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.

In their Jan. 25 meeting, the Hemphill County Hospital Board addressed the following matters, including renewing contracts, reviewing financial reports, and hearing a COVID-19 update from CEO Christy Francis.

The 2022 spotter-training season has begun, and SKYWARN spotter-training classes are being offered both virtually and in-person. Two virtual classes are available this month, on Tuesday, Feb. 15, and the following Tuesday, Feb. 22—both from 7-9 pm.

Early voting begins next Monday, Feb. 14, in the March 1 Republican and Democratic primary elections. Two contested races headline the Republican primary here in Hemphill County.

Ogallala Commons, a nonprofit education and leadership organization (www.ogallalacommons.org), invites the interested public to attend our Local Food Summit 4.0 on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the O’Loughlin Center, located at 502 S. Brant St. in Spearman, from 9:30 am-2:30 pm.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has issued this year’s first rabid animal report in Public Region 1. It is also the first rabies case in Hemphill County in 2022.

An upper-level storm system brought an arctic air mass and moisture to the Panhandles last Wednesday through Friday, Feb. 2-4. Flurries started Tuesday overnight into Wednesday morning with a narrow band of moderate snowfall setting up Wednesday morning from Vega to Pampa.

PTCI this week announced a new push to help build awareness about the Affordable Connectivity Program, a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program. The new long-term benefit will help to lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households struggling to afford internet service.