South-Plains News

Warmer temperatures and dry conditions are both key ingredients for a grass fire and the South Plains is already seeing fires spark up in the area.

The South Plains Advocates for Freedom will launch an information petition drive Wednesday, March 12, to encourage citizens to sign on to the document calling for Lubbock's City Council to "take actions to stop government overreach," said organization spokeswoman Mikel Ward.

A combination of sustained 20 mph winds and humidity values at 15 percent or less present a fire hazard for the area, according to the National Weather Service.

A cold front will also move across the area after 6 p.m. which will bring an increase in wind speed and blowing dust.

According to the National Weather Service, the city has had 0.17 inches of precipitation so far in 2014.

In light of Severe Weather Awareness week, KCBD's own expert meteorologists take a look back at the most memorable severe weather moments on the South Plains.

Nattea Nathan, left, listens to Vanessa Castillo and Carlos Castillo place an order at the recently opened Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers Monday.

David Graves was sitting in his pickup truck one day, waiting for his wife to come out of the South Plains Medical Services repair shop with good news about his scooter.

With the fourth lowest rate in the state, Lubbock's unemployment numbers are down to 4.3 percent with a reported growth in the civilian labor force of about 2,300 jobs throughout last year.

The deadly tornadoes that devastated portions of Oklahoma last May are a dark reminder.

Greek yogurt - a thicker, higher-protein alternative to the traditional kind - is boosting an industry that suffered through drought with the rest of the agriculture world.

Republican primary candidates Tim Addison and Alfred Martinez each received 236 votes, leaving the county with a tie for that seat and officials to research their next steps while other South Plains counties reported a handful of close contested races.

While cotton, corn and peanuts are off the ground and awaiting their next planting, a South Plains winter wheat crop remains in peak growing season.

One the Texas Legislature passed last year - designed to help voters in more than two dozen rural counties - is among those, at least for now.

Lubbock's Emergency Management office issued a travel alert on Sunday, warning that freezing rain is creating hazardous driving conditions in the area, urging people to avoid travel if possible.

The United States Congress must pass immigration reform; including an earned path to citizenship for those individuals contributing to the economy and the dependents of those individuals.

With warmer temperatures this afternoon, many West Texans were outside enjoying the weather.

The combination of gusty winds, warm temperatures in the 80's, humidity values at less than 10 percent and the ongoing drought have led to the development of rapidly spreading grassfires.

Saturday afternoon temperatures soared into the upper 70's and 80's on the Caprock.

Residents of our region have joined the people of Post in mourning the Feb. 20 tragic death of 2-year-old Alexandria Lee Courtney-Dean.