Archive - Jan 2013
January 10th
Funeral services for Jackie Virginia Hicks Harrell, 77, of Sweetwater, will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12, at McCoy Chapel of memories with Rev. Chris Stephens officiating. Cremation is under the direction of McCoy Funeral Home.
There will be a family visitation on Friday, Jan. 11, from 7-9 p.m. at McCoy Funeral Home.
Harrell died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene.
Ann Whorton Forester was born on Jan. 25, 1933, in Corpus Christi to C.B. and Rita Whorton, and died on Jan. 9, 2013.Â
She grew up in Sweetwater, where she was involved in her church youth group, tennis, cheerleading and choir. She went to Southern Methodist University and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. It was there that she met her husband, Bill Forester.  They resided in Dallas.
Today before noon, we'll have a 20% chance of showers. Otherwise, it will be partly sunny with a high near 59, with southwest winds at 10 to 15 mph. Gusts could be as high as 20 mph.
Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low around 43. Winds will be from the south at 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Need to know what the weekend weather will be? Get a preview now at weather.gov.
January 9th
West Texas Manhattan Clam Chowder
By Sandy Davis
With many residents of the Big Country and Heartland shaking the cobwebs out of their umbrellas this week, TxDOT is reminding drivers to stay safe on the road during wet weather. Here are a few safety tips:
• Slow down and increase following distance. It takes longer to stop on wet pavement. Don’t follow trucks or buses too closely to avoid spray from their tires. Watch for brake lights ahead.
The Leadership Sweetwater class of 2012-2013 gathered for their healthcare session on Tuesday, Jan. 8, at Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital.
The group had the chance to tour the facility including the admission department, pharmacy, physical therapy department, cardiac rehabilitation department, surgery department, cardiopulmonary department, radiology department and laboratory.
A public hearing was held at City Hall during the Sweetwater City Commission meeting on Tuesday morning, January 8, to consider a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission regarding a request to rezone a 7.01 acre tract of land--known as 411 E. Bradford Lane--from a dwelling district (zone E-1) to an industrial district (zone K).
The P&Z met on January 4, 2013 to discuss the matter and unanimously approved to make the change. One citizen offered input on the matter during Tuesday's meeting, a resident of Bradford Lane named Beverly Madden.
Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires during the winter months. According to the National Fire Protection Association, half of all home heating fires occur in December, January and February.
According to Sweetwater Fire Marshal Richard Spradlin, there are several ways to prevent winter house fires. "Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from heating equipment such as a furnace, woodstove or portable heater."
The Sweetwater Police Department (SPD) received 38 calls for service, issued two citations and made three arrests on Jan. 7, 2013.
The SPD received 19, 911 calls.
Accidents:
• 300 block of Crane.
Calls for service:
• Theft — 1900 block of Lamar.
• Burglary of a building — 200 block of Lewis Front.
• Aggravated robbery — 800 block of Circle.
Arrested by SPD:
• Tyson Engel, 24 — Evading/theft.
• Tanner Engel, 22 — Interfering.
• Jarrod Plemmons, 26 — Public intoxication.
Ruby Kathryn McMickle, age 84, of Gonzales, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, at Texan Nursing and Rehab.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, at Gonzales Memorial Park with Rev. Chester McCown officiating. Burial will follow. Arrangements are under the direction of Seydler- Hill Funeral Home of Gonzales, Texas.
