This Week

One of the supporting characters from a 2021 “Thelma & Louise” style run from the law found himself back in front of the 100th Judicial District Court in Clarendon August 25.

Rueben Campos, 38, from Amarillo, was sentenced to 16 months in prison for the state jail felony offense of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

District Attorney Luke Inman, along with Assistant District Attorney Harley Caudle, prosecuted the case for the State of Texas, with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.

“Well, that didn’t take long,” Inman said.  “The defendant couldn’t even keep his nose clean for 90 days on probation, so bad for him but good for the rest of the community.

Campos was arrested on May 21, 2021, by Donley County Deputy Brian Stevens. Another man and two women were arrested the same day, with them women attempting run from the law in a stolen car before running it off into a ravine south of Clarendon.

Campos was originally placed on probation on July 21, 2021.

The State filed a motion asking the Court to adjudicate Campos’ probation on October 19, 2021, alleging five violations of probation.

At the hearing on August 25, Campos admitted violating his probation conditions, and Messer sentenced him to the 16-month prison term.

“This guy wasn’t even one of our local undesirables,” said Caudle.  “He was an Amarillo criminal who drifted a little too far away from home to commit this crime.  Maybe he will remember to not come back to Donley County when he gets out.”

Campos was also ordered to pay the remaining $2,500 fine and $305 in court costs.

Clarendon College reported lower fall enrollment this week as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to trickle through the institution.

Total headcount following the 12th class day last week was reported at 1,285, reflecting an 8.1 percent drop from 1,399 one year ago.

CC President Tex Buckhaults said about half of the loss in enrollment came in the college’s nursing program, which he said had a lower starting class two years ago that continues to get smaller as students move through the program. The other major enrollment drops were seen in different programs.

Buckhaults said last year’s numbers were higher than they might have been except for some student athletes who stayed enrolled at CC in different classes or certificate programs while they enjoyed a third year of eligibility resulting from COVID cutting short the 2020 seasons.

Some programs are experiencing growth, however, with the rodeo program “busting at the seams,” the president said.

CC has fewer students on its Clarendon campus this year, 288 down from 331 last fall, and on its Pampa Campus, 100 down from 150. The cosmetology center in Amarillo is stayed even at 66. Enrollment in Childress is 34, down just two from a year ago.

Dual credit classes increased slightly from 605 last year to 616 this fall.

The number of students taking courses through area correctional facilities was even at 81.

Distance education students – those taking classes strictly online – dropped from 130 to 100.

Greenbelt Electric Cooperative, Inc., will hold its annual 83rd Drive-Thru Annual Membership Meeting on Friday, September 23, at 706 Tenth Street in Wellington.

The drive-thru meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. and closes at 1:30 p.m.

Members are asked to enter the alley from the north on Ninth Street.

Members will vote for directors, receive $25 cash and a door prize, and will also get a boxed meal to go. There will also be two $800 cash prizes during the day.

Hedley High School will host a blood drive for Coffee Memorial Blood Center on Tuesday, September 20, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the school library/media center.

Donors will get a free “Don’t Sass the Squatch” bigfoot t-shirt, a free bundtlet from Nothing Bundt Cakes, and one free entry to the Discovery Center.

A photo ID is required, and you must be at least 17 years old to donate. Donors who are 16 may donate with a signed parental consent form.
Save time, complete your questions online (day of drive only) using Donor Express at www.thegiftoflife.org.

For your lifesaving appointment, go to yourbloodinstitute.org or call (806) 331-8833, toll free 1-877-574-8800.

Fourteen Panhandle non-profits received a total of $107,100 from the Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) Community Investment Fund at a ceremony August 24 at the John C. Drummond Center at the Pantex Plant.

Among this year’s recipients was The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center, which is headquartered in Amarillo with a branch location in Clarendon.

The Bridge received $5,000 to support technology upgrades. Executive Director Shelly Bohannon said the fund, in part, will help improve communications between the Amarillo office and its satellite locations around the Panhandle.

Now in its seventh year, the CNS Community Investment Fund has awarded a cumulative $1.07 million in grants to 64 nonprofits in the Texas Panhandle.
The Community Investment Fund is a partnership between CNS, the managing and operating contractor of the Pantex Plant, and the Amarillo Area Foundation.

“Pantex is invested in our community, and our partnership with the Amarillo Area Foundation supports local growth and development,” said Pantex Community Investment Advisory Committee Chair Ryan Johnston. “This year marks a significant milestone in giving from CNS, and we are pleased to announce new grants to 14 nonprofits that provide wonderful support to our community.”

“This support means that the variety of nonprofits that serve residents in the priority target areas of basic needs of food, clothing and shelter; children, youth and families; community development; education; and health and wellness are improving our community holistically with CNS funding,” said Sarah Griffin, Amarillo Area Foundation Grants Program Officer. “Over $1 million in grant distributions demonstrates a sincere care for the people who are living, working, and serving in this often-underserved area of our great state of Texas.”

Other recipients this year were: the Eveline’s Sunshine Cottage – $10,000 to support the ESC Program equipping at-risk women through basic needs and education; Faith City Mission – $7,600 to provide for basic needs for the homeless; Martha’s Home – $10,000 to support the Present Needs Future Success Program with basic needs and education for clients; Ronald McDonald House Charities of Amarillo – $8,500 to support the Share a Night Program; the Downtown Women’s Center – $10,000 to support the DWC’s Recovery Program; High Plains Food Bank – $7,500 to support Kids Café; Amarillo Area CASA – $10,000 for travel support for visiting foster children; Cactus Cares Foundation – $5,000 to support the P.O.W.E.R. Program (Protein Outreach with Educational Resources); Make-A-Wish North Texas – $5,500 to provide for wish granting in the Texas Panhandle; Guyon Saunders Resource Center – $10,000 to provide for the Helping the Homeless Program; Texas Ramp Project – $5,500 to support the Amarillo Ramp Project; Family Support Services – $10,000 to support the Overcoming Barriers Program; and Pampa’s Tribute to Woody Guthrie – $2,500 for an updated sound system.

CNS first met with the Amarillo Area Foundation in 2014 to create an innovative and effective method for contributing to the community in a way that would also better engage Pantex employees. Continued conversations led to creation of the Pantex Community Investment Fund in 2015.

“We are honored to be part of the Panhandle community and, as we pass $1 million in giving since the Community Investment Fund began, we are proud of the many ways the fund has made a difference in the lives of our neighbors thanks to the hard work of our non-profit partners,” said Jason Bohne, CNS senior director of Communications.

“Community contributions of this magnitude have a tremendous ripple effect in the lives of countless Texas Panhandle residents,” Griffin said.

“We are truly grateful for this partnership as this combined effort is what leads to change and community improvement.”

Pantex employees who serve on the Community Investment Fund committee are chosen to serve two-year terms to represent their colleagues. Eleven employees participated in 2022.

“By far, my favorite part about the Amarillo Area Foundation’s partnership with CNS was working with the Pantex employees on the Grant Advisory Committee and its leadership,” Griffin said.

“Each year, the committee does a thorough and thoughtful job as they recommend funding nonprofits who are benefiting the Texas Panhandle community.”