Eric Robinson Killed in Car Crash

Eric Robinson at the ribbon-cutting for Robinson Truck & Tractor Service in May 2014.

Eric Robinson, 41, operator of Robinson Truck & Tractor Service at 409 E. Broadway, was killed in a car crash at approximately 12:07am Saturday morning on I-20 between Roscoe and Sweetwater.

He was alone in his black 2015 Camaro and reportedly on his way to the TA Truck Stop to eat after a Friday night out. He failed to make the curve near mile marker 240, just beyond the underpass of the road that goes into downtown Sweetwater. His car left the road, struck the median guard rail, and came to a stop on the inside lane of eastbound I-20, where it was struck by a 2004 Freightliner driven by Roman Luis Garcia of Odessa. The collision ruptured the 18-wheeler’s diesel tank, causing the truck to catch fire and burn completely. The driver of the truck was uninjured.

Sweetwater and Roscoe Volunteer Fire Departments both responded, along with the Sweetwater Police Department, the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Public Safety, and TxDOT. The crash is still under investigation.

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CITY COUNCIL HEARS COMPLAINTS OF STANDING WATER IN BANDERA

City Manager Cody Thompson reports to the City Council.

At its monthly meeting in City Hall last night, the City Council heard complaints from a group of citizens who live in the Bandera housing development just south of I-20. The area has had an ongoing problem with standing water in the streets and yards for some time, but this year’s heavy rains have made it worse than ever, and homeowners were requesting City aid in helping to find an acceptable solution.

City Manager Cody Thompson explained that both he and County Commissioner Terry Willman have discussed the problem but felt they couldn’t give a definitive answer about a possible solution until he had more information. He told the group he would get an engineer to survey the area and learn more about elevations before he attempts to make a plan to alleviate the situation without creating problems elsewhere. He told the group he will come up with a course of action by next month’s meeting, and the group was agreeable to his proposal.

Thompson then gave the Council an update on City activities. He said there are still some problems at the Water Treatment Plant that City employees are addressing. He also reminded Council members that we are just over two weeks away from this year’s Fourth of July Celebration, which will be on Saturday, July 2. Activity will begin with the Roscoe Lions Club Pancake Breakfast downtown at 8am. It will be followed by the Parade at 10am. Afterwards, vendors will be setting up downtown, while the Plowboy Mudbog at the Baseball Field will begin activities at noon after morning signups for participants. Live music will begin downtown about 4pm on the music stage on Cypress Street between the Roscoe State Bank and Old Town Park. This year there are three featured bands: Kris Gordon, American Aquarium, and headliner Sunny Sweeney. Spectators are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and coolers for the free concert and the fireworks, which this year will feature an “electric” appearance by Texas Tech’s Masked Rider. To participate, get a booth, or obtain information, call City Hall during business hours at 325-766-3871.

Thompson also wants to remind everyone that with the City Swimming Pool now open, drivers in the area should watch out for children around the park, swimming pool, and area streets. The pool is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 1-5pm and may be rented for private parties.

Thompson also announced that this year’s West Texas Wind Festival will be on Saturday, October 15.

After the City Manager’s Report, the Council took care of some routine action items. They approved a fireworks permit for the Fourth of July Celebration. They also approved closing downtown streets for the same event, and closing Broadway for the morning parade.

The meeting concluded with a discussion of the City Investment Report for the first quarter of the fiscal year.

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ROSCOE LIONS HOLD RAFFLE, PLAN PRE-PARADE PANCAKE BREAKFAST ON JULY 2

The Roscoe Lions Club is selling chances to win a $500 gift certificate to TJB Outdoors.  TJB carries a full line of hunting gear from Guns to Archery and anything in between.  Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20.  They will be sold until July 2, and the winner will be drawn during Roscoe’s Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 2.  If you need a handful of tickets, all Lions Club members have them, or stop by and see Shane Tomlin at the Roscoe State Bank!

Also, the Lions Club will be holding a Pancake Breakfast during the morning of Roscoe’s July 4th Celebration.  It will start at 8am and end at 10am before the start of the parade.  Pancakes, bacon, sausage, coffee, and juice will be served for $5/plate in the empty building next to the former Smacker’s Café on Broadway.  All proceeds from the ticket sales and breakfast will be used to support the Roscoe Lions Club charitable activities for the year.

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COODER GRAW DEBUTS AT THE LUMBERYARD SATURDAY

Cooder Graw

The Lumberyard will be rocking Saturday night when Cooder Graw comes to town for the first time. The band refers to its country/alternative country music as “loud country.” Best known for its song “Llano Estacado,” the group formed in 1998 and, unlike most bands, was made up from the start of members in their late thirties to early fifties. The lead singer, Matt Martindale, was the assistant DA of Gray County and guitarist Kelly Turner managed a manufacturing plant in Slaton.

They originally called themselves Coup de Grace, but since another band already had that name, they changed theirs to the Texas pronunciation of the original name, Cooder Graw. They produced several CDs, their first being Home at the Golden Light and toured extensively, becoming a major influence on the Texas scene, but in 2006 they broke up with a couple of members going back to their previous professions. Then in 2012, they got back together again, picked up two new members and have been performing ever since. Since re-uniting, they have produced two CDs, Front of House Live, and their latest CD, Cooder Graw: Love to Live By. Videos that exemplify their style include "Better Days," "Llano Estacado," "Motel Lights", and their latest, "Love to Live By."

Live music will begin at around 8:00pm when the opening band, Jamie Tollison and the Black Dirt Revival, takes the stage. Cooder Graw will begin their performance around 9:45pm.

Advance tickets are $15. For reservations, contact the Lumberyard at 325-766-2457.

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WEATHER REPORT: A BIG RAIN AND THE ONSET OF SUMMER HEAT

Eden Baker got this photo of lightning north of town early Sunday morning.

The big news for the past week was the big rain we got early Sunday morning. It began around 2:30am and lasted until shortly before six. It arrived from the west with lots of thunder and lightning, and the electricity went out a couple of times. But there was no high wind or hail, and the rain itself was relatively gentle. However, by the time it moved on, everyone in the area had gotten at least some and many even more than that.

The official total for Roscoe was 2.86”, but I had 2.94” in my rain gauge, and others in town were reporting 2.5” or more. Pyron and Hermleigh had a little less than two, and Snyder had 2.2”. But Allen Richburg west of town had 3”, while others had closer to 2.5. East of Roscoe got more with Avenger Field recording 3.07”. In any case, there was enough rain to create puddles all over town and fill the local dry lakes. Cotton planting and wheat harvesting had to be put on hold, and some farmers who had just repaired their washed-out terraces saw them damaged again.

The relatively mild weather we’ve had this spring continued through the latter part of last week with highs in the upper eighties and lows in the low seventies, and even Monday and yesterday topped out at only 91°F.  But if the forecasters are right, we are moving into a couple of weeks of serious summer heat starting today, when the temperature should reach 97°. Tomorrow’s high will be about 98°, and Friday and Saturday are both predicted to hit triple digits for the first time this year at 100°, and the heat will continue through the beginning of next week. Lows will be in the mid-seventies, winds will generally be from the south, and skies will be sunny. Added to the heat will be humidity of around 50%, so the misery index will be fairly high, and all the air conditioners in town will no doubt get a good workout.

There is no rain in the forecast.

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† ERIC WAYNE ROBINSON

Funeral services will be held at 10:00am this morning, June 15, 2016, at First Salem Lutheran Church in Roscoe for Eric Wayne Robinson, 41, who passed away Saturday, June 11. Burial will follow at Lone Wolf Cemetery in Scurry County.

Eric was born on September 9, 1974, in Clovis, New Mexico, to Jerry and Sandy (Corbin) Robinson. He was a Lutheran, a graduate of Roscoe High School, and an ex-Plowboy.  He was a self-employed mechanic and operated Robinson's Truck & Tractor Service. His greatest love was his daughters, and he was also their greatest supporter in everything they did. Eric loved life and lived it to the fullest.          

He is survived by two children, Reann Robinson and Colby Robinson, both of Roscoe, and their mother, Bonnie Robinson, of Roscoe; mother, Sandy Little of Clovis; father, Jerry Robinson and wife Pam of Meridian; aunts and uncles, Brenda and Ralph Stirl of Roscoe; Terry and Danny Reed of Clovis; and Nancy Corbin of Clovis; four brothers, Casey Robinson of Kermit, Casey Bradley of Roscoe, Jarrod Robinson of Odessa, and Clay Wilson of Clovis; special cousin, Jana Estes of San Angelo; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Pallbearers are Casey Bradley, Clay Wilson, Casey Robinson, Jarrod Robinson, Edward Acebedo and Gary Ginkinger.

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