Multiple firework shows highlighted the July 4th evening at Reeve Lake. Everyone was ready to get out of the house and enjoy the fresh air and celebrate the birth of our country. Thanks to all the pyrotechnic enthusiasts who provided the explosive entertainment. Thanks to the Friona Volunteer Fire Department supervising the event, putting out dumpster fires, and keeping everyone safe!
***
The Parmer County Babe Ruth Baseball League announced the winners of its gun raffle fundraiser. Shay Smith won the Ruger 10-22 and the Smith & Wesson .40 caliber. Peggy Stowers won the Smith & Wesson .38 Special. Calvin Turner won the Ruger 308. The Parmer County Babe Ruth Baseball League would like to thank everyone who bought a ticket to help support youth baseball in Parmer County.
***
The Prairie Acres "Resident of the Month" for July is Mary Johnston. The "Employee of the Month" is Lupe Taylor. Lupe works on the dietary department and has been with Prairie Acres since March 2020. Also, Jack Dennis celebrated a birthday on July 8th.
***
The Friona ISD Board of Trustees will conduct a virtual meeting next Monday night at 7:30 p.m. Details can be found on the front page.
***
The City will open up the Roll-Off on Saturday, July 11th in from 10am - 3pm. Thank you for keeping Friona clean!
***
The Friona Rural Health Clinic will be open Saturday July 11th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to offer physicals for your back to school needs, such as athletics, band, and any other extracurricular activity that requires a physical. These physicals will be offered for $20. If you are unable to make that Saturday, you are welcome to call 806-250-2781 and make an appointment. The $20 physical price will be honored at that appointment.
***
Kambree Kimbrough received her Lone Star Degree this week at the virtual Texas State FFA Convention. This is the highest degree of membership the State FFA Association can award. She has worked very hard over the last three years to obtain this award. Congratulations Kambree!!!
***
National Days
July 9 - Sugar Cookie Day
July 10 - Kitten Day
July 11 - All American Pet Photo Day
July 12 - Pecan Pie Day
July 13 - French Fry Day
July 14 - Tape Measure Day
July 15 - I Love Horses Day
The Friona Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors issued a press release announcing the cancellation of the Cheeseburger Festival and Maize Days Celebration. The Miss Friona Pageant was also postponed.
Due to Governor Abbott's most recent state mandate and the increase in COVID-19 cases in our county, we have made the difficult decision to cancel our Annual Cheeseburger Festival and Maize Days Celebration scheduled for September 19th.
We had been hopeful that we could put an event together that would fall within the state mandates, but with the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, the Governor has issued new mandates related to the number of attendees at large gatherings. The Cheeseburger festival and Maize Days celebration would be in direct conflict with these new guidelines.
We are currently exploring other options for the Miss Friona Pageant to be held at a later date.
This was a difficult decision to make, but we need to prioritize the health and safety of our community members, businesses, volunteers, and staff. We also must comply with the new COVID-19 mandates. We greatly appreciate your support, especially during these uncertain times.
Thank you, Friona Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
It was also announced by the All School steering committee that the All School Reunion Celebration scheduled for September 19th has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Friona Vocational Agriculture Association and the Friona Buyers Club would like to thank everyone who bought a "Pulled Pork Lunch" at their fundraiser last Friday. They sold over 500 plates which was almost double what they were guesstimating. Good food, good cause. Proceeds will benefit local 4-H and FFA kids at the County Stock Show.
Becky Jones, Crystal Moroney (owner), and Melissa Randolph hosted Milk House Market's 6th birthday celebration last Friday and Saturday. There were popsicles, cold drinks, and plenty of July 4th sales.
It has been an eventful first year back in "civilian" life for retired Commander Arturo "Art" S. Perez, United States Coast Guard. The Friona native stood the watch for 27 years and we thank him for his service.
Retirement allowed Arturo to follow another dream which is also his nickname. Who better to be an artist than a person named "Art"? On his facebook page Arturo said, "Art is my passion and as a prior U.S. Coast Guardsman, it is an honor to illustrate my military experience within my art."
Unfortunately, things do not always go as planned. Earlier this year as Arturo was starting to draw out his future, he had to battle 12 rounds with COVID-19. Arturo said he went down hard with the virus and was in the VA hospital for awhile. He reported, "This virus is no joke!!!!!!! Hardest thing I've ever fought…" Arturo eventually won the battle and with his energy level back to normal his new sense of duty is to honor the medics and doctors who are on the front lines.
Arturo would like to thank everyone for their support! Like and follow him at https://www.facebook.com/SoldiersandSailorsStudio/if you would like to request a drawing, see his previous work, or see his next drawing/painting.
Military Service
After graduating from Friona High School in 1992, Arturo began his career at the Naval Academy Preparatory School and later earned his Bachelors Degree from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1997. He earned his Masters of Science in Organizational Management from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2002.
From 1997-1999, ENS Perez was assigned to the Coast Guard Cutter CHASE, stationed in San Pedro, California where he qualified as a Deck Watch Officer and completed a PACMEF, ALASKAN, and 2 Drug Enforcement Patrols with a total of 25 port calls in 10 different countries.
During his second tour, in 1999-2003, LTJG Perez was assigned to the CG Research & Development Center where he worked several projects in CG Crew-Endurance Management, Safety & Human Resources, and Command Center Communication Systems. His most notable project was Global Incident Notification Project involving research for the integration of the enhanced 911 emergency notification system into CG Command Centers.
Between 2003-2014, LT Perez served at Marine Safety Office San Juan, Puerto Rico, which transitioned to Sector San Juan; CG District Eleven in Alameda, California; and Sector Houston-Galveston, Texas. His role at each of these units consisted of Chief of the Port Waterways Coastal Security Division; assistant Chief for Incident Management; and Assistant Logistics Department Head.
In August 2014, LCDR Perez was assigned to Deputy, Chief of Defense Cooperation, US Embassy Hanoi, Vietnam. He executed the first significant Foreign Military Financing assistance of 18 patrol boats, the transfer of the first High Endurance Cutter, installation of the Search & Rescue Software, and implemented comprehensive capacity building program for the Vietnamese Coast Guard.
In August 2017, CDR Perez assumed the role of Sector NOLA Logistics Department Head, CO of Military Personnel, responsible for logistical support & operational readiness of 18 CG units and over 900 Active & Reserve members.
On July 26, 2019 a Retirement Ceremony was held in honor of Commander Arturo S. Perez, United States Coast Guard, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Family
Arturo Perez is married to Maithong Yang-Perez, and they have 3 children: Isabelle (18), Orion (16), and Catalina (14). He is a triathlete, avid tennis player, and self-taught artist.
Arturo is the son of Felix and Socorro Perez who reside in Friona, Texas. They were married on October 4, 1970 and will celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary this year. Felix has been a truck driver for the past 45 years. Socorro "Coco" worked in maintenance for the Friona Independent School District for 20 years.
Felix and Socorro have three sons; Natividad, Arturo, Armando, and one daughter, Jessica Ann. All four children graduated from Friona High School. Natividad & Georgia Perez live in Friona. He is employed with the USDA. Arturo and his wife Maithong Yang live in New Orleans. Armando lives in San Antonio. He works in electronics. Jessica Ann lives in San Antonio. She is a nurse. Felix and Socorro also have 9 grandkids.
West Texas Walk of Fame member Larry Trider passed away near the end of July. The legendary singer, songwriter, and band leader from Lazbuddie, Texas was just a few days short of his 80th birthday.
Music was Larry's life. When he was young, his dad would play the radio to help him "wake up" in the morning. He started is recording career as a teenager and toured the nation with multiple band for several decades. When he was in the hospital with double pneumonia and in a coma, friends would play music to help him recover, and he did. Then last September, he was voted into the West Texas Walk of Fame. Larry talked the talk and walked the walk of a consummate professional musician. He earned it.
The music business did not define Larry. He defined it. His insistence on high-quality musicianship and professional stagecraft made him a legend in the industry. The "Trider Influence" was a force of will that turned amateurs into professionals practically overnight.
Larry Trider leaves a legacy of professional, top-notch musicians to carry on his vision. Music was very good to Larry Trider and he returned the favor.
Texas Panhandle:
6,150 cases, 103 deaths
5,235 recoveries
Armstrong County: 3
Briscoe County: 7
Carson County: 7
Castro County: 99
Childress County: 7
Collingsworth County: 6
Cottle County: 4
Dallam County: 100
Deaf Smith County: 355
Donley County: 27
Gray County: 121
Hall County: 2
Hansford County: 31
Hartley County: 44
Hemphill County: 15
Hutchinson County: 70
Lipscomb County: 11
Moore County: 897
Motley County: 1
Ochiltree County: 53
Oldham County: 4
Parmer County: 215
Potter County: 3,008
Randall County: 971
Roberts County: 4
Sherman County: 30
Swisher County: 38
Wheeler County: 20
Eastern New Mexico:
286 cases, 2 deaths
Curry County: 199
Quay County: 7
Roosevelt County: 72
Union County: 8
Oklahoma Panhandle:
1,030 cases,
6 deaths,
1,015 recoveries
Beaver County: 32
Cimarron County: 1
Texas County: 997
Texas:
211,000 cases
2,715 deaths
108,000 recoveries
United States:
3,050,000 cases
133,000 deaths
921,000 recoveries
Worldwide:
11,800,000 cases
544,000 deaths
6,420,000 recoveries
Health Protocols for Voters and Elections (English)
County Disaster Declaration (English)
March 16 FISD Letter (English) (Spanish)
March 31 FISD Letter (English) (Spanish)
Letter from City Manager (English) (Spanish)
Friona Community Helpline (English)
2-1-1 Texas Social Services Hotline (English)
Share The Facts about COVID-19 (English) (Spanish)
What You Need To Know (English) (Spanish)
What To Do If You Are Sick (English) (Spanish)
County Clerk PSA (English)
Chamber of Commerce Letter to Businesses (English)
FISD Emergency Resolution (English)
Covid Risk Chart (English)
