Several Sherman County 4-H members traveled to College Station recently to participate in the annual Texas 4-H Roundup, held on the campus of Texas A&M University.

Texas 4-H Roundup is the premier event of the state 4-H program, bringing together youth from across Texas to compete, learn, and celebrate their accomplishments. Participants qualify to compete at the state level through success at county and district contests, while some events are invitational and open to any senior 4-H member in grades 9 through 12. The event features approximately 50 contests in areas such as agriculture, family and community health, leadership, and STEM. 

Sherman County 4-H members represented their community well, earning several top placings in both individual and team events.
Individual Results:

• Kadie Cox – 3rd place, Fashion Show (Buying – Business Attire)

• Kenzie Cox – 4th place, Invitational Solo Duds to Dazzle (Wearable category)

• Kadie Cox – 5th place, Invitational Solo Duds to Dazzle (Non-Wearable category)

Team Results:

• Family & Community Health Quiz Bowl – 7th Place Team

    • Ellie Clift, Kenzie Cox, Brylynn Hauser, Jackson Wyatt

• Family & Community Health Quiz Bowl – 9th Place Team

    • Ripsey Roberts, Case Brown, Kadence Copley, Hunter Lee

• Livestock Judging Team

    • Jackson Wyatt, Brylynn Hauser, Hunter Lee

• Food Challenge Team

    • Kadie Cox, Kenzie Cox, Ellie Clift

In addition to contest success, Sherman County 4-H member Hannah McCurry was awarded an $8,000 Texas 4-H Foundation Scholarship sponsored by the Fort Worth Stock Show.

Texas 4-H Roundup provides youth with opportunities to develop leadership, life skills, and career readiness while connecting with peers from across the state. The event continues to showcase the hard work and dedication of 4-H members and the support of families, volunteers, and communities.

 

 

 Texas public schools had 76,000 fewer students this school year. Most every Panhandle school district has also seen a drop in enrollment.

Texas public schools had 76,000 fewer students this school year. Most every Panhandle school district has also seen a drop in enrollment.

One of those is Stratford ISD and superintendent Dr. Paul Uttley said it is concerning to him.

He said 21 percent of the students are now home-schooled but the majority, 43 percent, have withdrawn to go to another Texas school and 34 percent moved outside of the state. 

“While we hate to lose kids to home school, that is your right and we need to try and do stuff to attract those folks back. But the bigger issue is the ones that moved outside of Stratford. That’s scary for the community overall,” added Dr. Uttley. 

You can listen to more HERE

He went on to add that this is a $900,000 loss in funding for the district while costs have either stayed the same or increased. “That’s a hard pill to swallow.”

To help offset the loss, they will have a transfer campaign for the upcoming school year.

Photo by TPWD

Memorial Day 2026 was observed Monday, May 25, with ceremonies across Texas and the nation honoring military service members who gave their lives in defense of the United States, and locally at the Stratford Cemetery.

Memorial Day traditions included flag placements, wreath ceremonies, moments of silence, and the playing of “Taps”.

Thanks to the Sherman County Historical Commission, Jesse Mariscal and Boy Scout Troup 38, Silver Spurs Rodeo Club, and Sherman County 4-H. (View ceremony itinerary in photo show)

Memorial Day remains one of the nation’s most solemn observances, focused specifically on honoring military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

✨Celebrations:

Congratulations to our kindergarten students who will graduate this evening. We love that our young graduates take a picture with our high school graduates each year. What a great group of graduates.

Via Facebook

🚧Water and sewer undergrounds in progress 🚧

It might not make for the prettiest picture, but this is a crucial step in the construction process towards getting our hotel set up for success before the hammer hits the nail!

#CobblestoneStratford #StratfordTX #New #Hotel #Texas #ComingSoonCobblestone #ConstructionUpdate #Construction #NewBuild

 

JOSH HEARAN--BOOKER TEXAS

 

Smith all the while was considering an avenue to get his content to the public.

"I really was leaning toward an online magazine," says Brady who also has several social media presences as well.

But the tragic events of the Booker Pack fire brought Brady and Gina together when his story about the fire went viral and the High Plains Observer shared it.

This connection developed into the HPOs adding a weekly column called Panhandle Palette written by Smith that include his art that matches the mood with words.

Where the Blacktop Ends takes a refreshing step away from politics and 1st world issues to provide readers and now listeners with interesting guests on off the wall subjects.


The new team, Josh and Brady, together with the HPO, recognize stories need to be told, just in a different way---grounded in community, celebrating a way of life many cherish.  The focus will be on art, history, nature and of course sports.

At its core, the idea is simple: create something that feels like a break from the noise without disconnecting from what matters. Intentionally making people pause, think or laugh.

Where the Blacktop Ends promises to entertain and we are excited to bring this new format to you!

Sherman County District Clerk was recently honored to receive her Certificate of Federal Professional Training in Chicago.