News

History repeated itself when the Latigo Ranch took top honors for the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association’s annual Ranch Rodeo last Friday and Saturday.

Winning for the second year in a row, Latigo’s scores beat out 19 other local and regional ranch rodeo teams as working cowboys put their skills to the test as part of the 143rd annual Saints’ Roost Celebration. The team was made up of Jacob Gudgell, Wesley Gudgell, Treston Gudgell, Zane Peters, and Levi Molesworth.

The Heck & Detwiller team team finished second with Cody Heck, Chad Detwiler, Jodi Padilla, Kale Lane, and Ian McDonald; and the IC Cattle team was third with Randy Crump, Tanner Hart, Jared Stoker, Jayton McWright, and Wesley Gudgell.

The Top Hand for the rodeo was awarded to Randy Crump, and the Top Horse award was won by Casey Jo Lewis.

This year’s attendance for the two-day ranch rodeo in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic was 771, which was down from last year’s attendance of 1,391.

The Junior Ranch Rodeo was won by Tongue River team comprised of Cooper McCleskey, Blaine Roberts, Brazos Roberts, Hadley Halsell, and Gus Smith. The second place team was Circle M8 with Rye Reynolds, Cooper McCleskey, Brazos Roberts, Blaine Roberts, Kail Burnson; and the Rockin’ JM team was third in the junior competition with Cooper McCleskey, Blaine Roberts, Brazos Roberts, Rye Reynolds, and Sterlin Mitchell.

Top Hand winner for the Junior Ranch Rodeo was Wyatt Mask, and Cooper McCleskey rode the Top Horse.

Junior Calf, Donkey, and Steer Riding and Mutton Bustin’ were held all three nights. Overall Mutton Bustin’ champion for the three nights was Harper Atwood.

Overall Calf Riding Champion was Jaxon Orr, the Overall Donkey Rider was Colton Britten, and Steer Riding champion was Hunter Atwood.
Nightly winners of the junior events were as follows:

July 2 – Calf Scramble – Cotton Halsey, Emmett Howell, and Aaron Dunnaway; Mutton Bustin’ – Jacob Howell; Calf Riding – Caleb Askew, Donley Riding – Chance Anderson and Eli Ritchie; and Steer Riding – Hunter Atwood.

July 3 – Calf Scramble – Chance Anderson, Colt Mason, and Reece Myers; Mutton Bustin’ – Harper Atwood; Calf Riding – Caleb Askew; Donkey Riding – Colton Britten; and Steer Riding – Hunter Atwood.

July 4 – Calf Scramble – Reece Myers, Bodhi Schlegelmilch, and Brody Bennett; Mutton Bustin’ – Harper Atwood; Calf Riding – Jaxon Orr; Donkey Riding – Chance Anderson; and Steer Riding – Hunter Atwood.

The Texas National Guard will hold a drive-thru COVID-19 testing at Clarendon College on July 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to Donley County Judge John Howard, MD.

“It’s free, quick, and painless,” Judge Howard said. “I would encourage everyone wanting to tested to come by the college next Tuesday.”

Unlike the nasal swab which can be uncomfortable, this will be an oral swab, and there will be no charge for the test. Results will be returned in three to four days.

No pre-registration is necessary for the test and no appointment is needed.

Those wishing to be tested for the coronavirus will need a valid ID (such as a driver’s license) to get tested.

Democrats and Republicans will go to the polls next Tuesday, July 14, to make their final selections for candidates for the fall general election.

Early voting in the primary runoff elections continues through this Friday, July 10, at the Donley County Courthouse Annex.

The Republican election focuses on the races between Josh Winegarner and Ronny Jackson for Congress and also between 7th Court of Appeals incumbent Larry Doss and Steven Denny.

The Democratic ballot has races for US Senate, US Representative, and Railroad Commissioner.

Republicans polling locations are: Precinct Boxes 101, 201, 301, and 401 will vote at the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon; Box 102 at Howardwick City Hall; and Box 303 at the Hedley Baptist Church.

Democratic polling places are: Precinct Boxes 101, 102, 201, 301, and 401 at the Donley County Courthouse; and Box 303 at the Hedley Lions Den.

Curbside voting is an option at all polling sites. Election sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Donley County will not seek an exception to Gov. Greg Abbott’s new order requiring Texans to wear face coverings to control the spread of COVID-19, according to County Judge John Howard, MD.

Abbott issued the new order on Thursday, July 2, which requires people to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth when inside a commercial building or space open to the public, or when in an outdoor public space, wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing.

The order goes into effect at 12:01 p.m. on July 3 and applies to all Texas counties. Counties with 20 or fewer active COVID-19 cases can submit a form to opt out of the mask order, but Judge Howard said he will not do so at this time.

“We are participating in a public health effort, and this is one of the best things we can do to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Judge Howard said.

The judge also reported a new positive case in a patient of the Clarendon Family Medical Center, which is in addition to another local person who reportedly tested positive in an Amarillo hospital over the weekend. Those cases would bring the total number of positive cases in Donley County to 29, but at least 25 of those are classified as “recovered.”

Abbott’s order does allow some exceptions to the mask mandate, some of which include children under the age of ten, people with health issues that would prevent wearing a mask, people consuming food or drink or is seated at a restaurant to eat or drink, people who are voting or assisting with voting, and people who are swimming.

The order says those violating the mandate can receive a verbal or written warning for a first offense and that second and subsequent offenses shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $250 for each offense. Officials cannot detain, arrest, or jail anyone for violating the order.

The complete text of the governor’s order is available here.

Clarendon is set to welcome visitors to the 143rd annual Saints’ Roost Celebration this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, July 2, 3, and 4.

The coronavirus pandemic has put most area July Fourth celebrations on hold this year, but the Panhandle’s oldest will still move forward this weekend.

Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association’s Junior Rodeo scheduled for Thursday night, July 2, and the Ranch Rodeo on Friday and Saturday nights, July 3 and 4, will be limited to 50 percent capacity with social distancing encouraged. All rodeo events will go on as usual, except for the dances afterward. COEA will also proceed with the usual kids’ events, including the calf scrambles.

The First Baptist Church confirms there will be no Depression Lunch downtown Friday this year.

The big day will be Saturday, July 4, beginning with the Arts & Craft Fair on the square at 9 a.m. sponsored by the Donley County 4H. Booths must be reserved through the Donley County 4H by calling 806-874-2141.

Ed Montana will provide music and serve as master of ceremonies on the square.

The Chamber of Commerce’s Kids’ Bicycle & Tricycle Parade, sponsored by Shelton & Shelton Attorneys and Mike’s Pharmacy, will also begin at 9 a.m. The Kids’ Parade will line up at 8:30 at Keith Floyd’s shop at Third and Sully.

Kids’ Parade Chair Kim Fowler is asking all parents to register their kids for the parade online by using the form at ClarendonTX.com/ChamberEvents.

Line up for the Herring Bank Parade will also start at 9 a.m. with the parade taking off at 10:00. The theme for this year’s parade is “Texas Strong – United We Stand,” and entry forms are available in this week’s Enterprise as well as at the Visitor Center. Entry forms are also available at ClarendonTX.com/ChamberEvents.

The Herring Bank Parade features $850 in cash prizes with $200 available for the best float, $100 for the best car or truck entry, $100 for the best animal or riding unit, $100 for the best tractor or farm equipment entry, and $100 for the best “other” entry. From those first place winners, judges will select a Grand Prize winner who will receive an additional $250.

Pre-registration and adherence to the theme is required for entrants to be judged for the prize money, and entry forms are due in the Visitor Center by 5 p.m. on July 1. Parade winners will be announced at 1 p.m.

The Al Morrah Shrine Club barbecue will be set up on the west side of the Courthouse square this year instead of the traditional location on the east side as plans call for spreading booths and activities over the entire square. The Shriners are also making plans for curbside pick-up of barbecue plates on Jefferson Street for senior citizens and others who prefer to avoid the crowd on the Fourth.

Tickets will be $15 per plate, and food will be served to-go style starting about 11 a.m. or as soon as the parade is over. Advanced tickets are available at the Enterprise or may be purchased on the square July Fourth.

Henson’s Turtle Race will take place at 1:30 p.m. And the Ranch Rodeo will close out the day Saturday night at the COEA Arena beginning at 7:30.

The Texas National Guard will hold a local drive-thru COVID-19 testing at Clarendon College on Tuesday, July 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to Donley County Judge John Howard, MD.

Those wishing to be tested for the coronavirus will need a valid ID (such as a driver’s license) and are urged to call ahead to get a testing time.

Howard said the guard will open a call center 48 hours prior to the testing, but details on that were not available at press time. Those who don’t call ahead will be able to register onsite for the test.

More information about this testing opportunity will be published as it becomes available.

Clarendon Mayor Sandy Skelton issued a letter last Friday authorizing local Saints’ Roost Celebration activities this weekend following the latest executive order of Gov. Greg Abbott.

The governor took several steps to respond to rising COVID-19 cases around the state, including closing bars and banning most public gatherings of 100 people or more. Rodeos were exempted, however, and Abbott allowed other events to proceed with the permission of local authorities.

Officials have urged, but not required, citizens to wear masks at this weekend’s events and to observe social distancing requirements.

Until this past weekend, Donley County had not had a confirmed new case of COVID-19 since June 3. Posts by family members on social media Sunday reported that another Donley County person had tested positive for the disease in an Amarillo hospital, which would bring the local COVID-19 count up to 28.

As of Tuesday, that case had not yet been reported to the county by the state, so the official tally remains at 27 for this week’s Enterprise.

Four more patients were tested at the Clarendon Family Medical Center since last Tuesday. Two of those tests were negative and two are still pending. That brings the total local tests to 129 with 107 negatives.

Early voting begins Monday, June 29, for runoff elections for Texas Democratic and Republican party primaries.

Locally, the biggest focus is on the Republican race to be the candidate for the 13th Congressional District. Josh Winegarner received the most votes in the March primary but failed to get more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid the runoff. He will face Ronny Jackson to determine who will carry the Republican mantle in the November election.

Also of local interest on the Republican ballot, is the race of the Justice of the 7th Court of Appeals. Incumbent Larry Doss narrowly defeated challenger Steven Denny during the March primary. However, the race was left off ballots in Collingsworth and Cochran counties, so a court ordered the race be put in front of the voters again during the runoff election.

Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted at the Donley County Courthouse Annex through July 10. The annex will be closed on July 3 for the holiday weekend. The primary runoff elections will be held July 14, 2020.