Levelland and Hockley County News-Press (Levelland, Tex.), Vol. 21, No. 21, Ed. 1 Sunday, June 13, 1999 Page: 2 of 40
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2-LEVELLAND A HOCKLEY COUHTY NEWS-PRESS, Sunday, Juna 13,1999
Just
AWr
Rambling
Rain, rain, go away! Come
again some other day!
We used to sing those words as
kids but they fit today as we try to
dry out, only to be flooded all over
again.
We are among those firms
whose buddings got beat up in the
May 25-26 hail storm and our
warehouse roof is leaking.
Fortunately all that is stored in it
arc old machines, furniture and my
shop tools, all of which have been
unplugged. Never-the-less, we’re
getting our exercise sweeping and
moping out up to two inches of
water every time it rains. It may be
deeper by the time it quit raining
Friday night.
Over two inches of rain had
fallen here in Levelland at 8:30
pm Friday and it was still raining.
We drove in from Littlefield as the
first wave of die rain storms moved
through town around 6:30.
Highway 385 north of Town and
Country and Dunco Supply was
already running over 18 inches of
water. By 9 p.m. every highway
around us was flooded and carrying
water like a river.
Police officers were reporting
that water was up to the steps and
nearly into some homes in low
spots around our corrimunity. Many
streets and highway were
impassable.
The national weather service
was issuing flood warnings and we
were rushing to finish this paper
between pdtarer flickers and
outages. - '
We’ll recap the storm in our
Wednesday paper.
Friday afternoon we had a
pleasant visit with Jim Richardson
who invited us to the 50*
anniversary of the Slaughter
Gasoline Plant west of Sundown
Wednesday.
He said they have attempted to
identify everyone who hais ever
worked at the plant but are
concerned that they may have
missed some one. Everyone who
ever worked in the Slaughter Gas
Plant is invited to the celebration
which will begin at 10:30 a.m. that
day.
They have put together a lot of
the history of the plant and have
found many old photographs of the
facility.
If someone who worked at the
plant did not get an invitation, they
are asked to call the plant at 229-
9602 or 229-9673.
He said the Slaughter Gas Plant
and Mallet C02 Plant employ
around 90 people today. Over 70
are employees and 18-20 are
contractors.
We were totally impressed
when the Mallet C02 plant was
under construction and were
amazed at the complexity of the
two plants when we had the
opportunity to tour them.
We congratulate current and
past employees of those two
facilities. While such facilities are
impressive, it is the people who
have kept them operating through
the years who deserve thanks and
congratulations.
0 f ■
BQARD continued from page 1
leave the issue alone for the time
being.
Mrs.
i. Keeling asked that the ad-
ministration develop "more specific
guidelines" before going further on
toe issue.
Levelland students in grades 3-8
who took the Texas Assessment of
Academic Skills exams this past
spring did very well, said administra-
tor Mark Holcomb.
The percentage of all students who
passed the reading, math and writing
tests are shown below by grade. The
numbers in brackets are the success
rate for that grade in 1997-98. They
were: ,
Third Grade - 85 percent (76);
Fourth Grade - 82 percent (76); Fifth
Grade - 77 percent (82); Sixth Grade -
85 percent (78); Seventh Grade - 80
percent (85); and Eighth Grade - 77
percent (67).
Overall, students made improve-
ments in 72 categories compared to
a year ago. They were lower in 27
categories while remaining the same
in one area, Holcomb said.
He noted that, for the first time,
the test scores this year included
special education students.
Scores for all Levelland students
taking all exams this year were above
the state average in all grades except
fifth.
"We continue to make great
strides," Holcomb told toe board.
He said the improved scores mean
that four campuses will be "very
close" to being deemed "recognized5’
by the state this year.
Barnett said the senes looked good
except for fifth grade.
Holcomb said the changeoverfor
fifth-grade students this past year
may have had an impact on test results
for that group.
When the school district recon-
figured in 1998, fifth graders no
longer attended the four elementary
campuses. Instead, they began atten-
ding Middle School.
Fifth graders also study under
different time blocks at the Middle
School than they did before, he said
Martin advised the board that an
annual attendance report indicated
improvements for the district
compared to the previous two years.
The Average Daily Attendance
for all campuses was 95.67 percent
for 1998-99. It was 95.27 percent
REGENTS continued from page 1
JOB SECURITY — Roofers like Bobby Lewis will have plenty to do
in toe coming months as he and other workers labor to replace toe thousands
of roofs in Levelland that were damaged or totaled in last month’s hailstorm.
Lewis, an employee with Plains Roofing, was working on a house on
Willow Wood Lane earlier this week. (Staff Photo)
Levelland Si Hockley County
News-Press
Serving all of Hockley County
Drawer 1628
Levelland, Tx. 79336-1628
711 Austin 894-3121
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Stephen Si Pat Henry. Publishers
who are taking classes this summer
represent a 9 percent increase over
toe 2,303 students who enrolled last
summer.
"We’re still enjoying a nice growth
cycle," James said.
Summer enrollments at the main
campus are 7 percent higher than
a year ago. Enrollments for the
Lubbock and Reese campuses are
26 percent and 2 percent greater,
respectively, he said.
Riley advised the board that tax
collections for SPC were 97.5 percent
at the end of May.
"We’re still running slightly behind
on collections," he said. "We’re a
little slow."
The board accepted Riley’s report
with no comment.
Regents also approved an annual
report on the college’seffectiveness
that they reviewed at last month’s
meeting.
Letter to the Editor:
To All Residents of Hockley
County:
On behalf of the Hockley
County Chapter of the American
Cancer Society, I want to
encourage you to attend the Relay
for Life to be held at I-obo Stadium
in Levelland on June 25lh and 26<h.
The overnight relay kicks off at
6 p.m. on Friday, June 25th at Lobo
Stadium. The first lap is reserved
for cancer survivors in celebration
of those who are winning the battle
against cancer.
Throughout the evening there
will be games, musical
entertainment and food.
If you are a cancer survivor
and would like to participate,
please contact Marilyn McCormick
at 894-1774.
Luminaries in memory of those
who have lost the battle against
cancer will line the track during
this event. These may be purchased
at local banks and at the South
Plains Opry to be held on the
square in Levelland on June 24th
Please join me as we set the
pace for the volunteers who will be
walking and running to raise
thousands of dollars for the
American Cancer Society.
Sincerely,
Linda King
Hockley County Relay for Life
Committee
LBDC
continued from page 1
stalled in the building and the
facility is nearly ready to open, said
Osbum.
Eighteen people have been hired
to go to work there, the board
learned.
The additional money, said board
member Mike Wilks, is needed to
train the new employees.
Wilks and Conner informed the
rest of the board that the Texas
Workforce Commission had been
able to offer subsidized training for
only one or two of the new employ-
ees.
The $25,000 will be used for
training purposes during the first 90
days that the branch is open, accor-
ding to an agreement that attorney
Richard Husen crafted.
Husen noted that Rehab Plus
officials have not yet seen the
agreement.
Two goals in the agreement are
that toe company will employ at
least 15 people, and that not less
than 75 percent of them will be
Hockley County residents.
Conner said: "I hate to see
$25,000 between us. I think we
need to let them know today if
we’re willing to give them the
$25,000. They want an incentive to
get up to 40 employees."
Board member Chris Roberts said
his concern was that toe LEIX' not
become "over obligated."
Conner mused that, if the company
generated at least $4,000 a week in
payroll, it would have a positive
impact on toe local economy.
"It will increase spending in town,"
added Osbum.
Wilks made a motion that the board
approve $75,000 in spending for toe
company. He added that toe froard
would continue to negotiate any other
incentives.
Board members unanimously ap-
proved toe measure. Thomas Esparza
was not present for toe meeting.
Letter to the Editor:
L would like to publicly acknowl-
edge, honor and toank Coach Dean
Weese for the contributions he has
made to the game of girls’ and
women’s basketball in Texas, as
well as nationwide. He is retiring
this year after one of toe most
remarkable coaching careers in the
history of our sport. Many of his
innovative methods literally trans-
formed girls’ basketball at many
levels. His success at Spearman
High School, Wayland Baptist Uni-
versity and Levelland High School
make him a true level.
On a personal level, he has been
my mentor and role model. The
strategy and fundamentals he taught
me when I was at Wayland have
had a major impact on my career.
I thank him for that.
Marsha Sharp
Lady Raider Basketball Coach
Whitharral
students fare
well on TAAS
The Whitharral school board got
positive news on the TAAS exam
scores during a regular monthly
meeting Monday.
Most students tested scored 90
percent or better on the reading,
writing and math exams in all
grades, said Supt. Mike Smith.
"We had none under 80 percent.
Most were in the nineties," Smith
said. "We’re real tickled with them."
The school district now has a
good shot at being named a recog-
nized campus by toe state this year,
he predicted.
The board approved a contract
with the Region 17 Education Ser-
vice Center for Internet access and
a T1 line.
By switching from satellite
technology to a line, the district
should be able to offer an inter-
active classroom setting for students
in the fall semester, Smith said.
Trustees learned that the district’s
waivers for th^mtersession calendar
were approveaby the Texas Educa-
tion Agency.
The board discussed hiring a new
Spanish teacher but took no action.
Smith said the district is having a
difficult time finding an instructor.
When contacted this week, he
noted that boy’s basketball coach
Caleb McClure had offered his
resignation Wednesday.
McClure is leaving Whitharral to
take a position at Lubbock High
School.
Ropes board
to discuss
personnel
Ropes school board members will
hire personnel and accept any
resignations during a called meeting
Monday.
Trustees will also consider group
health insurance proposals and
amend the 1998-99 budget.
The meeting will start at 7 p.m.
^ ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ ^
. Classified Ads .
: WORK!! :
Plans taking shape
for Juneteenth fete
A softball tournament, music, a
barbecue dinner and more will be
featured June 19th during the 10th
annual Juneteenth celebration in
Levelland.
The theme of this year’s bash is
"Ten Years of Progress, No Turning
Back, Don’t Recreate the Past."
The festivities will get underway
at 1:30 p.m. at Northside City Park.
Ten years ago, a group of black
citizens representing the Carver
Community met and organized the
first Juneteenth in Levelland.
This year’s celebration needs
community participation, said
Glenda Moore, president of the
Juneteenth Committee.
"Some years have been more suc-
cessful than others," said Mrs.
Moore, "but we didn’t let that stop
us. We are still asking for parti-
cipation from the community."
Levelland residents who would
like to sing or play an instrument
are encouraged to attend.
"Anybody who wants to sing or
perform is welcome," she said.
Juneteenth marks the date in 1865
when General Gordon Granger ar-
rived in Galveston and Texas slaves
learned that the Civil War was over
and that they were free.
Two guest speakers will be
featured this year.
Eric Emmerson Strong, director
of the Upward Bound programs at
Texas Tech University, will speak.
A talented storyteller, Strong is
a graduate of Prairie View A & M
and Texas Tech.
Demond Thomas, who is the
grandson of Mr. and Mrs. W.T.
Thomas, will also speak. Thomas
earned two degrees from Wichita
State University did his intership in
sports medicine at Notre Dame Uni-
versity.
Recognition will be given to this
year’s high school graduates. Music,
door prizes, games, water balloons
and other entertainment will also be
featured.
A softball tournament is sched-
uled scheduled and signups will be
available at the park. Prizes will go
to the winning teams.
A traditional barbecue dinner
with all the trimmings will be
served.
Local residents are encouraged to
make donations of food for the
event, while volunteers are needed
for the games and other activities.
To make a donation or to join the
Juneteenth Committee, contact
Glenda Moore at 894-8663 or Alton
Graves at 894-9380.
Hockley County produces
159,800 bales for 1998
skewed by the virtual lack of non-
irrigated cotton in 1998.
Calculating an average yield
per planted acre, the High Plains
averaged only 344 pounds per acre
of production.
Hockley County had a produc-
tion of 159,800 bales (480 lb.
It is official, 1998 was a tough
year for cotton on the Texas High
Plains. Drought reduced production
to 2.58 million bales from almost
2.1 million harvested acres.
Abandonment totaled a stun-
ning 1,511,500 acres. Almost 42
percent of all planted acres in the
region were abandoned due to
extreme drought conditions that
affected producers throughout the
growing season.
Yield per harvested acre figures
were outstanding in most of the
area that ended up harvesting a
crop.
Overall the High Plains aver-
aged 593 pounds pre acre, well
above the long-term average yield
per harvested acre, but no doubt
Bales). There were 267,400 acres
planted and 135,400 acres
harvested with a yield of 566 per
harvested acre.
Cochran County had a
production of 79,300. A total of
140,000 acres were planted and
69,400 harvested.
Lamb County had a production
of 243,400. They planted 196,300
acres and harvested 159,600.
in 1997-98 and 95.09 percent in
1996-97.
The Junior High deserved
"kudos" for its ADA, which went
from 92.96 percent in 1997-98 to
95 percent last year, Martin said.
Barsch noted that an ADA of
94.5 percent was "phenomenal" for
West Early Childhood Center.
The school district had an average
of 3,087.24 students in class each
day during the best four six-week
periods for toe 1998-99 school year.
Martin said that attendance rate
was even more remarkable because
the school district had 141 more
students enrolled in toe previous
year.
In other business, trustees
approved proposals for insurance,
paper and food services.
The board OK’d a health insura-
nce premium of $208,119 for HBI-
Blue Cross Blue Shield with George
Keeling as a third party administra-
tor.
A bid of $48,100 for proper-
ty/casualty insurance submitted by
TASB-RMF was accepted, while a
premium of $37,265 from Mutual
Omaha/Quisenberry was approved
for student insurance.
The board learned that the
cafeteria system ended the most
recent quarter with a net profit of
$60,559.
However, the high school
cafeteria had a loss of $18,138.
Cactus Elementary lost $373, with
Capitol Elementary losing $1,245
for the period.
Most federally funded programs
and state grants for the school
district will increase in the new
school year, said Jerry Beard,
director of instructional and
administrative services.
The only area where funding will
decrease, Beard said, will be for the
safe and drug-free schools program.
Also, trustees:
* Approved personnel recommen-
dations, including one to promote
Mark Holcomb to deputy superin-
tendent. «
* Discussed vertical teaming and
the 1999-2000 district improvement
plan.
* Accepted financial reports.
* OK’d an application for a tele-
communicationsinfrastructurefund
grant.
News-Press
sponsoring
photo contest
The News-Press is sponsoring
a photographic contest for old
photos for the Early Settlers’ Day
section of the newspaper.
Early Settlers’ Day is scheduled
July 10.
Trophies will go to those in-
dividuals who submit the best pho-
tos in toe following categories:
* Most historically significant,
including agriculture, oil and edu-
cation.
* Most reflective of early life in
toe county.
* Best special event such as a
parade, ball game or birthday.
* Best family photograph.
* Photo of largest family.
* Photo of best dressed.
* Most humorous entry.
Photographs entered should span
the period of the 1920s through the
1960s.
Photos that have previously been
printed in the newspaper should not
be submitted for the contest.
Entries should be brought to the
News-Press,. 711 Austin St.
All photos will be copied and re-
turned to their owners before pub-
lication. Judging will be based on
the copies, not the originals.
The deadline for entering the
contest is June 25.
The special section on Early
Settlers will be published July 4 in
the News-Press.
Police
Report
State offers suggestions
for fighting mosquitoes
The Texas Department of Health
is offering tips on how property
owners can fight mosquitoes this
summer.
According to a news release,
mosquitoes need water in which to
pass their early life stages.
Some mosquitoes lay their eggs
in standing water where they hatch
in a day or two. Others lay their
eggs in old tires, tin cans or other
water-holding containers in which
they may remain unhatched for
weeks or months until they are cov-
ered with water.
Tips for combating mosquito de-
velopment include:
* Emptying or removing recepta-
cles such as old bottles or tin cans
that can hold water.
* Changing water and scrub vases
that hold flowers or cuttings .wice
each week.
* Discarding old tires or storing
them indoors.
* Repairing leaky plumbing and
outside faucets.
* Connecting open waste-water
drains to a sewage system, or con-
structing separate sump or leach
lines.
* Cleaning clogged roof gutters
and draining flat roofs.
* Filling holes in trees with sand
or mortar, or draining or spraying
them.
* Stocking ornamental ponds with
mosquito fish.
* Emptying plastic wading pools
weekly and storing them indoors
when not in use.
* Moving house cooler drain
hoses frequently.
A 19-year-old Levelland man
who was seen leaving a party
Wednesday night was jailed on a
charge of minor in consumption.
The suspect and five other minors
who were tested for alcohol con-
sumption at the scene were taken
into custody, police said.
Barry Hodges reported that 10
cable converters were recently
removed from poles in the Kauff-
man Addition.
The converters were taken
between June 2 and 9, a report said.
Eudy Electric on Avenue G was
broken into last weekend and wiring
and cover trims were stolen.
The burglary occurred between
June 4 and 7, police said.
A teen-age boy supposedly stole
a kitten Tuesday morning on 10th
Street and Avenue Q.
A woman said she let the kitten
outside. She reported seeing a boy
between the ages of 14 and 16 pick
up the animal and put it inside his
snirt The youth then walked east,
according to a report.
t
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Rigg, John. Levelland and Hockley County News-Press (Levelland, Tex.), Vol. 21, No. 21, Ed. 1 Sunday, June 13, 1999, newspaper, June 13, 1999; Levelland, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1169064/m1/2/: accessed July 11, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting South Plains College.