RCHS Names 2019 Valedictorian, Salutatorian

Alfonso Islas                                             Caleb Gray

At Roscoe Collegiate High School, the grades are in and have been averaged. The valedictorian for the Class of 2019 is Alfonso Islas, Jr., and the salutatorian is Caleb Gray.

Alfonso’s final four-year average is 99.22. He plans to go to Texas Tech and major in Mechanical Engineering. Caleb’s final average is 95. He plans to attend Hardin-Simmons and major in Pharmacy. He also plans to run track there.

Both have already received their Associate Degrees from Western Texas College, where both were members of the honor society, Phi Theta Kappa.

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CITY COUNCIL LINES UP FUNDING FOR SEWER, WATER LINE IMPROVEMENTS

Cody Thompson addresses the City Council at yesterday's meeting.

At its monthly meeting in City Hall yesterday evening, the City Council committed to providing assurances of the repayment of a major loan from the Texas Water Development Board, selected the contractor for the City’s sewer-line replacement project, directed the City Manager to sign a contract for a City Swimming Pool operator, and heard monthly progress reports from the City Manager and Police Chief.

The City Council’s previous application for a state loan from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) was approved on condition that it issue combination tax and surplus revenue certificates of obligation. The TWDB will fund the water-line replacement project with a $2,287,950 loan of which $1,950,000 will have to be repaid at around 1½%-2% interest. So, the Council unanimously approved a formal intention to issue the said certificates at its regular meeting in July.

Scott Hay of Enprotec/Hibbs & Todd engineers of Abilene reported on the work that firm has done for the City in finding a contractor to do the City’s sewer-line replacement project. He recommended that the City accept the low bidder, Flint Stone Services LLC of Cisco, saying they have done competent work for e/HT in the past. The Council approved his recommendation. The project will require an additional $41,000 dollars beyond the $211,300 amount awarded in the block grant in order to complete the project all the way from 3rd Street south to the I-20 service road, and the Council also approved committing that amount.

The Council reviewed the application of Dulce Karina Aguayo to manage the City Pool this summer and directed the City Manager to accept her letter of intent.

City Manager Cody Thompson reported that the City and County will not be doing the sealcoat program this summer as the raw materials required are too expensive for the County. Instead, the City will buy more asphalt for street patching and is planning for more concrete intersections.

Police Chief Felix Pantoja gave the monthly Police Department Report for the month of April. The month was busier than usual with 126 calls for help. There were two arrests, 5 vehicle crashes, 10 traffic warnings issued, 3 citations for City ordinance violations, and 2 citations for traffic violations. He also reported on a scam and the passing of counterfeit money.

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FORMER ROSCOE COLLEGIATE STUDENT, DR. JOSE RANGEL, BECOMES P-20 STANDARD BEARER

by Kim Alexander

Jose Rangel is awarded his Doctor's Degree at Angelo State University.

Roscoe Collegiate Independent School District (RCISD) has a new standard bearer for Collegiate Edu-Nation: A P-20 System Model for Student Success. Dr. Jose Rangel, who is a 2013 graduate of RCISD and Western Texas College and a 2016 graduate of Angelo State University, received his Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree on Saturday, May 11 during the 2019 Angelo State University Spring Commencement. In doing so, Dr. Rangel became the first Roscoe student to complete grade level 20 of the P-20 System Model, a Model for high student expectations, leading to high student aspirations and outcomes.

Dr. Rangel’s accomplishment, as a first-generation college attendee, is significant because it confirms that the Edu-Nation Model for a community-based accountability system consisting of college degrees symbolic of college readiness, STEM certifications symbolic of workforce readiness and student research symbolic of lifetime learning is effective. Dr. Rangel’s head start on college was a result of his Early College experience here in RCISD. His aspiration for becoming a physical therapist emerged as a direct result of his STEM Academy apprenticeship experience under Dr. Nick Anthony at Collegiate Chiropractic, located here on the campus of RCISD. His capstone research project entitled “A Comparison of Hip and Lower Extremity Muscle Activation between Two Variations of the Lunge Experience” was cultivated by his research experience here in RCISD.

Dr. Jose Rangel is a perfect example of what a student can accomplish when provided with the appropriate educational circumstances, encouragement and expectations. As a result of his tenacity and perseverance (Grit Factor), Dr. Rangel has become the role model for future Edu-Nation students from rural Texas and the U.S.

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CENTRAL ROLLING PLAINS CO-OP HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING

Co-op members filled the school cafetorium yesterday evening.

The Central Rolling Plains Co-op held its annual membership meeting yesterday evening at the Roscoe School Cafetorium with a supper catered by 350 Café and door prizes. Approximately 180 members attended, including industry guests.

Items of business included the manager’s report, regional reports, audit report, and election of three directors and two advisory board members. Dividend checks were handed out at the end of the meeting.

There were two elections. Steve Moore, Ralph Stirl, and Scott Etheredge were re-elected to three-year terms on the Senior Board, and Roddy Alexander and Tanner Martin were re-elected to one-year terms on the Advisory Board.

The $100 prize of the annual bale guess in which members at the Co-op Gin’s Open House in October guess how many bales the gin will produce was won by Ricky Bowman, whose guess of 23,250 was the closest without exceeding the actual amount of 23,372.

Checks will be mailed to shareholders who did not pick up their checks at the meeting.

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HEADY AUTO PARTS HAS RIBBON CUTTING

Ricky Heady cuts the ribbon at Heady Auto Parts.

Heady Auto Parts, now open at 1018 South Main Street in Roscoe, had its official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday morning at 10:00am. Located across from the Stripes station, the store is in the same location as the former Hagerman’s NAPA Auto Parts store. It is owned by Ricky Heady, who also has auto parts stores in Colorado City and Merkel.

The store is open from 7:30am-5:30pm Monday through Friday, and from 7:30am-12:00 on Saturday. It has been remodeled and enlarged. Parts are available for diesel trucks, tractors and farm equipment as well as smaller vehicles, and hydraulic hoses can be built. Many hardware tools and items and plumbing parts are also available.

The store phone number is 325-766-3995. We wish the owner and employees success and the best of luck.

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JASON BOLAND AT THE LUMBERYARD FRIDAY, COPPER CHIEF SATURDAY

Jason Boland and the Stragglers

It’s another big weekend at the Lumberyard as Jason Boland & the Stragglers return to town Friday, and Copper Chief makes its debut here Saturday.

As all “Red Dirt/Texas Country” fans know, Jason Boland and his band have been and still are one of most popular groups dominating the Texas music scene. The group got its start in Stillwater, Oklahoma, in 1998 and released its first album, Pearl Snaps, in 1999.  Since then, they have gone on to produce six more studio albums: Truckstop Diaries (2001), Somewhere in the Middle (2004), The Bourbon Legend (2006), Comal County Blue (2008), Rancho Alto (2011), Dark & Dirty Mile (2013), and Squelch (2015), along with two live albums: Live and Lit at Billy Bob’s Texas (2002) and High in the Rockies (2010).

Popular singles include “Proud Souls,”  “Comal County Blue,” “Tulsa Time,” “Rich, Young Dumb Nymphomaniac,” and “Pearl Snaps.”

Copper Chief

Copper Chief is an up-and-coming central Texas band from Austin. Since the release of their self-titled CD Copper Chief in 2017, they’ve been playing to steadily growing crowds across the state.

Their sound is all their own. Influenced by Texas Red Dirt, it is part southern Rock, part country blues, soul, and southern grit, and a really a blend of all those with “three-part harmonies” and a lot of energy, according to lead singer Mike Valliere.

Singles include “Down to the River,” “Jericho,” “Muddy Water,” “Faster than the Flame,” and currently on Texas radio, “Body Aches.”

For reservations or more information, contact the Lumberyard at 325-766-2457.

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BONNIE WILKINSON TO ACU, JAYDEN GONZALES TO McMURRY

 Jayden Gonzales                                    Bonnie Wilkinson

Bonnie Wilkinson and Jayden Gonzales signed athletic letters of intent last week with Bonnie committing to Abilene Christian, where she will run track and participate in the triple jump, while Jayden will go to McMurry University as a pole vaulter.

Both participated at the State Track Meet in Austin last week, but neither came away with a medal this time around. Both, however, were completing stellar high school track careers with Bonnie winning state in the Triple Jump in 2017, and Jayden breaking the all-time Plowboy record in the pole vault earlier this spring.

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ATHLETES RECEIVE HONORS AT ATHLETIC BANQUET

Several Plowboy and Plowgirls received honors at the recent Athletic Banquet on Thursday, May 2. Four sports were recognized: football, cross country, basketball, and track and field. Here are the main ones:

Football

Plowboy of the Year: Jose Ortega
Football Fighting Heart: Jayden Gonzales
Special Teams: Junior Martinez
Mr. Defense: Ryan Highsmith
All District 1st Team: Jose Ortega, Utility Player (Wide Receiver, Defensive Back, Linebacker).

All District 2nd Team: Junior Martinez, WR/Defensive Back; Jacob Rainey, Inside Linebacker; Nick Limones, Outside Linebacker; Gary Shaw, Defensive End; Garrett Bowers, Defensive Tackle; Barrett Beal, Safety; Jose Ortega, Punter; Jayden Gonzales, Quarterback; Junior Martinez, Wide Receiver; Rey Martinez, Offensive Line.

Academic All-District Football: Jacob Rainey, Caleb Gray, Andrew Deleon, Nick Limones, Jayden Gonzales, Barrett Beal, Tristan Baker, Junior Martinez, Gage Turnbow.

Basketball

Plowgirls

All District 1st Team: Shauna McCambridge, Bonnie Wilkinson
All District 2nd Team: Veronica Cuellar
Honorable Mention: Jovana Peña

MVP: Sadie McCambridge
Fighting Heart: Veronica Cuellar
Defense Player: Sadie McCambridge
Plowgirl of the Year: Shauna McCambridge

Academic All District: Riley Sheridan, Jovana Peña, Kadee Martinez, Sadie McCambridge, Shauna McCambridge, Jaci Alexander, Veronica Cuellar, Bonnie Wilkinson.

Plowboys

Plowboys of the Year Basketball: Caleb Gray and Jayden Gonzales

Cross Country

Regional Qualifiers/Plowgirls of the Year: Riley Sheridan, Victoria Martinez
Regional Qualifiers/Plowboys of the Year: Aidan Hermosillio, Tyler Guelker, Caleb Reed

Track & Field

Plowboys

Plowboys of the Year Track: Caleb Gray and Jayden Gonzales

State Qualifier: Jayden Gonzales, Pole Vault
Regional Qualifiers: Jayden Gonzales, Pole Vault; Tristan Baker, 110 meter hurdles; Brandon Lavalais, Shot Put; Plowboy 4 x 200 meter relay: Tyler Guelker, Caleb Gray, Jaythan Coale, Gary Shaw; 4 x 100 meter relay: Tyler Guelker, Brayan Medina-Solis, Zachary Parrott, Caleb Gray.
Academic All-District: Junior Martinez, Tristan Baker, Jaythan Coale

Plowgirls
Plowgirl of the Year: Bonnie Wilkinson

State Qualifier: Bonnie Wilkinson, Triple Jump

Regional Qualifiers: Bonnie Wilkinson, Triple Jump, 400 meters; Plowgirl 4 x 400 meter relay: Jaci Alexander, Victoria Martinez, Sadie McCambridge, Bonnie Wilkinson.

Scholarships

Britt Paty Memorial Award: Gary Shaw
Clyde Jay Scholarship: Veronica Cuellar, Andrew Deleon, Jovana Peña, Jose Ortega
Charles and Verla Ratliff Scholarship: Kadee Martinez, Jayden Gonzales

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WEATHER REPORT: COLD, RAINY, THEN BEAUTIFUL

The flags at school were completely limp yesterday afternoon.

Up until Monday, the weather this past week felt more like March than May with some downright chilly days and nights. Last Wednesday’s high of 80°F was as warm as it got for the rest of the week. A cold front dropped Thursday’s high to 64°, and Friday’s to only 51°, accompanied by a brisk north wind that kept wind-chill temperatures in the forties.

Then, early Saturday morning about five o’clock a shower accompanied by thunder and lightning dropped about a half-inch in the area. Kenny Landfried recorded an official total of .47” for the town. Saturday was also cool with a high of 61° before Sunday turned out to be absolutely gorgeous with a high of 75°, mostly sunny skies, and almost no wind at all. Monday and Tuesday were similarly beautiful. Skies were mostly sunny, breezes light to nonexistent, and afternoon highs of 80° Monday and 83° yesterday.

The forecast for today and the rest of the week is for warmer temperatures. The highs for today, tomorrow, and Friday will be around 85° with sunshine and a return of the south wind, especially on Friday. Saturday will be slightly cooler with a high of 81°, gusty winds, and a 60% chance of morning showers. Lows will be warm at around sixty.

The rest of the weekend should be sunny and windy with a Sunday high of about 85°.

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† JOHN O. MARTIN

Funeral services for John O. Martin, 86, of Roscoe were held at Roscoe Church of Christ yesterday with Royce Clay and Tyler Martin officiating. Interment followed at the Champion Cemetery under the direction of McCoy Funeral Home. He passed away at his home on Saturday, May 11.

John was born September 29, 1932, in Grant, Oklahoma, to the late George and Annie (Scott) Martin. He had lived in Roscoe area since 1935 and was a graduate of Highland High School. He married Helen Joyce Cotton on August 24, 1956, in Roscoe. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. He was a member of the Roscoe Church of Christ.

Surviving him are his daughter Amy Boyd and husband Kent of Loraine; sons, Don Martin and wife Debbie of Roscoe, and Larry Martin and wife Carola of Sweetwater; grandchildren, Kassie Alexander and husband Jake, Derick Merket, Kara Johnson and husband Kade, Tyler Martin and wife Morgan, Tanner Martin and wife Morgan, Kaylee Martin, Corynn Martin, and Christa Martin; six great grandchildren; and brother George Martin of Abilene.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Helen in 2016; grandson, Trevor Don Martin; sisters Mary Elizabeth Monroe, Printy Rankin, Donna Vernon, and Sue Nell Noel; and a brother, J.T. Martin.

Pallbearers were Derick Merket, Tyler Martin, Kade Johnson, Jake Alexander, Tanner Martin and Michael Hazard.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to The Children’s Home of Lubbock, P.O. Box 2824, Lubbock, TX 79408.

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