News

Despite concerns about the coronavirus and related delays in the election calendar, about a quarter of Hemphill County voters took the time to cast ballots in a few highstakes primary runoff races. According to Hemphill County and District Clerk Lisa Johnson, 596 of this county’s 2,330 registered voters participated in the July 14 primary runoff election—the overwhelming majority of those (570) casting ballots in the two races that were still at stake.

Hemphill County is experiencing a rise in food insecurity, according to Tanya Holloway, AgriLife Extension agent for Hemphill County. That trend aligns with a larger problem occurring across the Panhandle.

Hemphill County Hospital District has announced the status of COVID-19 in Hemphill County, Texas. As you can see by the graph at left, Hemphill County received one additional positive case of COVID-19 yesterday (one resident of Hemphill County). The Hemphill County residents are on home isolation. At this time, none of the positive cases in Hemphill County have resulted in hospitalizations or deaths; should that change, the information will be reported.

City and county officials responded to a sudden surge of positive COVID-19 test cases in Hemphill County recently, with an appeal to residents to be more attentive to the recommended safety protocols.

On July 2, Gov. Greg Abbott issued an Executive Order G-29, mandating the use of face coverings over the nose and mouth by every person in Texas.

On Tuesday, July 14, Texas will hold 2020 Primary Runoff elections to finalize the Democratic and Republican nominees who will appear on the November 3 general election ballot. There are 35 congressional, legislative, and state board nominations still up for grabs.

Upon learning that there would be no Chamber of Commerce-sanctioned Fourth of July parade this year, Canadian resident Jimmy Hammer decided to form a citizen-led parade. Departing from Canadian High School’s Wildcat Stadium at 10 am on Saturday morning, the route guided participants up Hackberry Trail, looped past Mesa View, past 4th and Cedar, and marched down 6th street to the Pavilion. Approximately 40 parade floats joined in on the festivities. “Thanks to all that took part in the parade and all the spectators!” said Hammer. “Thank you, Sheriff Clapp and the HC Sheriff and Fire departments!” PHOTO AT TOP BY ALISON KENNEDY OF FLOAT BY PARADE ORGANIZERS JIMMY & EVA HAMMER; BELOW LEFT BY CHERI SMITH OF CYCLISTS LACY, JACOB & ELLA MOSS; AND BELOW RIGHT, BY LAURIE EZZELL BROWN OF SANJA HEXT’S MAGA FLOAT