Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Volume 118, Number 38 8 Pages $1.00 www.HerefordBRAND.com
Fly your flag Veterans Day 2016 flag, page 8
One-third of voters avoid Election Day delays By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor Lines were expected to be long and the wait comparable as time came Tuesday for hand to meet lever to decide the fate of the 2016 election. While lines and delays at polls were the norm throughout the nation Tuesday, a third of Deaf Smith County voters avoided the Election Day crowds by voting. According to figures from Deaf Smith County Clerk of Court Imelda
DeLaCerda, there had been 2,911 ballots cast in the county through mailins and early voting as of the close of early voting on Friday. That total represents 33.7 percent of the 8,642 registered voters in the county. Of that 2,911, 2,462 voted early (28.5 percent) with 449 mail-in ballots (5.2 percent) having been received. DeLaCerda said Monday the mail-in numbers could change since they would accepted through
Tuesday. Republican Donald Before county polls Trump for president. even opened Tuesday, In addition to the Deaf Smith had much-ballyhooed already had race for the a larger voter White House, turnout than local voters will in the March 1 make a decision primary, which for U.S. House drew 2,268 voters and railroad to the polls (27.1 commissioner, percent). as well as several In terms of the state Supreme and most notable race Appeals courts DELACERDA on the ballot, justice seats. county voters Locally, there were expected to join are five races on the those from around the ballot with only four state in supporting being county-wide and
just two contested. County-wide, the races for tax assessor/ collector and constable are uncontested with Teresa Garth and Bryan Hedrick, respectively, seeking returns to office. The other two countywide races are contested with incumbent J. Dale Butler facing a challenge from Independent Fidel Reyna Jr. for Deaf Smith County Sheriff, and five candidates vying for four open seats on the Deaf Smith County Hospital District Board
of Directors. Chris Woodard is taking on incumbents Harold McNutt, Debbie Gonzalez, Rose Mary Barrett and June Rudd for a seat on the board. The remaining uncontested local races have incumbent Mike Brumley looking to retain his Precinct 3 Commissioners Court seat and Chris Kahlich seeking affirmation to the Precinct 1 spot he won in the March primary in the wake of Pat Smith’s retirement.
Ban gets 48-hour reprieve
By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor
More than an inch of rain over the weekend in Deaf Smith County came as a welcome sight to most – and even more so to others. The rain not only brought needed moisture to area crops, pastures and stock, it put a crimp in the ever-present threat of fires. As a result, Deaf Smith County Judge D.J. Wagner ordered a lift to the county’s burn ban – but only for a limited time. Wagner said Tuesday the ban would only be lifted for 48 hours before going back into effect. The reason behind the ban getting lifted, but only for a limited time are the same – weather. “Recent rainfall amounts warranted lifting the ban,” Wagner said, “but only for 48 hours because weather projections show no rain for the next two WAGNER weeks.” While the weekend precipitation dramatically reduced the immediate fire threat, Wagner added that the pending and long-range forecasts show dry conditions quickly returning. The Deaf Smith County Commissioners Court reinstated the burn ban at its Oct. 24 meeting in a 3-1 vote that saw Precinct 4 Commissioner Dale Artho dissent. “I catch the most flak from people in my precinct about burn bans, not roads,” Artho said. “If the fire marshal is not calling for a ban, then don’t invoke one.” Wagner said at the Oct. 24 meeting that Hereford Fire Marshal Dean Turney had not officially called for a ban, but “conditions” warranted its consideration. The temporary lifting of the ban should ease most of Artho’s concern over his constituents without garbage service. “The temporary lift will give county residents a chance to burn household trash,” Wagner said, stressing the ban will quickly go back into effect. “Overall, dry conditions will remain, and we need to reinstate the ban due to a prediction of little-to-no rainfall over the next few weeks.” Lifting of the burn ban will run from 8 a.m., Wednesday to 8 a.m., Friday – at which time the ban will go back into effect until further notice.
Welders spark competition Herd takes top spot, dominates Weld-off From Staff Reports Hereford High School (HHS) representatives put the torch to the competition Monday in the 2016 Hereford Weld-off. Some 228 participants representing 21 high schools took part in a day-long event that featured welding competition in six separate categories. Whiteface welders took top prize in four different categories as HHS saw an eventhigh 10 welders place. The top five in each category won awards. Topping the Herd list was Israel Herrera, who placed first in advanced rod welding, second in tig welding and was named the event’s Best Welder. Also winning specific categories for Hereford were Dalton Gabel in tig welding, Brandon Guzman for introduction wire welding and Andres Bustillos in introduction rod welding. Armondo Barrientos of Hereford took second in advanced wire welding, while Emilio Avila placed fifth in advanced rod welding. The Herd nearly swept introduction wire welding. Following Guzman in the top spot were Bustillos in second, Jacob Ramirez in third and Joseph Dennett in fourth. Hereford’s total of 10 awards were the most for any school involved and included an event-high four firsts and three seconds. Palo Duro was next with two firsts and eight total awards to outdistance Tulia – which finished with six awards, none higher than third. Post finished with three awards, while Carragin and Dumas had two each. Groom, Kelten and Caprock rounded out the awards with one apiece.
Participants welcome, attendance expected for Vet Day parade From Staff Reports The Deaf Smith County Historical Commission (DSCHC) will host its annual Veterans Day Parade on Friday, Nov. 11.
Set to start beside Hereford High School (HHS) at 4 p.m., the parade will follow the traditional route through downtown. Parade lineup begins at 3 p.m., on Avenue F beside HHS.
DSCHC is not only looking for people to attend the parade, it is also encouraging as many as possible to participate. Floats, marchers, organizations and
clubs can take part in the parade for no entry fee. However, officials do request an entry form be completed and submitted. Entry forms are available from the HHS
main office or school website. Certificates and plaques will be awarded to the winning entries in respective parade categories. Per tradition, the
parade will be followed by a reception for veterans and their families at Hereford Community Center – where refreshments will be served and a short program presented.
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