News

Hemphill County Hospital reported a significant decline in COVID-19 positive cases this week, noting that only 12 new cases have been confirmed for in-county residents, and only two in out-of-county residents. More positive news came from Canadian ISD, which has reported only two new cases in the last seven days, with only one active case remaining. There have been 269 cases reported at CISD since the start of the school year. In its 14-day report, the hospital is reporting fewer tests conducted in the lab, fewer positives, and lower positivity rates—a good sign, they noted, but added, “It’s definitely not time to let our guard down.”

In addition to local elections for city council, and hospital, school, and water district boards, voters on May 7 will decide the fate of two statewide ballot measures—both related to ad valorem taxes.

Voting restrictions enacted by Texas lawmakers recently are causing problems for both voters and for local election officials. Hundreds of applications are being rejected around the state, the Texas Tribune reported last week, because voters appear not to know the new rules, and election workers who are still deciphering the procedures are encountering a lack of help and information from the Texas secretary of state’s office.