THE GRAHAM LEADER Oldest business institution in Young County • Established August 16, 1876 WEEKEND EDITION • SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2020 | VOL. 144, NO. 59 • SINGLE COPY $1 WWW.GRAHAMLEADER.COM In this issue City enacts Stage 4 water conservation order to Unofficial primary election results repair leak Page 3 BY THOMAS WALLNER [email protected] Graham City Council approved a Stage 4 Emergency Declaration Order in the city’s Water Conser- vation Plan Thursday, so the city can begin their repairs to the main water line next week. The city is scheduling repairs GEIC window for their main water line in to Candidates and visitors to the Young County Courthouse look at a television screen on Tues- the city for 8 a.m. March 9 in day displaying the unofficial results of the March primary election. Despite a slight increase cling project in early voting turnout, the turnout overall was less than that of the 2016 primary election. an effort to stop a leak to the Leader photo by Thomas Wallner Page 6 line on Hwy. 16. As a part of the process, the city is asking residents to conserve water use through this emergency order. Young County sees drop in The city topped off all tanks in town Thursday, March 5 to limit flows and ensure water service turnout at March primaries for essential needs will not be disrupted during the repairs, according to a public notice from New precinct 1 commissioner and tax City Manager Brandon Anderson. Lady Rams fall to Anderson released a public assessor-collector elected Lady Blues notice about the project Monday, Page 7 Feb. 24 and spoke on the topic BY THOMAS WALLNER posted an update Feb. 28 on Crail and Christy Centers. during the Thursday, Feb. 22 [email protected] the county’s official elections Nancy Thomas, who has served city council meeting. The repairs Facebook page stating 1,878 five terms as the tax-assessor will be made on the 24-inch cast Despite seeing a push during voters turned out in total for collector, announced in late Community iron line to town which will be early voting in the March pri- early voting, or 16% of the 2019 that she would not be replaced with a PVC C900/c905 mary election, Young County 11,631 registered voters within seeking reelection in the March Calendar 24-inch line, according to Graham ended Super Tuesday with less the county. During the 2016 3 primary election. Candidates Director of Public Works Randall voter turnout than the 2016 election, a total of 1,705 ballots who filed for the office of county primary election. were cast during early voting, commissioner, pct. 1 were Stacy Monday, March 9 Dawson. “Right now, we know that there Voting ended Tuesday, March or a 14.7% turnout with 11,541 Creswell and Mike Sipes. Can- 7 p.m. - The Young County is roughly 20-foot that needs to 3, with 4,165 votes cast during registered voters in the county. didates who filed for the office Democratic Association is be replaced,” Dawson said Thurs- the election, or a 35.81% turn- A total of 4,273 ballots were cast of county commissioner, pct. 3 hosting its monthly meeting at day. “It just depends on how bad out from the 11,631 registered during election day, or a 37% were Stacey K. Rogers and Scott the North Central Texas College the bottom of the pipe is once we voters in the county, according turnout with 11,541 registered (Scooter) Phillips. Graham campus, Room E-1. get started.” to the county results submitted voters in the county, according In the race for sheriff, if no All are invited to the meeting. Under the Stage 4 order, water Tuesday. During the 2016 elec- to the 2016 county canvass two candidates received 50% can only be used for essential tion, the county had 4,273 votes report. and one additional vote during Tuesday, March 10 needs and residents are asked cast, or a 37.02% turnout from Local offices up for elec- the primary election, then the 1 p.m. - Graham’s local Texas to refrain from outdoor watering the 11,541 registered voters in tion with contested races top two candidates would have the county. Retired Teachers Association other and other discretional use included sheriff, county tax moved to a primary runoff elec- Young County exceeded their assessor-collector and county tion Tuesday, May 26. Babcock is welcoming members and until the order is lifted. early voting totals from the commissioner, pct. 1 and 3. exceeded the amount needed guests to their next meeting at “Stage 4, means that there is no 2016 primary election during Candidates who filed for the to not hold a runoff election Elmcroft Senior Living Center outdoor watering, and there ac- tually is two days that you could the last day of early voting in office of sheriff were Travis with 2,864 votes, or 79.12% of in Graham. Savanna Williams water and that is Wednesday and the March 3 primary election Babcock (incumbent), Tim Bay the overall vote. Babcock was will give a program on spring Thursday in the evenings and on Friday, Feb. 28. and Charlie Parker. Candidates followed by Bay who received gardening. For questions about wrapping up at 9 o’clock p.m.” Young County Elections Ad- who filed for county tax asses- the meeting or organization, ministrator, Lauren Sullivan, sor-collector were Stephanie See Election, Page 3 call 940-447-4934 or 940- See Water, Page 10 550-4977. ••• 6 p.m. - Young County Re- publicans will meet at the Republican Headquarters at Young County Historical Museum 525 Fourth St. All are invited to the meeting. ••• project suggested to Lions Club Noon - Graham Fire Depart- BY MADALYN HEIMANN partner with the Old Post Of- ment will begin their seasonal [email protected] fice Museum and Art Center siren testing around the city. and Fort Belknap, would be For more information, contact With the history that Gra- an economic driver for the the fire department at 940- ham and Young County has, community. 549-4013. members of the community In their presentation they are looking to propose a spoke about the possible Saturday, March 14 Young County Historical topics for display, including Young County Masonic Lodge Museum. some of the reasons why they is hosting their Public Consign- Shannon Potts and Tony came up with the idea for a ment Auction at the Old Ag Widner presented the pro- museum. Barn in Graham. The program posal for a Young County “One of the reasons I kind provides scholarships for stu- Historical Museum to Lions of came up with the museum dents at Graham, Newcastle Club on Wednesday, March 4. was, first of all my family has Robert Michael Cross walks back into the Young County District and Olney High Schools. To The two spoke about the some of the historical sites. Courtroom on Wednesday, Jan. 22 during a plea trial docket for consign, call Weldon Floyd at amount of significant pieces We have the Warren Wagon his case. of history which occurred Train Massacre site with Leader file photo in Young County and how See Calendar, Page 2 something like a museum, to See Museum, Page 2 New attorney appointed Calendar 1-2 Classifieds 8-11 in Olney Cross case Entertainment 5 BY MADALYN HEIMANN Judge Bristow, and attorney Obituaries 2 [email protected] Tim Ford, stated they believe Opinion 4-5 there was no merit to the claims. Sports 7 Facing several charges includ- In response to this Ford filed a Weather 4 ing sexual assault and oppres- motion to withdraw. sion, former Olney Police Chief, Ford stated there has been Robert Michael Cross, filed a issues that had affected with the motion to disqualify counsel attorney-client relationship. This PALO PINTO at his plea hearing Wednesday motion was granted by Judge COMMUNICATIONS, LP and has been appointed a new Bristow, who asked Cross if he Shannon Potts and Tony Widner spoke to the members of attorney in his case. wanted to hire an attorney, which the Graham Lions Club on Wednesday, March 4 about a At his plea negotiation hearing he chose not to. Judge Bristow possible Young County Historical Museum. The pair has on March 4, Cross appeared be- then appointed a new attorney plans to show off the history of Young County and Graham fore 90th District Judge Stephen out of Dallas to represent Cross. in the form of a museum. Bristow filing a motion to disqual- Bristow said that he will allow Leader photo by Madalyn Heimann ify counsel, resulting in a counter motion to withdraw. See Cross, Page 5 2 • The Graham Leader www.grahamleader.com Saturday, March 7, 2020 Museum Continued from Page 1 Potts said that there is by Our Neck of the Woods a lot of unexplored history where a prisoner was shot OBITUARIES the monument that was about Young County and while trying to escape,” Marianna Lee nie of Graham and Cathy erected in 1936, the event Graham that this muse- Widner said. “Texas Rang- Stovall of Graham; grand- happened in 1871. We also um could educate people er shot someone that was Bellah children, Rob Whitmire and got on that same property about, including the rail- trying to flee out of the wife, Josie of Aledo, Krista the monument school- roads in Young County, courthouse in 1973.” Marianna Lee Bellah, Gannon and husband, Brad house and just east of it is Goodnight-Loving Trail, There are many places 95, passed away Tuesday, of Aubrey, Sarah Stovall of the Cox Mountain where Brazos Indian Reservation in town, especially around March 3, 2020 in Graham.