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Front Page Headlines

DPD ready to enforce new cell phone law

By LAURA KESTNER, Editor

The signs are in place, and a recent law making it illegal to use a cell phone in a school zone unless the vehicle is stopped or the phone is a hands-free device, is now enforcable in DeLeon.

According to the DeLeon Police Department, the “law left it open for 24-7 enforcement.”

“But in my interpretation of what the law said, a school zone is only a school zone for the time specified on the sign,” said DPD Sgt. Ben Rowell, “and we will only enforce the law while caution lights are flashing.”

The new law also prohibits bus operators from using a wireless communication device while operating a passenger bus with a minor passenger unless the bus is stopped. There are exceptions for emergency situations.

For more information visit the Texas Department of Public Safety website at www.txdps.state.tx.us

City Council members discuss future alcohol sales

and DeLeon schools

By LAURA KESTNER, Editor

Although it was unexpected, council members convened in executive session to discuss the agenda item described as “Discuss and consider presentation and update from (architect) Hugh Welch in regards to the City Hall restoration project by DDT (Developing DeLeon Today) and Ben Barnes” during their most recent meeting, Thursday, October 22, 2009.

Council members Gayle Stroud, Billie Lightfoot, Pauline Villarreal, Lee Childers and Mayor Danny Owen were present for the meeting, but Councilman Bobby Schuman was absent.

Also present and participating, at various times in the meeting, were Lois Rockefeller, city attorney; Karen Wilkerson, city administrator-secretary; Linda Levens, chamber director; Ben Rowell, DeLeon police sergeant; and Doyle Rone, DeLeon fire chief.

After approximately an hour behind closed doors, council reconvened in open session and Mayor Owen noted that “council will table this” until the city gets further information from Tim Beaty, Developing DeLeon Today (DDT) president. “Then that information will be relayed back to council,” Owen said. No further information was provided, and Welch left before the council reconvened in open session.

Council members also tabled any action on a request by DeLeon ISD to “increase the footage from 300 to 1000 feet from a public school” for any business wishing to sell alcohol, as per ordinance #009-09 Alcohol Sales inside the City of DeLeon.

“As you may recall, several months ago we did an ordinance that basically reflects the state outline of alcohol sales,” Mayor Owen said, “but it did have a stipulation in there that the minimum footage from the business selling alcohol to a school or church was 300 feet, with the option that if a school or church came and requested the 1,000 feet (it would be approved). The school is asking that, mainly because of the new school location, and being closer to a business that might or might not sell alcohol, should that event ever take place in DeLeon. It’s just a safety net there.

…

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Commissioners approve two new trucks and two deputies

By JON AWBREY, Publisher

Fourteen county officials, employees, and citizens were present for Monday’s Commissioners Court meeting, in which several important items of county interest, including the approval of two new deputies and the purchase of two new vehicles, were discussed. All commissioners, Kenneth Fiest, Jimmy Dale Johnson, Sherman Sides, and Gary Underwood, were present.

County Judge James Arthur opened the meeting by welcoming new faces in the audience of the courtroom, a reference to the presence of new law enforcement personnel who had just signed on with the county.

Fuel bids for Precinct 3 and Precinct 4 were opened, after those precincts voted to re-bid fuel contracts at a court meeting last month in order to keep the option to purchase fuel from Buy Board, a service for governmental agencies across the state to purchase necessary items. Gooden Petroleum was the only bidder, presenting a price of $0.15 above OPIS per gallon for both Precinct 3 and Precinct 4. The bid was accepted, but the option to buy from Buy Board was retained. All approved.

Allen Wendt was introduced as a new deputy sheriff. Sheriff Jeff Lambert reported that Wendt was already “making a good hand,” and all approved the deputation. Wendt comes to the Sheriff’s Office from the academy at Brownwood, where the Sheriff’s Office provided the funding for his training. In exchange Wendt will serve at least two years with Comanche County. William “Billy” Ivy, who was introduced at the last court meeting, was also unanimously approved as new deputy constable.

Constable Mark McDonald informed the court of the particulars regarding the purchase of a new constable vehicle, a 2009 Ford pickup, at $20,334 from Bayer Ford Mercury, through Comanche National Bank on a four-year note. All approved.

Lambert reported that he had found a vehicle to replace the sheriff’s vehicle that had been wrecked in August. The vehicle was a four-wheel drive 2010 Ford pickup from Bayer Ford Mercury, outfitted and ready to be purchased through Comanche National Bank for $25,555 on a three-year note. All approved.

The court also discussed the appointment of a state mandated Local Data Advisory Board to aid in identifying problems completing paperwork and reports related to arrests.  …

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Riola takes the prize

By JILL SMITH, Reporter

Week eight was another difficult week for the panel of pickers. There were no perfect picks for the second week in a row and no one with a one-miss pick.

Winner Charlie Riola was in the two games missed category and had the closest estimated score for the tie breaking game. Also missing only two games were Josh Carruth, Jimmy Davis, Michael Kelly, and Aaron Riggs.

Close behind in the three games missed category were Molly Casey, Freddie Davis, Carolyn Frasier, Sam Frasier, Barry Hooker, David Lindsey, Drake McCamey, Dylan McCamey, Todd Morris, Ruby Park, Michael Price, Beth Riggs, Rachel Riggs, Andy Quinn, Stephen Riggs, Joe Robledo, and Kelton Underwood.

The big upset for this week was Texas A&M’s big win over Texas Tech. This victory was missed by 100 percent of the panel.

Two other games that surprised our pickers were Santo’s win over Ranger, and Tarleton’s victory over Abilene Christian. Both were missed by more than 73 percent of the panel.

Graham’s one point win over Brownwood caused 53 percent of our contestants to have a “missed pick”.

Bangs' shut out of Dublin and Cisco’s demolition of Hawley were accurately predicted by all the pickers.

DeLeon’s exciting victory over Perrin-Whitt, Stephenville’s big win over Granbury, and Missouri’s loss to Texas were also accurately predicted by 99 percent of the panel.

This week may have left many of you scratching your heads and reevaluating the teams you pick in next week’s contest. Good luck and may the best picker pocket the $50 prize.

Coming Events

Call 254-893-6868 if you have an event to list

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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