News

LOCAL ELECTION UPDATE

Before Friday’s filing deadline in the May 3 elections, thirteen candidates had signed up for nine open seats, setting up contested races for both school and hospital boards.

Candidates for three open seats on the Hemphill County Hospital District Board of Directors are incumbents Whitney Jones, Colby Leach and Cory Pittman, as well as former board member Jesse Hanes and newcomer Travis Macias.

Lawmaker calls for probe into $95 million lottery jackpot

The Texas Lottery Commission and its former director are under scrutiny after they allegedly helped a single entity win a $95 million Lotto Texas Jackpot, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Written testimony at a state legislative hearing last week from an attorney indicated an entity called Rook TX guaranteed it would win the jackpot by buying virtually every one of the nearly 26 million possible six-number combinations in the drawing, held in April 2023.

Intents to Drill

LIPSCOMB (BRADFORD, Morrow Lower; LIPSCOMB, Atoka; LIPSCOMB, Morrow; WILDCAT; BRADFORD, Morrow) Carson Buckles Exploration LLC, #3861 Schoenhals, (644.95 acres) 1940’ FSL & 2350’ FEL, Sec 861, Blk 43, H&TC RR Surv, A-333, 8 mi SW from Darrouzett TD 10150’,  (sgd. Carson Buckles 806-570-9628) Vertical Recompletion

Travis Macias, Candidate
Hemphill County Hospital District Board of Directors

Ashton Macias, Candidate
Canadian ISD Board of Trustees

I am honored to seek re-election as a Canadian ISD School Board Trustee. Born and raised in Canadian, I am deeply invested in our community—both as a parent with children in the district and as a local business owner. 

Misdemeanor Arrests

• Raymond Kent Garza, 33, Canadian; resist arrest, search or transportation; wrong, fictitious, altered or obscured license plate; possession of drug paraphernalia; 02/05/25; HCSO

Felony Arrests

• Marco Antonio Garibay, 49, Pearland; three warrants for sexual assault of a child; 02/10/25; TXDPS-Canadian

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