All about De Leon, Texas and the surrounding area...

*CLICK HERE to return to the Archives Index*
Thursday, November 29, 2007	De Leon Free Press — De Leon, Texas 76444	Volume 117, No. 22

The "Full" Free Press is now available on the Internet!

It will display the entire newspaper on your computer.

Please Click Here

Front Page Headlines

Country Christmas

The DeLeon Country Christmas is scheduled for Friday, December 7, at the DeLeon City Hall auditorium from 5 to 10 p.m. There will be lots of fun activities for the children and the merchants will be holding an Open House.

“There will also be lots of good things to eat,” said Barbara Helberg, Chamber executive director, “and you can get your Christmas shopping done.”

Some of the highlights will include the DeLeon High School Band’s performance in front of City Hall at 6 p.m. Santa will arrive about 6:30 p.m. in front of City Hall.

“Then, he will be available for pictures,” Helberg said. “Riley’s Studio, of Comanche, will be taking the pictures this year. Then you can have your pictures taken with the Grinch, sponsored by the DeLeon Theater Troupe. Ray Holcroft will be here with his mule, Dolly, and a covered wagon, to give free rides, courtesy of The Comanche County Telephone Company and Mid-Tex.”

There will be many things to see and do inside the auditorium. The local 4-H chapter will have a food concession (hot dogs and drinks, and the National Honor Society and the Student Council will have a cake walk.

“And the One Act Play will have a Christmas Tree Game,” Helberg said, “and the Theatre Troupe will have their Christmas Ornament Contest. The Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts will be there also.”

According to Helberg, there will also be vendors, with jewelry, crafts and much more. “But there is still room for more vendors,” she said, “so give us a call if you want a space. This is sure to be a fun night.”

The Boy Scouts will also hold a canned-food drive that night, and those attending are encouraged to participate.

Prior to the evening festivities, the Pecan Bake Show will be held in the auditorium and entries will be accepted between 12 and 1:30 p.m. Judging will be held immediately after the entries are turned in. The items will be on display at Country Christmas for everyone to see.

“Please enter,” Helberg said, “you might win.”

For more information on the pecan show, call Mary Jane Atkins at 254-842-9094. For more information on the Country Christmas, call Barbara Helberg at 254-893-2083.

County Attorney Charles Williams Informs Commissioners He Will Not Seek Re-election

By Laura Kestner, Editor

The Comanche County Commissioners Court met in regular session Monday, November 26, with all Commissioners -- Garry Steele, Bobby Schuman, Jimmy Dale Johnson and Kenneth Feist -- in attendance.

Also present were County Judge James Arthur, County Court Coordinator Sherry Ward, County Clerk Ruby Lesley, County Auditor Joey Boswell, Sheriff Jeff Lambert, County Attorney Charles Williams, County Treasurer Billy Ruth Rust, Emergency Services Coordinator Ray Helberg, and his assistant, Trish Grimshaw. >>Full Story<<

Power Interruptions Planned

Paul Bennett with Oncor Electric Delivery, advises that at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, December 3, areas served by their DeLeon electrical substation will have a momentary interruption in service as a switch is being made from the existing substation to a portable substation. After work on the permanent substation is completed, power will again be interrupted, again at 6:00 a.m., on Friday, December 14, to switch back to the regular substation.

Blood Drive

A community blood drive will be held in DeLeon on Thursday, November 29. The Meek Blood Center Bloodmobile will be at Lawrence Brothers from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m.

“This blood drive will take place at the beginning of the holiday season,” said Frances Baker, donor recruiter. “It is very important to maintain the blood supply since blood usage continues and sometimes increases at holiday times. I’m asking donors to give one more gift this holiday season, which is the gift of life.”

Blood donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds. Most over-the-counter and prescription medications are acceptable. Those who have eligibility questions may call 325-670-2799 to speak to a technician or visit the website at www.meekbloodcenter.org.

Each donor will receive a holiday t-shirt and a complimentary total cholesterol test. Cholesterol results are available three days after the blood drive.

ICY BRIDGES CAUSED ACCIDENTS MONDAY MORNING. At least three separate accidents occurred on three separate bridges at roughly the same time early Monday morning, November 26, as the temperatures and river moisture combined to produce a slick, icy glaze. Accidents occurred on the Leon, Sabanna and Rush Creek bridges as unsuspecting drivers suddenly lost control of their vehicles. In this accident on the Highway 16 bridge over the Sabanna River, Pete Ferris from Stephenville was on the way to his job in the lab at Comanche County Medical Center when he crashed into the guard railing on the south approach to the bridge. DeLeon resident Jerry Solomon stopped to see if he could help out and moments later another car, reported to have been driven by DeLeon resident and CCMC employee, Luz Hooper, lost control of her vehicle and crashed into Solomon’s truck. Hooper was transported by ambulance to the CCMC Emergency Room. Above we see Ferris and Solomon looking on as Hooper is removed from her vehicle and loaded onto an ambulance gurney. We were unable to obtain any information on Hooper’s medical condition. There were no injuries on the Leon River bridge crash which involved DeLeon residents David Mathis and James Beck. We were unable to get to the Rush Creek accident. Remember what the signs all say, “Watch for ice on bridge!” ‘Tis the season.

DELEON ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR. Despite a bit of cold and rainy weather, many shoppers turned out to look at and purchase from the wide variety of items that were available from DeLeon area crafters at the City Hall auditorium last Saturday, November 24.