Flood is not a word we hear around here very often. Overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning Friona received over 2” of steady rainfall. The weather service reported almost 6” fell in Bovina. Low areas of Hwy 214 and Hwy 60 were flooded. Law enforcement and the wrecker service were kept busy pulling people’s vehicles out of low areas which flooded. The road construction project on Hwy 60 in Friona has ground to a halt. The south side of Hwy 60 where they are grading out the asphalt looked a lot like Reeve Lake Wednesday morning. It is great. Love those cloudy rainy days.
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Our volunteer firefighters have been running back and forth fighting hay fires at dairies. At 5:30 a.m. last Thursday Friona firemen were dispatched to Del Rio Dairy. Later that same day, at 8:30 p.m., they were called to A-Tex Dairy. Later in the week they were called back to both dairies again. Bovina and Farwell firefighters were called over the weekend to a hay fire in the southwest part of the county. Hay fires are a menace and almost impossible to fully extinguish. Thank you to our volunteer firemen for your continued dedication to protecting the citizens of the county.
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Tuesday evening about 6:30 p.m. the firemen were dispatched to a grease fire in the kitchen at the Tom Hefner residence on FM2013. Damage was contained to the kitchen.
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Long time auctioneer James Priest has died. He passed away Saturday June 7 in Lubbock. A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 5, at 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Kingswood Methodist Church in Clovis. James was well known to auction goers around here for his lively, humorous auction persona. Sympathies to the Priest family.
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In last week’s Friona Star we had an error in our obituaries. We had an incorrect name under the photo of Mrs. MayDell Taylor. We apologize for the proofing error.
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Here’s a quote from Texas ‘goobernatorial’ candidate Wendy Davis at the Texas Democratic Convention in Dallas: “We don’t iron the pants anymore, we wear them.” So all of you guys better be buying wrinkle free britches and do your own laundry. Politicians are the best at making totally meaningless statements.
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A heads up to parents of primary and junior high students. It is anticipated that the construction on Highway 60 will still be going on when school starts in August. Euclid and Cleveland Streets will remain blocked off at Hwy 60 until the project is completed. The school district is working on alternate traffic plans to drop off and pick up students. We will publish a map prior to the start of school.
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Betty Reeve was bitten by a rattlesnake on her back porch about 7:45 p.m. Saturday evening. She drove herself and daughter Becky to Parmer Medical where they started her on anti-venom. She was airlifted to UMC hospital in Lubbock where they housed her in the burn unit. At press time she was out of the hospital and home recovering.
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Jena Grimsley Massie and husband Shawn celebrated a nine year anniversary this week. I believe Jena still holds the FHS girls cross country record and she made it to state a couple of times. She is a 2001 FHS graduate and one of her classmates, Charley Saiz, has announced he is getting married in August. Charley is a teacher and coach in Denton. He has two state champ rings from Denton Guyer High School. His announcement and photo in this week’s Star.
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June was a big month for Floyd and Eva Lou Rector. Eva Lou celebrated her 85th birthday June 29. Floyd and Eva Lou celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary June 16 with dinner at Sweetie Pie’s Restaurant in Decatur, Texas with their children.
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First Baptist pastor Brett Hoyle and family purchased a home two miles southeast of town and will be moving soon. Brett, Lindsey, and the four kids will have more room to roam. Brett and Bobby Tyler are off on a mission trip to India. The future of the parsonage on W. 9th Place will be discussed at future church business meetings.
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With the June 22 closing of the Friona Golf Club, the Farwell Country Club is offering a membership deal to area golfers. No initiation fee and a $50 per month one-year contract. Check out their ad elsewhere in this Star.
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The resident of the month at Prairie Acres is Jean Baize. Employee of the month is Carlos Gonzales, a charge nurse employed since November 2013. Prairie Acres administrator Bill Ray Johnston will observe his 77th birthday this weekend. He has family coming in for the party.
Billy Ray said only one person showed up for the June 19 Family Council meeting. He said, “The Family Council allows families to be fully informed of the operations of the facility and assist in some form in the running of the facility and learn why we do the things we do.” He would like to have at least one family member of each resident attend future Family Council meetings.
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From the Prairie Times July newsletter: The doctor says, “You’ll live to be 60.” “I AM 60.” “See, what did I tell you.”
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The Class of 1964 is having a 50th reunion July 18-19. The 19th is the Cheeseburger Cook-Off. The class of ‘64 will meet at the home of Margie Herring on July 19 from 2:30 - 4:40 p.m. Marca Herring says, “We would like to invite all friends and family to stop by for visitation. We would really like to renew friendships and hope you will attend.”
If you have questions you can contact Marca at Friona Interbank, 250-5000. Friona Interbank will once again be giving away free slices of watermelon at the July 19 Cheeseburger Cook-Off.
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I’ll be headed over Friday morning for the Bovina 4th of July parade and activities in the city park. The parade starts at 10:00 a.m. at 3rd and North St. and proceeds up 3rd to the Bovina park. There will be food and games in the park. Everyone is invited.
Here in Friona, a patriotic parade is planned. Kids of all ages are invited to decorate bikes, trikes, golf carts, or roller skates. Larry Rector will lead with his Kids Train. The neighborhood parade starts and ends at 1606 W. 10th St. The first 100 kids to register receive a goodie packet. Everyone in the community is invited.
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Friday night at dusk (around 9:30 p.m.) there will be a fireworks show at Reeve Lake. Friona volunteer firefighters will manage the show, light the fireworks, and provide safety. Viewing will be available from all around the lake and neighborhoods. The fireworks stands in town are required to stop selling fireworks at midnight Friday. Hope you enjoy your long holiday weekend. See you next week. Until then!
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