News

Texas increases security features, unveils new driver license, ID, and license to carry cards

AUSTIN—Starting this week, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) began issuing the newly designed Texas driver licenses (DL), identification (ID) cards, and license to carry (LTC) cards to all Texans. 

Assistant Canadian Fire Chief Gary Prater didn’t have to wait for a dispatch or sirens Thursday afternoon to know the volunteer firefighters were about to be called out.

This week, the number of new coronavirus infections outside of China has outpaced those inside the country for the first time, according to the World Health Organization. Chinese officials on Tuesday announced the confirmation of 411 new infections, The New York Times reported yesterday. In the rest of the world, 427 new cases were reported.

AMARILLO—Xcel Energy customers in Texas will receive a one-time, $39.4 million refund in their June billing cycle related to a continued drop in prices for power-plant fuel and the increased use of low-cost wind-energy resources.

Texas voters will head to the polls next Tuesday, March 3, to determine who will be the Democratic and Republican nominees for federal, state, and county offices in the Nov. 3, 2020, general election.

PERRYTON—Information about the theft of 262 head of cattle off a Lipscomb County ranch just got a lot more valuable. Rancher Bob Adcock has added $10,000 of his own money to the $1,000 reward offered by Operation Cow Thief.

Early voting for all Hemphill County precincts in both the Democratic and Republican primary elections will be conducted on the second floor of Hemphill County Courthouse, in Suite 202. Early ballots may be cast Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, starting Tuesday, Feb. 18, and ending Friday, Feb. 28.

All citizens wishing to vote must be on the official list of registered voters. Voters may use any one of seven acceptable forms of photo ID, listed below. IDs may be expired up to four years. Those 70 years of age or older may use an expired ID. The ID address does not have to match the voter registration address.

Despite the absence of any locally contested race, early voting in the March 3 Republican and Democratic primary elections is expected to be brisk. Texas voters in both parties will face a ballot full of choices to determine who will be their candidates for public offices ranging from President of the United States to county commissioner.