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Current Weekly News for Leakey, Camp Wood, Sabinal, Utopia and Surrounding Areas Vol. 5 No. 6
INSIDE
www.hillcountryherald.net
Tri-Canyon’s Only Weekly Newspaper!
February 11, 2015
editor@hillcountryherald.net
LEAKEY BUCKSTOP COMPLETE LOSS
by Julie Becker
Real County Day at the Texas Capitol ............................ Page 2
Somewhere in the West
............................ Page 7
The Rio Frio Church: Past, Present, and Future ............................ Page 9
IS
RUNDOWN… CONSEQUENCES OF APATHY
On Monday at approximately 4:38 p.m. the Leakey Volunteer Fire Department responded to a structure fire on South U.S. Highway 83 in Leakey, Texas. Upon arrival firefighters assessed the situation and quickly called for backup. The Leakey Buck Stop, which was under construction, was totally engulfed in flames within minutes. Reports indicate structural work could be the point of origin for the massive blaze. Black smoke billows could be
seen from miles away. Traffic was diverted from the main thoroughfare of Hwy. 83 to Evergreen and back out onto 83 from FM 1120. No injuries were reported, though the structure was a total loss. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU from the community members to all of the local and surrounding area Volunteer Firefighters who responded to the fire. Those include LEAKEY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, UTOPIA VOLUN-
TEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, NUECES CANYON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, HAPPY HOLLOW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND UVALDE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT. As well as all of the officers who controlled the scene so the firefighters could do their job, Texas Department of Transportation Supervisor, Paul “Beatsie” Rubio and staff, Texas Department of Public Safety Corporal Jake Sanchez, Real County
Sheriff’s Office staff and Deputies Mark Cox and Steve Castro and Emergency Management Coordinator J.D. Martinez. I know I could have simplified this list but our community is proud of each of these individuals. While we are saddened for the loss of a building that has been a part of our community for over 30 years, we count our blessings there were no injuries. THANK YOU to all the volunteers who put their lives on the line to protect ours.
YOUTH ENTREPRENEURS TO COMPETE AT SAN ANTONIO STOCK SHOW
............................ Page 11
BURRIER PRESENTS TEXAS HISTORY TO NC 4th And 7th GRADERS
............................ Page 9
INDEX State News .................... Page 2 Legals/Jail Register ...... Page 3 Community News ......... Page 4-6 Feature Story ................. Page 7 Obituaries ...................... Page 8 Classifieds ..................... Page 12
Today’s Weather
High: 70° Low: 46°
Ten area high school students in Pioneers Youth Leadership will compete for $24,000 in scholarships and cash awards on February 16 at the Capital Farm Credit Rural Youth Entrepreneurship Competition on the grounds of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. The competition was open to high school students in the Pioneers program who wrote a plan for a new agrelated business in their community. The ten finalists will present their business plans to a panel of judges and will be scored on both their verbal presentations and written plans. “Small businesses are the backbone of rural Texas communities,” said Capital Farm Credit Chief Executive Officer Ben Novosad. “The Pioneers youth
entrepreneurship contest is a great way to teach young people how to start a small business and invest in their community.” “We can only keep rural Texas strong if our young people can be financially successful in their communities,” said Pioneers co-founder Garry Merritt. “We have to give our youth more choices than just leaving for a better paying job and not coming back.” The ten finalists and their business concepts are Jessica Castillo (nature conservation) and Alicia Saldana (high quality snails) from Uvalde High School, Clairisa Glass (cedar mulch) from Leakey High School, Lauren Coleman (drip irrigation), Jessica Dong (rainwater collection), Bethany Keeney
The Spirit of ‘45 The year was 1921, the Gunther Hotel in San Antonio got two foot of water in the hotel in the lower level, the watermarks are still standing today. And in Martindale, George Hardy Crook was born to Hardy and Lizzie Crook. He grew up in Martindale and graduated from high school there. He attended South West Texas State Teachers College. George joined the Marine Corp, was an expert with the rifle, and was a part of Air Casualty Squadron IV. He served in China and the Philippines as a Tech Sergeant with the 755 Airborne from 1945
(exotic deer), Gabriella Menchaca (organic produce) and Erin O’Connor (white-tail deer breeding) from Knippa High School, and Taylor Doss (honey-based products) and Steeley Smith (meat processing) from Mason High School. Capital Farm Credit is a member-owned cooperative providing financing to rural landowners, country homeowners, agricultural operators and agribusiness firms throughout Texas, with offices conveniently located throughout the state. Pioneers Youth Leadership is a leadership and community development program for rural Texas high school students in grades 10-12.
by Billie Franklin
to 1946. In San Diego, California, in February 1946, he received his honorable discharge, a good conduct medal, and unit commendation. In 1948, he married Helen Louise Buchanan of Bryan and they have been together 66 years. The result of that union is two children of whom they are very proud, and two grandchildren. He next attended Baylor and got his Masters in Chemistry in one year. He got his PHD from Texas A and M in Chemistry and Oceanography, at the time, a new course offering. George
worked for Dow Chemical for over 25 years. Places they have lived over the years include Bryan, Lake Jackson, San Antonio, and finally in Leakey. While in Lake Jackson he was in the Sheriff Reserve Marine Division. Later he joined the National Guard, but was discharged due to a his receiving a commission with the 75 Manuever Area Command in Houston. In Army War College, he ranked third in his class. When he retired from the service, he held the rank of full Colonel.