State Fire Marshal Called in to Investigate for Arson

 

Burn marks on the inside of the front door at 210 Cypress Street.

After incidents occurring these past few days, it now seems obvious that an arsonist is at work in Roscoe and the Roscoe area.  After the most recent incident, a fire that burned down a vacant house on FM 608 two miles north of Roscoe early this morning, the state fire marshal has been called in to investigate.

This fire follows another possibly related blaze that destroyed the M. T. Duncan home west of Roscoe. The home, vacant for some time, burned to the ground about midnight Sunday night.  Located three miles west of town next to the south I-20 service road, it had a covered garage with two cars in it.  Both cars and garage were completely destroyed along with the house.

Another suspicious incident suggesting arson came to light yesterday with the discovery of an attempt to set fire to the house at 210 Cypress.  This fine old home, known to some as the Arledge house, is owned by Larry McBurnett of Bryan and is the oldest house still standing in Roscoe, having been built over a century ago.

Someone apparently threw gasoline on the front door and the porch floor just below it and then set it ablaze.  Luckily, the door was made of steel and didn’t catch fire, but it has definitely been scorched and there are burn marks at the bottom of the door both inside and out.

The house is just across the street from the Treviño residence at 211 Cypress, where arson is suspected in two incidents occurring there two weeks apart in March.

And on February 5, fire destroyed the Armando Renteria residence on 110 Ash Street, leaving him and his family without a home.  The cause of that blaze is also under investigation.  There have also been a couple of fires recently in Sweetwater.  Although nothing is certain about any connections at this time, there certainly seem to be too many fires occurring in the area recently to be accidental.

Anyone with information about any of these fires should call City Hall at 325-766-3871 or Crime Stoppers at 325-235-8477.

--o--

SPRING FLING ENJOYED BY MANY DESPITE HIGH WINDS

One of the windiest days of the year fell on Saturday, causing the Spring Fling crowd to be lighter than in  the previous two years.  Even so, a large number of people came out anyway to participate in or watch the Little League’s opening ceremonies and games at George Parks Field, the two alumni football games at Plowboy Field, the 2nd Annual Screw Terlingua Chili Cookoff at the Lumberyard, and the free concert, street dance, and the fireworks show downtown.

Little League Opening Ceremonies

T-Ball teams shake hands after the game. (Photo courtesy of Lus Pantoja.)

The Roscoe Little League teams kicked off a new season with opening ceremonies, team introductions, and the first games of the season.  The Rangers played the Reds in the T-Ball game, and the Brewers beat the Rangers 3-1 in the Midget League game.  The Freshman League game between the Padres and Rangers unfortunately had to be called off because there were so many missing players due to a junior high robotics meet in Lubbock, so the two teams scrimmaged instead.

The Second Annual Screw Terlingua Chili Cookoff
 

First prize in the Chili Cookoff went to Johnson Construction--Keith Johnson, Kade Johnson, Kara Johnson, and Joan Johnson (not pictured).

Several delicious versions of chili were created at the Lumberyard Saturday morning as contesting teams did their best to come up with the winning entry.  First place went to Johnson Construction, second place to the Rockin’ S Indian Outlaws, and third place to Pretty Good at Drinking Beer. 

The Rockin S Indian Outlaws also won the Bloody Mary Contest, while Pretty Good at Drinking Beer won the Margarita Contest.  Fester Hoggle of Mule Butt Chili won the Showmanship Award.
 
All proceeds from the event go to the Open Door Day Care Center. 

The Alumni Football Games

A Plowboy tackles the Stamford ball carrier in first half action.

Two alumni football games took place at Plowboy Field on Saturday afternoon.  In the first game the Hermleigh Cardinal Exes defeated the Haskell Indian Exes by a score of 13-6.
 
In the second game, the Stamford Bulldog Exes pulled out an 8-0 victory in a dogfight with the Roscoe Plowboy Exes.  This hard-hitting affair went almost the entire game without a score, but in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter, the Bulldog Exes scored a touchdown and two extra points.  

The Plowboy Exes tried to manage a comeback, but they were going against a strong wind, which made passing difficult, and running the ball chewed up the clock.  Their final push ended with a turnover, and with only six seconds left, the Bulldog quarterback took a knee and ran out the clock.

The Free Concert, Street Dance and Fireworks Show

Brandon Jenkins at the free concert and street dance.

A sizeable crowd filled the sidewalks on both sides of Cypress and in Old Town Park for the free concert and street dance.  The Remains, a band from Brownwood, opened the show on the music stage set up in the street.  They played for about two hours before making way for the main act, Brandon Jenkins and band, who entertained the crowd with several well-known songs written by Jenkins.  These included among others, “Going Down in Flames” and “Finger on the Trigger.”

The final event of the evening was the Fireworks Show orchestrated by City Councilman Robert McBride, and it was as good as ever, coming off without any hitches despite the wind and concluding the official festivities for the day.

--o--

GERMAN CONSUL GENERAL PAYS VISIT TO ROSCOE

The Consul General visits the Roscoe School accompanied by Marcia Alexander, Tamara Alexander, and Sweetwater Mayor Greg Wortham.

German Consul General Klaus-Jochen Gühlcke was in town on Friday as part of an official tour of west Texas.  Roscoe was of special interest to him because of the Roscoe wind farms and the German wind energy companies located here, E.ON and Siemens.  The Consul General also got a tour of the Roscoe School and its E.ON Center for Innovation & Higher Education.   

After visiting Roscoe, the Consul General went on to the Midland area to visit with German companies in the oil and gas industry before returning to the German Consulate in Houston.

--o--

ROSCOE, HIGHLAND ATHLETES QUALIFY FOR REGIONAL MEET

At the Area Meet in Blackwell last Wednesday, several Roscoe and Highland tracksters qualified for the Regional Meet at ACU this Friday and Saturday.  The first four finishers in each event at the Area Meet qualify for Regional. 

Listed below are the team results along with Roscoe and Highland’s regional qualifiers and their event results at the Area Meet.

BOYS

Teams — 1. Ira 137; 2. Roscoe 104½; 3. Garden City 75; 4. Blackwell 54; 5. Water Valley 49½; 6. Bronte 49; 7. Highland 40; 8. Robert Lee 30; 9. Hermleigh 27; 10. Paint Rock 24; 11. Westbrook 19; 12. Veribest 10; 13. Sterling City 1.

High Jump – 4. Jacob Richburg, Highland, 5’7”.
Pole Vault – 1. Michael Hyde, Highland, 12’0”.
Discus – 1. Landon Jones, Roscoe, 124’11”.
3200 – 2. Jesus Leanos, Roscoe, 11:18.25; 4. Javier Leanos, Roscoe, 11:51.02.
400 Relay – 3. Roscoe, 45.74.
800 – 1. Sheldon Hall, Highland, 2:04.72.
110 Hurdles – 2. Dillon Freeman, Roscoe, 17.34.
100 – 4. Kevin Lavalais, Roscoe, 11.49.
800 Relay – 3. Roscoe, 1:36.90.
400 – 1. Sheldon Hall, Highland, 52.52; 3. Kevin Lavalais, Roscoe, 55.0.
300 Hurdles – 2. Dillon Freeman, Roscoe, 42.96.
1600 – 3. Jesus Leanos, Roscoe, 5:02.18.
1600 Relay – 1. Roscoe, 3:36.28.

GIRLS

Teams — 1. Garden City 92; 2. Highland 82; 3. Ira 68. 4. (tie) Roscoe 65; Westbrook 65; 6. Water Valley 58; 7. Robert Lee 48; 8. Bronte 36; 9. Paint Rock 32; 10. Blackwell 28; 11. Sterling City 20; 12. Veribest 8. 13. (tie) Hermleigh 7; Loraine 7.

High Jump – 4. Olivia Rovig, Roscoe, 4’6”.
Pole Vault – 4. Eva Aguayo, Roscoe, 6’6”.
Discus – 2. Beth Richburg, Highland, 92’8”.
Shot Put – 4. Carolina Perez, Roscoe, 30’2”.
3200 – 3. Alejandra Solis, Roscoe, 14:46; 4. Alura Renteria, 14:49.81.
400 Relay – 2. Roscoe, 53.78.
800 – 2. Kelsi Johns, Highland, 2:37.68.
100 Hurdles – 1. Beth Richburg, Highland, 16.09; 2. Olivia Saddler, Roscoe, 17.12; 3. Torrey Willman, Roscoe, 17.36.
800 Relay – 3. Highland, 1:57.53.
400 – 4. Lora Steward, Highland, 1:08.11.
300 Hurdles – 3. Beth Richburg, Highland, 51.40; 4. Hannah Allen, Highland, 53.15.
1600 – 3. Madison Mosley, Highland, 6:26.28.
1600 Relay – 1. Highland, 4.21.18.

--o--

KANE PEAVY FINISHES SECOND IN STATE SPEECH COMPETITION

Roscoe Junior Kane Peavy won second place in the 11th grade division at the 12th Annual School Bus Safety Speech Contest in Waco and along with the honor received a $400 scholarship. 
The contest is so named because it is sponsored by TAPT (the Texas Association for Pupil Transportation). 

RCHS student Rainne Ruddick also qualified for the state competition and participated.

--o--

WEATHER REPORT

The big weather news for the week was the wind as Roscoe lived up to its name of wind capital of the world.  Temperatures were generally mild to warm up until early yesterday morning, but the wind velocity was above average almost the entire week.

The attendance at the Spring Fling on Saturday was definitely hampered by the strong breezes as sustained winds of 25 to 30mph were typical and gusts up to forty miles per hour were recorded. In contrast to Saturday, however, Sunday afternoon was gorgeous as the wind died down to a light breeze.

Early yesterday morning a cold front blew through and temperatures plummeted from a high of 89°F on Monday afternoon to a low early yesterday morning of 36°.  Yesterday’s afternoon temperatures rose into only the fifties and the low this morning was 32°.

The forecast is for a steadily rising temperatures from a high today of about 59° up to the eighties on Friday, the weekend, and the beginning of next week.  There is no rain in the forecast, and a burn ban is back in effect for Nolan County.

--o--

† ROY GENE SCHROEDTER

A memorial for Roy Gene Schroedter, 63, who passed away at his home on April 13, will be held at McCoy Funeral Home in Sweetwater at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 27.

--o--

† ARMETA “JANEY” SANSING

Services were held at the McCoy Chapel of Memories in Sweetwater for Armeta “Janey” Sansing, 75, who passed away in Lubbock on Sunday, April 14.  Interment followed in the Roscoe Cemetery.

Janey was born July 23, 1937, in Pacio, Delta County, Texas, to Luther and Evelyn Iglehart Basham, who preceded her in death in 1989 and 1990.  She graduated from East Delta High School in 1955 and worked for Federal Reserve Bank before her marriage to H. L. Sansing on November 29, 1956.  He preceded her in death on March 18, 1999.

She and her husband moved to Roscoe on August 8, 1981, where she was employed seasonally with the Roscoe Co-op Gin as Scale Clerk.  Off season she worked part time at Walls and Texas Boll Weevil Program.  She was a Baptist.

Survivors include her son, Terry Dean Sansing and wife Sara of Lubbock; granddaughter, Tara Buxkemper and husband Drury of Lubbock; grandson, Austin Sansing of Lubbock; and Special Loved One, LeRoy Pietzsch of Roscoe.

--o--

† MELISSA HAYGOOD JACKS

Services were held on Wednesday, April 17, in Granbury for Melissa Haygood Jacks, 56, who passed away on April 14, in her home in Granbury, surrounded by her family.  Interment followed at De Leon Cemetery in De Leon.

Melissa was born June 13, 1956, in Loraine to Garland and Maxine Haygood.  She graduated from Roscoe High School and attended Tarleton State University.  She married Bryan Jacks on August 11, 1995, in Marble Falls.  She worked as the receptionist in the cardiology unit in Lake Granbury Medical Center.  She was a member of the Stonewater Church in Granbury.

Survivors include her husband, Bryan Jacks; children, Derek Jacks, Heather Hardman, Jaec and Lacy Hardman; grandchildren, Morgan Hardman and Rayleigh Hardman; parents, Garland and Maxine Haygood; sister, Charlotte and Reid Cave; niece, Savannah Cave; and aunts and uncles, Jimmy Peterson, Lynne Peterson, Diane Williams, and Ann Smith.

--o--

† KENNETH EUGENE PIER

Funeral services for Kenneth Eugene Pier, 53, of Roscoe and Sulphur Springs, are pending with McCoy Funeral Home.

Pier died Saturday, April 20, in Abilene.

--o--

City Ready to Celebrate "Spring Fling" on Saturday

Brandon Jenkins will highlight the free concert and street dance.

Preparations are now in their final stages for Roscoe’s Spring Fling festival, and once again a large crowd is expected.  In addition to the usual street vendors, kids’ bounce houses, free concert, fireworks show, and other attractions downtown on Broadway and Cypress Streets, other events will be taking place all day long in various venues.

Little League Baseball’s Opening Ceremonies and Games  - 10:am-2:00pm or so

The teams at last year's Opening Ceremonies.

The Roscoe Little League’s Opening Ceremonies will begin at 10:00am Saturday morning at George Parks Field.  After the opening ceremonies and team introductions, Roscoe teams will play one another in head-to-head games that will count as the first official games of the season. 

The T-Ball game will pit the Rangers against the Reds, the Midget League game will be the Brewers vs. the Rangers, and in the Freshman game the Padres will face the Rangers. 

The concession stand will be open with briskets, drinks, and snacks.

 --o--

The Second Annual Screw Terlingua Chili Cookoff – 12:00-3:45pm

The Screw Terlingua Chili Cookoff began last year as a fundraiser for Roscoe’s Open Door Day Care Center and  was a big success, raising over $600.  This year the sponsors hope to do at least as well, if not better.   

The Chili Cookoff will take place in the yard of the Lumberyard with contestants setting up there starting at 8:00am and beginning cooking at 9:00am.  By 12:00-1:00pm visitors will be able to visit the team sites and sample their chili by buying $1 tasting tickets, with all proceeds going to Open Door Day Care.  

This year there will also be a Salsa contest as well two mixed-drink contests: Bloody Mary and Margarita.  These may be sampled without tickets, although contributions are encouraged.

Judging will take place at 2:00pm with the announcement of winners and presentation of awards at 3:45pm.  Plaques will be awarded for first, second, and third places as well as a showmanship award in the Chili Cookoff.  Salsa, Bloody Mary, and Margarita plaques will go to the winner of each of those events.

Application forms for contestants of the 2nd Annual Screw Terlingua Chili Cookoff are available at the Lumberyard and City Hall.  Entry fees for the Chili Cookoff are $25, and $10 each for the Salsa, Bloody Mary, and Margarita contests. 

For more information, contact City Hall at 325-766-3871 or the Lumberyard at 325-766-2457.

--o--

Alumni Football Games at Plowboy Field – 3:00-7:00pm

Plowboy Exes in Cowboy Stadium last year.

The Plowboy Exes football team will play the Stamford Bulldog Alumni at Plowboy Field in a game starting at 5:00pm.

That game will be preceded by another one starting at about 3:00pm, the Hermleigh Cardinals Alumni vs. the Haskell Indians Alumni.

The concession stand will be open during the games.

Last year, the Plowboy Alumni played the Commerce Alumni in Cowboy Stadium in Arlington and won a thriller in overtime 13-12.

--o--

Free Concert and Street Dance – 5:30-9:40pm

The free concert and street dance “on the bricks” will take place downtown on Cypress Street between the City Hall and Old Town Park.  Live music begins at about 5:30 when The Remains take the stage.  They will play for a couple of hours until shortly before the headline act of the evening, Brandon Jenkins and band, takes over.

Noted country artist Brandon Jenkins, whose songs “My Feet Don’t Touch the Ground,” “Why Did We Ever Say Goodbye,” “Down in Flames,” “Finger on the Trigger,” and many others are familiar to lovers of the Red Dirt sound.  He honed his skills in Stillwater, Oklahoma, with other Red Dirt singers like Stoney LaRue, Cody Canada, and Jason Boland.  He serves as the other bookend for the Stoney LaRue performance at the Lumberyard last Friday night, which drew a crowd of around 1500 people.

--o--

Fireworks Show – 9:40-10:00pm

After some doubts as to whether the fireworks would be available in time, the suppliers have come through, and the fireworks show, organized and run by Robert McBride, will once again be the Grand Finale of the Day.  

--o--

After “Spring Fling” – 10:00pm-1:00am

After the fireworks show, those who wish to continue the celebration may do so at the Lumberyard, where country singer Wayne "the Train" Hancock will perform on the outdoor stage.  Cover charge is $8.

For more information, call the Lumberyard at 325-766-2457.

--o--

RHS CLASS OF ’88 ESTABLISHES BILL BLACKLEY SCHOLARSHIP

William "Bill" Blackley

The mission of the William “Bill” Blackley Scholarship Fund is to aid young men and women from Roscoe Collegiate High School in the fulfillment of pursuing post-secondary educational opportunities at accredited colleges, universities, and technical institutions. Led by the alumni of the Class of 1988, scholarships will be awarded to deserving students to help fill unmet financial needs.

We will be kicking off our fundraising efforts this weekend, Saturday April 20, 2013 at the Alumni Football game being played at Plowboy field at 5:00 pm and we will have a booth set up at the “Spring Fling Event” on the bricks Saturday evening.  We are asking for monetary donations of any size.

If you are unable to attend either event, an account has been set up at the Roscoe State Bank or you may go like us on Facebook and use the pay-pal option to make a donation.  The first scholarship will be awarded this year at the Roscoe Collegiate High School Graduation May 24, 2013.

Alumni of the Class of 1988 appreciate the support of the Roscoe Community.

Marchelle Moore
Class of 1988

--o--

ROSCOE, HIGHLAND ATHLETES EXCEL AT DISTRICT MEET
 
A large number of Roscoe and Highland athletes won their events at the District 13-1A II track and field meet held at Plowboy Stadium last week, while many others also qualified for the area meet today at Blackwell.  

Listed below are all the area qualifiers along with their results at the meet. 

BOYS

Team Results — 1. Ira 232; 2. Roscoe 160; 3. Highland 90; 4. Westbrook 58; 5. Hermleigh 45; 6. Loraine 24.

High Jump – 3. Jacob Richburg, Highland, 5’6”.
Pole Vault  – 1. Michael Hyde, Highland, 12’0”; 3. Dillon Freeman, Roscoe , 9’6”.
Long Jump – 4. Shelton Toliver, Roscoe 18’2".
Discus – 1. Landon Jones, Roscoe, 125’11”.
Shot Put – 2. Toby Falcon, Highland 39'3"; 4. Shelby Howard, Highland, 35’6”.
3200 – 1. Jesus Leanos, Roscoe, 10:47; 2. Javier Leanos, Roscoe, 11:42; 3. Luis Villa, Roscoe, 11:45; Eli Shelton, Highland, 12:01.
1600 – 1. Jesus Leanos, Roscoe 5:13.7; 2. Javier Leanos, Roscoe, 5:14.1.
800 – 1. Sheldon Hall, Highland, 2:03.72. 3. Rafael Aguayo, Roscoe, 2:19.71.
400 – 1. Sheldon Hall, Highland, 52.18. 3. Kevin Lavalais, Roscoe, 56.19.
100 – 2. Luke Rovig, Roscoe, 11.55. 3. Kevin Lavalais, Roscoe, 11.68.
300 Hurdles – 1. Dillon Freeman, Roscoe, 44.37; 4. Jacob Richburg, Highland, 47.67.
110 Hurdles – 2. Dillon Freeman, Roscoe, 17.15.
1600 Relay – 1. Roscoe, 3:40.51; 4. Highland, 4:02.47.
800 Relay – 3. Highland, 1:38.46; 4. Roscoe, 1:39.27.
400 Relay – 2. Roscoe, 45.43; 4. Highland, 47.91.

GIRLS

Team Results — 1. Ira 161; 2. Highland 148; 3. Roscoe 137; 4. Westbrook 110.

High Jump – 2. Sydny Helbert, Highland, 4’6”; 4. Olivia Rovig, Roscoe, 4’4”.
Pole Vault – Eva Aguayo, Roscoe, 6’6”.
Discus – 1. Beth Richburg, Highland, 93’7”; 2. Carolina Perez, Roscoe, 90’4”.
Shot Put – 4. Carolina Perez, Roscoe, 28’2”.
3200 – 1. Alejandra Solis, Roscoe, 14.05; 2. Alura Renteria, Roscoe, 14:39; 4. Amber Craig, Roscoe, 14:57.
1600 – 1. Madison Moseley, Highland, 6:28; 2. Alejandra Solis, Roscoe, 6:35; 3. Samantha Ortega, Roscoe, 6:39; 4. Amber Craig, Roscoe, 6:40.
800 – 1. Kelsi Johns, Highland, 2:42.69; 2. Alura Renteria, Roscoe, 2:50.2; Bailey Garrett, Highland, 2:50.65; 4. Danielle Dean, Roscoe, 2:50.96.
400 – 1. Lora Stewart, Highland, 1:07.13; 4. Kailee Hall, Highland, 1:11.34.
200 – 1. Sabrina Romero, Highland, 28.76.
300 Hurdles – 2. Beth Richburg, Highland, 16.48; 4. Hannah Allen, Highland, 53.21.
100 Hurdles – 1. Beth Richburg, Highland, 16.48; 2. Torrey Willman, Roscoe, 17.32; 3. Olivia Saddler, Roscoe 17.42; 4. Hannah Allen, Highland, 17.74.
1600 Relay – 1. Highland, 4:28.91; 3. Roscoe, 4:34.49.
800 Relay – 2. Highland, 1:56.28; 4. Roscoe, 1:59.27.
400 Relay – 1. Roscoe, 53.98; 4. Highland, 56.86.

--o--

STONEY LARUE DRAWS HUGE CROWD TO LUMBERYARD

A long line waits to get into the yard to hear Stoney LaRue.

It was hard to find a parking space anywhere close to the Lumberyard Friday night as people from all over the Big Country were in town to dance and listen to Red Dirt artist Stoney LaRue and his band, the Arsenals.

Crowd estimates were in the vicinity of 1500, and with that many bodies in close proximity in the yard, it seemed that the temperature was ten degrees warmer there than out on the street.  However, the weather was just about perfect for an outdoor concert, and everyone seemed to enjoy the performance.

Video clips of the show are available for viewing in two parts by clicking here for Part 1 (6:26) with "Solid Gone," "Goin' Down in Flames," "Way Too Long," "Has Been," and "My Feet Don't Touch the Ground." Click here for Part 2 (7:21) with "Travelin' Kind," "Easy She Comes and Easy She Goes," "Empty Glass," and "Oklahoma Breakdown."

--o--

WEATHER REPORT

Clear and sunny all last week, the weather was typical for this time of year.  The weekend was beautiful with Friday and Saturday highs of 81°F and 79° respectively.  Sunday and Monday were warmer with highs of 90° and 93°, and yesterday was only slightly cooler with a high of 87°.

Today’s forecast is for more of the same with a high of 89°.  That will change, though, as a front moves through tonight, bringing a 30% chance of precipitation.  Tomorrow’s high will be in only the lower sixties and tomorrow night’s low should drop into the mid-thirties.  A steady warming trend will follow, and by Sunday we’ll be back in the eighties again.  

--o--

† ROY GENE SCHROEDTER

Roy Gene Schroedter, 63, passed away at his home on Saturday, April 13.  A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Born in Sweetwater on December 13, 1949, he went to school in Roscoe and lived in Fisher and Nolan counties all his life. He was a farmer and had worked for USG.

Survivors include brothers, Bobby Schroedter and wife Linda of Roby, and Parry Schroedter and wife Trudy of Richmond; sisters, Fay Gardner and husband David of Crowley, and Kay Carter of Hempstead; brother-in-law, Luke Dalton of Sweetwater; 15 nieces and nephews; and 20 great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Olivia Schroedter, his brother Delton Schroedter, and his sisters, Myrtle Sullenger, Rosa McDonald, and Carlyn Dalton. 

--o--

† HAROLD DUVALL

A memorial service was held yesterday at First United Methodist Church for Harold Duvall, 83, who passed away on Saturday, April 6, at Hoyt House in Sweetwater. 

Harold was born on June 10, 1929, in Roscoe.  After working in the farm and ranching business in many states, Harold and his wife, Doris returned to Nolan County, where he owned and operated Duvall’s Stripper Repair Service until the time of his death.

He was preceded in death by his wife Doris and grandson Jordan Duvall.  Survivors include three sons: Andrew Duvall and wife Susan of Tyler; Scott Duvall of Oregon; Jeff Duvall of Los Angeles, CA; ten grandchildren; and two sisters: Gladys Bruce of Rockwall and Judy Rucker of Prosper.

--o--

Country Music Star Stoney LaRue at the Lumberyard on Friday

Stoney LaRue

In the past year, the Lumberyard has hosted several country music greats, among them Ray Price, Mel Tillis, Johnny Rodriguez, the Bellamy Brothers, Asleep at the Wheel, and others.  But none of them may be a bigger draw than Red Dirt icon Stoney LaRue and his band, the Arsenals, who will be in town Friday night for a performance on the Lumberyard’s outdoor stage. 

Born in Texas but raised in Oklahoma, LaRue is famous for developing the Red Dirt sound along with friends Cody Canada, Jason Boland, and Brandon Jenkins (who will perform at the Spring Fling on April 20).  His 2005 CD, “The Red Dirt Album,” reached the Billboard sales charts its debut week, and in 2006 he released the best seller “Live at Billy Bob’s.”  More recently, he has achieved acclaim for his 2011 CD, “Velvet.”

The show starts at 9:30pm.  Cover charge is $12 advance purchase and $15 at the door.  For more information, phone the Lumberyard at 325-766-2457.

--o--

TWO KILLED, ONE SERIOUSLY INJURED IN MARYNEAL WRECK

Two Roscoe residents were killed and another seriously injured at 6:10 on Friday afternoon when the pickup they were riding in overturned on westbound FM 608 just this side of Maryneal.

A 2001 Dodge extended-cab pickup driven by Joe Camarillo, 34, of Roscoe overturned after the right rear tire blew out and the vehicle left the road.  When Camarillo tried to steer it back onto the highway, it skidded sideways and flipped, throwing out three of the passengers and killing two of them.  The men were returning to Roscoe after working all day near Maryneal. 

Fidel Hernandez Acosta, 39, who was riding on one side in the back seat, was ejected when the pickup overturned.  He was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:05pm.  Jesus Herrera Aldavera, 21, who was on the other side in back, was also ejected.  He suffered severe head injuries and was taken to Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo, where he died three hours later.

Victor Manuel Lopez, 29, was thrown from the front passenger seat and was also taken to Shannon Medical Center, where he was treated for internal injuries.  Camarillo, the driver of the pickup, was wearing a seat belt, and escaped unhurt, as did one other passenger, Ismael Perez, who was sitting in the middle in back. 

Funeral services for Fidel Hernandez Acosta will be held in Marivillas, Coahuila, Mexico.  Funeral services for Jesus Herrera Aldavera will be held in Guanajuato, Mexico.  

--o--

PLOWBOTS MAKE SEMIFINALS IN LAS VEGAS COMPETITION

Team robots compete in Las Vegas.  The Plowbots' is 3366, second from left.

The Plowbots, Roscoe Collegiate High’s robotics team, are back from a long and fruitful weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada, where they participated in the Las Vegas Regional Competition of FIRST Robotics.   Forty-seven teams represented various states and countries: New Jersey, California, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Texas, Mexico, Germany, Canada, and the Netherlands.

The Plowbots (Team 366) joined Miss Daisy (Team 341) from Ambler, Pennsylvania, and the Friarbots (Team 3309) from Anaheim, California, to win their quarterfinal match and advance to the semifinals.

This alliance then lost a tough match in the semifinals to the alliance that went on to become the champions.  That wasn’t a bad way to end the year as the Plowbots were also quarterfinalists at the regional meet in Lubbock.

The Plowbots would like to thank Terry Frye, Chuck Graff, and Jamie Witt for serving as mentors this season.  They also wish to express their appreciation to team sponsors Ludlum Measurements, West Texas Rock Resources, Roscoe State Bank, Vickie’s Gifts, and FIRST Robotics in Texas for their support. 

Members of the 2012-2013 Plowbots FIRST Robotics Team are as follows:

Faith Boren and Brant Burnett, Co-Presidents; Brenon Moore, Camden Boren, Eduardo Gallegos,  Landon Jones, Tito Arce, Amber Craig, Mirian Solis, Paul Ballenger, Korie Rogers, Makayla Porter, Caleb Ward, Braiden Moore, William Hawkins, Mireya Sanchez, Mike Rosas, Pete  Ortega, and Danielle Dean.

--o--

TERRY ARMSTRONG TO BE PART OF UPCOMING TV SHOW

Terry "Hollywood" Armstrong and the TP Outdoor Adventurers with a big rattler they bagged near Noodle.

Roscoe’s Terry “Hollywood” Armstrong led a Louisiana film crew on a rattlesnake hunt near Noodle last week for a TV show that will air in July on Dishnet.  Along with him were locals Darrell and Eric Sorrells of Maryneal. 

“TP Outdoor Adventures,” now in its third season, is an outdoor adventure show that covers hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities in Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.  Its crew, which operates out of West Monroe, Louisiana, includes host Bill Petrus, cameraman Chris Woodall, Dustin “Duck” Campbell, and Al Lambert, Jr.  

The rattlesnake hunters finished the day with nine rattlesnakes, including one six-footer.  After the hunt, they cooked out at the Lumberyard, where Al Lambert, Jr., sang songs that will also be a part of the July TV show.  

--o--

PLOWBOYS TO HOST DISTRICT TRACK MEET TOMORROW

The District 1A-II Track and Field Meet will take place at Plowboy Field starting at 9:00am tomorrow.

In a tough field at Colorado City’s Lone Wolf Relays last week, Plowboy Jesus Leanos won the 3200-meter run with a time of 10:46.5 and was second in the 1600 meters with a time of 4:59.

Shelton Tolliver was third in the high jump with a leap of 5’6”.

The Regional Track and Field Meet will be at Angelo State University in San Angelo on April 26.

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HIGHLAND’S SIERRA ALLEN, COACH BAUCOM ON ALL-BIG COUNTRY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL TEAM

Highland’s Sierra Allen was selected to the Abilene Reporter-News All-Big Country 1A-II Girls’ Basketball Team, and her coach, Shea Baucom, was named Coach of the Year.

They led the Hornets to the regional championship and the state tournament in Austin before Highland fell to Saltillo in the state semifinals.  Allen averaged 19.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game and was also named District 131A-II’s Most Valuable Player.

Hannah Allen received Honorable Mention on the All-Big Country Team along with teammate, Beth Richburg.

Plowgirl Faith Boren also received Honorable Mention. 

The Reporter-News article may be accessed by clicking here. 

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CITY COUNCIL APPROVES CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION

At last night’s monthly meeting, the City Council approved a request for a Cinco de Mayo celebration to be held Saturday, May 4.  

The festivities will include a morning parade, street vendors, music by DJs from 3:00-6:00pm, and a live band, Lunaco, that will play a free concert and street dance from 6:00-10:00pm “on the bricks” next to Old Town Park downtown.

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LITTLE LEAGUE OPENING CEREMONIES SET FOR SATURDAY, APRIL 20

It’s that time of year again!  The Texas Rangers have been playing for over a week now, and the Roscoe Little League teams will kick off their 2013 season with opening ceremonies at George Parks Field starting at 9:00am next Saturday, April 20.

After the opening ceremonies and team introductions, Roscoe teams will play one another in head-to-head games that will count as the first official games of the season.

Brisket, drinks, and other goodies will be available at the concession stand.

Volunteers wishing to sign up for this concession should say so in a message on the Roscoe Little League Facebook page.  Schedules are not yet available but will be posted as soon as they are.  

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WEATHER REPORT

New buds on the old mesquite tree.

Despite the fact that the old mesquite tree in my yard has finally budded out, it’s cold outside this morning--32°F--which is quite a change from the weather we’ve been having.   After three days of afternoon temperatures of over 90°F, a cold front blew through about six o’clock yesterday afternoon, and the temperature plummeted over fifty degrees during the next six hours, dropping to 39° a little after midnight with a strong north wind that dropped the wind chill to 32°.

And speaking of the wind, we’ve had quite a bit of that, too, with gusts out of the southwest from 35-40mph shifting yesterday to gusts out of the north up to 39mph.

Last week's forecast of rain didn’t pan out.  Last Wednesday’s 50% chance of precipitation resulted in a rainfall of only .02”.  We did a little better last night.  The forecast was once again for a 50% chance, and at my house .2" fell.   That's not a lot, but every little bit helps.

Today’s high should be only in the low fifties and tonight’s low in the lower thirties.  Thursday and Friday should see steady warming into the sixties and seventies respectively, and by Sunday we should be back into the upper eighties. 

There is no rain in the forecast, which is unfortunate because the area needs a good rain—especially when the National Weather Service’s three-month (April-May-June) outlook for this area is for below normal rainfall and above normal temperatures.  These forecasts are illustrated on maps at the NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) website, accessible online by clicking here. 

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 † HAROLD DUVALL

Harold Duvall, 83, passed away Saturday, April 6, at Hoyt House in Sweetwater.  Funeral services are pending with McCoy Funeral Home of Sweetwater.

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Arson Suspected in Fires at Treviño Residence

The Treviño residence at 211 Cypress Street.

Roscoe Police Chief Felix Pantoja suspects arson as the cause of the fire that broke out early Friday morning at the home of Silvia Treviño at 211 Cypress Street, just across the street from the Methodist Church.  It was the second fire at the residence in the past two weeks. 

The most recent one started on the north side of the house and caused extensive smoke and other damage inside, while the first was in the garage.  Both fires appear to have been set, and police have evidence that leads them to believe that neither was accidental.  

Roscoe Police Officer Les Soles is in charge of the investigation.  He is also investigating as a possibly related case the fire that destroyed the Armando Renteria residence at 110 Ash Street on February 5.

Anyone with information about any of these fires should call City Hall at 325-766-3871 or Crime Stoppers at 325-235-8477.  There is the possibility of a cash reward.  You need not give your name.

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LARRY BLACK ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE TEXAS AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE COUNCIL

Larry Black

Central Rolling Plains Co-op Gin Manager Larry Black recently was elected president of the Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council. The council is composed of nearly 200 Texas cooperatives representing interests including telephone, rural electric, cotton, citrus, sugar and dairy.

Black came to Roscoe in 2002 to manage the Roscoe Co-op, which became the Central Rolling Plains Co-op after he led the merger of the Roscoe and Inadale Co-ops in 2007.

Recently, he has also upgraded the gin by installing the latest state-of-the-art technology.

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ROSCOE'S FOUR NEW BUSINESSES TO HAVE RIBBON CUTTING ON FRIDAY

Roscoe’s four newest businesses will have their official Grand Openings and Ribbon Cutting ceremonies on Friday morning.  The festivities proceed in this order:

1.    Burritos Zacatecas                  108 S. Main St.          9:30am
2.    Rockin’ S Cantina                    810 12th St.              10:00am
3.    Peppy’s                                        210 S. Main St.         10:30am
4.    McVey’s Native Nursery     300 N. Ash St.           11:00am

The times listed above are approximations as each ceremony will take about a half hour, but celebrants will move on to the next business as soon as the previous one is finished.

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“DESPICABLIMP” FLIES OVER ROSCOE

The Despicablimp

If you looked up into the sky just above I-20 on Easter Sunday at about 3:30, you may have seen a slowly moving blimp emblazoned with the mammoth image of a one-eyed yellow creature.

The 165-foot-long craft, which was slowly making its way eastward at low altitude along the Interstate, displayed the image of a “minion,” one of the jabbering pill-shaped beings featured in Universal Pictures’ “Despicable Me” movie series.

Universal and Van Wagner Communications, the owner of the airship, call it the “Despicablimp.”  The 55-foot-tall dirigible is touring the United States promoting the upcoming release of “Despicable Me 2,” opening on July 3. 

The blimp began its journey in Los Angeles on March 23 and stayed overnight Sunday at Avenger Field between Roscoe and Sweetwater before continuing its journey eastward. 

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PLOWBOYS, PLOWGIRLS COMPETE IN ASPERMONT DOUBLE MOUNTAIN RELAYS

The Plowboys and Plowgirls both finished fifth in their respective divisions out of eighteen schools that participated in the Double Mountain Relays at Aspermont last weekend.  Sheldon Hall of Highland was also there and won the 800 meter race with a time of 2:04.87.

Here are those individuals or teams that finished in the top three of their event:

     Event                   Place          Contestant                  Time
     400m relay           2               Plowboys                    45.92
     400m                       1               Eduardo Gallegos    53.95
     1600m                     2               Jesus Leanos             5:07.67
     1600m relay         3              Plowboys                     3:41.79
     300m hurdles      3              Olivia Saddler            53.24
     1600m relay         3              Plowgirls                      4:39.93

Next up for the Plowboys and Plowgirls are the Lone Wolf Relays tomorrow in Colorado City.

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WEATHER REPORT

Marble-sized hail in my front yard on Friday.

When it comes to the weather, Roscoe had a little bit of everything this past week: rain, hail, mist, heat, cold, sunshine, grey skies, calm, and breezes from every direction—even wind from the east.  

On Friday afternoon, a shower came from the southwest and rained more on areas south of town.  Farms north of town got only a trace, if that.  My rain gauge here in town registered .36 of an inch.  That shower concluded with marble-sized hail that fell long enough to just about cover the ground.

Then, Saturday afternoon was warm enough that air conditioners were kicking on here and there around town.  The high was 86°F, but, despite the heat, it was a pretty day.  Easter Sunday was cooler, and the early morning was chilly and windy, but the breeze died down to nothing in the afternoon, and the result was weather just about as beautiful as you could hope for on Easter.  The high temperature was 75°.
 
Monday was warm again with a high of 84°, and that night there were big clouds just to the north of us.  They put on quite a lightning show in the north and northeast, and places in Fisher County got good rains, but there was nothing here.

Yesterday another cold front arrived in the morning, and the high of 67° came sometime during the night.  The wind came from the east and northeast all day, and skies were grey with a cold mist falling most of the afternoon with temperatures dropping down to 40°.

There was a 70% chance of rain last night, but the wall of clouds made up just to the east of us, and it appears that we were a part of the remaining 30% of no rain, although the forecasters are saying there’s still a 50% chance of precipitation today.

Tonight should see the weather clearing with temperatures dropping down into the low thirties.  The rest of the week should bring sunny skies and a return to warmer spring temperatures.

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† MARTHA E. NEVES

Funeral services for Martha E. Neves, 61, were held in the Wright Colonial Funeral Home Chapel in Snyder at 2:00pm on Monday, followed by interment in the Roscoe Cemetery.  She passed away in Snyder on Thursday, March 28.

Martha was born on August 10, 1951, in Big Spring to Gail and Darlene Baker and married Norman Neves, on April 19, 1968, in Sweetwater.  She was a housewife and active with the Boy Scouts, Band Boosters, Tennis Boosters, and Snyder Day Care.

Survivors include her husband, Norman Neves of Snyder; son, Eric Neves of Snyder; daughter, Cynthia Wagner of Florida; mother-in-law, Hazel Neves of Snyder; three sisters, Betty Christie of Snyder, Mary Groeber and Linda McBroom, both of Oklahoma; five brothers, Danny Baker of Snyder, Gail and Robert Baker, both of Texas, and Freddy and Don Baker, both of Oklahoma; eleven grandchildren and extended grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

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