Archives for July 2022

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.

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.

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.

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.