Archives for February 2017
PEAK Scholarship
ADA compliance cost may not be be as high for city
The City of Clarendon has gotten some breathing room on federal requirements to upgrade City Hall, according to information presented as last Thursday’s regular meeting of the City Council.
Officials had been informed before the New Year that a condition of USDA funding for water system improvements would be the total compliance of City Hall with the Americans With Disabilities Act. An ADA assessment of the building then led to projections of $100,000 to $200,000 that could be needed to upgrade the 1918 building.
Further discussions with USDA, however, has resulted in more flexibility in those requirements, City Administrator David Dockery told aldermen last week.
Dockery said USDA will give the city three years to bring the building into compliance, provided that the city develops a plan and a budget to meet certain objectives each year. Additionally, requirements calling for electrical switches and receptacles to be made ADA complicate were eliminated entirely, which resulted in about $40,000 in potential savings, the administrator said.
As the first step in making plans and developing a budget for the ADA compliance work, aldermen approved a $2,100 proposal from the architectural firm of Playa Design Studios in Amarillo. Playa’s work will allow the first upgrades to be planned for in the 2018 fiscal year and will allow the city to continue with its USDA funded water system improvements.
In other city business, aldermen approved the audit report for fiscal year 2016 as presented by Foster & Lambert, approved a backup animal control agreement with the City of Pampa, and approved changes to the city’s employee handbook.
The council met closed session with the city’s attorney regarding a tort claim. Following the closed session, the aldermen approved a motion to allow the city attorney to negotiate in the case.
Aldermen approved a motion to call a general election for the positions of mayor and two aldermen on May 6, 2017. Britton Hall at that time had filed to run for alderman, and Mayor Sandy Skelton and Alderman Nathan Floyd announced their intentions to seek re-election.
In his administrator’s report, Dockery said that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality had notified the city of additional testing that will be required of the city’s water supply. Dockery said the notice came about because water wells were brought online by Greenbelt Water Authority during a drought declaration. With the lifting of that declaration, certain requirements that were previously exempted must now be met and therefore additional tests are required.
District court hears pleas in six cases in Clarendon
The district court heard six pleas when it convened in Clarendon on Monday, January 23.
District Attorney Luke Inman prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas, with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.
Matthew Eugene Lucas was placed on probation for a period of two years for the Class A misdemeanor offense of possession of marihuana. Lucas pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.
Lucas, 27 from Bedford, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place on May 15, 2016 by DPS Trooper Lynn Mays. Lucas plead to an information filed by the State on October 21, 2016.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Lucas is required to pay $458 in court costs, a $4,000 fine upfront, $180 restitution, and complete 100 hours of community service. If Lucas violates probation, he could face up to one year in the Donley County Jail.
Danny Wayne Mullins was convicted for the third degree felony offense of driving while intoxicated 3rd or more and was sentenced to 10 years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ, but the sentence was probated for a period of three years.
Mullins, 43, from Clarendon, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place on August 7, 2016 by DPS Trooper Justin Dillman. Mullins was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on October 3, 2016.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Mullins is required to pay $573 in court costs, a $3,000 fine, $60 lab fee, complete 200 hours of community service, and all DWI requirements under Chapter 49.
Cesar Bello was convicted for the third degree felony offense of driving while intoxicated 3rd or more and was sentenced to two years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ.
Bello, 42, from Dumas, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place on August 12, 2016 by DPS Trooper Kellan Roberts. Bello was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on December 12, 2016.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Bello is required to pay $573 in court costs and a $60 lab fee.
Rickey Lewis Row was convicted for the third degree felony offense of driving while intoxicated 3rd or more and was sentenced to four years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ.
Row, 58, from Clarendon, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place on October 15, 2016 by DPS Trooper Chad Baize. Row was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on December 12, 2016. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Row is required to pay $573 in court costs.
Donnie Ray Matthews was placed on probation for a period of one year for the Class A misdemeanor offense of deadly conduct. Matthews pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.
Matthews, 57 from Memphis, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place on May 29, 2016 by DPS Trooper Kellan Roberts. Matthews was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on October 3, 2016.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Matthews is required to pay $573 in court costs, a $4,000 fine, $60 restitution, and complete 100 hours of community service. If Matthews violates probation, he could face up to one year in the Donley County Jail.
Devin Shay Lambert was placed on probation for a period of ten years for the second degree felony offense of sexual assault of a child. Lambert pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.
Lambert, 18 from Shamrock, was arrested in Hall County for the offense that took place on June 1, 2016 by Memphis Police Chief Chris Jolly. Lambert was indicted by a Hall County Grand Jury on December 14, 2016.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Lambert is required to pay $381 in court costs, a $1,000 fine, complete 300 hours of community service, and register as a sex offender. If Lambert violates probation, he could face up to 20 years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ.
Red River Inn earns highest Best Western quality award
The Best Western Plus Red River Inn has received the Best Western Chairman’s Award, the hotel chain’s highest honor for outstanding quality standards.
The Chairman’s Award recognizes Best Western International hotels with a cleanliness and maintenance score in the top five percent of more than 2,100 properties in North America. Hotels must also meet Best Western’s requirements for design and high customer service scores to qualify for the award.
“Receiving the Chairman’s Award from Best Western is a tremendous honor,” said Steve Hall, General Manager. “It recognizes our commitment to providing accommodations of the highest quality for visitors to this area. Our entire staff works diligently on a daily basis to achieve this level of excellence. We are proud of what we have accomplished and proud to be part of this community.”
H-wick recognized as Firewise community
The City of Howardwick was recognized as a Firewise Community by the Texas Forest Service during a presentation on January 19.
The program gives local volunteers certified training in methods to prevent wildfires in communities, according to Heidi Phelps, a member of the Howardwick Firewise Committee and the Howardwick Fire Bees.
Phelps said Howardwick is one of only four communities in the Panhandle to receive this designation by the forest service.
Since 2002, The Firewise Communities/USA Recognition Program has empowered neighbors to work together in reducing their wildfire risk. There are more than 1,300 recognized Firewise communities from across the nation, taking action and ownership in preparing and protecting their homes against the threat of wildfire.
Using a five-step process, communities develop an action plan that guides their residential risk reduction activities, while engaging and encouraging their neighbors to become active participants in building a safer place to live.
Steps to become a Firewise community include:
Obtain a wildfire risk assessment as a written document from your state forestry agency or fire department. Form a board or committee and create an action plan based on the assessment; Conduct a “Firewise Day” event; Invest a minimum of $2 per capita in local Firewise actions for the year; and Submit an application to the state forest service.
Broncos’ defense is the name of the game
By Sandy Anderberg
The 20-2 Clarendon Broncos kept up their winning streak last week as they rolled over Memphis at home and Wheeler on the road.
That overall winning record, which includes going 5-0 so far in district, has given the Broncos a high state ranking according to the coaches’ poll. After this week, the Broncos will only have three regular season games left.
The Broncos easily defeated the Cyclones, 79-40, with their quickness on defense and their great offensive execution. The Broncos took the early lead in the first quarter of play and were able to turn up their game before the break to take a commanding lead.
The Cyclones were helpless to stop their attack and the Broncos coasted to the win.
Marshal Johnson completely dominated inside and the team was able to feed him the ball all night. Johnson finished with 30 points. Bear Smith and Jacob Jeffers also finished in double figures to help lead their team to the win with 16 and 11 points respectively. Smith also grabbed nine rebounds. Bryce Grahn scored six points, but had four rebounds, six assists, four steals, and two deflections.
Chance Lockhart added six points, six assists, and three steals, and Colt Wood had six points (including one three-pointer), six assists, and four rebounds. Damarjae Cortez had two points and three deflections and Keandre Cortez added two points with two deflections.
“Marshal had a great game shooting the ball,” head coach Brandt Lockhart said. “We did a good job of playing team defense and our guards did a great job of getting Marshal the ball.”
The Broncos had a little tougher win against the Wheeler Mustangs Friday night. They were able to defeat them 45-31. Lockhart felt the Broncos’ defense was key in the win.
“Overall we did not play our best game, but did a good job on defense,” he said.
The Broncos led the entire game, but the Mustangs kept it somewhat close in the first half of play. Lockhart hit two-three pointers for a total of 15 to lead the Broncos on the board, and Johnson added 10.
Wood hit one three and finished with nine, while D. Cortez had five. Smith helped with four, and K. Cortez and Jeffers each had one. Smith grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the team and Lockhart had eight. He also had three assists and two steals. Wood had four assists and three steals, Grahn had three assists, and Johnson had two steals.
The Broncos will travel to Panhandle Friday, February 3, and host Claude on Tuesday, February 7, beginning at 8:00 p.m.
Lady Broncos slam Memphis, Wheeler
By Sandy Anderberg
The Lady Broncos needed a good week at home and on the road to stay alive in the playoff race as their season comes to an end. They did just that by getting wins over Memphis and Wheeler. Their spot in the playoffs is secure with two games remaining.
The ladies took on Memphis at home Tuesday night and defeated them 45-35. The game was tight in the first quarter of play, but the Lady Broncos were able to have a solid shooting game in the second eight minutes to give them the momentum going into the break. Memphis was able to close the gap slightly after halftime, but the Lady Broncos stayed focused to get the win.
“The girls rallied in the fourth quarter against Memphis by taking care of the ball and making their free-throws to pull ahead of the Lady Cyclones,” coach Korey Conkin said. “We needed to have a solid game, four quarters of focused play. We have struggled on our home court, which is frustrating and hard to understand. We finally played well at the Broncos Gymnasium.
“Briana Butler led the way in the point guard position and was solid throughout all four quarters. Shaelyn stepped up and went four of four from the line in the fourth to help seal the deal.”
Butler hit three big three-pointers and finished with 19 points to lead the Lady Broncos on the scoreboard. Shaelyn Owiti hit one three and added 11 points. Berkeley Alexander hit six from inside, and Briley Chadwick helped with five. Hannah Howard added two, and Hannah Hommel helped with one.
Wheeler was a closer game for the ladies, but they pulled out a 37-32 win to stay in contention for the playoffs. After trailing by five in the first quarter, the Lady Broncos stepped up their offense to tie the game at 14 all at the break. Defense was key after the break as the ladies held the Lady Stangs to only one point in the third quarter. They stayed solid in the final eight minutes to get the win. Owiti hit three three-pointers and finished with 13 and Butler added 10. Jensen Hatley shot the three ball well hitting two big shots and helped with eight. Howard, Hommel, and Alexander added two points each.
“We struggled with their defensive pressure in the beginning,” Conkin said. “Shaelyn got hot from the three-point line in the second to five us a spark.” Conkin was pleased with their performance from the bonus line at the end of the game. “The girls shot well from the free throw line in the final minutes to grab the victory,” she said. “We concentrated on blocking out all week in practice and they handled the challenge well. We hope to continue to improve I this area as well as handling defensive pressure with confidence.”
The Lady Broncos will finish district play this week with games at Panhandle on Friday, February 3, and a game at home on Tuesday, February 7, against Claude.
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