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County Livestock Show Held Saturday & Monday

COMANCHE -- The 2009 edition of the Comanche County Livestock Show wrapped up two days of exhibition and judging late Monday afternoon. The show had been blessed with large crowds of participants and interested observers.

GRAND CHAMPION BREEDING BEEF HEIFER. Kris Hodges’ Charolais was tops at the Comanche County Livestock Show, Saturday, January 10, 2009. Kris, top right, is pictured with father, John, girlfriend Katelyn Todd, and brother, Kelan.

On Saturday, January 10, all classes of breeding livestock were exhibited, along with market steers and horses. The Monday, January 12, portion of the show was exclusively devoted to the remaining market livestock categories.

The well organized two day affair ran smoothly and on time, even if it concluded a bit late on Monday. The weather was wind driven cold on Saturday, however, by Monday had moderated to just cool and pleasant. As the crowds dispersed and the dust settled late Monday, however, another cool front blew into town.

DeLeon was well represented at the show with a large number of junior exhibitors and their animals. Although they won a good number of breed championships and received several showmanship recognitions, only one grand championship honor was awarded to a local animal. Kris Hodges’ exotic heifer was the Grand Champion Breeding Beef Heifer.

Many DeLeon students wore black ribbons on Monday in honor of their recently deceased schoolmate, fifth-grader Aaron Salinas.

The annual livestock show premium sale will be held on Tuesday evening, well after the newspaper’s publication deadline, and is planned be reported in next week’s edition.

From here, many of the junior exhibitors will take their animals to one or more of the major livestock shows which will be held in the coming weeks.

For full article, subscribe to the DeLeon Free Press. E-mail edition is only $20/year.

Council Appoints Wayne Parsons to City Judge Position,

Removes Carlisle from Council

and Discusses DeLeon’s Drug Problem

By LAURA KESTNER, Editor

Council members appointed Wayne Parsons, a former DeLeon police chief, to the city judge position during their most recent regular session, Thursday, January 8, 2009.

NEW MUNICIPAL JUDGE. Former DeLeon Police Chief Wayne Parsons is shown taking the oath of office last Friday, January 9, as administered by his daughter, and City Secretary/City Administrator, Karen Wilkerson. Parsons was selected for the position by the City Council in a meeting on the prior evening.

Council members Pauline Villarreal, Lee Childers, Gayle Stroud and Mayor Danny Owen were present for the meeting, with Councilman Avery Carlisle absent. Other officials present were Police Chief Ralph Dickey, Officer Tim Fanning (for part of the meeting) and Emergency Management Coordinator Ray Helberg.

Parsons was selected to replace the late L.T. Lewis after four interviews were conducted in executive session. In addition to Parsons, applicants interviewed were Dick Senter, Trent Thomas and Murray Stroud. According to city officials, 16 people applied for the position by the December 19 deadline.

Lewis, who died October 20, 2008, had served as city judge for 28 years.

The agenda item regarding Avery Carlisle prompted a statement by Mayor Danny Owen expressing his regret at the turn of events.

“It’s with deep regret that I’ve had to put this on the agenda,” Mayor Owen said.

For full article, subscribe to the DeLeon Free Press. E-mail edition is only $20/year.

DeLeon’s Sales Tax Receipts Grow in 2008
January Receipts Decline

By JERRY MORGAN, Reporter

After three years of decreases, sales tax receipts in DeLeon recorded an increase of 2.6% in 2008.
DeLeon collected $184,488 in sales tax receipts in 2008, $4,613 more than in the previous year.

Sales taxes are often used as an indirect indicator of the health of a local economy since they are broadly based on retail sales. As such, they reflected a healthy, growing economy in DeLeon.

DeLeon’s sales tax receipts were essentially flat in 2007, decreasing by 0.1%. Sales tax receipts had declined by 3.5% in 2006.

Comanche County’s sales tax receipts in 2008 grew at a strong rate, surging by 8.8%. The county’s taxes were rebounding from an even stronger 13.5% decline in 2007.

The good economic growth news of 2008 seems likely to end, however, as the economies of the nation and world have entered a recession.

True to form, January sales tax receipts, which are actually based on November sales reports, have declined both in our city and county.

DeLeon’s January sales tax receipts dropped by 8.75% and Comanche County’s receipts dropped by 4.19%.

For full article, subscribe to the DeLeon Free Press. E-mail edition is only $20/year.

Accidental Shooting Claims Life

An accidental shooting claimed the life of 10-year-old Aaron Salinas, Saturday, January 10, at his home on CR 445 in DeLeon. Reports indicated that a sibling was handling the rifle and it discharged, striking Salinas in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the Comanche County Sheriff’s Office, since the shooting appeared to be accidental no charges are expected to be filed.

Aaron was a 5th grade student at Perkins Middle School and DISD school officials dismissed school early on Tuesday, January 13, to allow students the opportunity to attend his funeral.

Nominations Being Accepted for Chamber Awards

Nominations are being accepted for the DeLeon Chamber of Commerce’s Man of the Year, Woman of the Year, Golden Deeds and Business of the Year awards.

Winners will be announced at the Chamber Banquet, Saturday, January 24, 2009, at Prado’s. The banquet will begin at 7 p.m.

Nominations are also being accepting in a new category this year -- “Educator of the Year” which could be any local college or ISD educator.

Ballots are located on page 4 of this week’s printed edition of the Free Press. The deadline for all nominations is January 19.

DeLeon Chamber of Commerce Announces Selection of
Junior Chamber Board

By LAURA KESTNER, Editor

The DeLeon Chamber of Commerce announced last week the names of the DeLeon High School students selected for the first ever DeLeon Junior Chamber Board, which included Tina Fleming, Jennifer Lewis, Jessica Barron, Lexi Spurlock, Stuart Martin, Colton Mathis, Kyler Caraway, Linzi Gray, Destiny Gonzales and Destine Kristofferson.

NEW JUNIOR CHAMBER BOARD —  DeLeon Chamber of Commerce directors (in the back) met last week with the new Junior Chamber Board members for the first time. Pictured, back row, left to right, Tim Beaty, Barry Hooker, Teresa Lampman, Kevin Storey, Jamie Welch, Peggy Jordan, Carla Landreth, Dr. Randy Mohundro and Linda Levens. Middle row, left to right, Stuart Martin, Colton Mathis, Kyler Caraway, Linzi Gray, Destiny Gonzales and Destine Kristoffersen. Front row, left to right, Tina Fleming, Jennifer Lewis, Jessica Barron and Lexi Spurlock.

According to Chamber Executive Director Linda Levens, the first participants were selected from applications received from students in the sophomore and junior classes of DeLeon High School. Levens said that she went to the school and spoke to the students prior to accepting applications.

“I talked to them about community service and how good that service looked on college applications,” Levens said. “It’s also good business experience, to be involved with the DeLeon Chamber of Commerce.”
The first board is comprised of eight girls and two boys, and Levens said that in addition to assisting with regular chamber events, junior board members will plan their own event.

“One of the first ideas they came up with was a “Battle of the Bands” and a concert which would be a two-day event at the amphitheater,” Levens said.

The event, which Levens noted is “just in the idea stage at present” would feature a band competition on the first day. “Then on the second day, whoever won the competition could open for whatever name group they got for the concert,” she said.

Levens said this event could actually be beneficial for other DeLeon youth.

For full article, subscribe to the DeLeon Free Press. E-mail edition is only $20/year.

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