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Archives for July 2022

City plans $300k in street improvements for 2022

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The City of Clarendon has approved more than $300,000 in street improvements to be completed in the coming months.

City Administrator David Dockery said work is expected to begin between August 27 and 29 on Seventh Street between Koogle and Ellerbe, a stretch of roadway that as suffered for years from heavy storm damage.

The $186,000 project, which will last about 40 days, will install concrete curbs and gutters and lay down hot mix asphalt for the road surface. Concrete driveway approaches will also be installed at existing driveways, Dockery said.

Residents in the area will have to alternative parking for the duration of the project.

“We apologize ahead of time for any inconvenience to the residents in the area, but we hope they are very happy with the project upon its completion,” Dockery said.

In September, the city will spend about $125,000 on its annual resurfacing program to protect some of Clarendon’s better streets. The chip seal project will be carried out on East Fourth Street between Gorst and Carhart, on South Carhart from US 287 to Montgomery, on Clarendon Avenue from Bugbee Avenue to the west side of the college campus, the 600 and 700 blocks of South Bugbee, and the 400 and 500 blocks of South Allen.

Dockery said other blocks may be included in the fall project depending on how the bid comes in. During the project, cars will have to be moved off the street and avoid the area while work is being done.

The fall project will take three days or less to complete and hopefully be a minimal inconvenience, Dockery said.

City officials will notify affect residents of the paving projects as they get closer.

City reminds residents of drought rules

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Ongoing dry conditions have prompted the City of Clarendon to remind residents that a Stage 3 drought condition does still exist and to ask everyone to be conservation minded when it comes to water.

“We know the residents of Clarendon have already reduced their water use, and the city appreciates the conservative nature of our community,” City Administrator David Dockery said. “People know what ‘dry’ is.”

Stage 3 drought condition guidelines encourage water conservation with certain requests of local citizens.

Limit outside watering to twice-a-week, and then before 10:00 am and after 7:00 pm.

Residential customers with odd-numbered street addresses water on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Residential customers with even-numbered street addresses water on Thursdays and Sundays. Commercial customers water on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Limit washing of motor vehicles, motorbikes, boats, and other vehicles at home to before 10:00 am or after 7:00 pm on your designated watering day, and then use a bucket and/or a hand-held hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle. Commercial car washes are excepted.

Avoid filling swimming pools except during the above watering hours.

Avoid operating ornamental fountains unless necessary to support aquatic life or if equipped with a recirculation system.

Do not water-wash driveways, sidewalks, and other hard-surfaced areas. Do not wash down buildings or structures except for immediate fire protection.

Repair all leaks as soon as possible, and report any leaks or unauthorized usage to City Hall. Night and weekend emergency leaks should be reported to the Donley County Sheriff’s Office at 806.874.3533.

Large crowd attends 2022 Hoedown

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Kids of all ages enjoyed the waterslide at the fourth annual Howardwick Hoedown last Saturday in McMorries Memorial Park. Organizers are calling the event the best one so far. Enterprise Photo

The fourth annual Howardwick Hoedown was held last Saturday, July 23, and is being called a great success by organizers in that community.

Despite hot July weather, the Hoedown drew its largest crowd ever, as people from Howardwick, Clarendon, Hedley, and other points in the Panhandle gathered in McMorries Memorial Park.

An on-site raffle gave away dozens and dozens of prizes throughout the day that were donated to the community for the purpose. The biggest prize, a 2022 Advance EVI Golf Cart, was won by Jeff Wilde of Amarillo at the close of the day.

Residents and visitors gathered under the park pavilion and under canopies set up around the park. Live music was provided by The Tweeks will be entertaining visitors from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

The Clarendon Lions Club Cornhole Tournament drew 16 two-person teams as well as 16 Lions. The participants got into the fun with colorful team names. The “A-Holes” were the champions of the day with team members Clint Conkin and Wes Smith dominating the competition. Second place went to the “Corn Stars,” and third place was claimed by “The Punishers.”

Wayne McDonald, playing under the moniker of “Drunk 2” for “The Drunks,” won the drawing for the custom Lions cornhole board set.
The new putting green installed last week in the park was formally opened by Mayor Tony Clemishire, who took the opening putt with a kid’s plastic golf club.

The official putting contest Saturday afternoon drew 17 adult participants. Winners were Bo Eddleman, first; Ben Estlack, second; and Eddie Chavira, third. Eddleman took home a new set of golf clubs as the grand prize.

Proceeds from this year’s Hoedown will help raise money for the city to buy equipment to fix city streets, according to City Secretary Sandy Childress.

Sure shots

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Donley County 4-H Archers were on the road to San Antonio last week for the 4-H Shooting Sports State Games Archery Tournament. Four archers from the local club competed. Ronan Howard, Emma Howard, Kutter O’keefe, and Mycah Woodard brought back 20 metals, with both Ronan and Kutter winning runner-up high point shooter in Intermediate and Junior divisions respectively. Courtesy Photo

City council okays swim lessons at aquatic center

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Lifeguard Josiah Howard (second from left) discusses plans for swimming lessons at the Clarendon Aquatic Center during last week’s city council meeting. Also shown here are lifeguard Cate Word, City Secretary Machiel Covey, City Administrator David Dockery, Alderman Eulaine McIntosh, Alderman John Lockhart, Mayor Jacob Fangman, and Alderman Larry Jeffers. Not pictured are Aldermen Tommy Hill and Terri Floyd. Enterprise Photo

Kids are now able to sign-up for swimming lessons at the Clarendon Aquatic Center following action by the city council at its regular meeting last Thursday, July 14.

Lifeguard Josiah Howard presented the plan for lessons to the council.

Howard said six lifeguards have been certified to give lessons and will work under their teacher’s certification. Lessons will cost $25 each, and a group of four lessons can be purchased for $75. Lessons will be taught in the mornings and not during the aquatic center’s regular hours.

Lifeguards will work in pairs with groups of kids set up by age.

City Administrator David Dockery said the lifeguards will make the most financially from the arrangement, but he said the purpose of the program is not to financially benefit the city.

“We have to consider the benefit of teaching kids how to swim,” Dockery said. “We want to try to ‘drown proof’ as many kids as possible.”

Alderman Larry Jeffers agreed with Dockery.

“This is just one more benefit the city can provide through the aquatic center,” Jeffers said.

Those interested in signing up for swim lessons should call or text 806-205-0865.

In other city business, the council met in closed session to consider legal matters associated with the house at 602 S. Bugbee Avenue.

No action was taken following the closed session, but Julie Cobb did speak in open comments about the house and said she and the owner of the house just want to mediate with the city and make improvements to the house, which has been condemned by the city.

Katherine Williams also spoke in public comments regarding the aquatic center. She said she and her grandchildren go to the pool four to five days a week, and she praised the work of the lifeguards and the center manager Terri Luna. She also brought up some behavior issues she felt like the council needed to be aware of.

During their regular business, the council reviewed the city’s revenue and expenses, and officials noted that the city is currently in the black by $324,989 on this year’s budget.

Aldermen approved a request to close portions of Fourth Street and Gorst Street for That Senior Thang on August 20, and they also approved a request to close a portion of the right of way on Allen Street along the residence at 720 W. Sixth due to a historic survey error.

Aldermen also met in closed session for the annual evaluation of the city secretary, Machiel Covey, who received high marks.

Twins inspire mom to write children’s book

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A new children’s book fulfills a local mother’s promise to her kids and is now available for sale.

Author Shelli Coles

Stunkey the Monkey & His Twin Sister Spunkey is based on Shellie Coles real kids, and even the title was inspired by her son.

“When Dalton was three, he would say something was stinky, he would say it was stunkey,” Coles recalled, “so I started responding, ‘You’re stunkey; you’re Stunkey the Monkey.’”

Although “Stunkey” was never really a nickname for her son, the seed was planted in Coles mind for a children’s book based on twins Dalton and Shelbi and through the years she would say she’s going to write a book. About three years ago, she started working on the project on and off, and then she became more serious about it about three months ago.

“If you tell your kids you’re going to do something, you should do it,” Coles said. “As for why do it now, I’ve always believed things happen when they’re supposed to.”

Coles, who writes under the pen name Shelco, says the book is authentically about her children.

“It’s about my twins. It’s all true.”

Stunkey and Spunkey grow up the best of friends and generally like all the same things. Eventually they develop their own tastes and their own likes and dislikes. Through it all, however, they remain the best of friends.

“There’s a message in there for today,” Coles said. “I think people need to celebrate their differences instead of fighting about them all the time.”

Coles not only wrote the story, but she also illustrated the book. The writing and drawing were fun, but the formatting was a challenge, she said.

“The writing was easy for me,” she said. “I majored in English in college, and I’ve always loved to read. I never thought much about writing a book though; and when I did, I never thought about it being a children’s book.”

Coles self-published Stunkey on Amazon, and the book has gotten good reviews from the people who have read it. It also was number one for five days on Amazon’s New Releases in the Ape and Monkey book category.

There are two people who especially like the book.

“The twins like it,” Coles said. “They were excited when it came in.”

Readers also have not seen the last of Stunkey or Spunkey. Coles is releasing a Stunkey coloring book this week and has plans for a sequel about bullying.

“That one may be a little tougher to write,” she said.

Coles will also be featured on August 12 at a book-signing at the Burton Memorial Library in Clarendon along with two other children’s book authors with local ties – Ashlyn Grotegut, author of Ernie the Eraser, and Julie Barker, author of Hitchin’ Post & the Tornado Twistin’ 4th of July.

In the meantime, Stunkey the Monkey & His Twin Sister Spunkey is available on Amazon for $12.99 and is enjoyable for readers of all ages.

Problem Free Pets

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Pet rocks were the craft of the day Monday morning at the Burton Memorial Library. Cameron Taylor, Zachary Taylor, Camree Dean, and Khloe Merrick painted their own unique rocks and decorated them with googly eyes. Enterprise Photo

Blood drive set for August 9 at Mulkey

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A Clarendon Community Blood Drive will be held Tuesday, August 9, 2022, from 1:30-5:00 p.m. at the Mulkey Theatre, according to Coffee Memorial Blood Center.

Donors must have a photo ID Required and must be at least 17 years old to donate. Donors who are 16 may donate with a signed parental consent form.

Those interested in donating can save time by completing questions online (day of drive only) using Donor Express at www.thegiftoflife.org.

For your lifesaving appointment, go to yourbloodinstitute.org or call (806) 331-8833, toll free 1-877-574-8800.

District court hears pleas in local cases

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The District Court heard five pleas when it met in Clarendon on Wednesday, July 13, and it also heard three local cases when it met in Memphis on July 7.

District Attorney Luke Inman along with Assistant District Attorney Harley Caudle, prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas, with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.

Richard Sanchez, 60, from Lelia Lake, Texas, was convicted for the third-degree felony offense of DWI 3rd or more and was sentenced to 10 years in the Institutional Division, TDCJ. Sanchez was arrested in Donley County on March 28, 2020, by Donley County Sheriff’s Deputy Vincent Marasco.

Sanchez was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on July 12, 2021, for the offense. Sanchez was also ordered to pay $390 in court costs and $60 restitution. Sanchez was scheduled for a jury trial beginning Monday, July 18.

Demarquette Lacree Haralson was sentenced to eight years in prison for the third-degree felony offense of failure to comply with sex offender registration after a contested revocation was heard by Messer.

Haralson was arrested on December 22, 2019, by Donley County Sheriff’s Deputy Marasco. Haralson was originally placed on three years’ probation on August 19, 2021, and the State filed a motion asking the Court to adjudicate Haralson’s probation on January 21, 2022.

During the contested adjudication, the State called one witness, 100th Judicial District Community Supervisions and Corrections Department Deputy Director Meghan Gribble.

Gribble testified that Haralson evaded arrest and pleaded guilty to the offense while being on probation.
After all the testimony and evidence was presented, Messer convicted Haralson and sentenced him to the eight-year sentence.
Haralson was also ordered to pay the remaining $3,000 fine to Donley County and $458 in court costs.

Edward Palacio was sentenced to five years in prison for the third-degree felony offense of DWI 3rd or more.

Palacio was arrested on July 7, 2012, by Carson County Sheriff’s Deputy Dennis Moore. Palacio was originally placed on three years’ probation on April 22, 2013, and the State filed a motion asking the Court to revoke Palacio’s probation on May 12, 2015.

Palacio was also ordered to pay the remaining $3,000 fine to Carson County, $465 in court costs, and $750 in restitution.
Andria Cherae Mitchell, 33, from Irving, Texas, was placed on two years’ probation for the Class A misdemeanor offense of possession of marihuana. Mitchell was arrested by Hall County Sheriff’s Deputy Christian Cortez on July 17, 2021, and pleaded to an information filed by the State on December 1, 2021.

Mitchell was also ordered to pay an upfront fine of $4,000 to Hall County, $340 in court costs, $180 restitution, and complete 100 hours of community service. If her probation is revoked, Mitchell faces up to 180 days in county jail.

Steven Craig Wilson, 36, from Clarendon, Texas, was placed on five years’ probation for the third-degree felony offense of assault family violence. Wilson was arrested by Donley County Sheriff’s Deputy Randy Bond on December 30, 2018, and was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on June 24, 2019.

Wilson was also ordered to pay a $2,500 fine to Donley County, $305 in court costs, and complete 200 hours of community service. If his probation is revoked, Wilson faces up to 10 years in prison.

The court also met in Memphis on July 7 and heard three Donley County cases.

Todd Henry Grosz, 34, from Lodi, Calif., was placed on three years probation for the first degree felony offense of possession of a controlled substance in penalty group two. Grosz was arrested in Donley County by Donley County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Stevens on March 27, and pleaded to an information filed by the State on June 27.

Grosz was also ordered to pay a $3,000 fine to Donley County, $290 in court costs, $180 lab fee, and complete 400 hours of community service. If his probation is revoked, Grosz faces up to 99 years in prison.

Kevin Sean Riddle, 32, from Howardwick, Texas, was placed on three years probation for the first degree felony offense of possession of a controlled substance in penalty group two. Riddle was arrested in Donley County by Stevens on March 27, 2022 and pleaded to an information filed by the State on June 27.

Riddle was ordered to pay a $3,000 fine to Donley County, $290 in court costs, $180 lab fee, and complete 400 hours of community service. If his probation is revoked, he faces up to 99 years in prison.

Maira Natalie Ramirez, 17, from Houston, was placed on ten years probation for the first degree felony offense of aggravated assault against a public servant. Ramirez was arrested in Donley County by DPS Trooper Lynn Mays on January 9, and was later indicted by the grand jury on March 29.

Ramirez was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine to Donley County, $290 in court costs, and complete 400 hours of community service. If her probation is revoked, Ramirez faces up to 99 years in prison.

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