Winning Cheer Team
Hedley city secretary resigns amid investigation
The Hedley City Council accepted the resignation of City Secretary Kim Davis Gossman Thursday night, January 19, and Mayor Carrie Butler said an investigation is underway related to allegations of misappropriation of funds.
The action came at the end of the city’s regular meeting and after the council met in closed session for about ten minutes. Following the acceptance of Gossman’s resignation, the council then approved a motion for the city not to pursue charges against Gossman, and Butler stated that currently no funds are missing from the city.
Following the meeting, Butler said the council’s vote was intended to mean the city would not pursue legal action against Gossman, but she said the sheriff’s office may still pursue criminal charges with its investigation. The funds involved were payroll funds and contract labor funds, Butler said.
Butler said discrepancies were discovered during an audit of the city’s fiscal year 2022, and that Gossman had since returned money to the city. Butler declined to reveal the amount of money in question with the sheriff’s department’s investigation still underway. She also said she is conducting an internal audit herself.
Butler said the funds in question are related to vacation pay.
“The sad part is that if she had brought this to the board, we probably would have approved paying it,” Butler said.
The Enterprise will have more details of the case and a complete report of Thursday night’s meeting in next week’s edition.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect the investigation is being conducted by the Donley County Sheriff’s Office rather than the District Attorney’s office.
Howardwick fighting back on Red River rate increase
Howardwick City Hall is pushing back against a 40 percent water rate increase from Red River Water Authority, which will go into effect next month.
City Secretary Sandy Childress said Mayor Tony Clemishire spoke to the Red River board during a hearing in December, but the board approved the rate increase over the community’s objections.
The increase will change the minimum water bill for Howardwick residents from $73.50 per month to $103 per month.
“We’ve got the surveys that show 70 percent of our people out here are below the poverty level,” Childress said. “They can’t pay this.”
Howardwick’s only recourse is to petition the water authority to appeal the rate increase; but since the rate increase affects the entire Red River system, the threshold for petitioning is high.
“We have to get more than 400 signatures of customers, and we only have about 70 in Howardwick,” Childress said, so she is tracking down all the Red River customers she can find and will even take the petition to them if necessary.
In a letter to customers dated December 22, 2022, the Red River General Manager Randy Whiteman said the rate increase is needed.
“The Authority realizes that rate increases are not popular, but to achieve the Utility Division’s basic objective of providing a safe, potable water supply capable of meeting customers’ needs at the most economical cost, the rate increase is necessary,” Whiteman wrote.
Barring a successful appeal, the increase will take effect February 1 and show up on the March billing.
Red River customers interested in signing Howardwick’s petition are asked to call Childress at City Hall at 806-874-2222.
Harper, Ehlert win beef division at annual livestock show
The 2023 Donley County Junior Livestock Show was held last Saturday, January 14, at the Donley County Activity Center with Tyler Harper and Taylee Ehlert winning the beef division.
Harper showed the Grand Champion Steer, and Ehlert exhibited the Grand Champion Heifer.
Other top winners were Brandon and his Grand Champion Sheep, Ajax Caudle and his Grand Champion Goat, Kennadie Cummins with the Grand Champion Gilt and Jaxon Robertson with his Grand Champion Barrow.
Reserve Champion honors went to Hudson Howard, steer; Gracen Sims, heifer; Madison Moore, sheep; Flint Pittman, goat; Harrison Howard, barrow; and Jaxon Robertson, gilt.
Thirty-nine youth from the Donley County 4-H and Clarendon and Hedley chapters of the FFA exhibited their animals last weekend.
The livestock auction following the show generated an estimated $33,250 as of Tuesday morning, and that number will increase as donations continue to be received. Last year’s show brought in $40,750 by this point.
Showmanship awards this year went to Brandon Moore – junior sheep, Mya Edwards – senior sheep, Emily McCurdy – junior goats, Laney Gates – senior goats, Hudson Howard – junior beef, Tyler Harper – senior beef, Jaxon Robertson – junior swine, and Harrison Howard – senior swine. The Pee Wee Showmanship winners were Alix Roberts and Tex Naylor.
Complete results of the show are as follows:
Steers
- English – Trigg Harper, Breed Champion; and Presley Smith, Reserve Breed.
American Light Weight – Trigg Harper, Breed Champion; and Laney Gates, Reserve Breed. - American Heavy Weight – Harrison Howard, first; and Presley Smith, second.
Cross Light Weight – Hudson Howard, Reserve Champion; Laney Gates, second; Levi Gates, third; and Grant Haynes, fourth. - Cross Medium Weight – Tyler Harper, Breed Champion; Grant Haynes, second; and Parker Haynes, third.
- Cross Heavy Weight – Tyler Harper, Grand Champion; Harrison Howard, second; and Levi Gates, third.
- Heifers – Taylee Ehlert, Grand Champion; and Gracen Sims, Reserve Champion.
Sheep
- Class 1 – Brandon Moore, Grand Champion; Madison Moore, Reserve Champion; and Javier Valles, third.
- Class 2 – Mya Edwards, first and second.
Goats
- Class 1 – Kensler Roberts, first; Slaid Pittman, second; Javier Valles, third; Fayde Turner, fourth; Emberly Gonzalez, fifth; and Emily Gonzalez, sixth.
- Class 2 – Emily McCurdy, first; Flint Pittman, second; Ajax Caudle, third; Adleigh Moore, fourth; and Emily McCurdy, fifth.
- Class 3 – Ajax Caudle, Grand Champion; Laney Gates, second; Kensler Roberts, third; and Slaid Pittman, fourth.
- Class 4 – Flint Pittman, Reserve Champion; Kaitin Ehlert, second; Laney Gates, third; and Morgan Mills, fourth.
Gilts
- Kennadie Cummins, Grand Champion; Jaxon Robertson, Reserve Champion; Jase Conway, third; Kaitin Ehlert, fourth; Ehmjey Martinez, fifth; and Tandie Cummins, sixth.
Barrows
- BOPB – Harrison Howard, Breed Champion; and Iziak Weatherread, Reserve Breed.
- Duroc – Maloree Wann, Breed Champion; Trigg Harper, Reserve Champion; and Hunter Wann, third.
- Hamp – Jaxon Robertson, Grand Champion; Savannah Trent, Reserve Breed; and Megan Weatherread, third.
- Cross Light Weight – Maloree Wann, first; Hudson Howard, second; Heston Seay, third; and Tyler Harper, fourth.
- Cross Medium Weight – Cutter Seay, first; Hunter Wann, second; and Zurinity Martinez, third.
- Cross Heavy Weight – Harrison Howard, Reserve Champion; Jaxon Robertson, Reserve Breed; and Hudson Howard, third.
Filing underway for local elections
Citizens wishing to serve their community can now sign up for positions at six local governments that are scheduled to hold elections this spring.
The cities of Clarendon, Hedley, and Howardwick; the Clarendon and Hedley school districts; and the Donley County Hospital District all have a total of 17 positions available this year.
In Clarendon, the two-year terms of Mayor Jacob Fangman and Aldermen Terri Floyd and Eulaine McIntosh are up this year. Also on the city ballot this year, residents will be asked to renew the street maintenance sales tax.
The City of Hedley has three aldermen’s positions up this year. Those are two-year terms and are currently held by Aldermen Trisha Chambless, Alicia Hanes, and Jennifer Floyd.
In Howardwick the terms of Mayor Tony Clemishire and Aldermen Johnny Floyd and Jada Murray are expiring. Those are all two-year terms.
Clarendon ISD Trustees serve three years, and the terms of Kyle Davis and Chrisi Tucek are expiring this year.
Hedley ISD has two full three-year terms and one unexpired term up this year. Troy Monroe and Shauna Herbert currently hold the full-term seats, and Tangela Copelin is serving the unexpired term.
The Donley County Hospital District Board of Directors has three two-year terms up this year. Those are currently held by Rose Lemley Place 1, Jeff Robertson – Place 2, and Melinda McAnear – Place 3.
All local boards are elected at-large, but hospital board candidates must file for a specific place on the board. Candidate applications are available from the administrative offices of each entity. Applications for the City of Clarendon positions are also available at cityofclarendontx.com.
Filing for these offices began January 18 and continues through Friday, February 17. Elections are scheduled to be held Saturday, May 6, 2023.
Top Turkey Art
Connie McAnear Sparks
Connie McAnear Sparks, 63, of Clarendon died Wednesday, January 11, 2023, in Amarillo.
Services were held on Monday, January 16, 2023, in the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon with Pastor Seth Shipman and Pastor Seth Seale, officiating. Burial followed in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Connie was born November 9, 1959, in Rupert Falls, Idaho to Samuel and Mary McAnear. She grew up in Clarendon and was a graduate of Clarendon High School. She started working as secretary at the Texas Saddlery, before starting a 30 plus year career taking care of “her boys” as secretary at the Dept. of Public Safety, until her retirement in 2015. She was a resident of Clarendon for most of her life, until she married the love of her life Tony Sparks on Aug. 25, 2007. They enjoyed the beginning of their life together in Clarendon before moving to the 6666 Ranch near Borger, Texas. There she became a full-time ranch wife and eventually began cooking for the cowboys and sewing for the 6666 Supply Store in Guthrie, Texas. Connie and Tony recently moved back to Clarendon to sit back and begin enjoying the retired life.
Connie had lots of hobbies through the years. She loved to crochet and cross stitch; she loved to sew and quilt for family and friends from young to old. She loved being in the kitchen cooking meals for family and was excited to get back to cooking for her church family. Connie was a bright light to everyone and a beacon to more people than she could ever comprehend, her smile and kindness will be missed by many.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Tony Sparks of Clarendon; her daughters, Dawn McAnear and husband Thomas Vail of Houston, Johnnie Ova and husband Chris and Jamee Emo and husband Danny all of Paola, Kansas; her brother, Stuart McAnear of Clarendon; her grandchildren, Chase, Harley, CynRah, Zaylee, Zion,
Ezra, Juniper, and one on the way; and her church friends, friends, and extended family.
The family request memorials be sent to the Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com
Wanda Sibley Root
Wanda Sibley Root, 86, of Canyon, passed away on Monday, January 9, 2023. Graveside services were held on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Dreamland Cemetery in Canyon with Rev. Gene Jones officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Brooks Funeral Directors.
Wanda was born on October 28, 1936, in the Martin Community near Clarendon in Donley County. She attended school in a one room schoolhouse in the Martin Community until the sixth grade. She then attended school in Clarendon and was a graduate of Clarendon High School and Clarendon Junior College. Wanda married Harold Root on January 13, 1964, in the First Baptist Church parlor in Amarillo with her uncle, Spencer Sibley, officiating.
Wanda was Harold’s partner in every aspect of living. She was the office manager and partner with Harold in the H. Root Company for 59 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Canyon and the Randall County Historical Commission. She enjoyed word search puzzles, crocheting, and was a wonderful cook. She was very quick-witted, and one seldom got the last word with her. Wanda’s greatest joy was her family, and she loved attending the many activities of her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, JoAnne Brown.
She is survived by her husband of almost 59 years, Harold Root of Canyon; her daughter, Gena Richardson and husband, Jerry of Canyon; her son, Dan Root and wife, Natalie of Canyon; four grandchildren, Kristen Flowers and husband, Darren of Canyon, Ben Barrett of Berlin, Germany, and Ripley Root and Jaidyn Root of Canyon; two great grandchildren, Leah and Koen Flowers; nephew, Richard Benton of Clarendon; as well as beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends.
The family suggests memorials be to a favorite charity.
Lady Broncos open district with win
The Lady Bronco basketball team is continuing to work hard to achieve a goal of a District Championship as they have their first win of the district season. They took on Wheeler on the road last week and had no trouble getting the 61-32 win.
The ladies were determined to put four good quarters together and they were able to do that with a great job to open the game with the starting five and Berkley Moore who came off the bench and hit two huge three-pointers. Holding a three-point lead after the first eight minutes, the Lady Broncos turned up the heat in the second quarter to score 25 game-breaking points that included threes from Moore and solid shooters Finley Cunningham and Courtlyn Conkin.
Wheeler struggled to put points on the board and were helpless to stop the scoring attack by the Lady Broncos. The Lady Stangs found themselves in foul trouble and sent Clarendon to the line several times. Out of fifteen shots at the bonus line, the Lady Broncos put in twelve for 80 percent with Baylee Gable and Kennadie Cummins hitting 100 percent.
Moore led the way with 14, Kenidee Hayes had 11, and Gabel put in 10. Makenna Shadle had eight, Conkin and Cunningham finished with five, Graci Smith had three, Tandie Cummins put in two, and K. Cummins had one.
Earlier in the week, the ladies took on Palo Duro; and despite fighting hard, they fell short at 44-55 in a game that was closer than the score reveals.
It was a dog fight all the way and just as the Lady Broncos would gain ground, the Lady Dons would fight back. The Lady Broncos showed great team play and determination despite the outcome. Cunningham, who is always solid, dropped five three-pointers to lead the way with 17 and Gabel added 14. Hayden Elam had four, Hayes and Conkin had three each, Shadle put in two, and T. Cummins had one.
Over the holidays, the Lady Broncos finished second in the Littlefield Tournament. The ladies had wins over Sundown and Portales, NM before losing to Levelland. The Lady Broncos defeated Sundown 49-45 using a big second quarter to control the scoring. Cunningham put in 11 points, and Conkin and Gabel had nine each.
The game with Portales was a nail-biter the entire 32 minutes with the ladies taking the win by two points at 42-40.
Another strong second eight minutes scoring 17 points gave the ladies the momentum before the break. Cunningham led with 11 points.
Needing a strong finish in the final game, the Lady Broncos struggled to stop Levelland before halftime as they took a 11-point lead into the final half of play. They were able to stay solid offensively but could not keep Levelland away from the goal.
Conkin had 14, Elam put in 10, and Shadle added nine in the Lady Broncos’ second-place finish.
County renews ban on burning
Donley County Commissioners renewed a ban on outdoor burning during their regular meeting January 9.
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.
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.
For information, log onto www.srh.noaa.gov/ama/.
The burn ban will stay in effect for the next 90 days.
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