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Tri-Canyon’s Only Weekly Newspaper!
Current Weekly News for Leakey, Camp Wood, Sabinal, Utopia and Surrounding Areas Vol. 6 No. 18
INSIDE
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Huajilla Unit TRTA ............................ Page 8
TALKING TRASH ............................ Page 13
www.hillcountryherald.net
May 4, 2016
editor@hillcountryherald.net
SWART Employees Receive State Wide Recognition The Southwest Area Regional Transit District proudly displays awards won by its administrators and Vehicle Operator at the 2016 Texas Transit Association Annual Conference & Bus Roadeo in Waco on April 26-28. Vehicle Operator, Rogelio Gonzalez of Eagle Pass placed a respectable 4th place in the 2016 TTA Bus Roadeo. Rogelio competed against 35 other vehicle operators from across the state of Texas in the paratransit bus roadeo which consisted of a written exam, vehicle pre-trip inspection, wheelchair tie down, and a 10 part obstacle course. Gonzales who has competed at various bus roadeos over the years and has been driven for Southwest Transit for the past ten years; also held the 2nd highest overall score for rural systems. The roadeo consisted of competitors from metropolitan, small urban, and rural transit properties from across Texas. Assistant General Manager, Cynthia Rodriguez, was awarded the 2016 Customer Service Representative of the Year for her dedication and diligence to the region insuring that SWART’s services is customer oriented. “I feel very humble and honored to receive this award. To be able to be a part of a team that believe in what we do and defeating all obstacles we get the job done. Our main priority are the clients that we serve. This award could not be
possible if it wasn’t for the dedicated employees that believe in our agency. Thanks to our Vehicle Operators that wake up as early as four (4) in the morning delivering the services in such needed communities. They make things possible for these clients taking them to their life saving appointments. I want to thank TxDOT for all their much needed guidance and to Sarah Cook, our General Manager for believing in me. Thanks to TTA for such great honor, and for supporting transportation in rural communities that struggle every day to deliver the much needed service.” states Rodriguez. Hidalgo-Cook added, “Cindy has worked tirelessly since our inception in 2012 by learning about public transit in every capacity imagined. She dove in and learned transit from the ground up in all areas including direct services, vehicle maintenance, management, and administration. She has earned every bit of this recognition and SWART is very proud of all she has accomplished”. Hidalgo-Cook was also recognized for her work performed in regards to transit advocacy services in representing the state of Texas and her peers on the Southwest Transit Association Board of Directors. The Southwest Association also known as the SWTA nation is comprised of eight states that include Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Loui-
CHAPMAN FAMILY WALKS FOR BEST BUDDIES
siana, Arkansas, Kansas, Arizona, and Colorado. “It has been a pleasure to represent the state of Texas and all its metropolitan, small urban, and rural transit systems. My colleagues and counterparts across the state make it easy to advocate for them as they all do a fantastic job of providing the best
caliber of public transit services. It is an honor to serve them and to boast about them and their hard work.” states Hidalgo-Cook. For more information about SWART services, visit their website at www.paseowart.org or call 830-2784155.
LEAKEY ISD NEW 4-H OFFICERS by Britten Shoemaker
Tennessee Jane and the Red Rooster ............................ Page 9
LETTER TO THE EDITOR ............................ Page 3
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INDEX Legals/Jail Register ...... Page 3 Community News ......... Page 4-6 Feature Story ............... Page 8/9 Obituaries ...................... Page 10 Classifieds ..................... Page 14
Today’s Weather
High: 82° Low: 55°
On April 23 Eric and Candice Chapman and their baby girl Hadley, traveled to Austin along with other family members, Jim and Liz Chapman, Michael Lacey and Gramie a/k/a Anita Shackelford. The local family walked in our State Capital for Best Buddies. The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the number one walk in the country raising awareness and funds to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Representative Andrew Murr send support to the Best Buddies State Director, reinforcing
his support of the Texas Hill Country and the Chapman’s involvement in the organization “ I was inspired to learn about the efforts your organization makes to brighten children’s lives, including Hadley Chapman.” At the end of the walk and ceremony, Eric was recognized for his work with the organization with a gift card and Candice was also recognized for her support with a bracelet. You can find out more information about Best Buddies at https://bestbuddies.org
Pictured back row LtoR: Damian Gonzalez, Britten Shoemaker, Trey Bates, Rylee Stewart, Real County Extension Agent, Laci Bostic, front row LtoR: Aubree Glass, Annslie Shoemaker and Maggie Phillips
New 4H officers - President- Trey Bates, Vice Presidet-Aubree Glass, SecretaryMaggie Phillips, Treasurer-Damian Gonzalez, Reporter-Britten Shoemaker, Teen Leader-Rylee Stewart, Jr. Leader-Annslie Shoemaker
21st Annual Picnic and Dedication At Big Springs Charter School, on Friday, April 29, the Big Springs Ranch for Children held their Barbeque Picnic and Dedication. Held in the gymnasium, the building was filled with supporters of the Ed Brune Charter School located 10 miles north of Leakey, and both Hill Country Ranch, and Enhanced Horizons at Ingram. The Big Springs Children’s Choir was singing as people entered, registered, and found their tables. Opening the ceremony was Campus Director Clint Rangel, Big Spring Ranch for Children. As lunch was served and people were eating, the program began. Activities Director Brianne Rangel had students Brittany Keith, Mikel Pete, Adinna Torres gave their testimonies on the changes made in their lives, followed by a video of the children. Science teacher Tripp Davenport spoke of the 4-H Club activites. The 2016 Top Hand Award was presented to Shyann Hampton by John and Pat Bakke. Introduced by Carol Priour, Hill Country Youth Ranch Fine Arts Director, the Keynote Speaker was Glenna Heavin of the Heavin Family Foundation. The Brune Choir sang “This Is the Day”, followed by Rangel’s dedicatory remarks and the Benediction given by Mike Wood, Big Springs Ranch for Children’s former Superintendent, and now Grandparent. The special guests were then invited to tour the new Tower of Angels with its “You’re Not Alone” mural by Carol Priour and to visit the school.