Archives for November 2014

A Clarendon woman is facing felony charges from a June 26 accident that resulted in the death of a longtime local businessman.

Gina Canon was arrested last Friday, November 14, and charged with intoxicated manslaughter, a second degree felony, after medical experts agreed that C.W. “Dude” Cornell died from injuries he sustained in the accident.

Canon also was charged with intoxicated assault, a third degree felony, because Cornell’s passenger, Ruth Hancock, was also injured.

Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn said Canon was arraigned by County Judge Jack Hall on Friday with a total bond set at $60,000. She was released from jail after posting bond Saturday.

Cornell, a former county commissioner, died July 7 at the age of 86 while being treated in an Amarillo hospital for injuries he sustained 11 days earlier.

Reports show that Cornell had been eastbound on US 287 in Clarendon on June 26 when his vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle driven by the 34-year-old Canon.

Phase Three work on the Mulkey Theatre project is expected to get underway next month following a called meeting of the Clarendon Economic Development Corp. Board Monday, November 17.

Jake Scott of Pioneer General Contractors outlined work to be done in Phase Three, which will focus on finishing out the Clarendon Visitor Center office in the former Mulkey barber shop and development of a handicapped accessible bathroom in the vestibule of the theatre.

Workers will also put a new ceiling in the Visitor Center office, install central heating and cooling, and also put new lights in the office.

The scope of work also calls for a gallery rail to be installed in the visitor center office for displaying the work of local artists on a rotational basis.

The cost for Phase 3 is expected to be $76,763 with funds coming from the sales tax and Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue administered by the CEDC board.

In other business this week, the CEDC formally declared the property at 100 S. Kearney an EDC project. The move does not commit the CEDC to any action on the property, but it allows the CEDC to study the old hotel building to see if there are any possible uses for the structure.

The board also met in closed session to interview Laura West and Linda Williams-Holt as finalists for the position of executive director. The board will meet on December 1 to make a final decision on that job.

More local businesses have signed up this week to help make holiday shopping at home is easy and affordable again as the Donley County State Bank and the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to provide zero-percent interest “Christmas Cash” loans for the 18th season.

As in the past, anyone can make application for a loan up to $3,000 interest free with the Donley County State Bank. Eleven local businesses are now participating in the Christmas Cash program this year.

The program has proven popular in the past with many consumers and is seen as way to encourage folks to shop at home.

Once a Christmas Cash loan has been approved, the borrower will be issued Christmas Cash Dollars, which may be spent like US currency toward new purchases at all of the participating businesses.

Christmas Cash must be spent by December 31, 2014.

The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce is currently signing merchants up to participate in Christmas Cash. Chamber members in good standing may register to take Christmas Cash for $25. The merchants then redeem the cash certificates at the Donley County State Bank for 95 cents on the dollar.

As of Tuesday morning, participating Christmas Cash merchants this year are: Cornell’s Country Store, Osburn Appliance, Country Bloomers, Ronna’s Creations, Stavenhagen Video, Henson’s, Every Nook & Cranny, Straight Off The Ranch, The Clarendon Enterprise, Mike’s Pharmacy, Lowe’s Family Center & Ace Hardware.

If you like silly fun comedy, you are going to love “The Americanization of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” at Clarendon College this weekend.

Performance dates are Friday, November 21, and Saturday, November 22, at 7 p.m. at the Clarendon College Harned Sister Auditorium.

This comedy theatre production takes the greatest of liberties with the original story written Robert Lewis Stevens. Clarendon College Theatre Director Leslie Schnaufer has adapted a play that tells the tale of outrageous situations with inept people as they act out their most violent and evil fantasies. This family production has a wonderful dose of good clean comedy thrown in to add a whole new flavor to the well-worn story.

The play centers on Dr. Jekyll, a mad scientist played by David Bell of Quail, who realizes the sinister side of his ego. We quickly meet the entire Jekyll family, Mother Jekyll is being played by Yesi Rodriguez of Stockton, California, and Miss Jekyll will be Kayla Adair of McLean. Alexandra Castaneda of Amherst, will be the society matron, and Samantha Green of Shamrock, will be playing the beautiful and shy girlfriend.

From Lefors, Brian McBee will be portraying the funny and disorientated side kick. The dual role of the twins will be wonderfully acted by Samantha Sanderson of Clarendon. Also, from Clarendon will be Tyler Smith as the golden-hearted butler.

Other characters that will bring light hearted fun to the production are the maid portrayed by Whitney Lane of Amarillo, law enforcers Shawn Willoughby of Ft. Elliot, and Riley Wilson of San Antonio, with a special guest appearance by Ben Estlack of Clarendon.

Student Directors for the college production are Kacee McGraw of Turkey, Christi Smith of Memphis, and Tyler Smith of Clarendon.

Special effect, lighting, stage design and music will be conducted by Mathew Martinez, Amanda Powell and Adam Topper, all of Clarendon. Other technical staff members include Kyle Lindsey of Hedley, Will Stubs of Corsicana, Heather Brandenburg of Garland.

Mikeyla Martin of McLean is the costume seamstress for the production.

Guest art and photography will be on display in the theatre foyer by Green Masque Drama Club Students Scottie Rodrigues of Memphis and Matthew Martinez of Clarendon.

Tickets are $5.00 for Adults and $1.00 for children. For reservations call 806-874-4826.

Four sophomore baseball players represented Clarendon College at this year’s Texas-New Mexico Fall All-Star game in Round Rock recently. Shane Clement, Sammy David, Miguel Cintron, and Michael Cruz were selected as all-stars by the conference coaches following their freshman season.

Shane Clement, Wimberley, posted a 7-3 record and a 3.76 ERA as a starting pitcher for the Bulldogs in 2014. In 69 innings pitched, Clement struck out 48 while only walking 16 and holding opposing hitters to a .291 average.

Sammy David, Guayama, Puerto Rico, hit .386 in 140 at-bats with 8 home runs, 13 doubles, 3 triples, and 38 RBI. David finished the season ranked second on the team in batting average, home runs, and RBI’s.

Miguel Cintron, Guayama, Puerto Rico, hit .362 in 138 at-bats with 5 home runs, 8 doubles, and 28 RBI. Along with his offensive success, Cintron was among the top infielders in the entire conference in posting a .981 fielding percentage with only 2 errors on the season at third base.

Michael Cruz, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, hit .442 in 172 at-bats while leading the team in each of the following categories: homeruns-10, doubles-17, triples-3, RBI-47, and on-base percentage-.508. Cruz was a 1st team all-conference and all-region selection as well as a 2nd team All-American.

“I am very proud of the accomplishments of these four players” said head coach Devin McIntosh. “All of them worked hard throughout the year and are deserving of the all-star selection. Each of them represented both the program and college in a positive manner in Round Rock and I look forward to more success in the 2015 season for each of them.”

AMARILLO – The District One 4-H Super Quiz Bowl was held Nov. 8 at Panhandle High School in Panhandle. More than 100 4-H members, including several Donley County teams, gathered to compete in Beef Quiz Bowl, Horse Quiz Bowl, Swine Quiz Bowl and Swine Skillathon.

The Quiz Bowl competition is used as a motivational tool to provide a fun way of encouraging members to learn project information said Shawnte Clawson, AgriLife Extension 4-H and youth development specialist. Quiz Bowl offers opportunities for youths to enhance and demonstrate their knowledge and skills related to 4-H projects in a semi-competitive setting where attitudes of friendliness, cooperation and fairness prevail, Clawson said.

The Donley County Senior Beef team made up of Blaine Ellis, Kati Adams, Clint Franks and Joseph Watson placed 1st and will advance on to State 4-H Roundup that will be held in June on the Texas A&M campus.

Also competing in the beef category was the team of Madison Smith, Ryan Ward and Cole Franks. The beef teams were coached by Dr. Guy Ellis.

Competing in the horse quiz bowl categories were the following teams coached by Shelly Hunsaker and Jenifer Pigg; Senior 1 placing 2nd and advancing to State Roundup Emilie Thompson, Sam Spillers, Shelby Musick and Easton Goodpasture; Senior 2 placing 3rd and also advancing were Alysse Simpson, Kelsey McAnear, Kade Hunsaker and Payton Havens; Intermediate 1 placing 1st Emily Johnson, Brandalyn Ellis, Darcie Hunsaker and Malerie Simpson; Intermediate 2 placing 3rd Braylee Sheilds, Tanner Burch, Clay Ward and Jayden Monds.

Also competing were the Intermediate teams of Brenna Ellis, Laney Gates and Hadleigh Halsell and Cutter Goodpasture, Calder Havens and Jodee Pigg.

The Junior team competing was Hailey Wilson, Levi Gates and Jared Musick.

The Lady Broncos kicked off their 2014-2015 basketball season at home last Tuesday night. Despite the 43-64 loss, the Lady Broncos gained valuable insight as to what they need to work on in practice.

Follett led the game in its entirety, but the Lady Broncos fought hard throughout. Clarendon only trailed by four points after the first eight minutes, but Follett opened up an eight-point lead at the break. The Lady Panthers rode that momentum until the final buzzer as the Lady Broncos could only get within 21 points of their opponent.

Carlee Johnson led the Lady Broncos with 13 and Taylor Gaines added 12. Hannah Howard finished with nine, Taylor DeGrate helped with seven, and Allyson Grahn and Hannah Hommel each had one point in the game.

On Friday night, the Lady Broncos went to Panhandle to take on the Pantherettes and fell short at 39-57. Clarendon led the entire first half, but a big-scoring third quarter for Panhandle changed the momentum for the Clarendon girls. The Lady Broncos made 10 out of 14 at the bonus line, but it was not enough to overtake Panhandle to get the win.

Grahn led the ladies on the scoreboard with 13. Gaines had 12, DeGrate added 10, and Hommel had 4.

The ladies will take on Highland Park at home on Friday, November 21, and host Perryton November 25. All Lady Bronco games will begin at 6:30 p.m.