School has begun and so has the SnackPak4Kids program furnishing weekend food for needy children. The children are selected by teachers and names are kept private. A volunteer sign-up for the SnackPak4Kids 2013-2014 school year will be held Thursday, September 5, from 5-6 p.m. at the Senior Citizens building, 1410 Washington. Donations of 16 oz peanut butter and Pop Tarts are always accepted. Money donations are also accepted to help with this important program. For more info ask Becky Jones or Jo Beth Gipson. You can help.
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A Curry County inmate named Shuntae Byrd, 35, was housed in our Parmer County jail. Curry County (Clovis) pays our jail to house many of their prisoners. Shuntae Byrd got mad because, according to Sheriff Geries, he didn’t get his evening Tylenol on time so he knocked a sprinkler head off flooding part of the jail. Sheriff Geries said they will file damage charges against Shuntae Byrd and estimated the damage at $2,500.
Shuntae Byrd was in the Clovis jail on felony kidnapping and criminal sexual penetration charges. After the Parmer County incident, Curry County let him go when he posted 10% on a $25,000 bond. Guess they didn’t want him tearing up their jail.
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Weather report: no rain lately. Been hot but not too hot but hot enough. Maybe rain soon but they aren’t saying. Fall begins Sunday September 22. Have a nice Labor Day.
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With FHS speech and drama teacher Erika Montana being promoted to assistant principal, her predecessor Joy Morton has been coaxed out of retirement to return to the halls of FHS. Joy said she agreed to help for at least one semester taking over the speech and drama classes again.
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Anniversaries to spotlight this week: Jim and Rhonda Murphree 32 years; Ted and Glenda Procter 40 years; Gail and Gary Hand 45 years; Patsy and Eugene Bandy 62 years. Thanks to Facebook for a couple of these and congratulations to you each and every one. Let us know if you or someone you know are celebrating an anniversary.
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Beginning September 3 the Panhandle Plains Museum in Canyon will have new hours. It will be closed on Sundays and Mondays. From September to May the museum hours will be Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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Just had a chance to look at the December calendar. Christmas Day is on Wednesday December 25. That makes for an awkward work week for many. The Friona Star will not publish a paper that week. Our last 2013 paper will be Thursday December 19. We will take a few days off and be back in the office Monday December 30.
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There will be at least nine contestants for the September 7 Miss Friona Pageant according to the organizers. The young ladies had a makeup and photo shoot Sunday August 25. Here are the nine contestants as of Wednesday Aug 28: Holly Johnston, Jasmine Rodriguez, Mercedes Rodriguez, Courtney Bunker, Mykelti Rhodes, Bekah White, Christina Green, Karina Hernandez, and Kailey Lucas.
We will feature all of the Miss Friona contestants in next week’s September 5 Friona Star. Little Miss contestants will be included in the September 12 newspaper. The Little Miss Pageant is Tuesday September 17.
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The Friona ISD school calendar for September is included in this issue of the Star. We always recommend parents clip out the monthly calendar to keep up with the many monthly school events.
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Freeman Melton was a nice man, a decent human being, loved by many, and my former neighbor. He and Rosemary attended every Chieftain home football game for many years. He drove his little red pickup and played golf often with a group of cronies. About a month ago they sold their home in Friona and moved to Amarillo mainly due to health concerns and to be near family. After only three weeks in Amarillo, Freeman died Friday August 23. He was 87 and had cancer. Services were Tuesday at the Methodist Church. Our sympathies to the family. He will be missed.
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On August 26, 1920 the 19th Amendment became law allowing women the right to vote. Ninety three years ago this week. And the government is still hassling about voter’s rights.
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If you are visiting the State Fair in Dallas this year you can enjoy Southern Style Chicken Fried Meatloaf, deep fried Nutella, Fernie’s deep fried King Ranch casserole, and golden fried Millionaire pie among many other fried goodies. Still hard to beat the state fair corn dogs and turkey legs. Lot of good memories of attending the fair in Dallas for many years.
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Saw Larry Gonzales at the high school this week. Larry retired as a custodian at the end of last year but is back working some part time. He is still seeing doctors in Amarillo for his cancer. He has completed chemo and radiation for now but will soon go back for MRI/Cat Scan and possible surgery. Good to see Larry and we wish him all the best.
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Stopped by football practice Monday evening as the Chiefs prepare to open the season vs. the Stratford Elks. The boys and coaches are working hard. Coach Prokop and staff are instilling a positive attitude in the boys. He said they were forming a Fellowship of Christian Athletes group. It will be a big test Friday in Amarillo. Stratford enters the season ranked 6th in state 1A. Game time is 4:30 p.m. See you there.
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Last Friday I heard a yellow and orange dinosaur was coming to the Friona Library so I went by to see and sure enough there was Buddy. His visit was sponsored by KACV TV, the PBS station, from Amarillo. Buddy entertained the kids (he didn’t talk or sing though) while Lynn Groom from PBS TV and librarian Darla Bracken read a story to them. Story time for three year olds (must be three by Sep 1) begins Thursday September 5 from 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. I love the library. Nice folks over there.
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Tuesday evening a loaded silage truck overturned on the FM2397 double curve south of town. The driver was transported to the Friona hospital by Friona EMS. Friona firemen and Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched. The firefighters used the jaws of life tool to extract the driver from the cab. The accident was investigated by DPS Trooper Izzy Carrasco.
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Karla Rector and Lezli St. Clair call themselves Krazy Ladies Photography. These creative ladies are available for photo shoots of all sorts. See their ad on the classified page.
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KNNK Radio in Hereford at FM 100.5 has plans to broadcast the Chieftain football games this year. You can also hear the game on WT Services channel 6 and on the web at KNNK.net. Have a nice safe Labor Day weekend. Until then!
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