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GAME WARDEN MARK COLLLINS HOLDS INJURED ADULT TRUMPETER SWAN Rare Trumpeter Swans Killed By Alice Gilroy By Alice Gilroy A tip from a pheasant hunter, December 13, led Game Warden Mark Collins to the sickening sight of dead Trumpeter Swans in the vicinity of Lockney's water treatment plant. Collins was suprised when he arrived at the scene to find not regular swans, but two dead and three injured Trumpeter swans. The birds had been shot and left to die. A reward has been posted and a criminal investigation is now underway to find out who killed the protected birds. Hunters were in abundance in Floyd County, Saturday, on the opening day of pheasant season. One of those hunters luckily spotted the injured swans and made a call to the game warden. "I was told by the hunter that he saw two dead swans and one was still swimming in the pond," said Collins. Collins and Hockley County Game Warden Jay Oyler proceeded to the area. When the two arrived at the scene they found 6 Trumpeter Swans. Of the six Trumpeters discovered, two immature birds were dead, and two immature birds and one adult were injured. "Their wounds appeared to have been caused by gunshots", said Collins. "We also discovered one lone, apparently uninjured, immature Swan staying near the injured adult. "These are very rare birds anywhere, but especially in Texas where they are not known to exist. It is considered a rare treat to see a wild Trumpeter anywhere in the U.S." Trumpeters are protected under both state and federal law. They mate for life and travel as a family group. They establish strong family association and seldom stray far from each other until the immature birds mature and seek their own mates. Collins and Oyler recovered the dead swans and then set about capturing the three injured birds. "Trumpeter Swans are immense in size," said Collins. "Even when injured they can be very aggressive and quite fleet if they are trying to avoid being captured. "Even though they were injured we had a time capturing them. None of the injured swans was capable of extended flight, but they were still entirely too fast to be initially caught by a man on foot." Collins then turned to a tool he has used in the past to capture injured animals&emdash;his lariat. "Unlike T.V. shows often portray, injured wild animals do not understand that we are just there to help them and they will do everything in their power to get away or attack when threatened." Collins said after some "nifty driving", "several foot chases", and some accurate throws with his lariat rope the injured swans were captured. Collins has also captured a bald eagle, during a blizzard, with his lariat. "I'm sure I'll get razed about using my rope again, but it was the best tool I had available at the time to get the job done." The injured Trumpeters were transported to the South Plains Rehabilitation Center in Lubbock by Captain Game Warden Rick Gully, where every effort will be made to help the swans recover. According to Carol Lee, the director of the South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, two of the Trumpeters have been injured too badly to be returned to the wild. "One of the immature birds will probably lose part of a foot and another has a shattered leg bone," said Lee. According to Lee the tracking band on the neck of the adult male was traced to the Iowa Trumpeter Swan Restoration Project. "The adults were hatched in a captive breeding program in 1999 and released in 2000. They were saddened to hear the news of the shooting, but glad to hear the released adults had had a brood. The swans will be returned to the captive breeding program because it is inhumane to separate the adult from the immature swans. They travel as a family and it would be cruel to release one and take the others to the captive breeding for care. It is a good thing they will be able to stay together. We hope we can get the other immature Swan back with these that were injured. "It is awful they were shot and left to die, but I'm grateful to the hunter that called it in. I'm glad they will recover with care." The investigation into the shooting is now in full swing. "I could possibly see a person mistakenly or accidently shooting one Swan, thinking it might possibly be a different species", said Collins, "but to intentionally and willfully shoot a whole family unit of Trumpeter Swans is inexcusable. "With God's help," said Collins, "and the help and information of citizens in this region, including the media and law abiding responsible hunters, we will do everything in our power to bring the people responsible for this crime to justice. "At present several leads are under investigation. I know someone out there knows who did this. They saw something that will be useful in the investigation. "I will not give the people responsible for shooting these Swans the dignity of calling them "hunters". I hunt, and I wholeheartedly support the privilege of others to hunt&emdash;but the people that committed this act go beyond my vocabulary of printable words I can use to describe them. They have stolen from all of us a beautiful and rare example of God's wild creation. I know in my heart those who responsibly hunt or participate in outdoor activities will be outraged at this crime, and I expect they will be of great assistance in solving this crime." A reward hot line, with possible cash reward upon arrest and conviction of the people responsible for this crime has been set up through Texas Parks and Wildlife's "Operation Game Thief" program. Callers can remain anonymous. The Hotline is: 1-800-792-GAME, or 806-23-8535. "You can make a difference," said Collins. "Any information&emdash;no matter how insignificant you may think it is could be useful. "The
best thing to do, for whoever committed this crime, is to
come forward before this situation gets any more serious ."
DON'T
MESS WITH THE GORILLA--An awesome looking gorilla showed up
on the corner of downtown Floydada last Sunday morning.
Finally it was traced back to Babe Jones who told the
Hesperian-Beacon. "I won it at an auction in Fort Worth last
Saturday. We unloaded the 3,000 pound statue with forklift
Saturday night around 10:00 p.m. I'm not sure what I do with
it." The patriotic gorilla has red and white stripes on top
with blue pants and two stars on his bottom
By Judy Macha Lockney mayor Roger Stapp recently received official notice awarding the city with a STEP fund grant to reconstruct the city's wastewater system. A letter from Robert Tessen, executive director of the Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA), to Stapp, stated: "ORCA is pleased to inform you that the city has been awarded a Texas Small Towns Environment Program ( STEP) Fund grant in the amount of $278,368. "The grant will provide funding for materials and related costs for sewer treatment plant improvements. "We appreciate the commitment of the citizens of Lockney in utilizing the Texas STEP concept of self-help, as a method to address their communities' water needs." According to City Secretary Ron Hall, "This is an 'In Kind' service grant, in which the City of Lockney provides $165,000 worth of Labor by its citizens for the project; making the total grant amount $422,250." The City needed this grant, because it was looking at a very steep fine for having a waste water disposal system that did not meet State Standards. "We will use the grant monies for the reconstruction of our waste water disposal system which is located on the City Farm South of Lockney," Mayor Stapp said. "Now that the STEP grant has been approved, we hope to start the process by the first of the year." "We are thankful for all the citizens who have signed up to help. In the very near future the City will be contacting those volunteers. I am really looking forward to getting this project behind us," stated the Mayor. Bryan Grimes made a presentation to the City Council at its 12-11-03 meeting on behalf of Grant Works, Inc. It is a corporation that works for 10% of the grant it applies for on behalf of a customer. "We have to deliver in order to be paid," Grimes said. He covered the top three kinds of grants cities pursue: Home Program (involves demolishing substandard housing and replacing it with new); Comprehensive Planning (usually involves 5 year plan for downtown improvement and water and sewer); and TCDP (through Parks and Wildlife). During his presentation, he commended the City of Lockney, "For being first in this area to be awarded this type of STEP grant." Grimes continued, "It is very difficult for a city to get enough of its citizens together to meet the 'In kind' service requirement." In further business, Police Chief Edwards informed the Council there has been a contract signed with Dickens County to come pick up prisoners and house them in their 200 bed facility. The Council heard a grievance aired by former Sanitation provider, Roy Coomer concerning a past billing. Considering the recent costly repair of the City's sanitation truck, Mayor Stapp stated, "The City will try to set aside $5,000 per month, for a total of $60,000 per year, strictly for overseeing the maintenance of equipment." The Council unanimously passed upgrading of City Employee Insurance on a motion by Tina Grave and second by Ginger Mathis. In other business, the Council unanimously passed clarifying the wording in City Dog Ordinance #187 to specifically include barking as part of the definition of "public nuisance". Junior Brotherton made the motion, and Ginger Mathis seconded. Another unanimous vote passed a resolution stating SPAG would be awarded the contract for administrative services on the City's STEP grant. The motion was made by Ginger Mathis and seconded by D. Copeland. The need to honor Lockney's retiring Mackenzie Municiple Water Authority Board members Robert McDonald and Kenneth Tate for their service was discussed. McDonald has served on the board since 1984, and Tate has served since 1996. The Council will be looking to replace them on the board. These
men were honored with a noon reception at City Hall on
Wednesday, December 17.
Vounteers and donations are still need for the "Spirit of Christmas" meal served to area shut-ins for the past 19 years. Volunteers will once again join with organizers Sudy Cochran, Fred Thayer to prepare a Yuletide meal for shut-ins, elderly, and disabled. Last year over 500 meals were prepared and sent out to shut-ins in Floyd, Hale, Dickens, and Motley County. The Ronald McDonald Houses in Lubbock and Amarillo are also recipients of the generosity. The meals are prepared and delivered from the First United Methodist Church in Floydada, on Christmas Day. Volunteers are now being lined up and an account has been set up at City Bank in Floydada, under the name "Spirit of Christmas". "We need helpers in the kitchen, drivers, turkeys, and money," said Cochran. "We also need the names of people you feel will benefit." If you would like to donate your time contact Cochran at 983-5165, or Fred Thayer, at 983-3121. Money can be taken to City Bank.
Obituaries C.F. FLIPPIN Funeral services for C.E. "Flip" Flippin, 78, of the Providence Community, were held Wednesday, December 17, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at the Claytonville First Baptist Church. Kelly Warren officiated. Burial was held in the Hart Cemetery under the direction of Wood-Dunning Funeral Home. Mr. Flippin died on December 15, 2003 at 12:56 a.m. at the Plainview Covenant Hospital. He was born August 22, 1925 in Floydada and moved to Hart at a young age. He went into the U.S. Army in 1944 during World War II. He married Wanda Gene Nance on January 10, 1948 in Plainview. He was a farmer in the Providence Community and retired in 1990. He was a member of the American Legion and was also a deacon at Claytonville First Baptist Church. Mr. Flippin was preceded in death by two brothers. Survivors include his wife, Wanda Flippin; one daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Larry Ferguson of Floydada; one son and daughter-in-law, Ricky and Susan Flippin of Plainview; one brother, Kyle Flippin of Lubbock; one sister, Rosalie Birdsong of Plainview; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. EDGAR HAMMOND Funeral services for Edgar M. Hammond, 83, of Floydada were held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 14, 2003 at Moore-Rose-White Memorial Chapel. Reverend Anthony D. Sisemore, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Floydada, officiated. Burial was held Monday, December 15, 2003 in the New Hope Cemetery in Milam, Texas. Mr. Hammond died Friday, December 12, 2003 at Floydada Rehab and Care Center. He was born on January 24, 1920 in Iola, Texas to Morrison and Margaret Hammond. He graduated from Iola High School in 1939. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II, serving in New Guinea, South Phillipines and was awarded two Bronze Stars. He married Doris Marie Shue on December 7, 1946 in Kountze, Texas. He worked in the shipyards and sheet metal business before moving to Floydada in 1952 and establishing Hammond Sheet Metal Company as owner and operator. He retired in 1986 after installing heating and air conditioning for 34 years in homes and businesses in Floyd County and surrounding counties. Hammond was a member of the First Baptist Church and Oddfellows and served as a member of the City Council. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Cleo Hammond and George Hammond; son-in-law, Richard Marler and two great-grandsons, Jacob Marler and Austin Marler. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Doris Hammond of Floydada; two daughters, Linda Johnsona and husband, Wesley of Spring, Texas and Rebecca Hammond of Viterbo, Italy; two grandchildren, Trisha Gonzales and husband, Danny of Port Neches and Charles Marler and wife, Emily of Round Rock; five great-granddaughters; two great-grandsons; five nieces and one nephew and numerous extended family. The family suggests memorials to the Alzheimer's Association, 4400 North Big Spring C32, Midland, Texas 79705. UNA FAYE WHITFILL Graveside services for Una Faye Whitfill, 77, of Lockney, were held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 12, 2003 at the Silverton Cemetery. Cody Neil Whitfill, minister of Cody Whitfill Summit Ministries, officiated. Burial was under the direction of Moore-Rose-White Funeral Home of Lockney. Mrs. Whitfill died Tuesday, December 9, 2003 at the Mangold Memorial Hospital in Lockney. She was born on September 16, 1926 in Lockney to the late Luther and Mamie Wofford. After graduating from Lockney High School she attended Texas Tech. She married Charles Whitfill in Lockney on March 25, 1948 and they moved to Silverton. She was a homemaker and enjoyed needlepoint and crocheting. She was a Christian and a member of the First Baptist Church in Silverton. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Lloyd and Leon Wofford and a sister, Wynona Allison of Lockney. Survivors include her husband, Charles; one son, Gary Neil and wife, Melinda of Wolfforth; one daughter, Mary Lane Younger and husband, Aaron of Silverton; one brother, B.J. Wofford and wife, Gay of Lockney; one sister, Gwenn McPherson of Midland; three grandchildren, Rhett and April Montague, Cody Neil and Melinda Whitfill and Leah Whitfill and two great-grandchilren. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Hospice Hands of West Texas, 305 N. Main, Lockney, Texas 79241 or the Silverton Cemetery.
Dear Editor, I would like to start this off by saying I know the jail had to be closed because of jail standards and safety regulations, but my question is this, "With all the warnings (and I know there were many), why was this not corrected before now!" The wiring, the bricks out front, broken windows and no fire escapes; why have the Judge and the commissioners set on their ----, and have not had this done? They have been warned for at least 2 to 3 years for these problems. There are grants out there that could be used. Our jail houses inmates from the City of Floydada, City of Lockney, Floyd County, Motley County and Briscoe County. We are sending our inmates to Spur and along with the inmates we are sending our county tax money to support another county. Wake up people of Floyd County, first we lose our hospital and now our jail. What's wrong with this picture? Let's all start getting involved with the county and city discussions. Its your and my rights. What's going to happen when an officer arrests someone and then they get another call or an officer needs back up? Why don't we cut back to two commissioners instead of four. Two could handle the whole county. An average of twelve inmates now stay in jail at Spur, at $38.00 a day per inmate. According to my calculations our taxes are paying $456.00 a day or $13,680.00 a month or $164,160.00 a year. Another question - why is our dispatchers still in the jail house if its not safe? And last, why was it voted on by Judge Hardin and the commissioners to pay all jailers 4 week's pay but when Shane Derryberry (which is part-time, working full time hours) was told he wouldn't get 4 weeks pay. This was voted on and no exceptions were made at the meeting about part-time workers? Now for my closing, I want to thank the city police dept. county deputies, sheriff, DPS, the fire departments and the EMS departments in both Lockney and Floydada for your outstanding work. Sheryl Back
By The Way | by Alice Gilroy By The Way If you haven't seen the gorilla standing on the corner of California and Main Street, in Floydada, then you have to make a special trip and see him in person. This is too much fun. I love him. I appreciate Babe Jones going to all the trouble to bring him downtown and putting him on the corner. It is a great attraction! Plainview has cows and Floydada has the gorilla! I think we could start a tourist promotion of some kind which would be centered around the gorilla. Greater minds than mine should go to work on this. We could have a contest to name him--or he could be moved around town to different corners or different businesses for super sales attractions or some other type of promotion. The problem is the giant gorilla weighs $3,000 pounds! Congratulations to the soldiers who never gave up their mission! Saddam is now a prisoner and hopefully those who thought he was a courageous leader now see his true colors. The coward who sent young men and women out to die in suicide bombings, crawled to soldiers and told them that as the President of Iraq he wanted to negotiate. I heard one of the soldiers who found him, answered with, "President Bush sends his regards." God bless our men in uniform and thank you God for answered prayers. By the way--I don't know if you saw this on Fox News but it was so funny that I wanted to share it. Remember how the soldiers were given decks of cards with pictures of the "most wanted" of Saddam's regime on the face of the cards. The idea was to see the faces so often they would be able to recognize them quickly. The number one picture was of course that of Saddam. He was on the Ace of Spades. When he was captured, Fox News reported the soldiers were saying, "We got our Ace in the Hole!"
A View From The Lamplighter | by Ken Towery Our soldiers got Saddam. Good news. Great News. What it all really means will be played out over the months and years ahead, but for now it means dancing in the streets of Baghdad (and a lot of other places too). The wicked witch of the East (male version) is now in the custody of U.S. troops, caught in a hole in the ground not far from the lavish palaces he built with money that should have gone to help his people live a better life. One can differ, and many Americans do, with the stated reasons for going to war against Saddam, but very few would disagree with the idea that the world is better off without him in power. The fact that the same thing can be said of many so-called "leaders" around the world does not negate, in our mind, the simple realism that in this instance one more brutal murderer was removed from a position where he exercised life and death decisions over his people. During his time in power, Saddam was the law. The rule of law was equal to the rule of Saddam. The two were one. We would say, too, that we appreciate our President's restrained manner of addressing the situation during his "formal" report to the nation regarding Saddam's capture. We have never appreciated the Old Testament practice of "gloating" over the fate of a deposed foe. We have seen it first-hand. During his press conference later, the President couldn't keep his feelings on that matter secret. He could not resist chortling a bit, that in the end, Saddam 'dug a hole and crawled in it, like a rat' and that the removal of Saddam from power was "good riddance." All of which is true, of course, but it was not necessary for the President to say it. Plenty of others were around to make the point. We are most proud of all those of the armed forces who had a hand in bringing this about. It was obvious, at first, that our troops were thrust into unfamiliar surrounding when they were asked to not only destroy an enemy, but to police the country after the enemy was destroyed. To ask them to also ferret out hiding remnants of an enemy force would obviously take time and learning.. It appears they learned exceedingly well..
The Hesperian-Beacon invites you to read a collection of thoughts and memories by Ken Towery. The "Reflections of Ken Towery" can be found on this website by clicking here.
Classifieds
FOR SALE--1995 Chevy 1/2 Ton extended cab, long bed Silverado, 4x4 - $7000; 1999 Dodge Quad cab, diesel, longbed, 4x4, SLT Laramie, loaded, 115,000 miles - $18,000; 1991 Buick LeSabre, 185,000 miles - $2,500. Call 806-983-5720.
FOR RENT--1 bedroom trailer house. Single person or couple only. Call 983-2797.
HOUSE FOR RENT TO OWN OR SALE--Call 983-5552.
FOR RENT--2 bedroom, 1 car garage, central heat and air. Call 652-2252.
FOR RENT--Clean, furnished apartment in Lockney. Call 652-2642. Barker Real Estate.
PORCH SALE--313 E. Poplar, Lockney -- Thursday all day and Friday morning and Saturday afternoon, weather permitting. Brass headboard, ladies clothes, small electric heater, Christmas decorations and more. 652-2728.
GRAZING WANTED--Wheat pasture, milo stalks and/or grass. Call 292-9723 or 983-5431 (nights).
WANTED: Experienced farm hand. Knowledge in irrigation and tractor driving. Call 781-2461. WANTED: Experienced farm employee. Call 806-983-5720. ASSISTANT MANAGER position available at the Spur DQ. Above average pay for friendly, responsible, customer service leader. Non-smoking, drug free environment. Drug test required. Call District Manager, Jacala Ashley, 940-585-8586.
FOR SALE--3 bedroom, 2 bath, 30x30 shop at 110 South First. Call Mike Giesecke, 983-3453 or 983-3787.
HOUSE FOR SALE--Excellent location, 906 W. Ross. 3/2 double car garage. Call 806-983-4908 or after 5:00 p.m. 806-983-2019.
FOR SALE BY OWNER!--3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage, updated throughout, corner lot, nice fenced yard, storage building.PRICE REDUCED!! Call 983-2064 or 983-2865, ask for J.
CHRISTMAS TREE--7 1/2 foot Monterey Pine. Only used one Christmas. REDUCED!! Call 983-2186 or 983-7557.
CHRISTMAS IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER--Arts, crafts, candles, swags and lots of other stuff. Come to Velma's Gifts for our holiday sale. 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. 1122 S. Main Street.
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
Floyd County, pursuant to a tax foreclosure sale, is offering for sale the following property in the City of Lockney: All of Lots No. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in Block 35 and Lots 1 and 2 in Block G of the N.B. Davis Survey located in the City of Lockney, Floyd County, Texas also known as the Webster Service and Supply, Inc. property. Any offers should be submitted to: William D. Hardin, County Judge, Courthouse Room 105, Floydada, Texas 79235.
ROOF LEAK REPAIRS AND RE-ROOFING on commerical roofs. 24 years experience. See why an Adams Roof Tech roof lasts longer at www.adamsrooftech.com or call 806-928-6062 for a free estimate.
PHEASANT MOUNTING--28 years experience. Call Mike Anderson at 806-983-2186 or 806-983-7557.
LARRY OGDEN AUCTIONEERING--Estates, Farm, Ranch, Business, Liquidations, State Licensed and Bonded. (806) 983-5808. TX. #9240.
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