News Archives - September 2009

Miss Coleman County to be Named at Saturday's Fiesta
9/30/2009
  Miss Coleman County will be named during Saturday’s Fiesta de la Paloma, following competition at 3 p.m. The ceremony will take place at the Bill Franklin Center on the rodeo grounds south of town. There are seven girls competing for this year’s title.Contestants should be at the Coleman Chamber office Saturday morning at 9:45 a.m. for a short interview with the judges. Interviews will begin at 10:00 a.m. Dress is business casual. Stage presence judging will follow at 3:00 p.m.important: You need to be at the Bill Franklin Center Central Office Conference Room on Saturday (Oct. 3rd) at 2:45 p.m. - No later! Please be on time. Come dressed with your makeup fixed. Do not bring purses or money with you as no one will be responsible for your belongings.  If you need extra makeup, shoes, etc., have someone pick this up when you are finished with our things. REPEAT: NO ONE will hold purses, makeup or other belongings while you are with the other contestants or being judged. You can make arrangements for this yourself. Your parent or friends will not be allowed in the Conference Room. Only Contestants, PLEASE!
  Contestants, including their school and grade, parents/guardians are as follows: Angelina Nicole Jones, Coleman High School, 12th grade, parents - Dale and Natalie Jones, Jackie Katelyn Birdwell, Coleman High School, 11th grade, parents - Mitch and Bobbi Birdwell, Sarah Wickson, Coleman High School, 9th grade, parents - Holly and Scott Hunter, Lisha Merkley, Coleman High School, 12th grade, guardians - Benny and Stacey Mendoza, Morgan Schumann, Coleman High School, 11th grade, parents - Penny and Rodney Schumann, Charley Bowman, Panther Creek High School, 12th grade, parents - Jacqueline Bowman and the late Marshall Bowman, McKenzie Lee Spake, Coleman High School, 12th grade, parents - Festus and Sandra Spake.
 

Miss Coleman County Judges:
9/30/2009
Maribeth Kirby Mayo grew up in Coleman and attended Coleman schools from Kindergarten through 12th grade. She was elected Miss Fiesta de la Paloma in 1987. Maribeth graduated from Coleman High School in 1989, and Howard Payne University in 1994. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, with a minor in English and Special Education. Maribeth is in her 13th year of teaching, and is currently a third grade teacher at Woodland Heights Elementary in Brownwood. She is married to Duane and they have a 10 year old daughter, Madison. Maribeth is both honored and excited to be a part of the Fiesta pageant this year.

Allison Scott Loebig was born and raised in Coleman and is the daughter of Ben and Debbie Scott of Coleman. She graduated from Coleman High School in 1989 and was also elected to serve as Coleman Rodeo Queen for that year. Allison graduated from Angelo State University with a degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice. She worked at MHMR for the Concho Valley for six years. Most of that time was spent working with the Tom Green County Juvenile Probation Department with “at risk” youth. She is married to Bob Loebig and currently lives in Corinth, Texas where she loves being a stay-at-home mom to their three children: Brogan 10, Joseph 9 and Jude 4 years old.

Millie Price is the sister of Casey Watson, of Coleman. She attended school in Mahomet, Illinois and graduated in 2008 from Warren Central in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Millie is currently working on an Art major at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. She is an avid volunteer in several communities. She has worked with the Special Olympics with the National Art Honors Society and the Over the River 5K Run in Vicksburg, MS and the 5K For Clay in Round Rock, TX. Millie is excited to be working with the 2009 Miss Coleman County Pageant.

Joint School Food Drive on Friday
9/30/2009
Panther Creek 4-H & Novice ISD Food Drive Set for Today & Friday Panther Creek 4-H and Novice ISD are having a Canned Food Drive today (Thursday) and Friday. You can bring canned food items or cash donations to the schools or to the Thursday night J.H. game at Novice or to the H.S. game at Panther Creek on Friday night. All items/money donated will go to Loaves and Fishes. Thank you for your support! We will continue this drive through next week. The collection of items will end on Friday, October 9th!

Saturday Sing Rescheduled
9/30/2009
The regular First Saturday Sing at Trinity United Methodist Church will not be held for October in lieu of the Dove Festival. It will be held next on November 7th. So stay in tune and get your songs picked out for that date. Carla Billings Thanks, Carla Billings 625-5302

To all parents of Coleman ISD students,
9/30/2009
  Coleman ISD will be letting school out early on Thursday, October 1, 2009. On that afternoon, our teachers and staff will be attending staff development to continue with our new C-Scope curriculum. Please be aware of the following dismissal times:
Coleman Elementary: 12:25
Coleman Junior High: 12:30
Coleman High School: 12:30
  On this day, lunch for the junior high will be served at 12:00. Parents who wish to pick up their child at 12:00 instead of 12:30 may do so by coming into the junior high office and signing their student out. Any student who rides the bus will be leaving at the regular dismissal time of 12:30 .
On Friday, October 2, 2009 students do not come to school due to staff development built into our school calendar.
REGULAR BELL SCHEDULE
Period Times
1st 8:00 – 8:49
2nd 8:53 – 9:42
3rd 9:46 – 10:35
4th 10:39 – 11:28
5th 11:32 – 12:21
Announcements 12:21 – 12:31
Lunch 12:31 – 1:01
6th 1:05 – 1:54
7th 1:58 – 2:47
8th 2:51 – 3:40
  Another major change to our schedule beginning on Monday, October 5, 2009 is listed below. We have removed our advisory period and added an additional 10 minutes to our school day. We have made this change in order to compensate for extra time needed to implement our new curriculum effectively.

Santa Anna FFA to host fundraiser
9/30/2009
The Santa Anna FFA is gearing up for the 2009-2010 Annual Fund Raiser. It will begin on Oct. 2 and run through Oct. 22. Chapter members will be selling Fresh Country meats, cookies. Candles are a new item available this year.
 The money raised is used for chapter activities throughout the year. This activity gives the students the opportunity to improve their speaking skills as well as to meet members of the community. Please help support the youth of Santa Anna FFA.

CHS Graduate completes basic training
9/30/2009
Army Private First Class Jeremy R. Jameson graduated from basic infantry training at Ft. Benning, Georgia on September 3rd. During the nine weeks of training at Ft. Benning, PFC Jameson was appointed Squad Leader of his platoon and commanded 15 soldiers. Basic training at Ft. Benning included training in drills, weapons, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, battlefield operations and tactics, map reading, military courtesy, Army history and weapons defense, among other subjects. While completing basic training, all graduates earned his right to wear the "Army Beret".

Following basic training, PFC Jameson is now at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio for 18 weeks where he will be training for "Combat Medic". Advanced Individual Training (AIT) is an intense training session of physical fitness and classroom hours, which sometimes consists of 16 hour days. A soldier is required to pass all physical testing and meet all classroom requirements in order to complete AIT. Graduation from AIT in San Antonio is scheduled for January 2010.

PFC Jameson's very proud parents are Rex & Debbie Jameson of Coleman, and attended the basic training gradation in Georgia.

Grandparents are Wilbert & Jerry Dobbins of Coleman and Max & Ann Jameson of Voss.

Youth Hunt
9/30/2009
On September 19th Game Warden William Heath assisted Troop 644 from Muenster, Texas with a Dove Hunt in the Talpa area. Six Wibelo I scouts hunted Doves, Cooked over open camp fire, shot clay birds and camped out in tents. The Scouts were working on there outdoor badge. The scouts were also given camo caps by the Texas Game Warden Association.

BURKETT COMMUNITY DINNER
9/29/2009
  Remember when you knew your neighbors and the folks who  worked around your community? Come rekindle those  friendships and meet new friends! If you live/lived in or  around Burkett, attended school or church in Burkett, or  just know someone in Burkett you're invited!!!
  Bring a covered dish and your family for an evening of food and fun. There could be games or music, there may be sharing of old family photos and a lot of "do you remember" questions. There will definitely be plenty of good fellowship! Wont you join us for the first 2009 Community Dinner?
  Need more information? Contact Susan @624-5465
SATURDAY ~ OCTOBER 10, 2009, 6:30PM, Burkett Christian Community Center

Running with the Doves . . . 5K
9/29/2009
  Run/Walk at Fiesta de la Paloma The Coleman County Chamber of Commerce, Holiday Hill, Inc. and RoadID.com are hosting this year’s Fiesta de la Paloma “Running with the Doves” - a 5K Run/Walk. The event will take place at the Fiesta celebration on Saturday, October 3rd. The race starts at 8 a.m. All net proceeds benefit the Coleman County Foundation. The event will take place at the Bill Franklin Center/Coleman Rodeo Grounds on the south end of Coleman on State Highway 206.This will be the first ever 5K run held in conjunction with the Fiesta de la Paloma celebration. Refreshments will be provided before, during and after the race. Enjoy all the Chamber events and booths after the race.All events start and finish at the Bill Franklin Center and Coleman Rodeo Grounds .
  The Course: The 5K or 3.1 mile course travels from the Bill Franklin Center south to W. 5th Street and turns right for approximately 1 mile to Needham Street, turn right on Commercial Ave. (SH 206) and returns to the steps of the Bill Franklin Center. Registration will be at the Bill Franklin Center and entry fee is $10.00.   Registration begins at 7 a.m. on the day of the race.   Registration cut-off time is 7:45 a.m. Pick up your t-shirt and your race tag by turning in your completed/signed registration form and payment at the Bill Franklin Center the morning of the race. Awards: $100 to Overall Top Male - $100 to Overall Top Female 5K Run Only. Medals for 1st, 2nd, 3rd in the following male/female age groups: 19 and under, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49 and 50+
  For more information contact Coleman Chamber of Commerce (Mary Griffis or Amy Hinds) at 325-625-2163. Email the event at admin@holidayhill.net or chamber@colemantexas.org.

CISD Early Release Thursday and No Classes Friday
9/29/2009
Coleman ISD will release early on Thursday, October 1st. Coleman Elementary will release at 12:25 p.m. and the Jr. High and High School will release at 12:30 p.m. Faculty and staff will participate in staff development Thursday afternoon. Friday, October 2nd, is a student holiday. The CISD Administration Office will be open on Friday, October 2nd, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. for early voting in the Tax Ratification Special Election.

Bluekatts begin fall league tonight!
9/29/2009
The Coleman Lady Bluekatts will play fall league basketball games tonight in Coleman. The Bluekatt JV team will play Winters JV at 7:50 p.m. and the Varsity Bluekatts will play the Winters Varsity at 8:30 p.m. Come on out and support the Bluekatts!

Santa Anna Class of 1969 Reunion
9/29/2009
The Class of 1969 will host their 40th Reunion Sat Oct 10 at Jackie
Miller's home 7533 Kelli Lane Brownwood Tx from 12:00 noon until 4:00 PM.
  If anyone has been missed or have not received our phone calls, please call Jackie at 972-841-9141 or contact Janice Langford Hipsher at 325-348-3609 for more information. This reunion is for anyone who was in this class at anytime during our school years.

Homecoming King representatives:
9/29/2009
Left to right: Manny Dancy, Chris Tate, Jacob Zapata, Jordon Tunnell
Homecoming King will be crowned during the homecoming pep rally, Friday, October 9th at 2:30 p.m.
Santa Anna Homecoming Queen representatives:
9/29/2009
L to R: Emily Taylor, Heather McMillan, Peyton Morris, Layken Herrod
Homecoming Queen will be crowned during half-time activites at the homecoming football game on Friday, October 9th, 2009.

Coleman County Historical Commission Meeting
9/28/2009
  I think this is going to be the tail twister of the year. The story of the J. P. Morris family, ranch, and the descendents there of. If the subject matter was not enough, Doodie Taylor - Knox will be telling the story.
  Now the cap to the evening is -- The program will be held in the old "Morris - Taylor" home at the west end of College Ave (near the intersection of College and 5th Ave)
  Now just tell me that is not a piece of Coleman History coming out.
We will start gathering about 6:30 on the evening of Oct. 1st. A very short business meeting will be held and then the PROGRAM.
 

AGENDA FOR CITY OF COLEMAN CITY COUNCIL
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2009
9/28/2009
5:00 P.M., Coleman City Hall, 200 W. Liveoak, Coleman, Texas

PRESENT:
ABSENT:
INVOCATION:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
WELCOME OF VISITORS AND GUEST:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
  1. Council will consider approval of minutes from the regular meeting held September 17, 2009. Council may take any action deemed necessary.
RECOGNITION OF STAFF: (NONE)
HEARING OF VISITORS CONCERNING MATTERS NOT ON AGENDA:
PUBLIC HEARING (S): (NONE)
RECEIPT OF BIDS:
  1. Council will receive bids from qualified firms of Certified Public Accountants to perform an audit of the City’s financial statements for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009. Council may take any action deemed necessary.
CONSENT AGENDA:
  1. Council will consider on the second and final reading of Ordinance No. 1103 authorizing the acceptance of credit cards as payment of fees, fines, court costs and other charges, providing for a processing fee and service fee, authorizing the Mayor to contract for encumbrance of unauthorized credit cards, and providing for deposit of purchasing fees and service charges in the City’s General Fund. Council may take any action deemed necessary.
OLD BUSINESS: (NONE)
NEW BUSINESS:
  1. Council will consider authorizing the Mayor to sign Resolution 09-08 which allows and permits a Christmas Parade for the citizens of Coleman on Thursday, December 3, 2009. Council may take any action deemed necessary.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT:
MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS:
CLOSE ANY PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ADJOURN:

COLEMAN BIKE ENTHUSIASTS MENTOR NEW RECRUITS
9/28/2009
  Why would anyone ride a bike that far?! "The benefits are better health and weight loss!" says Barb Hubbard. Local bike enthusiasts, Drew & Barb Hubbard mentor new recruits in Waco, Rick & Gloria Cobb. Gloria and Barb are sisters who completed 10 miles at the Wacky Waco Skittles Ride among over 1300 riders. Drew & Rick completed 26 miles. Not pictured, Marvin & Cathy Hale completed 51 miles and enjoyed a tour of the Skittles Factory and all the candy you wanted! If you're ready to see what bicycling can do for you, join the Coleman Bike Club! There are no dues; we simply meet every Tuesday at 5:30pm at the CCMC parking lot on bikes for a fun ride! Go at your own pace...turn back when ready...and meet for a dinner full of fun & laughter! Don't forget your helmet!

COLEMAN HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1959 ANNOUNCES MULTI-CLASS REUNION DANCE WITH LEMBO ALLEN
9/28/2009
All CHS Graduates Invited to Attend
  COLEMAN, September 28, 2009 – On the evening of Saturday, October 10,   2009, the CHS Multi-Class Reunion will hold a dance at the Bill Franklin Center beginning at 7:30pm and hosted by the class of 1959. Famed C&W performer Lembo Allen and his band will be providing the toe-tapping entertainment, with Lembo’s mother, CHS Class of 1959 Graduate, Susan Rogers Allen, at the piano. The dance is in conjunction with the CHS Multi-Class reunion. All CHS graduates are invited and there is a $10.00 charge that can be paid at the door. All net proceeds will go to the CHS Scholarship Fund.
  During the day on Saturday, October 10, 2009 the annual Coleman High School Multi-Class Reunion will be held at the Bill Franklin Center. This year’s reunion will include all classes from l941-l964. The day’s festivities will begin with coffee and visitation at 9:00 A.M. with lunch and program following at noon. For more information, please contact Glenna McKee Smith at 713/621-8742 or sfs4224@comcast.net.

CISD to host drug trend seminar
9/28/2009
  CISD hosting a Parent Seminar on Current Drug Trends Detective Jerry Rhodes will be presenting information regarding current drug trends among today’s youth.
  Detective Rhodes is a 36 year veteran of the Dallas Police Department and has spent several years assigned to the Narcotics Division. He has been an instructor for the National Interagency Counter Drug Institute in California, and is a well known speaker around the State of Texas on substance abuse. Rhodes will be discussing various drugs, popular trends and the effects they are having on our children and community.
  All parents and community members are encouraged to attend. Detective Rhodes will be presenting this parent information at the Coleman High School Auditorium on Thursday, October 1, 2009, at 6:00.

PUBLIC NOTICE
9/28/2009
  The Coleman County Commissioners’Court will conduct a public hearing on the Draft of Model Sub-Division Rules. The meeting will be held on September 30, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioners’Court regular meeting place in the Coleman County Courthouse, Coleman, Texas.
  A copy of the draft of the Model Sub-Division Rules may be viewed at the Coleman County Clerks Office.

Notice of Meeting
9/28/2009
2nd Floor Coleman County Courthouse, City of Coleman
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 9:00 am
  Notice of Assistance at Public Meeting: Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need special assistance or services are requested to contact Jimmie Hobbs at (325)625-4218 at least two (2) days prior to the meeting.

AGENDA
1. Call the Meeting to Order
2. Approve minutes from prior meeting(s)
3. Conduct any necessary old business
4. Receive any visitors not on the Agenda
5. 1st Public Hearing on Draft of Model Sub-Division Rule’s
6. Alice Spillman with the Santa Anna Library, presenting report of expenditure of funds
7. Approve John Pearce – Request Reimbursement for Programming Software for Motorola Radio’s
8. Approve Proclamation of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
9. Approve Sheriff’s and Constables’ Fees for 2010
10. Approve Sheriff’s Department - Inmate Telephones
11. Approve Lease of Equipment for Precinct 1 and Precinct 2
12. Approve Bi-Weekly and Monthly payments for Fiscal Year 2009-2010
13. Approve Resolution for Texas Task Force on Indigent Defense Grant
14. Approve current bills for payment and authorize transfer of funds if necessary
15. Adjourn the meeting

Santa Anna Livestock Association Meeting Tuesday
9/28/2009
The Santa Anna Livestock Association will have a meeting on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. at the Santa Anna Ag classroom. Items on the agenda are:
1. Finalize concession stand for the Oct. 3rd pig
sale.
2. Discussion on ongoing mail out fundraiser.
3. Discuss ongoing showpig raffle.
4. Consider and act on Judges for local stock
show.
5. Financial Report
6. Approval of minutes.

Town and Country Garden Club News
9/28/2009
  After a summer break, the Town and Country Garden Club met for their first meeting of the year in the Miller Building on September 7, 2009. Before the meeting began, members arrived early to "spruce up" the building and the grounds. Hostess was Carla Finley. There were thirteen members present. Sue Shields, president, called the meeting to order and asked each member to answer roll call by telling "what I did this summer." New yearbooks were distributed and members discussed the duties of each committee. Discussion concerning the Miller Building landscaping committee was tabled until after the District Convention in October. The president then asked for nominees for our delegate to the convention.
  Eileen Morris nominated President Sue Shields. Nan Markland second the nomination and it carried. It was decided that the club would pay Sue's registration fee. Vision of Beauty calendars have been received and are available for $7.00. Correspondence received were an invitation to the Lily Fest held in San Angelo on September 12, an announced school poster contest sponsored by National Garden Clubs, Inc., for elementary students, and an essay and poetry contest for high school students. The club also received a thank you note from the family of Bobbie McMinn and then voted a memorial contribution in the memory of James H. Berry, the father of member Alice Hemphill.
  Details of the upcoming District VIII Fall Convention to be held in Coleman on October 30-31 were then discussed. The Friday night dinner will be held at Pasta Primavera followed by an excursion to Kay's Garden for a viewing of Kay Mitchell's fused jewelry. Saturday's events will take place at the Bill Franklin Center. The registration, decoration, program and publicity committees told of their plans for the day. Members are to bring potted plants to help decorate the Center, as well as items appropriate for the silent auction.
  Nan Markland gave the program on designing wreaths using artificial flowers. As a follow-up to her summer workshop, Nan called on members to describe wreath and garden hat designs they have made since the workshop. The wreaths and garden hats will be used as door prizes for the District Convention.
  The next meeting will be October 6 at the Miller Building. Final preparations for the District Convention will be on the agenda.

PAINTERS FOR THE 2009 FIESTA ART SHOW
9/27/2009
Friday October 2 and Saturday October 3 artists will be painting for  the public. The work will be offered at silent auction. The auction will run  until Saturday October 3 at 3 pm. The auction will close at 3 pm at which time the art can be paid for and picked up.

Artists painting Friday will be: Paul Friske of Abilene, Theda Rhea of Coleman, and Bill Shields of Novice. Saturday painters will be: Lee Ann Goode of Blanket, Ted Shelton of Brownwood, and Ginger Test of Novice

This is a fun event and very worthy of your time to watch and bid. Questions may be directed to Sherrell Hazlewood, President Fine Arts League or Theda Rhea 325-625-4687.

New Greens Open at Country Club!
9/25/2009
The new greens are now open for play at the Coleman Country Club.   The scrambles on every Thursday evening and the second Sunday of every month are being held until daylight savings time changes. 

Mozelle School Homecoming Saturday
9/25/2009
The Mozelle School Homecoming will be held Saturday, September 26, 2009 in the Bill Franklin Center. We will set up tables and chairs on Friday afternoon at 3:00pm. We need volunteer helpers. Panther Creek has an open date, so we will not be meeting for the ballgame.

Saturday morning activities will begin with registration at 9:00am. The program will get underway at 10:00am. After lunch there will be an afternoon session and lots of visiting!

The Planning Committee has two special requests:
1.) For our local people to bring cookies, cakes and etc. for snacks.
2.) For all our local class members to attend and welcome the out-of-town folks.

We want to extend a special invitation to all students, faculty members, trustees, support staff, and friends of Mozelle School. Let's make this the most memorable Homecoming ever.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church 100th Birthday -
Annual Chicken Spaghetti Luncheon
9/25/2009
St. Mark's Episcopal Church is celebrating its 100th Birthday.  Our annual Chicken Spaghetti Luncheon is on Sunday, September 27th.  Serving time for take-out and dining-in is 11:30am - 1:00pm.  The menu includes chicken spaghetti, green salad, hot bread, homemade dessert, tea and coffee.  Adult tickets are $6.00 and children under 10 $3.00.  As always, advance tickets may be purchased from any church member, or by calling Henry and Margie Dodson at 382-4693 or Ann Watson at 625-4880. 

The Mission Hall will have displays of pictures and other memorabilia.  Please join us for lunch and be a part of our 100th year in Coleman County.  CLICK HERE to read some of the history of the church.

YOU ARE INVITED !!
9/25/2009
You are invited to the Fiesta de la Paloma 2009 Juried Fine Art Show presented by the Fine Arts League of Coleman Co. 
Library Annex 402 Commercial Ave.
*October 2-3, 2009 from 10am - 4 pm
Come and watch the "paint-out "- 3 artists will be painting throughout each day with the paintings created being held for silent auction ending Sat. Oct. 3 at 3 pm

Fiesta Art Preview Reception Friday evening  6-8pm
Juror's critique of artwork Saturday  3:30 pm
Awards presentation  Saturday 4:30 pm
Show closes  Saturday 5 pm

Mansell, Art Show Judge
9/25/2009
The NINETEENTH Fiesta de la Paloma art show sponsored by the Fine Arts League of Coleman County will have as its guest, SUSAN MANSELL -JUROR, BALLINGER, TEXAS.

Susan Mansell, a fourth generation Texan, studied art at Southwest Texas and Angelo State University and took up watercolor in the mid-90’s. Her main emphasis is on transparent watercolor.

Mansell’s work has been shown in numerous national and regional shows such as the National Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America, Watercolor West, Texas Watercolor Society, Southwestern Watercolor Society, Western Federation of Watercolor Societies and many more. From 2000-2009, she has won over 30 awards. Most recent awards have been: 2009 Texas Watercolor Society’s Herwick Award, 2007 Best of Show in the Stars of Texas and also San Angelo’s Fiesta in Realism, Award of Excellence in the 2006 Western Federation Societies Annual Exhibition, SWS 2006 Award of Merit.

A past-President of the Creative Arts Club of Abilene, Texas, and an associate member of American Watercolor society and the National Watercolor Society, Mansell is a signature member, Purple Sage status, of the Texas Watercolor Society (TWS), The Transparent Watercolor Society of America (TWSA), Southwestern Watercolor Society (SWS), Western Federation of Watercolor Societies (WFWS), and Watercolor West (WW).

Her work is included in private collections, corporate offices, Splash 9, Watercolor Secrets, and Splash 10.

Tech Prep for Parents Continues on Monday
9/25/2009
Tech Prep for Parents continues this Monday at the High School from 6-7:30 pm. This week should be lots of fun! "Fun with Photos" is the topic of this week's session. Parents will be led through the process of the program "Photoshop" on the computer.

Remember, if you have a high school student, bring their laptop with you to the session. If your child does not have his or her laptop yet, phone the high school office at 625-2156 and reserve your unit today.

Tech Prep for Parents continues to reach out and help parents get over the fear of technology as well as allow parents to be more familiar with some of the programs students are using every day. Be a part of "fun with photos" this Monday from 6-7:30 at the High School.

Mini-Cheerleaders Perform Friday!!
9/24/2009
Reminder Mini Cheer Camp performance this week: Anyone who attended mini-cheer camp needs to be at Hufford Field on Friday, September 25, at 6:30 p.m. The girls will perform their material in front of the fans at 7:00 before the game. The High School Cheerleaders will meet with the girls at the south end of the football field by the concession stand. We will practice with the girls before they go out to perform. Hope to see everyone there!

Coleman ISD School Board Report
9/23/2009
The Coleman ISD Board of Trustees met Monday night with a very short agenda. After approving minutes from the previous meeting, the Board held a hearing in reference to the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) Report. With no visitors present, the board commented that the report appeared to indicate that the CISD administration was doing a good job of following TEA guidelines.

The only action item of the night was to amend the budget. Superintendent Royce Young reminded the board that the amendments will be unusual in number this year due to the Sate's late clarification of 2009-2010 rules. Mr. Young then reported to the board on some projects recently completed or still in the work; two of which are new basketball goals in the playground and playground equipment purchased through Stimulus funds. Young also stated that the T-3 Grant for Coleman County had been approved last week, and Coleman ISD would be the fiscal agent for the grant. All the Coleman County schools will benefit from these monies.

The board was informed that the Tax Ratification Election is beginning this week. Wednesday, September 23rd is the first day of Early Voting, which goes to October 6, 2009. Election Day is Saturday, October 10th. More information on this topic will be posted soon.

 COTTON TOURS
9/23/2009
It is cotton-tour time and Texas AgriLife Extension Service has two scheduled. They will be September 29 and October 06 in Runnels and Tom Green counties, respectively. Continuing Education Unit hours will be offered to participants who attend.   Click HERE for full article on the Farm and Ranch page.

Coleman Medical Associates, P.A. Offering Flu Vaccination Clinic
9/23/2009
Coleman Medical Associates will be offering INFLUENZA “Flu” Vaccines in the clinic on…
• Tuesday, October 6th – 12:00-1:00pm & 5:00-6:00pm
• Thursday, October 8th – 12:00-1:00pm & 5:00-6:00pm
• Tuesday, October 13th – 12:00-1:00pm & 5:00-6:00pm
• Thursday, October 15th – 12:00-1:00pm & 5:00-6:00pm

FLU  VACCINE COST???
*$20 Self-pay and Private Insurance Patients.
*Medicare and Medicare Advantage – Offered free of charge.
We will file your claim for you, however, YOU MUST bring your Medicare or Medicare Advantage card with you in order to be vaccinated.

Please note that this influenza vaccine will not offer protection against the H1N1 “swine flu” virus. We will offer the H1N1 vaccines once we receive our shipment of vaccines (we expect to receive these in late October or early November). Dates and times will be announced once we receive our vaccine shipment.

Pneumococcal “Pneumonia” Vaccines
We will administer this vaccine by appointment only!   NO EXCEPTIONS!

Do you need a pneumococcal vaccine?
How often should you receive the pneumococcal vaccine?
Each year we receive many calls regarding these questions. This IS NOT a vaccine that is given once each year for life. The CDC recommendation regarding the pneumococcal vaccine PCV states that adults age 65 and over should receive ONE dose/vaccine to be immunized for life. If you have any questions regarding the pneumococcal vaccine, please contact our office or your primary care physician’s office.

The clinic is located at 310 S. Pecos St. (2nd Floor of Coleman County Medical Center). If you have any questions, please contact the clinic at 325- 625-3533. CLICK HERE to print flyer.

Christmas Concert Rehearsals Beginning
9/23/2009
Rehearsals are continuing for the Coleman County Choir Christmas Concert.  These rehearsals will be Wednesdays at 7:00pm in the choir room at First United Methodist Church and Sundays at 2:00pm in the sanctuary at First Baptist Church.

Singers in and around the county are invited to come and sing.

Director Truitt Mitchell may be contacted at phone 325-784-9063 or email truitt@pgrb.com for additional information.

FCCLA Member Puckett Attended National Leadership Meeting
9/22/2009      (Contributed)
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America member Kelsey Puckett, Coleman High School senior attended the 2009 National FCCLA Leadership Meeting during July in Nashville, Tennessee. Approximately 5,000 delegates attended the four-day conference with the Texas Association being represented by over 300 delegates. Throughout the FCCLA National Leadership Meeting, members were motivated and recognized at general sessions, explored ways to prevent teen violence, strengthen their leadership skills, and carried out the youth-developed theme “FCCLA Beyond the Label.”

Kelsey, Region II Vice President of Achievement, served as a room consultant for STAR Event competition. Ryan Rhodes from Breckenridge High School was elected to serve as National Vice President of Development.   (Kelsey is shown right at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel where the meeting took place.)

The meeting began with a keynote address from Staff Sergeant Ken Weichert, a six-time Soldier of the Year, Master Fitness Trainer, and veteran of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Desert Storm. Staff Sgt. Weichert address focused on “Discover the Leader in You. Some of the sessions youth and adults attended included leadership, careers, teen driving, finances, environment, and decision-making.

As stated on the Texas FCCLA website “Without capable adult leaders, students would be unable to take advantage of the many opportunities offered through FCCLA. Being an effective advisor takes special skills and a tremendous commitment of time and energy. Exceptional advisors motivate their chapters to take advantage of opportunities beyond the local level, use a wide variety of resources available to them and encourage student involvement. These advisors also share their expertise by offering advisor workshops to work one-on-one with new advisors. Family, Career and Community Leaders of America's Advisor Recognition Program seeks to reward outstanding local advisors--those who make significant contributions to the organization.” During the Advisor Recognition Session, Bonnie Brown, Coleman FCCLA advisor, received Master Advisor. The award recognizes outstanding advisors who operate co-curricular chapters with a balanced program of work.

After a week filled with meeting new people, workshops, touring, and learning FCCLA information, members finished the week with an FCCLA Gala – Experience Music City, FCCLA Style!” Some of the interesting things Kelsey and Mrs. Brown did while in Nashville included a tour of the city, visited Farmer’s Market, went to BB King’s restaurant for a meal and Songwriter’s Showcase, and went on a tour of the Grand Ole Opry plus a visit to Alabama to attend the US Space and Rocket Center.

Santa Anna ISD Receives Legacy
9/22/2009     (Contributed)
Alton Henry Diserens graduated from Santa Anna High School as valedictorian of the Class of 1936. At his death, along with a number of other generous gifts to various beneficiaries, Mr. Diserens honored his alma mater with a total gift of $700,000: $200,000 for a fund to be used for repair and improvement of school facilities and $500,000 in trust for students graduating from Santa Anna High School who enroll in a four year degree program at a college or university.

Mr. Diserens was born in Killeen, Texas, July 26, 1918, to Alice and George Diserens. Later his parents owned and operated Diserens Grocery Store in Santa Anna. He had one sister and two brothers. He was married to Mary Kathryn Bonner for forty-eight years. His wife, parents, and siblings preceded him in death.

After graduation from Santa Anna, Mr. Diserens served in the Army during World War II. He was awarded the Bronze Star with an Oak Leaf Cluster for Meritorious Service with the 104th Infantry Division in Europe and was a Major in the Retired Reserves, AUS. After WWII, “Diz” (as he was known to his friends) earned a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas followed by an MS in Industrial Hygiene Engineering from Harvard University.

Clearly Mr. Diserens’ love for education is shown by his generous bequests to a number of educational facilities: two nurse training programs and two universities in addition to Santa Anna ISD.
Both the high school and the elementary school of SAISD have recently been renovated. Mr. Diserens’ gift will help maintain those improvements.

The scholarship trust will provide $5,000 for the chosen student for each of four years leading to a degree. The school superintendent will select three finalists. A high school math teacher and a high school history teacher will make the final choice.

Santa Anna ISD is extremely appreciative to the late Mr. Diserens as well as to his surviving family for their help in carrying out his final wishes.

Fine Arts League Member – 3 Awards
9/22/2009
Fine Arts League member, Sher Dunaway, has been juried into the 18th Annual Fall American Photography Exhibition at the Hubbard Museum of the American West in Ruidoso, N.M., with her photograph, “Happy Trails to You”. The exhibit runs through December 13th.

Sher’s photograph, “Santa Door”, has been juried into the 13th Annual Rio Brazos Art Exhibition, at the Langdon Cultural Center in Granbury. This exhibit closes Sunday, October 25th.

A first place award was given to Sher’s photograph “Tuxedo” and a third place in watercolor for her painting, “La Cruz Sagrada”, at the Autumn Leaves Art Exhibit in Eastland. Sept. 13th. She is also a member of the Town and Country Garden Club and the Hospital Auxiliary.

4-H Photography Club to Attend Balloon Fest
9/22/2009
The 4-H photography club will meet at 2:30 pm on Saturday, September 27th to travel to the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Abilene. Those who want to attend need to let Ruth know by calling 325-625-3631 or calling the 4-H office at 325-625-4519. Participants need to bring money for supper. We will return to Coleman at about 11pm. It is never too late to join the fun so if you are a kid ages 9 - 18 and want to join us please call the above numbers. The Abilene Optimist have a photo contest in conjunction with this event so come join the fun!  CLICK on the link below for more information on the Annual Balloon Fest  http://www.bigcountryballoonfest.com/

Heart of Texas Range Tour and Workshop
9/22/2009
Lohn - Landowners and hunters alike will want to attend an educational tour and workshop sponsored by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. The multi-topic educational event will be held on Monday, October 5, 2009 at the Phillips Ranch north of Lohn. Registration will begin at the ranch headquarters at 8:00 am and the program should conclude around 4:00 that afternoon.

McCulloch County AgriLife Extension Agent for Ag and Natural Resources, Vance Christie says, “The program will present numerous options that will help land stewards manage property to improve habitat for wildlife while also including options that allow the sustainability of livestock operations.” The agenda includes Brush Busters methods of individual plant treatments for mesquite, prickly pear, yucca and other brush species while revisiting the Brush Sculpting concept that allows desirable plants to be left for wildlife cover and feed sources. A rainwater harvesting station to provide supplemental water for wildlife has been set up on the ranch, and Billy Kniffen will be on hand to discuss rainwater capture options for livestock and wildlife. In addition identification of beneficial range plants for livestock and wildlife will be discussed by Kniffen and Dr. Allan McGinty.

Dr. Rick Machen will present a discussion on utilizing goats and cattle in a rotational system to improve habitat and maximize grazing on native and improved pastures. Christie also states,” that ranch owner Guy Phillips does a great job with his livestock and wildlife management plans, blending improved coastal, klien and Wilmuth Love Grass pastures with his native pastures. Mr. Phillips has several pastures with varied plant populations that allow him to rotate his cattle, protect against overgrazing and maintain grass, forbs and browse for wildlife at the same time”
The tour portion of the day will wrap up at noon, and the group will travel to the Lohn Tabernacle for a sponsored lunch catered by Mac’s Barbeque. Following Lunch, sponsors will be given an opportunity to discuss new products and technologies that landowners can utilize in their operations. John Newman and Bobby Schmidt will present brief updates on NRCS and FSA programs. Dr. Machen will then address the group on blending livestock production and wildlife management for the benefit of landowners and hunters alike. Concluding the program will be Cory Pence, TDA Inspector to discuss Laws and Regulations that affect Pesticide Applicators. 5 continuing education units (CEU’s) will be offered for participants holding their Applicator’s License.

To get to the ranch, from Brady, take US 87 North to US 283 North, go past the Lohn cut-off to County Road 314. Turn right on CR 314 and follow it approximately 2 ½ miles and it will terminate at the ranch headquarters for registration.

Due to meal and space limitations, only 80 participants will be allowed to register. Participants must RSVP to the McCulloch County AgriLife Extension Office before at 5:00 pm, Thursday October 1 and again only the first 80 registrants will be accepted. For more information or to confirm your registration, call 325-597-1295.

5K Run/Walk During Fiesta
9/21/2009
Holiday Hill is promoting a 5K Run/Walk for Fiesta de la Paloma. The 3.1 mile race will take place Saturday, October 3 at the Franklin Center. The race will start at 8:00 am and registration will begin at 7:00 am. $10.00 gets you registered for the race and includes a t-shirt. All net proceeds will go the Coleman County Foundation. For Registration Form CLICK HERE.

Bid for Fiesta Clean-up
9/21/2009
The Chamber of Commerce Board is asking for bids for the cleanup of the Rodeo Grounds area following the Fiesta de la Paloma.  It will entail cleanup of the restrooms, the Expo Center, the concrete Pavilion, and the rest of the grounds.   Call the Chamber for more information:  325-625-2163.  DEADLINE FOR BIDS is Friday, September 25th.

Central Colorado SWCD 2009 Fall Fish Sale
9/21/2009
The Central Colorado Soil & Water Conservation District is selling Fish for stocking ponds. Fish available are Bluegill, Hybrid Bream, Red Ear, Bass, Channel Catfish, Crappie (Limited Supply) & Minnows. Grass Carp is available with Texas Parks & Wildlife Permit. This permit takes approximately 30 days to receive.

The sale will run September 21, 2009 thru October 13, 2009. Delivery will be October 14, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. in the Coleman City Park. For more information please call The Natural Resources Conservation Service at 325-625-4197 #3 or come by the office in the Horne Ag Building West of the Coleman County Courthouse.

Programs and services of the SWCD are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regards for race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, marital status or handicap.

Fiesta - NEWS RELEASE
9/21/2009
The Fiesta de la Paloma would like to acknowledge and honor our local Emergency Personnel. We encourage all Coleman County Fired Departments to bring your Fire Truck to display at the Fiesta. There will be a special section just for you. Fire Fighters, bring your truck for display and even that donation boot in order for Coleman County to say thank you in a very special way for all that you do for Coleman and Coleman County.  For more information, contact the Coleman County Chamber of Commerce at 325-625-2163.

CALLING ALL TRACTORS!   The Fiesta de la Paloma will be presenting a Tractor Exhibit during the Fiesta on October 3, 2009. All local farmers and ranchers are encouraged to contact the Coleman County Chamber of Commerce at 218 Commercial Ave. or call 325-625-2163 to enter your tractor. The outdoor exhibit will be located on the West Side of the Bill Franklin Center / Goree Expo Center. Tractors can range from antique to modern, small or large. Come join in the fun at the Fiesta de la Paloma Tractor Exhibit.

Native Plant Society to Meet in San Angelo
9/21/2009
The revitalized Concho Valley Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas will hold its next meeting Tuesday, September 29. Allison Watkins, Tom Green County Horticulture Extension Agent will present the program. Ms. Watkins holds a B.S. degree in Horticulture from Tarleton State University. As a student, she worked in the university Horticulture Center managing greenhouses and landscaping, and completed her internship at the Tarrant County Extension office. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree from Texas Tech University.

Topics that will be covered in the meeting’s program will include the sowing and growing of wildflowers, and propagation methods for various types of plants including air layering and cuttings. Also included will be a wildflower guessing game. The meeting will be held at 7:00 pm in San Angelo at the Massie Meyers Garden Center, 815 South Abe, on the northwest corner of South Abe and Washington Streets.

Santa Anna Livestock Association Report
9/21/2009    Article and Photos Submitted by: Judy Meister
The Santa Anna Livestock Association made some significant decisions during their last meeting. One of the items on their agenda that was unanimously approved was to allow the reorganization of a Junior FFA. The students who decide to join up can not be younger than eight years of age, and must be at least in the third grade.  A Junior FFA has not been in existence for the past four years, and since previous Ag teacher, Don Ed Eddleman was at Santa Anna.  Current Agriculture teacher, David Henderson says that he is only acting in an advisory capacity to SALA, but that he welcomes the new program which will allow this age group to take part in showing livestock.

Also on the agenda was to initiate a raffle for a show pig. Tickets are currently on sale for $5 each or 5 for $20. The pig weighs around 60 pounds and was donated by Olsen Spot Farms in Iowa.  The money raised from the raffle will go toward purchasing livestock exhibits at the County Livestock Show and Sale and for maintenance on the local show barn and fund the local Livestock Show.

The group also worked on preparing mail-outs that were sent to county residents and businesses asking for donations in order to keep up with costs incurred for showing animals.

L - R: Ronnie Daniel, Kenneth Herring, Earl Ellis and Purcell Washington.

Lifetime Santa Anna resident, Montie Guthrie Jr. Recalls being a part of SALA during the 1940’s. He also remembers attending meetings with folks like Tom Kingsbery, Jake McCreary, O.L. Cheaney and A.D. Pettit.  “We would raise a lot of money and some animals sold pretty good.” said Guthrie.  90 year old Guthrie says that he couldn’t remember who initially started up the organization, but that he could remember his father being involved with either this particular association or one similar.  He also recalled buying his sons’ animals as well as his grandkids‘. Son, Lane Guthrie said he and his older brother Montie Guthrie III, both started raising animals for 4-H around the age of eight or nine.  He said back then he raised lambs, calves, hogs and chickens.  “It teaches a kid how to handle money and responsibilities. They know they have to get up every morning and feed. 4-H and FFA are good for kids.” said Lane.

Santa Anna National Bank President, Rob Cheaney says that he first became involved with SALA in 1973. He said that was when Quinton Daniel helped the organization obtain a tax number. Cheaney was an active member of the association for over 30 years.  He said that the association enabled a way for all local kids regardless of age to show their livestock in Santa Anna and sell animals in Coleman.  The association paved the way for kids from all over, including Rockwood, Trickham, Whon, and Cleveland to show and sell animals, Cheaney added.  Cheaney recalls that the association began serving meals during the shows in Santa Anna and everyone contributed. Businesses would donate the food and all the townspeople would prepare and serve up deer, pork and chicken and fun was had by all.  He added that also during the shows, an event would take place allowing the Home Economics class to display their cooking and sewing skills.  According to Cheaney, school busses back then had fold down beds and the kids would be able to attend a stock show in Fort Worth for sometimes ten days at a time.   Cheaney said that Santa Anna always had great Ag teachers such as A.D. Petit, “…a great molder of young minds.” Scott Patterson, Bill Hightower, Mr. York and Don Ed Eddleman.  The association would help purchase projects such as hogs, lambs, goats and cows for the kids to show, according to Cheaney.   “It’s a great learning experience since they are taught valuable skills, such as how to castrate pigs or shear sheep and the different cuts of meat.” said Cheaney.  “I’ve always asked how many pro athletes will come out of the community as opposed to the number of graduates who will be able to go on and make their way in a livestock related business.” concluded Cheaney.

Note: Santa Anna Livestock Association, P.O. Box 712, Santa Anna, TX 76878.

FIESTA Art Exhibit/Sale, Paint-outs, Reception, Awards!!!
9/21/2009
Thursday, the monthly meeting of the Fine Arts League was held in First Coleman National Bank Club room. After a power-point presentation of the entries into the show by President, Sherrell Hazlewood, the members discussed committees and made plans for a full week to gather and set up - with the week-end culminating the effort of Fiesta de la Paloma Juried Art Show. The exhibit is planned for Fiesta Friday and Saturday by the Fine Arts League of Coleman County. The Art will be up and ready to view Friday at 10 am October 2, with a Preview Reception Friday evening 6-8 pm.

During the 2-day event, 6 different artists from Brownwood, Coleman, Novice, and Abilene will be on hand to paint for a silent auction ending Saturday, Oct. 3 at 3pm with ½ of the proceeds from the auction to benefit the Juried Show.

Some of Danna Dawson’s (art teacher in CISD and member of the Fine Arts League) students will come by to see the art-making in process. This is a great time to see the effect art has on the youth; makes it all worthwhile somehow. Thanks for the effort, Danna.

The Fine Arts League of Coleman Co., has been presenting the annual art exhibit since 1991. The 2008 Fiesta “Open” Show was the final Open show. The 2007, 2008 and (now) 2009 are Juried Shows with a qualified professional artist who selects the paintings to hang in the show as well as chooses the award winners. The entries this year have been exciting with work from Alaska, Canada, Ohio, California and all over Texas. They made it to Coleman, Texas and will be a part of the experience for your viewing pleasure.

Thanks to the generosity of the Coleman Library the event will take place in the Library Annex.

Coleman County Youth Activity Center News
9/21/2009 Submitted by Sarah Beal
The Coleman County Youth Activity Center has been a busy place for the past few months. It has been the venue for the Coleman County Chamber of Commerce Banquet, Coleman Rodeo and Dance, Farm Bureau Ag Day, 4-H Club meetings, a sanctioned lamb sale, Drug Free After Prom party, Exceptional Kids Rodeo, wedding receptions, class and family reunions, Coleman County Livestock Show Association meetings, Coleman Rodeo Association meetings and Ladies Night, 4-H Club Shooting Sports & Vet Science meetings, Aggie Muster, District 4-H Consumer Decision Contest etc… The Goree Expo Center was dedicated with a reception on Sunday, May 3rd. The CCYAC is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization. The facilities are for rent and may be booked through the Coleman County Chamber of Commerce at 325-625-2163. Donations and memorials are a great way to invest in the future of the facility. Donor tiles are still for sale in the Goree Expo Center and come in three different sizes. To purchase a tile, contact Sarah Beal @ (325) 785-4291 or ssbeal@web-access.net or Henry Dodson @ (325) 382-4693. Donations can be sent to Coleman County Youth Activity Center, P. O. Box 766, Coleman, TX 76834. The funds from donations go to the ongoing expenses, upkeep and improvements to the facilities.

Donations:
Coleman County Farm Bureau
Honorariums:
In honor of All The Animals @ The T Bone Ranch c/o Travis & Millie Goree by Coleman Veterinary Clinic, Dr. & Mrs. R.M. Edington, Dr. & Mrs. Mark Swening, Dr. Sharilyn & James Nall, Dr. & Mrs. Johnny Needham
Memorials:
In memory of Bobbie Dodson by Cole Dodson DVM, Loweta Pope, Toby & Nancy Weber, Sandra & Carl Prater, Charlotte Hickman, Dr. & Mrs. R.M. Edington, Dr. & Mrs. Mark Swening, Dr. Sharilyn & James Nall, Dr. & Mrs. Johnny Needham, Alma L. Wright, Juanita Cross, Pat Bynum, Sherman & Tammy Smith, Dr. J. P. & Alice Hemphill
In memory of Bruce Sonnenberg by Cole Dodson DVM
In memory of Carolyn Bartley by Bowen Drug Store/James C. Stokes, Danny & Lindi Armstrong
In memory of Evelyn Elkins by Bowen Drug Store/James C. Stokes
In memory of Amie Rambo by Bowen Drug Store/James C. Stokes
In memory of Bryan Phenix (Steve’s uncle) by Steve & Sarah Beal
In memory of Joe Riley Caldwell by Jim & Linda Caldwell-tile in Expo
In memory of Lena Wallis by Dr. & Mrs. R.M. Edington, Dr. & Mrs. Mark Swening, Dr. Sharilyn & James Nall, Dr. & Mrs. Johnny Needham, Mark & Mary Griffis
In memory of Doris Matthews by Dr. & Mrs. R.M. Edington, Dr. & Mrs. Mark Swening, Dr. Sharilyn & James Nall, Dr. & Mrs. Johnny Needham
In memory of Bobbie McMinn by Dr. & Mrs. R.M. Edington, Dr. & Mrs. Mark Swening, Dr. Sharilyn & James Nall, Dr. & Mrs. Johnny Needham, Berva Dawn & Dan Taylor, Dr. J. P. & Alice Hemphill, Lynn & Trisha Owens, Ben & Debbie Scott, Mr. & Mrs. Sandy Neal, Bill & Ginger Sneed
In memory of Ann Clearman by Dr. & Mrs. R.M. Edington, Dr. & Mrs. Mark Swening, Dr. Sharilyn & James Nall, Dr. & Mrs. Johnny Needham
In memory of Billie Puckett by Dr. & Mrs. R.M. Edington, Dr. & Mrs. Mark Swening, Dr. Sharilyn & James Nall, Dr. & Mrs. Johnny Needham, Danny & Lindi Armstrong
In memory of LaVerne Parrott by Dr. & Mrs. R.M. Edington, Dr. & Mrs. Mark Swening, Dr. Sharilyn & James Nall, Dr. & Mrs. Johnny Needham, Tommy & Kathy Saunders, Lynn & Trisha Owens, Curtis & Joy Skelton, Berva Dawn & Dan Taylor, Henry & Margie Dodson, Billie Wheat, Carl & Sandra Prather, Ben & Debbie Scott, Mr. & Mrs. Sandy Neal
In memory of Bobby Kirkpatrick by Dr. & Mrs. R.M. Edington, Dr. & Mrs. Mark Swening, Dr. Sharilyn & James Nall, Dr. & Mrs. Johnny Needham
In memory of Joyce Elrod by Lynn & Trisha Owens
In memory of Dr. Duke by Don & Marian Johnson
In memory of James H. Berry (father of Alice Hemphill) by Raye King & Mitzi Mays, Ben & Debbie Scott, Bill & Ginger Sneed, Janie Hemphill, Trisha & Lynn Owens, Stan & Alana Brudney, Berva Dawn Taylor, Mr. & Mrs Travis Goree, Tommy & Kathy Saunders, Arlon Baize, Mr. & Mrs. Neal Hudson, Henry & Margie Dodson, Steve & Sarah Beal, Jerry K. & Ruth Ann Taylor, Jay & Tammy Davis, Kent & Carla Finley, Dr. & Mrs. John Bill Oman, Town & Country Garden Club, Harold & Caroline Skelton, Dianna Watson, Skip & Susan Casey, Coleman County Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture and Tourist Bureau
In memory of John Wiginton by Ben & Debbie Scott
In memory of Juanelle Hagler by Stan & Alana Brudney, Lynn & Trisha Owens, Bowen Drug Store/James C. Stokes
In memory of Ann Turner by Stan & Alana Brudney, Sherman & Tammy Smith, Steve & Sarah Beal, Don & Marian Johnson, Bowen Drug Store/James C. Stokes, Coleman County Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture and Tourist Bureau, Mark & Mary Griffis, Jim & Connie Whitney
In memory of Tony McMillan (father of Brent McMillan) by Mike & Synda Smith, Janet Barker, Stan & Alana Brudney, James & Wanda Dieterich, Coleman County Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture and Tourist Bureau, Mark & Mary Griffis
In memory of Dorothy Watson by Sherman & Tammy Smith, Steve & Sarah Beal
In memory of Mozelle High School by Sarah Jamison Beal, Class of 1977
In memory of Billie Maurine Mercer by Steve & Sarah Beal, Stan & Alana Brudney, Coleman County Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture and Tourist Bureau, Mark & Mary Griffis
In memory of Jackson Mac Beal (infant son of Rob & Candice Chastain Beal) by Steve & Sarah Beal
In memory of Rena Payne by Bowen Drug Store/ James C. Stokes
In memory of Jake Hausenfluke by Mark & Mary Griffis, Dr. Matthew & Jodie Hausenfluke, Mike & Wendy Romano & Children

4-H Food & Nutrition Project Meeting Dates
9/18/2009
We will be having 4-H Food & Nutrition Project Meetings on the following dates:
Tuesday, September 22nd @ Bill Franklin Center
Tuesday, September 29th @ Coleman County State Bank Club Room - 3rd Floor
Monday, October 5th @ Bill Franklin Center
Monday, October 12th @ Bill Franklin Center
& Tuesday October 20th @ Bill Franklin Center
These meetings will be held from 4:00 - 5:30 P.M.

Anyone interested in participating in the Food Show or the Food Challenge must attend these project meetings!

The County Food Show & Food Challenge will be held on Saturday, October 24th. Location will be announced at a later date.

If you have any questions or need more information please contact Christin Burris, CEA-FCS at 325-625-4519 or cdburris@ag.tamu.edu.

WEST TEXAS REHABILITATION CENTER’S 2009 ROUND-UP
Special Event to Include Red Steagall
9/22/2009
It’s time for the West Texas Rehabilitation Center’s Round-Up for Rehab Special Auction. On Wednesday, September 23rd, the annual fundraiser will be hosted by the Edington family at the Coleman Livestock Auction barn. Celebrating its fiftieth anniversary, the Round-Up for Rehab event, originally known as Cattlemen’s Round-Up for Crippled Children has grown into a program of fourteen regional sales and special events that has provided more than $11 million in donations to help those who have turned to the Center for assistance. The Coleman area has always played an important role in Round-Up and as part of the celebration, legendary cowboy singer, poet, songwriter and Round-Up Honorary Chairman Red Steagall will be attending this year’s local event.

Everyone is invited to come out to the auction barn on September 23rd to enjoy a meal of beans, cornbread and cobbler prepared by the Rehab’s own Chuckwagon. The auction will kick-off at 11:00 am with livestock, Ag-related and general merchandise, crafts and baked goods that will all be offered with a round of lively, friendly bidding.

Local chairmen and Rehab friends heading up the 2009 Coleman County Round-Up program are Bobbie Edington, Bob & Sylvia Edington, Mike Edington, Maureen Hickman, Wayne McClure, Jay Davis, Tommy Sloan, Randy & Kathy Turner, Mitch & Bobbi Birdwell, Drew Hubbard and Dwin & Karen Nanny. Others with key roles in this year’s program are general chairmen Mike Alexander and Randy Carson of Abilene, Jody Frey of San Angelo and Bob Helmers of Christoval. They, along with Red Steagall and other volunteers ask the people of West Texas to help Rehab meet the outpatient rehabilitation needs of all who turn to the Center for assistance in overcoming the disabling effects of illness or injury.

WTRC President Woody Gilliland extends a special invitation to everyone in the Ag industry to attend one of the sales, donate cash or animals to the project, or notify Rehab of intent to have an auction house cut a check to WTRC for animals sold later in the year. “For the hundreds of children and adults we serve regardless of financial status, I thank everyone for supporting this critical fundraising program,” said Gilliland.

Corporate underwriters for this year’s Round-Up for Rehab include: Heartland Alliance, Farm and Ranch Healthcare, Group IV Electric Cooperatives, Family PowerSports, Lone Star Beef, Strongpoint/Pied Piper Pet & Wildlife and Bar-G Feedyard.

Make your plans to attend for a great time and the opportunity to visit with Red. Join the many others who have become a part of the Rehab’s philosophy of “neighbor-helping-neighbor” for the more than 25,000 children and adults who come to the Center each year for help. For more information about the Rehab Center or Round-Up events call WTRC-Abilene at 325-793-3507 or for hauling donated animals call 325-660-8334. Coleman area residents wishing to support the REHAB Center through donations or auction items can contact Sylvia Edington at 325-625-4191.

See You at the Pole at Panther Creek Wednesday
9/22/2009     (Contributed)
WHEN: WED 9/23/09
TIME: 7:OOAM
WHAT: SEE YOU AT THE POLE
WHY: TO PRAY FOR OUR SCHOOL, TEACHERS, FRIENDS, FAMILY, & ETC.
PLEASE COME PRAY WITH US!

Coleman ISD to Host Community Meeting
9/22/2009
Coleman ISD will hold a community meeting on Tuesday, September 22 at 6:00 P.M. in the Coleman High School Auditorium. The meeting will be conducted by Superintendent Royce Young to discuss the upcoming Tax Ratification election to be held on October 10. Young notes that an information pamphlet is being mailed out that he encourages all registered voters to read. It contains information and answers questions that citizens might have about the election.

HUMANE SOCIETY THRIFT STORE GRAND OPENING SEPT. 24
9/21/2009     -Contributed-
It’s time! The Humane Society Thrift Store is having its grand opening at its new location at 108 East Pecan in Coleman on Thursday, September 24! The store is open from 9-5 and refreshments will be on hand for our friends who come by to say ‘hey.’

Several of our adoptable dogs will be there to help celebrate the occasion, and we invite all dogs that have been adopted locally to come on by for a reunion. Pup treats will be available for these visitors as well. We will be taking snapshot pictures too in hopes of pulling together a 2011 calendar featuring our lucky dogs who have found wonderful new homes in our area. If you would like a professional photograph of you and your pet or pets, Captured Memories Photography will be available from 10 to 12 to take these outdoor photographs.
These professional photographs will most likely be the stars on our calendar.

Although the Humane Society loves to show off our adopted dogs (and even a few cats), our primary mission still revolves around our discounted spay/neuter voucher for those families in Coleman County that need help in affording this essential operation. Spay/neuter is the only way to hold down the unwanted and homeless pet population in our area. We are also now including Runnels County in our spay/neuter efforts as well, with a very active Winters group already on board.

Our year-round spay/neuter program is funded entirely by the proceeds from the Thrift Store. We cannot express our appreciation enough to those who shop our thrift store and to those who donate items to the store. It has been overwhelming, and Nelda Copley, our thrift store manager, is already laughingly talking about needing more room even now that we have moved into the two buildings that were donated to us at 108 and 110 East Pecan, plus taking up some space in the old cleaners building. Thanks, Brenda.

It is true we had to spend a lot of money on getting the buildings ready to occupy, but thrift store income and the generous grant support of our local Coleman County Foundation and Friends of the Coleman County Foundation as well as the donations from our supporters have enabled us to pull it off. And we can already see after the month we’ve been open at the new location that it has been the right move.

Your Humane Society is looking forward to sponsoring new programs that will benefit our voiceless four-legged friends, and we will especially turn our attention to the feral cat problem as soon as possible. We are also asking the schools to be involved in a humane education program that the Humane Society is sponsoring, and we hope this will be taking off in this school year. More about this KIND News program later!

Last, but not least, we again thank the Coleman County State Bank for the use of the building at 109 West Pecan. Henry Dodson was instrumental in seeing to it that the empty building owned by the Bank was put to good use, and it helped us immeasurably to see that a thrift store would work in Coleman before we started spending money on the donated buildings. See you on the 24th!

Monday's Reports
Tex Wright - Two hundredths of an inch.

Rainfall Report
Linda Wright - 1" at Glen Cove
Tex Wright - at the foot of the Santa Anna Peaks, .30 of moisture fell

Texas Board of Education reviews social studies revisions;
Reduces textbook expenditures
9/21/2009
AUSTIN – During an extensive review of proposed revisions to Texas’ social studies curriculum standards, State Board of Education members this week made it clear that they want Christmas, Rosh Hashanah, César Chávez and Thurgood Marshall included in the standards.

The board also approved proposals to cut textbook costs and began working on revisions to high school graduation plans.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE FROM AUSTIN.

FUNDRAISER - BLUECAT DISTRICT OPENER
9/21/2009
The Bluecat Booster club is having a fundraiser this Wednesday, Sept. 23, 7pm, at the Coleman Courthouse! $5 cheeseburger meals will be offered! Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors...come on out and hear each High School boy and girl athlete introduced while you enjoy a great burger! 100% of proceeds goes to help the Coleman athletic programs! Mark your calendar now....bring a chair & DON'T FORGET your camera!

Coleman School Board Meets Tonight
9/21/2009
The Coleman School Board of Trustees will meet at 7:00pm tonight (Monday) at the school administration office, 300 West Pecan, to consider the following items:
AGENDA:
1. Invocation
2. Call to Order
3. Reading of the Minutes
4. Public Forum
5. Campus Report
HEARING:
1. Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) Report
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Amend the Budget
BOARD REPORT:
1. Significant Projects in Progress
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. TASB/TASA Joint Annual Convention, October 2-4, 2009, Houston
INFORMATION ITEMS:
1. Tax Ratification Election
2. 2009-2010 Student Transfers
3. T3 Grant
4. Check Payments
5. Financial Statement

The Texas Heat Pitbull club of Abilene Tx. recently attended the Land of Enchantment American Pitbull Terrier Clubs sanctioned dog show in Las Vegas, NM  on Aug. 15 2009. Watts Champion 'Steel Rasp' placed in both shows winning a 2nd and a 3rd place in the Champion of Champion class. Rasp is shown above and owned by Mona Watts. Watts "Double Snort" Placed 1st in his class, the 2 to 3 years old males.

Extension Office Reports Rules for Fiesta
9/18/2009
Exhibit Rules for the upcoming Fiesta 2009. Dates and times have been changed in the General Rules, and a category has been added to the Photography Themes.   Please contact the Coleman County Extension Office if you have any questions.   CLICK HERE to read/print the rules.

"The Center" Re-opening Saturday
9/18/2009
Starting Saturday, September 19th The Center at 401 E College Street will re-open with a new schedule, new pricing, new age groups. We have not been able to find adults to open and run the Friday night sessions yet, so at this time we are only open for the Saturday night session. We will advertise again when we are ready and able to open for the Friday night sessions.
Please note the changes in schedule, age groups and pricing.
Our tentative new schedule will be:
---Friday night 7-8:30 Family Night skating – Youth must come with adult family member.
---Friday night 8:30-10:00 Junior High only – skating, checkers, chess, nerf football etc.
---Saturday night 7:30-11:00 JH & HS (JH students must be at least 13 to attend the Saturday night session) – skating, games and tournaments.

The entry fee for The Center is now $3.00 + $1.00 for skate rental, however, there are ways to earn free entry into The Center.

Until report cards are out the first 40 youth to enter The Center will be admitted free. The new age group changes are effective immediately.
Here’s how it works:
---A youth earns a voucher (a free ticket) to come to The Center on a Friday or Saturday night for skating and games by doing one (or more) of the following:
---Receiving an A on their school report card in one of their four core classes (Math, Science, English & Social Studies). Bring your report card to The Center.
---Receiving all four A’s in their core classes gets them in free for the following 6 weeks!
---Receiving two B’s in their core classes gets them a single voucher.
---Attending Wednesday night bible study at any participating local Christian church.
---Attending Sunday morning/evening youth bible study at any participating local Christian church.
---Volunteering a set number of hours at a local organization (food pantry, etc…).

Starting immediately Saturday night we open at 7:30 for students in JH & HS only.  JH students must be 13 to attend the Saturday night sessions.

Ask your youth group/bible study leaders to contact us to receive your vouchers. If you are volunteering in the community, ask the group you are volunteering with to contact us for vouchers.

City of Coleman Honors Employees
9/18/2009
During the City Council meeting on Thursday, September 17, 2009 the council honored three employees of the city.  Below are photos and "bios" on those employees courtesy of Sue Burleson. 

Rene Payne, 20 Years of Service
Rene Payne went to work for the City in the Garbage Department. For Eight years through rain, sleet or snow, you could see Rene on the back of the garbage trucks. He did this job until the City started contracting garbage pickup. Rene was transferred to the Water Department, changing out meters, repairing leaks, running services, and laying line. He also helped with sewer as needed. Three years ago Rene was moved to the Parks Department, his duties are mowing ball parks and lakes as well as litter pickup at these locations, helps take care of the City Pool, does painting and carpenter work as well as weed control and also helps at Cemetery as needed.

Rene had a big part in the Library remodel, the new File room at City Hall, and the new restrooms at the ball park. He was assigned the Mills Park in our City and has done a great job with beautifications at this location as well as tree planting and upkeep.

Rene has been a great employee for the City of Coleman and will do any job you ask him to do. Thank You Rene for 20 years of hard work and loyalty to the City of Coleman.

Joe Watson, 5 Years, Coleman Police Department-Telecommunications
Joe Watson began his second career with the City of Coleman on August 13, 2004. He went to work for the Coleman Police Department as a Telecommunications Operator II. On August 6, 2005, he was promoted to Telecommunications Operator I. He is a very dedicated and dependable employee who is always willing to do extra work. In December 2005, Joe completed a 40 hour training course in Basic Telecommunications and received his certification.

Joe previously worked for the City of Coleman Fire Department and retired after 22 1/2 years of service. When he retired he was the Fire Marshall for the Coleman Fire Department.

Joe has a total of 27 1/2 years of employment for the City of Coleman. In addition to serving the City of Coleman as a valuable employee, Joe Watson is currently serving as elected Coleman County Constable. He has been serving as Constable since January 2000.

Johnny (Pete) Todd, 30 Years of Service
(*no photo available)
Johnny Todd went to work as a water treatment plant employee in 1979. He worked under Plant Supervisor, Freddy Burton. Pete Worked his way up through the ranks and has been plant Supervisor for 16 years.

It is said of Pete, that he has a magic formula when it comes to Coleman water. It’s the taste that everybody from other cities brags about when they come to Coleman.

Pete has kept our Water Plant exceeding all State, TCEQ, and OSHA requirements for 16 years. He has maintained good lab reports and records at the plant and Water quality always exceeds State Standards. Pete has been involved in many upgrades to our plant over the years such as New Water Towers, Water Mains, New Pumps, Digital Meters, clarifier and Lake Line repairs. Pete brings the water to town from Lake Coleman or Hords Creek Lake, treats the water, then fills the water towers and maintains water levels for the City of Coleman. When you get a drink, wash clothes, or flush, just remember Pete Todd.

Thank You Pete !! for 30 years of loyal service to the City of Coleman.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009, a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Santa Anna Retail Merchants Association took place at the Rockin' R-5 Steak House.
Owner, Cheryl Brooks alongside mother/hostess, Noreta Fenton is pictured with employees and community members.

Bluecat Booster Products are HERE!
9/17/2009
When you purchase a t-shirt, cap, stadium seat, etc from the Bluecat Booster Club, your money is invested 100% back into the Coleman athletic programs! We now have TWO locations for you to purchase what you need and support your own child or grandchild's team! The Cat House at Hufford field is open before & after each Coleman home game and now you can shop at the Rustic Star (1007 N. Neches) in Coleman! This unique business will be open Thursdays & Fridays from 10am til 6pm and on Saturdays 9am til 2pm. GO BLUECATS!!!

Coleman Library Receives Grant
9/17/2009
Dollar General has awarded the Coleman Public Library a literacy grant for a total of $3,000.00 for the purchase of software for a self-paced tutoring program for individual students and parents/student of all ages that are a.) reading below grade level, b.) cannot progress to the next grade level due to poor reading and/or comprehension skills, c.) English as a second language, and/or d.) having difficulty in standardized testing. While the project correlates with the Coleman ISD's core competencies, all county students are eligible to participate including students returning to a GED program or being home schooled.

The program's goal is to encourage tutoring with technology of appropriate software to improve learning and to attain positive, measurable results for each individual participant. The library's emphasis is the need to bridge the gap in the "home classroom" for parents who are looking for resources that assist them with their student(s) who is struggling with learning or have a learning disability and/or need improved comprehension.

Funds will be used to purchase two (2) programs of each software title including one (1) program available for use at the library with the second available for home check out. The grant requires monitoring, year-end school reports and recommendations for participant's summer tutoring. The software selection committee includes the participation of three parents. If you are interested in serving on the committee and/or need resources for you and/or your child, please contact Sue Dossey, Librarian, at the Coleman Public Library at 325-625-3043 or visit the facility located at 402 Commercial Ave.

New Credit Card Scam
9/16/2009
A local bank has reported the following Credit Card Scam that people have been receiving: They provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want.

Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it. This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & Master Card Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW THE SCAM WORKS.

TEXAS MIDWEST CONFERENCE SET
9/16/2009
Texas Midwest Community Network (TMCN) will host the 16th Annual Texas Midwest Conference, Oct. 14, at the Abilene Civic Center.

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs will be the keynote speaker at the opening session of the conference. In light of today’s concerns about how government functions, Combs has spearheaded unprecedented efforts to give taxpayers a transparent look at how their dollars are spent. She posted the expenses of the Comptroller’s office online her third day on the job and took transparency in government spending to new heights by launching the Where the Money Goes Web site.

Considered a model by many other states and open government advocates, the Comptroller’s website features a virtual check register that gives the public online access to detailed and up-to-date expenditure information for all state entities. At the conference, Combs will give her perspective on the current and future economic situation for the West Texas region as well as the State.

The Texas Midwest Conference brings community leaders together from more than 25 counties in the Abilene and San Angelo trade areas. City & county officials, economic development professionals and board members, chamber of commerce volunteers and student leaders are invited to attend to experience first hand how to help communities grow and prosper.

This year’s conference theme is “Team Up for Rural Success”. Conference sessions will offer community leaders information related to community and economic development,. Features of the annual conference include solution seminars, information exhibits, luncheon catered by Perini Ranch Steakhouse and community awards.

For complete details on solution seminar topics and speakers offered at the conference go to the Texas Midwest website at www.texasmidwest.org .

Pre-registration for the conference is $40, which covers all activities and the conference luncheon. Walk-in registration is $50. A discount for 5 or more from one community or organization is also available. For information call 325-795-8626 or e-mail tmcn@tmcn.org.

TMCN member cities include Abilene, Albany, Anson, Aspermont, Baird, Ballinger, Brady, Breckenridge, Bronte, Brownwood, Buffalo Gap, Cisco, Clyde, Coleman, Colorado City, Comanche, Cross Plains, De Leon, Dublin, Early, Eastland, Eden, Goldthwaite, Gorman, Gustine, Hamilton, Hamlin, Haskell, Knox City, Merkel, Menard, Munday, Ranger, Rising Star, Robert Lee, Roscoe, Rotan, San Angelo, Santa Anna, Snyder, Stamford, Sweetwater, Throckmorton, Tye, and Winters.

CITY COUNCIL APPOINTS ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER -
LEASH LAW BEING ENFORCED
9/16/2009   (Contributed)
At its regular meeting on August 10, 2009 the Santa Anna City Council appointed Harold Musick, city employee, as Animal Control Officer. He will be serving in this capacity with the Police Department in addition to his duties on the city public works crew. Now that this position has been filled, every effort is being made to enforce Ordinance 021197 which prohibits dogs running at large. For purposes of the ordinance, a dog running at large is “a dog not under the control of the owner either by a leash, chain, cord or suitable material attached to a collar or harness on the dog; not restrained securely within an enclosure or fenced premises. “ The ordinance in its entirety is available at City Hall during office hours.

The city has purchased several animal traps which may be rented by the citizens of Santa Anna. The rental fee is $5.00 for 7 business days. If you wish to keep the trap an additional day, the fee is $1.00 per day. There is a $5.00 deposit which will be refunded when the trap is returned. If trap is damaged or stolen, the person leasing the trap will be held responsible for reimbursing the City of Santa Anna for the purchase price to replace trap, chain and lock. If you wish to rent a trap, please visit City Hall during regular office hours to complete paper work.

It is not the responsibility of the Animal Control Officer, the Police Department or any city employee to release or euthanize any animals caught in the trap. This is the responsibility of the person leasing the trap. However, if because of health issues, this is impossible, you may call City Hall and the Animal Control Officer will release the catch

TO SANTA ANNA YOUTH LEAGUE FOOTBALL PARENTS
9/16/2009
Santa Anna Community Services, Inc. will have a meeting at 5:00pm, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, at the Christian Life Center of the First Baptist Church, 201 S. Lee St., Santa Anna, Tx.

Plans for a fund raiser and concessions for the Youth League Football home games will be discussed.

Please make plans to attend. We welcome your ideas and support.

A Colorful History - Fine Arts League of Coleman County, Inc.
9/16/2009     by Marian Johnson
A COLORFUL HISTORY - Part I
THEN:
Once upon a time, long ago and far away - in the land of "noartamongstus", there was a village with no organized group for  painters, sculptors, stained glass artists , china painters, fabric painters, wood carvers, muralists, floral designers, photographers, quilters, etc. 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 1990, Kathy Andrews had a vision of having an arts and crafts store, but realized there was no art organization in the County. After contacting everyone she knew, a meeting date was set to establish an organization that would be supportive of those who needed the association of other art-minded people.  35 People attended the first meeting and the Fine Arts League of Coleman County was born. Out of that meeting the first ART SHOW was held in 1991 in the Library Annex with about 100 entries in a 'gazillion' categories !  Experience taught the members and the categories were narrowed down to a suitable number of categories in the future exhibits.  CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE STORY...

Senior Center Receives Generous Gift
9/15/2009
A $3,000 donation was made Monday, September 14, to the Coleman Senior Center by Larry Guthrie in memory of his sister, Juanelle Hagler, and in honor of her husband, Glenn Hagler.

Juanelle and Glenn will always be remembered by their family and friends as a caring and giving couple who faithfully parented their daughters, loved their family, and served their community.

In making the donation, Guthrie noted the many services provided by the center for area citizens and the immediate need for our community’s support.

Don't forget the Senior Center fundraiser this Sunday, September 20th.   From 11:30am to 1:00pm, you can enjoy chicken spaghetti, corn, tossed salad, garlic bread, homemade fruit cobbler and tea for just $6.00.

TSGRA Presents Awards at 94th Annual Convention
9/15/2009
The Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association each year honors individuals who have made contributions to their community or to the ranching industry as a whole. TSGRA presented awards at the 94th Annual Convention in Kerrville, held in late July.

Winner of the Outstanding County Extension Agent - Agriculture went to Tom Guthrie of Mills County. Raised in Santa Anna, Texas, the son of Lane and Sharon Guthrie of Santa Anna, Tom participated in 4-H and FFA programs, showed market lambs and raised Rambouillet and Delaine sheep. He earned a bachelor's degree at Angelo State University in 2000 and a master of science in agricultural education from Tarleton State University in 2007.


Tom began his career with Texas AgriLife Extension in 2000 as an assistant county extension agent in Runnels County. In 2003 he was transferred to his current position as an Agriculture/Natural Resources agent in Mills County. Guthrie has received the Texas County Agriculture Agents Association Early Career Award and currently serves as District 7 secretary of that group.  Tom and his wife, Briana, have a son, Cason and a daughter, Mylee, and they live in Goldthwaite.

Good Neighbor TEEA Club to Meet Friday
9/15/2009
Lynn Corbett presented the program "What Families Need to Know about Pandemic Influenza, Isolation, and Quarantine" to the Good Neighbor TEEA Club Friday morning, September 4th. This was a very timely program with Lynn discussing what is meant by pandemic, the different types of flu, the symptoms, and preventions and precautions we all should take.

President Mary Frances Smith called the meeting to order. Nina Childress led the pledge of allegiance to the U.S. Flag and the pledge to the Texas Flag. Betty Griffin led the creed and the prayer. Peggy Willetts gave the treasurer's report. Thought for the Day was "The only bad thing about making a mistake is to keep on making it." Members answered roll call with "Name a movie you love."

New officers were elected: President - Nina Childress, Vice-President - Dorothy McDonald, Secretary Reporter - Dora Newman, Treasurer - Peggy Willetts, Associate Delegate - Lena Clevenger, Finance Committee - Doris McCulloch, Parliamentarian - Retamay Gaines, and Recreation - Barbara Cropp. These officers will begin serving in October, for a two year term.

Barbara Cropp and Anna Jenkins were recognized for their being honored at the Silver Clover Award Recognition Banquet in San Angelo recently. Barbara and Anna assisted with the Coleman County 4-H Junior and Intermediate Clothing Project this summer.

Hostess was Retamay Gaines. Attending were Lynn Corbett, guest Christin Burris CEA-FCS agent, and members Ola Jean Alderson, Nina Childress, Lena Clevenger, Shari Craig, Barbara Cropp, Retamay Gaines, Betty Griffin, Anna Jenkins, Jean Langford, Doris McCulloch, Dorothy McDonald, Mary Frances Smith, Peggy Willetts, and Dora Newman.

Next meeting date is Friday morning, September 18th at 9:00am in the Coleman County State Bank Clubroom. Retamay Gaines will lead the program "A Strong Educational Partnership for Family Well Being." Visitors are welcome. We would love to have you.

Elm Street Gospel Meeting Cancelled
9/15/2009
The Gospel Meeting was forced to be cancelled due to family issues for the speaker. We apologize to everyone for this, but it is circumstances beyond our control. 

Retirement Reception
9/15/2009
Everyone is invited to attend a Retirement Reception for Jimmy Simpson, Administrator  of Coleman Healthcare Center.  Come visit on Wednesday, September 16 from 1:30 to 2:30p.m.

FINALIZING FOR THE FIESTA
9/15/2009
The Fine Arts League of Coleman County will meet Thursday September 17, 2009, at the First Coleman Nat. Bank Club room at 6 pm.

The Final plans will be made to make the 19th ANNUAL FIESTA DE LA PALOMA FINE ART SHOW the best yet! Committees will need to be Present to organize the duties that are necessary to make the Show run smoothly. All members are needed – there is a spot for you to be In the organization of the Fiesta.

A short program will be presented. Refreshments will be served. YOU ARE NEEDED! BE THERE!

THE COLEMAN SENIOR CENTER WILL BE HAVING A FUNDRAISER ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20.
WE WILL BE SERVING CHICKEN SPAGHETTI, CORN, TOSS SALAD, GARLIC BREAD AND HOMEMADE FRUIT COBBLER AND TEA.
THE PRICE FOR YOUR MEAL IS  $6.OO. WE WILL START SERVING AT 11:30am AND SERVE UNTIL 1:00pm.

"This" was the scene in downtown Burkett on Friday night. The Burkett Volunteer Fire Department blocked off the road and set a controlled burn to say "Good-Bye" to one of the last tangible pieces of local history, the old Post Office building. Built in the late 1880s, the building was a central meeting place and housed a doctor's office as well as the Post Office. Since the building of a new Post Office, the old building has been used for storage and inhabited by local wildlife.

In 2009, the BVFD came into possession of the building and the surrounding lots. The building was bulldozed a few months ago to make way for a new Fire Station.

1st Annual Juice Drive
9/18/2009
www.bigcountry4children.com  will be hosting the 1st Annual Juice Drive for the Big Country area (including Coleman, Ballinger & Winters.) There will be drop boxes at businesses in the Coleman, Ballinger and Winters area. For a complete list, please go to www.BigCountry4Children.com.

The juice collected will benefit the Food Bank of West Central Texas and will be distributed to area children. The juice boxes are put into the book bags of underprivileged children to take home after school and on weekends.

The drive will run from September 21st - October 2nd.  CLICK HERE for flyer.  

Coleman County Choir Christmas Concert Planned
9/14/2009
Truitt Mitchell is making plans for a Coleman County Choir Christmas Concert.

Organization meetings and first rehearsals are scheduled for Wednesday, September 16th at 7:00pm in the Coleman First United Methodist Church choir room, and Sunday, September 20th at 4:00pm in the Coleman First Baptist Church sanctuary. Music will be passed out and read and future rehearsals planned.

Truitt may be contacted at phone number 325-784-9063 or email truitt@pgrb.com for further information.

All who love to sing are invited to attend.

City Council Agenda
9/14/2009
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2009, 5:00 P.M.
Coleman City Hall, 200 W. Liveoak, Coleman, Texas
RECOGNITION OF STAFF:
1. Joe Watson - 5 year pin
2. Rene Payne - 20 year pin
3. Pete Todd - 30year pin
RECEIPT OF BIDS:
1. Council will receive bids for 58 large round bales of coastal hay from the sewer farm.
CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Council will consider on the second and final reading of Ordinance No. 1112 to change the zoning from commercial to residential for 1120 Highway 283 N as requested by Mike Blair.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Council will consider authorizing the City Secretary to advertise for bids for lease of approximately 13.64 acres of land on 5th Avenue and 15th Street in the City of Coleman, for agricultural purposes only.
2. Council will consider authorizing the City Secretary to advertise for lease of approximately 10.64 acres of land known as the Adele Adams property located adjacent to the City of Coleman Cemetery for agriculture purposes.
3. Council will consider on the first reading of Ordinance No. 1113 authorizing the acceptance of credit card as payment of fees, fines, court cost, and other charges, providing for a processing fee and a service fee, authorizing the Mayor to contract for encumbrances of unauthorized credit cards, and providing for deposit of processing fees and service charges in the City’s General Fund.

GED Classes to Begin September 14th
9/14/2009
WHAT: FALL GED CLASSES
WHEN: A two-day orientation for the new, Fall GED Classes will be on September 14th and 15th from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Enrollment will be limited. After Sept. 15th, new students will only be allowed to enroll as space becomes available. 
Beginning on Sept. 21st, classes will be offered to enrolled students on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4:00-8:00. You may attend all 8 hours or any combination that works with your individual schedule. The more time you put in, the quicker you will be ready to take the GED tests.
WHERE: Coleman High School Annex (between the Jr. High and High School)
BRING: You must have an original picture ID (such as a valid TX driver’s license or military ID) and an original Social Security Card (no copies will be accepted). If you do not have both of these, you will not be able to begin the classes. If you have one ordered but have not received it by Sept. 14th, bring the receipt that you were given by the ID’s office or the Social Security Office.
COST: NOTHING, EXCEPT YOUR TIME AND DEDICATION!

If you have any questions, please call Michelle Sexton at Coleman High School,
325-625-2156. Ext. 214

Commissioners Meet Monday Morning
9/14/2009
The Coleman County Commissioners held two meetings on Monday morning. The adoption of the Coleman County Budget for October 1, 2009 to September 30, 2010 took place at 8:30am, and the commissioners also adopted the proposed Tax Rate of .7571 for the October 2009 to September 2010 Budget Year at 8:45am. 
The Budget may be viewed at http://www.co.coleman.tx.us/

At 9:00am the Regular meeting began with JoAnn Eddleman presenting a Resolution to support handicapped access at Coleman Post Office. Eddleman has begun the process of attempting to get the USPS to provide the handicapped access at the Coleman facility at 201 W. Pecan. She had already received the City Council's support. The resolution is non-binding support for her efforts, which the Commissioners approved.

Also speaking this morning to the court was Ross Jones. He presented, and the Commissioners agreed to support, a Resolution suggesting that the Public Utility Commission require the five designated Competitive Renewable Energy Zones to consider alternatives to lattice tower structure transmission lines such as burying them underground. Jones mentioned that Oncor has not stipulated the exact height of the towers, except that they could be from 125 to 200 feet tall, requiring 1000 feet of right-of-way. PBS & J engineering consultants are presently studying Coleman County and will be accepting public input. Jones will present this resolution on behalf of many landowners in the county.

2010 4-H BEEKEEPING ESSAY CONTEST
9/14/2009
TOPIC:
For the 2010 essay contest, the essay topic is:
“Is My Community Honey Bee-Friendly?”
Honey bees and other pollinators have been in the news lately. Many beekeepers have experienced colony losses to the yet unexplained Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD. These unexplained losses have caused some people to wonder: What can I do to help? For this essay, you should survey your community to see what is being done, or could be done to help honey bees. Perhaps there are classes to attract new beekeepers – or laws that prohibit beekeeping. Does your community allow roadsides and open land to grow up in blooming plants in the spring – or not? Are there resources to help home gardeners make bee-friendly choices? When insecticides are required for pests (for example, mosquito control), are the insecticides chosen or applied with bee protection in mind? Include your state in your survey if there is some reason; for example, your state may have declared the honey bee your state insect, or your state highway department may have a wildflower seeding program. The scope of the research is an essential judging criterion, accounting for 40% of your score. The number of sources consulted, the authority of the sources, and the variety of the sources are all evaluated. Personal interviews with beekeepers and others familiar with the subject are valued sources of information and should be documented. Sources, which are not cited in the endnotes, should be listed in a “Resources” or “Bibliography” list. Note that “honey bee” is properly spelled as two words, even though many otherwise authoritative references spell it as one word.
CONTEST AWARDS
Cash Prizes to 3 Top Texas Winners:
1st Place------------$100.00
2nd Place------------$ 75.00
3rd Place------------$ 50.00
Cash Prizes to 3 Top National Winners:
1st Place------------$750.00
2nd Place-----------$500.00
3rd Place------------$250.00
This contest is open to active 4-H Club members only. 4-H'ers who have previously placed first, second, or third at the national level are not eligible; but other state winners are eligible to re-enter. Each entry into the Beekeeping Essay contest must have a contest application attached to the top of the essay. This form can be downloaded and handwritten. You can download this form & find more information including the rules at
http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/events/beekeeping/index.html  or contact the County Extension Office at 325-625-4519.

Gouldbusk Homemakers Club Holds Monthly Meeting
9/14/2009
The Gouldbusk Homemakers Club held their monthly meeting at the Gouldbusk Methodist Church Fellowship Hall on Thursday September 10th at 1pm. Before the meeting refreshments were served by Mona Wilson and Danella McBrayer. It was delicious as always.

Members present were Lynn Corbett, Geneva Garrett, Sharon Greenlee, Geneva Harris, Virginia Jamison, Wanda Jewell, Dean Lanier, Danella McBrayer, Pat Pool, Sue Ragsdale, Vicki Stewart, Berva Dawn Taylor, Lynn Thompson, Pat Vance, Carolyn Wilson, Mona Wilson, Deborah Yates. We also had two visitors, Anna Kennedy and Wanda Dietrich.

The meeting was opened with roll call during which each lady present named a movie they really enjoyed. After recitation of the creed, prayer and pledges to the flag there was a fairly lengthy business meeting, due to the fact that we are finalizing plans for the arts and crafts show at Fiesta de la Paloma and our annual Holiday Fair that is held each year at the Catholic Church in Coleman which will be held November 14th..

Following the business meeting Lynn Corbett gave a presentation on Pandemic Flu. The program was well received with a lot of questions being posed by those listening. We are always very happy to have guests attend and want to thank those who have attended in the past. Anyone who has a connection with the Gouldbusk area or who just would like to be a part of a lively organization that performs various community efforts throughout the year would be welcome at any time. Our next meeting is scheduled for October 8th at 1pm at the home of Deborah Yates. The program at that meeting will be given by Ernie Yates and will be on "Bee keeping." Won't you please join us for an afternoon of fun, fellowship and learning.

State Board of Education Meetings to be Broadcast Live Online
9/14/2009
AUSTIN – All State Board of Education meetings will be broadcast live online with full audio and video feeds, beginning on Wednesday.

A link to the webcast will be posted on the Texas Education Agency homepage at
 www.tea.state.tx.us  on the day of meetings and also posted at
 http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=3876 .

The broadcasts were required by House Bill 772 by Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, and Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth.

Live audiocasts of the State Board meetings have been available since 2004.

The webcasts of the meetings will cover meetings of the full board, as well as meetings of all subcommittees. The video files will be archived online for six months and available upon request for up to five years. The agency has contracted with www.TexasAdmin.com  to provide the webcasting and archival services.

An agenda for the three-day September meeting is available at:
 http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=3785 .

Homecoming Queen Crowned
9/12/2009
The Coleman High School Homecoming Queen was crowned at halftime of the game Friday night.  The queen nominees walked onto the grass in their bare feet due to the extreme wet and muddy conditions.  Angelina Jones was chosen as the 2009 Homecoming Queen by the student body was presented with her crown.

Santa Anna High School Class of 1989 20th Reunion
9/14/2009
The Santa Anna Class of 1989 will be holding it's 20 year reunion on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at 2pm at The Feed Store located on the corner of Wallis and First Street in Santa Anna. All ex-students from the class of 1989 are invited to attend.  For questions, please contact Rachel (Phillips) Cox at rachel_v_cox@yahoo.com.

CHS Booster Club Meeting Tonight
9/14/2009
Fiesta is around the corner....we need to plan our booth! See ya'll Monday at 7pm; Film after. Memberships available for $15/family! You'll receive email updates and 100% of your donation supports CHS athletes! Bring your $15 to the Booster meeting or mail it to Box 502, Coleman 76834 (remember to include your email address).

Co. Clerk's Office to Close Early TODAY
9/14/2009
Coleman County Clerk's Office will close at 12:00pm TODAY (Monday, September 14) so that employees may attend the Election Poll Worker Training to be held at 1:00 pm.

COLEMAN HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1959 LOOKING
FOR MISSING GRADUATES
9/14/2009
As Annual Multi-Class Reunion Nears Organizers Looking for Information on Several Classmates
COLEMAN, September 11, 2009 – On Saturday, October 10, 2009 the annual Coleman High School Multi-Class Reunion will be held at the Bill Franklin Center. This year’s reunion is hosted by the class of 1959 and reunion organizers are trying to locate four classmates they have not yet heard from. The four “missing” classmates are Fay Day, Curtis Reese, Celia Martinez and Bennie Smith. If you have any contact information on these CHS alums, please contact Class of ’59 representative, Glenna McKee Smith, at 713/621-8742 or email to sfs4224@comcast.net.

This year’s reunion will also include all classes from l941-l964. The day’s festivities will begin with coffee and visitation at 9:00 A.M. with lunch and program following at noon. The day traveling down memory lane will culminate with a dance featuring renowned country singer Lembo Allen and his band at 7:00pm. Accompanying Lembo on the piano will be his mother and CHS Class of 1959 graduate Susan Rogers Allen.

Tax Assessor-Collector Office Closed THIS AFTERNOON
9/14/2009
The Tax Assessor-Collector office (vehicle and voter registration) will be closing at 12:00 noon TODAY, Monday September 14,  to attend an election class.

PUBLIC NOTICE on County Budget Meeting Monday
9/13/2009
You are hereby notified that a public hearing will be held at 8:30am on the 14th day of September in the Commissioners Court Room on the proposed budget for Coleman County for the period from October 1, 2009, thru September 30, 2010.

Any citizen of Coleman County will be welcomed into the hearing and may question any or all items listed in the proposed budget for Coleman County for said year.

Stacey Mendoza
County Clerk
Coleman County, Texas

Judge Jimmie Hobbs has removed the Burn Ban for Coleman County as of Friday morning, 9/11/09

Reminder of Rules for Hufford Field
9/11/2009
CISD would like to remind you and your children of the rules at Hufford Field.

(1) The large middle section of stands is reserved for adults or students who are going to sit beside their parents.
(2) The North stands are reserved for Elementary and Junior High School students.
(3) The South stands (by the field house) are reserved for High School students.
(4) Students are to sit in the stands and not stand on the lower walkway.

Students who are misbehaving, throwing objects, playing in the end zones, playing under the stands, walking around behind the stands, going to the visitors' side, etc., will lose their privilege of coming to Hufford Field for the rest of the year.

The administration of Coleman Independent School District feels these measures are very important and are asking you to help us with the above rules.

Library to be Closed  Saturday
9/11/2009
Coleman Public Library will be closed Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009. We will reopen for regular hours on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009.

NOTICE!!! South Coleman County Fire Department Meeting Cancelled
9/11/2009 (contributed)
Due to the death of long-time member, Ann Turner, the South Coleman County Fire Department meeting has been cancelled. Her death is a great loss to the community and fire department as Ann was always ready and willing to help in any way possible. She will be missed greatly.

9/11/2009
Homecoming Queen nominees for Coleman High School are: Carissa Zarate,
Rynn Norris, Jacy Payne, Casie Swening and Angelina Jones. The queen will
be crowned at halftime of tonight's game vs. Hawley.

Homecoming King nominees were recently named at Coleman High School:
Garret Mendoza, Daniel Vasquez, Andrew Isom, Zach Doyle, Eta Agbor and
Tanner Brooks. The king will be crowned at next Friday's homecoming pep rally.

Coleman High School Exes Reception - GOING ON NOW !!!
9/11/2009
Who:  Coleman High School Exes
What: 4th Annual Exes Reception
When:  Friday, September 11, 2009, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Where:  CHS Commons Area
Please join us for refreshments and a trip down memory lane.

What is Matthew 25 Ministries at The Cross Doing Now!
9/10/2009  (Contributed)
Matthew 25 Ministries has recently been donated a 39 passenger 1984 Diesel GMC Bus!
Ha this is how God works... I saw a pic of a bus on Colemannews figured it would costs thousands. So for a joke e-mailed it to hubby...he called & they told him to make an offer. I suggested offer $200. Instead they gave it to us.

Not only was the bus donated by High Mesa Cowboy Church (once owned by Calvary Baptist Church), Doers Ministries added $200. worth of batteries and drove it to The Cross! BattleCry @ The Cross teens are so excited and we see this as an enormous blessing to the ministry, in addition to seeing the lives and hearts of the teens and children to Jesus!

On the south side of the hill at The Cross is the Super WaterSlide now extended to 85’ of vinyl (and they are still going off the end into the mud!) Add 2 water hoses and soap and the fun begins!

Meanwhile the Children’s Ministry “DEVOtional” is growing Spiritually. Every Sunday they enjoy a hot homemade meal, a Bible lesson, plus they love to sing and praise God! Afterwards the children are allowed to go on the Super WaterSlide. After we are through, we just hose off the mud and put them on the sidewalk to dry. We send the children home squeaky clean!

God is up to something big! We are praying for a Great Awakening for Coleman!

For more info: Contact The Cross PO Box 1003 Coleman TX 76834, Or call (325) 625-1002 m-w 10-4, www.mt25.net; myspace.com/crybattle

Soccer Registration Deadline Friday
9/10/2009
Coleman Youth Association, 2009 Fall Soccer League, Children & Youth ages 4-11
FINAL DEADLINE for registration IS THIS FRIDAY, SEPT 11th!!!
Forms must be taken to one of the following locations….
---Coleman Medical Associates (2nd Floor of hospital – 310 S Pecos St.) OR
---Office of Sandra Rose, CPA (1404 S. Concho)
Ages 4 – 11 (must have been 4 years old by April 30, 2009 in order to participate).
The fee for 2009 Fall Soccer will be $40.00 per child and is due at time of registration.
Registration forms can be downloaded and printed from here for more details.

Entries for Brownwood Reunion Photo Contest
9/10/2009
If you are interested in entering a photo(s) for the Brownwood Reunion Photo Contest, please have your entry to the County Extension Office tomorrow - Friday, September 11th - by 4:00 p.m.  Ruth Shirk will be taking photos on Saturday morning.

Photo Information
Entry Fee: $5.00 each
Your photo(s) should be at least 5 x 7 (no smaller). Largest size must not exceed 24 x 27 inches.
Photos must be matted and framed.
All photos must have a 1950's theme.


On Friday, September 18th, results will be announced at The Depot in Brownwood at 6:00 p.m..  Those wanting to attend need to meet Ruth at the courthouse in Coleman at 5:00 p.m. Comments will be presented on winning photos by the judge(s).  Dress for this event should be professional/casual.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the County Extension Office at 325-625-4519 or Ruth Shirk at 325-625-3631.

Hutto Middle School Principal Honored
9/9/2009  ~Reprinted from Round Rock Leader, LAURI ZACHRY, Education Reporter
Below is an article that appeared on the Round Rock Leader website on September 7, 2009.  Dale Mitchell is the son of Karen and Joe Robinson of Coleman and Delbert Mitchell of Llano.
Hutto Middle School principal Dale Mitchell has followed in his predecessor's footsteps by receiving the honor of Region 13 Principal of the Year for the 2008-09 school year this summer. Mitchell's predecessor, Don Kuempel, Hutto ISD career and technology director, received the award in 2007.

"I'm excited to be working here at Hutto Middle School with a great faculty who makes my job so easy. This is a title I celebrate with everyone," Mitchell said. "I'm looking forward to a great year this year." 

Statistics for Coleman Police Department in August 2009
9/9/2009
Investigations: Assault Family Violence-3, Assault-2, Aggravated Assault-1, Theft-10, Burglaries-5, Fraudulent Use of Identification-1, Criminal Mischief-10, Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle-2, Attempted Suicide-1, Information Report-1, Unattended Death-2, Debit Card Abuse-1.
Arrests: Public Intoxication-2, Warrants-6,
Possession of Methamphetamine-1, Driving While Intoxicated-2, Criminal Trespass-1, Assault Family Violence-1, Interference with 911 Call-1.
Motor Vehicle Crashes: No Injury-5.
Tickets Issued: Code Enforcement-1ticket issued with 1 charge filed, Police Department-42 tickets issued with 48 charges filed.
Warnings Issued: Police Department-4.
Animal Control: Calls For Service-53, Dogs Picked Up-13, Cats Picked Up-1, Other Animals Picked Up-3, Dead Animals Removed from Roadway or Residence-11.

Election Poll Worker Training Monday
9/9/2009
There will be an Election Poll Worker Training held on Monday, September 14, 2009 at 1:00 pm in the Courtroom of the Coleman County Courthouse. All Election Judges and Clerks who work any of the elections in Coleman County are required to attend this important training. For more information, please contact Stacey Mendoza, Coleman County Clerk at 325-625-2889.

DRT to Meet Monday - Heart of Texas Chapter
9/8/2009
The Heart of Texas Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas will hold its next meeting on Monday, September 14, in the Striegler Military Complex at the Heart of Texas Historical Museum. The meeting will begin at 4:00 PM.

The Chapter has been active during the summer months, participating in two parades. Their float in the Fourth of July Jubilee Parade earned the second place award. The next weekend, their float placed third in the Mason County July Parade. During the ceremonies of the reopening of the restored McCulloch County Court House, replicas of the battle flags flown during the years of the Republic of Texas were displayed in the new courtroom.

At the meeting, Sharon Purcell, the Chapter President, will present a special program including historical stories and records of her family’s immigration into Texas.

The DRT welcomes visitors and inquiries about the chapter. Additional information is available from the president, Sharon Purcell, at 597-2887 in Brady, and from the registrar, Jerry Wilkinson, of Rochelle, at 243-5344.

DAR to Meet Saturday
9/8/2009
The September 12, 2009 meeting of the Captain William Buckner Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be held at 2:00 P.M. in the Heritage Hall. Since the DAR is known for its work in preserving historic buildings, our first program for this new year will be the history of this beautiful building. Kay Mitchell, Grace Crum and Maxine Cope, members of the CHAPS, and workers in converting the Coleman County Museum from the Coleman City Park to the Heritage Hall, will be presenting our program. The DAR hostesses for the meeting are, Ola Jean Alderson and Doris Williams. The new yearbooks will be given out to all members in attendance. Please join us for this important meeting, and enjoy touring our beautiful "Heritage Hall."

First Baptist Team Kids Kick Off
9/8/2009
First Baptist Church will kick off the new year for Team Kids with a hot dog supper at the City Park on Wednesday September 9th. We will begin at 6:30 and ask that kids be picked up at 7:30 at the park.

Team Kids is for children age 4 through the sixth grade and meets regularly on Wednesday nights at the church from 6:30 to 7:30. Activities include recreation, Bible study, games, and small group time. We look forward to working with your child this year!

Labor Earns Property of the Month
9/6/2009   ~By Liz Hughes
The month of September always brings a long weekend where we celebrate labor! Many of us never really think about the purpose of this celebration. It is a day where we should take time to remember our military men and women, all of the folks around our nation that work so hard to supply the food that goes on our dinner tables and those who grow the crops that eventually turn into clothing that goes on our backs. Of course, there are a million other jobs that we should celebrate and be thankful for, however, lets just focus on a few in our own community that we might take for granted.

Being that the objective of Keep Coleman Beautiful is to promote a cleaner, safer community in which to live, let us remember our community leaders, law enforcement officer and firefighters. Let's also remember those who pick up our trash, those who maintain streets and of course the street sweeper! We have professional landscape services in our community that work for those who can no longer maintain their own yards or those who simply do not have time or do not enjoy yard work! These are just a few of the jobs in our community that we can celebrate.

So, we could say that Labor Day celebrates those who labor for wages. Keep Coleman Beautiful's Property of the Month Program celebrates those who labor to make our community a cleaner more attractive place to live by the countless hours they spend on grooming their yards for no wages! We would like to announce the September Property of the Month recipients. The East Word recipients are Beau and Jennifer Brudney at 1002 Commercial Avenue and the South Ward recipients are Jerry and Brenda Simmons at 408 Santa Anna Avenue. The Selection Committee members for the East and South Wards were Thelma Sides, Lisa Watson and Janie Hemphill. The Property of the Month recipients in the West Ward are Bill and Vondane Jones at 512 Mississippi and the North Ward recipients are Antonio and Evelyn Calvillo at 702 Ripley Street. The Selection Committee members for the West and North Wards were Daniel Stovall, Linda Hyde and Deborah Bench. Many thanks are in order to those who so thoughtfully made these selections.

Please send in your nominations for Property of the Month to chamber@colemantexas.org or call Liz Hughes at 625-2975 (evenings are best). You may also volunteer to serve on a Selection Committee for October or even next year!

Saturday Accident Knocks Out Electricity
9/6/2009
A large area of Coleman was without electricity for a portion of Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon.

Late in the morning, a pickup struck a utility pole at the base of the hill on West Walnut, near Martin Street.

Ambulance personnel did not transport anyone as a result of the wreck, but that didn't keep local police, sheriff and fire department personnel from staying at the scene for an extended period to direct traffic.

Electrical power was reportedly out from Concho Street to Martin Street along Walnut and southward to 3rd Street.

Gustine Rodeo Club to Hold Ranch Rodeo
9/6/2009
The fun keeps coming with the Gustine Rodeo Club as they are in full swing in preparations to host its first ever ranch rodeo. Having already hosted its 49th Annual Junior Rodeo in May and its first tractor pull this past June, the Gustine Rodeo Club has decided to bring yet another attraction to Gustine, TX on October 17th with a Ridin’ for the Brand Ranch Rodeo. Rodeo events will include sorting, mugging, doctoring, & wild cow milking.

Ranch team entry deadline is 5 pm, Sunday, October 11th. The event will be limited to the first paid 20 teams. Entry fee is $500.00 per team. 70% payout and additional prizes will be added. Mike Wilfong is scheduled to be the stock contractor and is sure to put on a good show.

There will also be various vendors set up around for a little shopping; from custom tack, jewelry, and more. Marketplace opens at 5 pm. Rodeo begins at 6 pm Vendors will be accepted until event date.

A dance featuring Outlaw’s Prayer will perform following the rodeo inside the arena.

Tickets will be $5.00 at the gate for the rodeo or for the dance or $8.00 to attend both. 6 & under will be admitted free.

More Rain Expected Saturday and Sunday
Some Parts of the County Soaked
9/5/2009
The western and southern part of Coleman County received a good soaking rain Friday night.

Based on Doppler radar estimates from the San Angelo National Weather Service, the heaviest rain in Coleman County fell south of U.S. Highway 67 or the southern half of the county. Within that area, Lake O.H. Ivie, Voss, Panther Creek and Talpa received anywhere from one to three inches.

The area north of Talpa, toward Novice in the northwestern part of the county, also had some one to three inch amounts.

The far southeastern part of Coleman County, around Rockwood and Whon, recorded some two to four inch rain amounts.

Around the City of Coleman, and in the City of Santa Anna, a half inch to one inch was common.

The lightest amounts fell in the central northern, northeast corner near Burkett and the east part of the county, along the Coleman/Brown county line.

*  Tex Wright - Santa Anna - .55
*  Six Miles NE of Coleman - .75
*  Jess Jackson - Silver Valley - 1.17

Mayor Declares September Prostate Cancer Month
9/4/2009
At the City Council Meeting on Thursday, Mayor Nick Poldrack signed a proclamation declaring September as Prostate Cancer Month for the City of Coleman and for Coleman County.  CLICK HERE to see and read the proclamation.

HUMANE SOCIETY OFFERS DOG TRAINING CLASSES
9/4/2009
The Humane Society is pleased to offer basic dog training classes that will be scheduled this fall. We would like to have at least 10 dogs with a maximum of 12 sign up for the training, which will be taught by Carrie Branaman from Winters. Carrie has years of experience with training, rescue, tracking and agility, and we are thrilled that she is willing to offer six weeks of basic training for a very reasonable $55 for the six lessons. Plus, she will donate a generous percent of each fee to the Humane Society.

The 6-week course will train your dog to sit, heel, stay, come and down. If you have a problem dog with special training needs, Carrie can offer you private training as well.

Please go by the thrift store at 108 East Pecan Thursday-Saturday to pick up an application for the training course. Time and place will be announced, but we are leaning toward Saturday mornings at a convenient location in Coleman to be determined.   Call the Humane Society at 625-4724 if you need more information.

Art Preview Reception Planned for Fiesta Art Show
9/4/2009
The Fine Arts League of Coleman County 2009 Fiesta de la Paloma Juried Art Show invites you to a special Art Preview Reception at the Coleman Public Library Friday evening, October 2, 2009 from 6:00-8:00pm in the Library Annex at 402 Commercial Ave.

The art exhibit will be open Friday, October 2nd from 10:00am to 5:00pm and Saturday, October 3rd from 10:00am to 5:00pm with artists' paint-out during both days. Paintings will be sold at silent auction ending Saturday, October 3rd at 3:00pm.

For information contact: Sherrell Hazlewood or Theda Rhea at 325-625-4687 or email theda@thedarhea.net or Marian Johnson at mljdj@web-access.net.

Bowen Drug Closes Doors Friday
9/4/2009   by Kim E. Horne
Coleman said farewell to a local icon today. Bowen Drug, one of Coleman’s longest running businesses, is closing its doors for good. The local pharmacy has been in business since 1900. Jo Cavanaugh has been working there for 8 1/2 years and shared some history with me. Bowen Drug's pharmacy license number was 16, meaning they were the 16th pharmacy to apply for a license in the state of Texas. Current owner of Bowen Drug is Jim Stokes. He bought the business in 1968 from Robert Bowen.

I walked through the doors this morning like I have for many years to be greeted by the morning coffee drinkers. This morning's cheerfulness was dampened by the sadness of the store closing. I asked this group of men how many years they had been drinking coffee at Bowen. They came to the conclusion it must have been at least 25 years. As I was sitting there listening to the men talk and tell stories, and play a game that I was told not to mention, I have to say the last day of seeing the coffee drinkers at Bowen was like watching the last episode of Cheers. These men have a bond and friendship that many of us dream about!  I asked them where they were going to drink coffee now that Bowen was closed and I got lots of jokes but no real answer. I guess there is just nothing that could ever compare to Bowen Drug!

Calling all Golfers, Jerry LeVias fans, and SMU Graduates!
9/2/2009
Calling all golfers and SMU graduates to the House of Faith annual benefit golf tournament with the opportunity to meet and spend time with one of football’s living legends – Jerry LeVias.

Golf tournament is Saturday, September 12, Quicksand Golf Course in San Angelo, 8:30 a.m. tee time. $80 per person for green fee, cart, lunch, mulligans and raffle tickets. Tournament will be flighted in 3 divisions.

Special Tournament Guest, Jerry LeVias, will be auctioned to play with two foursomes (9 holes each) in the tournament. The auction is Friday, Sept. 11, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. reception at House of Faith, 321 Montecito in San Angelo. For more information on the tournament or to bid in the auction in advance, call Ferd Koehn, 325-234-1799.

LeVias is a former SMU All American, played with the Houston Oilers and San Diego Chargers, SMU Hall of Fame, National College Football Hall of Fame, Texas Sports Hall of Fame, SMU Distinguished Alumni, All American Alumni Award of the Football Writers Assoc. of America, featured in the HBO documentary “Breaking the Huddle” and in the award winning FOX sports documentary, “A Marked Man”.

LeVias was a pioneer in helping to integrate football in the South during the American Civil Rights era and holds a special place in the history of college athletics. When he signed with SMU in 1965, he was the first African American athlete to scholarship into the Southwest Conference and led SMU to their first Cotton Bowl appearance in almost 20 years with electrifying running skills. In addition to playing in the House of Faith golf tournament, Mr. LeVias is speaking at the House of Faith 15th Anniversary benefit dinner, Saturday, September 12, 7:00 p.m, at First Baptist Church San Angelo., with silent auction beginning at 6:00 p.m., dinner by Chef Henry Wiens. Emcee for the evening is San Angelo Chamber of Commerce president Phil Neighbors. Frank Stringer of Stringer Oil and Gas, and fellow SMU football team member, will introduce Jerry LeVias at the dinner. Tickets for the dinner are $25 per person.

All events benefit House of Faith, a non-profit street ministry based in San Angelo, TX that works with more than 1200 at-risk children and youth each week.

For more information or to register for the golf tournament and anniversary dinner: www.hofministries.org  or call House of Faith, 325-486-8637.  CLICK HERE for flyer.

September is sign up time for Average Monthly Payment Plan
8/31/2009
The City of Coleman is making Average Monthly Payment Plan available to its residential customers who are eligible for this service.

To be accepted for the Average Monthly Payment plan, a customer must have and maintain the following:
--A satisfactory billing record, meaning no more than two late payments in the previous 12 months.
--Reside at the address a minimum of 12 months.
--The account paid in full at the time of entering the program.
--No cut off notices in the previous 12 months.
--Residential Customers only.
The Average Monthly Payment plan will be offered to customers during the months of February and September of each year. Billing will be effective during the months of March and October each year.

If you are currently in the Average Monthly Payment plan it is not necessary to reapply.
Please contact City Hall at 625-4116 for more information.

Democratic Candidate for Texas Governor Visits Coleman
8/31/2009
A man who wants to be the next Governor of Texas stopped in Coleman Friday afternoon.

Tom Schieffer, 61, is a lifelong Democrat but served at the request of President George W. Bush as United States Ambassador to Australia in 2001 and U.S. Ambassador to Japan in 2005.

A native of Fort Worth, Schieffer was only 25 years old when elected in 1972 to his first term in the Texas House of Representatives where he served three terms.

As a lawyer and businessman, Schieffer may be best known as a partner in the investment group that bought the Texas Rangers baseball team and headed the effort to build The Ballpark in Arlington. He served as president of the Rangers until stepping down in 1999.

Schieffer's brother, Bob, is the long-time CBS news correspondent and host of Face the Nation. Schieffer's sister is a longtime teacher and administrator.

In our meeting with Schieffer, subjects discussed included education, immigration and border safety, uninsured children and healthcare reform. Here is our conversation between Mr. Schieffer and Randy and Kathy Turner.

"I think people are hungry for a thoughtful, serious candidate, that talks about how we solve problems, instead of whose fault it is. And that's what I hope to be."   Tom Schieffer

Colemannews.com - You're website talks a lot about education. What can we do better for education in Texas?
Schieffer - "I think education is the infrastructure of the modern world and I think we have to recognize that. That message really came home to me when I was in Asia as Ambassador to Japan. They (Japan, China and India) are tough competition for America. What I worry about is will a kid starting to school in 1st grade in Coleman next year be able to compete in 20 or 30 years with those kids coming out of Asia. What we have is a public education system that is under stress. You've got drop-out rates in some areas of 40 to 60 percent. If those kids don't have a high school education, they don't have a hope in finding a job in a globalized economy. We have to have an education system that fits the kids, wherever that kid is, whether they are in Coleman or the urban areas of Dallas."

Colemannews.com - Where do you stand on the TAKS test?
Schieffer - "I'd like to talk about that. We have to have a way of measuring kid's success. What we've done, though, the test has become so important, that we've forgotten the purpose of the test. The purpose of the test is to see if we're educating the kids. We're forgetting about educating the kids because we're spending so much time on the test. At the end of the day, teaching to the test is not educating children.

Colemannews.com - What do you suggest, or what kind of legislation do you recommend to get back to the basics of education?
Schieffer - "I think de-emphasizing the (TAKS) test is one thing. But I think you also have to look at education differently than we have in the past. It is broader and is conceptually bigger than we think about. We keep trying to break it down into Pre-K or K-12 and higher education and all that. We have to have an education system that all fits together, that is one where the education system fits the kid, not the kid fits the educational system. Everybody is not going to wind up going to a college or university for a four year degree. And that's ok. But everybody needs to be educated, and whether we do that at a junior college, community college or whether we do that in high school, we have to be able to give people the ability to exist in what the world has become. But you cannot let people drop out of school and ever expect them to be taxpayers, they're going to be tax consumers. I think we can have creative, innovative approaches to it (education), but you have to have a governor who says this is where we're trying to go, and I don't think we've had that."

Colemannews.com - What about school funding? Are we doing it right or do we need to revamp the way we're funding education?
Schieffer - "Every politician is going to come in and say I'm going to take the waste out of the system and all that kind of stuff. I'm going to do that too, I'm going to say that. But I think there is more management that can be done that can produce more results when you ask the people who are doing the work how do we do it better, how do we do it differently? They (school administrators and teachers) have the answers. When you put people at the table that are doing the work, they know how to do it better. Often they're not asked. I think you've got to put parents, educators and the business community at the table and say folks, this isn't working for any of you. What can we do to make it better?"

Colemannews.com - Let me ask you about immigration, illegal aliens and the big Texas border. How will you handle that situation?
Schieffer - "I think we have to recognize reality. We've got a lot of people in Texas that are doing work that we want done. I think we have to recognize that, and what I would do, is to give people a green card, make them pay for that green card and then put them on the tax rolls and have them pay for the government services that they're taking out of the country. I think it is unrealistic to think you can round everybody up and send them home. I just don't think that will work. I think you also have to recognize that if you're going to relieve the pressure for illegal immigration, we have to stop demonizing Mexico and Mexicans as the cause of every problem we have in this country. We can do all we want to on the north side of the border, but if we don't try to solve the situation on the south side of the border, we're not going to relieve the pressure on illegal immigration. To do that, you've got to work with Mexico and not point fingers at Mexico. It's in Mexico's interest to have a more prosperous Mexico, and when you have a more prosperous Mexico, you relieve the pressure to cross that border illegally.

Colemannews.com - Your website talks about uninsured children. What's the answer to helping uninsured children?
Schieffer - "Texas leaves almost a billion dollars on the table that we can take in federal funds, because we won't put up a dollar to get $2.57 back. Now, I think that's the wrong thing to do because I think children ought to have access to health insurance. But it's not the smart thing to do, either. Because by not taking that money, kids are not seeing a doctor and having illnesses prevented, that could be prevented. If a kid doesn't see any doctor, and they have asthma, or diabetes or other things like that, they're not getting drugs that prevent them from getting sick. What happens now is they don't see that doctor, they have the asthma attack or diabetic attack and they wind up in the hospital emergency room. And who gets to pay at that point in time? It's the county hospital and the county taxpayers that have to pay. So what you wind up with is the care they get in the emergency room is the most expensive care that the hospital has to offer. You wind up with a system that costs more than it ought to and covers fewer than it ought to. By the way, you also end up with higher health insurance rates for people that do have health insurance, because somebody has to cover that indigent care. Having a system that costs more than it should, and covers fewer than it should, is bad public policy. If it doesn't touch your heart that those kids are out there, it ought to touch your head, because it's sure touching your wallet as a result of the system we have today. This will be the first state budget in which we spend more money on public health than we spend on public education.

Colemannews.com - Where do you stand on the plan being proposed by the U.S. Congress concerning health care reform?
Schieffer - "I think you have to have access to health insurance. What the final formula is for that is for the Congress to work out. I'm not real high on the public option. But you have to have access. And I think if you have access, you're going to get lower health insurance rates, not higher. You have to have access to doctors and all that. I hear many of the same arguments I heard in the 1960's with Medicare, that Medicare was going to result in socialized medicine, that you weren't going to be able to see your own doctor, we're not going to be able to get all these services. That didn't happen. And there is no Congressman that I'm aware of, and there is no Senator that I'm aware of, from either party, that advocates the repeal of Medicare. I think when you give people access to health insurance, this thing will work itself out. Right now, you have 25 percent of Texans who have no access to health insurance and about 22 percent of children in the same boat. What ends up happening is those of us that do have access to health insurance have to pay more because someone has to cover the cost. I don't think it's dissimilar to what we did a few years ago with regard to automobile insurance. When everybody had to have it, it wound up lowering the cost for everybody."

Colemannews.com - You are elected Governor, you are in the Governor's Mansion, what's the first thing you are going to do?
Schieffer - "I think you have to address education. I think education is the infrastructure of the modern world. You have to get that right before you can deal with everything else. But it's healthcare, it's education, it's transportation, these are all issues that are vital to the future of Texas and they are all issues where we have lost our way.

Schieffer said he believes most Texans and most Americans want candidates who can fix the problems facing our state and nation, regardless of whether they be Democrats or Republicans. "That's what I think will work and that's what I want to appeal to. I want to appeal to people with good feelings toward Texas. I would hope to have an administration that would ask people to serve in Texas, not for their interest, but for Texas' interest. When you do that, it works. When you don't do that, when all you talk about is what works for your party and people start demonizing each other or yelling at each other, they are appealing to the prejudices of people as opposed to the hopes and dreams of people.

Due to a recent discussion of the ambulance service at a County Commissioners' meeting, we are reprinting an article that appeared online in July of 2008.   

An Ambulance Service Q & A
7/30/2008
Coleman County Medical Center CEO/Administrator Doug Langley was asked several questions at the recent Countywide Ambulance Service Task Force meeting concerning the ambulance service.

1. Why do we need three ambulances? In answer to that question, Mr. Langley gave the following example: If one ambulance is in the shop being worked on (and this is pretty often, because two of the three ambulances are in excess of ten years old) and another ambulance is making a transfer to Abilene, without the third ambulance we could not answer 911 calls during such times.

2. Why do the ambulances continue to run while the attendants are in the restaurant eating? Under state regulations, the fluids and drugs that are in the ambulance must be kept within a certain temperature range which requires the ambulance box air conditioner to be running while they are eating lunch. If you drop by the ambulance shed across from the hospital, you will see the ambulance boxes are plugged into electrical lines in order for the air conditioner to keep the on-board fluids and drugs at the right temperature.

Mr. Langley further stated “I understand that the public needs to know why certain things are done the way they are, and we want to keep the public informed regarding our method of operation. I would like to commend the men and women that are staffing our EMS Service here in Coleman. They put in long hours and are always available for call back without any complaints. We need to thank these young men and women for the fine service they are providing this community. With that said, we are happy to answer any issues that you have with regard to our method of operations. Thank you for your support”. 
 

Faith & Victory March
9/9/2009  (Contributed)
(March Against Addictions!)
Rally, March, Prayer and Food!  Saturday, September 26th 5:00pm
We have a local tragedy in our own community of Coleman. The lives of our youth and children are being destroyed because of drugs. Many are following their own parents into this cruel world of addiction.

There are those that are willing to make a stand, not afraid to say enough and willing to fight back. If you would like to join these people in a show of faith and strength come to The Cross for a march around (each of the eight groups walk one mile or you can run or bike all 8 miles) Coleman in prayer!

Contact The Cross PO Box 1003 Coleman TX 76834
Or Call (325)625-1002 m-w 10-4 Or visit www.mt25.net

Technology Preparation for Parents Begins Tuesday
9/8/2009
As a parent of a CISD student, are you feeling left behind by the sudden influx of technology in your home? Have no fear, Technology Preparation for Parents (TPP) is coming this fall. These classes will give you basic computer skills, beginning with basic programs, the Internet, and fun with photos.

The first class will be Tuesday, September 8 from 6:00-7:30pm and will cover "basic skills" found on your student's laptop.

If you are the parent of a high school student, bring their laptop with you to the high school for Tech Prep for Parents. If you are the parent of a Junior High or Elementary Student, please call the High School Principal's office at 625-2156 to reserve a computer for the class.

Remember, Tuesday, September 8th "Tech Prep For Parents" begins at the high school from 6:00-7:30pm. Take the fear out of Technology in your home with Tech Prep for Parents! These classes will continue through the fall each Monday night after the first Tuesday.

CHS Junior Class Parents Meeting Tuesday
9/8/2009
The Coleman High School Junior Class Parents will meet Tuesday, September 8th, at 5:15 p.m. in the K-8 Library. Parents will discuss upcoming activities in preparation for the 2010 After Prom Project. All Junior Class parents need to attend. For more information, contact Becky Jackson at (325) 726-9903.

AGENDA - Planning and Zoning Commission
9/6/2009
CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2009, 9:00 A.M.
NEW BUSINESS:
Commission will hear from local real estate agents on planning and zoning issues.
Commission may take any action deemed necessary.

Coleman 4-H Club Meet Tuesday
9/6/2009
Coleman 4-H Club will have their 1st meeting of the year on Tuesday, September 8th at 6:30pm in the meeting room at the Bill Franklin Center. Come and join the fun.

Coleman Diabetes Group Meet MONDAY
9/6/2009
The Coleman Diabetes Group WILL meet Monday, September 7 on Labor Day at 6:30pm at the Coleman Sr. Center on S. Concho.

Novice CLOSED Monday for Labor Day
9/6/2009
Novice School will be closed Monday, September 7, for the Labor Day holiday. Buses and classes will resume Tuesday, September 8, at regular times.

Panther Creek CISD In Session Labor Day
9/6/2009
Panther Creek CISD will be in session on Monday, September 7th. Labor Day is not a school holiday for Panther Creek CISD and the District would like to remind parents that students are required to attend class on Monday.

CISD Classes In Session Labor Day
9/6/2009
Coleman I.S.D. will be in session on Monday, September 7th. Labor Day is not a school holiday for Coleman I.S.D. and the District would like to remind parents that students are required to attend class on Monday.

Shoppin' Baskit is having a busy day!!!
On top of all the hunters in Coleman today, three organizations are raising money at Shopping Baskit this morning.  There was a Quilt Raffle to benefit the Sr. Center.   The Masons raised money for books for PreK-5th grade students in all the county schools. And, the Eastern Star Chapter was also raising money for books.

Attention Bluecat Band Parents
9/4/2009
We will be having our regular scheduled meeting on Monday the 7th at 6:30pm in the band hall.  We will discuss fundraisers for the end of year trips.  Sign up to work home game concessions.   The meetings are for all parents or guardians of band members in 6th through 12th grades.

Warrenfeltz Sentenced to Prison
9/4/2009
Judge John Weeks sentenced Brittany Warrenfeltz 19, to term of 5 years incarceration in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on Thursday. Warrenfeltz was charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon arising out a altercation on September 20, 2008 in which the victim, Amber Culwell was stabbed with a knife.

Warrenfeltz had pled guilty in July and a Pre-Sentence Investigation was ordered by Judge Weeks. On August 20th, a sentencing hearing was held in which District Attorney Heath Hemphill presented evidence as to why Warrenfeltz should be incarcerated while defense attorney Paul Jensen called family members to testify as to why probation was appropriate. At one point during the testimony, Hemphill showed Warrenfeltz' mother pictures of the injuries to the victim and asked what she'd want to happen to someone who cut her daughter. The mother said that "she could not answer that question".

Judge Weeks also instructed Warrenfeltz that he would consider granting her "shock probation" later. District Attorney Hemphill afterwords explained that "shock probation" happens when the defendant serves part of their sentence and then is brought back and put on probation. Hemphill also stated that shock probation might be a very good punishment in this case as the defendant has to experience the initiation process of prison. Warrenfeltz would then have to serve most likely 5-10 more years on probation while paying back most likely nearly $19,000 in medical expenses, court fees, etc. If she committed any other offenses or failed to pay or report as required she would face going back to prison again.

Coleman ISD States Policy for President Obama Speech
9/4/2009
The official Coleman ISD Policy regarding President Obama’s speech: Coleman ISD will not broadcast the Webinar during school time. The technology department will record and make available a copy to any parent requesting one to be shown in the privacy of their own home. Under no circumstances will a student be allowed to view it at school unless the parent has given written consent.

LOAVES & FISHES B-B-Q FUND RAISER FOR ROOF REPAIR
9/4/2009
Loaves & Fishes Food Ministries will hold a Barbecue/Hamburger/Hot Dog/Bake Sale fund raiser on the lot immediately east of their building on Pecan and Neches (Hwy 206), on Saturday, September 5th. Many items will be available, including BBQ ribs, Rib-on-a-Stick, BBQ Chicken, BBQ Sandwiches, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Bake Sale Items, etc. Join them on Saturday and help them raise the needed money for the repair to their roof and building, and well as supplying food to those in need. They will be open from 9:00 a.m. until ?????? (until they run out of food). Cash donations are always welcome. Plate meals will also be served on a "dine in" or "carry out" basis. Join them for a wonderful day of fellowship!

REMINDER:  County Offices Closed For Luncheon TODAY
9/4/2009
The Coleman County Clerk’s Office and Tax Assessor- Collector/Vehicle Registration/Titles will be closed during the hours of 11:45am until 1:15pm on Friday, September 4, so that employees can attend a County Employee Luncheon.

Cross County Schedule Added to Sports Page
9/3/2009
The CISD Cross Country schedule has been placed at the top of the sports page.  The schedule shows that the high school and Jr. high girls will be running in Bangs on Wednesday, September 9th beginning at 4:00.  Note that times are subject to change.

Schedules for Friday and Saturday's Games
9/3/2009
Below are the schedules for this week's football games for the area teams:
Coleman Bluecats vs Rogers IN Temple at 6:00pm on SATURDAY.
Panther Creek Panthers vs Robert Lee at HOME at 7:30pm on Friday.
Novice Hornets vs Veribest AWAY at 7:30pm on Friday.
Santa Anna Mountaineers vs Paradigm Charter at HOME at 7:30pm on Friday.

For directions to the Temple Wildcat Stadium for Saturday's Bluecat game see the Sports page.

Choose a safe ride during the Labor Day weekend
9/3/2009     (Contributed by Texas Department of Transportation)
DPS wants drivers and passengers to make the wise, and least expensive choice, of finding a sober ride to their destinations during the Labor Day weekend.

All available troopers will be on duty starting Friday, Sept. 4, through midnight, Monday, Sept. 7, looking for drunk drivers, speeders and seat belt violators.

“Drivers and their passengers should choose a safe ride to wherever they’re going this weekend,” said Assistant Director David Baker, who oversees the Texas Highway Patrol. “Calling a cab or sober friend for a ride is much cheaper than getting arrested for DWI and going to jail.”

A DWI conviction stays on an offender’s criminal and driving record forever. For the first offense, the law allows a maximum of six months in jail, a $2,000 fine and a one-year driver license suspension. A DWI conviction also carries a $1,000 surcharge for three years, in addition to any other fines or costs associated with the arrest.

DPS supports the “Drink. Drive. Go to Jail.” campaign and is also a participant in Operation CARE—Combined Accident Reduction Effort—a nationwide effort by police agencies to reduce fatalities on major interstate highways during holiday weekends.

During Labor Day last year, DPS troopers arrested 623 people for driving while intoxicated and issued more than 10,000 speeding citations and 2,500 seat belt and child restraint tickets. In all, troopers wrote almost 20,000 tickets in an effort to make driving safer during the Labor Day holiday last year.

“Choose a sober driver this weekend,” said Assistant Director Baker. “Otherwise, the Texas Highway Patrol will choose your ride for you.”

SANTA ANNA LIVESTOCK ASSOCIATION
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING AGENDA
9/3/2009
The Santa Anna Livestock Association will hold a special called meeting Tuesday, September 8th, 2009 at 7:30pm at the Santa Anna ISD Ag classroom.  Anyone have kids that will be interested in showing livestock or joining Jr. FFA are encouraged to attend.  Anyone interested in volunteering is also encouraged to attend.  Please see the agenda below.
SEPTEMBER 8, 2009 AT 7:30 P.M.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. OLD BUSINESS
   A. DISCUSS ON-GOING RAFFLE
   B. DISCUSS RAFFLE SET UP LOCATION FOR OPENING DAY OF HUNTING SEASON
   C. DISCUSS MAIL OUT FUNDRAISER STATUS
   D. PASS TICKETS OUT FOR DEER FEEDER RAFFLE
3. NEW BUSINESS
   A. DISCUSS REORGANIZATION OF SANTA ANNA JR. FFA
   B. CONSIDER AND ACT ON SHOW-PIG RAFFLE
   C. CONSIDER AND ACT ON AUCTION OR GARAGE SALE FOR FUNDRAISER
   D. DISCUSS SETTING GOAL FOR DONATIONS
   E. DISCUSS JUDGES FOR STOCK SHOW
   F. DISCUSS NEW FUNDRAISER OPPORTUNITIES
  G. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND ACT ON ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES AND SET RATES FOR DUES.
  H. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND ACT ON CHANGES TO BYLAWS TO REFLECT MEMBERSHIP DUES IF PASSED

Open House for Panther Creek ISD
9/3/2009
Tonight is Panther Creek ISD's open house.  Parents can attend from 6:00-7:00.

Open House for Santa Anna ISD
9/3/2009
Thursday, Sept. 3rd, 2009
Parents are encouraged to attend.
Elementary 6:00 pm  -  Jr High and High School 7:00 pm

CJHS Scrimmage Cancelled
9/2/2009
The Jr. High football scrimmage against Cisco that was scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) has been cancelled.

Weekly Migratory Bird Hunting Report
9/2/2009
Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.  

Coleman Bike Club Rides in Wichita Falls
9/2/2009     (Contributed by Barbara Hubbard)
Start time of 7 am for these riders was a beautiful, cool morning this past Saturday, August 29th, as each anticipated their course for the day. Traffic was controlled at all intersections, rest stops were energetic with great music, and shopping was plentiful upon completion! Two avid competitors dared to "chip" their ankles which bench marked the results by male/female and grouped by age. Surprisingly, Barb ranked 13th among the women (45-49) and Drew ranked 99th among the men (45-49)! It was even more fun to share a banana split at Braum's and recall events along the rides! A few lucky riders enjoyed a standing ovation as they rode thru the Air Force Base while others simply enjoyed the great 78 degree weather. What's next?! A more relaxed fall season! Group rides every Tuesday evening, 6pm, leaving from the hospital parking lot. All welcome! Go at your own pace...turn around when tired...and the best part, we meet for a dinner full of laughter! We might even plan a fun ride at Christmas which tours Mission to Mission in San Antonio. Then January will start another year of getting stronger! If your ready for fun & fitness, then it's time to join the Coleman Bike Club!

Historical Committee Meeting Cancelled
9/2/2009
The Coleman County Historical Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 3rd has been cancelled and will be rescheduled.

Coleman ISD Board Appoints Election Judges
9/1/2009
The Coleman ISD School Board met Monday night with a fairly short agenda. Before getting into their meeting, however, Kelsey Puckett from the CHS Family, Career and Community Leaders of America organization shared a slideshow with the board. She spoke about her summer activities for the FCCLA in her capacity as Region II Vice-President of Achievement. She thanked the board for their support of the group and Bonnie Brown, sponsor of FCCLA, informed the board of a second chapter starting at CHS, due to another teacher being involved in Family and Consumer Sciences classes.

Following this presentation, the board appointed Kermit Sorrells as the Election Judge and Early Voting Ballot Board Judge for the October 10, 2009 Special Election. Also, Karen Huff was appointed Early Voting Clerk, with Judi Wilkinson appointed as the Alternate Early Voting Clerk for the October election.

Final budget amendments were approved by the board for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Superintendent Royce Young spoke on the one-time receipt of $400,000 from a correction from two years ago; these monies allowed the district to end the year "in the black." However, Young also reminded the board that without that, the school would have been around $375,000 "in the red" as previously thought. Keeping the budget as is would bring Coleman to a deficit budget at the end of this coming fiscal year, without the rollback election passing in October.

Lorrie Payne gave the campus and district ratings report: High School and Jr High were Academically Acceptable and the Elementary School was Recognized. She also stated that the district was Academically Acceptable, and was very close to being Recognized.

Mr. Young gave a report on the enrollment of CISD. There were an additional 15 students enrolled after the first day of school, which brings the district closer to last year's beginning enrollment

New Golf Cart Rules Take Effect September 1, 2009
9/1/2009
AUSTIN - A new state law instructs the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to stop registering and titling golf carts, but these owners won’t be stuck in their driveways.

The law takes effect September 1, 2009, and allows cities to regulate golf cart use in their communities.

“While we will stop registering golf carts you will still be able to drive these vehicles on public roads, providing you follow the state laws governing golf cart operation,” said Rebecca Davio, director of TxDOT’s Vehicle Titles and Registration Division.

Mike Conaway in Brownwood Thursday
9/1/2009
Congressman Mike Conaway will be holding a Townhall Meeting Thursday, September 3rd from 5:30 - 6:30pm in the Brownwood High School Auditorium. The high school is located at 2100 Slayden Street (located off 10th Street to the east). All Coleman County voters are encouraged to attend if you have questions pertaining to the present Healthcare bill or other legislation.
His schedule for today and Thursday in the area.
9/1:
6:00-7:00 pm - Open health care townhall meeting in Midland/Odessa (Center for Energy & Economics Diversification, 1400 N. FM 1788) - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

9/3:
8:00-9:00 a.m.- Open health care townhall meeting in Fredericksburg - Fredericksburg High School Main Auditorium, 1107 South State Highway 16 - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

10:00-11:00 am - Open health care townhall meeting at Llano Public Library (102 E. Haynie) - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

5:30-6:30 p.m.- Open health care townhall meeting in Brownwood - Brownwood High School Auditorium, 2100 Slayden Street - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

COLEMAN SENIOR CENTER Activities for September
9/1/2009
Below is a list of the activities planned at the Coleman Senior Center during the month of September. ALSO, there is a permanent link to the Menu for the Sr. Center on the Calendar page.
SEPTEMBER 2009
9-30-09 POT LUCK & BINGO AT 12:30 SPECIAL TREAT WILL BE SERVED!!!!!!!!

HUMANE SOCIETY INVITES MEMBERS TO BOARD MEETINGS
9/1/2009      Submitted by Jo Ann Eddleman
The Humane Society of Coleman County is pleased to announce that the board has voted to invite Humane Society members to its regular board meetings once a quarter. The meetings that are open to members are scheduled for the first Wednesday of every 4th quarter, starting with the last quarter this year. The next board meeting that will be open to members is scheduled for October 7.   The meetings are held in the Coleman County State Bank 3rd floor hospitality room at 2:00 p.m.

As established in its Articles of Incorporation, management of the Humane Society of Coleman County is vested in its Board of Directors. Members do not have voting privileges. The board, nonetheless, is interested in what members have to say about our activities and our plans for the future. We tried to have membership meetings for a couple of years when we first got started. Although the meetings were well attended for the first few gatherings, attendance gradually dropped off. However, we know there are always members who would very much like to feel more included in what the Humane Society is doing or would like to do. We will place an open forum item on our agenda for the quarterly meetings where visitors can feel free to express their ideas. Many members will enjoy just listening in to what is going on and visiting with fellow animal-lovers. We will have refreshments.

We are not guided by Roberts Rules of Order, and the board knocks a lot of ideas around during meetings. We have a good time while taking care of business. The meetings are sometimes fairly lengthy, but you can come and go as you please.

If you are not a member of the Humane Society, please pick up a Membership Application at our thrift store, 108 East Pecan, or call us at 625-4724 to have one mailed to you. Our annual fee for individuals/family are $10, $25 for businesses. If you join now, it will cover your membership through 2010.

If you have email, the agenda for the meetings will be emailed to you. We will also publish it on our web site www.HumaneSocietyCC.com , on ColemanNews.com and in the paper. See you on October 7!

Workshop Features New Economic Development
Tools for Rural Communities
8/10/2009
Two new economic development tools are available for rural communities. Enhancing downtown development or becoming a Certified Retirement Community can make a difference in retaining and attracting residents and employers.

Texas Midwest Community Network and the Texas Forts Trail will host three workshops in the region for the GO TEXAN Certified Retirement Community and Texas Capital Fund/Main Street Programs conducted by Texas Department of Agriculture.

The purpose of the workshop is to provide communities with information about the programs, application preparation and scoring insight. The all-day workshop (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) will be presented at the following three locations.

Sept. 21 – Brady, FBC Family Life Center, 1103 W. 17th
Sept. 22 – Sweetwater, TSTC Center, on campus
Sept. 23 – Eastland, Connellee Hotel, 209 West Main

Registration for the workshop ($20/person) includes lunch and must be received prior to September 16th. Workshop details and online registration can be found at www.texasmidwest.org/retirement-registration.html  or call the TMCN office at 325-795-8626.