The application period for candidates to file for positions on the Friona Independent School District Board of Trustees, Friona City Council, and Parmer County Hospital District Board of Directors ended at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 12th. Candidates are now in place for the general election that will be held on Saturday, May 1st from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
FISD Board of Trustees
The FISD Board of Trustees had three positions open for election this year. The terms of Andy Montana, Jason Rector, and Antonio Rocha are expiring. School board members serve three year terms. FISD Election coordinator Claudia Castillo informed the Friona Star that there will be five candidates running for the three positions. Incumbents Andy Montana, Jason Rector, and Antonio Rocha will be joined on the ballot by Kody Kimbrough and Dustin Thompson. The candidates will appear on the ballot in the following order: Antonio Rocha, Jason Rector, Kody Kimbrough, Dustin Thompson, and Andy Montana.
Friona City Council
There were also three positions open for election on the Friona City Council. The terms of Bruce Fleming, Alan Monroe, and Jeff Stowers are expiring. Council members serve two year terms. City Election coordinator Rosa Mendez informed the Friona Star that the three incumbents Bruce Fleming, Alan Monroe, and Jeff Stowers will be the three candidates on the ballot.
Parmer County Hospital Board of Directors
The Parmer County Hospital District Board of Directors ordered an election at their regular meeting on February 8th. Two positions were open for election. The terms of Ricky Barnett and Danny Kendrick are expiring. Board members serve two year terms. Election coordinator Erika Carrillo informed the Friona Star that the incumbents Ricky Barnett and Danny Kendrick will be the two candidates on the ballot.
The COVID-19 VACCINE IS FREE!!! It is available to anyone 16 years old and older.
To request a place on the list for a vaccine, please call (806) 240-1562 or (806) 240-1761 (Para Espanol llame a este numero de telefono).
You will need to give your name, date of birth, and a phone number so workers can let you know when your vaccine is scheduled. If the line is busy, leave a voicemail message and someone will call you back to confirm your information and answer any questions you might have
Because the vaccines are by appointment only, you will not have to stand in long lines. Thank you for your patience and thank you for supporting all the staff at PMC throughout this pandemic.
The residents at Reeve Lake are shown taking the "polar bear plunge" during last week's Snovid-21 Chilldemic. Carolyn Wiseman took this photo as she and Kevin took their "polar bear walk" celebrating Texas Chilly Week.
The FHS Senior Steak Dinner is Sunday, March 7th in the Jr. High Cafeteria (limited seating) and curbside in the west parking lot from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $17.00 for all ages and can be purchased from any 2021 Senior. Proceeds will help fund the Alcohol/Drug Free Graduation Celebration Party.
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PMC announced that they are getting another allotment of Moderna vaccines this week. To request to be placed on the list for vaccines, please call: (806) 240-1562 or (806) 240-1761 (Para Espanol llame a este numero de telefono). They will need your name, date of birth, and a phone number to reach you to let you know when you are scheduled. If the line is busy, leave a voicemail and someone will call you back to confirm your information. The vaccine is by appointment only and is free and available to anyone 18 years and older.
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A follow-up from last week on F.G. Crofford being honored as one of the 100 greatest basketball coaches in Texas history. Coach Crofford was the Head Girls Basketball Coach at Friona for 8 years from 1967 to 1975. His record was 163-64 and he guided the Squaws to three District Championships and one Co-championship. The girls game back then was 6-player/half court basketball. If you do not know what that is, google it!
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National Public Sleeping Day is February 28th
If you're tired this Sunday, it might be because National Public Sleeping Day encourages a mid-day nap right where you are. It is a day for anyone and everyone to take a nap in a suitable public place. However, it may not be a good idea to take that nap during the sermon at your place of worship! Also, don't forget that the saying "you snooze, you lose" is popular for a reason.
According to the National Day Calendar website, there are different types of naps. The Power Nap is approximately 10 to 20 minutes long and can give a boost of energy to get you through the rest of the day. It also doesn't leave you drowsy like some longer naps might and will also allow you to fall asleep at a decent time at night.
The Hangover is about 30 minutes long, 10 too many, leaving you loopy and wanting just to stay asleep. You will snap out of it and feel much like you had a Power Nap, but it may take a bit of effort before you feel those benefits.
The Brainiac lasts about 60 minutes and includes the deepest sleep. While you may feel a little grogginess upon waking, much like the Hangover, your ability to recall facts, names, and faces, will be improved. This type of nap may be the best nap after a round of studying or before a big test.
The California King lasts about 90 minutes and is typically a full cycle of sleep. It will also include REM or a dream stage. This nap avoids the hangover like the power nap does and improves creative thinking and motor memory, but nighttime sleep may become elusive.
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Bruce and Jo Beth Gipson just recently moved to Graham, Texas to be closer to family. Unfortunately, the move put them in the middle of the Texas freeze-out. Bruce said that they lost power on Sunday and it wasn't restored until Wednesday. He said the temperature in the house was in the upper 40s. To make matters worse, Jo Beth has been on oxygen since recovering from Codvid-19 and without power the generator was useless. Bruce had to drive to Wichita Falls to find to some oxygen tanks until the power was restored.
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The Lubbock-Cooper ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $420 million bond proposal and called for an election in May. Their student population is up 40% in five years. It includes a second high school, third middle school, and sixth elementary school. The approval would not raise the property tax rate. The area is growing so fast it is estimated that the growth in business will fund the entire project over the next 8-10 years. Lubbock-Cooper ISD is a 5A school district with an enrollment of 7,130 students. The district is currently home to nine campuses. Twenty years ago, Friona and Lubbock Cooper were in the same football district. Wow!
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National Days
February 25:***
Bautista named to Class 3A All-State football team
This week, the Texas Sports Writers Association released its All-State Football Teams for 2020. In Class 3A, Jacob Bautista was named to the Third Team as a running back. Despite missing playing action early in the season due to an injury, #1 for the Friona Chieftains rushed 102 times for 905 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also caught 7 passes for 86 yards and 1 touchdown. Jacob is a junior at Friona High School.
The Parmer County Commissioners Court met in regular session on Monday, February 22, 2021 at 10 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 Texas Flag.
There were no public comments. Minutes from the February 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.
Two bids were received for the Lawn Maintenance Contract. The contract includes lawn care, snow removal, tree limb removal, etc. at the Courthouse and the Law Enforcement Center. After reviewing the bids, the one-year contract was awarded to Eric Chadwick.
Commissioners approved a request by the Bovina ISD for $110,132.55 from their portion of the Permanent School Fund. Bovina and Farwell have now exhausted their allotments from the fund.
Approval was given to an Inter-Local Agreement between the Regional Public Defender Office Local Government Corporation and Parmer County. This agreement helps the county fund capital offense prosecutions.
Commissioners approved a resolution opposing Senate Bill SB234 & House Bill HB749. In essence, the bills would prohibit county officials from using county funds to lobby for their county in Austin. This would include dues to entities such as The Texas Association of Counties which help keep local officials informed on what state lawmakers are up to.
Sheriff Randy Geries reported that he was currently housing 22 inmates in the Parmer County Law Enforcement Center. Four of those inmates are from Deaf Smith County. Commissioners approved new law enforcement software. In order to save money and improve efficiency, the Sheriff's Office is phasing out Cop Sync software in favor of Southern Software.
A water pipe busted in the old jail building due to the extreme cold weather during last week's storm. Judge Ellis thanked Sheriff Geries and the trustees who helped clean up the mess and save county records that were being stored in the building.
The next scheduled Commissioners Court meeting is Monday, March 8th.
All meetings are open to the public. The Commissioner's Court reserves the right to go into Executive Session at any time. The agenda may be found on the Parmer County website. Information in this article is only a summary. Any questions concerning specific actions should be directed to the Commissioners Court.
