Archives for January 2006

A ban on outdoor burning, which includes home barbecue grills and smokers, remains in effect despite snow that covered much of Donley County Monday morning.

Officials say the precipitation, while helpful, will not completely alleviate the dangerously dry conditions which resulted in the loss of more than 21,000 acres to a wildfire on New Year’s Day.

Tommie C. Saye, Cooperative Observer for the National Weather Service, recorded about an inch of snow Monday which yielded 0.09 inches of moisture.

That was the first measurable precipitation since October of last year when Clarendon received 1.20 inches over two days. With temperatures expected to reach the 50s and 60s this week, it won’t take long before conditions are ripe again for another wildfire.

The Donley County Sheriff’s Office reminds all citizens that the burn ban is being enforced, and that ban will remain in place until county commissioners repeal it. One citation has already been issued, Sheriff Butch Blackburn said Monday.

State Forester and Director of the Texas Forest Service, Jim Hull, says this winter’s fire season is the worst he’s seen in nearly ten years since he became state forester in 1996.  He is urging Texans to remain on their guard against any actions that could result in additional wildfires in the state.

“Current fire threat conditions are so extreme that almost any wildfire has the potential to exceed local control at this point,” said Hull. “And we need all Texans’ help in guarding our state against the devastation of these fires.”

The Texas Forest Service responded to 17 new fires burning 925 acres during a 24 hour period ending January 7.  Twenty-nine homes were threatened, three homes were lost, and 26 homes saved.  In Hood County, a welder was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment.

The New Year’s fire in Donley County was started when a cottonwood tree fell into power lines and caused sparks. Over the next 26 hours, the fire burned an estimated 21,350 acres and destroyed one barn before local, area, and state agencies could bring it under control.

Fire conditions continue to remain extreme with red flag warnings posted over most of the state.   Total acres burned to date since January 1, 2006, in West Texas are 205,059 acres.  Fire suppression costs are $5,272,719 dating to November 28, 2006.

Local fire officials have urged all residents to clear dry grass and brush within 100 feet of their homes. The Eastern Texas Panhandle Red Cross says families should decide what to do and where to go if wildfires threaten their area. 

When wildfire threatens, follow the instructions of local officials.  If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.  Only if you have the time, the Red Cross says, take these steps to protect your home.  Close windows and heavy drapes, close vents, all interior and exterior doors.  Remove lightweight curtains.  Shut off gas at the meter or propane tank.  Turn off all pilot lights.  Close fireplace screens.  Move flammable furniture into the center of the home away from windows and sliding glass doors.  

Outside of your home, seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood.  Place combustible patio furniture inside. Connect garden hose to outside taps.  Place lawn sprinklers on the roof and near above-ground fuel tanks. Wet the roof and shrubs within 15 feet of home. 

Plan how your family will stay in contact if separated by disaster.  Pick two meeting places:  one a safe distance near your home in case of fire and the second option outside your neighborhood in case you can not return home.  Choose an out of state friend as a “check-in contact” for everyone to call.

A new Sonic Drive-in could bring as many as 40 new jobs to Clarendon later this year.

Gary Davis of Blanchard, Okla., told the Enterprise this week he intends to build the new restaurant west of the Pizza Hut on US 287 with construction to start in either March or April.

An opening date hasn’t been set, but Davis said he anticipates closing on the property this month, and the business will open as soon as he can get the facility built.

“It’s not going to be a shabby thing,” Davis said. “We’re going to go in there and spend some money.”

The drive-in will have 24 stalls, a large patio, and a drive-thru; and the main building will be finished with brick.

Sonic’s hours will be from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. in winter and from 7 a.m. to midnight in summer.

Davis said he and his wife and daughter have been in the business for 20 years and have climbed up through the ranks.

“We started on the grill, worked hard, and tried to do better,” Davis said. “At one point we got an opportunity for ownership, and we took it.”

Davis now owns 10 drive-ins, and most of them are located in smaller towns. He is currently preparing to open a Sonic in Anson, which will start with 43 employees.

Clarendon first drew Davis’ interest two years ago in February while his daughter, Amber, was coaching for Vernon College. He attended a college softball game here and said he saw an opportunity. He pursued the rights for a local franchise and secured those rights last summer.

“The big determining factor (for locating in Clarendon) was there’s just so much traffic,” he said. “If we can get just five percent of the traffic, we’re happy. And, of course, we want to serve locals, too.”

Davis said he’s looking forward to doing business in Clarendon and bringing jobs to the community.

“I think the main thing we’ll bring is the jobs,” he said. “We’ll have 35 to 40 positions from management on down. Right now I’m running a help wanted ad, and I’d really like to find three or four from that area to train for management.”

Davis also said he likes his stores to get involved locally.

“We’re not in business to put anybody else out. We just want to be part of the community. We support local sports, we give two scholarships to the high school – one for a boy and one for a girl, and we just try to get involved in everything we can.”

The Ranger Bradley Ranch took top honors during the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association’s annual Ranch Rodeo last Friday and Saturday.

Ranger Bradley’s scores beat out 16 other local and regional teams as working cowboys put their skills to the test as part of the 129th anniversary Saints’ Roost Celebration.  The team was made up of J.B Miller, Johnny Miller, Jim Tackett, Dewey Hill, and Benton Easter.

Finishing second was the Bit Ranch of Clarendon with the team of Danny Bennet, Teal Bennett, Tate Bennett, and Klay Waters.  La Mejor was third with the team of Bo Borden, Bray Chamblis, Dustin West, and Stacey Pipes; and the RO Ranch came in fourth with the team of Monte Hollar, Slim Stevenson, Mike Wallendorff, and Will Wallendorff.

The top Hand award was won by Tate Bennett of the Bit Ranch. Jim Thacket of the Ranger Bradley Ranch took home the Top Horse award.

Event winners were as follows:

Bronc Riding – First Crutch Ranch (Friday) and Bit Ranch (Saturday).

Sorting and Doctoring: Ranger Bradley (Friday) and Bit Ranch (Saturday).

Cow Milking: Hall (Friday) and La Mejor (Saturday).

Branding: Ranger Bradley (Friday) and JA/Spade (Saturday).

Results from the Wild Mare Races were not available at press time.

The winner of Friday’s Bronc Riding Competition was the First Crutch Ranch, and Saturday’s Bronc Riding Competition was won by Tate Bennett of the Bit Ranch. 

On Tuesday night in the long go around, first place went to Cody Lewis, and a split for second was between Josh Halsell, Hobbs Magaret and Zane Peters.  In the second go around, Josey Shadle won first, Zane Peters placed second, and Hobbs Magaret placed third.

Overall winners of the Bronc Ride were Zane Peters and Josey Shadle (split for first) and Hobbs Magaret (third).

Calf scramble winners from the four nights were Liberty Autumn, Chance Roland, and Tanner Arnold (Friday); Steve Siata, Corey Barker, and Pecos Williams (Saturday); Levi Molesworth, Justin Shadle, and Casey McCleskey (Monday); and Brayden Philips, Brittany McAnear, and Cole Ward (Tuesday).

Junior Calf Riding was held all four nights.  Winners were Halton Hufsteder (Friday), Brett Green (Saturday), Mitch Montgomery (Monday), and Jacob Anglin (Tuesday).

Winners of the Junior Steer Riding were Blake Fox (Friday and Tuesday) and Tell Stewart (Saturday).

Jake Owens took home first in the Junior Donkey Riding on Friday, Saturday, and Monday and tied with Brayden Phillips for first on Tuesday.

Brett Green was the overall winner in the junior calf riding, Blake Fox took home first overall in the Junior steer riding, and Jake Owens placed first overall in the junior donkey riding.

The Overall Junior Rodeo winners from Monday night were S&L Ranch, first; Tule Ranch, second; and Brent Ranch, third.

The top horse winner for the Junior Rodeo was Cooper Cogdell, and the Top Hand award went to Dakota Kennedy.

Beef certificate winners for the four days of rodeo were Ted Shaller, Grady Van Pelt, Mandy Jaramillo, and Stormy Mann.

The idea of a city landfill southeast of Clarendon became short-lived after neighboring landowners voiced their opposition last week.

More than 20 citizens attended last Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Aldermen to protest a landfill that had barely been proposed. The board first discussed and voted to purchase a 160-acre tract for $112,000 at its June 13 meeting; but by the end of last week’s meeting, city leaders were having second thoughts.

“Do y’all even know what it will cost to maintain a landfill?” resident Laban Tubbs asked.

Alderman Michael Tibbets tried to allay the residents’ concerns by reiterating that the landfill was only in the planning stages.

“We haven’t even done soil samples yet,” Tibbets said. “We just bought the land. We’re trying to keep money in the community.”

Clarendon pays more than $40,000 per year plus time and fuel to dump in the Memphis landfill.

Residents questioned why more public input was not sought before the purchase was approved and said they feared what having a landfill nearby would do to their property values and their groundwater.

“The water strata in that area is only three feet thick,” said Jason Green, who is on the board of the Panhandle Ground Water Conservation District. Other residents noted that several people have been moving to the area southeast of town largely for the quality of water in that area.

Residents also talked about the time and money they had put into improving their property in that area.

“We’re building a wedding ranch,” said Randy Bond, whose property is nearby. “We’ve saved nine years to do it, and I’d like you to reconsider.”

City engineer Che Shadle discussed the permitting requirements and said the state would only hear from adjacent landowners and only about environmental concerns if the city were to pursue a landfill permit, which could take 18 to 24 months. He also said the city would be required to cover the trash every day and would have to monitor the site for 30 years if the landfill were to ever close.

But it was the opposition from neighboring landowners that appeared to resonate with the board.

“If we’re going to affect that many families, we need to reconsider,” Mayor Mark White said and noted that he thought he knew someone who would buy the property from the city if it continued with the purchase.

Other board members agreed with the mayor.

“I don’t want to proceed,” Alderman Tibbets said.

In other city business, Shadle addressed the recently completed street project and confirmed that the streets do in fact have two coats of paving and said densities on the base were lab tested .

The board considered and approved Ordinance 362, which amends Ordinance 143 to make it the responsibility of the homeowner or property owner to obtain building permits and confirm their contractor’s insurances, warrantees, licenses, and bonds.

The board was also asked to consider a noise ordinance, but aldermen said they would rather see an ordinance on “disturbing the peace.”