We have had many garage sales lately around town. Now it is time for you garage sale folks to take down all of the garage sale signs you plastered on poles and cardboard boxes. The sale is over, go take down the signs. It is the right thing to do don’t you think?
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An obituary for Jean Murphree is included in this Friona Star. Mrs. Murphree’s daughter, Ginger Murphree Smiser, sent us this additional information about her family: “She and my dad lived in Friona from 1964 to 1974. They then lived in Tucumcari, Bridgeport and retired in Comanche where they are originally from. They owned and operated Murphree Texaco during their time in Friona and mom was secretary at First Baptist Church. My two brothers, Ray Lynn and Gary and I all graduated from Friona High School. We have so many fond memories of our time in Friona and all the wonderful people there. It is still considered home for us. Curtis Murphree was my dad’s oldest brother, Gertie is my aunt, Carolyn and Kevin Wiseman, Jim and Rhonda Murphree, Danny and Linda Murphree and Joe and Audrey Murphree are my cousins. So I keep up with happenings in Friona thru them and of course the Friona Star, which I always enjoy reading.”
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Spoke with Friona ISD superintendent Kenny Austin this week, which I try to do on a regular basis to get an update on school business. He said they should start pouring the rubber flooring in the new gym/activity center this week and get started on the flooring in the new weight room. Total enrollment to begin the year was 1147. Last year we started with 1179 students and at the end of the year we counted 1145. High school enrollment this year is 328, same as last year. He said primary and elementary stayed about the same but we have a big Pre-K class of 91 kids.
This is a realignment year so our enrollment in October will determine our classification for the next two years. We should remain in 2A except they are changing classifications to do away with six-man. As I understand it we will reclassify to 3A next year as all classifications will be bumped up a notch, including 5A becoming 6A, etc.
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Two 57-year anniversaries Sunday September 8. Happy anniversary Sunday to Rex and Chuck Blackburn celebrating 57 years. Also Rex is doing well recovering from recent gall bladder surgery. Another 57-year anniversary is celebrated Sunday by Howard and Patricia Fleming. Also happy anniversary to Heath and Alryna McAlreath observing their 9th wedding anniversary.
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Is your subscription due for renewal? It is if you received a big yellow renewal notice from us this week. We like our readers so be sure to renew before the end of September. Thanks.
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Clint Mears and FHS-TV decided to discontinue the video broadcasts of Chieftain football and basketball games this year. The audience that watched the replay on Saturday mornings was shrinking as more people do not have access to the local WT Services channel. The games are being broadcast live on KNNK radio FM100.5.
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Liz Gingg from Del Rio Dairy on South 214 reported that Wednesday night August 28 someone stopped along the road and shot and killed one of their dairy cows with a shotgun. If you have any information about the crime, contact the Sheriff’s Office at 295-3303.
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Jon and Brandi Surman and family will be leaving us. They are moving to Garden City, Kansas where Jon will be general manager of the Cargill beef plant there. He has been employed at the Cargill Friona plant for 12 years and general manager the past 3 years. Jon said the Garden City plant has 3,000 employees and processes 6,000 head of cattle daily. It is about one-third larger than Friona. We wish Jon and Brandi and the boys all the best. They have definitely been an asset to the community.
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Former Frionan Shea Woodard Hall, who worked for Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, is now working for Senator Ted Cruz as his West Texas Outreach Director. She lives in Abilene and is married to Larry Hall.
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Friona natives Natasha Lafuente Butler and Jacy Grimsley Weatherly had new baby girls in the last week. Both were born in Amarillo. Natasha’s parents are Anita and Joe Lafuente. Jacy’s parents are Jyl and Jayson Grimsley. Lots of proud parents and grandparents.
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The Friona Class of 1973 is planning a 40-year class reunion during Maize Days weekend September 20-21. Local members of the ‘73 class met recently at the Dairy Queen for some planning. They were Patricia Phipps, Donna Schueler, Mike Martin, Jayson Grimsley, and Carolyn Wiseman.
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A football joke: Ohio State’s Urban Meyer on one of his players: “He doesn’t know the meaning of the word fear. In fact I just saw his grades and he doesn’t know the meaning of a lot of words.” The Friona Star football contest starts this week. Hope you will play along, try to win some cash, and have some fun competition.
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News from Prairie Acres/Heritage Estates. The Heritage manager Lesley Gama is leaving and will be replaced by John Rodriguez. Cindy Rogers, president of the Prairie Acres Family Council says a meeting is scheduled for September 19 at 7 p.m. in the front conference room. The resident-of-the-month is Velma Schlenker. Employee of the month is Valerie Izzaguirre. She has been employed at Heritage since May 2009. Also congratulations to Gloria Aragon and Kristy Grenko for 5 years service and a special shout out to Carol McIntosh. She has worked at Prairie Acres for 25 years.
