Archives for February 2015

A high speed chase that ended in downtown Clarendon was one of several cases that had local law enforcement busy last week.

Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn said Armstrong County dispatchers got a call of a subject throwing litter out of a car west of Claude on Friday evening, January 30; and when a deputy responded the subject evaded and led officers on a chase into Donley County on US 287.

Donley County deputies successfully spiked three of the vehicle’s tires but were not able to stop the vehicle until it got downtown in front of City Hall.

Matthew Andrew Dunscombe, a 24-year-old resident of Tucson, Ariz., was placed under arrest for Evading Arrest and was subsequently arraigned before being returned to the custody of Armstrong County.

Blackburn said Dunscombe has “no criminal history to speak of,” and a search of his vehicle revealed no weapons or illegal substances.

Also on Friday night and early Saturday morning, two juveniles were arrested for theft of a motor vehicle. The vehicle was reported missing from East Barcus Street, and was stopped by a Donley County Deputy at Jefferson and Seventh streets. The 15-year-old driver and 14-year-old passenger were then detained in Randall County’s Youth Center of the High Plains.

Last Wednesday, January 28, a local deputy responded to a call of subject at Clarendon College in violation of a trespass warning. The subject, later identified as Clayton Shields of Lelia Lake, fled from the officer in a white Chevrolet pickup at high speeds in the city.

Shields eluded the officer and was later located on Farm Roads east of Clarendon. He was stopped and arrested by Sheriff Blackburn on FM 2471 and charged with Evading Arrest, Driving While Intoxicated, and Criminal Trespass.

 

Clarendon’s new city administrator is no stranger to the Panhandle and is looking forward to getting back to this area after accepting the position last week.

David Dockery, who was selected by the Board of Aldermen on January 27, brings with him more than 20 years of experience as a municipal employee, including nearly a decade in city administration.

“My wife and I are looking forward to coming to Clarendon and becoming a part of a community with such a fantastic heritage,” Dockery told the Enterprise.

Mr. and Mrs. Dockery were both raised and educated in Quanah, and Mr. Dockery had a plumbing business in that community before spending seven years as the director of public works in Chillicothe. He then spent 15 years working for Johnson City, starting as the director of public works and then adding city administrator to that title for about nine years.

“I had a lot of other titles, too,” Dockery said. “You wear a lot of hats in a small town.”

Johnson City has a population of about 1,800, according to the Census Bureau.

Dockery and his wife have family living in Quanah, Childress, and Amarillo, and the prospect of moving closer to “home” was just one of the things that attracted him to Clarendon.

“I was drawn to Clarendon by the community itself and the unlimited opportunity and potential I see for the city being strategically placed on US 287,” Dockery said. “I see the potential for growth for tourism and economic development.”

The new administrator was packing his Johnson City home this week in preparation for the move to Clarendon. A start date has not been set for Dockery while he looks for a place to stay, but he will be in the city this week to meet with Mayor Larry Hicks and other residents. His first goal on the job will be to familiarize himself with the city.

“I want to get acquainted with what’s in the works right now and then be part of the team that brings a bright future to Clarendon,” he said. “I want to be involved in faith and civic organizations.”

Dockery’s former activities include memberships in the Lions and Kiwanis clubs and a position on the board of the Pedernales Groundwater Conservation District.

Dockery said he will bring several characteristics to his new job, including leadership, customer service, a background in city finances, and a history of community development and improvements.

The new administrator also said he believes that some of Clarendon’s strengths are its residents and the dedicated employees who work for the city.

 

Tickets are going fast for the 2015 Chamber Awards banquet to be held next Thursday, February 12, at the Clarendon College Bairfield Activity Center.

Chamber officials urge everyone interested in attending the banquet to secure their tickets before noon this Friday, February 6. Seating is limited and tickets will not be available for sale at the door.

Tickets are $20 per person and are available at the Clarendon Visitor Center and The Clarendon Enterprise.

Businesses are also invited to purchase blocks of tickets by sponsoring tables at the banquet, featuring the Valentine’s theme of “Clarendon: Sweetheart of the Panhandle.” Table sponsors will decorate their tables to reflect their business and the theme of the banquet, and a prize will be given for the best table decoration.

Dr. Don Newbury will be the headline entertainment, and the Chamber will honor three of Donley County’s top citizens with the Saints’ Roost Award and Man and Woman of the Year and also recognize outstanding youth from Clarendon and Hedley high schools.

Newbury, the former president of Western Texas College in Snyder and Howard Payne University in Brownwood, is an acclaimed speaker and noted writer with his column, The Idle American, appearing in about 150 Texas newspapers, including the Enterprise.

He has addressed more than 250 annual Chamber of Commerce banquets across the United States and conducts seminars to stimulate community pride, and speaks for chamber boards at planning retreats.

This year’s Chamber event with the will begin at 6 p.m. with a reception and a silent auction followed by the banquet, entertainment, and awards at 7 p.m.

For more information, contact the Clarendon Visitor Center at 874-2421 or call the Enterprise at 874-2259.