Elected officials sworn in
Monday, January 4, was the first official day of county business in the new year. The day began with Wilbarger County Judge Greg Tyra swearing in new and returning elected officials Monday morning. At 9 a.m. Judge Tyra (picture, at left) swore in (from right with right hand raised) County Attorney Cory Curtis, Sheriff Brian…
Read MoreIt was a wintery start to New Year
New Year’s Eve brought a messy mix of wintry weather to Wilbarger County. From 4 to 8 inches of snow fell over the County, with additional accumulations of rain and ice reported. There were few of the usual New year’s Eve alcohol -related crimes this year. VPD Captain Wayne Hodges credited the weather with limiting…
Read MoreGrand Jury indicts man who punched officer
The Wilbarger County Grand Jury convened in December, issuing 49 indictments against 39 individuals. One of those indicted was John Albert Franco, Jr. He was indicted for the Felony 2 offense of assault on a peace officer, which allegedly occurred June 12, 2020.On that date, at around 3:10 p.m., animal control was dispatched to the…
Read MoreWeekend heavy snow possible
The National Weather Service is calling for snow across the area, beginning Saturday night — with up to five inches of snow possible in local counties and heavier amounts to the west. According to NWS forecasters, an upper level low will approach from the southern Rockies late Saturday and Sunday. The NWS reports “Highest snow…
Read MoreMore vaccine heading to area
The Texas Department of State Health Services has instructed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ship first doses of COVID-19 vaccine to more than 949 providers in 158 Texas counties this week. The CDC will deliver 167,300 doses of the vaccine manufactured by Moderna and 37,050 doses of the Pfizer vaccine directly to…
Read MoreCrime Stoppers needs help solving armed robbery
On December 28, 2020 at around 8:52 p.m., vernon Police were dispatched to the kemp Dollar Saver, a convenience store, located in the 1100 block of N. Main Street in reference to a robbery. A black male subject, in black shorts, black hoodie, and a purple and white mask approached the clerk of the store.…
Read MoreFive file for state house seat — early voting starts Monday
Four Republicans and one Democrat have filed for the special election to replace state Sen.-elect Drew Springer, R-Muenster, in the Texas House, representing the 22 counties in HD 68, which includes Wilbarger and Hardeman counties. The filing deadline for the Jan. 23 election was 5 p.m. Monday. The four GOP candidates for the seat in…
Read MoreFirst vaccines administered in Wilbarger County
The first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have been administered in Wilbarger County. The Vernon campus of North Texas State Hospital received doses of the Moderna version of the vaccine and began vaccinations last Wednesday, according to spokesperson Christine Mann. Mann said that they received “our first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine today at North Texas…
Read MorePedestrian killed on 287
The Vernon Police Department reported that on Monday, December 28, 2020, at around 12:16 a.m, emergency dispatch received a 911 call reporting a “pedestrian vs. vehicle” accident on northbound U.S 287 near the Bentley Street exit. Officers responded and found a male subject who had been struck by a semi-truck trailer laying on the highway.…
Read MoreCounty bids farewell to 2 commissioners
The Wilbarger County Commissioners Court held its final meeting of 2020 on Monday, Dec. 28 — and it was the final meeting for Precinct 1 commissioner John Wright and Precinct 3 commissioner Kelly Joe Neel. “It’s been a pleasure,” Wright told the court. “I got some things accomplished that I set out to do —…
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