Morgan Wheatly

A blood drive will be held Monday, March 6, to benefit Clarendon second grade teacher Amber Williams.

The drive, organized by Clarendon High School senior Marshal Johnson, will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Clarendon ISD Video Conference Room in the Administration Building.

Williams is battling leukemia and taking treatments through MD Anderson in Houston. Johnson heard from his mother about her situation and wanted to do something.

“I knew about the blood center; and when I talked to the lady there, she was very helpful,” he said. “We want to try to get 50 pints of blood, and my understanding is that would be a record in Clarendon.”

Johnson said Williams gets blood transfusions as part of her treatment, but in addition to blood, monetary donations will be taken at the drive also to help Williams and her family as the deal with the ongoing expense of her fight with cancer.

The drive is being sponsored by Clarendon Family Medical Center, Greenbelt Electric Coop., and Greenbelt Water Authority. Every blood donor will receive a special t-shirt commemorating Williams’ fight.

All blood donors must have a valid photo ID and must be at least 17 years old. Sixteen-year-olds can donate with a parent’s permission.

Johnson says an appointment is not required, but donors wishing to save time can schedule an appointment to give blood by calling 331-8800 or going online to yourbloodinstitute.org.

People who cannot attend but wish to donate money can do so at the CISD Administration Building or by calling Johnson at 806-205-0147.

Clarendon Aldermen approved a settlement last week related to damages to the home of a local couple from a sewer backup.

City Administrator David Dockery presented the settlement at the February 23 City Council meeting and said the agreement, which was accepted by B.J. and Jennie Owens and their attorney, maintains that there is no acceptance of responsibility or blame by the city.

The city will pay the Owens $6,700, and the Owens will indemnify the city of any future claims, according to the settlement.

“This is just to help the Owens’ with their damages,” Dockery said. “The city still maintains it was not liable in this case.”

A downpour on August 29 caused the city’s sewer line to back up inside the Owens’ Third Street home. The couple’s homeowner’s insurance denied their claim, and the city’s insurance also denied a claim touting the city’s sovereign immunity in the case.

In other city business, Dockery reported on code enforcement efforts and said condemnation was moving forward on a Sully Street residence and that the owner was planning to move the structure. He also said an Eighth Street property being targeted for code issues has now sold and the new owner is preparing to make improvements.

Dockery also updated the council on the status of a $3.9 million water infrastructure improvement project. Plans are expected to be completed by March 1 and will then be reviewed by USDA, which is providing financing for the job.

If all goes well, Dockery said it will take about a year to get everything approved, financed, and bid before construction can begin. Once the project gets underway a year from now, it will likely take three years to complete.

“Everyone will be affected all over town,” Dockery said, “but everyone will benefit.”

Dockery praised Public Works Director John Molder for his assistance in planning for the USDA project, saying it would have been very difficult for the city to take this project on without his help.

“In addition to 20-plus years’ experience with the city, he also has photographs of many projects the city has done over the years,” Dockery said. “So when his memory isn’t quite photographic, he has actual pictures to show what was done.”

The administrator also reviewed the city’s financial condition in terms of paying off its current debt for street paving and water improvements. Those bonds and tax notes will be paid for in 2019 at which time the city could begin to plan for another paving project. However, Dockery said no new paving would be undertaken until the USDA project is finished, which will likely be in 2021.

Two local governments will hold contested elections this spring after competitive races emerged for the Clarendon City Council and the Clarendon school board.

When the Friday deadline passed for candidate sign-ups, the City of Clarendon had three men vying for two open Aldermen positions. Alderman Nathan Floyd signed up for re-election, and Britton Hall and Jacob Fangman also chose to run for office.  Alderman Doug Kidd choose not to seek re-election.

Mayor Sandy Skelton is unopposed in his re-election bid.

At Clarendon ISD, Trustees Weldon Sears and Reneé Mott will be joined on the ballot by Zack Robinson as the three run for two seats on that board.

Four other local boards did not draw enough candidates to have contested races, and one of those boards did not even draw enough interest to fill all the available seats.

The Hedley ISD Board of Trustees will have incumbents Cindy Lambert and Troy Monroe returning to the board, but a third position is vacant and drew no interest. Superintendent Colby Waldrop says the board will now have to appoint someone to that seat.

In Howardwick, Mayor Mike Rowland and Alderman Eric Riddle will serve another term and will be joined on the board by Shelley Williamson after Alderman Gail Leathers choose not to run again.

All of the incumbents have signed up for re-election at the City of Hedley, including Aldermen Carrie Butler, Kathy Spier, and Tonya Metcalf for full terms and Alderman Guy Watt for the remainder of his unexpired term.

All three incumbents have filed for re-election on the Donley County Hospital District Board. Those officials are Wayne Tubbs – Place One, Jeff Robertson – Place Two, and Melinda McAnear – Place Three.

Elections will be held Saturday, May 6, 2017.

Clarendon College Regents green lighted two new programs and extended the contract of President Robert Riza during their regular meeting last Thursday, February 16.

The board met in closed session to evaluate the president before returning to open session to extend Dr. Riza’s contract through June 1, 2019.

“The board appreciates the direction the College has taken under the leadership of Dr. Riza,” Board Chairman Jerry Woodard said. “His ability to think outside of the box to place the college in a preferred position and to provide opportunities to students that wouldn’t otherwise be reached and benefit the College itself in its future progression.”

The board also approved plans by the Riza administration to implement two new programs this fall designed to help keep the college’s enrollment growth momentum going.

The first is the revival of the college’s equine judging program, which would be one of the few junior college program in Texas and would transfer into West Texas A&M University’s program. The program would require hiring an instructor but would otherwise have minimal startup costs.

The second program would be an Honors College offered to high school students taking dual credit classes from Clarendon College.  The plan calls for CC to waive tuition and fees equal to the number of dual credit hours completed, providing that the student lives on the campus in Clarendon.

Details of both new programs are still being finalized and more information will be forthcoming.

In his president’s report, Dr. Riza reported on Clarendon’s continuing expansion of its offerings in area state prisons, where statistics shows a significant impact in preventing repeat offending by earning college credit or degrees. One unit has reported a 21 percent drop in recidivism since Clarendon College began offering classes.

Riza also said his office had been in Austin three out of four weeks in February to speak on behalf of Clarendon College, community colleges in general, and Donley County.

CC Chief of Staff Ashlee Estlack was one of seven professionals with the Texas Association of Community College Marketers (TACCM) who planned, prepared, and carried out the communications plan for the Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC) that was launched on Community College Day in Austin two weeks ago.

During the meeting of the Texas community college trustees, Riza was called on to introduce Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) as the keynote speaker. Seliger is the chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee.

In addition to visiting with key legislators on behalf of the college, Riza said he also visited with DPS officials about the impact on Donley County of transferring local troopers to the border and the impact on CC and area school districts of closing the DPS Commercial Drivers License office in Childress.

If you’ve skipped paying that speeding ticket that you stuffed in your glove box, you could soon find yourself wearing a pair of handcuffs when the Texas Warrant Round-Up begins Saturday, February 25.

Donley County Justices of the Peace and more than 200 other jurisdictions and law enforcement agencies across the state will be participating in the round-up, and officials say it’s best to pay your fine now before it starts.

Local justice courts handed numerous open cases over to a collection agency in Amarillo, which has sent letters out to those individuals.

The courts have already put a hold on the driver’s licenses of the offenders in question, and for those who don’t pay up, warrants will be issued and the offenders will be arrested.

Justice Denise Bertrand said Donley County has had good results from participating in the Texas Warrant Round-Up in years past.

“It has been successful in the past,” Bertrand said. “I consider it a success when they pay their fine, and we don’t have to put out a warrant or put them in jail.”

As collection agents’ letters show up in mailboxes and word gets out about the round-up, local courts are already seeing an influx of people paying their fines.

If someone is unable to pay their fine, officials still say it’s better to contact their offices before warrants go out Saturday.

“Community service is an option if they can prove they can’t pay their fine,” Bertrand said.

The district court heard two pleas when it met in Clarendon on Thursday, February 16, and also heard pleas in six local cases when it met in Childress February 2.

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

Eddie Lynn Floyd, 59 from Clarendon, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to five years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ.

On May 9, 2016, Floyd originally pleaded to the charges from the January 10, 2016 offense in Donley County.  The State filed the motion to adjudicate on January 4, 2017, alleging 10 violations of community supervision.

Floyd is also required to pay $573 in court costs to Donley County, a $60 lab restitution fee, and a $250 fine.

Francisco Ivan Marrufo was placed on probation for a period of two years for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance.  Marrufo pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Marrufo, 30 from Platteville, Colo., was arrested in Childress County for the offense that took place on November 20, 2016 by Childress Police Officer Todd Gambol. Marrufo pleaded to an information filed by the State on February 15, 2017.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Marrufo is required to pay $329 in court costs, $180 drug lab restitution, a $500 fine, successfully complete 200 hours of community service, and $500 out of state probation transfer fee. Marrufo’s plea of guilty subjects his deportation to his country of origin, Mexico. If Marrufo violates probation, he could face up to two years in the State Jail Division of the TDCJ.

On February 2 in Childress, District Attorney Luke Inman, assisted by Greg Buckley, prosecuted six local cases with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.

Joshuea Bart Chandler was placed on probation for a period of two years for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance.  Chandler pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Chandler, 21 from Houston, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place on July 14, 2016 by DPS Trooper Chad Simpson. Chandler pleaded to an information filed by the State on October 21, 2016.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Chandler is required to pay $458 in court costs, $180 drug lab restitution, a $2,000 fine, and successfully complete 100 hours of community service. If Chandler violates probation, he could face up to two years in the State Jail Division of the TDCJ.

Felipe Quintana, Jr was placed on probation for a period of two years for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance.  Quintana pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Quintana, 20 from Meadows Place, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place on July 14, 2016 by DPS Trooper Chad Simpson. Quintana pleaded to an information filed by the State on October 21, 2016.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Quintana is required to pay $458 in court costs, $180 drug lab restitution, a $2,000 fine, and successfully complete 100 hours of community service. If Quintana violates probation, he could face up to two years in the State Jail Division of the TDCJ.

Monica Lynn Riley was placed on probation for a period of two years for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance.  Riley pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Riley, 18 from Spring, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place on July 14, 2016 by DPS Trooper Chad Simpson. Riley pleaded to an information filed by the State on October 21, 2016.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Riley is required to pay $458 in court costs, $180 drug lab restitution, a $2,000 fine, and successfully complete 100 hours of community service. If Riley violates probation, she could face up to two years in the State Jail Division of the TDCJ.

Kihana Beller Hawkins was placed on probation for a period of two years for the Class A misdemeanor offense of possession of marihuana.  Hawkins pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Hawkins, 22 from Houston, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place on October 22, 2016 by DPS Trooper Justin Dillman. Hawkins pleaded to an information filed by the State on January 18, 2017.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Hawkins is required to pay $458 in court costs, $180 drug lab restitution, a $4,000 fine, and successfully complete 100 hours of community service. If Hawkins violates probation, she could face up to one year in the Donley County Jail.

Clifford Roberto Niles, Jr. was placed on probation for a period of two years for the state jail felony offense of possession of marihuana.  Niles pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Niles, 23 from Fresno, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place on October 22, 2016 by DPS Trooper Justin Dillman. Niles pleaded to an information filed by the State on January 18, 2017.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Niles is required to pay $458 in court costs, $180 drug lab restitution, a $2,000 fine, and successfully complete 100 hours of community service. If Niles violates probation, he could face up to two years in the State Jail Division of the TDCJ.

George Edward Green, Jr., was placed on probation for a period of four years for the second degree felony offense of possession of a controlled substance.  Green pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Green, 23 from Sulphur Springs, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place on September 25, 2016 by DPS Trooper Kellan Roberts. Green pleaded to an information filed by the State on January 18, 2017.

Pursuant to the plea, Green is required to pay a $4,000 fine, $458 in court costs, $180 lab restitution, and complete 300 hours of community service. If Green violates probation, he could face up to 20 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.