Roger Estlack

CC Stampede Rodeo to be held October 10-12

October 7, 2024 by Roger Estlack Leave a Comment

It’s time to saddle up and get ready for a fun ride as the Clarendon College Stampede welcomes more than 700 entries to its NIRA rodeo Thursday-Saturday, October 10-12, 2024, at the indoor Matlock Arena of the CC Livestock & Equine Center on US 287.

In addition to getting to see CC’s nationally recognized rodeo teams perform at home, spectators will also enjoy 15 other college and university rodeo teams will compete at the event as well.

Qualifying events will be held all day with regular performances being held at 7:00 p.m. each evening.

Admission to the evening performances is free, and concessions will be available. Rodeo events will include bull riding, barrel racing, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, and more.

For more information about the Stampede, call Clarendon College at 806-874-3571.

BREAKING NEWS: Manhunt in Memphis for suspect who shot police chief

October 4, 2024 by Roger Estlack Leave a Comment

Texas DPS reports On Thursday, Oct. 3, the Texas Rangers were requested by the Memphis Police Department to assist with an Attempted Capital Murder of a Peace Officer investigation.

At approximately 10:51 p.m., The Memphis Police Chief and a Memphis Police Officer attempted to serve an arrest warrant for burglary at the residence of 33-year-old Seth Altman of Memphis. Upon making contact with Altman, the suspect pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots, striking the Chief. Altman then fled on foot.

The shooting occurred at approximately 11:01 p.m.

The Memphis Police Chief was transported by air to an area hospital in Lubbock, where he remains in stable condition.

The suspect remains at large. Multiple agencies are assisting in locating Altman.

A Blue Alert, along with an arrest warrant for Attempted Capital Murder of a Peace Officer, has been issued.

If anyone comes into contact with Seth Altman, use caution, do not approach him, and call 9-1-1.

Vanetta “Tookie” McClellan Thornberry

October 1, 2024 by Roger Estlack Leave a Comment

Vanetta “Tookie” McClellan Thornberry passed away on Thursday, September 26, after a lengthy illness. Born in 1937 and raised in Clarendon, she was the daughter of Carroll and John McClellan and devoted older sister to Jackie McClellan Clark.

Tookie enjoyed growing up in Clarendon where her life was full of friends, Church, Girl Scout camp, and school activities. She embraced it all with a big heart and a fun-loving spirit, qualities that stayed with her throughout life.

A graduate of Clarendon High School, Tookie also attended Clarendon College. In 1957, she married her high school sweetheart, Don Thornberry, and they shared 63 years of marriage until his passing in 2021. Tookie was a full partner on the Thornberry Ranch, keeping an eagle eye on cattle and weather.

Tookie was a worker. Whether it was in real estate, a long career at the Donley County State Bank, or volunteer activities, she gave her all. She was a lifelong member of Clarendon Methodist Church where she served on various committees and enjoyed Sunday School. Tookie loved her community and its history and was an active board member of Saints’ Roost Museum where she played a role in helping start the Annual Col. Charles Goodnight Chuckwagon Cookoff. She also enjoyed her membership in Les Beaux Art Club and served Meals on Wheels for a number of years. She treasured her friends of all ages.

At the center of Tookie’s life was her family. She is survived by three sons – Mac, and his wife, Sally; Lance and his wife, Judy; and Drew and his wife, Lesa. She was the beloved “Meme” to Chase (Caitlan), Cortnee (Matt), Will (Temnite), Mary Kemp; Amber, (Paul); Ashlen, (Patrick); and ten great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her sister, Jackie Clark, and brother-in-law, Will; her sister-in-law, Pat Thornberry, her nephews Richard, (Leane); Sandy, (Bobbie) and Mark, (Cynthia), and her dear niece, Haley, (David). She cherished each of them and their families.

The Thornberry family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the staff of Goodlife Senior Living for the exceptional love and care they gave Tookie. We would also like to thank Enhabit Hospice for their professionalism and compassion.

A memorial service will be held at Clarendon Methodist Church on Wednesday, October 2, at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to can donate in her honor to: Clarendon Methodist Church, P.O. Box 157 Clarendon, Texas 79226 or Saints Roost Museum, https://www.saintsroostmuseum.com/Donate or P.O. Box 781, Clarendon, TX 79226.

Arrangements are entrusted to Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

2024 Chuckwagon Cookoff to be this Saturday

September 26, 2024 by Roger Estlack Leave a Comment

The Saints’ Roost Museum will hold its 30th annual Col. Charles Goodnight Chuckwagon Cookoff this Saturday, September 28, as teams battle it out for top prizes and bragging rights.

A Junior Cookoff will be held on Friday evening before the Museum Members’ and Chuckwagon Teams’ dinner at 6:00.

Another highlight this weekend will be an Open House for the new Wheels of History building that features several historic vehicles, including the Clarendon Fire Department’s 1927 Seagraves, a 1906 Bain Chuckwagon, and a Model T Ford.
On Saturday, 13 chuckwagon teams will compete for top prizes and bragging rights.

Tickets are still available at the Museum and Every Nook & Cranny. Although admission is free, a $25 meal ticket is required to enjoy the authentic chuckwagon chicken fried steak dinner.

The tradeshow starts at 10 a.m. The authentic wagons will serve at 1 p.m. with the traditional chicken fried steak dinner, and other activities will include a hay auction and the Goodnight family reunion.

Donley County jobless rate dips in August

September 26, 2024 by Roger Estlack Leave a Comment

Jobless rates in the Texas Panhandle continue to be lower than the state average overall, but Donley and Hall counties continue to see higher rates.

August unemployment data shows Donley County’s jobless rate actually fell from 5.0 percent in July to 4.8 percent last month.

Seventy-one people were looking for work in Donley County compared to 74 in July, and the workforce decreased slightly from 1,469 in July to 1,465.

In Hall County, the unemployment rate went up from 5.4 percent in July to 5.9 percent for August. 65 people were looking for work out of a workforce of 1,105 compared to 60 unemployed people and a workforce of 1,046 in August.

Regionally, the Texas Panhandle labor market continues to demonstrate resilience, with unemployment rates remaining relatively low compared to the state and national averages. Amarillo MSA and the Panhandle Workforce Development Area (WDA) both experienced slight increases in unemployment rates in August 2024 compared to the previous year, but these rates remain below the state average.

The City of Amarillo experienced a slight increase in the unemployment rate in August 2024, rising to 3.3 percent from 3.2 percent in the same month of the previous year.

The Panhandle WDA also saw a modest increase in the unemployment rate in August 2024, rising to 3.5 percent from 3.4 percent in the previous year. However, the WDA’s unemployment rate continues to be lower than the state average.

The state of Texas experienced a slight increase in its unemployment rate in August 2024, rising to 4.4 percent from 4.2 percent in the previous year. Workforce Solutions will be having a Red, White, and You job fair at 3120 Eddy in Amarillo on November 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

CHS Homecoming this Friday, Sep. 27

September 26, 2024 by Roger Estlack Leave a Comment

Clarendon High School seniors Kennadie Cummins, Maloree Wann, Shelbi Coles, and Riley Jantz were named as the 2024 Homecoming Court last Friday during a pep rally in the Bronco Gym. This year’s Homecoming Queen will be crowned during halftime ceremonies Friday night as the Broncos face Lockney. Game time is 7:00 p.m., and the Colt Parents will host their annual Mexican Pile-On fundraiser dinner in the school cafeteria starting at 5:00 p.m. Courtesy Photo / Adelita Elam

REFZ Ride for Kids to be held Oct. 5

September 26, 2024 by Roger Estlack Leave a Comment

The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce will host the REFZ Ride For Kids Fun Run on Saturday, October 5, at the Mulkey Theatre.

Proceeds of the event will benefit the Christ’s Kids Ministry and the Clarendon Lions Club’s “Toys for Joy” toy drive.

Registration starts at 8:00 a.m. with breakfast. The Fun Run starts at 9:15 a.m. with lunch at noon and awards at 1:00 p.m.

This year’s 130-mile scenic ride starts and ends at the Mulkey and travels to Quail, Memphis, Plaska, and Turkey before returning to Clarendon.

Entry is $25 per person, and registration is available online at ClarendonTX.com/funrun or in person at the Clarendon Visitor Center.

For information, call the Visitor Center at 806-874-2421.

District court hears three cases in Donley County

September 26, 2024 by Roger Estlack Leave a Comment

The district court heard two pleas and one contested hearing when it met in Clarendon on Thursday, September 12.

District Attorney Luke Inman, along with Assistant District Attorney Harley Caudle, prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas, with the Honorable Judge Dale Rabe presiding.
Jon Christian Walker, 28, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the third-degree felony offense of injury to a child.

Walker was originally placed on probation for the offense on February 1, 2024. On August 1, the State filed its motion requesting the Court to adjudicate Walker’s probation, alleging three violations of his conditions of probation, which Walker pleaded not true to. Walker was ordered to pay a $500 fine and $340 court costs.

Corey Mark Aragon, 35, was sentenced to four years in prison for the third-degree felony offense of evading arrest in a motor vehicle.

Aragon was originally placed on probation on September 19, 2017. On October 20, 2023, the State filed its motion requesting the Court to adjudicate Aragon’s probation, alleging six violations of his conditions of probation, which Aragon pleaded true to.

Aragon was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine, $488 court costs, and $853.80 restitution.

Amanda Beth Burrow, 39, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for the state jail felony offense of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Burrow was originally placed on probation on November 2, 2023. On March 11, the State filed its motion requesting the Court to adjudicate Burrow’s probation, alleging seven violations of her conditions of probation, which Burrow pleaded true to.

Burrow was ordered to pay a $500 fine and $290 court costs.