Archives for January 2007

AUSTIN – Donley County’s unemployment rate dropped in December after holding steady in November, according to information released this week by the Texas Workforce Commission.

Seasonally non-adjusted data from TWC showed 1,789 people employed in December out of a workforce of 1,852. November’s data had 1,747 people employed out of a workforce of 1,812.

The actual number of people looking for work dropped to 63 in December, which is down from 65 in November and 66 in October. The December unemployment rate in Donley County was 3.4 percent – its lowest point since October 2005 when the rate was also 3.4 percent.

Statewide data shows Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 4.5 percent from 4.7 percent in November and from 5.2 percent in December 2005.

The declining unemployment rate continues to set records for the lowest rate in five years. The state unemployment rate matches the U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.5 percent.

CANYON – Genevieve Caldwell, formerly of Clarendon, has been selected to receive the 2006 Pioneer Spirit Award from the Panhandle-Plains Historical Society.

Mrs. Caldwell, who now lives in Amarillo, continues the strong traditions of those who came before her and epitomizes all that is valued in the true pioneer spirit.

In keeping with the spirit of the early founders of the Panhandle-Plains Historical Society to preserve for future generations the history of this region, the Pioneer Spirit Award recognizes individuals, families, businesses, or organizations that exemplify the pioneer character. Recipients are those who have not only worked to preserve the past for future generations, but have worked to assume a better present for their fellow citizens of the Panhandle and the state of Texas. Past recipients of the Pioneer Spirit Award are Betty Bivins Lovell, Harold Courson, and Bob and Nancy Josserand.

Mrs. Caldwell’s contributions and accomplishments have been many.  She received the Summit Award, the top honor at the Golden Nail Awards; the Southwestern University Medal, the university’s highest honor; and the Lone Star Award from the Lone Star Ballet.

Mrs. Caldwell serves on the Harrington Cancer Center Board, and she was an active member of the Southwestern University Board of Trustees for 12 years.  She has been a generous donor to Southwestern University, West Texas A&M University, and Polk Street Methodist Church.

If you would like to join friends and family at a celebration dinner on Wednesday, April 11, honoring Mrs. Caldwell, please contact Amy David at 806-651-2233 or email adavid@pphm.wtamu.edu.

Clarendon College Regents threw their support behind efforts to increase state funding for community colleges when they met in regular session last Thursday.

Regents considered and adopted a resolution backing the plan of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to seek an additional $640 million in statewide funding, which would mean an increase of more than $750,000 for Clarendon College.

CC President Myles Shelton said this week that the future of Texas is the real issue behind the need for higher funding.

“We believe the economic well being of Texas is at stake if they (the Legislature) don’t fund higher education at the appropriate level,” he said.

State funds for CC this fiscal year are a little more than $61,000 above the level in fiscal year 1998, but the college is still far below the funding it had in 2002.

“We have never recovered from the budget cuts in 2003,” Shelton said.

It was then that state legislators partially dealt with a state revenue shortfall by making sharp cuts in state services including cutting direct funding for Clarendon College from $2.318 million in fiscal year 2002 to $2.086 million in fiscal year 2003.

But Shelton says the $232,000 cut in direct funding was not the only blow dealt by the Legislature that year.

“When you consider the additional loss of funds for developmental education, employee benefits, Texas grants, and prison education programs, the total comes to nearly three-quarters of a million dollars,” he said.

While funding has been cut and then flat lined, demand for CC’s services has gone up. College officials say enrollment has gone up 9.2 percent since the fall of 2004 and increased by 47.5 percent since 1998.

Shelton said it’s too soon to know what the chances are of receiving more funding for CC, but he is optimistic.

“I think there is a very positive outlook toward helping community colleges in Austin,” he said.

In other college business last week, regents discussed and agreed to move forward with an agreement to hold joint elections with Clarendon ISD, the City of Clarendon, and the Donley County Hospital District; and the board accepted the resignation of Interim Dean of Students Angie Robinson, who has taken a job with Frank Phillips College.

Regents also learned about a $40,000 gift to the college for the purpose of building a bulk feed storage and hay barn facilities near the Livestock & Equine Center.

Washington D.C. – Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) has received his committee assignments in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 110th Congress.

The assignments announced by House Minority Leader John Boehner return Congressman Thornberry to two Committees important to the region and the country – the House Armed Services Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. 

Thornberry has also been named the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats, and Capabilities. Designation as Ranking Member means Thornberry is the top Republican on the Subcommittee. Thornberry said he is looking forward to working with Subcommittee Chairman Adam Smith (D-Washington) in shaping the subcommittee’s agenda.

“Defending our country is the federal government’s most important responsibility. These committee assignments give me the opportunity to continue working to make our national security as strong as possible,” said Thornberry.

Thornberry noted that the 13th District and surrounding areas play a significant role in national security through the work done at key facilities and installations, such as Sheppard Air Force Base, Dyess Air Force Base, Pantex, and Bell Helicopter/Textron.

Committee Responsibilities:

House Armed Services Committee: The Armed Services Committee authorizes funds for and oversees the Department of Defense (including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines), military applications of nuclear energy and non-proliferation, tactical military intelligence, and scientific research and development in support of the military.

House Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Terrorism and Unconventional Threats: The Subcommittee’s responsibilities include authorizing funding for and oversight of Department of Defense counter terrorism and counter proliferation programs, cutting edge research programs, Special Operations Forces, information technology programs,  force protection policy, and related intelligence support and equipment.

House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: The Intelligence Committee authorizes spending for and oversight of the Intelligence Community and its various components including the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and other intelligence-related activities of the Departments of Defense, State, Justice, Energy, and Treasury.

The Clarendon Board of Aldermen last week approved a 12-month agreement with local radio station KEFH-FM to promote the city to tourists.

The city had been considering purchasing billboard advertising with revenue from the Motel Bed Tax to encourage people to visit the town, but radio station owner Pat Robertson told the board January 9 that he thought there was a more effective way to spend the money.

“We feel like we can do a better job than a billboard,” Robertson said.

The radio spots will feature generic “Experience Clarendon” ads, building on a marketing theme started by Clarendon Economic Development Corp. The ads would be altered to promote major events in the city.

Aldermen approved spending $360 per month on the promotion.

In other city business, Mayor Mark White reported that he had been told by CISD Superintendent Monty Hysinger that the county would hold joint elections for the school, college, city, and hospital district for $250 split four ways. County Clerk Fay Vargas would charge $7 per hour for early voting, and this would be split four ways also. The board approved entering into a contract for election services with the county.

Alderman Janice Knorpp went over a list with City Superintendent Jim Roberts of items needing tending to. Some of her concerns included clearing gravel from intersections; replacing water meters at the jail and nursing home; water standing at 7th and Gorst; debris between 4th and 5th streets; trash and repairs needed on Hawley Street; trees growing under the bridge at City Park; tree limbs and trash in a tinhorn on Sully; potholes on Ellerbe, Parks, and other streets; and moving a Dumpster in the 700 block of Collinson to prevent further erosion of the pavement.

Sade Rae Cobb and Annie Patten exhibited the top animals in the Beef Division during the annual Donley County Junior Livestock Show last Saturday at the Clarendon Community Center.

Cobb’s Grand Champion Steer was purchased by Bill Bennett; and Patten’s Grand Champion Heifer was purchased by Community Bank, Clarendon Outpost, Shelton Law Office and Floyd’s Automotive.

Other top winners were Kenzie Perryman and her Grand Champion Lamb, purchased by Clarendon College; Brooke Martin’s Grand Champion Goat was purchased by Evans Fertilizer and Crowfoot Cattle; the Grand Champion Swine shown by Seth Koetting was purchased by Hobb Earth Moving.

A total of 73 young people from the Donley County 4-H Club and local FFA chapters showed 106 animals. Last year 76 kids showed 103 animals.

As of Monday morning, figures showed the sale brought in approximately $40,000, an increase from the $32,500 raised last year. That number may increase in the final tally as more donations are received.

Abby Patten received the Senior Showmanship in the Beef Division, and Junior Showmanship went to John Pigg.

Deston Chambless took home the Senior Showmanship honors in the Swine Division. Kati Adams got the Junior Showmanship honors.

Bradley Watson received the Senior Showmanship award in the Lamb Division. Kati Adams took home the Junior Showmanship.

The Senior Showmanship in Goats went to Marlee Sargent; the Junior Showmanship went to Tres Hommel.

Complete results are as follows:

Lambs: Kenzie Perryman, grand champion; Austin Adams, reserve grand; Taylor Perryman, breed champion (South Down); Kenzie Perryman, breed champion (FW); Taylor Perryman, reserve breed (FW); Zachary Anglin, breed champion (FW Cross); Trevela Dronzek, reserve breed (FW Cross); Trevela Dronzek, first (class 104); Taylor Perryman, second (class 104); Kenzie Perryman, second (class 105);  Kati Adams, third (class 105); and  Bradley Watson, second (class 106).

Goats: Brooke Martin, grand champion; Zach Sargent, reserve grand; Marlee Sargent, first (class 201); Janae White, second and fourth (class 201); Jenci White, third (class 201); Jasie Sargent, second (class 202); Jenci White, third (class 202); Marlee Sargent, fourth (class 202);Tres Hommel, fifth (class 202); Tres Hommel, first (class 203); Maci White, second and third (class 203); Rance Hargrove, second (class 204);  Skyler White, third (class 204).

Steers: Sade Rae Cobb, grand champion; Annie Patten, reserve grand; Taylor Perryman, breed champion (Am Breed); Abby Patten, reserve breed (Am Breed); Abby Patten, breed champion (Shorthorn); Paul Goetze, Reserve breed (Shorthorn); Kati Blackburn, second (class 402); Chris Blackburn, second (class 403); John Pigg, first (class 404); Jayson Pigg, second (class 404); Sade Rae Cobb, third (class 404); Cole Ward, fourth (class 404); John Pigg, first (class 405); Trevor Cobb, second (class 405); Johnny Ballard, third (class 405); Kenzie Perryman, second (class 406); Rowdy Speed, third (class 406);  Charleston Harris, fourth (class 406);  Jacob Pigg, second (class 407); Seth Ruthhardt, third (class 407); and Michael Hall, fourth (class 407)

Heifers: Autumn Dillman, grand champion; Tres Hommel, reserve grand; Cole Ward, first (class 301); Blaine Ellis, second (class 301); Katie Askew, first (class 302); Chris Blackburn, second (class 302);  Dalton Askew, second (class 303); Paul Goetze, third (class 303); Tres Hommel, Second (class 304); and Brittany Hargrove, third (class 304).

Swine: Gilt – Tres Hommel, grand champion; Madison Carr, reserve grand; Kelsey Thomas, first (class 501); Kaysea Green, second (class 501); Kenneth Lee Tolbert, third (class 501); Kaysea Green, first (class 502); Clayton Shields, second (class 502); Jake Owens, third (class 502); Sabra Patton, fourth (class 502); Braden Montgomery, fifth (class 502); Madison Carr, first (class 503); Reid Copelin, second (class 503); Madison Shields, third (class 503); Kelsey Thomas, fourth (class 503); Tres Hommel, fifth (class 503); Brady Montgomery, first (class 504); Stone Schwertner, second (class 504); Shelby Musick, third (class 504); Brooklyn Montgomery, fourth (class 504); and R.J. Floyd, third (class 505).

Chester – Kati Adams, breed champion; Courtney Wood, reserve breed.

Duroc – Kristen Dwight, breed champion; Trent White, reserve breed

Hamp – Tres Hommel, breed champion; Cole Farris, reserve breed; Danny Garcia, third (class 603); Will Monroe, first (class 604); Kenneth Lee Tolbert, second (class 604); and Kaysea Green, third (class 604).

Black OPB – Austin Adams, breed champion; Madelyn Verstuyft, reserve breed; Deston Chambless, second (class 605); Mckayla King, third (class 605); Caden Farris, second (class 606).

York – Will Verstuyft, breed champion; Brayden Bennett, reserve breed; Shandy Koetting, third (class 607); Cody Wood, fourth (class 607).

Cross – Seth Koetting, Grand Champion; Austin Adams, reserve grand; Sterling King, second (class 608); Kirsten Tolbert, third (class 608); Kendra Davis, second (class 609); J.D. Baxter, third (class 609).