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Clarendon okays Greenbelt agreement

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The Clarendon City Council authorized a supplemental contract with Greenbelt Municipal & Industrial Water Authority during a called meeting July 3 that will allow the water authority to proceed with an $18 million project to develop groundwater resources for its members cities.

Clarendon’s approval came after Greenbelt agreed to amendments to the contract, City Administrator David Dockery said. The most notable concession was that Clarendon will have the right to withdraw from the Greenbelt system after the current 1975 series bonds are paid off in 2027.

“Clarendon will can pull out of Greenbelt with one year’s notice at that time,” Dockery said. “It gives Clarendon a much stronger position in the future.”

Dockery said the city and the water authority are also working on possible changes to the contract under which Clarendon sells city groundwater to Greenbelt.

The Texas Water Development Board in April approved more than $18 million for a new water supply project for the Greenbelt Municipal and Industrial Water Authority. The project would develop 2,800 acres of groundwater rights the water authority acquired in northern Donley County in 2017. Greenbelt would construct three water wells, well field piping, electrical distribution equipment, and a 12-mile transmission line to transport water to its existing water treatment plant. Ten million dollars of the project is fully funded by the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and $8.11 million would be financed with Clarendon paying about six percent of that cost.

Pantex loans emergency vehicle to the City of Perryton

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Members of the Pantex Fire Department hand over the keys to the loaned ambulance to the City of Perryton.

On June 15th, the town of Perryton was hit by an EF-3 tornado, killing three people, injuring more than 120 residents, and causing millions of dollars in damage to homes and local businesses, including the Perryton Fire Department/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) station.

That night, Pantex received a call from Carson County officials, asking if emergency assistance could be sent to Perryton.
“We received the request a few hours after the tornado had hit,” said Pantex Fire Chief Mike Brock. “Even though Perryton is not in our mutual aid area, the request came from one of our mutual aid partners, and we responded with an ambulance. If able, we are always happy to assist when needed in any of our Panhandle area communities.”

Recently, Pantex emergency officials learned that Perryton’s tornado-damaged ambulance is considered unusable. So, Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) reached out to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Production Office (NPO), to determine if additional assistance for Perryton could be provided.

The Pantex ambulance dispatched to Perryton the night of the tornado had just replaced an older ambulance, which was scheduled to be excessed. CNS and NPO agreed to loan Perryton the excessed ambulance for up to a year through an Agreement in Principle with the state of Texas.

“Pantex began sending help the night of the tornado and continued by sending a damage assessment team to assist in the following days,” said Jason Armstrong, NNSA Production Office Pantex Manager. “When the question was raised about further assistance by getting an ambulance to them, everyone involved–from headquarters to the firefighters who dropped the ambulance off — never wavered in their commitment to help out neighbors across the region.”

The formal paperwork was completed and transfer of the loaned ambulance took place on June 28.

TxDot seeks public input on $100B plan

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As the Texas population continues to boom, TxDOT is drafting a record-breaking 10-year transportation plan and now the public is invited to weigh in on the projects proposed in their communities.

To help guide transportation projects over the next decade, TxDOT is seeking public input on the draft 2024 Unified Transportation Program (UTP), the state’s 10-year transportation plan. The draft 2024 UTP totals $100 billion, which is $15 billion more than the 2023 plan. The increase primarily comes from growth in revenues from Proposition 1 (passed in the 2015 legislative session) generated by oil and gas severance fees dedicated to highway improvements.

“The UTP is TxDOT’s road map to developing projects across the state,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “It’s important to work with our transportation partners and hear from the public to guide transportation improvements that address congestion and enhance safety.”

Projects included in the UTP will improve safety, address congestion and connectivity, and preserve roadways for Texas drivers. The UTP also addresses public transportation, maritime, aviation, rail, freight and international trade, and bicycle and pedestrian connectivity.

The public is invited to learn about the UTP and participate in a virtual public meeting on July 6 at 2 p.m. (CST) and a virtual public hearing on July 25 at 2 p.m. The public may join the meeting and hearing by phone or online via TxDOT Public Involvement.

The draft 2024 UTP public comment period begins Friday, July 7, 2023, and ends Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, at 4 p.m. (CDT). There are multiple ways to comment throughout the process, and they can all be found on the Public Involvement section of TxDOT.gov, along with recordings and presentations from each meeting and hearing. Comment forms are also available in English, Arabic, Cantonese, Hindi, Mandarin, Spanish and Vietnamese.

The UTP is updated annually.

Public comments and feedback are a very important part of developing the plan. The UTP is approve in August and published on TxDOT.gov.

Moving along

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The Downtown Revitalization Project continues to make progress this week. Workers were busy Tuesday running the new curbing all the way from the Owen’s Boot Shop to the south side of Stocking’s Ice Cream Parlor. Forms are set for the new ramp at the Visitor Center and demolition and form construction will continue this week.

County okays new bridge on FM 1260

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The Donley County Commissioners’ Court met in regular session Monday with a full agenda to consider.

The court approved a resolution for a TxDOT financed project to replace the FM 1260 bridge of the Salt Fork Red River.

A request from GreenLight Gas for an easement on CR W and CR 27 was approved.

A budget amendment was approved to allow the Extension Service to purchase a trailer for hauling small animals.

Commissioners appointed a Salary Grievance Committee, and the court also authorized the county judge to retain a civil law firm if the need arises.

A change order to install another door in the county barn at Hedley was approved.

No bids were received to move the houses on Third and Jefferson streets where the county recently purchased property.

The court approved a motion to authorize payment of $41,775 to Guardian Security for security cameras and authorize movement of money from the courthouse security fund to the courthouse checking account.

A policy prohibiting vaping on county premises was also considered and adopted.

Clarendon hosts 2023 Saints’ Roost Celebration

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Raegan Weldie enjoys bubbles on the courthouse lawn Saturday during Clarendon’s 146th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack

Clarendon’s 146th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration was a big success with several new events this year and weather that was almost picture perfect on Saturday, July 2, at the Donley County Courthouse.

After triple digit heat earlier in the week, temperatures began dropping Friday, and the area was blessed with a good rain Friday afternoon and evening with some precipitation falling even early Saturday morning.

Celebration organizers were undeterred, forging ahead with setting up in wet conditions but were rewarded when the sun came out.

The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce introduced two major new events this year in addition to Herring Bank Parade and the Liberty Electric Kids Parade the Chamber has organized for many years. The Diversified Waste Lawnmower Race was held following lunch, and the Best of Donley County Blue Ribbon Exhibition was also added to the celebration. The Chamber also had fun games set up at its booth on the square. The results of the Chamber events are listed in a separate article here.

The Al Morrah Shrine Club served about 500 plates of barbecue this year. A portion of the proceeds from the annual barbecue are used in conjunction with the Khiva Shrine Temple in Amarillo to help pay for the transportation of kids to the Shriners’ burns and crippled children’s hospitals.

The Donley County Junior Livestock Association raffled off a gun, and Rhett Renner won it.

The Clarendon Lions Club’s Cow Patty Bingo was won by Pam Phillips, Katy Tubbs, Terri Floyd, and Linda Crump.

Henson’s annual Turtle Race was also held Saturday afternoon in its traditional location at Third and Kearney. A total of 169 entries competed in four different age divisions. Winning turtle jockeys this year were: age 0-4, Mac Wann; age 5-8, Cutter Ashbrook; age 9-16, Jace Conway; and 17 and up, Riley Shadle.

The annual Depression Lunch was held Friday at the Crossties Ministry Center.

The Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association hosted its ranch rodeos on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, and those results are also listed in a separate article here.

Chamber hosts new events during 2023 celebration

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In the Herring Bank Parade, the Lady Bronco Basketball Team won the first place Float, Summer Towing had the best car/truck entry, best Animal entry was the Behind the Chutes Cowboy Church, and the Tri-State Spyder Riders had the best other entry. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack

The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce expanded this year’s Saints’ Roost Celebration, adding new events while still organizing the traditional parades.

Diversified Waste sponsored a Lawnmower Barrel Race, and a Best of Donley County Blue Ribbon Exhibition showcased outstanding cooks and quilters.

In the 0-3 age group first place and Best of Show Dawson Hall, second place Madi Herndon, and third place Astrid Jaramillo. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack

The theme for both parades was “Adventure Awaits” with entries focused on modes of travel, destinations, and types of vacations.

The Liberty Electric Kids Parade started things off Saturday morning with a more traditional “parade” of kids instead of a mass of kids to give the judges a better view of the entrants in three age categories plus a motorized division.

Winners were as follows: Motorized – first place Ashlynn White and Paisley Jones, second place Daegan Hall, and third place Oakleigh Douglass; Ages 0-3 – first place and Best of Show Dawson Hall, second place Madi Herndon, and third place Astrid Jaramillo; Ages 4-8: first place Zaylee and Asher Jaramillo, second place Kendall Danner, and third place Shaylee Hall; and Ages 9 and Up: first place Chloe Newton, second place Journee Morris, and third place Jay Scott.

In the Herring Bank Parade, the Lady Bronco Basketball Team won the first place Float, Summer Towing had the best car/truck entry, best Animal entry was the Behind the Chutes Cowboy Church, and the Tri-State Spyder Riders had the best other entry.

In the Diversified Waste Lawnmower Barrel Race Michael DeWeese was the champion and second place went to Nancy Kidd. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack

In the Diversified Waste Lawnmower Barrel Race, contestants drove a riding mower through an obstacle course, which included using a grabber to place a tennis ball on a traffic cone in multiple locations.  Michael DeWeese was the champion with a time of 1:05, and second place was Nancy Kidd with a time of 1:14.

The Best of Donley County Blue Ribbon Exhibition had 56 entries among all the categories. Winners were:

Jellies: Class 10 Plum – first Place Butch Brown; Class 13 Other – first Place Dottie Newkirk, second Place Katie Dowdy, third Place Butch Brown; Class 2 BlackBerry – first Place Abby Lenz; and Class 9 Peach – first Place Charlene Brown. Best Overall Jelly was shown by Dottie Newkirk.

Jams: Class 1 Blackberry – first Place Katie Dowdy; Class 3 Cherry – first Place Amanda Askew; Class 5 Peach – first Place Abby Lenz; Class 7 Strawberry – first Place Charlene Brown; and Class 9 Other – first Place Frances Tillery, second Place Karen Shrader. The Best Overall Jam belonged to Abby Lenz.

Baked Goods: Class 1 Cakes – first Place Suzanna Hallmark, second Place Amanda Robertson, and third Place Amanda Robertson; Class 10 Sweet Bread – first Place Charlene Brown, second Place Suzanna Hallmark, third place Karen Shrader; Class 13 Candy – first place Martha Smith; Class 2 No Bake Pie – first place Amanda Robertson; Class 3 Baked Pie – first Place Amanda Robertson, second Place Amanda Robertson, third Place Shonda Martin; Class 4 Cookie – first Place Paula Goodpasture, second Place Martha Smith; Class 5 Brownie – first Place Karen Shrader; and Class 8 Pudding/Trifle – first Place Amanda Robertson. The Best Overall Bread was shown by Charlene Brown; and the Best Overall Baked Good was shown by Amanda Robertson.

Quilts: Class 10 Mixed Technique – first Dottie Newkirk, second Frances Tillery, and third Angela Blais; Class 13  Wall Hanging – first and second Frances Tillery, and third Dottie Newkirk; Class 14 Other – first Frances Tillery, second Kassie Askew, and third Sharlene Bordonaro; Class 1 Antique – first place and Best Overall Handmade Frances Tillery; Class 2 Baby Quilt – first Abby Lenz; Class 4 Embroidered Quilt – first Frances Tillery; Class 5 Quilt From Kit – first Amanda Askew; Class 8 Machine Quilted from Applique – first Frances Tillery; Class 9 Machine Pieced / Machine Quilted – first and Best Overall Machine Quilted Frances Tillery, second Jamie Simmons Mehlhaff, and third Dottie Newkirk.

Chamber officials appreciate everyone who participated in these events and are already discussing ways to improve those activities next year.

The Best of Donley County Blue Ribbon Exhibition had 56 entries among all the categories. Pictured here are winners in several of the categories along with Sharlene Bordonaro, Chamber of Commerce Vice President. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack

Wilson Cattle Co. wins 2023 Ranch Rodeo

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Coltin Henson rides in the 2023 Mutton Bustin’. Enterprise Photo

The Wilson Cattle Company took top honors at the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association’s annual Ranch Rodeo last Friday and Saturday during the 146th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration.

Wilson’s scores beat out 19 other local and regional ranch rodeo teams as working cowboys put their skills to the test. The team was made up of Cayce Lewis, Rodey Wilson, Ben Crockett, Jaylen Eldridge, and Cooper McClesky.

The Baca Ranch team finished second with Jake Baca, Jayton Baca, Zane Davis, Jacob Gudgell, and Taylor Burkett; and the Latigo Ranch team was third with Wesley Gudgell, Jacob Gudgell, Truston Gudgell, Levi Moleswroth, and Cody Mason.

The Top Hand for the rodeo was awarded to Jacob Gudgell, and the Top Horse award was won by Jody Padilla.

This year’s attendance for the three-day junior rodeo and ranch rodeo was 1,225, similar to the 1,222 who attended in 2022.

The Junior Ranch Rodeo was won by the Barnes Cattle Company team comprised of Degan Barnes, Kesler Barnes, Bonnar Barnes, Brooks Myers, and Reece Myers. The second place team was the 96 Ranch with Brooks Myers, Reece Myers, Zane McKee, Degan Barnes, and Rankin Proffitt; and the 77 Ranch team was third in the junior competition with Brooks Myers, Reece Myers, Caden Anderson, Chance Anderson, and Degan Barnes.

Top Hand winner for the Junior Ranch Rodeo was Chance Anderson, and Zane McKee 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 Emerson Martindale. Overall Calf Riding Champion was Bo Cobb, the Overall Donkey Rider was Chance Anderson, and Steer Riding champion was Colton Henson.

Nightly winners of the junior events were as follows:
June 29 – Calf Scramble – Carley Jones, Emma Howard, and Laney Shelton; Mutton

Bustin’ – Bix Bischel; Calf Riding – Will Berry, Donkey Riding – Colton Henson; and Steer Riding – Colton Henson.

June 30 – Calf Scramble – Dalton German, Luke Hardin, and Tristan Satterfield; Mutton Bustin’ –Ainslee Lewis; Calf Riding – Bo Cobb; Donkey Riding – Cason Bowers; and Steer Riding – no entries.

July 1 – Calf Scramble – Will Berry, Chole Martindale, Sterlin Stevenson; Mutton Bustin’ – Emerson Martindale; Calf Riding – Will Berry; Donkey Riding – Chance Anderson; and Steer Riding – Elise Bullock.

Clarendon welcomes visitors to 2023 Saints’ Roost Celebration

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Clarendon is ready this week to welcome visitors to the Panhandle’s oldest celebration of American Independence. The 146th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration begins Thursday, June 29, and runs through Saturday, July 1.

The Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association gets the celebration started Thursday night with the Junior Ranch Rodeo, which opens at 7:30 p.m. Kids events open each night of the rodeo with a Calf Scramble for ages 0-12, and open Junior Donkey Riding, Calf and Mutton Bustin’, and Steer Riding. Following the kids’ events, ten junior ranch teams will compete for the best times and scores in Sorting, Doctoring, Trailer Loading, Calf Branding, and the Wild Steer Race.

On Friday, the celebration continues downtown at the Crossties Ministry Center with the Depression Luncheon at the from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. COEA opens the first night of its annual Ranch Rodeo Friday night at 7:30. After the kids’ events, ten ranch teams will compete in the Ranch Bronc Riding, Stray Gathering, Wild Cow Milking, and Team Branding. Live music by Seth Ward and dancing on the Slab will follow.

Saturday is the celebration’s biggest day with events on the square starting at 9 a.m. Ed Montana will return to provide live music and serve as master of ceremonies. The Arts & Craft Fair begins at 9 a.m.

The Liberty Electric Kids’ Bicycle & Tricycle Parade will begin at 9 a.m. with line-up at 8:30 at Third and Sully. Line up for the Herring Bank Parade will start at 9 a.m. at Prospect Park with the parade taking off at 10:00. The theme for this year’s parades is “Adventure Awaits.” Pre-registration was required to be considered for prizes in both parades, and the deadline passed June 28. Late comers can still join the parades but will not be eligible for prizes.

New from the Chamber of Commerce this year, Diversified Waste is sponsoring a Lawnmower Barrel Race at 11:30 a.m. near the grandstand. Sign-ups will be held at the Chamber booth. Entry is $10 and you must be 18 years or older. Prizes will be given for the best times to complete the race.

The Shriners barbecue will start at about 11 a.m. Meal tickets are $20 each and are available on the square or in advance at the Enterprise. The Lions Club’s Cow Patty Bingo will follow the barbecue, and parade winners will be announced about 1 p.m.

The Henson’s Turtle Race will take place at 1:30 p.m. After the turtle races, the Chamber of Commerce will announce the winners of its new “Best of Donley County” competitions with first, second, and third place ribbons being awarded for the best jellies, jams, baked goods, and quilts. Drop-off for the “Best Of” contest is at the Enterprise on Thursday, June 29, from noon to 5:30 p.m. with judging on Friday.

The COEA will close out the 2023 celebration with the second night of the Ranch Rodeo, starting with kids’ events at 7:30, followed by ten more ranch teams in competition. Luke Koepke & The Bad Habits will perform at the Slab for everyone to dance the night away.

For more information about the celebration, call 806-874-2421.

Producers’ time is short to file USDA reports

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Agricultural producers who have not yet completed their crop acreage reports after spring planting should make an appointment with the Donley County Farm Service Agency (FSA) before the applicable deadline.

Acreage reports for Donley County are due July 17, 2023, for Cotton, Corn, Peanuts, and Native and Improved Grasses.

“In order to comply with USDA program eligibility requirements, all producers must file an accurate crop acreage report by the applicable deadline,” said Leasha Hobbs, FSA’s County Executive Director in Donley County. “Our FSA staff is available to assist producers in completing acreage reports, including providing maps.”

An acreage report documents a crop grown on a farm or ranch and its intended uses. Filing an accurate and timely acreage report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planted acreage, can prevent the loss of benefits.

To file a crop acreage report, producers need to provide:

Crop and crop type or variety; Intended use of the crop; Number of acres of the crop; Map with approximate boundaries for the crop; Planting date(s); Planting pattern, when applicable; Producer shares; Irrigation practice(s); Acreage prevented from planting, when applicable; and Other information as required.

The following exceptions apply to acreage reporting dates:

If the crop has not been planted by the acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed.

If a producer acquires additional acreage after the acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendar days after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county office.

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) policy holders should note that the acreage reporting date for NAP-covered crops is the earlier of the dates listed above or 15 calendar days before grazing or harvesting of the crop begins.
Producers should also report crop acreage they intended to plant, but due to natural disaster, were unable to because of a natural disaster.

Prevented planting acreage must be reported on form CCC-576, Notice of Loss, no later than 15 calendar days after the final planting date as established by FSA and USDA’s Risk Management Agency.

FSA offers continuous certification for perennial forage. This means after perennial forage is reported once and the producer elects continuous certification, the certification remains in effect until a change is made. Check with FSA at the local USDA Service Center for more information on continuous certification.

Producers can access their FSA farm records, maps and common land units through the farmers.gov portal. Through a new mapping feature, producers can import and view other shapefiles, such as precision agriculture planting boundaries. This allows producers to view, save, print and label their own maps for acreage reporting purposes. To access mapping features and other helpful on-line tools, producers need level 2 eAuth access linked to their Business Partner customer record. Visit farmers.gov/account to learn how to create a farmers.gov account.

In addition to mapping tools, a farmers.gov account offers a variety of self-service opportunities for FSA and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) customers, including managing FSA farm loans and NRCS conservation contracts.

Video tutorials, including how to use mapping tools, are available on the farmers.gov YouTube channel. Learn more about a farmers.gov account.

For more information, contact the Donley County FSA office at 806-874-3561.

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