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 TYANN PHILLIPS, 2 year old daughter of Tyler and Lacy Phillips, and granddaughter of Ronnie and Elaine Austin, and Keith and Marcia Phillips, got a tickle and a big laugh out of Santa Claus during Lockney's Old Fashioned Saturday. Santa was getting his wish list made at City Bank Lockney on Saturday night. Staff
Photo
Floyd County's State Representative Pete Laney, D-Hale Center, has announced he won't run for re-election. Laney has been a legislator for 33 years which included 10 years as House speaker. Laney was first elected in 1972 when he defeated incumbent State Representative Delwin Jones. In 1993 Laney was elected House Speaker, and served in that capacity for 10 years before losing his position when Republicans became the majority party. Calls to Laney's office for comments were unanswered, however other press reports have said that Laney plans on moving to Austin and becoming "involved in programs that restore public confidence in government." "I am grateful to Mr. Laney for his years of public service," said Jim Landtroop. Landtroop is running for the position of State Representative on the Republican ticket. "I appreciate the sacrifice Pete and his family made for the Senate of Texas and House District 85."
By Darwin Robinson Floyd County has been hit hard the past few weeks with several grass and module fires throughout the county. High winds, low humidity, static electricity and power lines down have been the probable causes for most of the fires, according to Floydada Fire Chief Carroll Sims. "In the past 11 days, we (the Floydada Volunteer Fire Fighters) have made 13 fire runs to fight grass fires, burning modules and (cotton) burrs," said Sims. "Last week we were fighting a grass fire in 30 mph winds, with 9 percent humidity. On the run fighting the burr fire northwest of the City, we left the burrs floating in water and they still reignited after we left," said Sims. Cotton producer Chris McIntosh of Floydada told the Hesperian-Beacon, "About two weeks ago, we lost 10 modules out of 11 on one-half of a circle system." Floydada Volunteer Fireman and City Manager Gary Brown told the Hesperian-Beacon, "The grass fire on the east side of town started near a downed electric pole, but we are just not sure what has started all the recent fires." Assistant Fire Chief Preston Belt of Lockney said, "In the last three weeks, we (the Lockney Volunteer Fire Fighters) have made 12 runs to fight grass fires, module fires and burr fires inside gins. Some of the causes were from bearings going out on cotton strippers, static electricity, cigarettes thrown on the side of the roads and power lines being blown down. Concerning the dry conditions and losses, Belt said, "Several days the humidity was two or three percent in the negative. I do know that the Foster brothers have lost four or five cotton modules to fire." The Lockney Rehab Center had to evacuate 30 or more of their residents last Wednesday due to smoke blowing over the center from a nearby grass fire. According to spokesperson Dawn Cheney of the Lubbock Rehab Offices, "The residents were moved across the street to Mangold Memorial Hospital in a matter of minutes with no injuries. We appreciated the help of the many community volunteers and the Mangold Hospital employees."
 RAMIREZ
FAMILY ADDS CHRISTMAS TOUCH TO COURTHOUSE SQUARE--After a
large cedar tree was cut down on the Courthouse lawn, it was
replaced by three 12-foot Eldarica Pine trees. One of the
Pines was purchased by the Chamber of Commerce and the other
two trees were purchased by the County. The City of Floydada
and Scott Simpson provided manpower to put in the trees and
the Ramirez family donated their time to decorate the trees
and square in time for the "Dickens of a Christmas"
celebration in Floydada, December 5th. Shown here are Martin
Ramirez, his sister Sandra Mendez, mother, Francisca
Ramirez, and Sandra's daughter, there year old Kassandra.
Staff Photo
 DICKENS
OF A CHRISTMAS--This white carriage was pulled by Palomino
horses during Floydada's Dickens of a Christmas, Saturday
night. The ride, which went around the square, was very
popular among people attending the downtown festivities.
Staff Photo
Tuesday evening, December 13, at 7:00, the Floydada Schools will present their annual Christmas Band Concert. Participating in the concert will be the Fifth Grade Band, Sixth Grade Band, the Junior High Seventh and Eighth Grade Band, and the High School Concert Band. The Bands are under the direction of Band Directors John M. Odom and George James. The Fifth Grade Band will perform several selections. The Fifth Grade Band is made up of two different classes. They are the Woodwind Class and the Brass Class. This will only be the first time this year that they will perform together. The next Band to perform will be the Sixth Grade Band. They will perform Beethovan's Ninth and one or two other selections. The Seventh and Eighth Grade Junior High Band will be the next group to perform. This band has participated in Junior High pep rallies and several of its members have gone to All Region Tryouts. The High School Band will close the concert with four selections of their own. This group has and a busy fall. They have marched at all halftimes and participated in four Marching Contests. The High School Band earned a First Division this year at UIL Marching contest and participated at the Area UIL Contest. They have also performed for the Veteran's day assembly and have marched in the Floydada Christmas Parade. Several members have also participated in the All State tryouts. There
is no admission charge for the concert and everyone in the
community is invited to attend an evening of fun music and
entertainment.
It may be the season of "good will toward men", but scam artists are also busy taking advantage of trusting people--especially elderly citizens. According to Glenda Wilson, Vice President of Floydada's First National Bank, more than one customer of FNB has become a victim of scammers. "One elderly woman gave up her bank account to a person who said they needed the information to remove her from telemarketing lists," said Wilson. "You should guard your account numbers," said Wilson. "Banks already have your account information---there is no reason you should have to give out that information to anyone over the phone." Another scam to hit American consumers involves counterfeit checks and money orders--including U.S. Postal Money Orders. According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service these scams are costing victims millions of dollars each month. According to C. Kelly Aarons of the US Postal Inspection Service, "Con artists posing as students, tourists, or overseas military personnel ask for help in cashing checks and money orders, or they target vulnerable people looking for love or companionship." Postal inspectors have found that in most cases con artists ship the check or money order and ask the victim to cash it, keep a portion as a "gift", and wire the remainder, usually to an overseas address. The victim cashes the check and sends the money requested to the scammer. The check is then discovered to be bogus and the customer is then responsible to repay the bank for the bad check. "It is important for customers to know that just because you can withdraw the money, it doesn't mean the check or money order is good." Recently Postal Inspectors have learned of three additional scams exclusively involving Postal Money Orders. In an attempt to lull the victim, the scammer sends the victim an email from "PostalMoneyOrder.com" advising the victim a money order has been approved in their name. Also fake money orders bear a USPS trademark and logo (which bear no resemblance to the real thing). Fraudsters are also sending "authorization letters" on fictitious USPS letterhead asking for aid in cashing the counterfeit Postal Money Orders. For questions on any postal money order contact your local post office .
JAMES EDWARD MCGUIRE Family and friends gathered to cherish the memories of James "Jimmy" McGuire's eighty-three years of life at Franklin- Bartley Funeral Home in Lubbock on Tuesday, December 6, 2005 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. A service celebrating his life was held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at Bacon Heights Baptist Church. A committal service followed in Resthaven Memorial Park under the direction of Franklin-Bartley Funeral Home of Lubbock. He died peacefully Sunday, December 4, 2005. James Edward McGuire was born to Edward W. and Cora Lee McGill McGuire in Oklahoma Lane, Texas on August 26, 1922. James was known to his family as JimEd and later became known to all as Jimmy. He and his siblings were raised on a farm in Parmer County. He married Joyce Dosher on June 24, 1948 in Clovis, New Mexico. As a young adult, James surrendered to the Lord's calling and enrolled at Wayland Baptist College. He earned a bachelors of science and was ordained as a Baptist Minister. Brother McGuire ministered to several churches during his twenty-nine years of ministry in the Sandhill Community, Abernathy, Post, Lubbock, Floydada and New Deal. Following his retirement he joined Bacon Heights Baptist Church as the Senior Adult minister and visited the hospital bound members and others in need of spiritual guidance. He faithfully served his Lord and Bacon Heights Baptist Church until retiring from ministering the Senior Adults and Hospital ministries in May of 2005. He was an active member of the Lubbock Baptist Association. As a member of Bacon Heights Baptist Church he taught the Open Door Sunday School Class from 1989 until 2004 and sang in the Sunshiner Choir. Survivors include his wife of fifty-seven years, Joyce; their children and their families, James McGuire and his wife, Peggy, their children, Brannon and his wife, Deborah, and Heather; Johnny McGuire and his wife, Cela, their children, Jonathan and his wife, Debbie, and their children, Taylor and Brandon and Lindsey Fox and her husband, Chris, and their children, Kayla and Meagan; Janet Thetford and her husband, Stephen, and their children Stephenie Rhoades and her husband, Jody, and Amanda Thetford; Jackie Combs and her husband, Donnie, and their children, Erin Moffitt and her husband, Mike, and their child, Jordan, and Lauren Combs; Jerry McGuire and his wife, Jodie, and their children, Jamie and Justin McGuire. His sister, Lois Billingsley also survives him. Jimmy actively participated in his children's and grandchildren's lives and collected memorabilia from their accomplishments. Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Nova Robertson, and brother, Clifford McGuire. In lieu of flowers the family welcomes memorial tributes honoring his life to Bacon Heights Baptist Church building fund. To offer your condolences or to share a special story visit: www.franklin-bartley.com
Dear Editor, A few years ago I had the privilege of attending an Indian Artifact Show at Childress, Texas. It was held in conjunction with a large Indian gathering which included a parade, arts and crafts, and ceremonial dancing. As we were displaying our artifacts inside the Civic Center, an elderly Native American gentleman came through wearing a colorful jacket with lettering and an insignia on the back. This peaked my interest some, but I passed it off. A little later another such gentleman came by wearing the exact same style jacket. I told my wife, Carolyn, "I have to know what these men represent." I followed the man and, when opportunity allowed, I introduced myself and made inquiry as to the meaning of his jacket. His face lit up with a big smile. He informed me that he was a member of an elite group of WWII Comanche Code Talkers. He stated there were only five still living and all were in attendance. He invited me to attend the evening ceremonial dancing as the group of Code Talkers would be Posting the Colors just prior to the event. I told him I would be honored. We were humbled at the Colors Posting that evening and later had the good pleasure to meet and shake hands with all five. I was saddened this week to learn from the American Legion magazine of the passing of the last of these men. The Comanche Code Talkers have been credited with saving many lives in the European Theatre of WWII as did the Navajo Code Talkers in the Pacific. I am honored to have met these gentlemen and thankful for their service to my country. John
W. Redding
Dear Editor Have you ever eaten any crow? Well I just have! The south-west corner of the courthouse lawn looks pretty good now with the three new trees. They are all lit up and it is nice and bright. But I hope you understand that some one had to stand up for the old tree that was taken down. Where ever that old tree went I hope there is a sign, "Rest in Peace". That is what happens when you get old….you're a little reluctant to let go! When you are grey and bent over in pain and someone comes along wanting a change…well those young upstarts don't know what I know! After all the years that old tree was in the ground, I'm sure the back hoe didn't dig up all the wisdom left behind and those young saplings will have something to help them grow. Philip Wilbanks
By The Way | by Alice Gilroy
A View From The Lamplighter | by Ken Towery As far as an awful lot of people around here are concerned, Floyd County is about to enter a new era in representation down in Austin. Pete Laney of Hale Center has given notice that he is quitting his House seat at the end of this term, and won't run again. Laney has been in office since about 1973. He will be eligible for a yearly state pension in the neighborhood of $100,000. He told the Austin American-Statesman he won't be going back to Hale County. "I'm not leaving town," he told the Austin newspaper. The newspaper added that Laney said he did not intend to become a lobbyist, but that he would remain interested in politics, and, according to the newspaper, "could develop projects" that encourage other people to enter politics. Speculation has been rife for months that Laney would not file again. There have been no signs that he was out raising money in the usual places. On the contrary, there have been extensive rumors that he would rather remain in Austin to be near family members while collecting a rather lucrative pension. For many years Laney's district has increasingly voted Republican, but it has also supported Laney. Laney had developed a reputation, as his district became more and more conservative, of being a fair-minded politician, and it was only when he chose to fly off to Ardmore, Oklahoma while the House was in session, that feelings within the District began to polarize as far as he was concerned. Indeed, according to Mr. Jim Landtroop of Plainview, who, as I understand it, is running for the Republican nomination for this District, and (would have been) a potential opponent for Pete Laney before Laney bowed out, the principal issue over the District that most angers and energizes voters is the knowledge that Laney had flown off to Oklahoma in his twin engine airplane to avoid taking a stand on some political matter. They, (the voters) didn't like it. Except, of course, those gung-ho Democrats who didn't care. They liked it. But the problem is, for most folks, that was a chicken thing to do, and a lot of them have never forgiven Laney. "They" say, whoever "they" are, that confession is good for the soul. So we will confess that we here at the Hesperian have supported Laney, and have said good things about him, over many years. We have looked upon him as representing his District fairly well, although on occasions we must confess his representation leaves something to be desired. (He should never have left his post of duty, for instance, and flew off to Ardmore, Oklahoma in order to shirk what we regard as his solemn obligation to represent his people.) True, he has helped some people by being in the Legislature, but we do not regard him as ever being totally supportive of the things we have supported, like stronger border security and revamping this state's antiquated tax laws. Many of his biggest supporters in the Austin lobby had no interest in those things. But Pete surely can't be expected to shoulder all the blame for standing in the way of changes in the areas mentioned. When George W. Bush had a chance to make changes and never availed himself of the opportunity, many people thought "well, when he gets to be President, he will act." He never did. It was only when his poll numbers fell through the basement that he began to concern himself with the worries of those voters who put him where he is. At any rate, voters here will have to choose a new State Representative, whether they want to or not. And quite frankly, we think a majority of them want to. Whether or not the next one will measure up to the last one, time will tell. We live in hope.
Classifieds
WANTED FARM in Floyd County area. Contact Palmer Reed, 915-859-6169.
FOR SALE-- Alfalfa, small squares. $4.50 each. Call 983-2724 or 292-3772.
RYE SEED FOR SALE--Rye is an excellent cover crop and great for grazing. Rye matures earlier than wehat, so it can be terminated earlier to plant cotton. 806-292-9723.
NO-TILL DRILL--Custom drilling of wheat in milo. Inter-seeding of grass, cotton stalks, etc. 806-292-9723.
WHEAT PASTURE WANTED--Call 806-292-9723.
FOR RENT-- 2 bedroom house, 1 bath. 416 West Missouri, Floydada. Call 983-6111.
ONE BEDROOM trailer house for rent. Call 292-5219, 685-1934.
Floydada MOVING OUT SALE--217 W. Houston. Friday and Saturday until all gone. Household, bed and stove, everything.
MOVING OUT SALE--12th & Missouri. Saturday - 9:00 a.m. -??. Utility trailers and household furniture.
AUCTION! Old Mill Trade Days in Post. Saturday, December 3rd - 2:00 p.m. Register & View - 1:00 p.m. Merchandise offered by OMTD vendors including antiques, glassware, antique Singer sewing machine, bicycles, tricycles, NFL checker games, many other items. Make shopping fun! This auction is part of our December Event, December 2nd - 4th - 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. All food vendors and merchandise booths will be open. 1-866-433-6683 for more information. Auction conducted by Trey Poage, TX. Lic #13508.
SALE ASSOCIATE--Wait on customers, enter all accounts receivable invoices, assist with inventory, some bookkeeping. Must be friendly, computer, phone skills and good public relations a must. Full time position with benefits including competitive wages, retirement and insurance. Call Joe Womack at Producers Coop/Station Division, 983-3394.
HELP WANTED: Cowboy pen rider. Must have horses and tack. Feedyard or ranch cowboying experience necessary. References required. Good salary and benefits. Call Monday - Friday - 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (806) 668-4731.
WE ARE SEEKING TO FILL A position with our company in the Quality Assurance department. Duties include evaluating cottonseed germinations and various cottonseed testing. This applicant must have good computer knowledge, good communications skills, reliable transportation, flexible work schedule to work weekends and overtime when needed, high school graduate and a team player. Apply in person. Equal Opportunity Employer. Drug testing required.
PART-TIME TRUCK DRIVER and warehouse help wanted. Class A CDL required. Call Ricky Rose at Ray Lee Equipment, 983-3732.
Floydada HOUSE FOR SALE--720 W. Tennessee. 2 bedroom, 1 bath. $28,000.00. Call 983-0711 or 983-5000.
REDUCED! MUST SELL! 3 bedroom, 2 bath, storage building, fireplace. 114 J.B. Avenue. Call 983-6456.
HOUSE FOR SALE--3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1 car garage. Recently updated. Corner lot. 202 S. 1st - 983-3752 after 4:00.
REDUCED! 3-2-2, brick, formal living room, formal dining room, storage building, cellar, fenced yard. 904 W. Missouri - Call 972-548-9100 or 806-698-6586.
FURTHER PRICE REDUCTION 118 W. Mississippi. Call 806-983-5556.
HOUSE FOR SALE--2 bedroom, 1 bath and carport. South Plains Texas -16 miles north of Floydada - REDUCED!! $6,000.00. Call Rhonda 979-733-8843 or 979-966-7943.
1104 S. RALLS HIGHWAY--2 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage. Home has living and family room. Close to High School. Call Assiter and Associates for more info or to set up viewing times. 806-983-3322.
WHY NOT ENHANCE your child's Christmas list with the gift of music lessons? Now taking names for new students in piano and vocal. Lessons will begin after January 1st. For more information call Mrs. Dell Gray at 983-3535, 901 West Tennessee, Floydada.
LOST -- One black and white Border Collie/male and one Australian Shepherd/Red Heeler mix/male. Please call 983-2309.
DO YOU ONLY have a few dollars for a holiday gift? Come to Velma's Gifts and look around. 1122 S. Main, Floydada. Open 9-5, Monday - Saturday.
SWEET POTATOES FOR SALE-6 miles north of Flomot. Joe Edd Helms, 806-469-5387.
ALPHATEX KENNEL, AIKEN, TEXAS offers superior quality AKC Registered, DNA Certified Collies, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds. Puppies and stud service available. www.alphatexkennels.com
LARRY OGDEN AUCTIONEERING--Estates, Farm, Ranch, Business, Liquidations, State Licensed and Bonded. (806) 983-5808. TX. #9240.
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