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Glasscock County News
Briefly
• Glasscock County Senior Citizens will have snack and finger-food night on March 20. Homemade stew and cornbread will be furnished at the April 3 meeting, so please bring a salad or dessert. Anyone 50 years or older is encouraged to join us at 6 p.m.
• The Glasscock County Volunteer EMS has purchased three first aid kits to be located in the community center, senior citizen building and St. Lawrence Hall from the money that was donated in memory of Todd Weishuhn.
• To the great people of Garden City, we send our thanks to all of you for the food, flowers and prayers during my surgery and recovery. There is no way we could have made it without all of your support. May God bless each and every one of you. -- Jayne and Bob Kelso
• Glasscock County Community Wide Health Fair was a great success! Thanks to all who participated. It was a tremendous educational opportunity for everyone. There were 33 exhibitors and approximately 205 people attended. Midland Memorial Hospital ran 90 free cholesterol and glucose screenings. United Blood Services collected 31 units of blood that will help 70 patients. Delia Pierson screened 39 visitor's hearing and Wal-Mart Vision Center ran 154 vision and glaucoma screenings. Thank you to all the volunteers who gave their time. A special thanks to the Student Council, Charlene Belew, Linda Frysak, Eric Seidenberger, Tony Gomez, Keith Burnett, Russell Halfmann, Galen Schwartz, Allen Jansa, Kenny Batla, Mark Frysak, Penni Kothmann, Kaddo Kothmann and Carylon Frerich. We look forward to next year’s fair. ----- Christy Seidenberger, R.N., and GCISD
• The GCISD board postponed its March 12 meeting until March 19 due to spring break at the school.
• Glasscock County is taking sealed bids for the used travel trailer located at the west dump ground. The bids may be taken to the county judge’s or clerk’s office in the courthouse no later than 4 p.m. Friday, April 6 and will be opened at the court meeting April 9. The trailer can be seen on Wednesdays and Fridays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Glasscock County commissioners (Marck Schafer absent) approved the hiring of Gina Halfmann as the new Texas Cooperative Extension Service secretary at their meeting March 12.
• At the April 9 commissioners’ court meeting, Sheriff’s Deputy Keith Burnett will ask permission to hire two weekend jailers, who would work on a contract basis. Burnett reported $9,563 (gross) in county jailing income for February, and a total of more than $16,000 (gross) so far for 2007. He said more income would be possible with the addition of the jailers.
• April 24 is the date for final adoption of the county map for road maintenance.
• Congressman Mike Conaway invites students to participate in a Service Academy Day Saturday, March 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Angelo State University. This will be an informal session for students, parents, counselors and educators to meet Service Academy and ROTC representatives and learn more about the nomination process. The meeting will be at ASU, MCS Building, Room 100.
In The Spotlight
• Taylor Niehues was named a National Merit Finalist according to the National Merit Scholarship Corp. From 1.4 million National Merit Program entrants throughout the country, Taylor was named one of 15,000 semifinalists, and he is among 8200 students who achieved finalist standing. All winners of Merit Scholarship awards (Merit Scholar designees) are chosen from the Finalist group. Taylor, a senior at GCHS, is the son of Rory and Tibby Niehues.
• For the first time in school history, the Garden City Lady Kats advanced to the UIL Girls Basketball State Championships in Conference 1A – Division 2, losing to Nazareth in the championship game. Members of the team are: Brittney Chudej, Erin Hirt, Julie Hirt, Whitney Kellermeier, Lyza Lopez, Amy Multer, K'Lann Niehues, Paige Niehues, Victoria Ortiz, Lauren Plagens, Halie Schaefer, Macy Schwartz, Marissa Schwartz, Morgan Schwartz. Brent Kirkland is the head coach; Jimmy Fine is the assistant. Named to the All-District 11-A Division II team were: MVP: Erin Hirt; Defensive Player of the Year: K’Lann Niehues; team members Lauren Plagens, Morgan Schwartz.
• The Garden City Bearkats, also for the first time in school history, advanced to the UIL Boys Basketball State Championships in Conference 1-A – Division 2, where they were defeated by Laneville in the semi-final round. Members of the team are Taylor Niehues, Evan Jansa, Colton Schwartz, Jason Flores, Bo Eggemeyer, Eric Hirt, Cole Schwartz, Wade Jansa and Jake Schwartz. Koby Abney is the head coach, assisted by Alonzo Garcia.
• Vernon and Glenda Cox Gill will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary Saturday, March 17. Everyone is welcome to drop by their house during that afternoon. They were married in 1937 in Sterling City and moved to Glasscock County in 1945. They owned and operated a drug store in Garden City from 1952 to 1972 and he was the postmaster from 1950 until his retirement in 1982. The Gills also ranched, raising both cattle and sheep, for 51 years. They have three children: Marceline and Harold Wright, Euless; Waymon and Virginia Gill, Amarillo, and Van Gill, San Marcos; three grandsons, two great-granddaughters and one great-grandson.
Work Begins on School Bond Project
At its meeting Feb. 13 (Doug Schaefer absent), the GCISD board heard a bond project report from Jerry Thomas, project superintendent, and Burton Sanifer, both with DSA Construction. Thomas said remodeling restrooms has begun, and roofing work will begin soon. The color of the roof will be a dark bronze, similar to the present high school roof color. Thomas is at the school daily, working out of an on-site job trailer. Thomas said Maintenance Supervisor Tony Gomez has been of great help. Superintendent Steve Long said the school has bought two new pickups with bond money and some new technology equipment, as well. Counselor Krista Hughes gave an AEIS report, and said the school district is “Recognized” for 2006. After over an hour in closed session, the board renewed Randy Gartman’s assistant principal contract and gave him a $750 raise. They also extended School Principal Ken Hoskins’ contract for a year and increased his salary by $1,000. The board reappointed Dennis Fuchs, Eugene Hirt and Wilburn Bednar as its representatives to the county appraisal district. They also approved the 2005-06 audit report by Tracy Tarter, CPA.
Seliger Promotes FutureGen Project
State Senator Kel Seliger recently announced plans to file legislation that will significantly strengthen Texas' bid to become home to FutureGen, a $1 billion clean-coal demonstration project. FutureGen is a federally sponsored project that will use gasification technology to produce coal-fueled electricity with near-zero emissions. Texas has two of the final four sites in national competition for FutureGen – one near Odessa in the Permian Basin and the other near Jewett in the Heart of the Brazos region. The other two sites in contention for the project are in Illinois. Seliger's FutureGen legislation will establish a mechanism for the state of Texas to enter into a formal agreement with the FutureGen Industrial Alliance (Alliance) if a Texas site is selected. In addition, the bill will provide a sales tax exemption for all infrastructure related to the project. The omnibus legislation also will help create a market for the power generated at the FutureGen by exempting the electricity from commercial sales tax. Seliger’s senatorial district includes the location of the proposed FutureGen site near Odessa. State Representative Byron Cook of Corsicana, whose legislative district includes the proposed carbon dioxide injection site for the Heart of the Brazos proposal, plans to file identical legislation in the Texas House. “The fact that East and West Texas lawmakers are joining forces to author this legislation showcases the spirit of collaboration fueling Texas’ pursuit of FutureGen,” Seliger said. The omnibus FutureGen bill is the continuation of a two-year legislative effort to prepare the best possible host site proposals. The Texas Legislature passed, and Gov. Rick Perry signed into law, House Bill 2201 in 2005 and House Bill 149 in 2006. Gov. Perry and Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael L. Williams, who chairs the FutureGen Texas Advisory Board, have long championed the state’s commitment to bring FutureGen to Texas Seliger’s bill proposes an aggressive package of financial and other incentives designed to ensure that FutureGen is awarded to Texas. Final best value offerings for each proposed site are to be submitted by Texas and Illinois in June of this year. The Alliance has announced that it plans to select a FutureGen host site by September 1, 2007.
From the Schoolhouse
UIL – TMSCA Meet
Results of the UIL - TMSCA Invitational meet held Feb. 10 were: Taylor Niehues – 1st Number Sense, 1st Calculator, 1st Math, 1st Science, 1st Computer Science, High point Chemistry, Physics, 3rd Computer Apps; Colton Schwartz – 3rd Computer Science; Wade Jansa – 1st Number Sense, 1st Calculator, 1st Math, 1st Science, 2nd Computer Science, High Point Biology; Brooke Halfmann – 1st Number Sense, 3rd Math, 2nd Science, 1st Computer Apps; Michael Clarke – 2nd Number Sense, 1st Calculator, 2nd Math, 1st Science, 2nd Computer Apps; Lauren Wheeler – 1st Spelling, 1st Social Studies; Jake Schwartz – 2nd Calculator, 1st Math, 3rd Science; Cayla Schwartz – 3rd Number Sense, 4th Math, 4th Science, 3rd Spelling; Melissa Hirt – 5th Science; Adriana Ramirez – 1st Number Sense, 1st Calculator, 2nd Math, 4th Science; Kate Halfmann – 2nd Number Sense, 3rd Math, 3rd Science, 2nd Spelling; Paige Niehues – 3rd Number Sense, 2nd Calculator, 1st Math, 1st T Science; Laura Halfmann – 4th Math, 1st T Science
TMSCA Junior High results Feb. 10: Hayden Halfmann – 1st Number Sense, 1st Math, 1st Calculator, 6th Science; Brian Hirt – 2nd Number Sense, 2nd Math, 5th Calculator; Brittany Schniers – 4th Number Sense, 5th Math, 6th Calculator, 2nd Science; Rachel Hirt – 6th Number Sense; Team Calculator – 2nd.
Results of the Wall UIL practice meet on March 5 were: Adriana Ramirez – 1st Number Sense, 7th Math, 10th Science, 1st Calculator; Kate Halfmann – 5th Number Sense, 4th Science; Paige Niehues - 7th Number Sense, 8th Math, 3rd Calculator; Noemi Gonzalez – 6th Number Sense; Laura Halfmann – 1st Science, 1st Chemistry; Brooke Halfmann – 1st Number Sense, 3rd Math, 1st Science, 1st Chemistry; Michael Clarke – 3rd Number Sense, 1st Math, 6th Science, 1st Calculator; Cayla Schwartz – 5th Number Sense, 6th Math; Juan Zuniga – 9th Number Sense, 5th Math, 3rd Calculator.
FFA News:
Local FFA students recently competed in the Houston Ag Mechanics Show. The 5’ x 10’ utility trailer shown by Marcus Cook, Britton Avery and Kelsey Jones received a blue ribbon for quality. The 1936 Farmall F-30 tractor, shown by Levi Schaefer, Travis Gully, Chase O’brien, Jake Schwartz and Cayla Schwartz, was third overall out of 38 tractors and barely missed being Grand Champion by 1 point, finishing second in its class. Students are now shifting their focus to the state tractor technician contest that will be held in Houston during spring break. A special thanks goes out to James Schwartz for helping with this year’s tractor. Thanks to Ralph Halfmann for helping us tune our carburetor, and to sponsors Candy Jones and Carl Hoelscher who were a tremendous help at the Houston show. Thanks to everyone who supports and encourages us.
• Walk Across Texas: Garden City Elementary and Headstart participated in an 8-week virtual trek across Texas. The elementary students walked 7,367 miles and the GCISD employees logged 6,143 miles. "Walk Across Texas!" has helped encouraged the habit of walking for exercise and enjoyment.
Obituary
• Maria Elia Bustamante-Gomez, 56, of Midland, died Monday, Feb. 19, 2007, in Glasscock County and was buried at Serenity Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Midland. Maria was born June 2, 1950, to Jesus and Ofelia Acosta in Mulato, Mexico. She married Eliseo Gomez, Sr. on April 29, 1972 in Mulato, Mexico. Survivors include her husband, Eliseo Gomez Montoya of Midland; a son and daughter-in-law, Jesus Antonio and Bernice Gomez of Garden City; a daughter, Rosario Gomez of San Angelo; a son, Elisio Gomez, Jr. of Midland; three grandchildren; three sisters, Eulalia Dominquez of Marfa, Luzmila Garcia of Midland and Rosario Olivas of Andrews; six brothers, Eduardo, Jose, Petronilo, Natalio and Alfredo Bustamante, all of Andrews and Armando Bustamante of Marfa. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Next Issue Date and Deadline
The next issue of the Glasscock County News will be April 11. The deadline for that issue is April 9, 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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