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News

Annual cotton acreage survey shows slight decline

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U.S. cotton farmers indicate they will plant fewer acres of cotton in 2021 than the previous year, according to the latest annual survey conducted by Cotton Grower magazine.

Responses to the acreage survey lead to an estimate of 11.611 million acres of cotton—upland and extra long staple— planned for 2021. That’s 574,000 acres less than the 12.185 million planted acres officially recorded by U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service June 2020 acreage report, which showed cotton acreage was down then 11 percent from 2019’s totals.

Sale, Award Presentation a Success Under New Format

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The 2021 Gaines County Livestock Show annual Sale and Awards presentation took on a new look this year due to COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines, but the revamped sale and awards show Saturday morning, Jan. 16, went off without a hitch.

Five Generations Celebrate Matriarch’s 100th Birthday

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Lometta Francis Warlick, the wife of the late Miles R. Warlick and a Seminole resident since 1947, celebrated her 100th birthday on Tuesday, Jan. 19. A gentle and soft-spoken woman, who is as sharp as a tack, attributes her longevity to a good diet, never drinking or smoking, and a lot of Jesus.

Property Tax Renditions Due by April 15

The Gaines County Appraisal District (GCAD) recently published a personal property notice in the Seminole Sentinel, reminding business owners that renditions must be completed and returned to the Gaines County office no later than April 15.

GCAD Chief Appraiser Gayla Harridge explained that business property renditions enable businesses to render their personal property such as office equipment, furniture and fixtures, tools, inventory, and equipment. This does not include the building itself.

Gaines County Livestock Show 2021 results

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The Gaines County Livestock Show took center stage Monday night, Jan. 11 with the rabbit competition. In a new format designed around COVID-19 regulations, the rabbit show was held Monday, gilts and barrows were shown on Thursday, and Friday featured goat, sheep, and steers and heifers.

Wearing masks and abiding by social distancing guidelines:

RABBITS

Gaines County Public Records

Marriage License

Johann Nuestaeter Hildebrand, 22 and Margaretha Peters, 20.

Bernardo Friessen, 21 and Teresa Wiens, 22.

Jorge Luis Rodriguez, 24 and Hannah Elizabeth Lyon, 25.

County Court Filings

State of Texas vs. Christopher James Seay, no motorcycle endorsement.

State of Texas vs. Joseph Julio Manzanares, speeding.

State of Texas vs. Curtis Lynn Kelly, resisting arrest.

State of Texas vs. Alejandro Gutierrez, resisting arrest.

One new death, active numbers decrease

According to the Jan. 14 COVID-19 update from the South Plains Public Health District (SPPHD), Gaines County’s active coronavirus numbers have dropped to 24. With six new cases confirmed on Jan.14, the total is 1,295 with1,250 recovered and 21 deaths.

Dawson County has had 1,560 positive cases, with 1,382 of those recovered,154 active, and 21 deaths. There have been 39 fatalities in Terry County due to COVID-19 and a total of 1,475 cases. Of those cases, 201 remain active, and 1,235 have recovered.

Seagraves Council votes to eliminate Zoom meetings

Seagraves City Council Alderman Kendra Sellers voiced her frustration regarding conducting meetings via Zoom during the council’s December meeting. Additional council members echoed her sentiments during the city’s most recent Zoom meeting on Jan 11.

Some USPS services to increase this month

The United States Postal Service has raised mailing rates, effective Jan. 24, by 1.8 percent for first-class mail and 1.5 percent for other categories. However, there is no increase in the price of the First-Class Mail Forever stamp; it remains at 55 cents. The 1-ounce flat rate also stays at its current price of $1.

The changes are as follows:

Letters additional ounce(s) go from 15 cents to 20 cents.

Letters (metered 1 oz) will increase from 50 cents to 51 cents.

Domestic postcards, originally priced at 35 cents, will go up to 36 cents.

Gaines County unemployment numbers rise

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The U.S. Labor Department reports that Gaines County’s unemployment rate rose to 7.2% in November 2020, increasing from October’s rate of 5.8. While the increase is primarily due to businesses being battered by the COVID-19 pandemic, a drop in oil prices has left many area residents out of work. Reviewing percentages from November 2019, in a year’s time, Gaines County’s unemployment rate went from 2.3% to 7.2%.