Local News
County divided over cancer funding
Turnout low in voting on proposed amendments
Johnson County voters mirrored the rest of Texas in Tuesday’s voting, approving all 16 proposed constitutional amendments. And like the rest of the state, voter turnout was also low.
“But it was a little better than expected,” said Cheri Hawkins, Johnson County elections administrator.
Out of 77,078 registered voters in Johnson County, each proposition received less than 4,000 votes.
The amendments authorize the state to borrow almost $10 billion in bonds to pay for projects on highway improvement, cancer research, state park improvements, student loans and water development assistance in economically distressed areas, among other projects.
Proposition 15, a measure allowing the state to borrow up to $3 billion for cancer research, proved the closest in Johnson County, passing by 21 votes.
Several officials, including State Rep. Rob Orr, R-Burleson, State Sen. Kip Averitt, R-McGregor, and Johnson County Republican Party Chairman Dan Hunt opposed the amendment. Orr said cancer research is better carried out on the private level and by the federal government rather than by the state. Other opponents said it might provide money for embryonic stem cell research, which many conservatives oppose.
The proposition passed by a fairly wide margin statewide.
“The voters spoke, but I think that in Johnson County, being one of the most conservative districts in Texas, a lot of people are questioning whether the state government should be doing cancer research,” Orr said.
Proposition 4, which allows the state to sell up to $1 billion in bonds for construction projects, crime labs and state park improvements, among other things, was also close in Johnson County. It passed by 343 votes out of 3,261.
Proposition 4 funding will go toward projects by the Texas Historical Commission, Texas Youth Commission, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Texas School for the Deaf, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Building and Procurement Commission, the Department of Public Safety, Parks and Wildlife Department, Department of State Health Services, Department of Aging and Disability Services and the Adjutant General’s Department. Fiscal conservatives object to the debt Texas will incur through the bonds.
Receiving the most votes in Johnson County were Propositions 6 and 9. Respectively they address motor vehicle disabled veteran exemptions from ad valorem tax.
Proposition 9 won in a landslide, with 87.89 percent of Johnson County votes going in favor.
Proposition 6 took 76.42 percent of the vote.
Propositions 7, 11 and 13 also passed with wide margins in the county. Proposition 7 will allow previous owners to buy back property acquired through eminent domain at the same price paid by the government to acquire the property.
“I’m very excited to see that [Proposition 7] passed overwhelmingly because that came through my committee,” Orr said. “It came out of the subcommittee that I chair and we worked so hard on it, so I’m very happy to see that one go through.”
Proposition 11 will provide public Internet access to recorded votes taken by the House. Proposition 13 will deny bail to a person who violates certain orders or conditions in a felony or family violence case.
Proposition 12 concerns transportation. The Johnson County Commissioners Court endorsed Proposition 12 on Oct. 22, and 60 percent of county voters were also in favor of the proposition. It will allow the state to borrow $5 billion for highway improvement projects.
- Cleburne
-
The Cleburne Conference Center was recently recognized by the Building of America Network.
-
Cleburne Conference Center recognized by building group
The Building of America Network selected the recently opened Cleburne Conference Center as one of its Building of America award winners.
-
Cleburne grad killed in U.S. 67 wreck
Wet road conditions are thought to have been a factor in an accident early Thursday that killed a Cleburne woman whose car ran into a tractor trailer. -
Cleburne veteran awarded ATI scholarship
A Cleburne resident is among those who have received an ATI Larry Gilbert/Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Scholarship that supports U.S. veterans living in Texas.
-
City tax rate protested, defended
A Tuesday called meeting of the Cleburne City Council prompted several residents to chime in on the proposed increase in city property tax rates. All voiced opposition to the measure.
City leaders are finalizing the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. -
Report faults pipeline operator for fatal explosion
The June 7 explosion of a gas pipeline near Godley resulted from numerous violations of state regulations by the operator, according to a Tuesday report by the Texas Railroad Commission.
-
Cleburne Conference Center recognized by building group
- Johnson County
-
The Cleburne Conference Center was recently recognized by the Building of America Network.
-
Cleburne Conference Center recognized by building group
The Building of America Network selected the recently opened Cleburne Conference Center as one of its Building of America award winners.
- Officials searching for assault suspect
- Cleburne grad killed in U.S. 67 wreck
- Cleburne veteran awarded ATI scholarship
- City tax rate protested, defended
-
Cleburne Conference Center recognized by building group
- Alvarado
-
-
Police officer benefit concert today
A concert benefiting a Grandview police officer injured in the line of duty kicks off at 5 p.m. today in Alvarado.
- Friday night sights
- Vandals desecrate cemetery
- Stage set for benefit honoring officer
- Oh, baby, they’re all pretty
-
Police officer benefit concert today
- Burleson
-
-
Friday night sights
Football was in the air this weekend as Johnson County teams hit the field for the first time in 2010.
- Crash claims life of Burleson drag racer
- Businessman says city’s first tattoo studio will be upscale
- United Way, community build a better Johnson County
- Chisholm Trail 100 gives Grandview officer a helping hand
-
Friday night sights
- Godley
-
Riggin Cleveland, front right of the edge of the banner, and Garrett Murdick, back left edge, with their teammates at the 2008 Walk To Defeat ALS and their inspiration for walking, Riggin’s grandmother, Barbara Turner, standing with a walking aid.
-
Godley boys not leaving the side of those in ALS fight
Two teenage boys from Godley soon may be visiting a grocery store near you. They won’t necessarily be looking for groceries, but, rather, sponsors to help them participate in a fund drive to raise money for the ALS Association of North Texas.
- Friday night sights
- Believe and see
- Godley man arrested on suspicion of assault
- Explosion reported at munitions plant between Godley and Cresson
-
Godley boys not leaving the side of those in ALS fight
- Grandview
-
-
Police officer benefit concert today
A concert benefiting a Grandview police officer injured in the line of duty kicks off at 5 p.m. today in Alvarado.
- Friday night sights
- Stage set for benefit honoring officer
- Free concert to feature local bands
- Snow cone devotees turn out to help Grandview officer
-
Police officer benefit concert today
- Joshua
-
-
Friday night sights
Football was in the air this weekend as Johnson County teams hit the field for the first time in 2010.
- Duty earns Joshua student prestigious ROTC award
- Man found dead hit by car; driver interviewed
- Partners in fighting crime
- Joshua man scuffles with police
-
Friday night sights
- Keene
-
-
Friday night sights
Football was in the air this weekend as Johnson County teams hit the field for the first time in 2010.
- Assistance program on table
- Former Keene teacher pleads not guilty
- Garage sale a booster to prison Bible studies
- Keene teacher indicted
-
Friday night sights
- Rio Vista
-
-
Friday night sights
Football was in the air this weekend as Johnson County teams hit the field for the first time in 2010.
- Three hospitalized in Rio Vista wreck
- Fort Worth man killed in Rio Vista wreck
- Hobbs looking to rebuild Eagle football from the ground up
- Godley, Grandview and Rio Vista grab accolades
-
Friday night sights
- Venus
-
Rusty Redden, a former offender, leads the men and their family members in bible study during a No Turning Back support group meeting Tuesday at Venus United Methodist Church.
-
No turning back
Jimmy Humphus had an idea. He had already ministered to prisoners for three years at the Sanders Estes unit, a small minimum security prison in Venus.
-
No turning back
