Morgan Wheatly

New traffic signals on US 287 will mean improved safety for both motorists and pedestrians, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

The new signals will feature pedestrian buttons and crosswalk lights at the intersections of US 287 with Kearney Street and Koogle Street in Clarendon, and Flashing Yellow Arrows (FYA) signals will also be installed.

TxDOT spokesperson Barbara Seal also said another new feature will be Accessible Pedestrian Signals, auditory signals for those who are visually impaired.

The new signals will be installed throughout the Childress District in Clarendon, Memphis, Childress, Quanah, and Chilicothe with work on the $1.9 million project set to begin in June.

Poles for the new signals will be taller to allow over-sized loads to pass through easier, and the project will also include improved handicapped ramping and curb and gutter repairs where necessary, Seal said.

The FYA traffic signal, used by TxDOT since 2011, is designed to reduce confusion and increase safety at intersections by indicating when left turns are permitted.

This new type of turn signal includes, flashing yellow arrow signals to create a safer, more efficient left turn.

When illuminated, the flashing yellow arrow means a vehicle is allowed to cautiously enter an intersection only to make the turn indicated by the arrow, but the driver must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians then proceed with caution.

After it flashes, the flashing yellow arrow becomes a steady (non-flashing) yellow arrow. Drivers should treat the steady yellow arrow just like a standard yellow light – prepare to stop or safely clear the intersection before the red light appears.

The signal will display in the following three phases. Solid Red Arrow: Stop. No left turns allowed. Drivers should wait at the intersection approach. Solid Yellow Arrow: The signal is about to turn red and drivers should prepare to stop. Flashing Yellow Arrow: Left turns are allowed, but you must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

The new FYA signal does not have a solid green protected left arrow. Seal said there is not enough traffic anywhere in the Childress District to justify solid green arrow signals.

A national study demonstrated drivers had fewer crashes with flashing yellow left turn arrows than with traditional signals.

 

Live music, dancing, and lots of fun activities will have downtown Clarendon energized when the fourth annual Mulkey Block Party opens on Kearney Street on Saturday, May 28.

The Memorial Day weekend tradition that is looked forward to by young and old alike has never failed to provide entertainment for all ages while celebrating Clarendon’s heritage and helping raise funds to restore the Mulkey Theatre.

“Insufficient Funds” will be back on stage to entertain for the evening, providing music that everyone loves and gets your toes tapping. Clarendon’s Rev. Black Flowers will provide the opening musical entertainment starting at 6 p.m., and a silent auction benefiting the Mulkey Theatre Project will also be held during the evening.

Entertainment activities for kids are being lined up, including bounce houses, cake walks, and, of course, cartoons showing inside the Mulkey itself!

Booth space reservations and car show entries are now being taken for this year’s block party. Booth space for activities, food, or vendors is $50 each on a first come, first served basis. Forms for booth spaces are available online at ClarendonEDC.org or can be picked up at the Clarendon Visitor Center.

Herring Bank is again the title sponsor for the Bike & Car Show, and entry fees are $20 per vehicle. Car show entry forms are also available online or at the Visitor Center.

Sponsorships from individuals and businesses will be the key to a successful event that will benefit continued work on the Mulkey project.

Commemorative t-shirts will also be available for this year’s block party, and pre-orders will be taken for those. More details will be available next week on the pre-orders.

Mark your calendars for the fourth annual Mulkey Block Party on May 28, and be part of one of the most unique and fun celebrations of the year.

For more information, to rent booth space, or to sign on as a sponsor, contact the Clarendon Visitor Center at Mulkey Theatre at 806-874-2421.

 

Clarendon College Regents ratified contracts for 21 nine-month faculty positions during their regular meeting last Thursday, April 21.

Those receiving contracts for the 2016-2017 academic year were Melvin Balogh, Volleyball Coach / Instructor; Dr. Edward Caraway, Biology ; Charla Crump, Speech; Stacy Dennis, Psychology ; Russell Estlack, Biology; Scarlet Estlack, Biology; Bret Franks, Ranch Horse & Rodeo Coach; Courtney Fuller, Agriculture; Kim Jeffrey, Criminal Justice / Government; Dr. Russell Killingsworth, Chemistry; Melissa McCoy, English; Kelly McDonough, English ; Devin McIntosh, Baseball Coach / Instructor; Ken McIntosh, History ; Andy McLatchy, Government / History; Chera Miller, English; Linda Rowland, Math; Dr. Sain, Jeremy Math; Johnny Treichel, Agriculture / Judging Coach; Frank Vance, Math; and Ken Wilson, Psychology / Sociology.

CC President Robert Riza said faculty on 12-month contracts would be presented at next month’s board meeting.

In other personnel matters, Regents approved the following new hires: Joel Shannon and Amanda Poole as basic skills tutors for welding and nursing respectively in Pampa, Lydia Martinez as an administrative assistant in Childress, and Mark James as the head women’s basketball coach and instructor.

Resignations were accepted from assistant livestock judging coach Curtis Wertman, Childress Center administrative assistant Michelle Lockhart, testing coordinator Angela Jordan, and interim head women’s basketball coach Kenisha McDade.

The board also ratified the reassignment of Chancey King as the college’s testing coordinator.

In other college business, regents approved a location for a new Texas Historical Marker on the Clarendon campus. The marker will be located in the median of College Drive at the intersection of Regent Drive.

In his president’s report, Dr. Riza said the Childress hospital continues work on the college’s new space in their facility, and he updated the board on a meeting with area school superintendents and counselors scheduled for this week.

The president also reported on attending a Rural Education meeting with Rep. Ken King and Sen. Kel Seliger in which both legislators praised Clarendon College for its recent nursing education agreement with Texas Tech University.

Riza said of 39 Clarendon College ADN students eligible to enroll in the program with Tech, 25 have committed to the course of study.

 

The sign-up period for Clarendon’s 11th annual “Trash To Treasures” garage sale event is underway, this year’s sale is slated for Saturday, June 4.

A large participation is again anticipated as calls have already been received about the event.

Garage sales in Hedley, Howardwick, and the surrounding area are also welcome to sign up for the big day.

Residents who wish to participate in this year’s “Trash To Treasures” are asked to come by the Enterprise before 5 p.m. on Friday, May 29, to sign up for the promotion.

For just $25, each household will get a 50-word advertisement in the Big-E Classifieds and the exclusive “Trash To Treasures” garage sale signs.

In addition, the Enterprise will print a city map the week of the event indicating the location of each sale and will promote the citywide garage sale in area newspapers and with local radio ads.

“The more people who have garage sales during Trash To Treasures, the better everyone will do,” said Roger Estlack, publisher of The Clarendon Enterprise which sponsors the event. “Sign-up fees are what cover the cost of area advertising, so we can reach more people and have better attendance if we have a larger number of sales.”

For more information about the annual Trash To Treasures garage sale event, call 874-2259 or come by the Enterprise office at 105 S. Kearney.

 

It’s back to the state academic meet again this year for Clarendon High School senior Caleb Cobb, and this time he’s bringing some folks along with him.

Cobb, last year’s regional champion in Current Issues and Events, narrowly missed winning a second straight individual title, placing 2nd at this year’s meet. But he led his team to the regional team title, and the group is headed for Austin May 23-25 to compete for a state championship.

Cobb is joined by fellow seniors Emilie Thompson and Cooper Bilbrey, and by freshman Noab Elam. The team has had an outstanding year, winning district earlier this year with one of the region’s best scores.

Another CHS senior who has had an outstanding academic year is Chesson Sims, who won the regional gold medal in Chemistry. Sims has competed in six meets this year and has won the Chemistry championship in five of them, capping off a stellar career in science competition. In regional competition Sims defeated last year’s state Chemistry champion to win a ticket to Austin.

Hannah Howard placed third in Chemistry, and Kendra Davis placed 6th in Headline Writing to complete those who placed at the meet.

The seniors travelling to the meet are eligible for TILF scholarships available only to UIL state academic competitors. The Science competition is slated for Tuesday, May 24, and the Current Issues contest for Wednesday, May 25, on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin.