Kathryn Gurley, center in photo, was sworn in as Judge of the 287th Judicial District Court in a ceremony held last Wednesday. Judge Gurley will finish the term of Judge Gordon H. Green (left in photo). Judge Green retired at the end of December after serving 23 years on the bench. Jackie R. Claborn II (right in photo) was sworn in as the District Attorney for the 287th Judicial Court. The Judge and District Attorney positions are on the ballot for the November 8th election. (courtesy photo)
According to a press release issued by the Parmer County Sheriff's Office, at approximately 2:42 p.m. on Sunday, January 16, 2022, the Bovina Police Department, with the assistance of the Parmer County Sheriff's Office, initiated a traffic stop on a 1998 brown Chevrolet Suburban in the 500 block of Highway 60 in Parmer County, Texas. The stop was conducted in an attempt to locate a runaway juvenile from Clovis, New Mexico.
While attempting to stop the vehicle, officers observed a weapon being fired inside the vehicle. The vehicle came to a stop in the 100 block of Highway 60 near the Farwell Cemetery. Upon approach of the vehicle, officers discovered both the driver and passenger deceased inside the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was a 19 year old female from Bovina and the passenger was a 16 year old male from Clovis.
Sheriff Eric Geske said the case is currently under investigation by the Texas Rangers and the Parmer County Sheriff's Office.
Mayor will not run again — Mayor Ricky White announced that he will not be seeking re-election this year. Ricky was first elected in 2013 to fill the final year of then Mayor J.B. Douglas' term who was retiring and moving to Amarillo. Mayor White said that he has thoroughly enjoyed his tenure in office, but that it is time to pass the baton to someone else. His current term ends on May 7th.
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Stock show is underway — The 85th Annual Parmer County Jr. Livestock Show started on Tuesday and will conclude with the Premium Sale on Saturday, January 22nd beginning at 1:00 p.m. in the Friona Community Center. There were 148 entrants for this year's show with a total of 400 animals which include 187 barrows, 9 dairy heifers, 74 goats, 82 lambs, 11 rabbits, and 37 steers.
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Free Vaccination Clinic in Friona — Parmer Medical Center is hosting a Free Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic on Thursday, January 27th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the 6th Street Church of Christ, 502 W. 6th, in Friona. Now offering Pfizer for ages 12 and up and Moderna for ages 18 and up. Call 806-240-1562 or 806-240-1761 for an appointment. Walk-ins are available.
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Free Vaccination Clinic in Bovina — Parmer Medical Center is hosting a Free Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic on Friday, January 28th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the XIT Recreation Center in Bovina, Texas. Now offering Pfizer for ages 12 and up and Moderna for ages 18 and up. Call for an appointment at 806-240-1562 or 806-240-1761. Walk-ins are available.
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News to me — Drove over to Clovis around 3:00 p.m. Sunday to pick up some paper and labels at the Office Depot store. When I got to the Sweet Bran facility west of Bovina I saw the partially burned train engine that first responders had been called about earlier in the day. When I got closer to Farwell I noticed multiple lights from law enforcement vehicles in the distance. When I drove past the cemetery there was a vehicle in the trees with multiple law enforcement officials on the scene. I guessed that someone had lost control and crashed into the trees. As it turned out, that was not the case. Later, after I picked up my order at Office Depot I was headed south on Norris near the fire station and had to detour because of a traffic accident in the intersection which blocked traffic from every direction. I turned around and headed for the airport road and went home. Sometimes you go where the news is and sometimes the news finds you.
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Deadline for grants is Feb. 1st — The Friona Economic Development Corporation (FEDC) is offering financial assistance to upgrade your business store-front with signage, aesthetics, or other improvements. Currently this program is for Highway 60 businesses. For every $2 you spend, the FEDC will match you $1. The maximum match amount you can receive back is $1,500. For example, if you spend $2000 you will receive $1000 from the FEDC. You can pick up an application at the FEDC office at 621 Main or download the application at www.cityoffriona.com/fedc-loan-program. The deadline is February 1, 2022. Applications will be reviewed by February 18th and grants will be awarded on March 15, 2022.
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National Days
January 20 — Cheese Lover's Day
January 21 — Hugging Day
January 22 — Sanctity of Life Day
January 23 — Handwriting Day
January 24 — Compliment Day
January 25 — Irish Coffee Day
January 26 — Library Shelfie Day
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Candidate filing opened on Wednesday, January 19th for positions on the Friona Independent School District Board of Trustees, Friona City Council, and Parmer County Hospital District Board of Directors. The filing period ends on Friday, February 18th at 5:00 p.m.
The general election will be held on Saturday, May 1st from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
The FISD Board of Trustees has two positions up for election this year. The terms of Jeri Lynn White and Darrin Gilley are expiring. School board members serve three year terms. Anyone who is interested in filing for the election can contact Claudia Castillo at the FISD administration office at 909 E, 11th, Friona Texas or call 250-2747.
There are three positions up for election on the city council. The terms of Mayor Ricky White and council members Brent Loflin and Greg Lewellen are expiring. Council members and the Mayor serve two year terms. Contact Rosa Mendez at City Hall, 623 Main, Friona, Texas or call 250-2761 for information on how to file for the election.
The Parmer County Hospital District will have three positions open for election. The terms of Dale Schueler, Dennis Anthony, and Bret Whitten are expiring. Board members serve two year terms. Individuals interested in running for the hospital district board can contact Erika Carrillo at Parmer Medical Center, 1307 Cleveland, Friona, Texas or call 250-2754 for information.
St. Ann's Catholic Church of Bovina is having their annual German Sausage Dinner on Sunday, January 30, 2022 from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. (Texas time) at the St. Ann's Parish Hall on 3rd Street in Bovina, Texas.
They will be serving homemade German sausage, creamed potatoes & gravy, green beans, sauerkraut, a relish plate, homemade bread, homemade desserts, and tea or coffee.
Donations will be $12 for adults and $6 for children under six years of age. Take-out plates will be available at no additional charge. Sausage will be available to purchase the day of the dinner or by contacting any St. Ann's member prior to the dinner. They make regular, jalapeño, and green chili sausage.
The annual Book Fair at the Friona Primary School Library will be held January 24th-28th from 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. It will also be open on Thursday, January 27th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. There will be a wide variety of books for all age groups.
Bring the entire family, grandparents, and friends on Thursday for Family Night. The proceeds from the book fair in the past have benefited the students and the campus. Some of the items purchased with the proceeds include books for students, playground equipment, benches in the hallway, lending library, and shade trees.
All major credit cards, cash, and personal checks accepted. You can also order online at www.scholastic.com/fair.
Primary Principal, Deirdre Osborn said, "This is a major literacy event/fundraiser, so please come out and support our school as well as children's literacy. Come by and see us!"