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FLOYD COUNTY'S FIRST GOD BLESS AMERICA CELEBRATION was held at the Unity Center, June 29. Admission was free to this patriotic musical and featured bands and soloists from across the South Plains. Supreme Court Rules In Favor of Drug Testing in Schools A challenge to school districts' drug testing policies was settled in the U.S. Supreme Court, Thursday, June 27, with the majority of the Supreme Court Justices ruling in favor of schools drug testing students in any extracurricular activity. The case heard by the Supreme Court concerned the drug testing policy of the Tecumseh, Oklahoma, School District, and was similar to the drug testing policy implemented by Lockney ISD and challenged successfully in lower courts by Lockney parent Larry Tannahill. The Tecumseh School District required all middle and high school students to consent to urinalysis testing for drugs in order to participate in any extracurricular activity. As in the Lockney case a circuit court had ruled that the Tecumseh district's policy violated the Fourth Amendment which protects against unreasonable search and seizure. Lockney first began random drug testing in February 2000. The original policy called for drug testing of all students 6th-12th grade one time and then randomly after that. A refusal would count as a positive testing and subject the student to discipline. The policy was amended in July 2000 and called for testing of 7th-12th grades. Refusal to sign would not be considered a positive test but would subject the student to be banned from extracurricular activity. Tannahill, represented by the ACLU, challenged the policy calling it unconstitutional. In March, 2001, U.S. District Judge Sam Cummings, ruled in favor of Tannahill. Lockney ISD chose not to pursue the case into a higher court because of financial reasons. "The policy presented by the Tecumseh School district was similar to ours," said LISD Superintendent Raymond Lusk. "We (the school board) felt like we probably would have had a good chance at winning in the Supreme Court--but getting to that point was a problem." Lusk said he did not know if the school board would revisit the issue and propose another drug testing policy. "We need time to absorb this," said Lusk. "We know the door is open but we don't know how wide. We need to get input from the community and our attorney. "If we do decide to address the issue again we will do what we did last time. We will get input from our teachers and community. We will have a better idea of our options after we talk to our attorney." In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court Justices made no distinction in extracurricular activities. Whereas drug testing of students involved in athletic programs had already been upheld, this new ruling makes no distinction between extra curricular activities. Justice Clarence Thomas delivered the opinion of the court. He was joined in the ruling in favor of the school district by Chief Justice William Rehnquist, and Justices Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, and Stephen Breyer. Justices dissenting were Ruth Ginsburg, Sandra Day O'Conner, John Paul Stevens, and David Souter. The Supreme Court ruling held that the Tecumseh's Policy was a reasonable means of furthering the School District's important interest in preventing and deterring drug use among its schoolchildren and did not violate the Fourth Amendment. Addressing the privacy interest, the court concluded "that the students affected by this Policy have a limited expectation of privacy". Concerning the "reasonableness" of the Policy, the Court concluded, "a probable cause finding is unnecessary in the public school context because it would unduly interfere with maintenance of the swift and informal disciplinary procedures that are needed." The Court concluded the Policy effectively served the School District's interest in protecting its students safety and health. "The need to prevent and deter the substantial harm of childhood drug use provides the necessary immediacy for a school testing policy," wrote Thomas for the Court. "Given the nationwide epidemic of drug use, and the evidence of increased drug use in Tecumseh schools, it was entirely reasonable for the School District to enact this particular drug testing policy." Justice Breyer concurred and also wrote, "The school's drug testing program addresses a serious national problem by focusing upon demand, avoiding the use of criminal or disciplinary sanctions, and relying upon professional counseling and treatment." "...the drug problem in our Nation's schools is serious in terms of size, the kinds of drugs being used, and the consequences of that use for both our children and the rest of us." Statistics quoted by Breyer said that drug abuse leads annually to about 20,000 deaths and $160 billion in economic costs. "Today's public expects its schools not simply to teach the fundamentals, but 'to shoulder the burden of feeding students breakfast and lunch, offering before and after school child care services, and providing medical and psychological services,' all in a school environment that is safe and encourages learning." Breyer also believed the program sought to combat "the single most important factor leading school children to take drugs, namely, peer pressure." "It offers the adolescent a nonthreatening reason to decline his friend's drug-use invitations" because he wants to participate in extra curricular activities. In a dissenting opinion Justice Ginsburg called the testing program "not reasonable". "It is capricious, even perverse," said Ginsburg. "Petitioners' policy targets for testing a student population least likely to be at risk from illicit drugs and their damaging effects." Larry Tannahill said he was disappointed with the ruling. "I think we have gone too far with all of this. I still think this points the finger at the kids instead of the drug dealers in the community. Getting rid of the drug dealers is where our focus should be. If we focused on the drug dealers we would get drugs out of schools. I would be behind that 100%." Tannahill said he was surprised the Supreme Court vote was so close. Tannahill
said that citizens in the community continue to ask him how
much money he received in the lawsuit against LISD. "I never
received any money in the settlement," said Tannahill. "This
was never a money issue."
A walk down the west side of Main Street in Lockney will be noticeably easier after Will O'Connell completes his Eagle Scout service project. O'Connell, a member of Troop 259 in Lockney, is working to replace the sidewalk next to the old library building in an effort to improve the safety and looks of the area. "The old sidewalk was a hazard to anyone walking by, especially elderly and handicap people," O'Connell said. "It was also really an eyesore, and it just needed to be rebuilt." The community service project, which is a requirement to reach the scouting organization's highest rank, is being completed with the help of fellow scouts. Members of Troop 259 in Lockney gathered Saturday, June 29, to help remove the old sidewalk and begin the preparations for pouring a new one. Materials and equipment for the first phase of the project were donated by local businesses. "Davis Lumber gave stakes, wire, and nails," O'Connell said. A form will be built and concrete will be poured by the end of the week. "Caprock Industries provided for part of the purchase cost of the concrete, but we are still looking for more sponsors, " O'Connell said. "This project will help everyone and be a big improvement to the area." 21 merit badges, five previous ranks, and a 40-hour community service project are required in order to be considered for the rank of Eagle Scout. O'Connell is the son of Pat and Dorthy O'Connell and a senior at Lockney High School.
EAGLE SCOUT
PROJECT--Will O'Connell (center) is helped with his Eagle
Project by fellow Scouts.
Lockney coaching positions have been filled quickly by Athletic Director Joe Robertson, after the departure of three more coaches. Submitting resignations to the Lockney School Board last week were Coach Joe Don Elam, Coach Paul Hise, and Coach David Fairchild. Elam has taken a position in Abernathy. Hise is moving on to a larger school district in Sweetwater, and Fairchild will be taking on the baseball challenge in Seminole. Replacing these coaches will be Garrett Heard, Brannon Rodgers, and William (Bubba) Edwards. Heard will be coming to Lockney from Littlefield were he was a Varsity assistant for 3 years. He will serve as the head baseball coach and football assistant to Coach Joe. Heard is married to April. She will be employed with FISD as an elementary school counselor. The couple is expecting a child in December. Heard graduated from Wayland Baptist University in 1999 with a B.S. degree in Physical Education. He also played baseball at Wayland for four years. Brannon Rodgers is a graduate of Jayton High School and Texas Tech. He grew up in Petersburg and will be coming to Lockney from Crosbyton where he served as an assistant coach for 4 years. Brannon's father, Steve Rodgers, is a former Lockney coach. Rodgers is married to the former Misty Bertrand, of Floydada. They had a 5 month old son, Ty. William (Bubba) Edwards will head up the boys basketball program and will also be the J.V. Baseball coach, and assistant football coach. Edwards is coming to Lockney from Ira, where he coached basketball and baseball. A graduate of Texas Tech, Edwards also served as the head baseball coach in Crosbyton for 2 years. Edwards will marry Kaci Duke on July 13th. "I am excited about the new coaches," said Robertson. "They are all young and energetic. They want to be here and they want to be with me. It is a winning team and it will be positive for the community and the athletic program." Robertson said it is still unknown what classes the coaches will teach. Robertson
is still searching for a girls basketball coach.
MARCELLO NUNCIO SR. Marcello Nuncio Sr., 64, of Weatherford, passed away Sunday, June 9, 2002, in a Fort Worth hospital. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, June 14, 2002, at Santa Fe Baptist Church of Weatherford. Burial was at Tin Top Cemetery under the direction of Cotten-Bratton Funeral Chapel. Marcello Nuncio Sr. was born January 31, 1938, in Castroville. He was a construction worker and a member of Santa Fe Baptist Church of Weatherford. Marcello Nuncio Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, Pablo Nuncio Sr. and Lionor Costilla, a son, Jimmy Nuncio, brother, Patricio Nuncio, and sister, Delores Cantu. Survivors
include his wife, Alvessa Fernandez Nuncio; sons, Marcello
Nuncio Jr., Martin Nuncio, Manuel Nuncio, Adolfo Nuncio and
Larry Nuncio, all of Weatherford, and Pablo Nuncio of
Sherman; daughters, Dominga Harvey, Yolanda Nuncio, Lionor
Palacios and Mary Nuncio, all of Weatherford, Lisa Byrum and
Josie Mendoza of Sherman, and Oralia Guerra of Edinberg;
brothers, Pablo Nuncio and Felix of Lockney, Willie Nuncio
and Victor Nuncio of Sherman; sisters, Lupe Gonzales, Lena
Mitchell, Anna Enriques, Teresa Diaz, Samantha Nuncio and
Maria Villareal, all of Sherman, Lucy Sanchez of Plainview,
and Frances Nuncio of Nocona; 30 grandchildren; 17
great-grandchildren; daughters-in-law, DeeDee Nuncio, Tina
Nuncio, Gerri Nuncio; sons-in-law, Amando Guerra Sr., Gary
Byrum, Herminio Guerra, Natividad Mendoza and Juan Palacios;
and about 150 nieces, nephews and cousins.
MABEL REEVES Funeral services for Mabel Kathleen Reeves, 99, were held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 27, 2002 at Elliot-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Faith. Graveside rites were at 3 p.m. in Lockney Cemetery. Miss Reeves died Sunday, June 23, 2002 at her residence in Abilene. She was born in Abilene on January 4, 1903, she was the eldest daughter of Charles Edward and Erie Scott Reeves. At an early age the family moved to Lockney where her father was in business. Mabel attended schools there and graduated from Lockney High School. She attended West Texas State at Canyon before enrolling at Hardin-Simmons University from which she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She later received her Masters Degree from H-SU. Upon graduation, she obtained a position as math teacher at Abilene High School. She taught there forty years and influenced the lives of many students. Following retirement, Mabel continued living in Abilene with her mother until Mrs. Reeves passed away in 1980. Mabel maintained her home on Woodlawn Drive until death. Miss Reeves had been a member of First Baptist Church of Abilene since 1935, and was a life member of Texas State Teachers Association and former member of Abilene Classroom Teachers. She traveled extensively in the western United States and recorded her trips in well-organized albums. Miss Reeves was predeceased by her parents and a younger sister, Helen Gerrell Reeves. She is survived by two cousins, Ann Bonner of Wyoming and Katherine Crichton of Hockessin, Delaware. Memorials may be made to West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX, 79605, or a favorite charity of the donor.
I have favorite stories at Christmas and the 4th of July. This has been copied a million times but I don't think we can read it enough. What Happened to the Signers of the Declaration of Independence? Five were captured by the British as traitors and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; and another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. Carter Braxton, of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him and poverty was reward. Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates. Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution.
A View From The Lamplighter By Ken Towery
If anyone ever had any doubts that Israeli Prime MinisterAriel Sharon was right when he told Foreign Minister Shimon Perez, in a heated Cabinet discussion several months ago, that "We (the Israelis) own America. They know it and we know it", Mr. Bush's speech on the Mideast should put those doubts to rest. The Sharon comments came, according to reports in the Israeli media (which somehow didn't get reported here), during a Cabinet argument over the use of American made tanks and aircraft in one of Israel's periodic invasions of the West Bank. Perez argued that the Sharon plan of massive occupation of the Palestinian homeland would not sit well in America. Sharon told Perez, in so many words, not to worry. His comments about "owning America" were made in that context. Sharon was, of course, right, which is the principal reason we read the Israeli press each day, even before reading the Washington papers (on the web), or any other U.S. newspapers. Long years of experience have taught us that no U.S. President since Truman (except Eisenhower) ever made anything like an independent judgment about matters involving Israel. Words emanating from an American President involving Israel have been, and are now, first vetted through the Israeli lobby in the United State, which of course reflects the views of the Israeli government. Otherwise those words would bear about as much weight as did President Bush's momentary harshness with Sharon over one of Sharon's incursions into the West Bank. (Bush told Sharon to pull his tanks out "now." Sharon, in so many words, told Bush to get lost, that he would pull them out when he got ready.) So Mr. Bush, a reasonably fast learner, changed his dance to fit the tune Mr. Sharon was playing. Mr. Sharon decided, in order to gain more time that Mr. Arafat was unworthy of sitting down at the peace table with Israelis, who, of course, are pure of heart and noble of spirit. After a brief period in which Mr. Bush disagreed with Sharon on the Arafat issue, Mr. Bush caved, and Arafat became an unworthy peace partner. Arafat has to go in order to make Sharon happy. Now Bush is lauded in Israel, where his speech is viewed so favorably that, according to Israeli media reports, it "could have been written" by Ariel Sharon. And that, gentle reader, has been the Israeli objective all along. Nothing pleases the Israeli government more than to be cast, in their own words, as "America's only friend in the Middle East." That characterization, untrue as it is, assures a continuation of American tax dollars to Israel. It also simplifies matters for American politicians. It is the nature of politics that its practitioners must accept the electorate as it exists, and try to work within that electorate to achieve their goals, if they have any. Many Jews vote in American elections, but few Palestinians do. Many media conglomerates in America are owned by Jewish investors, but we know of none owned by Palestinians. So when you wonder, gentle reader, about the way things go, or the reporting on Middle East affairs, just be aware of those simple facts. The Bush "plan" for peace in the Middle East will do nothing for peace. Unless, that is, we can somehow define peace as subservient acquiescence on the part of the weak to the whims of the strong. As far as its stated objective of creating two independent states living side by side in peace is concerned, the Bush plan is nothing but a cop-out to the demands of Sharon and his lobby in the United States. And make no mistake about it, Sharon does have a large and powerful lobby in this country, ranging all the way from Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League to George Will and Bill Safire (columnists for the New York Times and the Washington Post), and to Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson. Their reasons differ, but their objective (increasing the size and power of Israel) is the same. Mr. Bush's "vision" of two states, one Palestinian state of Christians and Muslims, and one Jewish, living peacefully side by side, is shared by most Americans. It is even shared by many in the Middle East. That part of the idea was advanced by Saudi Arabia many months ago, only to get a cold shoulder from Bush. But Bush does not set forth any clearly defined borders for the proposed states, nor even any definite timeline. That, supposedly, would be left to "negotiations", with one side sitting atop a massive military force, including nuclear weapons, and the other sitting atop a rag-tag army of suicide bombers. Somehow, we had hoped for more from Mr. Bush. The two major groups that will be happy with Bush's proposals are the leaders of terrorist groups and the Israeli government, neither of whom want peace in the region, and both of whom relish chaos and turmoil. Bush went into office, with the support of many of us, decrying the idea of "nation building", along with the practice of "ethnic cleansing." In the Middle East, he is proving himself to be every bit as decisive as in the immigration mess. He has adopted, in Toto, the very positions he abhorred during his campaign to become President.
FOR SALE--1991 Lincoln Town Car. Loaded, extra clean. $3,900.00. Call 667-3955.
LET ME BUILD YOUR WEB PAGE- Graphic Design Artist and proficient with PC's and Mac's. Call Jeffrey Hunter for quote, 806-652-2370. Go to www.duststorm.net for more information.
FOR RENT OR SALE--Very large, nice brick home, close to Junior High. 3 bedroom, 2 baths, 2 large living areas. Bay window and skylight. 120 Mae Avenue. Call 806-983-5134.
Floydada GARAGE SALE--721 W. Tennessee Street - Saturday, July 6th - 8:00 a.m. Lots of junque!
121 J.B. AVENUE--Garage sale--Saturday, July 6th - 8:30 - Noon.
THESE ARE EXCITING revoluntionary times in home care. Director of Nurses is needed in a well established Home Health Agency in Floydada, Texas. This job requires an RN with an enthusiastic spirit. We offer a competitive salary and a great benefit package! Please call Becky Hinze at 1-800-213-4732, ext. 232.
FLOYDADA REHAB AND CARE CENTER has two openings for Certified Nurse Aides. Please contact Marsha or Cindy at 925 W. Crockett Street, Floydada.
$MANAGER TRAINEE$ - $2100/mo. FT if qualified. Call 806-766-7175.
FOR SALE--Mobile Home - 3 bedroom, 2 bath on lot with storage building. Call 512-556-4470.
NICE BRICK HOME----3 bedroom, 1 3/4 bath, kitchen has built-ins, central AC. Near high school. 808 W. Marivena. Call 983-2389.
HOUSE FOR SALE--714 W. California. 2 bedrooms, 2 large living areas, 2 dining areas, 2 1/2 baths, lots of storage, central heat and air, updated counters and floors, mini-blinds and ceiling fans throughout. 2 car garage and 2 storage buildings. Call 806-795-7297.
HOUSE FOR SALE-- 223 W. Ollie. 5 lots, storm cellar and storage building. 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath, den and fireplace. Call 983-3545.
FOR SALE--3 bedroom, 2 bath house. 2330 sq. ft. living space, double garage, 2 fireplaces, 800 block area. By owner - VERY REASONABLE. Call 983-3196.
PRICE TO SELL QUICK--An American Dream to own large 4 bedroom house. Floydada-- Fixer upper. Call 760-952-1809.
FOR SALE--2 bedroom, 1 bath, 1 car garage. 321 W. Georgia. Call 785-0724 for information. $25,000.00.
HOUSE FOR SALE--3 bedroom, 2 bath. Nice yard. Good neighborhood. Call 983-5660.
**2 BEDROOM, 1 bath house on Mississippi. SHOWN BY APPOINTMENT---Call Sam Hale Real Estate - 806-983-3261.
LOST: Blonde female chow mix - Aiken area. Answers to "Reno". REWARD. 652-3404.
PAINT FOR SALE--$3.00 interior and exterior $5.00. Stain and varnish and caulking. Call Louis 983-6337 or 983-3773.
COUNTRY PREACHER AND MEMOIRS OF MEXICO booklets available. 74 country preacher real stories ($7) and 72 pages, with pictures, of Old Mexico journeys ($8). Order at 810 S. 3rd, Floydada, Texas 79235 or visit: www.robinsoncompany.net.
COMPLETE EXHAUST systems - catalytic converters and shocks. Don's Muffler Shop - 983-2273.
LAWN SWINGS and picnic tables. Don's Muffler - 983-2273.
ALPHATEX KENNEL, AIKEN, TEXAS offers superior quality AKC Registered, DNA Certified Collies, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds. Puppies and stud service available. 806-652-3458 or 806-292-5348.
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.
LARRY OGDEN AUCTIONEERING-Estates, Farm, Ranch, Business, Liquidations, State Licensed and Bonded. (806) 983-5808. TX. #9240.
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