It is February already. It is leap year so we have a February 29. Always glad to have an extra day. Having some pretty great weather too except it has been cold and windy. Sounds like high school track and baseball season weather. That big fat groundhog up in Pennsylvania did not see his shadow so we will have an early spring. Must be a climate change problem.
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At Prairie Acres they are without an administrator at present. Billy Ray Johnston is no loner the administrator. The new management company, Diakonos, held a meeting with employees and families Wednesday evening. The resident of the month for February is Duggan Butler. The employee of the month is Martha Gonzales. She is in the nursing department and has been employed since April 1995.
Prairie Acres Director of Nursing Trisha Rocha, RN, said in the February newsletter, "Census is currently in the low 40s. Unfortunately we have had a hard two months where we have lost some residents. I can speak for all staff by saying thank you for allowing us to care for your loved ones. It is our privilege. In addition, thank you for the continued care and support that you provide to us. It is greatly appreciated."
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We have received word of the passing on January 26 of former resident and music teacher Johnnie Walters. A memorial service is planned for 10:00 a.m. February 20 at the Friona Methodist Church.
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Friona high school baseball practice began last Friday. Many of the baseball players will still be in basketball this week and next. The baseball schedule shows a scrimmage game vs. Lubbock Roosevelt February 11 here at 4:00 p.m. The baseball schedule is printed elsewhere in this Friona Star. Baseball coaches are Jesus Quiroz and David Woods.
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FHS senior Gabriel Chico has signed to play football at Wayland Baptist in Plainview. Gabriel was a running back and quarterback for the Chieftains. A very nice young man. We wish him all the success in life.
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Former Chieftain head coach James Morton has returned to his hometown of Eastland as head coach/AD. Coach Morton took the 3A Chieftains to the state semi-finals in 1996, losing to Tatum at Texas Stadium. From Friona he moved down to Lubbock Monterey then later to Midland Lee. He remains very popular with Friona folks. I know he will do well at Eastland. Look for them in the playoffs.
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All of our past Friona Stars are being archived at Texas Tech. You can search through copies from 1925 to 2014 online at www.swcd.ttu.edu then click on Friona. This is a service offered to community newspapers like ours by the Texas Tech University-Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library. We thank Texas Tech for this service offered at no cost.
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The sign-up period for city council and school board ends February 19. Terms expiring on the city council are Martha Barker, Greg Lewellen, and Mayor Rick White. Terms expiring on the school board are Becky Riethmayer and Ricky White. At this writing no one has officially filed for the openings. Packets are available at the administration office and city hall. If an election is necessary it will be a joint election held Saturday May 7.
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The Friona planning and zoning commission held their first meeting in a couple of years this week. Members of the P&Z are David Smith, Glenn Reeve, Roddy Berend, Doug Kelly, and Carroll Cook. They met to consider a rezoning request from Kendrick Oil Co. in the area of the Fast Stop Truck Wash along Highway 60 and Virginia and Maple Sts. Their recommendation will be considered at Monday's city council meeting.
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Basketball news:
Squaws 19, Shallowater 49. Squaws 28, Dimmitt 39.
Chiefs 47, Shallowater 49. Chiefs 54, Dimmitt 67.
Taylor Stallings and Kim DeWit continue to lead scoring for the Squaws. Cris Alvarez and Adrian Munoz are scoring leaders for the Chiefs. The Squaws are 2-6 with two games remaining, Muleshoe and Littlefield. The Chiefs are 1-5 with four games left, Muleshoe, Littlefield, Tulia and Shallowater. Next year we will be competing in an eight team basketball district with a couple of former state champions included. Lot of work ahead.
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Will Rogers once said, "Never miss a good chance to shut up." So I'm taking his advice. See you next week. Until then!
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