News

COLLEGE STATION – Flu shots are in short supply this year. For those who usually protect themselves with flu shots but will be unable to this year, Texas Cooperative Extension experts offer some advice: Don’t panic.

Dr. Carol Rice, Extension health specialist, and Andrew Crocker, Extension gerontology and health specialist, said these common-sense health tips could help this winter, even if flu shots are not an option:

• Wash hands as often as possible. Frequent use of soap and water can go a long way toward reducing instances of winter illnesses, Rice said.

“Most cold and flu germs are spread by direct contact,” Crocker said. “If you were to sneeze into your hand and then touch a doorknob, the germs (from your sneeze, to your hand, to the doorknob) may stay on that doorknob for hours – even days.” Washing hands will prevent germs from spreading from person to person this way.

• Cover sneezes and coughs. Keep tissues or a handkerchief handy to cover your nose and mouth if you have to sneeze or cough. That will keep germs from spreading into the air, where they can infect others, Crocker said. Covering your sneeze with your hand isn’t very sanitary, he said, especially if you immediately touch someone or some thing.

“If you do cover a sneeze or cough with you hands, remember to wash your hands immediately.” If a tissue or handkerchief isn’t handy, he suggested turning away from others and coughing into the air.

• Get moving. Get regular exercise, such as walking for 30 minutes each day, Rice said. “Studies show this helps you avoid getting sick because your immune system is more effective.”

• Eat a healthful diet. Be sure to choose a variety of foods, Rice advised.

“The food guide pyramid can help you make good choices.”

• Keep stress to a minimum. Recent studies show individuals who have a positive attitude are less likely to catch colds than individuals whose attitude is more negative, Crocker said. Healthy and positive attitudes also promote healthy lifestyle habits, he said, which can also mean fewer illnesses.

• Sleep. Quality sleep helps the body recover from illness, Rice said. Getting enough sleep can also be an important step in preventing some illnesses in the first place, she said. The National Sleep Foundation (http://www.sleepfoundation.org) offered these tips:

• Keep a regular sleep schedule to help keep the body’s natural rhythm in balance.

• Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol, which can all have negative effects on sleep.

• Don’t go to bed on a full stomach.

• Finish exercise workouts at least three hours before bedtime.

• Relax before bed. Try soaking in a warm bath, reading, or listening to soothing music.

• Sleep on a comfortable, supportive mattress and keep the room dark, quiet, cool, and comfortable.

• Daytime naps should be short and sweet – no more than 20 or 30 minutes.

If you do come down with the flu, experts from the Mayo Clinic advise getting rest, drinking fluids, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and seeking medical advice.

Take antiviral medication if prescribed and above all, don’t go to work, school, or anywhere else you might spread the disease to others.

The Donley County Commissioners’ Court will appoint a five-person board to study a disputed road after a public hearing was held during their regular session Monday.

A protest regarding a proposed county road map was filed by attorneys representing Precinct 3 resident Terry Crofoot regarding an extension of what is currently labeled as County Road 18.

The protest says that the road, which crosses Crofoot’s property, has never been maintained with public funds and that the road is a private ranch road with no dedication by the owner that it can be used for public purposes.

An affidavit attached to the protest and signed by J.B. Lane notes that in the past the property owners “have allowed Jack Craft, a neighbor, limited access to the ranch road” but further notes that no easement has been granted to Craft.

County Judge Jack Hall said the road is the only access Craft has to the property which includes his residence.

The court will appoint a five-member Jury of View to study the problem and make a final decision. The jury, which must consist of citizens with no interest in the situation, will be appointed during the court’s next regular meeting on December 13, and their decision must be returned within 90 days from November 8.

County Attorney Pro Tem Kaye Messer said the jury’s decision will be binding on the Commissioners’ Court.

In other business, the court approved a resolution authorizing a “Helping America Vote Act” grant application to help offset the cost of new voting machines for all polling places in the county.

Judge Hall said a federal mandate is forcing Donley County to purchase the machines, which are primarily for the handicapped and could cost between $20,000 and $30,000 each. Ten such machines would be needed for the county.

“I can see having one machine that we use like early voting,” Hall said. “But you have 15 or 16 voters in the north part of the county (voting box 402), and we have to do this?”

Hall said the federal mandate was a knee jerk reaction by Congress following the 2000 election, and while it may make sense for places like Houston, it’s not good for small counties.

Ninety-five percent of the cost is supposed to be provided by the federal government, which hasn’t happened yet, Hall said. And the remaining five percent is supposed be funded by the state, where the Legislature hasn’t budgeted those funds either, Hall said.

The machines must be in place by 2006.

Commissioners also approved a quarterly payment to the Donley Appraisal District and authorized a contract with the district to collect county taxes for 2005.

Permission was granted to the Girl Scouts to decorate the Courthouse Square for the holidays.

The county policy manual was changed to allow employees over the age of 70 to opt out of having retirement deducted from their paychecks.

And the court approved replacing the air-conditioning and heating system for the Courthouse Annex at a cost of $18,591.

By Cheryl Johnson, Clarendon Enterprise

Several organizations in Donley County have slated services and programs to honor area veterans for Veterans’ Day.

On Thursday, November 11, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US Memorial Post 7782 of Clarendon will hold memorial services at the Donley County War Memorial at 10 a.m. Although this is a private service, the public is invited and encouraged to attend. 

The Adamson-Lane American Legion Post will hold their annual Veterans’ Day program at 11:00 a.m. at the Rowe Cemetery in Hedley.  Johnny Hoggatt will be the featured speaker for the ceremony.

Hoggatt is a 1996 graduate of Hedley High School.  He joined the US Marine Corps after graduation and attended boot camp in San Diego, California.  He attended the USMC Combat Engineer School at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina.  He was then shipped to Okinawa, Japan, with the 3rd Marine Division Combat Assault Battalion.  He has been deployed to Lithuania for Operation Baltic Castle and to Kabule, Afghanistan, during Operation Enduring Freedom to re-open the US Embassy there.  He was deployed in February 2003 for Operation Iraq Freedom and the Iraq and Kuwait War.

Hoggatt was released from the US Marine Corps in January 2004 as a Staff Sargent.  He and his wife Jana and their two children live in Amarillo where he is currently employed as a security police officer at the Pantex Plant.

The Post will place flags on the 200 graves of veterans buried in Rowe Cemetery.  The VFW Post will also place flags on the graves of veterans buried in Citizens Cemetery.

The students at Hedley School will hold a special program for the veterans beginning at noon. Veterans will enjoy a meal at the school cafeteria – (invited guests only, please). 

Finally the day will end up at the VFW Hall in Clarendon at around 2 p.m. where all Donley County veterans will be treated to a free picnic sponsored by the VFW Post, their Ladies Auxiliary, American Legion Post 287, and the Friends of the Donley County Veterans.

Although the Veterans’ meals are free, the VFW is asking for donations for the spouses, dependents, and guests.

VFW Post 7782 would also like to remind all veterans that Golden Corral in Amarillo will be giving away free meals on Monday, November 15, for all US Military veterans.

Also being held on Thursday in Amarillo, the newly completed Visitors Reflection Center will be dedicated at 11:00 a.m. at the War Memorial located at Veterans Park, next to the Randall County Annex on Georgia Street and I-27. The public is invited to the ceremony.

The center is to be available to veterans, their families, and to all visitors to come and reflect upon what they have seen at the memorial itself.  It will also have a place for visitors to sign in and an exhibit area for war memorials.

The War Memorial consists of red granite monoliths, which give a brief history of all United States conflicts from the Spanish American War through Desert Storm.  Afghanistan and Iraq will soon be added.  Other monoliths are inscribed with the names of the 1,000 dead and missing in action from casualties from World War I through Desert Storm from the upper twenty-six counties of the Texas Panhandle.

The names of 54 casualties from Donley County are inscribed on the Monoliths.  There are fifteen names from World War I, twenty-six names from World War II, one from the Korean War, and two from the Vietnam War.

A color guard from the Marine Reserves will open the dedication ceremony, followed by a bugle solo of “The Star Spangled Banner” played by John Brewer. The invocation will be given by the Rev. James Garrett of Polk Street United Methodist Church.  The Stars Choir from the church will sing a patriotic song medley.

Senator Kel Seliger will be the featured speaker.

The ceremony will end with a twenty-on gun salute by the Texas State Troopers Honor Guard from Lubbock, followed by “Taps” played on the bugle by John Brewer.

Shopping at home for the holidays is easy and affordable as local banks have again teamed up to provide 0% interest “Christmas Cash” loans this year.

Interested parties must make application for a loan up to $3,000 with any of the participating local banks.

The annual program has proven popular with many consumers and is seen as way to encourage folks to shop at home with hometown merchants and to keep our local economy strong.

Once a Christmas Cash loan has been approved, the borrower will be issued specially printed Christmas Cash Dollars, which may be spent like US currency toward new purchases of products and services (excluding Lottery tickets, gasoline, and tobacco products) at all of the participating businesses. Businesses will display posters indicating they are participants of the promotion.

There will be no exchange of US currency to make change. For example, if someone purchases items valued at $72.95 and gives the merchant $80.00 in Christmas Cash, the merchant can give them $7.05 in-store credit. The customer may also pay $70.00 in Christmas Cash and the remaining $2.95 in US currency.

Christmas Cash Dollars are available in three denominations: $10, $20, and $50. There are two signature lines, the same as there are on traveler’s checks.

The borrower’s signature is placed on the signature line before they leave the bank, and then they must sign on the endorsement line when they spend the “Cash.”

Christmas Cash must be spent at the participating merchants by December 31, 2004. Unspent Christmas Cash may be applied toward your 0% loan at the bank through January 7, 2005.

This cash may not be used as a regular monthly loan payment. It can only be applied toward the principal amount due at the end of the Christmas Cash note. Christmas Cash notes are paid back in ten equal monthly installments.

After January 7, 2005, Christmas Cash becomes worthless.

It’s amazing the variety of products Christmas Cash can purchase. Some of the items purchased in years past included: replacement windows, vehicle repairs, groceries, furniture, entertainment equipment, cook-tops, dry cleaning for summer bedrolls, catered goodies, Christmas dinner, car stereos, special gift items, centerpieces, clothing, and much more.

The Donley County State Bank, The Herring National Bank, and Community Bank will buy Christmas Cash from participating merchants at a rate of 95¢ for every $1.00. Participating businesses are “interested in keeping your business here in Clarendon.”

This year’s participating merchants are: Amigo’s Mexican Restaurant, Clarendon Auto Sales, The Clarendon Enterprise, Clarendon Outpost, Clarendon Steakhouse, Clarendon Veterinary Hospital and Supply, Cornell’s Country Store, Country Bloomers Flowers and Gifts, Eads Furniture and Appliance, Every Nook & Cranny, Floyd’s Automotive, Floyd’s Motor Company and Body Shop, Henson’s, Hitchin’ Post, J&W Lumber, Lowe’s, Mary’s This and That, McKinney Motor Company, Mike’s Pharmacy, Saye’s, The Shop Antique and Good Stuff, 287 Tire and Tube, and White’s Feed and Seed.

This is the tenth year banks have participated in the Christmas Cash program. The idea of 0% loans up to $3,000 began in 1995 through the cooperation of the Clarendon Merchants Association and local banks.

If your business would like to participate in the Christmas Cash program, please call Genella Eads at 874-3412 or Bobbie Thornberry at 874-3581.

City Hall stinks.  Literally.

That was the message delivered by City Secretary Linda Smith and City Clerk LeAnn Marcum when the Clarendon Board of Aldermen met in regular session last Tuesday.

“This place is falling apart,” Smith said, noting that the 1918 municipal building is leaking badly every time it rains.

“It smells like dead bodies,” Marcum added.

City Administrator Sean Pate said this week that an insurance adjuster for the Texas Municipal League (TML) had examined City Hall following last week’s meeting and is expected to issue a report soon about the building.

“There are several maintenance issues that need to be addressed,” Pate said. “The roof needs a lot of work, and water is leaking in through windows on the top floor.”

Pate said stagnant water about one foot deep is standing in what was once a swimming pool in the basement, and he said simply, “It’s stinking.”

“We’re going to have to address the water damage and probably replace the window seals. That gets to be a lot of money. It will come down to what the insurance will cover.”

Pate said a foundation expert has said that part of the building is in good shape for its age, but the administrator noted that water causes a lot of damage if left unchecked.

“It is kind of ironic that this place was built in 1918, and now the Red Sox have won the World Series,” Pate said. “Maybe the curse of the Bambino has gone from Fenway to Clarendon.”

In other city business, the Board of Aldermen held a final public hearing on Ordinance 353, which would increase building permit fees in the city. The ordinance was approved unanimously on its second reading and took effect October 26.

Tarell Dyer of Centramedia Online services addressed the board concerning leasing space on the city radio tower to deliver high-speed Internet to Clarendon. Alderman Michael Tibbets said he would like to see Centramedia provide free service to the City Hall, the city library, the chamber of commerce, the Saints’ Roost Museum, and the Donley County Sheriff’s Department plus pay an access fee equivalent to $375 per month. Dyer will speak with his supervisor and return to the November 9 meeting.

Colby Waters of the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission presented a resolution to allow the city to apply for a Texas Community Development Grant. Aldermen approved the resolution.

Ronnie and Melinda McAnear addressed the board concerning property located at 820 S. Allen Street, which has become an eyesore and a nuisance. Pate recommended proceeding under the Dangerous Structures ordinance and utilizing the procedure to have the house demolished. A public hearing will be held on this topic November 9.

The Clarendon Economic Development Corporation presented a contract to the board. Under the terms of the contract, the CEDC would pay the city $200 per month for light clerical duties, such as collecting the CEDC mail, paying bills, posting agendas, and reconciling financial statements. The CEDC Board believes the contract will allow CEDC to pursue its goals without incurring the expense of hiring a director. The aldermen approved the contract.

In his administrative report, Pate said a letter had been received from the NRCS directing the city to pay the money owed on the disaster grant, which paved 12 blocks in southeast Clarendon and made flood improvements. The board directed Pate to take money from a General Fund certificate of deposit to pay the $38,562.09 bill.

A methamphetamine delivery went all wrong in Clarendon last week when an alleged drug dealer unwittingly called the law and told them where he was.

Sheriff Butch Blackburn said his department was examining a cellular phone seized during a recent burglary investigation October 28 when it started ringing. The caller told the person answering the phone that he was in town at a residence at 420 W. Third and said that he had “the stuff” with him.

Officers immediately suspected a drug deal was in the works, and they went straight to the scene and arrested Mark Davis, age 33, of Amarillo. Blackburn said Davis was carrying a .357 revolver and had 33 grams of methamphetamine and $2,485 in cash.

Davis was booked into Donley County Jail and arraigned on felony charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. He was released Saturday on $70,000 bond.

Other items seized during Davis’ arrest included two pistols, brass knuckles, lead-filled gloves, slappers, and records of other drug deals.

In other crime news, Blackburn reports his office solved the burglary of a barn with living quarters inside it, which had been under investigation since October 19. Several thousands of dollars worth of electrical equipment and tools had been missing from the barn.

An investigation of tire and shoe tracks at the scene led to the October 28 arrest of Sean Kyser, age 35, of Howardwick. Items taken in the theft were recovered from a residence in Howardwick and in Pampa.

Kyser was still in jail at press time with bond set at $10,000. He is also being held on two misdemeanor charges out of Amarillo.

 “I appreciate my deputies’ hard work on this burglary which in turn led to getting a drug dealer off the streets,” Blackburn said, referring to Davis. “When we get a dealer like this, it helps us and Amarillo and the other surrounding communities, too.”

Tax Assessor/Collector Wilma Lindley successfully fended off a challenge by Republican Vicky Tunnell by a margin of 1,085 to 657 when Donley County voters cast their ballots Tuesday.

Lindley’s was the only countywide race to be contested this year, but races in two precincts did produce some drama for the evening.

Former Republican county commissioner Andy Wheatly managed to reverse his fortunes from the 2000 election, successfully ousting the Precinct 3 Democratic incumbent, Henry C. “Buster” Shields, 280 to 135.

In Precincts 3&4, Constable Mike Wallendorff, a Democrat, won the right to keep his job, tallying 449 votes. He easily defeated the write-in candidacy of Tony Sellers, who garnered 153 votes.

In uncontested county races, Sheriff Charles “Butch” Blackburn received 72.3 percent of the county vote, and Commissioner Ernest Johnston got 69 percent of the votes in his Precinct 1.

Donley County voters overwhelmingly preferred US Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) over his Libertarian opponent, M.J. “Smitty” Smith, by a margin of 1,513 to 55.  At press time, Thornberry was leading 120,869 to 8,854 with 281 of 474 precincts reporting.
Local voters also favored reelecting President George W. Bush, giving him 1,420 votes compared to 340 for Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.). The Libertarian ticket received five votes, and one person voted for Ralph Nader.

State Sen. Robert Duncan (R-Lubbock) and State Rep. Warren Chisum (R-Pampa) were both unopposed this year and received 1,302 and 1,371 votes in Donley County. Also unopposed were District Judge David McCoy (D) with 1,159 local votes and District Attorney Stuart Messer (R) with 1,337.

Sixty-eight percent of registered voters in Donley County went to the polls this year. That’s a total of 1,792 ballots cast and is up just slightly compared to the last presidential election in 2000 when 1,759 people voted.

Hedley High School’s math and science teams competed October 23 at the Lubbock Coronado Invitational Math and Science Meet against nine other 1A-3A schools, finishing fourth in the sweepstakes award.

Hedley was one of four 1A schools at the meet and was the only six-man school competing. 

Senior Stephen Howard won a second place medal in Number Sense, a fourth place ribbon in Science, and placed seventh in Math.  Will Wallendorff, also a senior, placed seventh in Science. Juniors Holly Davis and Carmen Garcia placed eighth and tenth in Science respectively. 

Sophomores Betty Cruz, Ruth Anne Howard, and Justin Kellas placed fifth, seventh, and eighth in Calculator Applications, leading that team to a fourth place finish.  Freshmen Kristen Dwight and Sam Lovely both medaled by taking second and third places in the Science competition.

Each team finished fourth, which was commendable considering the competition and Hedley’s relatively small size and lack of experience from this year’s team.  Bruce Howard, Hedley Science Coach, notes that only four of the fifteen Hedley competitors were involved in the math and science program from last year.

“We are basically starting our teams over from scratch, and we are very excited and proud of this new group of students who will sacrifice and work to become strong academic competitors,” said Howard. “By the time district competition rolls around, we hope to have championship caliber teams again.”

By Cheryl Johnson, Clarendon Enterprise

Clarendon will be buzzing on Saturday, October 30, with many activities for young and old ghosts and goblins.

The day gets started with the Clarendon Halloween Daze craft show sponsored by the Destination Donley County Tourism which will be held at the corner of Highway 287 and Sully in the KEFH 99.3 parking lot.  Vendors will begin selling their wares at 10:00 a.m. 

Set up for the booths will begin at 8:00 a.m.  Booths cost $10. Contact Linda Gray at 874-2009 or Mary Ruth Bishop at 874-2141 to register.

Events continue at the parking lot with a Pumpkin Carving Contest, Costume Contest, and a Pet in Costume Contest.

The Pumpkin Carving Contest begins at 1:00 and will end at 2:30.  For more information, contact Mary Ruth Bishop at 874-2141.

Folks wanting to participate in the Costume Contest need to register at 3:00 p.m.  Winners will be announced at 4:00 for each age division.  The contest will be held at the KEFH parking lot.

You can get your pets involved in the festivities also with the Pet-in-Costume Contest.  It will also be held at 3:00 at the parking lot.

Destination Donley County will also sponsor a Spook Maze Saturday evening next to the Fire Station from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.  The cost is $3.00 per person.

The Medical Center Nursing Home will hold its annual Trick or Treating beginning at 6:00.  The nursing home will serve free hot dogs from 6:00 to 6:30 and will begin trick or treating with the residents and their families at 7:00.

MCNH is also having a coloring contest for the younger children and a pumpkin carving contest for all junior high, high school, and college students.  The coloring sheet is available in this week’s Enterprise.  All coloring forms and carved pumpkins are to be turned in to MCNH by 5 p.m. on October 28.  Prizes will be awarded for each age division in each contest.

The annual School Carnival sponsored by the Bronco Parents will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Community Center.  The carnival provides fun and games for children of all ages.  A concession stand will be available. Proceeds from the carnival benefit the Bronco Parents’ activities.  There is no admission fee.

The Clarendon Firebelles, with the aide of the Clarendon Fire Department, will be hosting a Haunted Mansion Saturday evening.  The fun will begin at 7:30 p.m. on the front steps of City Hall.  The Firebelles encourage everyone to come out and have a good time, but they do caution that some material may not be suitable for young children.  Admission to the event will be $3.00 per person, and half of all proceeds will be donated to Sue Howard and her family for medical purposes.

Everyone is invited to meet at the college flagpoles at 8:00 p.m. for trick or treating at the CC residence halls.  This is the first year for this activity, and it is being held in conjunction with the MCNH activities, which are sponsored by Medical Center Nursing Home, Clarendon College, Associated Ambulance Authority, Clarendon Outpost, Mike’s Pharmacy, Community Bank, Clarendon Family Medical Center, Shelton Law Offices, and The Clarendon Enterprise.

Donley County residents will go to the polls Tuesday to cast ballots in local races as well as voting for statewide offices and choosing electors for president of the United States.

The General Election will be held November 2, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Early voting by personal appearance continues through Friday, October 29, in the Courthouse Annex.

As of early Monday afternoon, at least 350 people had cast early or mail-in ballots, according to the Donley County Clerk’s office. That number is up from the same point in the 2002 general election, in which 247 people had voted eight days before the election.

According to Deputy County Clerk Kim Layton, there are 2,670 county citizens registered to vote.

On the local level this year, incumbent Democrat Wilma Lindley is facing Republican challenger Vicky Tunnell for the office of County Tax Assessor / Collector. 

Precinct 3 voters will have the opportunity for a rematch as Democratic incumbent Commissioner Henry C. “Buster” Shields is pitted against former commissioner Andy Wheatly, the Republican he unseated four years ago.

Voters in Precincts 3 and 4 have also seen a horserace develop between Democratic incumbent Constable Mike Wallendorff and write-in challenger Tony Sellars.

Also of interest to local voters are the following candidates running unopposed for reelection: Precinct 1 Commissioner Ernest Johnston (D), Donley County Sheriff Charles “Butch” Blackburn, Jr. (D), District Attorney Stuart Messer (R), District Judge David McCoy (D), State Rep. Warren Chisum (R), and State Sen. Robert Duncan (R).

Clarendon native US Rep. Mac Thornberry (R) has no Democratic opponent but does face a challenge from Libertarian M.J. “Smitty” Smith.

Polling places for this year’s General Election are as follows: Box 101 – Clarendon College Bairfield Activity Center, Box 102 – Howardwick City Hall, Box 103 – Martin Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, Box 201 – Donley County Courthouse, Box 301 – Clarendon Community Center – Rodeo Grounds, Box 302 – Cotton Gin – Lelia Lake, Box 303 – Hedley Lions Club, Box 401 – Community Bank, and Box 402 – McClellan House. Check your voter’s registration card to see which precinct box you should vote in.

If a voter has any trouble casting their ballot, they are asked to call the secretary of state’s office at 1-800-252-8683.

Complete results of this year’s local races will be printed in next week’s Enterprise.