Archives for May 2018

Mark your calendars for Clarendon’s 13th annual “Trash To Treasures” garage sale event, which will be held Saturday, June 2, this year.

The sign-up period is now open for garage sales in Hedley, Howardwick, and the surrounding area.

Residents who wish to participate in this year’s “Trash To Treasures” are asked to come by the Enterprise before 5 p.m. on Friday, May 25, to sign up for the promotion.

For just $25, each household will get a 50-word advertisement in the Big-E Classifieds and the exclusive “Trash To Treasures” garage sale signs. In addition, the Enterprise will print a city map the week of the event indicating the location of each sale and will promote the citywide garage sale in area newspapers and with local radio ads.

“The more people who have garage sales during Trash To Treasures, the better everyone will do,” said Roger Estlack, publisher of The Clarendon Enterprise which sponsors the event. “Sign-up fees are what cover the cost of area advertising, so we can reach more people and have better attendance if we have a larger number of sales.”

For more information about the annual Trash To Treasures garage sale event, call 874-2259 or come by the Enterprise office at 105 S. Kearney.

Local voters will head to the polls this Saturday, May 5, to elect three members of the Clarendon College Board of Regents and the entire Howardwick City Council.

All registered voters in Donley County can cast ballots for the college district election. On the ballot are incumbents Edwin Campbell and Jerry Woodard and challengers Lance Wood and Tommy Waldrop, and the top three vote earners will be elected.

College voting will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All precincts except Precinct 303 will vote at the Donley County Courthouse Annex. Precinct 303 will cast ballots at the Hedley First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.

Registered voters in the City of Howardwick can cast ballots from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Howardwick City Hall to elect five city aldermen. On the ballot are Alderman Doc Holladay, Marietta Baird, Kay Dye, and Debbora Sharpton – all running for two full terms on the city council; and Brice Hawley, Johnny Floyd, Vol Lindsey, James Wix, and Mary Grady – and all running for three unexpired terms.

Early voting in the college election closed Tuesday with 56 early ballots and 11 mail-in ballots so far. There is no early voting in the Howardwick election.

Planning is underway for the sixth annual Mulkey Block Party on May 26 as efforts ramp up to complete the theatre project this year.

With the Mulkey’s heating and cooling installed in January, the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation approved on April 9 a proposal to repair and patch stucco on the walls and ceilings as well as painting the interior of the building.

Those attending the Block Party will get a sneak peek at progress inside the theatre as well as being able to enjoy live music, dancing, great food, and other fun activities on Kearney Street.

Booth space reservations and car show entries are now being taken for this year’s block party. Booth space for activities, food, or vendors is free for non-profit organizations and $25 for all other booths. Space is available on a first come, first served basis.

Forms for booth spaces are available at the Clarendon Visitor Center.

Bike & Car Show entry fees are $20 per vehicle, and those entry forms are also available at the Visitor Center.

Sponsorships from individuals and businesses are also being solicited for the party, and t-shirts are also being planned for the event.

For more information, to reserve booth space, or to sign on as a sponsor, contact the Clarendon Visitor Center at 806-874-2421.

Parents are being asked to be extra vigilant after an Amarillo man was arrested here and faces multiple counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.

Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn says parents need to pay attention what their kids are doing on smart phones and on social media.

“I want to wake up parents in Donley County,” he said. “This is as bad as murder… or maybe worse.”

Blackburn said Vincent Darnell Williams, age 47, was arrested Sunday afternoon following an investigation by the sheriff’s office.

A concerned mother brought a phone to authorities which contained text messages and other evidence showing that Williams had been grooming and performing sexual acts with a child who was 13 years old when the crimes began.

Blackburn filled out a probable cause affidavit and obtained an arrest warrant and then lured Williams back to Clarendon where he was arrested by the sheriff and Deputy John Lockhart.

Williams was charged with two counts of first degree felony Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and three second degree charges of Sexual Assault of a Child. At his arraignment Tuesday afternoon, Williams’ total bond for all counts was set at $175,000.

Blackburn said he is working with The Bridge – Children’s Advocacy Center to find possible resources to educate parents about the dangers facing today’s kids and about activities that kids are engaged in.

In the meantime, the sheriff says parents need to be aware the dangers facing children.

“This is proof there are predators who will come to Clarendon and seek out children,” Blackburn said. “I want to urge parents like they haven’t been urged before. Check your kids’ phones and social media every day and know what they are up to and who they are talking to.”