Top Stories
Fires Investigation
Police putting pieces together as they await lab reports
A month after three houses were destroyed and a fourth was scorched by set fires, a multi-agency investigation continues.
“We are still continuing to investigate the fires,” Police Chief Reggie Holmes said this week.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office has been involved in the investigation since shortly after the fires were set in the early morning hours of Oct. 18, and now the Texas Rangers are also assisting the Olton Police Department. But the probe is slow and tedious, prompting the police chief to liken it to putting together a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle — “you can see some of the picture, but not all of it.”
Holmes is mindful that the community is anxious for those involved to be arrested, but lots of investigative work must be done for that to happen, and that, he said, takes time.
READ MORE IN THE NOV. 15, 2019, ISSUE OF THE OLTON ENTERPRISE
Beer & Bars legal
Council canvasses alcohol vote, adopts new rules
It’s official. Alcohol can legally be sold in Olton.
Olton City Council canvassed the votes of the recent alcohol election Tuesday night and approved an ordinance setting the standards for alcohol sales.
Of 10 provisional ballots cast, two were qualified and counted, but it didn’t make any difference. There was one more vote for and one more vote against.
So the final vote tally is 260 votes for legalizing the sale of alcohol and 84 against. In early voting, 153 voted for the sale of alcohol and 20 against, while on Election Day, 106 voted for and 63 against.
After the votes had been canvassed, Councilman Alan Williams moved to accept the canvass with Councilman Tracy DeBerry seconding the motion. The motion passed on a 4-0 vote. Councilman Lupe Ruiz was unable to attend the meeting, and did not vote.
The council then adopted an ordinance establishing new standard rules and guidelines for alcohol sales in the city. The ordinance establishes the types of alcohol sales within 300 feet of churches, schools, public hospitals, day care centers and childcare facilities. The effective date was set at Nov. 13, 2019.
READ MORE IN THE NOV. 15, 2019, ISSUE OF THE OLTON ENTERPRISE
FUMC Chili & Stew Lunch
A drawing for this handmade “Comfy Quilt” in a “Sunshine” pattern takes place during a Chili & Stew Lunch hosted by First United Methodist Church of Olton.
The Chili & Stew Lunch takes place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 23 in the FUMC Fellowship Hall at 312 Avenue D. The meal includes chili and stew, relishes, cornbread or crackers, homemade pie and tea or coffee. Takeouts will be available. Adult plates are $7, children’s plates for kids ages 2 to 10 are $3, and children younger than 2 eat free.
In addition to the lunch, the church will hold its Country Store from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Store items will include handmade crafts, baked and canned goods, and frozen casseroles.
Ladies of the church are taking donations towards owning the handmade “Comfy Quilt”. The quilt was made by Teresa Wilks Light and donated to Methodist Women. Hand work was done by her mother, Jane Wilks, and the quilt is backed in plush velour. Quilt tickets are $2.50 each or five for $10. You do not have to be present to win. The drawing takes place at 1 p.m. The quilt is on display at Happy State Bank.
For additional information about the lunch or country store, contact Pam McFadden at 806-638-2093 or FUMC at 806-285-2777.
Sports
Mustangs in 2A playoffs
Olton looks to upset No. 5 WT in Bi-District clash
Strange things happen in the playoffs.
And that’s what the Olton Mustangs expect to happen in Amarillo Friday night — something strange.
“No. 4’s beat No. 1’s all the time every year,” said Coach Ross Lassiter. “We’re approaching this thing with a let’s-go-win-it attitude. That’s how you have to approach it.”
The Mustangs, 6-4, take on the West Texas High School Comanches, 8-2, at 7 p.m. Friday at River Road Independent School District’s Wildcat Stadium in Amarillo.
“WT is a good team, but we have played teams better than them this season,” Lassiter said.
Class AA, Division 1 rankings confirm the coach’s comment as well as make a pretty good argument that it would not be all that strange for the Mustangs to knock off the Comanches. While WT is ranked No. 5 in the state, Post is ranked No. 2. In fact, all three teams Olton lost to in district play are in the Top 15. New Deal is No. 12, while Sundown is No. 15. Olton’s only other loss was to Sudan, the No. 10 team in Class AA, Division 2.
The bottom line is that Olton is far more battled tested than WT. The only Top 15 team the Comanches have faced was Panhandle. WT won that offensive shootout 77-52, but it left questions about how the Comaches can perform under playoff pressure.
“We control what we can control, and we’ve got to go out there and play as hard as we can play in our positions,” Lassiter said.
The coaches confidence rests in what he has seen this team do in meeting their goal of getting into the playoffs.
READ MORE IN THE NOV. 15, 2019 ISSUE OF THE OLTON ENTERPRISE
State Cross Country
Noack 18th among 151 at State meet
Olton High School freshman Kylee Noack placed 18th among 151 competitors at the State 2A Cross Country Meet last Saturday. Her time was her new personal best — 12:31:94. Among freshmen competing in the two-mile race, Noack finished fourth. She is coached by Nati Sandoval.
Fillies open season with 51-42 win over PCA
The Olton Fillies showed they are ready to play basketball last Friday night, turning up the heat in the second half to get a 51-42 win over Plainview Christian Academy in their season opener.
Karla Arriola led the Fillies with 15 points, and Breely Huguley contributed 11. However, just about everyone scored.
“Our two top players were both post players,” Coach Kyle Johnson said. “That’s a testament to running the offense well and looking for the right shot at the right time. Last year we did not do that as well as I would like, but now the girls are starting to understand that’s a good way to win, shooting the post shots close to the rim. When your top scorers are post players, it can open things up for other people as well.”
Johnson noted Celeste Ramirez, Shaylee Leathers and Savannah Valdez each had a good game, along with lots of others.
“Everything was spread around even though our post players ended up with the most points,” the coach said.
READ MORE IN THE NOV. 15, 2019 ISSUE OF THE OLTON ENTERPRISE
Night of Fires • Oct. 18. 2019
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Obituaries
Connie Lewis
Connie Lewis, 63, of Earth died Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019 in Earth.
Church services were held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019 at Earth Church of Christ with Terry Wilson of Sudan officiating. Burial was in Earth Memorial Cemetery.
READ MORE IN THE NOV. 15, 2019, ISSUE OF THE OLTON ENTERPRISE
Eduardo 'Eddie' Garza
Eduardo “Eddie” Garza, 46, of Olton, died Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019, in Olton.
Rosary was said at 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Olton. Mass was celebrated at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church with Father Jacob Powell officiating. Interment followed at Olton Cemetery under the direction of Ramage Funeral Directors. Visitation was held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 at Ramage Funeral Directors in Olton.
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Joe Angel Everett Jr.
Joe Angel Everett Jr., 79, of Sudan succumbed to cancer on Nov. 1, 2019. He passed away in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by his family.
Services were held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019 at First Baptist Church of Earth with Pastor Paul Ramon officiating and Pastor Angie Castillo assisting. Burial followed at 11 a.m. at Earth Memorial Cemtery under the direction of Ellis Funeral Homes. Visitation was held from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 at Parson-Ellis Funeral Home in Earth.
READ MORE IN THE NOV. 15, 2019, ISSUE OF THE OLTON ENTERPRISE