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Community Guide 2021

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KEITH KENT

JEFF GREESON

STEPHEN ST. CLAIR

JOE GONZALES

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TABLE OF CONTENTS City of Levelland......................................................................................................................................pg. 6 Hockley County......................................................................................................................................pg. 12 Cotton & Crude Street Fair & Music Festival........................................................................................pg. 19 SPC & Dane Dewbre..............................................................................................................................pg. 23 South Plains Community Action............................................................................................................pg. 30 Covenant............................................................................................................................................... pg. 38 Levelland Police Department, Capt. Tammie McDonald...................................................................... pg. 44 Hockley County Sheriff..........................................................................................................................pg. 56 District Attorney, Angela Overman.......................................................................................................pg. 63 Emergency Management.......................................................................................................................pg. 68 Levelland ISD......................................................................................................................................... pg. 73 SPC Foundation..................................................................................................................................... pg. 80 Levelland EDC....................................................................................................................................... pg. 86 Hockley County Wages Improve...........................................................................................................pg. 89 Civic & Community Clubs......................................................................................................................pg. 90 911 Dispatch...........................................................................................................................................pg. 92

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Build it and they will come

City focuses on improving existing services Levelland is on a path for growth and city administration set a plan in motion years ago with a goal to reach a population of 15,000 by 2026. With that goal comes challenges that the city has been addressing through extensive planning and execution of projects to further growth in Levelland. “We have been very growth oriented and growth focused,” said Erik Rejino, Levelland City Manager. “In order to grow as a community, and grow your population, there needs to be more housing.” Prior to the implementation of the city’s strategic plan in 2017, the city averaged three to four new homes per year. In the past three years, the city has upped that average to 10 new homes per year, with the help of a local developer. In February, the Levelland City Council approved an agreement between that developer, Shannon Himango and Lone Star Properties, to move forward with the expansion of the Holly Heights Addition subdivision, south of Levelland High School.

In that plan, the city agreed to use funding from the Taxing Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1, TIF No. 1, to facilitate the construction of city streets and utilities. In turn, the developer agreed to contribute $8,000 per new home built to the project, as well. The total money dedicated to the project from both the city and the developer was estimated at $1,008,180. Per the agreement, the developer will develop 30 new homes in the Holly Heights addition over the next six years. Rejino said the city hopes that by developing new homes in Levelland, more professionals who commute for work to Levelland will be more prone to choose to also live in Levelland. On the other side of that, Rejino said the city is looking at options to develop multi-family housing, in the form of a market-driven apartment complex. To facilitate that, the city, in conjunction with the Levelland Economic Development Corporation, dedicated $30,000 to fund a housing survey in Levelland.

City of Levelland At that time, David Rushing, executive director for the LEDC, and Rejino said that builders and developers look to a city’s housing survey to determine whether or not they want to build in that city. Rushing said that since the city has begun looking at the development of more housing and more types of housing in the city, two specific developers had asked for a housing study. The study was completed in September and a report was submitted to the city council. It showed there was a need for more housing in Levelland, as 64.4 percent commute to Levelland for work but live outside Levelland. It also showed that multi-family and single-family detached housing is “old or requires substantial updates to meet current market expectations.” Additionally, it pointed out that the available inventory of multi-family housing units is “extremely low, and they show their age.” Rejino said the housing survey has been distributed to several developers of multi-family and single-family housing. He said part of this year’s plan is to follow up with those developers to gauge what interest there is for Levelland. The city is also focused on addressing abandoned and slum properties throughout Levelland by utilizing its

partnership agreement with Texas Communities Group, TCG. The city entered the agreement with TCG in December 2019. The organization focuses on increasing current tax values by addressing the city’s lowest valued properties, including abandoned and slum properties. At a city council meeting in February 2020, Rejino explained to the city council that often times these properties have demolition liens, in which the city has demolished a substandard structure; or a mowing lien, in which the property owner failed to address excess vegetation on their property and the city was forced to step in. Also, these properties are often back due on property taxes. TCG helps to market the current inventory of trust properties, which are jointly owned by the taxing entities in an effort to get these properties back into compliance and back on the tax rolls. The city established interlocal agreements with the other taxing entities, including Hockley County, Levelland ISD, South Plains College and the water district so that properties that were marketed by TCG and auctioned, those funds would go towards addressing more substandard structures and other code-related issues.

“If we want more people, we need more infrastructure,”

City of Levelland As of February, the TCG contributed to the resale of 24 properties and seven real property seizures. Another focus for the city to facilitate growth is aging infrastructure throughout the city. “We’re aging as a community and aging infrastructure continues to be a growing challenge,” Rejino said. “We have more water line breaks today than three years ago, than 10 years ago.” In 2018, the city put together future capital improvement plans for each department within the city. The top ticket items on that list included reworking water wells throughout the city, a new waste water line and a new waste water treatment plant. Some of those items, including the reworking of several water wells in town, have been budgeted for this fiscal year. Rejino explained that the city’s water comes from two sources, the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority and local water wells. The city receives 2.5 million gallons a day from CRMWA and 800,000 per day from local water wells. Rejino said in order to build on that local water source, the city hopes to bring some wells back online and rework some local wells this year. “That goes back to the growth aspect; if we want more people, we need more infrastructure,” Rejino said. The city received a $275,000 grant this year to replace the water line on 8th Street between Avenue H and Houston Street, which has caused many troubles for the city in recent years. “It is one of the many lines that need to be replaced,” Rejino said. With all the projects combined for this year, the city intends to spend $750,000 during this fiscal year to address water infrastructure needs throughout the city. “That’s all tied back to growth,” Rejino said. “If we want to have growth, we need to invest in our infrastructure and that’s directly tied to that.” In order to facilitate that growth the city desires, administration in Levelland believes it’s also important to address the antiquated zoning code that hasn’t been comprehensively reviewed in almost 40 years. “When we think about housing, economic development and general retention, zoning is a big part of that,” Rejino said. “It ensures we have complimentary land uses, it protects property owners and can foster additional growth and development in a way that is acceptable to the community.” Rejino said zoning became a focus when city staff realized the current zoning code was inhibiting growth. Rejino said a red flag for the city was when the city began getting requests for rezoning, specifically on north Avenue H. “The area adjacent to the railroad has always been industrial and the area south of that has always been business,” Rejino said. “We had a business located in the business district, which is adjacent to the industrial area but we had to do a zoning change to account for the land use.”

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Coming together for progress Rejino said the goal is simply to make the zoning code make sense and to facilitate businesses to operate in their respective areas. “That’s a red flag to us and indicates it’s time to look at things comprehensively and make changes appropriately,” Rejino said. The Levelland City Council established a task force to decide the issues it wants the Planning and Zoning Commission to consider earlier this year. In a joint meeting with the city council earlier this year, the task force considered the designation of a formal historic district for the Main Street area, reviewed and discussed non-profits in Main Street commercial buildings, reviewed and discussed storage in Main Street commercial buildings, considered historic preservation measures in historic districts, reviewed and discussed food trucks, considered minimum commercial landscape requirements, and reviewed regulations for RV parks, mobile homes, manufactured homes, as well as modified definitions and assessed where which is allowed and not allowed. For housing, some things the task force addressed

included: tiny homes, RVs as primary dwellings, accessory building and carport setbacks, creating a new zone for manufactured housing by converting sections of current single-family-2 districts to new zones that are currently predominately made up of manufactured homes, changing sections of single-family-2 districts to single-family-1 districts that are currently predominantly made up of site built homes, developing minimum landscape requirements for new manufactured housing zone, developing minimum landscape requirements for apartment complexes, short-term rentals, residential parking, and off-street parking for trailers and RVs. As far as rezoning actual properties, Rejino said the city will utilize a city planner at a future stage of the zoning process. He said at that time, the P&Z will dive more into the land use portion of the comprehensive zoning review. Rejino said all in all, the plans the city has are to facilitate growth and go back to improving the quality of life for residents in Levelland, and for those considering Levelland as a future home.

Our mission: To improve the community’s appearance through partnerships, education and action. Cleaning Levelland up - one piece of trash, one weed, one area at a time! We want to make our town as beautiful as the people who live here! We are one of the few rural communities on the South Plains that participates. Many, many other rural communities in Texas participate, just not a lot here on the South Plains. We encourage all residents and business owners to pitch in and help to make Levelland better everyday!

For more information, or to participate in a clean up, please call the Levelland Chamber of Commerce at 806-894-3157

Weathering the storm Hockley County comes out on the other side of Covid-19

County government officials were put to the test this past year as the Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc locally and across the country. Hockley County Judge Sharla Baldridge was appointed the county’s emergency management representative and was responsible for handling daily calls with the Department of State Health Services regarding newly reported cases, recoveries and fatalities. Meanwhile, the judge was also required to continue the daily duties of county judge, although those had also been impacted by the pandemic with the Texas Supreme Court suspending in-person hearings. “To say 2020 was an unprecedented year would be an understatement,” Baldridge said. “It started off like most years but quickly evolved into something we will always remember as we navigated through unchartered waters.” There had been musings of the pandemic in the United States for weeks prior to Hockley County learning of its

first case. During that time, county leaders held meetings to attempt to prepare for what could happen, but could not have prepared for the way the pandemic would shake and shape the county for the year to come. “As community leaders, we realized early on the necessity and importance of keeping our citizens informed as quickly and accurately as possible during this ever-changing pandemic,” Baldridge said. On March 17, 2020, Baldridge received the call from the Texas Department of State Health Services notifying her that Hockley County had its first confirmed case of Covid-19. “Even though we had community leaders’ meetings preparing for when this virus would hit our county, no one could predict what was to come and the duration of the virus,” Baldridge said. The county hosted several joint press conferences with the City of Levelland throughout the virus to continue to keep residents informed of the situation.

Pictured above: Hockley County commissioners serve the four precincts throughout Hockley County and Sharla Baldridge serves as the county judge. Pictured are, from left: Alan Wisdom, Precinct No. 1; Larry Carter, Precinct No. 2; Seth Graf, Precinct No. 3; and Tommy Clevenger, Precinct No. 4.

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Hockley County As the coronavirus continued to spread through the county and community, Texas Governor Greg Abbott took full control and suspended local control. “Numerous and ever-changing orders would follow as we moved forward and the virus information changed rapidly,” Baldridge said. Multiple testing opportunities were arranged throughout the county, including a mobile testing site administered by the National Guard. Executive orders continued to be handed down by the governor, which were in turn carried out by the county and city. “The courthouse continued to conduct business while closed to the public,” Baldridge said. “Our elected officials and employees went above and beyond to continue to provide necessary services to the public through appointments made by phone and through other creative measures.” The judge was then faced with complying with an entirely new way of conducting hearings, as face-to-face hearings were suspended by the Texas Supreme Court. “We learned and implemented a whole new way of conducting hearings via Zoom to try to keep our court cases moving,” Baldridge said. In addition to keeping up with active court cases, Baldridge was inundated with daily phone calls regarding changes to protocols related to Covid-19. “My days were filled with a barrage of daily information and multiple conference calls with state agencies and officials that usually required new changes to the changes issued the week or even day before,” Baldridge said.

Baldridge said throughout the pandemic, local leaders came together and held regular meetings on the status of local active cases and the impact of those cases on local entities. In July, Governor Abbott issued a state-wide mask mandate and then in October, case numbers escalated, as did fatalities related to Covid-19. “The county surpassed the 15 percent hospitalization rate for our Trauma Service Area and the concern and reality that finding a hospital room, whether sick from the virus or otherwise, might not be possible became evident,” Baldridge said. Hospitals across the state were at full capacity and patients were being sent to wherever a bed could be found, including out of state. “The saddest part of all of this was that the patient had to go alone as family members could not be in the hospital with them,” Baldridge said. During all of this, the county also had to conduct elections and follow guidelines to conduct the elections safely. “The county utilized the HAVA (Help America Vote Act) grant to purchase equipment to help make our elections even more accurate, safe and secure,” Baldridge said. As the new year began and the FDA granted emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine, the county moved forward in determining how and when the vaccines would be available locally. Baldridge said this process consisted of more meetings, conference calls and information regarding vaccine distribution.

Pictured below: Local leaders, including Bruce White with Covenant Health Levelland, Hockley County Judge Sharla Baldridge, Levelland Mayor Barbra Pinner and Erik Rejino, Levelland City Manager, hosted several press conferences throughout the pandemic to keep the public informed on the local situation.

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Light at the end of the tunnel On February 5, nearly 11 months after the first case of Covid-19 was reported in Hockley County, a mass vaccine clinic was hosted by local entities at the Spartan Complex. “With our first substantial allocation of vaccine, we only received a two-day notification that we would be receiving the vaccine and would need the vaccine administered immediately due to the life of the vaccine,” Baldridge said. “I am proud to say our leaders and volunteers across the county came together to get the vaccine clinic set up and the nurses of Covenant Health Levelland administered approximately 700 doses of vaccine,” Baldridge continued. “That’s pretty amazing for our rural county!” A second mass vaccine clinic was held at the Mallet Event Center and the Texas National Guard sent two teams to help volunteers administer this clinic with Covenant Health giving approximately 800 vaccinations. Hockley County also participated in Governor Abbott’s Save Our Seniors initiative, which allowed the National Guard to come in to administer vaccines to homebound citizens throughout the county. Beginning March 29, eligibility for the vaccine was opened up to anyone above the age of 16 and at the request of the Texas Department of State Health Services, the county hosted another vaccine clinic at the Carver Gymnasium.

“I cannot express enough how much I appreciate all of our volunteers for their dedication and service to our county,” Baldridge said. “This could not have happened without the participation and service of all these amazing people.” On March 10, Governor Abbott opened Texas back up to 100 percent and lifted the mask mandate. “Our daily reported numbers have drastically decreased, as well as the hospitalization rate for our Trauma Service Area,” Baldridge said. “I am optimistic as we move forward that we are seeing a light at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel.” Baldridge said she has seen first hand the impact the pandemic has made on the county, from first responders and essential workers, small businesses and the oil industry, to families, loved ones and friends. “This pandemic has been devastating for everyone, but especially for families who lost loved ones; and for the people who suffered but survived the virus, for our healthcare providers, school personnel, children, parents, first responders, businesses and oilfield,” Baldridge said. “This virus has taken an emotional toll on people and I think we can all agree that we have somehow been changed by the events of the past year.”

Pictured above: Local leaders hosted the first mass vaccination clinic in Levelland on February 5, 2021, at the SPARTAN complex. Pictured are Jessica Maples, director of nursing with Covenant Health Levelland; Erik Rejino, Levelland City Manager; Hockley County Judge Sharla Baldridge, Cole Kirkland, director of emergency management; and Levelland Mayor Barbra Pinner.

Hockley County Baldridge said she wants to reassure citizens that when there are tough times, tough people come together, as the residents of Hockley County proved during 2020. “I want to reassure our citizens that Hockley County is resilient, and in hard times we come together and we will continue to provide public safety and the services our citizens need and expect,” Baldridge said. “Did we get everything right? Who knows, since this is the first pandemic most of us have been through,” Baldridge said. “But, rest assured in knowing we gave it our all and we will continue to do so.” Moving forward, Baldridge said she has her focus set on healing the wounds that were made by the pandemic and seeing the tough people of Hockley County rise up once again. “My goal moving forward is to see the local businesses thrive, the oilfield come back fully and to see people get to enjoy their families and life in our county,” Baldridge said. “I want to continue to expand and build our emergency management system so we can all feel secure that even though we may not know what is coming in the future, we will be prepared. In case you didn’t already know, your first responders are amazing and work so hard for the community.” Also, she hopes citizens and residents will remember the events of the past year and remember to always be kind. “Moving forward, may we all remember those lost over the past year and extend kindness to one another because everyone’s struggle through this has been unique to them,” Baldridge said. “Hockley County has proven once again that we remain strong through hard times. We have the best people around and I believe Hockley County is still the best place to live on the South Plains.”

Also in 2020, two new commissioners were elected to the Hockley County Commissioners Court. In Precinct No. 1, Alan Wisdom was elected and began his first term as commissioner on January 1. Seth Graf was also newly elected and began his term as commissioner for Precinct No. 3. Larry Carter continues to serve as commissioner for Precinct No. 2 and Tommy Clevenger as commissioner for Precinct No. 4. Wisdom has set his sights on improving roads and learning the ropes as a newly elected commissioner. Graf said his intentions for the next year are to work on roads that need attention and keep roads that are in good shape taken care of. He also wants to work to keep the county within budget. Carter’s crews recently began the reconstruction of Mouzon Lane and Alamo Road. The county recently approved an interlocal agreement to provide the labor to also do improvements to the stretch of Alamo Road that is within the city limits, at the cost of the city for materials and labor. Clevenger said his crews are working on plans approved under the TxDOT grant for transportation infrastructure in 2020, which includes 10 miles of resurfacing caliche roads and sealcoating 15 miles of asphalt based roads. “The dry conditions are hampering many projects that require grading up the road base,” Clevenger said. “We are hauling water to complete the projects currently in progress.” In mid-July, Clevenger said crews will start weeding ditches, considering the size and location of growing crowps, along with mowing the right-of-way along pavements.

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Tradition continues in Cotton & Crude Cotton & Crude Street Fair & Music Festival takes place of annual Early Settlers Day, set September 25 downtown

The summer festival the community knows and loves, Early Settlers’ Day, has gotten a make over and will no longer be held in July, but on September 25 under the new name, Cotton and Crude. The Cotton and Crude Street Fair and Music Festival will be held in downtown Levelland Saturday, September 25. The event will look similar to Early Settlers Day, with the day kicking off with the pancake breakfast provided by the Breakfast Rotary Club at the intersection of Avenue G and Houston Street. “We’re going to change it and change it for the better,” said Mary Siders, president of the Levelland Chamber of Commerce. For the past five years, Siders said the chamber, along with its board of directors and stakeholders, have been discussing a need to change Early Settlers’ Day. “We had been talking about the need to change Early Settlers’ Day and started having serious conversations pre-Covid,” Siders said. “Then Covid happened and put everything on hold. But, it gave us a little extra time to prepare to make the move.” The biggest change to the festival will be the date. In the past, it has always been held the second Saturday in July. The new date is Saturday, September 25.

For the past 56 years, Early Settlers’ Day has been a way to bring the community together and also serves as the largest fundraiser for the Chamber of Commerce. “Early Settlers’ Day is our number one fundraiser,” Siders said. “It supports the programs of the chamber, which create and promote economic development for our members and they enhance the quality of life for our community.” Siders said a big factor behind the push to change Early Settlers’ Day was the heat. “We surveyed our vendors after every Early Settlers’ Day, along with our downtown merchants,” Siders said. “The reoccurring comments we received were that the crowd was dwindling. Then we looked at why it was dwindling, and it was because of the heat.” Siders said chamber volunteers began actually taking the temperature of the pavement during Early Settlers’ Day and found it was between 130 degrees and 140 degrees. “We were literally picking up melted flip flops off the pavement,” Siders said. Siders said another reason sponsors, directors and other stakeholders saw a need to change up the event was due to the shrinking number of “early settlers” in Levelland and Hockley County. “Early settlers are part of the last great generation,” Siders said. “And unfortunately, that generation is dwindling, too.”

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Due to the heat on the pavement surrounding the square on Early Settlers’ Day, Siders said it became evident that the street fair was no longer conducive for an event in July. “In order for us to keep the event alive and keep a hometown festival Levelland could be proud of, and that people want to come back to, it had to change,” Siders said. Another goal for changing the date to the fall was to involve the youth of the community more, including students with Levelland ISD and South Plains College. “Another huge factor was our kids, both students and faculty at SPC and our local schools, aren’t here as much in the summer,” Siders said. “And, our kids aren’t in school or organized activities. “As we made this transition, we reached out to the schools and asked if they could be our partner in connecting the schools to this event,” Siders said. Siders said the parade is the most attended aspect of Early Settlers’ Day because it’s the coolest part of the day. But, a lot of visitors who attend the parade leave shortly after it ends. “The amount of time people stayed was declining and if people aren’t downtown, they’re not shopping at our vendors and if they’re not making money on a 100 degree day, they’re not going to come back,” Siders said.

“Basically, we want it to be mostly the same, but enhanced,”

Siders said the Hockley County Senior Citizens Center still maintains a representative on the Early Settlers’ Day planning committee and the new event will incorporate a way to recognize early settlers in whatever way they deem appropriate. The parade will be held as usual, with line-up beginning at 8:30 a.m. and the parade starting at 9:30 a.m. through downtown Levelland. Following the parade, street vendors will be set up around the Hockley County Courthouse Square. The time for vendors will be extended until 4 p.m. Siders said vendor applications will become available August 2 and the cost per booth will remain the same as years past with more space available. Additionally, guidelines for vendors will be mostly the same as years past for Early Settlers Day. During the day, the chamber is trying to incorporate more entertainment aspects, but those have yet to be confirmed. “We’re trying to add in more activities during the day,” Siders said. “Basically, we want it to be mostly the same but enhanced.” That evening, Siders said she can now confirm there will be a concert featuring well known country music artists. However, the chamber was still waiting on contract confirmation from one musician and couldn’t announce who the artists will be. Regardless, Siders said there will a music festival that night on the downtown square, with the stage being set up in front of Studebaker’s Events, on the corner of Houston Street and Avenue H. The gates are expected to open at 6:30 p.m. with the concert going until midnight. The concert will be a ticketed event and the chamber will sell cooler passes for individuals to bring in their own coolers. “The concert has been a long-term plan prior to Covid-19,” Siders said. “Then, when Covid-19 happened, we had to cancel and postpone. That gave us time to be planning during Covid-19.” She said because the Chamber of Commerce isn’t solely funded by tax dollars, the concert is a way for the chamber to continue raising proceeds for future events, as well as a way to provide a quality of life event for Levelland. “We are responsible for raising the funds that support our programs,” Siders said. “Early Settlers’ Day and our golf tournament were our largest fundraisers. We want this to be a fundraiser for the chamber and a local festival to enhance the quality of life for Levelland.” Moving forward, Siders said the event won’t always be held on the same date. The chamber will consistently work around the Texas Tech football schedule as to not compete, and hopes in the future, other events will join the chamber in hosting their events along with the Cotton and Crude festival. 20

“We listened to our customers and are finding ways to make it better while still honoring the tradition.” “We know we can’t compete with Texas Tech football,” Siders said. “I’m hoping long term, those other events look at the possibility of joining Cotton and Crude.” Sponsorship packages will be available for both the street fair and music festival, and will include perks for the concert such as tickets, VIP hospitality passes and possibly some meet and greet passes. She said the downtown square felt like the right fit for the concert because it is where Hockley County citizens have gathered since the county’s founding 100 years ago. “The courthouse square is where people have always gathered,” Siders said. She added that with Levelland being a Texas Main Street city, it only made sense to also promote the historic part of Levelland and those downtown businesses.

“We’re a Texas Main Street city, so logistically, it made sense,” Siders said. Siders said the Chamber of Commerce and the committee in charge of planning the event want this newly made over festival to be something the entire community can enjoy. “We’ve had so many generational shifts, that those early settlers were becoming fewer and fewer,” Siders said. “We needed the event to be more appealing to the younger generations, as well.” She said after surveying the downtown merchants and vendors, the most common denominator was the heat. “We did what any good business would do and listened to our customers and are finding ways to make it better, while still honoring the tradition,” Siders said.

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Reputation for excellence Dane Dewbre takes pride in telling his own story through South Plains College Dane Dewbre is dedicated to telling the story of South Plains College to potential students because it’s a story that’s personal, it’s his story, too. “South Plains College means a lot to me, I wouldn’t have succeeded as a student without SPC,” Dewbre said. “It’s my story, too. South Plains College made me who I am and I like to try to let people know that it can be the same for them.” Dewbre serves as the associate dean of marketing and recruitment at SPC, and has been with the college as an employee since 1996. “I get to tell the SPC story and my staff and I get to encourage and help recruit prospective students to come to SPC,” Dewbre said. He has served as the associate dean of marketing and recruitment for SPC for 21 years, having previously worked in the office of continuing education at SPC. Dewbre began his journey at SPC enrolled as a freshman in the telecommunications program under former professor John Sparks. “I consider [John Sparks] one of my mentors and one of the reasons I am back here and I’ve been back here now for 25 years,” Dewbre said. Although he thoroughly enjoyed the telecommunications

program and his time in television broadcasting, Dewbre said he realized that ultimately he wanted to grow in his career at SPC. “It’s kind of funny because ultimately, when I was maturing and getting older, I realized I didn’t want to necessarily stay in the TV world,” Dewbre said. Dewbre spent some time working for a community college in Clovis in continuing and distance education, but always knew he wanted to come back to SPC. “I loved every bit of it, but I knew I wanted to come back here and do the job I’m doing now,” Dewbre said. When the opportunity arose, he and his wife, Jeri Ann, who he met while working at the community college in Clovis, moved back to Levelland to start a new journey at SPC in its department of continuing and distance education. “I had been fine with that job and enjoyed every bit of it, that’s where I was moving in my career and I was happy,” Dewbre said. However, when the job for associate dean of marketing and recruitment became available, Dewbre was seeking applicants for the position and was surprised when the college president at the time paid him a visit.

“He came over and asked if I would consider filling the position,” Dewbre said. “It kind of caught me off guard...I was honored and accepted the position and have been here ever since.” Dewbre said he has always been a strong supporter and proponent of community colleges, specifically for the opportunities that were awarded him at SPC. “I’m a big proponent of the community college in general, but SPC is that special place for me,” Dewbre said. Even as a student, Dewbre said he knew that students were a priority to the college and played an important role in every decision that was made. “Students have always been a priority here,” Dewbre said. “I think that continues, that’s the way I felt as a student and even in the administration world.” Dewbre said SPC was ideal for him as a student because of the affordable costs and smaller class sizes, which help students transition into higher education from high school, specifically rural schools. “We always try to push the small class sizes and affordable costs,” Dewbre said. “It’s not a huge transition, especially for those traditional age students–it’s not as big of a jump as going from your high school to a big university. Those are things we try to get across not only to students, but parents, as well.” Pictured below: Dane Dewbre has served as the dean of marketing and recruitment at SPC for 21 years.

Pictured above: Students who are considering South Plains College as their next step after high school take a tour of the college this past spring. The students were led by a campus ambassador, who showed them all things SPC, including the new dorms, SPC Library, Texan Dome, plus more.

The college encourages students and parents to visit the campus to experience the community and comradery. However, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, things have looked different at SPC in the recruiting department as the staff has had to evolve and adapt to the changing times. “We’ve had to do a lot of online this year...it’s not the same, but we were set up with virtual booths,” Dewbre said. “We didn’t see the activity we normally do and we had to step back and say, this isn’t working.” Dewbre said interestingly enough, the staff in the marketing and recruitment department has resorted to some more seasoned strategies for getting prospective students’ attention. “We went with direct mail pieces and reached out to the senior class in this area and Eastern New Mexcio,” Dewbre said. “We have been touting those things, such as small class sizes, affordable costs and generally affordable education.” The college’s recruitment department has also stepped up its strategies in the digital marking, utilizing new ways to get students’ attention. “Digital marketing has been huge for us because during this time, all our students are online and prospective students are online,” Dewbre said. “With digital marketing, we can be so specific in how we reach them, I think that’s really been a plus for us. We have refocused and we target each community in our service area, specifically those 18-year-old kids.”

“Students have always been a priority here.” 25

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In addition to reaching out through traditional mail and online services to recruit new, traditional, students, the college has also found ways to reach adult learners who may be looking to go back to school or to learn a new trade. “We have also reached out to those adult learners who are needing to learn a new trade, that’s been big for us,” Dewbre said. In his years in the marketing field, Dewbre said he is more impressed than ever with the ability of the college to reach students wherever they may be. “It’s exciting, the digital world has changed everything,” Dewbre said. “In some ways it’s made it easier, and it’s also opened up competition...we can be specific with our message and get it directly to that specific student who we are looking for. The data even shows that they’re seeing it.” Dewbre said this data has also allowed the college to review and revamp whenever the message needs to change to grab students’ attention. “It helps us refocus and make sure we’re sending the right message and that we’re not just throwing something out there,” Dewbre said. “We’re not just advertising to advertise, we’re doing it for a specific reason and we can get it to that specific person easier.” Dewbre and his wife Jeri Ann are both dedicated to the college. Jeri Ann is also in her 25th year as an SPC employee as the human resources director. “Twenty-five is actually our magical number, we’re both in our 25th year at SPC and it’s also our 25th anniversary,” Dewbre said. The Dewbre family believes in the possibilities education creates and that belief has carried on through their son, Sam, who is in his first year as a history teacher. “We didn’t push education as an industry to be in, but just preached how important it is and how it’s always the ultimate goal,” Dewbre said. “Even in our house, we didn’t say you have to get a bachelor’s degree, but with Annie, our daughter, she is looking at getting into one of the trades. “It’s something that you encourage, you let them choose and just encourage whatever direction they want to go,” Dewbre continued.

“We can be specific with our message and get it directly to that specific student who we are looking for,”

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South Plains Community Action provides services for individuals needing a helping hand in rural Texas There are exciting things happening at South Plains Community Action, with the opening of the Spartan Complex, recently. The new facility will accommodate existing Spartan routes and will also provide Greyhound routes and capabilities for future transportation needs. Spartan provides rural transportation for 17 counties and will now provide statewide and interstate transportation as a Greyhound bus stop. As far as having capabilities for future technologies, Brian Baker, transportation director, said those will be able to fit the needs of up and coming transportation components, including electric.

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Although Baker doesn’t see those technologies being needed in the near future, he said the Spartan complex will be able to fulfill those transportation needs if the opportunity arises. The planning for a new Spartan complex started in 2016 and a contract was procured with Titan Construction in July 2017. A groundbreaking ceremony for the facility was held in June 2018 to mark the beginning of phase one, which included the construction of a new training facility, a storage building and bus wash. Phase two construction began when a building permit was issued in April 2019, valued at $6.2 million.

“Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.” These words, which make up the Promise of Community Action, have guided SPCAA since our start in 1965. As an agency, we have always been committed to improving the lives of our community members through various programs, all of which are designed to promote self-sufficiency and economic health. These are anxious times, with every day bringing new uncertainties. There continue to be more questions than answers, and none of the answers seem simple or clear. It is easy to feel confused or fearful. During this time of social anxiety, SPCAA affirms that the health of our communities lies in strengthening our connections as neighbors, family members, and co-workers.

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Nearly two years later, the construction on the facility is coming to a completion with only minor items remaining and employees already in the building. Funds for the entire project were awarded by the Texas Department of Transportation in the amounts of $2.5 million for phase one and $6.3 million for phase two. The building includes enough offices to house 15 employees, along with a conference room, board room, business center and community center. Baker said the lobby will be open to the public and the facility can be utilized for multi-regional training. The building also has space available for public to utilize the complex for events and meetings. In February, the complex was the site of the county’s first mass Covid-19 vaccination clinic. Community leaders were alerted of a substantial allocation of vaccines with a two-day notice. In those two days, Bill Powell, executive director for South Plains Community Action, said the Spartan facility could be used. Baker worked with Cole Kirkland, emergency management coordinator, and the clinic was scheduled. South Plains Community Action has also been able to assist local families throughout the Covid-19 pandemic by providing funds for families in need to pay utility bills. In April, the agency was awarded approximately $2 million to assist families with utility bills to transition out of poverty, or who had been impacted by Covid-19.

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In town and out-of-town trips for residents of Bailey, Lamb, Hale, Floyd, Motley, Cochran, Hockley, Rural Lubbock, Crosby, Dickens, King, Yoakum, Terry, Lynn, Garza, Scurry, and Mitchell Counties. SPARTAN provides safe, quality, and affordable transportation services to the residents of the South Plains. The transit services offered enable the general public to access employment, education, shopping, recreation, medical service providers and medical appointments (Medicaid), and social service agencies. Anyone can ride! To discover more about transportation services in your area or to schedule a ride, please call us toll free at 1-800-462-8747.

Throughout 2020, the agency received a total of $6.5 million to assist families who were impacted by Covid-19. “By the time we finish [with the recent allocation], we will have assisted 4,000 families in our region,” said Henry Tarango at South Plains Community Action. The agency received $1.78 million in the first allotment, $1.66 million in the second, $1.09 million in the third and recently $2 million. Tarango said initially, it took the agency approximately three months to disburse the funds to families in need as there was a big demand from people who needed the help. “It was basically for any and everything,” Tarango said. “Electricity, gas, you name it; and not because the bills were high, but because there wasn’t any work and they couldn’t afford it.” Covid-19 affected the agency’s ability to help people in that it had to find new and innovate ways to assist those who are in need. Pictured below, top: the first vaccination clinic in Hockley County was held at the Spartan transportation complex in February. Bottom, Bill Powell and Henry Tarango with SPCA present a donation to the South Plains Food Bank.

“We have learned to do some things and have learned that every day is a new day with Covid,” said Bill Powell, executive director. Powell said the agency as a whole had to reevaluate what was happening in the area, including economically, and assess what needs were greatest at the time. “There was an increased need for benefits because a lot of people who were affected lost their jobs or lost their child care–if you lose your child care, you can lose your job because you have to take care of your children,” Powell said. “That’s created a big hardship throughout this region.” Food was also identified as a major need and was recognized by South Plains Community Action. The agency partnered with the South Plains Food Bank to deliver food to the rural areas. “We have to have food and water, we have to have shelter and protection from the cold, and a good environment to live in,” Powell said. “Those are essential things for anybody and that’s our concern.” “It caused us to have a heightened awareness on those things and we have been able to modify things we were doing in order to provide the more essential things that people need,” Powell said. Powell said the help of South Plains Community Action isn’t to just give money away, but to help people pay for the more essential things they might not be able to afford otherwise. “We are paying a utility bill so they might have enough money to pay for their children’s healthcare, or their own healthcare,” Powell said. “That criticism is always out there, that you’re just providing money for people who ‘don’t deserve it.’ That’s ill-founded. People don’t just find themselves in a disadvantaged situation, most folks like to get up and go to work and if they can’t do that, maybe we can boost them a little bit and get them back to the labor force so they can become self-sustaining.” Powell said most everyone has found themselves in a situation where they needed help at one time, and that’s what South Plains Community Action is for. “I had to have help, most people had to have help at some point in their life,” Powell said. “Nobody likes to do that, but people step up and say I’m going to help you. I was very appreciative of the help I got and I think a lot of people are.” The organization also had to change the way it did things internally, as the pandemic forced fewer people in close work spaces and more people to work from home. “We had to manage things in a different manner,” Powell said. “We couldn’t have as many people in the office and we had as many people as we could work from home.” The organization also had 550 incidents of employees who either tested positive for Covid-19 or were exposed to Covid-19 and were required to quarantine. “When you have that many employees, it affects the overall organization,” Powell said. “Everybody has a job to do and when they’re not there, a lot of the time that job doesn’t get done.”

Additionally, the way the agency serviced clients of WIC, the nutritional program for women, infants and children, changed, too. “In WIC, we have to take height and weight of the children and that has been impossible for us to do,” Powell said. “We have learned when we take that factor away, we are able to serve people in a drive-thru.” He said after beginning to service clients this way, they learned they could provide other services that way. “We are also doing it with other programs, for people who need utility assistance, we can do that, too,” Powell said. “In the future, we may at some point design a facility that has a physical drive-thru.” “Those are some of the good things that have come out of it, it has opened our eyes to the potential for doing things in a different manner and providing the same service.” At the core of what South Plains Community Action does, Powell said it’s to give people a hand. “That’s our goal, that’s the business we’re in,” Powell said. “We’re in the business of human services and providing for people who are less fortunate than we are.” Over the past few years, Powell said this region has seen an overall decline in the poverty rate, which Powell says is made possible by the work South Plains Community Action does. “That can be attributed to a lot of the work that goes on in this organization and other organizations, such as food banks and public health clinics,” Powell said. “We are just there sometimes as a conduit to propel the people on.” Powell said the overall goal is to help people enough so that they no longer need the help. “We’re always looking to provide assistance to those folks

who just need a little boost to where eventually, they can start paying more taxes,” Powell said. “Our goal is to make productive taxpayers out of everyone in our region. “It’s something that is like striving for perfection, we’re never going to get there fully, but we’ve got to keep trying,” Powell said.

Pictured above: Bill Powell serves as the executive director at South Plains Community Action. Below, city workers show equipment to students at Head Start in Levelland.

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Caring for the community Covenant Health Levelland stands strong in the midst of crisis Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming. The line from the classic Pixar movie Finding Nemo is one that Amy Land, RN at Covenant Health Levelland, said she and her colleagues lived by during 2020 as the community was taken hold by the Covid-19 pandemic. “Just keep showing up, just keep swimming,” Land said. In March, when the first Covid-19 case was confirmed in Hockley County, leaders across the area hoped the pandemic wouldn’t get worse for their communities. But, no one in the area predicted it could have such an impact on the local community and healthcare system as a whole.

As the weeks went on, nothing abnormal occurred locally as large cities across the United States were ravaged by the novel coronavirus. Most towns appeared to have survived the brunt of it. But, as summer months turned to fall, local communities, including Levelland, began to realize the pandemic had arrived and it was infecting neighbors, friends and family. As the weeks wore on, Land said she and her colleagues began to feel an exhaustion like no other, not only physically tired, but mentally and emotionally, too. “As a nurse, you experience those situations that pull at your heartstrings, but when you are physically tired, coupled with emotionally and mentally tired...it was a different kind of tired like I’ve never felt before,” Land said. Land began her nursing career in 1995 after graduating as an RN from New Mexcio Junior College. From there, she began working in Brownfield before coming to Levelland as an on-call nurse two years later. When a full-time position was offered to her, Land decided to stay in Levelland and has loved every minute of it. “I love this community and the hospital and the people I work with,” Land said. Land said she has always loved the spirit of Levelland and how community members pull together in times of crisis, which was seen recently as the pandemic wreaked havoc locally. “It’s amazing to see our community come together and support each other, especially when you need that support and that encouragement,” Land said. It’s also the patients who Land said make a difference in the lives of caregivers at the Levelland hospital because they’re more than just patients, they’re friends, family and coworkers.

Nurturing a culture focused on family & community “I was working in the emergency room one night and and show up.” they were busy, we had a Covid patient come in and he Maples began her nursing career as a nurse aid in 1999 looked up at me and said ‘You have tired eyes,’” Land recalled. with Covenant Medical Group. She became an RN in 2001 “Even though you try to appear rested and together, your and came to Levelland as the director of nursing in 2018. patients can still see you, even if it’s just your eyes. He said, “Covenant has a great culture, but Levelland has a ‘I don’t know how you do this,’ but we just keep showing different take that’s all about family and community,” Maples up, you just keep showing up. That’s how we did it, we kept said. showing up and the community kept supporting us.” Josh Duenes, a lab supervisor for Covenant Health Land said throughout the Covid pandemic, the hardest Levelland, said the labs were also impacted by the pandemic part for her was not seeing the family involvement with and overwhelmed at times to an extent. patients’ care. “It was a little more stressful because there was so much “With the majority of my experience in the ER, there’s a unknown,” Duenes said. “We didn’t know anything about this ton of research that shows family involvement in the care of virus at first.” patients shows that patient has a better outcome medically,” When the first coronavirus case appeared in Levelland, Land said. “It has been very difficult that we haven’t been able the questions about when a test would be available and where to have that family involvement.” it would be offered were being asked left and right. In the nursing profession, Land said there are always Pictured below: Jessica Maples and Amy Land were those moments where a nurse will have an emotional response, whether it be a patient dealing with end of life care, instrumental in Covenant Health Levelland receiving 15 Samsung tablets earlier this year amidst the pandemic. or even seeing a child pass away. But, with Covid, it was different. The daily toll of taking care of sick patients who couldn’t see their families in-person, and the routine changing of personal protective equipment and religious sanitizing of areas throughout the hospital. “We came together and we encouraged each other, whether it was little notes we left on lockers or scriptures hanging on the nurses desk,” Land said. “It was just little words of encouragement that say ‘I see you and I know what you’re going through. Just keep showing up.’” Land said the administration at Covenant did all they could to support the staff on the ground and show that they cared for those who were on the front lines. “I knew at anytime, whether it was 2 p.m. or 2 a.m., I could pick up the phone and call anyone in administration and they would get me whatever I needed,” Land said. “It didn’t matter what time, day or night, someone was always there to help me if I needed it.” Jessica Maples, director of nursing at Covenant Health Levelland, agreed that the community support was overwhelming throughout the pandemic and helped healthcare staff to keep going. “It’s that sense of community that you get and it’s the exact same sense you have within the hospital that you feel in the greater community,” Maples said. “A great example is the mass vaccination clinic that was held in February. That is what we experience every day, when there’s something that needs to be done, people just pull together and take care of business. They don’t ask any questions, they just pull tighter

Covenant Health Levelland Duenes said when a test did arrive in Levelland, the process was difficult because every second there was a new test, new regulations and new questions about where a test could be processed. On top of that, there were supply chain issues with delays for supplies for those tests.

“The pandemic put a halt on the learning process, but also accelerated it,” Pictured above: Josh Duenes is a supervisor in the lab at Covenant Health Levelland. During the pandemic, the responsibilities in the lab increased significantly due to Covid-19 testing demands. The lab staff stepped up to the plate during the pandemic to meet the needs of the community.

“As supervisors, we did our best to alleviate the stress from our technicians because they’re the ones doing the work, we try to make things as smooth as possible,” Duenes said. “It was a lot in the beginning to help carry that weight and help out where we could.” Duenes said then sickness struck their staff and the focus was on covering shifts and making sure someone was there to process labs. “We were helping on the bench as much as we could and brought on some new instrumentation,” Duenes said. Duenes started working in the lab in 2015 with no prior experience. He said he actually came to Covenant from a restaurant job, which he said played into his transition nicely. “I feel like it was a smooth transition, because just like in a restaurant there are orders that need to be filled and keeping everything running smoothly, making sure you’re putting out timely results and taking care of patients for customer satisfaction,” Duenes said. Duenes worked his way up from a bench tech to a lead and ultimately to a supervisor position in 2019. Prior to the pandemic, Duenes said his focus was learning the regulatory aspects of the lab, including compliance for state and local regulations. “The pandemic put a halt on that learning process but also accelerated it,” Duenes said. Vivian Hase, a family medicine physician for Covenant Health Levelland, said from her perspective, Covid impacted her job as a physician in that patients were afraid to go to the doctor, even when they needed to see a doctor. “There is a lot of fear, a lot is understandable and a lot is irrational,” Hase said. “It’s been challenging helping people navigate those two things.” She said due to the pandemic, a lot of preventive care has been put on the back burner, which has only exacerbated the issue. “There were a lot of people who were afraid to go to the clinic and because of that a lot of preventive care has been pushed off, which is unfortunate but understandable,” Hase said. “Kids are so behind on vaccinations because of that and we’re working with parents to get them in for catch-up shots.” On the other side of things, though, Hase said one benefit of the protocols related to the pandemic has been a decrease in flu and other illnesses that usually pop up in the fall and winter months. “On the bright side, the flu hasn’t ravaged our community, which is fantastic,” Hase said. “I think that has to do with physical distancing and people not having large gatherings. Also, parents influencing better hygiene practices and kids thinking hand sanitizer is cool.” Looking forward, Hase is skeptical to say that Covid is a thing of the past. “Covid is like an awful roommate you can’t get rid of,” Hase said. “I think it’s always going to be something we worry about because there are so many things we don’t know.” 40

Covenant Health Levelland

Pictured above: Vivian Hase, a family medicine physician for Covenant Health Levelland, was named the chief of staff for 2021 and is looking forward to continuing community outreach programs.

But, Hase said that plays into her future goals as Chief of Staff for 2021, which include better community education and awareness. “I want to make sure people know we have the antibody treatment Bamlanivimab available here at the hospital,” Hase said. “It’s something that has to be given early on in the illness but it’s an option for high-risk groups.” Hase said this goes back to her concern that those in high-risk groups may be apprehensive to seek medical care, even if they may have Covid, because they are afraid of catching Covid. “My worry is that high-risk patients are so worried to seek healthcare that they’re going to miss that window to get this really good, proven, medication and instead get significantly sicker,” Hase said. Hase said she entered the medical profession after spending nine years as a midwife because she had a desire to offer her patients scientifically proven data to back up their decision making. “I wanted to understand the why behind what we did in healthcare,” Hase said. “I believe a lot of what happens is because of tradition and not necessarily because of science,

and I think that practicing evidence-based care is important.” Prior to entering the medical field, Hase said she hated everything about hospitals and the medical establishment. “I hated doctors and I hated medicine,” Hase said. “My dad died when I was 14 and to me, hospitals were places where people went to die.” She said she became a midwife to be an advocate for new mothers, whether they chose to have their baby at home or at a hospital. “I kept wanting to know more and more and started teaching birthing classes,” Hase said. “I decided I would want to do full scope care and medical school seemed to be the only option...I very much want to care for people and I want to know that what I’m doing is the right thing.” Hase said she chose to become a physician at Covenant Health Levelland because she was drawn to the small town environment of the hospital. “It’s very much full scope, small town, do it all from the womb to the tomb,” Hase said. “It’s where you see the patients from the time they’re born until you’re having the conversation about how we can make your passage to your final home comfortable and with dignity.” Hase believes that Covenant Health Levelland is very strong in its community outreach area, and she hopes that once life can return to some form of normalcy, she and her colleagues can do even more in reaching out to the community. “Even in the Covenant system as a whole, Covenant Health Levelland is a shining star in community outreach,” Hase said. “It would be nice when normalcy starts to return that we can get our childbirth classes back and nutrition classes. I want to get more activities going within the community.” Pictured below: Covenant Health Levelland began administering Covid-19 vaccines to staff around Christmas time in 2020 after the FDA authorized emergency use of the Pfizer vaccine. Here, Connie Thomman administers a vaccine to a Covenant Health Levelland employee.

Levelland, Texas is a vibrant community of hardworking people on the south plains of northwest Texas. Located in the heart of the 5-state region comprised of Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma the community is blessed with natural resources that drive a thriving economy dominated by agriculture and energy production. Agriculture products include grain, grapes/wine and peanut production among others, but cotton is king. About twenty-five percent of the world’s cotton is grown in the Levelland area. Community pride is evidenced throughout the city from the school system to city parks, the downtown business district, Levelland Industrial Rail Park and more. First class college education and workforce training are provided through South Plains College a major community partner. For more information on how your company can grow in our community, Contact Us! In Levelland, we are Progressive On Purpose!

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1709 Ave. H, Levelland TX • 806.568.5400 • golevelland.com • ledc@levellandtexas.org

Protect and serve with purpose Capt. McDonald serves Levelland for 32 years In 1989, Tammie McDonald came on board at the Levelland Police Department without the intention of staying. But, in the past 32 years, McDonald has developed lifelong friendships, been promoted to captain and even raised her daughter at the police department. “I thought I would spend five years here and move on down the road, hopefully somewhere with a beach,” McDonald said. “Thirty-two years later, I’m still here.” McDonald said before she decided to become a police officer, she worked as a dispatcher in Bridgeport. Then, she moved back to Levelland and went to South Plains College to get her associate degree and peace officer license. She applied at several departments and when she got the call from Levelland, McDonald said she felt fortunate as Levelland was a coveted department to work for at the time. “It was a fight to come to work here,” McDonald said. “They had a great reputation as a good department, with good officers, and our pay was good. They took care of us. I felt lucky because I was given the go-ahead to come to work here and I was excited.” As a woman, McDonald said she wasn’t treated with the same hospitality when she went to apply at other departments before getting the call from Levelland. “One of the first applications I put in to become a police officer, I filled it out, took it in and went in to speak with the police chief,” McDonald recalled. “He looked at it, threw it in the trash and said ‘Honey, you’re a woman. You need to go home and have babies.’” But, McDonald didn’t back down and didn’t let herself become discouraged.

Levelland Police Capt. McDonald “I was like, ‘Alright, I’m not going to let that stop me,’” McDonald said. “I just put in more applications. It was something to overcome.” She remembers coming to work in Levelland, knowing the department had been the home to several successful women officers before her. Although, it didn’t mean there weren’t still challenges working in a field mostly dominated by men. “I was on an accident scene one time and I had another officer come up to me and say ‘You need to go take care of that baby in that car because you’re a woman,’” McDonald remembered. “We wear the same uniform, there’s no gender here. There were challenges I had to overcome in that area but I never let it hold me back, stop me or discourage me because when you put this uniform on, we are all blue.” McDonald said it took some time for her peers to realize she wasn’t just a woman in a police officer’s uniform, that she was just a police officer. “When those guys realized I was going to be okay, we were all on the same playing field,” McDonald said. McDonald spent six years as a patrol officer before being promoted to an investigator with the Criminal Investigations Division. From there, she was promoted as the first woman sergeant at the department and then to the first woman captain at the department. McDonald remembers training her good friend, who she had known from her time at South Plains College, Albert Garcia. “He excelled, he’s done really well,” McDonald said. “He’s a quick learner and always had the department’s best interest at heart.” When Garcia left the department in the last 1990s, McDonald said she understood because he wanted different things that the Levelland Police Department couldn’t provide at the time. “He had bigger visions and he made those visions a reality,” McDonald said. “He’s my chief first and my friend second. I respect the man greatly.” 46

“They become your family,” That comradery is highly valued at the Levelland Police Department, which McDonald said has always made it feel like home. “We have a close-knit department, our kids grew up here and my daughter grew up running these halls,” McDonald said. McDonald remembers when she went into labor with her daughter, she was on shift and a jailer had called her and said she sounded out of breath. “She says, ‘You’re out of breath, are you in labor?’ I told her, ‘I don’t know, I’ve never been in labor before,’” McDonald remembers. After her shift, McDonald went to the hospital at 5 a.m. and was holding her daughter Ashley by 6:15 a.m.

The comradery at the department is something that is important to McDonald, Garcia and other officers who have been with the department for years because they understand that their peers are more like family. “We all work 12 hours, three days a week, sometimes you’re almost spending more time with people on your shift than you are with your own family,” McDonald said. “They become your family. Family sees good times, bad times, they celebrate together and cry together. It’s the same way here.” When McDonald first started with the department, she said she felt that comradery almost immediately with her training officer, David Corder.

MISSION STATEMENT To ensure a high quality of life for Levelland citizens and visitors through effective and efficient municipal services and economic growth. Visit us online @ levellandtexas.org or follow us on Facebook @ Levelland Texas

Our commitment to all of Levelland-

Core Value #1 - Customer service of the highest quality to our customers. Core Value #2 - Dependability in our service and commitment to our customers and team. Core Value #3 - Trustworthiness and integrity in our words, actions and deeds. Core Value #4 - Continuous improvement in all that we do.

Levelland, We Work For You. Parks Department - When people think of the Parks Department, many think they are the “mowing department”. Truthfully, with 12 beautifully maintained city parks, they do mow a lot, but that’s only a small part of what they do daily. The City of Levelland parks crew is made up of four full-time employees. Responsibilities include: mowing, weed eating, picking up litter, cleaning park restrooms, spraying weeds, treating ant mounds, maintaining playground equipment and playground inspections. They also stay busy with pond maintenance, irrigation maintenance, tree trimming, landscape maintenance, structure maintenance, swimming pool maintenance and more.

Levelland - Oxy Sports Complex - The Oxy Sports Complex acts as the home fields for local softball, baseball and soccer

leagues, and is a popular destination for softball and baseball tournaments from all over the South Plains. The sports complex

has two full-time employees, and several seasonal workers during the busy season. The Oxy requires a team effort to keep it looking good and operating at the highest standards. Responsibilities include: athletic field maintenance, marking ball fields for games, mowing the entire complex, painting soccer field lines, maintenance on machinery, assisting during tournaments, cleaning restrooms, litter control, irrigation maintenance, landscaping and more.

Levelland Cemetery – The City of Levelland has two cemeteries. There are three full-time employees and several seasonal

employees during the summer. The cemetery crew is responsible for all mowing and weed eating. They sell burial plots, prepare the burial site for funerals, landscape maintenance, structure maintenance, tree trimming, litter control, grave maintenance, irrigation, weed control and more.

Street Department – The Street Department includes six full-time employees, and is responsible for the maintenance of the streets, alleys, and drainage systems in Levelland. You will find the Street Department crew doing paving maintenance, repair, and patching. They are responsible for alley maintenance and improvement, mowing of city rights of way, street sweeping, weed control by spraying city rights of way, mosquito spraying, cleaning and maintenance of drainage systems, installation and maintenance of traffic control and direction signage, support and barricading of streets for special events, and more. The City’s Shop Department has one mechanic who maintains 140 city vehicles, including large specialized equipment.

Visit us online @ levellandtexas.org or follow us on Facebook @ Levelland Texas

Police face changes in crime

“My goal is to leave it in better shape for the person coming in behind me,” 50 52

“I got a good foundation through my field training officer, David Corder,” McDonald said. “He never looked at me differently, he treated me the same from day one until the day he retired. If he could do it, he expected me to do it. He also taught me to ask questions. He was a mentor and gave me a good foundation to build my law enforcement career on.” Through the years, there have been changes in law enforcement and crime locally. When McDonald first started with the department, there were 20 officers, including the chief. Now, there are 24 officers with the department. Crime has also increased in Levelland, from 1,366 calls in 1996 to 1,796 calls in 2019. McDonald said calls decreased in 2020 due to Covid-19, but on a regular year, they are definitely up. “Every year, it creeps up a little bit at a time, it never stays the same,” McDonald said. But, McDonald said the goal hasn’t changed and the police department always wants to ultimately serve and protect the community. “Our main goal is to serve and protect, that’s the goal that has always been there,” McDonald said. “We always want the best for the community and want to do what we can to keep it safe and protect it.” What has changed, though, is the amount of technology available to officers and investigators. “We didn’t have computers then, I started out on a typewriter,” McDonald said. “Now, I have an iPad and three computer screens.” When McDonald first started with the department, she remembers a “call box,” which was a phone on a pole with a red light at the top. “When a call would go off, you’d go to the pole and pick up the phone to find out what your call was from dispatch,” McDonald said. Now, McDonald said she can pull up a screen and see where every officer is on shift at that moment. Every officer is also equipped with a body camera, in-car camera and mobile radio. They also have in-car computers where they can work on reports without having to come to the office. “The technology allows us now to have officers on the street more than when I was on patrol,” McDonald said. “We’re more capable of staying on the street and more visible and more available.” McDonald’s current responsibilities include overseeing CID, the animal shelter and animal control officers, and maintaining the property room. She also handles internal affairs. Her goal, at the end of the day, is to always improve upon those things for which she is responsible to ensure the department continues to be reputable well into the future. “My goal is to leave it in better shape for the person coming in behind me,” McDonald said.

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711 Austin St. • Levelland TX • 894-3121 • www.levellandnews.net Ads: levellandads@valornet.com / News: levellandnews@valornet.com / Classifieds: levclassified@valornet.com

Sheriff mitigates criminal element

Hockley County Sheriff’s Office handles crime in county, advocates for changes in jail system Despite a rather irregular year, Sheriff Ray Scifres with the Hockley County Sheriff ’s Department said he and his staff handled business as usual, while managing the impact of the pandemic. “We still had normal operations with the pandemic, we still responded to calls and still accepted inmates and were still performing normal day-to-day duties both in the jail and out,” Scifres said. One wrench that was thrown at the department was when the Texas Department of Criminal Justice stopped accepting inmate transfers. Pictured below: Hockley County Sheriff Ray Scifres was elected in 2016 and assumed office in 2017. He was re-elected in 2020 and his term expires December 31, 2024.

“That did put a backlog on our population but I still think that overall, with a lot of foundational stuff we had been doing over the past few years with the prosecutors, courts and Justice of the Peace, along with the agencies with work alongside, we were able to mitigate some of that and didn’t have a population explosion,” Scifres said. “We were able to deal with things fairly efficiently overall.” District Judge Pat Phelan implemented the use of Zoom for hearings and plea bargains, which Scifres said helped area law enforcement agencies to continue moving cases, thus moving inmates out of the jail. “A huge help was instituting the Zoom hearings and having video court services,” Scifres said. “Everything continued to move, we didn’t have a major backlog in custody cases because processes still continued, even though we didn’t have jury trials or face-to-face hearings. Judge Phelan was a huge proponent of that so we could continue to have folks handle their criminal matters.” In early April, when TDCJ announced it would stop accepting transfers, Scifres said the jail had about 16 inmates who were transfers that remained at the Hockley County Jail. “We started stacking inmates and had inmates who were paper ready to transfer but TDCJ wouldn’t accept them,” Scifres said. In the summer, TDCJ began accepting inmate transfers again, providing some relief for the jail at that time. “Things did get easier,” Scifres said. Scifres prides the jail and department on the fact that as of May, they had yet to see a single positive Covid-19 case. “Fortunately, we’ve had zero positive cases of Covid-19,” Scifres said. “We have offered vaccines to our inmates and to our staff. We’re doing as much as we can to continue to be safe with all the conditions continuing because the mandates may be lifted in some areas, but we still have to be concerned about inmates getting sick.” Scifres also prides his staff on how they handled and mitigated spreading Covid-19 while working during the pandemic. He also says that due to years of working together with partner agencies, the department was better prepared when everything shut down. “It was a challenging year but because of the work we have done, we were more prepared to deal with some of these issues,” Scifres said. “That’s due to the foundational work we’ve been doing over the past few years.”

Strategic Plan: Levelland 2026 THE VISION FOR THE CITY OF LEVELLAND By 2026, Levelland will be a growing city having a reputation as an attractive, progressive, forward looking community with strong, committed leadership; a city where services are delivered in a friendly, competent, pro-business manner, and a community which takes pride in having an excellent quality of life and being a friendly, clean, vibrant, place to work, live and raise a family. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES In an effort to lead Levelland toward its vision, five strategic pillars will be the foundation for developing Levelland 2026. Each of these pillars is a goal of the Strategic Plan and each includes actions focused on achieving the Levelland 2026 Vision. Each of the pillars is equally important and include: HOUSING • Improve and expand housing units in Levelland by 250 units. INFRASTRUCTURE • Preserve and replace the city’s aging infrastructure including streets and sidewalks, water mains and facilities, and public buildings and facilities to support existing development and encourage new growth and development. JOB CREATION • Create new jobs to grow the Levelland population to 14,500 by 2026 through vertical integration, diversification, revitalization of all existing and new resources, including agriculture, oil, the rail park and an aviation park. COMMUNITY APPEARANCE • Improve the quality of life and encourage growth by improving Levelland’s visual appeal COMMUNITY EDUCATION • Consistently educate the public through public education regarding the goals of Levelland 2026 and the workings of their city government through use of electronic media, personal contact, local media and strategic partnerships. www.levellandtexas.org

At the same time, staff at the sheriff ’s department has been working towards furthering its goals of mitigating mental illness and finding ways to provide services for inmates. Scifres said currently, the department is in communication and working through the process of establishing a mental health deputy program in partnership with StarCare, the county’s mental health authority. “We would have multiple mental-health trained deputies and a co-responder, a mental health practitioner, to respond to mental calls,” Scifres said. “Then, those who are identified as being in a mental health crisis, we can get them to services or wherever they need to go.” “It helps us by having someone on scene who is assessing Pictured below: Top, Sheriff Ray Scifres teaches a GED class to inmates at the Hockley County Jail. Below, Isaac Garza and Jared Dockery look over case files and leads related to an investigation.

them and can say yes or no they are a danger to themselves and decide whether an emergency detention is necessary,” Scifres said. “Or, put them in touch with licensed mental health professionals a lot more readily than we are right now.” Scifres said the program is still in the works and will need to go before the county commissioners for approval. If approved, Scifres said the program is provide through a $1 million grant over two years. “It would change the way we respond to crisis calls in this county and have direct access to care assessment and additional training for our officers that would help us respond to individuals in crisis,” Scifres said. Addressing the mental health issue overlapping into criminality has been a goal of Scifres for years. He said often times, law enforcement is involved in mental health cases when the subject of the call actually needs mental health assistance, which in turn can increase the jail population unnecessarily. “For some of these inmates, they don’t need to be in jail,” Scifres said. “We’ve had several cases this year where it was fairly evident they were not related to a violent crime, they didn’t victimize someone, but because we have no way to divert them, they end up in jail and receive care through the jail. “This is a way to divert individuals before they ever come to the jail,” Scifres said. “The diversion piece is going to be big.” The department has also began a small GED preparation class inside the jail for inmates who might be there longer than others. The department has utilized funds it earns through jail commissary in order to provide this service. “Using commissary funds, we purchased materials for the class,” Scifres said. “They have to apply for the program and I go back there and give them tutoring sessions to help guide them in the right direction.” Right now, there are three inmates participating in the program and Scifres said it seems promising. “Education, a job and stable housing are important,” Scifres said. “If someone could have access to those, it lessens the likelihood they reoffend. “Some of our inmates we know don’t have an education,” Scifres continued. “That is one thing we can help them achieve while they are waiting for movement on their cases.”

“For some of these inmates, they don’t need to be in jail.”

The jail is also looking to add more materials to the inmate library, including law references. “We also want to make it a more suitable education area by adding tables and expanding the type of books that are in there to include more educational materials,” Scifres said. From an investigations standpoint, Scifres said the department saw an increase in property crimes throughout the county. “Like everyone else, we were seeing an increase in property crime,” Scifres said. Specifically, Scifres said there was a group that had been identified related to car burglaries. He said those suspects have been apprehended. Drug crime will always be an issue, Scifres said, and the department continues to work with area agencies in identifying criminal actors involved in drug crime. “We continue to work with the Department of Public Safety in the last year and going forward,” Scifres said. Over the past couple of years, the sheriff ’s department has participated in a multi-agency multi-day operation in which officers focus on apprehending wanted individuals related to drug crimes. “That’s a concentrated effort over a two to three day period,” Scifres said. “We’re going to continue with those going forward.” Cyber investigation has also increased in the past few years, as it has for other law enforcement agencies. “There are more online investigations,” Scifres said. “We’ve seen several cases locally regarding online solicitation cases.” Scifres said the department wants to prioritize training for officers related to online investigations to ensure they are doing everything correctly.

“It comes down to personnel training and equipment,” Scifres said. “We are trying to secure those over the next year, specifically the training portion. There’s a specific way of doing it. We have personnel who are capable to successfully investigate those and ultimately get them prosecuted.” Scifres said in partnership with the Levelland Police Department, they hope to do more to prevent online crimes. “Cyber crime continuously changes,” Scifres said. “We want to stay on top of that and social media can be a good thing but there are folks who will, and do, misuse it and unfortunately, there are kids who end up being victimized. “Most of what we’re doing is preventive by visiting with kids and going to the school campuses,” Scifres said. “But, we Pictured: Below, Jeremy Ross with the Hockley County know that isn’t the only way we’re able to do that and we have Sheriff’s Department reviews evidence and reports related to follow that up with the investigative approach, as well.” to a case. Top right, Leslie Lehmann, investigator, speaks to He said staff also had access to a crime scene training witnesses while chasing a lead. class through South Plains College, which has allowed for more training related to evidence collection. “That is benefitting our investigators going forward,” Scifres said.

“It comes down to personnel, training and equipment...We have personnel who are capable to successfully investigate those...” 59

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We are proud to serve you with pre-planning and handling of your needs. Visit our beautiful, state-of-the-art facility and meet our friendly, capable and professional staff.

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Your SanitaTion Department Works For You WHAT WE DO

To insure a high quality of life for Levelland citizens and visitors through effective and efficient municipal services and economic growth.

HOW WE DO IT

Sanitation Department provides a way for the citizens to dispose of their trash in a way that meets State requirements and health standards. We strive to provide the best possible waste management service to our customers through weekly household waste collection. This service is outsourced to Republic Disposal. For any concerns relating to our trash service, please call 806-894-0113. Levelland offers recycling programs for many items and the majority of the recycling programs are free to the citizens of Levelland. Examples of the free programs include free wood mulch; drop off locations to dispose of used oil (limitations apply); drop off location for cardboard and paper. The used oil drop off locations are at the Recycling Center at 902 A&M Lane and 302 Ave. G.

RECYCLING OPTIONS

The City of Levelland has many reduction/recycling programs and a recycling center drop-off. • Brush, Tree Limbs & Christmas Trees (Seasonal-Chipped into mulch. Free to the public) • Cardboard & Paper • Metals & White Goods • Tires (Disposal Fee May Apply)

SECURE YOUR LOAD

When hauling debris to the Recycling Center or Landfill station your load must be secured. State law requires that “...vehicles hauling waste to the facility are enclosed or provided with a tarpaulin, net, or other means to secure the load in order to prevent the escape of any part of the load blowing or spilling.” Failure to properly secure the load can result in a surcharge being applied or the load being denied access to the facility.

LEVELLAND RECYCLING - 902 A&M LANE OPEN - Mon, Wed, Thur, and Fri 8AM-5PM

We Accept: Bagged Household Waste, Construction Debris, Metals,

Concrete (Restrictions Apply), Appliances (Restrictions Apply), Tree Limbs. Recycling trailer available Tuesdays at the Recycling Center and at City Hall on the weekends.

We Do Not Accept: Chemicals or Chemical Containers of any kind, Plastics, Radioactive or Hazardous Materials of Any Kind.

LEVELLAND LANDFILL - 3590 BOBWHITE

OPEN - Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM & Saturday 8AM-Noon

We Accept: Aluminum Cans, Automotive Batteries, Metals, Cardboard Boxes, Paper, Magazines & Newspapers

We Do Not Accept: Paper Plates, Plastics, Napkins, Paper Towels,

Glass Products, Oil Containers, Paint Cans, Plastic Bags, Liquids/Aerosols, Hose/Pipe, Adhesives, Hazardous Waste.

Fighting for justice to bring peace District Attorney Angela Overman advocates for victims

A voice for the voiceless, an advocate for the victim, and a defender of justice is what Angela Overman pursued in becoming the district attorney for the 286th District Court. “I’ve always believed in doing what is right and for standing for what is right,” Overman said. “I want to fight for justice and protect the citizens of our communities.” Overman was appointed the district attorney in 2019 by Governor Greg Abbott upon the resignation of the former district attorney for the 286th District Court. She was subsequently elected to the position in March 2020 and sworn in on January 1, 2021. “I believe our community needs a prosecutor who won’t back down, who will stand their ground and take cases to trial,” Overman said. Prior to being appointed, Overman spent more than 20 years in private practice as a criminal and civil defense lawyer. Pictured: Top right, Angela Overman, district attorney for the 286th District Court, addresses the jury gallery. Bottom, the staff for the district attorney’s office work together to bring justice for victims in Hockley and Cochran counties. Staff includes, from left: Megan Schulte, Jamie Newsom, Angela Overman, Randy Nelson and Keely Harris. Photos by Kati Moody.

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Personal experiences serve as catalyst for pursuit of justice She said this experience also led her to wanting to take on the role as prosecutor. “I became very tired of seeing the same names of offenders over and over,” Overman said. Restrictions related to Covid-19 in 2020 put a halt to Overman’s goals of taking more cases to trial and prosecuting cases before juries. Regardless, her goal of expeditiously resolving cases has remained a priority. “Given the fact we haven’t been able to have trials, this has been a little challenging, but not insurmountable,” Overman said. “I have been very resourceful in working around postponements and suspensions of jury trials.” In the meantime, Overman said she has been working to prosecute cases through Zoom by utilizing plea deals. She has also been working to make the district attorney’s office function as efficiently as possible. “That way we can obtain evidence that we need, prior to presenting to the grand jury,” Overman said. “I want to make this office run more efficiently and at a faster pace so that we can obtain the evidence we need.” She also modified documents from six documents into one to make the process easier for defendants and attorneys. “With a plea bargain, we used to have six documents...I have drafted a plea memorandum that basically takes all six forms and makes them one,” Overman said. “That way, we don’t have someone who forgot to sign something. At the inception of the Zoom hearings, this happened all the time.” Overman obtained her law degree in 1996 from Texas Tech University. She said she wanted to pursue a law degree because of her experiences as a child.

“I had a difficult childhood and based on those experiences, and certain things I witnessed as far as people being victimized by the system or disregarded in the legal process, I wanted to earn a law license to help those people and to provide them access to court where they might not otherwise have it,” Overman said. “Basically, difficulties in my life made me want to be in a position where I can address those and just strive to obtain a better outcome and a more just outcome.” Her approach to the prosecution of cases in Hockley and Cochran counties comes with a keen eye for detail and the evidence that comes with a case. “I believe each case deserves strict scrutiny, attention to detail and the proper application of the law,” Overman said. “We gather records to fully and accurately determine whether the case is ready for presentation to the grand jury.” Overman said she believes in being fully prepared to present a case to the grand jury to ensure they have all the facts necessary to determine whether a case should go to trial. “It’s my objective to have all the facts and issues of the case prior to grand jury,” Overman said. “That way, the grand jury gets a full and complete picture of the case. They provide input and ask very informed questions when they’re provided with that level of information...I feel the more developed the case is at that point makes me more trial-ready.” The goal for the district attorney’s office is to honor the decisions made by the grand jury. Overman said that is best achieved when the prosecution has all of the information up front.

Pictured below: Left, Randy Nelson serves as investigator for the district attorney’s office. Nelson does research for cases to assist in the prosecution of cases. Right, Angela Overman uses passion and emotion to connection with jurors in trials. The district attorney’s office recently participated in the first trial since the start of the pandemic.

LEVELLAND is waiting for you! The City of Mosaics • Levelland is home to 13 mosaics • A self guided tour and history brochure is available at the Levelland Chamber of Commerce, or online at www.levelland.com

Mallet Event Center & Arena • • • •

Multi-purpose $15 million facility One of Texas’s newest facilities Heated and cooled indoor arena Incentives

Levelland-Oxy Sports Complex • Brand new facility • Houses softball, baseball and soccer fields

South Plains College • More than 100 Programs of study • Total of 45 National Championships • Marjorie Merriweather Post Art Collection

REST YOUR HEAD IN A COMFORTABLE BED Best Inn Texas 304 College Ave. • 806.894.7335 Best Western South Plains Inn & Suites 204 N. College • 806.894.9155 800.780.7234 • bestwestern.com Budget Inn of Levelland 308 N. College • 806.894.9679

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites 703 E. State Rd 114 • 888.HOLIDAY 806.894.8555 • hiexpress.com The Hope House Bed & Breakfast 211 9th St. 806.894.4062 • 866.313.HOPE hopehousebedandbreakfast.com

Levelland is a nationally recognized Main Street City. Enjoy our downtown with plenty of shopping, sights to see, and delicious dining. Then choose one of our fine lodging facilities in which to stay. After a great rest, you’ll be ready to discover all Levelland has to offer. Brochures and maps are available through the Levelland Chamber of Commerce. For more information, please visit levelland.com or call 806.894.3157.

1101 Avenue H Levelland, Texas 79336 806.894.3157

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District Attorney’s Office “They have made that decision and I’m charged with that decision and have taken that into account,” Overman said. Overman said her goal is also to provide victims with a voice that they may feel doesn’t matter. “I want to provide them with a voice,” Overman said. “By meeting with them frequently, I want to give them the confidence and trust in the system. I want to reassure them and empower them to stand their ground and to testify.” As far as strategy in prosecuting cases, Overman said her strategy will always be to have courage for the victims, do her job with integrity and maintain a healthy work ethic. “I’m resourceful and always looking for a way to improve things,” Overman said. Since entering office as district attorney, Overman said she has made the forfeiture account current, and stayed on top of seizures and forfeitures. “The district attorney has some power of the purse and we’re able to purchase things and save the county money,” Overman said. Last year, the district attorney’s office purchased two drones, one for use in Hockley County and the other for use in Cochran County. “We can defray county expenses more, the more aggressive and cooperative I can be with law enforcement to seize and forfeit property,” Overman said. On that note, Overman said her goal is to always be as cooperative as possible with all law enforcement agencies in Hockley County, the region and state. “My desire is to cooperate with all members of law enforcement, from the local sheriff ’s departments and police department, the Department of Public Safety, to the Texas Rangers,” Overman said. “I’ve drafted policies that encourage cooperation among the different offices and departments of law enforcement.” Overman said she believes these policies are paying off and are being practiced regularly by law enforcement officials. “I believe we are communicating and there’s a lot of collaboration even from the point of arrest to when we bring the case in, whether to set bond or a person is able to get out on a PR bond,” Overman said. “I don’t make the final determination, but I get a say and I want to talk to law enforcement to see what their thoughts are on the subject. We have a very good relationship and open communication with law enforcement. The cooperation serves our community well.” For 2021, Overman said her main focus is to get cases moving and to get back in the courtroom. “I’m ready to try cases, I’m ready to get in the courtroom,” Overman said. She said the docket will see some complicated cases in the next year or two, and that her job will be to bring justice in those cases. “There are some very difficult cases, and I say difficult because justice isn’t determined in a vacuum,” Overman said.

“There are several considerations that go into defining what justice actually is.” Overman spent an entire year in office as district attorney before seeing a courtroom as a prosecutor, but said she isn’t intimidated and she’s ready to see justice for cases that have been pending. “I’ve been in trial, I’ve performed court marshals on marines, it’s not like I don’t have courtroom experience, it’s simply a matter of when are we going to get to do it,” Overman said. “I stand as a prosecutor, and yes, I’m going to have passion and there’s going to be fire. I’m going to fight hard for what I believe should be the outcome. But, the jurors get to decide in the end.”

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best Cole Kirkland plans for disasters to protect citizens

The Office of Emergency Management for Levelland and Hockley County ensures the county and city are prepared for disasters–or a pandemic–that can occur at any time. Cole Kirkland was hired as the new emergency management coordinator last year and has since been learning the ropes and trying to improve the office to provide the best response to emergency situations. “We respond to larger scale incidents and help manage and track personnel and allocate resources,” Kirkland said. “It could be something as simple as mutual aid for a large grass fire, or it could be a huge water leak that tears up two or three blocks.” Kirkland said emergency management fills in where help is needed. “We fill that role, we’re the Swiss army knife of response,” Kirkland said. The office of emergency management is responsible for maintaining and dispatching the MOV (Mobile Operations Vehicle) whenever there is a need for coordination between agencies. The former emergency management coordinator, David Corder, began the process to upgrade and update the MOV, which was acquired by the city from Garza County in 2018. “It’s about 10 years old and needs some upgrades,” Kirkland said. Currently, Kirkland said he is working on a grant to provide for new software and a new camera system. Additionally, Kirkland said he will be working with communications to upgrade the dispatch area inside the MOV.

Kirkland has also been working with the Levelland Fire Department to install a rehab unit on Kirkland’s new truck. “That would provide some rehabilitation for large scale incidents, such as a grass fire,” Kirkland said. “Right now, we don’t have a way to rehab our firefighters. If it’s super cold it would be a place where they could get out of the cold and get warm, and vice versa if it’s super hot.” He also said they will be ordering new equipment to store on the truck. The rehab unit would be available for all agencies in Hockley County and could be deployed if needed to any area in the county. “A big push is that it isn’t just for first responders, it can be used for water department employees or public works employees,” Kirkland said. “Sometimes they’re out on jobs in the middle of the night in the middle of winter.” The rehabilitation piece would be a canopy with walls and gas heaters inside to get out of the elements. Kirkland was focused on mitigating the spread of Covid-19 for the first few months of his stint as emergency management coordinator and helped facilitate a mass vaccination clinic, that was put on by the city, county, Covenant Health Levelland and South Plains Community Action. “In mid-January we determined we needed to have a clinic here because we were not getting the vaccines allocated to us as we needed them to be,” Kirkland said. “That’s been my focus, is to get everything in place, get the vaccines and get it done efficiently and effectively.” 68

Kirkland said after putting a plan together with input from local leaders, he expected at least a 10-day notice for when they would receive a mass allocation of vaccines. Instead, they received a two-day notice. “With the first Covid-19 vaccine clinic it was zero to 100 mph in two days,” Kirkland said. “We didn’t have a choice but to go.” Luckily, the plan that was in place was effective and all the leaders and organizations that were involved stepped up without hesitation. “It was very beneficial for the community,” Kirkland said. “The outreach from volunteers was fantastic. I don’t know that it’s just Levelland, but it seems Levelland has always had the mentality where everyone comes out of the woodwork to help and sort things out.” Since taking over as emergency management coordinator on January 1, Kirkland said his office has assisted with several large-scale grass fires, a water issue in Ropesville, and revitalized the use of the i-info system to inform citizens of available vaccines. The response to the i-info system is important, Kirkland said, because the system is also utilized to notify residents of impending emergency situations that could potentially impact them, their property and families. “It’s a system the region pays for but it’s under-utilized,” Kirkland said. “It’s the best way to communicate with people, even for evacuations. I figured if we can get them signed up for Covid-19 vaccines, if something else happens, they get the same notifications for other emergencies and opens that door.”

“Levelland has always had the mentality where everyone comes out...to help,”

YOUR SUCCESS OUR PURPOSE Kirkland was also a major player in organizing the response to Winter Storm Uri in February. He hosted briefings prior to the storm, during and after, to assess what needed to be done and what could be done better in the case of future events. “We worked through the weekend and coordinated with the Texas Department of Transportation, street department, public safety and fire department,” Kirkland said. “It wasn’t quite severe enough to institute the winter weather contingency plan but we were very close. We were two inches of snow away from that.” Kirkland said throughout that situation, he was responsible for ensuring local leaders had the information available to make necessary decisions. “I was just making sure the decision makers have the information they need to know in order to make their divisions and departments run effectively,” Kirkland said. Kirkland said his focus moving forward is to ensure there is enough information shared following big events to better assist emergency responders on future events. “The participation and cooperation of the after-action reviews of incidents I think would be an effective way to get everyone on the same page,” Kirkland said. He said with new commissioners and city council members coming on board this year, it will be important to get those officials through training with the Texas Department of Emergency Management. “That way they understand their role and they see a reason to the review processes,” Kirkland said. “It’s not good enough any more to say that’s the way we’ve always done it. There’s always a better way to do just about everything.” Kirkland said he is a strong believer in the best way to improve is to review responses and find areas to be better. “That’s the best way to learn, even if it’s just something I do on my own, I debrief in my head, asking myself ‘What could I have done differently or done better?’” Kirkland said.

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Bringing students back to the classroom Levelland ISD focused on educating kids amidst pandemic

Levelland ISD was eager to get students back in the classroom this past year, after the district, along with districts across the state, did not return in the 2019-20 school year after spring break. Sports, extracurriculars and even graduation were giant question marks following spring break last year, leaving many students, especially seniors, in the lurch. Fortunately, Governor Greg Abbott made it possible for schools to hold outdoor graduation ceremonies after May 31, so long as the counties where they were located met certain parameters in reference to active Covid-19 cases. Levelland ISD was one of the many lucky districts that were able to celebrate their seniors in June last year, although it wasn’t the same as years past, with students spaced six feet apart and faces covered with masks. District and campus administrators, along with teachers, spent the summer studying, learning and adapting their plans to what a school year could look like to allow students to return to in-person classes, safely. Those plans were put in motion in July, prior to the start of the school year. Those plans included precautions and guidelines for students and staff who tested positive for Covid-19, along with quarantine procedures for students and staff who were exposed to positive cases, and general safety protocols that included social distancing and face coverings. As the school year began, administrators, teachers and students were happy to be back in the classroom and getting back to business. Experts in education anticipated there would be a gap for students at the start of this school year, due to the extended amount of time students participated in virtual learning at the end of the previous school year. Those fears were realized in the fall, following benchmark testing that showed students were behind in math and reading, but thankfully, were not as far behind as had been anticipated. In November, Heidi Blair, director of curriculum, assessment and technology for Levelland ISD, reported scores across all content areas were down slightly, but not significantly. The district reported 68 percent at the approaches level, whereas at the same time last year the district was at 71 percent. Blair said the meets level performance was on track with the 2019-20 school year, with the district reporting 40 percent, the same rate being reported in November 2019. Blair reported the masters level performance was actually up one percent point over the same time in 2019. The district had a rate of 19 percent at masters level, compared to 18 percent in the fall of 2019.

Pictured below: Top, LHS students in Khris Oaks’ hands-on Culinary Arts classes decorated cakes in October. Bottom, South Elementary students in Robyn Parkinson’s classes made Kindness Rocks to focus on helping others. Photos by Cristal Isaacks, Levelland ISD.

LEVELLAND ISD Levelland ISD Vision The LISD board, administration, and teachers are committed to challenging each student to reach his or her full potential. We envision a LISD graduate as a wellrounded, life long learner who will work to develop his or her abilities and contribute productively to a diverse and democratic society. The graduate will seek balance personally, professionally, and intellectually and will respond positively to the demands of an ever-changing world.

PRIDE P

reparation for college, career readiness, and productive citizenship

espect for the educational process, teachers, and discipline

i d e

• Improvement of student scores • Improvement of student services • Involvement in community

• Understanding the value of education and discipline • Application of the student code of conduct • Recognize the importance of character and self-worth

ntegrity of LISD shown through consistent actions

• Communication district wide and with community • Demonstration of character on and off campus

ependability of the educational process at LISD

• Developing and maintaining exemplary programs • Maintaining a safe environment • Responsibility to ensure highest level of education • Fiduciary and custodial responsibility of public funds

ffort to promote district-wide pride

• Through continuity from Pre-K through 12th grade • Through district wide parent and community involvement

Levelland ISD In March, Blair reported it appeared students and teachers were continuing to close the gap that resulted from the pandemic break in 2020. At March’s board meeting, Blair said she had accumulated scores for Domain 1, based off winter testing. Students averaged a score of 43, compared to 44 for all students in Domain 1 according to 2019 STAAR data. That number is also an increase of two points over the average of district test scores in the fall of 2020. The district score for Domain 1 as of February 1 was 43, which scales to a score of 74. The district’s goal was to achieve an overall performance greater than 75 percent. In Domain 2, the district set a goal to exceed 70 percent growth for students within the district. Blair reported that according to February test results, the district’s total growth prediction is 68, which scales to a score of 76. Pictured below: Top, Levelland ISD continued recognizing band members of the week during football season in the fall 2020 semester, photo by Cristal Isaacks, Levelland ISD. Bottom, National Junior Honor Society released balloons in April for Child Abuse Prevention Month, photo by Kati Moody, News-Press.

“Which means we are closing the gap because we grew those test scores more than we typically would,” Blair said. “We’re still not where we were, and we still have gaps, but we are closing it, and that’s what’s encouraging.” Blair said she was surprised that the district produced as much growth during the fall semester, with so much going on related to the pandemic. “I didn’t expect it to happen in three months,” Blair said. “We had so much chaos with some students learning virtually and some in class, with quarantines, teachers and students being out...the more that happened, the less encouraged I was. When teachers are not present, and students aren’t present, learning simply doesn’t happen.” Thus, despite the chaos that teachers and students experienced during the fall semester, the fact that growth exceeded Blair’s expectations was promising. “My hope is by the time we get to spring testing we see even more of a gap closed because we have been much more consistent this semester with attendance, students and teachers, everything is much improved,” Blair said. Blair believes this goes back to the decision to bring students back in the classroom and how now, the district is seeing why that was the right decision to make. “Getting our kids back in school was the right thing to do,” Blair said. “People were very anxious, it was hard for us. We worried about teachers and students, but we had to make that hard call to bring kids back, but it has absolutely been the right thing.” Jeff Northern, Levelland ISD superintendent, said the success the district has seen in the classroom this year is a direct result of the dedication of administrators and teachers to have students back in the classroom. “There is no comparison at all, the way we have managed this has been exceptional,” Northern said. “But, it has not been normal, it has been challenging and we have handled this exceptionally well based upon the challenges we had to face.” “Our faculty and staff have done an outstanding job, it’s not like we had time to stretch and warm up for this,” Northern said.

Levelland ISD

Pictured below: Michaela Watkins, Loboette senior, fights for a shot in the district game against Sweetwater. The Loboettes made it to the regional round of play-offs, but fell to Canyon to end their season with a 26-1 record. Photo by Kati Moody.

Those challenges were presented suddenly when the district was forced to make the shift to online learning. “We have really had to beef up our technology,” Northern said. The district added hot spots for students to use to complete assignments and checked out district Chromebooks to students who did not have access to a computer or internet capable device at home. The district also became acutely aware of the difference in statuses of homes, where some students had access whereas other didn’t have access to the resources necessary to be successful. “You have students who are going to engage in that situation and who are going to be okay, they’re going to be fine because they have support, access and connectivity,” Northern said. “Then, you have some students who are going to have to take care of some things and some students who don’t have resources and who were already behind in some cases, so it causes them to get further behind.” Virtual learning has also taken its toll on teachers who were forced to engage their students through a computer screen instead of in the classroom. “Teachers teach because they love kids and want kids to have a chance to be successful,” Northern said. “When you can see that’s not occurring, or it’s occurring in a way we’re not used to, that’s frustrating. “They did a great job, but it was and is frustrating,” Northern continued. At the start of the school year, parents had the option to register their child for in-person or online learning. At that

time, approximately 400 students were registered for online learning. As of March, about 100 students remained in online learning. “In a lot of cases, we weren’t sure how we were going to be able to overcome that personal connection,” Northern said. “Studies across the country are starting to show that kids, some kids, are not as resilient as we thought they were because they lack that social interaction, being involved in activities and being around people. “We’re now seeing the negative effect of that lack of interaction,” Northern said. Northern said these findings are interesting to him as an educator because prior to Covid-19, there were talks of schools going online or offering virtual learning. “Before we even knew what Covid was, this was a way that was going to save all this money and now, in a way, this allowed us to understand we’re not prepared for a virtual world in education on a grand scale,” Northern said. “Research has always proven that quality, face-to-face instruction is the best and there’s no replacement.” When it became obvious that the district was going to need to continue online learning in March 2020, Northern said the district immediately began communicating with parents and educators. Pictured below: Isaiah Salazar, Lobo senior, went for a lay-up in the district game against Lake View Christian. The Lobos fell to Hereford in the Bi-District round of the playoffs with a record of 16-11. Photo by Kati Moody.

Pictured above: The Levelland FFA helped raise food donations at United Supermarkets in October. FFA students were able to earn 861 items of food for Bill’s Backpacks. Pictured are: FFA Ag teacher Kyle Crilly, sophomore Alyssa Loafman, Junior Damian Rubalcava, Junior Elisa Zamora, junior Riley Siders, sophomore Trace DeArmond, seventh-grader Aubrey Sonnenburg, FFA Ag teacher Jordan Crilly. Photo by Cristal Isaacks, Levelland ISD.

Education provides opportunities “We tried to stay in contact with those kids and those families,” Northern said. “The biggest thing we needed to do was ensure kids were allowed to be engaged and they were going to be successful, but we needed those kids to be engaged.” Northern said the district prioritized supporting teachers and administrators throughout the process because many of the decisions and changes happened rapidly. “We did everything we could to support them,” Northern said. “A lot of decisions we had to make were quick, but we also understood we had to have grace for our teachers and we had to support our teachers, because they had never done anything like this before. We were very supportive, very forgiving and understanding that we have put people in a position they have never been in before.” Administrators, teachers and staff kept showing up every day for students, knowing it was the most important thing they could do at that time for those students. “Showing up every day is the most important thing we can do for our kids, so they have a shot at success,” Northern said. “That’s the whole driver, otherwise I’d be a chemical engineer somewhere.” Northern said his philosophy on education is based upon his own experience growing up, and how education was his opportunity. “I wasn’t set to inherit money or land, education was my ticket, it was my shot,” Northern said. “That’s all of our philosophy, is giving kids an opportunity to be successful in the world.” 78 78

Northern has been in education for 30 years, starting out as a teacher and coach for 11 years at Levelland ISD. He then served as an assistant principal at Levelland ISD for three year before moving. “I wanted to coach and I wanted to enjoy being around kids and try to help kids,” Northern said. “I had some coaches, not only coaches but teachers, too, who made an impact or an influence on my decision to go into education. I hope I have had that same impact on the students I have been around.” He returned to Levelland ISD in 2015 as superintendent. “It was a great opportunity for my career, but there’s also something about coming back home to friends and family,” Northern said. When students and teachers returned to school in August for in-person learning with an option for virtual learning, Northern said the reception was positive. “There was no push back because everyone had the option to do the virtual learning,” Northern said. “But, the majority of our kids came back. “Kids wanted to come back to be involved in activities and see their friends,” Northern continued. Northern said it was important for the district to see those students back in the classrooms so they could continue getting a shot at their education. “”Every day is precious, every day we can get those kids in classrooms and give them access to good, quality education, is huge,” Northern said.

Making a difference one mind at a time SPC Foundation raises money for student scholarships "Making a difference one mind at a time" through scholarship opportunities has been the focus of the South Plains College Foundation for the past 42 years. This year more than 875 students will receive financial assistance made possible through the generosity of donors who give faithfully to South Plains College through the Foundation. Chartered in 1979, the South Plains College Foundation grew from the vision of the late Gary Stacy, a prominent local businessman and College Regent, who saw the need to promote and advance the educational interests of South Plains College. That vision has resulted in an organization with more than $27 million in assets that support 310 permanent scholarship endowments. "The steady growth of the SPC Foundation has been due to the generosity of many individuals who want to make a difference and who believe that the college is a special place where lives are changed," says Stephen John, vice president for advancement at SPC and executive director of the Foundation. For these reasons, donors have chosen to make an investment with the Foundation. At the center of the Foundation's endowment program is the Founders Opportunity Endowment, which was established in 1998 in celebration of the college's 40th

anniversary. Honoring the members of the Founding Citizens Committee, the endowment's $3 million goal was achieved in 2019. The fund is currently valued at more than $4.7 million. This fall it will provide opportunity scholarships for more than 200 students. The steady growth of the Founders Opportunity Endowment has been fueled not only from faithful giving, but also from the community's support of the annual Scholarship Gala. Over the past 22 years, proceeds from the Gala have helped build the Founders Endowment as well as other scholarship endowments held by the Foundation. "Our community's support for the annual Scholarship Gala is historically strong and, thankfully, it continues to be so," said Julie Gerstenberger, director of development and alumni relations. This past February, the Scholarship Gala was staged as a virtual event as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Even in this format, loyal Gala supporters contributed $159,600 for scholarships. "The heart of our support comes from our friends in Levelland and in our nearby communities," said Gerstenberger. "I am grateful for the support of this event in large part because it is the lifeblood of the Founders Opportunity Endowment." In the past five years, the SPC Foundation has provided $4.6 million in scholarship funds that have impacted the lives of nearly 3,000 students. The Foundation expects to provide more than $1,200,000 in scholarships assistance to SPC students for the 2021-22 academic year. As South Plains College grows and expands, so does the need for more scholarship funds to assist students. There are many opportunities for philanthropic individuals to support the mission of the college with new scholarship programs and gifts, Gerstenberger adds. The Foundation is governed by a 27-member Board of Directors that meets quarterly to conduct the business of the Foundation and oversee the administration of scholarship endowments. "These individuals are exceptional volunteers and community leaders who care deeply about the college and its students," says Dr. Robin Satterwhite, president of South Plains College. "The growth of our Foundation has been the result of their work and leadership and we greatly value their service and support." For more information about the South Plains College Foundation and how you can make a difference, contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, South Plains College, 1401 S. College Ave., Levelland, TX 79336. Telephone (806) 716-2020. Secure online giving is available at www.southplainscollege.edu/donate.

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Thunder on the Plains roars to life this summer The 2021 Thunder-on-the-Plains Car Show will be held Friday and Saturday, Aug. 20-21, at the Levelland City Park. The two-day event includes a cruise and poker run through downtown Levelland, a burn-out contest and the car show which is recognized as one of the best on the South Plains. This will be the 15th year for the annual car show which continues to draw more and more participation. Exhibitors come from across the region each year. The South Plains Best Western Inn and Suites will again be the headquarters for cruise and poker run registration. Registration for the car show and burn-out contest will be at the City Park. Organizers expect exceptional entries for the burn-out, cruise, poker run and the car show again this year. A dozen or more trophies will be presented during the cruise and dozens of trophies will be presented at the conclusion of the car show, which will end at 3 p.m. with an awards ceremony. The car show will feature vehicles and motorcycles from all years, makes and models. Vehicles from classic collectibles to hot rods will be featured and trophies for first through third places will be awarded in each class. Special awards for Best of Show, Best Engine, Best Paint and best of each major brand will also be awarded.

For the past several years, over a hundred cars have been exhibited on Saturday. Several also competed in the burn-out contest. Many of the entries arrived on Friday and participated in the annual cruise and the poker run. Vendors are also invited to participate in the car show. For more information about the event, visit Thunder on the Plains on Facebook or contact Dyrl Bush, 806-893-9501, Jackie Williams at 806-891-6119, Cody Poage at 806-5493270 or R.H. Reaves at 806-638-5123. Proceeds from the cruise, show and burn-out contest benefit local charities.

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Welcome businesses new and old LEDC recruits new businesses, provides services for existing businesses

Whether it is recruiting new industry to the Levelland Rail Park or helping an individual realize their dream of opening their own business, the Levelland Economic Development Corporation strives to develop relationships and provide leadership and assistance. Levelland EDC Director David Rushing sees his role as not only recruiting large industrial firms but also helping grow local, home-owned businesses. “If you have an idea for a business and you pitch it to me, we will discuss what we can do. I will have you then sit down with Cameron Winegar who can show you what you have to put into it and show you that the numbers work or won’t work,” says Rushing. Rushing feels it is very important to continue to seek ways in which Levelland can diversify its economy. “We don’t want to keep all of our eggs in the oilfield basket if we can have some diversification,” he says. “We all know the oilfield is a roller coaster. It has been that way for years. If we can get some stability and diversity, we are that much better off. I have said that since the day I got here,” he continues. He is especially proud of the efforts the community is making in that direction, citing the success Pipeline Plastics continues to have and the opening of an entirely different industry, Enviro Tech, which produces food safety chemicals. The 75,000 sq. ft. Enviro Tech plant has been under construction in the Levelland Rail Park for the past year and is opening this month. Rushing estimated that the firm has invested nearly $10 million in the new plant, which will employ around 45 people. Enviro Tech has tentatively scheduled a ribbon cutting on its local plant for July 2nd. The local manager is Scott Good. Enviro Tech offers a full line of EPA and FDA approved products for a variety of industries including industrial water treatment, meat and poultry processing, agriculture, oil, gas, wastewater treatment, and others. Rushing is proud that Pipeline Plastics, another LEDC success story, continues to grow and employ more people. Both firms, along with the Titan/Lansing sand plant and Penny Newman rely on the vital rail service the park makes possible. Penny Newman is currently shipping almond hulls in and out of its plant; hundreds of car loads of cottonseed are shipped out of it annually. Rushing is not content to recruit industry but continues to look for ways to add more jobs that benefit the community, especially if they can compliment businesses and industries which are already in the community. At its last meeting, the LEDC board began talking about

working with South Plains College on a project which would benefit not only the college, but the community. “I think one of the things we have to continue to do is diversify,” he stresses. He is pleased that the LEDC played a role in bringing Braum’s restaurant to Levelland last year and earlier played a role in bringing Tractor Supply to the community. Both firms have created more jobs in the community. Pictured below: David Rushing serves as the executive director of the Levelland Economic Development Corporation. He joined the LEDC in 2017 after serving as city manager for the City of Shamrock. The LEDC board of directors is made up of Elgin Conner, Jody Rose, Sham Myatt, Tushar Bhakta and Rob Blair

Rushing is also proud that the City and LEDC have partnered with Leading EDG to offer consulting services to area residents who dream of opening their own business. Thanks to his own experiences in the private sector, Rushing understands what it takes for a retail business to be successful. “When I talk to people, I understand what it takes to run a business,” Rushing said, admitting that he is proud to be able to direct people to meet with Cameron Winegar, the Leading EDG representative. “If you have an idea for business and you pitch it to me, what we do is have them sit down with Cameron Winegar. He will show them what they have to put into it to show the numbers will work or won’t work. All we do is provide the introductions and then we let Winegar work with them,” he said. “It is an excellent partnership!” Leading EDG provides business coaching for individuals and small businesses, helping them develop a business and financial plan to really assess their potential for success. The LEDC pays a quarterly fee for Leading EDG, making it completely free for owners and potential owners of businesses in Levelland. The annual cost is $39,000 but the services are absolutely free to clients. One of the things Leading EDG does is help coach existing businesses to get back to being profitable by helping owners put together a business and financial plan. Rushing stressed that the services are confidential. “He doesn’t discuss who he talks with; it has worked out really, really well. “If we can save or help one business survive, it’s worth it,” Rushing said. “We’ve seen those successes since they’ve been on board. We’re extremely happy with the help they have provided our residents. Our whole goal is to save businesses.” He said that Winegar is at City Hall every Thursday and is always busy with at least two or three appointments each time he is in town.

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Pictured below: Construction on the Enviro Tech building is nearing completion, with workers and employees having already moved in this past month. Operations at the plant are expected to begin in phases as the company begins to realize its capabilities at the Levelland plant.

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Recognizing the struggles that local businesses were experiencing during the Covid-19 pandemic, the city and LEDC provided assistance to local business through advertising grants and gifts of hard-to-get supplies, including masks and hand sanitizer. The LEDC invested around $50,000 to match CARES Act money in providing grants to local businesses during the worst of the pandemic. The LEDC also bought $10,000 in supplies which were distributed across the community. Last year, the LEDC participated with the city in conducting a housing survey which provides current information about Levelland’s housing needs, an essential tool for contractors and investors considering building here in the future. The LEDC’s data, all of which is available on its website, is essential for any business considering the community for future investment. The data includes demographics, workforce, taxes, utilities and more. The LEDC is a Type A corporation which means it is funded by city sales tax and has the ability to utilize incentives to entice industrial, manufacturing and distribution type businesses to make Levelland their home. Because it is funded by sales taxes, it benefits from improvements in retail and manufacturing sales. Rushing stressed that an important part of his job is to develop relationships and networks to provide resources to local employers. These partnerships extend beyond Levelland and Hockley County to include a region-wide approach to workforce development. The Levelland EDC will draw on these resources to provide employers a variety of training options and workforce development information. The LEDC’s largest asset is the Levelland Industrial Rail Park which is a 243-acre rail and non-rail served industrial 88

park which was completed in November, 2010. The park includes over 20,000 linear feet of 132# rail with concrete railroad ties. It has shovel ready industrial, distribution, and manufacturing sites ranging in size from five to fifty acres. Rushing reported that rail traffic is gradually coming back although a lot of rail cars are in storage west of Levelland. The board gets a monthly report on rail traffic, maintenance, industrial prospects and financial matters. All incentives are first approved by the board and then submitted to the Levelland City Council. The park is served by the shortline West Texas & Lubbock Railway, which is a subsidiary of WATCO. The shortline connects the park directly to a Class 1 BNSF rail interchange in Lubbock. The interchange is about an hour away by rail. WATCO also has trackage agreements with UP. Rushing said the LEDC still has several lots of various size with rail access still available. The LEDC has demonstrated a “can do” attitude toward not only the development of the rail park, but of growth of the community. Rushing, the former city manager and economic development director for the City of Shamrock, has been the economic development director for the past three years. Besides his experiences in city management and economic development, he worked 10 years for Walmart and 13 years for himself in retail. He said the move to Levelland has been very good for him and his wife. “I have loved every minutes of it. My wife, Dottie, likes it here,” he added, noting it is easy to promote a community you like and want to see grow and prosper.

Employees in Hockley County see wage increases in 2021 The average weekly salary for all employees in Hockley County improved by $123 from the third to the fourth quarter of last year, according to figures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics early in June. The Labor Bureau reported that the average weekly salary for all Hockley County employees was $963 per week during the third quarter of last year but improved to $1,084 during the fourth quarter of 2020. The improved salaries were attributed in part to the resumption of jobs in the oil patch. The bureau reported there were 8,407 people employed in Hockley County during the fourth quarter and that all wages totaled $118,438,810 for the average.

Hockley County’s average weekly wage was still lower than the national average of $1,339 but higher than many surrounding counties. The average weekly wage for Lubbock County during the fourth quarter was $981 while the average for Lamb County was $941, the average for Terry County was $835, the average for Cochran County was $933 and the average for Bailey County was $895. Average weekly wages are reported by the Labor Bureau quarterly and vary state to state and from county to county depending upon whether they are urban or rural and the types of industries operating in each.

Local civic & community clubs Ambassadors have the opportunity to connect one-on-one with new and existing Chamber members, local businesses and community leaders and benefit by increased name and face recognition as well as networking opportunities. Pictured from the left are: Donna Wheeler, La Tryle Sehon, Beth Walls, Kelsie Castaneda and Angie Vest. The Levelland Breakfast Rotary Club is an organization of business and professional leaders who gather every Friday morning for breakfast and project meetings. The Breakfast Rotary Club has several community projects and fundraisers. The club provides the Ride with the Rotary bicycle giveaway at the elementary schools for perfect attendance students. They also host the annual breakfast on the square fundraiser on Early Settlers Day and the club provides flags for business and residential subscribers on most patriotic holidays. The Levelland Breakfast Rotary Club officers are pictured from the left: Aryn Corley, 2021-22 president; Jason Sanchez, president elect 2022-23 and Stephen John, treasurer. Not pictured is David Rushing, current president. The 2021-22 Levelland Evening Lions officers include: Shirley Ward, tail twister; Sandy Israel, president; Katie Ervin, secretary and treasurer; Nita Ervin, second vice-president; and Katrina Glenn, first vice-president.

Levelland Emerging Active Professionals (LEAP) is an outreach group of the Levelland Chamber of Commerce and is developing the next generation of community and business leaders by seeking opportunities to invest in and serve the Levelland community, network with community leaders and encourage others to support the Levelland area. Pictured from the left are Matt Nichols, Clint Hendricks, Devon Sonnenburg, Adrian Melburg and Ty Gregory. 90

Local civic & community clubs The Levelland Marigolds are a Chamber of Commerce organization of women who volunteer in whatever way they can to give back to the community. The Marigolds are an independent nonpolitical service organization that provides support to the Levelland Chamber of Commerce and Levelland Main Street Program. Pictured from the left are: Cisti Pinkert, Angie Vest, Donna Wheeler, Iris Keeling, Christy Clevenger, and Rhonda Giussani. The Levelland Noon Lions Club recently collected eye glasses to be donated to those in need as well as many other community services and projects supporting Levelland. The Levelland Noon Lions Club officers are pictured from the left, on the front row are: Russell Vest, treasurer; Elgin Conner, Ellen Timian, president; and Joey Pierce; back row: Randy Rogers, second vice president; Michael Stueart, secretary; Devin Sonnenburg, first vice president; Todd Paxton, director; Michael Wiiest, tail twister; Ryan Noland and Erik Rijino. The club meets at noon every Thursday for fellowship and lunch at the Levelland Country Club. The Levelland Noon Rotary Club meets every Tuesday for fellowship, lunch and an informative presentation from guest speakers. Pictured from the left are the Levelland Noon Club officers, from left: Phelps Blume, Tell Campbell, Paul Quilantan, Tania Moody, Denver Bruner, and Amber Hinson.

YELL, Young Emerging Leaders of Levelland, is a youth organization of the Levelland Chamber of Commerce that hosts meetings throughout the school year. This past year, Eliza Zamora was elected YELL President. Keaton Oaks was elected Vice President. Kenna Ruiz was elected Vice President of Public Relations. Damion Rubalcava was elected to Social Media VP. Vice President of Membership is Audrey Miller and Riley Siders was elected to Vice President of Community Service. 91 91

“911, what’s your emergency?”

Emergency dispatchers answer the call for residents in need “I enjoy it because I know so many people here in Levelland, this is my home and gives me an opportunity to help the people in my hometown,” Golightly said. “These are the people who I go to church with, who I shop with. I feel like I can help them because I know them.” She said that while some might see it as a disadvantage, she sees it as a strength in knowing those who call in and knowing she can help them. “You would think that would be a disadvantage but it’s not,” Golightly said. “It’s good that you can be the one to help them in the time that they need you.” Being a dispatcher is not only a stressful job, it’s an emotional job and Golightly said sometimes calls hit close to home. “We get emotional, we get involved, but Pictured above: Margaret Golightly serves as the supervisor for dispatch it still makes you feel good when I go home and has been an emergency dispatcher for nearly 30 years. knowing that I have been able to help someone When a call comes in, they never know what’s happening or who’s on the or be able to be there when someone needed other end. What they do know is how to help. me,” Golightly said. Communications at the Levelland Police Department dispatches Golightly said she leans on her faith to get emergency calls for 18 agencies throughout Hockley County and the her through the hard times that come with surrounding area. being a dispatcher and that God has gotten her There are six dispatchers who answer calls both on the emergency 911 line through every time. and on the police department land line for non-emergency calls. “Church has always been a very active part On any given day, the communications department can dispatch upwards of my life,” Golightly said. “That’s my go to, my of 500 calls for service for the police department, sheriff ’s department, fire Lord. He is the most real thing in my life, He’s department and EMS. the unwavering source in my life, He’s always They also coordinate with other agencies, including the Department of constant.” Public Safety and agencies in the surrounding counties for mutual aid. She also has the support of her family and One thing remains the same, whenever the phone rings, they have no idea friends to turn to whenever she has a rough day what they are about to hear on the other line. or handles a particularly emotional call. Margaret Golightly, dispatch supervisor, has been with the department for “My family has always been supportive of almost 30 years. Whenever she answers the phone, her number one priority is me and my job,” Golightly said. “They keep me figuring out what is happening so she can relay that to the responding agency. level and have been very supportive.” “I’m trying to get the information so I can get it to them fast and furious,” Golightly said she has still had to learn Golightly said. better ways to cope with the stress after She said she always wants to get as much information from the reporting experiencing a small stroke in 2018. party in order to give that information to officers who don’t know what they’re “I had allowed it to get to me too much, it walking into. kind of took me over,” Golightly said. “I had to “I want them to know everything,” Golightly said. “Even to the point learn how to not let it affect me. You have to that if I don’t feel good about a call, I will tell them that I’m not certain what learn that, we’re not robotic and it’s not that we they’re going into so they will use extra caution when approaching.” don’t have feelings, we just have to learn to deal Golightly said she enjoys working for communications because she is with it a different way.” serving the community of her hometown.

Help is on the way Again, Golightly said her faith has been her source of comfort in handling the stresses of her job. “The good Lord has been my rock and my salvation,” Golightly said. “He’s the person who has kept me in a good place.” In her job, Golightly has learned to be patient and understanding with people because there are always two sides to a story. “You have to be understanding and not judgmental,” Golightly said. “Most of the time, all we’re getting is one side of the story.” Golightly says it’s important to remain neutral when taking a call and to not pass judgment on anyone calling, because it affects their ability to send help. “You can’t come in and be judgmental because then when you’re taking that call, you won’t be able to help that person because you’re spending too much time judging that person,” Golightly said. “You have to be patient and understanding.” Through the years, Golightly said the scope of her job has changed significantly with the introduction, implementation and continued adding of technology. “Everything has changed so much,” Golightly said. When she first started, Golightly said warrants were kept in a box. “We had thought that was just overwhelming,” Golightly said. “Now, we just have tubs of warrants.” Documentation has changed and increased significantly, Golightly said. “We have to almost have a document to verify this document to verify this document,” Golightly said. “It has increased tremendously.” She added that crime has also changed, and so have the calls that dispatchers take on a daily basis. “The crimes are more violent than when I first started,” Golightly said. “Then, we had more alcohol crimes, DWIs, a little family violence. Now, we have more property crime and crimes against people.” She said the crimes that they dispatch officers to now tend to be more aggravated. “People are angry,” Golightly said. “There is a lot more mental instability than there used to be.” Golightly said she has always wanted to help people and knowing she couldn’t be a police officer, being a dispatcher was as close as she could get. “This is where I’m best,” Golightly said. After being with the department as long as she has, Golightly said when she answers the phone, she takes comfort in knowing she will be able to help that person. “I love dispatch, I’ve loved the job and I’ve stayed because I love the job, I love what we can do,” Golightly said. “I’ve been here so long, when someone calls in they know me by name and they say ‘Margaret, I need help.’ That just spins me into action.”

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AFLAC - Kellie McDonald pg. 85 Ag Texas pg. 71 Alvo’s Body Shop pg. 70 Atchison’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts pg. 5 Atlas CMMS CPAs & Advisors PLLC pg. 70

B&B Laundry pg. 2 Best Inn Texas pg. 29 Best Western pg. 21 Bill Ashley State Farm pg. 84 Billy Price’s ACE Hardware pg. 15 Billy Price’s Furniture Store pg. 15 Billy Price’s Tack pg. 15 Bradley Agency pg. 2 Brent’s Tint & Off-Road pg. 82 Broken Spur Event Center pg. 51 Brown Realty pg. 53

Capital Farm Credit pg. 53 Celia Palmer - Realtor pg. 2 Champion Sports pg. 72 City Bank pg. 43 City of Levelland pg. 48 & 49 City of Levelland Sanitation pg. 62 City of Levelland Strategic Plan pg. 57 CleanCo pg. 85 Comercial Printing pg. 89 Covenant Clinics pg. 22 Covenant Doctors pg. 60 Covenant Health pg. 79 Crescent Park Motel & Suites pg. 3

Edward Jones - Brian Lewis pg. 53 Edward Jones - Tanner Terrell pg. 72

Farmer’s Co-op Elevator pg. 72 First Bank & Trust pg. 51 Forrest Tire pg. 26

Head Duarte Funeral Home pg. 72 Hockley County Abstract pg. 14 Hockley County School Employees Credit Union pg. 81

Integra pg. 28

Jackson Real Estate pg. 55 Joey Pierce FSC Securities Corp. pg. 85 John Roley’s AutoCenter pg. 2

Krestridge Funeral Home pg. 61 KRP Music pg. 89

L&L Construction & Landscaping pg. 82 Law Office of Brian S. Walsh pg. 95 Levelland Chamber of Commerce Cotton & Crude pg. 52 Levelland Chamber of Commerce Keep Levelland Beautiful pg. 11 Levelland Chamber of Commerce Tourism & Lodging pg. 65 Levelland Chamber of Commerce pg. 79 Levelland Christian School pg. 43 Levelland EDC pg. 42 Levelland Eye & Vision pg. 66 Levelland ISD pg. 74 & 75 Levelland Liquor pg. 3 Levelland Nursing & Rehabilitation pg. 84 Levelland Title pg. 95 Lone Star Properties pg. 36 Lou Dee’s Floral & Gifts pg. 87

Macha Insurance pg. 29 Mallet Event Center pg. 13 McDonald’s pg. 18 McIlroy pg. 36 Michael & Dianna Stueart - Realtors pg. 2 Mosaic Coffee pg. 45

Our Stuff pg. 37

Palmer’s Rent To Own pg. 28 Pate, Downs & Pinkerton, LLP pg. 55 Plains Motor Supply pg. 84 Porter Insurance pg. 53

Robertson & Agnew Plumbing Heating & Air pg. 55

S&D Oil Change, LLC pg. 70 S&D Supply, Inc. pg. 70 Scooter’s pg. 3 Smith South Plains pg. 96 South Plains College pg. 24 South Plains College Foundation pg. 81 South Plains Community Action pg. 31 SPARTAN pg. 33 Stix & Stones Nursery pg. 82 Studebaker’s Events pg. 45 Sundown State Bank pg. 9

T&S Craft & Antique Mall pg. 93 Texas Farm Bureau pg. 66 The Stache pg. 20 Tienda’s pg. 89 TriCARE pg. 85

University Park Apartments pg. 3

Wanda’s Designs & Embroidery, pg. 85

Your Shop pg. 37

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