Blood Drive News — Due to the severe shortage of Type O blood, the first August blood drive was moved up a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, this prevented the June donors from giving at the August drive. To allow those donors to participate in August and also at the November drive, a second August blood drive has been scheduled for Monday, August 31st from 1-6 p.m. at the Senior Citizens Building. If you donated in June you will be able to donate at the August 31st drive and in the November drive. There will also be another drawing for a $50 gift card. See ad on this page.
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Your Help Is Needed — The 70th Annual Miss Friona Scholarship Pageant is just around the corner and the Chamber of Commerce is asking for your help. Each year the Chamber awards scholarships to the new Miss Friona and her court to help further their education. Your donation to the Miss Friona Scholarship Fund will help make the pageant a success and will be recognized in the printed program and online. If you’re interested, send your check to Chamber of Commerce, 621 Main St., Friona, TX 79035. For more information, please call 806-250-3491.
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Don’t Worry, Be Camping — Emma Keteler quit her corporate job in January to visit every one of Texas’ 89 state parks before the year is out. The 29-year-old Austin social media manager is at 49 and counting, with a November wedding squeezing what’s left. One stretch got her 11 parks in seven days. Three rules govern every stop: camp where camping is the draw, swim wherever swimming is allowed, and do whatever the park is best known for. That has meant 35-degree plunges in January and tent nights at 85 degrees. Caprock Canyons ranks near the top of her favorites list so far, with red-rock cliffs and the state bison herd roaming loose. So does Daingerfield in East Texas, a spring-fed lake ringed by pines. Keteler had camped exactly once before she turned 21. The Texas Flyover
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Word of Mouth — Caramel M&Ms edged out plain M&Ms as the most popular flavor of the beloved candy in a survey based on Internet searches. Caramel, available since 2017, was the top choice in 12 states, one more than the original variety. Peanut M&Ms won six states, including four in the South: Texas, Arkansas, West Virginia, and Georgia. Among the brand’s many flavors, 13 varieties ranked No. 1 in at least one state, including caramel cold brew in Oregon, pretzel in South Dakota, and peanut butter cinnamon roll in New Hampshire. The Flyover
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Texas Job Growth — On Monday Texas Comptroller Don Huffines praised the state’s most recent employment report data, which stated Texas led the nation in job creation over the past year, adding 165,600 nonfarm jobs between July 2025 and July 2026. According to data from the Texas Workforce Commission and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas’ workforce grew by 1.2% during those 12 months, outpacing the national annual job growth rate by a full percentage point. “Texas continues to demonstrate steady economic resilience,” Huffines said. “Our state’s job growth remains strong and consistently outpaces national trends. While monthly changes vary by industry, the overall trajectory reflects a dynamic and competitive economy. The free-market principles that have guided state policy have Texas well positioned for future growth. Texas Comptroller
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More Robots — Two small white robots will roll onto sidewalks in Universal City, northeast of San Antonio, on Sept. 7, measuring every slope and cracked slab they cross. The city set aside $94,000 after a state transportation notice flagged that it had no sidewalk plan that met the Americans with Disabilities Act. Oregon-based Daxbot’s machines will cover 11.9 miles over one to two weeks along Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City Boulevard, Old Cimarron Trail, and two other stretches. They’ll log sidewalk width, slopes, curb-ramp shape, and surface hazards, with a city employee walking alongside. Public Works Director Randy Luensmann asks residents to keep their distance so the data stays clean. “They cannot talk to you,” he said. “They make little R2-D2 noises.” The Texas Flyover
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A Legend Passes — Dolly Parton, the Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and actress whose larger-than-life persona and six-decade career made her one of America’s most beloved entertainers, died peacefully at her Nashville home, her family announced Tuesday. She was 80. The fourth of 12 children raised in rural Tennessee, Parton sold over 100 million records on the strength of hits like Jolene and I Will Always Love You, starred in the hit movie 9 to 5, and built Dollywood into one of the country’s most-visited theme parks. Parton was an inspirational figure to many, often focusing on forgiveness and prayer in interviews. President Trump ordered all American flags flown at half-mast for a week, saying, “There has never been anyone like her, and never will.” The Flyover
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The Deaf Smith County Crisis Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault. We provide a safe, confidential, and compassionate place where survivors can seek help, understand their options, and begin their journey toward healing and independence.
Our advocates are here to listen without judgment, believe survivors, and support their choices. We do not tell survivors what they should do—we provide information, resources, and support so they can make informed decisions about what is best for themselves and their families.
Our service area includes Castro, Deaf Smith, Oldham, and Parmer Counties.
The following is a list of items that we are in need of to better help our community and surrounding areas:
• shampoo & conditioner
• lotion
• toothpaste & toothbrushes
• feminine hygiene products
• cleaning supplies
• linen
• baby shampoo and lotion
• detergents, soaps and/or body wash.
We currently have drop-off boxes for these items at Parmer Medical Center, Friona Rural Health Clinic, and the Friona Public Library.
In Parmer County: $40 per year
Out of Parmer County: $50 per year
eStar (emailed): $30 per year
Call 806-250-5200 for more information
