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It was an unsettling scene at Clarendon CISD. Outside were about a dozen vehicles from the Texas Department of Public Safety. Inside were a dozen or more armed people with live rounds being fired.

Fortunately, this was just a training exercise the week of July 18. Everyone present was either a law enforcement officer or an official observer, and the live rounds were soap bullets – non-lethal but still attention-getting if they strike someone.

The Solo Officer Response Deployment (SORD) training course taught by the DPS is designed to equip a single off-duty officer in plain clothes with the skills and mindset on how to neutralize an active shooter in a variety of settings, including a school, according to DPS spokesperson Sgt. Cindy Barkley.

Officers were trained in both classroom work and active scenarios, including live-fire range scenarios. Observers included District Judge Stuart Messer, Justices of the Peace Pat White and Sarah Hatley, and Enterprise publisher Roger Estlack.

Everyone present during the training donned protective gear and were able to experience some simulation of the stress associated with an active shooter situation.

Upon completion of the SORD training, law enforcement officers receive 16 hours of Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) credit as well as a certificate.

To date, the DPS has completed three courses at Clarendon ISD which included officers from DPS and the Armstrong County Sheriff’s Office, Barkley reported.
The courses were taught by DPS officers who have been certified to teach Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) through Texas State University.

The fourth annual Howardwick Hoedown was held last Saturday, July 23, and is being called a great success by organizers in that community.

Despite hot July weather, the Hoedown drew its largest crowd ever, as people from Howardwick, Clarendon, Hedley, and other points in the Panhandle gathered in McMorries Memorial Park.

An on-site raffle gave away dozens and dozens of prizes throughout the day that were donated to the community for the purpose. The biggest prize, a 2022 Advance EVI Golf Cart, was won by Jeff Wilde of Amarillo at the close of the day.

Residents and visitors gathered under the park pavilion and under canopies set up around the park. Live music was provided by The Tweeks will be entertaining visitors from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

The Clarendon Lions Club Cornhole Tournament drew 16 two-person teams as well as 16 Lions. The participants got into the fun with colorful team names. The “A-Holes” were the champions of the day with team members Clint Conkin and Wes Smith dominating the competition. Second place went to the “Corn Stars,” and third place was claimed by “The Punishers.”

Wayne McDonald, playing under the moniker of “Drunk 2” for “The Drunks,” won the drawing for the custom Lions cornhole board set.
The new putting green installed last week in the park was formally opened by Mayor Tony Clemishire, who took the opening putt with a kid’s plastic golf club.

The official putting contest Saturday afternoon drew 17 adult participants. Winners were Bo Eddleman, first; Ben Estlack, second; and Eddie Chavira, third. Eddleman took home a new set of golf clubs as the grand prize.

Proceeds from this year’s Hoedown will help raise money for the city to buy equipment to fix city streets, according to City Secretary Sandy Childress.