Hotter than a firecracker. 100, 100, 100. That seems to be our temperature highs this week. Maybe a few cooler temps and slight chance of showers this weekend. The burn ban in the county remains lifted until July 8, the date of the next county commissioners meeting. Fireworks sales are set to begin this week until Thursday July 4 at midnight. Parents and kids be careful and don’t start a fire or injure anybody. It is still illegal, against the law, to shoot fireworks in the city limits of Friona. You could get a citation and fine if they catch you popping them in the city.
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At Monday’s county commissioners meeting, they approved purchase of a new roadgrader for use in Commissioner Kirk Frye’s Precinct 1, approved a $106,000 share from the Permanent School Fund for Lazbuddie ISD, and renewed a lease with Efrain Balli for the county’s roll off box on FM2397 west of the Hwy 214 overpass. After a closed executive session, the commissioner meeting resumed in public session and county auditor Joyce Ketcherside of Farwell’s employment was terminated by order of 287th District Judge Gordon Green. The county will be seeking a replacement auditor in the next few weeks.
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Happy anniversary to Edward and Joann Castillo who will celebrate 30 years July 2. Hollis and Lunell Horton observed their 60th anniversary June 20. Former residents Winfield and Patty Davenport celebrated 25 years June 25. Best wishes and congratulations to each and every one. If you have an anniversary coming up or know someone who does let us know. Don’t Twitter us though because we don’t tweet.
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Long time Friona ISD employee Larry Gonzales, who retired at the end of this school year, has been diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer. For the next 6-7 weeks he will be driving to Amarillo every day for treatment. A love fund has been set up for the family to assist with travel and medical expense at First National Bank-Friona Banking Center. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers in hopes of a positive outcome for Larry.
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Former Chieftain assistant football coach Ryan Rhodes still has friends and fans here in Chieftain Country. After stops at Texhoma, Levelland, Lubbock Monterey, and Plainview last year, Ryan has just been named Athletic Director and Head Coach for the Plainview High School Bulldogs. He is a deserving young man and we wish him much success.
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The Pudge Kendrick Memorial Golf Tournament was a big success last weekend with 69 two-man teams teeing off in morning and afternoon start times. I hung around for a couple of hours Sunday afternoon, shooting some photos and visiting with folks I hadn’t seen in a long time, many from out-of-town. As mentioned here before, Andy Kendrick and his family have been back in Friona for a couple of weeks. They moved back here from Bullard, Texas where Andy was a football coach. He has joined the Kendrick family business. Good to see everyone and thanks for participating. Proceeds from the tournament go to the Parmer County Cancer Coalition.
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Two fireworks stands will be open for business through midnight July 4, when they have to cease sales. The Geries family, Randy and Sarah, will be open on Hwy 60 across from the west Allsup’s. The yellow TNT stand on the south side of west Hwy 60 will be operated this year by Joe and Evelyn (Hart) Romero. Both will have creative ways you can blow up some money.
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The Cheeseburger Festival is coming up Saturday July 20. It is a cook-off and car and motorcycle show. Kris Gordon will be back again to entertain. Cheeseburger cook-off registration forms, booth vendor forms, car and motorcycle show entry forms can all be found on the Chamber website, www.frionachamber.com.
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Next week a carnival will be in town at Reeve Lake from July 2-5. Rides, games, food, and fun for all. Saturday July 6 is Kid Fish Day at Reeve Lake from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bring your own equipment but equipment and bait will also be furnished. Prizes for longest, biggest, first fish, etc.
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Early deadline for the Star next week. Thursday, our normal publishing day, is a holiday so we will finish and print the Star one day earlier. Deadline for stories, news, advertising etc. will be Monday July 1 by 5 p.m. Next week’s paper will go to the post office Wednesday July 3 which means it will still be delivered out on the routes on Friday.
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The 40th annual Nazareth German Festival will be held in Nazareth, Texas Saturday July 13. There is a big schedule of activities and the Suds ‘n Sounds concert and dance at the Nazareth Ballpark. Gates for the Suds open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person. The headliner band is Whiskey Myers, plus Agave Posse, Mike Chism and Hollow Point, Beyond Country, and Texas Rebels. Other activities start at 9 a.m. and the German sausage dinner is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Cost is $10 adults, $5 children. Happy sauerkraut.
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Friona grad Natasha (Lafuente) Butler, works in Amarillo as a family support coordinator for Special Delivery Infant Adoption Agency. On July 6 her organization will sponsor an event “Bogging for Babies.” It will be from 12 – 5 p.m. at Hardy Coffman’s land, 10800 Cemetery Road in Canyon. Souped up four-wheel drive vehicles run through mud competing for the longest distance or fastest time. There will be vendors and delicious food. If anyone is interested in participating or just attending check out her website at www.specialdeliveryadoptions.org. On July 28 her organization and San Jacinto Christian Academy will bring Duck Dynasty CEO Willie Robertson to Amarillo. People can “like” Special Delivery Infant Adoption Agency on Facebook to find out about the Duck guy’s information. You can contact Natasha at 806-367-6755.
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Art and crafters, want to go to Dalhart? The XIT Arts & Crafts Show will be held in Dalhart at Veterans Memorial Park, 7th St. & Rock Island. Booth fee is $75 plus $10 for electricity. For more details call Kay Rogers at 806-244-4434. It is sponsored by Texas AgriLife Extension Agency.
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The next Friona blood drive will be Thursday July 11 at Calvary Baptist Church fellowship hall. Donors will receive a Boots & Badges t-shirt and a coupon for 20%off at Hunan Restaurant plus name in a drawing for dinner for two at Hunan’s. The noon Lions will cook burgers and fries for the donors. More details next week.
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Reta Martin flew off to Florida this week to bring her granddaughters back for their summer visit. The girls will operate their Cousin Camp Lemonade Stand out at A-1 Service Center Monday July 1 through Wednesday July 3 from 1:00 p.m. till ??. Reta says stop by and say hello to the grandkids. I had some of their lemonade and cookies last year and recommend it.
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Finally, the Summer Drama Workshop will begin Monday July 8. Allison Johnston, Candice Geske, and Joy Morton are directors. Cost remains at $25 per child for the two-week workshop. You can contact Allison for details at 806-220-1610. Hope you have a “cool” summer maybe. Until then!
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