Clarendon Live

The Clarendon Enterprise - Spreading the word since 1878.

Archives for March 2013

District court hears nine pleas

by Leave a Comment

The District Court heard nine pleas which resulted in four convictions and five deferred adjudications in Clarendon on March 4.

District Attorney Luke Inman prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.

A total of $11,000 in fines was assessed as a result of the pleas that took place on March 4. In addition to the fines, the defendants were required to pay a total of $3,958.50 in court costs and $1,082.95 in restitution.

John L Louis was convicted for the second degree felony offense of driving while intoxicated enhanced. Louis pleaded guilty for the offense that took place on January 2, 2013, and was sentenced to 18 years in TDCJ.

Louis, 44-year-old resident of Clarendon, was arrested by Department of Public Safety Trooper Chad Simpson. Louis pleaded guilty to an information filed by the State on March 4, 2013.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Louis is required to pay a $1,000 fine, $140 restitution, and $558 in court costs to Donley County.

Louis also pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Revoke and was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for two, third degree felonies.

On January 24, 2011, Louis, 44-year-old resident of Clarendon, originally pleaded guilty to the third degree felony offense of assault against a public servant and driving while intoxicated, third or more, that occurred on November 3, 2010, in Donley County.

The State filed the motion to revoke on January 30, 2013, alleging four violations of community supervision.

Louis pleaded true to violations contained in the State’s motion and was sentenced to 10 years in Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Louis is also required to pay $941 in court costs to Donley County and a $2,000 fine.

Bianca Marisol Saenz was placed on probation for a period of two years for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance. Saenz pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Saenz, 22-year-old resident of Clarendon, was arrested in Hall County for the offense that took place February 19, 2013, by Memphis Chief of Police Chris Jolly. Saenz pleaded guilty to an information filed by the State on February 28, 2013.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Saenz is required to pay a $2,000 fine to Hall County, $376 in court costs, $140 in restitution, and successfully complete 100 hours of community service. If Saenz violates probation, she could face up to two years in the State Jail Division of the TDCJ.

Toby Don Wages was placed on probation for a period of three years for the third degree felony offense of possession of a controlled substance. Wages pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Wages, 31-year-old resident of Childress, was arrested in Childress County for the offense that took place August 3, 2012, by Childress Police Officer Coy Teichelman. Wages pleaded guilty to an information filed by the State on October 18, 2012.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Wages is required to pay a $3,000 fine to Childress County, $385.50 in court costs, $140 in restitution, and successfully complete 200 hours of community service. If Wages violates probation, he could face up to 10 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.

Cory Lee Johnsen was placed on probation for a period of ten years for the second degree felony offense of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Johnsen pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Johnsen, 33-year-old resident of Howardwick, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place October 31, 2012 and was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on January 22, 2013.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Johnsen is required to pay a $2,000 fine to Donley County, $473 in court costs, and successfully complete 300 hours of community service. If Johnsen violates probation, he could face up to 20 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.

Chad Michael Sanchez pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was convicted and sentenced to 14 months in the State Jail Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

On April 9, 2012, Sanchez, 24-year-old resident of Clarendon, originally pleaded guilty to the state jail felony offense of theft of brass that occurred on December 15, 2011, in Donley County.

The State filed the motion to adjudicate on January 30, 2013, alleging nine violations of community supervision.

Sanchez pleaded true to violations contained in the State’s motion and was sentenced to 14 months in State Jail Division of the TDCJ. Sanchez is also required to pay $473 in court costs to Donley County, a $1,500 fine, and $522.95 restitution.

Tyler Lane Cantu was placed on probation for a period of two years for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance and the third degree felony offense of assault against family member. Cantu pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for both offenses.

Cantu, 18-year-old resident of Wellington, was arrested in Collingsworth County for the offense that took place January 11, 2013 by Collingsworth County Deputy Larry Ashurst. Cantu pleaded guilty to an information filed by the State on February 28, 2013.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Cantu is required to pay a $500 fine to Collingsworth County, $752 in court costs, $140 restitution, and successfully complete 200 hours of community service. If Cantu violates probation, he could face up to 10 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.

Editorial: Public must get involved, educated

by Leave a Comment

The Way Forward, Part 6 

Information is power, and government works best when power is vested in the people. To that end, the Enterprise joins other newspapers across America in observing Sunshine Week March 10-16 as we continue to examine the way forward for Clarendon and Donley County.

Sunshine Week typically focuses on the public’s “right to know” with an emphasis on government transparency. But acquiring information is a two-way street. Yes, the information has to be available, but people must also engage themselves in the process and educate themselves about what is happening.

Roger Estlack, Editor
Roger Estlack, Editor

James Madison, the author of the US Constitution, said, “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives.”

The former president went on to say that a government of uninformed people “is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy or perhaps both.”

Is our government a farce or a tragedy in Washington, Austin, or even at City Hall, the school house, or the Courthouse? That’s all a matter of opinion. But if it is, then it is largely the fault of the people for not being more involved in a positive way.

This newspaper, like so many others across this great land, goes to great lengths to try to keep our local voters informed. We attend meetings when no one else bothers to. We pour over minutes of the meetings we miss, and we try to keep tabs on what our elected officials are doing. And then we tell you about it – whether it’s a new ordinance, a water system study, or a discussion about raising your school taxes.

Governments do their part, as well, while working with your local newspaper. Following the rules set down by law, they publish notice of their intent to purchase certain things, undertake certain projects, levy taxes and fees, and to engage in a number of activities. They post notice of their meetings at least three days in advance, and then they hold those meetings in an open session where members of the public are allowed to attend.

At appointed times, the governments must have elections. The newspaper reports on which positions are up, and the government calls for the election during an open meeting and then publishes notice of the election to be held.

Your newspaper serves a vital role in reporting to you the activities of your governments and publishing the notices of the governments while at the same time policing the governments to make sure they follow the rules.

But all of this is for naught if the people fail to participate in the process.

When people disregard the information in front of them and choose instead to trust gossip, hearsay, or social media chatter for their decision making, then we may well be on our way to the farce or tragedy of which Madison warned us.

The problem of course, as your humble editor told a dear friend recently, is that the truth is often boring. The “talk” is scandalous and therefore exciting. But the day-in and day-out activities of local governments are generally humdrum. The typical business of a resolution to name an investment officer or consideration of a bank depository bid is a major snooze fest. But that is part of the process. People complain, for example, about brown water coming out of their tap but then don’t show up when tax rates are discussed or budgets are adopted – the times when funds could actually be dedicated to the problem.

Too often our complacency spills over into election season to such an extent that most local governments call off their elections due to a lack of interest. Howardwick officials a month ago even raised the prospect that the city itself might be dissolved if participation did not pick up.

Fortunately, this year we have several competitive raises, and the people have some real choices to make. Voters in Clarendon and Howardwick and in the Clarendon and Hedley school districts have a responsibility to find out everything they can about the candidates on the ballots. Who are they, what do they want to do, and what is their motive for running? Do they have an ax to grind or do they have the city’s or school’s best interest at heart? Voters must answer those questions for themselves and then go to the ballot boxes armed with knowledge.

Candidates, too, need to educate themselves, attend the meetings of the boards for which they are running, find out how things really work, and be able to bring something constructive to the table if they are elected.

Representative government takes a lot of effort for it to work correctly. The system is participatory – you have to participate for it to work. You have to resolve to get involved, get informed, and get educated; and all of that takes time and energy. But when we all play our parts – when government operates openly, when the newspaper informs the public, and when voters pay attention – then things can move forward in a positive manner and our communities come out as winners.

Mayor’s resignation delayed one week

by Leave a Comment

Hedley still has its mayor as the Enterprise goes to press this week.

Mayor Dusty Wilkinson was expected to resign during last Thursday’s meeting of the Board of Aldermen, but City Hall says that meeting had to be canceled due to a lack of a quorum.

City Secretary Holly McCleskey says the meeting has been rescheduled for this Thursday, March 14, at 7 p.m., and says Wilkinson’s resignation is listed on the posted agenda.

The board will also consider filling a vacant alderman’s position to help prevent difficulties with quorums going forward. McCleskey said the vacant position is that of former alderman Karen Ely, who resigned in November.

Wilkinson announced his intention to resign last week in a statement to the Enterprise in which he said community members have a problem with him personally and had threatened his family and fellow board members.

Sister combo hands Ladies district loss

by Leave a Comment

By Sandy Anderberg

The Lady Broncos softball team fought hard last week, but could not outlast a sister combo from Follett that made up an unstoppable team on the mound and behind the plate. Clarendon lost 3-14.

“They got two move in sisters,” head coach Gary Jack said. “A great pitcher and catcher combo. Their pitcher was very good, and we had a hard time hitting her until late in the game. We made a few mistakes early, which got us behind and then not being able to hit, really hurt.”

According to Jack, several Lady Broncos had hits, but they came too late in the game. Jency Burton, Camra Smith, Haley Ferguson, Audrey Shelton, and Skyler White all had good hits.

“Defensively, Maci White and Taylor Gaines made some good plays for us,” Jack said. “We will have a little better idea what we are facing the next time we play them.”

The Lady Bronco junior varsity won 6-1 behind the good pitching of Phara Berry. Jack cited that Audra Thomas, Brittney McAnear, Savannah Topper, and Sterling King had good hits, and Abby Durham made a really good play in the outfield.

On Saturday, the Lady Broncos earned a commanding win over Quanah at 13-1 and defeated Childress 4-3.

The ladies will play their annual Alumni game on Saturday, March 16, at 1:00 p.m. and will play Booker at home March 19 at 4 p.m.

Joyce Merle Keown

by Leave a Comment

Joyce Merle Keown, 87, died Tuesday, March 5, 2013, in Amarillo, Texas.

Services were held Friday, March 8, 2013, in the Robertson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon with Rev. Anthony Knowles, officiating.

Interment followed at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

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

Joyce was born January 28, 1926, in Bryan to Lonnie Perry and Mary Alice Dickson Fuqua. She married Robert Aubry Keown on August 3, 1950, in Strawn. She had been a resident of Clarendon since 1970. She loved going to her grandkids sporting events.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on July 18, 1988; 3 brothers, Clyde, Milton, and Ralph Fuqua; 2 sisters, Doris Fuqua Murphy and Leslie Fuqua.

She is survived by 2 sons, Russell Ray Keown and wife Helen of Clarendon and Rodney Kyle Keown of Pampa; a brother, Bobby Gene Fuqua of Jacksonville, TX; 2 sisters, Shirley Fuqua Coakley and Margaret Fuqua Miner both of Bryan; 5 grandchildren, Kasi Keown Davis and husband Kyle, Kelli Keown Shurbet and husband Shannon, Shanna Keown, Braden Keown, and Jennifer Parker Warren and husband Brad; 8 great grandchildren, Kendra, Kaitlyn, and Kortni Davis, Ky and Dru Anderson, Tate, Emmelise, and Ethan Warren.

The family request memorials be sent to the American Heart Association or Autism Awareness Walk.

Virginia Sue Denney Christie

by Leave a Comment

Virginia Sue Denney Christie
Virginia Sue Denney Christie

Virginia Sue Denney Christie, 78, of Kirtland, New Mexico, formerly of Clarendon died on Wednesday, March 5, 2013 in Farmington, New Mexico.

Services were held on Saturday, March 9, at the First Baptist Church of Kirtland, New Mexico.

Graveside services were held Sunday, March 10, 2013, in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Rev. Darrell Burton, officiating.

Arrangements are by Cope Memorial Kirtland Chapel of Kirtland, New Mexico. Local arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Virginia was born Oct. 30, 1934, in Decatur, Texas to Sylvester and Letha Denney.

“Ginger Sue” was a life-long learner. She dedicated herself to the students she taught. She loved teaching and being an educator and greatly enjoyed teaching at Chinle High School. She encouraged all of her students to strive for the most in life.

Ginger Sue’s hobbies included painting, reading and crossword puzzles. She was a servant of God and dedicated her life to serving him.

Ginger Sue was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, Willie Nelson Christie; her son, Mike L. Christie; daughter, Jane Christie and 5 grandchildren.

Norma Lee (Tuck) Baker

by Leave a Comment

Norma Lee (Tuck) Baker was born on April 13, 1924, in Camargo, Oklahoma to Roy D. Tuck and Nellie (Riseley) Tuck. She joined our Lord on February 27, 2013 at the age of 88.

Norma grew up in the Teepee Creek area, east of Camargo, Oklahoma. She attended school at Camargo until her senior year 1942 and graduated from Leedey High School. On June 21, 1941, Norma married Milo A. Baker at Woodward, Oklahoma.

Norma Lee (Tuck) Baker
Norma Lee (Tuck) Baker

The couple was blessed with the birth of their two daughters, Janeva Kay and Nelda Marie. They made their home in several locations including Camargo, El Reno, Oklahoma, Mulvane, Kansas, and Altus, Oklahoma before returning to what they knew as home (Camargo, Oklahoma) where they resided the past 48 years.

Norma was baptized April 2, 1961, and was a lifetime member of the Camargo Christian Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband Milo A. Baker, parents, Roy Tuck and Nellie Zelle, two sisters, Daisy Bishop and Violet Brown and a brother Keith Tuck.

She is survived by two daughters Janeva Kay Newell and husband Larry of Bethany, Oklahoma and Nelda Marie Woodard and husband Jerry of Clarendon, Texas; grandchildren Tarina Woodard of Lewisville, Texas, Travis Woodard and wife Claire of Levelland, Texas, Lance Newell and wife Christy of Yukon, Oklahoma; great-grandchildren Ian and Elise Newell of Yukon, Oklahoma and Caden Woodard of Levelland, Texas; brothers, Ben Zelle and wife Lamona, Donnie Tuck, Joe Tuck, and Leroy Tuck, several nieces, nephews, other family members and a host of friends.

We would like to extend our appreciation for the kindness that was shown to our mother by the Elk City Hospital and ER, Elkwood Assisted Living Staff, Elk City Nursing Home Staff, Dr. Jamie Gore and Staff, and Faith Hospice.

Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, address is P.O. Box 45, Camargo, Oklahoma 73835 or to the South Canadian Neighbors Association, address is P.O. Box 38, Camargo, Oklahoma 73835.

Linda Kay Swinney Lewis

by Leave a Comment

Linda Kay Swinney Lewis, 54, died Saturday, March 9, 2013, in Hedley, Texas.

Services were held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2013, in the First Baptist Church in Hedley with Rev. Bruce Howard, officiating.

Burial was at Rowe Cemetery in Hedley.

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

Linda was born May 7, 1958, in Amarillo to Kenneth and Doris Swinney. She married William Earl “Billy” Lewis on May 10, 1982 in Sweetwater. She had been a resident of Hedley most of her life.

She was preceded in death by her mother; and her husband.

She is survived by her father, Kenneth Swinney of Hedley; 2 sons, Jeremy Gatlin and wife Katrina of Clarendon, and Willy Lewis of Hedley; a sister, Brenda Swinney of Hedley; 1 grandchild, Alana Gatlin.

The family request memorials be sent to the Rowe Cemetery Association.

Valley falls to Clarendon

by Leave a Comment

Valley had a tough outing on Tuesday, March 5, as the Clarendon Broncos dominated in a 19-6 win in five innings at home.

The Broncos scored nine runs in the third on a two-run double by Adam Topper, an RBI single by Charles Mason, a bases loaded walk, a hit by pitch, a walk by Cole Ward, a bases loaded walk by Topper, a wild pitch, and an RBI single by Izzy Osburn. The game was back-and-forth heading into the third, with four lead changes. Chance McAnear boosted his batting average thanks to a perfect 2-2 day at the plate to pace Clarendon.

Diego Santos got it done on the mound on the way to a win. He tossed 1 2/3 innings of shutout ball. Santos struck out five, walked one and gave up no hits. The Broncos pounded Valley pitching, as seven hitters combined for 10 hits, 12 RBIs and 18 runs scored. Clarendon jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first.

The Broncos’ threat began with a single by Santos. A stolen base then moved Santos from first to second. Topper singled, bringing home Santos and McAnear. Clarendon increased its lead with six runs in the fourth. Cody Wood singled, plating Mason to start the inning. That was followed up by McAnear’s single, scoring Cedrick McCampbell.

"Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved."

Hedley mayor plans resignation

by Leave a Comment

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Hedley Mayor Dusty Wilkinson will resign his office this week, according to a statement given to The Clarendon Enterprise.

Wilkinson e-mailed the paper Monday night and said he would like to share with the City of Hedley his reasons for resigning.

“Members of the community have recently harassed and threatened my family, friends, and council members,” Wilkinson’s statement said. “They have a problem with me personally and have made threats and problems for the city.

“I have served this community as mayor for three years where I have donated nearly every Friday to the maintenance of its roads, equipment, sewer lines, trash trucks and general operations,” the mayor wrote, “but I feel it is in the best interest for the safety of both my family and the city that I resign from my position of Mayor effective Thursday, March 7, 2013.”

Mayor Pro Tem Leon Ward said Tuesday he was unaware of Wilkinson’s plan to resign and said he wasn’t sure what might have prompted such a move by the mayor.

“We had some stuff come up over this drought at the last meeting that people were upset about, but we couldn’t help it,” Ward said.

Alderman Tonya Metcalf was also surprised to hear of Wilkinson’s upcoming resignation. Metcalf said she arrived late at the last meeting on February 21, but knew that resident James Edward Potts had addressed the board.

Potts told the Enterprise that he did speak to the board but that he did not threaten anyone.

“We had a heated discussion, and I did get P.O.ed, but there weren’t any threats.,” Potts said. “They did talk about calling the law at one point.”

According to the unofficial minutes of that special meeting, the Hedley Board of Aldermen unanimously approved a clarification of restrictions under the city’s Stage 4 Drought Contingency Plan. Mayor Wilkinson then turned the meeting over to Ward and abstained from the rest of the meeting.

Potts, the minutes say, addressed the council about RV parks in the city needing to have a separate meter and city account for each hook up.

Potts told the Enterprise that he wasn’t concerned about the water meters but that he did think each RV should have its own sewer and Dumpster charge. Otherwise, he said, it wouldn’t be a fair situation to citizens who live in Hedley year round.

The minutes say the board advised Potts that separate meters and accounts would be unnecessary and that the city would install the number of meters, sewer taps, and Dumpsters requested by a business owner and the business would be charged for that number.

The minutes reflect that Potts did not approve of this answer and said he would discuss the issue further with his attorney.

The Hedley Board of Aldermen will meet at 7 p.m. this Thursday, March 7, and Wilkinson tells the Enterprise he will resign at that meeting.

Verified by MonsterInsights