Dairy Delivery Thursday, January 26, 2012 It’s well known that the Bailey County Junior Livestock Show provides local youngsters with numerous educational opportunities, but this year there was an additional opportunity for some of the youngsters when one of the dairy heifers entered in the show gave birth a week early. Pictured above, some of the young show participants and spectators watch as two dairymen assist with the bull calf’s delivered. (Photograph by Larry Thornton) Full Story

Sheriff’s Deputy Assaulted By Rock Thrower Thursday, January 26, 2012 The Bailey County Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating an incident in which one of its deputies was allegedly assaulted by students throwing rocks Thursday night, Jan. 19. According to Sheriff Richard Wills, Dep. Kevin Jefferson was dispatched to a report of individuals trespassing on private property, at a caliche pit about two miles north of Muleshoe on Road 163. After arriving, the deputy discovered a large number of individuals — juvenile and young adult students from Muleshoe High School, and vehicles at the location, some of whom had apparently been drinking alcohol. At some point, one or more individuals began throwing rocks at the patrol vehicle, damaging its window, said the sheriff. Full Story

County Jury Hands Down Hefty Sentence Thursday, January 26, 2012 A Bailey County jury returned after 19 minutes of deliberation to deliver a recommendation for a hefty prison sentence and fine against two young men who were involved in a local burglary spree in November 2010. Because Edgar Hernandez, 18, and his brother, Silverio Hernandez, Jr., 19, had already plead guilty to the burglary of the Gary Parker residence on East Hickory, in the afternoon of Nov. 11, 2010, last week’s hearing was limited to testimony needed to determine if and how long they would be incarcerated. While such a residential burglary may result in a prison sentence of no less than two years nor more than 20 years, Dist. Attorney Katheryn Gurley requested a 15 year sentence, accompanied by the maximum fine of $10,000 each. And, in stark difference to the sentences handed down by an earlier Bailey County jury — which recommended the pair to be sentenced to a lengthy probation, at the suggestion of defense attorney David Martinez, for their part in the burglary of the Eva L. Ramey residence on West Ave. C, five days before the Parker burglary, the recent jury decided in favor of the district attorney’s recommendation. (Some of the property recovered from the burglars in November 2010. Photograph by Larry Thornton) Full Story

Winds, Dust Assail Muleshoe Thursday, January 26, 2012 Stiff winds reaching speeds — according to area meteorologists — as high as 65 mph swept through Muleshoe Sunday. While there were reports of utility lines being down in surrounding communities, relatively minor damage occurred in the wind storm’s wake locally. Pictured here, one of the utility crew members checks out a tree that had blown into the lines in central Muleshoe. (Photograph By Rhea Gonzales) Full Story