Six Scouts earn Eagle rank
City’s legal battle over Neece house comes to end
A historic Clarendon home will be razed following the end of a long legal battle between the city and the property owner.
The Clarendon City Council approved a mediated agreement about the house at 602 Bugbee Avenue during its regular meeting last Thursday, November 10.
“It’s a long tragic story,” City Administrator David Dockery told the Enterprise, stating that old Neece house – also known as the Gentry house for the family of Donley County’s first sheriff, Al Gentry – will be demolished December 1.
City officials had code complaints on the house going back almost ten years, and repeatedly gave property owner Linda Lewis deadlines and extensions to bring the structure into compliance.
In January of this year, the city council ordered the property demolished and accepted a bid for that work. That led to another round of legal wrangling between the city and Lewis, which came to an end with mediation recently. As a result, the city will receive the property and proceed with demolition.
Dockery said Koetting Construction had the winning bid earlier this year and did not put an expiration date on the bid. Razing the house, which is more than 100 years old, and disposing of the wreckage will cost the city $20,000.
In other city business last week, the city council directed Dockery to negotiate an agreement with AW Broadband for a tower lease to bring expanded wireless internet options to town. Dockery reported that the final phase of the USDA grant to replace waterlines will begin this week on First Street, and discussions were held regarding the possibility of amending ordinances to address dilapidated buildings downtown in terms of facades in disrepair and windows broken.
Saluting our veterans
Elvis show will be Nov. 19 at Mulkey
Elvis is back in a Vegas-style show at the Mulkey Theatre this Saturday, November 16, at 7 p.m.
Casey McKanna & Blue Suede is a group of amazing musicians who will put on a great show representing the King of Rock and Roll.
McKanna, who attended this year’s Mulkey Trunk or Treat, says some lucky concert goers might even get to catch a stuffed teddy bear or hound dog.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under and can be purchased at the door or online at Mulkey Theatre.com.
Hedley Owls beat Sanford-Fritch
The Hedley Owls defeated the Sanford-Fritch Eagles last Friday at home.
Hedley came out strong and racked up a 49-35 lead at the half before finishing the game with a 80-62 victory.
Josh Booth led the Owls with 34 points, and Cody Bond put in 28. Other Owls scoring were Braden Bond, 13; Isiak Weatherread 4, and Isaiah Torres, 1.
Hedley was playing Lefors Tuesday as the Enterprise went to press and will take on Panhandle Christian Home Educators Association this Friday at home. Game time starts at 6 p.m.
The Lady Owls also played Sanford-Fritch last week but came up short, losing 25-75.
The Lady Eagles opened an early lead by outscoring Hedley 2-26 in the first quarter, and Hedley trailed 12-42 at the break.
Ashlee Holmes was the top scorer for the Lady Owls with 12 points. Taylee Ehlert and Madison Moore put in six each, and Megan Weatherread had one point.
The Lady Owls were also scheduled to play Lefors this Tuesday and will take on Ft. Elliott on November 22.
Post holds Veterans Day service
Lions toy drive now underway
The Clarendon Lions Club has formally started its new “Toys for Joy” drive to donate one toy to every elementary school aged student in Clarendon and Hedley elementary schools.
The club is needing more toys and cash donations to make this great project happen. Toy collection boxes have been set up at the CISD Administration Building, the Visitor Center, and Lowe’s Family Center.
If you’d like to make a monetary donation, call Lion Roger Estlack at 806-662-4689 or stop by the Enterprise.
Plans set for community Thanksgiving meal, service
Donley County residents will have the opportunity to give thanks and have a meal together next week for the Thanksgiving holidays.
The Donley County Ministerial Alliance will hold its annual Community Thanksgiving Service this Sunday, November 20, at the First Baptist Church in Clarendon at 6 p.m. The annual event is a great opportunity for people of faith to give thanks together. An offering will be taken to support the ministerial alliance.
The annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner to be held November 24 at the Clarendon School Cafeteria. The meal will be served starting at 11 a.m. at the school cafeteria. Donations will be accepted.
Bill to name Canyon post office for Fletcher
A bill approved by the US House of Representatives Monday night would rename the US Post Office in Canyon for a former Clarendon rancher.
US Rep. Ronny Jackson carried the bill to honor the late Gary Fletcher and spoke on the house floor about his life and legacy.
“Gary Fletcher embodied everything it means to be a West Texan – hard-working, God-fearing, and service-oriented,” Jackson said. “He lived a life of service before self with a steadfast commitment to his family, country, and community in the Texas Panhandle. As a Vietnam veteran, banker, rancher, and active member of the Washington Avenue Christian Church, Mr. Fletcher earned the admiration of all who knew him. He left behind an incredible legacy that will be carried on by his loving family, and now he’ll be forever memorialized through last night’s Congressional action.
“I’m grateful to my colleagues for supporting my bill to officially name the US Post Office in Canyon, Texas the Gary James Fletcher Post Office Building. He was a great Patriot and American,” Jackson said.
Born in Amarillo, Fletcher graduated from Canyon High School and later joined the United States Army in 1968 as a specialist E5. He served his country in the worst of times, during the Vietnam conflict, providing lifesaving medical care to countless young men who would’ve never returned home otherwise. He was decorated for his service with the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Returning to Canyon, Fletcher graduated from West Texas State University, now known as West Texas A&M University, with a Bachelor of Business Administration and Finance.
Fletcher spent 34 years as a banker and 45 years as a rancher and owner of the Salt Fork Ranch in Clarendon.
Fletcher and his family also rode in team penning events, riding the same horses they used on the ranch. He was a former president of the United States Team Penning Association.
A lifelong volunteer to organizations like United Way and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Fletcher was dedicated to serving the community.
Fletcher was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He passed away on October 29, 2020.
DCCF seeks donations in annual drive
As part of a national day known as Giving Tuesday, the local Donley County Community Fund (DCCF) is participating in The Panhandle Gives campaign.
For nine days from November 21 through November 29, all funds raised locally will be increased through a match from the Amarillo Area Foundation.
“Participating in this campaign is an opportunity for our local fund balance to grow,” DCCF chair Jacob Fangman said.
The DCCF is a local board whose purpose is to raise money for a perpetuating fund while contributing a portion of the money to local organizations.
Over the past six years, the DCCF has been able to give $7,500 to local charities while increasing its own fund balance, thanks to support from county-wide residents.
So the DCCF can benefit from the match, anyone wishing to participate needs to donate by Monday, November 28, so the deposit can be made on GivingTuesday.
GivingTuesday is a movement held annually in all 50 states on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving to kick off the holiday giving season to demonstrate that every act of generosity counts towards giving back to local communities and the causes they support.
Contributions can be mailed to Donley County Community Fund, c/o Jacob Fangman, Box 906, Clarendon, TX 79226. Checks should be made out to The Panhandle Gives, with DonleyCCF written on the memo line.
Reader Comments