(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 Sat 02:59 pm)
Long-time educator and Levelland resident, George R. Riddell, was recognized for his 43 years of service to area band students during the All-Region Band Concert at the Lubbock Civic Center last Saturday.
The performance of the Class AA Middle School All-Region Band was dedicated to Riddell by the clinician and long-time friend and composer, William Owens of Fort Worth.
Riddell was presented a framed copy of the opening page of the a new musical piece, which was written and directed by Owens. The musical piece is titled "Flourishes!"
Riddell, an accomplished musician as well as dedicated band director and instructor, was delighted by the dedication and a copy of the full score of the music.
Riddell knew Owens was going to write a piece of music for the All-Region Band and walked into a rehearsal and says he thought "Man, that is a great piece!" He did not know that it was going to be dedicated to him. The program and music were dedicated to Riddell in recognition of his "meritorious service to the bands of Region 16."
Riddell, a graduate of the University of Michigan, has spent his career on the South Plains.
He began his career here at Levelland, having been recruited by Bill Wood, who had called the director of bands at the University of Michigan.
"He hired me to be the assistant at the Junior High School at Levelland. We didn't know where Levelland was, except it was in Texas," Riddell says.
(Posted Sat 02:58 pm)
County veteran officer Jim Rankin was tapped as the new Emergency Management coordinator Monday by county commissioners.
The Court met in closed session for 33 minutes before agreeing to hire Rankin for the job.
He will succeed Ted Holder, who resigned from the post effective Jan. 1.
Commissioner J.L. "Whitey" Barnett's motion to approve Rankin for the job was endorsed by the rest of the Court.
County Judge Larry Sprowls said Rankin is currently paid $27,043 a year as veteran officer.
"What we're doing is we're adding another $10,000" to his salary for the new job duties, Sprowls said.
Rankin's new job duties will include coordinating emergency services in times of disasters, keeping phone numbers and addresses current for emergency service employees and writing grant proposals. He will also work with federal and state officials as needed.
Sprowls said other candidates were considered for the post.
He said Rankin's new duties should dovetail with his current ones, adding that his job as county veteran officer requires less hours than other full-time county jobs.
Rankin will be paid less than Holder, who was paid about $1,700 a month by six local taxing entities.
(Posted Sat 02:55 pm)
The Levelland Community Development Corporation agreed Monday that professional help is needed to develop a sports complex for the city.
Board members also discussed the elements that would need to be incorporated to make the complex an ideal one for Levelland.
The city has received an anonymous donation of 60 acres of land for the project.
The property is on the north side of Equalizer Road, across the street from the Mallet Event Center & Arena.
It runs west from the intersection of Equalizer Road and U.S. Highway 385 to West Avenue and is next to such businesses as Chem Tech Services.
Bruce White, board chairman, said the LCDC needs to create a list of criteria on what it wants to accomplish in building the complex.
"What do you want in concession stands, in backstops?" White said. "What's the criteria."
Board member Janessa Berry said some members of the community have voiced concerns about the site because of its proximity to some oilfield companies and the chemicals they use.
"There's not a perfect site," said City Manager Rick Osburn.
Board member Pat Riley said the oilfield companies are so highly regulated that he sees no need to worry.
"I really don't have a concern," Riley said. "(Levelland) Delinting produces lint."
"We need to be prepared to discuss it," Berry said.
(Posted 1/25/2012 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.
by Josh Allen
(Posted Thu 03:12 pm)
The Ropes Eagles (6-3) bullied the New Home Leopards (8-2) in a 52-47 Ropes win. Point Guard Taylor Jackson scored 16 points to lead the Eagles to the victory. The Eagles gained a lead halfway through the game, and then lost a bit of it in the fourth quarter, but the difference was not enough for the Leopards and the Eagles won the game.
The leading scorer for the Eagles was Taylor Jackson with 16 points. Mason Miller had 15 points, and Levi Perry scored 12 points.
The Eagles will face Wilson next week.
by Josh Allen
(Posted Thu 03:06 pm)
Tuesday night in Ropes, the Ropes Lady Eagles (7-3) edged out the New Home Lady Leopards (8-1) 36-33, handing the Lady leopards their first district loss. Scoring between the two teams was close throughout the game, but the Lady Eagles pulled ahead near the end. Thanks to high free throw scoring by Cami Hill, .636 (7 of 11) from the line, near the end of the game, the Lady Eagles triumphed.
Leading scoring for the lady Eagles was Cami Hill with 16 points. Shea Means had seven points, and Paige Thrash had five points. Samantha Medrano and Shelby Hicklen each had three points. Lacie jackson had two points.
by Kati Walker
(Posted Tue 10:38 am)
The Levelland Lobos were brought down by the Lubbock Cooper Pirates, 54-51, Friday night in Lubbock at Cooper High School.
Scoring for both teams was tied in the first quarter as the Pirates and the Lobos scored 14 points. For Levelland, Michael Diaz tossed in two baskets, a three points and a free throw. Preston Woodard, Sam Kelley and Trae Taylor each bagged a shot for the Lobos.
In the second quarter, the Lobos took the lead, outscoring the Pirates 10-8. Tyson Jones tossed in two baskets for Levelland. Diaz, Matt Gerber and Will Tinnell each sank a shot also. At halftime, the Lobos led, 24-22.
When play resumed, Cooper outscored the Lobos 17-14. Scoring for Levelland was by Kelley, with a three-pointer and a free throw; Diaz, with two baskets; and Tinnell, Jones and Taylor each sank a basket. The score showed Levelland trailing, 39-38, going into the last quarter.
The Pirates sealed their victory in the fourth period, outscoring the Lobos 15-13. Kelley scored a three-pointer and a free throw for the Lobos; Diaz sank two shots, Jones nabbed a basket, Sergio Salazar tossed in two free throws and Tinnell tossed in one free shot. The final score was 54-51 in favor of Cooper.
Diaz was the leading Lobo scorer with 18 points. Kelley tossed in 10 points and Jones scored eight points.
The Lobos will continue District 2-3A play tonight against Brownfield at home. They will take on Estacado, Friday, at home in Levelland at 8 p.m.
by Josh Allen
(Posted 1/26/2012 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 1/26/2012 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.
