National News
New solar project coming to Wilbarger County
The Wilbarger County Commissioners Court learned of a new solar energy project planned for Wilbarger County. Orsted is planning to set a 400 megawatt producing solar power farm in southern Wilbarger County. Jordan Shontz told the county commissioners that the project will be on the Wilbarger Estate “tucked in next to the wind project.” It…
Read MorePrison for man who tried to rob pharmacy with a bomb
Richard Vernon Fox, 38, of Helena, Montana, was sentenced to five years in two separate cases following his plea of guilty to robbery and evading arrest with a motor vehicle. On May 5, 2021, Vernon police were dispatched to Family Pharmacy in reference to a male subject who had passed a note through the drive…
Read MoreJail limiting intake due to medical outbreak
The Wilbarger County Jail has had limited its intake of prisoners over the past two weeks due to a medical issue. “Due to HIPAA we can’t discuss the nature of the medical issues,” Sheriff Brian Fritze said, declining to confirm or deny if the medical issues were related to Covid-19. The Texas Department of Health…
Read MoreAssembly of God pastor arrested
Brian Keith Pounds, pastor of Vernon’s First Assembly of God, was arrested Friday, July 16, 2021 on a felony charge of sexual assault of a child. Pounds was reportedly taken into custody at around noon at a Wichita Falls hospital by Texas DPS Rangers. Pounds was booked into the Wichita County Jail on a Vernon…
Read MoreSen. Perry holds town hall
Senator Charles Perry held a town hall meeting in Vernon earlier this month, in advance of the special session. The town hall was held at the Wilbarger Auditorium was attended by about 40 people. The state representative was also planned to be at the town hall, but he did not attend. Sen. Perry discussed that…
Read MoreA night of remembrance
A large group gathered on the track area at Wilbarger General Hospital to recognize and remember friends and family who had died of Covid-19 during a “Vernon Remembers” event held at sunset Monday evening. The event, hosted by the hospital, opened with the welcome by hospital CEO Tom Siemers. Pastor Early Williams gave the opening…
Read MoreLegislation filed to add Western Trail to National Trails System
Oklahoma Third District Congressman Frank Lucas and fellow Republican Ron Estes of Kansas introduced legislation on April 15 to add the Chisholm and Western Trails to the National Trails System. “As our country expanded westward, the Chisholm Trail and the Western Trail became critical lifelines for the people of the Great Plains. Cattle ranchers across…
Read MoreTexas rolls out vaccine scheduler
According to data from Texas Health and Human Services, 40.47 percent of Wilbarger County residents over 16 have received at least on dose of Covid-19 vaccine and 31.45 % of the county is fully vaccinated. There are plenty of opportunities to get vaccinated, as Gov. Greg Abbott has opened vaccinations up to all Texans. Family…
Read MoreTyson offers vaccinations to employees
Team Members at the Tyson Foods plant in Vernon received free, on-site COVID-19 vaccinations on Friday. There were 300 team members that received their first vaccination dose. The vaccinations are voluntary, but highly encouraged. “The health and safety of our team members is our top priority and offering all of our team members free and…
Read MoreTexas to open COVID-19 vaccination to all adults on March 29
All adults will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas beginning Monday, March 29. The Texas Department of State Health Services expects vaccine supplies to increase next week, and providers in multiple parts of the state have made great strides in vaccinating people in the current priority groups. The state’s Expert Vaccine Allocation…
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