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Saturday, November 5, 2016 Volume 118 | Number 37 www.herefordbrand.com
8 Pages $1
Early voting proves ‘heavy’
By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor
Deaf Smith County election officials expected early voting to go out much the same way it came in – with a bang. Early voting closed Friday after running since Monday, Oct. 24. It proved once again to be a hit with voters. “We have had a heavy turnout,” Deaf Smith County Chief Deputy Clerk of Court Nelda Gonzalez said Friday morning. “It has been very busy. We are also anticipating a rush by the end of the day. “All in all, it has gone well. It’s just been very busy.” As of the close of voting on Thursday, 24.6 percent (2,124) of the county’s 8,642 registered voters had taken part in early
voting. With an additional 433 mail-in ballots received as of Thursday, election officials said 2,557 voters (29.6 percent) had turned in early ballots. The 2,557 ballots already cast are more than early voting, mailins and election-day totals from the March 1 primary, which drew 2,268 total votes (27.1 percent). With an admitted “rush” expected late Friday, county vote totals are expected to swell after polls open for the general election on Tuesday. Unlike early voting – which was exclusively at the courthouse – the county will sport four polling locations Tuesday. Voters in Precinct 1 will vote at PLEASE SEE VOTING | 3A
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As of Thursday, county voter turnout through mail-ins and early voting had already exceeded the total turnout recorded for the March 1 primary.
HRMC duo among best in Panhandle From Staff Reports
The 26th edition of the Festival of Trees at Hereford Senior Center begins its five-day run Saturday morning. The event’s highlight is a Tuesday evening gala – complete with buffet – and the anticipated auction of decorated trees.
Festival of Trees Annual event starts Saturday By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor Hereford Senior Citizens’ annual Festival of Trees officially moves past the quarter-century mark when the 26th edition opens Saturday. The festival begins its five-day run at 9 a.m., Saturday and runs daily through 3 p.m., Wednesday. For those with the odd feeling the festival snuck up on them this year, you are not off-kilter from switching back to standard time or being a year older. This year’s edition is a week earlier than usual. “When we were looking at dates, we found that a nearby community was doing the exact same thing at the same time,” Hereford Senior Citizens director Gina Burdette said. “We decided to move ours up a week to avoid any conflicts.” The slight alteration in schedule has done little to affect the event, Burdette added, with officials receiving “good” response and participation. As finishing touches were being put on trees Thursday afternoon, Burdette said the only potential effect noticed by the date change has been slower ticket sales for the annual melodrama. One of the featured
events of the festival, this year’s production is entitled “The Villain Wore a Dirty Shirt.” Shows are set for Saturday at 6 p.m., as part of a dinner-theatre package, and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Also highlighted in the schedule is a holiday buffet Sunday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and silent auction – which closes Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. The cherry on the festival sundae comes Tuesday with a gala and buffet at 6 p.m., then the annual tree auction at 7 p.m. The festival also includes daily activities Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday from 8:30 a.m.4 p.m., then Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m.3 p.m. Daily festival activities include a holiday bazaar, Memorial tree, baker shop, tree display, snack bar and school chorus programs. Daily children’s activities run Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., then MondayWednesday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and include crafts, programs and a Christmas village and Lionel train display. Hereford Independent School District school choruses will entertain festival goers throughout the day MondayWednesday.
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Hereford Senior Citizens director Gina Burdette, left, helps Jessica Cano put some finishing touches on the Memorial tree for the 2016 Festival of Trees.
Two medical professionals from Deaf Smith County were honored as being among the best in their profession by the Panhandle Organization of Nurse Executives and Texas Nurses Association (TNA) District 2 last month. Deaf Smith County Hospital District (DSCHD) leaders and Hereford Regional Medical Center (HRMC) registered nurses Nancy Griego and Meri Killingsworth were part of the inaugural class of Panhandle Great 25 Nurses. An annual gathering to celebrate Panhandle nursing, the TNA soiree applauds “the work, caring and compassion of nurses” in the area and added the Panhandle Great 25 Nurses as a way to further recognize nurses for their abilities and efforts. The awardees were nominated by peers and selected by a review committee based on their performance as role models, in leadership, service, caregiving and other significant contributions to nursing. A 32-year veteran of the medical profession, Killingsworth has spent 21 of those at HRMC – the first 12 as a RN and the last nine KILLINGSWORTH at chief operating officer. “This award means a great deal to me because it is based on the opinions of my coworkers and those I interact with daily,” Killingsworth said. “I am humbled that someone feels I deserve this award, and I am honored to have been chosen as one of the Panhandle Great 25 Nurses.” Killingsworth got into nursing after her mother’s fight with cancer, and she worked in Dimmitt and Riverton, Wyo. She came to Hereford in 1995 to work with Deaf Smith Home Care Services. “My favorite thing about being a nurse is the people GRIEGO who come to seeking our care,” she said. “Nursing requires a servant heart, and it doesn’t matter where a nurse is working, it is always about the patient.” Griego is a veteran nurse, who is literally a nursing veteran. A RN for 38 years, she has only been with DSCHD for five months as Hereford Rural Clinic nursing director. More than 29 years of her career has been spent as a military nurse. “This award means honor and humbleness,” Griego said. “I’m humbled for the recognition and honored by those who have paved my career – a parent’s inspiration, fellow nurses supporting and mentoring, family sacrificing, patients allowing my care and fellow military comrades fulfilling an American dream.” Killingsworth and Griego were honored with the other members of the Panhandle Great 25 Nurses Class of 2016 at an awards ceremony on Oct. 17 in Amarillo.
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