News
USDA encourages farmers and ranchers to vote in Hemphill County Committee election
CANADIAN — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has mailed ballots for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country. To be counted, ballots must be returned to the Hemphill County FSA office or postmarked by Feb. 2, 2026.
OIL & GAS REPORT
Intents to Drill
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Gas Completions
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Oil Completions
Hemphill County backs legislation to end “tax churn” on hotel stays
At the January 12th regular meeting, the Hemphill County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a resolution supporting new legislation that would exempt Texas counties from paying the state’s hotel occupancy tax.
The state hotel occupancy tax is charged to anyone paying for a hotel room costing $15 or more per day. When the tax was first enacted in 1972 at a rate of 3 percent, collections totaled just $8.5 million. Legislative changes in 1984 and 1987 raised the rate to the current 6 percent, in addition to local-option hotel taxes imposed by many cities and counties.
STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS
Democrats Talarico, Crockett set first debate
The first debate in the state’s Democratic primary for U.S. Senate is set for Jan. 24 in Georgetown, The Dallas Morning News reported. U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas and state Rep. James Talarico of Round Rock are vying for the nomination.
TxDOT crews to brine roadways ahead of forecasted winter weather
AMARILLO – Today, Thursday, Jan. 8, crews will begin preparations for the upcoming forecasted winter weather event by applying brine to roadways across the district. The National Weather Service (NWS) of Amarillo is anticipating snowfall starting later tonight or early Friday morning. Crews will be monitoring and patrolling the roadways for any trouble spots throughout the forecasted winter weather event. The anticipated snowfall could cause some roadways to be slick.
Winter weather driving tips include:
