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| Hannah Ward Elizabeth Rubio |
Hannah’s final four-year average is 103.27 and Elizabeth’s is 99.49. Hannah plans to continue her education at Lubbock Christian University, while Elizabeth will go to West Texas A&M University in Canyon.
Both have already received their Associate Degrees from Western Texas College, where both were members of the honor society, Phi Theta Kappa.
RCHS graduation ceremonies are scheduled for this Friday at 7:00pm at the RCISD Special Events Center.
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SEVEN P-TECH STUDENTS RECEIVE BACHELOR’S DEGREES
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| At WTAMU, (l. to r.) Veronica Cuellar, Kadee Martinez, Blake Dean, Jose Ortega, Nicholas Limones, and Austin Lara. At Texas Tech, Iris Gonzales. |
All seven completed their work here in Roscoe without incurring any tuition debt. They earned their associate degrees while students at Roscoe Collegiate High School and then fulfilled requirements for their bachelor’s degrees through the P-TECH program with its offices on 3rd and Main Streets.
The program is the first of its kind in the country, and 18 students are currently enrolled. Eleven students from this spring’s graduating class of 2021 will remain here to complete post-secondary certifications or bachelor’s degrees through Texas State Technical College, West Texas A&M University, or Angelo State University. There are also five adults enrolled in the program.
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HAYDEN BAKER – SMALL TOWN UPCOMING ARTIST
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| Hayden Baker & his art teacher, Carolyne Walker. |
When you think of your average Roscoe student, art might not be the first extracurricular activity that comes to mind. But for Hayden Baker, 17, a junior at Roscoe Collegiate High School, art is his passion. On May 1st, he exhibited his paintings at an art show at the Sweetwater County-City Library. He introduced 35 original paintings and sold all but 10.
“I couldn’t believe how amazing it turned out,” says Hayden. “We had 120 people show up and sold over two-thirds of the paintings. The support from the community was so encouraging. This was my first show ever, and I don’t think it could have been a better introduction.”
Hayden began his adventure while taking art classes with Mrs. Carolyne Walker, who teaches art in Colorado City. “I discovered that I was absolutely terrible at painting landscapes that the rest of the class was thriving with,” he claims. “I had decided to try to paint a blue-streaked aurora sky for a contest and accidentally created my first abstract piece of art.” At this point he discovered that abstract art was the genre he was interested in pursuing.
“I knew I enjoyed art as a kid,” Hayden says, “but I had never considered myself an artist. I didn’t think about art or what it meant to me, until Covid. Covid gave me perspective and I found a love of painting that led me here today.” His favorite is a painting of a comet coming down from space and lighting up the sky. “I love the colors and it was one of my first paintings,” Hayden explains. “It gives a sense of calm and grace that the Covid season was sorely lacking.”
Along with his parents, Hayden says that Mrs. Walker has been his “biggest supporter and source of inspiration” and the person who introduced him to the techniques and thought processes behind creating art. He also says that without his parents and Mrs. Walker it would not have been possible for him to have progressed into the artist that he has become. “They supported me in a way that not many have the privilege of knowing. I couldn’t have done it without them.” In addition, He says he has a strong support system among his church family, teachers, and friends, who have all encouraged him and contributed to his success.
Hayden hopes to pursue a degree in animation from David Lipscomb University in Nashville. However, he plans to keep painting and following his passion for art. “I have new pieces every week,” he says. “I won’t be running out of paintings anytime soon.”
His paintings are on display until May 30 at the City-County Public Library.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETS, CONDUCTS BUSINESS
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| Mayor Pete Porter swears in Robert McBride and Edwin Duncan to new terms. |
City Manager Cody Thompson said city workers are busy getting the City Swimming Pool ready for the summer and expect to be ready by the end of the month. Several repairs are required due to this winter’s hard freeze, which damaged commodes and plumbing as well as piping in sand filters.
The water-line improvements scheduled for Roscoe’s south side continue to be delayed by the state logjam. Two state agencies, the TCEQ and TWDB, now have a backlog of up to 24 months for which they blame the pandemic. These delays are blocking progress and costing municipalities needed funds.
The purchase of fireworks for the July 4th celebration has also been negatively affected by the pandemic, and since most are imported from China, they will be more expensive this year. Nevertheless, they are still part of the plans for the celebration. The music performances have also been booked with Mike and the Moonpies as the headline act, along with Kody West, and local favorite Lyndall Underwood and the Dusty Creek Band.
Plans for spraying for mosquitoes have been made. The recent rains are bringing them out in large numbers and work will begin soon. Gordon Nemir of Sweetwater has been engaged for the project.
Roscoe Police Chief Felix Pantoja updated the Council on police activity during the month of April. The Roscoe department handled 89 calls, recovered a stolen 18-wheeler at the game room on Broadway, and dealt with two fights there. It also installed a laptop computer in the department’s Dodge police truck.
District Attorney Ricky Thompson purchased two refurbished Motorola in-car radios for the Roscoe department at a cost of $1,935 each.
Pantoja also gave the report for the Roscoe Volunteer Fire Department, saying that it handled 1 house fire, 6 medical emergencies, 2 grass fires, 4 minor vehicle crashes and 3 major ones, 2 vehicle fires, and one other fire. It handled a total of 19 calls.
Mayor Pete Porter then swore in the two newly elected Council members, Robert McBride and Edwin Duncan, both incumbents, to three-year terms.
The Council accepted the 2019-2020 City audit as presented by City Accountant Ricky Bowman, CPA, and approved payment of the audit.
It also approved a swimming pool contract for management of the pool this summer. The swimming pool operator will be Inez Leanas, whose phone number is 325=378-9799.
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CENTRAL ROLLING PLAINS CO-OP HOLDS MEETING
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| The annual Co-op meeting at the RCHS Cafetorium yesterday. |
Items of business included the manager’s report, regional reports, audit report, and election of two directors. Kenny Landfried and Rolan Petty were re-elected to three-year terms on the Senior Board.
The $100 prize of the annual bale guess in which members guess how many bales the gin will produce was won by David Strain.
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US COVID-19 NUMBERS CONTINUE SLOW IMPROVEMENT
In Texas, Covid-19 numbers remain low and essentially flat. Hospitalizations have dropped to 2,508 from 2,603 last week, and new cases also remain around 3,000 per day. Yesterday had 2,859. The number of active cases has dropped to 56,743 from slightly over 62,000 the past two weeks. Fatalities averaged 41 daily this week, 8 fewer than last week.
The numbers also remain relatively flat in the Big Country and Abilene. The number of active cases in Taylor County has grown to 223, a gain of 5 over last week’s 218, and Covid-19 hospitalizations in Abilene are now at 16 patients compared to 15 last week. Also, 1 more death was reported, so the total for Taylor County now stands at 404. The percentage of Covid-19 patients in the Abilene trauma service area is at 1.53% after last week’s 2.29%.
In our four-county area, the numbers remain low. Nolan County now has 4, the same as last week. Mitchell County has only 1 after 3 last week, and Fisher County also has 1, after 2 last week. Scurry County is reporting only 2 cases after having 18 last week. Once again, none of the four counties report any Covid-19 deaths this past week.
Here are the Big Country’s estimated active cases (with last week’s in parentheses): Howard, 33 (49); Brown, 14 (13); Coke, 9 (8); Erath, 4 (8); Nolan, 4 (4); Jones, 3 (8); Eastland, 2 (5); Scurry, 2 (18); Comanche, 2 (2); Runnels, 2 (2); Mitchell, 1 (3); Fisher, 1 (2); Callahan, 1 (1); Shackelford, 1 (1); Stephens, 1 (1); Coleman, 0 (1); Haskell, 0 (0); Kent, 0 (0); Stonewall, 0 (0); Knox, 0 (0); Throckmorton, 0 (0). The total of all these counties for this week is 80, 45 fewer than last week’s 125.
Selected west Texas counties’ estimated active cases (with last week’s in parentheses): Ector (Odessa) 313 (328), Midland 268 (272), Lubbock 190 (156); Tom Green (San Angelo) 77 (76); Wichita (Wichita Falls) 59 (35). This week’s total for these counties is 907, 40 more than last week’s 867.
Texas now has had a total of 2,490,481 cases (2,478,241 last week), 56,743 currently active cases (62,517 last week), and 49,527 total deaths (49,362 last week).
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WEATHER REPORT: WARM, THEN CHILLY
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| Yesterday's fog. |
Then on Sunday, a cold front blew through dropping the afternoon high to 78°, and Monday was even cooler with cloudy skies, a high of only 61°, and a brisk north breeze that made it feel even cooler than that. Yesterday was similar, and after last week’s warm weather, seemed more like March than May. The forecast for both Monday and Tuesday had been for showers—and, while both were damp along with some fog yesterday afternoon, the rains never materialized, not around here anyway. This morning’s low was all the way down into the 40s.
The forecast is for continued cool weather today with mostly cloudy skies, a high of 64°, and a cool north wind along with a slight chance of rain. Tomorrow will warm slightly with a high of about 72°, and only a light breeze. Friday will be cloudy but warm up to 82°. Saturday brings a chance (34%) of showers along with a high of 78°, and Sunday will warm up to 84° with a 16-mph south wind.
Then, early next week we’ll have a good chance of more rain (50%) as temperatures remain mild, about 80°.
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† THOMAS FERNANDO CASTRO
Thomas was born February 14, 1991, in Sweetwater and attended school in Roscoe. He was the son of Mary Castro. He enjoyed making people laugh, being with family, and most of all, he loved being a father to his son, Westin. He was a hard-working welder who enjoyed spending down time at the beach with his family.
He is survived by his son, Westin Thomas Castro, and significant other, Karly Beech of Brazoria. He also leaves behind his mother Mary Castro of Roscoe; sister, Vanessa and her husband, Chris Aguilar of Hutto; and maternal grandmother, Josefa Castro of Roscoe, as well as many aunts, uncles, and primos.
Pallbearers were John E. Castro, Johnathan Castro, Christopher Castro, Philip Castro, Aaron Pequeño, and Adam Muñoz.
Honorary Pallbearers were Westin Castro, Chris Aguilar, John A. Castro, Kaden Castro, Christian Castro, Emilio Pequeño, and Benjamin Pequeño.
Donations to help with interment services can be made through this link: https://gofund.me/2037264b. Your assistance is appreciated.
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† DAVID MARTIN VIERUS
David was born December 14, 1986, in Sweetwater. He is a graduate of Roscoe High School and was co-owner of JAL Contractors in Big Spring. David had worked for Ivey Pump and Supply in Roscoe, Charles Burnett Construction, McGlothlin Construction, and Price Construction. He was a crane mechanic and inspector. David grew up in Roscoe, loved farming, cattle ranching, and playing golf and was working toward becoming an airplane pilot.
He is survived by his wife; Jana Vierus of Big Spring; daughters, Maddie Robertson of Snyder and Hanna King and husband Sam of Needville, Texas; parents, Don and Teresa Vierus of Roscoe; sister, Lucrecia Dawn Vierus of Roscoe; maternal grandmother, Barba Kingston of Roscoe; paternal grandfather, Don Martin Vierus, Sr. of Castell, Texas; nephews, Korbin Vierus and Kamden Clark; and his special friends, Daniel and Randa Drake of Roscoe.
David was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Charlie Kingston; paternal grandmother, Dora Mae Vierus; and niece, Kayleigh Dawn Vierus.
Honorary pallbearer will be Daniel Drake.
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