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Archives for November 2017

Challenges emerge for two county positions

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Two competitive races have emerged in the 2018 general election in Donley County with more than a week to go before the filing deadline.

Precinct 3&4 Justice of the Peace Denise Bertrand has announced her intention to run for re-election and Pat White has filed paperwork to also run for that office, according to Donley County Clerk Fay Vargas.

In Precinct 2, Commissioner Daniel Ford is running for re-election and is being challenged by Donley County Chief Deputy Randy Bond.

Vargas also said the following county officials have filed for re-election but do have any opposition as of Monday afternoon: County Judge John Howard, Treasurer Wanda Smith, and Precinct 4 Commissioner Dan Sawyer. Vargas said Precinct 1&2 Justice of the Peace Pam Mason intends to file, and Vargas herself said she is currently “on the fence” whether or not to run for county clerk again.

Filing for county positions ends Monday, December 11, in the County Clerk’s office of the Donley County Courthouse Annex.

CVFD unveils new multi-purpose truck

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As dry conditions continue to heighten the threat of wildfires, the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department has commissioned a new truck that will help protect the lives and property of folks in Donley County.

Fire Chief Jeremy Powell says the 10-ton Oshkosh M985 is being tested and is about ready to go into service.

The Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department’s Oshkosh M985 was obtained through a grant and outfitted by donated time and funds. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack

“This is a one-of-a-kind rig,” Powell said. “It will be a big asset to get water where we couldn’t get it before.”

The 10-ton, eight-wheel drive 2006 truck with four-wheel steering is a former military vehicle that the CVFD obtained with a grant from the Texas Forest Service.

“We applied on April 28, 2016, and received the truck in February 2017,” Powell said.

The truck serves as a tanker, carrying 3,200 gallons, but it also can be used to fight fires as well and doesn’t not have to stay on improved roads, which sets it apart from the department’s semi-truck tanker.

“This is a multi-purpose truck we can use in town or in the county, and it has extreme off-road capabilities,” Powell said.

Volunteer firemen have spent numerous man-hours preparing the vehicle – painting the truck and installing the tank, pump, lights, and communications system. Powell said the department has spent about $30,000 of donated funds to equip the truck, including $23,000 for the tank, which was manufactured by Plasmac of Wellington. Signs Plus of Clarendon prepared the signage for the truck.

“We tested the pump two weeks ago, and we’re just putting the finishing touches on the truck now.”

Broncos win Area Title

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By Sandy Anderberg

Six turnovers plagued the Broncos in their Area match up with Bovina last Friday in Canyon at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium, but they were able to put them behind them and outlast the Mustangs to get the 26-20 win.

The victory put the Broncos one step closer to the state game as they will take on Hamlin Friday night, December 1, at Wolfforth Frenship beginning at 7:00 pm.

The Broncos take the field before last week’s Area Championship game in Canyon against Bovina. Clarendon plays Hamlin this Friday, December 1, at Frenship for the regional title. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack

The first half of play proved to be somewhat disastrous for the Broncos as they had three turnovers and could not find the end zone. Bovina was able to put 20 points on the board while holding the Broncos scoreless until Daquawne Oliver found the end zone from one yard out with thirty seconds left in the half.

“I thought our kids played their tails off Friday afternoon,” first year head coach Clint Conkin said. “We got behind early at 20-0 on some turnovers on our part, but these guys never quit fighting. We finally settled in right before half cutting into the lead 20-6.”

The second half was night and day for the Broncos as they flipped the switch to turn on their offense to put points on the board and played solid defense to hold the Mustangs scoreless. Early in the third quarter, quarterback Noab Elam hit Andy Davis from 13 yards out to give the Broncos their second touchdown in the game. Oliver scrambled for the two-point bonus. Elam was able to find Dalton Benson for an 11-yard pass and score early in the fourth quarter for the Broncos’ third TD.

“We came out in the second half and played like I knew we could,” Conkin said. “Our defense has played great all season, and they played awesome Friday afternoon. We had guys flying around making tackles.”

According to Conkin, Colt Wood and Preston Elam both had big interceptions in the game on the defensive side, and Wood had a fumble recovery.

“Our defense played solid all afternoon,” Conkin said. “I am very proud of these guys.”
The Bronco defense never gave up in the final quarter of play. After Ryan McCleskey scored the last Bronco touchdown on a 30-yard run, the Mustangs got the ball back about the five-minute mark.

They had some success driving the ball, but when it mattered most, the Bronco defense got busy. A penalty put Bovina on our five-yard line, but they were penalized and Davis got a big quarterback sack. That put them back on the 24-yard line where the Broncos held and got the ball back with enough time to earn a first down before the buzzer.

The Broncos rushed for 250 yards to only three for Bovina. The Broncos passed for 105 yards to give them 355 total yards to 222 for the Mustangs. Clarendon posted 17 first downs to 12 for Bovina but committed six turnovers to only three for their opponent.

Offensively, Oliver had 26 carries for 134 total yards and one score and one conversion. McCleskey had 14 carries for 82 yards and on TD. Benson had two carries for 14 yards, and Damarjae Cortez had five carries for three yards. Preston Elam had three carries for five yards, and Noab Elam carried twice for 12 yards. N. Elam was 10 of 18 passing for 105 yards and two touchdowns. P. Elam caught two passes for 31 yards, and Nathan

Shadle caught one for nine yards. Benson had two catches for 22 yards and one TD, and Wood had two catches for 25 yards.

“I am very proud of these guys,” Conkin said. “They are a fun team to coach.”

Chuck and the gang

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The cast of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” pose during a dress rehersal Monday at the Clarendon College Harned Sisters Fine Arts Center. The troupe will be performing the holiday classic this Friday at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults. Children and anyone with a Clarendon College ID will be admitted free. CC Photo / Ashlee Estlack

Giving thanks

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Nicole Beames, Misty Walker, and Mary Ruth Tipton enjoy the meal at the Community Thanksgiving at the school cafeteria last Thursday. Organizers report that more than 250 people were fed during the meal with more than 150 coming through the serving line and about another 100 getting meals delivered to their homes. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack

Jim Philley

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James Ray “Jim” Philley, 78, of Clarendon died Saturday, November 25, 2017, in Amarillo.

Memorial services were held Wednesday, November 29, 2017, in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Lance Wood, officiating.

Cremation and Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Jim Philley

Jim was born July 15, 1939, in Phoenix, Arizona to Stephen Oran and Madelion Davis Philley. He married Joyce Marie Hall on December 30, 1986, in San Jon, New Mexico. Jim grew up at Clarendon and was a longtime resident. He was a truck driver prior to his retirement. He volunteered at Donley County Senior Citizens and the Bread of Life ministry. He helped anyone in need. He was a man after God’s own heart and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Clarendon where he taught Sunday School.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, John Philley; and a sister in law, Dee Philley.

Survivors include his wife Joyce Philley of Clarendon; 4 sons, Lane Philley and wife Sandra of Canyon, Kent Philley and wife Janie of Amarillo, Slade Philley and wife Dayna of San Jon, New Mexico and, Ricky Mills and wife Paula of Allen; 2 daughters, Janis Walker and Karen Maddox and husband Herman all of Vernon; a brother, Bob Philley of Amarillo; 2 sisters, Glenda Castillo of Birmingham, Alabama and Kay Dye of Howardwick; his aunt, Ethel Luker of Amarillo; and 23 grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family request memorials be sent to the Donley County Senior Citizens, PO Drawer B, Clarendon, TX 79226.

Sign our online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com

Kearney signal work to begin next week

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Replacing traffic signals on US 287 at Kearney Street will get underway next week now that workers have moved curbs out at each corner to accommodate the structures.

The Texas Department of Transportation says during this phase of the project the old traffic signals will be taken down, and the intersection will not be stop-controlled on US 287. In other words, highway traffic will not stop at the intersection. Temporary stop signs will be installed on the north and south sides of Kearney Street.

“While the new signal structures are being installed, the intersection of US 287 and Kearney Street will function similarly to other non-signalized intersections throughout Clarendon,” said Matt Herbstritt, TxDOT Childress Area Engineer. “Through-traffic on Kearney Street should take extra care to make sure the intersection is clear and safe to proceed before crossing US 287. Motorists can expect the new traffic signals to be installed and fully functional within a few weeks.”

Curbs have been moved out into Kearney Street at the intersection as part of this job, which has caused a lot of conversation around town and raised concerns about traffic safety and the ability of vehicles to negotiate turns going downtown.

Herbstritt says the changes were due to space requirements for the new signal structures and required ADA ramps.

“We ran into a limited amount of space for traffic structures and ADA ramps,” Herbstritt said. “In order to make things fit, we moved the structures out.”

The initial curb installation left a 90-degree curb jutting out between two ramp openings, but Herbstritt said that is going to be changed.

“We’re to take down that corner and give it slight radius and flatten those points,” he said.

In addition, the TxDOT project will improve access to sidewalks at the Donley County State Bank entrance and at the former Bivens Pharmacy building.

The project will also include the installation of pedestrian crosswalk lights, push buttons, and audible messages to make the intersection safer and fully ADA compliant. LED safety street lights will be installed, and the new signal poles will feature lighted street signs as well.

The new signal system itself will have a flashing yellow arrow for left turns off US 287. This new type of turn signal is intended to create a safer, more efficient left turn movement. When illuminated, the flashing yellow arrow means that a vehicle is allowed to cautiously enter an intersection to make the left turn indicated by the arrow, but the driver must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before proceeding with caution.

Herbstritt said a solid green left arrow can only be installed when traffic studies warrant one. Traffic turning onto Kearney is not currently heavy enough for that, but he said the system would allow for that in the future if conditions change.

Merchant sales, courthouse lighting this Saturday

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Clarendon will be full of the Christmas spirit this weekend with local merchant sales, $250 up for grabs, and the fourth annual lighting of the Courthouse.

Local merchants are ready to help you find something for everyone on your Christmas list with their Black Friday and Small Business Saturday specials on November 24 and 25. Details on local sales are in the Holiday Gift Guide.
To support Small Business Saturday, the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce is giving away at total of $250 in Clarendon Cash to four lucky shoppers – three $50 winners and one $100 winner – for shopping at home November 25.

Just bring a receipt from a participating Chamber member dated either November 25 for $25 or more to the Clarendon Visitor Center before noon on Wednesday, November 29, to be eligible to win. Each $25 spent counts as a separate entry into the drawing. Merchants participating in the promotion include Cornell’s Country Store, Clarendon Outpost, Henson’s, Every Nook & Cranny, Lowe’s Family Center, Saye’s, Broken Road Liquor Store, and Floyd’s Automotive Supply.

The Chamber already awarded $250 in Clarendon Cash following the merchant open houses November 11. Those winners were Jimmy Braddock, $100; and Tiffany Shadle, Ashlee Estlack, and Bonnie Campbell, $50 each.

In addition to the Clarendon Cash drawing, the participating merchants will participate in a Chamber Gift Basket give-away Saturday. Pick up a card and have it validated at all eight merchants Saturday with no purchase necessary. Bring the card to the Courthouse Lighting for the drawing, and you must be present to win.

Small Business Saturday began in 2010 when it was founded by American Express to help small businesses get more exposure during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year.

According to small business advocates, every $100 spent in locally-owned stores returns $68 to the local community through taxes, payrolls, and other expenditures. That same money spent in another town or online returns nothing to your city.

Saturday’s highlight will be the fourth annual Courthouse Lighting Celebration, beginning at 5 p.m. with an appearance by Santa Claus and caroling featuring local children’s groups. The formal lighting will be at 6 p.m.

Also on Saturday night, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary will hold a soup dinner at the Clarendon Lions Hall. The dinner begins after the Courthouse Lighting.

Shop at home this season and remember the role of local merchants in keeping your community strong.

Broncos win bi-district title

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The Broncos shook off the loss to Wellington in their last regular game of the season to defeat Vega in Hereford, 36-14, last Friday night.

The win puts them at 10-1 for the year and gave them the Class 2A Division II Bi-District Title. Clarendon will play for the Area Championship on Friday, November 24, against Bovina at Kimbrough Stadium in Canyon at 2:00 p.m.

Ryan Ward, Andy Davis, and Clayton White celebrate the Clarendon Broncos’ 36-14 bi-district victory over Vega last Friday night in Hereford. Clarendon will play Bovina this Friday, November 24, at 2 p.m. in Kimbrough Memorial Stadium in Canyon for the Area Title. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack

“I thought our guys played very good after the first six minutes of the game,” first year head coach Clint Conkin said. “We started off slow but finished with a win.”

The Broncos put up good stats in the game as they had 364 total yards of offense. Three hundred eight of those yards were rushing yards. Daquawne Oliver had 23 carries on the night for 127 yards and three touchdowns. Oliver scampered 45 yards in the first quarter to put the Broncos on the board and go up by a point after the bonus. Oliver had a run of two yards in the second and the final TD from five yards out.

Ryan McCleskey had a big night running the ball going 105 yards on seven carries, which included on 71-yard run for a touchdown. Preston Elam caught a 19-yard pass from brother Noab for the other Bronco score.

Damarjae Cortez carried eight times for 25 yards and had two catches for six yards with two conversions, and P. Elam had three carries for 30 yards and caught a pass for 20 yards. N. Elam was five for 10 passing for 36 yards for one TD and two conversions.

Colt Wood had one catch for 20 yards, and Andy Davis snatched a pass for nine yards.

The Bronco defense was strong all night according to Conkin.

“Our defense played great once again,” he said. “We held Vega to 154 yards rushing and 41 passing. We had several guys flying around making tackles. Andy Davis and Damarjae Cortez both had an interception on defense, and Justin Christopher also recovered a fumble.

“I am very proud of the way our guys fought to win the Bi-District Championship,” Conkin said.

Hear them roar

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Several recognitions were made during the annual Clarendon Lions Club banquet recently. Shown here are Trent, Buffie and Lion David Smith, accepting the Lion of the Year award for the late Don Smith, Boss Lion Robert Riza, Sweetheart Shiann Cook, past president Lion Tex Buckhaults, and Centennial Pin recipient Lion Roger Estlack. Enterprise Photo / Ashlee Estlack
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