News

“Knowledge is knowing…or knowing where to find out,” was once stated by Alvin Toffler, an American writer and former executive editor of Fortune magazine. For students at Clarendon College, “where to find out” is the new $1.3 million Vera Dial Dickey Library, which will host a grand opening celebration and symbolic book pass Thursday, February 3, 2005, at 11 a.m. 

The Dickey Library is located between the Administration Building and the Harned Sisters Fine Arts Center.

The grand opening celebration will include events such as a ribbon cutting, dedication of the library, and reading of a special proclamation from the office of Texas Governor Rick Perry.

To symbolize the official opening of the Vera Dial Dickey Library, the public is invited to join Clarendon College students, faculty, and staff in a book passing that will stretch from the old library at the southwest end of the Administration Building to the new building.

“Participants will form a human chain, shoulder-to-shoulder, to move the last books in the library’s collection,” said Jaylene Watkins, Clarendon College public information officer. “Everyone involved will be able to say they had a hand in the move and grand opening.”

CC President Dr. Myles Shelton said, “This will be an historic event for Clarendon College.”

Following the morning’s activities, the college will host a special reception in the foyer of the administration building. The library will remain open for visitors until 4:30 p.m.

“So much has been accomplished over the past year,” Shelton said. “We are thrilled that the Vera Dial Dickey Library will not only provide expanded services to our students and people in the surrounding communities, but it will be something of which the entire area can be proud.”

The 10,500 square-foot library is named in memory of the late Vera Dial Dickey, a life-long resident of Memphis. The new building features improved amenities such as a computer research lab with access to 45 computers, three study/reading areas, improved office and work spaces, and special display cases for items such as the Texas Collection.

“Mrs. Dickey was a classy lady, and this building is a class act,” said Jack Moreman, who is a CC alumus, former instructor, and a current member of the Board of Regents.

“With the increased space, we’ll be able to host special events to celebrate our grand opening throughout the year,” said Dickey Library Director Jewel Houston. 

“We want potential students, current students, community members, and area residents to come see our building and take advantage of its resources.”

Clarendon Aldermen approved two new ordinances governing poultry in the city limits and the dumping of appliances when they held their regular meeting last Tuesday.

Ordinance 354 amends rules governing livestock inside the city to include chickens, turkeys, guineas, pheasants, quail, ducks, and geese and sets limits on the number birds that can be kept and the pen space requirements for each species.

City officials had been wrestling with how to govern poultry since November after complaints about chickens and ducks running loose at a residence on McLean Street, but they had been unable to craft rules to take into account the many different types of birds.

Russell Estlack, a college biology instructor and master breeder of bantam chickens, drafted the new ordinance based on accepted agricultural practices, space requirements for healthy birds, noise levels, and manure production of mature poultry.

Citizens must now obtain a livestock permit from City Hall to have poultry in the city limits, and keeping more than three different types of poultry is prohibited.

Aldermen also approved Ordinance 356, which amends rules governing the city’s recycling center to allow businesses the option of paying a flat fee of $20 per month for unlimited dumping of appliances.

Such businesses would also have the right to remove parts from dumped appliances before they are crushed, and the city would be able to impose a recapture fee of $5 per unit to recover refrigerants and oil as required by environmental guidelines.

A third new ordinance was also considered last week. Ordinance 355 would prohibit using propane to heat fixed residential structures inside the city except where natural gas service is not available. Aldermen tabled that ordinance and will consider it further next week.

In other city business, the board discussed the condition of City Hall, which is leaking and suffering water damage. The Texas Municipal League, which carries the city’s insurance, will not pay anything for the damage because it has resulted from improper maintenance with the roof and windows. No estimates have been received as to what it would take to repair the building, but aldermen discussed relocating and turning the building over to the fire department.

“We need to have a consensus to move the city offices,” said Alderman Michael Tibbets, who mentioned looking into the Mulkey Theatre or the former Gilkey clinic as possible sites for new city headquarters.

Other members discussed constructing a new metal building which would serve as a community center and as City Hall.

Aldermen also discussed that moving City Hall wouldn’t solve the problem. Since the fire department is part of the city, then the city would still own the building and be ultimately responsible for its upkeep.

No action was taken.

The board also agreed with Alderman Tommy Hill, who suggested the city buy paint and have community service workers cover graffiti along the walls of the drainage ditch through downtown.

Charle Watts and Paul Goetze exhibited the top animals in the Beef Division during the annual Donley County Junior Livestock Show last Saturday at the Clarendon Community Center.

Watts’ Grand Champion Steer was purchased by Bailey’s and Ag Credit of Texas, and Goetze’s Grand Champion Heifer was purchased by Greenbelt Electric Coop and GreenLight Gas.

Other top winners were Austin Adams and his Grand Champion Lamb, purchased by Ken and Glenda Wischkaemper and Monroe and Fleeta Shannon; Jasie Sargent’s Grand Champion Goat was purchased by Community Bank, Johnny Floyd, Paul Bivens, and Jim Shelton; the Grand Champion Swine shown by Calvin Edwards was purchased by Robertson Funeral Directors and NRCS; Tres Hommel’s Grand Champion Gilt was purchased by the Herring National Bank Directors; and Holly Cornell’s Grand Champion Commercial Animal was purchased by the Donley County State Bank and Knorpp Insurance.

A total of 70 young people from the Donley County 4-H Club and local FFA chapters showed 97 animals. Last year exhibitors showed 113 animals.

As of Monday afternoon, figures showed the sale brought in more than $35,000, up slightly from the $33,500 raised last year. That number may increase in the final tally as more donations are received.

In the Beef Division, Charle Watts received the Senior Showmanship award, and the Junior Showmanship award went to Trevor Cobb.

Julie Woodard took home the Senior Showmanship honors in the Swine Division, and Kyle Lindsey got the Junior Showmanship honors.

Dalton Askew received the Senior Showmanship award in the Lamb Division, and Austin Adams took home the Junior Showmanship.

The Senior Showmanship in Goats went to Kristen White, and the Junior Showmanship went to Jenci White.

Complete results are as follows:

Lambs: Austin Adams, grand champion; Kenzie Perryman, reserve grand; Kenzie Perryman, breed champion; Bradley Watson, reserve breed; Kenzie Perryman, third (class 101) and second (class 102); Dalton Askew, third (class 102); Ashlyn Tubbs, second (class 103); Ty Tubbs, third (class 103); and Katie Askew, fourth (class 103).

Goats: Jasie Sargent, grand champion; Maci White, reserve grand; Janae White, first (class 201); Kristin White, second (class 201); Kolt Stevenson, third (class 201); Jenci White, fourth (class 201); Austin Adams, fifth (class 201); Cedar Stevenson, third (class 202); Zach Sargent, fourth (class 203); and Jenci White, fifth (class 203).

Steers: Charle Watts, grand champion; Trevor Cobb, reserve grand; Sade Rae Cobb, first (class 301); Rowdy Speed, second (class 301); Brayden Phillips, third (class 301); Paul Goetze, second (class 302); and Abby Patten, second (class 303).

Heifer: Paul Goetze, grand champion.

Commercial Animals: Holly Cornell, grand champion; and Haley Shelton, reserve champion.

Swine: Gilt – Class 603 – Tres Hommel, grand champion, and Austin Adams, reserve grand. Class 601 – Clayton Shields, first; Britney Upton, second; Brandie Lockhart, third and fourth; and Kelsey Thomas, fifth. Class 602 – Chris Blackburn, first; Dustin Willyard, second; Sabra Patton, third; Tres Hommel, fourth; and Madison Shields, fifth.

Hamp – Class 706 – Calvin Edwards, grand champion; Kimberly Tolbert, second; and Seth Koetting, third. Class 704 – Kyle Lindsey, reserve breed; Paul Monroe, second; and Cole Farris, third. Class 705 – Deston Chambless, first; Braden Montgomery, second; Shandy Koetting, third; and Marlee Sargent, fourth.

Duroc – Class 702 – Haley Chambless, reserve grand; Martin Oliver, second; and Kirsten Tolbert, third. Class 703 – Kelsey Thomas, reserve breed, and Brayden Bennett, second.

Chester – Class 701 – Denver Chambless, breed champion; Ashley Petty, reserve breed; and Dustin Willyard, third.

Poland – Class 707 – Lee Tolbert, breed champion, and Kirsten Tolbert, reserve breed.

Spot – Class 708 – Austin Adams, breed champion; Kristin Dwight, reserve breed; Amy Judd, third; and Nathan Judd, fourth.

Berk – Class 709 – Lee Tolbert, breed champion.

York – Class 710 – Brandon Montgomery, breed champion; Skyler Greer, second; Jasie Sargent, third; and Cole Ward, fourth. Class 711 – R.J. Floyd, reserve champion; Will Verstuyft, second; Ashley Petty, third; and Dustin Thomas, fourth.

Cross – Class 713 – Calvin Edwards, breed champion; Brady Montgomery, second; Thad Hall, third; Reid Copelin, fourth, and Caden Farris, fifth. Class 712 – Julie Woodard, reserve breed; Zach Sargent, second; Will Monroe, third; and John Patterson, fourth. Class 714 – Wesley Shields, first; Dustin Willyard, second; and Jon McGlaun, third. Class 715 – Tres Hommel, first; Joel Horn, second; Kimberly Tolbert, third; and Trish Hewett, fourth.

Third grade students at Clarendon Elementary raised more than $2,000 last week during a fundraiser for children who were victims of the South Asia Tsunami.

The fundraiser began Friday, January 7, and ended Friday, January 14, with the students beating their original goal of $600 by Tuesday and raising a total of $2,107.06.

The funds raised will be donated to the U.S. Funds for UNICEF and will be designated for “School-in-a-Box” kits.

“We raised enough money for 11 boxes of school kits,” third grade teacher Tisha Ham said. “That will help 880 kids.”

The majority of the money collected was in change; and students in elementary, junior high and high school as well as people in the community donated.

“The kids dumped out their piggybanks,” Ham said. “We had one large donor who wrote a check for $200, and our largest student donation was $73.”

According to Ham, each student who donated money was given a bookmark along with the satisfaction of knowing they helped.

“I feel very proud because we’re helping a lot of people,” third grader Haley Ferguson said. “I brought my whole piggybank.”

Third graders David Johnston and Audra Thomas said they also felt proud.

“Now they can buy school supplies,” David said.

“I feel proud because we did something we need to do to help children who needed help,” Audra said.

Fourth grader Bryce McCrary said helping made her glad that people were helping the kids.

“I hope they can get a good education,” she said.

The third graders have also been very interested in the tsunami disaster, and the teachers have been incorporating information about it and the fundraiser into their curriculum.

“It’s been integrated into everything we’ve done,” third grade teacher Pamela Prescott said.

“A lot of people helped roll the change so the students could use tally charts and bar graphs in math class to show how much money was raised each day,” Ham said. “We will also use the information we’ve gathered in word problems to get ready for the TAKS test.”

The tsunami, which struck on December 26, 2004, has been called one of the worst natural disasters in modern history with a death toll of more than 160,000 and hundreds of thousands more left homeless.

The 2005 Donley County Junior Livestock Show and Auction will be held this weekend.

Activities begin on Friday, January 14; and all animals need to be in place by 5:00 p.m. in order to be weighed in. The show will begin on Saturday at 9:00 a.m., starting with the showing of the sheep, then the goats, followed by the steers and heifers, and ending with the gilts and barrows.

The auction will be held that night directly following the meal, which will begin at 6:00. We would like to encourage everyone to come out and support the youth of Donley County.

Two Hedley men are facing drug related charges after Sheriff Butch Blackburn caught them in what appeared to be a drug lab in a small travel trailer near Clarendon last month.

Arlington Barnes, age 49, and Billy Mullins, age 38, were arrested December 15 and charged with manufacturing methamphetamines with intent to distribute.

A third arrest in the same case was made this week, when Elk City, Okla., police picked up Shirley Jones of Memphis on Sunday.

Blackburn, who began his second term in office as sheriff on January 1,  said his department had been observing the trailer about 20 yards off County Road 13 eight miles south of Clarendon for about two weeks after a citizen tipped them off about the possible presence of a meth lab.

“We knew there was a lab in the trailer and just wanted to catch someone in there,” Blackburn said.

When the sheriff finally found someone at the trailer, he moved in, arresting Barnes and Mullins, but he just missed Jones, who the other suspects told him had left a few moments earlier with some of their manufactured meth reportedly in her possession.

“We think she is one of our bigger dealers,” he said. “We’ve known for some time of her possibly being involved.”

The sheriff said Jones was already on parole for other charges and was currently out on bond for drug possession charges in Wheeler County.

Officers recovered drugs at the trailer, and a Department of Public Safety narcotics team examined the lab and kept the site secure before the scene was cleaned up by a private hazardous materials team from Oklahoma City.

Barnes and Mullins remained in the Donley County Jail at press time with bond set at $75,000 each. Jones was in a Beckham County, Okla., jail for the same charge and also had a bond set at $75,000.

“These arrests should put a dent in our local drug trade,” Sheriff Blackburn said. “It should help us, Hall County, and the surrounding area.”

Clarendon and Hedley school officials are taking formal steps to file for state waivers to start the 2005-2006 school year earlier than allowed by state law.

Superintendent Monty Hysinger said the CISD Board of Trustees formally voted to seek the waiver Monday night, following a public hearing held last month.

That follows the same action taken by Hedley trustees on December 20.

“We’re interested in ending the semester before Christmas in order to help our students on finals and especially help our teachers with curriculums,” Hysinger said.

State law mandates that public schools not begin their fall semesters before the Monday in the week that contains August 21, which means the earliest school could legally start this year is Monday, August 22.

“That could put us about a week behind,” Hysinger said.

CISD wants to begin its school year on Thursday, August 18, with two in-service days for teachers, and then begin classes on August 22.  HISD is seeking to start classes Monday, August 15.

“The spring semester is typically five or six days longer than the fall semester,” Hysinger said. “That’s okay because those days are taken up by TAKS testing.

“If we get our waiver, then we’ll have 87 class days in the fall and 93 days in the spring. But without the waiver we’ll have 85 days in the fall and 95 days in the spring.”

Hysinger said such a difference could push fall semester finals past the Christmas break and would be especially troubling in high school where students take courses that are only one semester long.

“I think there is a good chance our waiver will be approved unless politics in the Legislature overrides us,” Hysinger said. “We won’t know until mid-March, but that doesn’t mean the Legislature can’t come back and say ‘no’ to the waivers. You know, what happened to local control? There’s no local control any more.”

Hedley Superintendent Bryan Hill has the same concerns as his Clarendon counterpart and said almost all the schools he knows of in this area are applying for the same waiver.

Hill also questions why the state would have a rule about when to start the year and then not require everyone to follow it.

“They say [getting a waiver] is not hard to do as long as you go through the steps,” Hill said. “If everyone can get a waiver, then why have the rule? They need to just leave us alone and let us start when we want to.”

A New Year’s Day fire inflicted extensive damage to a metal building adjacent to the main Hedley public school building last Thursday morning.

The building housed a weight room, concession stand, and men’s and women’s restrooms used during the football season, according to Hedley School Superintendent Bryan Hill.

“The bathrooms are severely damaged,” Hill said. “There is also water and smoke damage throughout the weight room and concession stand.”

Hedley volunteer firefighter Randy Shaw said firefighters received the call at 11:22 last Thursday morning.

“It took about 30 minutes to get the fire under control, and we stayed until about 12:30,” he said.

Twelve men from the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department were called in to help the nine volunteer firefighters from Hedley fight the blaze.

Shaw said that the fire probably originated from an electric heater in the men’s restroom.

“That’s the only thing we could see that would have caused it,” he said. “All of the contents were a loss.”

Hill met with an insurance adjuster Tuesday who told him the insurance company would cover all expenses to tear the building down and rebuild.

“The insurance adjuster did not say how much it will cost, but the company will pay for all of the costs of replacement,” the superintendent said.

“We would like to see work begin on the building as soon as possible,” he said. “We hope to have it finished by early spring so we can use it for spring sports.”

Voters won’t have many choices to make for local offices when they go to the polls this November.

Filing for county positions closed at the Clerk’s Office last Friday, and only two incumbents drew challengers.

The race for Donley County Tax Assessor/Collector is the only countywide office with more than one candidate. Incumbent Democrat Wilma Lindley will face a challenge from Republican Vicky Tunnell for that position.

In Precinct 3, voters will have a chance to reconsider the 2000 election. Former commissioner Andy Wheatley, a Republican, has filed to take back his old office from Democrat Henry “Buster” Shields, who won the job four years ago.

Wheatley, who was elected to the Donley County Hospital District Board last May, has resigned his position there, according to a local Republican Party official. A hospital district official said that board would likely be appointing a replacement for Wheatley soon.

Local incumbents running unopposed this year are Sheriff Charles “Butch” Blackburn, Jr. (D), Commissioner Pct. 1 Ernest Johnston (D), and Constable Pct. 3&4 Mike Wallendorff (D).

Also of local interest, 100th Judicial District Attorney Stuart Messer (R) and 100th Judicial District Judge David McCoy (D) have filed for their respective offices, and neither has drawn an opponent from a major political party.

Clarendon’s own Mac Thornberry (R) has filed again to run for his District 13 Congressional seat. He is currently serving his fifth term in the US House of Representatives. He did not draw a Democratic opponent for this election.

State Sen. Robert L. Duncan (R-Lubbock) is seeking re-election to represent District 28, which includes Donley County; and State Rep. Warren Chisum (R-Pampa) is asking voters for another term representing District 88, which also includes Donley County. Neither men will face a challenge in either the primary or the general election..

The Democratic and Republican primaries will be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2004. Donley County Democratic Chair Jean Taylor has told the Enterprise she will continue in her position. County Republican Chair Karla Devin is filling the unexpired term of Rogers Hester and said she will be seeking a full term in that position.

The General Election will be held Tuesday, November 2, 2004.

The owners of B&R Thriftway this week announced the sale of the supermarket chain to Lowe’s supermarkets.

Complete details of the sale were not available Tuesday morning, but a Lowe’s representative said more information would be made available in the coming days.

Bill and Laquetta Wilfong and Ron and Ka Wilfong established B&R Thriftway in Tulia in May 1975 and expanded the line to seven locations in the last 29 years. They have owned the Clarendon store since 1987.

“Our company was based on providing quality service, excellent product, and a genuine concern for the customers,” the Wilfongs said in a statement.

“We put into our business exactly what we expected others to receive. We took pride in providing quality meats, fresh produce, and a good selection of grocery items at a reasonable price.”

With over 40 years of experience in the grocery business, the Wilfongs say they have seen a lot of changes. There have been computer and electronic advancements, but they say small town grocers still have to provide household products and dry goods to compete with larger businesses.

The Wilfongs said they appreciated all their employees who helped promote their business and also said they are thankful to the towns where their Thriftway stores are located for their loyalty and support.

“We have truly enjoyed fulfilling your grocery needs,” they said. “We feel the time is right to step back and enjoy life with our families and relax.”

In addition to the Clarendon supermarket, B&R Thriftway has locations in Tulia, Fritch, Iowa Park, and Borger and two locations in Hereford.

Lowe’s Pay-N-Save currently operates 60 supermarkets in West Texas and New Mexico.