Cochran County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Theft at Morton Golf Course

The Cochran County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a theft at the Morton Golf Course. According to the Sheriff’s office the theft was discovered on Tuesday when the Sheriff located a golf cart in a ditch outside of Morton.

The staff at the Golf Course is still working to compile a full damage report, however, the Cochran County Sheriff told KLVT News that he is aware of golf clubs that were stolen along with a golf cart and several other miscellaneous items.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Cochran County Sheriff’s Office at 266-5211.

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Levelland City Council Holds Regular Meeting

The Levelland City Council met in a regular meeting Monday night.

During the public forum portion of the meeting, Ed Marsch spoke to the council concerning traffic on Holly is traveling too fast, especially in the afternoon. He noted that they requested a stop sign at Holly and Birch. A stop sign was installed and had helped the issue. The stop signs were removed a while back without any comment from anyone. He said that city staff had told him that the city is doing traffic flow evaluations. Marsch said he had canvassed the neighborhood and him and the neighbors would like to see the stop signs put back up.

David Dunn also spoke to the council. He spoke to the city council concerning property taxes. He noted that he had just got his statement and property taxes are up 4.5%. He noted that citizens are in Austin fighting to get a property tax cap in place and he went on to say that citizens will continue fighting until it is voted in by the Legislature. He noted that the only ones fighting the cap was cities and counties.

The council also canvassed the election returns from the May election. It was noted that less than 2% of the registered voters voted in the election. It was noted that many people in Austin want to put everything to an election, which means items in the city will be decided by less than 2%. It was also noted that less than 1% of the registered voters in the 35-44 age bracket voted. The proposition to continue collection of the street maintenance sales tax passed by a 92% margin with 227 votes in favor to 20 votes against.

JoeBill Vardeman and Max Ledesma were sworn in to additional terms on the city council.

The council also took action regarding an Encroachment Agreement at 1008 12th Street. The encroachment agreement was needed to allow for a clear title and to allow for the sale of the property. There is currently no utilities in the area. The council approved the agreement with little discussion.

The council also discussed a special events application for the Rods and Bombs Invasion Car Show to be held at the Levelland City Park on July 13th from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The event organizer Rudy Rivera Jr. said it will be a BYOB event which required the event to come to the council. It was recommended by a committee including city staff that the event not be allowed to have any alcohol as it is on city property which violates the current city ordinance. Rudy Rivera Jr. said he is trying to hold the event to help Levelland. He said he still want to have the event with alcohol, it would not be advertised, however, it would be allowed for people to bring alcohol. City staff noted that with alcohol their would be a minimum of 4 police officers required for security and the cost would have to be passed on to the event organizers. The city ordinance bans alcohol on city property. Councilman Jim Myatt, said “I am against having alcohol at the event.” Police Chief, Albert Garcia noted that it is Early Settlers Day and most of the Levelland officers will be involved with that, he said he might could outsource officers from other agencies to assist. The city manager noted that this is uncharted territory for the city and with this large of an event it may be necessary to have security regardless if alcohol is involved. The current city code does not allow alcohol in city park. The city attorney noted that the city council can require security regardless of alcohol being involved. Councilman Jim Myatt made the motion to approve the application without alcohol with a minimum of three security officers. It passed unanimously. The city attorney clarified that the event can be held, but alcohol is not allowed and security officers will be required. It was noted that if alcohol is found on premises, law enforcement will enforce the city ordinance.

The council also took action to extend the depository contract for 90 days as allowed by the current contract. City Bank is agreeable to the extension while the city is accepting proposals.

The council also took action to form a Housing Development Planning Task Force to work on Multi Family Housing Development and Single Family Housing Development. The task force will include a banking representative, a realtor and a private citizen. Councilwoman Breann Buxkemper said, “I see no negative, this can only be positive, adding that Levelland ISD and other companies need homes for employees.” City Manager, Erik Rejino said “we don’t want to run out of lots for development, it will hinder our commercial development.”

The council took action to approve the resale of property at 1819 Houston Street in Levelland. It was noted that their are significant amount of back taxes due on the property. A bid was approved from Oscar Hilliard for $2,580. They also took action to approve the resale of property at 1211 and 1213 Ave. M to Dale and Jeanie Brown.

The council also took action to approve the ordinance to change the zone from Single Family 2 to Business 2 at 101 House Avenue, 102 North Denver and 104 North Denver in Levelland on a second and final reading.

City of Sundown to test Tornado Sirens

The City of Sundown has announced they will conduct a test of their Tornado Sirens on Wednesday, May 22nd.

City Administrator Billy Hernandez has announced that the Tornado Sirens will be tested at 11:30 am on Wednesday and the test will last approximately 30 minutes.

If you have any questions you may contact the City of Sundown at 229-3131.

State Resources Staged at Levelland Fire Department for Severe Weather Response

Photo Courtesy Levelland Fire Department

Texas Division of Emergency Management, Task Force One has deployed two water rescue teams to pre-stage at the Levelland Fire Department due to the anticipation of severe weather in the area. It is all part of an order from Governor Greg Abbott to prepare all state resources to respond to areas impacted by the anticipated severe weather Monday.

The teams are staging at Levelland Fire Department due to the anticipation of severe storms in the area. Levelland Fire Department has a close working relationship with the Texas Task Force and DPS. We are more than willing to house and assist the state in every way possible.

The Texas Task Force is a FEMA-State Urban Search and Rescue Team home based in College Station Texas. The team is made up of numerous volunteers from departments all over the state. This task force is a widely known and recognized team throughout the state as well as the country. They have deployed to countless manmade and natural disasters including 911 and every major hurricane for roughly the last 20 years. This is a highly skilled team with countless hours of training, years of experience, and some of the best equipment that the industry can provide.

The Levelland Fire Department is proud to have similarly trained Rescue personnel with matching rescue and training experience. If requested, members of Levelland Fire and South Plains Regional Rescue can respond anywhere within the 15 counties included in South Plains Association of Governments (SPAG) region including the Lubbock Area. If the State were to request assistance to any other area, we have the capability and equipment to respond to incidents such as water rescue, structural collapse, technical search, and high angle rescue.

SPC Honors Graduates in Associate Degree Nursing

The Associate Degree Nursing Program at South Plains College recently hosted a Pinning Ceremony on May 9 in the Texan Dome. There were 36 graduates in the class.

City of Lubbock ADN graduates are Suzanna Brown, Alison Cagle, Lauren Clark, Jessica Calantas, Crystal Cobos, Laren Cook, Alexis Cunningham, Nichole Giddens, Rolando Gonzales, Cortney Gragson, Brayden Hall, Aaron Hunn, Felicia Jones and Xavier Leal.  

Also from Lubbock are Stacey Magreehan, Cheryl Norton, Morgan Odom, Cory Philpott, Sheree Procter, Ashley Ramsey, Adrienne Real, Breanna Redden, Miranda Richards, Briana Sallee, April Sorto, Joshua Vasquez and Laura Wood.

Area ADN graduates are Lucy Aberle of Slaton, Kerstein DeLaRosa and Kristi Guerra, both of Lamesa; Becca Floyd of Denver City, Hanna Mandrell of Olton, Tiffany Martin and Miranda Torrez, both of Littlefield; and Rosa Olivas of Brownfield.

The ADN graduate Nelly Iheruo of Nigeria.

Jill Pitts, MSN, RN, presented the Maxine Dunn Scholarship Award to Miranda Torrez of Littlefield. Jessica Maples, BSN, DON of Covenant Levelland presented the Covenant Healing Touch Award to Aaron Hunn of Lubbock. Angie King, BSN, RN, presented the UMC Leadership in Nursing Award to Lucy Aberle of Slaton. The SPC nursing faculty named Cory Philpott of Lubbock as the Most Outstanding Student.

Several Area Fire Departments Respond to Grass Fires Friday

The Whiteface, Morton, Levelland and Sundown Fire Departments all responded to a grass fire south of FM 1585 on FM 1780 around 1:40 pm.

The Whiteface Volunteer Fire Department responded with two grass trucks and a tanker truck. The Morton Volunteer Fire Department also responded with a grass truck, Sundown Volunteer Fire Department responded with a grass truck and two firefighters and the Levelland Fire Department responded with two command units, a grass truck and a tanker truck and four firefighters.

Approximately 20 acres of grass land was burning east of FM 1780, on the south side of FM 1585 near the Cochran and Hockley County line. The fire was quickly extinguished.

As units were clearing the scene, a second grass fire was reported west of the first blaze. Three units from the Whiteface and Morton fire departments responded to the second blaze. Oilfield workers had the send fire extinguished by the time firefighters arrived.

A Whiteface fire truck suffered minor damage with a flat tire during the grass fire. It was repaired and returned to service by late Friday according to a report from the Whiteface Volunteer Fire Department.

Obituary: Michael Womack, 58 of Levelland

Funeral Services are scheduled for Michael Womack, 58 of Levelland. Services are set for 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 18th, 2019 in the George Price Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow. He passed away on Monday, May 13th in Levelland. Services are under the direction of George Price Funeral Home.