CANYON, Texas—The Department of Psychology, Sociology and Social Work at West Texas A&M University and neuropsychologists from Memorial Hermann TIRR in Houston are looking for veterans to be a part of a special focus group.
Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom who sustained traumatic brain injuries are needed to take part in a focus group that will help design a Traumatic Brain Injury/PTSD Recovery Assistance Program for veterans and their families.
“We want to know how to better serve veterans and their families,” Misty Rueda, program coordinator, said. “We need veterans who have suffered a traumatic brain injury and their families to participate in a focus group.”
Veterans and families who participate will meet with neuropsychologists to help determine that the best possible services are available to those in need. The sessions will last for approximately one hour, and those participating will receive a small reimbursement for time spent.
“Brain injuries vary in severity from mild concussion to severe injury, but all may impact the individual’s ability to reintegrate back to his or her normal lifestyle,” Dr. Timothy Atchison, interim dean for Graduate School and Research and project director, said. “We believe with the help of veterans and their families we can adapt known effective programs to serve their needs.”
The Traumatic Brain Injury/PTSD Recovery Assistance Program is funded through TRIAD (Texas Resources for Iraq-Afghanistan Deployment) funds from the Permian Basin Area Foundation. For more information about signing up for the focus group, contact Rueda at 806-651-2729 or 806-690-7267 or at cogrehab@wtamu.edu.
Stinnett Residents Celebrate City's 82nd Birthday
Carie Riggs was among many Stinnett youngsters who enjoyed a night of games at the Stinnett City Park on Thursday night in connection with the Stinnett Birthday Celebration activities this week. A watermelon feed was also enjoyed. On Saturday, the parade will begin at 10 a.m. and end at the park for a day of activities. A street dance will be held Saturday night. For more photos of the celebrations, please see our Stinnett 82nd Birthday Photo Gallery.(All Photos by Nancy Young)
Nine County Residents Graduate WTA&M University
Nine Hutchinson County residents recently received their diplomas during summer commencement services at West Texas A&M University in Canyon. A total of 335 WT students received degrees during the Aug. 8, 2008, ceremony.
Crystal E. Hinshaw of Borger was an honor graduate. She graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors. She received a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, and is currently a first grade teacher at West Texas Elementary in Stinnett.
Other students from Borger who graduated in the summer commencement services were: Theresa A. Albrecht, who received a Masters of Education in curriculum instruction; Ryan M. Hall, who received a Bachelor of Business Administration in management; Fallon N. Kelley, who received a Masters of Education in counseling; Megan C. Thomas, who received a Bachelor of Science in accounting; and Keli R. Thompson, who received a Masters of Science in communication disorders.
Fritch residents who received diplomas were Michelle D. Rogers, who received a Bachelor of Business Administration in computer information systems and Matthew A. Trammell, who received a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing.
Stinnett resident Grace Kaslon received a Masters of Education in counseling.
The university awarded 220 baccalaureate degrees, 113 masters’ degrees and two doctoral degrees.
Graduates with an overall grade point average of 3.50 or higher were recognized as honor graduates and wore gold honor cords. The three levels of honor recognition are Summa Cum Laude (3.90-4.00), Magna Cum Laude (3.75-3.89), and Cum Laude (3.50-3.74
Altrusa Presents Dictionaries to County Fifth Graders
Altrusa Club recently presented each fifth grade student in Gateway, Fritch, and Stinnett with a dictionary of their very own. Altrusa places emphasis on literacy projects throughout the year. At the beginning of the school year, each Altrusan purchased a grade level supply list, and also filled other school needs for special needs students. Financing for their projects comes from the three flea markets they sponsor at the dome each year, with the next one scheduled for September 13 and 14. Left to right are Altrusans Jerrie Judd, Elene Chisum, fifth grade teacher Cindy Head, and Altrusans Marilyn Brown, and Mary Lou Earnest. (Photo Courtesy Wanda Guinn)
Stinnett to Celebrate 82nd Birthday With Week Full of Activities
By Nancy Young
It’s going to be a week-long birthday, and it will be a blast!
Activities for the week will begin with a free meal. At 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008, a Community Picnic will kick-off the activities for Stinnett’s 82nd Birthday Celebration.
Stinnett City Manager Mike Lamberson is urging members of the community to join together for the free meal. He said that 300 hamburgers and 300 hot dogs will be served. Lamberson said that several business and individuals have donated food and money for the event which will be at the Stinnett City Park.
“We urge everyone to come out, enjoy the food while visiting,” said Lamberson.
Events are planned for each day this week to celebrate the town’s birthday. On Saturday, there will be traditional activities for the participants as well as new events in the annual celebration.
Angela Hoff is in charge of a 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament and a Beach Volleyball Tournament . Both activities will be at the park.
Approximately 30 booths will be at the Stinnett City Park on Saturday. Everything from food to crafts will be available at the booths.
Activities are scheduled throughout the week as follows:
Wednesday, Sept. 3 – 6:30 p.m. Gospel music will be featured in a Community Church Service in the Stinnett City Park. A homemade ice cream social will follow the service. Any Stinnett resident is encouraged to prepare their favorite ice cream for the event.
Thursday, Sept. 4 – 6:30 p.m. A free Watermelon Feed will be held at the Stinnett City Park. Several children’s games including a 3-legged race, sack race and stick horse race.
Friday, Sept. 5 - 6:30 p.m. - Brisket Cook-off begins at Stinnett City Park. Teams must be set up and ready to go by 6:30 p.m. Entry fee per team is $30. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Jocelyn Perez at 878-2422.
7:30 p.m. – West Texas Comanches will host River Road in football at Comanche Stadium in Stinnett.
Saturday, Sept. 7:
9 a.m. – Judging of cook-off at the City Park.
10 a.m. – Entrants in parade should line up for the parade at H & H Credit Union on North Main.
11 a.m. – Parade begins. Kevin Freriks and Allen Snider will emcee the parade. First, second and third places will be awarded for floats in parade. Parade Marshals will be Ruth Chisum and Litch Sparks, Jr., both longtime Stinnett residents.
11 a.m. – Booths open in the park and activities begin. Mac Conway will emcee entertainment at the park from 12-4 p.m.
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. – McCormick House will be open for visitors.
12-1 p.m. – Sign in for Horseshoe Tournament
1 p.m. Horseshoe Tournament begins
3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
2 p.m. – Pie/cake bake-off
4 p.m. – Beach Volleyball Tournament
8 p.m. – Midnight – The Stinnett Swimming Pool will be open for the last swim of the season. It will be a free swim.
9 p.m. – Midnight – Street Dance. Dixie Thunder, an Amarillo band, will play for the dance.
Officers for the celebration are Steve Rives, Jocelyn Perez, and Rhonda Manry.
County Commissioner Isbell Challenged in Write-in Election
By Nancy Young
Don’t take anything for granted during elections. The 2008 presidential campaigns are certainly not the traditional fare as in years past, but a race for a local county position has gotten quite interesting, too.
Hutchinson County Precinct Three County Commissioner S.T. “Red” Isbell is being challenged by a former employee for the commissioner position.
Donnie Hayes, who was employed in the Precinct Three Road and Bridge department of Hutchinson County for several years, has filed the appropriate papers with Hutchinson County Judge Faye Blanks to be a write-in candidate in the November General Election.
Isbell, who is in his third term as county commissioner, did not draw an opponent in the 2008 Republican Primary this past May. There was not a candidate for the position in the Democratic Primary.
Hayes retired from Hutchinson County in early summer.
He was elected to the Stinnett City Council in 2006, and was re-elected in May of 2008. Stinnett officials told Hutchinson County Highlights.com that Hayes can continue as a councilman while he is campaigning. However, according to the officials, he would have to resign from the city council position if he should garner enough write-in votes in the November General Election.
City of Stinnett to Conduct Survey
By Nancy Young
Stinnett residents are reminded that a survey will be conducted this week by the City of Stinnett and the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission.
Stinnett City Manager Mike Lamberson said the survey is necessary for the City of Stinnett to apply for a Community Development Block Grant for future water projects.
The Community Development Block Grant program is intended to serve primarily low-to-moderate income families in ruraol communities. This survey must be conducted in order to attain the information necessary to describe the population who would benefit from the city's proposed water system improvement project.
Questions to be asked on the survey include number of persons living in unit, number of families living in unit and income levels.
According to information provided by the City of Stinnett, residents do not neet to identify themselves on the form. The survey is slated to be conducted during the early evening hours.
Additional information may be obtained by contacting Stinnett City Hall at 878-2422.
Juvenile Probationers Garden Yielding Big Crops
The Hutchinson County Juvenile Probationers plant, tend and harvest crops in their garden. The project is under the direction of John Howeth and is an annual event. Howett says watermelon, canteloupe and pumpkin will soon be ready for purchase. The produce will be available at the juvenile probation office on Veta Street in Borger. (Photo by Nancy Young)
