Jury Deliberates Only 14 Minutes Before Acquittal Thursday, May 23, 2013 It only took 14 minutes for a Bailey County jury to deliberate and return a “not guilty” verdict Wednesday in the trial of accused burglar Sergio Guzman. Facing charges of burglary of a habitation and theft from a person, Guzman was acquitted of both charges by the five men and seven women jury. In her opening argument, Dist. Attorney Kathryn Gurley said, “This case is about a man who overstepped the line,” but by it’s decision based upon the testimony received the jury apparently disagreed. Full Story

Colors Extraordinaire Thursday, May 23, 2013 Muleshoe Juniors and Seniors arrived at this year’s prom in vehicles ranging from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Pictured above are three of the more unusual arrivals — a “clown car,” a truck from the Muleshoe Fire Department, and almost a must for an agricultural community… a John Deere tractor. Not pictured was a balloon-bedecked Peterbilt from a local trucking company. After disembarking, the celebrating students walked the red carpet, including introductions by MISD instructor Jim Daniels, before entering the cafeteria and commons area, with its Arabian nights-inspired “Colors of the Winds” motif. (Photograph by Larry Thornton) Full Story

Commissioners’ Court Approves County Audit Thursday, May 23, 2013 Bailey County’s recent audit report, which was received and approved during a special meeting of the commissioners’ court on Friday, May 17, contained no surprises, according to auditor Jack Kirkland of Farwell. “There is nothing that gives you any heartburn,” Kirkland said, referring to this year’s “clean audit” of the period ending Sept. 30, 2012. “You guys always do a good job in your budgeting,” he added. Full Story

School Board Opens Pre-K To Most District Employees Thursday, May 23, 2013 Full-time, permanent employees of the Muleshoe Independent School District, along with its cafeteria staff received an additional benefit during Monday’s regular meeting. At Superintendent Dr. Gene Sheets’ recommendation, the school board voted to allow the school district’s employees to enroll their four-year-old children in MISD’s pre-Kindergarten program — which was formerly limited to qualified lower-income families. Students in the district’s PPCD, a different program, are three-years-old and qualified by disabilities, and therefore, be affected by the change. “Back at the first of the year, Dana Heathington (principal at Dillman Elementary) came to me with an idea,” Sheets said. He explained that offering the benefit to the district’s full-time, permanent employees, and cafeteria staff, could attract future employees or aid in retaining current employees. Full Story