Morgan Wheatly

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) has been named one of the 50 “most influential politicos to watch” by Politico, a Capitol Hill newspaper and website. The annual list, compiled by Politico’s editors and reporters, comprises what the publication calls, “the next generation of movers and shakers in politics and policy.”

Rep. Thornberry is recognized for his leadership and influence in national security. He currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, as well as a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Current Armed Services Chairman Buck McKeon (RCA) lauded Thornberry as his “partner” on the committee.

“We work together on just about everything, so I look to him as a real help,” McKeon said and cited the Clarendon native’s leadership within the committee and across the Republican Conference.

“He’s the one to help him turn up the volume – within the committee or even the Republican Conference – to help pass critical legislation like the annual defense policy bill.”

Admiral James Stavridis (USN RET), who stepped down earlier this year as NATO’s supreme allied commander and also served as the Commander of U.S. European Command, described Thornberry as “a leading actor on defense in the United States who is thoughtful, balanced and intellectually grounded in his opinions and actions.”

The article also praised Thornberry’s style, noting “He’s not a headline chaser like a lot of members…He’s not one who thinks of a question or an issue because he’s read about it. He tends to be ahead of the curve on the things he has oversight on.”

Politico says its “50 politicos to watch” feature looks “at the new generation of lawmakers, candidates, bloggers, fundraisers, consultants, and media standouts who will be a “force to reckon with in the coming years.”

Austin Adams of the Hedley FFA chapter was awarded a $18,000 scholarship, sponsored by Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, at the 85th annual Texas FFA State Convention held July 8-12 in Dallas.

Adams was awarded for his qualifications in academic achievement, leadership, SAE, FFA involvement, financial need, and personal interview. Austin Adams was one of 70 high school seniors across the state to receive this honor. He will be attending Clarendon College in the fall, where he also received a Livestock Judging Scholarship. He will be majoring in animal science.

The 85th annual Texas FFA State Convention recorded more than 11,000 members and guests. Members of the agricultural youth leadership organization spent the week attending leadership workshops, participating in events and activities, being recognized for their achievements and serving as the legislative body for the Texas FFA Association. The Texas FFA has evolved from an organization focusing primarily on production agriculture, to a broader-based encompassing organization that addresses the needs and interests of students in urban and suburban schools in addition to the rural communities from which FFA rose in 1929. The organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

The Texas FFA is the nation’s largest state FFA association with a membership of more than 95,000 members and 1,000 local FFA chapters. FFA gives students the opportunity to apply practical classroom knowledge to real world experiences through local, state and national competitions. For more information about the Texas FFA, visit www.texasffa.org.

 More than half a million dollars of bridge improvements will be made in the City of Clarendon following action taken by the Texas Transportation Commission last week.

State officials authorized $553,081 to construct a new bridge on Seventh Street at City Park and repair the bridge on Rosenfield Street. Gilvin-Terrill, LTD of Amarillo was awarded these projects for approaches and bridge work.

“Safety is the top priority at TxDOT and the basis for planning, building, and maintaining our transportation systems,” said Marty Smith, Childress District Engineer. “Keeping travelers moving safely and efficiently will continue to be an ongoing priority in Texas.”

The Seventh Street bridge was closed in 2008 after Texas Department of Transportation officials determined it was unsafe for travel. The pony truss bridge was built in 1908, and TxDOT says it will leave the historic bridge in place but closed to traffic, and the new bridge will be constructed adjacent to the old one on the south side.

The Rosenfield bridge is a 1940 Warren truss bridge and has remained open. TxDOT says that bridge will be rebuilt and keep its original appearance.

“In a state as vast as Texas, it’s imperative to not only have reliable roadways connecting our rural and urban citizens, but also to be diligent in designing and maintaining them with safety in mind,” said Texas Transportation Commissioner Fred Underwood.

TxDOT Public Information Officer Barbara Seal said work on the bridges should begin in the next few months.

The mini-boom in the Donley County economy continues to produce positive results for local sales thanks to the pipeline workers making their temporary homes in the area.

Clarendon’s sales tax receipts have been up for four months in a row, and a report last week by Texas Comptroller Susan Combs showed the city’s revenue was up by more than 41 percent for the second month.

Combs distributed sales tax allocations last Wednesday, July 10, and Clarendon posted revenue of $37,876.11 for the month of June compared to $26853.96 for the same month in 2012, an increase of 41.04 percent.

The city is now ahead 26.51 percent for the calendar year-to-date for sales tax revenue with collections totaling $232,205.65, up from $183,534.33 for the same time last year.

Hedley also continues to see an upward swing in tax revenue with a monthly allocation of $501.64, up 158.62 percent from $193.98 last June. That city is now 43.45 percent ahead for the year at $4,068.24.

Howardwick’s monthly sales tax revenue was up 20.36 percent for the month at $1,634.73, and is now ahead 2.71 percent for the year-to-date at $9,453.48.

Statewide, Combs said sales tax revenue in June was $2.17 billion, up 9.1 percent compared to June 2012.

“Growth in sales tax receipts was led by business sectors such as manufacturing and construction,” Combs said.

“Remittances from the oil and natural gas industry remain strong, while sales tax revenue was also notable for restaurants – a consumer sector.”

The sales tax figures represent monthly sales made in May.

A California woman sustained life-threatening injuries during an accident in Lelia Lake this past weekend.

Department of Public Safety Trooper Kellan Roberts said a group of three vehicles was traveling eastbound on US 287 early Sunday afternoon when the lead vehicle – a pickup pulling a trailer – lost a ladder that it was carrying.

The group pulled over, and Denisse Hogan, who was a passenger in a minivan that was second in the group, got out to retrieve the ladder. She was at the right rear corner of her vehicle when a Lincoln Town Car driven by a Memphis woman tried to avoid the ladder. The Lincoln struck the ladder, and the driver lost control of the vehicle, striking Hogan.

Hogan was transported to Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo, Roberts said. No citations have been issued in the accident.

Responding were the DPS, the Donley County Sheriff’s Office, Donley County EMS, and the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department.