WASHINGTON – On Tax Day last week, US Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced legislation to lessen the burden on small business owners and assist taxpayers in cutting through IRS red tape.
The Small Business Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act of 2015 would lower compliance burdens for taxpayers, strengthen taxpayer protections, compensate taxpayers for IRS abuses, and improve taxpayer access to the U.S. Tax Court System.
“All too often, the federal government, especially the IRS, places unnecessary burdens on our nation’s most important job producers: small businesses,” said Thornberry. “The laws and regulations that come out of Washington should always first do no harm, but they should also help grow our economy and American jobs.
“This bill provides hard working small business owners with important protections against an IRS that has been out of control for far too long.”
“Tax Day serves as an annual reminder of the complexity and inefficiency of our federal tax system, and especially the burdens the IRS places on jobcreating small businesses,” Cornyn said. “This bill takes concrete steps towards easing that burden so the small businesses that drive our economy can get back to what they do best – innovating and creating opportunity across America.”
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CC Regents authorize renewing 33 faculty
Clarendon College Regents approved renewing 33 faculty contracts during their regular meeting last Thursday, April 16.
Regents met in closed session for about 45 minutes before seven people addressed the board in public comments on behalf of three current faculty members who were not on the list of renewals and in support of two athletic programs being shuttered by the college.
Students of drama instructor Leslie Schnaufer, rodeo coach Cody Heck, and English instructor Cannon Roberts spoke up for their teachers, and a member of the CC cross-country team also asked the board not to end his program.
Mr. Heck also spoke on his own behalf, and Interim faculty member Dr. Lauraine Paul spoke in favor of keeping the cheerleading and cross-country programs as well as asking the board to look into why her employment was not being continued.
The board voted unanimously to renew the contracts of the following faculty members as presented: Jay Anders, Welding; Dale Askew, RFO; Cathryn Bailey, ADN; Melvin Balogh, Volleyball Coach/Instructor; Erinn Campbell, Cosmetology; Dr. Edward Caraway, Biology; Valerie Conrad, ADN; Charla Crump, Speech; Kory Dunn, VN; Russell Estlack, Biology; Scarlet Estlack, Biology; Amanda Fefel, Softball; Bret Franks, Ranch Horse; Brian Fuller, History; JoAnne Genn, ADN; Alicia Hunter, VN; Kim Jeffrey, Criminal Justice / Government; Dr. Russell Killingsworth, Chemistry; Addie Lees, Women’s Basketball / Instructor; Melissa McCoy, English; Kelly McDonough, English; Devin McIntosh, Baseball /Instructor; Andy McLatchy, Government / History; Jamie Mears, VN; Jana Oliver, Cosmetology; Linda Rowland, Math; Dr. Jeremy Sain, Math; Letha Storrs, Cosmetology; Johnny Treichel, Ag / Judging; Daniel Trejo, VN; Laban Tubbs, RFO; Frank Vance, Math; and Ken Wilson, Psychology / Sociology.
The board also voted unanimously to end the cross-country and cheerleading programs.
This week CC President Robert Riza said the cheerleading and cross-country programs were designed to bring in specific numbers and never hit their marks. Resources for those programs will be folded back into the CC athletic department so that the college could focus on its core programs. Cheerleading and cross-country students under scholarship at CC will have their scholarships renewed despite the elimination of those programs, Riza said.
Riza also said the college was not backing away from its commitment to fine arts or to rodeo.
“We are not shutting down rodeo or drama,” Riza said. “We want to make those programs stronger. In fact, expanding fine arts is part of our strategic plan.”
On Tuesday, the Riza administration announced that CC Ranch Horse Team coach Bret Franks will be overseeing the rodeo team, and the college began taking applications for a drama instructor.
In other college business last week, Regents approved a $77,328 proposal to purchase Microsoft Surface tablets for its Ranch & Feedlot Operations and ADN nursing programs. The expenditure will be partially offset by student fees and will eliminate a lot of paper waste at the college. Each RFO student currently receive 14 three-inch, three-ring binders of information, and this pilot program will put all that information at the students’ fingertips on a digital tablet. Students who graduate from the programs will get to keep their tablets.
Regents also ratified the employment of Lisle Rowland as an accountant and JoAnne Genn as nursing instructor.
Amarillo College Board Chairman Don Nicholson addressed the board on legislative affairs and issues facing community colleges in Austin right now.
In his President’s Report, Riza said new bathrooms under construction at the Livestock & Equine Center were nearing completion and should be finished by mid-May.
Riza also said an energy study done by Trane has identified $45,000 to $50,000 in potential savings if mechanical equipment was updated at the college. Trane will have a more detailed report in three to four months.
Interim Vice President of Instruction Roger Schustereit gave a short report for his office and said he was proud of the students who had addressed the board in open forum for speaking articulately and rationally for their views.
Lady Broncos split games last week
By Sandy Anderberg
The Lady Broncos hosted Booker April 14 and easily defeated them, 20-10.
Briley Chadwick was on the mound and pitched for four innings, before Taylor DeGrate took over to finish the game. Allyson Hogan was behind the plate and according to head coach Gary Jack caught a good game. Jack also noted that Brooke Martin, DeGrate, Chadwick, Hogan, Brittney McAnear, and Taylor Gaines all hit well.
On Friday of that week, the Lady Broncos lost a close game in Gruver at 7-10. The ladies were tied for first place going into the game, but the loss put the Lady Broncos alone in second place.
“We hit the ball well,” Jack said. “Brooke, Taylor D. Briley, Allyson, Brittney, and Taylor G. all getting some really hard and deep hits.”
Jack felt too many mistakes allowed Gruver to win the game that he attributed to limited practice time due to all the other activities going on.
“We were a little rusty,” Jack said.
The ladies will be on the road to Follett on Momday, April 27, which will end their regular season.
LaRoe slams three homers at Valley
By Sandy Anderberg
Senior Zack LaRoe racked up several impressive stats in the Broncos’ win over Valley in five innings on the road Tuesday night. The 16-2 win put the Broncos in a great position in the district race.
All in all, there were four huge home runs in the game with three of them belonging to LaRoe. Bryce Hatley slammed the other home run for the Bronco team.
“We hit the ball extremely well today,” coach Brad Elam said. “All four home runs were monster shots and would have been out in most places.”
The Broncos posted twelve runs in the first three innings. Hatley and LaRoe scored two each on their home runs, and Chance Lockhart and Joshua Cobb each hit an RBI single in the first inning. LaRoe hit another two-run homerun in the second inning and Izzy Osburn added an RBI single to get runs on the board early.
LaRoe earned the win from the mound where he pitched two innings with no hits. He struck out five hitters with no walks in the game.
The Broncos will have a big game with Memphis on Friday, April 17, on the road beginning at 4:00 p.m. They will host Kress on Tuesday, April 21, at 4:00 p.m.
Jones 5K draws 117 participants
Clarendon’s Gavin Word and Jennifer McIntosh were the top men’s and women’s finishers of the third annual Chance Mark Jones Roar ‘N Run 5K last Saturday, April 11, at Clarendon College.
The race sponsored by the Clarendon Lions Club in conjunction with National Child Abuse Awareness Month, drew nearly 200 registration with 117 actual runners and walkers as well as dozens of spectators, supporters and workers.
Word, finishing in 21 minutes and two seconds, had the best overall time, best men’s time, and best time for those 19 and under. McIntosh ran the race in 25 minutes and 16 seconds, coming in first among all women and second in the 30-39 age group.
The annual 5K is held to raise awareness of child abuse and to honor the life of four-year-old Chance Mark Jones. The longest distance traveled to this year’s 5K belonged to Tony Dale and Hadley Dale visiting Clarendon from Australia.
Complete results are as follows: Top Men’s Time, Gavin Word; Top Women’s Time, Jennifer McIntosh; 19 and under – 1st Gavin Word, 2nd Clay Ward, 3rd Tanner Burch; Ages 20-29 – 1st Morgan Wheatly, 2nd Haley Koepke, 3rd Cassidy Burton; Ages 30-39 – 1st Tony Dale, 2nd Jennifer McIntosh, 3rd Erica McAnear; Ages 40-49 – 1st Michael Metcalf, 2nd Shannon Ward, 3rd Jennifer Pigg; Ages 50-59 – 1st Tim Sharp, 2nd Sylvia Zaiontz, 3rd Robin McGonigal; Ages 60-69 – 1st Bob Baxter, 2nd Nancy Baxter, 3rd Martha Smith; Ages 70+ – 1st Phyllis O’Keefe, and 2nd Larry Capranica.
Donations and sponsorships for this year’s race are still being calculated. Proceeds will support the charitable community activities of the Clarendon Lions Club.
City Hall planning clean-up
A weeklong citywide clean-up has been scheduled for May 11-16, 2015, following last week’s city meeting.
The city council endorsed a clean-up plan put together by City Administrator David Dockery and Aldermen Beverly Burrow and Doug Kidd.
During the clean-up, city residents will be charged half the usual price of disposal fees at the convenience center on Front Street, and city workers will be available to pick up large items curbside for senior citizens and disabled residents.
Dockery told aldermen the cost of the clean-up to the city in terms of hauling extra trash to the Memphis landfill is expected to be between $3,000 and $4,000.
The city is also requesting volunteers from the community to help residents who do not have the means to haul off debris.
The convenience center will be open during the clean-up from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 11, through Friday, May 15, and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 16.
Items accepted at the convenience center are garbage, debris, tires, and yard waste. Items not accepted are shingles, construction waste, electronics, paint, and batteries. Half price rates during the clean-up will be as follows: pickup load – $3, 16-foot trailer – $10, larger trailers – $20 and up, tires up to 20″ – $1.50 each, tires bigger than 20″ – $4, ag tires – $15 and up, and appliances with Freon – $7.50.
A copy of citizens’ water bills will be requested at the time of dumping to show residency.
In other city business, continued their discussion of pursing USDA funding opportunities for water system improvements, and aldermen will consider authorizing the engineering study necessary to start that application at a future meeting. City officials reported Nathan Jaramillo will be contracted for $1,469.52 to make the repairs to City Hall where an external elevator had been attached. And aldermen listened to a fifth and final presentation on digital water meters.
District Court hears three pleas Monday
Three pleas took place when the District Court met in Clarendon Monday, April 13.
District Attorney Luke Inman, assisted by Greg Buckley, prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas, with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.
Frank Wesley Carson was placed on probation for the second degree felony offense of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for a period of five years.
Carson, 61-year-old resident of Clarendon, was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury after being arrested on May 18, 2014, by Donley County Deputy Vincent “Sonny” Marasco.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Carson was required to pay a fine of $2,000 to Donley County and $398 in court costs. If Carson violates probation, he faces up to 20 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.
Carson was also placed on probation for the third degree felony offense of retaliation for a period of five years.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Carson was required to pay $488 in court costs. If Carson violates probation, he faces up to 10 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.
Kylie Rayne Sharpe was placed on probation for the Class B misdemeanor offense of electronic transmission or certain visual material depicting a minor for a period of 180 days.
Sharpe, 17-year-old resident of Memphis, was arrested on October 30, 2014, for the 3rd degree felony offense of possession of child pornography by Memphis Police Chief Chris Jolly and the State filed an information on April 10, 2015.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Sharpe was required to pay a fine of $2,000 to Hall County, $381 in court costs, and successfully complete 50 hours of community service. If Sharpe violates probation, she faces up to 180 days in the Hall County Jail.
Donley County Health Fair to be held Thursday
More than 35 booths will be set up at the 2015 Donley County Health Fair this Thursday, April 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Bairfield Activity Center at Clarendon College.
Northwest Health Care System will be paying for the processing of tests for cholesterol- LDL/HDL and triglycerides but you must provide your mailing address and must be fasting for accurate results. The paramedics of Donley County Hospital District will be drawing the blood for these tests. Free medical testing will be available in the following areas: blood pressure, pulse, oxygen, glucose/blood sugar, balance, glaucoma, cholesterol- LDL/HDL, STDs and PSAs. A new service this year will be a thyroid test.
Additional booths at the health fair will be hosted by Accolade Home Care, AdvoCare, Alcom/Lifeline, Amarillo Breast Health Coalition, Amerigroup, Area Agency on Aging, BritKare Home Medical, BSA Outpatient Nutrition Clinic, Clarendon Family Medical Center, Clinic for Family Wellness, Coffee Memorial Blood Center, Community Care Center of Clarendon, DARS, FirstCare Health Plans, Haven Health, High Plains Food Bank, Hospice Care of the Southwest, LifeStar, Lions Eye Bank of District 2-T1, Memphis Convalescent Center, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Northwest Texas Healthcare System, Outreach Health Services/WIC, Palo Duro Nursing Home and Rehab, Panhandle Community Services, Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District, Panhandle Independent Living Center, Pavilion at Northwest Texas Healthcare System, Professional Case Management, Roadrunner HomeCare, Shepard’s Crook Home Health, Texas Dept. of State Health Services /Tobacco Education & Cessation, TTUHSC Breast Health Center of Excellence, Thrive by Le-vel, Tralee Crisis Center, DSHS/Children with Special Health Care Needs, and Texas Dept. of State Health Services/ Immunizations.
Health fairs are excellent ways to offer screenings for some health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure. Catching them early can help reduce the risks for costly complications. Both diabetes and high blood pressure can go undetected for up to ten years. Health fairs can also raise awareness of issues like preventing heat exhaustion, heat stroke and even skin cancer. Preventing or delaying the onset of chronic health problems can produce significant savings for many insured employee groups. Thanks to all the generous sponsors, these services will be offered at no cost to the public.
The fair is being sponsored by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Clarendon Family Medical Center, Northwest Health Care System, Mike’s Pharmacy, Pilgrim Bank, Clarendon College, Donley County Memorial VFW Post #7782 Ladies Auxiliary and Roadrunner Home Care. Donations are still being accepted at the Extension Office to help with the expense and keeping it a free event for the attendees.
For more information about the 2015 Health Fair, contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service at 874-2141.
Ceniceros, Lockhart named District champs
By Sandy Anderberg
Junior Ceniceros and Chance Lockhart were named the champions at the District tennis tournament in Wellington last week. The win gave the doubles
team the opportunity to advance to the Regional Tournament April 20-21 in Odessa. The team were awarded a bye in the first round and won their second round match against Quanah’s number two team at 6-1, 6-0. They then defeated Wheeler’s number one team 6-0, 6-3 in the finals.
“They are the Boys Doubles District Champs,” coach Brandt Lockhart said. “Junior and Chance were dominating all day long and played their best tennis of the year.”
Zack LaRoe and Nick Shadle won their first match 4-6, 6-1, and 7-5 against Quanah’s number two team, but then lost in the semi finals to the Wheeler number one team 2-6, 6-2, and 3-6. The duo then defeated Quanah’s number two team 6-2, 6-2 to win third place.
“The boys team are district champions,” Lockhart said. “Zack and Nick played very well and with a few different shots were very close to making the finals.”
On the Lady Bronco side, the team of Kendra Davis and Sterling King lost their match 4-6 and 3-6 to Wheeler. “I felt like they improved throughout the year,” Lockhart said.
Five district track champs named at CHS
By Sandy Anderberg
Five Broncos and Lady Broncos were named 2-2A District Champions in the District track meet held last week in Wellington. Those athletes placing in the top four of each event has earned their spot in the Area Track Meet to be held April 22 at West Texas High.
Charles Mason captured the long jump championship with a leap of 21’2 ½” and Caleb Cobb was the 800-meter dash champion with a time of 2:10.87. Taylor DeGrate dominated the field in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 16.95 to claim first place and Amelia Weatherton outran the other participants in the 100-meter dash for the number one spot with a time of 12.65. Abby Johnson was a double winner bringing home championships in the 200 and 400-meter races. Johnson’s time in the 200 was 27.19 and her 400-meter time was 1:01.20.
Cedrick McCampbell finished fourth in the triple jump with a leap of 39’1″ and was third in the 200m at 23.81. Bryce Grahn finished second and will move on in the 1600m and the 3200m. Grahn’s time in the 1600m was 4:53.15 and time in the 3200 was 10:20.10. Mason will also compete in the 100m dash as he finished fourth with a time of 11.62. Colt Wood placed third in the 400m dash at 53.35, and Caleb Cobb was fourth in that event with a time of 56.10.
The Broncos 400m relay will advance as they finished second with a time of 45.89 and members are Keandre Cortez, Wood, Steven Johnson, and McCampbell. The mile relay finished third at 6:26.31 and was run by Cortez, Wood, Cobb, and Grahn.
On the Lady Bronco side, Berkeley Alexander finished fourth in the shot put with a distance of 32’4″ and third in the discus at 99’2″. Amelia Weatherton won second in the long jump with a distance of 15’7 ¾”, and Carlee Johnson was third in the 800m run with a time of 2:41.48. Allyson Grahn will advance in the 1600m and the 3200m after finishing third and second, respectively. Grahn’s time in the 1600 was 6:26.31 and 13:39.26 in the 3200. Shaelyn Owitti will also compete in the Area meet as she placed fourth in the 400m with a time of 1:09.25.
The Lady Broncos’ 1600m relay took third place at 3:54.64 and will advance. Members of that relay are Abby Johnson, Owitti, Carlee Johnson, and MaRae Hall. The 400m relay also placed third with a time of 54.05 as members are DeGrate, Gaines, Jensen Hatley, and Weatherton.
Individual results:
Broncos: shot put: Marshal Johnson 6th 38’5 ½”; 800m: Lee Buckhaults 6th 23:30.10. The Bronco team finished fifth with 86 points.
Lady Broncos: long jump: Taylor Gaines 6th 15’ ¼”; high jump: Allyson Hogan 5th 4’2″; 400m dash: Hall 5th 1:10.18. The Lady Broncos finished third as a team with 110 points.
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