Highland Girls Win Regional, Advance to State

Sierra Allen makes a jumper against the Plowgirls in a game played earlier this year. She led Highland in scoring with 22 points in the regional finals against Garden City.

After winning three playoff games last week, the Highland Lady Hornets (31-4) are bound for Austin and the Class 1A-II state basketball tournament.

They play in a semifinal game at the Frank Erwin Center on Friday at 1:30pm against top-ranked Saltillo (31-5).  The winner of that game will face the winner of the Whitharral-Leakey game at 7:00pm on Saturday for the state championship. 

To get to the state tournament, the Lady Hornets, who were unranked despite coasting through district play, had to defeat three ranked teams.  They took care of No. 16 Water Valley 40-32 in Ballinger on Tuesday, No. 18 Baird 55-37 in Abilene on Friday, and No. 13 Garden City 47-29, also in Abilene, on Saturday.  In defeating Garden City, they won the Region II-A championship and also avenged an earlier season loss to the Lady Kats. 

The game against Garden City was close at the outset.  The score was even at 11-11 before Highland  scored six straight points to end the first quarter ahead 17-11.  Then in the second quarter, Highland’s defense took over, holding the Lady Kats to just one point for the entire quarter.  The halftime score was 25-12.

Highland scored the first five points of the second half to go up 30-12 and by the end of the quarter led 34-22.  They then outscored Garden City 13-7 in the final quarter to win the game by 18 points, 47-29.

Sierra Allen led the Lady Hornets in scoring with 22 points while Madison Moseley had 14, Sydny Helbert 6, Beth Richburg 4, Stephanie Ashford 2, and Hannah Allen 1.    

This is the Lady Hornets' first trip to the state tournament.  We wish them the best of luck and hope they can win it all! 

Note: The game will be broadcast live on the web at Fox Sports Southwest.  For details, click here.

--o--

BODY FOUND ON I-20 IN JULY IDENTIFIED

The results of DNA testing are in from the Center for Human Identification at the University of North Texas.  They indicate that the body found in July in the median strip of I-20 near the TA Truck Stop outside Sweetwater was that of Gabriel Salinas, 64.

When alive, Salinas was known to many people in Roscoe and often referred to as “Santa Claus” because of his white beard.  He could often be seen outside of Stripes or the Shell station next to I-20.  Police had suspected it might be him because his pickup was found in a nearby parking lot, but they couldn’t be sure because his body wasn’t found for a long time and was badly decomposed. 

Salinas was born on March 29, 1948, and his last known permanent address was in Gruver, Texas, although he worked and lived in different places.  The positive identification was possible after police obtained a DNA sample that matched his from his brother in Hereford.    

The cause of Salinas’ death could not be determined because of the state of the remains, but with the positive identification of the body, the case is now closed.

--o--

PLOWBOTS OFF TO HUB CITY REGIONAL COMPETITION AT TEXAS TECH

Plowbots prepare for the Hub City Meet.

The Plowbots, Roscoe Collegiate High’s robotics team, leave today for the regional meet in Lubbock and will be involved through Saturday.  They won honors at the meet last year and hope to do the same again this year.

They will be competing against 48 other teams.  Most are from Texas but not all.  There are also teams from Louisiana, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, California, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, and from three different states in Mexico.

--o--

TRACK SEASON UNDERWAY, PLOWBOYS AT HAMLIN MEET

Plowboys and Plowgirls participated in the Long Sleeve Relays in Hamlin last week.  They competed against eighteen other high school teams of various classes, including Odessa, Abilene Wylie, Snyder, Sweetwater, and Clyde. 

Olivia Saddler came in fourth in the girls’ 100 meter hurdles with a time of 17.66 seconds.

Jesus Leanos was fifth in the boys' 3200 meter run (11:17) and sixth in the 1600 meters (5:14), while Eduardo Gallegos was sixth in the 400 meter dash (56.98).

The next meet is at Rotan on Saturday.

--o--

WEATHER REPORT

The old adage, “If you don’t like the weather around here, wait until tomorrow,” has never been truer than in the past three days.  Sunday was sunny and warm with an afternoon temperature of 73°F.  

Then a cold front blew in that night, and Monday was cold, overcast, and grey with high winds and an afternoon high of 36°.  Gusts of northwest wind went up to 45mph and blew some of the shingles off the roof of my house, and sharp breezes carried small bits of sleet that pelted my face.  The wind chill was below 25° all afternoon and got as low as 21°.  It seemed that winter had returned with a vengeance and we were in for an extended cold spell.

But by yesterday morning the clouds and high winds were gone, the sun was out, and the afternoon temperature of 61° seemed even warmer because there was hardly any breeze.

All that crazy, cold weather came and went in a day.  The storm brought with it a chance of precipitation, and areas around Roscoe got snow, but here there was nothing.

The forecast is for sunny skies with highs in the fifties and lows in the thirties through Saturday.  Sunday and the days following should be a bit warmer with highs in the sixties and seventies.  There is no rain in the forecast.

--o--

Bill Blackley Collapses at Football Practice, Passes Away

Bill Blackley

William P. “Bill” Blackley, 43, apparently suffered a fatal heart attack or aneurysm during a Plowboy Alumni football practice at Plowboy Field on Saturday afternoon.  He was not engaged, however, in any contact or strenuous activity at the time since the practice was just a walk-through for the new players.   He was taken to Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital in Sweetwater, where he passed away. 

The Plowboy Alumni team, now in its second year, is made up of ex-Plowboy football players who get together once a year to play a game against another high school’s alumni team. The team includes players from the ‘80s, ‘90s, ‘00s, and ‘10s.  Despite the tragedy, the team is still planning at this time to go ahead with this spring’s game against Stamford. 

Blackley, who graduated in 1988, was a lineman for the Plowboys in his high school years.  He had just married Cheri Peavy on February 1.  

His funeral was yesterday at the First Baptist Church with interment at the Buffalo Gap Cemetery.  An obituary is provided below.

--o--

CITY COUNCIL ORDERS MAY ELECTION FOR COUNCIL MEMBER

At its last meeting the Roscoe City Council ordered an election on May 11 to elect one Council Member to a three-year term.  The opening results from the expiring term of current Council Member Ken Brawley.

The deadline for applications is March 1.  As of yet, no one has applied to fill the position.  For more information, contact City Hall at 325-766-3871.

--o--

LANDON JONES TO PLAY IN FCA ALL-STAR FOOTBALL GAME

Plowboy Landon Jones, a senior, has been selected to play in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Big Country All-Star Football Game on June 8 at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene.  Jones, a fullback and linebacker, will play for the North. 

The North team, coached by Dublin’s Bob Cervetto, has some of the best players in the Big Country, including 6 players from Stephenville, the 3A State Champs, and 5 from Abilene High’s 12-1 team.  The South team, led by Abilene Cooper’s Todd Moebes, will have seven of his former Cougars as well as several other stars.

--o--

SEVERAL RCHS STUDENTS AT SAN ANTONIO STOCK SHOW

A number of Roscoe FFA students are exhibiting their animals at the San Antonio Livestock Show, which has been running last week and this week.

Showing barrows are Derrick Creed, Kendall Moses, Alura Renteria, Stina Tomlin, and Torrey Willman.  Kamren Fisher and Stina Tomlin are showing steers.

Last week, Tait and Ty Fullwood showed their lambs.

--o--

TWO RECENT BURGLARIES REPORTED BY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

On Monday, the Sweetwater Reporter reported as its “Crime(s) of the Week” two burglaries that occurred in Roscoe the last week of January.  One was at the apartments on Cedar Street, where several items were taken, including a flat screen television, DVDs, and other household items.

The other took place at a residence just east of Roscoe.  The owner came home to find a male inside the house who fled on foot upon being discovered.

Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or indictment.  You need not give your name.  For more information, call 325-235-8477.

--o--

WEATHER REPORT

The flags were flapping in yesterday's high winds.

Most of the past week was a repeat of the week before with highs in the sixties and lows of around forty.  Some days, including yesterday, were windy with gusts up to 35mph or so.

Yesterday and last night it rained about quarter of an inch, and the forecast is for a 50% chance of rain today and 70% tonight. 

Tomorrow should be sunny, windy, and cooler after a cold front passes through.  Tomorrow night may have a low of 30°F or thereabouts, so bring in any plants that may not be able to stand a freeze.

Friday’s high should be only in the fifties, but the weekend should be a little warmer.

--o--

PAULINE HEINE, ROSCOE’S OLDEST CITIZEN, DIES AT 105

Pauline Smith Heine

Funeral services were held yesterday at the Church of Christ for Pauline Smith Heine, 105, Roscoe’s oldest citizen, who passed away Friday at the Sweetwater Healthcare Center.  Interment followed at the Roscoe Cemetery.

Pauline Smith was born on September 6, 1907, in Ballinger to William and Arlie Smith.  She moved to Roscoe in 1919 and married Max Herman Heine on August 21, 1926, in Sweetwater.  She operated a private nursery and kindergarten in Roscoe for many years and was a member of the Church of Christ.

She is survived by her granddaughter, Gayle Romeros and husband Michael of North Richland Hills; grandson, Gary Lipscomb of Arlington; a great grandson, Sean Lipscomb and wife Lindsey of Mansfield; great-great grandchildren Grace and Pieper Lipscomb of Mansfield; and son-in-law Wyatt Lipscomb of North Richland Hills; two step great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Max Herman Heine, on March 18, 1992, a daughter Wanda Jean Lipscomb, her parents William and Arlie Smith, sisters Alma Kreidel and Helen Monroe, and brother Wilson Smith.

--o--

† WILLIAM PARKER “BILL” BLACKLEY

Services were held yesterday at 11:00am at the First Baptist Church for William Parker “Bill” Blackley, 43, who passed away on Saturday, February 16, at Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital in Sweetwater.  Interment was at the Buffalo Gap Cemetery.

He was born in Bryan on September 20, 1969, and had lived in Roscoe since 1975.   He graduated from Roscoe High School in 1988, attended Western Texas College, and graduated from Sul Ross University in 1993.  He was also a graduate of the D.P.S. Academy and a trooper for a few years in Snyder.  He married Cheri Peavy on February 1, 2013, in Sweetwater.

He is survived by his wife, Cheri Blackley of Roscoe; daughter, Breigh Lynn Blackley of Roscoe; parents, Kay and Jim Blackley of Roscoe; brother, Scott Blackley and wife Jenny of League City; sister, Wendy Stanley and husband Bryan of League City; stepson, Kane Peavy of Roscoe, one niece and two nephews.

Pallbearers were David Pantoja, Jack Brown, Aaron Brown, Kenny Hancock, Millard Kendrick, and Johnny Blanchard.

--o--

† JOHN THOMAS HYDE

Services are being held at 10:00am this morning for John Thomas Hyde, 67, at the First Baptist Church in Sweetwater.  He passed away on Saturday, February 16, at Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital.

John Thomas Hyde was born in Sweetwater on March 28, 1945, to Mack and Tommie (McCoy) Hyde.  He graduated from Divide High School in 1963 and married Linda Sue Saunders on July 25, 1964, in Nolan.  He attended McMurry on a track scholarship and graduated in 1967 with a degree in Education.  He was a coach at Paint Rock and then at Highland, where he also became a principal.  He was inducted into the Six-Man Coaches’ Hall of Fame in 2003.  He served as Director on the Board for Taylor Telephone Coop from August 1979 to March 1996.  He was hired as Assistant Manager in March 1996 and General Manager in November 1997.  He retired in March 2010.  He was a member of the Nolan Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; son, Duane and wife Cyree of Highland; daughter, Stacy and partner Lara  of Lubbock; grandchildren Kristin Gomez and husband Jonathan of San Angelo, and Michael of Highland; sisters, Angie Daves and husband Drennan of Sweetwater, and Marsha Alexander and husband Kim of Roscoe; mother-in-law, Rae Self of Sweetwater; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Pallbearers are Louis Brooks, Jr., Lane Jackson, Earl Jones, Dalton Owens, Steve Singletary, and Bill Whisenhunt.  Honorary pallbearers are the Taylor Telephone Board of Directors.

--o--

City Council Busy, Approves Several Actions

The RV park at Hobbs School in Fisher County. (Photo courtesy of Leslie Schmidt.)

At its monthly meeting in City Hall last night, the City Council considered, discussed, and approved several measures and actions, among them the annexation of 178 acres on the northeast side of town, the sale of 4.4 acres just north of the railroad, the mineral-rights lease of City property, and the passage of an RV Park ordinance. 

The meeting began with the public hearing on the northeast annexation of 178 acres.  The proposal passed and the city limits will be extended to include the area east of FM 608, north of the railroad tracks, and south of US 84.

The Council approved the sale of the 4.4 acres just north of the railroad tracks and west of Business US 84, where the Planter’s Gin used to stand and where the recycling center is now.  The property will be sold for $25,000 to oil man Brad Stephens, who will use it for an off-loading facility to transfer crude oil from trucks to railroad tank cars.   

The Council approved the mineral rights lease of the City’s 281 acres to Charles Schroeder of Chisholm Exploration in Abilene.  The three-year lease is for $365 per acre with 20% royalty on production.

This year’s dates for the annual spring cleanup were set for March 18-23.

Anticipating the arrival of “man camps,” the Council also discussed and approved an ordinance governing Recreational Vehicle Parks in Roscoe.   One RV Park is already in the works and more could be on the way.  

Here are highlights of the ordinance:

•    Parks must be between 1½ and 5 acres with no more than 20 RV sites per acre and only one RV per site.  Each site must be at least 30’ x 65’.  

•    An opaque fence at least 8’ tall must buffer the park from view on both sides and rear.  The fence must be of metal.  

•    Parks must have all-weather roads of caliche or gravel with the main road at least 24’ wide and one-way roads at least 15’.  Dead end roads are not allowed and emergency exits must be maintained.

•    Parks must have an office manager with a telephone landline available to tenants for emergency calls.

•    Each site must be provided with connections to city water and city sewer.  If city sewer connections are not available then on-site sewage facilities are permitted if installed in accordance with city codes and approved by the city.

•    Parks must have underground electrical service that conforms to the National Electrical Code. Power must have at least one 20-amp and one 50-amp connection.

•    Tenants must provide the RV Park manager their name, permanent address, driver’s license number, vehicle and RV license plate numbers and states, and date of arrival and departure.

•    Each site must have adequate garbage facilities.  Dumpsters must be screened on three sides.

•    Parks must conform to fire safety standards with a fire hydrant within 600’ of all RVs. 

These are some but certainly not all the RV Park requirements.  For a complete listing, contact City Hall at 325-766-2233.

--o--

HIGH SCHOOL INVITES ALL TO COMMUNITY LEARNING TOURS NEXT WEEK

The new Special Events Center at RCHS.

Roscoe Collegiate High School invites you to visit with administrators and go on a student-led tour of the facilities and classrooms.  Each of three days next week will be devoted to different groups of visitors:
   
                      Wednesday, February 20 – Business Leaders
                      Thursday, February 21 – Community Members
                      Friday, February 22 – Parents

Parents will visit with administration and then attend class with their student. 

All tours start at 9:00am.  For more information, call 325-766-3629 or 325-766-3327.

--o--

STATE SAYS DETOUR ON US 84 EAST TO LAST FOUR MORE MONTHS

The condemned overpass at US 84 and I-20.

Replacing the old overpass on US 84 east of town will take about four more months to complete and cost an estimated $1.5 million, according to TxDOT (Texas Department of Transportation) of Abilene. 

Design and planning of the new overpass is now complete, and the state opens bidding today for an emergency contract to replace the old one.  Work is scheduled to begin next Monday, February 18.

TxDOT spokesperson Darah Waldrip said the old overpass was scheduled for replacement in 2017 anyway, and the accident just moved the project forward.  The new overpass will have a cushioning barrier and other safety features to protect it and drivers from crashes.  

Unfortunately, the Roscoe detour is no longer the only one in the area for eastbound US 84 traffic.  On January 9, the US 180 bridge that crosses over US 84 into Snyder was slammed into by a truck with an over-height load and also irreparably damaged.  It, too, will have to be replaced. 

Strain Construction began demolition on it last week and hopes to finish within two weeks.  At that time, US 84 will reopen at Snyder and remain that way until work on the new US 180 bridge begins in five to eight months.

--o--

RCHS COLOR GUARD WINS REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN FLAGGING

Roscoe's Color Guard with their Regional Championship trophy: Teresa Herrera, Crystal Luna, Elisa Herrera, and Magali Casas.

At the Regional Meet held at Tyler Junior College in Tyler this past weekend, the Roscoe Plowboy Band Color Guard won first place in the flagging competition.   Competing against 14 other teams, mainly class 3A, 4A, and 5A east Texas schools, they were the smallest school represented but still brought home the gold. 

Team director is Lucia Lavalais and team members are Crystal Luna, senior and captain; Elisa Herrera, sophomore; Teresa Herrera, freshman; and Magali Casas, freshman. 

Over 200 teams competed at the meet in flagging, twirling, and dancing.

--o--

SENIORS HELP OUT FELLOW CLASSMATE WITH WORK DAY

Top Row: Kyle Bromley, Pete Ortega, Junior Rosas, Chris Deleon, Eduardo Gallegos, Joe Lewis Aguayo, Brant Burnett, Brenon Moore, Jose Rangel, Alex Rhoades, Landon Jones, Tyler Bromley.
Bottom Row: Laura Pantoja, Blanca Leanos, Kendall Moses, Faith Boren, Carolina Perez, Torrey Willman, Stina Tomlin, Mirian Solis, Crystal Luna, Alura Renteria.
In Front:  Alex Cuellar.

Roscoe Collegiate High School’s Seniors took off from class for a work day on Friday to help out their classmate, Alura Renteria, whose home was destroyed by fire last Tuesday.  Students worked all day tearing down what couldn’t be saved and did extensive clean up by loading and hauling trash and debris to the dump and scrap yard. 

Cash donations to the family are needed and can be made at the Sweetwater Regional Federal Credit Union and the Roscoe State Bank.  As the Renterias lost all their belongings to the fire, clothing, kitchen utensils, and other household items are also needed.  Clothing sizes needed are XL and 1X women’s tops, 16 women’s pants, 6½ and 7 women’s shoes, 3 and 5 junior pants, medium junior tops, 31x31 men’s pants, large men’s tops, 10 and 10½ men’s shoes.  Items may be dropped off at the back of what used to be Misty’s flower shop across from the Shelansky building at 106 Cypress or at the Sweetwater Fire or Police Departments.

--o--

PLOWBOYS CONCLUDE SEASON WITH LOSS TO HERMLEIGH, WIN OVER WESTBROOK

The Roscoe Plowboys concluded their basketball season this week with a loss and a win.
 
On Friday night in Hermleigh, the Plowboys came up short as the Cardinals jumped out to a 16-4 first quarter lead and went on to win 44-26.  The halftime score was 26-9.

High scorer for the Plowboys was Cutter Davila with 12 points with three other players getting 4 points each.

Then, yesterday afternoon here in Roscoe, the Plowboys downed Westbrook 44-31.  The score was 8-7 Roscoe at the end of the first quarter, but in the second the Plowboys pulled away to lead at halftime 23-14. 

Cutter Davila led the Plowboys with 21 points, followed by Jesus Leanos with 13.  The Plowboys finish district play with a record of 3-7.

--o--

PLOWGIRLS LOSE BI-DISTRICT MATCH TO STERLING CITY 32-29

By virtue of their second place finish in district, the Plowgirls played a bi-district game in Winters on Monday against Sterling City.  They were in the game from start to finish, leading at halftime 17-15 and trailing by one at the end of three quarters 23-22. Unfortunately, they wound up losing the game 32-29 and in doing so finished their season.

Faith Boren led the Plowgirls in scoring with 14 points, followed by Shelby Brown with 5.   The Plowgirls complete the year 7-3 in district and 18-12 overall.

--o--

WEATHER REPORT

Frost covered the ground this morning in below freezing weather.

Up until Monday, the weather last week was pretty much a repeat of the previous week—sunny or partly cloudy skies with highs of around 60°F, lows of 39°-40°, and occasional windy days.  On Monday, a cold front came through with 30%-40% chances of precipitation, but, as you might expect, we got only a couple of sprinkles with just  enough to get the sidewalks wet.

The cold front did, however, cool things down, and Lyndall Underwood’s weather station just west of town recorded a low of 23°F this morning, which is the first freezing weather we’ve had in a couple of weeks.   The forecast is for sunshine and a high of 60° today and a low of 38° tonight with tomorrow a little warmer before we get hit again with another cold front on Friday, when highs will drop into the forties and lows into the twenties. 

It goes without saying that the area could use some rain.

--o--

City Proposes North Side Annexation

The proposed northeast annexation is north of the railroad, south of US 84 and east of FM 608.

A public hearing on the City of Roscoe’s proposed annexing of some 178 acres on the City’s north side will be held at the monthly City Council meeting at City Hall next Tuesday evening, February 12.  

If approved, the city limits will be extended to include the property in question, which is currently owned mostly by Carl Childers and lies just east of FM 608 between the Union Pacific railroad tracks and US 84.  

Current plans are for industrial development next to the railroad tracks, residential in the interior, and commercial along US 84.   

The City Council meeting begins at 7:00pm.  For more information, contact City Hall at 325-766-3871.

--o--

RODNEY CROWELL TO PERFORM AT LUMBERYARD ON VALENTINE’S DAY

Rodney Crowell

Next Thursday, February 14, another country music great will appear at the Lumberyard here in Roscoe.  This time it’s Grammy Award winner Rodney Crowell, and he and his band are the feature act for the Valentine’s Day dance that evening.  His performance here will follow a sold-out show at the Troubadour in Hollywood, California.

Known both as a songwriter and singer, Crowell has achieved fame in both fields.  He has written songs recorded by Waylon Jennings, Rosanne Cash, Johnny Cash, Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band, Emmylou Harris, Wynonna Judd, and others. 

As a singer, he achieved lasting fame with his 1988 album, Diamonds & Dirt, which had five consecutive No. 1 singles during a 17-month span in 1988-89: “It’s Such a Small World” (a duet with his wife, Rosanne Cash), “I Couldn’t Leave You If I Tried,” “She’s Crazy for Leavin’,” “After All This Time,” and “Above and Beyond.”  

Other hits of his include “Ridin’ Out the Storm,” “Stars on the Water,” “Earthbound,” “What Kind of Love,” and “Lovin’ All Night.”

In 1998, he and his ex-father-in-law Johnny Cash recorded “I Walk the Line (Revisited),” and in 2008 he released his album Sex and Gasoline.  Last year Vanguard Records released Songs by Rodney Crowell and Mary Karr.  Crowell performs four tracks on the album (one as a duet with Kris Kristofferson).  The rest are performed by Norah Jones, Rosanne Cash, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack, and Lucinda Williams.

He is currently at work on a duets album with Emmylou Harris scheduled for release early next year.

The show will begin at 8:30pm, the cover charge is $10, and tables are available for reservation.  For more information, call the Lumberyard at 325-766-2457.

--o--

FIRE CAUSES EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO RENTERIA RESIDENCE

Damage caused to the back of the Renteria home by last night's fire.

Both the Roscoe and Sweetwater Fire Departments battled a blaze that broke out at about 10:30 last night in the back of the Armando Renteria residence on 110 Ash Street and caused extensive damage.  The cause of the blaze is as of yet undetermined.

Note: An account has been opened for Sweetwater Policeman Armando Renteria and his family at Sweetwater Regional Federal Credit Union.  Donations may also be dropped off at the Sweetwater Fire Department and the Police Department. The Credit Union's number is 325-235-4319.

--o--

PLOWGIRLS AND PLOWBOYS LOSE TO HIGHLAND, BEAT LORAINE

Luke Rovig shoots a jumper against Loraine last night.

The Plowgirls and Plowboys both won one and lost one this past week in basketball, losing to Highland and defeating Loraine.

At Highland last Friday, the Plowgirls lost to the district-leading Lady Hornets for the second time.  The final score was 39-17.  The Plowgirls led 8-4 at the end of one quarter, but then Highland took the lead in the second quarter and led the rest of the way.  The halftime score was 15-10 Highland.

High scorers for the Plowgirls were Faith Boren with 7 and Carolina Perez with 4.  Sierra Allen led the Lady Hornets with 13 points, and Hannah Allen had 11.

Then last night the Plowgirls easily defeated the Lady Bulldogs of Loraine 50-16.  The game was a blowout as the Plowgirls led 15-0 at the end of one and 35-3 at the half.

High scorers for the Plowgirls were Boren with 21 and Eva Aguayo with 8.  

The Plowgirls have now finished district play in second place with a 7-3 record.  They now move on to the playoffs, where their first opponent will be Sterling City.  The game will be on Monday at Winters High School.  Tipoff is at 6:30pm.

The Plowboys could have—and some say should have—won against Highland Friday night, but they lost a close one 38-36 after leading at halftime 18-17. 

High scorers for the Plowboys were Jesus Leanos with 19 and Cutter Davila with 8.  Ethan Wilson led the Hornets with 10 points, followed by Laramie Thompson with 9.

Then last night the Plowboys beat Loraine 60-44 in a game that was close for almost three quarters.  There were several lead changes in the second and third quarters, and the halftime score was 29-29.  Toward the end of the third quarter, however, the Plowboys wore the Bulldogs down and pulled away, leading by six 44-38 at the end of the quarter and then outscoring Loraine 16-6 in the fourth quarter.

High scorer for the Plowboys was Davila with 20, followed by Jesus Leanos with 17.  The Plowboys play Hermleigh in Hermleigh on Friday and finish their season at home next Tuesday against Westbrook.

--o--

KANE PEAVY SELECTED AS NATIONAL YOUTH CORRESPONDENT

Kane Peavy, a junior at Roscoe Collegiate High School, has been selected to be a National Youth Correspondent to the 2013 Washington Journalism and Media Conference at George Mason University in July.

He will join a select group of 250 students from across the country to participate in an intensive week-long study of journalism and media.  He was chosen based on academic accomplishments and a demonstrated interest and excellence in journalism and media studies.

The conference features prominent journalists, CEO’s of major media outlets, university faculty, and recent college graduates successfully entering the field.  National Youth Correspondents  engage in hands-on experiential learning by solving problems and exploring the creative, practical, and ethical tensions inherent in journalism and media. 

--o--

WEATHER REPORT

The blades of the wind turbines were hardly moving yesterday.

The weather for the past week has been pretty consistent: sunny skies, south and southwest breezes, highs in the sixties or low seventies and lows in the high thirties and low forties with one exception, the low of 28°F recorded last Friday morning.  There was no rain or any other kind of precipitation.

Yesterday was one of those rare days with hardly any wind at all.  The wind turbines around Roscoe were either still or rotating so slowly that you had to look at them for a moment to make sure they were moving.

On Saturday, February 2, the groundhog Punxatawney Phil predicted an early spring for the folks in Pennsylvania, and Bee Caves Bob, the armadillo who does the same for the state of Texas, reportedly also predicted not only an early spring but also a wet one.  Let's hope he's right—at least about the rain.  We could sure use some.

--o--

† ROBERT “BOB” E. DRAKE

Services will be held at 2:00pm today at McCoy Funeral Chapel of Memories in Sweetwater for Bob Drake, 84, who died on Monday, February 4, at the Sweetwater Healthcare Center.  Burial will follow at the Sweetwater Cemetery.

He was born on September 27, 1928, in Midland to Frank and Arrie Drake.  A graduate of  Midland High School, he also attended Austin State College in Sherman.  He served in the U. S. Army and the Texas National Guard.  He married Lanelle Calvert on April 21, 1952, in Midland, and they moved to Roscoe in 1958, where they raised three sons.  He worked and retired from Lone Star Cement Plant after forty years of service. He was active in civic affairs and a long time member of the Roscoe Volunteer Fire Department.

He is survived by his wife, Lanelle Drake of Roscoe; sons, John and Janet Drake of Oklahoma City, Rob and Rosa Drake of Menard, and David and Connie Drake of Lake Whitney; brother-in-law Frank Moore; sister-in-law Barbara Drake; seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Three siblings preceded him in death, Bill Drake, Frankie Blair, and Joan Moore.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons.  Honorary pallbearers are Rudy Raughton, Charles Ratliff, and Jack Cox.  Memorials may be sent to Sweetwater Healthcare Center in Sweetwater or West Texas Rehab in Abilene.
 

--o--

†  JOSE MANUEL GALVAN

A memorial service was held at 11:00am on Saturday at the First United Methodist Church for Jose Manuel Galvan, 53, who died on Tuesday, January 29, at Rolling Plains Hospital in Sweetwater.  He was cremated.

He was born on July 30, 1959, in Corpus Christi and was married to Maria M. Galvan for many years.  He was a mechanic, chef, and carpenter.

Survivors include his daughters, Christie Galvan of Roscoe, Adriana Verastegui and husband Albert of Japan, and Veronica Galvan of Tacoma, Washington; son, Joseph Galvan and wife Elizabeth of Sweetwater; mother, Maria L. Galvan of Roscoe; sisters, Juanita Garcia and husband Daniel of Roscoe, Gracie Garza and husband Luis of Edinburg, Mari Cornett and husband Benny of Roscoe, and Patty Hamilton and husband Lance of Justin; former wife Maria M. Galvan; nine grandchildren and several nephews, nieces, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Catarino Galvan, on June 15, 2011.

--o--

† STANLEY W. PIEPER

Funeral services will be at 10:00am tomorrow, February 7, at the First Baptist Church for Stanley W. Pieper, 71, who passed away yesterday at Sweetwater Healthcare Center.  Burial will follow at the Roscoe Cemetery.

He was born on June 15, 1941, in Roscoe to Ruben Barnett and Mildred Flogene (Williams) Pieper.  A retired farmer and building contractor, he was a member of the First Baptist Church, a former president of the Roscoe Jaycees and of the Roscoe Athletic Booster Club, and a former volunteer Fireman of the Roscoe Fire Department.  He was also voted Outstanding Young Man of America.

He is survived by his companion, Barbara Maaske of Sweetwater; three children, Sonya Massey of Roscoe, Randy Pieper and wife Laura of Blackwell, and Britt Pieper of Sweetwater; brothers, Donnie Jones of Denton, and John Pieper and wife Nancy of Flower Mound; sisters, Dale Metcalf and husband Jeff of Denton and Barbara Evans and husband Steve of Hamlin; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and numerous aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ruben Barnett and Mildred Flogene Pieper; wife, Gladys Pieper; and one brother, Terry Pieper.

Pallbearers will be Robert L. Pieper, Ron E. Williams, Randy Williams, Tommy Meredith, Mike Brown, and Jerry Riggs.

Honorary pallbearers are Keith Cleckler, Larry Williams, Dale Parker, Frank Ed Cleckler and Buzz Parsons.

--o--