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FPC Board of Regents approves order to call election

2012-02-22T12:21:00-05:00

The 2012 election will be for three full six-year terms to be elected at-large and one four-year unexpired term for the Spring Creek District.The three at-large seats are currently held by Dr. Shad Goldston, Jay Campbell, and Sandra Hilbert. The Spring Creek District seat is currently held by Tonya Moore. If current board members are unopposed by the March 5th deadline to file as a candidate, the Board of Regents has the option to opt out of the general election.

Local Elks Lodge #1581 donates money to Aiden’s Closet

2012-02-22T12:18:01-05:00

Borger Elks Lodge #1581 recently upheld the motto in presenting a check for $1,000 to Aiden’s Closet. Aiden’s Closet is located in the OB/GYN department at Golden Plains Community Hospital in memory of Aiden Marshall, son of Cody and Monica Marshall. Aiden’s Closet is stocked with needed items of a newborn and distributed to parent(s) who cannot afford the necessary items to take their baby home. Aiden’s Closet exists because of donated purchased items or monetary donations.Annually, each Elks Lodge in the state of Texas is allocated money from Texas Elks Children’s Services, to give back to children in the community. The Special Grant Program money is derived from donations to Texas Elks Children’s Service, local membership and Lodge Sweetheart fundraisers.The Special Grant Program is designed to help a child whether they have a special need or helping parents with travel and lodging while traveling to distant medical facilities.This is the second grant Borger Elks Lodge #1581 has granted this year with two more pending before March 1, 2012. Allocations will be funded again in June 2012.“We are so proud of this special program in allowing us to give back to our local community. It’s truly a blessing to give,” Pam Trout, Special Grants Program Chairman, said.

Performers prep for “The Poet and The Muse” at Boomtown Theater

2012-02-22T12:15:45-05:00

Council approves sewer project

2012-02-22T12:11:55-05:00

During its regular meeting Tuesday, the Borger City council approved action on awarding a bid from Whitewater Construction Inc. for the Sanitary Sewer Improvements at 3rd and Austin.Jim Harder, Director of Utilities, addressed the council about the project. He said the sewer line from the north end of town comes down Austin Street. At one time, it used to turn west and go across Cedar Street. However, the sewer line is now turned back and goes into the edge of the CVS property and then crosses Cedar Street.Harder said the old manhole that is in the intersection between the turn lanes is in bad shape. He said he is surprised it hasn’t caved in to this point. The City of Borger has been aware of it for a couple of years and is now ready to take action. The solution to this problem is to intercept the line feeding the manhole in Austin Street and construct a new line under Third Street by boring. This would eliminate two manholes which are in the traffic lanes of Third Street.The City of Borger has received a grant for the project, and its share of the costs will be approximately $33,000. Also approved as part of the project was an addendum that will involve lining the existing manhole located in the CVS Pharmacy parking lot.In other business, the council approved an interlocal agreement for electronic voting machines between the Borger Independent School District, Borger Junior College District, Hutchinson County Hospital District, and the City of Borger.For many years, the four entities have been holding joint elections on the May uniform election date. This is done to share election expenses and allow voters the convenience of voting in one location.Eddie Edwards, Borger City Manager, said that federal and state election law requires all local entities to utilize electronic voting machines. For the last several years, the City of Borger has leased machines from Hart InterCivic. The annual lease on four machines was approximately $6,000 per year.Due to Texas Senate Bill 100 that passed during the 82nd Legislative Session, the availability of machines for lease is questionable, Edwards said. In order to guarantee access to voting machines, the City of Borger purchased five machines and related accessories. The interlocal agreement has been designed to equally split the cost of the voting machines between the entities based on the number of scheduled elections during the next five years.Edwards said the total cost of the voting machines was $29,407.40, which was a budgeted item in the 2011-12 equipment fund budget. Under the agreement, the other participating entities would pay the City of Borger access fees amounting to approximately $20,750 over the next five years.

Peery speaks about dangers of influenza

2012-02-21T10:52:44-05:00

Borger Noon Lions Club was honored to have Becky Peery, RN,BSN, of Golden Plains Community Hospital as their guest speaker. Becky is a 23-year employee of GPCH who wears several hats including Infection Preventionist, Employee Health Nurse and Staff Education Coordinator. With the help of Mickey Dunigan, IT Specialist, for GPCH they presented an educational program on the cause and effect of influenza throughout the world. TYPES OF INFULENZA INCLUDE: Type A: *A(H1N1) *A(H3N2), Type B and Type C. A and B Influenza Virus often co-circulate for our seasonal flu illnesses.TYPES OF EFFECTS OF INFUENZA: *OUTBREAK (sudden occurrence) *EPIDEMIC (Large Number) and ENDEMIC (Particular Area)WHAT CAUSES AN OUTBREAK? *Antigenic Drift (Sporadic Outbreaks) Type A (H3N2) Seasonal *Antigenic Shift (Pandemics) *Type A (H1N1) We are NOT immune to the new virusVIRULENCE OF THE VIRUSES: Swine Flu or HINI became a pandemic in 2009 and in June of 2010 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the pandemic over.Bird Flu, at this time does not spread to humans from infected birds or one human to another.A BRIEF SUMMARY OF ANTIGENIC SHIFTS IN RECORDED ISTORY IS AS FOLLOWS:1918 – Spanish Flu, Death Toll was 657,000 1947 – Swine Flu (H1N1), 1957 – Asian Flu (H2N2), 1968 – Hong Kong Flu (H3N2) 1977 – Swine Flu (H1N1). 1987 – Hong Kong (H3N2). 2009 – Swine Flu (H1N1)SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Sudden onset of high fever, *Cough, headache, muscle and joint pain *Sore throat and runny nose *Feeling extremely tiredAGES AT GREATEST RISK OF COMPLICATIONS: *Children under the age of two years *Adults 65 years and older with chronic problems i.e.: heart, lung, liver kidney, blood, diabetes *Weakened immune systems2012 VACCINE: *TYPE A - California/7/2009 (HINI) Like Virus *TYPE A – Perth/16/2009 (H3N2) – Like Virus *TYPE B – Brisbane/60/2008 – Like VirusDIFFERENCES IN SEASONAL AND PANDEMIC FLU: Seasonal: Occurs annually in winter Some immunity is built up from previous exposures Affects the elderly and very young\ Vaccines have been developed Average death is 36,000 per year Manageable impact of economyPandemic: Occurs few times in century No immunity from previous exposure Healthy people are at risk No vaccines developed 1918 Death toll was 675,000 Major impact to economyTransmission: Droplets in the Air Hand transmission*Influenza Virus can be spread one to two days prior to symptomsPrevention: GET YOUR VACCINATION!TYPES OF VACCINES: Shots – Inactive Trivalent Nasal Spray – Live, AttenuatedHAND WASHING – Most Important Thing You Can Do To Prevent Illness*Wash your hands with tepid water and soap*If someone in your home is ill, avoid using the same hand towels and clean the home surfaces with disinfectant cleanser*Wash your hands after you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose.*Avoid putting your hands near your eyes, nose or mouthRespiratory and Cough Etiquette*Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or the bend of your elbow*Avoid using your hands*Stay home if your are illReferences:(2009).Influenza (Seasonal) Fact Sheet, World Health organization at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs211/en/index.htlm

FPC sees increase in spring enrollment

2012-02-21T10:46:23-05:00

Frank Phillips College saw an increase in student head count from the 2011 fall semester to the 2012 spring semester.In an enrollment analysis presented during the FPC Board of Regents February meeting on Monday afternoon, the college saw an academic head count increase of 852 this spring compared to 839 in the fall of 2011.In combining academic and career and technical head count, the college saw a six-person increase, going from 1,033 to 1,039 between the last two semesters.While the numbers are seen as a positive step forward, FPC President Dr. Jud Hicks said the college administration is working to see the numbers continue to move up and is focusing on how to increase the number of credit and contact hours.Despite enrollment numbers seeing an increase, the college saw a decline in credit hours from 10,312 to 9,687 between the fall and spring semesters. Contact hours dropped from 243,048 in the fall to 222,428 this semester.The enrollment and credit hour numbers are down from the spring of 2011 when the enrollment head count was at 1,087 and credit hour numbers were at 10,369. But after the negative publicity the college received in the spring of 2011 due to a state proposal to have FPC as one of the four state community colleges potentially lose state funding, the slight increase in enrollment between the last two semesters is being seen as a positive step by some board members. In talking about the enrollment numbers, FPC Board of Regents member Jay Campbell commented, “The slight increase in head count is a sign that the college has been able to stop the bleeding from the negative press it received last year.”Credit and contact hour numbers are key figures in determining what kind of funding the college will receive from the state.Due to last year’s presented proposal, Dr. Hicks said the college is looking at all its options in order to increase credit and contact hours but at the same time preparing if the numbers cause the college to potentially lose some state funding.Dr. Hicks told the board, “We have continued to look for ways the college can reduce cost, while at the same time exploring what the college can do as far as expanding its class and program offerings.”In recent months the college has worked with several high schools in the area in extending its dual credit offerings and regaining the trust of the communities in the FPC service area.In regaining the trust of service area communities, FPC Dean of the Allen Campus in Perryton Dr. Lew Hunnicutt, told the board that doors are opening for the college to potentially have a physical presence in Dalhart.Recently Dr. Hunnicutt and Dr. Hicks met with Dallam County Judge David D. Field who has indicated he supports having FPC in Dalhart and has offered the college assistance in securing a Dallam County building that could be used for a Dalhart campus. Dr. Hunnicutt went on to say the college has received support from Dalhart area businesses, including Hilmar Cheese and the XIT Co-Op, who have shown interest in having the FPC conduct their company’s safety programs.

Fritch school board, city council prepping for upcoming elections

2012-02-21T10:43:48-05:00

Sanford-Fritch will be holding elections for two opening on the SFISD School Board. Filing started on February 4, 2012, and applications can picked up at the SFISD Administration Building, 540 Eagle Boulevard. For more information call 806-857-3122. City of Fritch will also have elections for city council members. Leslie Bass, City Secretary, said there are two aldermen positions open, as well as the mayor position. Elections will be held on May 12, 2012. As of now no one has filed to run for these positions. To apply for any one of these places on the city council, go to Fritch City Hall at 104 S Robey Ave. and fill out an application.

Council to act on sewer project

2012-02-20T12:34:19-05:00

The meeting is set for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, in the city council chambers of Borger City Hall, 600 North Main.The council will consider and take appropriate action to award a bid for the Third Street Sanitary Sewer Project. Information on this project will be presented by Scott Honeyfield of Parkhill, Smith, and Cooper.Action will also be taken on an interlocal agreement for electronic voting machines between the Borger Independent School District, Borger Junior College District, Hutchinson County Hospital District, and the City of Borger. Information on the agreement will be presented by City Manager Eddie Edwards.The council will act on the 2011 Borger Police Department Racial Profiling report, which will be presented by Bruce Roberts of BPD.Action will be taken on expenditures for the first half of February 2012, and minutes for the council’s first regular February meeting.A time for questions and comments from citizens will be held. Citizens who have indicated their desire to speak to the City Council will be heard at this time. In compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, unless the subject matter is on the agenda, City Council members are prevented from acting on the subject and may respond only with statements of factual information or existing city policy; however, City Council members may refer the person making the comment to a staff member or request city staff to place the subject matter on the future open meeting agenda.

Boomtown Theater performers prep for latest production

2012-02-20T12:33:06-05:00

Borger Police Report

2012-02-18T10:09:27-05:00

Feb. 16, 2012200 block of South Cedar – report of suspicious personMain 400 block of West Tenth – alarm700 block of South McGee – followup1000 block of Parkway – followupNorth Borger – investigation300 block of West Grand – followupCornerstone Church – followup1200 block of Hazelwood – followup300 block of Jackson – report of criminal trespass1300 block of West Roosevelt – report of disturbance300 block of West Grand – report of disturbanceCambridge – alarm800 block of North Main – report of fight in progress100 block of Mary – report of theftShannons – followupArrests:Linda Isela Pichardo, 26, of Borger, was arrested for criminal mischief (felony) and theft >=$20K<$100K.