Class of ’24 honored
Honoring those who served
Hedley names Allen new athletic director
Hedley CISD last week announced Coach Allen Grant will be the school’s new athletic director.
Grant was born in Levelland and raised in Amarillo, and has been married for years to Lindsey Grant. The couple have a daughter going to Texas Tech University and a six-year-old son.
Grant says he has been coaching for nine years starting at Westover Park (now known as West Plains Junior High) and has also worked at San Jacinto Christian Academy, Tulia ISD, Amarillo Highland Park ISD, and Groom ISD.
“I am looking forward to meeting everyone and ready to get started on establishing a successful program at Hedley ISD,” Grant said.
City council rescinds motion on tax district
The Clarendon City Council reversed course on a proposed County Assistance District during their regular meeting January 11, voting to rescind its December action on the subject.
Donley County officials have proposed creating four sales tax-funded County Assistance Districts to help fund the sheriff’s department. The plan would ask voters to approve creating one district in each of the cities of Clarendon, Hedley, and Howardwick and one in the unincorporated areas of the county.
The city approved a resolution to put the matter before the voters during a December 21 meeting. Two of the five council members were absent from that meeting, and one of the members who voted for the resolution asked that it be reconsidered at the January meeting. All five aldermen were present last week.
Clarendon currently has a two-cent sales tax, the maximum allowed for a Texas city. The county has asked the city to rescind or give up five-eighths of a cent (0.625 cents), which would then be re-directed to a County Assistance District covering Clarendon.
The new district, according to statements made by county officials at the December meeting, would be governed by two city representatives, two county commissioners, and the county judge.
County officials also previously said the district would be capped to only take $165,000 per year and anything above that would be returned to the city.
Discussion at last week’s city meeting centered on doubt about how the proposed district would be governed, how the revenue cap would work, the limitations that would be put on future city councils by the creation of the district and loss of the sales tax revenue, and the benefits of the city continuing to fund the sheriff’s department by contract as it has since 1981.
Two citizens spoke about the proposed district. Roger Estlack said revenue generated by sales taxes in the city limits ought to continue to be governed by the city council as the elected representatives of the citizens of Clarendon, and he encouraged the council to continue to work with the sheriff to fund law enforcement by multi-year contracts.
Former city administrator David Dockery asked the council to consider the limitations that would be placed on his successor, Brian Barboza, and the council going forward by giving up a portion of the sales tax.
Several council members said they did not feel like they had had time to consider all the aspects of the county assistance district at the December meeting, and members also noted that this was the first time they had considered the downsides to giving up a portion of the city’s sales tax to another body.
Mayor Jacob Fangman also addressed the need to keep the city’s options open in the future. He said right now it doesn’t make sense for the city to have its own police department, but he said circumstances may be different at some future date.
Mayor Fangman also discussed pursuing a multi-year contract for law enforcement but wants to consider ending the county’s support of the city-owned Burton Memorial Library and subtracting that amount from the law enforcement contract. The county, he said, could redirect those funds to the sheriff.
The council then unanimously approved a motion to rescind its December action on the proposed district in its entirety.
Broncos crush Cyclones at home
The Broncos are falling into a rhythm and playing team basketball as they continue through the first half of District play. Their latest win came at home at 94-36 over Memphis last Friday night.
Defense wins basketball games, but the Broncos were able to set up a strong offensive attack with all five starters finishing in double figures. Senior Anthony Ceniceros showed his skill from the arc and nailed five three-pointers to post a season high 24 points in the game. He has been strong throughout his high school career for the Broncos.
The Bronco defense was firing on all cylinders and were able to hold the Cyclones to single digits after the first eight minutes and dictate the outcome of the game from the beginning.
Memphis struggled against the Broncos’ hustle and aggressive defensive play.
Joining Ceniceros on the scoreboard was Leyante Prince with 13, Mason Sims with 12, Lyric Smith with 11, and Jaxan McAnear with 10. Levi Gates was strong inside and added eight points to the score, and Reagan Wade had six from good outside shots. Riley Wade and Wes Shaw put in four each, and Kaleb Bolin finished with two.
The Broncos will travel to Wellington January 19 and then to Wheeler January 23 at 8 p.m.
Lady Broncos grab two big District wins
The TABC eighth-ranked Lady Broncos posted two more wins last week to up their overall record to an impressive 21-1.
The ladies are currently at 3-0 in District as they near the end of the first half of their district schedule. Their latest wins over Quanah and Memphis give them a huge edge as they face Wellington on January 19 on the road.
The Lady Broncos fought hard in a low-scoring matchup against the Lady Indians of Quanah but were able to come out on top at 44-27. Kenidee Hayes was solid on offense and led the way with 11 points and converted free throws at 75 percent, and Tandie and Kennadie Cummins came on strong with eight points each. Tandie was two for two from the bonus line.
The Lady Broncos owned the court from the tip-off and were able to pair a solid offense and strong defense to control the rhythm of the game. They were able to grab points when they needed them and use their defensive strengths to hold off Quanah.
Kate Shaw put in five points from her inside position, and Graci Smith and Presley Smith added four each. Courtlyn Conkin and Berkley Moore gave a good effort and finished with two points apiece. Overall, the ladies were 66 percent on bonus shots for the game.
On Friday, the ladies breezed to a huge 73-9 win over the Lady Cyclones of Memphis. It was never a contest for the ladies as they were able to get done what they needed to do going into their final games of the first half of district play.
Moore was on fire and finished atop the leaderboard with 20 points that included four three-pointers. K. Cummins joined Moore in double figures at 15 and was perfect at three from the bonus line. P. Smith put in seven, Shaw added six, and Hayes finished with five. G. Smith, Madi Benson, and Kimbrasia Ballard had four points each, and Kashlyn Conkin, T. Cummins, and
Gracie Ellis helped with two points each.
The Lady Broncos will face off against Wellington on the road January 19.
Tower Glacier
Showmanship Award Winners
Clarendon sales tax increases in January
Clarendon’s sales tax revenue rose slightly for January when Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar distributes $1.1 billion in monthly sales tax revenue to local governments.
The city brought in $38,454.40, up 2.15 percent from January 2023.
Hedley’s January allocation dropped 3.31 percent to $797.23, and Hedley’s revenue fell 32.08 percent down to $1,268.81.
These allocations are based on sales made in November by businesses that report tax monthly.
Gates, Shaw win stock show beef division
The 2024 Donley County Junior Livestock Show was held last Saturday, January 13, at the Donley County Activity Center with Levi Gates and Wes Shaw winning the beef division.
Gates showed the Grand Champion Steer, and Shaw exhibited the Grand Champion Heifer.
Other top winners were Madison Moore and her Grand Champion Sheep, Kaitin Ehlert and her Grand Champion Goat, Maloree Wann with the Grand Champion Gilt, and Jase Conway with his Grand Champion Barrow.
Reserve Champion honors went to Levi Gates, steer; Kate Shaw, heifer; Brandon Moore, sheep; Adleigh Moore, goat; Maloree Wann barrow; and Jase Conway, gilt.
Forty-seven youth from the Donley County 4-H and the Clarendon and Hedley chapters of the FFA exhibited their animals last weekend.
The livestock auction following the show generated an estimated $44,550 as of Tuesday morning, and that number will increase as donations continue to be received. Last year’s show brought in $33,250 by this point.
Showmanship awards this year went to Adleigh Moore – Junior Goat, Kaitin Ehlert – Senior Goat, Brandon Moore – Junior Sheep, Madison Moore – Senior Sheep, Hudson Howard – Junior Beef, Kate Shaw – Senior Beef, Hudson Howard – Junior Swine, and Harrison Howard – Senior Swine. The Pee Wee Showmanship winners were Alix Roberts and Mac Wann.
Complete results of the show are as follows:
Steers: British – Hudson Howard, Breed Champion; Parker Haynes, Reserve Breed; and Grant Haynes, third.
American – Grant Haynes, Breed Champion; Ronan Howard, Reserve Breed; and Hunter Wann, third.
Cross Light Weight – Harrison Howard, first; and Trigg Harper, second.
Cross Medium Weight – Levi Gates, Grand Champion; Parker Haynes, second; and Trigg Harper, third.
Cross Heavy Weight – Levi Gates, Reserve Champion; Levi Gates, Reserve Breed; and Harrison Howard, third.
Heifers: Class 1 – Kate Shaw, first; Emma Howard, second; and Gracen Sims, third.
Class 2 – Wes Shaw, Grand Champion; and Taylee Ehlert, second.
Class 3 – Kate Shaw, Reserve Champion; and Wes Shaw, second.
Sheep: Class 1 – Cristina Silvestre, first.
Class 2 – Madison Moore, Grand Champion; and Brandon Moore, Reserve Champion.
Goats: Class 1 – Paul Berry, first; Kelli Love, second; Javier Valles, third; Malachi Murphy, fourth; and Payton Inman, fifth.
Class 2 – Tavi Edwards, first; Will Berry, second; Lily Stasio, third; Emily McCurdy, fourth; and Kensler Roberts, fifth.
Class 3 – Slaid Pittman, first; Cory Stasio, second; Paul Berry, third; Kensler Roberts, fourth; and Kaylynn Hendrick, fifth.
Class 4 – Katin Ehlert, Grand Champion; Adleigh Moore, Reserve Champion; Ajax Caudle, third; and Hayden Moore, fourth.
Class 5 – Gracie Ellis, first; and Addelay Snure, second.
Gilts: Light Weight – Ehmjey Martinez, first; Jaxon Robertson, second; and Trinity Harper, third.
Medium Weight – Kennadie Cummins, first; Tandie Cummins, second; and Cutter Ashbrook, third.
Heavy Weight – Maloree Wann, Grand Champion; and Jase Conway, second.
Barrows: Chester – Wes Shaw, Breed Champion; and Kate Shaw, Reserve Breed.
BOPB – Kennadie Cummins, Breed Champion; Heston Seay, Reserve Breed; and Jaxon Robertson, third.
Duroc Light Weight – Cutter Seay, first; and Heston Seay, second.
Duroc Heavy Weight – Jase Conway, Grand Champion; and Tandie Cummins, Reserve Breed.
Hamp – Maloree Wann, Reserve Champion; Harrison Howard, Reserve Breed; Cutter Ashbrook, third; and Payton Inman, fourth.
York – Harrison Howard, Breed Champion.
Cross Light Weight – Hudson Howard, first; Maloree Wann, second; and Jaxon Robertson, third.
Cross Heavy Weight – Jaxon Robertson, Breed Champion; Jase Conway, Reserve Breed; and Cutter Seay, third.
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