Obituaries brought to you by George Price Funeral Home in Levelland, online at georgepricefunerals.com
Funeral services are scheduled for William “Bill” E. Falkinburg, 64 of Levelland. Memorial Services are set for Saturday, September 23 at 2:00pm in the Krestridge Funeral Home Chapel in Levelland. He passed away on September 13 in a Lubbock hospital.
For more information: klvtnews.wordpress.com/obituaries
Obituaries brought to you by George Price Funeral Home in Levelland, online at georgepricefunerals.com
Funeral Services are scheduled for Andrew Carr, 94 of Levelland. Private services will be held at a later date. He passed away on Sunday, September 17. Services are under the direction of Krestridge Funeral Home in Levelland.
For more information: klvtnews.wordpress.com/obituaries
A Levelland, Texas native and 2012 Levelland High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided missile destroyer, USS Stethem.
Fireman Juan Valencial Olivas is a gas turbine systems technician aboard the forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer operating out of Yokosuka, Japan. Stethem is one of eight destroyers forward-deployed in Yokosuka.
A Navy gas turbine systems technician is responsible for the mechanical parts of gas turbine engines aboard the ship including the propulsion system. He’s responsible for keeping the ship going, making sure motors and mechanical parts are constantly running maintanining mission readiness.
“I learned growing up in a small town to be courteous to everyone and also to be confident,” said Valencial Olivas. “Being yourself helps a lot here in the Navy.”
With more than 50 percent of the world’s shipping tonnage and a third of the world’s crude oil passing through the region, the U.S. has historic and enduring interests in this part of the world.
“Our alliance is rooted in shared interests and shared values,” said Adm. Harry Harris, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command. “It’s not hyperbole to say that the entire world has benefited from the U.S.-Japan alliance. While our alliance helped stabilize the region after the Second World War, it also enabled the Japanese people to bring about an era of unprecedented economic growth. And for the last six decades, our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have worked side by side with the Japan Self Defense Force to protect and advance peace and freedom.”
Approximately 300 men and women serve aboard the ship. Their jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the ship running smoothly, according to Navy officials. They do everything from maintaining gas turbine engines and operating the highly sophisticated Aegis weapons system to driving the ship and operating small boats.
Forward-deployed sailors are crucial to the success of the global Navy mission and earn high praise from their leaders.
“I love everyting about Japan, the culutre, people and scenery. There is a lot to experience here. I really like the weather here, it’s not 105 degrees like in west Texas,” said Valencial Olivas. “I’m really proud of my job. I like working with my hands, that’s how I learn. The skills I’m learning in the Navy are pretty cool.”
Sailors serving abroad in Japan are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions, explained Navy officials.
“Serving in the Navy gives me a sense of pride,” added Valencial Olivas. “I’m glad to be part of something bigger than myself.”
With the ability to conduct anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare, destroyers are capable of sustained maritime operations supporting forward naval presence, maritime security, sea control, deterrence of aggressive actions on U.S. partners around the globe, as well as humanitarian assistance. Fast, maneuverable, and technically advanced, destroyers provide credible combat power, at and from the sea.
(Courtesy: US Navy Office of Community Outreach)
The Littlefield Police department and the Texas Rangers are investigating a homicide which occurred in Littlefield Monday night. Police Department investigators and Texas Rangers remained on the scene Tuesday morning.
Littlefield Police Chief, Ross Hester said officers responded to a shots fired call at just after 10:00pm Monday night in the 400 Block of West First Street. He said upon arrival, they found Vernon Williams, Sr. lying near a Honda Civic car with a single gunshot wound. Chief Hester said a second subject at the scene suffered a gunshot wound to the back of the leg, those injuries were not expected to be life threatening. The second individual was transported to Lamb County Medical Center and was treated and released. Williams was pronounced dead at University Medical Center in Lubbock.
Two people have been detained for questioning in connection with the case. Police are seeking a third person for questioning.
As severe storms built in Bailey County, Sunday afternoon the storms produced damage across the Eastern South Plains.
According to reports from the National Weather Service the storm produced mostly wind damage across the area. Power lines and trees were reported blown down on FM 2528 east of Shallowater in Lubbock County, in Hale County, a convenience store roof was blown off and on to a residence causing major damage in Petersburg, several reports of wind damage come in from Crosby county including major damage to a structure near Cone. The National Weather Service reported 64 mph winds, described as a microburst, causing heavy damage near Floydada.
The National Weather Service is expected to have a damage assessment team evaluating the damage near Cone. Early reports from the NWS indicate the damage may have been caused by microburst winds.
Levelland Police continue to investigate a two vehicle accident from Thursday night in Levelland.
The accident occurred at just before 7:45pm, east of the Sherman and highway 114 intersection in the west bound lane. A red four door car crashed into the back of a grey four door car. The driver and back seat passenger in the red car was transported to Covenant Hospital in Levelland with non life threatening injuries. The pavement was wet and light rain was falling in the area at the time of the accident.
Levelland Police Department, Hockley County Sheriff’s Department, Levelland Fire Department and Levelland EMS all responded to the accident.
Emergency crews responded to a two vehicle accident near the intersection of County Road and Texas Highway 114 this morning at just after 8am.
According to reports the accident occurred in the west bound lanes. Westbound traffic was shut down while crews worked the accident, they have since been re-opened.
We are told that two people were taken to the hospital for unknown injuries. Police continues to investigate the accident and no further information is being released at this time.
