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Glasscock County News
County Transfers Funds Within Budget
The Glasscock County Commissioners Court met in special session Sept. 29 to make amendments totaling $145,000 to the 2005-2006 budget just before the end of the fiscal year. Of that amount, $49,000 was moved from the Miscellaneous and Continuance Fund into various departmental funds to balance overages, and $93,000, including funds to correct an overage of $74,000 in road equipment repairs, was moved within the individual departments. In the Garden City Water System, $2,900 was moved into the electricity fund to balance it. County Engineer Dan Glass reported paving/seal coating for the year totaled $235,000, ten percent of which was held back from payment until any problems with the work have been resolved. Deputy Keith Burnett reported that the video camera in his vehicle is not working. Bids for a new system ranged from $4,000 to $6,000. Burnett said the company had been contacted, and their suggestions for solutions to the problems were not effective. Commissioner Marck Schafer said he’d like Burnett to check further on the feasibility of repair before the court agrees to buy new equipment. The equipment is four years old and had a service warranty of two years. Belew Thinks Extension Office Overlooked Charlene Belew spoke to the court regarding her personal concerns that extension personnel often seem overlooked when other county employees are given raises. She said road crew personnel were given raises this year and everyone except extension got one the year before. She said no one in her office has gotten a raise in two years except the money recently given Rebel Royall, which wasn’t actually a raise, since he was promised it when he took the job. She noted the extra hours she spends on her work as both 4-H coordinator and FCS agent and said the 4-H program is recognized as one of the state’s best. The court said that Belew had been given an increase of $2,500 when there was no agriculture agent on staff and she was handling more than her share of the load. Belew later disputed this figure, saying she received only $1,000. County Treasurer Alan Dierschke was to check the salary figures. Joe Calverley expressed appreciation for the county getting rid of some falling-down old houses in Garden City and reported receiving several positive comments about the paving at the cemetery. She said work on the cemetery is continuing, but is currently on hold, waiting for sandblasting and painting of fence posts to be completed.
GCISD Termed ‘Outperforming’
The Glasscock County ISD School Board was informed at their regular meeting Oct. 9 that the district was listed among 77 “outperforming” Texas schools for 2004-05 by SchoolMatters, a service of Standard & Poor’s. According to material presented by School Counselor Krista Hughes, some of the other area schools listed were Grady, Ballinger, Mason, Menard, Rankin, Robert Lee and Roscoe. School Principal Ken Hoskins reported that GCHS made the Texas Business and Education Coalition Honor Roll of the 42 best high schools in Texas. The award recognizes schools that have three years of consistent, high performance in all subjects compared to other schools serving similar student populations. Hollingsworth Wants Consideration for Ag Vehicle School Superintendent Steve Long presented a request from Rusty Hollingsworth that the board consider purchasing a pickup dedicated to vocational agriculture use. His written request stated, among other things, that GCISD is one of few schools in the district without such a vehicle, and that one would help keep the school and the program competitive. The request did not specify type or size vehicle, or a price estimate. No action was taken. Board member Tibby Niehues asked that Long check into the cost of a small “travel bus” which could be used for group travel instead of the current vans, which are considered both uncomfortable and unsafe. The board also discussed more defibrillators for emergency use at school or school events.
In The Spotlight
• Taylor Niehues has been named a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist based on his Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test scores. He qualified out of 1.4 million National Merit Program entrants throughout the nation, and will now compete with 16,000 other semifinalists for the scholarships, with winners being named in February. Taylor, a senior at GCHS, is the son of Tibby and Rory Niehues.
• GCHS senior Lauren Plagens was named Homecoming Queen and senior Colton Schwartz was named Mr. Bearkat during homecoming activities Sept. 22. Lauren is the daughter of Connie Plagens and the late Douglas Plagens. Colton’s parents are James and Cecilia Schwartz. Other nominees were Emily Gully, Mikela Barton, Evan Jansa and Alex Halfmann.
• Elia Briseno, a junior, was named Band Sweetheart and junior Juan (Pancho) Zuniga was named Band Escort. Elia is the daughter of Manuel and Maria Briseno, and Pancho’s parents are Juan and Gabriella Zuniga. Other nominees were Shyla Curry, Stacey Enriquez, Adrian Arzola and Luis Zuniga.
• Boyd Batla, a 2002 GCHS graduate and the son of Garry and Darla Batla, recently graduated from Texas Tech and was accepted into the medical program at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Batla, who plans a career in pediatrics, received his white coat during a ceremony in July. He thanks his “super” teachers at GC, who helped prepare him for this endeavor. Special thanks to Mrs. Bell, Mrs. Jones, Mr. Gartman and Mr. Long for their support and words of encouragement. He could still use ‘good ole GC support’ and would love to hear from his GC friends. His address is: 4900 Medical Drive #517, San Antonio, TX. 78229.
• Chelsea Schwartz, a senior mass communications major at West Texas A & M University, has been named an atmosphere/entertainment reporter with the "Kimbrough Live Crew Team" at WT home football games. She is in her second consecutive semester as the news director for college radio station KWTS and is featured on the weekly entertainment segment, "Campus Beat," for Channel 10 in Amarillo. Schwartz, a 2003 graduate of GCHS, is the daughter of Floyd and Martha Schwartz.
Spooks’ Carnival Oct.28
The Glasscock County Lion’s Club and 4-H Club Halloween Carnival will be Oct. 28 at the community center beginning at 6:30 p.m. The costume contest will be at 7:15 p.m., with an entry fee of $2. Participants can sign up from 6:30 -- 7 p.m. Divisions are: kindergarten and under; grades 1 – 3; grades 4 – 6, and themed group. The costume contest is a judged event and prizes are awarded. The 4-H club will host a Black Jack tournament, with rules including: $5 entry fee; ten, twenty-minute games; open to first 60 signed-up participants; top three winners get high quality prizes; have to be present to win. The Boy Scout Hut will be transformed by senior 4-H members into a haunted house, which will open after the costume contest and continue throughout the carnival; entry fee is $1. In addition, several other booths will be available at the carnival.
County’s Reserves Increase
County Treasurer Alan Dierschke reported to the county commissioners’ court on Oct. 10 (Wilburn Bednar absent) that the county added $454,000 to its reserves and ended the 2005-2006 fiscal year with reserves of $1.2 million. He said the Garden City Water System added almost $2,000 to its reserves, which now total $54,000. Commissioners voted to buy a new video camera for Deputy Keith Burnett after he reported he would have to be without his vehicle 3 or 4 days while repair people checked the old recording system. Also, he said if the unit had gotten wet, as he suspects, it isn’t repairable. The court directed him to buy a unit, at a cost of near $6,000, which can be installed entirely inside the cab of his pickup. The present unit is so large that much of it is mounted in the outside toolbox. Burnett, responding to a question from Joe Calverley, said his is the only county law enforcement vehicle that has a working video system. He said a second video unit is available, but has never been completely installed in the car. He also responded that his is the only radar unit in the department. Burnett reported that Howard County will be billed almost $11,000 for their prisoners who were housed here during September. Burnett said he will not accept inmates who are suicidal or on medications. He added that Howard County recently signed an agreement that relieves Glasscock County of any medical liability in conjunction with the inmates. The court approved Tracy Hollingsworth’s request for slightly over $1,000 for additions to the extension office’s new copier. The additions will allow the staff of five to network all their printing to the copier, as well as scanning and emailing. She said the department’s equipment budget will be needed later, when some computers will need replacing. Commissioners selected Rick Harston as the county’s representative to a regional water planning group.
Briefly
• Early voting for the Nov. 7 election is Oct. 23 – Nov 3 from 8:30 – 4 p.m. The last day to apply for a mail-in ballot is Oct. 31, and these ballots must be back in the clerk’s office by Nov.7. Contact the office for an application. The General Election is Nov. 7 and polls are open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Glasscock County Senior Citizens will meet Oct. 17, and Glasscock Co. 4-H students will hold a bingo session for the Seniors. The group will have snacks and finger foods that night, so come out and enjoy meeting with the youth of the community. Potluck will be served at the November meeting, which has been changed to MONDAY, NOV. 6, since the building will be used as a polling place for the Nov. 7 election.
• A Hunter’s Safety Course will be taught Oct. 21 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Oct. 22 from 2 – 6 p.m. in the home economics classroom at the school. The course is required for all hunters born after Sept. 1, 1971, and participants must be at least 12 years old by Oct. 21, 2006. The course costs $15; for more information call Rusty Hollingsworth 354-2244 or 354-2250 or Larry Bradford 354-2396.
• Mary Joyce Wilkerson’s family invites you to celebrate her 90th birthday Sat. Nov. 18, 2–4 p.m. at the Glasscock County Senior Citizen’s Center in Garden City. No gifts, please.
• The Glenn Riley family has donated medical equipment including crutches, walkers and a shower chair to the Glasscock County EMS. If you are in need of any of these items temporarily, contact any of the EMT’s to borrow the equipment.
• Halloween Carnival is Oct. 28, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the community center.
• To all of the huge hearts in this small community, thank you from the bottom of ours for all of the donations, food, flowers and love that you have showered us with since we lost our Granny. But most of all, thank you for your presence both in the past and right now. You all helped care for her when we could not be there and now you are here for us when she cannot be. We have truly been blessed many times, so for all that you do, we sincerely thank and appreciate each of you. Take care and may God continue to bless you and yours. -- The family of Retta Stephens
• Oct. 13 is the deadline for applications for a fellowship in The Senator Gregory Luna Memorial Scholars Program, according to Sen. Kel Seliger’s office. The program, coordinated and funded by the Hispanic Research Council, allows undergraduate and graduate students to gain real world experience in the Texas Senate as full-time legislative assistants in the Capitol during the upcoming legislative session, which begins in January 2007. To apply, contact Sarah Saenz at 512/499-8606 or by email at sarah@txshre.org.
• Senator Kel Seliger will be holding area town hall meetings Nov. 14. He will be at the Martin County Community Center from 12 – 1 p.m., and at the Howard College Performing Arts Center from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
From the Schoolhouse
FFA News: Recently, Glasscock County FFA members exhibited their projects at the Permian Basin Fair and received the Sweepstakes trophy for accumulating the most points. The red flatbed trailer placed 1st in class, 1st in division, and received a trophy for Best of Show. The restored 1941 John Deere B placed 1st in class, 1st in division, and received a trophy for Reserve Best of Show. The camouflage trailer placed 2nd in division. In addition, Colton Schwartz and Jason Flores each won a $1000 ag mechanic scholarship.
4-H News: • Cade Halfmann, Erin Hirt and Melissa Schwartz, local 4-H members, recently received $1,000 academic scholarships for their participation in the livestock department of the Permian Basin Fair and Exposition in Odessa.
• Blaine Walker and Kevin Hillger were among 57 Texas youth who received awards for being members of the Texas 4-H Council.
• Charlene Belew, Glasscock County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, was chosen as the adult attendee from Texas to participate in the annual John Deere 4-H Youth leaders Academy at the National 4-H Center.
School News: Seniors and their parents are reminded to check with the school counselor regarding college entrance exams for various colleges, as well as scholarship packets, which every student should receive.
Juniors will be taking the PSAT the morning of Oct. 18; ninth and tenth grade students may also take the PSAT that day to help with test-taking skills for entrance exams for college. The cost is $12 and there is a limited sign-up on a first-come, first-serve basis. Sign up no later than Oct. 13.
Elementary School Honor Rolls Announced - First Six Weeks
• All A’s: Cade Braden, Ally Burnett, Derek Halfmann, Mediya Galan, Devon Kinnibrugh, Shayla Blalock, Brandon Hollingsworth Trent McMillan, Case Mount, Xalli Sotelo, Kenzie Schaefer, Jackson Abney, Brycen Gartman, Kortney Halfmann, Carlie Hollingsworth, Megan Hughes, Vanessa Cardenas, Holly Halfmann, Brazos Hirt, Maddie Hoelscher, Kadden Kothmann, Brylie Schaefer, Brandon Gartman, Ashley Halfmann, Cody Halfmann, July Jost, Kellan Kirkland, Amelia Lopez, Lexie Schaefer, Shawn Walker, Austin Hoelscher, Sarah Hoelscher, Izamar Ocon, Peyton Schaefer, Craig Wheeler.
• A Average: Ashlie Clifton, Josue Gutierrez, Matthew Halfmann, Jimmy Moore, Breanna Pittman, Jenny Portales, Marissa Zuniga, Nohemi Cardenas, Riley Eggemeyer, Agatha Friessen, Ethan Goodwin, Quinton Hale, Austen Lowery, Bethany Matschek, Christy Montes, Justin Rider, Erik Rodriguez, Lee Wheeler, Hugo Almazan, Brooklyn Batla, Hope Halfmann, Christopher Murphy-Reed, Rafe Royall, Antonio Ramirez, Keith Clifton, Albert Deluna, Jaquelyn Hale, Hannah Halfmann, Jessica Martinez, Frankie Mier, Alex Salazar, Colton Belew, Franz Friessen, Brody Halfmann, Bianca Montes.
• Scheduled events: Oct. 12 Football JH, 6 p.m., JV vs. Sands 7:30 p.m., in Garden City; Oct. 13 Varsity football at Sand, 7:30; Oct. 14 Cross Country JH/HS at Wall; Oct. 19 Football vs. Water Valley JH 6 p.m., JV 7:30 p.m., games in Garden City; Oct. 25 District Cross Country @ San Angelo St. School, Carlsbad; Oct. 26 JV football at Rankin 6 p.m.; Oct. 27 Varsity football vs. Rankin 7:30 p.m. in Garden City; Oct. 28 JV football at Hart 4 p.m.; Oct. 31 JH football at Grady 6 p.m.; Nov. 2 JV football vs. Grady 5 p.m., Varsity vs. Grady 7:30 p.m. in Garden City; Nov. 4 Regional Cross Country, Arlington; Nov. 7 Girls’ JV/V basketball 6 p.m. at Roscoe; Nov.10 Football – JH 4 p.m., JV 5:30 p.m., Varsity 7:30 at Ft. Davis; Nov. 11 State Cross Country Meet in Round Rock; Girls’ JV/V basketball vs. McCamey in GC.
Obituary
Retta Ida Stephens, 90, of Big Spring, died Sept. 17, 2006, and was buried at the Garden City Cemetery. She was born Jan. 13, 1916, in Bradshaw to Lavada and Larkin Bagwell. She married Bill Stephens in 1932 and they moved to Garden City in 1946, where they owned and operated the Garden City Café for many years. She was an avid quilter, and made all her quilts by hand. In addition to Bill, who preceded her in death in 1991, she was preceded in death by her parents, one son, Bill George Stephens and one grandson. She is survived by one son, Clifford Stephens and his wife Sharon of Lovington, N.M.; two daughters, Emma Doe of Big Spring, and Retta Moore and her husband Lee of Bastrop; one sister, Gatelee Stephens of Abilene; 13 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Next Issue Date and Deadline
The next issue of the Glasscock County News will be Nov.15. The deadline for that issue is Nov.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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