The talk of the town and the Panhandle this week is the blizzard that buried Parmer County on Monday. As predicted blowing snow overnight Sunday until Monday afternoon caused massive drifts, road closures, and a halt to mail delivery and closing of schools and businesses. I did not venture out of the house until Tuesday morning. Official weather guy John Gurley said he recorded 7-inches of snow, 0.77” moisture. Seemed like more than that to most of us.
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The county commissioners meeting scheduled for Monday was rescheduled for Friday March 1 at 10 a.m. The courthouse was closed Monday due to the blizzard that paralyzed the county. County Judge Trey Ellis lifted the burn ban this week until the Friday meeting when the commissioners will decide on whether to extend it. We try to post current info on our Friona Star Facebook page. If you are on Facebook search Friona Star and ‘like’ us.
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The sign-up period for the city council, mayor, and school board election is Friday March 1. As of our press time this week here are sign-ups so far: for mayor, Rick White and Ross Paiz; for city council, Charlie Pope and Alan Monroe; for school board Ricky Barnett, Victor Guerrero, Jose Cigarroa, and Jason Rector. The mayor election will be a special election for a one-year term to fill the term of current Mayor J.B. Douglas will be resigning in April. City council terms are two-years and school board terms are three years.
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Mr. Jim Dixon tells us he will be going to college Station for his 58th Texas A&M class reunion and he and Jane will celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary.
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Joe and Anita Lafuente are going to be first time grandparents. Their daughter and son-in-law, Natasha and Jarrett Butler, are expecting a baby in September. Also, Kim and Mitchell Smiley will be grandparents again thanks to Ashley and Jayson Gutierrez of El Paso. They are expecting in July. Congrats to all.
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Chieftain baseball is limping along thanks to the weather. They beat Lubbock High JV 10-5 but lost to Tulia 5-3. The Monday game at Dimmitt was canceled thanks to the snow. They are scheduled to play in the Littlefield tournament this weekend and host Muleshoe here at 5 p.m. Tuesday March 5 which is the same date as the Chamber banquet.
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The Friona varsity track meet is scheduled to be here Friday March 1. Junior high meet is Thursday Feb 28. The varsity meet will begin around 3 p.m. On Tuesday I was at the high school and noticed a couple of guys with snow blowers trying to get the snow off the track. Should be good to go by Friday.
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The Hereford fast pitch traveling team is looking for a few girls to play on a competitive level. Girls must be 11-12 years old. If you want a tryout for your daughter or have questions contact head coach Gilbert at 806-346-5376.
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Received a note from Hugh Moseley that Ruddene Crowley passed away February 17, 2013 in Granbury, Texas. She was 92. She was buried in the Mitchell Cemetery in northern Curry County on February 23, 2013. She formerly lived in Farwell.
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Haden Smiley and Holly Johnston won district in CX Debate and will go to the state meet March 10-12. It is their second trip to state in CX Debate. They were second in district last year. Jake DeWit and Cassidy Malone placed 4th in district. Erika Montana, speech and drama teacher, said the District UIL Academics competition will be in Abernathy March 27.
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The one-act play this year is titled “The Diviners.” There will be a public performance of the FHS one-act play on Sunday March 17 at 2 p.m. District one-act is Thursday March 21.
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Don’t forget the St. Teresa’s Mexican dinner Sunday in the parish hall. Serving is 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Cost is $10 adults and $5 children 10 and under. Enchiladas, tacos, salsa, and cake. Always tasty. See you there.
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Daniel Blackburn had a kidney and pancreas transplant in a Houston hospital last week. His parents are David and Laura Blackburn of Amarillo. David is a Friona grad. Daniel is reported to be doing well. He has moved from ICU to a regular room. His uncle Mike owns the hardware store here. We wish the best to Daniel and the family.
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The news about Floyd Reeve is still not good. The family met with doctors this week and were told they were taking him off of much of his medication to see if that helps. He remains unresponsive for the most part. Thoughts and prayers continue for the Reeve family.
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This is a good time to pause and thank all of the folks who did get out during the blizzard: the TxDOT workers that worked under tough conditions to plow the highways, the Sheriff’s Office and DPS Troopers who were helping stranded motorists, and regular citizens who brought their front loaders to clear parking lots and driveways. For example, east of town on Hwy 60, Joyce Wells got stuck in her driveway Tuesday. Good Samaritans Mike Chaney and Tom Villa stopped and pulled her car out of the snow. There are many stories of neighbor helping neighbor. We are grateful to all of you here in small town America.
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A lot of news did not happen this week thanks to the blizzard. Folks hunkered down Monday and were cautious Tuesday. No mail and no Amarillo newspapers for two days is almost more than a guy can stand. But this should make you feel better. Our Congressman Randy Neugebauer’s weekly email reported that your government has spent $2.2 billion so far in 2013 for free cell phones. Send us your local news and announcements and stuff. See you next time. Until then!
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