Archives for March 2007

With only days left in the sign-up period, candidates are still in scarce supply for this year’s local elections.

As of Tuesday afternoon, only four incumbents had signed up to run for reelection and five new candidates had emerged.

Gene Rogers leads the list as the only candidate to file for office in Howardwick so far. Rogers filed papers to run for city alderman. The terms of Howardwick Mayor Marvin Elam and Aldermen Pat Butler (serving for Bill Barton) and Bobby Murdock are also up for election this year.

Two new people have signed up to run for the Hedley school board with James Lollar and Kelly Patton throwing their hats into the ring. The positions of Jason Sargent, Marlee Sharp, and Abby O’Neal are expiring; and two years remain on the term of Troy Monroe for which Rex Morris was appointed. Of the incumbents, only Sharp has signed up.

Incumbents Marvin Thompson and James Shelton are running again for the Clarendon school board. Robin Ellis has also signed up, and incumbent Reneé Betts has not yet turned in an application.

Gaye Lollar is the only one who has filed to run for a position on the Hedley Board of Aldermen. The seats of Aldermen Bruce Howard, Tangela Copelin, and Jim Lollar (serving for Pam Casteel) are up this year.

Incumbent Don Thornberry has filed to run again for the Place 1 seat on the Donley County Hospital Board. The terms of Alan Fletcher (Place 2) and Melinda McAnear (Place 3) are also expiring.

The City of Clarendon is still without any candidates at this point. The positions of Mayor Mark White and Aldermen Michael Tibbets and Bobbie Kidd are expiring.

All local offices are elected at-large, but hospital board candidates must sign up for a specific place.

Sign up continues through March 12, 2007; and the elections will be held Saturday, May 12.

AUSTIN – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) today approved financial assistance in the amount of $500,000 to the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District  to purchase approved agricultural water conservation equipment.

The funds are available through the TWDB’s Agricultural Water Conservation Loan Program. Under this program, the TWDB can make loans to lender districts such as the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District.

In turn, the lender districts make loans to individual borrowers (farmers, ranchers, etc.) to purchase and install more efficient irrigation equipment on private property. The District will utilize these funds to make loans to individual borrowers for the purchase of center pivot irrigation systems.

The District jurisdictional area covers all or parts of nine counties in the Texas Panhandle, including Carson, Gray, Donley, Roberts, Armstrong, Potter, Hutchinson, Hemphill, and Wheeler.

The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional planning, and preparing the State Water Plan for the development of water resources and administering cost-effective financial programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control and agricultural water conservation projects.

Two men are in the Donley County Jail this week after pleading guilty to burglarizing a habitation last Monday.

Jason Winegart of Lefors and Travis Ray Smith of Enid, Okla., are awaiting transferal to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Safe P Program, a nine-month drug rehabilitation program.

Sheriff Butch Blackburn said his office received a report February 9 of a break-in at a house and barn owned by John Lee Bell in northern Donley County. Several guns, hunting supplies, and tools had been taken, and the only clues left were tire and foot prints.

Three days later, a tip was received that named Winegart as a possible suspect in the break-in. Blackburn contacted the Pampa Police Department and the Gray County Sheriff’s Department, and Winegart was stopped February 16  by a Gray County deputy and held for questioning.

Blackburn and Chief Deputy Randy Bond traveled to Pampa and found an antique bear trap that matched Bell’s property during a search of Winegart’s vehicle.

Winegart, age 31, gave a full confession to the crime and gave up Smith, age 25, as his accomplice, Blackburn said. Smith also later confessed.

“This is a prime example of how two departments from two different jurisdictions can work together to solve crimes,” Blackburn said.

The sheriff’s office has since recovered 20 guns and some tools belonging to Bell.

Winegart and Smith were each ordered to pay $7,500 in restitution and will receive 10 years of probation if they successfully complete the Safe P Program.

The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce recognized Frankie Henson with the 2006 Saints’ Roost Award for her lifetime of service to the community during the chamber’s annual banquet Saturday night.

Marvin Elam was named Man of the Year, and Woman of the Year honors were split between Rhonda Howell and Chandra Holman.

Henson was honored for her many decades of service to the community through the Saints’ Roost Museum and several other local organizations. She is a charter member of the Clarendon Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, a Life Member of Beta Sigma Phi International, and a charter member of the Saints’ Roost Museum Board.

Henson has been a member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon since 1937 and became a member of the Mildred Ritter Group a few years after that. She has served as Worthy Matron for the Clarendon Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 6 three different times, has served as Deputy Worthy Matron twice, and as District Deputy Worthy Matron for District 2.

For 61 years, she and her husband have been partners in a local business. She relishes the fact that her daughter, son, and daughter-in-law are also involved in the business and her life everyday. For many, many years, the Fourth of July celebrations have always found this busy lady either participating in the barbecue serving line or helping with the popular turtle race. And she’s always there helping with the museum fund raisers.

As a gracious ambassador for Clarendon, Henson never misses an opportunity to boast about Clarendon, its heritage, its fine churches and schools, the college, and all that the community has to offer.

Two women shared the 2006 Woman of the Year title for extraordinary service during the infamous wildfires last spring. Chandra Holman and Rhonda Howell are both members of the Clarendon Firebelles, but on March 12, 2006, they both became heroes after a Howardwick fire truck rolled into a canyon. Without regard to their own safety, they made their way through perilous conditions to provide medical attention to the injured firemen. They were surrounded by fire, and the truck was still precariously balanced above them. The bravery and skill demonstrated by Holman and Howell allowed one fireman – James McMorries – to spend a few more precious months with his family and saved another fireman – Jeff Cooke – from possible paralysis. Countless hours of volunteer service to others show that these ladies have hearts of gold.

The 2006 Man of the Year, Marvin Elam, has been a volunteer fireman in Howardwick and was instrumental in procuring a new fire engine for his city. For a year and a half, he has also held the office of mayor in Howardwick. Elam also serves on committees in his church and has been an active member of the Clarendon Lions Club, where he has served as the Boss Lion. For nine years, Elam has been the principal of Clarendon Junior High where he has promoted high expectations for his faculty and students and always offers a kind word and helping hand.

Other awards presented at Saturday’s banquet included the Pioneer Man and Woman of the Year and the Young Men and Women of the Year.

The Pioneer Man of the Year was L.L. Wallace, born in Greenville in 1911 and later moved to Clarendon where he established the Surface Burial Vault Co. in 1930. The name of the business was later changed to Wallace Monument Co., and it is still owned and operated by his grandchildren. He was active in regional square dance groups, the First United Methodist Church, the Clarendon Lions Club, and the Clarendon Flying Club. He served on the Clarendon School Board, the Local Housing Authority Board, the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association, the Clarendon Country Club, and the Masonic Lodge. Wallace has always said that the Panhandle of Texas has good-hearted people and is the best place in the world to live.

Carmen Wright was named the Pioneer Woman of the Year for 2006. She was born in 1915, and there has never been a time since that she saw a need and didn’t respond. She has cooked food to take to those in need, sat with the sick, held people close, and kept her arms open to anyone. Despite person heartache, she has come through with a smile and a complete trust in the Lord. She worked for many years at the Adair Hospital and later as a dental assistant for Dr. Keith Hudson, and most people remember her best in her white uniform. She also volunteered at the Donley County Senior Citizens Center to take blood pressures, and she and her late husband, Bud, spent many Saturdays keeping the Saints’ Roost Museum open for visitors.

The Young Man of the Year from Clarendon High School is Jake Miser. He is a member of the CHS Student Council, providing service and leadership to both the school and the community. He has participated in band for four years, making it to state in solo and ensemble contest for three years, and was the drum major this year. He is president of the National Honor Society and has represented CHS in University Interscholastic League academic competition for four years, qualifying to compete at state in literary criticism last year. He is a member of Junior Historians and has competed in National History Day, and this year he will again go to Austin to compete at the state level. Even when not directly involved in an activity, he is still there taking pictures for the annual staff, and this year he is the copy editor. He always tries to do the best thing.

The Young Woman of the Year from Clarendon High School was Haley Carter. As a cheerleader, she works with elementary age girls during the Little Miss Cheerleader Camp. As a member and officer of the CHS Junior Historians, she has donated time to the nursing home as she worked with the recreation director to provide entertainment and a festive atmosphere for the residents.  Also as a Junior Historian, she has been a docent for the Saints’ Roost Museum and has participated in fundraising activities for four years.  She competes in the National History Day competition.  Last year she received a First Place Documentary, which qualified her to compete at state.  She has repeated that feat and will travel to Austin again this year. She is the 2006/2007 CHS recipient of the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award. She has been class president twice and is currently the senior class vice president.  She has been a band Solo and Ensemble State Qualifier for four years. Her presence always brightens a room and everyone’s spirits.

The Young Woman of the Year from Hedley High School is Betty Cruz. She is active in basketball, tennis, cheerleading, National Honor Society, and UIL academic activities. She is a state qualifier in the Business Professionals of America, and she is involved in the youth group at the Hedley First Baptist Church. She has persevered through great adversity.

Seth Koetting was named the Young Man of the Year from Hedley High School. He is captain of the football team, active in the Hedley FFA, belongs to the First Baptist Church youth group, and a member of the NHS. He has been elected as senior class vice president and FFA president. He is a member of the Hedley Volunteer Fire Department. He is a role model for his peers and all the youth of his community. He intends to attend Wyoming Technical Institute to receive a degree in diesel mechanics.

Also recognized during the banquet were incoming chamber directors Jan Farris, Misty Speed, Ashlee Estlack, Lori Mays, and Michael Thompson.

New officers for the chamber were announced as President Tommy Hill, First Vice President Linda Gray, and Second Vice President Landon Lambert.

An estimated 210 people attended the Mardi Gras themed banquet, down from 224 last year.

Special music was provided by the Clarendon College Jazz Band.

This year’s banquet was sponsored by Lowe’s, Clarendon College, Windstream, Greenbelt Electric Cooperative, Robertson Funeral Directors, Crow Hollow Feed Yard, GreenLight Gas, Stanley Automotive Enterprises, Road Runner Home Care, and Don Stone Signs.

Ella Juanita Brown, 85, died Thursday, March 1, 2007, in Brownwood, Texas.

Services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2007, in Robertson Chapel Of Memories in Clarendon with Rev. Bryan Knowles, Retired Baptist Minister, and Rev. Bruce Howard, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Hedley, officiating.  Interment was held at Rowe Cemetery in Hedley.  Services were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon.

Mrs. Brown was born February 28, 1922, in Giles, Donley County, Texas, to Marvin and Cora Cline Bramblett.  She had been a resident of Hedley most of her life and had lived in Brownwood for the past 3 months.  She married Roy Brown on November 14, 1937, at Lelia Lake.  He preceded her in death on January 18, 1999.  She was an avid quilter and had received recognition on many occasions for her quilt making talent, and for donating her quilts to various organizations.  She was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church in Hedley.

Survivors include four daughter, Kay Miller of Brownwood, Helen Ford of Clarendon, Gracie Burkhalter of Hedley, Marie Norton of Denver, Colorado; 2 sons, Roy “Chubby” Brown of Amarillo, Johnny Brown of May, TX; one brother, Billy Bramblett of Valley View, TX; 14 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; and 29 great great-grandchildren.

Family requests that memorials be sent to the Rowe Cemetery Association or the Hedley Senior Citizens Association.

Medical Center Nursing Home got a new name last Tuesday when the Donley County Hospital Board unanimously voted for the title “Saints’ Roost Manor.”

Administrator Vicky Robertson suggested the new moniker as part of what’s called a “culture change” in the nursing home industry that is seeking to make facilities more like home and less like institutions.

“We have to submit paperwork to the state and to Medicare,” Robertson said, “but once that’s done, we’ll begin changing the name on bank accounts and everything else.”

The facility that houses the nursing home has been known as the Medical Center ever since it opened in 1971. Robertson said she came up with Saints’ Roost Manor as a way to reflect the history of the community.

But the name is not the only new thing that culture change is bringing to Clarendon’s nursing home.

“We’ve torn out the counter at the nurses’ station to create a more open and home-like environment (in the dining room),” Robertson said. “We’ve relocated the coffee bar and ice machine in preparation for serving breakfast buffet style to those who are able.”

The buffet breakfast with extended dining hours will be tested for a month before being extended to lunch and dinner, Robertson said. If residents don’t want to come to breakfast at 7:30 a.m., they don’t have to. They can eat from a hot breakfast buffet until 9 a.m., and a continental breakfast bar will be available until 10 a.m.

“Residents like the idea of culture change,” Robertson said. “They like the way the barriers are down at the nurses’ station, so they can wheel right up to the desk. They like the way the staff is more accessible.”

Curtains and other changes are also coming on the horizon.

“Ultimately, everything you do is to improve the quality of life for the people who live here,” Robertson said.

The Associated Ambulance Authority has changed its status from a volunteer service to a paid service following a decision by the Donley County Hospital Board last Tuesday.

Licensed EMTs for the ambulance service will now have the option of being considered as PRN employees of the hospital district – subject to all the policies and procedures of the district and the authority but with the freedom to determine when they want to work.

Ambulance Director Anna Howard said she likes the new arrangement.

“I’m thrilled,” she said. “Everyone seems happy, I haven’t had any complaints, and we’ve got the shifts covered.”

The ambulance service will now pay all PRN EMTs $2 per hour to be on call. EMT-Basics will be paid $10 per hour per transport, and EMT-Intermediates will receive $12 per hour per transport.

“They clock in for a run and clock out when they finish the work on that run,” said District Administrator Vicky Robertson.

PRN employees must commit to 60 hours of service per quarter and are not eligible for any employee benefits through the district.

PRN is an abbreviation for pro re nata – a Latin phrase commonly used in the medical community to mean “as needed.”

As of Monday nine EMTs had signed up for the new PRN status, and seven had chosen to remain strictly volunteers and will be paid $10 for a no-transport call and $25 for a transport.

The new status affects how the ambulance service is licensed by the state but does not impact the level of service the authority provides, Robertson said.

The board’s action came at the recommendation of a special committee comprised of Robertson, Howard, and three board members. It is expected to have a minimal impact on the district’s budget.

The Associated Ambulance Authority currently has two full-time paramedics, Robertson said.

“We need to hire another full-time paramedic, and we’d like to hire two EMT-Basics.”

Howard, who was serving as the interim director of the ambulance authority, was selected by Robertson to be the new director last Wednesday.

She succeeds Anita Aaron, who resigned January 30 over the issue of how best to staff and compensate EMTs for the service.