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Current Weekly News for Leakey, Camp Wood, Sabinal, Utopia and Surrounding Areas Vol. 9 No. 11
www.hillcountryherald.net
Tri-Canyon’s Only Weekly Newspaper! March 14, 2018
editor@hillcountryherald.net
INSIDE $500K GRANT AWARDED TO REAL COUNTY What You Don’t Know About St. Paddy! ............................ Page 7
COUNTY CITY WIDE CLEAN-UP ........................... Page 8
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER, SID MILLER recently announced that the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) has approved a Texas Community Development Block Grant Colonia Construction Fund award for Real County in the amount of $500,000.00 to construct Water Facility Improvements for Chula Vista and Bruce Lane. The Colonia Fund Construction provides eligible applicants with grants to fund water and wastewater improvements, housing rehabilitation for low- to moderate-income households, the payment of assessments levied against properties owned and occupied by persons of low and moderate income to recover the capital cost for a public improvement and other improvements including street paving and drainage. This project is being funded through the Texas Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) Program as Contract No. 7217025. W. B. Sansom Jr., Real County Judge, stated that on behalf of the Real County Commissioners Court, we are most thankful for the grant funds and truly appreciate the efforts of all TDA staff in making this happen. Standing left to right Real County Commissioners Ramon Ybarra, Joe W. Connell, Manuel Rubio, Judge W. B. Sansom Jr., and Bryan Shackelford
Four New Members Recently Inducted Into the Leakey Lions Club by Fred R. McNiel, Membership/Publicity Chairman
REAL COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE WANTED PERSONS AND FUGITIVES ............................ Page 11
JUST FOR GRINS LtoR: Deborah Sparks, Steve Gasper, Gary Overbay, and Fred Huff
The Leakey Lions Club is pleased to inform the Leakey community of the recent addition of four new members to the club! Deborah Sparks and Steve Gasper were inducted at a Lions Club business meetings held this past December and Gary Overbay and Fred Huff were officially inducted at our regular Lions Club February meeting. Deborah Sparks was recruited by Lion A.G. Hood. Deborah is an English/Language Arts teacher at the Big Springs Charter School. She also teaches Sociology and Psychology and is currently the year book sponsor! She is the mother of two adult children, Temera and Josiah, and she has been blessed with three grandchildren! Deborah moved to Leakey from San Antonio this past July in order to begin her teaching duties. Deborah is a highly educated lady who previously taught in both college and high school. She
2018 Friends of the Library Gala Success! ............................. Page 11
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by Julie Becker
holds a Bachelor degree from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma and Master Degrees from the University of Phoenix, West Texas A&M, and the University of Texas at San Antonio. Steve Gasper was recruited by Lion Guinn Turner. Steve has been a Leakey resident for the past two years. Steve retired after a distinguished thirty year career as Accounting and Finance Manager for KBR, a huge international construction company headquartered in Houston. Steve traveled extensively while employed with KBR and has accumulated more than two million air miles in his travels! Steve and his lovely wife, Pam recently celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary! Steve has an adult daughter who lives in California. The Gaspers live in the Deer Creek Subdivision in Rio Frio. continued page 11
By Patti Berkstresser
On Saturday, March 3, over two hundred (200) Friends and supporters of the Real County Public Library Leakey came out in their vintage finest to raise funds for the Library. With the theme “Vintage, Vino and Vuola”, the Friends of the Library exceeded our goal and raised over $30,000, enough funds to operate the Library for approximately 6 months. The planning committee, consisting of Anissa Reagor, Vickie Crispin, Pam Gasper, Mary Forman, Deana Hickman, Sandi Patrick, Helen Stephens, Eileen Bell and Patti Berkstresser, did a fantastic job planning for beautiful décor, great food, fine Texas wine and fun activities. Linda Adami, who handcrafted the beautiful hat she donned, won the vintage hat and glove contest. Spirited live and silent auctions highlighted the evening, with winners taking home prizes from trips to dinners, to beautiful artwork and photography. Rudy Gonzalez won the pre-Gala raffle prize, a YETI 45 cooler and tumblers. Our generous underwriters, sponsors, and donors contributed greatly to the success of the evening. We APPRECIATE you! see list page 11
February Huajilla RTA Meeting ............................ Page 13
INDEX Legals/Jail Register ... . Page 3Community News ......... Page 4-6 Feature Story ................ Page 7 Community Events.........Page 8-9 Obituaries ...................... Page 10 Classifieds ..................... Page 14
Today’s Weather
High: 68° Low: 49°
Proud mother and member of Huajilla Unit RTA, Judy Weiblen, presents an appreciation gift to her daughter, Amanda Rothe, who presented the program “Love Your Heart” to the Huajilla members at their February meeting.
by Irene R. Dubberly President, Huajilla Unit
Forty-six members and two guests attended the February 26, 2018 meeting of the Huajilla Unit Retired Teachers at the Braden Keller Center in Castroville. The meeting was called to order by President Irene Dubberly. Members recited the pledges to the American an Texas flags, followed Charles Carlson offering the opening prayer. Officers were introduced, guests were recognized, and members shared birthdays, anniversaries and other celebrations. Due to her commitments, Amanda Rothe, registered dietician, presented a program on “You’re your Heart.” Rothe touched on a variety of ways that one can choose a healthier lifestyle, many of them simple and low cost, and require no more than a commitment and acceptance that this is the only body we get. Comparing our body to a car that we get for life, we must do everything needed to keep it in good running condition, give it its tune-ups, don’t let it sit inactive—get it out for a run/vigorous walk or activity on a daily or every-other-day basis. Even though this is the end
of February, it is never too late to start a change in lifestyle. Among some of the suggestions which may work are journaling all the foods you eat, when and why you ate it; exercise while watching TV; adjust exercise to your abilities from “chair” to vigorous movement activities; establishing a “support” group to encourage each other; deep breathing and slow chewing and not consuming meals in five minutes! Rothe had all members get up and participate in a quick 10-minute routine to get the heart pumping to show how easy it is to get moving! After her presentation, members shared their suggestions for group exercise/activity in their area. In appreciation for her presentation, Judy Weiblen, Amanda’s proud mom, presented Amanda with an appreciation gift of Huajilla honey from the unit. Minutes of the previous meeting and Sam Dubberly’s Treasurer’s report were both reviewed and approved for filing. continued page 6