By Jeff Shultz

Publisher

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and the Garvin County Sheriff’s Office were busy Tuesday, June 17, destroying a large pot growing operation that was first discovered by a couple of fishermen.

According to Sheriff Larry Rhodes, the three fields of pot were in a very secluded area west of I-35 near Wildhorse Creek.

This was one of three pot fields destroyed by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and the Garvin County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of the Garvin County Sheriff’s Office.)

“A couple of fishermen came up on the fields last week and notified our office about them,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes said he and Undersheriff Jim Mullett conducted a fly by over the fields Monday to determine just how large the operation was.

“This was a major operation,” he said. “Whoever was growing the marijuana plants was no novice.”

Rhodes added the operation reminded him of a Mexican Cartel marijuana venture.

“I’m not saying this was a cartel operation, but it was very professional,” he said. “The Mexican Cartel has now resorted to growing their plants in the various regions they intend to distribute the marijuana instead of risking getting caught crossing the border or state lines with it.”

The three fields contained approximately 1,350 marijuana plants along with a tent for the caretaker to stay in, Rhodes added.

The large crop was immediately pulled up by OBN officers and Sheriff’s deputies and then was burned.

“When we arrived on the scene the caretaker took off running west of the fields. We attempted to locate him, but lost him,” Rhodes said.

Anyone who might have information on this particular pot operation is urged to call the Garvin County Sheriff’s Office at 405-238-7591 or the Garvin County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-211-STOP (7867).

This panoramic view of the new Pauls Valley Aquatic Center, located next to the Donald W. Reynolds Recreation Center, shows the layout of the new water park. PV officials say the pool should be ready to open by mid-July. (News Star photo by Jeff Shultz and Jennifer Samford)

By Jeff Shultz

Publisher

Anyone waiting to go swimming in the new Pauls Valley Aquatic Center will have to wait a little longer as recent storms and some glitches with construction have delayed the opening of the new water park themed pool.

City officials now are crossing their fingers for a mid-July opening date, which will leave just a few weeks for the pool to be open during the 2013 Summer season.

“There are always issues that come up that can set a project back,” said PV City Manager James Frizell.

One of the setbacks, according to Frizell, has to do with the pool’s backwash.

“We had originally hoped to recapture back wash water and reuse the water, but the health department would have nothing to do with that,” he said.

Frizell said the city then had to go back to the engineers to resubmit plans to the health department for the backwash to be dumped in the sewer.

“There have been problems with the plumbing on both the pool contractor and us. Missing parts, incorrect parts resulting in either complete stoppage or a slow down,” Frizell added.

Swimmers will have a shortened season to go down one of the Aquatic Center’s three water slides. A giant bowl slide will be one of many water features at the new water park.

Meanwhile, PV Aquatics Supervisor Billy Tomlinson is hard at work getting all the pieces of the puzzle in place so the pool will be adequately staffed once it opens.

“Billy is working diligently to make sure that we have enough Red Cross certified lifeguards on staff to be able to open,” PV Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Samford said.

Also on Samford and Tomlinson’s opening checklist is assuring the pool is sufficiently equipped.

“We will have to make sure that we have all of the equipment, supplies and material necessary to open the pool.

“That means we are working to have picnic tables, lounge chairs, shade umbrellas, concession stand supplies, signage and the list goes on,” she said.

Admission prices for the shortened season will vary between a daily pass or a punch pass for 10 visits.

No season passes will be sold for the summer, Samford added.

During the brief season children ages 0-3 will get to swim free as long as there is an adult accompanying them.

Youth ages 4-14 can have a single daily pass for $4 or $30 for a punch pass.

Adults 15-61 can swim for $7 each day or pay $60 for a 10-visit punch pass. Seniors over the age of 62 will be able to visit the pool for $5 a day or a punch pass for $40.

While disappointed the pool won’t be open for a full season, Samford said there are definite advantages to opening the pool late.

“The shortened season will allow our staff to gain valuable experience so we can evaluate our successes and shortcomings and be better prepared for full summer season next year,” she said.

By Susan Stone

News Star Reporter

The June meeting of the Stratford City Council started mildly but ended with some fireworks by one council member who went on a tirade, complete with obscenities and shouting.

The meeting started with an executive session to discuss appointing a trustee for Ward 5.

Once reconvening into regular session the council appointed former Garvin County Clerk Gina Mann as the Ward 5 trustee.

Gina Mann

Mann was the only person who applied for the position that opened up when former Mayor John Jolley resigned from the council few months ago.

Once sworn into office Mann wasted no time getting down to business asking questions about several items on the agenda.

“Since I am new I will be asking a lot of questions and I’m sorry but I want to make sure I understand everything, “ Mann said.

One item on the agenda was to reappoint Cindy Gallup and Nadine Allen to the Stratford Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.

When this item was up for discussion, Councilman David Sanders and Councilman Bob McAlister made a motion and a second to reappoint both women to the SHA board.

Before the motion could be voted on, Councilman Mark Hanson made his own motion to reappoint Gallup but not Allen.

When other council members asked Hanson if Allen was doing her job and doing it correctly Hanson had no reply.

In light of Hanson’s objection to reappointing Allen both Sanders and McAlister changed their motion and voted “no” on reappointing both women.

After the no vote, Councilman Sanders then made another motion to reappoint Gallup but not to reappoint Allen to the Housing Authority Board. All council members passed the motion.

Another agenda item was consideration and action on giving a cost of living raise to all full-time city employees.

Councilwoman Mann asked if the raise had been figured into the fiscal year’s budget.

“I am not against giving a raise. I am sure everyone could use it, but we don’t need to spend dollars we don’t have,” she said.

The council voted to table this item until the July council meeting in order for town treasurer David Alberson to look at the total a raise would cost and to see if there is enough money in the budget to cover the raises.

Other agenda items the council passed were to purchase two oxygen masks for the water department well houses, purchasing three eyewash kits placing one at the wells, one at the city lagoon and another in the city shop.

Boy Scout Explorer Pack 101 made up of area youth attended at the meeting in order to learn about city government and to see how a city council meeting is conducted.

“Members of Explorer Pack 101 have to do a narrative of what they learned at the city council meeting,” explained Stratford Police Chief Scott Collier.

Collier along with White Tiger Combat Karate and Sergeant Adam McMillen are sponsors of the Explorer Pack.

The fireworks that began after the meeting gave everyone there a show they will not soon forget.

After the council meeting had adjourned, Hanson’s temper flared. Hanson began screaming obscenities and ordering everyone but council members and the police chief to leave the meeting room.

Hanson was informed the impromptu meeting he was calling for would be a violation of the Open Meeting Act.

The reasons behind Hanson’s blow up are still unclear, however, other council members and Chief Collier intervened causing Hanson to storm out of the room while threatening to “hit anyone who got in his way.”

Still irate, Hanson proceeded into the parking lot where he then threatened an elected official when he got into the face of Town Treasurer David Alberson, screaming obscenities and threats.

Stratford Police Sergeant Adam McMillen immediately tried to defuse the situation but Hanson refused to listen to the officers.

When treasurer Alberson was asked about the incident, he responded, “I don’t know what Hanson was so upset with me about.”

After some intense moments, Hanson finally got into his vehicle and left as instructed by the police officers.

Attempts to reach Hanson for a comment were unsuccessful by the News Star.

On Wednesday, after the meeting, a letter allegedly from Hanson containing 10 different subjects began to circulate in town.

The letter was addressed To the City of Stratford and allegedly signed by Hanson.

One of the statements listed in the letter is an issue that could only have been discussed by council members during an executive session held at Tuesday’s meeting, which is a violation of the Open Meeting Act.

Another shocking development on Wednesday was the immediate resignation of Mayor Fred Stephens.

When asked about his resignation Stephens stated, “I am happy that I was able to serve the people of Stratford, however being on the city council has begun to interfere with my family, my church, my friendships, my job and also has affected my health. Those are areas of my personal life I choose not to sacrifice any longer.”

By Bonnie Seymour

News Star Reporter

Summer is a time for fun and celebrating and Sunday, June 30th Elmore City will be doing just that.

The First Baptist Church of Elmore City will be holding their 13th Annual God and Country Celebration at the Elmore City Lake.

Festivities are set to begin at 5:30 with music.  The food line will begin forming at 6:30.  Hotdogs, chips, drinks, and snow cones will be provided free of charge.  Make sure to get there on time, as supplies are limited

“Last year we served around 2,700 hotdogs,” said Skeet Luster, one of the organizers of the event.

Fireworks are set to begin around 9:30 but there will be plenty of things to keep you busy while you wait.  There will be volleyball, a moon bounce, and face painting for the kids.  Swimming will not be allowed at this event.

Remember to bring extra water, lawn chairs, and bug spray to keep the mosquitoes away.

For more information, please call 580-788-4110.

By Jeff Shultz

Publisher

Maysville residents will be using poly carts in the future instead of area dumpsters as the Maysville Municipal Authority Board of Trustees approved a measure to contract for poly cart services during their meeting last Monday night.

The MMA will now seek a vendor to supply the town with poly carts and service those poly carts.

While no vendor was named Monday night, during the MMA’s special meeting on June 5 a possible vendor by the initials WCA was mentioned when trustees first voted to move to the poly cart system.

During the Town Board meeting prior to the MMA meeting, Town Board members accepted a bid from Curb Appeal Roofing to repair the roof at the Maysville Library, which was damaged by a recent hailstorm.

Curb Appeal’s bid was for $18,500.

In other business:

•Town Board members approved the removal of a Children At Play sign on 10th Street;

•Established an agreement with Garvin County to have Garvin County Emergency Management Director Bud Ramming act on behalf of the town;

•Declared the wall from the Police Department as scrap and have the wall removed;

•Approved a measure to have written reports from the Maysville Fire Department be included in the board’s agenda packet each month; and

•Voted to advertise for sealed bids on two vehicles – a 2000 and 2005 Ford Crown Victoria -  owned by the city.

By Bonnie Seymour

News Star Reporter

Buildings and budget cuts set emotions on fire at the last Maysville School Board meeting, held Monday, June 10.

Around 20 people attended to voice concern about the new multipurpose building on the elementary school grounds and inquire about the size of the 1st and 2nd grade classes for the 2013-2014 school year.

Cindy Wilmot, who has voiced concern about the height of the new building, took the floor first to continue the ongoing debate about the building.

“The last time I was here I didn’t have all the information that I have now but I had what was in my heart,” stated Wilmot passionately.

Wilmot went on to present a timeline of events that led up to the construction of the building.

She used the timeline to prove that the board referred to the building using the word “gymnasium” and that there were no actual plans drawn up for the building before the bond issue for the facility was put to a vote of school patrons.

Superintendent William Martin admitted that no plans were in the works beforehand.

“No, we didn’t have plans drawn beforehand.  We had to wait for the bond to pass and then we hired an architect,” said Martin.

After construction began on the building, Wilmot began to wonder about the height of the building.

After contacting the architect, she discovered the planned ceiling was an eleven-foot drop ceiling.

The regulation height for a basketball goal is ten-feet and that would be the height needed for the sixth graders to practice there.

“At what point when you build a gym do you not make it tall enough to be a gym?” asked Wilmot.

The drop ceiling has since been omitted from the design, thus raising the height of the ceiling.

The architect, Tim Elliott, was at the meeting to put the concerned parents minds at ease.

“Yes, I think the new building is tall enough to be a gym”, stated Elliott.  “We are making it as high as possible.

“Currently it is at 10-feet six-inches on the sides and 14-feet three-inches where the basketball goals will be.  We were trying to get to 17-feet.

“It’s not happening.  Cost was a huge concern going into this and the taller you go, the more it costs.”

Elliott did inform the parents attending the meeting that the basketball goal will be adjustable from eight-feet to 10-feet and has a “pretty slick” design.

According to Martin there is one person who doesn’t seem to have a problem with the building and that person is the basketball coach.

“Miss Kessler is comfortable with 14-feet six-inches.  She has no problem with it at all and is very happy”, said Martin.

“It’s a gym, it’s just not the gym you have in mind.”

Still not satisfied with what she was being told, Wilmot requested to know the cost of adding another four feet to the building, seeing as the building is coming in $270,000 under budget.

It was a request Elliott was more than happy to oblige.

“I’m just wanting what I, what we, thought we were promised”, said Wilmot regarding her quest.

“I’m doing everything I can as an architect to address your concerns and do it cost effectively as well,” responded Elliott.

The topic then shifted to the class size for first and second graders, which turned into a discussion about a school district in financial turmoil.

As reported by Elementary Principal, Jeanna Bearden, the estimated class size for first graders this coming year is 28 to 30 kids and the estimate for second grade is 26.

The enlarged class sizes led parents to ask the question, “Why can’t we hire more teachers?”

“The state has taken away $149,000 from us. We are $200,000 short for the school year”, said Martin.  “We are down to the minimum amount of staff we can have.  We have gone from 43 teachers to 29.”

According to Martin, this is the third year in a row the state has cut district funding for all Oklahoma school districts.

The treasurer for the school district estimated the district would be closing out the year with $2,500,000.  Currently the district stands at $2,300,000.

Parents, shocked at what they had just heard, asked if it would be possible to hold fundraisers for the district, to help with hiring more teachers and other needs within the system.

“First through sixth grade should be a priority. These are the years children learn to read, spell, interact”, voiced one parent.

“What if we raised money for the district?” asked another.

While doing fundraisers would be extremely helpful in some areas of operation, it could lead to disaster in others.

“We’ll always take money,” said school board member, Vickie Foraker,”but if we are in a contract with a teacher for $50,000 and we only raise $10,000, we still owe them $40,000.”

With the $149,000 cut from the state, it would appear that most of the district woes are being caused at a much higher level than our district alone.

Said Martin of his contact with those at a higher level, “We’ve cried and cried but no one listens.”

Understanding the urgency of saving the school district, parents then suggested that they start to contact Representative Lisa Billy and Senator Susan Paddack themselves.  They were met with an overwhelming response from board members and the principals in attendance, giving an otherwise helpless meeting a slight glimmer of hope.

“If Susan Paddack received an angry email from one-hundred people, she would start to listen.  Mr. Martin is just one guy”, said board member David Riley of the situation.

“We work on this money situation every day. This is the biggest business in Maysville.  We lose this and we’re in trouble”, chimed in Bruce Jones, another school board member, emphasizing the importance of getting the parents involved in the fight for finance.

The end of the discussion was back to the original topic at hand, class size.

“There are several things that we are looking at,” said Bearden. “We aren’t here to throw the children all in one class and those who survive, survive.”

“We will do the best for your children. You have no reason to trust us except that we have been doing this for years and we will try again,” said Martin on the subject.

The open discussion then turned to the lack of a junior high academic team.

“No one wanted to be a sponsor,” said high school principal Dr. Shelley Hildebrand-Beach, “I heard from no parents or students and there was no interest from the faculty.”

With such a lack of interest from the high school teachers, the parents asked if it would be possible for a parent to help coach the children for academic meets.

“Yes, I think that would be possible but we would need a faculty member to transport them for meets,” said Martin.

Parents feel not having the program in place would do more harm than good.

“It keeps our kids out of trouble. They love it.  They feel that the team is their calling,” said one parent of her child’s love for academia.

The school board will hold a special meeting Thursday, June 27, at 7:00 p.m. to prepare for the closing of the fiscal year.  The next regular meeting will be Monday, July 8, at 7:00 p.m..

To contact Senator Susan Paddack about the financial situation of the Maysville School District, please call 405-521-5541 or email paddack@oksenate.gov.

To contact Representative Lisa Billy, call 405-557-7365 or email lisajbilly@okhouse.gov.

By Susan Stone

News Star Reporter

Last Thursday, May 30, Stratford police received a call about a physical domestic at a residence in the 800 block of North Hyden. The caller said a man was chasing a woman around the residence with a chair.

Stratford Police Sergeant Adam McMillen and Chief Scott Collier responded to the call.

According to the police report, upon McMillen arriving at the residence he could hear yelling coming from inside 822 N. Hyden.

As McMillen approached the door, he observed a large, white male inside the house yelling. The man was later identified as 30-year-old Johnny Tavares.

McMillen asked Tavares to step outside and speak with officers regarding the domestic assault call they had received.

Tavares refused and cursed at both McMillen and Collier.

McMillen then opened the screen door and once again told Tavares to step outside to speak with officers.

Again, Tavares refused saying, “Officers had no right to come in his house and that he didn’t have to speak with them,” according to McMillen’s report.

After refusing the first two orders by police to step outside, McMillen then told Tavares “he was going to come outside and speak with them.”

McMillen then grabbed Tavares’ left arm in an attempt to get him to come outside the house so the issue could be resolved.

Tavares again refused to comply and began resisting officers.

According to the police report, Chief Collier and McMillen advised Tavares, who was a good deal bigger than both officers, over and over to stop resisting

During the scuffle, Tavares fell backwards onto Collier, causing Collier’s ankle to break.

Once on the floor, officers were trying to gain control of Tavares hands, his girlfriend, Brittney German, began yelling at officers, “to leave him alone.”

German then threw a small metal flashlight at the officers, striking McMillen in the back of the head. German then left the house.

McMillen followed her and she was quickly placed in handcuffs outside the residence.

Officers were able to gain control of Tavares, placing him under arrest as well.

Collier advised McMillen he believed his ankle was broken. McMillen then advised dispatch to have an ambulance and more officers come to their location.

Shortly after the request was made Stratford EMS, Stratford Fire Department, other Stratford Police Officers and Garvin County Sheriff’s Deputies all showed up at the scene.

Both Tavares and German were checked out by EMS and determined to be fine. They were then transported to the Garvin County Jail.

The two are now facing felony charges of Assault and Battery on a Peace Officer.

By Lindsey Temple

News Star Reporter

Pauls Valley is once again gearing up for its annual Okie Noodling Tournament and Fish Fry, marking its 14th year hosting the one-of-kind festival honoring the unique sport of Noodling and its equally unique enthusiasts.

With past tournaments generating excitement in both local and national media outlets like print, film and television, attendance for the tournament has reached over 10,000 patrons and 200 participants and those numbers don’t appear to be shrinking, according to Pauls Valley Chamber of Commerce President, Della Wilson.

“We predict the 14th annual event will see even greater attendance numbers,” said Wilson.

“Not only do hand fishers descend on the area but spectators, friends, relatives and fans of both the movie and the sport come to Pauls Valley from all over the county for this unique event,” explained Wilson.

The Tournament will be held in Pauls Valley’s Wacker Park, 1005 N. Willow, Pauls Valley, OK on Saturday, June 22, festivities begin at 12 p.m. with the first official weigh in for contestants, after that the afternoon will be filled with festival activities.

The festival promises something for everyone, even the junior noodlers with a “Noodling Clinic” and Catfish Eating Contest for the kids, face painting, inflatables, and games.

The day will also offer a variety of vendors including food and beverage vendors along with another tournament weigh-in at 6 p.m. with the awards ceremony and the coronation of “Miss Okie Noodling” at 7 p.m.

Festivities will go well into the evening with live music provided by “Empty Bottles,” Beau Jennings and Ramsey Midwood, with their earthy, gritty, rugged and soulful rock steeped in blues, according to Wilson.

All those looking to participate in the festival must register by Friday, June 21 and noodlers must obey all Oklahoma Wildlife regulations.

Fishermen will compete statewide to catch the largest flathead catfish, only one fish per entry.  Fish must be caught within 24 hours of the deadline and must be alive.

For more information call the PV Chamber of Commerce at 405-238-6491, or visit okienoodling.com and facebook.com/okienoodlingfest.

By Bonnie Seymour

News Star Reporter

Things became heated at the Maysville Municipal Authority meeting last Wednesday night, June 5.

The hot topic of the night was switching the town from dumpster trash service to each dwelling having a Polly Cart as a trash reciprocal instead.

After being told by Mayor Ed Pharaoh in a previous meeting to acquire three bids in order to switch services, MMA Trustee Shane Hunter did some digging of his own and found out otherwise.

“If we want to change it, we can change it,” Hunter stated firmly.

The information he found stated that three bids are only required for a town purchase.  The trash switch is a service and does not require three bids, Hunter said.

“We are not purchasing anything,” said Hunter. “We are changing services.”

That’s when things got rough.  Diane Tarrant reminded Pharaoh of his promise to hold a special meeting after he found the Trustee Agreement stating three bids are needed to switch the service.  This meeting never happened, according to Tarrant.

“You said there would be a special meeting and there never was,” said Tarrant, her voice raised in anger.

Tarrant and Pharaoh then argued with each other for several minutes over the special meeting with Pharaoh attempting to gain the upper hand during the argument by slamming his gavel three times during the squabble.

Hunter then broke up the verbal fight by making a motion to switch the town trash service to the poly cart system with Tarrant seconding the motion.

However, Pharaoh’s opposition to the motion persisted, noting that after a motion has been made and seconded is the time for the item to be discussed.

“It’s not a service to the community,” said Pharaoh.  “I have had people tell me they don’t want it.”

“I have had people tell me they would love to have it,” responded Tarrant.

The board finally put it to a vote with MMA Trustees Hunter, Tarrant and Kurt Widmer voting for the motion.  Charlie Griffin and Pharaoh both voted “no”.

The News Star will have more information on the switch to WCA trash service as it becomes available.

Before the MMA meeting, the Maysville Town Board Meeting took place.

Clarification of a city ordinance pertaining to dogs was one of the agenda items discussed.

The city ordinance currently states that two dogs are allowed per individual, causing some people to believe that means two dogs per person per house, which is not the case.

“Some people think if there are six people living in a house they are allowed to have twelve dogs,” stated Hunter.

With a motion by Widmer, a second by Hunter, and “yes” votes from all the board members, a motion was passed to reword the ordinance.

The ordinance will now state that two dogs are allowed per dwelling, meaning only two dogs are allowed per house.

An item that was tabled until the next town meeting is an ordinance requiring all town businesses to have and use a grease trap.

Some businesses are currently without grease traps, causing the repeated clogging of the town sewer line.

“We came up with five or six trash bags full of stuff, mostly grease, after all the rain and flooding we’ve had,” said city employee Steve Dobson.

Having a grease trap is something that is already required of the state, he noted.

Under the new ordinance no one will be grandfathered in, all must comply.

The fire department also released the date for the Maysville Fourth of July Celebration.

Festivities will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3rd.  Hotdogs and chips will be available and there is talk of a possible horseshoe tournament.

The News Star will have more information on the celebration as it becomes available.

OSU Extension Director Bob Leadford inspects some corn stalks that were damaged by two recent hailstorms over the past couple of weeks. Leadford said area crops have suffered significant damage as a result of the harsh weather conditions. (News Star photo by Nanette Shultz)

By Jeff Shultz

Publisher

While hundreds of Oklahomans struggle to regroup their lives after two weeks of tornadoes, many Garvin County farmers are counting their losses after precious crops have succumbed to destructive hail and flooding in the fields.

Garvin County OSU Extension Director Bob Leadford has been making numerous trips to area farmlands inspecting damages left from two separate hailstorms and torrential rains.

“There’s one field in the county I’ve been to seven times,” Leadford told the News Star Tuesday.

Leadford said the recent storms have been both a blessing and a curse for area farmers.

The blessing is a much-needed break from a three yearlong drought that has left area ponds and fields drying up at a fast pace.

The curse is the damage caused by the storms.

But it’s not just the recent storms and drought that left much of the area crops and pastures aching.

It’s a combination of the several weather events, Leadford said.

“First, there was the drought. Then we had three or four freezes back in April. Then came the hail and rain. It’s been an oddity of stuff that’s happened,” he said.

Leadford said the unusual low temperatures the area has experienced in April first damaged area corn crops.

“Normally our last freeze of the year is around April 15. But since then we’ve had three or four mornings where the temperatures dropped below the freezing mark and that has caused some damage to area corn crops,” he said.

Leadford said he’s seen a lot of corn and wheat that was burned due to the freezes.

“Corn production is running behind schedule due to the freezes,” he added. “The corn should be twice as tall at this point.”

Then came the hail.

“I’ve seen some wheat fields that were beat to the ground as a result of the hail,” Leadford said.

Leadford said he’s inspected corn, wheat and alfalfa fields that were all damaged by the hailstorms.

“There’s some corn out there that looks like someone came in and whipped them with a stick,” he added.

And if that wasn’t bad enough, the torrential rains have flooded many fields, causing more damage to the crops.

While he was hesitant to put a dollar amount on the losses local producers will see, he did say the losses would be considerable.

“I would venture to say we’re going to see significant losses once the producers get into the fields and begin to harvest,” he said.

And Leadford warned the drought may still be a lingering sore for area farmers.

“The drought monitor may say we are out of the drought, but it’s going to take more rain than what we’ve gotten to really break the drought.

“It takes a long time to recover from a drought as long as we’ve had one. We can only hope and pray we’ll get more rains without causing any more damage to the crops,” he said.