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

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 92 articles in print and across our website, and we understand that some of our best work can easily slip by our readers.

But we want to ensure our readers have every opportunity to stay informed.

Aaliyah Chavez becomes Monterey's all-time leading scorer in key win over Lubbock-Cooper

On the stage of a top-five matchup in Class 5A, Monterey's Aaliyah Chavez secured her place in the conversation with a signature performance. The sophomore dropped 45 points to become the Lady Plainsmen's career scoring leader and spearhead a crucial 86-67 win Friday over Lubbock-Cooper.

The capacity crowd at the New Box witnessed Chavez surpass Women's Basketball Hall of Famer Kamie Ethridge, who totaled 1,729 points from 1979-82. Chavez took over the top spot during an 18-point third quarter as No. 1-ranked Monterey fought off a Lady Pirates push.

"What can you say about Aaliyah that hasn't already been said? She's incredible," Lady Plainsmen coach Jill Schneider said. "She's a special player. Doesn't surprise me at all. … Now every game she plays, she's setting that bar higher and higher and higher."

Read the story:Aaliyah Chavez becomes Monterey's all-time leading scorer in key win over Lubbock-Cooper

PETA files complaint against Texas Tech after piglet death

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has filed a formal complaint with the National Institutes of Health against Texas Tech after the university received a citation for the death of a piglet last year.

In a statement released this week, PETA said the university received more than $5 million of funding from the NIH for research purposes and is calling on the agency to stop funding the university in response to an animal's death during research.

"If Texas Tech laboratory staff can’t remember to give piglets something as basic as water, the university has no business experimenting on these smart, social, and sensitive animals," a portion of the statement reads. "The agony of dying of thirst is the same whether the victim is a pig or a human."

Read the story:PETA files complaint against Texas Tech after piglet death

Making Lubbock a wine destination: Adelphos Cellars details plans for winery, event center

David Conklin and Jim Irwin, friends for more than 20 years and business partners since 2018, have big plans for Lorenzo-based Adelphos Cellars. In late 2023 or early 2024, they hope to open a tasting room and event center in Lubbock.

"We envision the winery, tasting rooms, the whole thing, to be a trendsetter and become a wine destination," said Irwin, majority owner and managing partner of the winery. "I really think we're going to see Lubbock become a wine destination, and we want to be on the leading edge of that."

The center will be at 112th Street and Indiana Avenue, and will allow guests to try the Adelphos wines, including the red, white and rose. Charcuterie and a menu of food options will be available.

Read the story:Making Lubbock a wine destination: Adelphos Cellars details plans for winery, event center

Egg-stra incentives: Backyard flocks fare seemingly well against avian flu

A highly contagious bird flu virus is barreling its way through the U.S. and has culminated in the largest poultry health disaster this nation has ever seen.

So far in the unprecedented event, the avian flu has resulted in the deaths of some 57 million animals — the poultry industry's largest hit since another major outbreak took the lives of more than 50 million birds in 2014-15.

While disease has been a lesser issue on the High Plains with the region's majority chicken producers raising free-range and backyard flocks, the threat will continue to impact the region economically through higher demand for both chickens and eggs for the foreseeable future.

Inflation has consequently hit both, driving the average cost of a dozen eggs in the U.S. to an all-time high of $5.29 on Jan. 2. Exactly one year prior, the average cost landed around $1.47 per dozen, and a year before that, in 2021, the price of eggs nearly reached its lowest-ever at 76 cents per dozen.

As prices continue to soar, more West Texans are looking to their own backyards, and small-scale local farms are eyeing their options.

Read the story:Egg-stra incentives: Backyard, free-range flocks fare well against avian flu, still face challenges

Amarillo man sentenced in federal court for transporting woman for prostitution

A 37-year-old Amarillo man was sentenced last week to eight years in prison for flying a woman from Texas to Florida to engage in prostitution three years ago.

Jeremy Hibbler pleaded guilty in September to a count of transportation for illegal sexual activity and faced up to 10 years in prison. He will be on supervised release for five years after completing his sentence and is ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution.

Hibbler, who worked as a contract truck driver, admitted that between January and March 2020, he took a woman from Texas to Florida where he forced her to work as a prostitute.

Read the story:Amarillo man sentenced in federal court for transporting woman for prostitution

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