City Council Hears Reports, Approves Actions

Police Chief Felix Pantoja addresses the City Council.

Yesterday evening’s City Council meeting included a public hearing, the monthly Police Report, the discussion and passing of some action items and the tabling of others.

The previously announced public hearing was to hear and consider discussion about abandoning and closing two streets which have been designated as streets but never used as such. These are the portions of Eighth and Ninth Streets lying between and intersecting Cedar and Hickory Streets. People living next to the location were notified of the proposal, but no one came to the hearing or otherwise objected. As a result, the Council approved the abandonment and closing of the designated area.

City Manager Cody Thompson was unable to attend the meeting, so the usual Public works and water and sewer updates were not given and will be postponed until next month’s Council meeting.

Police Chief Felix Pantoja gave the monthly Police Report for December. The Department received 97 total calls and dealt with 3 traffic crashes and one burglary. Its officers issued 13 citation warnings and issued five citations, plus 3 for dogs at large.

Pantoja was unable to give the annual racial profile report, and the report has been postponed to next month’s meeting.

He also asked the Council to approve the opening of a Chapter 59 drug fund bank account, explaining that the Department had sold its license plate reader for $3500 but was not allowed to place that money in the general fund. The Council then approved the opening of such an account. Pantoja said some of that money would be used immediately to buy two Kevlar bullet-proof vests, two body cameras, and a taser, all of which the Department needs.

The Council also considered setting a date for this year’s 4th of July celebration but tabled a decision until next month so it could get input from the City Manager and City B Board. It also tabled until later any discussion of the City website since the webmaster, Benny Cornett, was not at the meeting.

--o--

PLOWBOYS ON BIG COUNTRY 2A-II ALL-DISTRICT TEAM

Jose Ortega once again made the All-District first team.

The Abilene Reporter-News recently published its Big Country All-District Football Teams. Making the 7-2A Division II first team was senior Jose Ortega, who was selected as a utility player (WR, DB, LB). He was also named to the second team as a punter.

Ortega thus closes out his stellar high school football career by making first-team All-District for three years, also All-State and the All-Big Country Super Team (i.e., all classes) second team and District Defensive MVP in 2017, and All-Big Country 2A in 2016. He received honors as a wide receiver, defensive back and kicker, and in 2015 he was the only freshman in the district to make all-district honorable mention.

On the All-District second team, three Plowboys made the offensive squad: Jayden Gonzales, Sr., quarterback; Junior Martinez, Jr., wide receiver; and Ray Martinez, Sr., lineman. Six Plowboys made the defensive second team: Garrett Bowers, Jr., tackle; Gary Shaw, Sr., end; Jacob Rainey, So., inside linebacker; Nick Limones, Sr., outside linebacker; and Barrett Beal, So., safety.

--o--

PLOWGIRLS FALL TO STAMFORD, BEAT HAWLEY

Bonnie Wilkinson (23) dribbles past an opponent. (Basketball photos by Tamara Alexander)

The Plowgirls lost their opening district game to Stamford in a nailbiter Friday evening, falling 43-42. 
                       
                                          1           2          3           4
               Stamford          8          20        32        43
               Plowgirls          6           21        31        42

Individual Plowgirl scoring: Victoria Martinez 12, Bonnie Wilkinson 11, Jaci Alexander 6, Shauna McCambridge 4, Veronica Cuellar 4, Riley Sheridan 3, Jovana Peña 2.

The game received feature coverage in the Abilene Reporter-News. The article by sportswriter Stephen Garcia is available by clicking here. 

Yesterday evening, the Plowgirls beat Hawley 48-25 in the Special Events Center to even their district record to 1-1. At posting time, however, I had not yet received the stats, so they are not included here. 

The Plowgirls' next game is with Albany in Albany Friday evening. The game begins at 6:30 following the JV boys' game.

--o--

PLOWBOYS LOSE TO POST, BEAT FORSAN

Plowboys Brayan Medina (11) and Ryan Highsmith (21) hustle up the court.

The Plowboys lost on Friday evening to Post 47-23 and defeated Forsan 49-40 last night. Both games were non-district and both were played at the Special Events Center.

Post 47 - Plowboys 23
                                         1          2          3           4
             Post                   17        32        40        47
             Plowboys           5        18         23        23

Individual Plowboy scoring: Caleb Gray 6, Jose Ortega 5, Hunter Anglin 5, Jayden Gonzales 3, Brandon Lavalais 2, Brayan Medina 2.

Plowboys 49 - Forsan 40

              Plowboys           2        16         34        49
              Forsan               16       24        37         40

Individual Plowboy scoring: Ortega 15, Gonzales 8, Lavalais 8, Highsmith 8, Medina 5, Junior Martinez 5. 

The Plowboys open district play on Friday with Albany in Albany. The game begins at 8:00pm following the varsity girls' game.

--o--

CLIFFORD ETHEREDGE PUBLISHES BOOK OF POETRY

Ex-Roscoe farmer Clifford Etheredge has a new book out. This time it’s a book of poetry entitled Poems from a Tractor Seat. 

Other books by Etheredge include A Hundred Years of Rattlesnake Hunting, Rhymes and Reasons, and To Lose an Arm.

Poems from a Tractor Seat is a paperback edition published by Porcchetta Publishing of San Antonio. It is available on Amazon.com for $19.95.

--o--

NOLAN COUNTY JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW

Nolan County Coliseum, Sweetwater

Jan. 16 Broilers, Rabbits, Sheep & Goats Weigh-In, 4:00pm

Jan. 17 Steers & Swine Weigh-In and Heifer Check-In, 9:00am
             2019 Market Rabbit Show & Market Broiler Show, 3:00pm
             2019 Market Goat Show & Market Lamb Show, 5:00pm

Jan. 18 Nolan County Livestock Judging Contest, 10:00am
             2019 Breeding Heifer Show & Market Steer Show, 2:00pm
             2019 Market Swine Show 4:00pm 

Jan. 19 Nolan County Honorary Show, 9:30am
             2019 Luncheon, 11:00am
             2019 Awards & Premium Sale, 12:30pm

--o--

WEATHER REPORT: WARM, THEN COOLER WITH POSSIBLE RAIN ON THE WAY

Dawn yesterday morning.

After cold days last Wednesday and Thursday, temperatures rose into the sixties over the weekend with highs of 63°, 68°, 67°, and 66° for Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Lows ranged from the mid-thirties to mid-forties, and skies were intermittently sunny or cloudy. Outside of a sprinkle, there was no precipitation. The southwesterly winds were breezy at times, but were generally in the 10-15mph range, so it was usually nice enough to be outside.

The outlook is for continued mild weather with highs in the fifties and lows above freezing through the weekend. On Friday there is an 80% chance of rain, but precipitation is unlikely on other upcoming days. There is no extreme weather in the current forecast.

--o--