(Posted Wed 09:19 am)
A Hockley County man faces felony charges after lawmen searched a rural home and found as many as 50 marijuana plants being grown inside.
The man was arrested Tuesday in Lubbock County with more than 4 ounces of marijuana in his possession.
Information obtained after the arrest led Hockley County sheriff's deputies to execute a search warrant at a home off FM 2646, said Sheriff Paul Scarborough.
Authorities found marijuana plants being grown in a basement area of the home. The plants, some as tall as 2 ½ feet, were being grown hydroponically, or with the use of grow lights.
(Posted Wed 09:23 am)
The City Council and a board agreed Monday to move ahead on developing 60 acres of land for a Sports Complex in Levelland.
The council and the Levelland Community Development Corporation reached that decision after meeting in closed session for 23 minutes.
City Manager Rick Osburn said that five sites in or on the edge of Levelland had been considered.
An original site of 177 acres located just southwest of City Park had been considered a prime location. But there are too many oil wells and flow lines on that property, Osburn said.
The 60-acre site is located just north of the Mallet Event Center & Arena, on the other side of Equalizer Road.
It was originally owned by Post Montgomery. However, an anonymous donor has agreed to give the land to the city.
The land is large enough to accommodate a baseball complex, soccer fields, a walking track and a playground, Osburn added.
Mayor R.L. "Bo" Bowman commended the LCDC board for their diligence in looking at sites.
"They have looked at different parks - some in and out of state," Bowman said. Board members have been to such cities as Seminole and Andrews in looking for ideas.
(Posted Wed 09:09 am)
Hockley County closed out the year with an enviable unemployment rate of 5.0 percent, the best for the entire year, according to figures released by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) last Friday.
The figures showed that county’s workforce had grown to 12,697, the highest it has been in the past three years, while the number of people working grew to 12,064 while the number unemployed dropped to 633, the lowest number in the past three years.
Along with creating nearly 100 new jobs from November through December, the county beat the state’s unemployment rate by 2.8 percent. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.8 percent in December, down from 8.1 percent in November and down from 8.3 percent in December, 2010. The national unemployment rate for December was 8.5 percent.
Hockley County’s unemployment rate was down from 5.2 percent in December and down from the 5.7 percent reported in December, 2010 as well as down from the 6.1 percent reported in December, 2009.
The highest the county’s unemployment rate was during 2011 was 6.7 percent reported in June and 6.6 percent reported in July.
(Posted 1/16/2012 03:39 pm)
Levelland Independent School District Superintendent announced to his school board and faculty that he will be retiring effective July 1st at the conclusion of Thursday night's monthly meeting.
He e-mailed the Levelland ISD staff late Thursday afternoon, saying "After much prayer and consideration, I have decided to retire effective July 1, 2012. This was one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make in a long time.
"When you work with such a dedicated and hard-working School Board, Administration, teaching staff and paraprofessional staff (including all of our Sodexo staff), it is hard to walk away. The things we have been able to accomplish as a team have been outstanding.
"I want to thank each and every one of you for your support and hard work during these three years which have been the most rewarding of my 44-year career.
"I know you will continue to strive toward excellence for Levelland ISD. Always remember ‘Who You Are Makes A Difference'."
(Posted Wed 04:46 pm)
Drs. Wiri and Suvipa Wiriyathian, long-time practicing physicians in the Levelland community, will be honored as Distinguished Citizens for 2012 Feb. 7 at the third annual Friends of Scouting Breakfast, hosted by the George White District.
Additionally, Tom Brown, long-time Scouter and member of the South Plains Council Board of Directors, will be remembered and honored posthumously for his service to the Boy Scouts of America. Brown, a Levelland businessman and community leader, died unexpectedly June 24, 2011.
Breakfast will be served at 7:15 a.m and the recognition program begins at 7:30 a.m. in the Sundown Room of the South Plains College Student Center. The event will conclude by 8:30 a.m.
“This is an opportunity to recognize not only the contributions of two distinguished Levelland citizens but the importance of Scouting as a program that builds character in young men,” said Katy Tabor, senior district executive with the South Plains Council. “The local planning committee has done a great job getting community leaders involved in this event that supports our community and region’s Boy Scout activities.”
There is no charge to attend the breakfast and individuals who wish to join the community in honoring the Wiriyathians and Brown should RSVP to Tabor at (806) 252-9082.
Dr. Wiri and Dr. Suvipa came to Levelland to establish private medical practices in 1982 in general surgery and pediatrics, respectively. In the past 30 years, they have become integral members of the medical community and have been active supporters of many community causes.
Prior recipients of the Friends of Scouting Distinguished Citizen recognition include Mary Siders, president of the Levelland Area Chamber of Commerce in 2010, and Bill Powell, executive director of South Plains Community Action Association in 2011.
Brown, represented by his widow Cindy Brown, will be recognized for his 12 years of service on the South Plains Council Board of Directors. Brown was involved in Scouting for more than 30 years, receiving the Silver Beaver award in 1992, the highest award for a Scout volunteer. Brown provided adult leadership for Pack 610 and Troop 645 in Levelland. Their twin sons, Chad and Chris Brown both attained the rank of Eagle Scout.
The Friends of Scouting program provides a way for Scout alumni and individuals to support scouting. The South Plains Council serves more than 5,000 youth each year in a variety of Scouting programs that build character, citizenship and life skills.
Drs. Wiri and Suvipa Wiriyathian, long-time practicing physicians in the Levelland community, will be honored as Distinguished Citizens for 2012 Feb. 7 at the third annual Friends of Scouting Breakfast, hosted by the George White District.
Additionally, Tom Brown, long-time Scouter and member of the South Plains Council Board of Directors, will be remembered and honored posthumously for his service to the Boy Scouts of America. Brown, a Levelland businessman and community leader, died unexpectedly June 24, 2011.
Breakfast will be served at 7:15 a.m and the recognition program begins at 7:30 a.m. in the Sundown Room of the South Plains College Student Center. The event will conclude by 8:30 a.m.
“This is an opportunity to recognize not only the contributions of two distinguished Levelland citizens but the importance of Scouting as a program that builds character in young men,” said Katy Tabor, senior district executive with the South Plains Council. “The local planning committee has done a great job getting community leaders involved in this event that supports our community and region’s Boy Scout activities.”
There is no charge to attend the breakfast and individuals who wish to join the community in honoring the Wiriyathians and Brown should RSVP to Tabor at (806) 252-9082.
Dr. Wiri and Dr. Suvipa came to Levelland to establish private medical practices in 1982 in general surgery and pediatrics, respectively. In the past 30 years, they have become integral members of the medical community and have been active supporters of many community causes.
Prior recipients of the Friends of Scouting Distinguished Citizen recognition include Mary Siders, president of the Levelland Area Chamber of Commerce in 2010, and Bill Powell, executive director of South Plains Community Action Association in 2011.
Brown, represented by his widow Cindy Brown, will be recognized for his 12 years of service on the South Plains Council Board of Directors. Brown was involved in Scouting for more than 30 years, receiving the Silver Beaver award in 1992, the highest award for a Scout volunteer. Brown provided adult leadership for Pack 610 and Troop 645 in Levelland. Their twin sons, Chad and Chris Brown both attained the rank of Eagle Scout.
The Friends of Scouting program provides a way for Scout alumni and individuals to support scouting. The South Plains Council serves more than 5,000 youth each year in a variety of Scouting programs that build character, citizenship and life skills.
(Posted Wed 09:18 am)
In a brief meeting Monday, county commissioners approved the purchase of two Chevrolet Tahoes for the Sheriff's Office.
The 2012 Tahoes will cost $50,397 going through the state contract pricing system, said Sheriff Paul Scarborough.
The county had budgeted $60,000 for the vehicles.
Commissioners heard the December treasurers' report.
It showed that the county had $15,531,037 in the bank as of Dec. 1, 1011, and $14,667,633 at the end of the month.
The officials approved continuing education hours for five county employees.
They also approved a continuation of a safety incentive program for county employees.
County Judge Larry Sprowls asked commissioners what they thought about reinstating the burn ban.
by Kati Walker
(Posted Thu 10:45 am)
The Levelland Lobos were defeated, 53-52, Tuesday night, at home, to the Shallowater Mustangs. The Lobos are now 2-2 in District 2-3A play.
To begin the game, the Lobos got on the board with 12 points but Shallowater took the lead, scoring 16 points. Contributing for the Lobos in the first quarter was Preston Woodard, with a three-pointer and a basket; Michael Diaz with two baskets, Trae Taylor with one shot and Will Tinnell bagged one of three free throws.
In the second quarter, both teams tied scoring, with 14 points each. For the Lobos, Diaz scored three baskets and one free throw. Tinnell sank a three-pointer, Ryne Parrish scored a basket and Taylor tossed in two of two free throws. The score at halftime showed the Lobos trailing, 30-26.
When play resumed, the Lobos came up, scoring 11 points while holding Shallowater to 10 points. Diaz again scored three baskets and a free throw for the Lobos, Tinnell tossed in a basket and Sam Kelley sank two free throws. Even though it wasn't enough to take the lead, the Lobos trailed by three, 40-37, heading into the final stanza.
In the last quarter, the Lobos outscored Shallowater again, 15-13, but were short one point in the final score, falling 53-52. Diaz added two baskets for the Lobos, Parrish sank a three-pointer, Kelley bagged one basket and two free throws, and Woodard and Sergio Salazar scored a basket each.
The Lobos will continue District 2-3A play Friday, against Lubbock Cooper in Lubbock at Cooper High School. They will take on Brownfield, Tuesday, at home.
by Kati Walker
(Posted Thu 10:44 am)
The Levelland Loboettes fell to the Shallowater Fillies, 38-25, Tuesday night, at home during District 2-3A play. The Loboettes are now 2-3 in district play.
In the first quarter, the Loboettes slipped, scoring six points while the Fillies went ahead with 14 points. Scoring for the Loboettes was by Morgan Himango and Brooke Durham with a three-pointer each. Levelland outscored the Fillies in the second quarter, 9-8. For Levelland, Durham tossed in two baskets and Maddi Alexander scored one basket. Autumn Beatty added a basket and a free throw for Levelland. At halftime, the Loboettes trailed, 22-15.
When play resumed, Levelland fell behind again, allowing Shallowater to score 10 points while the Loboettes could only score six points. Sydney Shakespeare, Beatty and Durham each tossed in a shot for Levelland. The Loboettes were down, 32-21 heading into the final stanza.
In the last quarter of play, the Loboettes held Shallowater to six points but could only put four points on the board themselves. Kayla Hill and Alex Herrera scored a basket each for the Loboettes in the fourth quarter. The final score showed a Loboette loss, 38-25.
Levelland will continue District 2 play, Friday, against Lubbock Cooper in Lubbock at Cooper High School. The Loboettes will take on Brownfield, Tuesday, at home.
by Josh Allen
(Posted Thu 03:33 pm)
The Ropes Eagles(5-2) trounced the Lorenzo Hornets(1-6) 55-16, on Tuesday. The Eagles scored 15 points in the first quarter. The Hornets scored two points. In the second quarter, the Eagles scored eight points and the Hornets scored six points. The score at the end of the first half was 23-8, Eagles. In the third quarter, The Eagles scored 14 more points while the Hornets scored two points. the score at the end of the third quarter was 37-10, Eagles. In the last period, the Eagles scored 18 points and the Hornets scored six points. the score at the end of the game was 55-16. The leading scorer for the Eagles was Zane Thrash with 17 points. The Eagles were .740(14 of 19) from the line.
by Josh Allen
(Posted Thu 03:32 pm)
The Ropes Lady Eagles(5-3) slipped 55-45 to the Lorenzo Lady Hornets(8-1), Tuesday night. The game was tense as the two teams battled. At the end of the first quarter, both teams had scored 14 points. In the second quarter, the Lady Eagles scored 11 points and the Lady Hornets scored 12 points. The score at halftime was 26-25, Lady Hornets. In the third quarter, the Lady Eagles scored another 12 points, while the Lady Hornets increased their score by 15 points. The score was 41-37, Lady Hornets. In the fourth quarter, the Lady Eagles scored eight points and the Lady Hornets scored 14 points. the final score was 55-45, Lady Hornets. The leading scorer for the Eagles was Cami Hill with 13 points. The Lady Eagles were .642(9 of 14) from the line.
by Kati Walker
(Posted Thu 02:09 pm)
The Acrospirit Classic Trampoline and Tumbling Competition will be held Saturday, January 27-28 at the Mallet Event Center and Arena in Levelland.
Levels one through senior elite, all ages, will be competing in the event. There will be 500 athletes from all over Texas in attendance.
The event will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday and run until around 8 p.m. Saturday night. The top level athletes will all compete around noon.
Events will include: trampoline, tumbling and double mini.
Admission is $1 at the door and the public is welcome, and encouraged, to come out and support the athletes.
