The Daily Press http://sweetwaterreporter.com http://sweetwaterreporter.com/apfeed.xml--1 Copyright The Daily Press 2013-05-18T12:24:06-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:87812013-05-18T12:24:06-04:002013-05-18T12:24:06-04:00Copyright 2010 Sweetwater ReporterSweetwater Chief of Police Brian Frieda stood among several former and current local law enforcement officers. "It was brought to my attention when I became Chief of Police that something happened at the Sweetwater Police Department in the past. There is no reason why this person should not be lifted up and praised when this person could have quite easily lost her life."Chief Frieda went on to talk about the year 1977. "We didn't have body armor back then. Law enforcement officers just did what they did. They answered the call of duty and if they walked away unscathed, it was a good day."He went on to say, "Today, we want to make up for a non-intentional oversight for a local law enforcement officer that showed tenacity, strength, wisdom and leadership after an injury she received in the summer of 1977 here in Sweetwater."Chief Frieda called for former Sweetwater PD Sergeant Edyth Brothers and presented her with a Purple Heart.The tranquility of a Fourth of July holiday morning was shattered by gunfire in Sweetwater on July 4, 1977, resulting in the serious wounding of Brothers and the death of three Sweetwater residents. Killed were Tony, Gonzales, Jr., his sister, Erlinda Garcia, 27 and her estranged husband, Daniel Rangel Garcia, 31.Police received a call at 6:50 a.m. that morning reporting a domestic disturbance at 511 W. Oklahoma. Brothers arrived at the scene first and was going through the door of the residence, the home of Ynes Gonzales, mother of Gonzales and Mrs. Garcia, when Sergeant Johnie Rose of the Sweetwater PD arrived in another vehicle.Police said Brothers was in the house as Rose left his car. Then he heard what he thought was a gun shot and saw Brothers stagger through the door, onto the front porch.Rose then called for an ambulance and backup help before he heard several other shots in the house.Police reported that Garcia, who shot Brothers using a 38-caliber pistol, then shot his estranged wife who was sitting in an armchair in the living room.Gonzales then tried to run to the kitchen when he was shot in the back and killed by Garcia.George Albert Santana of Abilene, brother-in-law of Gonzales, shot at Garcia with a 23-caliber Browning rifle, but missed. Garcia then fired back at Santana, also missing with the last bullet in his revolver.Santana fired again, wounding Garcia, who then charged toward him, being wounded several more times before reaching Santana, who hit him with his rifle stock.Rose, backed up by then Chief of Police Gerald Byrd, three Nolan County Sheriff's Department deputies and a district attorney investigator, reported that Santana then came to the front door and threw the gun into the yard.All three victims of the shootings were pronounced dead on arrival at Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital where they had been taken by ambulance.Officer Brothers underwent surgery at RPMH. The bullet had entered the right side of her chest and lodged in the lower left part of her back. She lost one kidney and a small part of her liver.Reports state that upon entering the house, Brothers inquired as to what was the problem. One of the men in the house said, "This man does not live here," pointing at Garcia.When Brothers asked Garcia if that was true, he turned and shot her.Brothers was carrying a gun when she entered the residence, but had not drawn it when she was shot. She had been with the Sweetwater Police Department for 14 years, serving as a dispatcher until a year before the shooting, when she became an officer.SGT Brothers retired in 1999 after 34 years of service. She is known at the Sweetwater PD as "Sergeant Mom."Sweetwater, TXTatiana RodriguezFormer Sweetwater police sergeant presented with Purple Heart 36 years after being shotSweetwater Reporterurn:publicid:dailypress.com:8781Change0Usable2013-05-18T12:24:06-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:87802013-05-18T12:22:30-04:002013-05-18T12:22:30-04:00Copyright 2010 Sweetwater ReporterThe architect is very close to finishing the plans; upon their completion, this approval grants permission for the city to begin obtaining bids. Other bids were discussed during the meeting as well. Approval was given to allow staff to go out for bids to sell five surplus, real properties owned by the city.A minimum bid--the latest, certified values from the Nolan County Appraisal District (NCAD)--will also be set for the properties. The purpose for setting the minimum bid is that in the past, the cost of advertising has not been justified by the costs received from the bids.The properties will be advertised as a bundle in order to absorb the publishing costs and so the city can get them back on the tax rolls. Interest has been seen in some of the properties, in which three are located on West Colorado while the other two are on Tom Green and SW Georgia.In addition, unsolicited bids from C.D. Trimble Properties, LLC which were delivered by the NCAD were opened and considered. The bids were sealed, thus the commissioners had no prior knowledge on the potential costs. As back taxes are owed, any money made would go back to the appraisal district, which would be sent to the entity. The bids for Lots 6, 9, 10, 11 on Block 20 of the Southside Addition totaled $216.15, while Lot 23 on Block 16 of the Southside Addition received a $55.62 bid.Due to the costs, however, the commissioners rejected the bids, which was approved.Finally, two bids were opened for three pickup trucks to be used for city operations. City staff reviewed the bids before making the recommendation to go with the bid from the Buy Board of Texas, which came from Caldwell Country Chevrolet in Caldwell, Texas.Sweetwater, TXBelinda SerranoAuthorization given to obtain bids for new police stationSweetwater Reporterurn:publicid:dailypress.com:8780Change0Usable2013-05-18T12:22:30-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:87792013-05-18T12:21:37-04:002013-05-18T12:21:37-04:00Copyright 2010 Sweetwater ReporterChapter 18 of the Code of Ordinances, entitled "Miscellaneous Provisions and Offenses," dealt with allowing freight and portable storage containers in certain zoning districts. The ordinance was previously passed, but after a request by the commissioners, it was reconsidered by the city to make it more business friendly.The original ruling was that the containers needed to be painted and anchored, but a concern was raised that some containers are only used on temporary job sites. But with 65 containers already in town, the amendment would allow for more container industrial zones K, L and M within the city.Thus, four containers could be spaced four feet apart (for mowing purposes). All permanent containers would need to be anchored and painted, while temporary containers--like those used in construction--would need to be registered with the city.Although these changes were posed by the city, City Manager Eddie Brown felt that they would be hard to maintain. However, the amended ordinance added that containers cannot be stacked and used for dwelling purposes.While the complaints were first heard in the K zone--which is mainly near Interstate 20, all three zones are under the same guidelines. Even though zones L and M--located mostly at the city entrances--are at a higher level, exceptions cannot be made for one particular zone.Because of the continued discussions, approval was given to table the item. It will be considered once again at the May 31 meeting, which will include a Strategic Planning retreat that will deal with zoning, among other concerns.Ordinances on recreational vehicles and RV parks were also read and approved. A second reading was conducted, which adopted the ordinance amending Chapter 17 of the Code of Ordinances, which is entitled "Licenses and Business Regulations."The change will provide uniform development of RV parks, as definitions, standards and construction requirements were laid out during the first reading at last month's meeting. Additionally, approval was given on the first reading to change Chapter 19 of the city's code of ordinances--"Motor Vehicles and Traffic", through the amendment of Article 6 ("Stopping, Standing and Parking"), Division I ("Generally"), Section 19-171 ("Parking of Trailers; Mobile Recreation Equipment on Public Property or Streets") in order to define mobile recreation equipment. The language was clarified to help the local police department enforce the ordinance.Initially discussed during the February meeting, the change will specify the 72-hour parking period for a recreational vehicle. While loading and unloading can take place in this time frame, the section outlines that people cannot park and live in the RV in a residential area.Furthermore, an emergency reading was conducted and approved on an ordinance adopting the rate schedule for Atmos Energy.The rate schedule RRM (rate review mechanism) will now be used, as the Atmos Steering Committee decided it was the best way to deal with increases. As an emergency reading, only one reading must be conducted.The new schedule was negotiated between Atmos and the committee; Sweetwater is one of over 150 cities in Texas on the steering committee.Sweetwater, TXBelinda SerranoVarious ordinances presented at city meetingSweetwater Reporterurn:publicid:dailypress.com:8779Change0Usable2013-05-18T12:21:37-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:87782013-05-18T12:20:40-04:002013-05-18T12:20:40-04:00Copyright 2010 Sweetwater ReporterMorales was born and raised in Sweetwater. She graduated from Sweetwater High School in 2001 and then again from Texas State Technical College in 2007 with a degree in digital imaging and design.She and her partner of 12 years, Adon Reyna, have three children together — Miguel, 11, attends Sweetwater Intermediate School; Victoria, 9, attends East Ridge Elementary; and youngest, Desire, 5, attends Southeast Elementary. Spending time as a family is important, so the couple take their three children to the drive-in theater in Abilene most weekends. "In the summer time, we take the kids every weekend to see a movie," said Morales. "The drive-in has two showings and we try to see both movies, as long as it isn't anything scary."As an advertising executive, Morales sells advertising space in the Sweetwater Reporter for local businesses. She works directly with business owners to ensure they receive their maximum advertising potential.Sweetwater, TXMelissa WinslowEmployee welcomed back to staffSweetwater Reporterurn:publicid:dailypress.com:8778Change0Usable2013-05-18T12:20:40-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:87772013-05-18T11:47:22-04:002013-05-18T11:47:22-04:00Copyright 2010 Sweetwater ReporterSweetwater, TXNo author availableHonk rally sends off MustangsSweetwater Reporterurn:publicid:dailypress.com:8777Change0Usable2013-05-18T11:47:22-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:87722013-05-18T11:37:00-04:002013-05-18T11:37:00-04:00Copyright 2010 Sweetwater ReporterSweetwater, TXNo author availableFour transported in bus wreckSweetwater Reporterurn:publicid:dailypress.com:8772Change0Usable2013-05-18T11:37:00-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:87642013-05-17T17:45:28-04:002013-05-17T12:10:46-04:00Copyright 2010 Sweetwater ReporterJesus, when speaking to His disciples in Matthew 19:14 said, “Suffer the little children and forbid them not to come unto me...” In Proverbs we read that we are to “train up a child in the way he should go.” Children are important to the Lord and should be important to us. God gave them to us, so that we could raise them in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Teaching children about Christ at an early age will give them a life to serve, love and be used of God in a special way. Jonathan Edwards, the great puritan preacher, was saved at 7. Matthew Henry, the great commentator, was saved at 11. Spurgeon was saved at 12. On a personal note, I trusted Christ as my Savior at the age of 10. Parents, grandparents and guardians of children, let’s not keep our children from knowing the Savior, for they are never too young to begin to learn and know Him.Here at Broadway we love children and have several different ministries geared for them and for the purpose of bringing them to Christ. On Sunday morning during adult church, we offer the Kid Zone program for grades first through fifth, and we offer the Little Tots ministries for children ages three through five years. During the school year on Wednesday nights we offer Wiseguys.  During the summer we offer Junior Camp and VBS, because we believe every child deserves an opportunity to hear of the love of Christ.This Sunday, May 19, is Children’s Day at Broadway and each children’s ministry will be performing. We would like to invite you to come and enjoy the children’s program as they share the love of Christ with us.If you don’t have a church home, we would love for you to visit us at Broadway Baptist Church on 710 E. Third Street this Sunday. Our Life Groups, which is for all ages, starts at 10 a.m. Our morning service is at 10:50 a.m. and our evening service begins at 6 p.m. Come and let us be a blessing to you as we worship the Lord together.EMMANUEL FELLOWSHIP CHURCHWe invite you to join us this Sunday at Emmanuel Fellowship Church. Our Sunday morning services are at 9 a.m. and 11 .am. Both morning services are filled with the same warm fellowship, dynamic worship and life-giving messages, as well as top-notch children’s ministry and nursery care for children up to fifth grade. This week, we wrap up our New Testament Challenge by exploring what the New Testament has to say about “Eternity.” If you would like to prepare your heart for the service with a daily reading, log on to www.efcsweetwater.com and click on the “New Testament Challenge” link. This Sunday, we will also be celebrating several people’s decision to follow the Lord Jesus with a Baptism service. We invite you to join us for this special time.EFC’s Wednesday evening children’s ministry, “Faith Factory” is in full-swing, with children ages birth through fifth grade exploring what living life with Jesus really looks like. They meet Wednesdays from 6:45-8:30 p.m. and are loving their all-new facilities.The Salvage Yard youth ministry, for grades 6-12, meets Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m. for their worship service and again on Sundays at 6 p.m. for small group discipleship. The Salvage Yard is also sponsoring a “Kids’ Night Out” this Saturday, from 6-10 p.m. Parents are invited to drop their kids to the Yard for an evening of food, games, a jumpy castle and a kid-friendly movie. The cost is $15 per child, and all proceeds go to improvements in the Salvage Yard.Lifegroups for adults meet Monday evenings (Young Adults Group, Tuesday evenings (Celebrate Recovery) and Wednesday evenings (Family Groups and Women’s Group) at 7 p.m. For more information on how to connect with a small group, check out the Lifegroups display in the church foyer, or log online to www.efcsweetwater.com.We also invite you to step into The Growth Central Bookstore when you visit EFC. It’s stocked with Bibles, study aids, devotionals, marriage and parenting resources, worship music, inspirational gifts, original art and fiction books — there’s something for everyone. The bookstore is open between Sunday morning services, from 10:30-11 a.m. and 12:30-1 p.m. For more information about the ministry of EFC, log onto the church website atwww.efcsweetwater.com.FIRST BAPTIST CHURCHFirst Baptist Church invites you and your family to join us on this Sunday May 19, for Bible study, beginning at 9:15 a.m. for all ages, followed by the Sunday morning service, which begins at 10:30 a.m. First Baptist Church is located at 213 East Third Street, next door to the Post Office. All are welcome. Your presence will enhance our worship experience and fellowship together.There are many opportunities for service. Children’s Church facilitators are always welcome. High School Camp will be June 9-14. Vacation Bible School will be June 24-27. P3 at Circle Drive will be July 7-11. Missions Camp will be July 30-August 2. Lad and Lassie Camp will be August 2 and 3. Day Camp will be on August 3. P3 at Coral Cove will be August 4-8.All the summer camps are tied together under one church theme: “Refuge: Who Is Your Strength?” with a theme verse of Psalm 46:1. When you sign your student up for camp, they will receive a First Baptist Church camp shirt. Camp balances are due May 26.We are in the process of forming a rotation of bus drivers to pick up children on Sunday mornings. If you are interested, please contact Phillip Thomas.The church food pantry is in need of canned food and plastic bags. Please contact a member of the Missions Committee for more information.Heart Gallery is a collection of portraits featuring children in foster care who are currently waiting to be adopted. Please join us in prayer for those who are pictured in the foyer.The students will be having several fundraisers for camp and other summer activities. The youth will be painting addresses on driveways and curbs for donations. If you need your address updated so people can see it better, let Tique Hamilton know. The Sunday school leadership meeting will be on May 19, at 8:30 a.m. in the Welcome Center.Monday, May 20, at 10 a.m., Women on Mission will host a guest speaker. Come hear Adabelle Clark, director for the Women’s Resource Center, inform us about all that the Women’s Resource Center does for the community.We have 10 seniors graduating from high school. Join us on Sunday, May 26, as we celebrate our seniors and their accomplishments.We will be having Summer Sunday nights Bible study. Phillip Thomas will be facilitating a comparative religion study on June 16, June 23, and June 30; July 21 and July 28; and August 11. Please join us in this informative study.For in depth information on First Baptist Church Sweetwater, find us on Facebook or at www.fbcsweetwater.org.FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCHSweetwater First United Methodist Church wants to invite you to join us on Sunday mornings to worship and praise our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The United Methodist Church is open to all persons and is a place where all are welcome and encouraged to “come as you are” with the expectation that by the grace of God you will leave different. The change that a relationship with Christ brings about is a life-changing encounter and we believe that while God accepts us as we are, He loves us enough not to leave us in our sins. We believe that Scripture informs all aspects of our lives and should be our rule and authority.The first service begins at 8:45 a.m. and is built around a traditional model with great hymns of the church. This service uses a more liturgical framework and often employs a wonderful choir. Immediately following the first service we have Sunday school classes for all ages and stages of life. We invite you to try one of our many opportunities to come together and seek God in small groups that emphasize God’s Word and proclaim His glory. At 10:50 a.m. we have a second worship service that has a decidedly contemporary flavor and incorporates more of progressive style and pace. This second service also has a “Children’s Church” for kids in preschool through third grade. The children stay through our time of praise and then go to their own worship service.Sweetwater FUMC also has youth activities on Sunday nights beginning at 6 p.m. with a prayer and praise time that we call Adoratio. Every Tuesday and Wednesday FUMC hosts the Gaylord’s Pantry and a clothes closet from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Please enter through the North (4th street) entrance if you would like to receive God’s blessing through either of these ministries.News this week: This is Pentecost Sunday — come worship with us in the Spirit of God! The Lord poured out His Spirit on those who believed Him shortly after Jesus resurrection. That has meaning for us today as we live a life in the Spirit that results in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.Activities this week:Sunday at 8:45 a.m. and 10:50 a.m. — Worship.Sunday at 6 p.m. — Adoratio. Sunday at 6:30 p.m. — Youth.Wednesday at 10 a.m. — Bible study. Thursday 3:45-5 p.m. — Youth praise team.Fun activities are offered at different times during the month for fourth through sixth graders (Club 456) and first through third graders (UMKids). If you have any questions call Linda at our church office (325-236-6617) or email churchoffice@fumcsweetwater.org. If you need prayer or have the need to contact our pastor you can call the same number or email him at pastor@fumcsweetwater.org.HIGHLAND HEIGHTS UNITED METHODIST CHURCHJoin the excitement at Highland Heights United Methodist Church. We are a multi-ethnic, multi-racial congregation, serving the Lord in unity and purpose, where the contribution of everyone is valued and welcome. The congregation and staff of Highland Heights is a friendly God loving people — join us as we praise God together and practice unity here on earth until he comes again in Glory.For more information, call the church at 325-235-2454 or the parsonage at 325-933-4296 (Monday through Wednesday). Highland Heights United Methodist Church is located at 1801 Lamar Street in Sweetwater. The pastor is Rev. Claude A. McKiddy.Our Church's Mission Statement: "To glorify Christ in all that we do by bringing People to Christ and equipping them to serve Christ."Join us for Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. and worship service at 10:45 a.m., with special guest speaker, Rev. Allen Brooks. Worship assistants are Betty Merrell serving as worship leader, Brenda Alexander leads the congregational hymns and plays the keyboard, pianist is Eugenia Hill and our greeter for the month of May is Deena Kirkpatrick. The worship service will be blessed with a musical selection presented by Susan Brooks.High school and college graduations fill the month of May and early June. It is a time of celebrating accomplishments and looking forward to new beginnings. “Bless This House” is calling upon prayer for these young people as they make decisions and choices in pursuing their individual dreams. Pray they recognize the doors of opportunity that God provides and rely upon Him for strength and perseverance in times of joy and times of difficulty.Sweetwater, TXNo author availableChurches begin planning summer camps, VBSSweetwater Reporterurn:publicid:dailypress.com:8764Change0Usable2013-05-17T12:10:46-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:87632013-05-17T15:44:04-04:002013-05-17T12:07:42-04:00Copyright 2010 Sweetwater ReporterSweetwater, TXNo author availableNolan County 4-H Meats Judging Team wins contestSweetwater Reporterurn:publicid:dailypress.com:8763Change0Usable2013-05-17T12:07:42-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:87622013-05-17T12:04:39-04:002013-05-17T12:04:39-04:00Copyright 2010 Sweetwater ReporterEthan Charles Stringer was indicted for indecency with a child by contact, a second degree felony. Court documents state that Stringer's victim was a male, younger than 17 years of age. His bond was set at $50,000.Mark Dale Douglas was indicted for prohibited weapons, a third degree felony. Court documents state that on March 13, 2013, Douglas possessed a short barrel firearm — a modified single-shot Harrington and Richardson 16-gauge shotgun. His bond was set at $7,500.Lashondrick Dlon Richardson was indicted for possession of a controlled substance, namely cocaine, a state jail felony. Richardson was in possession of less than one gram of cocaine on Sept. 18, 2012, according to court documents. His bond was set at $5,000.Ricky Apolonia Amaya, Jr. was indicted for evading arrest with a vehicle, a third degree felony. Court documents state that Amaya intentionally fled from a Sweetwater police officer using a vehicle on March 23, 2012, knowing the peace officer was attempting to lawfully arrest or detain him. His bond was set at $7,500.Sweetwater, TXTatiana RodriguezGrand Jury indicts 11Sweetwater Reporterurn:publicid:dailypress.com:8762Change0Usable2013-05-17T12:04:39-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:87612013-05-17T12:03:29-04:002013-05-17T12:03:29-04:00Copyright 2010 Sweetwater ReporterSweetwater, TXNo author availableDevon Energy donates to local fire departmentsSweetwater Reporterurn:publicid:dailypress.com:8761Change0Usable2013-05-17T12:03:29-04:00