Archives for October 2016

Several Donley County voters could hardly wait to cast their ballots when early voting began Monday, October 24.

County Clerk Fay Vargas said people were waiting before the election officials were even ready to go, and by day’s end, more than 140 people had cast early ballots. That’s about nine percent of the entire local turnout for the presidential election in 2012.

Interest is high in the race for president, but further down the ballot there is little excitement except for one local race drew a late challenger.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Wheatly is facing a write-in opponent from Neil Koetting. The race has generated some spirited advertising in the Lelia Lake community, and is the only office that is being contested locally.

Unopposed local candidates this year include Sheriff Butch Blackburn, County Attorney Landon Lambert, County Tax Assessor/Collector Linda Crump, and Precinct One Commissioner Mark White.

Local congressman, Rep. Mac Thornberry, is facing third party challenges, but State Rep. Ken King, District Judge Stuart Messer, and District Attorney Luke Inman are not.

Voters head to the polls this year with the state’s voter ID law facing legal challenges. Vargas says voters may be asked to show ID when they vote and the following forms of identification are acceptable: state driver’s license, a Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS, Texas personal identification card issued by DPS, or a Texas license to carry a handgun issued by DPS.

Other forms of ID accepted under the law are a US military ID card that includes a personal photo, a US citizenship certificate that includes a personal photo, or a US passport.

A July court ruling as provided some relief for voters who cannot “reasonably obtain” the proper ID. They may be asked to sign a form in which they swear that they have a “reasonable impediment” from obtaining appropriate identification. Even then, those voters may be asked to produce one of the following: a valid voter registration certificate, a certified birth certificate, or a copy or original of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other document that shows the voter’s name and address. Any government document that contains a voter’s photo must be an original.

Vargas also says that she has heard rumors that poll watchers may be out on election day to observe the voting process, but nothing is official yet.

Any poll watcher would be required to have certain paperwork allowing them to observe the election, and they may not watch anyone actually mark their ballot.

Early voting by personal appearance continues through November 4. Mail-in ballots are due in the clerk’s office by October 28. Election Day will be Tuesday, November 8.

Family friendly activities are being prepared in Clarendon as Halloween approaches next Monday.

Trick or Treating will be observed on the usual day, Monday, October 31, but that will be preceded by a fun evening this Saturday, October 29, at the Sandell Drive-In theatre.

Gates at the drive-in will open at 5 p.m. with a costume contest being held and a Trunk or Treat being held for the kids. Admission is $5 per person with gate proceeds going to benefit Girl Scout Troop 5245.

A dusk the Sandell will hold a Halloween double feature with Goosebumps followed by the Night of the Living Dead. The full concession stand will be open during the evening.

Businesses and individuals wishing to participate in the Sandell’s trunk or treat or for more information about the costume contest should call Deb at 806-847-7292.

More trunk or treating will be held at two local churches on Monday.

The First United Methodist Church will hold its annual Trunk or Treat from 5:30 to 8 p.m. with a free chili and cornbread dinner being held in the Fellowship Hall at the same time.

The First Assembly of God will also hold its annual Trunk or Treat from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and kids attending that event can enjoy activities, games, and treats.

The public is advised to use caution when driving around town Monday evening, being sure to watch out for children so that everyone has a safe and happy Halloween.

Donley County Commissioners met in regular session October 11 and considered several items on their agenda.

The court discussed a proposal to add electrical outlets on the jail and the west side of the Courthouse Annex to better accommodate Christmas lights on that side of the square.

County Judge John Howard said the proposal was for about $2,000, but commissioners took no action on the proposal at this time.

The county is planning to install a water well on that side of the square to alleviate the expense of watering the courthouse lawn. When electrical is run for the future well, accommodations for lighting outlets could be made at that time, the judge said.

The county also received an update on flood control dams on the JA and Crofoot ranch properties. USDA Soil & Water Conservation representative Weldon Sears reported that the dams were in better shape than expected.

District Attorney Luke Inman reported on Chapter 59 Asset Forfeitures, which partially funds some expenses of the DA’s office and is partially used for law enforcement equipment in the district. Howard said their may be a move by the Legislature to change how that process works in the future that could result in less money staying in the local area.

Commissioners approved a resolution for the 2017 Indigent Defense Grant, which brings about $6,700 worth of revenue to the county.

Tax delinquent property bids were accepted for lots in Howardwick as presented by the Donley Appraisal District.

The court approved Judge Howard’s attendance at a mental health law symposium in Lubbock.

The case of a Donley County man was among those heard by the District Court when it met in Childress on Monday, October 24.

Fourteen pleas took place as District Attorney Luke Inman, assisted by Greg Buckley, prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas, with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.

Richard Audwin Shields was placed on probation for a period of six years for the third degree felony offense of deadly weapon.  Shields pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Shields, age 48, from Lelia Lake, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place on January 2, 2016, by Donley County Deputy Jay Logan. Shields was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on June 20, 2016.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Shields was required to pay a fine of $2,500 to Donley County, $398 in court costs, and successfully complete 200 hours of community service. If Shields violates probation, he could face up to 10 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.

Brandon Kyle Harris, 39 from Corpus Christi, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to six years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ for the third degree felony offense of evading arrest.

Patrick Rodriguez, 26 from Memphis, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to 16 months in the State Jail Division of TDCJ for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance.

Spencer Coleton Roberson was placed on probation for a period of three years for the third degree felony offense of prohibited substance in a correctional facility.  Roberson pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Baron Lee McQueen was placed on probation for a period of six years for the first degree felony offense of aggravated assault against a public servant.  McQueen pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Nathan C Frazier, 23 from Childress, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to 14 months in the State Jail Division of TDCJ for the state jail felony offense of forgery.

Billy Ryan Harrison, 21 from Childress, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to six years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ for the third degree felony offense of assault family violence by choking.

Foster Mack Sheffield, 36 from Caddo Mills, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to 20 months in the State Jail Division of TDCJ for the state jail felony of possession of a controlled substance.

Sheffield was also convicted for the third degree felony offense of failure to appear and sentenced to six years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ.

Ricardo Carballo-Lopez was placed on probation for a period of two years for the state jail felony offense of fraudulent use of identifying information.  Carballo pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Shawna Marie Ellis, 25 from Amarillo, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to 14 months in the State Jail Division of TDCJ for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance.

Melissa Gay Jones was placed on probation for a period of four years for the second degree felony offense of burglary of a habitation.  Jones pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Matthew Pomes was placed on probation for a period of three years for the state jail felony offense of unauthorized use of a vehicle.  Pomes pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Clarendon College Ranch Horse team member Dee Oles won the Ranch Hand class at the Post Stampede RHAA show as well as Top Hand at the Canadian Ranch Rodeo recently.

Fellow team member Zane Davis also ended up 6th in a tough cowboy class of 18 at Post as well.

Gracie Paul competed at the Duck and Pony Show in Coldwater, Kan., and made the finals in the ranch horse competition.

The next stop for the ranch horse team is Abilene SHOT show on October 28-29.

The Clarendon College Stampede was a huge success with 548 contestants from 17 schools competing from the Southwest Region.

Stampede officials told the Enterprise that this was the biggest number of contestants ever for an NIRA rodeo in this region.

Clarendon College had three Saddle Bronc Riders and a Team Roper in the finals.

Tyler Turco won 4th in the first round of saddle bronc riding but was bucked off in the finals. Kyle Hash and Robert Haley made the finals in the bronc riding as well.

Hash also made the finals in the Team Roping and won second in the finals and split 2nd and 3rd in the average.

With contestants from 17 colleges and universities in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association involved, qualifying events were held all day with nightly performances held at 7:30 p.m. each evening.

Activities each day included bull riding, barrel racing, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, goat tying, and break-away roping.

The Clarendon College Rodeo team will have one week off before their last rodeo of the semester at Texas Tech.