ICYMI: 5 big stories you may not have seen in the A-J last week

Brandi D. Addison, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
·4 min read
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Hey, folks! Happy Monday!

We're hoping to help you start off the new week informed by looking back at some of the biggest news you may have missed.

Last week, the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal shared 103 articles in print and across our website, and we understand that some of our best work can easily slip by our readers.

Covering everything from Texas Tech Football's newest hire and former Red Raider Mac McClung's invitation to the NBA dunk contest to a teen's deadly shooting, the A-J told a lot of big stories.

We get it! It's hard to read them all — but we want to ensure our readers have every opportunity to stay informed.

Fardaws Aimaq returns, unable to help Texas Tech outlast No. 10 Texas on the road

After 16 games, the 6-foot-11 Fardaws Aimaq emerged from locker room with headphones but donning an all-red Red Raiders uniform Saturday night.

An hour later, he made his season debut.

Aimaq provided a much needed spark — notching six points, three rebounds and two assists in the first half — but his addition, and 23 points from Pop Isaacs, was not enough for the Red Raiders as Sir Jabari Rice netted a pair of free throws with 5.9 seconds left to power No. 10 Texas to a 72-70 victory inside the Moody Center.

Read the full story:Fardaws Aimaq returns, unable to help Texas Tech outlast No. 10 Texas on the road

New Year brings record warmth, continued drought to South Plains

The majority U.S. received measurable rain between Dec. 12 and Jan . 11.
The majority U.S. received measurable rain between Dec. 12 and Jan . 11.

The new year has brought above-average temperatures - including some record warmth - and a lack of precipitation to the South Plains in a period where pretty much the rest of the nation has seen at least some moisture.

The National Weather Service office in Lubbock recorded a temperature high of 77 degrees on Jan. 10, which previously had a record-high of 76 degrees in 1923 and 1928, according to NWS data. The temperature low for the day was 38 degrees with an average of 58 degrees for the 24-hour period.

Additionally, over a 30-day period between Dec. 12 and Jan. 11, the entire nation received some amount of measurable precipitation, including snow and rain, except West Texas, East New Mexico and a fraction of Colorado, Oklahoma and Kansas.

Read the full story:New Year brings record warmth, continued drought to South Plains

Buyers back out of Joyland Amusement Park rescue, liquidation to begin

The journey to rescue Lubbock's longtime Joyland Amusement Park has been a roller coaster ride, and has sadly reached its end, owners of the park announced Tuesday.

At 11:35 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, David and Kristi Dean posted on social media that the local buyers - Jim and Kai Evans and Darryl and Stephanie Holland - had backed out of the deal.

Liquidation of the park will begin soon, according to a Facebook post Joyland shared on Jan. 10.

Read the full story:Buyers back out of Joyland Amusement Park rescue, liquidation to begin

Big plans growing for Lubbock's Little Red Nursery: Massive greenhouse, new store, more

Ornamental cabbage basks in the greenhouse at Little Red Nursery, 4006 34th St., as seen on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023.
Ornamental cabbage basks in the greenhouse at Little Red Nursery, 4006 34th St., as seen on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023.

Lubbock's longtime Little Red Riding Hood Nursery won't be so little anymore later this year, when the 41-year-old business plans to grow into an 8,400 sq. ft. greenhouse, with further plans on the way.

The state-of-the-art greenhouse, which is expected to open on April 1, will be at 4415 Woodrow Road. It will utilize a rainwater catchment system, and Little Red Nursery will "be looking to use what (they) can naturally."

With the new greenhouse, Little Red Nursery will offer more learning opportunities to Lubbock Cooper schools, and work study opportunities with the Texas Tech Horticulture Department.

Read the full story:Big plans growing for Lubbock's Little Red Nursery: Massive greenhouse, new store, more

Parents demand accountability as concerns grow over racism in area schools

Attorney David Henderson speaks as parents and civil rights leaders listen at a news conference Thursday, Jan. 13, 2023. The parties gathered to respond to resolutions condemning racism adopted by Lubbock-Cooper and Slaton school districts.
Attorney David Henderson speaks as parents and civil rights leaders listen at a news conference Thursday, Jan. 13, 2023. The parties gathered to respond to resolutions condemning racism adopted by Lubbock-Cooper and Slaton school districts.

Lubbock-area parents are escalating their fight against racism in two local school districts, calling on the districts to do more to combat bullying and discrimination and detailing next steps in their ongoing battle to end bigotry in South Plains schools.

At a series of gatherings Thursday, parents and civil rights leaders expressed their frustration with Lubbock-Cooper and Slaton independent school districts after the school boards last week both adopted resolutions decrying racism and explaining steps the schools say they have taken to fight discrimination on their campuses. The parents said the districts' statements were too little, too late, with one LCISD mother calling them blatant lies.

Read the full story:A call for action: Parents demand accountability as concerns grow over racism in area schools

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: 5 big stories you may not have seen in the A-J last week