News

Hemphill County Hospital reported a significant decline in COVID-19 positive cases this week, noting that only 12 new cases have been confirmed for in-county residents, and only two in out-of-county residents. More positive news came from Canadian ISD, which has reported only two new cases in the last seven days, with only one active case remaining. There have been 269 cases reported at CISD since the start of the school year. In its 14-day report, the hospital is reporting fewer tests conducted in the lab, fewer positives, and lower positivity rates—a good sign, they noted, but added, “It’s definitely not time to let our guard down.”

In their Jan. 25 meeting, the Hemphill County Hospital Board addressed the following matters, including renewing contracts, reviewing financial reports, and hearing a COVID-19 update from CEO Christy Francis.

The 2022 spotter-training season has begun, and SKYWARN spotter-training classes are being offered both virtually and in-person. Two virtual classes are available this month, on Tuesday, Feb. 15, and the following Tuesday, Feb. 22—both from 7-9 pm. Those wishing to participate can go online to https://www.weather.gov/ama/spottertalks to see the full schedule of public training sessions, or to find registration links for both virtual classes. This list does not include private sessions being offered in Perryton and Canadian, and at KAMR and Pantex. NWS-Amarillo Warning Coordination Meteorologist Mike Gittinger said his office is hoping to do as many of these classes in person as possible, but that it remains dependent on COVID protocols and trends. “If we are unable to travel,” Gittinger said, “classes will be conducted virtually, and we will update the schedule to include registration links a week or so in advance of the scheduled time.”

Early voting begins next Monday, Feb. 14, in the March 1 Republican and Democratic primary elections. Two contested races headline the Republican primary here in Hemphill County. The re-election bid of Precinct 4 County Commissioner Nicholas Thomas has drawn a challenge from Jim Black, and Justice of the Peace Kathy Dumbauld, running for her first full term of office, is opposed by former deputy Jay Moseley.

Ogallala Commons, a nonprofit education and leadership organization (www.ogallalacommons.org), invites the interested public to attend our Local Food Summit 4.0 on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the O’Loughlin Center, located at 502 S. Brant St. in Spearman, from 9:30 am-2:30 pm.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has issued this year’s first rabid animal report in Public Region 1. It is also the first rabies case in Hemphill County in 2022.

An upper-level storm system brought an arctic air mass and moisture to the Panhandles last Wednesday through Friday, Feb. 2-4. Flurries started Tuesday overnight into Wednesday morning with a narrow band of moderate snowfall setting up Wednesday morning from Vega to Pampa. The band slowly shifted northward and expanded in area through the day.

PTCI this week announced a new push to help build awareness about the Affordable Connectivity Program, a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program. The new long-term benefit will help to lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households struggling to afford internet service.