Enterprise Photo
Hot spot
Enterprise Photo
Enterprise Photo
City council discusses North Ward park
The Clarendon City Council discussed the status and possible development of the North Ward park during its February 12 meeting.
The park at the intersection of Jefferson and Rosenfield is not owned by the city but features playground equipment that was installed by volunteer efforts several years ago. Other volunteer efforts have been staged through the years to clean and improve the lcation.
Alderman Brittney Sanne circulated a petition recently, which showed citizen support for making the location an official city park, and she began asking taxing entities to give up their claim to the property to let the city take it over. The county and school did so, and the topic of the tax property was on the February 12 city agenda.
At the meeting, Alderman Ashlee Estlack raised concerns that the park question had gotten so far along without the council first discussing the matter as to whether aldermen wanted to pursue a new park project.
“You can discuss it tonight,” Sanne said.
Estlack said she felt like the city had not been able to properly take care of Prospect Park at Sixth and Kearney, noting the vandalism the park has suffered in the last year and the lack of adequate lighting despite the council asking that it be addressed.
Alderman Tom Thompson agreed with Estlack that the city needed to take care of the existing park before taking on a new project.
Both Thompson and Estlack agreed they were not opposed to developing the North Ward property and voted with Sanne to approve the tax deed to acquire the property, but they said the city needs to develop a comprehensive parks plan before going any further with the project.
The city council will again discuss park improvements at its next regular meeting on Thursday, March 12.
Lions Club Jones 5K to be April 11
The 14th annual Chance Mark Jones Roar & Run 5K will be held April 11 at 8:30 a.m., and registration opens this week.
Those who register for the event by March 26 will be guaranteed to receive the commemorative T-shirt for the event. Late registrations will remain open through the day of the event.
The Clarendon Lions Club is hosting the event again in memory of the late Chance Mark Jones to raise awareness of Child Abuse. Jones passed away in January 2011 as a result of abuse.
Those registering can run or walk the 5K, which is about 3.1 miles, or people can also choose the “Sleep In” option, registering as a donation, getting the T-shirt, but sitting out the event at home.
Registration is $30 per person and can be done in person at the Clarendon Visitor Center inside Mulkey Theatre or at the Enterprise. Online registration is available at ClarendonTX.com starting March 12.
For more information, contact Lion Ashlee Estlack at [email protected] or 806-662-4687 or Lion Roger Estlack at [email protected] or 806-874-2259.
TxDOT reports north 1260 bridge open
The Texas Department of Transportation Childress District office reports this week that the new bridges on FM 1260 are coming along with one bridge now open.
The north bridge is open to traffic, and contractors are just working on dirt work on the slopes and cleaning-up.
The FM 1260 south bridge is still under construction with crews working on the base. It is expected to be open to traffic by the end of the month.
Jackson touts local victories in Farm Bill
Congressman Ronny Jackson (TX-13) last week championed Texas’ agriculture priorities during the House Committee on Agriculture’s markup of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 — commonly known as the Farm Bill.
The 2026 Farm Bill ensures agriculture producers have the tools necessary to face the challenges of the modern agricultural industry.
“As the Representative for the number one agriculture district in Texas, I know firsthand that an updated Farm Bill is long overdue,” said Rep. Ronny Jackson. “Our farmers and ranchers in TX-13 work tirelessly to feed and fuel this nation, and they deserve policies that provide them the certainty needed to remain in operation for generations to come. I’m proud to have secured key wins for our district and for the agriculture industry as a whole, and I look forward to getting this Farm Bill across the finish line and signed into law.”
Jackson worked to include provisions that:
Updates and modernizes USDA farm loan limits to reflect real-world land values and rising input costs, increasing Guaranteed Operating Loans to $3 million and Guaranteed Ownership Loans to $3.5 million;
Allows distressed guaranteed loans to be refinanced into direct loans, helping family farmers and ranchers navigate high-interest-rate environments and volatile commodity markets while maintaining operational stability;
Streamlines experience requirements for beginning farmers and ranchers to expand access to credit for new agricultural producers;
Establishes a pre-approval pilot program for ownership and operating loans to streamline producer’s access to capital;
Strengthens the Farm Credit System and expands partnership flexibility with community lenders to finance essential rural facilities, including health care, childcare, and emergency services infrastructure;
Integrates precision agriculture technologies into Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), expanding cost-share support for water conservation, irrigation efficiency, and innovative soil health practices;
and Maintains the statutory 50 percent livestock allocation within EQIP, ensuring cattle producers in the Texas Panhandle remain prioritized under working lands conservation programs.
In terms of Rural Development, the act invests in rural water and wastewater infrastructure through zero- and low-interest loans, principal forgiveness for distressed systems, emergency assistance grants, and codification of the Circuit Rider Program; and reauthorizes and strengthens rural broadband programs, raises minimum speed standards, prioritizes truly unserved areas, and limits overbuilding to ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars while expanding high-speed connectivity across rural America.
Helms wins Sts. Roost Award
Chamber names Koontz, Childress as man, woman of ‘25
The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce recognized Barbara Helms with the 2025 Saints’ Roost Award for her lifetime of service and commitment to the community during the annual Chamber Awards Banquet last Thursday, February 26.
Man of the Year honors went to Jerry Koontz, and Sandy Childress was named the Woman of the Year.
Robertson Funeral Directors was named the Business of the Year, and the Jericho Legacy Foundation was named the Volunteer Organization of the Year.
The Saints’ Roost Award is the highest honor given annually by the Chamber to recognize a lifetime of volunteering and community service.
Helms was honored for her long history of helping people. In addition to helping with Bible schools and doing all she can for friends and families during times of illness or sorrow, Helms was also one of the longtime organizers of the Lelia Lake school reunions. For many years she has served First Baptist Church as its secretary, where she also coordinates meals for funerals and helps prepare food for the youth and college ministries. She tirelessly supports the Crossties Ministry downtown and has for many years helped organize the annual Depression Luncheon during the Saints’ Roost Celebration. One letter of nomination called her “a relentless servant.”
The Man of the Year for 2025 was Jerry Koontz. While helping his neighbor ladies take care of their yards and serving on different boards, Koontz stays out of the spotlight but does whatever he can to give back to the community that he grew up and raised a family in. He’s a deacon in his church, he delivers meals on wheels, and he helps maintain the building and vehicles of the Donley County Senior Citizens Center when he’s not selling 50/50 tickets to support the center. He’s been a member of the local housing authority board since 2014 and served on the Donley County Appraisal Review Board as well as the senior citizens center board.
Sandy Childress was named the Woman of the Year for being a volunteer and driving force for many years in Howardwick. She has taken her job as city secretary and made it a passion, going above and beyond to make sure that her city has every opportunity it can possibly get. She even pulled off what some might say was impossible when she acquired a federal grant for street paving. She coordinates city-wide clean-ups and the city-wide garage sale and plans the annual Hoedown and community Christmas party. She maintains communications on social media, tries to find answers for her citizens, and is even a volunteer firefighter, which most recently led her to help coordinate Howardwick’s response to the 8 Ball Fire that nearly devastated the city. Even then, she found some time to help make some hamburgers with the Lions Club.
The Chamber of Commerce named Robertson Funeral Directors as its Business of the Year. The firm was established as the first funeral home in the Panhandle in 1899 by P.A. Buntin, and its records include the final services rendered to many pioneers. The business went through a few owners before Delbert and Patrick Robertson acquired it in 1977 and gave it their family name. A third generation joined the firm in 2003 when Chuck Robertson followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps. Today, the business has facilities not only in Clarendon but also in Claude, Memphis, Wheeler, Shamrock, and McLean. Robertson and all his employees are known for their compassion, their commitment to the community, and their integrity. Every worthwhile endeavor in Donley County has had the support of this business, which at some point has touched every life in the community.
The Volunteer Organization of the Year was the Jericho Legacy Foundation, which is working hard to save the history of a Donley County community that had almost vanished. Blair and Blanca Schaffer and their friends who make up the Jericho Legacy Foundation have made it their mission to preserve the history of Jericho, which became famous – or some might say infamous – when Route 66 came through the Texas Panhandle. The Jericho Gap was known as a muddy stretch of the Mother Road where vehicles would often get mired down. The old road is gone now, along with its railroad, businesses, school, and even a landing strip. But the Foundation has put Jericho back on the map with star parties, camping, metal detecting, a 5K, and more. All just in time to make Donley County a stopping point for celebrations this year to mark the centennial of Route 66.
The Chamber also recognized outstanding youth from Clarendon and Hedley, which are selected by the faculties of Clarendon and Hedley high schools.
The Youth of the Year from Hedley was Adrianna Villareal. She has been involved with basketball, cross country, cheer, NHS, FFA and yearbook during her years at Hedley ISD. Her hobbies include reading and hanging out with friends. After graduation she plans to attend Clarendon College and obtain her CNA license. Eventually, she’d like to settle down in the Lubbock area and own a house and a lot of animals.
The Young Woman of the Year from Clarendon was Kate Shaw. She is involved in athletics, FFA, UIL Academics, Student Council, and NHS. She is Clarendon FFA Chapter President and previously served as Greenbelt District Reporter and Chapter Reporter. She earned her Lone Star Degree in 2025.
Her speaking accomplishments include multiple district championships and area qualifications in Prepared Public Speaking and Soil Stewardship. She has earned District 2-2A First Team All-District honors in basketball along with Academic All-District recognition, CHS Defensive Player of the Year, and District 2-2A Co-Newcomer of the Year. She has also qualified for regionals in track and contributed to a district championship cross country team.
She has also been involved in service projects through both school and community organization projects. She has supported and been involved in numerous community initiatives including Project Angel Tree, Project Sharing Tree, Shoes for Success, Snack Pak 4 Kids, and Hillside Summer Serve the City. She has volunteered with Clarendon Senior Citizens and served during class reunions and homecoming events.
Kyler Bell was named the Young Man of the Year from Clarendon. He is also an active student who participates in school athletics including football, basketball and track. He currently serves as President of his Senior Class and is a member of both the National Honor Society and Student Council.
He is also a member of the FFA, serving as Treasure and as a group leader for his Range and Pasture team, which advanced to the State Contest last year. In addition, he has been involved in Donley Co. 4-h for ten years, holding an office each year and currently serving as First Vice President.
He is very active in his church, where he helps lead singing, prayers, classes and enjoys volunteering with Vacation Bible School during the summer. He recognizes that many people have supported him throughout his life, and as a result, he has developed a strong servant’s heart. He is passionate about giving back to the community and participates in Angel Tree donations, snack Pak for kids, canned food and clothing drives, donations to children homes, senior citizens fundraisers, and the courthouse lighting.
Enterprise Photo / Elaina Estlack
This past summer, he came up with an idea that became reality with the help of his dad, brother and a couple of more volunteers: installing hand railing at Bronco Stadium to make it safer for people getting up and down to watch games.
The Chamber also presented a memorial to the family of the late Chris Wilson, who had served as a faithful member of the Chamber Board since 2023 before his untimely passing in December.
This year’s Chamber banquet followed a Disney theme with many in attendance wearing costumes related to Disney characters or dressing as tourists to Disneyland. REFZ Sports Bar & Grill provided the food for the reception, and the banquet was catered by Great Western Dining. A total of 190 people attended the event, which was held in the Bairfield Activity Center. Entertainment for the evening was provided by the band “The Martinis” of Amarillo.
Other winners Thursday night included 50/50 winner Sandy Childress and Box Pull winners Joy Treichel, Brandy Vargas, Travis Brollier, Monica Woodard, and Kate Shaw. Herring Bank was named as having the Best Dressed Table.
Tables were sponsored by the Aqua Maid; City of Howardwick; City of Clarendon; Clarendon College; The Clarendon Enterprise; Donley County Senior Citizens; Herring Bank; Liberty Electric, Plumbing, HVAC & Construction; Pilgrim Bank; and Saints’ Roost Museum.
This year’s corporate sponsors were Best Western Red River Inn, Brollier’s Auto Parts, Budweiser, The Clarendon Enterprise, Country Bloomers Flowers & Gifts, Greenbelt Electric Cooperative, Greenbelt Municipal & Industrial Water Authority, REFZ Sports Bar & Grill, Republic Services, Robertson Funeral Directors, and Sully Suds Laundry Mat.
CCISD names Jeffers to be interim super
Former high school principal Larry Jeffers has taken the reins of Clarendon CISD as interim superintendent following a February 19 called meeting of school trustees.
Jeffers has 46 years of experience in education with 27 of those as the principal of Clarendon High School before retiring about five years ago.
CCISD has not had consistent top leadership since superintendent Jarod Bellar retired last summer. The first interim appointment backed out before he started. A second interim, Rick Teran, was hired in July and was named the full-time superintendent in October. He eventually added the role of head girls’ basketball coach to his duties but then resigned suddenly in February due to what he called rumors and innuendos.
Jeffers said things have been “hard on the district” and said he was happy to lend a hand when he was approached by board president Wayne Hardin.
“I couldn’t turn down helping the district,” Jeffers said.
As interim superintendent, Jeffers says he’s only in the office two days a week mostly to help with finances, paying bills, and personnel.
Jeffers said he is trying to follow a philosophy of “do no harm” and says there are “some fires to be put out in a professional manner.”
Jeffers sees retention of personnel and getting certified teachers as the challenges facing the district.
“We have 14 teachers currently who are not certified,” he said. “All of them are in the program [to get certified] or have temporary certifications. We became a District of Innovation several years ago, which allowed us to hire uncertified teachers as long as they were on a path to certification. But now the state says you can’t hire teachers in K through five that aren’t certified in math and reading.”
Jeffers said rural districts have trouble attracting new certified teachers.
Financially, Jeffers believes the district is in good shape and says they are just starting to look at the budget for next year.
“I’ve learned that high school principal was a much easier job than superintendent,” Jeffers said. “Fortunately, I have a great staff helping me, and I can call on the [Region 16] Service Center, TASB [the Texas Association of School Boards] and [former CCISD superintendent] Monty Hysinger.”
TASB is also handling the search for the next fulltime superintendent, Jeffers said. The job has been posted, and applications are due April 1 and will be reviewed April 9. Interviews are then scheduled to take place starting in mid-April.
Jeffers said spring is a good time for a school to be looking for a new superintendent.
“It’s a good time for many people who may be trying to rise through the ranks and for newly certified superintendents,” he said. “Movement of superintendents often occur this time of year.”
Hedley names Glover secretary
Lauren Glover has been named the new city secretary in Hedley, according to local officials there.
Glover succeeds Katy Barlow, who resigned to take another job.
Hedley will also be getting a new mayor in May after Trisha Chambless did not sign up for re-election. Alderman Aaron Hanes was the only candidate for mayor.
The city will also be canceling its spring election as there are no contested positions this year. In addition to the mayor’s position, only two positions were up on the city council.
Alderman Clenton Pierce will serve again, and Caylor Monroe will take Hane’s seat on the council.
In other Hedley news, the council met in regular session February 19 and took action on several items. Aldermen approved installing a new public access computer in City Hall with service from AMA-TechTel, approved increasing pay for a city employee, and voted to move the city’s bank accounts from Donley County State Bank to Herring Bank. The council also accepted the only bid for a property in the city from Clenton Pierce, who abstained from voting on the measure.
At a called meeting on January 22, the council approved repairs to a city lift station and voted to upgrade the city’s QuickBooks software. At its regular meeting on January 8, the council increased rural trash pick up service from every other week to every week and purchased 10 additional Dumpsters.
City okays clean-up, Kearney curb stops
The City of Clarendon will hold quarterly clean-up days beginning April 25 following the February 12 City Council meeting.
City Administrator Brian Barboza proposed the clean-up days as a way to help beautify the city at the urging of the council. Citizens would be allowed to dump trash at the Citizens Convenience Center on Front Street at no charge on the designated clean-up days as long as they present their current city utility bill.
The council also approved placing curb stops in front of the lamp posts on Kearney Street. Banner arms on the lamps in the 100 block of Kearney have been hit several times by delivery trucks or trailers parking parallel to the sidewalks.
Replacing the arms costs about $300, and a concrete curb stop costs less than $200. A curb stop was previously installed at the Mulkey Theatre to protect the handrailing at that location.
Lady Broncos play in Floydada Tournament
By Sandy Anderberg
The Lady Broncos are deep into their tournament season and had a good tournament at Floydada last week.
The ladies posted three wins and two losses over the three-day event.
They were able to take down the number one ranked Floydada Lady Winds at 8-4 for the highlight of the tournament and defeat Hale Center by three runs at 6-3. They eased by Palo Duro at 9-4.
The two losses the Lady Broncos incurred were from Childress at 2-6 and Lamesa 3-15. “Laken Smith hit a deep center field homerun to bring in three runs against Floydada,” Coach Roy Davis said. “And Eli Rodriguez had two big hits against Palo Duro. We played great in this tournament and had a few RBIs from several players.”
The Lady Broncos will participate in another tournament March 5-7 at Randall High.
Reader Comments