S-T ISD Recognizes Outstanding Athletes

The list of recipients for this year’s S-T ISD Athletic Awards has been posted to the school website. Javier Elizalde and Gina Smolik were named "Bobcat of the Year" and "Ladycat of the Year" respectively. Go to 2003-2004 Athletic Awards for a list of all students honored.

Students Honored at 8th Grade Certification Ceremony

"Top Cat" Richard Mendoza is presented his Honor Roll certificate.

Students graduating from 8th grade, on their way to entering high school, were honored in a special ceremony Thursday, May 27th. Junior High Principal Fred Maldonada was joined on stage by newly appointed High School Principal Patty Holubec, Superintendant Dr. Brett Belmarez, and the entire S-T ISD Board of Trustees. Together they congratulated the students on their accomplishments and welcomed them into the High School program.

Richard Mendoza and Nicholas Gentry received "Top Cat Academic Excellence Awards." This award appears to have been offered in place of the more traditional Valedictorian and Salutatorian awards. Richard Mendoza led the Invocation and Pledge to begin the ceremony and Nicholas Gentry presented the Benediction. Six others were recognized as Honor Students including Quint Butler, Erica Hall, Jacob Perez, Maria Perez, Joshua Petrus, and Charles Schindler.

Assisting in the ceremonies were Robin Thomas, Tressa Rix, and S-T ISD Trustees Rick Olivares, Minnie McGee, Ysrael Salinas, Daniel Naranjo, Jr., Daniel Gonzales, Alice Gonzales, and David Torres, Sr.

Public Meeting For Proposed S.H. 89 Sinton Relief Route

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will be meeting in Sinton with local and area residents on Tuesday, June 8, 2004 to discuss proposed construction of a new U.S. 181 relief route around Sinton. The new route would be designated as S.H. 89. The citizen meeting will be held in the Sinton High School Cafetorium located at 400 N. Pirate Boulevard. An open house to view exhibits and ask questions of project staff will begin at 5:30 p.m. This will be followed by a presentation of proposed project information at 6:00 p.m. This meeting is being held to give the public an opportunity to learn about proposed work and to provide input for project development.

The proposed project would begin approximately 3.2 miles northwest of Sinton at U.S. 181 and would end on U.S. 181, 3.2 miles southeast of Sinton. The planned facility would provide an improved hurricane evacuation route around Sinton for residents in San Patricio, Aransas and Nueces Counties. Most of the project would be constructed on undeveloped property, currently used as ranchland, and would be within existing TxDOT right-of-way that was purchased in the 1970s.

Tentative plans for S.H. 89 would provide a four-lane divided highway (two lanes in each direction with a grass median). The roadway would consist of four 12-foot travel lanes, two lanes in each direction, with two 10-foot outside shoulders and two 4-foot inside shoulders with a 40-foot grass median separating north and southbound travel lanes.

Information on the meeting or the proposed project can be obtained by contacting TxDOT Advance Project Development Engineer Victor Vourcos, P.E. at 361-808-2378.

Personas que quieren información en español por favor llamen 1-800-945-2156(x27).

BBQ Plate Sale Cooks up a Profit for Little League

Bobcat Little League pulled off another successful fundraiser Sunday. Players and parents racked up close to $3,000 in barbecue plate ticket sales. A special ice-cream party is planned for the team that sold the most plates. The league would like to recognize the following board members and volunteers who worked hard to make the event a success. Richard Chambers was chief coordinator of the fundraiser and, along with Tim Patrova, Wanda Wilson, and Ed Wilson, spent a good portion of the weekend grilling and slicing brisket. Thelma Zavala and Rachel Herrera cooked the beans while Lucy Rocha, Anna Rocha, and Toby & Shanna Salinas cooked rice. Passing out plates Sunday at the S-T football field concessions stand were Lucy Rocha, Thelma Zavala, Candy Chambers, Lois Arrisola, Rachel Herrera, Keith Petrus, Jennifer Chambers, Shanna Salinas, and Maria Zuniga. Thanks also to S-T ISD and the Bobcat Booster Club for use of the school facilities. And of course, the league thanks the community for their support of Bobcat Little League baseball and softball.

The Creature From The Black Lagoon

While not quite a tale of old-time Skidmore, Jessie May Wallek's account of a home-alone water emergency will certainly elicit a familiar nod from area farmers and ranchers. Check out the "Creature from the Black Lagoon" in Historical Notes.

"Skidmore Sketches"

The familiar "Skidmore Sketches" column in the Bee-Picayune, currently penned by Wanda Mortensen, has been around longer than you think. Check Historical Notes for "news from a bygone era."

Olivares Edges Handy, Torres Wins Handily in S-T ISD Trustee Election

Saturday's S-T ISD Trustee & Bond Election proved once more that every single vote counts. Incumbent Rick Olivares edged newcomer Robert Handy by a narrow margin of 323 to 311 votes while David Torres Sr. racked up an impressive 459 votes. Vote counts have yet to be officially verified pending canvassing on May 24th. A $2.2 million Capital Improvements Program was also approved by a 326 - 253 vote opening the door to construction of a new career and technology center, elementary P.E. pavilion, new science classroom, health classroom, and nurse's clinic. Other miscellaneous improvements are included in the program.

S-T Lions Club Receives Awards

David Waishes & Russ Duggins pose with District 2-S4 Award

The S-T Lions are proud recipients of the "Governor's Contest Award" for Texas District 2-S4. David Waishes received the "100% President" award and Russel Duggins was awarded "100% Secretary" based on a set of goals that were met over the course of the year. These guys don't get nearly enough credit for the hard work they do on behalf of our community.

Vote in Saturday's S-T ISD Trustee & Bond Election

Don't forget to drop by the Skidmore-Tynan Elementary Saturday to vote in this year's S-T ISD Trustee & Bond Election. Voting will take place from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Three candidates - Rick Olivares, David Torres, and Robert Handy - are vying for just two spots on the board so every vote is sure to count. Voters will also be called on to approve or reject a $2.2 million Capital Improvements Program that would provide the school district with a new career and technology center, elementary P.E. pavilion, new science classroom, health classroom, nurse's clinic, and other improvements.

Record Flood Closes All Roads Into Skidmore

The new Corrigan bridge was no match for Thursday's record rainfall

Skidmore was briefly cut off from the rest of the world Friday as torrential rains flooded bridges and roads leading into town. Hwy 181 was blocked to the south by the swollen Aransas River and by Papalote Creek on the north. Roads to Mathis and Olmos were also underwater. Back in April, the Signal reported "high water is no longer a problem for Corrigan residents." We stand corrected. The Aransas River rose to 34.4 feet at the Corrigan bridge at 3 am Friday morning and was expected to crest at 36 feet later Friday.

The soft glow of candles and hurricane lamps could be seen in the windows of local homes as a brief blackout struck late Thursday night. A lone sheriff's patrol car, with lights flashing, cruised slowly up and down 181 as Skidmore took on the appearance of a ghost town. Power was restored just prior to midnight.

Thursday Rains Likely to Set New Flood Record

A line of thunderstorms tracked from west to east over Skidmore dumping 7 to 8 inches of rain over the course of the evening.

Dime sized hail and high winds marked the arrival of a potentially record setting storm Thursday evening. Heavy rain began to fall just before 5:00 pm and continued virtually non-stop until midnight. At least one tornado was reported to have touched down near Pettus. The National Weather Service in Corpus Christi predicts that the Aransas River will crest at 30 to 31 feet early Friday morning; exceeding the previous flood record of 29.66 feet recorded on July 17, 1990. The river had already reached 28.6 feet as of 11 pm Thursday with rain continuing to fall across the area. Flooding is expected to cause extensive damage to crops and property in lowland areas.

OBITUARY: Buck Haws

Wylie Lee “Buck” Haws, 78, died at his home in Skidmore on Saturday, May 1, 2004. Mr. Haws was born on September 25, 1926, in Upshur County. Mr. Haws was a Southern Baptist. He quit school in the eighth grade to support his mother and three siblings. He earned his high school diploma in the U.S. Army. A veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict, he was awarded two Purple Hearts for being injured in the line of duty. Mr. Haws was an avid outdoors-man and spent the majority of his life fishing and hunting, activities he enjoyed with his wife, children, grandchildren, family and friends. -- The Signal was unable to acquire the full text of Mr. Haws' obituary. It may be found online at: Bee-Picayune Obituaries

New and Improved Signal

Yes, you are in the right place. The Signal has just undergone an extreme overnight makeover. For the most part, you should find everything is still here - just pushed around a bit. We hope you all enjoy the brighter, whiter, more printer friendly Signal.

Junior High Athletes Treated to Pizza at Sports Banquet

Ricky Gutierrez helps himself to some chips at Thursday's Junior High Sports Banquet.
 
Students participating in Junior High sports programs were treated to pizza, chips, and cookies at S-TISD Events Center Thursday. The banquet was a joint venture between the Junior High and the Bobcat Booster Club. Coaches praised the young athletes on their hard work and improvement over the course of the year and recognized each student with a participation certificate.

OBITUARY: Buck Haws

Wylie Lee “Buck” Haws, 78, died at his home in Skidmore on Saturday, May 1, 2004. Mr. Haws was born on September 25, 1926, in Upshur County. Mr. Haws was a Southern Baptist. He quit school in the eighth grade to support his mother and three siblings. He earned his high school diploma in the U.S. Army. A veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict, he was awarded two Purple Hearts for being injured in the line of duty. Mr. Haws was an avid outdoors-man and spent the majority of his life fishing and hunting, activities he enjoyed with his wife, children, grandchildren, family and friends. -- The Signal was unable to acquire the full text of Mr. Haws' obituary. It may be found online at: Bee-Picayune Obituaries

Little League Barbecue Plate Fundraiser

Local Little League players will soon be out and about selling barbecue plates as part of an upcoming Bobcat Little League fundraiser. Tickets for barbecue brisket plates with "all the fixins" will be offered for a small $5.00 donation to the league. The plates will be handed out Sunday, May 23rd from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Skidmore-Tynan High School Football Field. Support your local Little League!

Fire Department Seeks Competitive Cooks for Benefit

Think your brisket is the bomb? Prove it at the 2nd Annual Cook-Off to benefit the Skidmore Fire Department. The Hilltop Saloon will host the event Saturday, May 22nd. Cook-off categories include brisket, chicken, and dutch oven desserts. The entry fee for each category is $20 or all three categories for $50.00. Call 358-6293 for more information.

Three Candidates Vie for Two Positions on S-TISD Board

The upcoming S-TISD School Board election promises to be interesting as newcomer Robert Handy challenges incumbents Rick Olivares and David Torres. The Beeville Bee-Picayune continues to report a mysterious fourth candidate "Pete Petrus" although that name is not listed on the ballot. Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted each weekday at the Central office located in the Events Center of Skidmore-Tynan ISD between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on regular business days beginning on April 28th and ending on Tuesday, May 11th. The polling place for the May 15th Election will be the Skidmore-Tynan Elementary School between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Little League Photo Day

Minor Bobcat Gold - one of 13 teams posing for team photos.

Players, parents, managers, and coaches converged on the S-T High School softball field Sunday for Bobcat Little League team photos. The field was still a bit muddy from Saturday's rain but MOST of the children were able to stay reasonably presentable when it came time for their turn in front of the camera.

A Corncob Fight

"Long before paintball guns and simulated gun fights, those of us that grew up in the 1940's had our own war games." Edwin Wallek Jr. recalls an old-fashioned corncob fight in Historical Notes"