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Pantex reflects on the 25th anniversary of September 11

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A Pantexan reads the inscription on a piece of steel from the wreckage of the World Trade Center.

AMARILLO – As the nation marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, employees at the Pantex Plant gathered to honor the victims, thank first responders, and reflect on how the tragic events reshaped and reaffirmed the site’s vital national security mission.

Pantex Infrastructure and Modernization Division Director Scott Kennedy who was working at Pantex during the 9/11 attacks, addressed employees during a solemn remembrance ceremony, emphasizing the enduring impact of 9/11 on the world.

“We come together in memory of the nearly 3,000 lives lost, in gratitude to the first responders and ordinary citizens who became heroes, and in recognition of the countless families and communities forever changed,” said Kennedy. “We remember with solemn hearts, and we honor them through our service.”

Kennedy highlighted how the attacks reinforced the critical role of Pantex within the broader National Security Enterprise, stressing that national security requires continuous dedication.

“The 9/11 attacks taught us that resilience is not a single act but a sustained capacity,” Kennedy continued. “Here at Pantex and across the sites within the National Security Enterprise, it means holding ourselves accountable to the highest ethical and professional norms to deliver our mission. Freedom, perseverance, unity, and service—these are not abstract words; they form the foundation of the work we do.”

Pantex Mission Assurance Officer and Business Services Division Director Colby Yeary shared how the attacks heightened the sense of duty and vigilance across the Pantex community.

“I’ve always considered myself patriotic, but 9/11 profoundly amplified that feeling,” Yeary stated.

“Pantexans have always been close, looking out for one another like family. Before 9/11, we understood that our mission supported national defense, but our focus stayed very localized on the work here at Pantex. That day heightened our awareness of the broader importance of what we do. We produce nuclear weapons that stand ready to defend our borders and protect our allies, our friends, our families, and our neighbors. You might say our family grew beyond Pantex, including every person who depends on our nation’s security. It is an honor to serve our country in this capacity,” Yeary said.

Yeary continued, “I ask that when you think of 9/11, remember what that day meant, remember our country and the freedoms we enjoy, and reflect on what patriotism truly represents.”

As the site looks to the future, Pantex leadership encouraged employees to carry the memory of
9/11 into their daily operations, maintaining the highest standards of safety, security, and
dedication to the nation.

Pantex 9/11 tribute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b19H4QNN1zw

City agrees to TCEQ proposal on water issue

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The Clarendon City Council approved a proposed settlement with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regarding water quality issues and discussed future options during its called meeting last Thursday, September 3.

Interim City Administrator Floyd Hartman reviewed the Proposed Agreed Order which follows TCEQ findings that the level of trihalomethanes (THMS) in Clarendon’s drinking water had exceeded the maximum contaminant level of 0.080 milligrams per liter (mg/L) for two quarters. Hartman also reported that the city had just failed a third testing.

As previously reported in the Enterprise on July 30, THMS is a byproduct of disinfecting water which contains organic matter and is not an easy problem to fix and is exacerbated by the low level of Greenbelt Lake. The state has said people do not need to use an alternative water supply but that exposure to high levels of THMS over many years may cause health problems. 

Hartman reiterated last week that treatment with ammonia can help the THMS levels, but Greenbelt has been dealing with other issues down the pipeline and temperatures need to be lower for ammonia treatment to be most effective. Adding activated carbon to the system might also help, Hartman said. Heavy rainfall bringing the lake level up, cooler weather, or, ultimately, Greenbelt getting its new well field online will also likely resolve the issue.

The TCEQ violation still has to be addressed, Hartman said, but the agency was working with the city. The maximum fine for the violation could have been over $12,000. TCEQ proposed a fine of $2,675 and is willing to defer that amount to zero if the city creates a plan to get back into compliance. 

Hartman said he had talked with Greenbelt Water Authority and still had several questions about the treatment process. He had ideas for ways to get into compliance, but he said he could not recommend a course of action until he knew more about the situation at Greenbelt. 

Hartman said one option would be to stop selling city groundwater to Greenbelt and put that into the city’s system, but he said that would require a treatment facility and other permitting and engineering work. Also, he said the city’s contract for groundwater sales won’t be up for negotiation until June 2027. 

Hartman said a treatment facility could cost the city $5 million and said the city could not raise its water rates high enough to service that debt.

There was discussion about other possible TCEQ violations experienced by other Greenbelt members. 

Alderman Ashlee Estlack recommended Clarendon’s Greenbelt board representative Cameron Word attend the next city meeting to try to work with Greenbelt to address the problems.

Hartman recommended the city accept TCEQ’s agreed order and consider hiring an engineer and possibly an attorney to evaluate Greenbelt’s water treatment. The board voted unanimously to accept the TCEQ agreed order. 

Clarendon aldermen approve budget

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The Clarendon City Council approved a $3.1 million budget for fiscal year 2027 during a called meeting Thursday, September 3.

The new budget, which received a unanimous vote of the council, is higher than the current $2.9 million budget, and aldermen propose supporting the budget with an ad valorem tax rate of $0.579323 per $100 valuation. The tax rate will be voted on during the council’s regular session this Thursday, September 10.

The city expects to bring in about $464,200 from property taxes, $545,000 from sales taxes, with other revenues coming from sanitation charges, utilities charges, fines, fees, and other sources.

The new budget includes an expected 12 percent increase in employee health insurance premiums and about 3 percent for employee raises.

In other city business, the council reviewed applications for the position of city administrator. Almost 50 applications were received by the search team at the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission with nine of those screened as top candidates based on experience and other qualifications. 

A PRPC representative said the high number of applicants for Clarendon’s administrator job was “very positive,” and he was especially impressed with the qualifications of the top applicants. 

The council met in closed session for about 30 minutes to discuss the applicants before returning to open session. No action was taken after the closed session, but city officials did say six candidates would be scheduled for interviews to narrow the field further. The city did not release the names of the first-round finalists.

Grass Daddies to bring bluegrass back to Mulkey Sept. 27

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A night of Bluegrass and Gospel music is in store when the Grass Daddies return to the stage of the Mulkey Theatre Sunday, September 27, at 6:30 p.m.

Garre LaGrone leads the band and scheduled their performance here after shooting a music video at the theatre last summer. The video for the song “Old Yeller” reinforces LaGrone’s appreciation for the world he grew up in and his ties to Clarendon.

“It’s got a great message of old-fashioned values and hard work – that life’s not perfect,” LaGrone said. “ You get knocked down, but you’ve got to get back up.”

Following the release of the video, the group performed at the Mulkey last September.

LaGrone was born in Amarillo in 1956 and grew up in Canyon, but he has always had ties to Clarendon. His parents, Betty Thompson LaGrone and Odell LaGrone, grew up in Clarendon, and he had several family members in Clarendon.

LaGrone’s interest in music began at a young age, singing with his choir at the First Baptist Church in Canyon. He grew up with several influences in music, but the most significant was his grandfather, Jake LaGrone.

“He was probably the biggest influence on me when I was growing up,” LaGrone said. “He was an old-time fiddler and on my album there’s a song called ‘A Little Fiddlin’. That song was written about him.”

Tickets for the Grass Daddies Bluegrass & Gospel show are $12 each and are available online at mulkeytheatre.com and at the door.

State chair to join Democratic social

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The Donley County Democratic Party invites community members to join them for an evening of ice cream, conversation, and connection on Friday, September 11, from 7:00–9:00 p.m. at 516 Parks St., Clarendon.

Neighbors from Donley County and surrounding counties – including Armstrong, Briscoe, Collingsworth, Hall, and Gray – are welcome to attend and learn more about opportunities to connect and serve in the community.

A special highlight of the evening will be a visit from Kendall Scudder, Texas State Democratic Chair, who will join attendees for the community event.

For more information, call 806-822-0199.

Hedley firefighters get $45,000 gear gift

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Every Hedley volunteer firefighter will soon have new, up-to-date protective gear for the first time thanks to a $45,000 donation last Friday from the 100 Club of the Texas Panhandle.

The donation will pay for structural and/or wildland firefighting gear for all Hedley Volunteer Fire Department firefighters. The department has relied on hand-me-down equipment for years and has struggled to keep its firefighters properly outfitted.

“We are very grateful to the 100 Club for this generous donation to help our fire department,” Hedley Fire Chief Clayton Beagle said.

The 100 Club said the donation followed a long-standing request from the Hedley department.

“Being a tiny community, it’s hard to raise the money needed for a large expense,” the organization said. “They were patient and grateful for any amount we could help with.”

The 100 Club typically provides equipment assistance during emergency situations, such as major wildfires. The organization noted the toll recent fires have taken on first responders, including the largest wildfire in Texas history in 2024 and more than 20 wildfires in the Texas Panhandle in May alone.

Hedley VFD members accept a donation from the 100 Club of Texas Panhandle.
Courtesy Photo

 

The organization said Hedley firefighters deserved the equipment needed to do their jobs safely.

“We are so thankful for the work they do every day to serve and protect us and our communities and wanted them to have what they need to do it safely,” the 100 Club said.

Friday’s check presentation included Phyl Nickum Golden, one of the 100 Club’s first board members, and Randall Curtis, a lifetime member and retired first responder. Curtis was accompanied by Rocket, his retired bomb dog and the 100 Club’s first canine member. Ace, Golden’s dog, recently became the organization’s second canine member.

Homeowner escapes fire last Tuesday

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Clarendon Volunteer Firemen spray water on the home of Beth Johnston last Tuesday, August 25.
Enterprise Photo

A fire that destroyed the home of a Clarendon woman last Tuesday, August 25, has been ruled an accident according to the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department.

Firefighters were paged out at 1:54 p.m. to 1113 W. Third where they found the home actively burning. Second Assistant Chuck Robertson said the fire started in a garage or shed adjacent to the west side of the house and a strong hot wind was blowing the blaze into the main home.

The homeowner, Beth Johnston, was unharmed in the fire. Robertson said Johnston was in the den in the southwest part of the house when she saw the fire on the back porch and escaped out the east door of the house.

The fire burned across the porch and into the den and kitchen and up into the second floor.

Robertson said the smoke and heat damage was sustained throughout the home, which was not insured.

With mutual aid called in from Howardwick and Hedley, firefighters were able to stop the fire within about 30 minutes, Robertson said. The house, however, is a total loss, he said.

Robertson said CVFD believes the origin of the fire was electrical in the garage next to the house. He said the wiring in the main house had been replaced, but the wiring in the garage had not been updated.

CHS alumni reunion set Sept. 17-19

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Clarendon High School alumni will gather Sept. 17-19 for the annual CHS Exes Reunion, featuring food, fellowship, entertainment, and the homecoming football game.

Activities begin Thursday with T-shirt pickup (for those who pre-ordered) after noon at The Roost, followed by a 7 p.m. stand-up comedy performance by alumni comedian Morgan Robinson and a taco bar.

Friday includes a 9:30 a.m. homecoming pep rally at Bronco Gym, a Mexican pile-on from 5 to 7 p.m. at the school cafeteria and the 7 p.m. homecoming football game against Ralls at Bronco Stadium. A “fifth quarter” gathering will follow the game at The Roost.

Saturday activities include breakfast, shopping, museum and courthouse tours, and other opportunities for alumni around town. Saturday will offer several opportunities for alumni to gather and explore Clarendon. Coffee and doughnuts will be available at The Roost at 8 a.m., along with breakfast burritos from JD’s Food Trailer. Homemade desserts, coffee and tea will be available at 2 p.m.

Dyer’s BBQ will be served at 7 p.m. Saturday at The Roost for prepaid ticket holders, followed by live music at 8 p.m. from Empty Pockets, featuring alumnus Jason Archuleta.

The barbecue is $20 per person. Checks should be payable to CHS Exes Reunion – Reneè Betts and mailed to: Reneè Betts, PO Box 1058, Clarendon, TX 79226.

Blood drives to be next week

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Coffee Memorial Blood Center will hold blood drives in Hedley and Clarendon next week and are calling for blood donors. 

The Bloodmobile will be at Hedley Public School on Tuesday, September 8, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Another blood drive will be held in Clarendon on Thursday, September 10, from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with the Bloodmobile at Lowe’s Family Center.

Every donation can make a lifesaving difference for patients who depend on blood being available when they need it.

Organizers say there will be donor treats but no tricks! Successful donors will receive: A fang-tastic “All We Need Is Blood” T-shirt, a voucher for one free Bundtlet from Nothing Bundt Cakes, and, of course, the best treat of all – knowing you helped save lives.

“Don’t ghost us!” Coffee Memorial says. “Grab a friend, roll up your sleeve, and help us make these blood drives a bloody good success!”

A photo ID is required, and donor gifts available while supplies last. Anyone who is healthy and 16 years old (with parent permission) or older can give blood. 

Appointments to donate can be made online at obi.org or by calling 877-340-8777.

Lessons from ‘The Chief’

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Roger Estlack, 

The Clarendon Enterprise

NRCS Chief Colton L. Buckley addresses Clarendon College Ranch & Feedlot Operations students Monday.
Enterprise Photo

The first day of class set a high bar for the Clarendon College Ranch & Feedlot Operations program when it hosted the new chief of the National Conservation Resource Service (NRCS) as the first guest speaker of the semester Monday.

Colton L. Buckley was appointed to the position by President Donald Trump in May as the youngest person ever to lead the 91-year-old organization. At 32, Buckley brings with him an impressive resume and a desire to provide service to America’s ag producers.

Buckley was in Lubbock earlier in the day to speak at the Agricultural Water Sustainability Summit, but the chief made time to come to Clarendon’s RFO program for a simple reason.

“The people in this room are more important than any bureaucrat,” Buckley told the class. “You are the next generation of agriculture leaders.”

As part of the US Department of Agriculture, NRCS is the largest private land conservation agency in the world, Buckley said, and his focus is serving producers wherever they are and regardless of politics.

“We don’t look at what congressional district you’re in, and we don’t care if you’re in a red or blue state,” Buckley said. “My job is to get help to producers.”

The chief has refocused the agency, changing its motto from “Helping people help the land” to “Keeping working lands in working hands.” The agency focuses on protecting natural resources for future generations through voluntary programs and expertise in the field, and for Buckley it’s a personal mission as well.

The Gatesville, Texas, native was a teenager when the ranch operation his grandfather spent a lifetime building began running out of water.

“I watched as my grandfather had to face the choice of losing the herd or losing the house,” Buckley said. “I was 15 when I slapped my hand on the back of that cattle trailer.”

That early lesson in the importance of conservation led Buckley, at age 19, to become the campaign manager for Sid Miller when he successfully ran for Texas Agricultural Commissioner in 2014. He worked for Miller in the Texas Department of Agriculture and later became the chief of staff at NRCS before being named associate chief of the agency prior to taking the top job.

In addition to renewing NRCS’s focus, Buckley is working to modernize the agency’s programs and rebuild its staff after personnel reductions in 2025. The agency offers 168 programs, and more than 90 of them were out of date and past their five-year statutorily mandated review period. 

On staffing, Buckley said NRCS lost 24 percent of its employees to government efficiency cuts and 90 percent of those were people who worked directly with producers.

 “I’ve got more money to help landowners, but I’ve got to have human staff to do that,” he told students. “I’m picking folks who come off farms and ranches who face what you face and what your folks face.”

Programs focused exclusively on “green” goals have been canceled, and non-profits that work with NRCS are having to prove they are helping people, Buckley said.

The new chief has championed the concept of “one farmer, one file” to streamline paperwork between NRCS and its sister agencies – the Farm Service Agency and the Risk Management Agency. 

He’s also working on updating technology in agency offices to improve service delivery and so employees can certify field reports on tablets.

“We had 50 percent of field offices unable to get on the computer 50 percent of the time because the network and computers were out of date,” Buckley said.

Buckley took several questions from students about specific policies, and he encouraged them to talk to their representatives.

“It is so important that when you hear of policy changes that will affect you, that you engage with your elected officials from city councils and county commissioners to members of Congress and even members of the executive.” 

Buckley also had advice for RFO students on which college course to take to be successful and encouraged them to take traditional classes after finishing the ranch operations program at CC.

“Speech and communications are the most important classes you can take as part of a liberal arts education,” he said. “You’re going to have to talk to people – in marriage, interviewing for a job, asking for a raise, everything.”

He also said communication and hard work can lead to success.

“You may not always be the best dressed, best looking, or smartest person in the room,” he said, “but you can be the one that works the hardest and has the most integrity.”

Clarendon College RFO students and faculty with NRCS Chief Colton L. Buckley Monday afternoon.
Enterprise Photo

The chief told students that his story is proof anyone can accomplish great things. 

“I grew up in a trailer house. My father was an abusive alcoholic, and my mother was a drug addict,” Buckley said. “Now I’m the chief of the world’s largest natural resource agency with a $10 billion budget, and I was hand-picked for this job by the man who sleeps in the White House.”

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