News
Briefs from official pages and local reporting, each linked to its source.
Hill County Government
- County-wide · Hill County Government
County sets Nov. 17 hand-count audit of the Nov. 3 election
Hill County Elections posted notice that a post-election hand-count audit of the Nov. 3 general election will be held at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 17 in the auxiliary courtroom of the Courthouse Annex, 126 S. Covington St. in Hillsboro.
- County-wide · Hill County Government
Commissioners begin rewriting county tax-abatement guidelines
After rescinding its abatement rules in April, Commissioners Court on Oct. 27 reviewed other counties' guidelines so Hill County can again consider tax-abatement requests, which it currently cannot negotiate without a policy in place.
- County-wide · Hill County Government
Unofficial figures show 8,653 early votes and 4,219 on Election Day
An unofficial Election Day participation report posted by Hill County Elections lists 8,653 early votes, 4,219 Election Day votes, 339 ballots by mail and 68 limited ballots for the Nov. 3 general election.
- County-wide · Hill County Government
HILCO water sale before the PUC would more than double some rural bills
HILCO Cooperative has asked the Public Utility Commission of Texas to approve selling its remaining H2O water systems to CSWR-Texas Utility Operating Co., filed as Docket 59426. A legal notice with the application compares a typical 5,000-gallon month at $45.43 under current rates with $114.45 under the proposed rates, and $60.98 versus $157.65 at 10,000 gallons. The filing covers about 4,141 connections in parts of rural Hill and Bosque counties; local organizers are asking customers to file individual protests with the PUC rather than relying on a general petition.
Towns and Community
- Hillsboro · Towns and Community
Hillsboro seeks engineers to evaluate the Texas Theater awning
The city is asking structural engineering firms for qualifications to analyze the historic Texas Theater awning downtown and, if needed, design repairs; submissions are due by noon Central time Dec. 14.
- Whitney · Towns and Community
Whitney's Veterans Day ceremony is Wednesday at King Memorial
The community is invited for refreshments at 10 a.m. and a program at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the Family Life Center, 503 N. Colorado St., with 66th District Judge Justin Lewis giving the keynote.
- Whitney · Towns and Community
Lake Whitney food bank aims for 75,000 pounds in its November drive
Food for Families runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 20 at Our Daily Bread, 100 Sims Drive; November donations, including drop-offs at city hall, the library and area schools and churches, count toward the goal.
- Whitney · Towns and Community
Whitney starts work on a policy for accepting donations
After an attorney general opinion said the city may accept donations for municipal purposes, the City Council on Oct. 22 directed staff to draft a policy to guide those gifts.
Schools
- Bynum · Schools
Bynum ISD will discuss its state financial rating at a Nov. 19 hearing
The district will hold a public meeting at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 in the cafeteria at 704 Toliver St. to discuss its rating on the state's financial accountability system.
- Hillsboro · Schools
Two Hill College students earn the American FFA Degree
Ashlynn Martinolich of Italy, Texas, and Travis McBride, who also competes on the college rodeo team, received the National FFA Organization's highest honor for 2026, the second year in a row two Hill College students have earned the degree.
Public Safety and Alerts
- County-wide · Public Safety and Alerts
County's Sept. 1 order on outdoor burning remains posted
A Hill County disaster declaration dated Sept. 1, 2026, prohibiting outdoor burning and certain fireworks, is still posted on the county website; check the official order and the Texas A&M Forest Service map for current restrictions.