Morgan Wheatly

Construction on a 224 Megawatt windfarm along the Donley and Gray county border should begin next month and be completed by the end of 2016, according to a report Monday at the Donley County Commissioners’ Court meeting.
Vince Green with EDF Renewable Energy said Blattner Energy will be the general contractor on the job and that foundation work should begin in December.
The project will see a total of 112 two-Megawatt wind turbines erected in northwestern Donley and southwestern Gray county near Interstate 40.  Ninety-five of the turbines will be in Donley County, Green said.
Blattner Energy is planning a job fair for general laborers as well as heavy equipment operators next Thursday, November 19, at the Pampa Chamber of Commerce office, 200 N. Ballard, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Commissioners approved a request from EDF to delay by one year the start of a tax abatement for the wind farm, which is being termed Salt Fork One.  Plans are already underway for a second wind farm nearby called Salt Fork Two.
In other county business, commissioners and County Judge John Howard discussed whether county road hands need to have commercial driver’s licenses and whether the county must require random drug testing of CDL holders. No action was taken, but the subject will be up for discussion again next month.
Commissioners also agreed to have the judge work with the Texas Association of Counties to get a possible schedule for risk management trainings.
The court approved a policy for the cremation of paupers and adopted a resolution supporting the 2016 Indigent Defense Grant Program.
Commissioners also discussed the need to clean and repair gutters on the courthouse.

Local sales tax revenue slid again when Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar made his monthly allocations to Texas cities last week.
Clarendon’s revenue dropped 2.61 percent to $41,667.64 for this month, dragging the city’s calendar year-to-date figure down 1.47 percent at $361,589.53.
Sales figures have struggled all year in Clarendon with the city seeing declines in sales tax revenue in seven of the last 11 months.
This month’s allocations are based on sales made in September by businesses that report tax monthly, and sales made in July, August, and September by businesses that report tax quarterly.
The City of Hedley saw its figures rise for the month from $848.92 at this time last year to $1,540.66 this month. But that city is still down 7.85 percent for the year at $6,149.42.
Howardwick’s revenue for this month dropped 11.23 percent to $12,054.95 and is now behind 3.78 percent for the year.
Statewide, Hegar said local sales taxes were up 1.2 percent for the month, but the state’s sales tax revenue fell more than five percent. Hegar said that sales tax revenue for the state in October was $2.28 billion, down 5.4 percent compared to October 2014.
“October state sales tax revenue was depressed, as expected, by declines in spending in oil and natural gas-related sectors,” Hegar said. “Other major sectors of the Texas economy, including construction, information, and services, continued to show growth in tax remittances.”

Clarendon College received a Medallion Award from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations at the NCMPR District 4 annual conference in Galveston last week.

Clarendon was awarded the Silver Medallion of Excellence for the College’s Ranch and Feedlot Operations print ad from Summer 2015.
“It is an honor to be recognized by our peers, many of whom come from much larger schools,” CC Marketing Coordinator Ashlee Estlack said.
The Gold Medallion was awarded to Tyler Junior College and the Bronze Medallion went to Alamo College District in San Antonio.
“We are very proud of the job Ashlee has done and this award just validates her hard work and dedication to the College,” CC President Dr. Robert Riza said.
The NCMPR Medallion Awards honor outstanding achievement in communications. The competition is the only regional contest of its kind that honors excellence exclusively among marketing and public relations professionals at two-year colleges.
NCMPR, an affiliate of the American Association of Community Colleges, represents marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges throughout the United States.
NCMPR’s District 4 includes community colleges in Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming.

The district court met in Memphis last Monday, November 2, and heard 22 pleas, including one case of local interest.

District Attorney Luke Inman, assisted by Greg Buckley, prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas, with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding

Brandi Nicole Blanco was placed on probation for a period of four years for the state jail felony offense of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Blanco pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Blanco, 30 from Kerrville, was arrested in Hall County for the offense that took place on September 21, 2014 by DPS Trooper Daniel Hawthorne. Blanco pleaded to an information filed by the State on October 30, 2015.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Blanco is required to pay $381 in court costs to Hall County. If Blanco violates probation, she could face up to two years in the State Jail Division of the TDCJ.

Blanco was also placed on probation for a period of four years for the second degree felony offense of burglary of a habitation. Blanco pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Blanco was arrested on September 21, 2015 for this offense which was being investigated by Donley County Chief Deputy Randy Bond. Blanco pleaded to an information filed by the State on October 30, 2015.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Blanco is required to pay a $1,000 to Donley County, $488 in court costs, $80 in restitution and successfully complete 300 hours of community service. If Blanco violates probation, she could face up to 20 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.

The Clarendon Lions Club celebrated its 93rd anniversary last Tuesday, November 10, at its annual Charter Banquet in the Lions Hall.

District Governor Mike Milligan was the honored guest for the evening, delivering remarks about the upcoming centennial of Lions International in 2017 and presenting awards to local members for their many years of service.

Lion Steve Hall was recognized for being a member for ten years, and Lion Roger Estlack received his 20-year chevron. Also recognized but not present was Lion Paul Bivens, who has been a member for 40 years.

Sweetheart Kendra Davis was formally presented with her sash and crown, and Lion Larry Capranica received his Past President plaque and name badge. Capranica then presented the Lion of the Year Award to Boss Lion Jacob Fangman for his volunteer efforts on behalf of the club and the community.

Attending this year’s banquet were: DG Mike Milligan and Lion Beverly Milligan, Boss Lion Fangman, Sweetheart Kendra Davis and Blaine Ellis, Lion Roger Estlack, Lion Russell Estlack, Lion Scarlet Estlack, PDG Jack King and Rebecca King, Lion Chuck Robertson and Amanda Robertson, Lion Mike Norrell and Leslie Norrell, Lion Jerry Woodard and Nelda Woodard, Lion John Howard and Lori Howard, Lion Larry Capranica and Karen Capranica, Lion Steve, and Lion Don Smith.