The Firefighter memorial flag is flown when a fireman passes away.
Longtime firefighter Joe Reeve passed away this month. Joe was one of the original Reeve Chevrolet group of firemen that served the Friona community. At that time, there was a group of five or more fire department members that hailed from the local Chevrolet dealership. Joe served as a fireman from 1963-1991.
In recent years he owned and operated Mr. Service with his stepson, Justin Bridges, who is a current member of the Friona Volunteer Fire Department. Joe's brother, Glen, is still a member with over 67 years of firefighting experience.
We will miss you Joe. Friona Firemen
FFA News - FFA members competed in the Area 1 LDE Contest last week. (photo below) Aubrey Garcia earned 4th place in Greenhand Creed Speaking. (photo above) The Public Relations Team consisting of Reese Stowers, Jacee Burney, Aubrey Bunker, AJ London, and Kitzy Welch finished in 6th Place.
The Idalou Connection - Friona and Idalou had two epic Bi-District playoff match-ups this month. The Squaws came from behind to defeat the Lady Cats in a thrilling five-set volleyball match on November 1st. On November 11th, the Chieftains came up just 10 yards short in a late-game rally in their football playoff battle against the Wildcats.
Four of the Idalou football players have connections to Friona. Senior RB/LB Tyler Jack is the son of Kelly & Teresa Jack and grandson of John & Sheri Taylor and Galen & Keri Jack. Junior QB Tate Hendley is the son of Roy & Katie Hendley and the grandson of Ab Hendley. Senior RB/DB William Wall is the great grandson of L.H. & Betty Lookingbill and grandson of Pat & Jan Betzen of Hereford. Senior OL/DL Landry Bozeman is the nephew of Kevin & Ami Schueler.
Roy Hendley and Friona Head Coach Jimmy Arias are 1995 Friona High School graduates and competed in sports together. Kelly, Teresa, John, Sheri, and Kevin are also FHS grads.
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More Football - Two teams from our district and Idalou, who defeated the Chieftains, are still in the playoffs. Spearman will play Canadian and Idalou will face Wall in regional semi-final action at the end of this week.
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Crop Reports - Friona Wheat Growers manager Greg O'Brian reported that they handled around 24,000 bushels of wheat. It was good quality wheat and was all from irrigated land. There was no dryland wheat this season. Also, all of the barley and corn was chopped for silage. FWG has not received any corn in more than four years. Friona Farmers Co-Op Gin reported that they have ginned 3521 bales so far this season. They expect to wrap up the harvest near the first of the year with a final total somewhere around 8,000 bales.
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Death, Taxes, and Drought - I think we can now safely add drought to the list of life's inevitabilities. Parmer County continues to linger in the Severe to Extreme Drought designation. The U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook predicts our area to remain in the current drought condition for the next few months.
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Time 2 Laugh - Due to inflation and supply chain issues there are only two jokes this week. (1) How do poets say hello? Hey, haven't we metaphor? (2) Where does Batman go to the bathroom? The batroom. Source: https://www.rd.com/list/short-jokes.
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Capital Highlights - Texas legislators are off to the races, filing more than 850 bills on Monday, the first day of filing season for the 88th session, which begins January 10th. The Austin American-Statesman reported the potential laws, constitutional amendments, and propositions address everything from property taxes to border security, access to guns, abortion, education, and health care. Thousands more bills will be filed prior to the March 10 deadline. Property tax relief is likely to be a top item. With a hefty state surplus of $27 billion predicted, two bills would carve into that surplus to reduce property taxes.
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National Days
November 24: Thanksgiving
November 25: Native American Heritage Day
November 26: Small Business Saturday
November 27: Secondhand Sunday
November 28: French Toast Day
November 29: Day of Giving
November 30: Mason Jar Day
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Construction is nearing completion on a new courtroom at City Hall located just south of the City Council Chambers and is accessed by using the south door facing Main Street. The new facility will be home to the Friona Municipal Court Judge Deborah Campbell and Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 Rhonda Wilkins.
FRIONA-OPOLY IS HERE - City Manager Lee Davila is holding the new game that will soon be sweeping the countryside. The City of Friona version of Monopoly has arrived and those businesses or individuals who have prepaid can pick theirs up at the Chamber of Commerce office. The new board game will also be on sale for $30 at a booth during the Christmas in the Park event on Monday, December 5th.