DPS Amps Up Patrols Over Holiday Weekend

Texas Department of Public Safety is another law enforcement agency looking to get out ahead of the wild holiday weekend coming up. In a press release they detailed their two campaigns they look to employ in the start of July to ensure Texans are getting home safely:

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Texas Highway Patrol (THP) will be initiating two traffic safety campaigns during the holiday weekend looking for people violating traffic laws from Friday, July 1, through Monday, July 4.

“Our nation’s freedom is something worth celebrating, and I encourage everyone to do it in a responsible way,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “This includes being mindful of our state’s traffic laws and being courteous of other drivers on the roads, so everyone can have a good holiday.”

Operation Holiday will run July 2 through July 4 and will target drivers who violate traffic laws, including those speeding, not wearing their seat belts or driving while intoxicated. During the 2021 campaign, there were 55,776 citations and warnings issued. This includes 17,376 citations and warnings for speeding; 2,006 for people driving without seat belts or child safety seats; and 1,632 for people driving without insurance. In addition, there were 298 people arrested for driving while intoxicated, 280 felony arrests and 145 fugitive arrests.

Operation CARE (Crash Awareness Reduction Effort) will run from July 1 through July 4, and focuses on reducing crashes and violations of the state’s Move Over, Slow Down law. From Jan. 1 through June 7, 2022, there were 4,135 Move Over, Slow Down violations. The law requires all drivers to slow down when police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) vehicles and tow trucks are stopped on the side of the road with their emergency lights activated.

DPS offers the following safety tips for people driving during the Fourth of July holiday:

• Don’t drink and drive. Make alternate plans if you are consuming alcohol.
• Move Over or Slow Down for police, fire, EMS, TxDOT vehicles and tow trucks stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated.
• Buckle up everyone in the vehicle — it’s the law.
• Slow down, especially in bad weather, heavy traffic, unfamiliar areas or construction zones.
• Eliminate distractions while driving, including the use of mobile devices. Texas law prohibits the use of portable wireless devices to read, write or send an electronic message unless the vehicle is stopped. If you’re using a navigation device or app, have a passenger operate it so you can keep your eyes on the road.
• Drive defensively, as holiday travel can present additional challenges.
• On multi-lane roads, use the left lane for passing only. Not only is it courteous driving and avoids impeding traffic, Texas law requires slower traffic to keep to the right and to use the left lane for passing only (when posted).
• Don’t cut in front of large trucks, and try not to brake quickly in front of them. They can’t maneuver as easily as passenger vehicles and pickup trucks.
• If you can Steer It, Clear It: If you are involved in a non-injury crash and your vehicle can be moved, clear the traffic lanes to minimize traffic impact. Leaving vehicles in a traffic lane increases traffic congestion and leaves those involved with an increased risk of harm or a secondary wreck. On some highways, if you don’t move your vehicle when it’s safe to do so, it’s against the law.
• Keep the Texas Roadside Assistance number stored in your phone. Dial 1-800-525-5555 for any type of assistance. The number can also be found on the back of a Texas Driver License.
• Check your vehicle to make sure it is properly maintained and always ensure your cargo is secure.
• Report road hazards or anything suspicious to the nearest law enforcement agency.
• Monitor weather and road conditions wherever you are traveling. For road conditions and closures in Texas, visit Drive Texas.

Levelland Landfill Holiday Hours

With the holiday weekend quickly approaching, the City of Levelland has some announcements that may be useful for citizens preparing for the festivities. Many City facilities will be closed in observance of the 4th of July, so the City urges citizens to handle any business before then. City Hall will be closed Monday, July 4th, but will reopen with regular hours on the 5th. Additionally, the Levelland Landfill will be closed July 2nd-4th and will reopen on the 5th as well. Please, plan accordingly and stay safe this holiday weekend!

Texas Parks And Wildlife Roll Out “Operation Dry Water” For A Safer Independence Day

Texas Parks and Wildlife roll out in full force to protect civillians every 4th of July holiday. This year, Operation Dry Water is their plan to keep water ways safe, and free of accidents. A full press release is below:

AUSTIN – The slips and boat ramps of Texas will soon buzz with activity as Fourth of
July weekend approaches. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) reminds
boaters to follow basic safety precautions while on the water.
Game wardens will join the United States Coast Guard and thousands of law
enforcement officers on heightened alert for violations as part of Operation Dry Water, a
nationally coordinated enforcement campaign focused on deterring boating under the
influence of drugs or alcohol.
“If you’re operating a boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you’re putting people
at risk,” said Cody Jones, TPWD Assistant Commander for Marine Enforcement. “Sadly,
we see it time and time again – holiday celebrations that end in accidents or fatalities
caused by unsafe boating practices.”
Last year, wardens arrested 42 for Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) over the Fourth of
July weekend and filed eight other charges for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). They
issued 1,474 citations and 1,797 warnings for various boating safety law violations.
“Texas Game Wardens will be out in force to help boaters return to land safely,” Jones
said. “But help us do our job by being prepared and making wise choices.”
Statewide, injuries and fatalities peak between the months of May and August,
especially on weekends. Among the top contributors: operator inattention,
careless/reckless operation, inexperience, and alcohol use.

Texas state law requires each occupant of a boat or paddle craft have access to a life
jacket. Children under 13 must wear one while the boat or paddle craft is underway or
drifting.
“Wear a life jacket, know how to swim and closely supervise children,” said Kimberly
Sorensen, TPWD Boating Education Manager. “Know the rules of the waterway. These
are some simple but extremely effective ways to increase water safety.”

Levelland FD Plugs Gas Leak for Atmos

The Levelland FD received a call from Levelland Dispatch at 11:25 on June 28th. Dispatch stated that Atmos was requesting the FD to stand by on a gas leak at 1834 8th St, in Levelland. Upon arrival and after investigation the FD discovered a broken gas meter and where able to plug the leak and make it safe. The FD was then released by Atmos Energy and returned to the station.

Levelland PD Investigating Theft at 715 Avenue G

The Levelland PD was called to 715 Avenue G on Monday June 27th at 11:55am regarding a theft of property. The property stolen included building materials and was later recovered later that evening in the 600 hundredth block of Austin Street. The theft is still currently under investigation.

Technology and Turf Before the Levelland ISD Board of Trustees on Wednesday

The Levelland ISD Board of Trustees will be meeting on Wednesday June 29th at 6:00pm with a light agenda but with some technology and other purchases to discuss.

The board will be considering approval of another flight of Chromebook to the tune of about $77,000.

They are also considering the purchase of 150 new interactive boards for Pre-K through 5th grade campuses running in the neighborhood of $25,000.

Other agenda items include consideration of replacing an aged fall zone on playground equipment at the Levelland ABC school at just over $130,000 and new turf for the Levelland High School Field House at around $113,000.

The meeting will be held at the Levelland ISD Central Office in the board chamber beginning at 6:00pm.

That meeting is open to the public.

Levelland PD Celebrates Years of Service By Captain Rust

For more than 30 years Captain Duane Rust has served with the Levelland PD to protect and serve his community. On Tuesday, June 28th, LPD held a reception at Studebakers Events and Chief Garcia had this to say. “We’re going to miss him tremendously and The New Captain that has just been promoted he’s got some big shoes to fill because Captain Rust has done a lot for Levelland” We’re going to be missing him a lot, but we’re really excited for him as well”.

When asked about his retirement Captain Rust said, “Its’ kind of bittersweet” It’s Been a Great experience.

Captain Rust also noted about the young police officers. “It’s time to relinquish that job and that these young guys take over and there going to do a great job. They’re talented they’re smart they’re gonna do a great job.

Congratulations to Captain Rust, and thank for your service to the Levelland Community.

Levelland Fire Department Mutual Aide Call Short Lived on Monday

Levelland Fire Department received a call from the Levelland PD dispatch in reference to a mutual aid request made by the Anton Volunteer Fire Department. AVFD requested Levelland FD to respond to a fully involved vehicle fire that spread into a CRP grass field. Three units responded however while in route PD dispatch advised Levelland FD units to cancel the response via AVFD. They stated that no CRP grass was on fire and Levelland FD was no longer needed.

Levelland Mainstreet’s Watermelon Crawl on July 2nd

The Levelland Mainstreet Program is gearing up for their 1^st Saturday Shop the Square coming up this Saturday on July 2^nd. This shop the square theme is a Watermelon Crawl. Join the Levelland Main Street Program for a fun day of music, food, shopping, shade trees, beautiful mosaics, flowers on all sides and time spent with good friends. Have fun participating with a Watermelon Booth of your own or go support and try all of the fare around the square! You can visit KLVT Radio at the gazebo and register to win a $100 downtown shopping spree, and vote for your favorite watermelon carving and booth. The winners will walk away with $100 dollars each.

Terry Ray Stroud

Terry Ray Stroud passed from this life on June 25, 2022 in Lubbock at UMC from complications and combinations of many health problems.  He fought a valiant fight for many years.

Terry was born August 22, 1949 in Bethany, Missouri to Ray Leathel and Marietta Louise (Bartlett) Stroud.  After living there and in Arkansas for a while, they found their way to Levelland.  Terry was five years old when the Strouds came to Levelland.

He began his working career at about the age of 12.  He worked on a Baldridge bread truck with Woodrow Cates and Kenneth Early until he got old enough to work in a store and Corky Evans put him to work in his stores.  Terry worked for Corky until he graduated from Levelland High School in 1969.  He enlisted in the U.S. Navy along with a dear friend, Bill Rogers.  He served his country in the Navy for two years and came home.  He was fiercely patriotic and always enjoyed any war movie or anything to do with patriotism.  He continued working for Corky and then went to work on drilling rigs.  In 1973, Terry went to work for the Western Company of North America along with John Claborn and Butch Kauffman.  He loved the oilfield and in particular oilfield logging and perforating, the division he worked in.  He stayed with that profession and worked for several companies as they evolved from one name to another: CRC Wireline, Wedge Wireline, Prolog, and Gray Wireline.  He was a wonderful salesman and was well-known and liked in the oilfield as well as around town.  Many people and their children remembered him from this days of working in Corky’s Jim Dandy Stores here in Levelland.  His final job in the oilfield was driving a transport tanker truck for Flying Star.  He loved that job, but his health forced him to retire.

On March 3, 1974 he met Elizabeth Jane Stroud and they had their first date on March 6, 1974.  They married on July 6, 1974 and enjoyed a marriage just 2 weeks shy of 48 years.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Marietta Louise Bartlett Stroud and Ray Leathel Stroud, and brothers, Donnie Stroud and Lonnie Stroud.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Jane Stroud; children, Tara Elizabeth (Justin) Stroud Windsor and Morris Clinton (Garon) Stroud; five wonderful, precious grandchildren, Briar Ann Windsor, Elias James Windsor, Raston Rayne Stroud, Bristyn Dawn Stroud and Braycen Krey Stroud.  Terry was very proud of his children and grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church in Levelland officiated by Rev. Jon Sharpe.  Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at Krestridge Funeral Home.  Interment will follow in the City of Levelland Cemetery where he will be alongside his mother and father-in-law, Melvin B. and Nell Nelson; parents, Ray Leathel and Marietta Stroud; and brother, Lonnie Stroud.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make donations to your favorite charity in memory of Terry.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Krestridge Funeral Home.  (806) 897-1111