Circus rolls into Hearne
Culpepper & Merriweather Circus performers pose with visitors following a recent show in Dublin. Submitted Photo | Robertson County News
Roy McCoy roy@robconews.com Robertson County News HEARNE — Culpepper & Merriweather Circus will bring its big top to Hearne for two shows Wednesday, Oct. 21. Performances are scheduled for 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. behind Hearne Elementary School and Hearne High School. The traveling circus will be in Hearne for one day only. This year’s show includes juggling, trapeze performances, tightrope acts, performing dogs, big cats, clown acts, fire eating and the Wheel of Destiny. Each performance lasts about 90 minutes. The day will begin before showtime with a free public tent-raising and circus grounds tour at 9:30 a.m. Visitors can watch crews put up the big top and learn how the circus operates as it moves from community to community. The midway opens before each performance with concessions and other attractions, including pony rides, face painting, bounce houses and a large slide. Those activities may require separate payment. The tent opens about 20 minutes before each performance and seating is general admission. Advance tickets are generally $14 for adults and $8 for children ages 2-12 and seniors 65 and older. Prices increase on circus day, while children younger than 2 are admitted free. Culpepper & Merriweather began in 1985 and is based in Hugo, Oklahoma, a community with a long history connected to traveling circuses. The company spends much of the year on the road and performs in more than 200 communities. Hearne residents can see the circus at 5 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, with the free morning tent-raising tour beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Robertson County EMS Receives Advanced Telehealth Kit to Expand Rural Health Care
ROBERTSON COUNTY, Texas — Robertson County EMS has received a NextGen 911 telehealth kit designed to expand access to medical care and improve patient assessments throughout rural communities. The equipment was delivered to the agency's Community Health Paramedic program following months of planning with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center's Division of Rural Affairs and the F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health. The portable kit allows paramedics to evaluate patients in their homes, during follow-up visits and at emergency scenes. Equipment includes a digital stethoscope, otoscope, examination camera, electrocardiogram device, portable ultrasound, vital signs monitor, pulse oximeter and thermometer. A laptop, webcam and priority-signal hot spot will help paramedics connect with medical providers in areas where communications can be challenging. Robertson County EMS is one of eight rural EMS agencies in Texas to receive the equipment through the Next Generation 911 Telemedicine Medical Services and Telehealth Services Pilot Project. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center operates the project under a contract with the Texas Commission on State Emergency Communications. Participating agencies also receive training and assistance developing protocols for telehealth services. Community health paramedics will complete additional hands-on training over the next several weeks before deploying the equipment in the field. The program is intended to bring medical services closer to patients, support earlier assessments and help reduce unnecessary emergency room visits while strengthening rural prehospital and community-based care.
Former Franklin Police Officer John Key Arrested on Seven Felony Charges
FRANKLIN, Texas — Former Franklin police officer John Key, 61, was arrested Thursday, Oct. 15, on seven counts of tampering with a governmental record with intent to defraud or harm, according to Robertson County Jail records. Key was booked into the Robertson County Jail at 9:02 a.m. and released at 11:21 a.m. the same day. Jail records indicate that each of the seven charges carried a $2,500 surety bond, bringing the combined bond amount to $17,500. The Robertson County Sheriff's Office was listed as the arresting agency. Key becomes the third former Franklin Police Department member arrested amid an ongoing investigation involving the department. The charges remain allegations, and Key is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
