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Archives for November 2022

Fiber internet now available in Hedley

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Fiber internet is now available in Hedley, setting the community apart from many rural communities and giving residents and businesses there the opportunity to have the fastest service on the market.

An announcement from Windstream-owned Kinetic says more than 260 homes and businesses in the Hedley area, or nearly two-thirds of the community, are now eligible for ultrahigh-speed internet with the deployment of optical fiber by network provider Kinetic.

“Fiber in the Hedley area means you’ll have more bandwidth to stream, game and surf on every device in your house,” Kinetic state operations President Danny Ferguson said. “And your connection will stay superfast no matter how many other people are online. They can even be streaming a movie and you’ll still have the same connection.”

Kinetic’s fiber-optic network gives users equal, symmetrical upload and download speeds of 1,000 megabits a second, or 1 gigabit a second, providing what is known as “next-generation access.”

“Fiber is the technology that can meet today’s demands and tomorrow’s potential,” Ferguson said. “‘High Speed for Here’ now includes the Hedley area.”

According to the Kinetic website, Hedley residential customers can get 500 megabit service for $39.99 a month and 1.0 gigabit service for $69.99 a month.

Hedley city officials were unaware that fiber deployment had happened in Hedley, but they welcomed the news.

“This is going to be wonderful for the community,” City Secretary Kim Gossman said. “It will be wonderful for other businesses that want to come in, and people here can start using internet like they need to and not just lagging. There is so much this can help the community with.”

Gossman said the school, the senior citizens center, and current and potential businesses would all benefit from the availability of fiber internet.

The Hedley fiber project is part of a $2 billion multiyear capital investment strategy to dramatically expand gigabit internet service across Kinetic’s 18-state footprint.

It’s not clear when Kinetic will expand the fiber offering to other communities in Donley County, but Ferguson said Clarendon is “definitely in the mix.”

“We’re a year into a five-year plan,” he said. “We don’t like to put anything out until it’s planned. At this time there are no firm plans for 2023 for Clarendon.”

Ferguson also did not know of any plans for Howardwick.

Customers may visit GoKinetic.com to find out if they are eligible for a speed upgrade and how Kinetic can help meet their home or business needs.

Chamber names Holland Employee of the Month

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Chamber Employee of the Month Sarah Holland (second from left) with Chamber representatives.

The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce has named Sarah Holland of Country Bloomers Flowers & Gifts as the local Employee of the Month for November.

“We know that retail and service workers are the backbone of our small businesses,” Chamber President Ashlee Estlack said. “We want to give them the recognition they deserve for their hard work and dedication while providing great service to visitors and locals.”

Holland was recognized for always having a smile on her face, treating every person with kindness and compassion, and for making sure each shopping experience is pleasant.

The community at large is asked to help select future honorees. Those interested can nominate someone who is Donley County Proud, works hard, and has gone above and beyond in a retail or a service position.

Winners are chosen monthly and will receive $25 in Chamber Bucks to spend across Donley County at chamber member businesses.

Nominees must be currently employed at the business they are representing in the nomination. Nominations not selected are carried forward to the next month.

Nominations can be made online at ClarendonTx.com/employeeofthemonth.

Lions to give toys to local kids Friday

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The Clarendon Lions Club will begin distributing toys to local elementary students this Friday, December 2.

The new “Toys for Joy” drive will give one toy to every elementary school aged student in Clarendon and Hedley elementary schools.

The response from the public has been amazing, and the Lions are looking foward to distributing the toys. The project has seen great support also from local businesses, which set up toy tables at their stores.

Distribution will start in Clarendon Elementary this Friday in cooperation with the Pony Parents. Distribution in Hedley will be held on Monday, December 12.

If you’d like to make a monetary donation, call Lion Roger Estlack at 806-662-4689 or stop by the Enterprise.

Jackson calls for relief for producers

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Congressman Ronny Jackson (TX-13) recently sent a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, calling on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide transparency on its plan to implement Phase 2 of the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) and the Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP), both of which will provide critical relief for the agriculture industry throughout the United States.

US Rep. Ronny Jackson

“Americans continue to face historic inflation and supply chain issues, which has led to rising costs in nearly every aspect of life,” Jackson said.

“Our farmers and ranchers are no exception to these struggles. Last year, Texas farmers and ranchers saw significant agriculture losses of over $600 million due to Winter Storm Uri. The damage from storms and natural disasters in 2020 and 2021, combined with soaring input costs and devastating labor shortages, have left many farmers and ranchers helpless,” the congressman said.

“These hard-working individuals, many of whom I represent in TX-13, deserve answers from the USDA on its plan to distribute the remaining disaster funds through Phase 2,” Jackson said. “The Biden Administration must ensure America’s farmers and ranchers get the resources and support they need to continue to feed, fuel, and clothe the world.”

In September 2021, Congress authorized emergency relief funding for production losses endured during the 2020 and 2021 calendar years.

This disaster relief package, which included language Jackson authored, is meant to provide critical resources to Texas ag producers.

In January 2022, Rep. Jackson led his colleagues in sending a letter to Agriculture Secretary Vilsack calling on the ag department to administer the disaster relief payments authorized by Congress without delay.

Since then, the USDA established two multi-phase systems—ERP and ELRP.

The USDA used existing producer data to expediate emergency payments through Phase 1. However, to date, Congress has received no information from the Administration about its plan, or timeline, to distribute the remaining funds through Phase 2.

Robert Lopez Murillo

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Robert Lopez Murillo passed away on November 23, 2022, at the age of 70, in Memphis, Texas.
Robert Lopez Murillo

Memorial services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, November 29, 2022, in Robertson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon.

Cremation and arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Bobby was born on February 21, 1952, to Estolio and Aurora Murillo in San Jose, California. Bobby was the eighth out of twelve children; he grew up in a hard-working family. While living in San Jose, Bobby worked at a barrel company. Later in life, Bobby would make his way to Clarendon, Texas where he would work detailing automobiles and was a ranch help. Bobby would always be there to watch his 49ers play on Sundays and Mondays. He also loved watching the San Francisco Giants during the summertime.
Bobby loved his kids and family, he married his wife, Stacie Murillo, in 2005; following their marriage they would have their two kids, Jacob and Josie. Bobby loved playing and joking around with his two kids, making sure they had everything they needed. Bobby had one other child (Cassandra) and a stepchild that he claimed as his own (Benita) with his first wife (Mary).
Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Richard, Rudy, Joe, and Ventura. Sister Amelia, and his nephew and niece. Bobby is survived by his wife, four kids, sisters Maggie (Ruben) Munoz, Lupe (Larry) Alcantar, Alice (Jaime) Chavez. Brothers Louie (Maria) Murillo, Micheal Murillo, Johnny Murillo. Too many to count nieces and nephews, his dogs, and many friends and other family members.
Memorials may be made to an animal rescue shelter nearby.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Philip Lee Fletcher

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Philip Lee Fletcher passed away on November 24, 2022, at the age of 74, in Amarillo.
Philip Lee Fletcher

“Phil” was born on December 12, 1947, to Jim and Dorothy Fletcher in Potter County.  The second of three boys, he grew up in a family deeply rooted in farming and ranching.  From early in his life, he had a passion for horses.  He showed in 4H for many years in his youth.  He enjoyed team roping, team penning, and sorting, but he always had a strong desire to be a horseman above all.

Phil met the love of his life, Gayla Sue Endicott at Texas Tech.  Their first date they went dancing, and they spent many evenings dancing in the kitchen throughout their lives.  As newlyweds they moved to Logan, New Mexico, and started their married life in a “very modest” rancher’s bunkhouse outside of town.  From there, Gayla lovingly followed him all over the Panhandle of Texas as they moved 22 times throughout their married life.  In 1970, they began their family with their first son, Cody Lee, followed in 1974 with their second son James Chance, and their daughter Tessa Lorraine was born in 1975.
In business, Phil worked for various cattle companies throughout his life including Mesa Cattle Company, Valley View Cattle Company, and Amarillo Livestock Auction.  He was also an enterprising businessman over the years running Security Abstract Company and working at Herring Bank in Clarendon.  His most recent endeavor, Amigos Cattle Company was something that he enjoyed so much that retirement was never an option.  He enjoyed helping others with accounting, and business mentoring as he was gifted sense of numbers.
He was preceded in death by his wonderful wife, Gayla, his parents, Jim Fletcher and Dorothy Hunter, and his brother Gary Fletcher Sr.
He leaves behind his son Cody Fletcher and his wife Erin Fletcher of Whitesboro, Texas, his son Chance Fletcher and his wife Shelly Fletcher of Richardson, Texas, his daughter Tessa Morrow and her husband Joe Morrow of Claude, Texas.  He is also survived by his brother Alan Fletcher and his wife Tonya Fletcher of Amarillo, Texas.  He was blessed with   grandchildren, Dillon Morrow of Claude, Texas, Tristan Fletcher and his wife Taylor Fletcher of Waller, Texas, Bailey Morrow and his wife Michaella Morrow of Waller, Texas, Megan Fletcher of Dallas, Texas, Caden Fletcher and Cole Fletcher of Richardson, Texas.  He was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Caleb Morrow, and Tate Fletcher.
Donations may be sent to the Claude EMS in lieu of flowers.
Cremation & Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 26, 2022 from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Burrow in Claude.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Darrell Gayle Leffew

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On November 22, 2022, for Darrell Gayle Leffew, 80, the long dark night has ended as the Angels came to escorted him into his Eternal Home.
Darrell Gayle Leffew

There will be a memorial service at Paramount Baptist Church in Amarillo, Tx on Monday, November 28, at the Paramount Baptist Chapel, 3801 South Western St., officiated by Bunk Skelton and Stan Leffew.  He will be laid to rest at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

On December 21, 1941, Darrell was born to Willis Leary Leffew and Claris (Rich) Leffew in Santa Maria, Calif.  His family moved to Clarendon in 1949, and Darrell graduated from Clarendon High School in 1959.  On June 3, 1961, he married his sweetheart, Wilma Elliott in Clarendon.  They made their home in Lubbock, where he worked for Hancock Equipment Co, the original inventors of elevating scrapers.  Darrell loved everything about moving dirt and heavy equipment, especially scrapers.  In 1971, Darrell and Wilma moved their family back to Clarendon where Darrell established Clarendon Manufacturing.  He would go on to design, manufacture and service elevating scrapers for the next 51 years.
He served as a School Board member in Clarendon for nine years.  He was a thirty-year member of the Clarendon Lions Club.  He was a deacon at First Baptist Church in Clarendon, and a charter member and Deacon at Community Fellowship Church.  In his later years, he was a member of the Arena of Life Cowboy Church in Clarendon.  Darrell and Wilma had recently moved to Amarillo where they became members at Paramount Baptist Church.  Darrell was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed snow skiing.
Darrell was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Othel and Veda Elliott (whom he dearly loved); his two brothers, Doyle Leffew and Larry “Corky” Leffew; his sister, Rava Rose McKinney; his two brothers-in-law, Buddy Brunson and Harold Elliott; and his grandson Tyler White.
Those who are left behind to celebrate his life are his wife Wilma of Amarillo, a son Stan and wife Lori Leffew of Clarendon, and a daughter Terri and husband Wade Carroll of Amarillo.  He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren, Nathan Estes and McKayla Carroll of Amarillo, McKenzie Carroll, Alec Estes, and Ashton Estes of Lubbock, Lauryn Sackett of Colorado Springs, Jessica English of Clarendon, Amanda Atamah of Plano, and Matt McCabe of Amarillo; eleven great grandchildren; and two great, great grandchildren along with numerous nephews and nieces.
Suggested memorials can be made to the Alzheimers Foundation, Arena of Life Cowboy Church, or Paramount Baptist Church.

Family fun, savings set for holiday weekend

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Family fun and local savings abound as Donley County gets ready to celebrate the Thanksgiving weekend with the Chamber of Commerce promoting Small Business Saturday, the ninth annual lighting of the Donley County Courthouse, and the annual Polar Express event at the Mulkey Theatre.

“Shop Small Big Christmas” is the promotion from the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce this holiday season that will put a grand total of $550 in Chamber Christmas Cash in the hands of lucky winners who shop with local merchants.

Sign-ups begin Saturday for drawings that will be held for $100 on December 2, 9, and 16; and the big $250 giveaway will be held December 23.

Participating merchants include Amanda’s Country Soaps, Country Bloomer’s Flowers & Gifts, Every Nook & Cranny, Henson’s, J&W Lumber, Mike’s Pharmacy, Rambling Ranch Boutique, Saye’s Flying A Tack, Whistle-Stop, and Wicked Fast Attire

To enter, shoppers will fill out an entry at local participating merchants. The Chamber will gather them up each Friday morning, and hold the drawings live on the Chamber’s Facebook. Enter as many times as you shop locally, so shop often. Entries stay in the hopper each week, so those who enter will have multiple chances to win.

See the Chamber ad below this article to see which merchants have special events planned for this Saturday.

A Donley County Craft Show will also be held at the EDC Building at 118 S. Kearney on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The fun continues Saturday evening at the Donley County Courthouse at 5 p.m. The official Courthouse Lighting includes visits with Santa Claus, music, hot cocoa from the Lions Club, and the lighting of the courthouse square.

The Christmas celebration continues Sunday evening with a special showing of The Polar Express at the Mulkey Theatre.
Admission will be a donation to the Donley County Community Fund, and attendees are encouraged to get into the spirit of the movie by wearing their pajamas to the show, which starts at 6 p.m.

Local merchants are ready to help you find something for everyone on your Christmas list with specials this holiday season. Details on local sales are printed in the Holiday Gift Guide included in this week’s Clarendon Enterprise and also available at ClarendonLive.com.

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 local community.

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State looking at new way to fund community colleges

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Texas must develop an innovative new model to fund community colleges that rewards colleges for awarding degrees, certificates, and other “credentials of value” that will soon be required in more than 60 percent of the state’s jobs.

Clarendon College president Tex Buckhaults says the proposal could lead to beneficial legislation for small community colleges.

“We put a lot of effort into these recommendations,” Buckhaults said, “and there’s the potential to greatly improve funding for Clarendon College and other community colleges.”

There are currently 11 community colleges with enrollments of less than 5,000 students, Buckhaults said, which could benefit from the new funding mechanism.

The Texas Commission on Community College Finance (TxCCCF) recommended these changes in a report submitted to state leaders in advance of the 88th legislative session, which commences Jan. 10. The commission – made up of 12 lawmakers, business leaders, and community college officials – was established by the Legislature last year through Senate Bill 1230 to help the state update its decades-old community college funding model to meet the changing needs of employers and the Texas economy.

TxCCCF offers three sets of recommendations for a new model that support the goals of Building a Talent Strong Texas, the state’s strategic plan for higher education: Reward community colleges for positive student outcomes; Increase affordability and financial aid, including for low-income students; and Increase capacity at colleges to meet changing workforce needs.

“We need a funding model for our 50 community college districts that is bold, strategic, and fully aligned with our emerging workforce needs,” said Woody Hunt, TxCCCF chairman. “Colleges must have the resources to help more Texas students enroll and earn credentials that will create new opportunities for their families and for the entire state.”

The TxCCCF recommendations tie funding to measurable student-focused outcomes. These include: The number of credentials of value awarded, including badges, certificates, and degrees, that position graduates for well-paying jobs. Credentials of value awarded in high-demand fields where employers are looking for skilled employees. Successful student transfers from community colleges to four-year universities. Completion of a sequence of dual credit courses, which are offered to high school students and can set them on early pathways to success.

Buckhaults said his only hesitation is language that “encourages” colleges to develop a system of shared services. He said Clarendon and other small colleges will be watching to make sure that remains a voluntary option and not a mandate so that small schools don’t have to worry about losing jobs.

“The accelerating pace of change in our economy requires bold new approaches to support our community colleges,” said Texas Higher Education Commissioner Harrison Keller. “The new funding model must empower community colleges across the state – from the largest urban colleges to small, rural-serving colleges – to educate many more students from all backgrounds so they can earn credentials of value in the Texas workforce of today and tomorrow.”

In addition to the focus on rewarding community colleges for positive outcomes, the TxCCCF recommends that the state make community colleges more affordable by increasing financial aid through Texas Educational Opportunity Grants (TEOG); providing more aid for dual credit courses for economically disadvantaged students; and supporting apprenticeships, work-study, internships, and other work-based learning opportunities.

If implemented, the recommendations would also increase capacity in community colleges by providing seed grants for programs in high-demand fields; supporting shared services and partnerships for colleges to become more efficient; and helping them provide high-quality, noncredit credentials that are convertible and stackable with credit-bearing programs.

Under Texas’s current community college funding model, most revenue is generated by tuition and property taxes, which are set and collected locally. Over the past decade, local property tax collections have increased significantly. The state also contributes funding through a formula that considers how colleges perform in relation to one another.

The system was developed to meet the needs of colleges when they were established in the early 20th century. It does not fully recognize the role community colleges play today.

Members of the TxCCCF will be available throughout the legislative session to provide guidance and support to lawmakers as they consider the recommended changes.

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