We had snow. Not much but it felt good. Reports are we have received 0.53” of moisture in January.
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The election (if necessary) for school board and city council will be Saturday May 11, 2013. Terms of Loraine Anthony and Ricky Barnett expire on the school board. Four seats will be available on the city council including the Mayor. Terms of Jim Atwell, Charlie Pope, and Mark Osborn are expiring. Mayor J.B. Douglas will be leaving Friona around the first of April to move to Amarillo so Friona will be looking for a new mayor also. Filing period for school and city positions begins January 30 and ends March 1. Filing deadline for Mayor is March 10. Packets for filing can be picked up at city hall or the school administration office.
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An email received from the Friona Chamber of Commerce: “The Culpepper Merriweather Circus called to let us know that they will be making phone calls to local businesses to sell advance tickets. These phone calls will be made by Donna Gates, Debbie Fellos, Daniel McLemore, and Carol Parker. The circus will be in Friona Monday April 8, 2013.”
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Received from Jackie Martin at Friona Elementary: Friona Elementary 4th and 5th grade students jump rope for their hearts and help save lives. Students at Friona elementary are jumping at the chance to fight heart disease. In P.E. we are jumping rope to raise money for the American Heart Association. Our 4th and 5th graders will be collecting money January 14-31. We appreciate your support.
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Bill Dannheim, organizer of the Parmer County American Legion, has been appointed as Veteran’s Service Officer by the County Commissioners.
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Our Texas Representative is John T. Smithee. His address is PO Box 2910, Austin, Tx 78768 and phone is 512-463-0702. He also has an office in Amarillo. That number is 806-372-3327. Our Texas Senator is Kel Seliger. His address is PO Box 12068 Capitol Station Austin, Tx 78711. Phone is 512-463-01311. His Amarillo number is 806-374-8994.
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Bluebonnet Home Health & Hospice is always seeking volunteers for chores like babysitting, pet sitting, office work, shopping, running errands, or just a caring ear to provide company. For more information call them at 247-0057. Ask for Rhonda Sanders.
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January is School Board Recognition Month. We thank the members of our FISD board who give of their time to see that our schools are running smoothly and making progress. Thank you board for your service: Ricky Barnett, board president, Loraine Anthony, Tracy Bunker. Antonio Rocha, Mitchell Smiley, Wade Schueler, and Andy Montana.
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Monday January 21 is a holiday for the banks and post office. Better get your money and postal business done Friday. It is Martin Luther King Day. City offices and most other businesses, including the Friona Star, will be open.
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I heard from my old friend and cohort Scooter Russell last week. When I arrived at the paper in ’95 Scooter was the editor of the Bovina Blade and taught me a lot about small town newspapering. She and Jim have lived in Spearman for many years. Jim has had a series of back surgeries but Scooter said they were both doing well. And having a ‘good time’ huh Scooter.
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Victory Family Worship Center pastor Robert Kerby reports an estimated 700 people attended the Seventh Day Slumber concert at the junior high auditorium last Sunday evening.
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Thanks Hugh Moseley for sending along the Leon Hale columns from the Houston newspaper. Hugh, a longtime Parmer County historian, lives in Sweeny, Texas now. Glad you are still reading the Star and keeping in touch Hugh.
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Yes, I did find a flu shot. Went to the clinic here but they had run out of vaccine. Had to go to Hereford so I stopped by CVS Pharmacy where pharmacist and Friona resident Andy Alexander gave me one. He said they were down to about 8 vaccines left and that was last Friday. Between the actual flu epidemic and national television news scaring us to death, vaccine seems to be running low around the country.
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If you see Betty Louise Rector ask her about her snake in the kitchen. One got in her house last week but she killed it with the help of a neighbor. Yes she lives in town.
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Sunday evening about 6:30 p.m. the Friona volunteer firemen were dispatched to a barn fire three miles south on Hwy 214 at the David Hough residence. The family had just returned from the Friona livestock show where the Hough sons, Tyler and Truman, had exhibited their seven show goats. They put the goats in the barn and turned on an electric heater since the goats had been sheared and it was cold.
It is thought that the goats knocked over the heater. Unfortunately all seven goats died in the fire. It was an old barn with wood construction from about 1948 that was once used for grain storage. David also had a large amount of farm equipment there including six 55-gallon barrels of oil, which exploded, according to the firemen. One firefighter said for a while it looked like a war zone. The firemen were dispatched back to the scene about 12 midnight and got home about 3 a.m.
It is truly sad that Tyler and Truman lost their show goats this few days before the Parmer County Livestock Show and the shows coming up in Houston, San Antonio, etc.
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Friona Primary School’s Book Fair is set for next week, January 21-25. Books will be available at the school throughout the week along with a couple of days they will be open after hours. See the story and schedule on the front page.
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The 57th annual Chamber of Commerce banquet is 6:30 p.m. March 5 at the community center. It features a western theme so plan on wearing your boots and hats. There will be a live auction this year with Kevin Welch as the auctioneer. The menu will be prime rib and all the trimmings. Tickets are $25 and will be sold in advance only. They are available at the Chamber office. Donations for the auction will be accepted until March 1.
Nomination forms for Citizen, Man, Woman, Teacher, Boy Student, Girl Student, and Most Courteous Employee of the Year are available at the Chamber. If you know a deserving person in any of these categories nominate them. Awards will be announced at the banquet.
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Congratulations to Mackenzie Malone for being named to the Dean’s List at Angelo State University for the fall 2012 semester. To qualify students must be full time and maintain a 3.25 or better grade point average. She is the daughter of Buck and Cara Malone of Friona.
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Between the livestock show and sale and the Squaws/Chiefs basketball games Friday night it is going to be a busy weekend. Maybe we will see you around. Until then!
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