Karnes Co. TX - NEWS - February 2006 This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Kimm Antell Copyright. All rights reserved. http://files.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm Copyright 2006 Victoria Advocate Online (http://victoriaadvocate.com) ************************************************ February 2, 2006 Runge drops UIL football competition February 2, 2006 MIKE FORMAN - Advocate Sports Writer RUNGE - Darryl Smithey makes a point to show visitors the team pictures hanging on the wall above the lockers in the Runge dressing room. "We go from an 8-by-10 to an index card," Smithey said. "We're talking about 30 kids to 14 at the end." It's all about the numbers, or more accurately, the lack of them in Runge. It's the reason Runge will not be included when the University Interscholastic League releases its football reclassification and realignment for the 2006-07 and 2007-08 school years today. As the result of a decreasing attendance, Runge will compete as independent in football for the next two seasons. The Karnes County school will remain in the UIL for all other sports. "We're looking at having 24 kids in football next year and eight of them will be freshman," said Smithey, Runge's athletic director and head football coach and boys head basketball coach. "It would be hard for me to put 13-year-old kids against state-ranked Shiner. "We would have liked to have stayed with the UIL and be given the opportunity to be in a more competitive district," Smithey added. "But the risk was just too high." Runge finished 0-10 last season and was outscored 419-48. The Yellowjackets haven't had a winning season since 1999 and haven't made the playoffs since 1997. Runge began last season with 22 players and played its final game, a 34-20 District 31-1A loss to Woodsboro, with 12. "I don't want to get into a district and have to cancel somebody's homecoming game," Smithey said. "We were close to that this year. We would like to be in a more competitive district. When you're running the clock in the second quarter, you're not in a competitive situation." Runge made the decision to go independent in football after the UIL wouldn't guarantee a request by the school to be placed in a different district. Smithey said Runge was left with three options - dropping football, playing six-man football, or going independent. "The community didn't want to drop football," Smithey said. "We looked at six-man, but the trips would be too far (the closest school playing six-man football is Prairie Lea and most of Runge's opponents would be located near San Angelo). Besides we didn't want to go to six-man and back to 11-man. We want to stay 11-man. We felt like we should go independent and hope that our number of kids comes up." Smithey admits the decision to go independent in football received a mixed reception in a community that enjoyed a considerable amount of success in the 1980s and 90s and sent Mike Gisler to the NFL. "There was some positive and some curious questions about it," Smithey said. "Of course, our players are young and they want a chance to compete in a district. There are pros and cons to both sides. But we have to take a safety first approach and do what's best for the kids." Smithey has already compiled a tentative 10-game schedule that includes games against two UIL varsity teams, two sophomore teams, and six private schools, including St. Paul and Sacred Heart. Smithey said Runge will play by UIL rules and will continue to monitor students' grades. "You're seeing this a little more in West Texas," said UIL athletic director Charles Breithaupt, who said he doesn't like schools leaving the organization. "A lot of communities are being forced to make tough choices." Runge's decision to go independent means its football team cannot rejoin the UIL until the 2008 season. "I could see other communities being in this situation," Smithey said. "You have to think about whether you want to be an 11-man community. This community does. We've got to make 11-man football work and this schedule makes it work." Mike Forman is a sports writer for the Advocate. Contact him at 361- 580-6588 or mforman@vicad.com, or comment on this story at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com February 22, 2006 Cajun Casino Night is March 4 in Panna Maria Advocate Staff Report KARNES CITY - Tickets are available for Cajun Casino Night sponsored by the Karnes City Chamber of Commerce. The annual chamber banquet, scheduled for Saturday, March 4, will feature 12 blackjack tables, two craps tables, as well as poker and roulette tables for the evening's entertainment. Chips won during gaming are exchanged for raffle tickets for merchandise from local merchants and businesses. The Casino Knights from Austin will run the casino. The $15 entry ticket includes the casino-like gaming, a buffet dinner, coffee bar and the annual community awards presentation. The banquet will be at the community hall in historic Panna Maria with doors opening at 6 p.m. Music will be provided by DJ Joe Baker. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Maggie Hunt, chamber executive director, at 830-780-3112. And remember, "What happens in Panna Maria ..." February 25, 2006 Business is good in Karnes County Bigger Wal-Mart, new apartments just part of the growth SONNY LONG - Victoria Advocate KENEDY - In a town known as the Horned Lizard Capital of Texas, it would be fair to say that Kenedy is hopping these days. And not just the horned toad capital - the entire Karnes County area is experiencing an economic growth spurt. Much of the excitement is generated by the pending construction of a Wal-Mart SuperCenter on U.S. Highway 181 just inside the Kenedy city limits. "They have purchased 20.84 acres in our industrial park," said Terry M. Trevino, executive director of the Karnes County Economic and Community Development Corp. "The contract review process takes about four months and was initiated in December. "In addition to the Wal-Mart, Bakke Development is developing 13 acres of the frontage for a shopping center. They are in the process of recruiting franchises and other companies as tenants." Trevino said the new Wal-Mart will add jobs and should bring in $5,000 to $8,000 in additional sales tax revenue per month to the community. "The current Wal-Mart employs between 50 and 80 people, and the new store should add an estimated 100 to 150 more jobs," Trevino said. "It will have departments that the current store doesn't have like a gas station and automotive." Wal-Mart SuperCenters also include a full line of groceries. There are 253 Wal-Mart SuperCenters in Texas. Stores average 186,000 square feet and 116,000 items, compared to 98,000 square feet and 62,500 items in the regular discount store. The Kenedy Business and Industrial Park is a sprawling 181 acres across the street from the new Karnes County Welcome, Visitor and Tourism Center. The center also houses the EDC office. "We had the grand opening for the visitor center last week," Trevino said. "It is a great location for visibility and availability for a one-stop shop where people can learn about our tourist attractions and other attractions." The new Wal-Mart isn't the only thing happening in Karnes County. "A developer has purchased property in Karnes City for a 76-unit apartment complex," Trevino said. "In Falls City, Pollok's Meat Market is expanding and Pol-Mor Meat Company will be their new meat packing plant. Otto Kaiser Memorial Hospital is getting ready to expand. A new bed and breakfast, The 505 Lodge, opened last year in Kenedy." Trevino paused, beaming proudly. "There's a lot going on in Karnes County. In the 19 months since I've been here, several entrepreneurs have started new businesses or expanded existing ones. I can't list them all there have been so many. There has been a lot of property sold to be developed. We are in the running to attract another large industry. We are one of four finalists out of 250 locations that were competing for this $50 million prospect that will bring 500 jobs with it." Trevino added that with Wal-Mart anchoring the business park, she hopes to attract either light manufacturers or other retailers. "It is important that we manage the infrastructure along with the recruitment of industry," she said. "We are doing that through grants as much as possible. Karnes County was awarded $750,000 in grants last year to improve infrastructure." Karnes County Economic and Community Development Corp. is a nonprofit organization overseen by a 15-member board of directors. The board has representatives from Kenedy, Karnes City, Falls City, Runge, Karnes County, local chambers of commerce, and the hospital. It is funded through sales taxes in the incorporated cities, county funds approved by the commissioners court, and funds from the private sector. Sonny Long is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact him at361-275- 6319 or cueroadv@vicad.com, or comment on this story at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com