Archives for November 2017

It’s coming…a huge weekend of high school football post season action!…it’s Stephenville (10-2) vs. Argyle (12-0) in Mansfield… Clarendon (11-1) has Hamlin (10-2), in Wolfforth…Graham (12-0) takes on Sweetwater (10-2) in Abilene…De Leon (12-0) plays Mart (11-1), in Whitney…Comanche (11-1) squares off against Merkel (7-5) in Clyde…it’s Canadian (12-0) vs. Colorado City (11-1), over in Vernon…and Panhandle (8-4) faces Stamford (10-2) on Saturday in Lubbock…just a few on the slate of big games this weekend…

Lone Star Conference action is here as Tarleton TexAnn basketball enters the schedule in a big match up in Wichita Falls with Midwestern State…the game is on Tarleton sports radio…The Tarleton men will be there too in conference play, tonight…

The Empire-Tribune reports that Erath County commissioners on Wednesday morning approved the payment of county bills, payroll and benefits, and approved a contract between the county and Election Systems & Software Incorporated for voting machines. The cost is reportedly just over $346,000 and includes 85 portable voting machines and 22 scanners to distribute at polling locations. Critics have suggested the voting machine industry has severely underinvested in cybersecurity, which could be linked to malicious election hacking concerns. Oregon U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden recently asked voting machine manufacturers what steps they have taken to protect against cyber threats, and ES&S reportedly refused to answer questions about securing its systems.

Posted to kstv.vncnews.com
Nov. 30, 2017 1:05 AM CST
by rhancock

Tarleton State University’s Staff Council is planning its 24th Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Showcase to support local businesses and artisans on Friday, December 8th. Tarleton reminds shoppers to note the Holiday Showcase’s new location this year. It will be hosted in the Recreational Sports Center on Rome Avenue on the Stephenville campus. The showcase is open to shoppers from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. This year’s event offers a chance to buy from returning vendors as well as new ones. More than 60 multi-talented vendors will sell a variety of arts, crafts and tasty treats.

Autumn Owens of the Empire-Tribune reports that Erath County commissioners on Wednesday morning approved the payment of county bills, payroll and benefits, and approved a contract between the county and Election Systems & Software Incorporated for voting machines. The cost is reportedly just over $346,000 and includes 85 portable voting machines and 22 scanners to distribute at polling locations. Critics have suggested the voting machine industry has underinvested in cybersecurity, which has led to various election hacking concerns. Oregon U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden recently asked voting machine manufacturers what steps they have taken to protect against cyber threats, and ES&S reportedly refused to answer questions about securing its systems.

Tarleton’s Hailey Roberts and Jordyn Keamo are recognized among the best volleyball players in the South Central region…the Division II Conference Commissioner’s Association All-Region teams were released. Roberts claimed the region’s top honor by being named the South Central Region Player of the Year for the third consecutive year. She was also tabbed as a first-team all-region selection while Keamo earned second-team recognition.

Stephenville High volleyball gets honors. In addition to having two players on the all-District 8-4A volleyball first team, Stephenville also has one of the two Defensive Specialists of the Year as well as the Newcomer of the Year. Senior, Hailey Martin was voted Co-Defensive Specialist of the Year. Gabie Lucero is the district’s Newcomer of the Year. Stephenville juniors Jayci Morton, an outside hitter, and Hannah Huckabee, a setter, both were voted first-team all-district.

The Empire-Tribune reports that Erath County is not currently under a burn ban, but the Texas A&M Forest Service has ranked the county’s fire danger as “moderate.” Just last week, several units battled a large grass fire that burned approximately 139 acres. The Erath County Volunteer Fire Rescue has responded to about 120 fires this year so far, but the one that occurred last week is one of the largest. There are ways homeowners can take precautions, which includes maintaining yards, using fire resistant materials around the home and improving access for first responders.

Tarleton State University has gratefully received a final gift of $300,000 from the estate of the late provost Dr. Robert C. Fain, to provide scholarships for students planning to teach secondary mathematics or chemistry.
Bob Fain created the endowment in 1990 in honor of his wife, Patricia, who devoted her entire professional life to teaching mathematics, including 25 years at Stephenville High School. Many former students returned to thank her for preparing them for college math. Dr. Fain joined Tarleton’s Department of Physical Sciences in 1966 as an associate professor. He became head of the department in 1968, and dean of the School of Arts and Sciences in 1970.

LaMarcus Aldridge scored a season-high 33 points and 10 rebounds, this while the San Antonio Spurs celebrated Tony Parker’s first game of the season…in a 115-108 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

Deshawn Riddick was named the Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week after his performance in Tarleton’s win over St. Mary’s. Riddick helped lead Tarleton to its best defensive performance of the season in an 87-61 rout over the Rattlers on Saturday. Riddick carried the Texan defense with a career-high six steals. The 61 points by St. Mary’s are the fewest the Texans have allowed all season. The Texans limited the Rattlers to 35 percent shooting in the game and forced 17 turnovers. Riddick finished with a season-high 15 points, a team-best four assists, three rebounds, six steals and only two turnovers in a team-leading 34 minutes. It’s the first career LSC weekly award for Riddick.

The Associated Press reports the U.S. Supreme Court will not hear arguments on a Texas court ruling that a school board can open its meetings with student-led public prayers without running afoul of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution’s separation-establishment clause. The Supreme Court declined on Monday to take the case challenging the ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit in New Orleans. A three-judge panel earlier this year said a lower court was correct to dismiss a lawsuit against the Birdville Independent School District for opening meetings with a student statement, usually a prayer. The suit was filed by the American Humanist Association.

Tarleton State University students are asking for your help today as part of Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving that traditionally begins the holiday season. Development Director Jennifer Hawthorne says making a donation is easy– You can give from any computer or mobile device– Every gift, regardless of size, will help today’s students become tomorrow’s great leaders. To donate to a Tarleton State outreach location, scholarship, or university activity or program, go to; tarleton.edu/givingday between midnight and 11:59 p.m. tonight. It’s celebrated in the U.S. on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.