Clarendon Live

The Clarendon Enterprise - Spreading the word since 1878.

News

City honors Broncos, urges prevention of child abuse

by Leave a Comment

The Clarendon City Council approved two proclamations during their regular meeting April 8 and took action on leftover money in the USDA water infrastructure project.

The 2021 State Champion Bronco Basketball team was honored by the city council April 8. Courtesy Photo / Machiel Covey

City officials congratulated the Clarendon Broncos on their first state basketball championship with a proclamation with Coach Boston Hudson and each member of the team getting their own personal copies of the proclamation.

A second proclamation was approved declaring April as Child Abuse Awareness Month to encourage prevention and reporting of child abuse.

The city council also discussed excess funds leftover in the USDA water infrastructure project totaling about $248,000. Aldermen approved moving forward with getting bids to replace an original cast iron waterline under Gorst Street running from Front Street to Fourth Street.

Greenbelt Water Authority General Manager Bobbie Kidd and Board Member Walt Knorpp reported to the city council and discussed refinancing bonds held by the water authority to avoid an upcoming balloon payment and potentially develop groundwater sources.

A contract amendment was approved with Diversified Waste.

Fire Chief Jeremy Powell reported on the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department, which put in more than 3,000 hours in the last year and has installed a generator to run the Fire Hall in the event the community loses power.

Aldermen approved the purchase of a reconditioned storm siren for the southeast side of town at a cost of about $5,500 with the city providing $4,000 and the CVFD contributing the balance.

Resolutions were approved to move forward with a downtown revitalization grant and a grant to replace lift stations on the north side of town.

In his report, City Administrator David Dockery discussed activities to get the Clarendon Aquatic Center ready for its Grand Opening on Memorial Day weekend. Training of lifeguards will begin on May 1, and the city council will hold a called meeting this Thursday, April 15, to open bids on paving the parking lot.

CC rodeo team takes second at Big Spring

by Leave a Comment

The Clarendon College Rodeo Team travelled to Big Spring over the weekend to compete in the Howard College rodeo and came away as the second place team but maintained their first place ranking in the regional standings.

Weston Patterson

Clarendon also had the bareback champion, Cole Franks, and the All-Around champion, Weston Patterson.

In the bareback riding, Weston Patterson won the long round with an 81-point ride but only scored 63 points in the short round to finish tied for fifth in the average.

Cole Franks was second in the long round with a 79-point ride and an 85-point ride in the short round to finish first in the average to win the event championship.

CC had four saddle bronc riders qualify for the short round with Keene Justesen making a 72-point ride in the long go and 69 points in the short round to finish in fifth place. Trey Elshere was 79 points for 6th place the long round but bucked off in the short round, while Weston Patterson rode for 80 points in the long go and tied for third place but failed to get a score in the short round.

Cole Franks

Cash Wilson won the long round with an 83-point ride and was 74 points in the short round to finish second in the average.

Team ropers Kreese Milligan and Dawson Reedy placed fifth in the long round with time of 6.5 seconds but missed their steer in the short round.

CC will travel to Snyder this week for the Western Texas College rodeo.

Lady Broncos blow by Sunray

by Leave a Comment

The big inning came in the seventh when Clarendon sealed their big win over Sunray on the road last week. The ladies had their bats swinging and brought an 8-3 win home.

Lady Bronco Kaylin Hicks reaches for the ball as a Sunray Lady Cat heads for first base during last week’s game. Courtesy Photo / Al Elam

Junior hurler Madi Smith was on the mound for the Lady Broncos and went the distance pitching the entire game. Smith only allowed four hits and three runs and struck out 11 batters.

It took three innings for the Lady Broncos to see some action at the plate as they were scoreless the first two. But they persevered and were able to put runs on the board in the third, while keeping Sunray from Homeplate until the fifth. Bayleigh Bruce, Madison Broussard, and Jade Benson all had big hits that resulted in RBIs. Overall, the Lady Broncos had 10 hits to only four for the Lady Cats. Big hits also came from Benson, Jentrye Bellar, and Bruce who also had multiple hits with Benson going three-for-five at the plate.

The Lady Broncos will travel to Fritch April 16 and play at 1:00 and take on West Texas at home April 20.

Four active COVID cases this week

by Leave a Comment

Active cases of COVID-19 have ticked up in the last two weeks, according to information from the Clarendon Family Medical Center.

Clinic spokesperson Marsha Bruce reported four new cases this week, all of which are active. That figure is up from one active case two weeks ago.

The clinic has now conducted a total of 1,353 COVID-19 tests, with 365 positives. Combined with known positive tests on local residents at other sites, Donley County has had a total of 408 positive cases since the pandemic began with 13 fatalities, a local mortality rate of 3.19 percent.

Large crowd expected for CC judging contest April 10

by Leave a Comment

The Clarendon College Invitational Judging Contest will attract a huge crowd and likely double the population of the town this Saturday.

As of Tuesday, 2,396 contestants were registered for the event, which is almost the same as in 2019 when the contest drew its biggest crowd ever. However, Johnny Treichel, Clarendon College livestock and meats judging coach, says he expects there may be ten to 15 percent of registrants who might not show up this year.

The 2020 contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The biggest single event doubles Clarendon’s population for a day each year. The contest attracts around 2,000 high school FFA students and 4-H students from around Texas and nearby states.

The number of registrations doesn’t include the hundreds of parents and coaches who accompany the students to the contest. According to the 2010 US Census, Clarendon has a population of 2,026.

Past contests have had huge impacts on the local economy. Restaurants are typically packed for the event, and this year will hopefully be equally successful. Best Western Red River Inn reported they are booked solid for Friday night.

In addition to helping local merchants, the event also presents a great opportunity for CC to showcase its campus, faculty, and programs for prospective students. Treichel Clarendon College livestock and meats judging coach, said the event is a big recruiting tool for the college.

“This is the only time each year the college has this many potential students on campus,” he said. “And we are pleased to have such positive support from the community year after year.”

Ten-digit dialing coming to 806 area code

by Leave a Comment

Texas Panhandle and South Plains telephone users will soon have to use ten digits (area code plus telephone number) to make local calls, according to the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

The change will begin to occur on April 24, 2021, and will be enforce on October 24 for Texans with phone numbers in the 254, 361, 409, 806, 830, 915 and 940 area codes.

The new dialing standard is due to an order issued July 16, 2020, by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC Order 20-100), which approved 988 as the three-digit abbreviated dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Order requires all telecommunications providers (including telecommunications carriers, interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol [VoIP] providers, and one-way VoIP providers [covered providers]) to make any network changes necessary to ensure 988 access by July 16, 2022.

Several Texas area codes, including 806 and 940) have numbers with a 988 prefix. Therefore, those areas must transition from seven-digit to 10-digit local dialing.

April 24, 2021 marks the beginning of a “permissive dialing period” in which callers in those area codes can still complete a call with seven-digit dialing. When that period expires on October 24, 2021, only calls dialed with ten digits will be connected.

After the permissive dialing period, local calls dialed with only seven digits will reach a recording prompting them to hang up and dial again using both the area code with the seven-digit telephone number.

Important safety and security equipment, such as medical alert devices, and alarm and security systems must be programmed to use 10-digit dialing. Many systems operate on 10-digit dialing by default, but some older equipment may still use seven-digits.

Please contact your medical alert or security provider if you are not sure whether your equipment needs to be reprogrammed to accommodate the upcoming change to 10-digit local dialing. Any needed reprogramming of alarm and home security equipment must be done during the permissive dialing period from April 24, 2021 to October 24, 2021 to avoid interruption of those services.

Some other examples of services that may need to be re-programmed are: life safety systems or medical monitoring devices; PBXs; fax machines; Internet dial-up numbers; fire or burglar alarm and security systems or gates; speed dialers; mobile or other wireless phone contact lists; call forwarding settings; and voicemail services and other similar functions.

Customers should also ensure the area code is included in all other places where a telephone number is displayed like their websites, personal and business stationery, advertising materials, personal and business checks, and even personal or pet ID tags.

Telephone numbers, including current area code, will not change. The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the dialing change.

Customers will continue to dial 1+ the area code + telephone number for all long-distance calls. Customers can still dial just three digits to reach 711 (relay services) and 911 (emergency services). If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, or 811 are currently available in one’s community, they can still be dialed with just three digits.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can still be reached by dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255) even after the 988 code is in effect.

Beginning July 16, 2022, dialing “988” will route calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Sandell will host TobyMac live on April 16

by Leave a Comment

Clarendon’s Sandell Drive-In will kick off its 2021 season of live concerts next Friday, April 16, with an in-person performance by TobyMac.

The Sandell developed a reputation for hosting some of the biggest names in Christian music last year after the COVID-19 pandemic led to the development of drive-in concerts that brought a lot of famous performances to small towns all across America.

The TobyMac concert continues the Sandell’s partnership with Awakening Events and will also feature the DiverseCity Band and Cochren & Co. Ticket prices range from $88 to $250 per car based on parking location and with a limit of six people per car.

Toby McKeehan, better known by his stage name TobyMac, is an American Christian hip hop recording artist, music producer, songwriter and author. He has charted 20 solo singles on Billboard’s Christian Songs list.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the concert, and the show begins at dusk.

Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.driveintheatertour.com.

Jones 5K, polar plunge set for April 17

by Leave a Comment

A new Polar Bear Plunge will be held in conjunction with the ninth annual Chance Mark Jones Roar & Run 5K, which will be held Saturday, April 17 at the new Clarendon Aquatic Center.

Ella and Ben Estlack sit in front of the new Clarendon Aquatic Center Monday afternoon as water feature are being tested. The pool was filled this week, and workers are making final adjustments and treatments as the center gets ready for the Chance Mark Jones Polar Bear Plunge on April 17 and the grand opening Memorial Day weekend. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack

The Clarendon Lions Club is hosting the events 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) or taking the plunge are encouraged to sign up by April 8 to take advantage of the early registration price.

Early registration is $20 for the 5K, $20 to take the plunge, or $30 for a combo registration for both events. Signing up by April 8 also guarantees participants the official 5K/Plunge t-shirt.

Registrations after April 8 will cost $25 each or $40 for the combo registration.

The Lions Club is also encouraging all participants to wear costumes for both the 5K and the plunge with a prize being award to the best dressed person in each competition. The crazier the costume, the better, the club says.

The year’s 5K will again start and end at the Clarendon Aquatic Center and will run through the city, around Prospect Park, which is the home of the Lions’ Chance Mark Jones Memorial Playground, and past several historic sites. The race will begin at 9:00 a.m.

Following the race, at about 10:30, the Polar Bear Plunge will take place inside the Aquatic Center, with registered plungers being the first people to jump into Clarendon’s brand new swimming pool.

Race and plunge registrations are available at the Clarendon Visitor Center at the Mulkey Theatre, at the Enterprise, or online at https://bit.ly/2Qp85lE.

Sponsorships are also available, and potential sponsors are also asked to sign up by April 8 to ensure their names are on this year’s t-shirt.

Proceeds will go towards the many charitable activities of the Clarendon Lions Club, which includes eyeglasses for local school kids, Christmas food baskets for local families, hosting the local office of The Bridge – Children’s Advocacy Center, local scholarships, continued park improvements, and monetary support for other local charities.

For more information, contact Lion Ashlee Estlack at ashlee.estlack@gmail.com or 806-662-4687 or Lion Roger Estlack at publisher@clarendonlive.com or 806-874-2259.

Lady Broncs stomp WT High

by Leave a Comment

Clarendon’s Lady Broncos took off out of the gate in the opening innings of their game with Fritch last week and led by three out of the third. But Fritch was able to regroup in the fourth inning scoring three runs and holding the ladies at bay.

Jentrye Bellar catches for the Lady Broncos in last weeks 20-8 win over West Texas. Courtesy Photo / Al Elam

Early in the second inning, Ashlynn Crawford hit a triple that scored one run. She was joined by Jade Benson and Kaylin Hicks who both drove in runs in that inning. The Lady Broncos racked up 10 hits in the game and held Fritch to only five.

Madi Smith got the win for the ladies and pitched the entire seven innings with nine strikeouts. Despite allowing eight runs on five hits, Smith stayed strong until the finish.

Along with Benson, Crawford and Jentrye Bellar led the Clarendon offense with three hits in three at bats. The Lady Broncos made short work around the diamond as well racking up more than six stolen bases with Smith leading the way with two.

Later in the week, the Lady Broncos stomped West Texas High 20-8. It was a great team effort, but sophomore Jayde Gribble hit lights out at the plate. Gribble only posted two hits, but the bases were almost full each time, which allowed her 6 RBIs on the day. The ladies had eight total hits and only one error in the win.

Jentrye Bellar got things rolling in the starting inning when she singled that sent one run in of the 12 that they would score when the inning was finished. From there the ladies were able to coast and play fundamental softball behind the pitching of Madi Smith who got the win and struck out 10 batters.
Gribble and Bellar’s bats were not the only ones working against WT as Senior Jade Benson had several hits as well.

The Lady Broncos will travel to Sunray on April 10 and play at 4:00 and then April 13 they travel to Shamrock and play at 4:30 p.m.

Chamber to hold Easter activities

by Leave a Comment

The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce has put together a fun day this Saturday, April 3, for Donley County Easter.

Merchants will be open for business and children can stop in to “hunt” for eggs at participating businesses.

There will also be a Bunny Selfie Contest where shoppers will “hunt” for bunnies at participating businesses and snap a selfie. To be entered to win the prize basket, entries must be posted to Facebook, they must be public where the Chamber can see them, and they must use the hashtag #DonleyCountyEaster. The Chamber will randomly select one entry to win a prize basket. Look for the “Bunny Stop” signs on businesses to know where to stop.

Shoppers can also take part in “Chamber Hop Bingo.” Bingo boards will be available for shoppers to pick up and play along at participating merchants on Saturday, April 3. Once someone completes a “bingo” they can fill out the contact info. on the board and leave it at any participating merchant. The Chamber will pick up all entries and draw one entry to win a prize basket.

For a list of participating businesses, visit the Chamber’s website at www.ClarendonTx.com/Chamber.

Verified by MonsterInsights