Grease Lightning
Archives for July 2017
No injuries in rollover
Ice cream shop sets opening
An old Clarendon name will grace the newest business on Kearney Street when it opens next weekend.
Stocking’s Ice Cream Parlor will hold its grand opening Friday and Saturday, August 4 and 5 from 2:00 to 10 p.m. and will feature homemade ice cream, sundaes, malts, milkshakes, and more.
Owner Virginia Patten and her husband, Brit, named the business after Dr. Jerome Daniel Stocking and his family, who occupied the same building at 116 S. Kearney from its construction in the 1890s up until the early 1970s.
“I am so excited about this,” Patten said. “I think it will be something nice for Clarendon.”
Stocking was a New York native who moved to Clarendon in 1885 at the urging of Col. Charles Goodnight and J.B. McClelland. He was the first physician to settle in the Panhandle. He opened a drug store in old Clarendon and moved his business to the present townsite in 1887. He later helped established Clarendon College and served on its board for many years. He died in 1918, but his drug store continued until his family sold it in 1973.
Patten’s family operated a grocery store adjacent to the Stocking building until the late 1990s, and her father, Jack Clifford, and uncle, Fred Clifford, obtained the property. The most recent business to occupy the space was Straight Off The Ranch, which made custom leather goods.
When the space became open in June, Patten thought an ice cream parlor would benefit the community. Tommy Hill was contracted to remodel the space and is putting the finishing touches on the job now.
Patten says Stocking’s will stay open late and will be available after football games and other community events.
Stocking’s will feature homemade ice cream from an Amarillo source and sorbet treats similar to Popsicles. Customers will be able to sample several ice cream flavors at once by purchasing a “flight,” and topping choices will include praline pecans and roasted, salted pecans from the San Saba Pecan Company.
San Saba pecans will also be available for sale at Stocking’s along with Patten’s homemade fudge. A party room will be available for small gatherings at the parlor, and an original “Stocking’s Drug Store” sign will be among the décor in the new business.
Estlack receives Hudson Award
Clarendon Enterprise publisher Roger Estlack received the West Texas Press Association’s Harold Hudson Award last Friday during the WTPA’s annual convention in Granbury.
The award is given to an individual who has significantly contributed to the publishing industry and West Texas Press Association and is given in memory of the late Harold Hudson, publisher of the Perryton Herald and prominent member and past president of WTPA, the Panhandle Press Association, the Texas Press Association, and and the National Newspaper Association.
This year’s Hudson award was presented by last year’s winner, Lisa Davis of the Wise County Messenger in Decatur.
Estlack is graduate of Clarendon High School, Clarendon College, and Texas Tech University; and for the past 22 years has been the owner, publisher and editor of the Texas Panhandle’s oldest newspaper, The Clarendon Enterprise.
He is a past president of the WTPA and Panhandle Press Association and the current secretary of PPA.
He is the secretary of the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation and has worked to save the historic Mulkey Theatre. He is also the president of the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce and secretary of the Clarendon Lions Club. He is serving as Worshipful Master of Clarendon Masonic Lodge #700, is the Cubmaster of Cub Scout Pack 437, and is active in the Al Morrah Shrine Club and the First United Methodist Church.
He married Ashlee Estlack in 2004, and they have two children – Benjamin and Elaina – and all together they are the fourth and fifth generations of the Estlack family to cover the news in Donley County. His parents, Allen and Helen Estlack, were also very instrumental in making the paper what it is today. They passed away in 2006 and 2009 respectively.
The WTPA recognized Estlack for his work in community journalism, fighting for improvements and keeping his finger on the pulse of the community while covering everything from local events to the hometown boy in the United States Congress. Among the many articles he has written, he has covered Open Meeting Act violations, Facebooked severe weather information, editorialized against religious bigotry, helped bring high speed Internet to local communities, and supported the restoration of the 1890 Donley County Courthouse.
Under his leadership, the Enterprise has won regional, state, and national awards for its coverage of the community.
Also during last weekend’s WTPA convention, the Enterprise received two first place plaques for Advertising and Special Sections among weekly newspapers in Division D. The paper received a second place award for Feature Writing and third place for General Excellence and was third overall in its division for the Sweepstakes Award.
Attending the conference and representing the Enterprise was Roger, Ashlee, and Elaina Estlack.
Contested hearing leads to 25-year prison sentence
A contested hearing led to a 25-year prison sentence for one defendant when the district court met in Panhandle last Wednesday, July 19.
District Attorney Luke Inman, with Assistant District Attorney Harley Caudle, prosecuted the case for the State of Texas with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.
Dakota James Lindsey pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and a contested punishment hearing was heard by Messer. After all the evidence was produced by both parties, Messer sentenced Lindsey to 25 years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ for the first degree felony offense of theft.
Lindsey, 23 from Amarillo, was originally placed on community supervision on August 22, 2016, for the first degree felony offense of theft that took place on May 1, 2015.
Lindsey’s theft investigation was conducted by DPS Texas Ranger Division Scott Swick. Swick’s investigation led to the August 9, 2016 conviction of Lindsey’s co-defendant, Max Rippetoe, who was sentenced to 23 years in TDCJ.
After Rippetoe’s plea, Lindsey was placed on deferred adjudication for ten years, was assessed a $250 fine, $77,729.20 in restitution to the victim, $801.25 in jail restitution, and was required to successfully complete 400 hours of community service.
The State filed its motion to adjudicate on March 6, 2017, alleging four violations of community supervision which were failure to report, failure to pay fines, fees and restitution, and failure to complete community service hours.
After plea negotiations failed on July 18, 2017, a contested hearing was scheduled for the next day. During the punishment hearing, the State called three witnesses.
Becky Fuller, the 100th Judicial District Community Supervision and Corrections Department director, testified that after pleading guilty in August, Lindsey failed to ever report or pay anything towards his probation.
Mark White, a 100th Judicial District CSCD officer, testified that before filing a violation report with the District Attorney’s Office, Lindsey had not performed any community service hours, nor had he done anything else he was required to do pursuant to the orders of community supervision.
Kirk Daniels with the Potter County CSCD testified that after Lindsey requested a transfer to his County, Lindsey never reported in person to their office either, even though many attempts were made to reach Lindsey.
“Basically, this Defendant left court in August and didn’t do anything he was required to do under the orders of his probation,” said Caudle. “You would think someone knowing that just one violation of their community supervision could end them up in prison for the rest of their life would take these conditions more seriously.”
After hearing all the evidence, Messer sentenced Lindsey to 25 years in addition to assessing the original restitution and court costs.
Don Smith
Don Smith after 82 years, 2 months, and 23 days on Wednesday, July 19, 2017, Don went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in Clarendon.
Services were held on Saturday, July 22, 2017, in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon, with the Reverend Lance Wood, pastor, officiating.
Burial with Military Honors followed in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
Arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
The third of four children, Don was born on April 26, 1935, to Elbert Finas “Bert” Smith and Martha Tennessee “Tennie” Parrish Smith in Clarendon. He grew up in Clarendon, where he helped his father operate the cotton gin. Following his father’s death in 1951, he owned and operated the Dixie Dog. He attended school in Clarendon, graduating from Clarendon High School in 1953. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1953 to 1959, where he achieved the rank of Corporal, was a Squad Leader in the Line Company, and was Checker Champion in the 3rd Marine Division.
He married Donna Ruth Magee on August 13, 1960, in McLean. They had a son, David in 1962.
Don attended West Texas State College, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 1962 and his Master of Science degree in Mathematics in 1970. He worked for the Helium Research Center in Amarillo, where he operated the high-level computer programming language, Fortran. He then went to work for the Internal Revenue Service as an audit investigator. In 1976, he was awarded the Treasury Department’s emblem for 15 years of service for the United States Government. He served on the Board of Directors at the Amarillo Federal Credit Union from 1979 to 1982.
In 1981, Don moved back to Clarendon and served as the Director of Financial Aid at Clarendon College until 1997. Also in 1981, he opened his own tax business, Don Smith & Associates in Clarendon and in 1982, obtained his license to practice before the Internal Revenue Service as an Enrolled Agent. He owned and operated the tax business for 36 years until his death. He was known as Papa to his grandchildren, Taylor, Tyler, Brooke, and Trent, whom he loved very much. He was an avid game player, enjoyed swimming and most of all cherished his annual trip with his family to Fun Valley Colorado.
Don was a 49-year member of the Clarendon Masonic Lodge 700 AF & AM, where he served as a Master Mason for several years and was recently installed as Senior Steward for 2017-2018. He was a member of the Clarendon Lions Club, where he served as Program Chairman for several years. He was also a member of the Adamson-Lane Post 287 of the American Legion in Hedley, a member of the VFW Memorial Post 7782 in Clarendon, and was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Clarendon.
He was preceded in death by his mother, in 1998; his brother, Elbert Preston “Bert Jr.” Smith, in 1973; his sisters, Wanda Marie Smith, in 1927 and Jean Harlene Smith Phillips and her husband, Clifton Phillips, in 1980.
Survivors include his son, David R. Smith, and wife, Buffie, of Clarendon; 4 grandchildren, Taylor Smith, Tyler Smith, Brooke Smith, and Trent Smith, all of Clarendon. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family requests memorials are sent to the First Baptist Church / PO Box 944 / Clarendon, Texas 79226 or Citizens Cemetery Association / PO Box 983 / Clarendon, TX 79226.
Connie Sue Papa
Connie Sue Papa went to be with the Lord on July 20, 2017, at the age of 55. Connie was born on February 3, 1962, in Barberton, Ohio. She moved to Clarendon in 1997 where she enjoyed working as a waitress. Once her son was born in 1998, she left the workforce to be a homemaker. She enjoyed gardening, crafting, cooking and spending time with her family.
A private service will be held by the family at a later date.
She was preceded in death by father Burl McDonald.
Connie is survived by her son Wyatt of Clarendon; daughter Angela and her husband Louie of Fritch and their children Robin and Lucy; daughter Rachel and her husband Tony of Borger and their children Abbie and Lela; brother Lee and his wife Sarah of Clarendon; niece Jessica and her daughter Anikka; niece Hannah; BJ Hunter of Clarendon; Peggy Stoneking of Clarendon; and her step-mother Beverly McDonald of Nevada.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Connie’s name to Interim Healthcare of Pampa.
Kenneth Wayne Housden
Kenneth Wayne Housden, 75, of Sanger Formerly of Hedley died Thursday, July 20, 2017 in Denton.
Services were held on July 25, 2017, in the First Baptist Church in Hedley with Rev. Bruce Howard, officiating.
Burial followed at Rowe Cemetery in Hedley.
Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Kenneth was born January 30, 1942 in Clarendon to Orville and Mildred Lindsey Housden. He married Sammie Lee Sanders on May 31, 1963 in Silverton. He had been a resident of Eastland before moving to Sanger 3 years ago. Kenneth coached at Lubbock Roosevelt, Lubbock Cooper, Slaton, Corpus Christi, Snyder, Lockney, Ranger College, and Hedley prior to his retirement where he had over 700 wins in Basketball. He loved hunting and fishing.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Melvin Housden.
He is survived by his wife, Sammie Housden of Sanger; a son, Rick Housden and wife Melanie of Hamilton; 3 daughters, Carie Gafford and husband Russell of Snyder, Angie Burrus and husband Roger of Seguin, and Evette Flores and husband Hector of Sanger; 8 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
The family request memorials be sent to the Rowe Cemetery Association / PO Box 213 / Hedley, TX 79237.
Marguerite Estelle Turner
Marguerite Estelle Turner, 79, died Monday, July 17, 2017, in Amarillo.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 29, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. in the Borger Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses with Case Duggan officiating.
Cremation & arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Marguerite Estelle Turner was born on June 6, 1938, in Lincoln, Illinois to Samuel and Hazel Thomas. She married Edward Turner on February 25, 1961, in Baltimore, Maryland. She served in the United States Army. She pioneered for the Jehovah’s Witnesses for several years. She was also a member of the Clarendon Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
She was preceded in death by her parents; 2 brothers Samuel Thomas and Donald Thomas; and 2 sisters Juanita Loins and Aloma Harms.
She is survived by her husband Edward Turner of Howardwick; and 5 brothers Kenneth Thomas and wife of Peoria, Illinois, Fred Thomas and wife of Louisiana, Bill Thomas of Witt, Illinois, Terry Thomas and wife of East Peoria, Illinois, and Danny Thomas and wife of Canyon City, Colorado.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be sent to the Clarendon Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
District Court hears thirteen pleas
The district court heard 13 pleas when it met in Clarendon Tuesday, July 18. District Attorney Luke Inman, assisted by ADA Harley Caudle, prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas, with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.
Norma Ann Garcia, 35 from Wellington, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to 17.5 years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ for the second degree felony offense of burglary of a habitation.
On October 5, 2015, Garcia originally pleaded to the charges from the August 7, 2015 offense in Collingsworth County when she was arrested by Collingsworth County Sheriff Kent Riley. The State filed the motion to adjudicate on November 3, 2016, alleging six violations of community supervision.
Garcia is also required to pay $376 in court costs and a $4,000 fine.
Garcia also pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to 10 years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ for the third degree felony offense of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine.
Garcia was arrested in Childress County by Childress Police Officer Todd Gambol on October 10, 2016 and pleaded guilty to an information on February 2, 2017 and placed on deferred adjudication for this offense as well. The State filed a motion to adjudicate on April 17, 2017, alleging three violations of probation.
Garcia is also required to a pay a $3,000 fine, $329 in court costs, and $180 in restitution.
Emily Garcia, 24 from Wellington, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to ten years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ for the third degree felony offense of prohibited substance in a correctional facility. However, the sentence was probated for a period of five years.
On August 29, 2014, Garcia originally pleaded to the charges from the June 10, 2014 offense in Collingsworth County by Collingsworth County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Warren. The State filed the motion to adjudicate on April 18, 2017, alleging six violations of community supervision.
After being finally adjudicated and convicted for the third degree offense, Garica is also required to pay $376 in court costs, a $1,000 fine, and $180 in restitution.
Suszanne Watkins, 35 from Amarillo, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to 17 months in the State Jail Division of TDCJ for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance.
On March 14, 2016, Watkins originally pleaded to the charges from the February 25, 2016 offense in Carson County by Panhandle Police Department Officer Taner Blackburn. The State filed the motion to adjudicate on July 15, 2016, alleging seven violations of community supervision.
Watkins is also required to pay $336 in court costs, a $500 fine and $213 in restitution.
Joshuue Ignacio Mier, 32 from Eugene, OR, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to 18 months in the State Jail Division of TDCJ for the state jail felony offense of possession of marijuana.
On October 21, 2013, Mier originally pleaded to the charges from the April 17, 2013 offense in Carson County by DPS Highway Patrol Trooper Joshua Allen. The State filed the motion to adjudicate on September 14, 2016, alleging six violations of community supervision.
Mier is also required to pay $336 in court costs, a $2,500 fine and $1,797 in restitution.
Skylar Kent Jones, 25 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 possession of a controlled substance.
On December 1, 2016, Jones originally pleaded to the charges from the May 27, 2016 offense in Childress County when he was arrested by Childress Police Department Officer Jesse Zuniga. The State filed the motion to adjudicate on April 17, 2017, alleging four violations of community supervision.
Jones is also required to pay $329 in court costs, a $1,000 fine and $180 restitution.
Abel Villa was placed on probation for a period of three years for the state jail felony offense of endangering a child. Villa pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.
Villa, 35 from Memphis, was arrested in Hall County for the offense that took place on April 7, 2017 by Memphis Police Officer Weslee Bolton. Villa was later indicted by the Hall County Grand Jury on June 21, 2017.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Villa is required to pay a $2,500 fine, $381 in court costs, and successfully complete 100 hours of community service. If Villa violates probation, he could face up to two years in the State Jail Division of the TDCJ.
Santos Antonio Soliz was placed on probation for a period of three years for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance. Soliz pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.
Soliz, 22 from Amarillo, was arrested in Childress County for the offense that took place on June 14, 2017 by Gambol. Soliz pleaded to an information filed by the State on July 17, 2017.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Soliz is required to pay $354 in court costs, $180 drug lab restitution, a $2,500 fine, and successfully complete 100 hours of community service. If Soliz violates probation, he could face up to two years in the State Jail Division of the TDCJ.
Christopher Fletcher, Jr. was placed on probation for a period of four years for the second degree felony offense of possession of a controlled substance. Fletcher pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.
Fletcher, 32 from Arlington, was arrested in Childress County for the offense that took place on November 11, 2016 by Childress County Sheriff’s Deputy Kenneth Arant. Fletcher pleaded to an information filed by the State on January 12, 2017.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Fletcher is required to pay a $4,000 fine, $329 in court costs, $180 lab restitution, and successfully complete 300 hours of community service. If Fletcher violates probation, he could face up to 20 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.
David Bryan Lewis was placed on probation for a period of five years for the first degree felony offense of possession of a controlled substance. Lewis pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.
Lewis, 50 from Ft. Gasland, CO, was arrested in Carson County for the offense that took place on November 18, 2015 by DPS Highway Patrol Trooper Jerome Ingle. Lewis pleaded guilty to an information filed by the State on September 2, 2016.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Lewis is required to pay a $5,000 fine, $336 in court costs, $180 restitution, successfully complete 400 hours of community service, and pay a $500 out of state probation transfer fee. If Lewis violates probation, he could face up to 99 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.
Jose Valenzuela-Mendoza, 23 from Phoenix, AZ, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to 22 years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ for the first degree felony offense of possession of a controlled substance.
On April 29, 2014, Valenzuela originally pleaded to the charges from the July12, 2013 offense in Carson County when he was arrested by DPS Highway Patrol Officer Max Honesto. The State filed the motion to adjudicate on August 12, 2016, alleging five violations of community supervision.
Valenzuela is also required to pay $336 in court costs to Carson County, $1,505.50 in restitution, and a $8,000 fine.
Mary Katherine Hill, 36 from Wellington, 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 possession of a controlled substance.
On August 21, 2014, Hill originally pleaded to the charges from the August 4, 2014 offense in Collingsworth County when she was arrested by Collingsworth County Deputy Billy Doss. The State filed the motion to adjudicate on June 8, 2017, alleging three violations of community supervision.
Hill is also required to pay $376 in court costs, $180 in restitution and a $5,000 fine. Hill also 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 tampering with physical evidence. The offense date and plea date for this offense were the same dates for the third degree felony offense which Hill was also convicted.
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