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A JUNE 9TH TORNADO RIPPED APART THE BACK OF THE HARRIS HOME AND DESTROYED THEIR TREES. Staff Photo Franklin and Dixie Harris, of Floydada, will have to rebuild after the June 9 tornado, but they are grateful to be alive after riding out the tornado in the bathtub of their home. Most of the focus of the June 9th storm has been on the tornado that swept through Petersburg and McCoy, but the Harris' were victims to an unexpected twister that dropped down out of the sky onto their home on County Road 326. "We were watching the tornado on FM 54 (directly east of CR 326) when all of a sudden our trees started whipping around," said Franklin Harris. Frankin and his wife took shelter in one of the bathrooms of their home inside a bathtub. "Our hair was standing on end from the static electricity," said Dixie. "Our skin was also pulled back from the force--similar to what happens to you when you are on a very fast carnival ride. "We could hear all the doors in the house opening and slamming shut over and over, and debris being blown all over the house. "The window above the tub broke and buckled (the wall of this window was also a shared wall with the garage which was completely destroyed)." Franklin says he and his wife thought the tornado was over at one point and they got out of the bathroom. "We left once but came back pretty quick because the tornado came back," said Franklin. According to a weather spotter with the NWS, the storm was over the Harris house for 18 minutes. "There was a NWS man not too far from our home that was watching the McCoy tornado," said Franklin. "He told me that for some reason he turned around and saw the tornado come out of the clouds right over our house. He said it stayed there for 18 minutes. He told us he had never seen a tornado sit in one spot like that for so long." The tornado tore away a carport and garage, and the laundry room at the back of the house. Windows were blown out and parts of the roof was ripped away. Debris and dirt were thrown around the inside of the home. Curtains were snatched off of a closed window in one bedroom, pulled down the hall, and out a busted bathroom window around the corner of the bedroom. Because of all the noise that could be heard of breaking glass, slamming doors, and thrown debris, when the Harris' emerged from the bathtub they were surprised to find all of their pictures still hanging on their walls. Franklin's extended cab pickup was gone from his driveway and found approximately 1/4 mile from his home. "The extended cab windows were broken and it was dirty, but it started right up," said Franklin. Two other cars in the driveway were picked up and turned around facing the opposite direction. One of the hardest losses for the Harris' were the numerous trees surrounding the home. The large elms that shaded the home and completely hid the house from highway view were stripped bare by the tornado. All the leaves of the large trees were pulled off, branches were snapped and thrown around the property, and some of the remaining trunks had a twisted appearance. The backyard of the Harris home is now piled with branches and debris. Two large pits have been dug nearby to fill with lumber, metal, and broken debris. The Harris' are now faced with rebuilding and cleaning up their property---again. "I think we may decide to skip the month of June from now on," said Dixie. "Our home burned completely to the ground in June of 1983. June doesn't seem to be a good month for us." The Harris have now had to take up residence in a Floydada motel until their home can be rebuilt.
TREE LIMBS ARE DUMPED BY TORNADO IN THE BACKYARD OF THE HARRIS HOME. Staff
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AN AIRBRUSHED UNDERSEA PAINTING BY ANDY STAPP is one of the many new colorful new attractions at Lockney's City Swimming Pool. Staff Photo By Judy Macha To the delight of its customers, young and not so young, Lockney Swimming Pool opened Thursday, June 2, 2005 sporting a brand new "face lift". Julie Dorman, manager of the pool, stated, "I want the community to see all the improvements done to the Lockney Swimming Pool." City Administrator Ron Hall took it upon himself around the first of May to get the pool and surroundings into tip top shape. Hall volunteered his time and labor to the project; painting, re-tiling, searching out others to lend their talents to the on going improvements, researching the best prices available on materials needed and acting as general contractor, overseeing the project to its successful conclusion. Hall's wife Donna and his sons Blaine and Brandon also donated their time and labor to help. Andy Stapp created a gorgeous air brushed "undersea" painting for the west cinder block wall. Cory Smith is working on a mural for one of the cinder block walls. Included in the project were: repairing, re-tiling and painting the whole pool, repainting the cinder block walls and pumphouse (adding a twelve foot wide Longhorn in red to the back wall of the pump house), adding new lights and a new 3-phase pump and having them connected, repainting the men and women's dressing rooms with the addition of colorful geometric designs, mural for the cinder block wall and an air brush painting for the west wall, new umbrella and table sets, chair sets, re-tiling the counter, adding shelving and ceiling fan to the concession area and potted plants around the pool area. Hall obtained an estimate from a company to re-tile the pool, for $30,000. With the help of his family, he did the job for the cost of materials. To create a twelve foot wide mosaic tile longhorn for the bottom of the pool to match the one on the back wall of the pumphouse, he purchased 4 inch square red tile and sawed them into 1 inch squares for the outline. Then, they broke black tiles into pieces to fill in the red outline. Hall made use of the prison work program to apply the base coat of paint to the pool itself. He and his family applied the top coat. "I had seen the umbrellas listed for $269 each in a magazine. I bought them from Harbor Freight Tools for $29 each. The three sets of molded poolside chairs and tables were purchased from Davis Lumber and the three potted "palm type trees" were purchased from Texas Gardens. I caught some flack over the colorful ceiling fan, but it incorporates all the colors used in and around the pool," Hall laughed. According to Hall, Lighthouse Electric ran a line across FM 378 to the pool's utility pole for $2,106.94; Dart Carthel Electric connected the electricity to the 3 phase pump and lights for $1,809.42; Ed Marks Construction repaired the metal roof, built a door for the pumphouse and took care of the welding needed for $749.90. When asked why he took on such a project, Hall replied, "Everyone was complaining about what bad shape the pool was in, but doing nothing, so I did something about it." Donations are needed for two more items for the pool, a new diving board ($1,479) and a new slide ($2,199). If you would like to donate, please call Ron Hall at 652-2355.
By Judy Macha The much discussed question of how to handle dangerous animals within the city limits was settled during the Lockney City Council's June 16, 2005 meeting. It was passed unanimously on a motion by Tina Graves and second by Ham Gammage. (See the amendment elsewhere in this paper.) While considering the progress of the proposed improvements to John Bickley Field, Mayor Rodger Stapp recognized the following donors to date: Mr. "Bick" Bickley - $20,000; Delta Pine Land - $3,000; Agro - $1,500; Wilbur Ellis - $1,500; Lockney Baseball Association - $1,000; D & J Gin - $750; Ray Lee Equipment - $500. City Administrator Ron Hall added the following to the list: Lockney Cooperative - $500; J and K Insurance - $500; De Bruce - $200; Lighthouse Electric - $15,000 to $20,000 in labor; City of Lockney - $2,500 in labor; Baseball Association - $1,500 in like kind. "To date these are the donations received. To complete the project will cost approximately $120,000," Hall added. Dickie McCarty told the Council of the intended waterline route to the new Veterans Memorial Park. Discussion ensued on alternate routes and the time and cost involved with each. Lockney is involved in numerous City improvement projects and according to Ron Hall, the following grants have been received in regard to these projects: 10% matching, Criminal Justice Department Grant for $23,091 to purchase a new patrol vehicle; $165,000 in kind labor, S.T.E.P. Grant for $400,000 to put in the new lagoon system; Solid Waste Grant Program for $59,000 to create the Citizen's Collection Center; 50/50, Chapman Forest Service Grant for $2,500 to put trees at the Veterans Memorial Park; 10% matching, Planning Capacity Grant for $50,000 to be used in mapping, zoning and planning for the City of Lockney; Hall said the following grants are being pursued: 50/50 matching, Texas Parks and Wildlife Recreation Branch Grant for $100,000 to be used on the John Bickley Baseball Field; 10% matching, Downtown Revitalization Grant for over $100,000 to be used for new sidewalks downtown; a 10% matching, Water Grant for $250,000 to be used for drilling a well or putting up new water storage towers; and a 10% in kind, ORKA Housing Grant for approximately $400,000 to be used to build nine low income housing units within the city limits of Lockney. The Council voted on and passed routine agenda items unanimously, then adjourned.
Floydada's neighborhood streets will be crammed with shoppers this Saturday, looking for the best garage sale bargain they can find. The City Wide Garage Sale, sponsored by the Floydada Chamber of Commerce, will kick off at 8:00 a.m. Free brochures with addresses of over 25 garage sales will be available, at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, at Lowe's Pay-N-Save, Allsups, and Friends Convenience Store.
R. D. "RUSTY" BACCUS Funeral services for Roy Dale "Rusty" Baccus, 84, of Lockney will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 23, 2005 at Lockney First United Methodist Church with Frank Duckworth and Rev. Kyle Brock officiating. Burial will follow in the Lockney Cemetery under the direction of Adams Funeral Home of Ralls. Mr. Baccus died Sunday, June 19, 2005 in Lubbock. He was born November 5, 1920 in Estelline to R.P. and Lela Groom Baccus. He graduated from Estelline High School in 1938 and then attended Southern Methodist University on football and basketball scholarships. After graduating in 1941, followed by military service, he returned to SMU to coach basketball. In 1947, Mr. Baccus came to Lockney with his brother Whitey with whom he owned and operated the Ford Motor Company dealership. On July 5, 1950, he married Jody Marsh in Clovis, New Mexico After his brother returned to Dallas in the 1950's, Mr. Baccus continued to own and operate Baccus Motor Company until 1980. He then owned Baccus Real Estate in Lockney for several years. Mr. Baccus was a member of Lockney First United Methodist Church where he served as a steward and as a member of the Building Committee for the sanctuary as well as other church committees. He also served as President of the Lockney Hospital District for a number of years and was also a member of the Lockney Senior Citizens. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Jack Baccus of Brownfield and Whitey Baccus of Bonham. Survivors include his wife Jody; two sons, Bruce of Plano and wife Mary, and Brad of Horseshoe Bay; one sister, Nettie Segrest of Southlake; and five grandchildren. The family suggests donations to Lockney Senior Citizens or a charity of choice.
WILEY J. "JACKIE" MYERS Memorial services were held for Wiley J. "Jackie" Myers, 80, of Lubbock Friday, June 17, 2005 at Memorial Chapel in Lubbock. Rev. Dan Poole officiated. Arrangements were under the direction of White Funeral Home of Lubbock. Mr. Myers died Monday, June 13, 2005. He was born March 13, 1925 in Denver, Colorado to the late Herbert and Olive Mudgett Myers. He was raised in Lockney where he graduated from high school before moving to Lubbock in 1948. He was a WWII Veteran of the U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Division and served at the Battle of the Bulge. He was a self employed brick mason. Survivors include one son, Steven Myers of Houston; five daughters, Shelley Jordan and husband Danny, Jamie McCann and husband Ronnie, all of Lubbock, Ruanna Gossett and husband Lonny, of Sacramento, California, Jinna Lessard of San Antonio and Patty Freeman and husband Leroy of New Deal; two brothers, Don Myers of Lubbock and Jim Myers of Ft. Worth; three sisters, Merle Mooney and Betty Threadgill both of Lockney, and Kay McPherson of Midland; and twelve grandchildren. The family requests memorials to Vista Care Hospice Foundation in care of the Lubbock office at 1010 Slide Road, Lubbock, texas 79416. VALDEMAR RIOJAS Funeral Mass was celebrated for Valdemar Riojas, 52, of Floydada June 21, 2005 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Floydada. Father John Ohlig officiated. Burial was in Floydada Cemetery under the direction of Moore-Rose-White Funeral Home of Floydada. Mr. Riojas died June 18, 2005 at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock. He was born August 18, 1953 in Shallowater to Carlos and to the late Francis Riojas. He was a lifelong resident of Floydada. He married Nellie Arjona on September 12, 1973 in Lockney. He was a farmer. He enjoyed gardening and doing auto repairs. A sister preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife, Nellie Riojas of Floydada; one son, Marcus Riojas of Lubbock; two daughters, Stephanie of Pampa; Valerie Riojas of Floydada; seven brothers, Balentine Riojas of Floydada; Johnny Riojas of Ballinger; Martin Riojas of Floydada; Marcus Riojas of Dumas; Carlos Riojas of Lamesa, Armando Riojas of Wolfforth; Alejandro Riojas of Lubbock; three sisters, Rosa Villalba of Ralls, Connie Riojas of Plainview and Rachel Riojas of Plainview; and two grandchildren.
Dear Editor, We want Floydada to know what a great Museum and Genealogy Center they have. We had genealogy questions--dropped into the museum at five minutes to five on Friday evening and Carolyn Hardy along with Nancy Marble stayed for two hours digging out the information we were looking for. Then as if that wasn't enough they found some more information for us on Saturday. What a great pair to work with. We also had the pleasure of meeting Janet Milam on our return trip through Floydada. We're now back in Montana but we'll be back in Floydada another day to enjoy the Texas Hospitality!! Sincerely, Dennis and Marion Brown P. O. Box 274 Roundup, Montana 59072
By The Way | by Alice Gilroy
A View From The Lamplighter | by Ken Towery We see by the papers, and on t.v. (especially t.v.) where the new Chairman of the Board for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is in hot water for suggesting that a little balance be brought into PBS programming. Since I used to sit in his chair as Chairman of CPB, and since I spent 10 years on that CPB board, and a couple of years on CPB's audit committee, (during an earlier NPR debacle) I obviously have a few thoughts on the matter (which I will be happy to share with our readers, whether they want them or not). In the first place, nothing infuriates people like Bill Moyer more than to suggest that they have a leftward tilt, that they may even, perish the thought, be liberals. Moyer got his job with Lyndon Johnson because of his leftward leanings, and he got bounced from Lyndon's staff for insisting that he, rather than Lyndon, represented the liberal community. To call Moyer a liberal is no different than saying the Texas Observer is a liberal publication. Any other description would cause wringing of hand and gnashing of teeth throughout liberal circles. Both Moyer and the Texas Observer have loyal (small, but loyal) followers who will overlook small (or large) matters of fact, as does the New York Times quite often, simply because they know that both entities have their hearts in the right (left) place. Before we go further, we should perhaps explain to our readers just how that operation works, and why it works the way it does. Way back in the 60's, when America had only three networks (and Lyndon Johnson had a monopoly on television signals in Austin, Texas, thanks to his position in the U.S. Senate) Congress decided to create a "Public Broadcasting System," funded by a tax upon the people. Congress, on its own, would never have moved on anything like that, but the networks, CBS, NBC, and ABC, wanted it done so they would not have to contend with all the pressure of creating things like children's or educational programming. Lyndon wanted it done too. Anything the t.v. networks wanted, Lyndon wanted. The way things were at that time, he could (and did) choose whatever network programming he wanted, or that made the most money. A "public broadcasting system" might relieve the stations from worrying about such mundane things as educational or children's programming. It was not unusual, during that period, for a t.v. viewer in Austin to be watching Lyndon's KTBC, (the only t.v. station in town), which, at that moment, might be airing an ABC program and all of a sudden, the station would switch suppliers and the viewer would be watching a CBS program. That was one of the reasons LBJ became a multi-millionaire at a very early age while diligently serving the people of Texas, and the principle reason, in my own view, that the people of Austin were quite willing to revere his memory. Had he not had the only t.v. station in Austin, had the people of Austin an option on what to watch on t.v., other than what Lyndon wanted them to watch, both his career and the fate of Austin might have been different. At any rate, the public broadcasting system was created, over our most strenuous objections. I wrote the Senate floor comments by former Senator John Tower opposing the creation of a public broadcasting system. It really did not matter what we said. At that time Republicans counted only about 32, (or so) Senators. John Tower was a freshman, and the Democrats ran the place. Tower did not feel strongly about the matter, being a former college professor, but I, being only recently from the "private sector", did. And Tower, in this instance, deferred to me. He went on the floor and mouthed what I had written in opposition to the idea of creating a domestic programming operation paid for by the American taxpayers and overseen by the Democratic Party. Needless to say, we lost. We knew it going in, and we just took our lumps and moved on. Many conservatives eventually became big fans of PBS, Not because they liked the idea, necessarily, but simply because the other three networks were so liberal that PBS was the only place they could occasionally see their views presented. I remember very well when I appeared before the Senate Committee prior to my confirmation by the full Senate. Senator Barry Goldwater took me aside after the hearing and told me to be diligent in "looking after that operation." He went on to say that "we" conservatives had a special place in our hearts for public broadcasting. He knew, and said, everybody knew it was a left wing outfit, "but it's the only place people like us can get a look in." During the next ten years I tried to do just that, despite my own skepticism. I tried, mostly without success, to assure "balance" in our programming. Against that effort was a culture backed by an overwhelming number in the U.S. House of Representatives, run by Democrats, that said "liberalism is good," and "conservatism is bad." So now we see by news reports where the Chairman of CPB (which funds PBS via allocations from Congress) is asking for ways to balance PBS programming, and people like Bill Moyer, who has become filthy rich off of tax-supported PBS, is complaining. Were it not for PBS, Moyer would be scrounging for a living (and mostly failing) in the private sector with many others. That is, except for those relatively few who, like Moyer, have made peace with hypocrisy and see nothing wrong with making millions off taxpayers while complaining about people who pay taxes. Personally, we wish the new Chairman of CPB well. We do not believe he will ever achieve the desired results. Ingrained hostility to the private sector among many on the public payroll is too great. The mood of Congress has changed dramatically, thanks to the efforts of a few of us, but when push comes to shove, too many otherwise conservative members of Congress will simply shrug their shoulders and say "Oh, well, it's only a few hundred million dollars." And those few who do stand tall will have little, if any, help from an Administration that has hung them out to twist in the wind. The Government can do nothing, and should do nothing, about the leftward tilt in the networks. But it helps pay the bill on public broadcasting. The very least it could do is insist on a certain amount of fairness in the programming. If people of a conservative bent are required to pay their taxes to help support public broadcasting, they at least ought to have a voice in how their money is spent.
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