Panhandle
Politics
TWDB: Texas Panhandle, West Texas drought conditions expected to worsen through spring
The Texas Water Development Board reported that drought conditions across the state were mostly stagnant, increasing by less than one percentage point in the last week, although that still leaves the state with its most far-reaching drought impact since late January.
City of Borger, surrounding area under ‘boil water’ notice after power outages
Officials with TCW Supply in Borger announced on Monday morning that multiple communities in its service area will be under a "boil water" notice for drinking water after power has been restored to its wells.
Wildfire lawsuits mount against utility companies
Following the largest wildfire in Texas history, Xcel Energy, which services many areas of the Texas Panhandle, is now facing multiple lawsuits for its alleged negligence prior to the lawsuits filed in relation to the Smokehouse Creek Fire. Xcel Energy was already facing more than 280 lawsuits from the 2021 Marshall fire in Colorado, which caused over $2 billion in property damage in the area.
White Deer ISD announces major district changes
The White Deer Independent School District (WDISD) is announcing major changes to the district in effort to draw in more students to the area. According to the WDISD superintendent Duane Limbaugh, who also recently joined the district last year, the district has not only welcomed him and his children with open arms, but also has helped to embrace the changes throughout the district.
SBA opens third disaster loan outreach center in Texas Panhandle
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has opened a third location for a disaster loan outreach center in the Texas Panhandle in wake of the recent wildfires. Gov. Greg Abbott announced last week that SBA approved his request for disaster declarations in communities affected by wildfires, including the counties of Armstrong, Carson, Donley, Gray, Hansford, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, and Wheeler. ...
Panhandle Wildfires Investigative Committee to host hearings in Pampa, hear testimony
An investigative committee formed to study the recent weeks-long outbreak of devastating wildfires across the Texas Panhandle will meet during the first week of April in Pampa to hear testimony from the public about the causes and response to the wildfires.
The Largest Wildfire in Texas History Has Finally Been Contained
Finally, some good news to report on the wildfire that has been ravaging acres of Texas. That's right, crews across the Texas panhandle have been working tirelessly for almost a month to try and contain what has been called the Smokehouse Creek Fire. It will go down as the largest wildfire in Texas history due to the amount of acreage that was burnt in the fire. Thankfully thanks to local officials, many were able to evacuate in time and the total deaths for people was only two.
Texas Railroad Commissioners assess over $3 million in penalties; one penalty in Texas Panhandle
The Railroad Commission of Texas announced Tuesday that RRC Commissioners assessed $3.1 million in fines involving 775 enforcement dockets against operators and businesses at the Commissioners' Conference.
The Largest Wildfire in Texas History Has Finally Been Contained
Finally, some good news to report on the wildfire that has been ravaging acres of Texas. That's right, crews across the Texas panhandle have been working tirelessly for almost a month to try and contain what has been called the Smokehouse Creek Fire. It will go down as the largest wildfire in Texas history due to the amount of acreage that was burnt in the fire. Thankfully thanks to local officials, many were able to evacuate in time and the total deaths for people was only two.
Borger announces death of Councilmember Milton Ooley
The city of Borger announced Monday that councilmember Milton Ooley had died at 69. Ooley, who recently served as mayor pro tem, was elected to the Borger City Council in 2016 and graduated from Borger High School, Frank Phillips College and West Texas A&M University. He was a retired educator in the Borger, Dalhart and Fritch communities and a veteran of the U.S. Army. ...
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.