National News
Submissions now accepted for High School Congressional Art Competition
The Office of Rep. Ronny Jackson (TX-13) is now accepting submissions for the 2022 Congressional Art Competition. All high school students in Texas’ 13th Congressional District are invited to participate in the contest. The winner’s artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. To enter the contest please submit original artwork and…
Read MoreBeto campaigns in Vernon
Beto O’Rourke, Texas gubernatorial candidate for the Democratic party, made a campaign stop in Vernon on Friday, where he met with a packed house in downtown Vernon. “We were really impressed with the turnout and the quality of questions asked. I always enjoy coming to Vernon. It has great, friendly people, even when we disagree…
Read MoreFires sweep through middle of Vernon
A wind-fueled fire swept along a line for nearly four blocks through Vernon on Sunday evening. Two houses, and a garage burned down. Several fences and outbuildings sustained damage. Yards and trees were burnt to a crisp. The fire was part of a series of blazes that scorched northwest Texas and southwest Oklahoma, over a…
Read MoreRep. Jackson’s bill seeks energy independence
On Tuesday Representative Ronny Jackson (TX-13) introduced the American Energy Independence Act of 2022, which reverses President Biden’s shutdown of the American energy sector and returns American energy to full production. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. Immediately following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the price of oil rose to over…
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…
Read MoreNo vaccine requirement for Wilbarger General Hospital staff, yet
Wilbarger General Hospital Chief Executive Officer Tom Siemers told WGH directors that the federal government has required that healthcare workers be vaccinated. However, the Texas governor has an executive order “that we cannot require that.” He said that the federal order has been delayed to December. “Honestly it is going to end up in…
Read MorePrefix required on 940 calls
Prefix required on 940 calls Residents in the 940 area code will be required to dial 10 digits when making a local phone call. People with seven Texas area codes will be required to dial 10 digits (the area code and the telephone number) for all local calls starting Oct. 25. According to the Public…
Read MoreHuge wind farm on Waggoner Ranch comes online
Ørsted has completed the 367 MW Western Trail Wind Farm located on the Waggoner Ranch in Wilbarger and Baylor counties. It is the company’s largest onshore wind project, and it brings Ørsted’s total onshore capacity to over 2.8 GW of wind, solar, and battery storage in operation. The project has secured long-term power purchase agreements…
Read MoreTexas A&M AgriLife peanut sheller to be unveiled Monday
A new $1 million-plus peanut sheller at Texas A&M AgriLife Foundation Seed in Vernon will be unveiled Monday. Vernon Business Development Corporation managing consultant Rick Hardcastle announced the ribbon cutting as part of the BDC meeting, last week. The sheller was installed, in part, thanks to BDC funding of the project. Texas A&M AgriLife and…
Read MoreGovernor Abbott announces Third Special Session date and agenda
Governor Abbott, on Tuesday, issued a proclamation announcing that he will convene a third special legislative session at 10 a.m. on Monday, September 20, 2021. The proclamation identifies 5 agenda items for the third Special Session. “The Texas Legislature now has the opportunity to redraw legislative and congressional districts in accordance with the new census…
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