News

Restored Lipscomb Co. Courthouse to be re-dedicated this Saturday

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The Lipscomb County commissioners court is inviting area residents to the re-dedication of the newly-restored Lipscomb County Courthouse. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, Sept. 11, beginning at 10 am and continuing through the day. A welcome and program will begin at 11 am, followed by a brisket dinner at noon, accompanied by performances from local talent until 2 pm. Tours of the courthouse will be offered from 1-5 pm, and a bounce house will be available for children on the courthouse lawn. Lipscomb resident R.J. Vandygriff—an award-winning singer/songwriter and winner of the 2020 Cowboy Western Entertainer Award—will perform his music during the afternoon from 2-5 pm. The courthouse has been the focus of a $3.74 million preservation project since 2020. Built in 1917 in the Classic Revival style, by Amarillo architect William M. Rice, the courthouse was the beneficiary of a Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Grant, the purpose of which is to restore each courthouse in the state to its historic appearance, while updating it for the 21st century.
Lipscomb County Courthouse

Firefighters called to house fire on Lake Marvin Road early Tuesday

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Tana and Dean Thompson woke up to a neighbor’s call, reporting a fire in an older home near their residence on their Lake Marvin Road property early Tuesday morning. The Canadian Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the Thompson property at 7:03 am, and upon arrival, saw flames shooting off the front porch and clouds of smoke in the air.
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Online tool provides property owners central source of tax info

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Local taxpayers now have access to a new online tool that should help demystify the annual process of tax rate setting and adoption by each of Hemphill County’s five taxing entities. Property owners should have received a postcard by now that invites them to visit a new Truth in Taxation website—texastaxtransparency.com/Hemphill—which provides all of the information they need to understand what their property’s taxable value is, what their proposed property taxes will be this year, and how they compare to what they paid last year.
Taxes

COVID-19 test counts rise at HCH laboratory

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New positive COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Hemphill and surrounding counties. In their new 14-day testing summary published yesterday (Wednesday), Hemphill County Hospital reported that there are now 14 active COVID-19 cases in Hemphill County, based on the hospital lab’s positive test results from Aug.
COVID

Justice of the Peace Larry Dunnam announces retirement

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Hemphill County Justice of the Peace Larry Dunnam announced in commissioners court on Monday morning that he would retire effective Sept. 30 after 18 years and 9 months in office. “You may have some people you wanted appointed to the job,” he told the court. “I don’t know.”
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High Plains Food Bank joins Feeding America’s hunger campaign

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AMARILLO—For Hunger Action Month® this September, High Plains Food Bank will join Feeding America and other network member food banks to inspire people to take action and raise awareness of people facing the impossible choice of hunger. Food banks around the country are working to make a real and lasting impact on food insecurity in their communities, and they are asking for the public’s support.
Food Donation
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