News

Voucher bill passes Senate, arrives in House

A bill to implement school vouchers in Texas sailed through the Senate largely on party lines last week and now awaits consideration in the House, the Austin American-Statesman reported. House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, said he believes there are enough votes in that chamber to pass the legislation, which was defeated a half-dozen times in 2023 by a coalition of Democratic and rural Republican members.

Canadian ISD Superintendent Julia McMains sent the following letter last week to allay parental concerns about a variety of health and safety issues, and submitted it to The Record yesterday for publication:

Seasonal illnesses, including the flu, are significantly impacting blood donations. Texas is among the hardest-hit states, with widespread flu cases leading to school closures and canceled high school blood drives. Many adults caring for sick family members are also unable to donate, further straining the local blood supply.

Coffee Memorial Blood Center is calling on all healthy, eligible individuals to donate as soon as possible to help ensure patients receive the lifesaving care they need.

Misdemeanor Arrests

None

Felony Arrests

None

• Kenneth Ray Lovell, 72, Canadian; warrant for driving while intoxicated, third, motion to revoke; 01/30/2025; HCSO

Citations

• Christopher Robert Beattie, Dumas; speeding and no financial responsibility; 02/01/25

COLLEGE STATION¾Texas A&M Forest Service awarded over $951,000 to 168 landowners to conduct prescribed fires this year. This funding will treat 35,138 acres. 

Candidate filing gains momentum for candidates seeking a place on the ballot in the May 3 city council, hospital, and school board elections. With nine open seats at stake, seven candidates have filed in the past three weeks. 

Intent to Drill 

None

Gas Completions 

MOORE (PANHANDLE, WEST) Scout Energy Management LLC, #1A Read, 9.5 mi NW from Fritch, Sec 1, Blk M3, W R Ozier Surv, A-1336, spud 5-12-2019, compl 11-4-2024, tested 11-22-2024, potential 119 mcf, 0 bbls-oil, 0 bbls wtr, 0# 

ftp, 7# CP, TVD 3151’, PBD n/s’, API 42-341-33533, Vertical

Oil Completions

CANADIAN—Local ranchers, landowners, and community leaders are invited to join the Hemphill/Roberts Counties Wildfire Preparedness Meeting, hosted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, to strengthen wildfire mitigation and emergency readiness. The meeting will take place on February 13, 2025, at the Hemphill County Annex in Canadian. 

$1 billion for vouchers, $5 billion for teachers?

Legislative budget writers are proposing nearly $5 billion to increase teacher pay and $1 billion to implement a school voucher program in the next biennium, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

A newly-empaneled Hemphill County Grand Jury met on Thursday, January 23, and returned with seven indictments. 

• Tyvan Brett Hegwood, 38, was indicted on a state jail felony charge for possession of a controlled substance, Penalty Grade 2. On February 18, 2024, Hegwood was arrested and charged with intentionally and knowingly possessing less than one gram of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in Hemphill County. His bond was set at $12,500.