Wed, 10/07/2026 - 6:37am
Hamilton Royalty to name queen Friday
News
jaxon.hansard@granitemediapartners.com Hamilton Independent School District has proved the sentiment “there is no place like home” rings true in its halls, as former students-turned-teachers put together another warm Homecoming celebration. The now 3A district on the hill employs more than 30 alumni across its campuses, many of whom said they never planned to return.
Halloween on the Square returns to Hamilton the day before Halloween, bringing trick-ortreating, costumes and seasonal stylings back downtown. The Hamilton Historic Main Street Program hosts the free event Oct.
Hamilton Public Library’s Book Club will welcome national bestselling author Katherine Reay via Zoom on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 5 p.m. for a discussion of her novel Lizzy and Jane. The community is invited to join the evening of books, conversation and tea.
AUSTIN - After more than 42 years, using modem forensic DNA technology and extensive police work, investigators have finally identified the victim of a brutal murder in Hamilton Co. as 44-year-old Betty Jo Norris.
Lifestyle
The Pearl Main Street Festival will once again provide fun and fellowship at the Pearl Country Church on Oct. 10 from 1 i a.m. to 2 p.m. in Pearl. Donations received at this years festival will be used to send children as well as adults to the Texas Southern Gospel School of Music in Brownwood.
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is partnering with the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities forthe 11th annual Texas HireAbility campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of hiring people with disabilities. Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a proclamation designating October 2026 as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Texas.
Devo is a calm and affectionate boy with a contagious smile. He is a seven-year-old bully mix who walks beautifully on a leash and loves attention. This happy boy is neutered and up to date on vaccines, including rabies and Bordetella. He is heartworm negative, dewormed, and on flea, tick and heartworm preventatives. Interested in meeting, fostering or adopting Devo? Please contact Nicole at Hamilton Animal Shelter at 254-499-2814.
Sports
Hamilton High School cross country runners were matched against both student athletes and Mother Nature at the Lubbock Independent School District Invitational over the weekend. The Bulldogs raced the weather nearly five hours away Oct.
The Hamilton Fighting Bulldog band started their marching competitions with a trip up to Stephenville for the Cowboy Capital Marching Festival at the Art Briles Stadium, where they marched on the Mike Copeland Field. This Pre-Region marching contest brought schools from all over the area with varying sizes and familiar faces. Hamilton’s start time was delayed from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. by wet weather. Longtime band director Tim Edins and new assistant director Joseph Dunlap prepared the Bulldog Band and their show “Theater of Dreams,” featuring songs In the Arm of Morpheus by Dream Theater, Dream on by Aerosmith, Enter Sandman by Metallica, Golden Slumbers and The End by the Beatles. Despite the delay, Hamilton placed second in 3A school right behind Tolar and ahead of Eastland. Trumpet players Tag Gruetzner and Elijah Looks performed ranging solos during Dream on and Cayden Sellers performed a solo with his Mellophone/French Horn during Golden Slumbers. Drum Majors are Myles Henkes and Jocelyn Elliott. Their next pre-region marching contest will be Saturday, October 10th in Mineral Wells.
Lady Bulldog Volleyball took over the bye week in Hamilton with both the High School and Junior High pulling off intense wins over good programs. The Junior High teams started off the week at home against the Clifton Lady Cubs.
Hamilton Cross Country didn’t travel far for their meet this week but did well. High school and Junior high runners took part in the Stephenville Thrill of the Hill Invitational on September 23 at Stephenville City Park. The Junior High boys’ teams both took top finishes racing through a city park, with both teams having three runners in the top 16. All Junior high teams and the varsity girls finished within the top 10.
Columns
TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS Gary Borders PU.S. Senate candidates Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee, and Democratic nominee James Talarico traded jabs last week over rising gas and diesel prices, The Texas Tribune reported.
“There is nothing more important than a good, safe, secure home.” — Rosalynn Carter The state-of-the-art home security panel on the wall behind me chimed a warning. Someone was on my front porch.
Lynne Lance, Executive Director, National Newspaper Association This year marks the 86th celebration of National Newspaper Week. Since 1940, Newspaper Association Managers has sponsored and supported National Newspaper Week, a week-long promotion of the newspaper industry in the United States and Canada.
Lynne Lance, Executive Director, National Newspaper Association This year marks the 86th celebration of National Newspaper Week. Since 1940, Newspaper Association Managers has sponsored and supported National Newspaper Week, a week-long promotion of the newspaper industry in the United States and Canada.
Obituaries
June 24, 1963-Sept. 30, 2026 Hunter Lee Yarbrough passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 in Dallas. He was born to parents Leroy Yarbrough and Linda Drennan Yarbrough on June 24, 1963 in Ranger.
June 17, 1977 - April 20, 2026 Melody Yvonne Jones was born on June 17, 1977, in Goldthwaite, to Pamela Jo Gilstrap and Morris Lyndon Jones. She went to school in Hamilton before finishing and graduating from Jonesboro, where she met the father of her four children. While raising her children in Hamilton, she graduated from nursing school. She eventually migrated to the Cranfills Gap and Fairy area where she spent a lot of her time in Fairy on “the farm” or in gap at the home she bought, “The Gap House.” She was a dedicated mother and even became “Momma Mel” to many Gap kids. After her children graduated, she found herself taking a break from her nursing career, running heavy equipment in Comanche. She eventually made her way back to her career as a nurse. The last of her days were spent caring for chickens and sheep, and her garden on a quiet place outside of Comanche. She was a dedicated nurse, a fun, loving, straight-to-the-point woman who loved nature and the outdoors. She will be missed by many.
