CANADIAN, TX – Today, 11 Texas Panhandle cities announced the formation of the “Lonestar Eleven” coalition following years of negligent operations by Minnesota-based Xcel Energy, and the growing threat of preventable utility-caused wildfires in one of the most fire-prone regions of the country.
Libel and conspiracy claims against four defendants in a lawsuit filed last year by the family of Thomas Brown were dismissed last week by Texas’ Seventh District Court of Appeals. It was the second court decision in response to the lawsuit, following a previous ruling in June 2023 dismissing four other defendants in the case.
Additional disaster assistance approved
Seven Texas counties have been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for grants for emergency work and replacement of disaster-damaged public infrastructure, after severe weather and flooding struck much of Deep East Texas, Gov. Gregg Abbott’s office reported. Counties eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance program include Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity and Walker.
Christmas came early to firefighters in Canadian, Gem City and Briscoe Wednesday evening. Hemphill County landowners Salem Abraham and Trey and Anita Webb announced the presentation of generous gift cards to each of 56 fire department volunteers in gratitude for the dangerous and difficult work they do.
IN PHOTO ABOVE: One of Ezzell Brown's Record editorials cited as libelous by Meek family in lawsuit
In a ruling issued late Monday afternoon, 99th District Court Judge J. Phillip Hays granted a motion to dismiss a libel lawsuit against The Canadian Record and Editor/Publisher Laurie Ezzell Brown. The lawsuit was filed in February on behalf of the Estate of Thomas Brown through its representative and Tom’s mother Penny Meek, and individually by Penny Meek, her husband Chris Meek, and her son Tucker Brown.
