News
Graham man guilty in child porn case
by David Rupkalvis
(Posted Tue 02:45 pm)
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William Fred Weatherford editor@grahamleader.com
A Graham man will spend at least the next 15 years in prison after pleading guilty last week to producing child pornography.
William Fred Weatherford, 71, pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography In front of U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor. The plea stems from an incident where Weatherford took nude photographs of a 3-year-old Graham girl.
Weatherford faces a maximum sentence of not less than 15 years nor more than 30 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. He will be required to register as a sex offender.
According Read More...
by David Rupkalvis
(Posted Tue 02:45 pm)
William Fred Weatherford editor@grahamleader.com
A Graham man will spend at least the next 15 years in prison after pleading guilty last week to producing child pornography.
William Fred Weatherford, 71, pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography In front of U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor. The plea stems from an incident where Weatherford took nude photographs of a 3-year-old Graham girl.
Weatherford faces a maximum sentence of not less than 15 years nor more than 30 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. He will be required to register as a sex offender.
According Read More...
Crawford steps aside in Craft case
by David Rupkalvis
(Posted Tue 02:44 pm)
editor@grahamleader.com
When Jeremiah Justin Craft goes to trial to face charges of murder and sexual assault, 90th Judicial District Judge Stephen Crawford will not be presiding over the case.
On Monday, the defense asked Crawford to recuse himself from the case, and Crawford granted the request.
Defense attorney Chuck Smith asked Crawford to recuse himself or be disqualified because Crawford’s former law firm represented Craft in two separate incidents many years ago. Crawford said his former law partner Kerwin Stephens represented Craft in a juvenile case and also in a hearing in front of the school board. At the Read More...
by David Rupkalvis
(Posted Tue 02:44 pm)
editor@grahamleader.com
When Jeremiah Justin Craft goes to trial to face charges of murder and sexual assault, 90th Judicial District Judge Stephen Crawford will not be presiding over the case.
On Monday, the defense asked Crawford to recuse himself from the case, and Crawford granted the request.
Defense attorney Chuck Smith asked Crawford to recuse himself or be disqualified because Crawford’s former law firm represented Craft in two separate incidents many years ago. Crawford said his former law partner Kerwin Stephens represented Craft in a juvenile case and also in a hearing in front of the school board. At the Read More...
A special group of Olympians
by David Rupkalvis
(Posted Tue 02:43 pm)
Sammy Fuentes, top left, concentrates while participating in the ball dribbling competition at the Area 9 Special Olympics competition Saturday. editor@grahamleader.com
As a gym full of spectators watched, Ed Heath took a deep breath and put on a performance that would have made any basketball fan cheer.
Heath waited for the starter and then took off. For two minutes, he dribbled the basketball at a rate so fast those counting had a hard time keeping up. When Heath finished his performance, it took several seconds for the counters to figure out how many dribbles Heath took.
As the officials discussed the figures, one spectator ran out on the court and shouted, “That has to be a record.” Whether it Read More...
by David Rupkalvis
(Posted Tue 02:43 pm)
Sammy Fuentes, top left, concentrates while participating in the ball dribbling competition at the Area 9 Special Olympics competition Saturday. editor@grahamleader.com
As a gym full of spectators watched, Ed Heath took a deep breath and put on a performance that would have made any basketball fan cheer.
Heath waited for the starter and then took off. For two minutes, he dribbled the basketball at a rate so fast those counting had a hard time keeping up. When Heath finished his performance, it took several seconds for the counters to figure out how many dribbles Heath took.
As the officials discussed the figures, one spectator ran out on the court and shouted, “That has to be a record.” Whether it Read More...
Going for gold
(Posted Tue 02:37 pm)
Ed Heath dribbles down the floor in a timed race. Heath captured a gold medal in the Special Olympics on Saturday.
Read More...
(Posted Tue 02:37 pm)
Ed Heath dribbles down the floor in a timed race. Heath captured a gold medal in the Special Olympics on Saturday.
Read More...
Council looks at city's future capital plans
by Cherry Rushin
(Posted Tue 02:35 pm)
newsdesk@grahamleader.com
Graham City Council discussed a capital improvement plan at Thursday’s regular meeting.
Proposed items total $12 million and are to take place over the next 10 years. The bulk of that expense is in improvements to the water and waste water systems.
“We went through and tried to lay out year by year the projects and distribute them as much as we could to maintain the integrity of our systems that we have out there,” said Assistant City Manager Tim James.
James said the discussion was purely preliminary, but all of the items are necessary, and City Manager Read More...
by Cherry Rushin
(Posted Tue 02:35 pm)
newsdesk@grahamleader.com
Graham City Council discussed a capital improvement plan at Thursday’s regular meeting.
Proposed items total $12 million and are to take place over the next 10 years. The bulk of that expense is in improvements to the water and waste water systems.
“We went through and tried to lay out year by year the projects and distribute them as much as we could to maintain the integrity of our systems that we have out there,” said Assistant City Manager Tim James.
James said the discussion was purely preliminary, but all of the items are necessary, and City Manager Read More...
Sports
Steers come up short in regional semifinal
by Clay Stewart
(Posted Tue 12:42 pm)
Nathan Harbour soars through the lane to score a basket in Friday's loss to Wichita Falls Hischi in the regional semifinals at Lubbock. sports@grahamleader.com
When the game was over, the Steers were stunned. The coaches were at a loss for an explanation, and the players wore dazed looks.
But one thing was for certain – basketball season had ended for the Steers.
Wichita Falls Hirschi took an early lead and never looked back in a 70-38 victory in the region I semifinal at the United Spirit Arena in Lubbock.
“I don’t know,” Dylan Fulford said. “No shots were falling, and we just weren’t making them play to our level tonight.”
The Steers looked stunned from the start. Hirschi jumped out to Complete Story...
by Clay Stewart
(Posted Tue 12:42 pm)
Nathan Harbour soars through the lane to score a basket in Friday's loss to Wichita Falls Hischi in the regional semifinals at Lubbock. sports@grahamleader.com
When the game was over, the Steers were stunned. The coaches were at a loss for an explanation, and the players wore dazed looks.
But one thing was for certain – basketball season had ended for the Steers.
Wichita Falls Hirschi took an early lead and never looked back in a 70-38 victory in the region I semifinal at the United Spirit Arena in Lubbock.
“I don’t know,” Dylan Fulford said. “No shots were falling, and we just weren’t making them play to our level tonight.”
The Steers looked stunned from the start. Hirschi jumped out to Complete Story...
Lady Blues place second in home tournament
by Clay Stewart
(Posted Tue 12:38 pm)
Ashley Snyder kisses her putter after making par on the third hole. sports@grahamleader.com
“We only have three holes to go,” Ashley Snyder said. “I hope we can finish.”
And then the rains came.
While the Graham Lady Blues golf team waited out the rains Monday at Graham Country Club, the wait was worth it for some as the Blues finished second only to Snyder in their home tournament.
Play was suspended for about an hour with just three holes remaining for most of the players.
Ashley Snyder led the way for the Lady Blues by shooting 78, her first competitive round in the 70s. Snyder finished second behind Abby Complete Story...
by Clay Stewart
(Posted Tue 12:38 pm)
Ashley Snyder kisses her putter after making par on the third hole. sports@grahamleader.com
“We only have three holes to go,” Ashley Snyder said. “I hope we can finish.”
And then the rains came.
While the Graham Lady Blues golf team waited out the rains Monday at Graham Country Club, the wait was worth it for some as the Blues finished second only to Snyder in their home tournament.
Play was suspended for about an hour with just three holes remaining for most of the players.
Ashley Snyder led the way for the Lady Blues by shooting 78, her first competitive round in the 70s. Snyder finished second behind Abby Complete Story...
Graham Steers Baseball
(Posted Tue 12:37 pm)
The next five:
Thurs thru Sat: at Bangs Tournament
March 19 – vs. Bowie
March 23 – vs. Snyder
March 26 – vs. Sweetwater
March 30 – at Brownwood
(Posted Tue 12:37 pm)
The next five:
Thurs thru Sat: at Bangs Tournament
March 19 – vs. Bowie
March 23 – vs. Snyder
March 26 – vs. Sweetwater
March 30 – at Brownwood
Graham Lady Blues Softball
(Posted Tue 12:37 pm)
The next five:
Thurs thru Sat:
hosting Graham Touranment
March 19 – vs. Snyder
March 23 – vs. Sweetwater
March 26 – vs. Brownwood
March 30 – vs. Abilene Wylie
(Posted Tue 12:37 pm)
The next five:
Thurs thru Sat:
hosting Graham Touranment
March 19 – vs. Snyder
March 23 – vs. Sweetwater
March 26 – vs. Brownwood
March 30 – vs. Abilene Wylie
Possum Kingdom Tournament
(Posted Tue 12:35 pm)
The Graham Lady Blues will host a softball tournament beginning Thursday:
Thursday:
Lady Blues Field:
9 a.m. - City View at Bridgeport
10:45 – City View vs. Iowa Park
12:30 p.m. – Bowie vs. Petrolia
2:15 – Graham vs. Caprock
4 p.m. – Seminole vs. Iowa Park
5:45 p.m. – Cooper vs. Vernon
7:30 p.m. – Graham vs. Jim Ned
Pool games will also be played at Fireman’s Park.
Graham also plays at 9 a.m. Friday against Cooper.
Bracket play is afternoon Friday and Saturday.
(Posted Tue 12:35 pm)
The Graham Lady Blues will host a softball tournament beginning Thursday:
Thursday:
Lady Blues Field:
9 a.m. - City View at Bridgeport
10:45 – City View vs. Iowa Park
12:30 p.m. – Bowie vs. Petrolia
2:15 – Graham vs. Caprock
4 p.m. – Seminole vs. Iowa Park
5:45 p.m. – Cooper vs. Vernon
7:30 p.m. – Graham vs. Jim Ned
Pool games will also be played at Fireman’s Park.
Graham also plays at 9 a.m. Friday against Cooper.
Bracket play is afternoon Friday and Saturday.
Lifestyles
Smith returns to the Alamo as a star
by Gay Storms
(Posted Tue 02:33 pm)
Dean Smith, second from right, went to the Alamo in San Antonio to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the movie, "The Alamo." Smith was the only member of the cast to attend the celebration. During the event, Smith got to visit with re-enactors who played the role of the fall of the Alamo. Smith was also honored for his "spectacular stunt career." Smith took his wife, Debby, and his son, Finis, with him. lifestyles@grahamleader.com
Dean Smith didn’t expect to be the only survivor of “The Alamo.”
Smith, his wife Debby and son Finis were invited to the 50th anniversary tribute to John Wayne’s movie, ‘The Alamo” released in 1960. The day in San Antonio included lots of surprises but none more astonishing than being center stage.
“I was the only person there from the movie, ‘The Alamo,’” said Dean. “That made me feel kind of funny.”
The Alamo Society — historians, educators, historical interpreters, researchers and artists — staged a celebration at the Alamo in San Antonio on March 6, a Complete Story...
by Gay Storms
(Posted Tue 02:33 pm)
Dean Smith, second from right, went to the Alamo in San Antonio to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the movie, "The Alamo." Smith was the only member of the cast to attend the celebration. During the event, Smith got to visit with re-enactors who played the role of the fall of the Alamo. Smith was also honored for his "spectacular stunt career." Smith took his wife, Debby, and his son, Finis, with him. lifestyles@grahamleader.com
Dean Smith didn’t expect to be the only survivor of “The Alamo.”
Smith, his wife Debby and son Finis were invited to the 50th anniversary tribute to John Wayne’s movie, ‘The Alamo” released in 1960. The day in San Antonio included lots of surprises but none more astonishing than being center stage.
“I was the only person there from the movie, ‘The Alamo,’” said Dean. “That made me feel kind of funny.”
The Alamo Society — historians, educators, historical interpreters, researchers and artists — staged a celebration at the Alamo in San Antonio on March 6, a Complete Story...
Birth Announcements
(Posted Tue 02:29 pm)
Allison Breanne Hysmith Ashley and William Hysmith announce the birth of their daughter, Allison Breanne Hysmith, born Feb. 25, 2010. She weighed 6 pounds and 1 ounce and was 19 inches long. She has one brother, Joshua Hysmith, 7. Maternal grandparents are John and Josielyn Wilton of Frisco and Suzanne Wilton of Graham. Maternal great-grandparent is Louise Harris of Graham. Paternal grandparents are Bill and Teresa Hysmith of Loving. Paternal great-grandparents are Warren and Frances Gallien of Giddings and Bruce and Wanda Hysmith of Denison.
(Posted Tue 02:29 pm)
Allison Breanne Hysmith Ashley and William Hysmith announce the birth of their daughter, Allison Breanne Hysmith, born Feb. 25, 2010. She weighed 6 pounds and 1 ounce and was 19 inches long. She has one brother, Joshua Hysmith, 7. Maternal grandparents are John and Josielyn Wilton of Frisco and Suzanne Wilton of Graham. Maternal great-grandparent is Louise Harris of Graham. Paternal grandparents are Bill and Teresa Hysmith of Loving. Paternal great-grandparents are Warren and Frances Gallien of Giddings and Bruce and Wanda Hysmith of Denison.
Fort Worth Orchestra visiting Graham
(Posted Tue 02:28 pm)
Andrea Franco will conduct the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra when it visits Graham on Saturday. (Courtesy photo) The Graham Concert Association will welcome the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra to Memorial Auditorium on Saturday, March 13.
The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Extra tickets are available after 7:15 p.m. for those who do not have memberships.
The FWSO has transcended the dream that founder Brooks Morris envisioned in 1925, when he assembled a group of musicians to create what is now one of the community’s greatest assets. Since its beginnings the orchestra has been an essential thread in the city’s cultural fabric and the very foundation of Fort Worth’s performing arts. The FWSO has had a special Complete Story...
(Posted Tue 02:28 pm)
Andrea Franco will conduct the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra when it visits Graham on Saturday. (Courtesy photo) The Graham Concert Association will welcome the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra to Memorial Auditorium on Saturday, March 13.
The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Extra tickets are available after 7:15 p.m. for those who do not have memberships.
The FWSO has transcended the dream that founder Brooks Morris envisioned in 1925, when he assembled a group of musicians to create what is now one of the community’s greatest assets. Since its beginnings the orchestra has been an essential thread in the city’s cultural fabric and the very foundation of Fort Worth’s performing arts. The FWSO has had a special Complete Story...
Calendar of Events
(Posted Tue 02:25 pm)
Wednesday, March 10
Noon Lions
The Graham Noon Lions Club luncheon will be at noon Wednesday at the American Legion Hall. Alan Low, George W. Bush Library director, and Emily Robinson, deputy director, will feature a presentation on the George W. Bush Library.
Stepping Stones
Open registration for enrollment in First Presbyterian Church Stepping Stones for the next school year will be from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, March 24, 24 and 26, at the church.
Preschool Enrollment
First United Methodist Church will offer a preschool program to children in the community Complete Story...
(Posted Tue 02:25 pm)
Wednesday, March 10
Noon Lions
The Graham Noon Lions Club luncheon will be at noon Wednesday at the American Legion Hall. Alan Low, George W. Bush Library director, and Emily Robinson, deputy director, will feature a presentation on the George W. Bush Library.
Stepping Stones
Open registration for enrollment in First Presbyterian Church Stepping Stones for the next school year will be from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, March 24, 24 and 26, at the church.
Preschool Enrollment
First United Methodist Church will offer a preschool program to children in the community Complete Story...