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Early voting underway at Courthouse

By JON AWBREY, Publisher

Election Day, November 3, is fast approaching, and early voting is currently underway at the Comanche County Courthouse.

No offices are being voted on this election. However, 11 important amendments to the Texas Constitution are up for voter approval. Among those amendments are several that would have long ranging effects on property rights in Texas, …

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Come make a difference on October 24

By JOHN MACK WEAVER
Special To The Free Press

Saturday, October 24 is make a difference day in DeLeon.

This day is set aside to do work for widows and handicapped folks in DeLeon who need help in getting their home ready for winter.

We will do such things as clean out gutters, replace filters in heaters, check smoke detectors, trim tree limbs away from roofs or windows, etc.

…

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Commissioners Court talks ID theft, trucks,

and going green at County Jail

By JON AWBREY, Publisher

Nearly two dozen citizens and county officials were present for last Tuesday’s regular meeting of the Comanche County Commissioners Court, despite the heavy rain that may have otherwise discouraged public participation and a rescheduling of the meeting due to the Columbus Day holiday.

Randy Hooker presented a talk regarding identity theft in the workplace. Hooker proposed a “partnership” between his company, Pre Paid Legal, and Comanche County to counteract identity theft in the workplace. Hooker said his company already had agreements with Winkler, Carroll, Howard, and several other Texas counties.

“Government entities are being held responsible for identity … lost in the workplace,” Hooker said. He then discussed the five common types of identity thefts - driver license, social security, medical, character/ criminal, and financial identities, and shared several stories about victims of identity thefts, including teachers, fired for mistaken prostitution, veterans arrested for mistaken drunken driving, and retirees hassled by the IRS for mistaken tax liability. Hooker also said the county should be worried because of personal, civil, and criminal liability to which the county would be subject. He also said his company would provide full restoration for county employees, correcting identity theft to pre-theft status, monitor credit, and provide access to legal counsel. For 86 to 88 cents a day, Hooker’s company would cover the member, spouse, and minor children.

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DeLeon’s newest business wants to bring

community activities for all

By LAURA KESTNER, Editor

Prado Productions, owned and operated by John Prado, has created quite a buzz lately by providing games and entertainment for nursing home residents and other seniors, establishing an outdoor “theater” for families, and cleaning, clearing and doing restoration work at the old festival grounds. But with that buzz came curiosity and questions, primarily -- what exactly is Prado Productions?

PRADO PRODUCTIONS. Volunteer Pauline Villarreal, Holly Godfrey and John Prado, owner of Prado Productions, with pieces of the “Day at the Races” game that volunteers take to nursing homes, retirement centers, etc. Behind them is a large inflatable screen that will be used to show family-friendly movies at the old festival grounds.

Jon Prado said that his business is “many things” but a few of his main goals include promoting economic growth and community development for DeLeon and “bringing back family togetherness.”

“There are other smaller things I want to accomplish, but I think those are the main things,” he said.

Prado said you don’t have to be an economics expert to know that DeLeon’s money is stimulating other cities’ economies when local people leave town in search of entertainment. He wants to provide opportunities for people to find that entertainment here -- with musical events, sports tournaments (including soccer, softball and sand volleyball) and outdoor movie screenings.

“I want to bring the outside entertainment in for the locals,” he said, “and I want to bring outside people to town.”

Towards that goal, Prado leased part of the American Legion Park (old festival grounds) from the American Legion.

“That’s going to be Prado Production’s main location,” he said. “I’m in the process of leasing the restroom area from the Peach and Melon Festival committee. Everybody thinks it’s one piece of property out there, but it’s not.”

In order to make the outdoor theater a reality, Prado has acquired a huge inflatable screen (12’ high by 12’ wide) for showing family-friendly movies at the stage area of the old festival grounds.

“People will be able to come out, bring their lawn chairs and enjoy a movie with their families and their friends,” he said. “We’re really hoping that we can get enough sponsors that this will be very affordable for everybody. I’m working hard to see that that happens.” He has already obtained a public performance license so he can legally show the movies.

Prado stresses that the screenings will be community events.

“When I say community, I mean it,” he said. “Everyone is welcome. It doesn’t matter to me what your race is, or your social background -- I don’t even care if you have a background.”

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Grand Jury indictments

On October 16, 2009, the Comanche County Grand Jury returned the following indictments:

• Jose Fernando Juarez, DeLeon, driving while intoxicated, 3rd;

• Inez Valles, DeLeon, forgery, state jail felony;

• Ana Bertha Aviles, Comanche, driving while intoxicated, 3rd or more;

• Elizabeth Eva King, Dublin, DWI with child passenger;

• Amy Colleen Renaud, Comanche, DWI with child passenger;

• Travis Dwaine Jones, Dublin, driving while intoxicated, 2nd;

• Michael Bowers, Comanche, theft of property, state jail felony;

• Edward Ray Williams, Comanche, theft of property, state jail felony;

• Frank Ithan Fitzhugh, Comanche, indecency with child by exposure, second degree;

• Aaron Joseph Bumgardner, Stephenville, burglary of a habitation, second degree

• Michael Lee Singleton, Breckenridge, theft of property, state jail felony

• Douglas Ross Gaines, Comanche, fraud use/possession ID information

• Richard Wayne Trammell, Comanche, forgery, state jail felony

• Joseph Bryce Walters, Comanche, injury to elderly, third degree

• Edward Lee Baumgardner, Stephenville, burglary of habitation

• Scott Wade Beavers, Comanche, possession of controlled substance, state jail felony

• Charles A. Goode, Comanche, possession marijuana, state jail felony

• Charles A. Goode, Comanche, possession of controlled substance with intent to deliver, second degree

• Robert Erich Kehl, Comanche, retaliation, third degree.

Underwood Tops Gridiron Pick’em

By JILL SMITH, Reporter

There were no perfect picks in the week 7 football contest, and only one contestant who missed a single game. Kelton Underwood won the $50.00 prize.

Those who were close behind in the two games missed category included Cecelia Carruth, Talmage Hodges, Shirley Sharp, Jane Sims, Ruby Park, Andy Quinn, and Beth Riggs.
The big upset this week was Blanket’s victory over Gustine.

…

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Coming Events

Call 893-6868 if you have an event to list

Join Scouting For The Adventure Of Your Life.

Everyone who has already signed up for Scouting, or new people interested in joining Scouting need to attend the meeting at Hwy.6 Cafe on October 26th starting at 6:00 p.m.

Scout leaders for Tiger Cubs are needed also. Come find out what the excitement is about in Scouting.

Contact information:  Les Zimmerman. 254-445-2190 — 325-660-4928 or Lesa Pierson. 254-893-2534 — 254-485-1842

Terrill Antique Car Museum Fundraiser

The DeLeon Chamber of Commerce will hold a fund raiser for the Terrill Antique Car Museum Wednesday, October 21, at noon in front of the museum, or inside if it rains. The Chamber will be selling hamburgers and drinks with all the profit going to the museum. Come have lunch and support the museum!

Jr. Class Fall Festival

The Jr. Class Fall Festival is scheduled for this Saturday, October 24, 2009 beginning at 6 p.m. with the coronation at the high school cafetorium. Admission $2, students $1. There will also be a silent auction, cake auction and costume contest. There will also be carnival games for 25 cents per ticket, or 25 tickets for $5. A concession stand will be available.

Haunted House Fundraiser

Organizers of the Heather Hill Fund will hold a benefit fundraising Haunted House, Friday and Saturday, October 30 and 31, from 7-10 p.m. next to Garcia’s Tire Service on N. Texas Street. Adult tickets will be $5, while children under 12 will be admitted for $3. Anyone bringing a canned food item will be given a $1 discount on their ticket. All canned food items will be donated to the DeLeon Food Pantry. The Heather Hill Fund has been established to help Hill, a detective with the DeLeon Police Department, pursue treatment in Costa Rica for multiple sclerosis.

Trick or Treat

The DeLeon Chamber of Commerce announced this week that Downtown Trick or Treating will be held Friday, October 30, and that Elaine Gibson, of Gibson Images, will take Halloween photos at the DeLeon City Hall auditorium from 4:30 to 8 p.m. For more information, including costs for photos, call 893-2083.

CCMC Healthcare Volunteers' Annual Fish Fry

The CCMC Healthcare Volunteers will hold their annual Fish Fry, Monday, November 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Cook's Fish Barn. Tickets $8 - adults, with children 5 and under free. Includes drink and dessert.

Winter Princess Pageant Contestants

For the first time DeLeon will host a Winter Princess pageant, which will be sponsored by the Women’s Division Chamber of Commerce. This pageant is open to girls age 5-10 years-old, or kindergarten through 4th grade. The pageant will be held November 27, 2009, at City Hall starting at 6 p.m. Entry forms are available at the DeLeon Elementary School office. The last day to enter is November 6, 2009.

Indian Artifact Show

The 3rd Annual DeLeon Indian Artifact Show will be held Saturday, November 14, 2009, at the DeLeon City Hall auditorium, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call Linda Levens at 254-893-2083.

DeLeon Arts and Crafts Fair

The DeLeon Arts and Crafts Fair, is scheduled for Saturday, November 28, 2009, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the City Hall auditorium. This year’s event will include vendors, food, silent auction, chili supper, a Winter Princess pageant, a parade, a stew lunch, and much more.

Danny Owen, the Mayor of De Leon, has a personal website.

Open Danny's website by Clicking Here

Scott Hall has creating an Internet website with history & photos of our town.

Click Here to visit his website

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