This Week
Gene “Don” Shults
, 72, of Van died Wednesday, March 13, 2019, in Hedley.
Services were held on Saturday, March 16, 2019, in Robertson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon with Bunk Skelton, officiating.
Burial will follow at Rowe Cemetery in Hedley. Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Don was born February 5, 1947, in Canyon to William Mark and Zelma Mauck Shults. He married Mary Lou Bales on August 12, 2000, in Clayton, New Mexico. He had been a resident of Donley County most of his life. He was a dedicated cowboy and worked hard at every job. He was devoted to his family and was a wonderful husband, father, brother, and friend. Don never met a stranger.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bill Shults and James Shults; and two grandsons, Bradley Maier and Zach Chapman.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Bales of Van; a son, Michael Don Shults and wife Marie of Springer, New Mexico; six daughters, Dawna Gay Hearon and Robin Leigh McCullough and husband Jake all of Gruver, Cindy Austin of Clarendon, Jennifer Floyd and husband Tony of Hedley, Kristi Shults and husband Andy McFarlane of Ithaca, New York, and Stacey Maier and husband Bill of Van; a sister, Sarah McCrary and husband Doug of Clarendon; his mother in law, Elaine Bales of Canon City, Colorado; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
The family request that memorials be made to Rowe Cemetery Association in Hedley.
Sign our online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com
Three CHS students ‘die’ in mock accident
Three Clarendon High School students “died” following a mock accident sponsored by the student council Monday afternoon.
The Shattered Dreams program illustrated the dangers of drinking and driving by staging a crash and the resulting efforts of first responders in front of the high school and junior high student bodies.
“The situation was four girls had been drinking at a party and were driving, and they ran into car with three sober boys,” student council sponsor Tammi Lewis said.
The program included assistance from the Associated Ambulance Authority, the Donley County Sheriff’s Office, the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department, the Department of Public Safety, and North West Texas Hospital’s LifeStar helicopter, which landed near the scene.
A vehicle used in the crash was actually the wreckage from a real alcohol-related accident in which a life was lost.
One of the girls, portrayed by Kyla Dunahm, was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Pat White and loaded into a hearse from Robertson Funeral Home. Two other students, played by Noab Elam and Caton Grahn, died in route to the hospital.
The remaining four students were injured. The driver of the girls’ car, portrayed by student council president Brandalyn Ellis, was administered a sobriety test on scene, arrested, fingerprinted, jailed, and sentenced to a total of 60 years in prison and a $30,000 fine by Judge John Howard.
Lewis said the program, funded in part by the Bryce Kennedy Foundation, continued on Tuesday with memorial services and a video shot by students, which recorded the entire program from the accident, the notification of parents, and the sentencing.
Another video showed the impact such an accident had on a real family, and a CHS alumnus, who had lost her fiancé in such an accident, also addressed the students.
“You could have heard a pin drop when she finished,” Lewis said. “We mainly just wanted to get kids to make better choices. I tell them there is always someone you can get to take you home. Even your parents… you may get in trouble, but they would rather drive you home than see this happen.”
H’wick working on water service
Howardwick residents have been dealing with multiple water issues over the last several days, including loss of pressure and loss of service, as Red River Water Authority works to address leaks in the system.
City Secretary Sandra Childress said Tuesday that Red River Regional Manager Jason Caldwell has been great to work with and that the authority has been working late hours to correct issues facing the city.
“This is something that is everybody’s fault,” Childress said. “It’s the city’s fault, it’s Red River’s fault, and it’s the people’s fault who tied into the system illegally. But now we’re all working to fix it, and everybody is just going to have to be patient.”
Childress said issues started about two weeks ago when a fire truck got stuck in what was first thought to be an underground spring while fighting a fire. But she said it was soon discovered that “spring” was actually a massive leak that had been suspected but not located for at least two years.
“We’ve been losing 40,000 gallons a day down Carroll Creek,” Childress said.
Workers got a temporary fix on that line, and then other leaks began to appear in the system, including at places where people have been stealing water service by tying into the water system without a meter.
Childress reiterated that Red River’s management has been working very well with the city, and she also praised the authority’s communication with the city.
Childress said the good news is that the city should not have to ration water in the future if it can keep an extra 40,000 gallons in the system each day. But she also said that repairs will take time.
“The big fixes are short term problems, but repairing all the issues are very long term,” she said.
Services set for Dalton O’Gorman
Michael Dalton O’Gorman, 20, of Shamrock, died Monday, March 18, 2019, in Clarendon.
Services will be 2:00 PM, Thursday, March 21, 2019 at Trinity Fellowship in Sayre, Okla., with Andy Taylor officiating. Graveside services will be at 4:30 PM in Shamrock Cemetery in Shamrock.
Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Shamrock.
Dalton was born October 31, 1998, in Amarillo to Mike and Patty Devoll O’Gorman. He had lived in Shamrock all of his life. He graduated from Shamrock High School in 2017. Dalton played football, basketball, baseball and golf. He was a member of the High School Rodeo, JRCA. Dalton was attending Clarendon College where he was a member of the Rodeo Team. He participated in the Team Roping events. Roping was his life and he also enjoyed playing golf.
He is survived by his parents of Shamrock; his brother, Dillon O’Gorman of Stephenville;
his sister, Abby O’Gorman of Shamrock; his girlfriend, McKinley Brown of Shamrock; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and his rodeo family.
Memorials may be sent to Aim Bank in Shamrock in Memory of Dalton O’Gorman for a Rodeo Scholarship.
Robert Michael Paul
Robert Michael Paul passed away at home on Sunday, March 10, 2019, from myelo-dysplastic anemia syndrome.
Memorial Graveside services with military honors will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. in Citizens Cemetery with Don Stone officiating. Inurnment will follow in Citizens Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 6-8p.m. on Friday, March 15, at 520 East 3rd Street in Clarendon.
Cremation and Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Robert Paul was born in Dayton, Ohio, on October 14, 1938. The son of Robert and Ella Mary Sue Paul, Robert was an avid craftsman. He enjoyed working with his hands. Whether it was in the kitchen or in the shop, a masterpiece always appeared. He loved to laugh and make others laugh. Robert was a simple man who loved giving. He gave endless hours to others even in his last moments. He cherished family and friends. When you saw him coming, you always wondered what type of adventure or creation he was going to share with you. His hobbies included scuba diving, fishing, canoeing, camping, and the outdoors. Often you would find him sitting outdoors enjoying nature.
In 1954, Robert followed his father’s lead by earning his Eagle Scout rank saying, “Once an Eagle always an Eagle.” After graduating from Fairview High School in 1957, he attended Saint Elizabeth Radiology Tech School in Dayton.
He then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he was stationed at Amarillo Air Force Base as an x-ray technician. While working at Saint Anthony’s Hospital in Amarillo, he met Charlotte, who was a nurse there. On April 4, 1964, he married Charlotte in Clarendon. Shortly afterwards, Robert was deployed overseas to Turkey during Vietnam. When returning stateside, Robert and Charlotte moved to New York where their children Peter and Lauraine were born. Later moving to Edinboro, Pennsylvania, he earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master’s of Fine Art in Jewelry Fabrication from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. He enjoyed photo-graphy and jewelry making. In 2001, Robert and Charlotte Paul returned to Clarendon.
He was preceded in death by his parents Robert Henry and Ella Mary Sue Paul and a sister Sandra Schwartz.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Charlotte Paul of Clarendon, a son Peter Paul and wife Rachel Cohen of Colorado, a daughter Lauraine Paul of Clarendon; a grandson Tyler Paul of Clarendon; a brother-in-law Ricky Rattan of Clarendon, a sister Barbara Paul of Wyoming, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Boy Scouts of America 401 Tascosa Road Amarillo, TX 79124 Attention: Memory Lane or Christ’s Kids Outreach Ministries PO Box 45 Clarendon, TX 79226 or save a life by donating blood at your local blood bank.
Family can be reached at P.O. Box 624 Clarendon, Texas 79226.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com
Seats arrive!
Installation techs bolted seats to the floor of the Mulkey Theatre last weekend as the project moves closer to completion and a gala opening on May 25. More than 200 chairs were mounted over the weekend on the main floor with balcony recliners to be installed in the coming weeks. Click the image for a time-lapse image of the seat installation videoed by Stone Ranch Media.
Chamber to draw for $500 this week
One lucky shopper will get $500 in Clarendon Cash Thursday, March 14, when the Chamber of Commerce holds its first Totally Locally drawing during its Business After Hours at the Saints’ Roost Museum.
The Business After Hours social encourages Chamber members and other interested folks to network and learn more about what’s happening in the local business community. The event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and door prizes will be drawn for those in attendance.
Refreshments will be served, and the event is planned to be come-and-go to accommodate Chamber members’ busy schedules.
At 6:30 p.m., the first Totally Locally winner will be drawn for 2019. That person does not have to be present to win.
The “Totally Locally” initiative encourages shopping at locally owned and operated businesses by giving away $500 in Clarendon Cash once per quarter.
Sign-up stations and details are available in the following businesses: A Fine Feathered Nest, Clarendon Outpost, Cornell’s Country Store, Country Bloomers, Every Nook & Cranny, Floyd’s Automotive, Henson’s, J&W Lumber, Mike’s Pharmacy, Saye’s Tack Store, and Turquoise & Rust.
The Totally Locally program will promote all things local about Clarendon and Donley County.
“Totally Locally encourages you to step through the door of that shop you go past every day,” the Chamber says. “Most of all though it’s about people who care about what they do, what they grow, what they make, and ultimately the people they sell it to. It’s about buying, playing, working, and living Totally Locally.”
To learn more, call the Visitor Center at 874-2421.
Burn ban enacted by county
The Donley County Comm-issioners Court enacted a burn ban during their regular meeting Monday, March 11.
County Judge John Howard said Clarendon Fire Marshall Jeremy Powell had requested the ban due to persistently dry conditions. Even with rain coming in this week, high winds and warm weather will quickly make conditions ripe for grass and wild fires.
Under the commissioners’ order no outdoor burning is allowed on a day of a forecasted Fire Weather Watch or a Red Flag Warning issued from the National Weather Service in Amarillo.
Anyone engaging in outdoor burning must contact the Donley County Sheriff’s office prior to ignition and give the dispatcher a burn location, a contact phone number, and approximate burn time. The persons engaging in outdoor burning needs to be present on the site of the burn until the burn is completed.
Anyone engaging in any form of outdoor burning is asked to burn with extreme caution at all times.
Forecasters can issue the watch or warning for all or selected portions within a fire weather zone. The Red Flag event is verified when the weather and fuel conditions listed below are met simultaneously for any three hours or more during the period.
The following weather and fuel conditions must be forecast to occur or already occurring before issuing a Fire Weather Watch and/or Red Flag Warning: Minimum relative humidities equal to or less than 15 percent; 20 foot winds of 20 mph or higher and/or gusts to 35 mph or higher; and an NFDRS adjective fire danger rating of “high” or higher.
For information, log onto www.srh.noaa.gov/ama/. The burn ban will stay in effect for the next 90 days.
In other county business Monday, the commissioners court approved attendance at trainings for JP Clerk Zan Bullock, Judge Pat White, and Tax Assessor Linda Crump; approved purchasing a Duress System in the Hedley JP office for $9,551; and approved purchasing the property behind the Hedley JP office for $5,000.
The court also authorized signatures for the Veterans’ Memorial bank account. The county recently was assigned responsibility for the Donley County War Memorial by the committee that has overseen it since its construction. The funds associated with that committee now belong to the county in a designated account, and the memorial itself is now covered on the county’s insurance.
An interlocal agreement with the City of Howardwick was approved related to the disposition of foreclosed properties in that municipality.
The court also approved a request from the Girl Scouts to remove the cedar tree that group usually decorates for Christmas and replace it with a more appropriate looking tree, specifically an Afghan Pine.
Editorial: Government works best in the open
It’s Sunshine Week – an annual time set aside to remind everyone that the best government is open government and that ultimately the People have a right to know what their elected officials are doing.
Unfortunately, we are living in a “partly cloudy” world today. Partisan court decisions have eaten away at some of the legal guarantees of transparency. Prominent elected officials and talking heads besmirch the reporters work to find out and report the truth. Meanwhile, an over-dependence on “news” via social media and a drop in local advertising have contributed to the closure of more than 1,800 – you read that right – more than one thousand eight hundred newspapers since 2004.
That figure comes from a study by the University of North Carolina, which said: “For residents in thousands of communities across the country… local newspapers have been the prime, if not sole, source of credible and comprehensive news and information that can affect the quality of their everyday lives. Yet, in the past decade and a half, nearly one in five newspapers has disappeared….”
Bringing the issue close to home, in recent years we’ve seen several small-town newspapers close and consolidate in the Texas Panhandle. Wellington and Memphis, along with Hollis, Okla., were all absorbed into the Childress paper and rebranded. The same thing happened with papers in Silverton, Matador, and Paducah.
And it’s not just a problem for the smallest of our rural communities. Hereford, with a population of almost 15,000, narrowly avoided losing its paper just last month. The 118-year-old Hereford Brand announced it was ceasing publication a week before a former employee swept in and saved the institution.
Communities that lose their newspapers do not just lose the weekly or daily recordings of the local football team and announcements of births and deaths. They lose a piece of their soul and, ultimately, they lose their history. Your newspaper, at its best, reflects the heart of the community – reporting on the things that are important to a town’s growth and development as well as covering the unpleasant news of crime and tragedy. Taken as a whole over time, those news articles and ads and notices capture the story of the community… preserved on the printed page for posterity.
It is the local newspaper that delves into bond issues and elections to inform voters so they can, hopefully, make intelligent decisions at the ballot box. It is the local newspaper that covers meetings to keep tabs on what’s going on with city councils, school boards, commissioner courts, and college regents. And, when necessary, it’s often newspapers that take advantage of public information laws to shine the light – the sunshine – where people don’t always want it.
Elected officials are always in favor of transparency… until they aren’t. The Clarendon College Board of Regents is good example of this. Particular regents for some time now have grilled the college administration in the name of “transparency,” while they themselves have violated the Texas Open Meetings Act.
The Enterprise is even now reviewing several college documents obtained through open records requests, but in the meantime one fact stands out. The college board in the last two years has twice had to have its attorney provide them extra training on Open Meetings issues – beyond what they’ve already legally been required to take. That indicates a problem – either with understanding or with compliance.
The City of Howardwick also has had its problems with Open Meetings violations over the last year. The sheriff shut down one meeting for lack of a quorum, and another meeting, called under an “emergency” provision without the normally required 72 hours’ notice, was halted after the Enterprise objected that the topic did not fit the definition of an emergency. The city council later paid an attorney to train its members.
One would hope that all public officials would agree that openness is a good thing, that the public has a right to know what’s going on, and that, above all, the law should be followed. The Open Meetings Act isn’t complicated; it’s actually pretty straight forward. And yet it requires a constant effort to educate people about what it says, why it’s important, and how it works in practice. Former Clarendon editor Bob Williams even once went so far as to publish the entire text of the act back in the 1990s to educate readers and public officials.
The Open Meetings Act and its companion, the Public Information Act, are statutory sunshine… exposing public officials and their actions to the light of day. And it is newspapers – like this one – that throw open the shutters so that light can shine through the window of government so that you, as a citizen and as a voter, can continue to have the best information possible.
Openness is the only way democracy works. Knowledge is power, and keeping government in the sunshine ensures that power stays with the People.
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