Morgan Wheatly

The district court heard 13 pleas when it met in Clarendon Tuesday, July 18. District Attorney Luke Inman, assisted by ADA Harley Caudle, prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas, with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.

Norma Ann Garcia, 35 from Wellington, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to 17.5 years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ for the second degree felony offense of burglary of a habitation.

On October 5, 2015, Garcia originally pleaded to the charges from the August 7, 2015 offense in Collingsworth County when she was arrested by Collingsworth County Sheriff Kent Riley. The State filed the motion to adjudicate on November 3, 2016, alleging six violations of community supervision.

Garcia is also required to pay $376 in court costs and a $4,000 fine.

Garcia also pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to 10 years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ for the third degree felony offense of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine.

Garcia was arrested in Childress County by Childress Police Officer Todd Gambol on October 10, 2016 and pleaded guilty to an information on February 2, 2017 and placed on deferred adjudication for this offense as well. The State filed a motion to adjudicate on April 17, 2017, alleging three violations of probation.

Garcia is also required to a pay a $3,000 fine, $329 in court costs, and $180 in restitution.

Emily Garcia, 24 from Wellington, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to ten years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ for the third degree felony offense of prohibited substance in a correctional facility. However, the sentence was probated for a period of five years.

On August 29, 2014, Garcia originally pleaded to the charges from the June 10, 2014 offense in Collingsworth County by Collingsworth County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Warren. The State filed the motion to adjudicate on April 18, 2017, alleging six violations of community supervision.

After being finally adjudicated and convicted for the third degree offense, Garica is also required to pay $376 in court costs, a $1,000 fine, and $180 in restitution.

Suszanne Watkins, 35 from Amarillo, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to 17 months in the State Jail Division of TDCJ for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance.

On March 14, 2016, Watkins originally pleaded to the charges from the February 25, 2016 offense in Carson County by Panhandle Police Department Officer Taner Blackburn. The State filed the motion to adjudicate on July 15, 2016, alleging seven violations of community supervision.

Watkins is also required to pay $336 in court costs, a $500 fine and $213 in restitution.

Joshuue Ignacio Mier, 32 from Eugene, OR, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to 18 months in the State Jail Division of TDCJ for the state jail felony offense of possession of marijuana.

On October 21, 2013, Mier originally pleaded to the charges from the April 17, 2013 offense in Carson County by DPS Highway Patrol Trooper Joshua Allen. The State filed the motion to adjudicate on September 14, 2016, alleging six violations of community supervision.

Mier is also required to pay $336 in court costs, a $2,500 fine and $1,797 in restitution.

Skylar Kent Jones, 25 from Childress, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to 14 months in the State Jail Division of TDCJ for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance.

On December 1, 2016, Jones originally pleaded to the charges from the May 27, 2016 offense in Childress County when he was arrested by Childress Police Department Officer Jesse Zuniga. The State filed the motion to adjudicate on April 17, 2017, alleging four violations of community supervision.

Jones is also required to pay $329 in court costs, a $1,000 fine and $180 restitution.

Abel Villa was placed on probation for a period of three years for the state jail felony offense of endangering a child. Villa pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Villa, 35 from Memphis, was arrested in Hall County for the offense that took place on April 7, 2017 by Memphis Police Officer Weslee Bolton. Villa was later indicted by the Hall County Grand Jury on June 21, 2017.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Villa is required to pay a $2,500 fine, $381 in court costs, and successfully complete 100 hours of community service. If Villa violates probation, he could face up to two years in the State Jail Division of the TDCJ.

Santos Antonio Soliz was placed on probation for a period of three years for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance. Soliz pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Soliz, 22 from Amarillo, was arrested in Childress County for the offense that took place on June 14, 2017 by Gambol. Soliz pleaded to an information filed by the State on July 17, 2017.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Soliz is required to pay $354 in court costs, $180 drug lab restitution, a $2,500 fine, and successfully complete 100 hours of community service. If Soliz violates probation, he could face up to two years in the State Jail Division of the TDCJ.

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

Fletcher, 32 from Arlington, was arrested in Childress County for the offense that took place on November 11, 2016 by Childress County Sheriff’s Deputy Kenneth Arant. Fletcher pleaded to an information filed by the State on January 12, 2017.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Fletcher is required to pay a $4,000 fine, $329 in court costs, $180 lab restitution, and successfully complete 300 hours of community service. If Fletcher violates probation, he could face up to 20 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.

David Bryan Lewis was placed on probation for a period of five years for the first degree felony offense of possession of a controlled substance. Lewis pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Lewis, 50 from Ft. Gasland, CO, was arrested in Carson County for the offense that took place on November 18, 2015 by DPS Highway Patrol Trooper Jerome Ingle. Lewis pleaded guilty to an information filed by the State on September 2, 2016.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Lewis is required to pay a $5,000 fine, $336 in court costs, $180 restitution, successfully complete 400 hours of community service, and pay a $500 out of state probation transfer fee. If Lewis violates probation, he could face up to 99 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.

Jose Valenzuela-Mendoza, 23 from Phoenix, AZ, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to 22 years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ for the first degree felony offense of possession of a controlled substance.

On April 29, 2014, Valenzuela originally pleaded to the charges from the July12, 2013 offense in Carson County when he was arrested by DPS Highway Patrol Officer Max Honesto. The State filed the motion to adjudicate on August 12, 2016, alleging five violations of community supervision.

Valenzuela is also required to pay $336 in court costs to Carson County, $1,505.50 in restitution, and a $8,000 fine.

Mary Katherine Hill, 36 from Wellington, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to six years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ for the third degree felony offense of possession of a controlled substance.

On August 21, 2014, Hill originally pleaded to the charges from the August 4, 2014 offense in Collingsworth County when she was arrested by Collingsworth County Deputy Billy Doss. The State filed the motion to adjudicate on June 8, 2017, alleging three violations of community supervision.

Hill is also required to pay $376 in court costs, $180 in restitution and a $5,000 fine. Hill also pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to six years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ for the third degree felony offense of tampering with physical evidence. The offense date and plea date for this offense were the same dates for the third degree felony offense which Hill was also convicted.

Three Howardwick city officials have resigned and a fourth official quit but returned in the wake of last Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Aldermen.

Sources tell the Enterprise that comments from about 20 members of the public got out of hand towards the end of the July 11 meeting, prompting Mayor Mike Rowland to resign on the spot and Code Enforcement Officer Will Jordan to toss his badge on a table, offering his position to anyone who wanted to take it.

“It was bash the city night,” City Secretary Tammy Jordan said of the meeting.

Mayor Pro Tem Eric Riddle later convinced Jordan to keep his position with the city, and then on Friday, Alderman Sam Grider and maintenance worker Doc Holladay both resigned.

Former mayor Rowland told the Enterprise this week that he simply was tired of arguing.

“It was getting back to the way it used to be… fighting all the time,” he said. “I have had two good terms as mayor, and that was enough.”

Riddle said city officials need resolve differences before it gets to a public meeting.

“There was name calling resulting from friction between Will and Doc,” Riddle said. “Accusations were made and had to come to a resolution.”

Riddle said he thinks Howardwick will keep public comments on the agenda but said name calling and hearsay will not be tolerated.

Filling Rowland’s and Grider’s seats will be decided at the next regular city meeting on August 8.

“The council has to decide, but I’ll probably stay on as mayor, and then we’ll have two alderman vacancies to fill,” Riddle said. “We won’t look back; we’ll go forward.”

Clarendon College is launching a new Commercial Driver’s License certification program this fall.

The program will focus on basic driving skills, material handling equipment, basic maneuvers such as backing, docking, and handling; and safety measures.  Students will be taught to drive on various terrains, including city and country roads, and practice driving during both day and night time frames.

“We are very pleased to offer this program,” Dr. Robert Riza, Clarendon College President said.  “I feel it is a program our community deserves and needs, and it fills a void for employment that is missing from our service area.”

Instruction will include time in the classroom, the College’s new CDL simulator, and on-the-road in the college’s recently acquired semi-truck.

Classes are set to begin August 29 at the CC’s Downtown Educational Center in Clarendon and will be held Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

For more information, contact Program Director Ken Carlile at 806-874-3571 or fill out the online contact form at www.ClarendonCollege.edu/CDL

A financing option to help fund the Mulkey Theatre multi-use event venue and Clarendon’s water recreation project continued to move forward during last Thursday’s meeting of the city council.

Aldermen unanimously approved a resolution to obtain professional services with the financing, and Drew Whitington of Government Capital Corporation addressed the council about borrowing $1 million for the aforementioned community projects through the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation. Half the money would be dedicated to the Mulkey project, and half would be for the pool project.

Whitington said his company’s primary goal is to keep the community and the CEDC safe by making sure that all proper procedures are followed during the financing process.

“We review all cash flows to keep the city and the EDC safe,” he said. “In this case, we want do as much as is fiscally responsible through the EDC [sales tax] and the remainder through the HOT [Hotel Occupancy Tax] fund.”

Looking at the revenues available, Government Capital is recommending that $650,000 be financed by the EDC sales tax funds and $350,000 be financed by HOT funds, Whittington said. The term would be for 20 years at about 3.95 percent fixed interest rate, and the loan could be paid back early after ten years.

According to Whitington, the 60-day clock on the financing began on July 6. The next steps will be for the CEDC to approve the financing followed by a ratification by the city council. The funds would be available by September.

Getting those funds at that time is critical for another item on last week’s city agenda – a resolution that was approved to authorize submission of a grant application to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

City officials say the having the $500,000 financed money in hand by September, along with the more than $250,000 that has been donated and pledged to the pool project, allows Clarendon to meet the $500,000 challenge of an anonymous benefactor and lets the city apply for a TPWD matching grant of up to another $500,000.

Earlier last Thursday night, a public hearing was held on the TPWD grant application to seek money for the pool project. Ruth Aebischer spoke out with concerns about the project, and former mayor Larry Hicks spoke in favor of the plan.

In other city business, Aldermen heard from Paul Bivens in public comments with concerns about truck traffic on Third Street when Allsup’s builds its new store. Bivens said the street is currently in the best shape it’s ever been but said it will not withstand traffic of heavy trucks. He requested the city consider posting signs on Allen Street, Bugbee Avenue, and at the Sims Street intersection with Third to ban trucks from those thoroughfares. He also asked for steps to be considered to insure the safety of kids at the new store. Mayor Sandy Skelton thanked him for his comments and said that many of Bivens’ concerns have already been addressed with Allsup’s representatives.

Linda Lewis addressed the board concerning the house she owns at Sixth and Bugbee. Aldermen will consider a timeline to bring the property into compliance with local codes at the July 27 meeting.

The council approved a request by Saye’s to close the 200 block of Kearney Street for an open house event on August 5.

Aldermen also heard from sanitation directory Joe Shadle about developments with the City of Howardwick, which closed its limb pile and told its citizens to take that debris to Clarendon and which also recently canceled its sanitation agreement with Clarendon in favor of an Amarillo company.

“The limb pile is for the citizens of Clarendon,” Shadle said. “It’s a costly deal to operate. It’s not free to run.”

Alderman Nathan Floyd said he felt like Howardwick is part of Clarendon in a way in that those citizens buy their goods and services in Clarendon, and he recommended charging a fee for Howardwick residents to use the city’s limb pile. A fee will be considered at a future city meeting, but Clarendon residents would still be able to dump their limbs at no charge.

A Clarendon native is spreading his wings in the entertainment business with recent opportunities in the television and motion picture world.

Kenneth Lee Tolbert, a 2010 graduate of Clarendon High School, recently worked as an extra and stunt double in next year’s sci-fi movie “Battle Angel” directed by James Cameron, and he also has a leading role as Reece in next year’s thriller, “Beyond Dark.”

In addition to those credits, he’s working on a television series called “Looking for Change” and two others, and a third feature film, “Sweetest Revenge,” is on the horizon to be filmed in Los Angeles, Tolbert said.

Tolbert’s acting career got a boost recently from another Clarendon native, Kirk Knowles, who helped the young thespian learn more about the business and make connections.

“Kirk Knowles has been a huge inspiration in my life,” Tolbert said. “He is an entertainment promoter. He gave me a look into the entertainment industry from a different aspect and taught me how to network.”

Tolbert said Knowles taught him to pitch ideas and how to audition.

“He is a fantastic promoter,” Tolbert said.

Knowles said he became interested in Tolbert because of their Donley County connection.

“He’s sort of extended family, and he went to my Dad’s church,” Knowles said. “He’s always had a dream to be an actor. Everything that has happened has been God’s favor and Kenneth’s tenacity.”

Knowles said he has urged Tolbert to stay humble as things are happening very quickly in his career right now, especially with the help of some mentors in the business.

“I had decided that it was time to really chase a dream of mine, and I’ve already had a few friends that I’ve connected with.”

One of those friends is Tom Proctor from the movie “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and another mentor is Robert Zuckerman who was on the crew of “The Pursuit of Happyness” and the Transformers movies.

In addition to acting, Tolbert also writes and plays music with some of his tracks already making it into the film “A Deadly Affair to Remember.”

Knowles also said Tolbert has written “some incredible country songs.”

To learn more about Tolbert’s career, following him on Facebook at facebook.com/KennethLeeTolbert.

The future of Clarendon College will soon be taking shape as officials there begin working on the institution’s next strategic plan.

The “One College, One Vision” strategy implemented by President Robert Riza in 2014 had seven individual initiatives, and all have either been completed or are ongoing.

“We’ve had a very successful plan and a very successful three years,” Dr. Riza said. “Now we’ll build off that.”

The current plan’s first initiative was to complete the college’s reaffirmation from its accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on College (SACS-COC). That was successfully completed last summer and was the most important of the seven points.

Other initiatives of the “One College, One Vision” plan included redesigning student services, increasing student success, strengthening the college’s presence in the community, identifying programs for expansion, implementing effective models of instruction, and a creating district-wide master plan.

“We’ve got a completion percentage of 91 to 92 percent,” Riza said, noting that some things can’t be finished. “You never stop looking for programs to expand, for example.”

Absent from the objectives was enrollment growth, which the president said caused some concern on the part of those who first saw the “One College, One Vision” plan.

“If we did everything else, enrollment would take care of itself,” Riza said.

In fact, CC has seen some of its highest numbers under the plan. Enrollment was up 10 percent last fall, 13.34 percent this spring, and summer numbers exploded with a spring mini-session up 172 percent and the college’s Summer I session posting a 53 percent gain.

“Our success is a direct result of buy-in from everyone involved,” Riza said. “As president, I’m the first believer. But when you have administrators and instructors also buy into it, then it’s hard for someone to say it’s not theirs. There are lots of voices, and they all count.”

Riza said his cabinet recently met to start laying the groundwork for the next plan.

“We use a start-stop-continue process with each person giving five examples of each,” the president said. “You can see from that where the big ideas are, and the plan morphs itself.”

With initial ideas in hand, Riza said an employee survey will be conducted in the fall with those responses used to help finalize the shape of the plan, which will likely be unveiled in January.

The new plan will also cover about three years.

“Some of the initiatives will look familiar,” he said. “The process will also give ownership throughout the college and will contain initiatives big enough to keep us busy.”

Donley County Commissioners approved two purchases to benefit   the sheriff’s department during their regular meeting Monday.

At the request of Sheriff Butch Blackburn, the county approved spending $1,124 for a back-up radio system.

County Judge John Howard said the back-up radio will allow law enforcement to continue to communicate if the department’s primary radio goes down.

The commissioners’ court also gave approval to purchase body cameras for deputies at a cost of about $800. A special grant of funds from the justice of the peace office will pay for those. Judge Howard said the county outfitted its highway safety officer with a body camera last year through a grant, and it was determined to be beneficial enough to be worth having one for all deputies.

The amount of data recorded by the cameras will necessitate purchasing additional computer equipment for the sheriff’s office to store that information. Howard said the county is looking a way to obtain funds to help with that purchase or it may be included in the fiscal year 2018 budget.

In other county business, commissioners reviewed health insurance options through the Texas Association of Counties. The county received a $5,000 rebate from TAC, but maintaining the county’s current health plan would have brought an increase of 8.5 percent or about $30,000. Commissioners approved moving to a plan with a higher out of pocket expense for a premium increase of about five percent. Considering the rebate, the county’s health care expense will increase about 15,000 in the coming year.

The court considered and approved the Chapter 59 and Pre-Trial Diversion budgets for FY 2018 as presented by District Attorney Luke Inman and ADA Harley Caudle.

Commissioners set the first two weeks of August as the dates to clean up some illegal dumping sites with the work being funded by a grant of about $20,000.

The court also approved submitting a credit package to AEG Petroleum as an alternate to fuel purchases for county vehicles, approved making the clerk for the Pct. 1&2 Justice of the Peace a full time position, and turned down a proposal for a new postage meter presented by Pitney Bowes.

Under courthouse maintenance, it was reported that Randy Hughes of Mid-Continental Restoration visited Clarendon and recommended a Dutchman technique to reface spalling sandstones on the 1890 building. He will be submitting a proposal to the county in the near future.