This Week

Donley County voters turned out in large numbers to support Republican candidates and narrowly turned down a Hedley school tax increase during the general election last Tuesday, November 5.

Hedley ISD voters said “no” to a proposed 12-cent increase in the school’s tax rate during the Voter Approved Tax Ratification Election (VATRE). School officials said the higher tax would have helped pay for higher salaries, security upgrades, and other expenses to help deal with dwindling state funds, according to school officials. HISD voters struck down the proposal 108-135.

With more than 74 percent of registered voters participating, Donley County heavily supported Republican candidates up and down the ballot favoring former president Donald Trump (R) over Vice President Kamala Harris (D), 1,492 to 174 with Libertarian Chase Oliver and the Green Party’s Jill Stein picking up eight and nine votes respectively.

US Sen. Ted Cruz (R) did not have as much as support locally but still overwhelmed Democrat Colin Allred, 1,442 to 191 with Libertarian Ted Brown getting 25.

US Rep. Ronny Jackson and State Rep. Ken King were both unopposed and received 1,445 and 1,483 respectively.

Local unopposed candidates received the following votes, Donley County Attorney Landon Lambert 1,447, Sheriff Butch Blackburn 1,487, Tax Assessor-Collector Kristy Christopher 1,483, Pct. 1 Commissioner Del Essary 377, Pct. 3 Commissioner Greg Wootten 374, and Pct. 3&4 Constable Randy Bond 624.

Hedley ISD voters said “no” to a proposed 12-cent increase in the school’s tax rate Tuesday.

The HISD Voter Approved Tax Ratifciation Election (VATRE) would have increased taxes to pay for higher salaries, security upgrades, and other expenses to help deal with dwindling state funds, according to school officials. Voters narrowly rejected the proposal with 108 FOR the measure to 135 AGAINST it.

In other general election news, Donley County votes turned out in large numbers to support Republican candidates up and down the ballot, including large margins for former president Donald Trump and US Senator Ted Cruz. All local offices were unopposed.

Detailed election results will be published in next week’s Enterprise.

American Legion Adamson Lane Post 287 members will place American Flags on the graves of 250 Veterans buried in the Rowe Cemetery in Hedley. The flags will be placed on the graves on Friday November 8, 2024, at 9:00 AM. This is in honor of departed veterans who have served in this country’s military.

Flags will be placed at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon on Wednesday, November 6, by the Clarendon Lions Club and Scouts of Troops 433 and 4433.

On Monday, November 11, at 10:00 a.m., the Adamson Lane Post will hold its annual Veterans Day service at the Hedley Lions Club building. This program will be conducted by members of the American Legion and will include the raising of the colors, the National Anthem, Pledge to the Flag, and the ceremony honoring the missing in action and prisoners of War still unaccounted for.

The key address will be given by Tex Buckhaults, President of Clarendon College. The program will be concluded with the playing of taps.

Donley and Hall county unemployment rates fell slightly in September but remained higher than the overall Panhandle Workforce Development Area.

Sixty-three people were looking for work in Donley County down from 70 in August. The number of people employed also fell from 1,396 to 1,384 and the workforce shrank from 1,466 to 1,447.

In September 2023, Donley County’s unemployment rate was 4.0 percent.

In Hall County, the unemployment rate dropped from 5.9 percent in August to 5.5 percent in September.

Sixty people were looking for work in Hall County, down from 65 the previous year. The number of employed people was 1,026, down from 1,039; and the Hall County workforce also shrank from 1,104 to 1,086.

Amarillo and the Panhandle WDA maintain low unemployment rates compared to the state, even with slight increases in September 2024. Labor force participation continues to grow, giving employers access to a stable talent pool.

Amarillo saw a slight drop to 3.0 percent in September 2024, down from 3.3 percent the previous month, remaining well below the Texas average of 4.1 percent.

The city’s labor force grew from 105,096 in September 2023 to 107,451 in September 2024. Employment also increased, from 101,797 to 104,243, signaling continued economic strength.

The unemployment rate in the Panhandle Workforce Development Area (WDA) experienced a modest decrease in unemployment to 3.3 percent in September 2024, down from 3.5 percent the previous month.

The WDA’s labor force grew from 213,235 in September 2023 to 216,778 in September 2024, with employment rising from 206,650 to 209,910.

While the WDA’s unemployment rate remains favorable, ongoing labor force growth provides regional businesses with opportunities to fill positions.

In June of this year, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announced that it selected PanTeXas Deterrence, LLC (PXD) as the new management and operating (M&O) entity for the Pantex Plant. PXD consists of BWXT Technical Services Group, Fluor Federal Services, SOC, and the Texas A&M University System.

The contract transition is now complete, and as of November 1, 2024, PXD assumed the responsibilities of managing and operating the Pantex site. The contract includes a transition period, which started in mid-July 2024, and a five-year base period with three five-year options, for a total contract period of up to 20 years, if all options are exercised. The estimated value of the contract is $1.5 billion annually.

“We’re very excited and proud to be at Pantex and to be working with the NNSA,” said Dr. Kelly Beierschmitt, PXD President and General Manager. “Pantex and Pantexans have a reputation for getting the job done. PXD will maintain that reputation and incorporate innovation opportunities where possible,” he added. “It’s an honor to work with the patriots that drive this mission.”

Jason Armstrong, NNSA Pantex Field Office Manager shared those sentiments also.

“The NNSA Pantex Field Office is looking forward to working alongside our M&O partner and will continue to enable and execute the Pantex mission and make sure it’s done compliantly and safely, never forgetting the overall importance of delivering for our national security mission.”