On Monday, the Friona Chamber of Commerce and Deaf Smith County Chamber of Commerce conducted a joint Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Empire Academy located at 609 Main St. in Friona. Classes will start September 5th with instruction for students who wish to become a Class A Barber, Nail Tech, Cosmetologist to Barber Crossover, or Cosmetologist. In the photo - (l-r) Emma Rector, Junie Wagner, Esmerelda Mills, Hilda Valdez, Julie Brooks, Chuck Mills, Bennie Gonzales, Sandra Busch, Adrienne Vazquez, Sherri Alger, Greg Lewellen, Yvette Williams, Mari Martinez, Varla Wilcox, Sawyer Osborn
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Blood Drive Results - The Community Blood Drive on August 17th was another huge success. There were 43 total donors and 9 gave "doubles" for a grand total of 52 units of blood. This was the largest amount donated since January 2021 when 55 total units were donated. Custom long-sleeved T-shirts will be available at the next drive in November. More details later. A big Thank You to everyone who volunteered and to those who donated.
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In the News - Friona First Baptist Church was featured in an August 28th article written by Erin Roach for the online magazine Southern Baptist Texan. The story highlights the outreach endeavors of the church including mission work in Africa and India as well disaster relief work in New Mexico. You can find the article online at https://www.texanonline.net/
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Sate the Date - The Friona High School Class of 1968 is celebrating their 55th class reunion on Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Women's Federated Club House located at 9th Street and Pierce Avenue. The building, which is just north of the Methodist church, has been completely remodeled in order to host an event such as this. All Friona alumni are invited to join in on the fun at the "Come & Go" reception and enjoy a time to visit and catch up. Refreshments will be served. You can contact Peggy Stowers at 972-841-8435 for more information.
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Border Bash Reminder - Friona will host the annual Border Bash Volleyball Tournament which features 7th, 8th, C, and JV teams from area towns. The event will be held on Thursday, August 31st and Saturday, September 2nd at the FHS Activities Center. Go to https://hs.frionaisd.com/558533_3 to find the schedule of events.
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A League of Their Own - September 3rd is National Bowling League Day. To celebrate, make sure you are in the right frame of mind. There is no need to be on pins and needles. Just get your mind out of the gutter, follow the arrows, and stay in your lane. Remember, everyone puts on their bowling ball one finger at a time. Just stay in the pocket and you won't have to reset after a split. If you are an alley cat and have some time to spare, celebrate Bowling League Day this Sunday. It's not Thanksgiving but if you roll three strikes in a row you'll get a turkey.
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Pun Fun - Thanks for explaining the word "many", it means a lot to me. Source: www.pun.me
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National Days
August 31: Eat Outside Day
September 1: College Colors Day
September 2: Bacon Day
September 3: Bowling League Day
September 4 : Labor Day
September 5: Cheese Pizza Day
September 6: Read A Book Day
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Parmer County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, August 21, 2023 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.
A resolution calling for the closing of the railroad crossings at CR 15 and near CR 14 was approved. The CR 15 railroad crossing will be closed at the start of construction on the new overpass west of the Cargill plant. It will be closed permanently. The current railroad crossing west of CR 14 will also be closed sometime during the overpass construction. Eventually it will be moved east to align with CR 14.
Commissioners discussed the pay increase for jurors and jury service mandated by House Bill 3474. Compensation for Day 1 of Jury Duty was increased from $10 to $20 and the pay for each subsequent day thereafter was increased from $40 per day to $60 per day.
A motion to approve continuing education hours for Justice of the Peace Pct. 1 Rhonda Wilkins was passed.
Sheriff Geske reported to the Court that the Parmer County Law Enforcement Center is currently housing 39 inmates of which 24 are paying customers from Lubbock County. Since January 1st, Parmer County has received $168,610 in compensation for housing Lubbock County inmates.
There were no comments from the public during the open forum. Minutes from the August 21st 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. The next regular meeting is Monday, September 11th.
All meetings are open to the public. Information in this article is only a summary.
A new scoreboard, courtesy of InterBank, was displayed Monday evening during the "Meet The Chiefs" event at the high school stadium. The Chieftains travel to Panhandle this Friday to open the 2023 football season against the Panthers. Go Big Red!
