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Franks still adding Vegas money

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By Ted  Harbin, TwisTed Rodeo

LAS VEGAS – Cole Franks has more influence than he thought.

When visiting with the rest of the bareback riders about the horses that had been featured the first five nights, he recommended that Championship Pro Rodeo’s Ranch & Crow Interiors be switched from the fifth and 10th rounds’ “TV pens” to the “eliminator pen,” which is featured in the third and eighth rounds.

Cole Franks riding in the NFR Thursday night. PRCA photo by Click Thompson

“He just always seemed to me like he was a little too hard to be in the ‘TV pen,’ ” said Franks of Clarendon, Texas. “We swapped him over to tonight, and I lucked out and drew him.”

The result was an 86-point ride, which helped Franks finish fourth in Thursday’s eighth round, worth $14,127. He has ridden eight horses for a cumulative score of 682 points and is first in the all-important aggregate race with two nights left at the NFR. He has also earned $83,532 and has moved to seventh in the world standings with a little more than $223,000.

“He was a little bit of a day off in this pen, but he was really good,” he said. “It was a lot of fun, which is a very weird thing to say about the ‘E pen.’ ”

The horses that were out Thursday are typically the hardest to ride throughout the season. There were no-scores and low scores, but the right match-ups can pay off. The winning score was 88 points; it took 89.5 points to win the last time the horses were out in Round 3.

By now, the bareback riders have worked through the soreness that typically comes early in the 10-day affair. There are a few exceptions, like cowboys with injuries that are receiving treatment. They’ve built their bodies and their minds for this experience, because they know they’ll tangle with the best bucking horses in the PRCA from 2024.

Those eight-second rides can be rugged, especially in bareback riding. They face a lot of force from athletic horses that weigh anywhere from 1,000-1,200 pounds – pure bucking muscle. Franks gets as much rest as possible and makes sure to get a hot-tub treatment each night.

“That’s a lot on your body, especially 10 days in a row,” he said. “I let my body rest as much as I can.”

A world championship is still within reach, but a lot of things must occur for that to happen. He trails the standings leader, traveling partner Rocker Steiner, by more than $100,000 and is $98,000 behind the No. 2 man, Bradlee Miller. But winning the average title can go a long way toward that race and will most certainly catapult Franks up the world standings. He just needs to stay on top by the time the curtain closes Saturday night, and he’ll cash in another $86,391.

“It’s a lot of pressure, but I like pressure,” Franks said. “I kind of feed off pressure, so I enjoy being No. 1 in the average right now with two of the funnest pens of horses in the world to get on.”

Lady Broncos runners-up at Naz Tourney

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By Sandy Anderberg

The Clarendon Lady Broncos had a great tournament in Nazareth last week and came within only three points of the championship. They swept through one 3A and two 4A schools before succumbing to 4A Lubbock Cooper Liberty 36-38 in the Championship round.

The Lady Broncos blew through Shallowater in the opening round defeating them 52-44. Clarendon jumped out to the early advantage against the Lady Mustangs, but they completed the third quarter only leading by one point. Determination gave them an edge in the fourth to take the win.

Kashlyn Conkin and Tandie Cummins finished in double figures with 11 and 10 respectively with Cummins hitting all six of her free throws and Conkin putting in three three-pointers in the game. Kate Shaw added nine points from her inside position, and Kenidee Hayes added seven. Kennadie Cummins had five, Hayden Elam and Cambree Smith had four each, and Presley Smith helped with two.

The second round the Lady Broncos went up against 4A Hereford and earned the 44-32 win. The ladies shot 65 percent from the bonus line with Hayes hitting all six of her free shots and nailing two big shots from the arc.

Hereford put together a solid second quarter of play that put the Lady Broncos behind by four points. An outstanding final quarter of play on both ends of the court gave the ladies the win as they were able to make crucial stops in the game. Along with Hayes, Conkin added nine points, and Shaw was able to convert eight points.

Seminole was the Lady Broncos’ third draw and they were able to get by the 4A team 41-38. Once again, the Lady Broncos’ aggressive play allowed them to capitalize on mistakes made by the Lady Indians hold the lead after the first quarter ended at 11-11. The ladies did a great job of containing their opponent on both ends of the court. Despite only shooting three free throws in the game, the Lady Broncos played fundamental basketball to get the victory. Conkin put in nine, and Hayes had seven.

Facing off against Lubbock Cooper Liberty in the final game of the tournament proved to be a good test for the ladies as they were able to hold their own until taking the two-point loss in the end.

They did a great job of defending the Lady Patriots keeping the game within reach. Free throws made a big difference in the loss as the Lady Broncos converted seven of twelve, and the Lady Pats made 14 of 21.

Hayes put in 18 points to lead the ladies on the scoreboard that included one three-pointer and hitting five of six from the free throw line. Elam played solid with seven points and Conkin added five.

Earlier in the week, the Lady Broncos won over Abernathy 52-39 on the road. They were able to grab the early momentum and keep the pressure on until the buzzer. Conkin and Hayes finished in double figures with 14 and 11 respectively, and P. Smith and Shaw added nine each. T. Cummins and Elam had three each, Conkin and Berkley Moore had two each, while Madi Benson finished with one.

The Lady Broncos will host Panhandle in their District opener December 13 and travel to Wheeler December 17. They will host Quanah on December 20 with all games beginning at 6:30 p.m.

CC receives $97k grant from state

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Clarendon College was a recipient of one of 60 career training grants awarded by the State of Texas last week, according to an announcement by Governor Greg Abbott.

The grants went to Texas higher education institutions and independent school districts (ISD) to train students for high-demand, good-paying jobs after graduation. These Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants awarded through the the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will help public junior, state, and technical colleges; school districts; and open-enrollment charter schools buy equipment for career and technical education (CTE) programs that help students across the state go into high-demand industries.

CC will receive $97,025 to train 11 students as nursing assistants through its center in Childress.

Clarendon College media representative Donna Smith said the grant will pay for mannequins, beds, and other equipment at the CC Childress Center to help teach juniors and seniors at Childress High School. Students will start the program as juniors, continue as seniors, and then transition into the college’s LVN program.

“This will set them up to get that first semester out of the way,” Smith said. “They will learn through hands-on simulations.”

The new equipment will be in place next month for the spring semester. CC currently has 24 students enrolled in its nursing program in Childress.

Across the state, more than $15 million in grants were awarded.

“As Texas’ economy continues to grow, it is critical that we invest in our future workforce,” said Governor Abbott. “The work being done at the Texas Workforce Commission and in our educational institutions across Texas ensures Texans have opportunities that lead to a better job and a bigger paycheck.”

This $15 million in career training grants will give Texas students the chance to earn licenses, certificates, or college degrees that lead to good-paying jobs in high-demand industries. In the first year alone, the new equipment will help train more than 6,900 students.

TWC is now accepting applications for the 2025 JET grant program. Texas public junior, state, and technical colleges; and schools may apply.

The complete JET application packet can be downloaded from the TWC Procurement Portal website. For questions or more information about this opportunity, e-mail RFAGrants@twc.texas.gov.

Through funding provided by the Texas Legislature each biennium, TWC uses JET grants to defray start-up costs to develop career and technical education programs for public community, state, and technical colleges; school districts; and open-enrollment charter schools. Equipment funded through JET grants must be used to train students for jobs in high-demand occupations.

Ankle injury not slowing Casper at NFR

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By Ted Harbin, TwisTed Rodeo

LAS VEGAS – The race for a world championship is more of a marathon, a year-long battle that began in October 2023.

The track meanders across North America at outposts like Gillette, Wyoming; Salinas, California; and Regina, Saskatchewan. Those are just a few of the places Wyatt Casper won titles in 2024, and they’re a big reason why he’s in the hunt for a world championship at this year’s National Finals Rodeo.

The finish line is Las Vegas, and the competitors are on the final straightaway with a Montana Silversmiths gold buckle in sight. He’s second in the world standings with $332,837, about $45,000 behind two-time titlist Ryder Wright, but Casper has an ace up his sleeve; he leads the aggregate race with a seven-ride cumulative score of 600.5 points.

Casper added to that Wednesday night, riding Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Foul Motion for 87 points to finish in a three-way tie for second. That was worth more than $20,000, and it pushed his NFR earnings to $113,054. He owns a 6.5-point aggregate leader over a couple of Canadians, Zeke Thurston and Dawson Hay. The average winner will add more than $86,000 when Saturday’s 10th round concludes.

“It’s pretty cool to have so much won by now,” said Casper of Miami, Texas. “I’m just enjoying it. I’m trying to not let the pressure get to me. I try not to get all caught up in the hopping and hollering. I just try to take it one horse at a time, and the cards will fall where they’re going to fall.”

Making significant rides on a horse like Foul Motion is a big step in the process. The animal’s sire was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2019.

“I’ve seen him a bunch, and this is my fourth time getting on him,” Casper said. “It felt really good. That’s a bucking sucker. He was a little tougher than I’ve had him in the past, but every time that dud’s going to fire, so it was a lot of fun.”

Until it wasn’t. After the ride, the cowboy got off on the pickup man, but when he settled into the dirt, Casper sprained his left ankle. He has received treatment by the Justin Sportsmedicine Team and will continue to battle for the final three nights of the 2024 campaign. He’ll push the pain aside and focus on the business of winning rodeo’s gold.

“I’ve been in positions like this before,” he said. “I do this day in and day out rodeoing all year. You just try not to make it more than what it is.”

TMCA holds annual banquet in South Padre

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The municipal clerks of the Texas Panhandle have been recognized for their outstanding performance this year by the Texas Municipal Clerks Association (TMCA).

Clarendon City Secretary Machiel Covey and City Clerk Kim Cooper (standing left end middle row) and Memphis City Secretary Cindy Woodard (seated left) pose with other Panhandle Chapter members at a recent meeting of the Texas Municipal Clerks Association, where the Panhandle chapter was honored.
Courtesy Photo

The announcement was made at the annual TMCA banquet held in South Padre Island at the end of October. The award is bestowed by the TMCA president each year and the Panhandle Chapter was selected for the honor by President Lee Woodward, City Secretary/PIO, City of La Porte.

“The Panhandle Chapter members impressed me so much with their support of each other,” Woodward said. “These clerks share many concerns and challenges common to the sizes of their entities and the geographic and demographic factors for their part of the state. They work together to seek solutions, encourage professional development, and share best practices.”

The Panhandle Chapter is led by President Cindy Woodard, City Secretary of Memphis; and Clarendon City Secretary Machiel Covey and City Clerk Kim Cooper are also members of the group.

In 1952, the Association of City Clerks and Secretaries of Texas was formed to promote the improvement and professionalism of the Texas municipal clerk. TMCA, or the Texas Municipal Clerks Association, as we know it today, was incorporated with the Texas Secretary of State’s office in the summer of 1986.

The Texas Municipal Clerks Association, Inc., and the Texas Municipal Clerks Certification Program are dedicated to promoting the municipal clerk profession by providing an educational and professional development program and networking opportunities for municipal clerks.

The 1230+ members of TMCA heartily congratulate the Panhandle Chapter for its excellent example and dedication to their peers and the citizens of Texas.

The Panhandle Chapter has 30 members from across the region and meets bi-monthly in Amarillo. The group has guest speakers from the Comptroller’s Office, Attorney General’s office, County Attorney’s office, TABC, and many other agencies that speak on subjects that relate to municipal clerks’ duties. Most of Panhandle Chapter members are certified through the University of North Texas program for municipal clerks and are Texas Registered Municipal Clerks.

TMCA members are recognized by and issued a number from the Texas State Legislature. This certification is the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree, and they must recertify every five years.

SH 70 accident sends three to hospital; no serious injuries

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A three-vehicle accident on Saturday evening at Howardwick sent three people to the hospital but resulted in no serious injuries according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

A three-vehicle accident at Howardwick Saturday sent three people to the hospital but caused no serious injuries.
Courtesy Photo / Sandy Childress

DPS Sgt. Cindy Barkley said an underage, non-licensed driver was northbound on SH 70 when he attempted to turn left on to Rick Husband Boulevard in front of another vehicle travelling southbound on SH 70. The ensuing collision caused the two vehicles to spin into a third vehicle stopped on Rick Husband that was waiting to get on SH 70.

The driver, who was not identified by DPS due to his age, was issued three citations – Failure to Yield Resulting in Collision Causing Bodily Injury, Turning When Unsafe, and No Driver’s License.

Barkley said three people were transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency personnel were called to the accident about 5:47 p.m., and the Rick Husband entrance to Howardwick was closed during the response. Those responding were the City of Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department, Associated Ambulance Authority, and the Texas Department of Transportation.

Howardwick to host Christmas event

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The City of Howardwick will host its annual Christmas for Kids this Saturday, December 14, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at City Hall.

All Howardwick families and friends are welcome to attend the event, which provides gifts and stockings for all the children of Howardwick.

Santa Claus will be present, and snacks will be available.

Also during the event, the City of Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department will be drawing for two quarters of beef. Tickets are available by making a donation to the fire department either in person at City Hall or by calling 806-874-2222.

Chamber draws Shields as first holiday shopper winner

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The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce named its first holiday winner this week and will hold its second Small Town Christmas drawing this Friday at noon as holiday shopping promotions continue.

Mary Shields was the winner of $100 in Chamber Christmas Cash during the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce’s first holiday drawing last Friday. A new winner will be drawn this Friday at noon.
Enterprise Photo

Mary Shields was the first winner of $100 in Chamber Christmas Cash last week.

The third annual “Shop Small” promotion from the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce will put a grand total of $550 in Chamber Christmas Cash in the hands of lucky winners who shop with local merchants this season.

Sign-ups are continuing for drawings that will be held for $100 each Friday on December 13 and 20. To enter, shoppers will fill out an entry at local participating merchants. Entries stay in the hopper each week, so those who enter will have multiple chances of winning.

Those merchants participating are: Amanda’s Country Soaps, Broken Road Liquor, Brollier’s Auto Parts, Clarendon Outpost, Cornell’s Country Store, Country Bloomers Flowers, Courtney D’Costa Scentsy, Every Nook & Cranny, Floatin’ T, Floyd’s Automotive, Henson’s, Garrison’s, J&W Lumber, Lowe’s Family Center, Monroe’s Peach Ranch, Mulkey Theatre, Mike’s Pharmacy, Ramblin’ Ranch Boutique, REFZ Sports Bar & Grill, Whistle Stop, and Wicked Fast Attire.

The Chamber will also hold a bonus drawing for $250 in Chamber Christmas Cash on December 20. Sign-up for the bonus drawing will be at the Clarendon Visitor Center. Shoppers can bring their receipts and receive one entry for every $25 spent at participating merchants.

Several downtown merchants are also staying open for Late Night Shopping on Thursdays, December 12 and 19, until 8 p.m. Downtown merchants staying open late and holding sign-ups for Late Night drawings are Henson’s, Stocking Ice Cream Parlor, Every Nook & Cranny, Rambling Ranch Boutique, and Saye’s Flying A Tack Store.

Shop at home this holiday season and remember the important role your local merchants play in keeping your community strong. Support the businesses who support your town!

Sarah Ann Moss

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Sarah Ann Moss, 85, of Clarendon formerly of Memphis died Monday, December 9, 2024, in Amarillo.

Sarah Ann Moss

Services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, December 13, 2024, in the Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Seth Shipman and Rev. Daniel Downey, officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Memphis, Texas.

Viewing will be held Thursday at the funeral home with family receiving friends for visitation from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Sarah was born March 18, 1939, in Memphis to Glen and Marie Gilreath Stargel. She married James Moss on May 19, 1954, in Paducah. She had been a resident of Memphis most of her life before moving to Clarendon a few years ago. She worked at Hedley ISD as a custodian for many years. While working at the Hedley school, she deeply loved all the kids, teachers, and staff. Sarah was always the first to be a caregiver for anyone that needed help, enjoyed taking care of people, which both brought her the greatest joy. She enjoyed ceramics, but she also loved farming and ranching with her parents as well as her husband throughout the years. Sarah deeply loved her dogs, her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. Sarah was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Memphis and was attending Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 2019; a brother, Roddy Stargel; and a great granddaughter, Ellie Grace Jeffers.

She is survived by her daughters, Debra Walton and husband Jack of Dumas and Jamie Jeffers and husband Larry of Clarendon; 6 grandchildren, Drew, Aaron, Jeremy, Lauren, Chance, and Evans; and 12 great grandchildren.

The family request memorials be sent to Mother Against Drunk Driving or the Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon.

Franks hits slots in 7th round

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Cole Franks riding Ankle Biter in the seventh round of the 2024 NFR. PRCA photo by Roseanna Sales

By Ted Harbin, TwisTed Rodeo

LAS VEGAS – Sometimes the penny slots cans still offer nice rewards.

After failing to find the pay window for three rounds at the National Finals Rodeo, bareback rider Cole Franks pulled the handle on an old campaigner and came up winner. It may not have been three 7s as he’d hoped, but his 84.5-point ride on Rafter G Rodeo’s Ankle Biter helped him to a $4,709 payday for finishing in a three-way tie for fifth place in Wednesday’s seventh round.

“I got on him in the second round the last time I was here in 2022,” said Franks of Clarendon, Texas. “I was one point higher than I was the first time I got on him, but I placed both times.”

He has ridden seven broncs for a cumulative score of 596 points and is second in the aggregate race, just a point and a half behind the leader, reigning world champion Keenan Hayes. Franks has earned just shy of $70,000 at this year’s NFR and is eighth in the world standings with $209,000.

“That horse leaves (the chute) a little funky,” Franks said. “He leaves hard and a little back and forth, which is kind of hard to keep up with. Then once he starts angling to the left, it’s a lot of fun. It’s hard, but it’s still a lot of fun. I really didn’t know what he was going to do, because every now and then, he’ll turn back and spin like a bull almost.”

Did having familiarity with Ankle Biter help?

“It depends on the horse, but it’s a lot better going in knowing what the horse is, knowing how it fit and how it feels,” he said. “I’d never been on my first five horses before, and it keeps you guessing. You don’t know what to expect. I’ve been on these last two horses before, so it’s a little better going into it.”

That hasn’t really seemed to matter to Franks. He’s been consistent through seven nights, and he has three more rounds in this 2024 ProRodeo season to see what will happen. It’s all part of the process. His goal is to continue to remain on task. Winning the average championship would add more than $86,000 to his pocketbook and provide him with the second-most prestigious title in ProRodeo.

“It’s just a matter of staying consistent and trying to take advantage of situations when I can,” said Franks, the bareback riding and all-around intercollegiate champion and the PRCA Bareback Riding Rookie of the Year in 2021. “You just take each round for what it is and see where it all falls.”

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