Roger Estlack

The number COVID-19 cases in Donley County spiked upward Tuesday afternoon with 15 active cases now being reported under the care of the Clarendon Family Medical Center.

Eight new positive cases were reported as of 3 p.m. on Tuesday alone with the overall number of positives being reported by the local clinic rising by 14 over the last week. A clinic spokesperson said they are seeing cases in young school children as well as college students.

Tuesday’s information brings the total confirmed cases in Donley County to 87.

The clinic also this week began using a rapid test that can return COVID-19 results in 15 minutes.

Last Friday, Clarendon CISD quarantined its fourth grade classes with 25 students in all after an individual who had been in contact with those students tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

Superintendent Jarod Bellar said he was informed about the positive test late Thursday afternoon, October 8, and decided to quarantine that grade level to be safe.

“We wanted to be pro-active and see if anyone developed symptoms over the long weekend,” Bellar told the Enterprise.

Fourth graders who were not exhibiting symptoms were expected to be back at school Tuesday.

Clarendon CISD also announced Monday that the school was notified Saturday evening that a lower elementary grade level teacher had a presumptive positive test for COVID-19. However, Bellar told the Enterprise that due to precautions that had been taken in the teacher’s class, the school did not think it was necessary to quarantine that grade.

The school says currently grades 5-12 are the only grades required to wear masks during the day, but younger grade levels are welcome to wear masks as well.

Donley County Judge John Howard, MD, did not have an update this week from state or area officials to add to the local clinic’s count but did say officials are seeing a “mini-outbreak” among students.

“We’re seeing a cluster of positive cases at the school, and I think we’re responding appropriately,” Howard said. “We’re also seeing a predictable increase at the college.”

Speaking late Tuesday, Howard said the last thing he wants to see is the school shut down, but that quarantining grades or classes is a possible course of action.

Donley County Clerk Fay Vargas said turnout was brisk for the first day of voting, and Tax Assessor / Collector Linda Crump said last week that 349 new voters had registered for this year’s elections.

In addition to the presidential, congressional, and other offices on the general ballot, the Clarendon College District, the Clarendon Consolidated Independent School District, and the City of Howardwick are also holding elections this year.

Local voters will select the successor for Crump’s position as the County Tax Assessor / Collector. Crump is retiring at the end of the year. Seeking her job are Republican Kristy Christopher and Democrat Tony Dale, and Deedra Keen is running as a write-in candidate.

Also of local interest is the race to be the next person to serve in the US House of Representatives for Texas District 13 when Congressman Mac Thornberry retires in January. On the ballot are Republican Ronny Jackson, Democrat Gus Trujillo, and Libertarian Jack B. Westbrook.

Three seats are up on the Clarendon College Board of Regents, and incumbents Darlene Spier and Carey Wann are on the ballot along with Guy Ellis, Chris Matthews, and Debbie Thompson.

Clarendon CISD’s Board of Trustees has two positions available this year. Incumbent Reneé Mott is seeking re-election, and Kyle Davis and Chrisi Tucek are also running.

Howardwick has six people running for three city council seats. Aldermen Mary Grady and Marietta Baird are seeking re-election, and other candidates are Shelly Chavira, Terry Barnes, Jeremy Kindle, and Jada Murray.

Early ballots can be cast at the Donley County Courthouse Annex for the General Election as well as the college and school elections, during regular business hours through October 30. Howardwick ballots must be cast at Howardwick City Hall.

Voters also still have until October 23 to request an absentee ballot. Voters who choose to return those ballots in person to the clerk’s office must bring an official ID and can only bring their own ballot and not a spouse’s or other person’s ballot with them.

The General Election will be held Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

The Donley County Health Fair will offer several free health care screenings, including a COVID-19 antibody test, this Thursday, October 15, but there will be no information booths this year in an effort to keep folks safe during the pandemic.

Organizers met Monday morning to finalize plans for the event and say people can still come inside for the screenings at Clarendon College’s Bairfield Activity Center or they can have the option having the tests done in a drive-by style in their car.

“We will be able to have the tests available outside,” said Darla Franks of the Donley County AgriLife Extension Office.

The screenings will be available from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Franks said.

Blood tests offered will include PSA, A1C, Lipids, Glucose, and COVID-19 antibodies.

“They will need to be fasting for eight hours to take the blood tests,” Franks said.

Donley County Judge John Howard, MD, especially encourages everyone to take the blood test to check for the COVID-19 antibodies.

“I want as many people as possible to get tested,” Howard said. “It’s free, and it will tell if you’ve had the COVID-19 virus.”

Free flu shots will also be available for those wanting one.

Masks and temperature checks will be required to attend the fair.

This year’s health fair is sponsored by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Clarendon Family Medical Center, Mike’s Pharmacy, and the Donley County Hospital District.

It’s time to saddle up and get ready for a fun ride as the Clarendon College Stampede welcomes more than 500 contestants to its NIRA rodeo this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, October 15-17.

With contestants from 16 colleges and universities in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association involved, qualifying events will be held all day with nightly performances being held at 7:30 p.m. each evening.

Tickets for evening performance are $5 in advance from Clarendon College and the Clarendon Visitor Center and will be $10 at the gate.
All activities will be held under the roof of the CC Livestock & Equine Center.

Activities will include bull riding, barrel racing, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, and more.

Clarendon College officials are excited to be hosting the NIRA rodeo, which is held here every four years.

Rodeo coach Bret Franks and nearly the entire staff at Clarendon College have been working for weeks to make sure the event comes off without a hitch.
Local and area sponsors have also lined up to support what promises to be one of the most exciting rodeos the town has seen since the Stampede last hit Clarendon in 2016.

Under Franks’ leadership, Clarendon College has reached new levels of success with the most notable being the national bronc riding championship won by Wyatt Casper in 2015 followed by Riggin Smith’s national saddle bronc championship in 2019.

Additionally, the CC men’s rodeo team took third place overall at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo.
With the Stampede, CC looks forward putting on a successful rodeo in front of local supporters.

For more information about the Stampede, call Clarendon College at 874-3571.