Runnels County Register

Severe weather WARNING!

Life-threatening weather is moving in. Tornadoes, hail and flash flooding are possible.

I'm going to address this because a few people, yet again, obviously with some agenda, posted a reply and question regarding a tragedy, totally irrelevant to another post.

I am aware that the Midland mass shooting had a family member here in Ballinger. We're 2-3 weeks since that tragedy, but people message or email me since it's, in their view, "local news."

"Why aren't you covering this?"

Here is the answer: This newspaper isn't here to assuage your curiosity. Yes, we could run something to get clicks, but we don't extend grief for the sake of clicks. Period.

No, I have not, at any time, contacted anyone in that family or anyone working the investigation. And, I won't. Losing someone isn't "news," except in very, very rare circumstances. Extending a family's grief for the sake of news isn't going to happen here.

In my 10 years here, this newspaper has never reported on someone losing a child, either in a traffic accident or other accident, and, I promise you, that we won't. That is extended to other family members, particularly in a horrible incident like Midland.

As most know, I was a police officer for the Austin Police Department. I saw kids, mothers, fathers, grandparents, many of them suffering tragedies with news reporters swooping in. I'm not going to do that. I don't know an editor within our 109 newspapers who would do that.

Therefore, anything anyone says about the "no news reporting" pursuit, isn't true, unless they tell you that I refused to investigate the tragedy. We don't dig into open wounds to make them fester for the sake of news.

I ban people from the page who post replies regarding a tragedy on other posts.

Like it or disagree with it, either way, that's the way it is, and that's all that I will say on this matter.

My condolences to the family and I hope that they will find peace and comfort in the good Lord's hands.

The Runnels County Tax Office in Winters will be closing permanently.

Press Release
Regarding: Winters Location of Runnels County Tax Office

In the interest of fiscal responsibility and the prudent use of taxpayer funds, the Runnels County Tax Office will close its Winters, Texas, office. The final day of operations for the Winters Tax Office will be July 17, 2026. Until that date, the office will remain open
Wednesday through Friday. We regret any inconvenience this closure may cause residents of Winters and the surrounding areas. The Runnels County Tax Office remains committed to serving the public in person at its Ballinger location, online, and by telephone, as permitted by law.

For questions or concerns, please contact Susan Hallford, Runnels County Tax Assessor-Collector, by phone at 325-365-2339 or by email at [email protected].