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Hedley CISD is taking extra precautions this week after a school teacher there was confirmed to have the COVID-19 virus.

Superintendent Garrett Bains said the school learned of the teacher’s condition Sunday evening and had the classroom and adjacent common areas deep cleaned before students returned Monday morning.

The teacher is in quarantine, but Bains said since masks had been worn and social distancing had been practiced, the teacher’s students did not have to be quarantined.

“We’re really closely monitoring things now and have stepped up making sure masks are in place and hands are being washed,” Bains said. “We were doing that already, but not we’re in hyper mode.”

Bains said the school realizes it can only do so much as kids come from several different communities to go to school in Hedley and they are all going to stores, to church, and to other activities.

“We’re not the only place that someone could be exposed,” he said “but we’re being extra careful in taking temperatures every day and watching for symptoms.”

Total Donley County positive cases of COVID-19 moved up to 53 this week, with the Clarendon Family Medical Center monitoring two active cases. Seven tests were pending at the local clinic as of Tuesday morning.

Clarendon recorded its second highest monthly sales tax revenue when Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar distributed monthly allocations to municipal governments last week.

The city’s August allocation was $49,677.44, reflecting an increase of 21.96 percent compared to the same period one year ago.

That’s greater than the previous second highest allocation of $45,914.54 in February of this year. The best month on record for the city was May of last year with an allocation of $56,593.

Clarendon City Administrator David Dockery said he thinks three factors have led to the increased sales tax revenue – people shaking of the cabin fever that set in with the COVID-19 quarantine, increased highway traffic, and taxes on online sales finally making their way to Texas cities.

The August allocation brings the city’s calendar year-to-date total to $285,652.67, an increase of just 0.33 percent over the same point in 2019 but putting the city on track to meet or exceed its budgeted revenue projection for the fiscal year.

Hedley was also up 24.46 percent to $1,383.01 this month and is 3.33 percent ahead for the year at $7,375.24.

Howardwick’s sales tax revenue almost doubled from $913.18 last August to $1,736.95 this month. The lakeside city is now 26.96 ahead for the year at $11,767.74.

Statewide, Hegar distributed $908.7 million in local sales tax allocations for August, 3.6 percent more than in August 2019.
These allocations are based on sales made in June by businesses that report tax monthly and on sales made in April, May and June by quarterly filers.

Widespread social distancing requirements were more relaxed across the state in June than in previous months, the comptroller’s office said.

CHILDRESS – During the COVID-19 pandemic, the 100th Judicial District Attorney’s (DA) office took precautions to limit the number of people it came into contact with but convicted more felons to prison than normal.

“Although the total number of cases moved were drastically lower, the District Court was successful in obtaining final convictions resulting in pen time for offenders at a much higher percentage than the previous year,” DA Luke Inman said. “I commend my staff on being willing to adapt and improvise during this crazy time.”

During the quarantine, the DA’s office received the fewest number of cases ever presented during any quarter in the past 12 years, Inman said. From April 1 to June 30, 41 cases were moved in District Court with 21 deferred adjudications and 20 defendants sent to the penitentiary. In 2019 during that same time, 177 cases were moved with 31 defendants being sent to the penitentiary.

A total of $97,000 in fines were assessed during the 2020 second quarter with $20,000 being upfront fines which were collected by the counties, Inman added. Another $14,723 in court costs were assessed along with $5,515.97 in restitution.
Inman and Assistant District Attorney Harley Caudle established a protocol and procedure list for the Court, Probation Department, Defense Bar, Clerk’s offices, law enforcement agencies and many more to make this happen. This policy streamlined the everyday approach in continuing to move criminal cases on a regular basis, Inman said.

“Harley and my administrative staff worked hard with our Judge’s office in welcoming new ways to use technology in the courtroom to finalize cases,” Inman said. “The coordination of all the players towards the concerted effort of finalizing cases is a testament to our commitment to removing the criminal element from our community even during unprecedented times like this.”

Since June, the Supreme Court of Texas changed the date when a jury trial could begin three different times, Inman explained. Over the past two months, trials have been set, rescheduled and set again. Court proceedings were halted. Jails had to limit who could even be brought in on criminal charges, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division and State Jail Division denied transports from local jails after defendants were sentenced.

“So how do offices, agencies, businesses, you name it, overcome and accomplish the essential objectives?” Inman asked.

“Innovation. There are times in life and in business when you must become innovative to overcome unforeseen obstacles.”

As necessity is the mother of invention, difficult times can unleash a myriad of refinements in the approach of criminal prosecution that actually make it easier and better, Inman explained.

“We were thrust into the world of unknowns like everyone else,” he said. “But instead of waiting for normalcy to return, we hunkered down and found solutions to continue to move as many cases as we could.”

There are several players involved in plea hearings: judge, prosecutor, defense attorney and defendant. Then there are law enforcement personnel and bailiffs, clerk’s office employees and probation officers.

“It was a challenge to get everyone involved in a concerted effort moving to pleas via Zoom, but we accomplished that in a very short timeframe,” Inman added.

While business was down, they thrived considering the circumstances, Inman said. The DA’s office, with the approval and participation of 100th Judicial District Judge Stuart Messer, began utilizing the internet-based meeting app Zoom for pleas and hearings to keep everyone in a safe environment, while still moving a substantial number of cases.

Zoom hearings and pleas are still occurring in the 100th District Court, as well as live hearings. Inman said the zoom hearings are beneficial to most defendants and defense attorneys who don’t have to travel long distances for brief court hearings.

“When the opportunity is there, zoom is a form of technology the District intends on using for years to come,” Inman said.

The Hedley City Council answered criticism about the sale of a 56-year-old city maintainer during their regular meeting last Thursday, August 13.

“There are a lot of rumors going around, and we want to put those to rest,” Mayor Carrie Butler said.

The council voted in June to sell the maintainer for $3,000 to Tule Creek Ranch, the mayor said, and “there has been an uproar about it.”

Some residents have criticized the city for not taking bids or proposals for the maintainer and for selling it to a relative of a city employee. Butler, however, had opinions from four different attorneys – three from Texas Municipal League in addition to the city’s own attorney, James Shelton – stating that the sale was proper and legal.

“The maintainer was sold legally, and there are no if’s and’s or but’s about it,” Butler said.

The mayor said Hedley is a Type A municipality and does not have to take bids to sell surplus or non-functional property.

She also said the sale did not constitute nepotism because the council solely made the decision to sell the maintainer and the employee had no say in the deal and did not profit from it.

Butler told the Enterprise that the maintainer was a 1964 model that had all the windows broken out and had other mechanical issues.

During public comments, Mike Glover criticized the city council and said there had been an offer of $5,000 for the maintainer.

Butler said there was no such offer. She said the city researched the value of the model of maintainer, which was between $1,500 and $7,000 depending on the condition. The city thought the offer of $3,000 was a good deal.

“We got a fair price, and we took it,” she said.

Glover asked Butler what the city will do about the roads since it sold the maintainer. Butler responded that the city is working on a loan through the USDA to get a new maintainer and possibly get a new trash truck as well.

Butler also addressed complaints about city employees during last week’s meeting.

“A lot of people think if there is no vehicle [at City Hall], then people aren’t working,” Butler said.

City employees’ duties include taking care of the sewer plant, picking up trash, maintaining the city lift station, reading meters, and other duties, the mayor said.

“This council is not stupid as to what goes on with our employees,” she said.

Butler said City Secretary Kim Davis is allowed by the council to vary her time at the office as long as she gets her time in.

“Her work gets done, and the bills get paid,” Butler said.

One resident inquired why the city’s trailer was seen at a house in Clarendon. Davis responded that she had rented the trailer, with the council’s approval. Butler said the city commonly rents out the trailer as well as other city equipment.

Thursday’s public comments portion of the meeting included several criticisms and accusations from four residents, but city aldermen pushed back against the comments, citing the limitations of the city budget and noting that residents rarely come to the city meetings.

“Instead of running our mouths, how about we come together?” Alderman Alicia Hanes asked.

Butler also called for more people to volunteer time to help the city.

“In order for this community to thrive, it’s going to take everyone volunteering to get it done” she said.

In other city business last week, Hedley aldermen discussed code enforcement with Municipal Judge Pat White and agreed that residents needing to clean up their properties would get one warning and then face a $200 fine.

The council discussed a leash law for the city but took no action. City officials did state, however, that citizens have the right to shoot dogs or other animals on their property if their lives or belongings are in danger.

The council approved an increase to the city utility bill from $61.95 to $70 to cover an increase in the cost of water.
Aldermen also approved changing the hours of City Hall to 8:30 to 4:00 Monday through Thursday and 8:30 to noon on Friday.

Mayor Butler announced that Donley County Judge John Howard had said the city was approved for $16,000 in CARES relief fund for COVID-19 related expenses. Davis said the city could only justify $3,000 for COVID, and the council approved allowing the public school to utilize the remaining funds.

The number of total confirmed COVID-19 held steady this week at 52 as the number of active cases under the care of the local clinic fell to two as of Tuesday afternoon. The Clarendon Family Medical Center said it has five tests pending and said that the total number of tests it had conducted is now 194.

A write-in candidate was certified for the Donley County Tax Assessor / Collector’s position Tuesday as local political parties considered their options for the job.

Deedra Keen submitted 100 signatures on a petition to file as a write-in candidate, and Donley County Judge John Howard certified her application Tuesday morning. Keen only needed 50 verified signatures of county voters, the judge said.

Donley County Democratic Chair Jean Taylor said this week that she has received interest from at least two potential candidates for the job.

Donley County Republican Party Chairman Bill Word could not be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon, but last week he set a deadline of August 9 for interested persons to contact him about the job. Sources have told the Enterprise there were several persons interested in being the Republican candidate.

The office of tax assessor / collector is currently held by Linda Crump, who plans to retire when her term expires at the end of this year. Tammy Morrow, running as a Republican, had been the only candidate for the upcoming November election but withdrew from race for medical and personal reasons last month.

The party chairs have until August 21 to name a candidate to appear on the November ballot.

The number of total confirmed COVID-19 cases has jumped from 45 to 52 this week, but the number of active cases under the care of the local clinic was four as of Tuesday morning.

Donley County Judge John Howard, MD, adjusted the number of confirmed cases tested outside of the Clarendon Family Medical Center last Friday after consulting with state officials and also after learning of two positive tests conducted on Donley County residents at the Childress hospital.

Howard also added the late Eunice Ward to the confirmed positive count. A resident of Hedley, Ward tested positive in Amarillo before her July 28 death, but those results have still never been officially reported to Donley County.

Howard also reported that the local clinic is considering the possibility of providing a new Point of Care testing service that can return a positive COVID-19 test result in as little as three minutes.

“It’s better to have more information sooner,” Howard said. “Think of the implications of school opening up and a student coming in with symptoms. Is it strep, is it flu, is it COVID? How we respond is very different. If it’s COVID, then we have to start quarantining.”

Meanwhile, the Clarendon Family Medical Center this week reported one new case of COVID-19 in Donley County with no tests pending as of Tuesday.

Four patients are still under the care of the clinic as active COVID cases.

Get ready rock fans! Metallica is coming to the big screen at Clarendon’s Sandell Drive-In on Saturday, August 29, for a unique concert experience.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public this Friday, August 14, at ticketmaster.com/encore-metallica for what will be Metallica’s first return to the stage since September 2019.

Also appearing on the concert will be special guest Three Days Grace.

The price of a ticket is $115 per car, which admits a carload of up to six people (about $19 per person in a six-seater car). Each ticket will also come with four free digital downloads of Metallica’s long-awaited S&M2 album, the long awaited album documenting the two historic concerts that reunited the band and San Francisco Symphony for the first time in 20 years.

Pre-sale tickets become available on August 12 exclusively to Metallica’s Fifth Member fan club.

Encore Drive-In Nights is promoting the show that will air at drive-in and outdoor theaters across the United States and Canada. These all-new performances will be filmed exclusively for each one-night-only event, and include cinematic interviews and storytelling. Earlier this summer, Encore produced Garth Brooks concert and a Blake Shelton Concert. Metallica will be the first rock band of the Drive-In Nights series.

The concert experience delivers a front-row look at the world’s most iconic recording artists to fans across North America.
Metallica released a video promotion saying they have been rehearsing at HQ to get ready for the upcoming concert recording.

“Needless to say, this is an exciting first for us, as we continue to explore new ways to connect with you and keep playing live,” the band said on their website. “This definitely qualifies as a unique and memorable experience for us. We hope you think so too!”

The Encore Drive-In Nights series is presented by leading event production company Encore Live. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, drive-in theaters have proven to be a safe, creative way to deliver fans world-class entertainment thanks to their ability to engage and delight large groups of people in open-air layouts.

Drive-in theaters hosting the Encore Drive-In Nights will adhere to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended guidelines as well as all state and local health mandates. Staff will wear personal protective equipment and enforce at least six feet of space between cars. The series will also use contactless payment and ticketing systems and limit capacity in restrooms. Guidelines around concessions will be enforced to abide by individual state regulations. For a full list of procedures that the Encore Drive-In Nights is employing to keep fans and staff safe, visit encorenights.com.

With drive-in theaters all across North America lined up to air the Encore Drive-In Nights, fans everywhere will have access to a completely unique concert film experience. Additional Encore Drive-In performances will be announced in the coming weeks. Information can be found at https://www.ticketmaster.com/encoredriveinnights.

Clarendon and Hedley schools are moving forward with plans to welcome students back next Thursday, August 13, while working to keep kids safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

School officials say they are doing their best to follow state guidelines, which have been constantly changing, as well as staying in contact with Donley County Judge John Howard, MD, to make sure they are in compliance with what is expected.

“Judge Howard has been a tremendous resource,” Hedley Superintendent Garrett Bains said.

Clarendon CISD released a twelve-page Guide to Reopening Campuses on Tuesday, which can be accessed on at this link, and Hedley ISD last week published an eight-point document answering frequent questions about their reopening plans. That document is also available online here.

Both schools have moved to have registration online, although Clarendon students may still have some campus-specific packets that will go home with the kids the first day of school.

“Also if anyone has trouble with the online registration, they can set up a campus appointment to register face to face,” Clarendon Superintendent Jarod Bellar said.

For Hedley’s part, most of their registration was already online because so many kids live outside the district, Bains said.

“We’ve been doing this already,” Bains said, “but parents can also come in person from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to register. They have to wear a mask, and we can only have one parent per kid at a time.”

Masks will be a big deal as school gets underway with both Clarendon and Hedley saying they will follow the orders of Gov. Greg Abbott. Hedley will require masks of everyone ages ten and up, and Clarendon, noting that different ages exists within grades, will require masks in grades five through 12.

“Students in lower grades can wear masks if their parents want them to,” Bellar said.

Bellar also noted that Clarendon CISD doesn’t expect students to wear masks all day but will encourage them between classes especially.

Both schools also will be trying to practice social distancing as much as possible, which Bains says is easy for Hedley since most classes don’t have more than ten people in a room.

Clarendon and Hedley both will be following disinfection practices, and Hedley has even purchased new tables for its cafeteria to allow for better separation during lunch time.

Both schools will be participating in UIL extracurricular activities approved by the state, but Clarendon and Hedley both also have taken the position that students who do not enroll in on-campus instruction cannot participate in extracurricular activities.

“It just makes sense,” Bains said. “If you’re at risk or worried about being around people, why would you want to be in an activity with close contact?”

School officials realize that this is a challenging time. Bains says most of his parents have been very supportive of the school so far, understanding that some of the decisions are not his or the school’s but rather the state’s.

Schools are also looking forward to classes starting.

“My people are just ready to get back to work and see the kids,” Bains said.

“We’re just looking forward to having a great year,” Bellar said. “We’re all excited.”

 

 

Clarendon CISD officials Tuesday published new guidelines for the re-opening of school next Thursday, August 13.

The 12-page document covers several questions that parents may have about what protocols will be followed in the face of the COVID-19 document.  Read the entire document here.