Monday February 16 is Presidents Day. The banks and post office and city hall will be closed. Friona schools will be closed Friday February 13 and school will be in session Monday. I liked it better when it was Washington's birthday. He was born February 22, 1732 and died December 14, 1799. The Noon Lions will be putting out the American flags around town to celebrate President's Day.
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Over in Clovis, the Wayland Baptist University Clovis campus will be moving into the Master Centre building located at Prince and 21st St.
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Anniversary wishes to Bonnie and Mike Pope for 38 years and former residents Dub and Virginia Cleveland who celebrated 60 years. If you or someone close to you has an anniversary let us know so we can share with our readers.
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Friona high school graduate Mark Madrid is President and CEO of the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. A nice article in a recent Austin American-Statesman featured Mark and his accomplishments leading up to his current position. After high school he graduated with honors from the University of Texas then moved to New York to work for J.P. Morgan Chase. He moved to Austin in 1997 where he worked for Temple Inland's mortgage division. After a stint with the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, he has been with the Austin Hispanic Chamber for about ten months. He is currently working to finish his master's degree. The article noted his parents are Marcos and Maria Rangel Madrid.
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Traveled over to Muleshoe Friday night for the Chiefs/Squaws basketball games. Danny and Holly Campbell chauffeured me and we met up at Leal's with their son Stephen and their nephew Michael and his family. I was the only non-Campbell at the table. First time I had been to Leal's since their remodeling. They cut down some on the "waiting" space but the place looks real nice. The enchiladas and chile relleno, chips, salsa, beans and tea were still as good as ever.
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Looking for something in the 1982 papers and came across the news that the East Allsup's had its grand opening that year in October. The late Ann Gee was the manager and Bonnie Pope was one of the first employees. 1982 was also the first year that the district runner-up went to the playoffs. The 3A Chiefs won a three way coin toss with Dimmitt and Muleshoe to advance to play River Road. They lost to the Wildcats 26-17 after leading 14-13 at the half.
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February 27 is the deadline for filing for the May 9 city council and school board elections. Three vacancies on each board will be available. City council incumbents Nancy Davis and Bruce Fleming have signed on for re-election. For the school board positions, Jason Rector and incumbent Andy Montana have filed.
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Received a note from Jeff Procter, Administrative Coordinator at Parmer Medical Center. He says they are excited to announce the start of renovations to Friona Rural Health Clinic. Jeff said, "We are adding some exam rooms and making some general improvements to the clinic to enhance patient care and quality. So please excuse the mess as the renovations kick into high gear. We are confident the end result will be worth the current inconveniences." Always good to see our hospital and clinic improving what is already a top notch facility.
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Found this little jewel in the Mayor's Minutes on page two: the city pumped 11,500,000 gallons of water, sold 8,984,000 gallons and billed $51,015.80 for water in January. Better pay your water bill or they will shut it off and it costs to get it turned back on.
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City employees have started taking down the paneling at the community center and replacing it with texture and paint. The job will be completed in plenty of time for the March 26 Chamber of Commerce banquet. The old barn could use some sprucing up.
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In Monday's meeting Parmer County Commissioners approved abatement amendments for Mariah Del Norte and Mariah Del Sur, received 2,000 tons of roadway material from TxDOT worth $20,645, and approved using forfeiture funds to buy body armor for the District Attorney's investigator.
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The Friona ISD school board met Monday and reviewed contracts for the Athletic Director/Head Coach, school principals and assistant principals. The board voted not to extend the contract of AD/Head Coach Mike Prokop. I talked with Mike at the basketball game Tuesday and he said he would be interviewing at other schools in this area. He is in his third year here in Friona. He and his wife Shirley live in Clovis. I have enjoyed knowing them both during their tenure here in Friona. Mike has always been cooperative with me and the newspaper and I wish him and Shirley well as they move on.
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Sorry to hear of the passing of Harry Johnson of Bovina. Harry ran the Sherley Anderson elevator operation in Bovina for many years. He was one of the first people I met when I came to the newspaper and covered Bovina. I visited with Harry almost every week and enjoyed his wisdom and tall tales. He was 86.
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Time is getting closer for the St. Teresa's Mexican dinner. It will be March 1 in their parish hall. Plans are being made for the Class of 2015 senior steak dinner coming in March or April. Haven't received details yet. I'll be going to a dinner for city employees tonight (Thurs Feb 12) and Editor Dana Jameson and I will be attending the Bovina Chamber of Commerce banquet March 12. Life is good when there is food on the table. See you next week. Until then!
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