What a weekend we had around here. About 4:00 o'clock last Friday afternoon the sleet showed up. That was covered with 6" of slow falling wet snow by Saturday morning and some nice freezing temperatures and wind chill. Throughout the weekend law enforcement, EMS, and firemen were busy pulling people out of ditches and the median. Several accidents resulted in injuries but none serious as far as we know. I did not leave my apartment from Friday evening until Monday morning. No need for me to be out there sliding into a ditch causing further chaos. A big thanks to our law officers and our volunteers for their hard work and dedication during the ugly weather.
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Friona firefighters responded to a vehicle fire at Cargill Tuesday morning about 10:00 a.m. A Clarendon College bus was here with some students practicing meat judging. The fire started in the engine compartment and the bus was deemed a total loss. It was not occupied at the time and was parked away from any other vehicles.
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Prairie Acres and Heritage Estates residents and employees thank everyone for their support during the Christmas holidays. The Resident of the Month for January is John Renner. Employee of the Month is Lucila Trevino. She has been employed in the nursing department since October 1993.
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Congratulations to Billy and Ernestine Marshall of Bovina as they celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary.
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Friona high school powerlifters will participate in the Bovina powerlifting meet Saturday January 10 at the Bovina gym beginning at 9:00 a.m.
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The Friona livestock show is Saturday January 17. Ag science teacher and FFA sponsor Tracy Blount has done an outstanding job revitalizing the FFA program and invites more folks to come out the local show at the community center. See the story elsewhere in this week's Star about how you can nominate an adult from the community to show a lamb or barrow for $10. The person you nominate can show the animal or pay $25 to get out of it. It is a fun fundraiser to benefit the FFA program.
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Prairie Insurance has a new location. They have moved from Main St. out to 1500 W. Hwy 60. It is the red building next to Hunan's. Owner Mark Collier had been seeking a truck accessible location for some time for his semi-truck insurance and inspection business.
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The Pampa police officer that was shot Tuesday is Houston Gass. Some might remember he was a former Friona police officer. He and his wife Jessica have three kids. Houston is in critical condition in a Lubbock hospital after being shot in the lower jaw. The suspect was arrested after a 4 ½ hour standoff.
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I'm told we have a donut shop on Main St. at Main & 6th. Have seen an open sign a few times but have not been by there lately. That is all I know. Maybe I will check it out when all the snow melts.
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Can't say enough about our volunteer firemen. John Taylor says there were 18 firemen at the grain elevator tragedy Sunday. They arrived about 2:30 p.m. and worked a solid 12 hours battling the shifting corn in the grain facility. The body of young Mr. Andrew Lopez was finally recovered around 2:00 a.m. These men shoveled corn, battled the corn dust, and after the sun went down worked in the freezing cold. They were a determined group that completed their mission albeit a tragic end. Thank you Friona firemen for the service you continue to provide to the citizens of this community. We all appreciate you.
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District basketball starts Friday as the Squaws travel to Tulia then host Shallowater here Tuesday January 13. The Chiefs open district play Friday January 16 when the Chiefs and Squaws travel to Dimmitt. Good luck to Coach Woods and Coach Ray and the teams this season.
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I did not make any resolutions for the new year. Just glad to welcome 2015 and move along publishing the Friona Star each week. Hope you still remember your resolutions. Keep us in mind when you have news of local interest to share. We are easy to find. Until then!
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