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Archives for March 2012

City to replace leaking hydrant

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Clarendon City Administrator Lambert Little says he has received several phone calls about the leaking fire hydrant at Third and Gorst Streets near the First Christian Church and that plans are in place to replace that hydrant in the next 30 days.

Little said the project will be both difficult and expensive.

“Because of its location, we will be required to excavate two places in the brick street as well as in the right-of-way,” Little said. “I know that Clarendon citizens are justly proud of their brick streets. I’m sick at heart that displacement of bricks will be necessary. Every effort will be made to restore the street to original condition.”

The hydrant in question is on a waterline with no valves, and Little said the city can either turn off the water service to the downtown area or have a contractor install two “Hydrostop” temporary valves, which stop the flow of water. With water flow temporarily stopped, the city would then install a hydrant/valve/pipe assembly.

Little said the HydroStop valves will cost about $5,000 and a replacement hydrant is more than $2,000.

“Hopefully we will accomplish this project in as little as two days,” he said. “I will apologize in advance for disruption of the water system as well as disruption of downtown traffic.”

Broncos beat West Texas High

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By Sandy Anderberg

They had to claw their way back, but the Bronco baseball team stayed focused and got a big 2-1 win over West Texas High last week.

According to coach Brad Elam, the Broncos got down by one run after the first inning, but came back with vengeance to score and get the win.

“Offensively, we struggled but were able to score enough to win,” Elam said. “In the fourth, Caleb Mitchell doubled and scored later in the inning to tie the game.”

WT would threaten again in the top of the sixth, but the Broncos were ready. According to Elam, WT had the bases loaded with no outs when Trevor Cobb threw out a runner at home. Then Dillon Nickell caught a pop fly behind shortstop and turn a double play that would have scored two runs. That stop would allow the Broncos to turn up their game offensively.

After Rowdy Speed reached second base on an error, Corey Barker took over his base-running duties and scored when Dusty Rice hit a ground ball.

“In the top of the seventh, their first runner reached [base] on an error, but Mitchell made a diving catch off of a bunt attempt and threw out the runner at first for a double play,” Elam said.

The game ended when WT grounded out.

“[It was a] great pitching performance by Mitchell and great team defense,” Elam said.

The Broncos will continue their season at home March 16 against Arbor Academy at 1:00 p.m.

Gladys Hardin Blackburn

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Gladys Hardin Blackburn, 89, of Clarendon died Saturday, March 10, 2012 in Clarendon.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 18, 2012, at the First Presbyterian Church in Clarendon with Pastor Nancy Ruff, officiating. Burial will follow at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Gladys was born May 16, 1922, in Donley Co., Texas to Frank & Marie Corder Hardin. After high school, Mrs. Blackburn attended Texas Tech and then afterwards taught school at Goodnight.

She married Charles Edward Blackburn on March 2, 1944, in Goodnight.

After their marriage she no longer taught school, but rather devoted her time to the home and to her children.  She served on the PTA, Band Boosters, and numerous other school organizations.  Mrs. Blackburn was a 70-year member of the Clarendon Eastern Star and was not only a member, but also an elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Clarendon. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; a step mother, Susan Turner Hardin; her husband Charles Edward Blackburn on February 4, 2003; a daughter Tammy Spivey; 2 brothers, Warren and William Hardin; a sister Beatrice Sykes; and a great granddaughter, Molly Abigail Hill.

Survivors include a son, Butch Blackburn and wife Paula of Clarendon; a daughter Marie Risley and husband Lloyd of Amarillo; a son-in-law, Johnny Spivey of Ralls, Texas; nine grandchildren; and twelve great grandchildren.

The family request memorials be sent to the Donley Co. Activity Center or the First Presbyterian Church in Clarendon.

Sign our online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com.

Myrtle Lou Moore Johnson

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Myrtle Lou Moore Johnson, age 88, of Weatherford died Monday, March 5, 2012, in Fort Worth.

Services were held on Friday, March 9, 2012, in the Robinson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon with the Rev. Darrell Burton officiating.

Burial was in Citizens Cemetery with arrangements by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Myrtle was born August 27, 1923, in Clay County to Isham Jolly and Josephine Jones Moore.  She grew up and attended school in Clarendon prior to marrying Linzie L. Johnson on August 19, 1939 in Memphis.

They then moved to Pampa where together they raised their three children. While in Pampa, she became a member of the Rebekah Lodge in Pampa. She and Linzie had lived in several other places, including Perryton, California, and eventually in settling in the North Texas area.  Myrtle was a housewife, farmer, and later on a caregiver. Mrs. Johnson had been living in Weatherford since 1995.  She was a Baptist.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Linzie L. Johnson, on April 2, 1992; three brothers, Paul, Troy, and Ivan Moore; and a great-grandson, Brandon Forsyth.

She is survived by her son, Richard Johnson and wife Barbara of Weatherford; two daughters, Mildred Houghmaster and husband Albert of Michigan, Jo Ann Mulanax and husband Frank of Willow Park; six grandchildren, Julie Harvey, Cindy Dawson, Curtis and Scott Houghmaster, and Kathy and Charlie Mulanax; six great grandchildren, Tyson Harvey, Haley and Avery Houghmaster, Noah and Lynzie Dawson, and Chance Mulanax; and three great-great grandchildren, Zacheriah Harvey, Paige Harvey, and Cevanah Mickels.

The family requests memorials be to one’s favorite charity.

Clarendon voters to decide $700k bond issue

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Let the people decide.

That was the unanimous decision of the Clarendon Board of Aldermen last Tuesday, February 28, as they voted to put a $700,000 street improvement bond issue on the May 12 ballot.

City Administrator Lambert Little presented his street improvement plan to the board and said the city could pay the debt off in seven years.

“I’m going to have to earn the trust of the citizens, and that will be tough,” Little told the board. “But this is our best shot to get something done.”

City Aldermen expressed concern over the state of East Fourth Street, which was torn up this past summer with the promise of being re-done, and they pressed Little on when that project would be finished, asking specifically if it could be done before the election.

“Even if I have to go do it myself, yes,” Little said. “I know we can do this.”

This month the city finished paying off bonds from a $1 million street project that was completed in 2006. Because of that, Little tells the Enterprise that the city can make payments on the bond issue he proposing without raising rates on the citizens.

“My expectation is to service this debt without increasing taxes or fees,” Little said.

The new project, as Little proposes, would focus on Sixth Street from Koogle to Goodnight, Third Street from Allen to Bugbee, Carhart Street from US 287 to Sixth, and a one-block stretch of Wood Ave. between Jackson and Faker that the administrator described as “a mess.”

Work would also be done on Allen and Sims streets adjacent to Broncho Stadium, and also, if Clarendon College officials agree, on Clarendon Avenue and Regents Avenue.

Little said city crews would do the base work for the street and a contractor would be hired to do curbing and the two-pass tar and gravel seal coat. A section of Sixth Street from Parks to Kearney, which carries a lot of drainage by the baseball parks, would be done in two-inch hot mix.

In 2003, city voters turned down a $2.5 million project after petition called for an election on the matter. The city later went ahead with a $1 million project funded by tax revenue bonds, which do not require voter approval. In voting unanimously to put the new proposal on the ballot, city leaders say this time they are taking the issue directly to the people.

“It is not like last time,” said Alderman Tommy Hill. “This time it’s up to the citizens.”

Mayor Larry Hicks also vowed that if the citizens do not approve the bond election, the city will not try to side step them and do the project anyway. Hicks also said he personally supports Lambert’s proposal.

“I believe we can make it work,” the mayor said. “This is one of the main things people want to see done.”

Little admits the pressure is now on the city, which has just two months to turn Fourth Street into what the administrator calls “a crown jewel” and show the citizens it can deliver what has been promised.  City Hall is advertising this week for bids on seal coating Fourth Street.

Voting in favor of putting the issue on the ballot were Aldermen Terry Noble, Ann Huey, Jesus Hernandez, Tommy Hill, and Will Thompson. Voting against the measure: none.

Bulldogs open conference against LCU JV

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By Fred Gray

The Bulldogs played Lubbock Christian University’s JV last week, and opened conference play by winning three of four games against El Paso Community College. 

Clarendon College made short work of their two game series against Lubbock Christian University, winning the first game 14-1, and took the second 15-5.

Last Saturday, March 3, the Bulldogs opened a four-game home stand against the El Paso Community College Tejanos, with a 9-6 victory.  El Paso won the second game 9-8.  Coach Chris Joblin said that the Bulldogs just didn’t play well in either game, and that they just had an off day.

On Sunday’s first game, the Bulldogs jumped on the Tejanos, 9-0, behind the sterling pitching of Aussie Scott Cone. The game was an extraordinary team effort with everyone who played contributing the win.

Sunday’s second game saw the Bulldogs once again jump out to a 9-0 lead after five innings, stranding a base runner at second.  If that runner had scored, the game would have been called, due to the 10 run rule.

This time, however, El Paso slowly clawed back into the game, scoring nine runs over four innings, to tie the game 9-9, going into the bottom of the ninth.  In the bottom of the ninth, with two outs, Bulldogs’ catcher Wigberto Nevarez drove a sharp line drive into left field, driving in Tony Ramirez, with the winning run.

Skipper Joblin commented after the game that his players hustle and play hard on every pitch, and never quit.  He’s proud of their aggressive style of play.  He commented that Tony Ramirez, Wigberto Nevarez, Alex Howe, and Scott Cone had particularly good games during this home stand.

The Bulldogs host Garden City Community College this Wednesday, March 7, at 1:00 p.m., for a non-conference game.  CC then resumes conference play when they host Midland College on Friday, March 9, and Saturday, March 10, for back-to-back double-headers.  Game time each day will be 12:00 p.m. 

If you want to watch good baseball, come out and enjoy the games.

Lady Bulldogs split 2 with SC

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By Fred Gray

The Clarendon College Lady Bulldogs hosted Seward College, from Liberal, Kan., for a double-header last Wednesday, February 29. 

The Lady Bulldogs won the first game 6-5, in extra innings.  In the bottom of the eighth, after Clarendon College held Seward scoreless in the first extra inning, Amanda Salvado of Ft. Worth drove in the winning run. 

In extra innings, each team has a base runner automatically placed on second base and then has the normal three outs to try to get the runner in.  In the first game of this double-header, Salvado, with one out, sharply singled to right center to drive the base runner in from second base.

In the second game, Seward College won 10-4.  The Lady Bulldogs travel to Lubbock, for two games against Lubbock Christian University, on Monday, March 5.

Hubert Odell Moffett

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Hubert Odell Moffett, 59, of Amarillo, passed away on March 4, 2012. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, March 7, at St. Paul United Methodist Church with Rev. Perry Hunsaker officiating.  Burial was held at  Wayside Cemetery.  Arrangements were under the direction of Schooler

Hubert Odell Moffett

Funeral Home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert Leo Moffett and Elizabeth Jane James.

He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Denette Moffett and their children, Jedediah and wife Becky of Houston; Julie and husband Sean Chambers of Oklahoma City; Jackie and husband Chris Roy of Houston; his sister Sharon Moffett Thompson and brother-in-law Joe Bob Thompson of Tulia; sister-in-law Evelyn Denise McGinnis and brother-in-law, Dale McGinnis of Amarillo; five young grandchildren, Bethany Rebecca Moffett, Lainie Denette Chambers, Charlotte Lynn Moffett, Brock Alan Chambers, and William Henry Moffett; nine nieces and nephews, Jacob Thompson, Jennifer (Thompson) Smith, Benjamin Lee, Brandon Lee, Andrew McGinnis, Bradley McGinnis, Brittaney McGinnis, David McGinnis and Kimberly (McGinnis) Thomas;  his step-mother Opal Bryan Moffett; three step-brothers, Larry Bryan, Randy Bryan, and Lyle Bryan; and two step-sisters, Shannon Bryan Russell and Sheila Bryan Moffett.

Family request that memorials be made to: Boy Scouts of America, 401 Tascosa Road, Amarillo, TX 79124.

Sign the online guestbook at www.schoolerfuneralhome.com

Elizabeth “Kolett” Cox

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Elizabeth “Kolett” Cox, 53, of Clarendon, passed away on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, in Amarillo. Memorial services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2012, at Morrison Memorial Chapel in Dumas. Rev. Kevin Anderson, pastor of First Assembly of God in Stratford will be officiating.

Elizabeth “Kolett” Cox

Services were under the direction of Morrison Funeral Directors.

Kolett was born on February 21, 1959, in Bakersfield, California to James and Mary Cox. She grew up and attended school in Sunray, Texas. She was a member of Sunray Baptist Church, and was baptized there at age nine. Kolett had been a resident of Clarendon, Texas for twenty-seven years. She was a beloved and devoted daughter and mother and sister who will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her father, James R. Cox in 1981.

Kolett is survived by her mother, Mary Cox of Dumas; two daughters, Brooklyn Cox and Jamie Cox, both of Amarillo; one son, Breelyn Cox of Amarillo; one sister, Linzi Holt and husband Clark of Dumas; and special child, Heavenleigh Hammersmith.

The family suggests memorials be to Odyssey Hospice, 6900 I-40 West, Suite 150, Amarillo, TX 79106.

L.D. “Don” Blanks

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L.D. “Don” Blanksof Hedley died Sunday, March 4, in Amarillo at the age of 89.

L.D. “Don” Blanks

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 8, 2012, in the Hedley Church of Christ with Bright Newhouse and Connie DeBord, officiating.

Graveside rites with Military Honors will be provided by the US Marine Corps in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley. Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Mr. Blanks was born March 27, 1922, in Lakeview to Roy and Ruby Sanford Blanks.  He was a veteran in the US Marines serving during World War II.  He had been a resident of Hedley most of his life where he was a member of the Hedley Church of Christ, Hedley Lions Club, Hedley Senior Citizens, Hedley Adamson-Lane American Legion Post 287, and the VFW.  He also loved playing dominoes, and helping people. The kids in Hedley referred to him as the candy man.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Charles, Leroy, Joe, and Jack Blanks; and a sister, Merylene Sargent.

Survivors include a son, Jerry Roy Blanks of Burleson; a daughter, Donnie Carrol Minton of Benbrook; a sister, Patsy Spier of Hedley; a special friend, Allene Leathers of Clarendon; seven grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family request memorials be sent to the Hedley Sr. Citizens Building Fund or Rowe Cemetery Association.

Sign our online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com.

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