Christmas helpers
Wise Co. man kills self here
A Wise County man who shot himself in Clarendon Sunday morning, December 5, may have planned his death for several weeks officials believe.
The body of 74-year-old Jackie Vaughn Rhodes was discovered on the ground at about 8 a.m. in the 200 block of West First Street, Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn said.
Rhodes had one gunshot wound to the left side of his chest, the sheriff said, and a .380 semi-automatic pistol was found at the scene.
An autopsy was performed Monday in Lubbock, and Blackburn said preliminary results showed the cause of death to be a self-inflicted gunshot.
The investigation revealed that Rhodes, who was a resident of the Greenwood community, had been in Clarendon on November 5 and made pre-paid funeral arrangements with Robertson Funeral Directors, the sheriff said. Rhodes then returned to Clarendon and stayed in the It’ll Do Motel Saturday night before going to the location on First Street in the early morning hours where he took his own life.
The investigation also revealed that Rhodes was facing criminal charges, Blackburn said.
Wise County Sheriff David Walker told the Enterprise that Rhodes was arrested on October 21 and charged with indecency with a child. He was out on $25,000 bond.
As to why Rhodes chose Clarendon as the place to end his life, Blackburn said the man’s father and son are buried in Citizens Cemetery, and the Enterprise has learned that Rhodes grew up in northern Donley County near Alanreed.
CVFD says danger high for wildfires
The Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department is reminding everyone that the risk of wildfire is increasing as we move into the winter months.
“We have been blessed over the summer months with above average rainfall,” said CVFD First Assistant Chief Jeremy Powell. “Now we have above average fuel load for wildfires to deal with in our winter months.”
The Texas Forest Service is predicting a dryer and warmer than usual weather pattern for those of us in the Texas Panhandle. With dry windy conditions and a heavy fuel load in place, the potential for an extreme wildfire event is on the rise. Extreme caution should be exercised to help prevent a wildfire.
While fires of all types are always of concern, extreme wildfires pose the greatest threat to rural areas as was seen in 2005-2006.
“Just because you live in a town or city does not mean that you cannot be affected by a wildfire,” Powell said. “The town of Cross Plains with a population of 1,086 was overrun by a wildfire on December 27, 2005, that destroyed 85 homes and unfortunately took the lives of two residents.”
In the event of an extreme wildfire situation, local fire departments could quickly be overwhelmed and any help from you will make their job easier and may help to prevent damage to your property.
“We encourage you to take measures now to reduce the threat of wildfire around your homes, farms and ranches by following these steps from the Texas Forest Service.”
Much more valuable information is available on the Texas Forest Service Website @ txforestservice.tamu.edu
• LPG tanks should be far enough away from buildings for valves to be shut off in case of fire. Keep area around the tank clear of flammable vegetation.
• Store gasoline in an approved safety can away from occupied buildings.
• All combustibles such as firewood, wooden picnic tables, boats and stacked lumber should be kept away from structures.
• Clear roof surfaces and gutters regularly to avoid build-up of flammable materials such as leaves and other debris.
• Remove branches from trees to a height of 15 feet or more.
• In rural areas, clear a fuel break of at least three times the fuel length around all structures. Closely mow all grasses and weeds around structures.
• Have fire tools handy such as: ladder long enough to reach your roof, shovel, rake and a bucket or two for water.
• Place connected garden hoses at all sides of your home for emergency use.
• Assure that you and your family know all emergency exits from your home.
• Assure that you and your family know all emergency exits from your neighborhood.
In the unfortunate event that a wildfire that gets out of control, please cooperate with local law enforcement and fire departments as they work to protect lives and property by promptly following and heeding evacuations request and road closures to help protect you and the emergency responders alike.
“With cooperation from the public to help prevent wildfires and also to reduce the damage that can be caused by one by the following the above steps, we hope to make it through another winter wildfire season safely,” Powell said.
“Please remember, if you plan to do some burning on your property, please give us a courtesy call by contacting the Donley County Sheriffs Office at 806 874-3533.”
Jackie Vaughn Rhodes
Jackie Vaughn Rhodes, 74, died Sunday, December 5, 2010, in Clarendon.
Services will be held in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon Saturday, December 11 at 2:00 p.m. with Patrick Robertson officiating. Inurnment, cremation and arrangement were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Jackie was born December 9, 1935, in Gray County to William Avis and Maudena Webb Rhodes. He was a veteran serving in the US Marines. He had worked in concrete construction prior to his retirement.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a son; William Dusty Rhodes.
Survivors include three daughters, Jacqueline Stafford of Allen, Renata Love of Flower Mound and Neesa Rhodes of Wichita Falls; a son, Jason Rhodes of Plano.
Three Broncos are District MVPs
Clarendon High School senior athlete Johnny Gaines has been named the 2-1A District Football MVP according to Athletic Director Gary Jack.
Fellow seniors Mike and Chris Crump joined Gaines and were name Co-Defensive MVPs and all are very deserving young men. These three football players not only exemplified their positions on the field the past four years, but they have represented themselves well to their school and the community. Their
accomplishments are the result of hard work and determination and stood out in the Broncos’ successes in the 2010 football season.
Roderick Woodard from Quanah was named the Offensive MVP in the District.
Senior R.J. Nino was named to the first team offense at the center position, and junior Jacob Pigg and senior David Roberts were named as offensive linemen.
Another senior, senior Daniel West, was named as tight end to the first team, and junior Wesley Williams received the honor as running back. Senior Bradley Watson was named as a receiver, and fellow senior Coby Braughton made the team as a kicker.
David Roberts earned a dual honor as he was named to the defensive line.
Wesley Williams also earned two spots on the team with a linebacker award as well. Bradley Watson doubled up on his spots by adding defensive back, and Charleston Harris was named as a defensive back along with Watson.
Earning honors on the second team offense are: center Jason Pigg, offensive line Trent White, running back Mike Crump and Chris Crump, and receiver Brayden Phillips.
Defensive honorees are defensive line Jacob Pigg and Nathan Dziedzic, line backer John Levario, and defensive back Brayden Phillips.
Honorable mentions: Offense: Trevor Cobb, Coby Braughton, Clayton Shields, Nathan Dziedzic, John Levario, and Charleston Harris. Defense: Trevor Cobb, Clayton Shields, Jayson Pigg, R.J. Nino, and Coby Braughton.
Congratulations to all the football players on their recognitions and awards.
Also added to the All-District Teams:
1st Team Offense: Quanah: center Mason Isenhower; offensive line Jonathon Holoker; running back Casey Quiseberry; receiver Bradley Reese. Panhandle: off. Line Ryan Neeley; running back Austin Whitt.
1st Team Defense: Quanah: Defensive line Bradley Reese; linebacker Casey Quisenberry; def. back Roderick Woodard, Garrett Betts. Panhandle: Def. line Ryan Neeley; linebacker Austin Whitt; punter Lige Powers. Lockney: linebacker Aaron Rendon.
2nd team offense: Quanah: Gary Gorley, Keaton Ritchie, Ryan Reid, and Garrett Betts. Lockney: Shaquille Thompson and Riley Teeter.
2nd team defense: Quanah: Gary Gorley, Tyson Marsh, and Ryan Reid. Panhandle: Tanner Clay, Seth Slover, and Rye Akervik. Lockney: Renee Cruz and Riley Teeter.
Hedley Owls recognized with All-District honors
High-speed chase goes through Hedley
A Memphis man remains in custody in the Hall County Jail this week after he led officers on a high speed chase in two counties before being shot and eventually captured in Donley County last Wednesday, November 24.
Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn said his office received a call at 10 a.m. that the Hall County Sheriff’s Department and Memphis Police were pursuing a white four-door car into Donley County on US 287.
The subject, Terry James Mackie of Memphis, had fled from officers at the Hall County Courthouse as he was being arrested on a warrant to revoke his probation for burglary, Blackburn said. Mackie reportedly assaulted a Hall County Deputy before fleeing in the car. He led officers on a chase around Memphis before leaving town on SH 256.
Blackburn said Mackie then came back into Memphis, got on US 287 toward Donley County, and rammed the Hall County sheriff’s truck at a blocked intersection.
Donley County Deputy Mike Spier tried to stop the subject at County Road 26 on US 287 by shooting the suspect’s tires. Mackie was hit by one round in the low back, the sheriff said, but he continued to flee into Hedley.
The sheriff said his officer was justified in shooting at the suspect.
“The subject had already committed aggravated assault on a peace officer, and he was disregarding public safety, running at speeds over 100 miles per hour,” Blackburn said. “We did not want him entering a populated area, and we were not going to let him into Clarendon due to the fact that we did not want an innocent bystander getting killed.”
Blackburn and State Trooper Chad Simpson were set to intercept the subject west of Hedley, but Mackie turned north on SH 203 toward Wellington. About one mile outside of the McKnight community, Blackburn said Mackie’s car was rammed and knocked off the roadway by Memphis Police. The subject then took off on foot across some CRP land where he was apprehended by officers from the Hall and Donley County sheriff departments.
Mackie was transported to Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo where he was treated before being returned to the Hall County Jail.
Blackburn said Mackie is now facing charges of Assault on a Peace Officer, Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer, and Evading.
Merchants to give out prizes this Saturday
Clarendon merchants are standing ready to assist shoppers with their holiday purchases as they kick off three weeks of giveaways and promotions this Saturday.
More than $2,000 in prizes will be given away over the next three Saturdays, December 4, 11, and 18, and shoppers can register for a chance to win in the Clarendon Gold promotion at participating merchants.
Winners will be announced each Saturday downtown at 2 p.m.
Also on Saturdays, Santa Claus will be taking pictures with the kiddoes in the old JAMZ building at Third and Kearney from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the Bar H Dude Ranch will be serving barbecue sandwiches in the same location from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Late Night Shopping tradition will also continue on Thursday nights through Christmas with downtown merchants staying open late those evenings for your shopping convenience.
Local merchants and banks are also still offering the Christmas Cash program as a way to finance your Christmas purchases. Fifteen local businesses are participating in Christmas Cash, which is now in its 16th season. Anyone can make application for a loan up to $3,000 interest free with Pilgrim Bank, the Donley County State Bank, or Herring Bank.
Participating Christmas Cash merchants this year are: Stavenhagen Video, Every Nook & Cranny, Henson’s, Osburn Appliance, Clarendon Outpost, Mike’s Pharmacy, Country Bloomers, Clarendon Veterinary Hospital, Cornell’s Country Store, Floyd’s Automotive Supply, J&W Lumber, The Clarendon Enterprise, Lowe’s Family Center, Saye’s, and McKinney Motor Co.
Local sales tax revenue falls
Clarendon’s sales tax revenue for the month of November dipped nearly nine percent, but the city is still running ahead for the year-to-date according to figures released by Texas Comptroller Susan Combs.
The city’s sales tax rebate this month totaled $34,500.38, which is down 8.7 percent from the same period one year ago; but Clarendon’s sales tax revenue for the calendar year is now $289,154.97, which is an increase of 1.44 percent.
Howardwick and Hedley also were down for the month but ahead for the year.
Howardwick was down 27.64 percent at $943.13 for November but was still 12.93 percent ahead for the year-to-date with $7,040.42.
Hedley sales tax revenue for November was down 25.66 percent at $1,167.33 but the year-to-date figure was up 4.06 percent at $12,460.92.
Combs said state sales tax revenue in October was $1.62 billion, up 6.6 percent compared to October 2009.
“Total sales tax collections have now exceeded year ago amounts for a seventh consecutive month,” said Combs. “Once again growth was posted in major sectors like the oil and gas industry, retail trade and construction. We will need to keep monitoring revenue from these and other sectors to see if tax collections maintain an upward trend.”
Combs sent Texas cities $367.2 million in sales tax allocations, up 7.2 percent compared to November 2009. So far this calendar year, city sales tax allocations are down 0.2 percent compared to the same time period last year.
November sales tax allocations to local governments represent September sales reported to the Comptroller in October by monthly tax filers and July, August and September sales reported to the Comptroller in October by quarterly tax filers.
The Comptroller’s December local sales tax allocation will be made on Friday, Dec. 10.
Henry Carroll “Boopie” Massingill
Henry Carroll “Boopie” Massingill, 67, died Tuesday, November 23, 2010, in Clarendon.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 27, 2010, in the First Assembly of God in Clarendon with Rev. Matthew Stidham, Pastor, and Rev. Chris Ford, Associate Pastor, officiating. Interment followed at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Boopie was born November 8, 1943, in Clarendon to Henry Allen and Julia Grace Holman Massingill. He married Cherry Lou Pickering on May 29, 1964, in Memphis. He had been a lifelong resident of Clarendon.
He loved hunting, fishing, making bird houses, working in the outdoors, and helping other people. He was a member of the First Assembly of God in Clarendon.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Louise Fetters by 20 hours on November 23, 2010.
Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Cherry Massingill of Clarendon; three daughters, Rhonda Howell and husband Joe of Clarendon, Theresa Houck of Amarillo, and Kelly Tuttle and husband Brent of Clarendon; two brothers, Les Thompson of Summerville, South Carolina and Hal Massingill of Bakersfield, California; one sister, Alana Moreland of Bakersfield, California; six grandchildren, Lindsey Robertson and husband Chuck of Clarendon, Abbie Massingill of Canyon, Glen Houck of Amarillo, Amanda Reynolds of Memphis, Amber Houck of Amarillo, and Tyler Tuttle of Clarendon; two great grandchildren, Jaxon Robertson and Brayley Taylor; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family request memorials be to Donley County Sr. Citizens or a favorite charity.
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