Less than 20 percent of Hemphill County’s registered voters cast ballots in the Nov. 2 general election to determine the fate of eight proposed constitutional amendments this year. Out of 2,312 of those registered, a mere 443 voters exercised their democratic right—111 of those in early voting by personal appearance, and only 15 by casting absentee ballots.

Hemphill County Hospital District’s new behavioral health department has a budget and a crucial mission of advancing mental healthcare. This latest addition to the circle of care provided by the district could not have come at a more opportune time.

A NOTE TO THE READER: This report is in no way intended to serve as a complete account of the 250-page investigative report released last week by the Office of Texas’ Attorney General, or of the 4-hour presentation made by Klein Investigations and Consulting in Canadian last Wednesday. It is an attempt to characterize the inherent conflict in two reports addressing the mystery of Thomas Brown’s disappearance five years ago, and the continuing impact of his death on the town of Canadian. Please turn to Page 2 to read the statements of two school officials in response to Klein’s accusations of corruption at CISD.

Shawn and Cheryl Hill lost their Higgins home in an early Sunday morning fire. They and their two daughters, Kendal and Camryn, escaped the blaze unharmed, with the exception of first- and second-degree burns Shaw sustained from the fire’s heat.