Was saddened by the passing of Bill Ellis. He and Carol published the Friona Star for more than 40 years. I worked for them 8 of those years before buying the Star in 2003 when they retired. Bill had various health concerns during his retirement years. He died Saturday and was buried in Muleshoe beside his grandparents who raised him. Bill and I ate many a meal at Leal’s in Muleshoe over the years traveling to various football and basketball games. He enjoyed eating nearly as much as he enjoyed sports writing. He gave me an opportunity and I will always be grateful to Bill and his family.
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Chieftain/Squaw Booster Club meeting Monday July 21 at 6:00 p.m. at Friona Interbank community room. Meeting is to discuss plans for the coming school year. Booster club officials ask you to make plans to attend and encourage others to attend also. Official football and volleyball practice begins Monday August 4. School starts Monday August 25. You parents need to get involved.
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You are invited to a reception for Joy Osborn Sunday July 20 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. in the hospital lobby. Joy is retiring from Parmer Medical Center/Friona Rural Health Clinic after a little over 32 years. She started as an insurance clerk and has processed many insurance claims over the years. She hopes to spend more time gardening, in her church activities, and spending more time with her family. Everyone is invited Sunday afternoon to wish Joy well.
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Ty and Amber (Widner) White welcomed baby girl Kori Grace last week. She was a few weeks early and weighed a tiny 2 lbs 15.5 oz and 16 inches long. They report she is doing very well. She has an older brother Kallen. Congratulations to the Whites.
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A Friona ISD 2007 Yukon carrying some local school personnel to a conference in Frisco was involved in an accident on I-40 in Amarillo. The Yukon, driven by Styler Haddock, was rear-ended by a semi along an I-40 access road. Coach Haddock’s wife and two daughters along with ISD employee Rosa Cigarroa were in the vehicle. They had been forced to exit to the access road because of an accident on I-40. Fortunately no one was seriously injured. Superintendent Kenny Austin picked them up in Amarillo, they came back to Friona, got another Friona ISD vehicle, and continued their trip to Frisco.
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Received a subscription renewal from Joe Osborn in Austin. Joe may be the longest living subscriber to the Friona Star. Joe actually owned the Friona Star back in the 50s and early 60s. Bill and Carol Ellis purchased the newspaper from Joe in the mid-60s and he has been a subscriber ever since.
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Saw a report that U.S. officials are now frequently being sworn in on an IPad or Kindle Bible instead of a printed Bible. I believe I have lived into an age which I frequently do not understand.
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Say happy anniversary to Becky and Jeff Dickson, 23 years, Mark and Deirdre Osborn 29 years, and to Dave and Jana Barnett 30 years.
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Summer Drama Workshop public performances: junior high and high school Friday July 18 beginning at 6:00 p.m. Elementary performance, with 50 little theater munchkins, is Saturday July 19 at 6:00 p.m. Performances are at the high school auditorium. Tickets are $4.00 for adults and $2.00 for students.
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Our EMS and firemen volunteers responded to a traffic accident on Hwy 60 near Cattle Town Sunday about 7:30 p.m. A black Saturn Ion apparently ran a stop sign and hit a red Ford Edge in the passenger side causing the Edge to roll several times and end up in the median. The lady in the Edge was on the way to Amarillo. The two men in the Ion and the lady were not seriously injured.
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The Friona city swimming pool will close as of Saturday August 2.
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City manager Patricia Phipps says the Hwy 60 construction is ahead of schedule. The project manager says they will be finished in three months. A big double billboard has been erected on the south side of Hwy 60 adjacent to the Farm Bureau office on property owned by Johnny Trevino.
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Big day for the Sunday KidFish. I went out about 3 p.m. and some folks had left when it thundered and threatened rain but the rain never came. The organizers said they handed out 75 fishing poles and a lot of folks brought their own. There were 162 kids that registered. He said the day before in Hereford they gave out 135 poles and only 122 were turned back in. He was not happy about losing some fishing poles. Lots of families were having fishing fun and there was a sno cone stand selling the icy treats for only a dollar.
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Got an email note from David Kelley, Class of 1962. He said he enjoys checking in each week to see some of the old gang. He says, “I enjoyed my time in Friona with a lifetime of memories to fill the days. Keep up the good work.” Thanks Mr. Kelley.
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So far in July we have received about 3” of rain, much of it Monday night. Electricity went off in town about 8:30 p.m. A transformer blew near Prairie Acres. The nursing home and hospital have backup generators. Power was off about two hours. Makes one realize that life stops without electricity. Didn’t know what to do so I went to bed before 10:00 p.m. Woke up about 11:00 p.m., power was back on, reset my clocks and went back to sleep.
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There is word that a donut shop will soon be opening but not at the location on Hwy 60. It will be on Main St. probably. We will let you know.
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Betsy Clark, Friona’s only attorney, has moved into her newly remodeled office on Main next door to (formerly) Ingram’s. Jon Crozier, CPA, will also office in the building. Teto Milner will be receptionist for both Ms. Clark and Mr. Crozier. We are planning to do a story about Betsy and the remodeled building at a later date.
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City employees have been busy this week manicuring the city park in anticipation of this weekend’s Cheeseburger Cook Off and Car Show. Come on out Saturday and dine on our Noon Lions Club world famous French fries and sample some cheeseburgers. Luis Hernandez, proprietor of Hernandez’s Carniceria will be guest DJ playing music from about 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. And there will be a cheeseburger eating contest. Bring a chair and come on out. See you there. Until then!
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