childress isd earns a rating · nevarez, left, justin ramos, johnny davis and larry wright,...

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Courtesy photo for The Sun

Childress ISD staff celebrates its overall score of A in the state accountability rating.

Childress ISD earns A rating

By Whitney WyattThe Red River Sun

CHILDRESS – Childress ISD earned an overall score of A in the state accountability rating, an honor only 25% of Texas schools reached this year.

Superintendent Rick Teran recog-nized all employees of Childress ISD

for reaching this level of achievement during a meeting on Aug. 9.

“It truly takes each and every one of you, and I personally want to thank you for your relentless hard work and dedication to our students,” Teran said. “Each and every one of you are the reason our district is in that elite group.”

This rating is based on performances

in three areas:• Student Achievement which shows

how much students know and are able to do at the end of the school year.

• School Progress that shows how students perform over time and how that growth compares to similar schools.

Two memoirs of Hollis contrast zeitgeists of 1930s, 1940-1960

Courtesy photos for The Sun

Author Ron Richardson played for the Tigers at Hollis High School in the late 1950s.

Hollis native Ron Richardson today. He, with a childhood schoolmate, has written about life in the 1950s in Hollis and Harmon County. The book, “Horny Toads and Cornbread,” has received a 92 percent Five Star approval rating, with an 8 percent Four Star rating. The scale ranges from One to Five Stars.

By Grace HolmanThe Red River Sun

HOLLIS — Any persons who came of age in Hol-lis, or the surrounding area, can whet their memories with two recently published books.

The first, about life in Hollis during the Great Depression, was written by Don G. Matheson whose childhood was the Great Depression, a time, he writes, when Hollis as not-ed for “…pure water, long staple cotton, pretty girls and football players.” He was among the last, a foot-ball player.

A time likely more in to-day’s memory of a current resident of Hollis is the book, “Horny Toads and Cotton Boll,” written by Ron Richardson and Morris Hart (deceased), classmates and friends in the 1940s through 1960s. The origi-nal title was “Horny Toads and Cornbread”, with sub-

sequent placement in the recipes and cookery section of Amazon. The title was changed to ”Horny Toads and Cotton Bolls” to remove it from the food and cook-ery section of books by Am-azon where it is available. It was originally independent-ly published Nov.10, 2018, and is now available as an e-book and paperback thor-ough Amazon.

After graduation from Hollis High School, where he played Tiger football, Richardson attended Okla-homa University in Nor-man, where he studied “beer, girls and business adminis-tration”. He also attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weath-erford, Oklahoma.

While working as an oil/gas landman for Texoma Land in Bridgeport, West Virginia, the memories of Hollis stayed intact. He lives in Topeka, Kansas.

Memphis ISD receives award

Special to The Sun

MEMPHIS – Mem-phis ISD Superintendent Bill Alexander accepted an award for Memphis ISD during Region 16’s Fall Kickoff.

Memphis was among 5 school districts chosen to share a “Best Practice.” The district will find out in October if its best prac-tice about family engage-ment will advance to the state level competition.


Bill Alexander, right, accepts an award during the Region 16’s Fall Kickoff.

Volunteers gather for trainingBy Shauna SalinasThe Red River Sun

WELLINGTON — Wellington EMS, Welling-ton VFD and Samnorwood VFD participated in a mock car accident for extrication training and EMT practice which benefitted both fire departments and the Emer-gency Medical Responder students.

The EMR students began classes taught by Farris Na-tion and Westin Williams on June 17. Wellington Emergency Management Service (WEMS) hosted the exercise on Aug. 10 at 9 a.m. before the temperatures got too hot. This event con-cluded the instruction for the students.

The Apollo MedFlight helicopter out of Childress planned to land for the training that morning but an unexpected event occurred which took precedence

over the training. Instead Charles Dunn with Apollo MedFlight drove to Wel-lington and spoke with the departments on how to work with the helicopter crew for

Landing Zone (LZ) training when the need arises.

Apollo MedFlight of Chil-dress or Survival Flight of Altus will be the first contact for Collingsworth County

victims with LIFESTAR of Amarillo as backup.

Shauna Salinas/The Red River Sun

On the afternoon of Aug. 10, Wellington Volunteer Fire Department, Samnorwood Volunteer Fire Department and Wellington EMS participated in an extrication training in the empty lot between the WVFD and WEMS. Participants included Samnorwood Volunteer Firemen Chris Nevarez, left, Justin Ramos, Johnny Davis and Larry Wright, Wellington Volunteer Firemen Johnathan Hamby, Charlie Hartman, Kevin Hamby, Eddie Langford, Korn Wiebe, Tino Salinas and Matt Orr, Wellington Emergency Medical Service staff Farris Nation, Noah Downing, Sierra Hartman, Westin Williams, Carle Kemp and Pat Needham. Please see Page 2A for more photos!

See RATING Page 2A

See HOLLIS Page 2A

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• Closing the Gaps which shows how well dif-ferent groups of students within a school are per-forming.

This recognition is not just based on a passing STAAR score, Teran ex-plained. It also includes graduation rate and college, career and military readi-ness.

“This cannot be accom-plished or measured in a single day, a single test or a single year,” Teran said. “It’s a continuum that begins when a child gets on your bus, is nourished by the meal you prepared, walks through your classroom doors or steps onto your

field, court or stage.”Teran praised teachers,

school and cafeteria staff, counselors, maintenance, transportation and bus drivers, custodians, nurses, aides, support staff, tech-nology, Public Education Information Management System and campus secre-taries, support staff, volun-teers, parents, school board members, community mem-bers and administrators.

“So many people are needed along the way to make this happen,” he said. “It takes each of you us-ing your unique abilities to reach each and every child. So let’s go do it again. Re-load and repeat!”

RATINGFrom Page 1A

HOLLISFrom Page 1A

Richardson has one thought about his earlier life, “I would have taken better care of my-self if I had known I was go-ing to live this long.”

“Horny Toads and Cotton Bolls” has a 92 percent 5-Star rating by Amazon readers/reviewers, with an 8 perecent 4-Star rating. Ratings are One- through- Five Star.

Those rating belie Rich-ardson’s second grade teacher, dismissive of his apparent disinterest in school. How-ever, Richardson exhibited a keen interest in what was happening in small Hollis. Plus, he was surrounded by storytellers who enthralled him with stories of their childhoods. Although not necessarily thinking of him-self as a budding author while accumulating the memories, the memories are the basis of “Horny Toads and Cotton Bolls,” co-written with child-

hood friend, Hart.Reviewers raved, from the

reader who “…grew up in this area and found it well capture the way it was back then,” to the reader who said “…anyone can identify with the plethora of characters… Anyone can identify with these stories in one way or another.”

A person who also grew up in the area wrote, “These well written stories brought back so many memories of similar experiences I had growing up in Hollis, OK/Dodson, TX during the late ‘40s to early ‘60s. It was fun to relive some of those times in my memory. I didn’t really think so at the time, but in retrospect, it was a great place in which to live and grow up.”

Another wrote, “This book is a must read for all ages. Each page brought back vivid memories of growing up in rural America in the ‘50s.”

Wellington EMR extrication training

Shauna Salinas/The Red River Sun

Wellington EMR students Carle Kemp, left, and Sierra Hartman, right, assist Wellington Volun-teer Firemen with loading a patient in the mock exercise on Aug. 10.

During the mock accident drill on Aug. 10, EMR students Carle Kemp and Noah Downing ob-serve as the Wellington and Samnorwood Volunteer Firemen work to stabilize the patient.

Childress Council hearsproposals to benefit city

Grace Holeman/The Red River Sun

Gary Clark, seated, with Childress City Council heard a proposal from Danny Bennett of Lub-bock, Director of Texas Communities Group, LLC. Bennett explained how the group assists cities alleviate problems of abandoned and dilapidated properties.

By Grace HolmanThe Red River Sun

CHILDRESS — Two agenda items quickly decided during the August 12 meeting of Chil-dress City Council were appointment of an In-vestment Officer in accordance with the Public Funds Act, and whether the Mayor can vote on issues before the council, with an affirmative an-swer, the Mayor can vote. City Attorney Steve Bird said all council members can vote, as he has read in the city charter.

City Manager Kevin Hodges, who has taken the 10-hour course for certification, was ap-pointed Investment Officer.

Two presentations were given for the coun-cil perusal, both described as saving time and money for the city, one which could possibly add money to the city’s coffers.

Geneie Andrews, Senior Account executive with gWorks, a web-based software solution for government to view and share GIS data.

“It’s a solution that connects data, people and effective action,” Andrews said. With the pro-gram, city employees are free to continue their regular duties with the city, plus not required to learn new skills.

Andrews gave the example of one government entity which purchased equipment for mapping, placing it on a shelf until ready for use.

“It stayed on that shelf, collecting dust,” she said. With gWorks, the job is done immediately, with city staff freed to perform required duties, such as assessments, inspections or weed moni-toring, she added. In addition, information is available to the public with WebGIS, which will reduce walk-in and telephone inquiries. Money and time are saved in assessing, collecting prop-erty tax and submitting reports to the state on secure, specific tools and reports software.

Taxpayers with any device connected to the Internet can quickly obtain information wanted, with gWorks having a tiered access which en-sures that sensitive data remains private, with public records available to anyone, Andrews said.

Grants are available for gWorks, which the company will write with documentation pro-vided by the city, free of charge.

Andrews will return to one of the council’s next month meetings, on September 9 or 23.

Danny Barrett of Lubbock told council mem-bers how the company, Texas Communities Group, LLC, (TCG) of which he is director, can assist the city in handling issues of aban-doned and dilapidated properties. All actions are followed within the pertinent tax code stipula-tions, Barrett said.

The objective is to present a neater city and get abandoned property back on the tax roll, he said. Among the numerous cities in the South Plains area assisted by Texas Communities Group, the closest is Paducah.

TCG’s motto, “We think Beyond Foreclo-sure,” connotates “Value Restoration,” Barrett said, the goal to increase the current tax values by addressing issues of the lowest valued proper-ties in a positive manner.

“We can implement an effective plan to ad-dress dilapidated and abandoned structures, cre-atively market trust property and utilize acquired property,” Barnett said. The benefit is twofold, restoring value and meeting housing needs of residents.

In summary Barrett said TCG offers “unique and innovative solutions to the lingering prob-lems of dilatated and abandoned structures.”

Barrett, and two other TCG employees are li-censed brokers and TCG adheres to Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC).

Special to The Sun

AUSTIN - Senate Bill 12, authored by Senator Joan Huffman (R - Houston), be-came effective on June 10, 2019. This means that early this fall, the Teacher Retire-ment System of Texas (TRS) expects to disburse supple-mental annuity payments to eligible retirees as required in Senate Bill 12.

The bill makes adjustments to the TRS pension fund to make it actuarially sound and enables TRS to provide a 13th check in the amount of their annuity payment, capped at $2,000, to eligible retirees that retired on or before December 31, 2018.

"Without a long-term, cost-efficient proposal to pay down the debt, like Senate Bill 12, TRS retirees would not have received a benefit enhance-ment this biennium, as the Legislature cannot grant a ben-efit enhancement by law unless the fund is actuarially sound," Huffman said. "Working with the House sponsor Dr. Greg

Bonnen, Speaker Dennis Bonnen, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, Finance Chair Jane Nelson, and Appropriations Chair John Zerwas, we were able to fix these longstanding funding issues and, as a result, have provided security for TRS retirees for years to come."

Furthermore, the Legisla-ture was able to fully fund the 13th check without issuing any further debt to the state or to the pension fund through Senate Bill 500.

"We can never truly repay our retired teachers for their invaluable service to our state, but this will help -- and they deserve it," said Senator Jane Nelson, author of S.B. 500. The bill also provided $524 million to fund additional state contributions to the pen-sion fund in fiscal years 2020 and 2021.

These increases in state funding are permanent in-creases, dedicated to Texas' current and future retired public educators. Addition-ally, S.B. 500 provided $589 million to fund supplemental

annuity checks for 405,538 annuitants or alternate payees. Of those, 193,279 will receive a $2,000 check.

“I have told our retired teachers repeatedly that my goal is to keep TRS solvent FOREVER," said Lt. Gov-ernor Dan Patrick. "We made great progress in accomplish-ing that goal this session. By making the TRS pension system actuarially sound we are avoiding the mounting pension debt that has bogged down so many states and we are able to provide our teach-ers with a 13th check this year. Other than a parent, no person is more important to the devel-opment of our children than our teachers and I am proud that we are able to provide these additional benefits. I am also grateful to Senators Joan Huffman and Jane Nelson for their dedication and leadership on this critical issue.”

For more information re-garding the disbursements, please contact the the Teacher Retirement System of Texas at 1-800-223-8778.

Retired Educators to Receive 13th Check

THE RED RIVER SUN | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019 3Aredriversun.com

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Whitney Wyatt/The Red River Sun

CISD welcomes new staff members for the 2019-2020 school year. Superintendent Rick Teran recognized them during a meeting on Aug. 9. Back row: Jacob Henderson, Dante Hibbert, Cathy Andrews, Julie Longley and Bertha Duran. Middle Row: Crystal Hicks, Melissa Harper, Victoria Parker, Kalin Bentley, Shyla Burns, Jamie Aguirre and Sarah McDanel. Front Row: Mercedes Contreras, Kennadee Taylor, Esmeralda Valdez, Sarina Duran, Janice Collins, Wendy Proffitt, Marcy Salazar and Sherri Hickman.

CISD new staff

Special to The Sun

HOLLIS – Voters in Har-mon County who want to have absentee ballots mailed to them for the September 10th Special District #3 Commis-sioner Election should apply now, County Election Board Secretary Mary Guzman said today. Although the County Election Board can accept ap-plications for absentee ballots until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 4th, Guzman urged voters who want to vote by ab-sentee ballot to apply early.

Absentee ballot applica-tion forms are available at the County Election Board office located at 114 W. Hollis St. Hollis OK 73550. An online version of the form can be filled out and submitted elec-tronically at: www.elections.ok.gov. A print form can also be downloaded at that ad-dress.

Ballots must be in the hands of County Election Board offi-cials by 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

Guzman said any registered voter may vote by absentee bal-lot in any election in which he/she is eligible to vote. How-ever, a voter must be registered

and reside at an address within the geographical boundaries of a school district or a munici-pality to be eligible to vote in school district or municipal elections. It is not necessary to give a reason for voting absen-tee.

“While anyone can vote ab-sentee without giving a reason, the law still provides several advantages to absentee voters in some categories,” Guzman said.

By stating one of the fol-lowing reasons on their ap-plications, absentee voters can activate special conditions that make it easier for them to use absentee ballots. The reasons are:

• Voters who are physically incapacitated and voters who care for physically incapacitat-ed persons who cannot be left unattended may vote absentee. They may apply only by mail, by fax, by email, online or via an agent who is at least 16 years of age and who is not em-ployed by or related within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity to any person whose name appears on the ballot.

• Voters who are confined to nursing homes in the county may vote absentee. An Absen-

tee Voting Board actually goes to the nursing home a few days before the election, sets up a small polling place and allows these persons to vote under circumstances similar to those at a regular precinct polling place. They may apply only by mail, by fax, by email, online or via an agent who is at least 16 years of age and who is not em-ployed by or related within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity to any person whose name appears on the ballot..

• Military personnel and residents of the county living overseas and the spouses and dependents of each group are eligible receive absentee ballots. These voters may apply only by mail, fax, or by email. Military personnel should contact the Voting Service Officers in their units for application forms and additional information or visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program website (www.fvap.gov/oklahoma) for more in-formation and instructions. Residents of Oklahoma living overseas can obtain the same materials from any United States military installation and from United States Embassies and Consulates as well as on the FVAP website.

Special to The Sun

COLLINGSWORTH COUNTY — A Wellington man has died after a two-vehicle crash in Collingsworth County on Aug. 13.

Around 4 p.m., DPS officials say 77-year-old Jackie Barnett of Wellington was driving a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado eastbound on SH-203.

At the same time, 46-year-old Cameron Shane Swearingen of Wellington was driv-ing a motorcycle westbound on SH-203.

DPS officials say Barnett slowed to

prepare to turn left into a private drive. Barnett then failed to yield right of way to oncoming traffic and turned in front of the motorcycle.

Swearingen tried to avoid crashing into the pickup by laying the motorcycle over onto the roadway, causing the motorcycle to slide.

The pickup then hit the motorcycle and Swearingen.

Swearingen was taken to Collingsworth General Hospital where he later died of injuries from the crash.

Barnett was not injured in the crash.

Motorcyclist killed in crash

Hollis voters apply early for absentee ballots

Special to The Sun

CHILDRESS – By order of the County Judge due to extreme fire conditions in Childress Coun-ty do hereby declare a burn ban effective this date for a period of not more than seven (7) days or until a meeting of the Commissioner’s Court in which the burn ban will be discussed and possibly extended by order of the Commissioner’s Court.

Burn Ban effective in Childress County

The Jeffrey Epstein case establish-es beyond a doubt that if you’re a sexual predator, it pays to be a

rich and connected sexual predator. Epstein, now dead of an apparent sui-

cide before his accusers had their day in court, worked the system and benefited from advan-tages and breaks un-imaginable to anyone who didn’t jet around with influential friends.

The multimillionaire financier who lived in Palm Beach, Florida, and Manhattan, N.Y., used his resources to build a network of sex-ual predation and then

used his resources to escape meaningful legal punishment. Even after registering as a sex offender, he lived a life of ease and glamour unavailable to even most of the 1 percent.

Epstein was the Jay Gatsby of sexual abuse, relying on his wealth to perfume over what should have been the over-whelming smell of sulfur.

He hired a highly credentialed, aggres-sive legal team that wooed and overawed prosecutors who were supposed to hold him accountable for his crimes. A decade ago, the state prosecutor in Florida took a pass, and former Trump Labor Secre-tary Alex Acosta, the U.S. attorney for Southern Florida at the time, applied the minimal possible sanction while affording Epstein every possible consideration.

In a letter explaining his handling of the case, Acosta described “a year-long assault on the prosecution and the prosecutors.” The proper response of an office invested with the awesome powers of government, arrayed against a lowlife and his hired guns, should have been to double down. Instead, Acosta’s office buckled.

If any of the nameless victims had been rich or famous themselves and able to hire an Alan Dershowitz or a Jay Lefkowitz, the result surely would have been different. A couple of years ago, Taylor Swift pursued, on principle, an assault case against a man who groped her at a meet-and-greet, and won a symbolic $1. But none of the Ep-stein’s victims were anything like Taylor Swift. They were selected for abuse -- be-cause they were vulnerable. And failed by their government -- because they were vulnerable.

Having minimized Epstein’s offense in Florida, his lawyers got busy minimizing the consequences. They somehow con-vinced a prosecutor in the office of Man-hattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance to petition a judge to lower Epstein’s sex-of-fender status. The shocked judge rejected it out of hand.

This held true to the pattern -- all mis-takes always worked in Epstein’s favor.

It was a mistake that Epstein got to leave 12 hours a day, six days a week, while briefly in jail in Palm Beach so he could pursue his “work” (including bilking one of his clients).

It was a mistake that New York City police didn’t enforce the requirement that Epstein check in every 90 days as required under his sex-offender status.

All the while, Epstein continued to so-cialize with fancy people, buying his way into their company and entertaining the great and the good at his New York City mansion. It was only when the Miami Her-ald unearthed the enormity of his crimes that Epstein’s world began to unravel.

It shouldn’t be possible for a hideous monster to game the American system of justice, but it’s exactly what Jeffrey Ep-stein did, from loathsome beginning to unforgivable end.

Rich Lowry is editor of the National Review.(c) 2019 by King Features Synd., Inc.

OPINIONThe Red River Sun

A Wednesday, August 21, 2019

RedRiverSun.com/opinion

Headline Goes Here

RICH

LOWRY

Rich LowryEpstein was allowed to game the system

Bob Franken

Age-Old Gaffes

BOB

FRANKEN

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICYThe Red River Sun welcomes letters from readers on topics of local, state, national and international importance. Please avoid letters regarding local

elections as such items should be advertising. Email letters are preferred to: [email protected] All letters must include a first and last name, street address (no post office boxes), town, and daytime phone number. All letters must be 500 words or less. Letters sent via U.S.

mail may be sent to PO Box 1260, Childress, TX 79201.

Green New Deal would fail,just like the original New DealBy David A. Ridenour

Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently issued a resolution declaring a climate change emergency. The move is another attempt to raise support for Rep. Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal, a plan to halt climate change by transition-ing America to clean energy sources within just 10 years.

Like its 1930s namesake, the Green New Deal, or GND, would require massive gov-ernment interventions in the economy. And just like the original New Deal, it would fail to achieve its main goals. In fact, it would impoverish millions of Americans and de-crease living standards nationwide.

The New Deal began in 1933 when Pres-ident Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the National Industrial Recovery Act, giving the executive branch the power to set wages and prices across the country. FDR and his advisors believed the federal government could end the Great Depression by pouring money into the economy. The more work-ers were paid, the more they could spend -- and the higher prices were, the more they would have to spend.

Today, many economists and historians agree that these policies backfired. Since government-mandated wage hikes made it harder for companies to pay their employ-ees, total hours worked decreased during the New Deal.

The New Deal raised wages but made it much more difficult to find work. Overall, unemployment was 25 percent higher than it would have been without the NIRA’s in-terference.

All told, the New Deal might have pro-longed the Great Depression by seven years. The gross national product at the time would have been 27 percent higher without New Deal policies.

The GND would similarly crush poor Americans today. Low-income Americans already spend a higher than average per-

centage of their income on energy. These costs will only increase as fossil fuels are heavily taxed. Electricity costs would sky-rocket.

The GND also calls for every home and building in America to be retrofit-ted for energy efficiency. This could cost up to $100,000 per home and much more for larger structures, resulting in a massive increase in the cost of living. Farmers and ranchers aren’t exempt from the GND, so the plan would cause an increase in food prices as well.

Wage inflation is also a central part of the GND, which promises to “create mil-lions of high-wage jobs.” As the New Deal era proves, this is easier said than done. Wage hikes increase unemployment.

The Roosevelt administration’s tax in-creases and labor regulations forced the closure of many businesses. And the GND is similarly shortsighted. To reach zero net-carbon emissions in 10 years, the govern-ment would regulate and ultimately pro-hibit the use of affordable energy sources. This would trigger a massive decline in industrial productivity and result in mass layoffs.

The best environmental outcomes result not from government fiat, but from na-tional prosperity and free-market innova-tion. The United States has slashed energy carbon emissions by 13 percent since 2005, thanks to its increased reliance on natural gas, which produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than coal.

The New Deal prolonged the Great De-pression it was meant to end. Almost a century later, the GND would prove just as counterproductive. This crusade for envi-ronmental and economic justice would ac-tually lead to more pollution and poverty.

David A. Ridenour is president of The Nation-al Center for Public Policy Research, a research foundation dedicated to providing free market solutions to today’s public policy problems.

When Joe Biden says he’s run-ning for president, he means it literally. He likes to be

seen jogging around at his various cam-paign events.

Obviously, that’s his way of showing that at 76, he’s not too old for the gruel-ing physical and mental challenges of be-ing POTUS. But it does raise a question: Is he aware that the bigger problem is his running off at the mouth?

Now, this is not a new concern. Joe Biden, after all, taught us what a “gaffe” was -- he’s been at it for a generation.

He describes himself as “a gaffe machine,” tripping over his comments since at least 1987, during his first presidential campaign, which ended after he was caught repeatedly plagia-rizing the speeches of a British politician.

Over the years he has been a constant source of laughter. In the greatest hits of Biden classics there was this one, from 2007,

describing Barack Obama: “I mean, you got the first mainstream African-Ameri-can who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”

In 2008, he bounded onto a stage with this gem: “I’m told Chuck Graham, state senator, is here. Stand up, Chuck; let ‘em see you. Oh, God love you. What am I talking about? I’ll tell you what, you’re making everybody else stand up, though, pal.” Chuck Graham was confined to a wheelchair.

Joe is still at it, telling people during a recent speech in Iowa: “We have this no-tion that somehow if you’re poor, you can-not do it. Poor kids are just as bright, just as talented, as white kids.” He then had to untangle his tongue and get it right.

So Biden has been mangling his lan-guage for a long time, but now it’s no lon-ger funny. No one is cutting him any slack, wondering if his missteps really mean he’s lost a step.

Even President Donald Trump is wait-ing to pounce. He told reporters after the latest from Biden: “Look, Joe is not play-ing with a full deck.” Somehow, at 73, Donald Trump feels like he can play the ageism card.

Interestingly, he’s gaffe-prone himself. Who can forget this gem from his recent July Fourth salute to himself: “The Con-tinental Army suffered a bitter winter of Valley Forge, found glory across the waters of the Delaware and seized victory from Cornwallis of Yorktown,” said Trump. “Our army manned the air, it rammed the ramparts, it took over the airports, it did everything it had to do.”

The Continental Army taking over airports in 1777 was just another of the Trumpster’s flights of fancy, but the issues with Trump are far more serious than his mistakes. It’s his intentional rhetoric; the relentless racism, the intentional lies, that are no laughing matter.

Also serious is a discussion about how old is too old, about the advantages of long experience versus the disadvantages of age. It would be useful to avoid sweep-ing assumptions. Some are impaired as the years go by, but some are sharp as a tack. Generalizing would be ageism.

In any case, let’s face it -- a Trump-Biden contest would be a gaffe-laugh a minute. That would end up being a wel-come distraction from the inevitable hate-fulness and deceit that will make the up-coming campaign one for the ages -- the Dark Ages.

Bob Franken is an Emmy Award-winning re-porter who covered Washington for more than 20 years with CNN. (c) 2019 Bob Franken

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

807 West Avenue ~ Wellington•

806-447-2541

Bluebonnet Home Health

& Hospice807 West Avenue ~ Wellington

•806-447-2541

Bluebonnet Home Health

& Hospice

CHURCH DIRECTORYThe Red River Sun


RedRiverSun.com/church

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. - Psalm 68:5 (NIV)

When I was in school my father attended all of my

activities — football games, basketball games, wrestling tournaments. For a long time I thought it was only because of our close relationship. However, his support of student athletes continued until he was well into his sixties. Only at my father’s funeral did I learn from my brother the true reason our father spent so much time at these events. My father had told him: “When I was in school, my parents never came to anything because they were always drunk or at the bar. I go to all these activities for the kids whose parents don’t show up. They can count on me to be in the stands. I am always there so they have support from someone.”

Though my father wasn’t religious, his example reminds me of the way our Lord shows us love and hope by never leaving us alone. Much as my father was always in the stands for the kids, when Jesus ascended into heaven, he left the Holy Spirit to comfort us. We can place total faith and hope in that truth.

Today’s Prayer:

Dear Father, continue to show us through others that you are always watching over and guiding us along life’s path.

Amen

The Upper Room Daily Devotional

301 North Main ~ Childress(940) 937-3611

“Your Community Partner” Since 1909 www.fbtchildress.netGateway Branch • 2006 Avenue G NW (940) 937-9013Downtown • 301 N. Main St. (940) 937-3611 The New Telephone Banking Number is 1-888-471-3892

Member FDIC

“Your Community Partner” since 1909 www.fbtchildress.netGateway Branch • 2006 Avenue G NW (940) 937-9013Downtown • 301 N. Main St. (940) 937-3611 Telephone Banking Number is 1-888-471-3892

chadhollandrealestate.com

Chad Holland, Broker • (806) 205-0497Camie Holland, Realtor • 940-937-2200

Bev Odom, Realtor • (806) 205-1322

Two Rivers Family RestaurantBreakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Hwy 83 ~ Wellington 806.447.2951Monday - Saturday - 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Carroll’s Flowers1001 East Ave.806-447-2878

Wellington

Farmers Co-op Society #1Wellington

(806) 447-2201

Foster & Lambert, L.L.C.Certified Public Accountants

Denise Foster C.P.A.Tracy Lambert C.P.A.

330 Main, P.O. Box 7Childress, Texas 79201

(940)937-8681

Chris and Nita Johnson 307 Ave. C NWJoshua and Karin Johnson (940) 937-3646 Childress, Texas

Tri County Co-op GinDodson

(806) 493-4555

TACLADI6096C309 CommercePo Box 727Childress, Tx 79201

M-2717(940) 937-2579(800) 727-7052

Richard Love, Owner

WellingtonTractor Parts(800) 992-5346

101 W. Bdwy • Hollis OK • 580-688-9229 www.ragencyonline.com

Insurance & Tag OfficeRobinson Agency

CHILDRESS

Assembly of God

First Assembly of God2020 Avenue I NWL. R. Haisten, Pastor940-937-2976

Sunday Worship 10 a.m.Evening 6 p.m.Wednesday at 7 p.m.

BaptistBible Baptist Church801 C NW. 940-937-2068Alan Egerton, Minister

Sunday School 10 a.m.Worship 10:55 a.m. and 6 p.m.Wednesday - 6 p.m.

Calvary Baptist Church1606 I NW. 940-937-2726Terry Williams, Pastor

Sunday School 9:45 a.m.Worship 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m.Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

Carey 1st Baptist ChurchU.S. 287, Loop 328.940-937-2126Randy Wilson, Pastor

Small Groups 9:45 a.m.Worship 10:45 a.m.Wednesday 6:30 p.m.www.carey1stbaptist.com

First Baptist Church300 C NW.Chad King, Minister

Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship 10:45 a.m. WednesdayPrayer Meeting and Bible Study 10 a.m.Champs and Jr High 6 p.m.High School 7 p.m.

Parkview Baptist Church208 H NW.940-937-3005Don McFarland, MinisterChase Finch Associate Minister

Sunday School 10 a.m.Worship 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.Wednesday 7 p.m.Radio: 93.1 KPBC

CatholicHoly Angels Catholic Church400 B SW940-937-3946Rev. Nick Gerber940-937-3946

SaturdayConfession 4 p.m.Mass 6 p.m.

SundayMass 12 noon

Church of Christ

Childress Church of Christ210 2nd St. SE.940-937-2741 Trey Morgan, MinisterDrew Denman, Youth Min.

Sunday School 9:30 a.m.Worship 10:30 a.m.and 6 p.m.Third Sunday early evening service at 1 p.m.Wednesday 7 p.m. Sunday Radio Program: KCTX 96.1 FM.9:05 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.

Methodist

First United Methodist Church 201 D NE.940-937-2511Lou Ellerbrook, Minister(940) 937-3503

Sunday School 9:30 a.m.Worship 10:40 a.m. and 5 p.m.www.childressumc.org

Non-Denominational

Westhill Community Church7777 Hwy. 287 West(Next to Western Equip-ment)Tommy E. Sims, Pastor Worship 10:30 a.m.Wednesday - 6:30 p.m.“We Welcome You” Full Gospel Nondenominational

Church of ChristChurch of ChristVisiting PreachersContact 580-471-2683Worship 10:30 a.m.

Church of NazareneChurch of the NazarenePastor: Al Mixon806-493-4562

Sunday School 10 a.m.Worship 10:50 a.m.

WednesdayAdult Bible Study 6 p.m.Children and Youth Program 6 p.m.

Baptist

First Baptist ChurchWest Hwy 86Jeff Smith, Pastor

Sunday School 10:15 a.m.Worship 11 a.m.

Church of Christ

Church of ChristClifton Harper, Minister1215 N. Seventh

Bible Study 9 a.m.Worship 9:45 a.m.Evening Service 5 p.m.WednesdayEvening Service 5:30 p.m.

Assembly of God

First Assembly of God Church622 N 11th StMemphis, TX 79245Pastor Dale Griswold806-566-9993806-259-3267

Sunday School 10 a.m.Worship 10:30 a.m.Evening 6 p.m.WednesdayYouth 6 p.m.

DODSON

ESTELLINE

MEMPHIS

WELLINGTONBaptist

Faith Baptist Church101 East AvenuePastor Ronnie Lambert806-205-3784

Sunday School 10 a.m.Worship Service 11 a.m.WEDNESDAYPrayer Meeting 6:30 p.m.

First Baptist Church1106 15th Street806-447-5353

Sunday School 9:45 a.m.Worship 11 a.m.Evening Worship 5 p.m.WednesdayPrayer Meeting 6 p.m.

Church of ChristChurch of ChristBowie & 13th Street806-447-2206

Bible Class 10 a.m.Worship 10:45 a.m.Evening Worship 6 p.m.WednesdayEvening Worship 7 p.m.

Catholic

Our Mother of MercyCatholic Church1108 Floydada StreetFather Nick Gerber940-937-3946Cell for emergencies only806-367-2395

Sunday Mass 8 a.m.CCD Classes 9 - 10 a.m.Confessions by appointment

Methodist

First United Methodist Church901 Bowie StreetPastor Gene Weinette806-447-2377

Food and Fellowship 9:45 a.m.Sunday School 9:55 a.m.Worship 10:55 a.m.MondayJunior High Youth 5 p.m.Wednesday Senior High Youth 5:30 p.m.

Non-DenominationalFirst Christian Church700 Haskel StreetMinister Larry Haddock806-447-5529

Sunday School 9:30 a.m.Worship 10:30 a.m.Parkview ManorService 12:30 p.m.Bible Study 6 p.m.WednesdayFamily Fellowship 6:30 p.m.

Trinity Fellowship1305 Ft Worth Street

Children’s Church and Sunday School 9 a.m.Worship 10 a.m.

WEDNESDAYLife Group – 6:30 p.m.

514 North 10th - Memphis(806) 259-3535

(806) 447-2536 • Wellingtonwww.greenbeltelectric.coop

Bluebonnet Home Health & Hospice

807 West Avenue ~ Wellington806-447-2541

AdamsFuneral Home

Wellington ~ 806-447-2506

Quanah Oil Company, Inc.106 King Street ~ Quanah

940-663-2322

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Weekly Devotionalbrought to you by our sponsors

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940-937-6418

Birdsong Peanuts806-447-9910

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James ClevelandFarmers Stock/Buying Point Manager

Calvary Baptist Church809 Floydada StreetPastor Noah Downing 806-447-2903

Sunday School 10 a.m.Worship 11 a.m.Evening 6:30 p.m.Wednesday Worship 6:30 p.m.

HOLLIS

To add your church to the

Red River Sun Church Directory,

call 888-400-1083

Baptist

First Baptist Church201 E. JonesGlenn Alley, Pastor580-688-3356

Morning Worship 9:30 a.m.Sunday School: 10:45 a.m.Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting: 6:00 p.m.F.B.I. 6:00 p.m.Youth 6:30 p.m.Choir: 7:30 p.m.

Show your support for the churches of our community and advertise here.

For more information please call 888.400.1083

Caring is Our Calling!1506 Childress Street • Wellington

806.447.2513

First Assembly of God423 E. EulaJesse Cantu, Pastor580-281-0468Sunday School 9:45Sunday Worship 10:45Wednesday Worship 6:30

Assembly of God

A&K Meat Processing

Always in the Stands

Over 30 years experience! • Domestic & Wild GameBeef starts at 59¢/#, pork 69¢/#.

1303 8th Street • WellingtonScott & Sandra Cooper

806.447.5660

SAMNORWOODBaptist

Samnorwood Baptist Church15790 FM 1036Pastor Lee Bevly806-256-2080

SUNDAYSunday School - 10 a.m.Worship - 11 a.m.WEDNESDAYWednesday Kids - 6 p.m.Find us on FACEBOOK!

COMICSThe Red River Sun


RedRiverSun.com/comics

Headline Goes Here


Daren OVerMILLer

Chiropractic Corner

Different stokes for different folks

Please call 888.400.1083 with any questions you have about your subscription to The Red River Sun.

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Childress Specific Chiropractic

210 Commerce St • Childress, TX 79201 • 940-937-6600

Dr. Overmiller is your answer to...

Headaches•

Weight Loss•

Neck/Back Pain•

Joint Pain•

Acupuncture•

Sports Injuries• TX LI 4823 • TX LI 19097 • TX BP 13774

Anyone who has been to more than one chiropractor knows that there are many dif-ferent types of us. Chiropractors can vary in several ways. Some offices specialize in different areas of care such as, personal in-jury, sports injury, children, elderly care or even animals. Chiropractors can use differ-

ent techniques. Some use more force

while others are utilize very light techniques.

Most adjusting is done by hand but some practi-tioners will use specialized instruments. When the treatment is done by hand it is a bit of an art form, which mean that even though two chiropractors use the same technique it could feel a lot different

to the patient. There are literally dozens of different techniques that a chiropractor can use.

Just like hitting a golf ball or baseball, or shooting a basketball, there are different ways to accomplish the same objective and each person does it a little different. What works for one patient won’t always work for another. Surgeons have different pro-cedures depending on the patient and what complications may be present. A general practitioner can choose from a variety of prescriptions for a specific condition, just as your chiropractor can use different tech-niques depending on what a patient may prefer or what will help the patient recover more quickly.

A chiropractor’s procedure choice is a product of many factors, including: the school where they were trained, the pa-tients age and condition, and the size of the patient. A baby is treated much differently than their parents who are in turn adjusted differently than the grandparents.

There are probably no two chiropractors that adjust exactly alike, but all are working to achieve the same result, restoring proper function to the joints, relieving pain and re-ducing muscle spasm. I know of some doc-tors of chiropractic that have settled on one way of doing things and that is the only way they do it, no matter if a patient is comfort-able with the chosen technique or not. In that office it is what every patient gets.

This may be just fine for some patients but probably not for all. Patients deserve to have some choice in their treatment and should always be comfortable with the treat-ment they are receiving. Be sure to speak up and ask questions about your treatment, no matter what type of health care provider you are seeing. Every patient is unique and conditions vary and each treatment needs to be tailored to fit, whether it’s a prescrip-tion, adjustment, or surgery. I draw from 4-5 different techniques that vary from very light to fairly firm. I find that this ensures that the patient is comfortable with their treatment and they have the best odds at a successful recovery with the lowest pos-sible risk.

Dr. Overmiller practices at Childress Specific Chiropractic located at 210 Commerce St in Chil-dress TX, 940-937-6600.

High-speed chase ends in Childress


CHILDRESS – The Childress County Sheriff’s Office and Childress Police Department worked to-gether to stop a high-speed chase on Aug. 6.

It started when Sheriff Mike Pigg was on patrol west of Kirkland on U.S. 287. He saw what appeared to be a road rage incident taking place and tried to

stop the aggressor vehicle. But the driver, Hailey Pra-do, age 23 of Troy, Texas, accelerated and drove away.

“A pursuit ensued with speeds exceeding 120 mph as the chase continued to-wards Childress,” Pigg said.

Once the chase was in-side the city limits, Chil-dress Police Sergeant Matt Bradley attempted to stop Prado with a blocking ac-tion which made the car

slow down. That enabled Pigg to ram the evading vehicle in the 700 block of Ave F N.E.

“We brought the pursuit to a stop before it could get into heavier traffic,” Pigg explained.

Prado was arrested for felony evading arrest and driving while intoxicated. A breath test showed she was nearly three times the legal limit. Prado’s bonds were set at $13,000.


This is how the high-speed chase in Childress ended.


CHILDRESS – CISD has a new policy on vaping, and breaking it means days in Disciplinary Alternative Education Pro-gram (DAEP) and contacting the Chil-dress Police Department.

“We’re trying to buckle down,” said Childress High School Principal Paige Steed.

There has been a significant increase in the use of electronic smoking devices by teenagers to “vape” tobacco and other nicotine products, according to the policy. Studies show electronic smoking devices are the most common form teens are using to get the delivery of nicotine.

“They’re so addicted they don’t even realize they’re doing it,” Steed explained. “In five years, I’ve caught one kid smoking cigarettes in the parking lot. They don’t equate vaping with that.”

The most common additives in the elec-tronic smoking devices are nicotine, fla-vorings and caffeine, the policy explained, and these substances have been known to have a negative effect on adolescent brain development.

But these devices are also being used

for THC, which is the chemical found in marijuana.

“We have to stop this because of the im-pact it will have on our student’s health,” Steed said.

While some students hide vaping, others do not. When students are found in pos-session, using, selling or buying electronic cigarettes/vaping devices, including Juul (or parts, liquids, pods, vials, or other ma-terial thereof) they will be placed in DAEP and police will be contacted.

This policy went into effect on Aug. 15, which was the beginning of the 2019-20 school year. Here is what to expect for breaking the policy:

First Offense - 10 instructional days in DAEP and police will be contacted

Second Offense - 20 instructional days in DAEP and police will be contacted

Third Offense - One full semester in DAEP and police will be contacted.

Additionally, other consequences outside of Childress ISD’s control may be imposed for violations of Texas State Laws of hav-ing possession of drugs within 300 feet of a school. The state’s recent increase of the age requirement to purchase both tobacco and e-cigarette products from the age of 18 to 21 will go into effect on Sept. 1.

CISD adopts new vaping policy

Special to The Sun

FORT WORTH – The NRA Personal Protection Expo, Sept. 6-8 at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth is the nation’s premier event for personal protection, concealed carry, and home defense products and education.

Over 120 seminars and workshops will be available to Expo attendees. The ad-mission ticket is valid for all three days and will provide show goers access to a wide range of free seminars, train-ing and educational content, as well as access to an expan-sive exhibit hall showcasing an array of personal defense and concealed carry firearms and accessories.

In depth workshops rang-ing from 2-4 hours and de-signed to enhance self-de-fense and general prepared-ness skills will be available for an additional fee. Elite instructors from across the nation are coming together to offer an unprecedented number of high-quality, limited-access training events.

Some of the best-in-class presenters at this year’s NRA Personal Protection Expo include:

Tom Kier – Considered to be a subject matter expert by USSOCOM and holds a Master Instructor rank in Sayoc Kali “The Art of the Blade” with over 27 years of training in the system. Kier presents a hands-on ap-proach to the use and avoid-ance of combative edged weapons in his workshop,

“Edged Weapons for Every Day Carry”.

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman – A US Army Ranger, para-trooper, and a former West Point Psychology Profes-sor. In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks he is has written and spoken exten-sively on the terrorist threat. Grossman will speak about your role as an armed Amer-ican citizen in the future challenges to our nation.

Paul R. Howe – A Mili-tary and Tactical Law En-forcement 20-year Army veteran and former Special Operations Team Leader and Instructor with com-bat experience in multiple

venues. He will present a workshop on the “Combat Mindset”, encompassing the mental, physical, technical, tactical, and medical aspects of preparation for dealing with violent encounters.

Frank Mir – A former two-time UFC heavyweight champion, and current Bel-lator MMA heavyweight contender. He holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and the future hall of famer is widely considered to be the greatest submission special-ist in heavyweight history. Frank will conduct a hands-on workshop on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques for self-defense.

nra Personal Protection expo

LIFESTYLES & ENTERTAINMENTThe Red River Sun A

Wednesday, August 21, 2019RedRiverSun.com/lifestyles

Headline Goes Here

Bev Odom/The Red River Sun

Attendees of the Sunday morning worship service at Pioneer Park on Aug. 4 stood as Samnor-wood Baptist Pastor Lee Bevly read from the book of Exodus, chapter 14. The event concluded Wellington's Wild & Free on 83 weekend agenda.

"Down by the River," "At the Feet of Jesus," "Raise a Hallelujah" and "How Great Thou Art" are just a sampling of the beautiful praise and worship music that echoed through the park along the Salt Fork of the Red River with musicians and vocalists Jeff Field, left, Justin Mixon, Jennifer Jones and Kelly Bawcom. Pianist Zack Coleman performed an array of favorite hymns as worshipers arrived for the outdoor service.

By Bev OdomThe Red River Sun

COLLINGSWORTH COUNTY — To conclude the Wellington Wild & Free on 83 events, many of the churches of the county com-bined their Sunday morn-ing service at Pioneer Park at 10:30 followed by an old

fashioned church picnic. Pianist Zack Coleman

performed a multitude of hymns as everyone arrived. Justin Mixon, Kelly Bawcom, Jeff Field and Jennifer Jones led the praise and worship music during the event.

Wellington Church of the Nazarene Pastor Mike Davis welcomed the crowd.

First Christian Minister Larry Haddock provided an interesting excerpt from the book, "A History of Colling-sworth County and other Stories," published in 1925 by the late Henry Deskins Wells and the Wellington Leader staff.

Collingsworth gathers for community service

See COMMuniTy Page 9A


Gene and Barbara Wren, proud parents of Austin Wren, would like to announce their son was promoted to Lt. Colonel of the united States Marine Corps on August 3. Austin was promoted at June Lake, Calif. by Lt. Colonel Darren Gallagher of the united States Marine Corp. He has been living in Virginia Beach, Va. with his wife Shannon Wren. He has a daughter, Kennedy Wren, who is attending Old Miss, a daughter, Jenna Campbell, who graduates in June and a new son, Grant Austin Wren, 9 month old. He is now going to be based in Hawaii. We are so proud of him and his family for all of his and hard work and dedication and accomplish-ments.

Lt. Colonel Wren promoted


CHILDRESS – For those who read about 7 year-old Maddox being hailed a hero for re-membering what to do during a fire, this story is for you and your kids!

Childress Fire Department Chief Dan-iel Tyler shared the fire prevention program basic outline they use when talking to kids. Their 2019 fire prevention theme is “Not ev-ery hero wears a cape. Plan and practice your escape!”

First things first, make sure children know

their address. Be sure to explain the impor-tance of knowing it in case of an emergency.

Next, teach kids how to call 911. Make sure they know when and how to properly use the system, like saying their name, location and type of emergency. Be sure to express 911 is for emergencies only.

Planning your escape is next on the list to talk about. Explain the importance of plan-ning two ways out of every room in the house and why a secondary escape route is needed.

Fire prevention for kids

See PREVEnTiOn Page 9A


PUBLIC NOTICE

OnJuly15,2019,SouthwesternElectricPowerCompany(SWEPCO)fileda petition with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (Commission) requesting Cer-tificate ofConvenience andNecessity (CCN) authorization to acquire an interest inthreewind generation facilities (theSelectedWindFacilities) located inOklahoma.ThedocketnumberandstyleofthecasearePUCDocketNo.49737,Application of Southwestern Electric Power Company for Certificate of Convenience and Necessity Authorization and Related Relief for the Acquisition of Wind Generation Facilities.SWEPCOhasapproximately184,000Texasretailcustomers,allofwhomareaffectedbythisApplication. SWEPCOhasfiledseparateapplicationsforcertificationoftheSelectedWindFacilitieswiththeArkansasPublicServiceCommissionandtheLoui-sianaPublicServiceCommission.PSOhasfiledforapprovalofraterecoveryfortheSelectedWindFacilitiesfromtheOklahomaCorporationCommission.

ThroughaRequestforProposals(RFP)process,SWEPCOanditssistercom-panyPublicServiceCompanyofOklahoma(PSO)havecontractedtoacquiretheproj-ectcompaniesowningthefollowingthreeSelectedWindFacilities,subjecttoreceiptofregulatoryapprovalsandsatisfactionofotherconditions:

Traverse 999 MWMaverick 287MWSundance 199 MW Total 1485MW

Eachof theSelectedWindFacilities is owned by an affiliate of InvenergyLLC.SWEPCOhascontractedtoacquire54.5%ofeachFacility,foratotalof810MW,andPSOwillacquiretheremaining45.5%(675MW)share.Intheeventthatapprovalisnotreceivedfromallstateregulatorycommissions,SWEPCOrequestsap-provalinthisapplicationtoacquirealargershareoftheSelectedWindFacilitiesforthebenefitofTexascustomers. ThetotalpricefortheSelectedWindFacilitiesincludingallinterconnectionandupgradecosts,payableatclosing,is$1.86billion($1,253/kW),ofwhichSWEP-CO’s54.5%shareis$1.01billion.TotalprojectcostsincludingPSApriceadjustmentsandowner’scostsareexpectedtobeapproximately$1.996billion,ofwhichSWEP-CO’s54.5%shareisapproximately$1.09billion.Closingissubjecttoregulatoryap-provalsandotherconditions,andtherearenopre-closingprogressorotherpayments. Personswith questions about this Project should contact SWEPCO at 428TravisStreet,Shreveport,Louisiana71101orcall toll-freeat(888)216-3523duringnormalbusinesshours.Personswhowishtointerveneintheproceedingorcommentuponactionsought, shouldcontact thePublicUtilityCommission,P.O.Box13326,Austin,Texas78711-3326,orcallthePublicUtilityCommissionat(512)936-7120or(888)782-8477.Hearing-andspeech-impairedindividualswithtexttelephones(TTY)maycontactthecommissionat(512)936-7136.ThedeadlineforinterventionintheproceedingisSeptember30,2019andyoumustsendaletterrequestinginterventiontotheCommissionwhichisreceivedbythatdate.

AcopyofSWEPCO’spetitionmaybeviewedontheCommission’swebpageat https://www.puc.texas.gov. TheCommissionmaintains an electronic copy of allfilingsonthe“Filings/FilingsSearch”sectionofitswebpage.Thecontrolnumberforthisproceedingis49737.

Come up with a meeting place outside of the home in case of an emergency where everyone can meet safely. When explaining why this is needed be sure to say something like “if you’re not accounted for, we WILL come find you.”

Heat and smoke rise to the ceiling of a room first, so make sure kids know the coolest and most fresh air is at floor level. Tell children to crawl out of bed, crawl under smoke and not to stand up and run.

Firefighters are here to help, so let kids know to not hide from them. It’s a good idea to let them know firefighters will be in their gear.

Remember this from elementary school: stop, drop and roll? Explain the proper technique and get kids to demonstrate it.

If parents aren’t comfortable doing this, Chief Tyler said bring children to the fire depart-ment. Firefighters will go over this with children.

PREVENTION From Page 8A

"There was a time when Col-lingsworth County was not as law abiding as it is today," read Haddock. "In the early days, lawless men were even more numerous than nesters, and at one time there was a feud among the cowboys. All that is changed now, and it has been the work of the churches more than anything else that has caused this improvement.

The gentle, insistent work of the early pastors brought the doctrine of mercy and peace to men who had been governed solely by their savage impulses. It taught the meaning of duty, and showed them the blessing of working for others.

Although the church work had no effect on the individual lives of some of the hardened men, it did have a tremendous effect on the community as a whole. Its influence increased

steadily in those early years. In 1898, the churches were

responsible for voting this county dry. In 1910, they drove out the pool halls. Their work has always been for the devel-opment of the county as well as the development of the spiri-tual health of the individual members."

Samnorwood Baptist Pas-tor Lee Bevly shared a message from the the book of Exodus, chapter 14. He referenced the movie, "The Bridge," the lo-cal history documentary that premiered at the Ritz on Aug. 3 where the old timers had to change with the times from the horse and buggy days to the au-tomobile.

"Being a believer doesn't ex-empt us from being 'in a pick-le,'" Pastor Bevly said. "Lost or saved, all of us are going to have troubles in our lives, but Jesus is

with us and on our side. You've got to have faith and join God in what he's doing in your life. Faith will allow God to show us the direction in our life, usu-ally through people he puts in our path. And we have to move forward, not backward."

As an analogy, Bevly used the Global Positioning System (GPS).

"Your GPS doesn't ever say, 'back up,'" he added. "God keeps showing us his GPS, his direction for our life."

In closing, Bevly sang "Trust and Obey" in the quiet, peace-ful and still outdoors surround-ed by the natural beauty of the park.

First United Methodist Pas-tor Gene Weinette offered the benediction. Those that could stayed and enjoyed their pic-nic lunch and fellowship with other believers.

COMMUNITY From Page 8A


Cole and Amber Cummings of Amarillo are excited to announce the birth of their son, Braxton Cole Cummings born May 30, 2019 in Amarillo. Braxton arrived weighing 9 pounds, 5 ounces and measuring 21.5 inches long. Proud grandparents are Tim and Toni Cummings of Welling-ton, Bruce and Cynthia Curtis of Panhandle and Doug King of Amarillo. Braxton is the great grandson of Ernestene Cummings and Jackie Pratt of Wellington, Glenn and Karon Vaughn of Panhandle, Shirley King of Amarillo and Harvey and Kay Isaacs of Russellville, Arkansas.

Birth announcmentBraxton Cole Cummings

Childress Yards of the Month


Childress Women's Council awarded Edward Jones business yard of the month for August.

Tony Harris received yard of the month for August by Childress Women's Council.

Care Center NewsWELLINGTON — Greetings!Wellington Care Center administration, staff

and residents would like to welcome our newest residents to the Care Center. They are Cody An-glin and James Perkins. We are proud you chose the Care Center to be your newest home. We are praying that your stay will be a positive one.

Sunday morning Church of Christ Bible study was led by Troy and Kay Thomason. Other mem-bers attending were Ray Floyd, Danny Martin, Ann Wauer and Ruby Nash. Residents were Ana Penta, Randy Wooldridge and Sue Parker. The residents enjoyed the rest of the morning playing dominoes and reading books and magazines. The afternoon was spent in playing the Wii game. They enjoyed a let's bake cookie social, a sing-along and late night bingo.

Monday morning activity was rhythm band music. Appetizers are served five days a week. That afternoon John Lively came and ministered to the residents with beautiful spiri-tual songs of praise. Residents attending were Steven Tucker, Wanda Cardwell, Wilma Bean-land, Randy Wooldridge, Lesa Wadley, Eliza-beth Hoffman, Katherine Hall and Zo Zell Chamberlain. Ice cream was served. Afterward several played a few hands of dominoes while others viewed a movie.

Tuesday morning activities were art and adult coloring pictures. Residents participating were Ana Penta, Zo Zell Chamberlain, Linda Herbal, Norma Carter and Elizabeth Hoffman. The resi-dents enjoyed soft art, music and delicious coffee in the art class. That afternoon was sing-along, nail care and the domino group enjoyed their games and an evening movie.

Wednesday the residents played the Wii game with Trish Melton playing tennis, golf and bowl-ing. Several residents attended. That afternoon we had a spiritual study led by Trish Melton. Af-terward the residents were served cookies and ice cream. They then enjoyed more dominoes and a Hallmark movie.

Thursday morning our volunteer domino player came to the Care Center and played dom-inoes with Kathi West, Judy Baker and Zo Zell Chamberlain. That afternoon was spent in bingo.

After the bingo games the residents enjoyed an ice cream social and an evening movie.

Friday activities were exercise, a movie and popcorn with punch, a Family Feud game, domi-noes and an evening movie.

These are a few of our resident’s favorite things. May mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you.

From around our house,Dorothy Massey – Activity Director

Wellington Care Center tenants Elizabeth Hoffman, left, Martinez Villanueva, Norma Carter and Zo Zell Chamberlain enjoyed their recent arts and crafts session.


John Lively recently entertained the resi-dents of Wellington Care Center with his singing talents.

10A WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019 | THE RED RIVER SUN redriversun.com

511 Avenue F N.E. ~ Childress940.937.3621

“Come on down to the east side of town!”

“U” Jug

Texas State Capital Highlights

Keep Public Notices in Newspapers

www.newsmediaalliance.org

Some officials want to move notices from newspapers to government-run websites, where they may not be easily found.

This is like putting the fox in charge of the hen house.

When public noticesreach the public, everyone benefits.

God blessAmerica!

Governor takes action to prevent acts of terrorism

AUSTIN — Texas now boasts its own Domestic Terrorism Task Force, es-tablished by order of the governor in the wake of the deadly Aug. 3 shooting in El Paso.

Twenty-two people were killed and 24 injured by a suspect firing a military-style assault rifle in a popu-lar shopping venue.

Gov. Greg Abbott on Aug. 14 said the task force’s job will be to analyze and provide advice on strategies to maximize law enforce-ment’s ability to protect against acts of domestic ter-rorism. The first meeting is set for Aug. 30.

“Our top priority is to keep Texans safe in their communities, he said, add-ing that "Texas is stronger when we come together in pursuit of a shared goal, and today’s actions are vi-tal steps in our ongoing fight against extremism and violence. We stand united against those who wish to bring harm to our state, and together we will build a saf-er future for every Texan.”

Meanwhile, Abbott di-rected the Texas Depart-

ment of Public Safety to:—Conduct a state intel-

ligence assessment on the domestic terrorism threat;

—Establish a Domestic Terrorism Section within the Texas Fusion Center to proactively seek, assess and monitor domestic terror-ism and other mass casualty threats;

—Coordinate with the designated regional fusion centers in Texas to increase the detection and monitor-ing of domestic terrorism and other mass casualty threats;

—Establish Domestic Terrorism Teams com-prised of DPS Special Agents to provide imme-diate direct support to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces and increase the number of special agents to conduct domestic counter-terrorism investigations;

—Increasing the number of DPS special agents and analysts in the Texas Anti-Gang Centers conducting investigations of criminal gangs affiliated with Neo Nazi and White National-ist groups and networks es-pousing terrorist attacks.

Task force members

namedThe Governor’s office

posted the following list of those who will serve on the new Domestic Terrorism Task Force:

Governor Greg Ab-bott, Lt. Gov. Dan Pat-rick, House Speaker Den-nis Bonnen and Attorney General Ken Paxton. Also, DPS Chief Steve McCraw, Texas Division of Emer-gency Management Chief Nim Kidd; Major General Tracy Norris, Texas Mili-tary Department; Executive Director Amanda Craw-ford, Texas Department of Information Resources; and Executive Director Cart-er Smith, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

Also included are mem-bers of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, mem-bers of the U.S. Secret Ser-

vice, U.S. Attorney John Bash, Western District of Texas; Jeff Murray, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; members of the Federal Bureau of Inves-

tigation; Lubbock County District Attorney K. Sun-shine Stanek; El Paso Po-lice Chief Greg Allen, Hi-dalgo County Sheriff Eddie Guerra, Hidalgo; and Capt. Anthony Carter, Collin County Sheriff's Office, North Texas Fusion Cen-ter.

Fusion centers combine the capabilities of local, state and federal law en-forcement agencies in com-bating criminal activity.

TEA releases ratingsThe Texas Education

Agency on Aug. 9 released preliminary financial ac-countability ratings for

more than 1,100 school districts and charters across the state.

According to the agency, 87 percent earned the high-est preliminary rating possi-ble for 2018-2019. A school district or open-enrollment charter is assigned one of four possible letter grades — A, B, C or F — and a fi-nancial management rating of Superior, Above Stan-dard Achievement, Meets Standard or Substandard Achievement.

Ratings for 2018-2019 are based on annual financial reports provided to TEA by districts and charters for the 2018 fiscal year.

Texas’ notes rated highState Comptroller Glenn

Hegar on Aug. 15 an-nounced Texas repeated its high credit ratings for this year's Texas Tax and Rev-enue Anticipation Notes, short-term debt obligations to help the state manage its cash-flow needs for fiscal 2020.

"Texas has once again received the highest short-term credit ratings on these one-year notes," Hegar said. “These high ratings, cou-pled with the maintenance

of our AAA long-term ratings, help keep Texas' borrowing costs low and save taxpayer dollars as we manage our cash flow. Our creditworthiness reflects our conservative approach to financial management, an increasingly diverse economy and our broad and rising employment base.”

Hegar added, however, that issues such as emerging trade tensions, the need to continue to address long-term obligations on the state's balance sheet and in-creased spending pressures continue to pose poten-tial risks to the Lone Star State’s future credit.

Economy adds jobs in July

The Texas Workforce Commission on Aug. 16 an-nounced that in the month of July the state’s economy added 35,200 seasonally adjusted total non-farm po-sitions.

Also, the unemployment rate held steady in July at 3.4 percent, matching the all-time record low set in June. The rate of 3.4 per-cent is the lowest recorded unemployment rate since tracking began in 1976.

Special to The Sun

AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott came out and publicly endorsed Drew Springer for re-election as State Representative for House District 68. The Governor won House Dis-trict 68 in the last election cycle with over 85% of the vote.

"I am proud to en-dorse Representative Drew Springer for re-election, and I am grateful for his loy-alty to the people of House

District 68," said Gover-nor Abbott. "Representa-tive Springer has been a key player in maximizing free-dom and prosperity for all Texans, and he is committed to addressing the important needs of our rural communi-ties. I look forward to work-ing alongside Representative Springer as we usher in a brighter future for the Lone Star State."

A champion for ru-ral Texas, Representative Springer has fought hard on behalf of his constituents on

the issues that matter most to them. Governor Abbott is grateful to Representa-tive Springer for his work to improve transportation, provide property tax relief, and decrease burdensome business regulations.

Rep. Drew Springer com-mented on the endorsement, "While I am proud to have been endorsed by Governor Abbott, I am even prouder to have the privilege of rep-resenting HD68, where I can fight for our rural, Christian, conservative values."

Governor Abbott endorses Rep. Springer

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TxDOT employees honored


Childress District employees honored at the Texans Caring for Texans banquet on Thursday, August 15 in Canyon included Traffic Safety Specialist Nicole Tyler, third from left, and Harde-man County Maintenance Transportation Techs David Price and Dwane Morton. Pictured with the honorees are Dr. Richard Jordan – Regional Dean of the Texas Tech University Health Sci-ences Center School of Medicine in Lubbock, left, Dr. Steven L. Berk – Executive Vice President and Provost Dean of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in Lubbock and Dr. Walter Wendler – President of West Texas A&M University in Canyon.

Special to The Sun

CANYON – Three Texas Department of Transporta-tion (TxDOT) Childress District employees were honored at the Texans Car-ing for Texans banquet on Thursday, August 15 in Canyon. Founded in 1996 by former Texas State Rep-resentative David Swinford, Texans Caring for Texans honors state employees for outstanding contributions to their agencies and to the citizens of the Texas High Plains.

Childress District em-ployees honored include Dwane Morton and Da-

vid Price, who work in the Hardeman County Main-tenance section and Ni-cole Tyler who serves as the district ’s Traffic Safety Specialist.

Dwane and David were honored for coming to the rescue of an 85-year-old Hardeman County woman on the morning of March 7 while performing litter pick-up operations south of Quanah on SH 6. The duo noticed Joyce Milligan on the ground in her back-yard, who fell after run-ning across a 5-foot rattle-snake. Mrs. Milligan lay in her backyard for several hours before being spot-

ted. The rattlesnake was in very close proximity to her while she awaited someone to find her.

Nicole was honored for her efforts in bringing the Shattered Dreams program to the students at Chil-dress High School. Nicole worked tirelessly to ensure the program’s success. As a mother, EMT and TxDOT employee, Nicole made an impact on the students. DPS Trooper Chad Baize said the program would not have been possible without Nicole.

Collingsworth Chamber names new president


Doris Stallings, left, Margret Wood, Renee Hanna, Cecilia Orozco, Carroll Daves, Neal Odom, Mike Davis, Patty Gulley, Geney Gulley and Bev Odom (not pictured) met in the Ellis Art Cen-ter of Collingsworth County Museum on Aug. 13 to elect new officers for the Collingsworth Chamber of Commerce. "I'd like to encourage anyone interested in being on a committee for our various events to please let me or a committee chair know," said Patty Gulley, new cham-ber president. "With the upcoming Trunk or Treat on Oct. 30, we welcome those interested in volunteering to help organize the event and to participate."


WELLINGTON — Following the suc-cess of the recent Wild & Free on 83 event, the Collingsworth Chamber of Commerce elected Patty Gulley their new president on Aug. 13 during the noon hour meeting.

Renee Hanna, who has served as president since 2011, presided at the meeting in the El-lis Art Center of the Collingsworth County Museum.

Those present discussed the community support of the "Affair on the Square" and other Wild & Free events in Collingsworth County the first weekend in August. Katy Taylor served as chairman of the Wellington Wild & Free on 83 committee with Patty Gulley as vice chairman. Their committee included Brooke Carter, Tony Carter, Judy Cudd, Ashley Lemons, Lisa Manuel, Su-zanne Maxwell, Lennie Statham, Whitney Wiebe, Margret Wood and Toni Wright.

For the Collingsworth Chamber of Com-merce, other officers elected during the Aug. 13 meeting in addition to Gulley are Secre-tary/Treasurer Cecilia Orozco and Board of

Directors Carroll Daves, Mike Davis, Geney Gulley and Hanna. The candidate for vice president has not accepted the office at this time.

Others present for the August Chamber meeting were Bev and Neal Odom, Doris Stallings and Margret Wood. The Chamber will host the "Trunk or Treat" event on Oct. 30 beginning at 6 p.m. on the Collingsworth County Courthouse Square.

Other items of discussion included a Christmas lighting of the square, chamber banquet, city-wide garage sale, ribbon cutting for new businesses, a business of the month, yard of the month, welcome basket for new residents and city wide cleanup.

The 2019 Wellington Ex-Student Reunion is set for homecoming weekend, Sept. 20 and 21.

Chamber meetings will be held the third Thursday of each month at 5 p.m. at the Gul-ley Diner meeting and part venue on the south side of the square. The next meeting is Sept. 19. All are welcome to attend.

See PRESIDENT Page 12ASee TXDOT Page 12A


WELLINGTON — Guests Summer Owens, Dr. Wayne Shuffeld, Dr. Bethany and Justin Pick-ard, Mikyela James and Zander Pierra visited the Wellington Lions Club for its regular meeting on Aug. 5 with Boss Lions Mike Davis presiding at 7:30 p.m. in the Club Room of the Community Center.

Lion Sharon Starkey led the pledge to the U.S. flag and Lion Saundra James led the pledge to the Texas flag. Lion John James of-fered the invocation.

Lions Rudie and Karon Tate and Betty Long have August birthdays. Leona and Lion Mike Davis are celebrating 31 years of mar-riage and Lions Rudie and Karon Tate are celebrating 58 years. Lion Paul Schaub led in singing "In the Good Old Summer Time."

Geney Gulley served the delicious meal of chicken fried steak, mashed pota-toes and gravy, corn, garden salad, hot rolls and dessert.

Lion Nita Day intro-duced Summer Owens be-fore she performed three songs on the piano. Owens explained that the Cinder-ella competitions that she has won have three catego-ries, talent, casual wear and formal wear.

During the business ses-sion, Lion Neal Odom made the motion to approve the minutes, and Lion John James seconded the motion which all approved.

Lion Saundra James made the motion to accept the finance report seconded by Lion Nita Day which all

approved as well.Boss Lion Davis ex-

plained where the funds that the Lions Club raises are utilized, such as eye exams and glasses for stu-dents in addition to Texas Lions Camp and other lo-cal and national projects.

The board recommended that the club donate $200 to the Lions canine proj-ect, Companionship for Independence. Lion Mar-gret Wood seconded the recommendation which all approved.

Lion Bev Odom thanked the Lions for their assis-tance for the recent "Affair on the Square" fundraiser during the Wild & Free on

83 event Aug. 3. The bris-ket sandwiches and home-made ice cream sold out by 1 p.m.

The 2019 Lions Zone Meeting and Family Night for Canadian, Hed-ley, Memphis, Wellington and Wheeler clubs is set for Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. in Wheeler.

In closing, Boss Lion Davis invited the guests to join the Wellington Lions Club.

Others in attendance for the meeting included Sweetheart Jayla Kilgore and Lions Fraya Ham-mons, Angela McDanel, Noemi Pena and Harriett Schaub.


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Financial FocusBe alert for opportunities when preparing for college costs

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Now that summer is winding down, it will soon be “back-to-school” time. When children are young, your logistics for the new academic year may involve little more than a trip to buy school supplies. But if you’d like to send your kids (or grandkids) to college someday, you need to plan far ahead to meet the financial demands. And,

as part of your planning, you also need to be on the lookout for all op-portunities to help pay those sizable college bills.

Specifically, you’ll need to be ready to take action in these areas:

Financial aid – You should start thinking about financial aid at least a year before your child heads off to col-

lege. For example, you can begin submit-ting the Free Application for Federal Stu-dent Aid (FAFSA) on Oct. 1, 2019, for the 2020-21 academic year. And if the past is any guide, you’ll always need to remember that Oct. 1 date for the next school year. The FAFSA helps colleges and the U.S. Department of Education evaluate your financial need and determine how much financial support your child requires. And since a lot of financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, it ’s a good idea to submit your forms as soon as pos-sible once the application period opens.

Scholarships – Colleges and universi-ties offer their own scholarships, but you’re not limited to them. In fact, you might be surprised at the number and variety of col-lege scholarships available to your child or

grandchild – but to find them, you may need to do some digging. Find out what’s offered from foundations, religious, ethnic or community organizations, local busi-nesses and civic groups. Also, ask the high school guidance office for information. Your own employer might even offer small scholarships. You can find more informa-tion on scholarships on the U.S. Depart-ment of Education’s website.

College-specific investments – You might also want to consider an investment designed to help you save for college. You have several options available, each with different contribution limits, rules and tax treatments, so you’ll want to consult with a financial professional to choose an invest-ment that’s appropriate for your situation.

Community colleges – Not every bach-elor’s degree needs to begin and end at an expensive four-year college or univer-sity. Many students now fulfill some of their “general” education requirements at affordable community colleges before transferring to a four-year school – often saving tens of thousands of dollars in the process.

Paying for college is challenging. After all, for the 2018-19 academic year, the av-erage annual cost (tuition, fees, and room and board) was $21,370 for in-state stu-dents at public four-year colleges or uni-versities; for four-year private schools, the corresponding expense was $48,510, ac-cording to the College Board. And college costs will likely continue to rise over the next several years. But, as we’ve seen, by being proactive and having a plan in place, you can go a long way toward coping with these expenses and helping your loved ones enjoy the benefits of higher education.

“Dwayne, David and Nicole embody the true spirit of the Texans Caring for Texans award,” stated Childress District Engineer Marty Smith. “I appreciate their willingness to go the extra mile for others and am extremely proud of how they represent the Chil-dress District.”

Other area individuals honored were DPS Trooper Chad Baize and Cory McCarty of the TDCJ Roach Unit in Childress.

TXDOT From Page 11A

PRESIDENT From Page 11A

Those present at the July 18 Chamber meeting where they discussed the Wild & Free on 83 activities were Kurt Ashmore, Glenda Colson, Mike Davis, Patty Gulley, Renee Hanna, Gina Harris, Lisa Manuel, Brittany Massey, Neal Odom, Cecilia Orozco, Doris Stallings, Lennie Statham, Katy Taylor and Margret Wood.

Owens entertains Wellington Lions


Lion Nita Day and the Wellington Lions Club welcomed Sum-mer Owens on Aug. 5. A freshman at WHS, Owens performed three songs on the piano. She described winning the recent 13-17 year-old Cinderella Teen title in Houston as a 13-year-old. She won her first title, Cinderella Miss, as an 11-year-old.


Owens Salvage Company employees, friends and family who gathered for a chicken fried steak dinner the evening of Aug. 2 at the business on Highway 83 in Wellington included Steve Ow-ens, left, Summer Owens, Jane and John Ham, Jonathan Brown, Mike Howard, Jimmy Thomas, Walter and Georgia Brown, Janie and Jeff Thomas and Gaspar Hinojosa. Not pictured was Lucy Owens behind the scene taking the picture. Robert Owens entertained his WHS Class of 1959 classmates with their reunion dinner concurrent to the employee event.

Owens appreciates employeesNow here’s a tip!By JoAnn Derson

* "If you have to put a lid over something that is likely to stick to it, try giving the inside of the lid a very light coating of vegetable oil. I do this when I am transporting dip to a potluck. Vegetable oil has no flavor, really, and it's just enough to let the lid come off without taking the top layer with it." -- J.A. in Florida

* "I use an ice-cube tray to freeze leftover coffee so I can use it for iced coffee. It's great because the coffee doesn't water down -- it just gets richer. I save broth this way, too. Last week I pulled out a couple cubes of what I thought were broth to thin my leftover chili. Turns out they were coffee cubes, and the flavor was really good! I was surprised enough that I had to share." -- R.F. in Virginia

* Here's a great way to make waterproof matches for camping. Light a candle or use a wax melt in a warmer. When the wax is good and melted, get a box of matches ready (preferably strike-anywhere matches, but strike on box works, too). Dip each match head into the melted wax and set aside on a piece of parchment until dry and hardened.

* You can use a light mist of 1/4 vinegar and 3/4 water to polish chrome bath and kitchen fixtures. Spray and buff smudges away.

* "My daughter is a softball player, and here's what her coach suggested as an ice pack for when she gets home: unpopped popcorn kernels. They get cold but not uncomfort-ably so, they can easily mold to any body part and they don't melt into a mess. If you needed to, you can empty them out into a pan and stick your hand or foot into it. Be sure to label them so you don't try to pop them later!" -- L.D. in Georgia

Send your tips to Now Here's a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

(c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

PLEASE RECYCLETHIS NEWSPAPER


204 5th St NE • Childress940.937.2045

Area HapsEvents are listed free of charge for nonprofit civic organizations, schools and community events. Submit listings at least two weeks ahead of the date. Listings will run through the date of the event. Emailed submissions are preferred to [email protected]

CHILDRESS

HOLLIS

MEMPHIS

WELLINGTON

GED CLASSESVolunteers needed for GED program offered here in Childress. If interested in giving of your time an hour or two a week to help an in-dividual. Prepare for their GED please contact Becky Galyean at 940-585-8281 or Johnann Bradley at 940-585-7598. You do not have to be a certified teacher, just someone willing to help motivate and encourage.

SirEn TESTinGThe tornado siren will be tested in Childress the third Friday of every month at noon. If there is inclement weather, the siren will not be tested that Friday.

AA MEETinGSAA Recovery Meetings are held on Fridays at 7 p.m. at the CRMC/Frances T. Smith Education Center south entrance. For more infor-mation, contact (940) 536-3644.

WEiGhT WATChErSFREE to join! FREE month! FREE cookbook with the purchase of a 3 month plan - only $29.96 a month (you save $82 90!) At our WW workshop this Thursday

only (August 22)! 5:30-6:30 in the Foyer of the city au-ditorium. For more infor-mation: Beverly Wood 806-241-5120.

Childress Weight Watchers Meetings: Thursday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the foyer of the City Auditorium. For more information, contact Beverly Wood at 940-937-2902.

1ST FriDAy SEnior CoFFEE CLubSenior citizens are invited to join us each month for complimentary donuts, coffee and a few games of dominoes. Childress Health-care Center 1200 7th Street NW.

ChiLDrESS SEnior CiT-iZEn CEnTErYou sure are missing out on lots of good fun and fellow-ship if you are not attend-ing our activities! Such a friendly and welcoming at-mosphere. Relax and meet old friends and make new ones. Monday 1 o’clock games. Thursday 12 o’clock noon meal with so much great food. Friday nights, we do games at 6 o’clock. Fun to win, fun to lose. We

just have a good time either way! Bring a dish to share, a donation.. or both! Soon we will put a sign in front with our menu and events and our Facebook has our information each week. See us at 403 South Main St or call 940-537-1313 or 940-475-1320.

FooD4u FooD PAnTryThe next monthly food distribution is on Friday, September 20th from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Food Pantry warehouse, 1310 Avenue H, NW. Pre-approved early entry is 3 to 4 p.m. Please bring your own grocery bags and boxes. The Food Pan-try also distributes surplus donated by our local mer-chants on Mondays, Wednes-days and the other Fridays at 3:00 p.m. For more in-formation, please visit the Hope4U website at http://hope4uchildress.wix.com/newsletter or call the Food Pantry at 940-333-9138.VoLunTEErS nEEDEDMeals on Wheels is in need of a substitute volunteer delivery driver Monday through Friday approxi-mately 30 minutes a day when needed. Contact 940-937-6655.

PrECinCT oFFiCiALSThe Harmon County Elec-tion Board is seeking quali-fied individuals to serve as precinct officials. For more information, visit the Har-mon County Election Board, 224 W. Hollis, or call (580) 688-2460.

STorM SirEnSThe City of Hollis will test storm sirens Mondays at 12 p.m., except during inclem-ent weather.

PubLiC SErViCE An-nounCEMEnTDue to the increase in auto burglaries in the community, the Hollis Police Department is asking residents to report late-night or early morning prowlers to the HPD. If you leave any valuables in the car, please leave them in the trunk or out of sight to prevent a break in.

hoLLiS MiniSTEriAL ALLiAnCE FooD boxESThere will be a change in

the food box/assistance from the Hollis Ministe-rial Alliance at FBC. Food boxes and other assistance will ONLY be available on the second and fourth Tues-day of each month! The FBC offices will be open from 9:00- noon and 1:00-4:00.

bEn LunA, Sr.A medical account has been set up at Stockmans Bank in Hollis for Ben Luna, Sr. Call 580-688-2290 for any ques-tions.

LoW iMPACT ExErCiSE CLASSMemphis Public LibraryTuesday and Thursday mornings8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

LEGAL AiD CLiniC2nd Friday of each month10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.1st floor of the Hall County Courthouse

brEAKFAST WiTh ThE

KinGFirst United Methodist Church would like you to start the new year with the King. Come eat breakfast with the King and enjoy a devotional before you start your day. Breakfast will be at the church on the first Monday of every month.

MEMPhiS LionS CLub 33rD AnnuAL GoLF TournAMEnT

Two Person Scramble. En-try fee $50 per team. Mul-ligans available. Saturday, September 14. Tee time 1 p.m. Prizes for top places in each flight, additional prizes for special contest held during the tournament 18 holes followed by meal. To enter, contact Charles Phillips at 806-259-3490 or 940-585-1092 or contact the Country Club at 806-259-3237.

MuSEuM nEWSVisit Collingsworth County Museum for your copy of “The Bridge” DVD for $10. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. Contact the staff at 806-447-5327 or Director Doris Stallings at 806-447-5462 for special appointments.

Ex-STuDEnT rEunionThe 2019 Ex-Student Re-union will kick off Friday, Sept. 20 at the Skyrocket homecoming football game. Registration will be at the Bura Handley Community Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21. Please like their Facebook page and invite other ex-students to do the same. Once a Skyrocket, always a Skyrocket!

WPWC FunDrAiSErWellington Professional

Women’s Club will be hold-ing their Baked Potato Sup-per on Friday, Sept. 20 be-fore the West Texas High Football game from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Elementary cafeteria. Price is $7 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Take outs will be available.

LibrAry uPDATEVisit Collingsworth Public Library for their $10 per bag Book Sale! Find them on Facebook or call 806-447-3183 for more informa-tion.

huGS hoME TourHearts United Give Support (HUGS) has set their 2019 Holiday Home Tour for Sun-day, Dec. 8. HUGS provides funds for Collingsworth County residents diagnosed with cancer at $100 per trip to doctor appointments or checkups. Contact Renee

Hanna or Shannon West at Wellington State Bank for an application. For more information call Hanna or West at 806-447-2551. In its second year of service, monetary gifts to HUGS are tax deductible and can be made through any mem-ber of the HUGS Board, at Wellington State Bank or mailed to PO Box 24, Wel-lington, TX 79095. Visit Hearts United Give Support on Facebook!

CoMMiSSionErS Collingsworth County Com-missioners meet Monday, Sept. 9 upstairs in the courthouse at 10 a.m. All are welcome to attend.

CiTy CounCiLThe next Wellington City Council meeting is a Special Meeting on Monday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The public is invited to attend.

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Wellington:

Monday, August 26Breaded Chicken Tenders, Baked Potato w/sour cream, Peas & Carrots, Strawberries w/whipped Topping, Milk

Tuesday, August 27Sloppy Joe on Bun, Coun-try Potato Salad, Carrots

& Zucchini, Creamy Fruit Square, Milk

Wednesday, August 28Home-style Lasagna, Gar-lic Bread, Brussel Sprouts, Pears, Milk

Thursday, August 29Salmon Patty, Scalloped Po-

tatoes, Green Peas, Tossed Vegetable Salad w/French dressing, W.W. Roll, Peach-Apple Crisp, Milk

Friday, August 30Veal Parmesan, Rotini w/tomato sauce, W.W. Roll, Margarine, Peach & Pear Cup, Milk

Elementary, Junior High and High School Breakfast:Monday, Aug. 26Pancakes, Bacon, Fruit Juice, Fruit, Milk

Tuesday, Aug. 27Sunrise Sandwich, Fruit Juice, Fruit, Milk

Wednesday, Aug. 28French Toast, Sausage, Fruit Juice, Fruit, Milk

Thursday, Aug. 29Breakfast Strudel, Yogurt, Fruit, Milk

Friday, Aug. 30Breakfast Burrito, Hash Browns, Fruit Juice, Fruit, Milk

Elementary Lunch:Monday, Aug. 26Steak Fingers, Gravy, Hot

Roll, Mashed Potatoes, Tomato Cup, Strawberry & Banana

Tuesday, Aug. 27French Bread Pizza, Mari-nara Cup, Garden Salad, Mixed Veggies, Fruit Cup

Wednesday, Aug. 28Boneless Wings, Celery Sticks, Carrots, Fruit, Pud-ding

Thursday, Aug. 29Chicken Quesadilla, Spanish Rice, Corn, Beans, Salsa, Fruit

Friday, Aug. 30Sloppy Joe Sandwich, Vege-table Medley, French Fries, Fruit Cup, Brownie

Junior High and High School Lunch:

Monday, Aug. 26Steak Fingers, Gravy, Hot Roll, Mashed Potatoes, Car-rots, Strawberry & Banana

Tuesday, Aug. 27Spaghetti Bowl, Breadstick, French Bread Pizza, Garden Salad, Mixed Veggies, Fruit Cup

Wednesday, Aug. 28Boneless Wings, Celery Sticks, Carrots, Fruit, Pud-ding

Thursday, Aug. 29Taco & Tamales, Chicken Quesadilla, Spanish Rice, Corn, Beans, Salsa, Fruit

Friday, Aug. 30Popcorn Chicken, Hot Roll, Sloppy Joe Sandwich, Vege-table Medley, French Fries, Fruit, Brownie

Monday, Aug. 26BreakfastPancakes, Bacon, Orange, Choice of Juice, MilkLunchTexas Basket (Steakfingers/FF/Roll, Gravy), Zesty Cu-cumbers, Strawberry Cups, Choice of Milk

Tuesday, Aug. 27BreakfastSunrise Sandwich, Apple, Choice of Juice, MilkLunchCheese Pizza Pocket, Tuscan Veggies, Garden Salad, Mar-

inara Sauce, Peaches, Sugar Cookie, Choice of Milk

Wednesday, Aug. 28BreakfastBreakfast Pizza, Mandarin Oranges, Choice of Juice, MilkLunchFrito Pie, Refried Beans, Baby Carrots, Salsa/ Gar-nish, Hot Cinnamon Apples, Sherbet Cup, Choice of Milk

Thursday, Aug. 29BreakfastOatmeal, Cinnamon Toast,

Yogurt, Banana, Choice of Juice, MilkLunchRanchero Wrap, Mexicali Corn, Red Bell pepper, Zuc-chini Cup, Snowball Salad, Choice of Milk

Friday, Aug. 30BreakfastBreakfast Burrito, Hash brown, Peaches, Choice of Juice, MilkLunchSkyRocket Chicken Bowl, Savory Green Beans, Apple, Choice of Milk


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Wellington's Bowie St. Church of Christ welcomed their new minister, Danlee Queen, his wife, Chloe and son, Oliver on Aug. 11 with a fellowship luncheon and pounding. Members brought items to help stock the Queen’s pantry in their new home at 1201 Bowie St. The congregation also celebrated with members having August birthdays and anniversaries. Please join the Bowie Street congregation in welcoming the Queen family to the community. Minister Queen just completed his preaching school in Kyle, Texas.

Wellington church welcomes new ministerChildress Public Library update

Courtesy Photos for The Sun

These are some of the new books at the Childress Public Library.

Cut out this Back To School activity page, so students can fill it out.


Robert Owens hosted his classmates, Wellington High School Class of 1959, with a chicken fried steak meal the evening of Aug. 2 at one of his business locations, Wellington Tractor Parts on Highway 83. In attendance were front, left: Glenna Ward Formentin of Wellington, Sherrie Smith Clements of Tucson, Ariz., Patti Hughs Holliman of Amarillo, Glenna Brewer Lowrie of Seminole, Edalaine West Neubauer of Wellington; back: Danny Ammons of Dumas, Kent Peoples of Canyon, Robert Owens and Carroll Daves, both of Wellington, Athen Lowrie of Seminole, Gerald Jolliff of Ada, Okla., Jerry Scott of Wellington and Grover Graham of Den-ton.

Just for fun, the WHS Class of 1959 gathered around Steve Owens' 1931 Model A in front of Owens Tractor Part during their Aug. 2 reunion event hosted by Robert Owens. The former WHS students had the opportunity to enjoy the Wild & Free on 83 events taking place that weekend. Although much has changed since 1959, some things will always stay the same. Creators of the Wild & Free weekend festivities described Wellington as a beautiful small town located off Highway 83 in the Panhandle of Texas. With a population of just over 2,000, Wellington boasts great schools, excellent medical facilities and services and an abundance of recreational opportunities. Oh, and don't forget the great people!

Owens hosts Class of 1959

Thank you for reading The Red River

Sun!


Veterans PostA cure for Hepatitis C


Wellington's First United Methodist Church Pastor Gene Weinette distributed special pen-cils with a back to school blessing during the Sunday morning worship service at 10:55. The pencil included with the scripture reminds students to stay focused on the Lord during times of distress that comes with a new school year. Surrounding Pastor Weinette were front, left: Shay Montgomery, Rileigh Henard, Ashley and Finnley Peters, Lisa Manuel, Colt Dettle, Noah Wright, Caleb Weinette, Blaire Forrester, Grant Field, Emma Jones, Jayden Ballinger, Kim-ber Bawcom, Adrian Orozco; middle: Karver Field, Kenzi Ballinger, Currie Forrester, Kendra Bawcom; back: Audrey Jones, Alex Orozco, Jack Inman, Lawson Inman, Anna Henard, Evelyn Henard, Ava Kate Inman, Weinette, Libby Chandler, Cody and David Peters of Canyon, Jake Chandler, Kaitlin Bawcom and Brandi Weinette. Wellington ISD began their 2019-2020 school year this past Monday.

Wellington FUMC blesses students

Special to The Sun AUSTIN – Veterans

Land Board Chairman George P. Bush announced the launch of Next Gen Warrior, a new series formed as part of the on-going Voices of Veterans oral history program. The program’s mission is to provide inspiration for Iraq and Afghanistan era Vet-erans as they step off the battlefield and into civilian life.

Every Veteran has a sto-ry to tell, and the Voices of Veterans program en-sures these stories of cour-age and service can inspire Texans for generations to come. While the General Land Office has preserved the stories of our Veter-ans from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, the way our

Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan communicate is vastly different. The Voices of Veterans Next Gen Warrior program seeks to provide inspiration and guidance for Iraq and Afghanistan era Veterans as they transition to civil-ian life. Viewers can tune in on Instagram TV (@VoicesofVets), YouTube, Spotify, and their favorite podcasting platform.

“Upon leaving active duty service, Veterans of-ten encounter hurdles as they integrate back into so-ciety,” said Commissioner Bush. “Far too often, we hear the stories of Veterans suffering from PTSD and depression. While these stories show the very real struggles faced by Veter-ans, far too often, we fail to tell the stories of success

in the Veteran community. From radio producers to businessmen and women, Next Gen Warrior stories encourage their peers and demonstrate the opportu-nities available to soldiers when they take off their boots. The series shares not only Veterans stories from combat, but stories of success as they continue to contribute to our society.”

Many Veterans struggle to find meaning in their work after service. This new program reminds Veterans that their service contin-ues to make an impact on the people of Texas, even though it might not make headlines or save lives. The General Land Office is committed to capturing our warrior's stories and encouraging the next gen-eration of Texas Veterans.

Next Gen Warrior: success after service

By Freddy Groves

Hepatitis C is one of those illnesses you can have for years and not know it -- until it starts damaging your body. Untreated hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, brain damage, liver disease and liver cancer, and it can take decades to show up. Until recently it has been nearly impossible to cure.

The Department of Veterans Affairs now says in a press release that it has cured 100,000 veterans with hepatitis C.

In the past, treatment involved daily pills and weekly shots for a year, and even that had a low cure rate with bad side ef-fects. Now the new treatment is a pill a day, with fewer side effects, and it takes just weeks. But that's only if you know you have it. The VA said recently that it has tested 85 percent of veterans who either have hepatitis or are at risk.

Hepatitis is a blood-borne disease with a long list of possible routes of transmis-

sion: sharing drug needles, getting a tattoo, sharing a toothbrush, blood-contaminated wounds, blood transfusions before 1992, contact with blood if you're in the medical field ... and those injector guns they used to give vaccines back when we went into the service.

Those injector guns have been a big bone of contention, one they've known about for a very long time. Miniscule drops of blood splatter back into the injector, waiting for injection into the next patient. Now the VA has to admit that the injector guns are "biologically possible" as a means of trans-mission.

Even if you've never shared drug needles or gotten a tattoo, you could have hepatitis C and not know it. The rate of veterans who have it is five times the civilian rate.

To learn more, go online to www.hepa-titis.va.gov. And contact the VA and ask for the test. Don't wait.

(c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.


CHILDRESS – Mem-bers of the Childress and Wellington Texas Re-tired Teachers Association (TRTA) chapters lobbied legislators by phone calls, visits and letters through a drive called Raise the Base, said Childress TRTA Pres-ident Althea Driver. They expressed concern about their pension fund.

“Retired educators do not receive cost of living adjust-ments to their monthly an-nuities,” Driver said.

Legislators listened and made changes.

“The legislators saw fit to provide us a thirteenth check,” Driver explained. “This income will help us deal with increasing costs of daily living and rising health care costs.”

On behalf of Childress and Wellington retired teachers, Driver would like to say thank you to the Texas legislators who made this happen.

Dear Texas Senator/Rep-resentative,

The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) offers a heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS to the members of the Texas Senate and House of Rep-resentatives on a successful and historic 86th Legisla-

tive Session. The Texas Legislature accomplished an enormous achievement by passing $589 million for a 13th check to retirees this year, as well as passing $524 million to raise the state contribution to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS). The 86th session of the Texas Leg-islature focused on school funding and educator issues addressing everything from recruitment to retirement. TRTA members are grate-ful for this focus on public education and appreciate the opportunity to actively participate in Teacher Re-tirement System (TRS) retiree issues and priorities as they moved through the legislative process. We ap-preciate the professional and caring manner that was evident in the invitation to our 94,000 members to come to the Capitol to ad-vocate for their concerns, which included: • The ac-tuarial stability of the TRS pension fund by increasing the state’s contribution; • Funding for immedi-ate, meaningful and much needed financial relief for all TRS retirees; • Less-ening penalties for retir-ees who return to work in education; • Increased and permanent funding for the TRS-Care retiree health insurance program; • Pro-tection of the defined ben-efit pension plan; and • A

cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) made possible by the establishment of an actuarially sound pension fund. Although we were not able to accomplish all TRTA priorities, we thank you for listening to retirees’ concerns. The actions taken to meet many of their needs and priorities were an affir-mation of the importance of educational retirees’ service to our great state of Texas. The Texas Legislature has consistently contributed to the TRS pension Fund. By increasing that contribu-tion in manageable incre-ments, legislators created an environment in which a future cost-of living adjust-ment is not only a possibil-ity, but a reality. Thank you for working to bring this to fruition! With the passage of Senate Bill 12, Senate Bill 500, and House Bill 1, Texas retired school per-sonnel are reassured that our government leaders care about their concerns and value the hours dedi-cated to educating scores of Texas children. Thank you for your hard work, sacrifices of time and true concern for the citizens of Texas. We look forward to continuing our work with you as TRS enters the sun-set process this interim.

Sincerely, The Board of Directors of the Texas Re-tired Teachers Association

Retired teachers say thanks

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Fast and Furious Presents:Hobbs and Shaw

Rated PG-13

Show times: Friday, Saturday,Sunday and Thursday @7:30 p.m.www.wellingtonritztheatre.com

Friday, August 23 through Thursday, August29

STARS: Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Idris Elba

The Meg Rated PG-13

Friday, August 31 through Thursday, September 6

STARS: Jason Statham, Bingbing Li, Rainn Wilson

Shop Local, Shop Childress!940.937.2567

“Scene at”Childress High School students

Sara Willis poses for her senior picture with photographer Donna Statham. Bobcat football players get their pictures taken.

The Childress Lady Cats volleyball team poses for their team picture.

Photographer Donna Statham takes Bobcat football pictures.

Photographer Donna Statham getsAubree Lomax ready for her senior picture.

Photographer Donna Statham shows Sara Willis the photos she's taken and let's her choose which ones she likes.

Lady Cats get ready for their volleyball team picture.

Lady Cats manager Savy Rabe poses for her picture.


childress isd earns a rating · nevarez, left, justin ramos, johnny davis and larry wright,...

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