Keep pouring
Four CC employees receive state honor
Four Clarendon College employees were recognized with the Texans Caring for Texans Award last Thursday, August 3, at West Texas A&M University in Canyon.
Scarlet Estlack, Larry Wiginton, James Gordon, and Bruno Castel were all recognized for their efforts to help students both inside and outside the classroom.
Texans Caring for Texans awards were established in 1996 by the late State Rep. David Swinford to honor state employees for professional excellence in service to their communities and to Texas. Last week’s ceremony recognized Panhandle region employees of state services and higher education institutions.
Estlack has served for 21 years as a biology instructor and both students and the community can count on her for guidance on anything related to CC. She’s involved in several community events and invites students to get involved also. Her passion for students is never more evident than when she’s cheering on her students in extracurricular activities, and she’s always first in line to congratulate them.
Larry Wiginton began working in 1995 as a chemistry instructor and returned in 2021 after retiring in 2013. He was recognized for the extra time he’s willing to spend with students after class or in labs. In addition to giving back to the community, he likes spending time outside the classroom in the cafeteria to get to know students and enjoy their company.
James Gordon came to CC in 2012 and helps run the Learning Resource Center and is an ESL instructor. He goes out of his way to assist international students and helps all students find the resources they need to be successful. He can also be found outside the classroom reciting poetry and using his jump shot to raise money for student organizations.
Bruno Castel is a Spanish and ESL teacher and dorm director since 2016. He works with numerous international students and makes their transition to the college campus more successful. As students leave CC, they stay in touch with Bruno and use him as a mentor for life.
Also during last week’s ceremony, Don Nicholson of the Texas Department of State Health Services gave a tribute to his friend, the late Rep. Swinford, for starting the awards. Lubbock Regional DPS Director Joe Longway delivered the keynote address about heroes who serve in state agencies across Texas from DPS troopers to staff members of other agencies.
As the honorees were recognized, they were greeted by Longway, State Rep. John Smithee, WTAMU President Walter Wendler, State Rep. Ken King, and State Sen. Charles Perry.
The Masters
Pantex, Y-12, NPO sweep NNSA’s annual awards
The Pantex Plant and the Y-12 National Security Complex, which are managed and operated by Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS), along with the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Production Office (NPO), were honored with all four of the annual NNSA security awards.
The following personnel and team were honored: Timothy Alvarado, NPO (Pantex) – NNSA Bradley A. Peterson Federal Security Professional of the Year; Steven Zuniga, CNS (Pantex) – NNSA Bradley A. Peterson Contractor Security Professional of theYear; Major Courtney Coker, CNS (Y-12) Safeguards and Security – NNSA Security Manager of theYear; and Y-12 Perimeter Intrusion Detection System (PIDS) Team – NNSA Security Team of the Year.
NNSA Associate Administrator and Chief for the Office of Defense Nuclear Security (DNS) Lewis “Lew” Monroe told those assembled at an awards ceremony that he appreciated being where the work was getting done. “You are knocking it out the park,” he said. “There’s no way DNS would have the success it does without what you do every day.”
“We don’t often focus on all the work you get done,” said Teresa Robbins, NPO manager. Citing the importance of the mission, she added that she sleeps well at night because “I know you’ve got this.”
“I am so proud of the Security teams at both sites,” said Kristy McWilliams, CNS Vice President of Safeguards, Security, and Emergency Services. “The individuals honored with these awards are quite simply the best of the best and I congratulate each and every one of them. Their leadership, hard work, professionalism, and willingness to work as a cohesive team are to be commended.”
Donley archers shoot well at state
Four members of the Donley County 4-H Archery team competed recently in the State Games contest held in San Antonio.
Fayde Turner, Senior Division Barebow, was 3rd place Clout and 5th place 3-D.
Ronan Howard, Intermediate Division NASP, was 1st place Clout, Modified 600 and Field; and 3rd place 3-D and Wand. Howard was also the Overall NASP Intermediate Runner-up.
Kutter O’Keefe, Intermediate Division NASP, was 2nd place 3-D, 4th place Field and Modified 600, and 5th place Clout.
Emma Howard, Junior Division NASP, was 1st place Wand, 2nd place Field, 3rd place Clout, and 1st place Team Rally.
Jackson introduces ban on government TikTok accounts
US Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX-13) this week introduced the Government Off TikTok Act to prohibit Federal Government officials from maintaining official accounts on TikTok.
The bill also emphasizes that TikTok is a proven national security threat to the United States and that no US Official should be posting about official business through a media outlet controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
“We know that when you download TikTok, you willingly open the door for the CCP to access your data without restriction,” Jackson said. “Not only should government officials be setting a good example for all Americans to help deter the use of the Chinese-owned platform, but they should understand the major national security risks associated with using the application. The evidence is clear, TikTok is a major national security risk with numerous privacy issues associated, not to mention the negative social impacts occurring especially to our children. I am fully dedicated to confronting the threat posed by the CCP in every possible manner, and cutting off Chinese access to our data, especially for Government officials, is a top priority.” Representatives Brian Babin (R-TX), Ralph Norman (R-SC), and Josh Brecheen (R-OK) cosponsored Jackson’s legislation.
Vandals hit highway signs in Donley County
Multiple signs were damaged and stolen in Donley County over the weekend along FM 2162 and SH 70.
Donley County TxDOT Supervisor Brian Miller said at least ten signs were damaged with one actually being removed.
“It looks like they just came up to them and pushed them down,” Miller said. “It needs to stop.”
Most of the signs were on FM 2162 with one stop sign being removed from SH 70 South.
TxDOT reminds the public that damaging and/or stealing roadway signs poses a risk to the traveling public. It’s not a harmless prank.
Damaging, destroying, or stealing state property or state traffic control devices including road signs is a Class C misdemeanor if the damage is less than $100; a Class B misdemeanor if the damage is between $100 and $750; a Class A misdemeanor if the damage is between $750 and $2,500.
The Class A crime is punishable by up to $4,000 in fines and up to one year in jail. If the damage is between $2,500 and $20,000, the crime is a state jail felony and is punishable by up to $10,000 in fines and between 180 days and two years in state jail.
If you have information about the damaged signs, please call the Donley County Sheriff’s Office at 806-874-3533.
To report missing roadway signs in the Childress District, contact the Public Information Officer at 940-937-7288.
Senior Thang to be held on August 19th
That Senior Thang will return on Saturday, August 19, for the third annual fundraiser for the Donley County Senior Citizens Center at Gorst and Fourth streets from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
The event provides old-fashioned family fun for people of all ages. There will be a full concession with everything from BBQ sandwiches, hot dogs and Pulled pork sandwiches to homemade ice cream and watermelon and a County Store full of home baked goodies.
Free street games will include hoops, prize ducks, toy car races, corn hole, ladderball, marbles, and face painting.
Come try your luck at Chicken Drop Bingo, the Silent Auction or the 50/50 Raffle.
For the more adventurous player, there will be Straw Tower Building, Two-on-Two Basketball, Jalapeno Eating, Watermelon Seed Spitting, and Wheelchair Races. Put your team of four together and compete at Water Balloon Volleyball, Texas Skis, or the Balloon Blast. Winners take half of the entry fees.
The Donley County Senior Citizens invites everyone to come join the fun. Remember to BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair).
Golf tournament to benefit CHS athletes
The Bronco Booster Club Classic will be held this Friday, August 4, at the Clarendon Country Club.
A $5 chipping contest will be held at 11 a.m. followed by a $5 putting contest at 11:30. Registration for the scramble begins at noon with a tee time of 1:00 p.m.
The cost is $220 per team and includes two mulligans and a dinner. Prizes will be awarded for the top two teams with a maximum of 36 teams allowed.
Additional prizes will be awarded for the Closest to the Pin, Longest Putt, and a Hold in One along with door prize drawings, and raffle prizes.
Proceeds from the Bronco Booster Club Classic will benefit the athletic teams of Clarendon High School. To register, contact Sarah Hatley at 806-670-7643.
Prescribed fire grant applications due soon
Texas A&M Forest Service is now accepting grant applications for the State Fire Assistance for Mitigation – Plains Prescribed Fire Grant through August 15, 2023.
The grant will provide nearly $92,000 in funding for prescribed burns.
Prescribed fire is the planned application of a low-intensity fire to the landscape by fire and fuel specialists. The practice is a strategic, planned land management tool that uses fire to achieve set goals that are in accordance with applicable laws, policies and regulations.
“Prescribed burning is one of the most commonly used tools for managing hazardous fuel buildups because of its relatively low cost per acre,” said Jake Gosschalk, Texas A&M Forest Service Fuels Program Specialist IV. “Reintroducing fire to the landscape also improves wildlife habitats and rangeland conditions for grazing.”
Properties near communities in the panhandle, northwest, west and south Texas at a risk for loss during a wind-driven wildfire are eligible. The application process is entirely online which allows landowners to work directly with the certified prescribed burn manager of their choice to complete the application, burn plan and map requirements.
“This year, we have adjusted the program to allow recipients a full 12 months to complete the burn, running September 15, 2023, through September 15, 2024”, said Gosschalk. “By extending the burn window for landowners, they’ll have the opportunity to conduct both cool-season and warm-season summer burns.”
Grant recipients will be reimbursed actual per acre costs associated with conducting the prescribed burn up to $30 per acre with a limit of 800 acres per recipient. The burn must be conducted by either a private or commercial Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Manager, which landowners must identify on the grant application.
Priority will be given to treatment sites that provide protection to the highest-risk communities based on the Texas Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal, are located near homes and contain ecosystems that will benefit from prescribed fire.
Find more information here: https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/PrescribedFireGrantsApplication/.
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