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Glasscock County News
School Bond Committee Gives Report
The GCISD board heard a report from the bond election committee at its regular meeting Jan. 9. Misty Kinnibrugh presented the committee’s recommendations regarding capital improvements at the school. Roof repair of almost all buildings topped the committee’s list, and was seen as an immediate, serious need. The second recommendation was for new space for the vocational shop. No specific size for a shop was given, but Kinnibrugh said the committee felt the school needs to plan not only for the currently popular vocational program, but also for the future, when circumstances may change. Board president and committee member Karla Hoelscher said something moderate in size should be considered. Technology improvement was the third recommendation, including upgrading computers and systems, and providing more computers for student use. Classroom and restroom remodeling was also a priority with the committee. Kinnibrugh mentioned the need for cabinets and shelves in classrooms. The committee also recommended taking a look at any transportation needs, which might include vehicles other than busses, such as Suburbans or utility vehicles for use around the school grounds. The bond election committee is comprised of Brad Avery, Teresa Eoff, Butch Halfmann, Karla Hoelscher, Misty Kinnibrugh and Andy Wheeler. Maintenance Supervisor Tony Gomez and School Superintendent Steve Long had shown the committee around the school plant. The board agreed to hire DSA, a construction management company, whose representative, Don Gibson, will provide cost estimates for the recommended improvements. He said it is not a big problem to update restrooms to Americans with Disability Act (ADA) standards, and said standing seam metal roofs can be put on any building, but there are many other types of roofing to consider. He also said there is a drain field west of the gymnasium, so building anything there would be costly. The board will vote in February on whether or not to call a bond election. If an election is called, the board will hold public meetings in March and April to present information to the community. In other action, the board evaluated Superintendent Steve Long (in closed session), then renewed his contract and gave him a $1,500 raise. K. Hoelscher said the board is pleased with Long’s job in school finance and in getting community support for the school.
VFD’s Need Better Communication Equipment
Several members of Glasscock County’s volunteer fire departments told the commissioners’ court at its regular meeting Jan. 10 of a serious need for better communications equipment. Spending several days recently helping fight huge wildfires just south and east of Glasscock County pointed up some pressing needs. VFD spokesman Russell Halfmann said local firefighters need better equipment and more of it to communicate with other counties’ units, which is critically important in fighting wildfires. He said there is also a need for a hand-held radio, maybe of a different type, to hand to ranchers who could then direct trucks through pastures and to water reservoirs. He also said most of the departments’ pagers, used to notify volunteers of an emergency, are in need of repair and many need replacing. He said volunteers recognize the expense of the communications equipment, but consider it essential to their work in protecting the county. He said nothing volunteers are asking for is extravagant, and won’t sit on the shelf, unused. Halfmann said digital equipment may be out of reach right now, but upgrading is essential, even if newer analog equipment is all we can afford. Special Truck Tires Needed Halfmann said the department trucks need specialized tires, which can withstand hazards such as pasture stumps. He said four tires were blown out on Glasscock County fire trucks in just one night in the recent wildfire, at a cost of $200 each. He said special, logging-type tires are more expensive, but would save money over the long run. Halfmann said, other than communications problems, the local VFD’s equipment is in pretty good shape overall, and needs to be kept up, since it is not only the firefighter’s weapon for doing his job, but also his protection. He commended the commissioners’ court for its support; he said the fireguards the county is dozing around Garden City are great protection, and he hopes for more. Halfmann repeatedly praised Deputy Sheriff Keith Burnett for the help he gives firefighters and EMS teams. He said Burnett is at the scene as often as he can be, and provides valuable information and support. He also said Constable Mark Frysak has done an excellent job. The court authorized Halfmann to check into upgrading the communications equipment, and to come back to them with cost estimates for what is needed.
Briefly
• Extreme care should be taken to prevent fires in the county! In the extremely dry, low-humidity conditions, any spark can ignite a fire. Residents should consider bagging trash, rather than burning it, if there are weeds, grass or brush nearby. Use common sense. Local volunteer firemen risk their lives to protect your homes and property --- be sure you do your part.
• Anyone who must have any type of controlled burn (debris, weeds, etc.) should notify the Glasscock County Sheriff’s Office before doing so. Remember ---- local volunteer firefighters will respond to any smoke, assuming it is a wildfire.
• Leroy Moore’s piano students will be giving a recital Sunday, Jan. 29 at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Garden City. Everyone is invited, so please come and support these students.
• Local Senior Citizens will NOT meet in January or February 2006 due to other events being held in the community. Regular meetings will resume the first Tuesday of March 2006.
• The following people have filed for elected positions in Glasscock County, according to the county clerk’s office: for clerk, incumbent Becky Batla and Ellen Seidenberger; for judge, incumbent Wilburn Bednar and Kim Halfmann; for justice of the peace, incumbent Marilee Jost; for treasurer, incumbent Alan Dierschke; for commissioner, precinct 4, incumbent Michael Hoch and for commissioner, precinct 2, incumbent Mark Halfmann. The last day to file was Jan. 2.
• Early voting dates are Feb. 21 – March 3 for the March 7 primary election. Since Election Day falls during the school’s spring break and stock shows are in full swing, county residents are encouraged to vote early.
• A barbequed chicken dinner fundraiser is set for Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5, sponsored by a Glasscock County 4-H leadership group to raise money for an educational trip to California this summer. Prices are: chickens $7 each, slaw $2 pint, sauce $3 pint and beans $2 quart. Some desserts will be available on a first-come basis. Local youth will be calling to take orders, but if they miss you, place your order with Karla Hoelscher, 354-2449 or Sandy Bednar, 354-2312. Thanks for your support.
• Deadline for 2006 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) applications is Feb. 17. For information, call Mark Ramirez, district conservationist, 325/378-3971.
County Dumps to Get New Offices
Glasscock County Commissioners discussed new, portable “offices” for use at the county’s two dumpsites at their regular meeting Jan. 10. The present facilities, many years old, are said to be in very bad shape, and not worth repairing. Commissioner Michael Hoch was to talk to Rusty Hollingsworth to see if his students could build the new structures fairly soon. If not, the county will probably purchase portable 8 x 12-foot buildings, which can be insulated and equipped with a bathroom, plus a kitchen sink and counter. Extension Agent Charlene Belew reported that each extension office in the state recently conducted a survey of volunteer fire departments’ needs, the results of which went first to College Station, then to the governor and to the state forest service. She said the survey hopefully will help get more state funding for VFD’s. Commissioners discussed, but decided against putting a county burn ban into effect. They didn’t think a ban would help, and would be hard to enforce. Commissioner Mark Halfmann said Sterling and Glasscock are the only counties in the western part of the state without such a ban. No Fire Protection Coordinator for Now The court also discussed but decided against having a fire protection coordinator. Commissioner Marck Schafer said a coordinator should come from within the volunteer fire departments, if they want one. A person in such a position would coordinate personnel and equipment, both local and from other counties, in case of a wildfire. County Judge Wilburn Bednar is the county’s emergency management coordinator. Commissioner Jimmy Strube suggested the county buy two GPS units for aerial mapping of water reservoir locations in the county, then put the units in fire trucks. He said the county should make advance arrangements to enlist the aid of local pilots in the event of wildfires. County Employee Holidays Set for Year County Holidays for 2006 were set as follows: Jan. 16 and Feb. 20 (courthouse only); April 14, May 29, July 3 & 4, Sept. 4 (courthouse and road crew); Oct. 9 (courthouse); Nov. 23 & 24 (courthouse and road crew); Dec. 25 & 26 (courthouse); Dec. 25 – 29 (road crew); Jan 1, 2007 (courthouse and road crew). The court passed a resolution that will allow the county to apply for money from a state pool if it encounters large expenses in legal defense services for indigent citizens. County Treasurer Alan Dierschke said the county has spent $400 for indigent defense so far in 2006. A county must spend a baseline of $1,500 before it can apply for pool money.
FFA Varmint Calling Contest Set
The FFA Varmint Calling Contest is set for Sat., Jan. 28. Teams meet at the Garden City Wyn-Lor between 4 and 6 p.m. Hunting begins after team entry. Teams return to Wyn-Lor at 9 a. m. Sun., Jan. 29. Entry fees are $120 per team of 2 to 4 hunters, and a team must hunt out of one vehicle. The payout is 75% -- 60/30/10. Additional jackpots are available with entry. Hunters are responsible for all licenses and game laws. Everyone is welcome and hunting must be in Glasscock County or a bordering county only. Proceeds benefit Glasscock County FFA. For more information, call Rusty Hollingsworth 354-2244, 354-2250 or Jim Havlak 354-2511.
Extension Service Notes Wildfire Dangers
According to a memo from Extension Agent Charlene Belew, the Texas Cooperative Extension Service, in cooperation with the Texas Forest Service, is attempting to spread the word about the seriousness of the wildfire threat in Texas. They point out that now is not the time to burn debris piles, and household trash should be burned only with great care. Any spark can start a wildfire. When and where outdoor burning is allowed, create a firebreak down to bare dirt around any fire before lighting, and stay with your fire until it is cool to the touch. Keep tools and water nearby just in case a wildfire starts. It doesn’t take much of a spark or burning ember to ignite dry, fine-textured fuels like grasses and weeds. Weather conditions are extreme in most of Texas. The state is experiencing the fifth driest year on record. The fourth driest year was 50 years ago. High winds and low humidities have dried grasses and brush. These fuels are extremely volatile and burn easily, creating extreme, unprecedented conditions for wildfires. The public must share the responsibility with volunteer fire departments for the community’s safety. To learn how you can responsibly protect your home from wildfire, visit http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu/education/prevention/ or www.firewise.org
WT Rehab Telethon Set For Jan. 21; Bidding Open Now
The 36th annual telethon benefiting West Texas Rehabilitation Center will air Jan. 21, but the telethon auction website is up and open now for bids on more than 400 retail items, including a boat, a jeep, a pickup truck, four-wheelers, Elvis collectibles, Red Raider autographed balls, weekend get-a-ways, hunts, quilts, artwork, diamonds and furniture. Interested bidders may log on at www.westtexasrehab.org. Auction bidding continues on-line until midnight Jan. 21, which is also the deadline for telephone bidding. Telephone bidding is possible from 6 p.m. to midnight Jan. 21 by dialing toll free 1/866/219-7013. The five-hour telecast, starring such country stars as The Bellamy Brothers, Charlie Chase, Kristy Lee and Red Steagall will air Jan. 21 on KLST-TV as well as regional stations across the state.
In The Spotlight
• Jason Wilde recently received his Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas Tech University. His thesis focused on semiconductor product engineering and is titled "Yield-Reliability Modeling: Application to Large Processors.” An electronic copy can be found on the website of the TTU library at http://etd.lib.ttu.edu/. Jason has been working at Texas Instruments in Houston for the past year. He is the son of Leroy and Jeanie Wilde and a 2000 GCHS graduate.
2006 Livestock Show Results
The 69th Annual Glasscock County Junior Livestock Show was held Jan. 5 – 7 at the community center in Garden City. Top winners were as follows: Cade Halfmann, Top Hand Award; Dusty Walker, Douglas Plagens Memorial Scholarship Award; Kayla Medrano and Garrett Kellermeier $250 4-H scholarship awards. Marcus Cook, Grand Champion rabbit; Lexie Schaefer, Reserve Grand Champion rabbit; showmanship awards for rabbits: Kamie Halfmann, junior and Marcus Cook, intermediate. Cade Halfmann Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion goat. Showmanship awards for goats: Brody Halfmann, junior, Amber Halfmann, intermediate and Cade Halfmann, senior. Marcus Cook, Grand Champion swine; Britni Cook, Reserve Grand Champion swine. Showmanship awards for swine: Colton Belew, junior, Lauren Schwartz, intermediate and Colton Schwartz, senior. Grand champion steer shown by Samantha Kellermeier, Garrett Kellermeier, Reserve Grand Champion; showmanship awards for steers: Kelsey Jones, intermediate and Whitney Kellermeier, senior. Halie Schaefer, Grand Champion lamb, Paige Sturtz, Reserve Grand Champion lamb; showmanship awards for lambs: Lexie Schaefer, junior, Cassie Hirt, intermediate and Erin Hirt, senior.
From the Schoolhouse
Football: Three Garden City football players were named to the first-team Six-man, All-Region II team, selected by the region coaches. Honors went to junior spreadback Alex Halfmann, junior wide receiver Jared Bradford and senior defensive lineman Cory Multer. Named to the second team were sophomore running back Bo Eggemeyer, senior center Dusty Walker, junior defensive lineman Blaine Walker, senior linebacker Cade Doss, junior cornerback Jason Flores and junior utility player Colton Schwartz.
Basketball: Evan Jansa was named to the all-tournament team at the Reagan County tournament. The Bearkats reached the consolation finals, ultimately losing to Comstock 49 – 45 in overtime. The Lady Kats were defeated in the second round in overtime by Coahoma 27 – 24, which took them out of contention in the winners’ bracket.
Obituaries
Sylvia Greta Kresta, 76, died Dec. 30 in Ballinger and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery. She was born July 10, 1929, in Ballinger, to Joe and Mary Mueller. She married Henry “Jack” Kresta Jr. on July 5, 1948. She retired from the U.S. Postal Service, where she was a rural route carrier. Sylvia was a member of the First United Methodist Church, did volunteer work and was the Ballinger Fire Department’s “Mom.” She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Survivors include her children, Linda and husband Garry Huffman of Garden City, Elizabeth Ann and husband Harold “Harry” Thomas of San Angelo, Clyde and wife Rhonda Kresta, Timmy Kresta of Ballinger, and Tammy and husband Stanley Howell of Euless; seven grandchildren, two great-grandsons, four step-grandchildren, two sisters, and one sister-in-law. The family requests memorials to the First United Methodist Church of Ballinger or the Ballinger Fire Department.
Freddy Pruett O’Bannon, 93, of Midland died Jan. 1 and graveside services were held Jan. 4 at Garden City Cemetery. She was born June 4, 1912 in Mound and married Malcolm W. O’Bannon March 12, 1931 in Hamilton County. They moved to Glasscock County in 1937. Freddy was county treasurer for six years and a member of the First Baptist Church of Garden City. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Wilma and Dick Cunningham of Midland; a son, Marion O’Bannon of Midland; three grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, her mother, Eva Thompson Pruett, her father, James Calvin Pruett, brothers, Baylor Pruett and Clyde Pruett and sisters, Fay Gardner and Elizabeth Cox. The family suggests memorials be made to First Baptist Church of Garden City or a charity of your choice.
Lacey Low, 92, of Big Spring, died Jan. 7 at Mountain View Lodge following a long illness. Graveside services were held Jan. 9 at Trinity Memorial Park, Big Spring. She was born July 13, 1913 in Big Spring to John and Nora Gregory and married Greely Low in 1936. He preceded her in death in 1970. She was a lifetime resident of Howard and Glasscock counties and graduated from Elbow High School. She worked for a number of years as custodian at the Glasscock County Courthouse. She was a Baptist. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Evelyn Cauble, Mary Wood and Virginia Low Green. She is survived by a son, Wayne Low and wife Linda of Sterling City and one granddaughter, Carylon Frerich and husband Brian of Garden City.
Next Issue Date and Deadline
The next issue of the Glasscock County News will be Feb.15. The deadline for that issue is Feb.13, but earlier material is helpful. Send information to: P.O. Box 98, Garden City, TX 79739; phone or fax: 432/354-2221; e-mail: gcnews201@aol.com. The Glasscock County News is published by Joe Melanie Calverley, P. O. Box 98, Garden City, TX, 79739. Phone or fax: 432/354-2221; e-mail: gcnews201@aol.com; web site: glasscockcountynews.com
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