Record Breaking - Texas State Parks kicked off 2024 in grand style by breaking not only its historical participation numbers but also by having the most events, participants and miles hiked of any state. "What a pleasant surprise to hear that Texans came in droves to kick off the new year at a Texas State Park," said Rodney Franklin, Director of Texas State Parks. "We topped the record-setting centennial kickoff numbers of 2023, proving that Texas has made First Day Hikes a family tradition. Thanks to all who joined us, and we look forward to breaking records for a third straight year in 2025!" On January 1st, 81 Texas State Parks hosted a total of 177 events where 8,729 participants hiked, biked, swam and paddled a record 17,284 miles. This breaks the statewide record set last year when nearly 8,000 folks reached a cumulative 17,190 miles.
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Texas Adds More Jobs - Governor Greg Abbott celebrated Texas leading all 50 states as the No. 1 state for jobs gained in 2023 following the release of December employment data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Texas added 369,600 nonfarm jobs from December 2022 to December 2023 - the most in the nation.
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Candidate in Town - Jamie Haynes, candidate for State Representative House District 86, will be in Friona on Tuesday, February 6th. She will be at the Depot in the Friona City Park at 10:00 a.m. and will visit the Noon Lions Club at the Clubhouse on 9th Street.
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Four Chaplains Day - During World War II, four chaplains who had attended Chaplain School together at Harvard boarded the Dorchester en route to the Army Command Base in southern Greenland. They were Reverend George L. Fox, a Methodist minister, Reverend Clark V. Poling of the Reformed Church of America, Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, and Father John P. Washington of the Roman Catholic Church. Their voyage began on January 23, 1943 along with 904 service members. German U-Boats torpedoed the Dorchester on February 3, 1943, in the frigid waters off the coast of Newfoundland and chaos ensued. Eyewitnesses recounted the chaplains' heroism, including giving their life jackets and gloves to other service members. They prayed with service members, assisting them into lifeboats. The four chaplains remained on the sinking Dorchester. Only 230 men were rescued from the waters. Congress awarded the four chaplains the Four Chaplains Medal in 1960.
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Texas Facts - Texas has been a part of Mexico and has been its own country, called the Republic of Texas. In addition, four other states (Spain, France, Confederacy, USA) have had control over parts of Texas giving rise to the slogan "six flags over Texas".
Source: funworldfacts.com
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Correction - Last week's headline "Davila elected to PRPC Board of Directors" should have read "Davila elected to AAF Board of Directors."
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Rendition of Friona's new splash pad
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved more than $20.6 million in local park grants, a near record, to help create and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities.
The competitive grants are allocated to local government entities on a 50/50 reimbursement match basis. Once funded, the sites must remain parkland in perpetuity, properly maintained and open to the public.
The commission, which administers the local park grants program for Texas, awarded grants to projects in various categories based on community population and scope. Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants are reserved for local units of government with populations of more than 500,000. Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants fund park projects in municipalities under 500,000. Small Community Recreation Grants serve towns of less than 20,000.
The city of Friona received a $150,000 small community grant for the development of a splashpad, shade, and site amenities. Other cities in the panhandle receiving grant awards were: Amherst, Brownfield, Dimmitt, Floydada, Fritch, and Ransom Canyon.
Friona's Splash Pad
The Friona swimming pool was built in May 18, 1961 and long since served as a community hub in the summer months. The pool was enclosed until a tornado destroyed the roof in the 70's and subsequent weather events led to the concrete walls being taken down.
Since that time, the City has been reinvesting into the overall health of the pool. Efforts have been made to plaster and preserve the pool floor, install LED lights to allow for night swim, construct a sand volleyball court, and use the facility as a regional training site for those seeking lifeguard certification.
With this grant, the City of Friona will add a 3,000 square foot splash pad area constructed next to the Friona swimming pool to create an all-inclusive recreation area and will require a $150,000 match from the City. As soon as funding is received from Texas Parks and Wildlife, the City will begin moving forward with design, solicitation of bids, and construction.
The project is estimated at $295,000 and will include 3,000 square foot of splash pad area with all features indicated in the attached drawings. The splash pad will operate off a recirculation system from the City's current pool. The project will also include a 6 x 8 foot mechanical room. The city is expecting completion of the work by the summer of 2025.
Congratulations to Larry & Genie Moyer. They celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary last week.
U.S. Congressman Jodey Arrington, who represents our 19th District, made a stop at the XIT Recreation Center in Bovina last Thursday. Among the attendees were students from Friona High School and Lazbuddie High School as well as city and county officials. Arrington is currently the Chairman of the Budget Committee and among the topics he discussed was the increasing national debt now over $34 trillion. Other stops in the tour through the district included Morton, Muleshoe, Olton, Abernathy, Nazereth, Tulia, and Dimmitt.
Friona High School students with Congressman Arrington: (l-r) Jalie Cook, Karely Nunez, Marilyn Antonio, Owen McGaughy, Congressman Jodey Arrington, Clay Humphrey, Dieter Ally, and Amy Montana.
Congressman Arrington poses with Hadley White and his son Cooper.
Lazbuddie High School students visit with Congressman Arrington.