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Ready to run
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County assistance district to be on May ballot
Donley County will again as rural residents to adopt a sales tax to help fund local law enforcement following action taken at the January meeting of county commissioners.
If approved by rural voters, Donley County Assistance District #2 would levy a two percent sales tax on sales outside of the cities of Clarendon, Hedley, and Howardwick with the proceeds going to benefit the Donley County Sheriff’s Office.
Clarendon supports the sheriff’s office with city funds, and Howardwick last May approved creation of Donley County Assistance District #1 to levy a one percent sales tax to help law enforcement. Hedley voters turned down a similar measure, and rural voters also narrowly rejected the idea by a margin of ten votes, 101 “for” to 111 “against.”
Voters in the unincorporated areas of the county will have their say on the matter on May 3.
Also in January, commissioners formally named themselves as members of the board governing the Donley County Assistance District #1, which began collected sales taxes in October 2024. County Judge John Howard says the district will let that money grow for a time before spending it. Taxes on sales in October through December amounted to $2,832.09 for the district.
In other county business recently, commissioners named the following citizens to the Donley County Historical Commission: Bill Word, Christi Benson, Madeleine Black, Judy Burlin, Lori Howard, Ferol Shelton, Buffie Smith, Chrisi Tucek, and Brittney Wolfe.
The annual contract with the Donley Appraisal District was approved, and commissioners agreed to purchase a machine to help take down trees and shrubs on county rights of way.
The county accepted an offer by the Texas Historical Commission to reconsider a grant that was approved last fall for further courthouse restoration work. The THC had previously offered the county an award but the terms were not favorable to the county.
The new proposal would see the state put in $2.6 million with approximately $458,000 in funds from the county for a total project of about $3.1 million. The work would focus on stone and brick conservation that was left out of the original courthouse restoration in 2003 due to costs.
Commissioners also met February 10 for a regular meeting. Items at that meeting included receiving the annual audit report and approving budget amendments needed due to several grants, such as the THC money, being awarded to the county.
Ag conference to be March 6 in Clarendon
The Southeast Texas Panhandle Ag Conference, sponsored by Donley and Hall County AgriLife Extension will be held March 6, 2025, in Clarendon at the Donley County Activity Center located at 4430 HWY 70 North 79226.
Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the sessions on cotton agronomics, weed, insect, disease control, farm bill updates and pesticide laws and regulations will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. CEUs will be offered to pesticide applicator license holders.
There will be a $25 charge at the door which includes lunch by Bertie Fannies. To RSVP or for more information please call the Donley County Extension Office at 806-874-2141 or the Hall County at 806-259-3015 or Leonard Haynes at 806-282-7680 or JD Schnitker at 806-269-0112.
Living Wax Museum set for this Friday
\The Donley County Homeschool Co-Op will present its annual Living Wax Museum on Friday, February 28, at the Burton Memorial Library from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
The public is invited to attend as these students breathe life into the biographies of their favorite historical figures. Refreshments will be served.
Lions Club’s Jones 5K to be April 26
The 13th annual Chance Mark Jones Roar & Run 5K will be held Saturday, April 26, in front of the Donley County Courthouse.
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 interested in running or walking the 5K (about 3.1 miles) encouraged to sign up by March 28 to be guaranteed the official 5K t-shirt. Registrations are $30 each.
The year’s 5K will again start and end at the Courthouse and will run through the city, around Prospect Park, and past several historic sites. The race will begin at 8:30 a.m.
Race registrations will be available at the Clarendon Visitor Center at the Mulkey Theatre or at the Enterprise.
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.
Packed house
Enterprise Photo
On the court
Enterprise Photo / Kari Lindsey
Little Dribblers Tournament
Enterprise Photo / Kari Lindsey
Lady Broncos finish second to Panhandle in district
By Sandy Anderberg
The Lady Broncos have had a stellar year and look to go deep in the playoffs beginning next week. They were able to finish second in district to number two ranked Panhandle, which went undefeated to claim the District Championship.
The Lady Broncos annihilated Highland Park and Memphis last week with big wins. They won 78-14 over the Lady Hornets and dropped the Lady Cyclones 92-31 at home.
The Lady Broncos held the Lady Hornets to single digits for three quarters and were able to capitalize on steals and turnovers. Offensively, the ladies were clearly in control. Kashlyn Conkin poured in four threes and finished with 20 points and Kenidee Hayes had 13. Berkley Moore, Madi Benson, Kennadie Cummins, and Kate Shaw had eight points each, and Gracie Ellis put up five. Tandie Cummins had four, and Hayden Elam and Cambree Smith helped with two each.
Things did not change against the Lady Cyclones as they turned up the heat on both ends of the court. Five Lady Broncos finished in double figures, which shows the depth of the team. K. Cummins hit five of six of her bonus points and finished with 23, while Conkin repeated and pumped in 20 points that included six three-pointers. Shaw was strong with 16, T. Cummins had 12, and Hayes put in 10. Ellis hit one three and Elam, Benson, Moore, and Addy Havens finished with two points apiece.
Neither game was any competition for the Lady Broncos as they were able to score at will against both opponents. The well-rounded team with its three seniors Elam, and T. and K. Cummins leading the way is hard to stop. Paired with seven juniors, the team can not only put in the two-pointers, they can drain the three and hit the bonus shots as well. Hayes is an all-around player that can make the shots when they count and plays solid defense. The Lady Broncos’ inside game is strong led by junior Shaw and Conkin has nailed the three-ball all season long. Moore is a threat on both ends of the court and Ellis makes a statement at the point guard position. Benson has the speed to stop any opponents’ fast breaks. All together, they are going deep in post-season play.
Broncos outplay the Hornets and Cyclones
By Sandy Anderberg
The Broncos grabbed the momentum in the district race last week posting two big wins over Highland Park and Memphis.
The Broncos struck early in the second quarter after a slow start to set the tempo for the remainder of the game against the Hornets and earn the 47-25 win on the road.
A huge final eight minutes for the Broncos to turn an 11-point lead after three to the 22-point win. Senior Mason Sims was on fire as he pumped in 23 points on the night that included being spot-on inside, but also successful at the bonus line. Sims was able to convert five of eight free throws and nail two three-pointers to allow him to be a triple threat on offense. He finished with another double-double with 10 rebounds in the game. All of the Broncos stepped up their game and added to the point total. Fellow seniors Colton Caudle finished with eight points and as many rebounds while converting both free throws. Kaleb Bolin put in seven points with five assists and five steals, while John Weatherton had six points, two rebounds, one assist, and three steals.
Caleb Herbert helped with three points and nine rebounds.
The Broncos crushed the Cyclones 67-50 with solid defense especially in the third quarter. The Broncos were able to make steal after steal on the Cyclones’ end of the court and score easy points. Once again, Sims was the scoring leader with 25 hitting five of seven from the bonus line. Michael Randall put in 11 that included one huge three-pointer.
Offensively, the Broncos were able to stay with their game plan for the most part and make stops when they needed them. Bolin, Herbert, and Kyler Bell put in eight points each with Bell hitting 100% from the bonus line and adding a three-pointer. Herbert also added one from the arc. Bryce Williams had a bucket and a free throw for three, and Weatherton put in two.
The Broncos will take on Panhandle at home Feb. 7 and travel to Wheeler Feb. 11 with both games beginning at 6:30 p.m.
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