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Archives for December 2023

Charline Mozel Mays

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Charline Mozel Mays, 88, of Clarendon went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 in Clarendon, Texas.

Charline Mozel Mays

Services will be 2:00 PM Friday, December 22, 2023, in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Lance Wood and Rev. Allen Posey, officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon, Texas.

Viewing will be held Thursday with family receiving friends for visitation from 4:00-6:00 PM at the funeral home.

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Charline was born August 10, 1935, to Curtis and Vera Oakley Johnson. She married Loyd Alton Mays on January 22, 1953, in Clarendon. She was a lifetime resident of Clarendon. Charline worked hard throughout her life. She worked for Texas Department of Transportation from 1977-2003, 20 plus years at Allsup’s, and the Clarendon College Cafeteria.

While Loyd was deployed for work, Charline was a dedicated wife and mother and took care of the household as well. She was a member of the Red Hatters Club and VFW Auxiliary. Charline dedicated her life to the service of other people and enjoyed the young people at Clarendon College. Charline instilled Christian values in her children at a young age. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Clarendon where she loved serving in the nursery. She loved her family very dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 2006; and a brother, Owen Johnson.

Survivors include her son, Lynn Mays and wife Laura of Howardwick; her daughter, Deena Robison and husband Claud of Howardwick; a brother, Mike Johnson of Clarendon; a sister, Beth Johnston of Clarendon; her grandchildren, Ryan Robison, Jeff Eigenmann, and Erica Eigenmann; her great grandchildren, Chloe Robison, Rose Eigenmann, and Brooke Eigenmann; and several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be sent to First Baptist Church in Clarendon, Alzheimer’s Association or Citizens Cemetery Association.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

County approves 90-day burn ban

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The Donley County Commissioners Court enacted a burn ban during their regular meeting Monday, December 11.

Under the commissioners’ order no outdoor burning is allowed on a day of a forecasted Fire Weather Watch or a Red Flag Warning issued from the National Weather Service in Amarillo.

Anyone engaging in outdoor burning must contact the Donley County Sheriff’s office prior to ignition and give the dispatcher a burn location, a contact phone number, and approximate burn time.

The persons engaging in outdoor burning needs to be present on the site of the burn until the burn is completed. Anyone engaging in any form of outdoor burning is asked to burn with extreme caution at all times.

The burn ban will stay in effect for the next 90 days.

Donley County Republicans have three contested races in ‘24

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Donley County Republicans will have three locally contested raises to decide during the 2024 primary this coming spring following Monday’s filing deadline.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Mark White is being challenged by Del Essary, and Precinct 3 Commissioner Neil Koetting will have two opponents – Sis Bond and Greg Wootten.

Precinct 3 & 4 Constable Randy Bond is also being challenged and will face Trey Pearson.

Three other county officers are running for re-election but drew no opposition this year – County Attorney Landon Lambert, County Tax Assessor/Collector Kristy Christopher, and County Sheriff Butch Blackburn.

All the above candidate are running for the Republican nomination for their offices. Bill Word is running to be the party’s county chairman.

On the Democratic ballot this spring, Jean Taylor is running as the party’s county chair again, and Brenda Swinney is running for precinct chair.

The party primaries in Texas will be Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

County pursuing sales tax-funded assistance districts

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Donley County Commissioners voted Monday to give notice to local municipalities of their intent to pursue the formation of county assistance districts that would be funded by sales taxes.

The commissioners’ court also approved a proposal to create a county assistance district in the unincorporated areas of the county.
County officials have discussed the districts as a mechanism to provide money to the Donley County Sheriff’s Office. The plan would be to create four county assistance districts – one each in the cities of Clarendon, Hedley, and Howardwick and one in the unincorporated areas of the county.

If the city councils vote to pursue creation of the districts, the matter would be put on the May ballot for citizens to approve or disapprove. With local sales taxes in Texas capped at 2.0 percent, Clarendon would have to give up part of its sales tax revenue to fund a district, and Hedley and Howardwick would see their tax rates increase from 1.0 percent to 2.0 percent with half going to the new districts. Unincorporated areas of the county would also take on a 2.0 percent sales tax.

As it has been discussed, the districts would be governed by the Donley County Commissioners Court.

County Judge John Howard and Sheriff Butch Blackburn were planning to go to the Howardwick City Council meeting Tuesday night to discuss the proposal as the Enterprise went to press. Blackburn and Howard will also visit the Hedley City Council on Thursday night and the Clarendon City Council next Thursday.

Cities have 45 days to respond to the county’s notice, Howard said.

In other county business Monday, Chriss Clifford of A Fine Feathered Nest presented ideas for improving county-owned buildings on the east side of the courthouse square as well as a concept of painting or staining the white brick of the Courthouse Annex. Judge Howard said the county will take bids on these ideas after the holidays and said the county wants to lead by example in terms of downtown revitalization by improving the looks of county-owned property.

Hill wins second drawing, Shop Small campaign continues

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Chamber Clerk Madeliene Black presents Tommy Hill with his Shop Small Christmas Cash last week. Enterprise Photo

Another lucky shopper will win $100 in Christmas Cash this Friday when the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce holds the third drawing as part of its second annual “Shop Small Big Christmas” promotion.

Tommy Hill was the lucky winner of $100 in Christmas Cash last Friday.

Sign-ups at participating merchants will continue through Dec-ember 21. The Chamber will give away a total of $550 this season with $100 drawings on December 1, 8, and 15; and a big $250 giveaway on December 22.

Participating merchants included Amanda’s Country Soaps, Brake Time, Broken Road Liquor, Cornell’s Country Store, Country Bloomer’s Flowers & Gifts, Courtney D’Costa – Scentsy Consultant, Every Nook & Cranny, Henson’s, J&W Lumber, Lashes by Holly, Lowe’s Family Center, Mulkey Theatre, Mike’s Pharmacy, Monroe’s Peach Ranch, Rambling Ranch Boutique, REFZ Sports Bar & Grill, Saye’s Flying A Tack, Whistle-Stop, and Wicked Fast Attire.

Additional Chamber members who wish to participate can call Chamber President Ashlee Estlack at 806-662-4687.
To enter, shoppers will fill out an entry at the participating merchants. The Chamber will gather them up each week 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.

Several businesses are also planning to be open for Late Night Shopping on December 14 and 21 this year. Most of the participating businesses will be open until at least 7:30 p.m., including Every Nook & Cranny, Henson’s, Rambling Ranch, Saye’s Flying A Tack, and Whistle Stop. Corrective Aesthetics will also be open late but only on December 21 until 7 p.m.

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

Visit the Chamber’s Facebook page or ClarendonTX.com/Christmas for more information.

Clarendon sets new December high for sales tax revenue

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The City of Clarendon set a new record when Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar distributed December sales tax allocations last week.

Clarendon’s revenue for the month increased 36.23 percent compared to December 2022 with an allocation of $45,831.54.

That’s the highest December sales tax ever for the city and beats last year’s record high of $33,640.67.

Clarendon finishes calendar year 2023 with sales tax revenues of $513,842.32, an increase of 2.63 percent over 2022.

The City of Howardwick also saw an increase with revenue of $1,550.71 for the month, up 3.41 percent compared to the same period last year. That city is up 0.39 percent for the year at $22,094.12.

Hedley fell 44.66 for the month at $440.20 and ends the year up 0.84 percent at $12,563.52.

Statewide, Hegar sent $1.1 billion in local sales tax allocations for December, 2.5 percent more than in December 2022.
These allocations are based on sales made in October by businesses that report tax monthly.

Casper grabs Round 3 money in Vegas at NFR

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Clarendon College alumn Wyatt Casper rides in the NFR in Vegas over the weekend. PRCA PHOTO / Rosanna Sales

By Ted Harbin, TwisTed Rodeo

LAS VEGAS – When cowboys arrive at in Sin City, they know the competition will be tough.

Only the top 15 contestants in each event qualify for the National Finals Rodeo, so it’s a showcase of the sport’s elite from that year. Now in his fourth trip to the championship, Clarendon College alum Wyatt Casper understands that well.

“I’ve been riding well, but I just needed something to happen,” he said.

That came Sunday night, when he rode Corey & Lange Rodeo’s Diamond Fever for 85.5 points to finish in a tie for fifth place in the third go-round. It was his first time in the money since the rodeo began, and it offered a bit of relief.

“It took until Round 3, but we finally got a paycheck,” said Casper of Pampa. “Yeah, we’re excited. Anytime you can get a check out here. It feels good.”

There are more than 600 PRCA rodeos across the country, and winning most of them would offer a smaller payday than the $6,438 he collected in Las Vegas. It’s a significant amount of money for one eight-second ride, but it pales in comparison to the $30,706 that goes to each night’s winner.

The NFR offers an impressive payout, issuing nearly $100,000 per day for 10 nights. By earning money on the third day of competition, Casper pushed his yearly income to just shy of $160,000. He is 12th in the world standings.

“I felt like I was riding good the first two nights,” said Casper, 27, of Miami, Texas.
“We’re just going to carry it over into these next couple of rounds. You want to get the good draws and show what you can do.”

Sunday’s battle with Diamond Fever was a rematch. The two danced across the Thomas & Mack Center floor at the 2021 NFR, and Casper was 84 points. He didn’t earn any money that night, so there were a lot of positive steps over time.

“I wouldn’t say I was really excited about drawing him,” Casper said. “It’s not really a horse that fits my style. I’m a bigger guy, and he is a little bitty thing. I’m still glad it all worked out.”

The ride also boosts his confidence. Originally from the tiny community of Balko, Oklahoma, he will have his biggest battle at this NFR during Monday’s fourth round. He will be matched with Championship Pro Rodeo’s Tickled Pink, which is part of the eliminator pen, the hardest-to-ride broncs at the NFR.

“We’re going to cross our fingers and hopefully draw of the better ones out of that pen so we can make some points,” said Casper, the 2016 intercollegiate champion at Clarendon College. “You just want to stay aboard and hopefully get to the South Point.”

The casino and resort on the south side of The Strip is rodeo central during the NFR and hosts the nightly Montana Silversmiths Go-Round Presentation. Nightly winners will be awarded buckles and celebrated on stage.

It’s where every contestant in the field wants to be on any given night, and it’s another attractive feature to competing on ProRodeo’s biggest stage.

Retirement honor

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Former Clarendon City Administrator David Dockery (left) stands with Mayor Jacob Fangman during a retirement ceremony for Dockery Monday evening at City Hall. Dockery retired this fall after eight years of service to the city. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack

Lady Broncos earn big wins in Childress

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The Clarendon Lady Broncos are off to a great start with another big win last week, beating Vega 83-40. Shown here: Tandie Cummins drives around a Vega player toward the goal. Courtesy Photo / Adelita Elam

By Sandy Anderberg

The Lady Broncos have been able to blow through teams so far this season and earning big wins.

Clarendon is currently ranked #8 in the TABC state rankings. Their latest wins came over the weekend as they participated in the Childress Tournament where they had four wins. They are 10-1 on the season.

Earlier in the week, the ladies traveled to Vega and demolished the Lady Longhorns 83-40. Four players finished in double figures with sophomore Berkley Moore leading the way with 14 points. Hayden Elam put in 13 that included going five for six from the bonus line, and Kenidee Hayes and Graci Smith put in 12 points each.

The Lady Broncos jumped on Vega early on and were able to set the rhythm of the game in their favor. The Longhorns struggled against Clarendon’s strong defense, and the Lady Broncos were able to capitalize on Vega’s mistakes and turnovers.
Presley Smith was able to put in nine points and Kate Shaw had eight. Courtlyn Conkin added seven, and Tandie and Kennadie Cummins helped with four each.

The Lady Broncos took on Vernon in the first round of the Round Robin Tournament in Childress and defeated them 50-41. The ladies nailed six three-pointers in the game and were 18 for 28 from the bonus line. Kashlyn Conkin had the hot hand from the arc and posted four big shots to help her team and lead the way with 12 points. Clarendon had Vernon down 11 points after three quarters and stayed solid the last eight minutes for the win. Moore, Elam, and Shaw added eight points each on the scoreboard.

Elk City was their second opponent, and they earned the victory in overtime at 50-47. The ladies showed their strength in the overtime period after leading until the fourth quarter. The ladies have been steady from the free throw line but fell off a bit and only converted at 58 percent in the high-fouling game. However; they were able to convert the shots when it counted. Hayes finished with 12 and Moore put in 11.

The ladies took on Floydada in the next round and defeated them 36-31 with a strong finish. The Lady Broncos trailed throughout until the final eight minutes. They were able to stay focused and hustled until the end to get the win. Moore led with 11, and K. Conkin and Shaw added six points each in the win.

They faced off against Hermleigh in the final game and won by 20 points at 53-33. Once again Moore led the way with 12 and G. Smith added 12 points of her own from the inside position.

The ladies performed well the entire game and got off to a great start early. They were able to show their dominance to the Lady Cardinals and held them away from the goal. Hermleigh was able to outscore the Lady Broncos in the final quarter of play, but it was too little too late for the Lady Cardinals.

P. Smith and K. Cummins put in five points each and K. Conkin and K. Cummins added four apiece. Elam connected with a three-pointer, and C. Conkin, Jayla Woodard, T. Cummins, and Shaw helped with two points each. The ladies shot 50 percent from the bonus line.

Pantex marks milestone for major project

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Pantex Site Manager Colby Yeary welcoming the audience. Pantex Photo / Michael Schumacher

Pantexans and partners from across the National Security Enterprise gathered last week to celebrate the production halfway completion mark of the B61-12 Life Extension Program and W88 Alt 370.

This milestone marks a significant accomplishment for Pantex, Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS), partners in the Nuclear Security Enterprise, the United States, and its allies.

Having both programs reach the halfway point at the same time is a unique achievement.

“It took every one of you doing your part, working together with those thousands of others to achieve the common goal of modernizing these two weapons systems in order to continue to provide the nation with a safe, secure, and reliable nuclear deterrent,” said Dr. Rich Tighe, president and chief executive officer of CNS.

The B61-12 and W88 are strategically important weapons in our nation’s nuclear deterrent. The work done on these programs is critical to our nation’s defense plans for many years to come.

“The B61 gravity bomb is deployed by the US Air Force on multiple platforms and has been in service more than 50 years, making it the oldest, most versatile weapon in the US stockpile,” said Carlos Alvarado, deputy field office manager for the NNSA Production Office. He continued, “The W88 first entered the stockpile in the late 1980s. The W88 Alt 370 includes numerous updates to address aging concerns and enhance nuclear safety.”

Modernization of these weapons is vital to the mission.

“Working on such complex programs can be daunting, but the nation is better off as a result of your diligence and dedication. The work done at Pantex is in support of our national security strategy,” said John Evans, NNSA assistant deputy administrator for stockpile management.

The work on these two programs has not stopped. Reaching the 50 percent completion milestone is an accomplishment worth celebrating.

“An accomplishment such as this is only possible through teamwork and cooperation of everyone involved,” said Colby Yeary, Pantex site manager.

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