The city had some nice rain last Friday and Saturday. The Saturday rain was a mini-storm with blowing rain. The WT Services cable channel says we have received 0.65” for the month.
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At the football scrimmage Saturday I talked with young Mason Loflin (who turned 18 this week) about his progress with the broken ankle he suffered in a baseball game April 28. He said they took the screws out last Friday and will take the stiches out this Thursday. After that he starts rehab at PMC. This is Mason’s senior year and it is too bad he has to miss football but he will probably be ready to play basketball. We hope so. He is really looking forward to getting rid of the crutches.
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When school starts Monday, Friona high school algebra teacher Sandra Berend will begin her 30th year of teaching at FHS. I haven’t asked but I believe that makes her the senior teacher in the district. There were 21 teacher resignations at the end of the last school year. I’m told all of those positions have been filled. By contrast Dimmitt ISD hired 37 new teachers and in the Clovis ISD 120 teachers left at the end of the school year and they have not filled all positions as of last week. Thanks for your loyal years here Mrs. Berend. P.S. She makes good fudge too. And mows lawns with her son Brandon. And is a past two-time winner of the Friona Star football contest. I could go on.
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We learned that the Boy Scouts garage sale last weekend earned $1150.00. Scout leaders send along their thanks and appreciation for the support. The money will be used for scout activities, equipment, and supplies.
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At Saturday’s Chieftain scrimmage it was good to see one of my favorite people, former Chieftain coach Rex Cumpton. The Cumptons are retired and live in Amarillo now. Rex said he had lost 55 pounds on a “don’t eat so much” diet. He was just visiting the scrimmage. Rex was the head coach at Farwell when Chieftain coaches David Woods and Daniel Hutchins were Farwell seniors. New Chieftain coach this year, Fernando Moreno, was also coached by Rex in Friona. It was a fun homecoming for Coach Cumpton and his former players and fans like me.
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Cumpton told me he is working part time at a “Big Man’s” clothing store in Amarillo. His first customer was a guy who purchased 60x32 pants and size 7X shirts. Big man indeed.
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As of this week local Realtor Holly Campbell had 22 houses listed for sale in Friona. Not too many years ago she was down to three houses. The market has changed and not for the better. Many of the current listings do not appraise for the sales price putting a burden on loans for what buyers there are. Holly also counted eight rental properties that are currently available by various landlords. There may be more than that. Over the years I have been in Friona rental properties were difficult to find. Not so today. She said she had only two new teachers inquire about renting or buying but they chose to commute. No doubt eventually the market will rebound but for now it is stagnant.
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Crystal Moroney is still planning a farmers market Saturday August 23 from 9am-2pm at the Milk House Market, Main and Hwy 60 across from the post office. If you have produce, jellies, jams, or other goodies bring them Saturday morning.
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After 16 years in Friona, Jay Patel and family have sold the Friona Inn and will be leaving Friona. He is looking at some other motel opportunities but did not have any for sure plans when I spoke with him last week. Jay has been a good customer of the newspaper and an asset to the community. We wish him and the family well.
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We welcome a new advertising customer to the Star. The new United/Amigos store in Hereford had their grand opening Wednesday, August 20. They have a full page ad in this week and plan to insert their weekly flyers in the Star beginning in September. The store is located on 25 Mile Avenue next to Whiteface Ford. I plan to run up there this weekend and look it over. Might see you there.
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The post office is selling greeting cards. Not sure how long they have been there but I just noticed them this week. There was some work being done at the post office this week. One of the workers said they were upgrading to conform to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
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Kevin and Carolyn Wiseman come on down and celebrate your 38th anniversary. Likewise Robbie and Stephanie Barrett observed 34 years of wedded bliss. Former resident Sandy Soring Fuentes and husband Mark celebrated their 23rd anniversary down in Corpus. Jason and Karla Rector have been married 16 years, can you believe it? Happy anniversary to all of you folks, many more.
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Erika Montana, assistant principal at Friona High School, received her Masters Degree in Education from West Texas A&M over the weekend. Very nice and deserving lady. Way to go Erika.
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Attended the Friona Farmers Co-Op Gin annual meeting Tuesday. Had some Danny’s Hens & Fins along with the stockholder members. We all sang happy birthday to co-op board member Raymond Hamilton. Board president Mitchell Wiseman said Raymond was celebrating the third anniversary of his 21st birthday minus one.
The terms of board members Luke Steelman and Cris Ingram were up for election. Luke decided not to seek re-election. Members elected Cris Ingram and Ricky Barnett to the board. The co-op showed a $247,561 net loss for 2013. Last year was a tough year for cotton. Hope it is better this year.
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A bizarre circumstance late Tuesday. A mother and her four kids from Olton were visiting friends in the Bovina area. She was driving home via some back roads when the kids began “acting up” so she threatened to put them out of the car if they didn’t quit. They continued to annoy mom so she stopped and made them get out then drove down the road. The kids decided they would show mom so they took off across a field. When she returned she couldn’t find them and called the Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Geries and other deputies were out from about 11:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. looking for the kids, three girls and a boy ages 11 to 15. The kids saw the lights of Friona and walked 11 miles ending up at Allsup’s where mom and kids were reunited. At press time no charges had been filed.
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Last week we had six obituaries in the newspaper. We have six this week. We send our sympathies and wishes for peace to all of the families and to the staff at Prairie Acres who have lost too many residents in the past couple of months.
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Getting ready for school to start. Time sure passes quickly, right teachers. Here’s to a fantastic school year for students, teachers, and staff. Keep smiling. See you next time. Until then!
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