The Friona Volunteer Fire Department took possession this week of its newest fire-fighting vehicle. The "Attack Three" was custom built around a 2020 Ford F550 XL Super Duty Extended Cab truck. It is gas-powered, has four-wheel drive, and is equipped with a heavy duty suspension system.
The fire-fighting amenities requested by the department include; a 200 gallon/minute pump, a 500 gallon tank, a 1-inch hose reel, 2 whip lines, spray nozzles on front bumper, 3 LED work lights, and a winching system that can be mounted on the front or back of the vehicle. The "Attack Three" will excel when speed is the key factor in extinguishing the fire.
Fire Chief Jim Taylor said the "Attack Three" will be ready for service as soon as the radio unit is installed.
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The Gun Estate Auction this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. will be conducted in the building on the east side of LoneStar Ag. The building is connected to the main LoneStar Ag building but can be utilized as a private space for special events.
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This year's wheat harvest is 99 percent complete. Friona Wheat Growers manager Greg O'Brian said that the average yield will be around 20 bushels per acre. The wheat crop had excellent test weights of 60-61 and is rated as #1 wheat. However, the protein levels were below average. He said that the lack of rain in April and the late freezes took a toll on yields. The barley crop also had good test weights between 49-52 and the harvest is still in progress. Greg also said this is the first time he can remember the wheat harvest being finished before the end of June. Usually, combines are just getting warmed up around the July 4th holiday. By the end of the harvest season, Friona Wheat Growers expects to receive approximately 700,000 bushels of wheat and 700,000 bushels of barley.
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June is dairy month and hear are five milk facts. (1) it takes eight pounds of milk to make one gallon of fluid milk, (2) it takes 10 pounds of milk to produce one pound of cheese, (3) it takes 12 pounds of milk to produce one gallon of ice cream, (4) a single cow can produce 1,900 pounds of milk per month, and (5) the average American consumes 40 pounds of cheese, 20 pounds of ice cream, and 140 pounds of fluid milk per year. Support your Parmer County dairies by being an above-average American.
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The Friona Volunteer Fire Department is holding a "50 for 50" fundraiser again this year. The drawing will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 19th at the Friona Volunteer Fire Department. There will be a maximum of 1,000 tickets sold. Tickets can be purchased from any member of the Friona Volunteer Fire Department.
Sponsored by
Friona Chamber of Commerce & Ag
in association with
Friona Volunteer Fire Department
July 4, 2020
Starts at dusk (around 9:50 p.m.)
Please utilize social distancing
Please pick up your trash
No personal fireworks inside the city limits
If you would like to make a donation for the firework show, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 250-3491
The Parmer County Commissioners Court met in regular session on Monday, June 22nd at 10:00 a.m. in the County Courtroom of the Parmer County Courthouse in Farwell, Texas. The meeting began with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and the Texas Flag.
There were no public comments. Minutes from the June 8th meeting were read and approved. Commissioners approved the payment of the accounts payables as presented by County Treasurer Sharon May. The Treasurer's Report was also approved.
Approval was given for Eli Gomez of Muleshoe to prune the trees around the Courthouse. Approval was also given for use of the Courthouse lawn during the annual Border Town Days celebration. BTD chairman Rob Pomper said that this year's event will be held on Saturday, July 25th.
Commissioners approved the outside audit conducted by Jack Kirkland. Judge Trey Ellis said that Parmer County is in outstanding fiscal health. The county currently has a 10-month reserve.
Approval was given for a $27,918 deposit of CARES ACT grant money. The funds were used to install COVID-19 safety measures such a plexiglass at workstations and salaries for security personnel. A $2,600 deposit was also approved for HAVA grant money to be used for COVID-19 safety measures for the upcoming elections.
Commissioners approved the hiring of Altha Herington to help in the treasurer's office during the budget and grant process. Treasurer Sharon May said that Deputy Treasurer Lucy Martinez will have a reduced work load and will be out for maternity leave.
Approval was given to Bovina ISD for $27,000 from their portion of the Permanent School fund to pay expenses for their current construction project.
Sheriff Randy Geries reported that he was currently housing 21 inmates in the Parmer County Law Enforcement Center.
Parmer County Judge Trey Ellis said that as of Monday, June 22nd there were 160 reported cases of COVID-19 in the county. Also, there have been 102 recoveries reported. Two deaths have been attributed to the pandemic. Judge Ellis would like to encourage everyone to wash their hands often, wear a mask, and stay 6' away. Stay safe!!!
All meetings are open to the public. The Commissioners Court reserves the right to go into Executive session at any time. Go to parmercounty.org to find meeting agendas. Information in this article is only a summary. Any questions concerning specific actions should be directed to the court.
Both the Republicans and the Democrats will have a Primary runoff election on Tuesday, July 14, 2020. The Republicans are voting on the Justice, 7th Court of Appeals District, Place 4, unexpired term. The Democrats are voting on two races, United States Senator and Railroad Commissioner. The winners of the runoff election will appear on the ballot November 3, 2020.
In Texas, if you voted in the Primary on March 3rd you must vote in the same Party (Republican or Democrat) for the runoff election that you voted in on March 3rd. If you did not vote in the March Primary, you are eligible to vote in either Party you choose in the runoff election.
Voting locations will be the Friona Senior Citizens Center, Bovina EMS Building, Farwell Community Center ,and Lazbuddie Methodist Church. Oklahoma Lane voters will need to vote in Farwell and Rhea voters will need to vote in Bovina.
Early voting will be in the County Clerk's Office in Farwell from June 20th until July 10th. Voting will not be held on Friday, July 3rd as it is considered part of the July 4th holiday.
If you are over 65 years of age or will be out of Parmer County on July 14th and want to vote by mail, you must have an application to vote by mail on file in the County Clerk's office. The application must be received in the clerk's office by July 2nd. You may call and request an application be sent to you, or print one from the Secretary of the State of Texas website.
For the November Election, if you have submitted an application since January 1, 2020 and checked ANNUAL APPLICATION you will automatically receive a Runoff Ballot and a Ballot in November. There is no need to send in more than one application. If you want an application for the November Election, you have until the middle of October to get it to the Clerk's office.
Please call Susie Spring, Parmer County Clerk at 806-481-3691 if you have any questions.
as of June 16, 2020
Texas Panhandle:
5,369 cases, 89 deaths
3,207 recoveries
Armstrong County: 3
Briscoe County: 1
Carson County: 6
Castro County: 51
Childress County: 6
Collingsworth County: 6
Cottle County: 4
Dallam County: 59
Deaf Smith County: 233
Donley County: 28
Gray County: 113
Hall County: 2
Hansford County: 23
Hartley County: 14
Hemphill County: 2
Hutchinson County: 49
Lipscomb County: 9
Moore County: 877
Motley County: 1
Ochiltree County: 53
Oldham County: 4
Parmer County: 160
Potter County: 2,822
Randall County: 775
Roberts County: 2
Sherman County: 32
Swisher County: 23
Wheeler County: 16
Eastern New Mexico:
174 cases, 2 deaths
Curry County: 110
Quay County: 5
Roosevelt County: 54
Union County: 5
Oklahoma Panhandle:
1,011 cases, 6 deaths, 989 recoveries
Beaver County: 30
Cimarron County: 1
Texas County: 980
Texas:
114,881 cases
2,192 deaths
69,190 recoveries
United States:
2,390,000 cases
123,000 deaths
740,000 recoveries
Worldwide:
9,240,000 cases 477,000 deaths
4,610,000 recoveries
Health Protocols for Voters and Elections (English)
County Disaster Declaration (English)
March 16 FISD Letter (English) (Spanish)
March 31 FISD Letter (English) (Spanish)
Letter from City Manager (English) (Spanish)
Friona Community Helpline (English)
2-1-1 Texas Social Services Hotline (English)
Share The Facts about COVID-19 (English) (Spanish)
What You Need To Know (English) (Spanish)
What To Do If You Are Sick (English) (Spanish)
County Clerk PSA (English)
Chamber of Commerce Letter to Businesses (English)
FISD Emergency Resolution (English)
