
North Texas State Hospital’s 33rd annual Forensic Conference kicked of last Monday afternoon, and continued all last week at the Wilbarger Auditorium with around 300 registered attendees. This year, NTSH held a special “Creative Arts as a Therapeutic Intervention” networking event, and learning on Tuesday at the Red River Valley Museum. More than 70 conference…
Read MoreCounty judge snatches gun away from courthouse assailant
Wilbarger County Judge Greg Tyra was uninjured after a woman pulled a gun and threatened him earlier this week. Lisa Kemp was booked into the Wilbarger County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault on a public servant following the incident, which occurred Monday afternoon. Judge Tyra said he had left the courthouse to run…
Read MoreVernon approves joining Opioid Settlement
The Vernon City Commission approved participating in the Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council and Settlement Allocation Term Sheet. The action came as part of Tuesday night’s regular meeting for October. City Manager Marty Mangum said that after years of lawsuits, a settlement had been reached in ongoing opioid litigation brought against three pharmaceutical companies. The…
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