WEATHER: (February 23, 2026) MONDAY – High yesterday was 57° at 4:00; this morning’s low was 26° at 6:00. KPANcast: Mostly sunny with a high near 62° and breezy southwest winds.
LOCAL: The Ogallala Commons Conference on Community Water begins tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 at the Hereford Civic Center. The two day event will feature a variety of speakers all focusing on the long-term future of water in Deaf Smith County. The conference will take an in-depth look at providing long-term water security for human and natural communities. Registration is $50 for a single day or $75 for both and can be done ahead of tomorrow’s start time……The HISD Board of Trustees meet in a regular session this evening at 6:00. They’ll work through a 14-item agenda at the Administration Building Board Room that includes campus reports and a look at the 2026/27 school calendar among the items. The meeting is open to the public……Funeral services for Jose Guadalupe Gonzales, age 80, are tomorrow at 2:00 at San Jose Catholic Church. Visitation is today from 4:00-8:00 at Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home. Jose spent most of his career as a meat cutter at various grocery stores and super markets; he also owned JoJo’s Wishing Well dance hall. He died February 13th, in Amarillo……Funeral services for Josef “Joe” Grotegut, age 92, are Saturday at 10:30 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Umbarger. A visitation will take place Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 at Mendez and Mullins. Mr. Grotegut was a longtime area farmer and was named Deaf Smith County’s Farmer of the Year in 1971. He died on February 12th……Early voting for the primary election continues through Friday from 7:00-7:00 each day at the Deaf Smith County Courthouse……KPAN salutes Minerva Estrada as the Good Neighbor of the Day……Keeping your community connected with lightning fast speeds – WT Services.