News

Between the oil- and gas-industry bust, and the business closings forced by the COV- ID-19 pandemic, local taxing entities are already sharpening their knives for fiscal year 2021, and preparing to trim the fat.

For Voters in Higgins and Canadian ISDs

Despite an executive order issued last week by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, and absent any response to requests for further guidance, local school officials seemed determined this week to continue with a special May 2 vote on the proposed consolidation of Canadian and Higgins ISDs.

WASHINGTON—Working with the Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service today unveiled the new Get My Payment with features to let taxpayers check on their economic impact payment date and update direct deposit information.

City officials voted unanimously this week to postpone the May 2 City Council election— which was to have been held jointly with Canadian ISD’s special election on school consolidation—until Nov. 3. The decision was made in a Tuesday City Council meeting, called in response to Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent executive order advising local officials to delay the election to safeguard the public during the COV- ID-19 pandemic.

On Thursday evening, April 2, Hemphill County Hospital District reported the first positive test for COVID-19 in Hemphill County. The news rocked the community, emptied local streets, and resulted in the closing of more local businesses, whose resources were already stretched thin by the pandemic’s effects.

On April 7, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a mandate asking Texas state parks to close to the public until further notice, in order to maintain the safest environment for visitors, volunteers, and staff. The historic sites and state parks closed at 5 pm on Tuesday, April 7 and will reopen at the governor’s orders.

Hemphill County Commissioners on Monday approved the extension of Judge George Briant’s declaration—issued last Wednesday—of a public health emergency declaration due to the spread of COVID-19.

AUSTIN—Gov. Greg Abbott on April 1 posted an online video message seeking Texans’ individual and collective help to reduce the spread of the deadly new coronavirus, COVID-19.

As cases of the coronavirus continue to climb in Texas and around the country, Gov. Greg Abbott hosted a press conference last Friday to assure Texans there are enough hospital beds across the state, and state leaders are continuing to work on plans to expand availability.