A time to give
Archives for December 2016
Angel Tree
Voices raised
Wildfire consumes 432 acres
A wildfire threatened three homes and burned 432 acres in the Lelia Lake area last Friday before being brought under control.
Clarendon Fire Chief Jeremy Powell reports that the blaze started from an unknown source of ignition and the cause is under investigation by state and local authorities.
The fire started about 0.4 miles west of FM 1260 on County Road V and was reported shortly after 2 p.m. by an employee of the Texas Department of Transportation.
Powell reported that the fire traveled east and northeast crossing FM 1260, burning about two miles and crossing County Road 17. It then burned about another half mile before being brought under control.
Three homes and several other outbuildings and livestock were threatened, Powell said, but no losses were reported except to fences and rangeland.
The weather was constant worry in fighting the fire, which threatened the safety of the Lelia Lake community. The blaze could have caused much more damage due to the conditions at the time with a temperature of 73°F, humidity of 20 percent, and winds gusting 38 to 52 mph from the west and southwest.
Fire was contained by 6 p.m., but Clarendon volunteer firemen remained on scene until 5 a.m.
The Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department responded with 10 units and 21 firemen. The Howardwick Fire Department sent one unit and three firemen, and the Hedley Fire Department sent three units and three firemen.
Also responding were the Memphis Fire Department with two units and six firemen; Donley County motor graders from precincts 1, 3, and 4 along with four county personnel; the Texas Forest Service with one engine, two dozers, and nine personnel; Donley County EMS, the Donley County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of Public Safety.
Powell also said that the assistance given from numerous landowners was greatly appreciated.
SWEPCO seeking rate hike
SHREVEPORT, La. – AEP Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), a unit of American Electric Power last week submitted a request to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) to increase the company’s Texas rates by approximately $69 million annually.
If approved, new rates could go into effect in mid-to-late 2017.
The primary need for new revenue is to cover $34.4 million annually for additional investment in environmental controls at four major power plants. The investments are necessary to comply with new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.
“The goal is always to serve Texas customers with a strong electric system that provides affordable, reliable and safe energy,” said Venita McCellon-Allen, SWEPCO President and Chief Operating Officer. “After investing nearly $700 million to fulfill new federal mandates, we believe SWEPCO has responsibly met these environmental and financial challenges in order to maintain a diverse energy mix with reliable 24/7 power sources serving our customers.”
The request includes four major components:
- $34.4 million for new environmental controls at four power plants to comply with EPA mandates. Plant locations include Welsh Plant Units 1 and 3 at Pittsburg, Texas; Pirkey Plant at Hallsville, Texas; Dolet Hills Plant at Mansfield, La.; and Flint Creek Plant at Gentry, Ark.
- $8 million for a change in transmission cost recovery to align with actual incurred regional transmission costs in the Southwest Power Pool – to help ensure reliability and access to affordable power through the regional transmission system.
- $2 million for additional vegetation management dollars to clear transmission and distribution lines and to improve service reliability, especially during storms.
- $24.5 million for additional generation, transmission and distribution investment, and changes in operating costs to continue delivering affordable, reliable and safe energy to homes, businesses and communities.
If approved by the PUCT, overall rates would increase annually by approximately $69 million, an average increase of about 12.7 percent. This is the net amount of the proposed annual base rate increase of $105.9 million minus $36.9 million for existing transmission and distribution charges that are currently shown as line items on customers’ bills and will be moved to base rates. Base rates reflect the costs of building, maintaining and operating SWEPCO’s electric system, including power plants, transmission and distribution lines, and facilities to serve customers. Base rates do not include the fuel portion of customers’ bills, which pays for fuel and purchased power and is passed through to customers with no profit to the company.
Residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month would see an estimated increase of $12.67 per month, or 13 percent. Increases for individual customers will vary depending on each customer’s usage characteristics.
“We work hard to provide high quality customer service while at the same time managing our costs and continuing to make needed investments in generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure. We recognize the impact that price increases can have on individuals, families and businesses. We believe our electric rates will continue to provide good value for the money,” McCellon-Allen said.
“Even with this proposed increase, SWEPCO rates will be close to the current state average for utilities serving the regulated parts of the state, and still well below the national average,” McCellon-Allen said.
SWEPCO serves 530,000 customers, including 184,000 in East Texas and the Texas Panhandle, 230,000 in northwestern and central Louisiana and 116,000 in western Arkansas. The company’s headquarters are in Shreveport, La. More information is available at SWEPCO.com. American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity and custom energy solutions to nearly 5.4 million customers in 11 states.
Workforce group offers assistance to area
The Panhandle region’s low-income residents have some exciting new opportunities for training thanks to a monetary award from the Texas Workforce Commission.
Interested individuals are invited to explore career pathways in the fields of medical and nursing, computer systems, auto mechanics, office administration, bookkeeping, welding, professional driving, management, law enforcement and more by visiting with career specialists at Workforce Solutions Panhandle to discuss the possibilities.
Some of the jobs in high demand across the Texas Panhandle with training opportunities available through Workforce Solutions Panhandle include:
- Welders, Cutters & Welder Fitters – “hands-on” individuals using mechanical design skills, with flame-cutting equipment, to weld and join metal components together. Salary: $37,420 per year.
- Licensed Vocational Nurses – dependable individuals, with concern for others, providing basic care for patients in hospitals, nursing homes and clinics. Salary: $42,490 per year.
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC) Mechanics – detail-oriented individuals, using problem-solving skills to install or repair heating, central air conditioning, or refrigeration systems, involving occasional use of technology. Salary: $46,333 per year.
Additional information is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in person at Workforce Solutions Panhandle, 1206 SW 7th Avenue in Amarillo; by telephone at the main numbers of (806) 372-5521 or 1-877-967-5228; and anytime online at www.wspanhandle.com.
Look also for the new Workforce Solutions Mobile Office as it visits various communities across the Panhandle starting in January.
The Incentive Award of $30,000 was presented to the Panhandle Workforce Development Board at the Texas Workforce Commission’s 20th Annual Texas Workforce Conference held recently in Houston. The Panhandle Workforce Development Board provides employers and job seekers access to training services through the local Workforce Solutions offices.
As one of 28 local workforce boards, Panhandle serves the workforce needs of Armstrong, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Childress, Collingsworth, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Donley, Gray, Hall, Hansford, Hartley, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, Swisher, and Wheeler counties through locally designed, market-driven workforce development initiatives and services.
Editorial: Actual vote confirms Trump win
As 2016 draws to a close, a final act of weirdness befell America this week when Donald Trump was actually elected president of the United States.
This was pretty much a foregone conclusion in November, but with the ups and downs we’ve seen this year, nothing was certain as members of the Electoral College cast their votes – the only ones that really mattered – on Monday and formally elected Trump.
One article I read from a reliable news source said this was the first time since 1872 that there has been more than one “faithless electors.” Two Texas electors did not cast their ballots for Trump – one went with former US Rep. Ron Paul and the other went for Ohio Gov. John Kasich. Hillary Clinton had four of her electors from Washington state defect and vote for other people.
So unless something extraordinary happens, Trump will become president next month, and America is in for an interesting time to be sure.
Trump is loud, brash, and unrestrained. The decorum of the presidency, therefore, will be markedly different than anything we’ve seen in our lifetimes.
There is no controlling Donald Trump. For better or worse, he’s his own man and will do as he damn well pleases, no matter whose toes he steps on.
There are some toes that need stomping in Washington. Some bureaucrats need to be reminded they are not omnipotent, and the government as a whole needs a lesson that “business as usual” just isn’t working for many Americans.
The challenge for America is how it responds to Trump. He needs to be supported when he’s right and working for the common good, but he needs to be challenged – by both parties – when (not if) he goes off the rails. And we need to stay true to the things that have made America great in the past as the new administration seeks to make it great “again.”
America is a nation of immigrants. The nation needs to be mindful of that and cognizant of the strength that the “melting pot” of cultures has been for this country.
Some of our basic tenants are freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion. These freedoms must be applied equally or they are meaningless. Free speech covers the right to offend or it is not free. A free press will by its nature step on the toes of those in power. And religious freedom does not just apply to evangelical Christian nationalists. It applies to Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Native Americans, and any other faith you can think of.
If we can’t rally around those simple liberties, that there is no way America will ever be great… either now or again. Soon-to-be President Trump has indicated he has trouble understanding that. It will be up to the People and members of his own party to make sure he has some clarity on the subject as we move forward.
God willing, the new president’s better angels will guide him as the new year gets underway. Let’s hope so.
Meanwhile…
Looking back on 2016, we would like to thank each of you for your continued support for this newspaper. Since 1878, we have been bringing you the news each week and chronicling our community’s ups and downs. But that could not be possible if it were not for our advertisers and readers.
We also want to thank the contributions of Morgan Wheatly and Tara Allred. Without them, you would not be reading this because they play an extremely important role in producing this paper each week. And let’s not forget Kari Lindsey, Sandy Anderberg, Peggy Cockerham, Kathy Spier, and everyone who contributes pictures, articles, and information to help us bring you the news. Ashlee and I appreciate all of you. We thank you for your efforts and look forward to working with you in the new year.
Speaking of Ashlee, I would personally like to thank her for all her contributions to the Enterprise and for keeping me sane but most of all for putting up with this crusty old editor for these last 12 years of wedded bliss. Happy anniversary, Sunshine!
To everyone, Merry Christmas from our family to yours, and may God richly bless you in the new year.
Broncos Lockney Tournament Champs
By Sandy Anderberg
The Clarendon Broncos remain undefeated at 12-0 with their recent championship over Lockney in the Lockney Tournament December 15-17. The Broncos played the host team in the championship game and came home with the 72-54 win and first place trophy.
After trailing by three after the first eight minutes, the Broncos turned up the heat and scored 27 points to only 11 for their opponent. However, Lockney was able to come back somewhat after break, which caused the Broncos to turn up the heat in the final quarter of the game to get the win.
Keandre Cortez led the Broncos with 18, Chance Lockhart put in 15, Bryce Grahn had 14, and Marshal Johnson added 11. Bear Smith put in seven, Colt Wood had five, and Jacob Jeffers helped with two. Johnson and Grahn had seven rebounds each, and Wood had six assists. Lockhart and Grahn helped with four assists each. Grahn had four steals and Cortez had thee.
The Broncos got to the championship round by defeating Tahoka in the first round of play at 84-40. They were able to handle Tahoka completely and never allowed them to be a part of the game.
Six Broncos finished in double figures with Johnson leading the way with 20. Lockhart put in 15 and Grahn added 14. Smith each had 11 and Wood and Jeffers each finished with 10, and K. Cortez helped with four. Johnson finished with 12 rebounds giving him a double-double and Grahn and Smith each had eight. Grahn helped with 11 assists and Wood had seven. Grahn also had eight steals with K. Cortez getting four.
The Broncos went up against the Lubbock Titans in the second round and breezed by them, 78-38. Great defensive play propelled the Broncos to the win and allowed them to coast offensively.
Lockhart put in 17, Smith 16, Johnson 12, and Grahn 10. K. Cortez had nine and Damarjae Cortez helped with seven. Once again Johnson grabbed 12 rebounds and Grahn had eight. Wood and D. Cortez each had four assists, and Grahn and K. Cortez had eight and five steals respectively.
The Broncos will participate in the Bridgeport Holiday Tournament December 29-30.
Lady Broncos stampede Lady Kiowas
By Sandy Anderberg
The Lady Broncos traveled to Booker before the Christmas break and brought home a huge 55-25 win. The Lady Kiowas were unable to stop the Lady Broncos as they set a strong defense.
With opening quarters of 13 points each, the Lady Broncos surged ahead by 10 at the break. They were able to maintain that lead and control the momentum in the game. They also sealed the win early in the fourth quarter.
Brianna Butler was on fire finishing with 21 points and Jensen Hatley had the hot hand from the three-point line as she nailed four three-pointers for a total of 12 points. Shaelyn Owiti hit two threes and added eight, while Berkeley Alexander added six from inside. Hannah Hommel had four, and Briley Chadwick finished the game with two.
Over the weekend, the Lady Broncos participated in the Lockney Tournament and went up against Happy in the first round. They fought to the end, but fell short by at 32-34.
They trailed the Cowgirls by five after one quarter, but only trailed by three at the break. A poor-shooting third quarter stifled the Lady Broncos somewhat and Happy was able to build a bigger lead going into the final quarter. The Lady Broncos staged a comeback, but the clock was not on their side and they lost by two.
“We had a slow start against Happy,” coach Korey Conkin said. “We have to learn to start every game with energy and intensity.”
Shaelyn Owiti led the ladies on the scoreboard with15, and Brianna Butler added nine. Berkeley Alexander put in seven, and Hannah Howard finished with two.
They took on Tahoka in the next round and suffered another close loss at 49-52. They began the game trailing their opponent, but they fought hard and worked their way back in the game in the following minutes. Tahoka led the entirety, but the Lady Broncos could not contain Tahoka’s best player.
“This was another close game against Tahoka,” Conkin said. “They had one very good shooter and we struggled to stop her. We had our chances but came up short.”
Alexander was strong inside and finished with 15 and Butler helped with 11. Chadwick had six, Hatley had five, Emily Johnson and Hommel put in three each, and Howard and Owiti added two each.
The Lady Broncos took on Ralls in the final round and easily defeated them, 77-22. It was never a contest as Ralls had trouble stopping them.
The Lady Broncos were able to shoot a little over 50 percent from the free throw line, and Owiti connected on five from the three-point line. She finished with 27 points to lead the Lady Broncos.
Butler had 16 and Alexander put in nine. Hatley, Kira Weatherton, Brandalyn Ellis, Hommel, and Chadwick each put in four points and Howard and Johnson had two each.
“This was a much better outing for the girls,” Conkin said. “We played great defense and had a total team effort where each girl scored.”
The Lady Broncos will participate in the Gruver Tournament over the holidays on December 28-30.
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