News

The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its annual relief station for weary travelers during this Memorial Day weekend.

The station will be open at the rest area at US 287 and SH 70 north Friday from 4 p.m. to midnight and Monday from 2 p.m. to midnight.

Cookies and coffee will be served, and the Chamber will be selling chances for a trip to the National Finals Rodeo to be given away during the Clarendon Ranch Rodeo on July 7.

AUSTIN – Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander last week delivered $297 million in monthly sales tax payments to Texas cities and counties.

Local cities all received a significant boost over last year. Clarendon’s rebate of $29.276.18 represented a 14.28 percent increase over the same period last year. Hedley was up 47.53 percent to $1,232.31, and Howardwick’s rebate increased 12.14 percent to $838.95.

Clarendon is 1.33 percent behind, and Howardwick is 9.91 percent down for the year. Hedley is 15.38 percent ahead for the year.

May sales tax rebates represent taxes collected in March and reported in April.

For details of May sales tax allocations to individual cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose districts, locate the Monthly Sales and Use Tax Allocation Comparison Summary Report on the Comptroller’s  website.

Sue Church, County FCS AGent

May 15th marked the eighth week and final day of the annual Walk Across Texas campaign for health conscious residents of Donley County. 

Fifteen teams participated during the event of which four reached the established goal of walking to South Padre Island which is 736 miles from Clarendon. They were Community Walkers (1302 total miles, captain Derlene Graham), Herring National Bank Buckaroos (999 miles, captain Gayle Edes), St. Mary’s (923.1 miles, captain Denise Bertrand), and Texas Trotters (777 miles, captain Lana Topper). Within shouting distance of South Padre was the Clarendon College team “Who Let the Dawgs Out” led by Wanda Smith (720.8 miles). Close behind was Stan’s Stinkers (captain Stan Leffew) who walked 698.4 miles. 

Other teams giving it their best shot were: A Family Affair (captain Tammy Christopher); Clarendon Jr. High, Elementary I and II (captain Tiffany Shadle); Coach Schmidt and the Senior Has Beens (captain Coach Schmidt); Donley County State Bank Loaners (captain Bobbie Thornberry); HNB Busy B’s (captain Suzanne Taylor); The Big “Kahunas” (captain Cindy Shelton); and Weight Water Walkers (captain Annette Osburn). 

For the mileages reported to date, all teams walked a total of 9,024 miles. With 120 walkers registered, it averaged out to approximately 9.4 miles/walker/week. 

Community Bank Walkers garnered the traveling T-shirt for the fourth straight week. Their team averaged 162.75 miles each week.

Our appreciation goes to B&R Thriftway for allowing the Walk Across Texas map to be displayed for eight plus weeks in the store and to The Clarendon Enterprise for publishing weekly results. Each team captain is also to be commended for encouraging his/her teammates and reporting the team’s results in a timely manner.

Hopefully each walker will strive to maintain the nine-plus miles per week and encourage a friend or family member to join in. The investment requires a no-cost, 4-times-a-week commitment with the rewards being many. We appreciate each walker who participated this spring, and we’ll look forward to having you involved in the program again next year.

Teachers at Hedley ISD will soon be enjoying the benefits of new computers thanks to a $48,801 grant from the state Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIF).

The TIF grant will pay for 35 new computers, a file server, and a network that will link all teacher computers with the administration office and with each other, district officials say.

A local match will bring the total price tag of the project to a little more than $53,000.

“We’re proud of this grant,” said HISD Principal Terry Stevens. “It will help us out a lot. It will nearly double the computer capacity on our campus.”

Currently, the Hedley school system doesn’t have an intercom or a local e-mail network, Stevens said. The new technology will create room-to-room e-mail capability to ease communication throughout the campus.

Current computers on teachers’ desks will be available for student use for Internet-assisted research, and computers currently in the administration offices will be added to the school’s computer labs.

School officials believe this added capacity will benefit their students by giving them more access and greater opportunities to work with computers.

“They have to know how to do those things on the computer, or they will be lost when they get to college,” Stevens said. “So much research is done on the Internet now.”

The new network will also allow teachers to report their grades to the office via computer, which will eliminate a lot of paperwork. It’s something other school districts have been doing for a while.

“We’re finally getting caught up to everybody else,” Stevens said.

Hedley math teacher Jon Leggitt prepared the grant application for Hedley.

“I give him lots of credit of doing the legwork on this,” Stevens said. “He did a wonderful job. I think it took him three months, and much of it was on his own time.”

Since its creation by the 74th Legislature in 1995, TIF has awarded approximately $592 million in grants to its four constituent groups – public schools, libraries, institutions of higher education, and public, non-profit healthcare facilities.

 The agency receives approximately $150 million per year in revenues from telecommunications assessments to disburse over a ten-year period.

Clarendon High School is proud to announce the 2001 Honor Students are Nickless Devin, Jared Hartman, and Elizabeth Simmons.

Nickless Devin, son of Dr. and Mrs. Mac Devin, has been named Clarendon High School Valedictorian and is graduating with a GPA of 99.53.  He has been involved in many activities while a student at CHS.  Nickless has been a huddle leader for the local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for four years, a Student Council member and officer for four years, a member of Junior Historians for three years and served as vice president for two years, a Spanish Club member for four years, a member of the award winning Bronco Band while being named to All Region Band in 1999 and 2001 along with a Division I Ensemble in 2001, and he was also a member of the Sonrise Youth Choir for three years.  He was honored by his class and elected class officer his junior and senior years.  Nickless was also very active and successful in UIL academic contests.  He was a four-year participant in Ready Writing, Literary Criticism, and Headline writing.  He qualified for regional in Ready Writing and Literary Criticism and was a state qualifier in Current Issues and Events this past spring.  Nickless was also a member of the National Honor Society.

While at CHS, Nickless remained active in the sports program.  Nickless played football for four years and lettered three of those years.  He was selected as All District center, linebacker, and guard.  He was awarded Academic All-State honors in the fall of 2000.  Nickless also was a four-year participant and two-year letterman on the golf team, played tennis for two years, and was a power lifter for two years.

Nickless has also garnered many awards during his career at CHS.  He has received a National Merit Commended Scholar Scholarship, was a finalist in the Dallas Cowboys/Gene and Jerry Jones Family-Dallas Morning News All-State-Scholar-Athlete team, was elected Clarendon Chamber of Commerce Young Man of the Year in 2000, was a member of the Texas Aerospace Scholars Program at Johnson Space Center, a Civil War Scholar at the Gettysburg College Civil War Institute, a United States Naval Academy Summer Seminar Participant, a United States Air Force Academy Summer Scientific Seminar Participant, a Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Representative, and a member of the Cambridge College Programme in Cambridge England.

Nickless has also been involved in returning his time to the community.  He has served as Den Chief of the Cub Scouts, was awarded the Outstanding Project of the Year for his Junior Historian Adopt-A-Building program, and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with both the Bronze and Gold Palms.  In cooperation with Josh McDowell Ministries’ Operation Carelift, he also helped collect and provide care packages containing school supplies to be sent to Russian orphanages. He assisted in collecting food baskets for needy families in the Clarendon area, worked with Mission Friends at the Clarendon First Baptist Church, and volunteered to help clean the Saints Roost Museum building and grounds.

Jared Hartman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hartman, is the Salutatorian for Clarendon High School with a GPA of 96.16.  Jared has been very active in extracurricular events while at CHS.  He has been a member of the Clarendon FFA for three years, serving as vice- president.  Jared has also been a state qualifier in the Range and Pasture contest for the last two years.  As a member of the Junior Historians, Jared advanced to National History Day State Competition.  He was a Student Council member and a sophomore class president.  Jared was also active in Bronco football and golf.  As a CHS band member, Jared was named 1st chair All Region Band his junior year.  Jared has also given back to his community through his coaching of a Little Dribblers team.

Elizabeth Simmons, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jem Simmons, is the High Ranking Girl for Clarendon High School with a GPA of 95.59.  Elizabeth has been the recipient of many honors during her four years at CHS.  She has been the National Honor Society secretary, served as Senior class vice president, has been a Student Council representative for two years, a member of the French Club, and was voted NHS Likely to Succeed and Most Studious.  She has also been involved in UIL academics for four years.  She participated in Calculator and Number Sense, and was the district champion and regional qualifier in Persuasive Speaking.

Elizabeth has been actively involved in extracurricular activities.  She has played basketball three years, ran track 1 year, and was a member of the regional qualifying golf team in 2000, a member of the CHS band and an All-Region Band member in 2001 and a State Ensemble qualifier in 1999. 

Elizabeth has been named All District 2nd baseman in softball and has competed at Junior Olympics in shooting sports where she placed 3rd, 2nd, and 4th respectively.  She has returned some of her athletic ability to the community by coaching a Little League team for 6 years.

Ms. Simmons has also received several awards during her time at Clarendon High School.  She has been awarded the local DAR Good Citizen Award, the Wendy’s High School Heisman, was nominated for The Dallas Morning News All-State Scholar-Athlete Team, has been a recipient of TEA’s Celebration of Excellence award, was named the top business student, and has received honor C’s in English II, Algebra II, World History, English III, and United States History.

Local schools’ fears of losing state funding were put to rest recently when the state comptroller’s office authorized the use of local property valuations.

The state had originally claimed that local property values were too low, which would have impacted the amount of money the Texas Education Agency provides to local districts. Clarendon ISD was faced with losing as much as $200,000 in state funding while Hedley ISD could have lost $80,000.

Now, with the local valuations confirmed, both schools expect to receive their usual level of funding.

David Lynn Ward, son of Leon and Carole Ward of Hedley, will be performing in concert on the pipe organ at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, in the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church.

Some of the selections Ward will be performing include “Toccata” and “Fugue in D Minor,” “Cantabilie,” “Scenes of Childhood,” and “Toccata.”

Ward has studied music at Wayland Baptist University and served as interim music director of the First Christian Church. He has taught piano/voice lessons through WBU and was a chorus member in the “TEXAS” musical drama in 1998.

Ward is an 1996 graduate of Hedley High School and received his associate of science degree from Clarendon College in 1998.

After graduation this year from Wayland, Ward plans to be an overseas journeyman missionary for two years and then return to the US to obtain a degree on the doctorate level to teach at a university.

The community is invited to attend and hear the music of this gifted organist.

WACO – A recent public opinion survey of registered Texas voters shows overwhelming support for government payments to farmers in periods of low prices and for protecting America’s ability to grow its own food.

The Texas Interested Citizens Survey, conducted between March 29 and April 4 of this year, concludes that 66 percent of Texans favor government assistance to farmers when crop prices are low.

Even more Texans, 85 percent, agreed that the U.S. should remain independent in the ability to grow its own food supply. Sixty-nine percent said the U.S. should protect the domestic food production system even if cheaper food could be purchased from foreign suppliers.

“The results of this survey are very important because it shows clearly that the public understands just how important it is to preserve national food security,” said Donald Patman, president of the Texas Farm Bureau. “American agriculture today is in deep trouble, and government assistance is vital to the survival of a great many farmers.”

The Farm Bureau is Texas’ largest farm organization. Patman is a grain, cotton, and cattle producer from Waxahachie.

“Texans understand that preserving the viability of our farm and ranch families is an investment in a future that includes food independence. We don’t need to be at the mercy of foreign suppliers like we are for energy,” Patman said.

Susan Combs, Texas Commissioner of Agriculture, says there is increasing public awareness of the importance of agriculture.

“It comes as no surprise to me that Texans are supportive of our farmers and ranchers,” Combs said.

“In agriculture, we’ve had an amazing track record of putting wholesome, safe, affordable and abundant food on our tables, all while doing our best to preserve natural resources and boost rural development.”

Combs said government investment in agriculture pays off in jobs and economic stability because of the $80 billion economic impact on the Texas economy.

The ranking minority member of the House Agriculture Committee, Charlie Stenholm of Stamford, Texas, also welcomed the survey results. “Congress has provided $18.1 billion in emergency income assistance over the last three years recognizing that net cash income, adjusted for inflation, is at the lowest point since the Great Depression,” Stenholm said.  “With no improvement in commodity prices expected, and now with sharply higher natural gas prices, this assistance is clearly needed.”

The Texas Interested Citizens Survey was conducted by the Ft. Worth based Eppstein Group. More than 1,200 registered voters were interviewed, resulting in a margin of error of plus or minus 2.89 percent.

This car, driven by Josh English, was trapped under the footbridge south of the Lions Hall last Thursday by a flash flood. English escaped unharmed according to Sheriff Butch Blackburn. A total of 9.25 inches fell on the city in a very short time.

Enterprise Photo
 
Heavy rain inundated the city of Clarendon last Thursday night, trapping one couple in a pickup and closing US 287 for several hours.

The official measurement in town was 9.25 inches.

According to information from the Donley County Sheriff’s Department, the National Weather Service warned local authorities of severe weather at 8:27 p.m. Heavy rain was reported four minutes later, and the flooding was recorded at 9:07.

The closest call was had by Vic Jeter and a female companion who were swept away by a torrent of water on Gorst Street. They were rescued by Sheriff Butch Blackburn and three other individuals.

Jeter’s wasn’t the only vehicle to be flooded, according to Blackburn. A white sports car driven by Josh English was swept away on Sixth Street near the City Park.

The sheriff said English managed to get out of his vehicle and escape before it floated downstream and crashed into a footbridge south of the Lions Hall.

Another vehicle, a Ford Explorer carrying two college students, was also stranded on Sixth Street near the City Park. The students managed to crawl on top of the vehicle to safety. An Army surplus six-by-six truck from the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department was called into action to rescue the students, Blackburn said.

Law enforcement personnel also suffered their own automotive casualties. Deputy Jon Burrell’s patrol car was flooded and stalled near Third and Ellerbe streets, and DPS Trooper Tony Polito’s car also stalled nearby, Blackburn said.

The DPS car was reportedly still in working order this week, but the county car will likely be totaled out.

During the flooding, US 287 was closed early in the evening only to be reopened a short time later. But a second wave of water came through the city near midnight, prompting officials to close the highway again and divert traffic around Clarendon. The highway was not re-opened until 3:19 a.m. on Friday.

Several businesses and public buildings experienced leaking and minor water damage. The heaviest toll may have been taken on the city streets, where pavement was ripped up in some areas, and dirt streets were washed out. City Secretary Janice Barbee says City Hall has started the paperwork to apply for emergency funds.

Blackburn said the worst damage to a residence came at FM 1260 and County Road P. Water got up between three and four feet on the exterior walls of a home there, and as much as six inches got in the house, he said.

Greenbelt Water Authority reports the lake rose by 1.39 feet following the rain. The majority of that runoff came from Kelly Creek, which was still running two feet over the low water crossing on Friday.

Blackburn says he’s glad no one was hurt during Thursday’s flood, and he has a message for local citizens.

“When we have a heavy rain like that or when we blow the siren, please stay home and do not get out.”

He said people coming to look for a tornado or look at the floods creates more problems for his department to worry about.

“I probably offended some people last week by telling them to go home, and I’m sorry,” he said. “But that’s really the safest place.”

Thursday’s rain was the biggest since April 2, 1997, when 8.71 inches fell in one night. Following that flood, the city repaired diversion dams south and southwest of town and cleaned debris and vegetation from the main floodway.

Those flood structures were built in the 1920s and 1930s and today spare the downtown area from the devastating floods, which sometimes occurred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Clarendon’s Vic Jeter and a female passenger narrowly survived a watery disaster when the pickup they were in was was washed into the city’s major floodway downtown.

Jeter said he turned south onto Gorst off Third Street and proceeded toward Fourth Street about 9:30 p.m. last Thursday after seeing two vehicles go ahead of him.

That area is part of Clarendon’s main storm drainage system.

Jeter said he never saw the water hit his Ford pickup, but in a matter of seconds the cab was covered as water flowed over it. Jeter said his pickup was pushed backwards into a retaining wall by the water, then forced downstream before hanging up behind the First Christian Church.

“We couldn’t see anything because the water was rolling up over the windows,” Jeter said.

Jeter called 911 twice but could never hear the dispatcher’s response because of the roar of the water. He then tried calling Renee’s Diner where he knew some local officers were but again could hear nothing.

Both 911 calls were received by the Donley County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Bruce Burrell went down Fourth Street near the Senior Citizens Center but could not get to Jeter’s location from there. Sheriff Butch Blackburn arrived via Third Street.

Blackburn said he grabbed a lariat from his patrol truck and tossed it to the woman with Jeter. The sheriff, along with bystander Max Rippetoe, volunteer firefighter James Hinton, and one other person, pulled Jeter’s companion to safety. Then the sheriff threw the rope to Jeter.

“He hit me with it the first rattle out of the box,” Jeter said.

Blackburn always carries a lariat with him but says his skills with it are limited.

“I’ve never been a very good roper,” the sheriff said. “There was somebody helping me that night.”

Jeter said he never knew when the men started pulling on the rope. One instance he was in the truck, and the next he was in the water with his feet pointing straight downstream as the torrent tried to carry him off. Blackburn and the others dug in and pulled the man to safety.

“There were three people in that truck,” Jeter says of his rescue. “Me, her, and God.”