Ben Estlack

Clarendon College was a recipient of one of 60 career training grants awarded by the State of Texas last week, according to an announcement by Governor Greg Abbott.

The grants went to Texas higher education institutions and independent school districts (ISD) to train students for high-demand, good-paying jobs after graduation. These Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants awarded through the the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will help public junior, state, and technical colleges; school districts; and open-enrollment charter schools buy equipment for career and technical education (CTE) programs that help students across the state go into high-demand industries.

CC will receive $97,025 to train 11 students as nursing assistants through its center in Childress.

Clarendon College media representative Donna Smith said the grant will pay for mannequins, beds, and other equipment at the CC Childress Center to help teach juniors and seniors at Childress High School. Students will start the program as juniors, continue as seniors, and then transition into the college’s LVN program.

“This will set them up to get that first semester out of the way,” Smith said. “They will learn through hands-on simulations.”

The new equipment will be in place next month for the spring semester. CC currently has 24 students enrolled in its nursing program in Childress.

Across the state, more than $15 million in grants were awarded.

“As Texas’ economy continues to grow, it is critical that we invest in our future workforce,” said Governor Abbott. “The work being done at the Texas Workforce Commission and in our educational institutions across Texas ensures Texans have opportunities that lead to a better job and a bigger paycheck.”

This $15 million in career training grants will give Texas students the chance to earn licenses, certificates, or college degrees that lead to good-paying jobs in high-demand industries. In the first year alone, the new equipment will help train more than 6,900 students.

TWC is now accepting applications for the 2025 JET grant program. Texas public junior, state, and technical colleges; and schools may apply.

The complete JET application packet can be downloaded from the TWC Procurement Portal website. For questions or more information about this opportunity, e-mail RFAGrants@twc.texas.gov.

Through funding provided by the Texas Legislature each biennium, TWC uses JET grants to defray start-up costs to develop career and technical education programs for public community, state, and technical colleges; school districts; and open-enrollment charter schools. Equipment funded through JET grants must be used to train students for jobs in high-demand occupations.

The municipal clerks of the Texas Panhandle have been recognized for their outstanding performance this year by the Texas Municipal Clerks Association (TMCA).

The announcement was made at the annual TMCA banquet held in South Padre Island at the end of October. The award is bestowed by the TMCA president each year and the Panhandle Chapter was selected for the honor by President Lee Woodward, City Secretary/PIO, City of La Porte.

“The Panhandle Chapter members impressed me so much with their support of each other,” Woodward said. “These clerks share many concerns and challenges common to the sizes of their entities and the geographic and demographic factors for their part of the state. They work together to seek solutions, encourage professional development, and share best practices.”

The Panhandle Chapter is led by President Cindy Woodard, City Secretary of Memphis; and Clarendon City Secretary Machiel Covey and City Clerk Kim Cooper are also members of the group.

In 1952, the Association of City Clerks and Secretaries of Texas was formed to promote the improvement and professionalism of the Texas municipal clerk. TMCA, or the Texas Municipal Clerks Association, as we know it today, was incorporated with the Texas Secretary of State’s office in the summer of 1986.

The Texas Municipal Clerks Association, Inc., and the Texas Municipal Clerks Certification Program are dedicated to promoting the municipal clerk profession by providing an educational and professional development program and networking opportunities for municipal clerks.

The 1230+ members of TMCA heartily congratulate the Panhandle Chapter for its excellent example and dedication to their peers and the citizens of Texas.

The Panhandle Chapter has 30 members from across the region and meets bi-monthly in Amarillo. The group has guest speakers from the Comptroller’s Office, Attorney General’s office, County Attorney’s office, TABC, and many other agencies that speak on subjects that relate to municipal clerks’ duties. Most of Panhandle Chapter members are certified through the University of North Texas program for municipal clerks and are Texas Registered Municipal Clerks.

TMCA members are recognized by and issued a number from the Texas State Legislature. This certification is the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree, and they must recertify every five years.

The City of Howardwick will host its annual Christmas for Kids this Saturday, December 14, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at City Hall.

All Howardwick families and friends are welcome to attend the event, which provides gifts and stockings for all the children of Howardwick.

Santa Claus will be present, and snacks will be available.

Also during the event, the City of Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department will be drawing for two quarters of beef. Tickets are available by making a donation to the fire department either in person at City Hall or by calling 806-874-2222.