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Deadline June 29 for Chamber Blue Ribbon contest

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There is still time to enter the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce’s new “Best of Donley County” competition for the judging of jellies, jams, baked goods, and quilts for this year’s Saints’ Roost Celebration.

Drop-off is at the Enterprise on Thursday, June 29, from noon to 5:30 p.m. with judging occurring on Friday, June 30. Winners will be announced Saturday, July 1, from the bandstand on the courthouse square immediately following the turtle races (around 2:30 p.m.).

See ClarendonTx.com/blueribbon for more information.

Country Club plans July 4th Scramble

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The Clarendon Country Club will host a 4th of July Scramble next Tuesday, and Tee Time is 1:00 p.m.

Entry fees are $15 per person, non-member green fees are $12, and carts are $12. Bring your own four- or five-person team with no more than two “A” players. If you don’t have a team, you can be put on one.

Call the Pro Shop for more information at 806-874-2166.

CC Rodeo team wins CNFR title

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Clarendon College’s men’s rodeo team puts their Bulldog ears up in celebration of winning the CNFR title last weekend. CC has won the men’s title twice in the last three years.Courtesy Photo / Chris Timberman

By Ted Harbin, TwisTed Rodeo

CASPER, Wyo. – The smile isn’t likely to leave Weston Timberman’s face anytime soon.

He’s just 19 years old and has already proven to be one of the best cowboys in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, claiming the bareback riding championship and serving as a major reason why the Clarendon College rodeo team won its second men’s national title in three years.

“It’s pretty surreal, and I’m still trying to grasp it all,” said Timberman, a freshman from Columbus, Montana. “It’s pretty awesome to be able to bring back two titles to Clarendon.

“It’s hard to beat the national championship I won for bareback riding, but for it to help the team ring home the national title is just as cool in my eyes.”

That’s just what happened in 2021. Cole Franks won the bareback riding title, and the Clarendon men won their first college crown. This year, Timberman stood out in a group of six standouts that guided the Bulldogs to another crown, the fourth overall for rodeo coach Bret Franks; he also won the 1997-98 men’s titles while coaching at his alma mater, Oklahoma Panhandle State University.

“We had a good bunch of guys that like to win,” said Franks, a three-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier in saddle bronc riding. “We have a real close-knit group that worked hard, and that plays out in the end. We had a meeting going in, and the goal was to get all six of our guys into the short round.”

They came close. Because the Clarendon men finished second in the Southwest Region standings, the Bulldogs had a full team of six cowboys in the mix. Timberman was joined by fellow bareback rider Sam Petersen of Helena, Montana, who advanced to the championship round.

In saddle bronc riding, only Cauy Masters of Leon, Iowa, failed to make the short round, and the other three all finished strong: Dylan Hancock of Golconda, Illinois; Slade Keith of Stanfield, Arizona; and Will Pollock of Utopia, Texas, finished fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively. Each bronc rider secured points, which made a difference when it came time to tally the final team standings.

“We had six guys ride in three rounds each, and we had just one missed markout that kept us from having all six in the short-go and getting to ride for a fourth time,” Franks said. “To compete that well with four freshmen, one sophomore and Will, who was competing for the third year, means something. It’s impressive that they were able to compete at that level.

“This group is really determined and mentally tough. That’s the key to it.”

It’s important. After Masters was saddled with a no-score in the second round, he bounced back in the third round. Overall, he finished 19th. Hancock placed in the second, third and final go-rounds, while Keith placed in the first, third and fourth rounds. Pollock added points in the second round and in the aggregate.

Timberman was a bit more dominant. He won the first round and shared the top score on championship night, placing in the second and third rounds. He accumulated 320 points and was the CNFR’s top rookie.

“When you have a team like we have, it makes you step up every chance you get,” said Timberman, whose father, Chris, and uncle, Kelly, rode bareback horses; Kelly Timberman was the 2004 world champion. “It seems like throughout the year, I was constantly being pushed by my teammates.”

It paid off in a big way, not only for Timberman but for the rodeo team in general. Franks took control of the program in 2015. In that eight-year span, the Bulldogs have earned two men’s team titles and five individual crowns. Saddle bronc rider Wyatt Casper was the first in 2016, followed by Riggin Smith in 2019.

Cole Franks won both the bareback riding and all-around national titles in 2021, and Timberman adds another piece of rodeo gold to the mix.

“We focus on mental toughness more than anything,” Bret Franks said. “You have to be ready for everything, from being confronted with a tough situation on horses and not letting that beat you before you get started to riding through being a little sore.

“These guys are really good about not letting the moment be bigger than the ride. I think that helped them as much as anything.”

Playing the game at an elite level takes a lot of talent and mental fortitude. The Clarendon rodeo team has shown that year after year.

“Bret brings a lot of consistency to us, keeping track of us,” Timberman said. “He makes sure we’re up in the morning, making sure we work out or are getting on the spur board or on the bucking machine. He has a couple of sayings that stick with you.

“There’s a bunch that Bret brings to the table. He’s definitely got that old-cowboy mentality.”
Being a champion means mixing superb talent with an old-school approach, and the Clarendon College rodeo team continues to prove it.

CC’s Weston Timberlake rides to victory in the Bareback competition in the CNFR last weekend. Courtesy Photo / Jackie Jensen

Deadlines coming up for July parades

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Clarendon’s annual 146th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration is coming up next week and deadlines are quickly approaching to sign up for the parades and to enter the Chamber of Commerce’s new “Best of Donley County” competitions.

Registrations for the Liberty Electric Kids’ Bicycle & Tricycle Parade and the Herring Bank Parade are due next Wednesday, June 28, at 5 p.m. and can be submitted online at ClarendonTx.com/parade or in person at the Clarendon Visitor Center.

Pre-registration is required to win the prizes in both parades. Entries that do not pre-register will be allowed to participate but will not be eligible to win.

The Liberty Electric Kids’ Bicycle & Tricycle Parade will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 1, with line-up at 8:30 at Third and Sully. Line up for the Herring Bank Parade will start at 9 a.m. with the parade taking off at 10:00. The theme for this year’s parades is “Adventure Awaits.”

The Herring Bank Parade features $850 in cash prizes with $250 available for the best float, $150 for the best car or truck entry, $150 for the best animal or riding unit, $150 for the best tractor or farm equipment entry, and $150 for the best “other” entry.

The Chamber is also introducing a Best of Donley County competition for the judging of jellies, jams, baked goods, and quilts. Drop-off is at the Visitor Center on Thursday, June 29, from noon to 5:30 p.m. with judging occurring on Friday, June 30. Winners will be announced Saturday, July 1, from the bandstand on the courthouse square immediately following the turtle races (around 2:30 p.m.). See ClarendonTx.com/blueribbon for more information.

This year’s celebration will be June 29 and 30 and July 1, starting with the COEA Junior Rodeo on Thursday, June 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday’s events will include the Depression Luncheon at the Crossties Ministry Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the COEA Ranch Rodeo opening that night at 7:30. Live music and dancing will follow the rodeo.

Saturday’s events on the square will have Ed Montana returning to provide music and serve as master of ceremonies. The Arts & Craft Fair begins at 9 a.m. with the parades also being held that morning. Craft fair booths must be reserved by calling 806-874-2141.
Diversified Waste is sponsoring the Chamber’s new Lawnmower Barrel Race starting at 11:30 a.m. with sign-ups before that at the Chamber booth on the square.

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 Clarendon Visitor Center.

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. And the Ranch Rodeo will close out the day at the COEA Arena beginning at 7:30 p.m. and ending with more live music and dancing.

Call 806-874-2421 for more information.

District Court hears five Donley County cases

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The district court heard five Donley County cases among 25 pleas when it met in Childress June 8.

Ronald Deven Thomas Brittain, 27, from Claude, was placed on two years’ probation for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine.

Brittain was arrested by 100th Judicial District Traffic Enforcement Division Investigator Todd Gambol on June 10, 2022. Brittain was indicted by the Donley County Grand Jury on March 20.

Brittain was also ordered to pay a $500 fine, $290 in court costs, $180 restitution, and complete 100 hours of community service. If his probation is revoked, Brittain faces up to two years in the State Jail Division of TDCJ.

Joseph Ray Casselberry was placed on two years’ probation for the Class A misdemeanor offense of assault causing bodily injury.
Casselberry was arrested by Donley County Sheriff’s Deputy Wesley Christopher on May 24, 2022. Casselberry was indicted by the Donley County Grand Jury on October 3, 2022.

Casselberry was also ordered to pay a $2,000 fine, $340 in court costs, and complete 100 hours of community service. If his probation is revoked, Casselberry faces up to one year in the Donley County Jail.

Jennifer Marie Boyd, 38, from Fountain, Colo., was placed on three years’ probation for the third-degree felony offense of possession of credit card or debit card abuse of the elderly.

Boyd was arrested by Donley County Sheriff’s Deputy Jay Longan for the offense that took place September 12, 2020. Boyd was indicted by the Donley County Grand Jury on March 20.

Boyd was also ordered to pay $290 in court costs, $3,321.79 restitution, and complete 200 hours of community service. If her probation is revoked, Boyd faces up to ten years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ.

Taylor Danielle Schwertner, was placed on eight years’ probation for the third-degree felony offense of injury to a child.
Schwertner was arrested by Donley Sheriff Butch Blackburn on October 17, 2022. Schwertner was indicted by the Donley County Grand Jury on March 20.

Schwertner was also ordered to pay $340 in court costs, a $500 fine, and complete 200 hours of community service. If her probation is revoked, she faces up to ten years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ.

Shelly Marie Brown, 56, from Kenmore, Wash., was placed on six years’ probation for the second-degree felony offense of possession of marijuana.

Brown was arrested in Donley County by DPS Trooper Stephen Bond on October 19, 2022. Brown was later indicted by the Donley County Grand Jury on March 20.

Brown was also ordered to pay a $4,000 fine, $290 in court costs, $180 lab fee, and complete 300 hours of community service. If her probation is revoked, Brown faces up to 20 years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ.

City council discusses new trash service

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The Clarendon City Council had a busy agenda June 8, covering topics from waste management to city administration to law enforcement and more.

In addition to the Greenbelt Water Authority contract reported on in last week’s Enterprise, the council discussed its contract with Diversified Waste Management. The city privatized its trash service in 2020 and allowed Diversified to take over that city service. The company has recently sold its solid waste services to Waste Connections.

According to the company’s website, Waste Connections is one of the largest full-service providers of solid waste collection and is the third largest solid waste management company in North America with a network of operations in 41 states and 6 provinces.
The council discussed assigning to the owner Diversified’s lease of the building, land, and equipment at the Clarendon Convenience Center. No action was taken on the request, and Waste Connections is to bring a new franchise agreement to the July council meeting.
The council also discussed the position of city administrator and agreed to extend an offer of employment to Brent Spier with a deadline of July7 for him to respond.
Aldermen met in closed session to conduct the annual evaluation of City Secretary Machiel Covey and then reconvened in open session and extended her contract to 2025.
Alderman Larry Jeffers was elected by the council to serve as Mayor Pro-Tem for the next year.

No action was taken on the Donley County Sheriff’s Department’s contract to provide law enforcement coverage for the city.

The council approved a motion to provide city employees with a family pass for the Clarendon Aquatic Center.

City council questions Greenbelt project

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Greenbelt Water Authority’s planned $18 million project to develop groundwater resources for its member cities hit a snag last Thursday when it came before the Clarendon City Council.

City aldermen were asked to approve a supplemental contract with Greenbelt but instead took no action after meeting behind closed doors with attorneys for more than 40 minutes before discussing issues with water authority representatives and saying the contract was unacceptable to the city.

Attorneys for Greenbelt this week were working on language revisions to address city concerns, according to Greenbelt General Manager Bobbie Kidd, and were confident an agreement could still be reached before a July deadline to issue bonds.

“I think it’s going to work out,” Kidd said Tuesday.

At the meeting last week, Alderman Eulaine McIntosh spoke of her concerns about diminishing water availability over a widespread area, and she, along with Aldermen Tommy Hill and John Lockhart, also voiced thoughts about the fairness of the proposed 30-year contract.

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. (Click here to read more about the project.)

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.

Alderman Larry Jeffers raised questions about the cost of the project over the 30-year term. Kidd said the city will end up paying less for water because the current Greenbelt bonds will be paid off in 2027.

Some aldermen expressed interest in making changes to the original Greenbelt contract, which was signed in the 1960s and reworked in 1975. Under the contract, the member cities of Clarendon, Hedley, Childress, Quanah, and Crowell and other customers of the water authority pay Greenbelt based on how much water they use. Clarendon’s portion of Greenbelt’s budget is about eight percent.

Kidd told the city council that right now Greenbelt has about three years of water in it. That’s not the life-expectancy of the lake, but rather how long the water would last if no more water was accumulated.

“This project is to make sure we don’t run out of water,” Kidd said. “We’ll never get another $10 million gift to do this. Without this project, I don’t know where you get water.”

It was mentioned during the discussion that the city has contracted with OJD Engineering to study groundwater resources in the city limits and the possibility of developing those resources.

In April, the council approved hiring attorney Marvin Jones to review the city’s obligations to Greenbelt.

At last week’s meeting, Kidd said Greenbelt had been working for 12 years on this project. He also said Clarendon could not develop its own water system without being in the state water plan and said the next state water plan won’t be approved until about 2028.

Alderman Jeffers objected to that comment, calling it a threat and saying he was done with the conversation.

“I didn’t threaten you,” Kidd said. “I’m just telling you reality.”

Clarendon is represented on the Greenbelt board of directors by Walt Knorpp.

Kidd said Tuesday that Knorpp doesn’t always make every meeting but that he had been at every meeting where an important vote had been held on this project and had supported it.

Greenbelt’s board must meet July 20 to give final approval to the project after bond ratings are set. Clarendon’s next regular city council meeting will be July 13.

Greenbelt representatives were planning meetings with other member city’s councils this week, and Kidd was optimistic the plan would ultimately move forward.

Read More: https://www.clarendonlive.com/2023/04/state-okays-18-million-for-greenbelt-project/

Donley County lifts outdoor burn ban

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Donley County Commissioners lifted the ban on outdoor burning during their regular meeting Monday, June 12.

County Judge John Howard said he had received over nine inches of rain at his house west of Clarendon in recent weeks and recommended lifting the ban.

Commissioners can easily reinstate the ban at a future meeting if dry conditions return, he said.

In other county business, officials discussed rising health care costs for employees as the county works to prepare its 2023-2024 budget. Health insurance will be going up about $1,000 per person on the county payroll, an increase of about 6.5 percent. The county is also expecting an increase in the cost of providing AirMed coverage for county employees in the amount of $10 per month per employee.

Commissioners agreed to adopt a back-up call system for emergency situations. If the county judge is unavailable, a commissioner will be on call to handle emergency situations.

The court approved ordering a new motor grader for Precinct 1 at a cost of about $390,000. Howard said it will take about a year for the new machine to be delivered to the county.

An interlocal agreement with the Department of State Health Services was approved for the county to continue to provide access to vital records such as birth certificates.

A proposal from CTSI was also approved in the amount of $9,863.14 to purchase three new computers for the clerk’s office and one for the treasurers office along with other computer equipment.

State changing funding for Clarendon College

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Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 8 (HB 8) into law last week, codifying an innovative new model to fund Clarendon College and other community colleges in Texas. The new model moves to an outcomes-based approach and rewards colleges for awarding degrees, certificates, and other “credentials of value.”

“The State of Texas continues working to ensure our public community colleges remain competitive and able to fully support the needs of our growing, diverse workforce,” said Gov. Abbott. “House Bill 8 will be an important tool to help enhance the role of public junior colleges in workforce training and preparation for high-demand careers. I thank the Texas Legislature for sending this bill to my desk to reward community colleges based on positive student outcomes and allow students to enroll in dual credit courses at no additional cost. The future of Texas remains bright thanks to the educational opportunities provided by community colleges and the hardworking students who will help build the Texas of tomorrow.”

CC President Tex Buckhaults said it’s too soon to know exactly how the new funding model will impact Clarendon College.

“While the current projections would indicate a significant increase in funding for Clarendon College, the details of negotiated rule-making could quickly lower the final figure,” Buckhaults said. “I anticipate three rounds of negotiations until the final adopted rules governing community college funding are complete.”

Buckhaults said he is one of five college presidents sitting on a committee of about a dozen people who will draw up the new rules, and he will be speaking on behalf of small community colleges. The first round of rule making will be held in July followed by a second round this fall.

The legislation, sponsored and championed by Rep. Gary VanDeaver and Sen. Brandon Creighton, was the culmination of months of work by legislators, community college leaders, and the business community, and expands upon the year-long efforts of the Texas Commission on Community College Finance (TxCCCF).

“I’m incredibly grateful to our legislators and to Governor Abbott for their commitment to advancing higher education in our great state,” said Chairman of the Coordinating Board Dr. Fred Farias. “Texas’s economic competitiveness depends on an educated workforce and our community colleges serve a critical role in giving more Texans the opportunity to earn credentials of value.”
With the passage of HB 8, Texas will reform its community college finance system to align policy and funding incentives with the rapidly changing needs of the workforce. It also puts dual credit students in high schools on pathways toward meaningful credentials and expands opportunities for adult learners.

The passage of HB 8, and the allocation of $683 million in the state budget, positions Texas as a national leader in tying funding for community colleges to measurable student-focused outcomes. These include:

  • The number of credentials of value awarded, including badges, certificates, and degrees, that position graduates for well-paying jobs.
  • Credentials of value awarded in high-demand fields where employers are looking for skilled employees.
  • Successful student transfers from community colleges to four-year universities.
  • Completion of a sequence of dual credit courses, which are offered to high school students and can set them on early pathways to success.

“Texas community colleges are uniquely positioned to play a key role in helping more Texans earn the credentials required for high-demand, well-paying jobs,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Harrison Keller. “By signing HB 8 into law, policymakers have marked a commitment to fund community colleges in ways that align our state’s emerging workforce needs with strategic funding, resources, and postsecondary opportunities that lead to a credential of value.”

The legislation also transfers the Texas Adult Career Education (ACE) program from Austin Community College to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and creates the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) scholarship program for low-income dual credit students.

“The passage of this historic bill is a direct result of the consistent and dedicated effort from our 50 community college districts, our education partners, business and industry, and, of course, our lawmakers who made this a top priority this legislative session,” said Texas Association of Community Colleges President and CEO Ray Martinez III. “Our Texas community colleges look forward to leading the nation in higher education innovation.”

HB 8 was based on recommendations laid out in the TxCCCF report, submitted to state leaders in advance of the 88thlegislative session. The report offered three sets of recommendations for a new model in support of the goals in Building a Talent Strong Texas, the state’s strategic plan for higher education:

  • Reward community colleges for positive student outcomes.
  • Increase affordability and financial aid, including for low-income students.
  • Increase capacity at colleges to meet changing workforce needs.

“Texas’s community colleges enroll and serve almost half of all students pursuing postsecondary education in our state, so they are an important engine that is propelling our future workforce and economy,” said TxCCCF Chair Woody L. Hunt. “This innovative funding will help community colleges make strategic decisions about how they best prepare their students to successfully enter the workforce or successfully transfer to a four-year university after graduation and ensure that all students are set up for success. This will strengthen our state and workforce for generations to come.”
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) was created by the Texas Legislature in 1965 and serves as a resource, partner, and advocate for Texas higher education, resulting in a globally competitive workforce that positions Texas as an international leader.

Kinetic bringing fiber internet to Clarendon, Howardwick this fall

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High-speed fiber broadband internet will be available for most residents of Clarendon and Howardwick this fall, according to Kinetic by Windstream.

Responding to information requests from the Enterprise, Gerry Harrington with Kinetic’s Public Relations confirmed Monday the company will be rolling out the new service starting in Clarendon in August.

“Kinetic is indeed laying optical fiber to provide residential high-speed fiber broadband in Clarendon,” Harrington said.

Kinetic told the Enterprise it is laying more than 200,000 feet of optical fiber in Clarendon and Howardwick to make approximately 1,700 households eligible for high-speed fiber broadband.

Kinetic trucks and employees have been seen around Clarendon for a few weeks stringing the optical cable on existing Windstream telephone poles. Howardwick officials also say they have been seeing activity there by the communications company.

The first area that will be eligible to receive the fiber service will be most of the southwest portion of Clarendon, south of the railroad and west of Sully Street. Kinetic expects to equip more than 600 households in that area by the end of August.

Another 600 households should have fiber available by the end of September in the southeast portion of the city, south of the railroad and east of Sully Street.

By the end of October, Kinetic expects to be able to provide fiber broadband to 500 households in Howardwick on the east side of Carroll Creek.

Internal Kinetic maps provided to the Enterprise do not show fiber availability planned at this time for north of the railroad in Clarendon or west of Carroll Creek in Howardwick. The company said this week there are no plans to expand the fiber service into beyond the initial 1,700 households at this time.

Customers will be eligible to get Kinetic fiber broadband as soon as their homes are equipped for it. They can sign up at windstream.com/fiber-form.

When completed, nearly three-quarters of Clarendon and Howardwick households will be eligible for Kinetic’s fiber broadband.

Kinetic rolled out its fiber internet service in Hedley in November of 2022. According to the company website, Hedley residential customers can get 500 megabit service for $39.99 a month, 1.0 gigabit service for $69.99 a month, and 2.0 gigabit service for $169.99.

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