Roger Estlack

Tickets are on sale for the 26th annual Col. Charles Goodnight Chuckwagon Cookoff that will be held Saturday, September 26, on the grounds of the Saints’ Roost Museum.

As one of the few cookoffs being held this year, the local event is attracting new participants from around the country. Sixteen authentic chuckwagons will compete for top prizes, and the day will also feature museum tours, a Western trade show, and live entertainment.

Although the Museum itself will be closed the day of the event, the grounds will be open that morning, and the meal will be served at 1 p.m.

Each wagon prepares an authentic meal over campfire with prizes being awarded in different food categories. Funds from the event, along with donations, allow the Museum to operate and provide quality displays, make improvements, and maintain its aging facilities.

The cost is $20 per plate, and tickets are available at Every Nook & Cranny or by calling the museum at 874-2746.

One generous donor through the years has been Sawyer Hay Farms, which donates alfalfa hay. Dan Sawyer is again making that donation, and the 200 square bales of hay will be auctioned off September 26. Those interested in being set up to enter a bid can contact any board member or call the Museum directly at 874-2746. The Museum appreciates Sawyer Hay’s support.

The district court heard two pleas from a Clarendon man when it met here on Monday, August 31.

District Attorney Luke Inman, along with Assistant District Attorney Harley Caudle, prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas, with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.

David Alexander Hurlbrink, 52, pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for six years for the enhanced first degree felony offense of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Hurlbrink, from Clarendon, was arrested by Donley County Sheriff’s Deputy Randy Stubblefield on May 6. Hurlbrink pleaded guilty to an information filed by the State on July 14.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Hurlbrink is also required to pay a $6,000 fine to Donley County, $390 in court costs, a $400 attorney fee, and successfully complete 400 hours of community service. If Hurlbrink violates probation, he could face up to 99 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.

Hurlbrink also pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for six years for the enhanced second degree felony offense of unlawful possession of a firearm.

Hurlbrink was arrested by Donley County Sheriff’s Deputy Vincent Marasco on November 13, 2019. Hurlbrink was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on March 9.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Hurlbrink is also required to pay $390 in court costs. If Hurlbrink violates probation, he could face up to 20 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.

Hurlbrink was previously in the news in 2018 as the president and founder of Shekinta Ministries, which drew public attention in Clarendon for operating an alternative housing solution for parolees.

Donley County Judge John Howard’s experience with the COVID-19 pandemic has led to him being a sought after speaker on the subject at the state level.

Howard was one of the featured speakers at this year’s Texas Association of Counties Legislative Conference in Austin on August 26-28.

Due to COVID-19, the event was held virtually and attended by between 600 and 700 county officials from around the state.
Judge Howard’s presentation was on Wednesday afternoon, August 26, and focused on COVID-19 and the Texas Healthcare System.

The session was moderated by Rick Thompson, Legislative Consultant – County Judges and Commissioners Association, Texas Association of Counties, and Judge Howard was joined as a speaker by Eduardo Olivarez, Chief Administrative Officer, Hidalgo County Health and Human Services.

The session focused on how well the state’s healthcare system held up during the COVID-19 pandemic, and where that left counties. Important healthcare issues created by the pandemic were also a focus, including access to care, supplies and timely information.

Judge Howard will also be featured as a speaker at the Texas County Judges & Commissioners Association’s 98th annual conference in Abilene October 5-8.

Howard will be on a panel at the conference discussing “Local Control” with Chambers County Judge Jimmy Silvia and Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd.

Country music fans will have another opportunity to enjoy a unique concert at Clarendon’s Sandell Drive-In this month.

Encore Live announced this week that Kane Brown will be the latest music star to join the lineup of 2020’s most exciting, must-see concert series. Dubbed “the future of country,” Brown will air his brand-new, never-before-seen show for one night only on September 26 at drive-in and outdoor theaters across the United States and Canada as part of the massively popular Encore Drive-In Nights series.

“We are so humbled by fans’ response to Encore Drive-In Nights following the recent success of our Metallica and Blake Shelton events,” said Walter Kinzie, CEO of Encore Live. “We are excited that Kane Brown, who is such a great artist, has joined our initiative. Our team has been working incredibly hard to provide people with fun and safe enjoyment this year and so far we’ve entertained more than 730,000 fans all over North America. Kane’s upcoming show is further proof that people are really into the drive-in concert experience.”

Since his debut, Brown has quickly established himself as one of the world’s top country music artists and has helped shift the perception of the genre. He ascended to one of the industry’s biggest country stars, becoming the first artist to top all five Billboard Country Charts simultaneously and topping the all-genre Billboard 200 chart with his album Experiment.

The Encore Drive-In Nights concert series kicked off on July 25 with a performance by Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and Trace Adkins, and was followed by Metallica on August 29. Information on upcoming acts and tickets can be found at https://www.ticketmaster.com/encoredriveinnights.

Unlike traditional concert tickets that are bought for one fan’s individual admission, each purchase for Encore Drive-In Nights’ concerts will admit one carload of fans. That means up to six people can enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime show for one price. Additional information about Encore Drive-In Nights can be found at https://www.ticketmaster.com/encoredriveinnights.

Encore Drive-In Nights showcases the world’s most iconic music stars with performances recorded exclusively for drive-in theaters across North America. From the safety of your vehicle you will enjoy an exclusive cinematic concert experience under the summer night sky. Drive-in. Rock out.

Global entertainer Kane Brown has been called “the future of country” (Billboard), “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” in 2018 (Associated Press) and one of “31 People Changing the South” (Time). With the chart-topping Billboard 200 release of his Platinum album Experiment in Nov. 2018, Brown became the only male country artist in more than 24 years to have his sophomore album debut at the top of this chart. Brown made history with his 2X Platinum self-titled debut album, a 13-week No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. He became the first artist to top all five Billboard Country Charts simultaneously with his breakthrough No. 1 Top Country Album; No. 1 debuting Country Digital Song, the 5X Platinum “Heaven,” and No. 1 Country Airplay, Hot Country Song and Country Streaming Song, the 5X Platinum “What Ifs” featuring Lauren Alaina. Of all the country artists who made their long-form debut since 2016, Brown is the only one to receive two or more Platinum album certifications. The ACM, AMA, People’s Choice, Billboard, AMA, iHeartRadio, CMT and Billboard Music Awards nominated artist is one of only five country acts with multiple 5X Platinum hits (joining Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt and Taylor Swift). His two 5X Platinum songs are “Heaven” and “What Ifs” which, respectively, are the No. 3 and No. 5 most-streamed country tracks of all time – making him the only artist to have two tracks in the Top 5 of country’s most-streamed songs.

State Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian) will visit Clarendon on Tuesday, September 22, as part of his tour of House District 88 to discuss the upcoming 87th Regular Legislative Session.

King will visit with constituents at the Mulkey Theatre, 108 S. Kearney, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The representative will also be in Claude the same day at the Armstrong County Courthouse from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. and in Qutaque at Caprock Canyons Pavilion from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

King will solicit feedback from constituents on issues of vital importance to them.

“Before beginning another legislative session, it is important that I receive input and ideas from the constituents of District 88 to help me effectively represent and advocate for our community.” King said.

Donley County’s confirmed cases of COVID-19 reached a total of 56 this week with one case active locally.

The Clarendon Family Medical Center reported one new case and had no tests pending as of Tuesday afternoon. The clinic has conducted 233 tests with 195 returning as negative.

Judge John Howard reported Friday that he had been made aware of two local residents who tested positive in Childress County.

Howard also said the state had officially listed a July 28 death in Donley County as a COVID fatality, marking the first local death of the pandemic.

On Monday, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation extending his Disaster Declaration for all Texas counties in response to COVID-19. Originally issued on March 13, the Disaster Declaration provides the state a variety of resources to effectively serve Texans as the Lone Star State continues to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

“Renewing this Disaster Declaration helps ensure that we have the resources and strategies in place to help communities across Texas respond to COVID-19,” said Governor Abbott.

“I urge Texans to take precautionary steps to protect their health by wearing a mask, social distancing, and sanitizing their hands. Working together, we will slow the spread and keep our communities safe,” the governor said.