This issue of Mason County News is available to read with an online subscription. See the same pages as in the print edition with all the stories, photos, and more.
An account and online subscription is needed to read the eEdition.
On May 3-4, nine students from the Mason High School Academic Team competed at the 2019 State Academic Meet, and eight of those nine brought home medals.
Brooke Wheelock, a senior, led the way by winning a State Championship in Feature Writing. She wasn’t the only journalism competitor to have a successful day.
The Board of Trustees of MISD met for their regular meeting on April 23, 2019 at the MISD Administration Office. Board President Jeff Durst called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm with members Jim Bob Smith, Julio Ramon, Tina Cantu-Navarro, Ryan Jordan, Treg Hudson and Kathryn Martin in attendance.
The West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association, a 118-county subregion of the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas (CJCAT), has selected Mason County Judge Jerry Bearden as Official of the Year.
Some 200-plus county officials and guests honored Bearden as he accepted the prestigious honor at the Association’s 90th Annual Conference conducted in Amarillo April 23-26.
On Monday, April 29, 2019, six members of the Mason FFA Chapter attended the Bluebonnet District FFA Banquet in Llano, Texas. The purpose of the banquet is to recognize FFA chapters in the district for recent accomplishments during the 2018-2019 school year.
This year, the Mason FFA has competed with sixty different students in twenty leadership and career development events.
4/1/19@0133, Ems, Was Called To Kettner St For A Female Who Had Fallen-No Transport
4/1/19@356, Ems, Was Called To Westmoreland For A Female With A Fever-No Transport
4/1/19@1659, Deputy Kealer, An Arrest Was Made For A Local Warrant For Theft
4/1/19@2005, Ems, Party Wanted To Meet Ems At The Ems Barn Complaining Of Chest/Gall Bladder Pain-No Transport
4/2/19@1122, Ems, Was Called To Hightower Rd-Female With Leg Injury-Taken To Hill Country Memorial
4/2/19@1406, Dispatch, Informatio ...
Boss Lion Marty Bentson opened the April 30 meeting of the Mason Lions Club by presenting Membership Certificates to Lion Glenn Ruthven for 15 years and to Lion Galen Thorne for 45 years. Congratulations, Lions!
We were pleased to have as our speaker Emily Hicks, Chairman of the Steady Steps Children’s Ministry located in the First United Methodist Church of Mason.
The Municipal elections concluded last Saturday, along with the School Board elections, and in both cases we will have new people filling positions of leadership and decision making. On the City Commission, Bonnie Beam will continue to represent District 2 since she was unopposed for that position, and Robin Lee will be serving as the Commissioner for District 4.
AUSTIN, TX – State Representative Andrew Murr (R-Junction) recently secured the advancement of House Bill 297 out of the Ways and Means Committee of the Texas House this past week. House Bill 297 would eliminate school district maintenance and operations (M&O) property taxes by January 1, 2022 and end the process of recapture, known as Robin Hood, for school districts throughout the state.
The largest driving force behind rising property taxes in Texas is the school finance system.
On May 3-4, nine students from the Mason High School Academic Team competed at the 2019 State Academic Meet, and eight of those nine brought home medals.
Brooke Wheelock, a senior, led the way by winning a State Championship in Feature Writing. She wasn’t the only journalism competitor to have a successful day.
Offensive Player of The Year:
Bridgit Herrington
Co-Pitcher of the Year:
Jesse Armstrong
Newcomer of the Year:
Tristin Keller
1st Team All District:
Kelcey Doss
2nd Team All District:
Presley Anastas
Ashlyn Gleghorn
Vanessa Rodriguez
McKenzie Cano
Honorable Mention All District:
Courtney Hanscheck
Academic All District:
Jesse Armstrong
Tristin Keller
Tessa Guice
McKenzie Cano
Kendra Munsell
The Cowgirls lost in the Area round of the playoffs to Archer ...
The Board of Trustees of MISD met for their regular meeting on April 23, 2019 at the MISD Administration Office. Board President Jeff Durst called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm with members Jim Bob Smith, Julio Ramon, Tina Cantu-Navarro, Ryan Jordan, Treg Hudson and Kathryn Martin in attendance.
Our band concert was moved to this Wednesday, May 8th. We apologize for the late notice - the high school baseball playoff game were scheduled for Thursday and this Wednesday was the only other day available between now and the end of the year.
The concert will start at 7:00 pm with the 5th graders followed by 6th grade, the HS Jazz band, the JH band, and finally the HS band.
Mason Tournament
Boys Team 1 - 233 - 1st Place
Ivan Wofford 55 - Fourth Place Medalist
Ryne Todd 56 - Fifth Place Medalist
Cy Nobles 70
Wyatt Row 69
Frankie Bolley 53 - Tied for Second Place Medalist
Boys Team 2 - 253 - 2nd Place
Brody Comey 65
Alfredo Valdez 66
Drake Lehmberg 69
Nathan Rodriguez 53 - Tied for Second Place Medalist
John Finn 78
Boys Medalist
Ethan Roberts 74
Girls Team 1 - 221- 1st Place
Avery Burns 43 - First Place Medalist
Raelynn Leifeste ...
On Monday, April 29, 2019, six members of the Mason FFA Chapter attended the Bluebonnet District FFA Banquet in Llano, Texas. The purpose of the banquet is to recognize FFA chapters in the district for recent accomplishments during the 2018-2019 school year.
This year, the Mason FFA has competed with sixty different students in twenty leadership and career development events.
If you have not yet paid your 2019 MCLWPA dues, please submit them this month. Application forms may be picked up at the Mason Feed Store. You may also contact any officer or director for assistance. Your dues may be tax deductible as a business expense if you report income from ranch or hunting activities.
The Mason County Livestock and Wildlife Protection Association is a nonprofit volunteer organization.
Our band concert was moved to this Wednesday, May 8th. We apologize for the late notice - the high school baseball playoff game were scheduled for Thursday and this Wednesday was the only other day available between now and the end of the year.
The concert will start at 7:00 pm with the 5th graders followed by 6th grade, the HS Jazz band, the JH band, and finally the HS band.
Property owners have the right to protest actions concerning their property tax appraisals. You may follow these appeal procedures if you have a concern about:
the appraised (market) value of your property
the unequal value of your property compared with other properties
the inclusion of your property on the appraisal roll
any exemptions that may apply to you
the qualification for an agricultural or timber appraisal
the taxing units taxing your property
the property ownership
...
This year’s Llano County Beef & Range Field Day is set for Tuesday, May 28, 2019. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the John L. Kuykendall Arena & Events Center, 2200 Ranch Road 152, about 1.7 miles west of Llano. The program will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. and there is no charge to the participant.
When: May 21, 2019
Where: Sandstone Bed & Breakfast, 508 E. Sandstone, Llano, TX
Speaker: Janis Stiefel and her son, Colin Stiefel, will be giving a talk on his hand carved items from Texas woods (all native wood). He will be bringing a variety of items. Some to show and some to sell.
FREDERICKSBURG, TX — Hill Country Memorial is hosting interviews for job openings within its system.
Those wanting to be a part of Hill Country Memorial’s award-winning legacy are asked to bring a current resume to the open interviews and should be prepared to interview on the spot.
Open interviews will be held at Hill Country Memorial Hospital’s Learning Centers located at 1020 S.
The Mason Garden Club photo contest to feature Mason County’s spring wildflower displays is underway. We hope people will get out to explore Mason County. The contest will end on May 15th with winning photos announced in early June. The Rules & Submission Form are available at the Mason County Library.
Lisa Heath, Chair-Mason County Child Welfare Board
Child Protective Services (CPS) is in need of more foster and adoptive homes. In addition to other child placement agencies, the Foster/Adoption Development Program through CPS works to recruit, train, and license families to foster and adopt children in need of a loving and safe home.
Region 09 consists of San Angelo, Midland, Odessa, Big Spring, and 26 surrounding counties, including Mason.
Sunday is Mother’s Day. If everything works out, we will get to spend a few days with our great grandson on Sunday. That will make my day special. I hope that mothers will celebrate with their families.
Last week, I decided to make a day trip to Hempstead to my favorite cement statue place.
The members of American Legion Fort Mason Post #285 & Ladies Auxiliary invite other veterans, friends and family, and anyone interested in the American Legion to attend our regular monthly meeting to be held at 6:30 pm Thursday May 9, 2019 at the American Legion Post Hall on Post Hill Road (behind the Jail).
For more information on this meeting or the American Legion please contact Joaquin Velez, 218-2049 or Tom Koepke 347-6021.
Saul M. Lopez, Jr., passed away peacefully at his home, in North Richland Hills, Texas, where his loving wife cared for him, on Tuesday, April 2, 2019. Saul Lopez, Jr., was born on March 22, 1935, to father, Saul Lopez, Sr., and mother, Paulonia Martinez. He was loved by many family members and friends.
Saul was preceded in death by his daughter, Irene Lopez.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years; five children; 13 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and 3ith great-great-grandchildren ...
February 5, 1935- May 2, 2019
Peggy Jordan entered her heavenly home and reunited with her loved ones on May 2, 2019. She peacefully passed away with family by her side after her battle with vascular dementia. Peggy was born on February 5, 1935 to Cecil and Ruby Chew at Bode Peak, Mason County in a rugged old three room home where they lived.
Joe Tom White, 61 of Santa Rosa, NM, passed away unexpectedly at his home on May 4, 2019.
Joe Tom, also known as “Jose” and “The Bull”, was born to the home of Tom White, Jr. and Virginia (Nixon) White on November 4, 1957 in Mason, Texas. Joe Tom attended school in Mason and graduated from Mason High School in 1976.
Brandy Hamman passed away on Saturday, May 4 in San Antonio, TX. at the age of 88. She is survived by her sister, Florence Smith and husband Danny, of Mason, TX.
A graveside service will be held May 18, 2019 at the Hilda Methodist Church cemetery at 11:00 a.m.
Condolences may be sent to the family on-line at masonfuneralhome.net.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Mason Funeral Home.
A full obituary will run in the next issue of the Mason County News.
Donald Stewart Boyd, age 86 of Art, TX passed peacefully into the loving arms of his savior on Sunday, April 28, 2019, at his home on the Llano River with his wife and daughter at his side.
Don, as he was commonly known, was born in Hammond, Indiana, to the late John Lynn Boyd and Louise Stewart Sanger. He was the youngest of their two children and preceeded in death by his brother Dennis.
Don graduated as Salutatorian of the Hammond Technical-Vocational High School Class of 1950, then ...
The state of the Union address. The president gives one every year. Can I give you my state of the Union address? The state of the economy – good to great! The state of our union – division as great as 150 years ago. The state of our morals and spirituality – pretty bad and getting worse.
Some 2019 Spring Cleaning!
At least once every year, I like to tackle those thoughts rattling through my head that never quite develop into full-fledged columns; but, that are important enough to me that I haven't been able to let them go. Since we're already in the second week of May and spring is winding down quickly, I think I better get the cleaning done.
Slow Down Already!
Our office is on the highway coming in from Fredericksburg.
Southern Chess Bars
courtesy: Country Kitchen
This is another one of those “easy as falling off a log” kind of recipes. The resulting baked good is very decadent and absolutely delicious. No one seems to know just exactly how “chess bars” or “chess pies” got their names. I spent a bit of time trying to find out by doing research on the internet.
Isn’t spring great? We still have those occasional chilly evenings, and afternoons that can reach into the ‘80’s (with no humidity) that make you feel like you’re living in southern California. I wonder why it can’t feel like this all summer long in Texas? But, of course, it doesn’t. June will be here in another few weeks, if you can believe it; and so arrives the humidity and the dog days of summer in Texas.
May is Older Americans Month, and as an older American, I’m glad somebody notices that we’re still here! Most of the seniors that come to the library are thriving, vibrant folks who contribute a lot to this community, and whom I admire tremendously. As for the topic of aging, we have quite a few items in our collections, both in print and digitally in our Overdrive library.
Criminal critters
No doubt you can imagine my immense disappointment upon learning that there really wasn’t a tiger loose along the Rio Grande last week, as was reported by several news media outlets. A picture circulated on social media of a tiger lounging in shallow water along the edge of a river that could very well have been the Rio Grande, and it was claimed to have been taken near Laredo.
It All Started at the Rodeo…
We’ve heard about the chances of being hit by lightning, winning the lottery or scoring a hole-in-one on the golf course, but nothing about the probability of two distinguished educators meeting up at a rodeo.
Dr. Ronny Collins, former school superintendent at Wellington, Jacksboro, Snyder and Mineral Wells, was a rodeo clown to help finance his college education, and his wife, Terri, a career fifth grade teacher, rode bulls.
Their first “hello” was ...
Sunday is Mother’s Day. If everything works out, we will get to spend a few days with our great grandson on Sunday. That will make my day special. I hope that mothers will celebrate with their families.
Last week, I decided to make a day trip to Hempstead to my favorite cement statue place.
M-O-T-H-E-R.
From Middle English moder.
Old English modor.
German mutter.
Indo-European mater.
Latin mater.
Classical Greek meter.
And Old Irish mathir.
Mother.
We owe it all to them.
No matter who we are or where we live.
Spanish madre.
Japanese Okasan.
Basque Ama.
Czech Abatyse.
Welsh Mam.
Swedish Mamma.
Portuguese Mae.
Russian Matz.
Catalan Mare.
Bulgarian Majka.
French Maman.
Hindi Mata.
No matter the language or culture.
We couldn’t be he ...