THANK YOU. There were many heroes during the 2015 Goliath Blizzard. Stories of farmers, neighbors, first responders, law enforcement, city employees, county employees, and TxDOT and their efforts are many. Other stories of the hardships of the dairies and feedyards are harsh and sad. Thousands of cattle have died. What a gigantic effort went into surviving the mammoth storm. Many went above and beyond to help. The snowplowing and scraping did not go as fast as some wanted but folks there was a lot of dangerous snow. Thank you neighbors. It is great to live in this community.
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Even while working on Town Talk this Tuesday morning it is snowing some more but shouldn't amount to very much says the weather people. Going to be a cold Saturday and Sunday though.
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Our sympathies to the family of Charley Morrison. Friona lost another good citizen this week. Charley was a veteran of WWII and Korea, a fine kindly gentleman. Except sometimes he was not so kindly during his years as the school crossing guard on Highway 60. Many folks have a fond Charley story about his strict traffic rules at the crossing. If there is a Crossing Guard Hall of Fame in heaven Charley will make it on the first vote. RIP Charley.
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Prairie Acres and Heritage Estates were safe during the storm. Administrator Billy Ray Johnston said in the January newsletter that several employees stayed at the facilities during the storm and several others walked to work. Many hardy local men shuttled employees to work at the hospital and nursing home. The Prairie Acres resident of the month is Celestine Wilson. The employee of the month is Tina Eddins. She works in the dietary department and has been employed since August 2012. The nursing home/assisted living staff thanks everyone who Adopted a Resident and brought holiday goodies.
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The local city council and school board election date is May 7. The filing period for both is January 20 through February 19. Terms expiring on the Friona city council are Mayor Rick White and council members Martha Barker and Greg Lewellen. Terms expiring on the Friona ISD school board are Becky Riethmayer and Ricky Barnett.
In Bovina, city council terms expiring are Mayor Frank Gonzalez, Jr., city council members Jeff Steelman and Matt Hromas. Terms expiring on the Bovina ISD school board are Richard Carson and Esther Steelman plus a vacancy open because of the resignation of Lance Teague.
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The Friona livestock show will be Saturday January 16. The Parmer County Livestock Show will be January 19-23. The show is Thursday January 21 with the premium sale Saturday January 23.
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The Squaws will host Tulia here Friday January 8 vs. Tulia to open district. JV at 5:30, varsity at 6:30 p.m. The Chiefs will travel to San Jacinto Friday.
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We found this interesting; Beginning with the 2016-17 school year a new Texas law counts the school year by minutes instead of days. Local school districts could add extra days off for both students and staff. The law now requires students to be at school for 75,600 minutes instead of 180 days. Superintendent Austin said the teachers will still be on 187 day contracts.
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Parmer County Republican Party Chairman Bill White asked to pass this info along. "As the March primaries grow closer I have heard from several of the candidates for Congressional District 19. There are a total of 9 candidates for this position (held by Randy Neugebauer who will not run for re-election). I would like to encourage everyone that is able to come out and meet the candidates at their events over the next few weeks. It would be great if we all show them a warm Parmer County welcome."
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My son-in-law Jamey McCurry lives in Prosper, Texas and is a big competitive BBQ cooker. He and many of his teammates and competitors have formed a group called Operation BBQ Relief (OBR). They haul their cookers and provide food to people affected by disasters. They recently spent almost a week cooking BBQ and the fixins and serving the victims of the Garland/Rockwall/Rowlett tornadoes. And their BBQ is really good. Salute to Jamey and friends for their unselfish service.
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About 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night a semi- milk tanker truck rolled over on Highway 86 about a mile east of Bovina. Took deputies and DPS a while to get there because of the fog. No injuries.
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Tuesday night on the way to the gym for the basketball game I was reminded of one of the results of our massive snow: potholes. I found a few that I couldn't see in the dark, mainly at intersections. Better be careful as you drive around town. Could be hard on your tires
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Thanks again for your support. Here is our first 2016 newspaper, only about 50 to go. We hope you will come along. Until then!
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