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Pantex is now the largest employer in the Texas Panhandle, according to an announcement released Tuesday by the nuclear weapons facility.

More than eight decades ago, during World War II, the Pantex Ordnance plant was a major contributor during the global conflict. At its height in January 1943, Pantex employed 5,254 full time employees. When WWII ended, Pantex closed its doors. Then in 1951 the Federal Government reclaimed the site, creating the cornerstone of the nuclear weapons complex.

Since 1975, Pantex has been the nation’s primary assembly, disassembly, retrofit, and modification center for nuclear weapons.
The total number of employees has changed throughout the decades. Ten years ago, it remained consistent with approximately 3,100 employees. That number has increased dramatically over the last few years as hundreds of new employees have been hired at Pantex.

“That growth is simply explained,” said Colby Yeary, Pantex Site Manager. “Our workload has increased and with that increase – the need to bring on hundreds of new Pantexans to meet production demands. It became obvious that our work force would have to grow to match the more than 70 percent increase in our work load. We’ve been hiring ever since and now at of the most recent count, Pantex has 4,626 employees.”

According to Pantex Field Office Manager, Jason Armstrong, “The economic impact of Pantex on our community – and the entire Panhandle – cannot be overstated. It’s something we’re very proud of. We rely on Pantexans daily to deliver our national security deterrent by combining their unique talents and abilities, driven by their deep sense of patriotism and dedication. What also cannot be overstated is the importance of Pantex. In light of today’s real-world geopolitical conditions, our responsibility to deliver on our mission to enable global security is absolutely vital. It’s the growing number of Pantexans who make that happen.”

According to Yeary, growth at Pantex will continue. “As we continue to move forward – we continue to grow in numbers and scope within the community. Later this year, we are going to house 300 employees in the city Amarillo to accommodate expansion and teleworking. We will continue with our modernization programs, including an increased workload and work force,” he said.

The sixth annual Howardwick Hoedown will be held this Saturday, July 20, in McMorries Memorial Park, and it looks like Mother Nature is going to keep things cool this year.

With temperatures in the 80s and chance of rain, it will be a great day to be outside to enjoy fun, food, and good company.

City Secretary and Hoedown organizer Sandy Childress says fundraised during this year’s event will go to the City of Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department.

“Everyone come on out and have a great time,” Childress said. “It’s going to be a very special time.”

Food will be served starting at 11 a.m. and continue until it runs out, and dancing and music will continue throughout the day. Lunch will be $10 per person – hot dogs and hamburgers, chips, drink, and a cookie.

A pair of Coleman gas-powered Mini Bikes and a 5×8 trailer to haul them will be the big raffle prize for the day, and you don’t have to be present to win. Childress says a few tickets are still available and can be purchase by calling 806-874-2222. Only 350 tickets are being sold, and the cost is $20 each or six for $100.

A live on-site raffle with more than 40 prizes will also be going on all day for those present with winners every hour.

The third annual Corn Hole Tournament hosted by the Clarendon Lions Club is currently full of team and will be offering cash prizes as well as the chance for team with the best name to win custom cups. The first place team wins $600. Second place will get $350, and third place earns $150. Corn Hole teams will start warming up from 10 to 11 a.m. Call City Hall at 806-874-2222 for more information.

Other activities include the third annual putting contest, and a slip-n-slide will be available for kids.

Childress also says there will be 17 vendor booths at this year’s Hoedown, which is the most ever.

Those attending the Hoedown should plan to bring their own seating and their own umbrellas or other shading if they desire.

Hoedown activities will wind down at 4 p.m.

Garbage rates in the City of Clarendon will be going up following last week’s City Council meeting in accordance with city’s contract with Waste Connections.

The contract allows the company to receive an annual increase based on the consumer price index. The increase will be four percent and will go into effect with the August 20 through September 20 billing period, which will appear on residents’ city statements due in October.

Waste Connections representatives attended last month’s city meeting where they first requested the rate increase. City officials grilled the company about service problems affecting local residents, particularly delays in garbage being picked up.

In other city business last week, the council approved amending Ordinance 344 regarding animal control and accepted the annual report of the local housing authority. An interlocal agreement was approved regarding the Texas Municipal League’s Cyber Response Fund, and quarterly investment reports for the city were approved as presented.
Dr. Matthew Halsey was designated as the city’s rabies control authority.

In his report, City Administrator Brian Barboza said the city is working to move the city sewer line that runs underneath the old Family Dollar store at the request of O’Reilly Auto Parts.

The building was constructed in 2013 over an existing alley way with the city’s permission. Barboza said he received permission from the current property owner to relocate the line along the property line. Barboza said the city is doing the work in house with supplies on hand and told the Enterprise the work will probably only cost the city about $1,000.

Barboza also reported City Hall is working with Robertson Funeral Directors to improve accessibility on the public sidewalk in front of the funeral home.

Clarendon’s sales tax revenue rose again last week when Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar delivered July allocations to local governments.

Hegar sent $40,958.25 to Clarendon for the month, an increase of 7.09 percent compared to the same period in 2023. This city is now 2.93 percent ahead for the calendar year’s sales tax revenues with a total of $293,210.01.

Hedley’s allocation this month was up 63.83 percent from $723.89 last July to $1,186.02. That city is running 7.48 percent for the calendar year-to-date with $8,104.01 so far.

Howardwick received $1,610.88, down 1.93 percent from one year ago. The year-to-date figure there is now down 16.28 percent at $10,793.64. However, Howardwick also dropped its sales tax rate by one-quarter of one percent at the beginning of the fiscal year.

Statewide, Hegar sent $1.1 billion in sales tax allocations for July, 0.2 percent less than in July 2023. These allocations are based on sales made in May by businesses that report tax monthly.

The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce held its second annual Best of Donley County Blue Ribbon Exhibition last week during the 147th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration to showcase outstanding cooks in three categories.

The exhibition had 32 entries in fields of Jellies, Jams, and Baked Goods. Winners were as follows:

Jellies: Class 2 Blackberry – first place Abby Lenz; Class 3 Blueberry – first place Charlene Brown; Class 7 Grape – first place Charlene Brown; Class 8 Hot Pepper – first place Charlene Brown; Class 9 Peach – first place Charlene Brown; Class 10 Plum – first place Abby Lenz and second place Charlene Brown; Class 13 Other – first place (Strawberry) Charlene Brown, second place (Apricot) Charlene Brown, and third place (NectaPeach) Charlene Brown. Brown’s strawberry was also the Best Overall Jelly.

Jams: Class 1 Apple Butter – first place Charlene Brown; Class 4 Grape – first place Cheryl Johnson; Class 5 Peach – first place Caylor Monroe, second place Abby Lenz, and third place Cheryl Johnson; Class 9 Other – first place (PlumCot) Charlene Brown, second place (Wild Plum) Cheryl Johnson, and third place (Apricot) Caylor Monroe. Best Overall Jam went to Brown’s PlumCot.

Baked Goods: Class 1 Cakes – first (Rum Cake) Judy Burlin and second (Chocolate) Lori Mays; Class 3 Baked Pie – first place (Pecan) Shonda Martin, second place (Midway Taffy Pie) Mandy Smith, and third place (Apple Crumb); Class 8 Pudding/Trifle – first place (Chocolate Brownie Pudding) Suzanna Hallmark; and Class 10 Sweet Bread – first place (Olive Oil Zucchini Bread) Suzanna Hallmark and second place (Banana Nut) Shonda Martin. Best Overall Bread went to Suzanna Hallmark, and Best Overall Baked Good went to Judy Burlin.