Thank You, Veterans - Cub Scout Pack 56 led the Pledge of Allegiance at last week's Veterans Day Program at Friona High School. Pack members include Noah Busch, Jael Mendoza, Julian Mendoza, Alariah Pena, Alberto Ponce, Zachariah Ramirez, Andrew Salas, Nathaniel Salas, Sterling Smith, and Cubmaster Vickie Rando. See more photos in our photo section.
The Friona City Council met in regular session on Monday November 14, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 617 Main in Friona, Texas. The meeting began with roll call, an invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Erika Carrillo addressed the Council during the public comments portion of the meeting.
Erika is a project manager for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She is working on health disparity and health equity issues regarding the Guatemalan community in Parmer, Deaf Smith, and Gray counties. She provided an overview of her activities during the past year, possible grants, and plans for future opportunities.
The regular session began with the reading and approval of the Minutes of the October 11, 2022 meeting.
Approval was given to an agreement between the City of Friona and Parkhill for the company to provide engineering service in an amount not to exceed $95,000 for the 2023 group seal coat program. The necessary interlocal agreement was also approved.
Agriculture leases for five city-owned tracts of land were renewed with Michael Rushing, Rex Wells, and Wade Schueler. The leases are renewed annually and are put up for bid every 5 years.
Patsy Vasquez, Tonia Abarca, Anita Lafuente, Rebecca Baucom, Rafael Calvillo, and Cassie Rocha were approved to serve on the Board of Directors of the Friona Public Library for two-year terms. Library Director Anahi Gomez presented a report to the Council regarding the library budget, expenses, and personnel as well as a preview of upcoming events.
In other business, the accounts payable for October 2022 were approved. The financial statement for October 2022 was also approved.
The Council approved a Real Estate Option Agreement, in an amount not to exceed $6,000, with Kendrick Oil Company.
All meetings are open to the public. Information in this article is only a summary.
Athlete of the Week - Congratulations to State 3A Bronze Medalist Yvonne Legaretta. She was named the First United Bank Girls Athlete of the Week by PressPass Sports last week. Check it out at presspasssports.com. Go Bid Red!!!
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Give Thanks - The Annual Community Thanksgiving Service is set for Sunday, November 20, at Calvary Baptist Church, located at 1500 Cleveland Avenue. The service will begin at 6:00 p.m. and is hosted by Friona Christian Ministries.
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Santa's for Seniors - If you would like to adopt a resident for Christmas, the list is ready at Prairie Acres. Please contact the Activity department @ 806-250-3922.
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Just 4 Laughs - (1) Once my dog ate all the Scrabble tiles. He kept leaving little messages around the house. (2) I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too high. She looked at me surprised. (3) Did you hear about the two people who stole a calendar? They each got six months. (4) What's Forrest Gump's password? 1Forest1. Source: https://www.rd.com/list/short-jokes/
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Substitute Educator Day - According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, there were over 500,000 substitute teachers in 2020. These educators fill the shoes of the class's regular teacher for half a day up to several weeks. Substitutes apply to teach in a school district. They will receive notice from the district of an opening sometimes hours before they are needed. Other times, substitutes fill in for a teacher when they are scheduled to be away. A substitute often doesn't know which subject they may be teaching from one week to the next. They are flexible and resilient educators who provide a bridge between full-time educators and their students.
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November Vaccination Reminder - Parmer Medical Center will conduct a COVID Vaccine Clinic on Friday, November 18th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Bovina at the XIT Recreation Center.
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Let The Swearing (In) Begin - On January 10th the Texas House and Senate will gavel in for the state's 88th Legislature session. The Senate will consist of 19 Republicans and 12 Democrats including five new members. The House will consist of 86 Republicans and 64 Democrats including 27 new members.
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National Days
November 17: Rural Health Day
November 18: Substitute Educator Day
November 19: Adoption Day
November 20: Absurdity Day
November 21: Stuffing Day
November 22: Cranberry Relish Day
November 23: Expresso Day
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Parmer County Commissioners Court met in regular session on Monday November 14, 2022 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 Texas Flag.
There were no comments from the public during the open forum. Minutes from the October 24th meeting were read and approved. Commissioners approved the payment of the accounts payables as presented by County Treasurer Sharon May. The Treasurer's Payroll Report was also approved. Final vote totals from the November 8th election were canvassed and approved.
Cesar Marquez, Fire Chief of the Bovina Volunteer Fire Department, presented a request for ARPA funds in order to purchase bunker gear and a washer & dryer to process the gear. Commissioners approved $21,000.00 in ARPA funds to purchase the gear and machines.
The Court received a quarterly update from Wendy Case and Janelle Duffy concerning Extension activities including the upcoming stock shows. A request from the Extension office for a new copy machine valued at $5,512.00 was approved. Consideration of a sump pump and repair work at the JP Pct. 2 office was tabled until more research could be conducted.
The purchase of more ExpressVote machines and EPoll Books was discussed. Approval was given for the purchase of one machine and one book for each precinct. The total cost of the 4 machines and 4 books is $25,000.00 and ARPA funds will be used for the purchase.
Parmer County Sheriff Eric Geske informed the Court that the Parmer County Law Enforcement Center is currently housing 39 inmates of which 12 are paying customers from Deaf Smith County and 10 are paying customers from Dawson County. Year-to-date income for housing Deaf Smith inmates is $247,415.00 and $21,335.00 for housing Dawson County inmates.
Next scheduled meeting is Monday, November 28th.
All meetings are open to the public. Information in this article is only a summary.