Official weather guy John Gurley reports the following rain totals in Friona: 0.75” Sunday night, 0.28” Monday night, 2.01” for May. Then we got a bunch more Tuesday night into Wednesday. Guess we can thank the volleyball girls’ car wash last Saturday for the nice rain.
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Last week I mentioned that I had some great chocolate chip cookies at the cemetery clean-up day. I also said Jan Chesher made the cookies but that was wrong. A Friend corrected me. It was Linda Chesher that made them. Sorry for the mix-up Linda. Her cookies are some of the best.
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The Chamber of Commerce is planning a spectacular 4th of July fireworks display. They are seeking donations to the fireworks fund. Call 806-250-3491 or send your donation to the Chamber at 621 Main St., Friona 79035. Donations of any size will be appreciated.
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Lydia Alexander and Graci Stallings, sophomore and freshman, won medals in the state UIL competition. Lydia placed 1st in newswriting and Graci was 2nd in feature writing. Together they earned enough points to finish 2nd as a team. Dana Jameson and I judged a 2A district UIL journalism competition in Hereford earlier and I can tell you it is not easy by any means. The categories are newswriting, feature writing, editorial writing, and headline writing. I am impressed with these young ladies and say ‘well done’. Give them a high five when you see them.
You can give Lydia two high fives because she went back to Austin the next weekend and earned a 1st in state choir solo. Nice way to end the school year.
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The Friona city swimming pool will open June 7 at 1:00 p.m. Kelci Osborn is the manager this year. Swimming lessons will be available. Have a great wet summer.
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Melissa Randolph thought she would retire from Friona ISD quietly but we found out. Melissa joins Becky Albarado and Kenny Austin on the retirement roster this year. Elementary school principal Ben Kirton has resigned after accepting a position as principal at a charter school in Arlington. Ben’s wife Ella is employed in the FISD administration office and will be leaving that position. Good luck to all in your new life.
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Friona graduate and Cargill employee Pedro Ramos has been promoted to Human Resource manager at the Cargill plant in Fresno, California. Pedro has been employed in the Friona Cargill HR department. We are told he will report to Fresno next week. Congratulations Pedro. Forward march.
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Nora and Sergio Mendez are bound for Ulysses, Kansas. Hate to see all of these people moving but cheer for their happiness and success. Sergio just graduated from West Texas A&M with a degree in animal science and landed a good job with JBS in Ulysses. Nora’s salon, Looks of Impression, here next door to the Star office, will continue in business. Good luck Nora and Sergio. Straight ahead.
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According to the Clovis News Journal the Dakota’s Steakhouse in Clovis has closed and the building has been sold to Laura Leal, owner of the two Leal’s in Clovis. She says she has plans for the building but we will find out later. Maybe a Leal’s Jr?
Someone also told me the Kripple Creek Café in Clovis closed some time back. Ate many breakfasts there over the years. We have reported Clovis is getting a Chipotle’s and a Buffalo Wild Wings located in the former Golden Corral building at the Prince St. and Llano Estacado intersection.
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Anniversary time. Loy and Joe McLellan will celebrate 38 years June 4. Meanwhile Sam and Donna Mears had a 58th anniversary dinner at Dakota’s in Hereford this week. They married in 1958 and are celebrating 58. Cool huh? Happy anniversary wishes to the McLellans and the Mears.
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The Friona Methodist Church says they have additional copies of their 100th Anniversary Cookbooks. They are $30.00 plus $5.00 shipping if you want one mailed. Call the office at 250-3045 for ordering or info.
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An accidental shooting Friday night sent a local man to PMC then airlifted to Amarillo for surgery. Andres Silva was visiting with friends in the 1600 block of W. 7th when a handgun they were looking at accidently discharged hitting Andres in the abdomen. He is now back home recuperating.
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Dr. Gary Cash is our local expert on the wind turbine construction north of town. Dr. Cash is a regular visitor to the site and is knowledgeable about the turbines and the construction of them. He spends so much time out there he says they gave him a hardhat but if one of them falls the hardhat might not be too effective. As most know Dr. Cash is an accomplished photographer. We publish many of his photos in the Star, as evidenced by the front page photo of the wind turbine construction.
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Andy Alexander’s mom Sarah Owen is the newest resident at Friona Heritage Estates. She has been living in Clovis for a number of years and moved into Heritage this week.
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Summer officially begins June 20. With school out and people going in all directions to camps and on vacation the pace slows down in the Friona Star newsroom. Next up will be July 4th fireworks and the Cheeseburger Festival July 16. You can help keep us busy here at the Star by sending us your local news or photos. How about sharing some vacation photos? Or else we can just get them off of Facebook. Don’t forget your sunscreen. See you around town. Until then!
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