Glasscock County News

Volume 15, Number 5                                 Garden City, Texas                                 February 11, 2009

School May Ask for Major Bond

                A $12 million bond proposal is possible if the GCISD board chooses to implement all the suggestions made by an eleven-member Needs Assessment Committee which gave its report at the Feb. 9 school board meeting. The committee, which toured the entire physical plant and met three times, was made up of Brad Avery, Brent Kirkland, Mitchell Jansa, Jamie Walker, Misty Kinnibrugh, Randy Gartman, Tony Gomez, Denis Calverley, Carl Hoelscher, Christy Seidenberger and Karla Hoelscher.

                According to Kinnibrugh, the committee had lengthy discussions regarding the timing of asking taxpayers for a bond issue now. She said they discussed the overall state of the country’s economy and how financial downturns have affected individuals; the downturn in the price of oil and its effect on county tax revenues, on oil companies and on mineral owners plus the continuing dry conditions and their effect on county agricultural producers. Kinnibrugh said the committee also preferred waiting several months or maybe a year before going forward with a bond proposal, to allow more time for planning. But she said the committee’s overriding concern was that the state might soon eliminate more of the advantages of bonds for capital improvements in Chapter 41 (“rich”) school districts such as GCISD. And she pointed out that the school will not have to start spending any bond monies for three years, still giving the school board and the bond committee time for thorough research and planning if a bond is presented to and passed by voters.

Most Deterioration Not Visible to Public

                Committee members Walker and Jansa presented the committee’s recommendations to the board, and said they would like for everyone in the community to see inside the entire school facility, rather than just the outside, so they would understand how serious some of the problems are. Walker said she joined the committee convinced that she was opposed to most major improvements, including a new gym, but changed her mind on several things after she was embarrassed to realize the extend of the deterioration.

The committee’s “necessities” list: (Improvements the committee considered of utmost importance, some of a critical nature.) 

1) Wide-spread electrical and sewage problems were the primary concerns. Jansa suggested maybe a trunk line should be used to take sewage away from buildings. They said several electrical problems present serious safety hazards.

2) Classroom updates in grades K – 12 would include adding windows in classrooms that don’t have any and replacing existing windows with more energy-efficient ones; new sinks, countertops and built-in cabinets; new flooring; new furniture (tables and chairs as opposed to desks because of the laptop computers) and replacing wall paneling with lighter, more durable material. Teachers’ input was considered in making these recommendations, Kinnibrugh said.

3) Replacing the auditorium stage lighting and sound system so that the facility is up to one-act play standards. Existing lighting for any event is said to be marginal at best, with renovations having been put off far too long because of the expense. Existing electrical control boxes are not functional and are a safety concern.

4) A science lab is badly needed in the elementary school. Principal Randy Gartman said he thinks state test scores would improve with this addition.

5) The committee concluded that if the existing gym is to be the only one, at the very least, the dressing rooms must be redone, including replacing all plumbing and fixtures. Other improvements would also be needed, if not essential, such as better ventilation and improvements to the concession and to public bathrooms.

6) Larger lockers in the high school are necessary to accommodate today’s backpacks, laptop computers, books, etc.

7) The committee thought the huge number of keys Maintenance Director Tony Gomez must carry was ridiculous. More secure doors and hardware should be installed, with locks keyed so a master key unlocks them all.

The committee’s “needed” list: (These are improvements which will have to be done, whether now or later.)

1) Nursing facilities upgrade – the current space is said to be much too small, more like a closet, and has no shower, which code requires.

2) More gym space is needed for physical education, athletics, off-season conditioning, power lifting and public fitness. Kinnibrugh said as many as five activities frequently are going on in the “complex” at the same time.  Boys and girls basketball teams alternate days in the gym, with alternate days in the “complex.” Junior high athletics (boys and girls) are now held at 8 a.m. to allow an hour’s practice. Kinnibrugh pointed out that PE is no longer a sit-in-the-stands class, and needs more space.

3) New floor covering is needed in the cafeteria dining area and kitchen

4) K – 2 restrooms need more privacy; plumbing and fixtures need replacing and tile is cracked

5) An outdoor bus wash bay and six roll-up doors are needed at the bus barn

6) Playground equipment needs to be relocated for more efficiency, safety and security.

The committee’s “enhancements” list: (These are needed improvements, but they could wait until a future time.)

1)       Playground improvements, especially for older kids, with a tennis rebound wall and outdoor basketball courts

2)       A new campus-wide telephone/intercom system

3)       Upgraded corridors throughout the school with new wall covering to lighten and brighten the space

4)       Upgraded offices, include flooring

** See following section for discussion of new athletic facilities.

Note: The GCISD board has made no decision at this time as to whether they will ask for a bond, and if they do, for what amount or what improvements will be included.

Committee Recommends New Gym, Other Major Athletic Improvements

The school’s Needs Assessment Committee recommended building a new competition gymnasium at an estimated cost of $6.4 million rather than renovating the existing gym’s dressing rooms and other areas. Mitchell Jansa and Jamie Walker, speaking for the committee at the school board meeting Feb. 9, said the committee felt that by the time all the necessary things are done in the existing gym, it would be better to start over. Also, just renovating existing areas would not address the need for more gym space.

They said a new gym would eliminate the expense of renovating current dressing rooms and would provide badly needed space, since there would be two gyms plus the “complex.”

 A new gym would be built west of the existing one, which would become a practice gym. A common concession area would serve both facilities. All below-ground plumbing in the existing gym would be closed off and since it would become a practice facility, it would not have showers or basement-level toilets. The added-on area at the west end of the current gym which now houses varsity dressing rooms and athletic offices would be removed and those facilities relocated to the new gym. Basement-level dressing stalls would be removed, and the present lower-level dressing rooms would be used for athletic storage and for tornado evacuation purposes.

The community exercise room would be moved to the new gym, with an outside entrance and free “member” keys.

Relocating Football Field Said to Offer Advantages

The committee also recommended moving the football field to the approximate location of the present track and building a new track around the new football field.  (The field and track would be turned to a north/south position rather than the east/west configuration of the present track.) Apparently, although the track was resurfaced only three years ago, it has cracks and other problems and needs to be redone. Bleachers, a new concession stand and public restrooms would serve football, track and tennis spectators. The current football field location would become parking for several school facilities. The committee believes such relocation would alleviate multiple problems with parking and safety concerns around the elementary school and existing football field.

School board members were vocal in wanting to be sure that any bond money be spent wisely and equitably. Doug Jost said while we need athletic facilities, we also need academic-related improvements, and should not let sports needs eat up too much of the total money. Nathan Halfmann said education is the number one concern. Carl Hoelscher said it is important that any bond money impact the entire school. Committee member Brent Kirkland said this isn’t an athletic bond. Kevin Hirt wondered if a $12 million bond will pass, saying the board worried about a $3 or $4 million one last time.

Note: If the GCISD board chooses to ask for a bond, more detailed information regarding cost estimates as well as tax issues will be included in the March issue of the Glasscock County News.

USDA Taking Grant Applications for Rural Distance Learning and Telemedicine

The USDA recently announced it is accepting applications for grants through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program to provide access to education, training and healthcare resources in rural areas.  Funding for the program is subject to congressional appropriations.

          The DLT program is designed to provide increased economic opportunity by expanding telecommunications, educational resources and computer networks throughout rural America. Through technology, students and families may participate in classes not previously available to them, and people who live in rural areas can access expanded health care options. In 2008, USDA Rural Development provided grants totaling $28.2 million under the program to 105 recipients in 41 states.

         Complete applications must be received by March 24.  For further details about eligibility rules and application procedures, see the Dec. 24, 2008, Federal Register, page 79041.  Materials including an application guide and full details about the program can also be obtained at www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/dlt.htm or by calling the DLT program at 202-720-0413.

Local EMS Unit Gains New Members

                                Glasscock County’s volunteer Emergency Medical Service has seven new people who have completed the Howard College training course, and will now sit for the state certification exam. If they all pass the exam, there will be 16 emergency medical technicians (EMT’s) serving the county, according to Christy Seidenberger, local EMS coordinator. Seidenberger gave a report to the Glasscock County Commissioners’ Court at its regular meeting Feb. 9.

                In 2008, the unit made 54 trauma runs, 29 medical runs and 1 transport run, Seidenberger said. She said Highway 158 is the location of most traumas to which the unit responds. The county has agreements with both Midland and Sterling Counties for mutual assistance when needed.

                Seidenberger said she has received grant funding for a $14,000 automatic stretcher.   She said an automatic stretcher is necessary since eight of the EMT’s are female, and sometimes are unable to lift standard stretchers carrying large patients. She reported that the hours for EMT’s recertification have been increased and the Regional Advisory Council (RAC) meetings she is required to attend annually have tripled to nine.

 She said the local EMS unit is hosting a meeting in March at the community center that 50 to 60 people will attend.

                She asked that the commissioners’ court soon complete the National Incident Management System (NIMS) training. County Judge Wilburn Bednar said it should have been done by the end of 2008. County Treasurer Alan Dierschke said the training is now mandatory for grant applications.

                Seidenberger said the unit passed the state department of health’s inspection “with flying colors.” She also said she is very pleased with the unit’s new medical director, Dr. Scott Barclay, who is a general practitioner in Big Spring.

Court Discusses PA System, Maintainer

                At its Feb. 9 meeting, the county commissioners’ court heard a presentation by a representative from Guardian Security of Lubbock concerning both a public address system for the county courtroom and courthouse security cameras. The PA system was priced at $7,280, while the camera system would cost an additional $13,634. District Judge Robert Moore has insisted on some sort of a PA system in the courtroom for some time, so that both he and everyone in the room can hear what is being said.

                The system as presented would have four hard-wired microphones, one each for the bench, jury box, and each of the attorney’s tables. It would also allow the audio of any event in the room to be taped for future reference.

                The camera security system would consist of four cameras, one each in the clerk’s office, the courtroom, the first floor hallway and over an additional door. A 19-inch LCD monitor would be located in the clerk’s office.

                Although the salesman mentioned the women who work in the clerk’s office after other offices are closed as a partial justification for the camera security system, County Clerk Becky Batla said she knew nothing of such a system being proposed, and that her staff is not at all fearful. She said they would, however, like to have some simple signal that would tell them when an outer door has opened.

                Since purchase of either or both of these systems was not on the court’s agenda for Feb. 9, action on the matter will be taken at a special meeting Feb. 12 at 8 a.m.

New Maintainer Probable in Precinct One

                A representative from Warren CAT met with the county commissioners Feb. 9 to discuss a new maintainer for Jimmy Strube’s precinct. The company has offered $122,500 as trade-in for the used machine, making the new one cost $107,500.  Since it was not on the Feb. 9 agenda, the matter will also be acted upon at the Feb. 12 meeting.

                Commissioners approved going ahead with installation of a new courthouse telephone system, even though the cost will be $3,600 rather than the original estimate of $1,700. The increase was necessary to accommodate an additional phone line not included in the original, and because of the necessary equipment, will give the capability of seven more lines if needed in the future.

                The county agreed to buy custom-made bulletproof vests for its two deputies, at a total cost of $1,578. They will be worn at all times when the men are working, according to Sheriff Keith Burnett, who said he already has a vest.  The vests are county property.

                Burnett said the deputies are working eight hours daily, and are doing extremely well together, and with him. He said the three of them meet every day at a set time to discuss their work and to deal with any problems.

                Burnett asked the commissioners if they had heard any complaints about his department, and Commissioner Gary Jones joked, “Only from truckers.”

Speed Limits Around School Changing to 20 mph

                Burnett asked Commissioner Michael Hoch to change speed limit signs around the school to 20 mph, so the limit is standardized. He said his department has gotten calls complaining of kids speeding in the area, but posted speed limits vary anywhere from 15 to 30 mph, making them hard to enforce.

                County Judge Wilburn Bednar said he and Justice of the Peace Marilee Jost don’t think the county is getting full benefit from the county attorney (Hardy Wilkerson of Big Spring). Bednar said Wilkerson’s workload apparently prevents him from coming here regularly. He wants an attorney here one day a month on a regular, scheduled basis so that county and JP cases can be cleared. He said some cases are very old and need to be taken care of. He said hiring another attorney is an option. Bednar said he will check into the matter further and get back to the commissioners.

                Commissioners agreed to enter a contract with Panacore Service of Odessa for information technology assistance. Dierschke said with the $1,200 per year contract, their hourly service costs $46.50, and is $95 per hour without the contract. He said the courthouse computer systems are complex enough now that such assistance is necessary. The company will work on hardware problems and also provide Internet security for county computers.

Courthouse Needs Easier Handicapped Access

                Batla suggested that the county make at least one door into the courthouse more handicapped accessible. She said the doors are too hard for the handicapped to open, and the north ramp may not be the required slope. Bednar said he would rather see the east door be the handicapped accessible one, because that’s where everyone comes into the building. It needs a ramp, and a door opener or buzzer, he said. Batla and Bednar were to check on costs.

                The court gave Batla permission to use records management funds to pay for scanning records into a computer system.

                Dierschke asked that a Feb. 19 employee meeting be mandatory, so a representative from the county’s retirement system can make a presentation, and so Dierschke can discuss a wellness plan with all who are in the county’s medical system.

                The court was told that 40 hours of Bednar-imposed community service as punishment for damage to the community center in January will include supervised cleaning of EMS/fire department barns and trucks.

                Commissioners approved a request from West Texas Boring to cross CR 490 east of Hwy 137 with a pipeline for Pioneer Natural Resources.  The line will serve saltwater service lines.  The court referred the representative of WT Boring to Josh Hamby, attorney, who they said would do the necessary paperwork.

County to Consider Reopening Jail

                Glasscock County Sheriff Keith Burnett proposed Feb. 9 that the county commissioners give consideration to opening the county jail for inmates (ours and others), again. He said the county’s caseload is increasing with more active law enforcement and more tickets are being issued. He said there are now 18 warrants outstanding, all of these offenders would be housed in Reagan County if arrested, at a cost to Glasscock County of $1,000 per month per inmate. Burnett said reopening our jail would save that money, plus bringing in $41 per day per inmate from other counties, like Sterling, who would house their prisoners here rather than in Reagan County as they do now, because it’s closer.

                He said reopening the jail would require hiring four full-time and one half-time certified jailers. Burnett said these people would be jailers/dispatchers/custodians. They would handle both Sterling and Glasscock County’s 911 dispatching, he said. 

County Treasurer Alan Dierschke estimated the annual cost in salaries and benefits to be $186,750. Burnett said Sterling County would be paying us $70,000 annually, and Glasscock County would save the money it is now paying Reagan County.

                Burnett also mentioned the benefits of having minimum-security inmates available to do various jobs in the county. He cited the example of recently paying county road crew for three weeks to paint courthouse doors and the scout hut.

                Commissioner Jimmy Strube said he was opposed because of the overtime that would probably be paid. Dierschke said law enforcement is allowed to pay an employee 270 hours of comp time before being required to pay overtime.

                Commissioners Michael Hoch and Mark Halfmann said they needed more numbers regarding costs before making a decision.

Heflin Announces Scholarship Program

District 85 State Representative Joe Heflin announced Feb. 5 that a new state financial aid program, the Top Ten Percent Scholarship, is available to this year's high school seniors who finish in the top 10 percent of their class.  The scholarship is intended to encourage students who demonstrate financial need and graduate in the top 10 percent of their class to attend Texas public institutions of higher education.

                Heflin encouraged high school seniors in District 85, which includes Glasscock County, to take advantage of the new scholarship program.  “Texas lags behind other states in the number of its residents holding college degrees,” Heflin said. “We need to do all that we can to get more students into and graduating from college. I am happy that this scholarship targets students who have worked hard during high school, taking tough classes, and making good grades to earn a spot in the top 10 percent.”

                Qualifying students are eligible to receive $2,000 if they enroll fulltime in a Texas public college or university for the fall of 2009 and show financial need. To apply, students must submit an error-free, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 1, 2009.  For more information visit www.collegeforalltexans.com or call the Federal Financial Aid Center at 1-888-311-8881.

                Heflin may be reached at his capitol office in Austin, 512/463-0604, at his district office in Crosbyton, 806/675-1583, or in Big Spring, at 432/213-2897.

Winter Emergency Tips

 The following tips are from the state department of emergency management.

Winter storms can strand motorists. When winter storms threaten, monitor TV and radio, National Weather Service forecasts and NOAA weather radio for information. If you must travel, keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines and don't travel alone.

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES FOR VEHICLE: Blankets/sleeping bags and extra clothing, including mittens and hat. Cell phone, radio, flashlight, extra batteries, booster cables. First-aid kit, high-calorie, non-perishable food and bottled water. Sack of sand or cat litter for de-icing roadway, windshield scraper, tool kit, tow rope and shovel.

EMERGENCY TIPS FOR HOME: If heavy ice on power lines cuts off utility service, be extremely careful using generators or gas powered equipment. Carbon monoxide (CO) s invisible, odorless, deadly and can build up in a matter of minutes. Do not use generators, charcoal grills or gas grills inside the house, garage or other enclosed space. Do not try to heat the house using a gas range or oven.

Be prepared at home or work with these supplies: battery-powered NOAA weather radio and extra batteries.

Emergency supplies of food, water, medicine, medical supplies and items needed for babies or the elderly. Heating fuel in the event fuel carriers cannot get through. Properly ventilated emergency heating source such as a fireplace, wood stove or space heater, fire extinguisher, smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector.

                Thanks to Extension Agent Charlene Belew for this information.

Briefly

•  I thank everyone for their generosity at the first Coaches vs Cancer benefit.  This community never ceases to amaze me.  When there is a good cause or a crisis, the community comes together and makes Glasscock County such a great place to live and work.  Your donations raised $1,477 dollars to benefit the American Cancer Society.  Thanks again for your time, effort, support, and especially your generosity. Brent Kirkland, Athletic Director/Girls’ Basketball Coach, Garden City High School

•  Glasscock County Senior Citizens will meet Tuesday, March 3 at 6 p.m.  We will order hamburgers from Halfmann’s.  It would be helpful if you can be at the meeting by 5:30 so we can get the order to Halfmann’s by 6 p.m. Please bring dips, chips and desserts. This will be the only meeting in March. 

We are planning to have a person from Permian Basin Seniors to speak to us the first meeting in April.  They will update us on issues such as medical, social security and other services that they offer to the seniors.  Please join us for good food and fellowship.

•  Mark your calendars for the Community Wide Health Fair on Thursday, April 2.  It will be a fun-filled evening of health education and awareness.  The fair begins at 3 p.m. at the school, with a "Kat" Walk for Cancer at 6 p.m. with proceeds benefiting the Glasscock 4-H Cancer Warrior Relay for Life team.

     A meal will be provided in the cafeteria between 5 and 7 p.m. with proceeds to benefit the 4-H Teen Leadership Tour.  The 2008 Shattered Dreams video will be shown from 6:30 to 7 p.m. in the auditorium.  Childcare will be available in the band hall during the video presentation.  If you have questions, contact Christy Seidenberger at 354-2243.

•  Contributions to the Jessie Flores 4-H Memorial Scholarship Fund can be made at the Glasscock County Bank, P.O. Box 90, Garden City, TX 79739.  The scholarship will be awarded annually to a GCISD high school senior during the Glasscock County Junior Livestock Show.

•  The Glasscock 4-H Cancer Warriors team has been developed online to participate in the American Cancer Society’s Annual Relay For Life in May. The team will consist of 4-H members, parents and Extension agents. Any 4-H member, kindergarten through high school senior, may participate. Each person attending, youth or adult, must register as a team member to participate. To register, go to http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=17560. Call the extension office for more information.

•  Former Glasscock County resident Kallie Kohls York is working for an Internet marketing company out of Chicago called America’s Best Companies. The company helps small businesses and medium market companies get found on over 40 major search engines on the Internet.  If your business would benefit from web advertising, contact her by email (kjkohls13@aol.com), phone (325/853-2585) or cell phone (325/277-7077). She suggests you also check out America’s Best Companies on the web at http://www.gowithabc.com.

•  The St. Lawrence Knights of Columbus held its annual free throw contest on Feb. 1 in St. Lawrence.  Winners of the Council contest and advancing to the Diocesan level were:  14 year-olds Cassie Hirt and Colton Belew, 13 year-olds Lexie Schaefer and Peyton Schaefer, 12 year-olds Hannah Halfmann and Shawn Walker, 11 year-olds Brylie Schaefer and Bailey Matschek and 10 year-old Ashlyn Koenning.

Placing at the Diocesan contest held Feb. 8 in Wall were Peyton Schaefer-2nd; Brylie Schaefer-3rd; and Bailey Matschek-4th in their respective age division.

•  A trial date of March 23 has been set for Rodney Mason, who is accused of a murder that occurred in 2008 on Highway 137 near the Martin County line. [Trial date is subject to rescheduling.]

•  The Glasscock County Sheriff’s Office issued 179 traffic citations and made 4 arrests in January. The sheriff’s office currently has four inmates, 3 jailed in Reagan County and 1 in Howard County.

•  GCISD’s board voted on Feb. 9 to extend the contracts of elementary school principal Randy Gartman and secondary school principal Misty Kinnibrugh for two years and awarded them each a $2,000 salary increase. Bringing their salaries to $57,000 and $62,000 respectively.

In the Spotlight

•  Bearkats named to the All-state Division I six-man football team were:  first team, Jake Schwartz, utility back; second team, Brett Chudej, defensive utility player; honorable mentions, Levi Schaefer, quarterback; Cole Schwartz, linebacker.

•  Bearkat players named to the San Angelo Standard Times’ six-man All-West Texas team were:  offense – quarterback Levi Schaefer, offensive utility Jake Schwartz; defense – linebacker Cole Schwartz.

•  Julie Hirt, a 2007 graduate of GCISD, was named to the Texas Tech University Dean’s List in the fall semester. She is the daughter of Kevin and Linda Hirt.

•  Both the Lady Kats and the Bearkats basketball teams are District champions.

4-H News

                Glasscock 4-H’ers placing at the 2009 Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in Ft. Worth were: Paige Sturtz - 6th, meat goat; Kadden Kothmann - 9th, meat goat; Ian Schaefer - 5th, light weight Duroc swine; Samantha Kellermeier - 15th, heavy weight American steer; Macy Schwartz -10th, heavy weight Hampshire swine; Levi Schaefer - 7th middle weight Cross swine.

FFA News

Cole Schwartz, Levi Schaefer, Travis Gully, and Lane Halfmann qualified for the state tractor tech contest in Houston in March, having placed second at the area contest.

Varmint Calling Contest

This year, 23 teams contributed to the success of the Varmint Calling Contest, which is a fundraiser for the Glasscock County FFA.  The top three teams won cash pots with the remainder of the entry fee profits going to the FFA program.

                The winning team of Gary Foster, Filep Arizola, Jo Ross Jameson, and Leland Foster received $911, amassing a total of 341 points. Second place team of Bill Smith, Richard Seals, and Billy Dunn with a total of 213 points won $592. Third place team of James Gaines, Josh Gaines, and Michael Prater had 135 points for $319.

Thanks to the students who helped with preparing facilities, registration of contestants and weighing in animals.  Special thanks to Butch Halfmann and John Mark Kinnibrugh for help in scoring animals.

From the Schoolhouse

Scheduled Events:

Check the school website at: http://www.gckats.net for a schedule of current events.

Dates to remember:  Feb. 14 – TMSCA meet @ GC; Varsity GBB practice game @ Ballenger vs Goldthwaite, 3 p.m.; Feb. 19 – elementary grades K-3 field trip; Feb. 20 – elementary grades 4-6 field trip; Feb. 28 – Ag livestock judging @San Angelo; JH UIL @Crane; power lifting @Reagan County; March 3 – TAKS Testing – Reading (gr. 3, 5, 8, 9), Writing (gr. 4, 7) ELA (10, Exit); March 7 – JH UIL @San Angelo; Regional Power Lifting @Clyde; March 9 – 13 Spring Break.

Basketball:

 For all game schedules see http://classroom.gckats.net/webs/athletics/home.htm

BPA Regional Contest:

GCISD students recently competed at the regional level of Business Professionals of America.  Students who placed 1-3 advance to the state level competition in Austin in March. 

Placements were:  Brooke Halfmann, 1st - Integrated Office Applications, 2nd - Administrative Support Team; Laura Halfmann, 3rd - Medical Office Applications; Sydney Halfmann, 2nd - Keyboarding Production; Melissa Hirt, 2nd - Advanced Office Systems & Procedures, 2nd - Administrative Support Team; Kelsey Jones, 4th - Desktop Publishing; Paige Niehues, 1st - Advanced Spreadsheet, 2nd - Administrative Support Team; Macy Schwartz, 1st - Advanced Word Processing Skills, 2nd - Administrative Support Team; Kate Halfmann, 1st - Advanced Office Systems & Procedures, 1st - Administrative Support Team; Katelyn Hoelscher, 1st - Fundamental Spreadsheet, 1st - Administrative Support Team; Samantha Kellermeier, 5th - Basic Office Systems, 1st - Administrative Support Team; Adrianna Ramirez, 3rd - Computerized Accounting; Brittany Schniers, 1st - Medical Office Applications; Lauren Schwartz, 4th - Advanced Word Processing, 1st - Administrative Support Team.

                Students also competing were Hayden Halfmann, Katy Multer, and Leticia Ramirez.

Obituaries

                •  Jesus Eusebio (Jessie) Flores, 47, of Garden City died Jan. 13, 2009, at his home and was buried in the Garden City Cemetery. 

He was born Oct. 14, 1961, in Sonora, Texas, to Jesus (Chuy) and Odelmira (Odel) Flores. He grew up in Rocksprings and after graduating from Rocksprings High School in 1981, graduated from Texas State Technical Institute in Sweetwater. While at TSTI, he met Ernestina (Tina) Hernandez of Sterling City. They married on April 16, 1983, and moved to Garden City in 1986.  

            Jessie was employed by ECO-Drip where he served as the district warehouse manager.

            Survivors include his parents of San Angelo; his wife Tina of Garden City; one daughter, Anna Flores of Midland; one son, Jason Flores of Garden City; two sisters and brother-in-laws, Dee Dee VonAhn and husband Kurt of Mexia and Elvira Gallegos and husband Manuel of San Angelo; one brother and sister-in-law, Javier Flores and wife Christy of Big Spring; two nieces and one nephew; one special aunt, Odelia Gartman of San Angelo          

            Memorial contributions may be made to the Allison Cancer Center, 2200 W. Illinois, Midland, Texas 79701 or Home Hospice of Big Spring, 111 E. 7th St., Suite A, Big Spring, Texas 79720 or the Jessie Flores 4-H Memorial Scholarship, the Glasscock County Bank, P. O. Box 90, Garden City, Texas 79739.

            •  Michael D. "Smitty" Smith, 51, of Big Spring died Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, at his residence. A memorial service was held Jan. 28.

             He was born Jan. 21, 1958, in Lubbock. He had served in the United States Army for two years and then served in the Texas National Guard. He worked at the Big Spring Federal Correctional Institution for more than 20 years, most recently as a counselor.

            Survivors include two sons, Jason Smith of Midland and Dustin Smith of Lubbock; his mother, Linda Mitchell; one sister, Cynthia Smith; and two brothers, Lennie D. Smith and Rodney D. Smith, all of Big Spring; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. His father, Smiley Smith, preceded him in death.

            The family requests donations be made to the Order of Eagles Michael D. Smith Fund, 2719 Long Grove Drive, Marietta, Ga. 30062.    

Next Issue Date and Deadline

             The next issue of the Glasscock County News will be March 11. The deadline for that issue is March 9, but earlier material is helpful. Send information to: P.O. Box 98, Garden City, TX 79739; phone or fax: 432/354-2221; e-mail: gcnews201@aol.com.

                The Glasscock County News is published by Joe Melanie Calverley, P. O. Box 98, Garden City, TX, 79739.  Phone or fax: 432/354-2221; e-mail: gcnews201@aol.com; web site: glasscockcountynews.com