HerefordBRAND.com
| Wednesday,
April 5, 2017 | Printed on recycled paper
Hereford BRAND Volume 116 | Number 80
Proudly Serving The High Plains Since 1901
WHAT'S INSIDE
Rabern Rentals joins Hereford Page 3
Texas ticks back with vengeance
‘The right thing at the right time’
Page 5
Canyon bats bomb Lady Whitefaces Page 9
FORECAST
Today
Mostly Sunny High: 60º Low: 33º
Sunrise: 7:30 a.m. Sunset: 8:14 p.m. Wind: NNW 18 MPH Precipitation: 0% Humidity: 55% UV Index: 8 of 10
Thursday
Sunny High: 70º Low: 40º
Sunrise: 7:29 a.m. Sunset: 8:15 p.m. Wind: SSW 13 MPH Precipitation: 0% Humidity: 45% UV Index: 8 of 10
Friday
Mostly Sunny High: 76º Low: 49º
Sunrise: 7:27 a.m. Sunset: 8:16 p.m. Wind: SW 14 MPH Precipitation: 0% Humidity: 50% UV Index: 8 of 10
HEREFORD HISTORY 20 years ago • April 5, 1987
First placed medals received Eight HHS students made history when they brought home first place medals in the club business event in the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America Contest. “It is the first time ever that HHS has had a winning team in this event,” proudly stated Rex Manley, VICA teacher. The winning team included: Randy Berryman, Chris Cochran, Scott Ankeney, Darrell Blevins, Santos Reyes, Troy Rhodes, Jill Walterscheid, and Heath White.
© 2017 Hereford BRAND A division of Roberts Publishing Group
From right, Humane Society of Deaf Smith County president Kim Leonard shows her gratitude to Susie Merrick, Garth Merrick and Merrick Pet Care vice president of operations Keith Bridwell for their support and ongoing efforts to the society’s new facility during Saturday’s open house. BRAND/John Carson
Humane Society dedicates new facility in Hereford By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor
Skies were overcast, winds howled and temperatures were far from spring-like Saturday as a community celebration literally went to the dogs…and cats. Despite less-than-ideal weather conditions, dedication and an open house of the Humane Society of Deaf Smith County’s new facility was a success. “There is a big difference between this facility and our old space,” Humane Society president Kim Leonard said. “We can accommodate more animals and save more lives. We now have triple the capacity. It is a big difference.”
10 pages | $1.00
Voting key for pending bond issue
By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor
While public meetings leading up to Hereford Independent School District’s (HISD) upcoming bond delve into the details of the issue, the overall message district officials are putting forth is succinct and singular – vote. “Please register to vote,” HISD Superintendent Sheri Blankenship said at Thursday’s first public meeting the district is hosting on the bond. “Then go vote, but be sure to vote informed. “Know what you are voting for and voting on.” Thursday’s meeting at Amarillo College was the first of three scheduled before the May 6 canvass on the $45 million measure. While election day is still a month away, arguably one of the bond’s most critical deadlines is looming on the immediate horizon with Thursday being the last day to register to vote in the election. Getting the word out about voting and getting people to the polls became a paramount issue for HISD officials, Blankenship said, after the failure of a $42.6 million bond issue in 2015. Although that issue was defeated by an almost 2:1 margin, the reality was that only 1,168 of the county’s then-7,816 registered voters (14.9 percent) cast ballots. That is something Blankenship, who assumed the reins as superintendent in September, and district officials are looking to change. “We learned a lot from the failed bond,” Blankenship said. “One of those things was we, as a district, did not do a good job of getting the information out, informing the public and getting people to the polls. “That is something we definitely want to change.” While construction of new facilities and upgrades to existing ones were the meat of Thursday’s public meeting, Blankenship made a point to preface those details on the overlying realities of why the bond is needed and the importance of people getting to the polls. “This bond is not just for HISD,” she said. “It’s for Hereford, Texas. The first thing new people look at when moving into a community is if it has a hospital and how good are the schools. “HISD and the community should be united. They cannot be separated because each is of equally vital importance to the survival of the other.” If passed, the bond will bring about
PLEASE SEE HUMANE | 10
PLEASE SEE BOND | 2
FUMC to host sixth Blessing of the Bikes Sunday By Jim Steiert Contributing Writer
With spring and warmer days at hand, motorcyclists all over the Panhandle have taken to city streets and the open road. Roaring down byways and highways on a rumbling power trip on two wheels can bring a sense of freedom, but it is also rife with hazard for bikers. Multiple fatalities among the motorcycle riding community of the Panhandle in recent weeks are poignant reminders of that fact. Mindful that all on the road need guidance and protection, First United Methodist Church of Hereford will hold its Sixth Annual Blessing of
the Bikes Sunday, April 9 at 8:40 a.m. at the church’s parking lot at Fifth Street and Miles. Bikers from all over the Panhandle and First Responders are invited to join FUMC members for a breakfast served by the United Methodist Men at 8 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall behind the main church building at 501 Main. A prayer of blessing for the work of First Responders will be offered at the breakfast. Afterward, participants will move to the parking lot where Rev. Kevin Bushart, pastor of FUMC Hereford will bless riders and their machines with prayers for their safety.
The sixth annual Blessing of the Bikes will be held at First United Methodist Church on Sunday, April 9. Motorcyclists from all over the area and local First Responders are invited to participate in a breakfast in the church’s Fellowship Hall preceding the blessing ceremonies. (Courtesy Photo)
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