RWE to Build Second Inadale Battery Unit

The current  lithium-ion battery system at Inadale Wind Farm.

RWE Renewables (formerly E.ON) has signed a land lease to build and operate a second battery storage unit next to the current one about five miles northwest of Roscoe. The first one went online in January 2018 and is part of the Inadale Wind Farm. It was the first battery storage system specifically built for a wind farm in the US and has proved successful, thus the plans for the new one.

The multi-million-dollar project is RWE’s first expansion of a battery storage unit in the United States. Construction is set to begin in the next couple of months.

These energy storage systems are designed to alleviate one of wind energy’s problems, which is that electricity from wind energy is produced when the wind blows and not necessarily when it is needed. However, battery storage units allow stored wind energy to be fed into the transmission lines at such times, making wind a more reliable energy source.

RWE (Rheinisch-Westfälisches Elektrizitätswerk AG), a German electric company, is Europe’s third-largest renewable energy provider.

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CITY COUNCIL HEARS REPORTS, CONDUCTS BUSINESS

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

At its monthly meeting in City Hall yesterday evening, the City Council heard reports from the Police Chief and City Manager and conducted routine business.

City Manager Cody Thompson reported on a trip to Austin, where he and Josh Jones, a city employee of the water and sewer department, attended a stakeholders’ meeting of the Texas Water Development Board. The United Missouri Bank there is holding two Roscoe accounts with $2,130,000 funds earmarked for improvements of the city water lines, $330,000 of which will not have to be paid back.

Some necessary paperwork was completed with Young Farm Estates, and ongoing planning and communication with prospective investors and developers was undertaken for property along US 84 on the city’s north side,

The filtration system at the city’s reverse-osmosis water treatment plant continues to be a problem, and measures have been taken in an attempt to employ techniques that cut costs while getting the job done there. Outside advisors have also been consulted.

City employees continue to work to achieve professional certifications in certain areas.

While in Austin, the City Manager visited with the firm conducting the city water and sewer rate study, which should be ready for City Council review and consideration at the March meeting. Rates will most likely change from the current system of charging rates according to number of bathrooms to the volume of water used. Rates will also go up, as the current water rates have not kept up with costs for some time.

Police Chief Felix Pantoja then gave the Police Report for January. He said the Department handled 116 calls, made 2 arrests, gave 13 warnings, issued 4 citations, and dealt with 4 vehicle crashes.

He also wished to report that an Early Childhood Center teacher saved a four-year-old boy’s life through quick action yesterday. The child had a toy bolt in its mouth that he somehow got caught in his throat and was unable to breathe, but Jana Young managed to dislodge it with a Heimlich maneuver. Paramedics arrived, but by then the crisis was over, and the child was okay.

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LUMBERYARD TO HOST VALENTINE’S DAY SHOW FRIDAY

Jacob Essary

Jacob Essary, a Texas country artist from Austin, will be at the Lumberyard Friday evening for a special Valentine’s Day acoustic performance. He’ll be singing his “Without a Warning” and other hits along with traditional country, new country, covers, and originals from 8:00 to 11:00pm.

The cover is only $5.00, so bring your Valentine for a fun evening at the Lumberyard. For reservations or more information, contact the Lumberyard at 325-766-2457.

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PLOWBOYS FALL TO ALBANY, HASKELL, CROSS PLAINS

In a game played in Albany last Tuesday, the Lions beat the Plowboys 47-32. Hunter Anglin led the Plowboys in scoring with 9 points.

Albany 47 – Plowboys 32

Scores by quarters:
Albany               8          16        28        47
Plowboys          8          20        26        32

Individual Plowboy scoring: Hunter Anglin 9, Ryan Highsmith 6, Junior Martinez 6, Brayan Medina 6, Antonio Aguayo 5.

In a home game that was close for the entire contest, the Plowboys lost a tough one to Haskell Friday evening 44-43. Ryan Highsmith had 12 points for the Plowboys.

Haskell 44 – Plowboys 43

Scores by quarters:
Haskell              10        20        33        44
Plowboys          10        20        32        43

Individual Plowboy scoring: Highsmith 12, Martinez 11, Anglin 8, Tristan Baker 6, Medina 3, Aguayo 3.

They lost another close one in Cross Plains last night, 41-37. Hunter Anglin led the Plowboys with 12 points, while Brayan Medina had 11.

Cross Plains 41 – Plowboys 37

Scores by quarters:
Cross Plains      9          16        24        41
Plowboys           8          13        18        37

Individual Plowboy scoring: Anglin 12, Medina 11, Highsmith 6, Aguayo 4, Martinez 2, Baker 2.

The Plowboys play their last two games away, Stamford in Stamford Friday and Hawley in Hawley next Tuesday.

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HASKELL, CROSS PLAINS TOP PLOWGIRLS 76-50

The Plowgirls fell to Haskell 76-50 Friday evening at home, as the district-leading Maidens continued their march to the title. Carson Greenwood led the Plowgirls with a season-high 27 points. 

The Plowgirls also lost to Cross Plains last night in Cross Plains 58-27. Shauna McCambridge let the Plowgirls with 10 points.

Haskell 76 – Plowgirls 50

Scores by quarters:
Haskell             23        41        53        76
Plowgirls            6        14        27        50

Individual Plowgirl scoring: Carson Greenwood 27, Shauna McCambridge 8, Kaylea Perez 8, Cameron Greenwood 4, Mia Lavalais 2, Anahi Ortega-Solis 1.

Cross Plains 58 – Plowgirls 27

Scores by quarters:
Cross Plains       15        37       48        58
Plowgirls              4        11        21        27

Individual Plowgirl scoring: McCambridge 10, Lavalais 6, Cr. Greenwood 4, Perez 4, Cm. Greenwood 3.

The Plowgirls’ basketball season is now complete. It’s time to hang up the basketball shoes and get ready for track.

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WEATHER REPORT: COOL AND WET

The area got a nice rain on Monday.

Unlike some of the recent weather we’ve had this year, the past week has been cool enough to really feel like winter. True, last week’s snow didn’t last long—it was gone from even the shady areas within a couple of days, but it did, along with a nippy north wind, cool the weather enough that my coat got plenty of use. Thursday and Friday had highs of only 41°F and 53°, but the weekend was much nicer with a high of 69° on Friday and 75° on Sunday.

A cold front came in that evening, though, and on Monday morning the sky was overcast with rain starting at 9:30 and lasting until noon. Roscoe weatherman Kenny Landfried recorded .82”. Add that to last week’s rain and snow total of .95” (.53” from the rain and .42” from the snow), and we’ve already got 1.77” for February, which averages only 1.00” for the entire month. So, in that regard, we’re currently ahead of the game.

The forecast is for continued cool, cloudy weather until Saturday. Today’s high should be around 53° with a good possibility of more rain this morning. This afternoon, clearing off will begin, and we may see some sunshine later on. Tomorrow will also be cool with a high of 45°, and Friday’s will be similar with a high of 51°. The weekend should be warmer but with continued cloudy skies. Saturday’s high will be around 66°, Sunday’s 72°, and Monday’s 71°, all with corresponding increases in the lows, which will be in the forties and fifties.

The chances for rain, however, will be slight with chances of only 10% to 20%.

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† BETTY JEAN BOURLAND USSERY

Graveside services for Betty Jean Bourland Ussery, 89, of Round Rock will be at 2:00pm, Saturday, February 15 at the Roscoe Cemetery with Rev. Juanelle Jordan officiating. She passed away peacefully in her sleep, February 9, after a long battle with heart disease.

Her last heroic effort was pushing her life alert button that saved her son Mark’s life on Tuesday, February 4. Mark tirelessly took care of Mother for many years and his efforts will always be remembered. Rest in Peace, Momma. We love and miss you but know that you are no longer suffering and at peace in the arms of our loving Heavenly Father.

Betty is survived by her children, Tony Ussery and wife Jan; Mark Ussery; and Tammi Dufresne and husband Ken; her grandchildren, Amber Ussery and Evan Ussery, Chrissy Carrier and husband Chase, and their children Gavin and Easton Carrier.

She was predeceased by her beloved mother and father, Charlie and Mary Bourland; her sister, Charlene Branscum; brother, Jerry Bourland; husband. Bobby Ussery; and son, Mitch Ussery; beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

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† JIMMY BOYD WALLACE

Funeral services for Jimmy Boyd Wallace, 71, will be at Immanuel Baptist Church at 4020 East University in Odessa tomorrow, February 13, at 10:00am. He passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 9, at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa.

Graveside services for all family and friends at Roscoe Cemetery are tomorrow, February 13, at 3:00pm, where he will be placed at final rest.

Visitation is at Sunset Memorial in Odessa, today, February 12, from 6-8pm.

Jimmy was born on September 24, 1948, in Roscoe to Barney and Lillie Bell Wallace. He was the youngest of four children, with one sister and two brothers. He was a proud ’67 Roscoe Plowboy graduate. He always bragged that he was “in the top 28 of his class.” Jimmy was a Mason and a Shriner.

He married Donna Wallace on February 7, 2009. She was the love of his life, and they were happily married for 11 years.

Jimmy was a retired police officer of Big Spring PD and deputy sheriff of Howard County. He was proud to serve the community for 25 years. He loved to share many stories of how he protected the citizens of Howard County and Big Spring. After retiring, he worked as the grooming manager of PetSmart in Midland for 10 years. He loved and was loved by his employees as well as his customers. He had many jobs after leaving PetSmart. He was a pool boy, a “bus driver” for his grandkids, and a darn good ham sandwich maker.

Jimmy was a loving husband, father, stepdad and grandpa. He will be missed by many friends as well as his family.

He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Don Larry and Gary Lynn.

He is survived by his loving wife, Donna Wallace; his big sister, Tommie Ruth Wallace; his daughters, Tania Wallace Brown and Jerry DeLoera; Wendie Wallace; Whitney Thomas and Matt Thomas; Christina Silvas; Anita McKay and husband Kelly McKay; and his son, Jacob Crumpton and wife Haleigh Crumpton.

PeePaw Jimmy is also survived by 17 grandchildren; Laney Wallace, Landry Brown, Maddisyn and Macie Olivas, Harvey Thomas, Hannah, Hallie, Alexia and Addisyn Silvas, Anabelle, Madelyn, Emma, Houston and Karley McKay, Jordyn, Baleigh and Colton Crumpton and two great-grandchildren Knoxi Quinn Wallace and Ava Silvas.

The family would like to express their gratitude towards all of the staff in the CCU at ORMC as well as the staff at the Continue Care in Medical Center Hospital. A special thank you for the continuing care from Dr. Dar and Kelly Wenger, PA.

In life’s troubles remember as Jimmy would always say “100 years from now no one will ever know the difference.”

Arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.  To sign the guestbook, please visit www.sunsetodessa.com.

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