Morgan Wheatly

Clarendon College Regents last week approved hiring a firm to keep student loan defaults down in order to preserve federal financial aid opportunities.

CC President Robert Riza said colleges whose former students have a default rate at or above 30 percent for three years risk losing federal financial aid; and while Clarendon is not in danger of reaching that threshold, college officials are being proactive to keep it from happening.

Another area college – Frank Phillips College in Borger – recently made the news because its default rate is above 30 percent.

CC currently has an employee working as a default specialist, and the college’s current default rate is 27.2 percent and falling. However, being a college with a small enrollment means only a handful of students can impact the percentage in a big way, Dr. Riza told the board of regents at its May 15 meeting.

Regents approved a contract with WISS Platinum Student Assistance Service, a company that Riza said had dropped Hill College’s default rate from 27 percent down to 20 percent in just nine months.

The contract will cost the college $16,000 per year, but Riza said the college handles more than $2 million in Pell grants and students receive between $2.5 million and $3 million in student loans annually.

In personnel matters, Riza reported he would be naming Johnny Treichel as the CC’s division director for agriculture in September and he re-titled the college’s deans as vice presidents with no change in duties or salaries.

Riza also reported that Annette Ferguson, the Vice President of Administrative Services, is resigning to take a position at UT-Permian Basin.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will significantly increase trooper patrols this Memorial Day weekend to help keep Texas roadways safe. During the increased patrols Friday, May 23, through Monday, May 26, troopers will be looking for drunk drivers, and speeding, seat belt and other traffic violators statewide.

“Memorial Day is a time of remembrance for those who have selflessly served our nation and made the ultimate sacrifice,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “As Texans mark the holiday, DPS urges drivers to obey all traffic laws and act responsibly by not drinking and driving. Trooper patrols will be targeting unsafe drivers who violate the law and jeopardize the safety of travelers on our roadways.”

Last year during the Memorial Day weekend, DPS troopers arrested 460 drunk drivers and issued 5,036 speeding citations, more than 800 seat belt and child safety restraint tickets, and cited 698 drivers for driving without insurance. Additionally, troopers arrested 281 wanted fugitives and 186 suspects with felony warrants.

DPS is also participating in the “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign through June 1, to encourage drivers and passengers to comply with state seat belt laws.

Drivers can take a variety of measures to help ensure safe travel during the weekend, including:

Slow down – especially in bad weather, construction areas, heavy traffic and unfamiliar areas.

Eliminate distractions while driving, including the use of mobile devices.

Buckle up everyone in the vehicle – it’s the law … “Click It or Ticket.”

Don’t drive fatigued, and allow plenty of time to reach your destination.

Drive defensively, as holiday travel may present additional challenges.

Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained before your trip begins.

Slow down or move over for tow trucks and police, fire, EMS and Texas Department of Transportation vehicles stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated – it’s the law.

A Donley County forgery case was on the docket when the District Court met in Wellington on May 12, and heard eight pleas in cases from four counties.

District Attorney Luke Inman prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.

Robert Dale Small was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ. However, the sentence was probated for a period of five years for the third degree felony offense of forgery.

Small, 29-year-old resident of Haslett, Texas, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place March 20, 2014, by Donley County Deputy Vincent Marasco. Small pleaded guilty to an information filed by the State on May 12, 2014.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Small is required to pay a $2,000 fine to Donley County, $488 in court costs, complete 200 hours of community service.

Tyler Allen Hunter was convicted for the second degree felony offense burglary of a habitation.

Hunter, 24-year-old resident of Childress was sentenced to eight years in the Institutional Division of Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the offense.

Hunter was arrested on February 29, 2014 by Childress Police Corporal Matthew Bradley. Hunter was indicted by a Childress County Grand Jury on May 6, 2014.

“Officer Bradley did an excellent job in this investigation following up on several leads that led to this conviction and the conviction of another co-defendant to the penitentiary,” said Inman. “The entire [Childress] PD has come a long way in a short time frame under the new supervision of Chief [Ottis] Garcia and they are putting together very solid felony cases.”

On April 23, Dominique Stewart, Hunter’s co-defendant, was sentenced to 14 years in the Institutional Division for the same offense. Hunter is required to pay $400.50 in court costs to Childress County and a fine of $2,000.00.

John Curt Bowen was placed on probation for a period of two years for the third degree felony offense of assault family violence enhanced. Bowen pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Bowen, 32-year-old resident of Wellington, was arrested in Collingsworth County for the offense that took place March 19, 2014 by Collingsworth County Sheriff Kent Riley. Bowen was indicted by a Collingsworth County Grand Jury on April 2, 2014.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Bowen is required to pay a $2,000 fine to Collingsworth County, $376 in court costs, and successfully complete 200 hours of community service.

Bowen must also successfully complete an anger management programs through the probation department due to the nature of the felony offense he committed.

If Bowen violates probation, he could face up to 10 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.

Robin Lynn Lore was placed on probation for a period of two years for the third degree felony offense of tampering with physical evidence. Lore pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Lore, 44-year-old resident of Fort Worth, was arrested in Hall County for the offense that took place September 29, 2013 by Memphis Police Officer Graham Carter. Lore pleaded guilty to an information filed by the State on February 3, 2014.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Lore is required to pay a $500 fine to Hall County, $381 in court costs, and complete 200 hours of community service. If Lore violates probation, she could face up to 10 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.

Santos Pina Martinez, a 42-year-old resident of Houston, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was convicted and sentenced to 16 months in the State Jail Division of the TDCJ.

On April 9, 2012, Martinez originally pleaded guilty to the state jail felony offense of burglary of a building that occurred on December 20, 2011, in Collingsworth County. The initial theft investigation was conducted by Riley, acting as Deputy for the Collingsworth County Sheriff’s Office.

The State filed the motion to adjudicate on April 22, 2014, alleging five violations of community supervision. Martinez is also required to pay $376 in court costs to Collingsworth County, a $1,500 fine, and $1,020.07 restitution.

Kerry Duane Fowler, a 59-year-old resident of Childress, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was convicted and sentenced to five years in the Institutional Division of TDCJfor the third degree felony offense of tampering with evidence.

On September 13, 2010, Fowler originally pleaded guilty to offense that occurred on June 20, 2009, in Childress County.

The State filed the motion to adjudicate on December 11, 2013, alleging five violations of community supervision.

Fowler pleaded true to the violations contained in the State’s motion and was sentenced to five years. Fowler is required to pay $376 in court costs to Childress County, a $500 fine, and $140 in restitution.

Casey Wayne Wallace was convicted and placed on probation for a period of five years for the state jail felony offense of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Wallace pleaded true to allegations contained in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to two years in the State Jail Division of the TDCJ, but the sentence was probated for a period of five years.

Wallace was originally placed on felony probation on November 3, 2011 after he was arrested on September 26, 2011 in Childress.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Wallace is required to pay a $1,500 fine to Childress County, $376 in court costs, $307.50 restitution, and complete 100 hours of community service.

Jose Luis Villarreal was convicted and sentenced to 16 months in the State Jail Division of TDCJ for the state jail felony of driving while intoxicated with a child passenger.

Villarreal, 35-year-old resident of Childress, was arrested in Childress County for the offense that took place August 26, 2012 by Childress Police Officer Jared Dill. Villarreal pleaded guilty to an information on September 17, 2012 and was placed on three years probation.

While on felony probation, Villarreal admitted to violating two conditions of probation. The State filed its Motion to Revoke on April 21, 2014, alleging six violations.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Villarreal is also required to pay a $2,500 fine to Childress County and $385.50 in court costs.

Clarendon College’s Wind Energy Program took center stage during a meeting with industry representatives and Congressman Mac Thornberry last week in Pampa.

CC President Robert Riza welcomed those in attendance and discussed how the college is working to meet the needs of the industry.

“We are proud of our program that is aimed at our students’ success and our communities’ success,” Dr. Riza said.

The congressman touted wind energy as a matter of independence for the nation and noted that the Texas Panhandle is well suited for the business.

“The more energy we can produce on our own, the better off we are,” said Thornberry.

CC wind energy instructor Lance Porter said the college offers a two-year associate’s degree in Wind Energy but said that students can get certifications as wind technicians after one year in the program.

“The purpose is to develop jobs and put people to work in an industry that is growing,” Porter said. “This program focuses on wind energy, but it really puts them in a position to do whatever they want to in life.”

Also speaking at the event was Sherry Kunka of Sharyland Utilities, the company that played the largest role in building transmission lines that have tied Panhandle wind production to the electric grid that feeds the more populated areas of the state. Kunka said the CC program opens the door for students not only to work on wind turbines but also to work as electricians and linemen.

Crystal Fouquet of Cielo Wind Power serves with Kunka on the advisory committee for CC’s wind program. Cielo built the Panhandle’s first wind farm near White Deer and has made significant donations of equipment and money to Clarendon’s program. Currently, the company is developing a wind farm in northern Donley and southern Gray counties.

“We look forward to a long-lasting relationship with Clarendon College and all the technicians who will come from here.”

Following the meeting, Porter gave media representatives a tour of CC’s facilities at the Pampa Center, which includes several simulators and pieces of equipment to give students the best experience.

“We put their hands on it, and that’s the best way to learn,” Porter said.

For more information about Clarendon College’s wind energy program, call 1-800-687-9737 or visit them online at www.clarendoncollege.edu.