News

Round 3 of Paycheck Protection Program for COVID relief kicks off

5 years ago By News Staff

The U.S. Small Business Administration has launched the third wave of its Paycheck Protection program (PPP) forgivable-loan initiative. Open to both first time PPP borrowers and to some qualifying borrowers that received loans last year, different rules and different applications apply for “first-draw” and “second-draw” borrowers. Initiated last spring to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, the program is administered through banks.

Hemphill County grand jury returns six felony indictments

5 years ago By News Staff

A Hemphill County grand jury returned six felony indictments last Thursday, Jan. 14. It was the first time a grand jury has been called here since Feb. 13, 2020, due to concerns about conducting in-person court hearings during the COVID pandemic. Some court proceedings have been held virtually in other parts of the state since then, but hearings involving a jury are more complex, particularly in criminal cases.

State Capital Highlights

5 years ago By News Staff

The Texas Legislature opened quietly, which delighted everyone after the violence inside the U.S. Capitol the previous week. At the Texas state Capitol, a variety of legislative agendas took center stage at the start of the 87th session, which will run 140 days. Gov. Greg Abbott’s goals include ensuring Texans have access to high-quality healthcare, improving public safety, getting Texans back to work, and promoting the state’s economic recovery. Many other state organizations announced their agendas, too.

Three lives: Living and dying with COVID

5 years ago By Laurie Ezzell Brown

AT 78, BOB WILBURN was still fit as a fiddle. He exercised daily, climbing the stairs at his college alma mater, Abilene Christian University, and walking the two-mile perimeter of the campus. Except for high blood pressure, which was controlled with medication, Bob had every expectation of living a much longer life.

New COVID infection rates rise here at alarming rate after the holiday season

5 years ago By News Staff

As had been anticipated, Christmas and New Year’s holiday gatherings and increased travel have accelerated the COVID case rate as 2021 begins. Rural America saw record numbers of new coronavirus infections and COVID-19 deaths in the first week of the year, according to The Daily Yonder (dailyyonder.com), and Hemphill County Hospital officials reported a surge in new cases here, as well.

COVID Quarantine Q&A

5 years ago By News Staff

What does it mean to quarantine? Local public health authorities determine and establish the quarantine options for their jurisdictions. Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others.

Early medical treatment could help COVID-positive patients over 55

5 years ago By News Staff

Local medical providers are urging patients 55 years and older who experience any symptoms of COVID-19 not to delay getting tested. Those who have any high-risk medical conditions—including high blood pressure, heart or lung disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, obesity, or an immunosuppressive disease—and who test positive for COVID-19, may meet the criteria to receive a medication which may reduce the severity of the illness in patients.

Three lives: Living and Dying with COVID: Part 2

5 years ago By Laurie Ezzell Brown

“WHAT A YEAR this has been,” Doug Benge said, echoing what many of us have felt in 2020. But Doug isn’t just glad 2020 is over.

Doug is shown here with one of his grandsons, 4-year-old Kixon Douglas Benge, the son of daughter Sydni.

Jan. 5 marks 40 years since the still unsolved murder of Tracey Waterfield Neilson

5 years ago By News Staff

OKLAHOMA CITY—It was 40 years ago today that 21-year-old newlywed Tracey Neilson was savagely murdered in her Moore, Oklahoma, apartment. Jan. 5, 1981 was Tracey’s birthday, and the OU student spent the morning running errands around Moore. Eyewitnesses put her home just before noon. Despite several friends and family calling to wish Tracey happy birthday, no one heard from her after noon.

A Christmas Gift: First COVID-19 vaccines give at HCH

5 years ago By News Staff

Dr. William C. Isaacs was at the front of the line to receive the first COVID-19 vaccine administered at the Canadian Physicians Clinic on Thursday morning, Dec. 24. He was followed by nine other local healthcare workers, each of whom received the first dose of the two-dose vaccine manufactured by Moderna.

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