News

Early voting is underway in both Canadian and Higgins for the special May 2 election to consolidate the two school districts and will continue through next Tuesday, April 28.

On Tuesday, April 21, the Senate approved a total of about $484 billion in additional federal funding for coronavirus relief. The new bill includes $310 billion designated for small businesses. The additional funding will serve as part of the previously-exhausted Paycheck Protection Program, which was initially created as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed on March 27. The program ran out of money on April 16.

In an update to city council members Monday evening, Canadian/Hemphill County Economic Development Council President Heath Mitchell reported that $35,000 in emergency grant funding has already been sent to local businesses impacted by the COVID-19 shutdown.

For Voters in Canadian ISD Polls will be open on election day from 7 am to 7 pm at the Canadian High School Foyer, 621 S. 5th St., in Canadian.

AUSTIN—Texas state parks will begin reopening for day-use only on April 20 as part of a broader effort to begin reopening the state of Texas. Per Gov. Abbott’s direction, new restrictions in effect include requiring visitors to wear face coverings and maintain a 6-foot distance from individuals outside of their party, and prohibiting the gathering of groups larger than five.

PAMPA—April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and CASA of the High Plains is raising awareness of the need for more dedicated members of the community to step up and become CASA volunteers, and help break the cycle of abuse and neglect, through supporting children and families.

Hemphill County/District Clerk Lisa Johnson is reminding voters, ages 65 and older, that they are eligible to vote by mail. All they need do is check the box for Annual Application which applies to all of the elections in the calendar year for which they are qualified to vote.

The Texas unemployment rate currently sits at 47 percent for the month of March, and is expected to rise further during the month of April. Since March 21, 32 people have filed for unemployment in Hemphill County, up 59 percent from 2019.

It was a tumultous evening Tuesday for many Hemphill County residents, who got the first whiff of the storms the National Weather Service had been promising just before 6 pm when the storm clouds began to appear and a light rain started to fall. Booming thunder drove the point home, though, as heavy rain mixed with hail pelted the area off and on during the evening and in the early morning hours.

AUSTIN—The Texas Department of Public Safety is seeking information and asking for the public’s help in solving the 1985 cold case homicide of Dorothy Estep. An increased reward of up to $6,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible for her death if the tip is received before the next featured Texas Rangers cold case is announced. A $3,000 reward for information leading to an arrest is routinely offered on all cases on the Texas Rangers Unsolved Homicides website.