You might say it was truly a year of ups and downs in the communities the Texas Spur covers.
As in, the price of one Bitcoin, which opened Jan. 3, 2022 at $47,343.54 and closed Dec. 31 at $16,547.50 (per Yahoo Finance).
As in, RV Parks that went up in Spur and solar panels in Kent County—and walls of the old Godfrey Ford building on Spur’s Burlington Avenue that came down in a smoothly managed demolition project during the heat of July.
And speaking of temperatures, it was a year that launched with snowfall and saw white stuff several times through January and February—but gave way to recordsetting heat and devastating drought through the summer months. Cattle and crops suffered, and the year ended with cotton yields so low the Spur gin didn’t even try to open. “Although the state headed into the growing season with its highest planted area since 1954, totaling about 8.7 million acres,” reported the Amarillo Globe-News this week, “extreme drought conditions and record abandonment levels yielded the lowest-ever cotton harvest Texas has seen.”
Your editors have mined 52 weeks of headlines from the past year, sifting through for the most memorable themes and events of 2022. These are the dozen or so nuggets that remained behind in the pan.
#1. Argo Blockchain sets up, sells out. The community-minded firm whose watchword is to mine “the world’s most profitable cryptocurrencies” invited everyone to a Bitcoin bash at its shiny new Helios plant in northern Dickens County in early May but came smack up against the realities of global crypto meltdown and rising Texas electricity costs in fourth quarter. The company, which made the bold promise to provide Spur with a revamped public swimming pool, white-knuckled through the threat of bankruptcy after a mjor funding source fell through, opting instead to sell Helios and its array of mining units to Galaxy Digital and continue as a tenant in the state-of-the-art facility it built.
THE LATEST: Galaxy promises to retain local jobs, complete the pool.
#2. Spur’s firehouse for the future. Eric and Linda Swenson, generations after earlier Swensons bankrolled the Spur enterprises, pledged a financial gift substantial enough to provide the city a state-of-the-art fire station in the heart of downtown. City and county leaders put a deal together to rid the city of a crumbling auto dealership and pave the way for the new structure, and local businesses provided the wherewithal and the know-how to handle the demo. While fascinating bits of Spur’s past—such as a 1922 Ford advertising mural in pristine condition—were sacrificed to progress, several structure fires in the heart of town last year pointed up the need for better prevention and protection. THE LATEST: According to Spur VFD Chief Wess Abbott, the architect and civil engineer have completed the building plans; the architect and general contractor are having meetings to go through the details; and the general contractor is beginning to reach out to subcontractors and getting quotes for specific projects. Dirt work to start building the pad should begin very soon.
#3. Changing of the guard in Kent County.
Commissioner Don Long and County Judge Jim C. White—with a combined five and a half decades of service in public office to the county—each announced they would not seek reelection in 2022. THE LATEST: We wish the best to their successors, Commissioner Ray Hall and Judge Layne Coulter, who were sworn in to office this week.
#4. Jayton school district approves tax increase. With a short window of opportunity, the Jayton-Girard ISD persuaded its constituents of the merits of actually raising its tax rate. With more cash to use for day-to-day operations, the school whose physical plant is the envy of larger districts should be able to keep the lights on, avoid deferred maintenance, and attract and hold top teaching talent.
THE LATEST: JGISD trustees also mulled over the idea of adding baseball and softball to its student sports lineup, and stepped up to the plate. It’s almost time for spring training—and all eyes will be on their “farm team” season, with fun for players and spectators alike.
#5. Legislative redistricting spreads rural representation thin, introduces new faces. State Representative Dustin Burrows (RLubbock) was selected through redistricting to represent our area. David Spiller (R-Jacksboro) had represented the region less than one year. Spiller succeeded Drew Springer (R-Muenster) who was elected to the State Senate. Burroughs’ District 83 will now encompass Dickens and Kent Counties, as well as the entirety of the following counties: Borden, Crosby, Floyd, Garza, Lynn, Mitchell, Scurry and Terry. In addition, the district represents a portion of Lubbock County. THE LATEST: As the 88th session of the Texas legislature convenes next week, constituents should keep an eye on their representatives’ and senators’ views and votes—and let their voices be heard.
#6. Revolving door of restaurants and retail.
At least a revolving door is better than a completely closed one, which is what we saw too often during the height of Covid-19 in 2020 and 2021. In both Dickens and Kent Counties, some stalwarts shuttered in 2022: Spur’s Dixie Dog remained dark, while Jayton’s Boots & Spurs Café closed up shop—only to reemerge, through the talents of Summer and Jodie Reel, as the Greenhouse Coffee Shop (with even more in store). MarvelBucks faced difficulties transitioning from cottage industry to drive-up meal service but renovated the historic Mission Service Station at the foot of Spur’s Burlington Avenue before leaving it in good hands with G-Ma’s. Spur gained a mirror image of its East Hill Street Dollar General with a West Hill Street Family Dollar/Dollar Tree. Also in Spur, Ole Town Café returned under family ownership, with homestyle Mexican and burger fare. Jayton lost two local institutions—the Kent County General Store to a September fire and the Co-op Gin to the auction block, leaving the entire county devoid of gas or groceries for purchase.
THE LATEST: Perhaps the most ambitious new retail enterprise in the region is the expansion of the Spur Syndicate holdings into Spur’s “skyscraper.” While Spur Hardware continues to refine its product mix for homemakers, craftsmen and hunters, The Mercantile at Spur Hardware provides a spacious outlet for upscale Western décor, clothing, accessories, and local art. “Switching to Orgil (as its jobber) has allowed us to double the hardware store’s inventory and have a more reliable source of ordering on a weekly basis,” said manager Jeromy Rutledge. “The Mercantile allowed us to expand our retail offerings and proide a more diverse retail experience to local residents as well as people coming from outside areas.”
#7. Sunset of Section 313 agreements leads a land rush, yields benefits for school districts. All three of the area’s ISDs—Jayton-Girard, Patton Springs, and Spur—have benefitted this past year from reputable companies looking to secure a place in the energy sector. Creation of reinvestment zones allows entities to reduce their property tax burden by providing improvements to local schools. Texas’ Chapter 313, which reduces school district property taxes for capitalintensive facilities to attract economic development to the state sunseted on Dec. 31, 2022. Throughout the school year, area school districts held special meetings with presentations from companies seeking to invest in the region with new initiatives.
THE LATEST: With construction workers and permanent staff moving into our rural communities, suitable housing is in short supply. Spur continues to attract tiny housers, and must now craft ordinances for a variety of residences from RVs to mobile homes to converted commercial spaces. The demand should yield a great opportunity for managed growth.
#8. Community spirit is reflected in ambitious undertakings.
Even as population counts declined according to the 2020 Census, volunteers continue to keep our small towns lively with a host of enjoyable, inspiring events. From Spur’s first (at least, first it the 21st century!) Fourth of July parade and its reinvigorated golf association to Jayton’s bingo and child suppers and its holiday Winterfest, to McAdoo’s hamburger dinners at the fire department, there’s a surprising slate of things to do. Spur once again hosted KCBD’s Community Coverage in July, raised money for improvements to its hsitoric Palace Theater, and pulled off a great 70th Spur Homecoming . . . even without a marching band. THE LATEST: If Spur’s small publicschoolcancreateagreenhouseandcommunity garden that teaches kids horticulture, marketing, history, and a foreign language, they can do anything.
#9. Athletic achievements.
The Jayton Jaybirds are to be commended for earning medals in track at state competition this year. Patton Springs bid good-bye to a popular head football coach in Eric Johnson and headed into a challenging rebuilding season. THE LATEST: Spur’s Bucki Smith, who competed for three consecutive years at the state track meet, has just signed to run track for Lubbock Christian University.
Spur loses a literary lion. While awardwinning writer Aaron Latham hadn’t lived in Spur since his youth, his best-remembered line, early in his 1980 film “Urban Cowboy,” might well be the one where young Bud tells the Houston folks where he’s from. Latham’s roots went deep enough that he chose to be buried in the Spur Cemetery alongside his parents; he died July 23 of complications from Parkinson’s disease and was laid to rest there July 28. His wife, news anchor Lesley Stahl, and his daughters and other family members provided a funeral tribute worthy of a great Texas talent.
THE LATEST: Expand your horizons—check out an Aaron Latham novel from the Spur library, take a folding chair and a Dairy Queen milkshake, and go sit in a shady spot beside Duck Creek to read it. The library also has some copies of children’s books written by his mother, Launa Latham, featuring animal fables.
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