News

Hemphill County Commissioners are inviting taxpayers to a public hearing on the proposed tax rate and budget for fiscal year 2023-24. The hearing will begin at 9 am tomorrow, Monday, August 14, in the Commissioners Court meeting room.

The proposed tax rate of $0.450000/$100 is unchanged from last year’s rate. It will, however, bring in more revenue that last year’s rate did, due to an approximately $100 million increase in Hemphill County’s taxable values.

PERRYTON--Officials with the City of Perryton and Ochiltree County Emergency Management released the following tornado recovery update. In addition, the Perryton City Council will conduct its regular public meeting at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, August 15, to discuss the agenda posted at left on this page.

AMARILLO, TX (Aug, 10, 2023) -- Valero, a major refiner and employer with deep roots in the Texas Panhandle, has provided the lead gift of $200,000 in a fundraising effort to build the Texas Panhandle First Responders Memorial in downtown Amarillo.

AMARILLO—Today, the Offices of Congressman Ronny Jackson (TX-13) and Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) announced an upcoming Farm Bill listening session in Canyon, Texas, on Wednesday, August 16. Those interested in attending and offering comments (limited to 2 minutes) should click here to register ahead of time.

The Hemphill County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on at 9 am on Monday, August 14, to discuss and hear public comment on the proposed 2023-2024 fiscal year budget. The hearing will be held in the Commissioners Court meeting room #204 at the Hemphill County Courthouse, 400 Main, in Canadian. The public is welcome to attend.

AUSTIN —Last week, the Deputy Secretary of State Joe Esparza drew the ballot order for the 14 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution.

Texans will vote on these amendments as a part of the November 7 Election. Below is the ballot order as drawn.

Proposition 1 – HJR 126 "The constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management."

AMARILLO–An extended streak of record-setting temperatures in Xcel Energy’s Texas-New Mexico service area has driven up electricity usage and billing costs, following a trend seen across many parts of the country. Xcel Energy is urging customers who may have difficulties paying bills to contact customer agents for options in making payments.

Misdemeanor Arrests

•Jose Sabita Mejia Buezo, 29, Woodward, Oklahoma; failure to report non-injury accident; 8/1/23; TxDPS

•Santos Eduardo Mendoza, 21, Woodward, Oklahoma; driving without insurance and driving without a license; 8/1/23; TxDPS

Felony Arrests

None

Child care centers closing across state

An unprecedented number of child care centers are expected to close across the state as pandemic relief funding ends, the Texas Standard reported. A survey conducted by the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children of about 1,600 child care programs indicated 44% were likely to close their doors without additional funding. Federal pandemic relief funds ended for most centers in June.