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Local fire departments respond to the Ox Box Fire, which consumed over 1,000 acres in Hall County. HEDLEY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Local fire departments respond to the Ox Box Fire, which consumed over 1,000 acres in Hall County. HEDLEY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Wildfires ravage Panhandle

Elizabeth Tanner
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
CHILDRESS — With high winds and dry heat, dozens of fires broke out across the Texas Panhandle Friday, May 15-Saturday, May 16, burning thousands of acres and prompting assistance from the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Winfred Dale Lenz

Winfred Dale Lenz

Wellington’s Lenz sentenced to 18 years

Elizabeth Tanner
Friday, May 15, 2026
WELLINGTON — Winfred Dale Lenz, 22, of Wellington was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the second-degree felony offense of attempted aggravated sexual assault of a child. Lenz pleaded Wednesday, April 29 in the 100th Judicial District Court in Collingsworth County.

Collingsworth Commissioners consolidate precincts

Bev Odom
Friday, May 15, 2026
WELLINGTON – The Commissioners’ Court of Collingsworth County convened for a regular meeting at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 13 at the Collingsworth County Courthouse. Collingsworth County Judge Scot Martindale presided. Also present were Pct. 1 Commissioner Keith Martin, Pct.
Memphis City Secretary Amalia Gaxiola administers the oath of office to newly elected council members Melisa Hibbitts and Micah Casas during the Monday, May 11 meeting at Memphis City Hall. CITY OF

Memphis City Secretary Amalia Gaxiola administers the oath of office to newly elected council members Melisa Hibbitts and Micah Casas during the Monday, May 11 meeting at Memphis City Hall. CITY OF

Newly elected council members

News Staff
Friday, May 15, 2026
Mayor Joe Davis presents an appreciation award to Alderman Woodrow Richardson for his 24 years of service to the citizens of Memphis during Monday’s council meeting.

Mayor Joe Davis presents an appreciation award to Alderman Woodrow Richardson for his 24 years of service to the citizens of Memphis during Monday’s council meeting.

Memphis installs elected aldermen

Roger Estlack
Friday, May 15, 2026
MEMPHIS — The Memphis City Council installed recently elected aldermen and honored the service of one alderman who chose not to run for re-election Monday, May 11. Mayor Joe Davis read the election report, and the council approved the official canvass of the city officer’s election.

Runoff election early voting begins May 18

Bev Odom
Friday, May 15, 2026
WELLINGTON – Early voting for the Democratic and Republican Runoff Election begins Monday, May 18 and will continue through Friday, May 22. Those wanting to vote early can cast ballots from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the clerk’s office in the Collingsworth County Courthouse.
Candy Powell, administrator of Collingsworth General Hospital since 2006, receives the prestigious Becker’s Healthcare distinction for the second year in a row. COLLINGSWORTH GENERAL HOPSITAL

Candy Powell, administrator of Collingsworth General Hospital since 2006, receives the prestigious Becker’s Healthcare distinction for the second year in a row. COLLINGSWORTH GENERAL HOPSITAL

Becker’s Healthcare applauds CGH administrator

Bev Odom
Friday, May 15, 2026
WELLINGTON – For the second consecutive year, Collingsworth General Hospital (CGH) Administrator Candy Powell has earned one of Becker’s Healthcare “Rural Hospital and Health System Presidents and CEOs to Know” titles for 2026.
Shari Bellizzi-Davis, a longtime educator at Wellington Independent School District (ISD), will join a prestigious panel of adjudicators this week for the 2026 One Act Play (OAP) State Championships. Bellizzi- Davis is set to preside over the 3A-level competition, adding yet another milestone to an extensive career in the performing arts.

Shari Bellizzi-Davis, a longtime educator at Wellington Independent School District (ISD), will join a prestigious panel of adjudicators this week for the 2026 One Act Play (OAP) State Championships. Bellizzi- Davis is set to preside over the 3A-level competition, adding yet another milestone to an extensive career in the performing arts.

Wellington’s Bellizzi-Davis to judge state One Act Play

Bev Odom
Friday, May 15, 2026
WELLINGTON – Shari Bellizzi-Davis, a longtime educator at Wellington Independent School District (ISD), will join a prestigious panel of adjudicators this week for the 2026 One Act Play (OAP) State Championships.
Wellington High School (WHS) junior Kaycee Martinez, left, will reign as Wellington Lions Club’s new 2026-2027 Sweetheart. Members selected Martinez during the Monday, May 4 meeting, where junior Maggie Tillman, right, also competed for the honor. Each candidate addressed the Lions and described their involvement in school activities and passion for community service. The 2025-2026 Sweetheart, Treylea Wiebe, congratulates both candidates. BEV ODOM/THE GREENBELT INTREPID

Wellington High School (WHS) junior Kaycee Martinez, left, will reign as Wellington Lions Club’s new 2026-2027 Sweetheart. Members selected Martinez during the Monday, May 4 meeting, where junior Maggie Tillman, right, also competed for the honor. Each candidate addressed the Lions and described their involvement in school activities and passion for community service. The 2025-2026 Sweetheart, Treylea Wiebe, congratulates both candidates. BEV ODOM/THE GREENBELT INTREPID

Wellington Lions select Sweetheart

News Staff
Friday, May 15, 2026
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