Writer’s note: A few weeks ago, I joined an auditorium full of students, parents, teachers and administrators as they stood applauding Mr. Rubén Martínez Peláez, Archer City High School’s Spanish teacher of almost 13 years. Patriotic music played in the background. Known affectionately as “Señor,” he was being recognized at the school award assembly for earning his United States citizenship one year ago, a delayed recognition due to COVID-19. I was honored to be there, and my mind wandered back to the spring semester of 2008 when the journey to find Mr. Martinez began. I was the school counselor, and Mr. Knobloch, now the superintendent, was the principal.

A group of girls line up to begin the Easter egg hunt at the private Easter wth Friends and Family event in the Lakeside City city park Saturday, April 3. Courtesy photo A child picks up an egg during the Easter egg hunt at the Archer City First United Methodist Church Sunday, April 4.

Apr. 5-11 Archer City City-Wide Clean-up, 9 a.m.

How do I get rid of it? I get this question daily. Historical evidence shows that since the onslaught of “chemical warfare” that kicked in shortly after WWII we have not actually “gotten rid of” one single weed or insect pest. Correct me if I am wrong… What we have done instead is polluted our air, soils, and water, created dead zones at the confluence of every major river entering our oceans, and caused the reduction of beneficial creatures such as birds, bees, butterflies, etc.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has appointments available for adult and childhood immunizations at their Field Office located at 511 S Cedar Street in Archer City. Masks are required and all clients/guardians will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms upon entry to the facility.

Midwestern State University Texas is pleased to announce a partnership with the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the Texas Military Department (TMD) to host COVID-19 vaccine clinics beginning Thursday, April 8, and continuing each Tuesday and Thursday throughout the month of April as supply is available. Each vaccine clinic will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Sikes Lake Center, located on the MSU Texas south campus just off of Midwestern Parkway.

The Sheriff’s Office received 73 calls for service last week. As this report is being written there were 28 inmates with five being female in the Archer County Jail.

Hunger and malnutrition have haunted the world for ages. Some great spirits across the centuries spent their lives fighting this scourge and helping others. One such man, Mickey Leland, a Houston congressman, dedicated his career to alleviating hunger and poverty. In 1989, the congressman died fighting for this cause