Archives for September 2012
Honor Guard
Homecoming Court
City holds line on taxes in proposed budget
A divided Clarendon Board of Aldermen threw the brakes on a proposed tax increase for city property owners and eliminated an expansion of health benefits for city employees last week following two contentious public hearings held earlier.
City officials were meeting again as the Enterprise went to press Tuesday night where they were expected to formally adopt the budget for fiscal year 2013 and maintain the current ad valorem tax rate of 65 cents per $100 valuation. Visit www.ClarendonLive.com for the latest information.
In a budget workshop on September 20, Mayor Larry Hicks told the board it was time to make their final decisions about the tax rate and the budget so city officials could draft the final document that was to be considered this week.
Aldermen had left a similar workshop two nights earlier with what seemed to be a consensus to set the tax rate at 67 cents, which was five cents below what City Administrator Lambert Little had asked for and two cents lower than the 69 cents that the board had finally proposed last month on a 3-2 vote with Aldermen Terry Noble, Abby Patten, and Will Thompson in favor and Aldermen Tommy Hill and Jesus Hernandez against.
At the September 20 meeting, Hicks asked each alderman to air their concerns or thoughts on the tax rate or the budget. Noble said he was fine with what they had before them, but Hernandez said he wanted a 65-cent tax rate.
Hill argued against raising taxes because of economic hard times locally and around the world, and Thompson said he feared not raising taxes would throw the city back into a situation it found itself in a few years ago where it was having to dip into reserves to make its payroll. Patten said raising taxes was hard for her because she had heard from many people against it.
Without taking a formal action, the mayor asked for a show of hands about the tax rate. Thompson and Noble supported the 67-cent rate while Hill, Hernandez, and Patten favored keeping the rate at 65 cents.
A similar pattern emerged regarding expanding employee health benefits to include dental and vision insurance. The proposed budget did not include raises for city employee wages or salaries but did include a $6,000 line item that would have provided dental and vision benefits.
Hill said he didn’t think that mattered to the employees, Thompson said he thought the employees were the city’s best asset and should be taken care of and that it did matter to them, and Patten said the city had stated employees would not be given a raise and yet the expansion of benefits is a raise.
Hicks again asked for a show of hands. Thompson and Noble supported adding the dental and vision benefit while Hill, Hernandez, and Patten opposed the plan.
With no other points of contention in the budget at that time, the aldermen adjourned and were to meet September 25 to adopt the 65-cent tax rate and the budget, which calls for a increase in trash and sewer rates of about five percent.
Court hears several plea agreements
Two Donley County criminal cases were resolved when the 100th District Court met in Panhandle September 20, and additional local cases were heard in Childress on September 17.
In Panhandle, District Attorney Luke Inman, assisted by Scott Sherwood, prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.
Larry Mario Jaramillo was placed on probation for a period of ten years for the first degree felony offense of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Jaramillo pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.
Jaramillo, 38-year-old resident of Lelia Lake, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place April 1, 2012 and was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on June 27, 2012. The sexual assault investigation was conducted by Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Jaramillo is required to pay a $5,000 fine to Donley County, and is also required to pay $689 in court costs, and complete 100 hours of community service. If Jaramillo violates probation, he could face up to 99 years or life in TDCJ.
Nicholas Ryan Clubb was placed on probation for a period of five years for the second degree felony offense of burglary of a habitation. Clubb pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.
Clubb, 27-year-old resident of Hedley, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place March 9, 2012 and was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on June 27, 2012. The burglary cases were investigated by the Donley Chief Deputy Randy Bond, and was assisted by James Palmateer from the Memphis Police Department.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Clubb is required to pay a $4,000 fine to Donley County, and is also required to pay $473 in court costs, and complete 100 hours of community service. If Clubb violates probation, he could face up to 20 years in TDCJ.
The court met in Childress September 17 with Inman prosecuting and Messer presiding.
Harley Renee Echols was placed on probation for a period of four years for two felony offenses, both of which included burglaries. Echols pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offenses.
Echols, 19-year-old resident of Hedley, committed the first felony offense of burglary of a building, a state jail felony offense, on June 21, 2012. The second felony offense occurred on June 30, 2012, which was a second degree burglary of a habitation.
Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn and Deputy Jay Longan conducted the burglary investigations.
Echols pleaded guilty to a complaint and information filed by the State on September 14, 2012.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Echols is required to pay a $4,000 fine to Donley County, required to pay $946 in court costs, $250 restitution, and complete 300 hours of community service. If Echols violates probation, she could face up to 20 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.
Danielle Sandifer Moffitt (a.k.a. Patricia Danielle Sandefur) was placed on probation for a period of three years for the state jail felony offense of forgery. Moffitt pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.
Moffitt, a resident of Clarendon, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place August 15, 2012. Moffitt pleaded guilty to information filed by the State on September 17, 2012.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Moffitt is required to pay a $2,500 fine to Donley County, $473 in court costs, $3,950.65 in restitution, and complete 100 hours of community service. If Moffitt violates probation, she could face up to two years in the State Jail Division of TDCJ.
Armando Romero was placed on probation for a period of three years for the state jail felony offense of possession of marihuana. Romero pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.
Romero, was arrested in Hall County for the offense that took place June 30, 2011. Romero pleaded guilty to an information filed by the State on October 27, 2011.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Romero is required to pay a $2,500 fine to Hall County, $376 in court costs, $140 in restitution, and complete 100 hours of community service. If Romero violates probation, he could face up to two years in the State Jail Division of TDCJ.
Cookoff draws big crowd
A new bar has been set after the 18th annual Col. Charles Goodnight Chuckwagon Cookoff attracted a huge crowd of participants and attendees last Saturday, and last year’s winning cookoff team left again with the bean pot.
Officials with the Saints’ Roost Museum, which sponsors the event, said Monday they fed more than 700 people, which is among the highest – if not the highest – in the cookoff’s history. By comparison, the museum fed 550 last year. The number of wagons was also up with 18 registered and 17 showing up to compete at the event.
“As far as I recall this is the best we’ve ever done,” said Museum Board Member Lindy Craft. “We had a lot of people from out of town, particularly Amarillo and Pampa, and we had a bigger trade show.”
Craft said the museum had only 90 tickets still available when the gates opened, and those were gone quickly. The event coinciding with Clarendon High School’s homecoming this year was also a plus as several class reunions were being held in town.
The C Bar C Ranch Team from Hartley gave a repeat of their 2011 performance by winning the cookoff for a second year in a row. Led by head cook Sue Cunningham, the team had the first place dessert as well as first place in Overall Cooking on the way to racking up enough points to win the Best Overall award.
The fifth annual Junior Cookoff the day before the big event drew eleven contestants, who were paired with experienced wagon teams to prepare potatoes for the cooks’ dinner Friday night. Darci Hunsaker from Clarendon won first place and was teamed with the JL Cattle Cooking Team. Emily Johnson of Clarendon was second with the T-Half Circle Cooking Team, and Hannah Hommel of Clarendon was third with the Palo Duro Cowboy Church Team.
Following the Junior Cookoff, 200 people enjoyed a delicious steak dinner Friday night on the museum grounds, 30 more than the year before. The invitation-only event was held exclusively for Chuckwagon teams and members of the Museum and their families.
The trade show was held throughout the day, and live entertainment was provided. Museum tours were led by the Clarendon High School Junior Historians. Relatives of Chuckwagon inventor Charles Goodnight also were present for their annual reunion.
The seventeen wagons served a menu of chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits, beans, and cobbler. Prizes totaling $3,250 were paid out to the winners.
Complete results were:
Overall Wagon & Cooking: 1) C Bar C Ranch of Hartley.
Overall Cooking: 1) C Bar C, 2) JL Cattle Co. of Abilene, 3) Cross Wagon of Vega, and 4) the T Half Circle Wagon of Silverton.
Best Wagon & Camp: 1) C4B Chuckwagon of Amarillo, TIE 2) Wagon Rangers of Amarillo, TIE 2) Quarter Circle KC of Lockney, and 4) C Bar C Ranch of Hartley.
Best Meat: 1) C4B, 2) JL Cattle, 3) Rafter B, and 4) Cross Wagon.
Best Beans: 1) T Half Circle, 2) JL Cattle, 3) Cross Wagon, and 4) C Bar C.
Best Potatoes: 1) Cross Wagon, 2) C Bar C, 3) Rising W Wagon of Happy, and 4) HX Ranch of Lubbock.
Best Bread: 1) Cross Wagon, 2) JL Cattle, 3) C4B, and 4) Cross Wagon.
Best Dessert: 1) C Bar C, 2) C4B, 3) Wagon Rangers, and 4) HX Ranch.
Kendall Harris of Wellington was the winner of the Kevin Johnson handmade spurs, and the Pearce Foundry West of Memphis again made the commemorative cast iron bean pot taken home by the cookoff winning team.
Three businesses robbed Tuesday
The Donley County Sheriff’s Department is investigating three break-ins that occurred at local businesses early Tuesday morning, September 25.
Sheriff Butch Blackburn says West Texas Gas was broken into about midnight and WootWick’s PitStop and Country Bloomers Flower Shop were also hit.
At West Texas Gas and the flower shop, the crooks broke out a glass door and took the cash registers from the businesses. At WootWicks, a glass door was shattered, but nothing was found to be missing.
The sheriff said the crimes took place before 3 a.m. and were discovered when Amarillo Globe-News carrier Ruby Calloway saw one of the broken doors.
Blackburn urged all local businesses to leave their cash drawers open to show crooks that there is no money inside, and he asked anyone with information about these crimes to call his office at 874-3531.
Opinion: Come enjoy our Chicken Fried Nation
Folks came from far and wide, some to cook, some to eat, some to see. Those who came to cook, came in style, too. Seventeen original or restored chuckwagons, accompanied by top shelf cooking teams, gathered around the grounds the Saints’ Roost Museum this past Saturday. Charlie Goodnight, if he were still with us, would be right in the middle of things and having a high old time. As it is, I can see him smiling down on us from Heaven, as we gathered together for good food, good entertainment, and good conversation.
I bought my ticket at my bank, the Donley County State Bank, and good fortune immediately commenced to smile upon me. I was assigned to eat the “C – C” (C Bar C) chuckwagon, out of Hartley, Texas, located in the northwest corner of the Texas Panhandle, just south of Dalhart.
The chicken fried steak dinner that head cook Sue Cunningham and her team served up was probably the best chicken fried steak dinner I’ve ever eaten. After two brain surgeries, and a few unfortunate self-inflicted brain traumas – like slipping on ice and landing on the back of my head, twice no less – I may not have the most acute memory in the land. I can, however, say with absolute certainty, that it was the best chicken fried steak dinner that I’ve ever eaten, or remembered eating.
Throw in a generous helping of mashed potatoes, a couple of homemade rolls, and mighty fine peach cobbler, and ‘twas a veritable feast. The only negative, if there was one, in the entire meal was a somewhat paltry serving of peach cobbler. Of course, Sue and her crew may have noticed that my gut appears to be unduly extended, primarily because I’m apt to eat too much of the wrong foods – mostly comfort foods if you must know – and therefore they may have cut my portion of peach cobbler accordingly, in the hopes of adding months or even years to my life.
Anyway, back to the Chuckwagon Cookoff. It turns out that the C – C won this year’s competition for the best overall wagon and cooking. Not surprisingly, they won it last year too.
The crowd was large, featuring folks from all over the Panhandle, and a sprinkling of folks from Oklahoma and New Mexico who drove down for a nice dinner. It was easy to spot the veterans. They came in family groups and carted in tables and chairs, etc, and settled in for the long haul.
The museum itself was also a star of the day. It remained pretty much packed all day long, with myriad folks strolling through the place and enjoying the excellent displays. Young people outfitted in period costumes provided needed commentary and politely answered a wide variety of questions from the roving guests.
Heck, thanks to the Hedley Senior Citizens Center, I was able to enter a raffle for an AR-15 assault rifle. Only in the Chicken Fried Nation can you enjoy a fine chuckwagon dinner with good folks from around the area, listen to a little gospel music, stroll through a museum and enter a contest to win an assault rifle. I’m hopeful that Providence will once again smile on me and allow me to win the AR-15.
While strolling through the museum grounds, while digesting my dinner and visiting with family and friends, I noted that the attendees were old and young, of varying sizes and shapes, some smart, some not so smart, some ranchers, some stock farmers, along with townsfolk and assorted others – all seeming to enjoy each other’s company.
I was also pleased to see that many reasonably well adjusted individuals were packing concealed firearms. With so many locals packing, in the event that a dastardly individual comes along and needs to be shot, I figure that they can handle the shooting, do the required paperwork, and serve any jail time that is deemed appropriate, thus allowing me to feel safe and secure in such a well armed community.
Entertainment was also provided for the diners, with a little rock-n-roll, country and Western, and a touch of gospel. Perhaps sometime in the future, the organizers of the cookoff, who do a fabulous job, will invite a few cowboy poets to come and recite their special form of poetry to the crowd. Everyone should have the opportunity to listen to good cowboy poets as they enthrall and mesmerize their audiences.
The Charles Goodnight Chuckwagon Cookoff is an extraordinary event, with the proceeds going to a very special cause – the Saints’ Roost Museum. Clarendon and the surrounding area offer many wonderful cultural opportunities that seem to be somewhat overlooked, which is a shame.
Next month, Clarendon once again offers two more opportunities to partake of our cultural bounty. The 2012 Clarendon Arts Festival happens on Saturday, October 27, and Sunday, October 28.
That same weekend Clarendon College will present the first inaugural Clarendon College Stampede, an intercollegiate rodeo, from Thursday, October 25, through Saturday, October 27.
In line with the new rodeo, we also have a new business opening its doors. It’s called Straight Off the Ranch, and the proprietress is Jamie Bebout. Jamie hand crafts various leather items that come off the ranch. Things like chaps, bridals, and handmade leather purses. Her shop is located on Kearney Street, a couple of doors south of Jim Owens’ Boots. Stop in and introduce yourself and welcome her to our fair town.
Folks who say that not much goes on in our neck of the Chicken Fried Nation simply aren’t paying attention.
Broncos beat ‘Hounds in Homecoming victory
By Sandy Anderberg
Sophomore Charles Mason was a workhorse for the Broncos in their 33-19 Homecoming stomping over Gruver last Friday night. Mason ran the ball 21 times for 190 yards and four rushing touchdowns from 1, 36, 13, and 86 yards out. Ryan Isbell added to extra point kicks on the night.
“There was a huge crowd and it was a very exciting game,” head coach Gary Jack said. “We really dominated in the second half and shut them down. Everyone that suited up got the chance to play. It was a team effort and a fun game.”
The Broncos did have a lot of fun with the win as they racked up 437 total yards in the win that put them at 3-1. Quarterback Chance McAnear did a good job of throwing the ball according to Jack and put up 152 yards (15 of 21). Diego Santos also gave it a shot with a 43-yard touchdown throw to Jonah Sell, who was 4/101 yards and one TD, to help boost the Broncos.
“Chance threw well and our receivers did a good job catching the ball,” Jack said. “Our line did a good job blocking in the second half and we were also able to run the ball more effectively.” The Broncos also turned up the heat defensively and Sell and McAnear each had an interception. Sell racked up 10 tackles and JD Baxter and Ryan Isbell each had seven tackles. Caleb Cobb had five tackles and two caused turnovers and Tyler Burch had five tackles, caused a turnover and recovered a fumble. David Johnston recovered a fumble, McAnear had three tackles and an interception, Diego Santos had six tackles and Corey Barker, John Pigg, and Tres Hommel all played well on defense. And Chance Roland gave a great effort according to Jack.
“It was a solid game for us,” Jack said. “We are getting closer to what we’re looking for. I am very pleased with the effort and we’ll keep working at it.”
The Broncos will take on a tough Booker team next Friday night on the road. “We are looking forward to the Booker game,” Jack said. “It will be a tough challenge. They are a pretty explosive team.”
Hedley Owls roll over the Hart Longhorns
By Fred Gray
What a difference a year, and a couple of good coaches, makes. Last year, when Hedley played Hart, they were beaten by more than 45 points by the Longhorns.
This year, after spotting Hart a six point lead that resulted from a failed onside kick to start the game, the Owls’ defense once again unsheathed its talons and held the Longhorns scoreless for the rest of the game.
Meanwhile, the offense rolled up 331 rushing yards and 132 passing yards on its way to a hard-hitting 48 to 6 victory. The Owls scored 12 points in the first quarter, 8 points in the second quarter, 20 points in the third quarter, and another 8 points in the fourth quarter.
Even though the Hart Longhorns were bigger than the Owls, and as fast as the Owls, Hedley imposed its will on the Longhorns with intense, hard-hitting teamwork. Although Hard opened the scoring with their first drive, Hedley answered quickly and often. Defensively, the Owls were constantly around the ball and gang-tackled, punishing the Longhorns all night long.
After taking Hart’s kickoff following the Longhorn’s only score, Hedley war horse Coltin Kingston let the Owls down the field for the tying score. Following a long pass to Austin Adams to the Hart 8 yard line, Kingston galloped off left tackle for Hedley’s first score.
On their second possession of the night, Klaiton Moore, running hard behind his pads all night long, scored the Owls’ second touchdown with a seven yard sprint around the right side, running over and through the Hart defenders.
After another Diego Vidal Souza kickoff sailed through the end zone, the Hedley defense swarmed the Hart playmakers, and gave the offense the ball at the Hart 20 yard line. Owls’ quarterback Bryan Evans hit fullback Seth Ruthardt with a 15 yard TD pass. Kicker Andy Munoz Aizaga’s PAT was good, and the Owls were up 20-6, with 2:06 left in the first half.
In their first possession of the 2nd half, Coltin Kingston carried the ball six straight times, the last a six yard plunge up the middle for the score, and Hedley was up 26 – 6.
After Diego Vidal Souza once again boomed the kickoff through the endzone, Hart took possession of the ball at their own 20 yard line. On their third play of the drive, Bryan Evans made the first of his three interceptions of the night, and gave Hedley the ball at the Hart 21. On first and 15, Klaiton Moore, again running behind his should pads, with knees churning high and fast, rambled over and through the Hart defenders for 21 yard touchdown run. The PAT was good, and the Owls led 34 to 6, with 5:31 left in the 3rd quarter.
On their next possession of the game, Coltin Kingston again carried the ball multiple times on a drive that ended with an 11 yard touchdown run by Kingston, on a dive play up the middle. With six seconds left in the 3rd quarter, Hedley led 40 to 6.
The Owls scored their last touchdown of the game with 7:26 remaining in the 4th quarter. The drive started with the second interception by Bryan Evans at the Hart 25 yard line. Immediately, Hedley’s Lone Ranger, Klaiton Moore, punished the Hart defenders with a 16 yard run around the right end. Quarterback Bryan Evans then hit Seth Ruthardt with another touchdown pass of 12 yards. The PAT was good, and Hedley led 48 to 6.
Coltin Kingston rushed for 172 yards, three touchdowns, passed for 98 yards, and made 11 tackles on defense. Klaiton Moore rushed for 146 yards, scored two touchdowns and made three tackles on defense.
Bryan Evans passed for 32 yards and two touchdowns, while intercepting three passes and making seven tackles.
Tanner Chambless hit hard all night long, making 10 tackles, and caught several passes for 33 yards.
Seth Ruthardt made five tackles to go along with his two touchdown receptions.
Most importantly, the Owls made a stellar team effort, working together, and having each others’ backs all night long.
Four games into the season, it’s readily apparent that new head coach Darrell Wallace and assistant coach Garrett Bains are coaching good fundamental football, with a focus on playing hard for four straight quarters.
After the game, quarterback/linebacker Bryan Evans commented that the team had bought into the fundamentals that coaches Wallace and Bains are teaching. He added, “The team feels like if they play hard every down, and focus on fundamentals, that they can’t be beat. We may beat ourselves if we don’t focus and play well, but we are a much better team now than when the season started.”
Amen, brother.
This Friday, September 28, the Owls travel to Happy for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
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