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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%.

BLUE BROTHERHOOD

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In a selfless act of brotherhood, the Andrew County Sheriff's Department sent patrol deputies and dispatchers to the Gaines County Sheriff's Complex Wednesday, Jan. 13. The much-appreciated gesture by Sheriff Rusty Stewart of Andrews allowed local deputies to attend funeral services for fallen Gaines County Deputy Alex Martinez. Martinez lost his life on Jan. 6 to COVID-19, and services were held Wednesday in Morton. "Sheriff Rusty Stewart reached out to us, and we very much appreciated it. Those are some good people there," Gaines County Sheriff Ronny Pipkin said.

Ty Palmer Steps Down as Head Coach

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Ty Palmer stepped down as head varsity football coach at Seminole High School this past week.

Palmer led the Indians at the helm for two seasons and his teams had a combined 12-11 record.

“This has been one of the most difficult decisions of my life,” Palmer said. I appreciate Mr. Lynch (Seminole ISD superintendent) and coach Williams (Seminole ISD Boy’s athletic director) for their guidance through all of this.”

Palmer went on to explain his reasons for his decision and reveal his plans going forward.

MLK Closings

Observed on the third Monday of January each year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday in the United States marking the birthday, memory, and legacy of the civil rights icon. This year, Martin Luther King Day falls on Jan. 18, 2021, and in observation of the holiday, banks in Seminole, the U.S. Post Office, and the Gaines County Courthouse will be closed. Seminole City Hall will remain open.

Dementia and COVID

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The effects of COVID on the human body will be studied for years – and the Alzheimer’s Association has published research from Gabriel de Erausquin, M.D., Ph.D., M.Sc., of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio on the long term effects of viral infections on the brain.

LIVESTOCK SHOW UNDERWAY

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Snow Covers Seminole, Gaines County

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According to the National Weather Service, Seminole/Gaines County saw between seven and eight inches of snowfall this past weekend, bringing some much needed moisture to the area, breaking the severe drought conditions the county has endured for the past year. Seminole measured around seven inches for total rainfall in 2020, according to West Texas Mesonet. Snow began late Saturday evening and continued through Sunday afternoon with light flurries.