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As the budget planning process for 2022- 23 continued last week, commissioners focused on possible pay raises—the first in two years—for the 11 elected officials, and 46 fulltime and two part-time employees that keep Hemphill County running.

Looming in the background of the budget talks being conducted by each of Hemphill County’s taxing entities this month is a lawsuit against the Hemphill County Appraisal District, filed by Midcoast Pipelines, arguing that its property in this county was appraised in excess of its market value in 2019 and 2020.

AUSTIN—Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced today he will send cities, counties, transit systems, and special-purpose taxing districts $1.03 billion in local sales tax allocations for July, 15.3 percent more than in July 2021. These allocations are based on sales made in May by businesses that report tax monthly.

THE PHOTO KEY PAGE 2: The Honor Guard; Mirabelle Brown riding a firetruck; Lily Smith on the courthouse lawn; Tucker Landry with his own reserved seating on Sixth; Smiley Johnson Band musicians; Mutton-buster Axel Adcock; PAGE 3: Sweepstakes Winner Lady Cat “Aud” Balls; Comedy Award Winner “Cowboy Camp” by Ben Bussard; Flag-festooned dog; PAGE 4: The Smiley Johnson Community Band; Best Individual Entry Winner “Proud to Be an American” by Peterson Family and Friends; Cooling off at the Water Polo event; Adam and J.T. Kerrigan enjoying the free Watermelon Feed; PAGE 5: Best Commercial Entry, “Setting the Bar of the American Dream,” by Travis and Ashton Macias’ Bar M; Trick Riders Liza Cooper and Madison Schalla; Ben Riverman presenting Turtle Race winnings to Ella Spence; Antique Tractor Winner Guy Hufstedler on his 1953 Ford 800 Jubilee; JP Peery Ranch celebrating over 100 years; CRBC Turtle Wrangler John Julian eyeing the finish line.

Just over 1,000 miles into their mission to bring public attention to the tragedy of suicide in this country, a group of about two dozen motorcyclists pulled into the Oasis Truck Stop parking lot just outside of Canadian. The stop was brief—just long enough to fill their tanks and shake the miles off.

Over 40 entries participated in Canadian’s Annual 4th of July Parade, not counting the many firetrucks and emergency vehicles that began the procession with sirens blasting. Young and old gathered along the parade route in their best red, white, and blue to watch this year’s “Proud to be an American” themed floats and entries.

Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed George B. Peyton V to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for a term set to expire on Feb. 1, 2027. The board provides leadership, planning, and financial and technical assistance for the responsible development of water for the state of Texas.