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Calls for ambulance service rising
In 2004, the highest number of monthly calls was 49. This year, the highest number is 96 calls in September, and there are two other months that have received 95 calls.
“We’ve never seen this much activity,” Ambulance Administrator Anna Howard said. “We’ve steadily crept up on our number of calls, but nothing like this year. For unknown reasons, this year has had an amazing jump.”
According to Howard, there are a few more medical calls than trauma, but on average they are the same.
“We don’t have a good explanation because it’s not all one thing,” Howard said. “Our car accident calls have actually decreased since I came here in 2002. We see all sorts of different medical issues, like strokes and heart attacks as well as trauma, so it’s hard to pinpoint what the problem is.”
The average age of the patients varies as well.
“Some wonder if the increase has to do with the higher elderly rate in Donley County, but some of these patients aren’t elderly,” Howard said. “The average age of the patients is pretty much even because there is the same amount of people in each group.”
The majority of the calls are from Donley County citizens.
“We don’t get that many calls from people out of town or just passing through,” Howard said. “In fact in October, we had 56 calls from Donley County citizens and 17 from non-citizens. We thought that was impressive.”
One hypothesis Howard has is that people are putting off going to their primary physician.
“They wait until they start feeling really bad and then finally call the ambulance.”
The amount of calls frequently requires two ambulances running.
“We’re definitely staying busy,” Howard said. “We are fortunate to be able to run two ambulances in Donley County because a lot of small places are struggling to actually get a crew for their ambulance. We staff two trucks 24/7 with personnel, and with the increased calls we even have to staff a third truck at times, but it hasn’t affected the payroll yet.”
The two brand new ambulances received in March already have 24,000 miles on them.
“The old ambulances we replaced got 8.6-9.0 miles per gallon, while the new trucks get 10.9 so that’s good,” Howard said.
“We hope to keep these ambulances until they get at least 300,000 miles on them.”
Howard said the biggest issue with the increased calls is the fuel cost.
“We are still in budget as far as fuel, but if it keeps up like this I’m sure we’ll be over it soon,” she said. “We’ll be $4,000-$5,000 over the fuel budget if we keep up with the call volume of 80-90 calls a month.”
The amount of calls has not affected the care patients receive, though.
“We have a great crew,” Howard said. “If we need a third crew, someone is always going to be there. We have enough people willing to serve the community as EMTs who will even on the rare occasion act as a first responder when all three ambulances are out to provide immediate emergency care until one of our ambulances arrive. To me, that’s unheard of in a rural community.”
Owls fall short
Sanchez pleads guilty to assault
A man accused of committing sexual assault in the Clarendon nursing home was convicted of the crime last week.
Richard Sanchez entered a guilty plea in district court and was sentenced to eight years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Sanchez was sentenced for the second degree felony offense of sexual assault, enhanced to a first degree due to his previous criminal history.
Sanchez, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place on March 12, 2010, and April 26, 2010. He was accused of sexually assaulting a resident of Community Care Center of Clarendon, where the Donley County Sheriff’s Office said Sanchez had worked for five years.
Sanchez was indicted by the Donley County Grand Jury on June 28, 2010, on three counts of sexual assault.
“The Donley County Sheriff’s office spent many hours investigating this case which resulted in this plea today,” said Inman. “Sheriff Blackburn and Chief Deputy Randy Bond provided this office with multiple tools to proceed due to the thorough investigations they conduct on each and every case. This area is fortunate to have such an experienced law enforcement staff.”
In addition to the sentence, Sanchez is also required to pay $1,797 in court costs.
District Attorney Luke Inman, assisted by Greg Buckley, prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.
Also last week, the court heard other pleas from two other defendants, resulting in convictions.
Timothy Wayde Wilson pleaded true to the allegation in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate Guilt of Defendant and was convicted and sentenced six years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
On July 29, 2009, Wilson pleaded guilty to the second degree felony offense of burglary of a habitation and the second degree felony offense of burglary of a habitation. The State filed the motion to adjudicate on June 8, 2010, alleging six violations of community supervision. Wilson was sentenced to six years in the TDCJ and must pay $780 in court costs to Donley County, a $4,000.00 fine and $22,000 restitution.
Eddie Brian Defries (a.k.a. Edward Brian De-Fries) was placed on probation for a period of three years for the third degree felony offense of driving while intoxicated 3rd or more. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Defries is required to pay a $2,000 fine to Donley County, is required to pay $558 in court costs, and $140 restitution.
Services honor contributions of America’s veterans
The Adamson-Lane Post 287 of the American Legion hosted a service in Rowe Cemetery Thursday with Rev. Lloyd Stice, pastor of Clarendon’s First United Methodist Church, delivering the keynote address, and special services was held for those Missing in Action and still held as Prisoners of War.
Dick Bode of Alanreed later spoke at the Hedley School. He lived through five years of German occupation and later served in the US Air Force. He said Americans are “ordinary people doing extraordinary things.”
That evening, more than 300 people were at Clarendon College Bairfield Activity Center for a candlelight vigil that recognized both the men and women who have served and are currently serving the United States. Several community members helped with the program, and Dr. John Howard, who is also a captain in the US Navy, delivered the keynote, which honored the real heroes of America and called for support not just for the fallen but also for the families of those still overseas and for those who come home permanently changed. Howard also drew attention to the need for better treatment of American veterans, particularly noting issues of health care and homelessness.
Another program was held last Wednesday at the Clarendon school, and the local VFW post provided free breakfast to veterans on Thursday.
Local girl rolls truck
A Clarendon girl remained hospitalized this week after she rolled her vehicle Sunday afternoon while using her cell phone.
Krista Reynolds, age 16, was in Lubbock’s University Medical Center in the pediatric ICU, her father, Steve Reynolds reported. She was texting and driving and not wearing her seat belt, he said.
DPS Trooper Chad Simpson said Reynolds was driving a 1998 Ford F-150 pickup and negotiating a curve on FM 2362 west of Clarendon when the right tires traveled off the roadway and into the south ditch. Reynolds overcorrected while steering to the left, went back onto the highway, and then over corrected to the right.
Simpson said the truck then slid sideways into the south ditch, rolled 2¾ times, and went through a fence before coming to rest on its right side in a pasture.
Reynolds was ejected from the vehicle as it rolled, Simpson said.
Responding to the accident in addition to the DPS were the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department, Associated Ambulance Authority, the Donley County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Transportation.
Mr. Reynolds said his daughter was suffering from a broken pelvis and fractured vertebrae, but the family was considering it fortunate that her injuries were not much worse.
Donations are being accepted at all Clarendon banks to help the family deal with travel and other expenses during Krista’s hospitalization in Lubbock.
Shelton runs well at state
Audrey Shelton has worked hard for the reward and the payback came this past weekend in Round Rock. Shelton went through every obstacle she could to get there and not surprisingly ran in the State Cross-Country Meet Saturday, November 13 against 103 other runners.
Her time of 12:46 for the two-mile course was good enough for 25th place. Not bad for the sophomore’s first trip to state.
Shelton was among really good runners and against a course she had never faced before. She ran hard and gave it all she had and even though the results were not what she had in mind, the participation was a first for Clarendon’s cross-country
runners.
Shelton did not begin her training when school started this fall. She was dedicated throughout the summer and made it her goal to not only make it to the Regional meet, but advance to the top meet in the state. She practiced alone, with friends, and with her coaches and every ounce of fortitude and drive came from within. A great testimony to what someone can accomplish with the right determination.
“Audrey is one of the best high school athletes I have ever coached when it comes to determination, attitude, and work ethic,” coach Molly Weatherred said. “She is a great leader. She has worked extremely hard. Not only did Shelton run all of the scheduled practices, but she also ran on her own. Even through the weekends. She never took a day off from running. I am very proud of her.”
Shelton led her team in the District and Regional meet this season. The Lady Bronco team competed at the Regional meet and placed 7th overall. But Shelton is not finished running yet. She will be a very experienced presence in the spring when track season rolls around and then gear up for another cross-country season next fall as a junior.
You can bet that if there is a race to be run, Audrey Shelton will be the first in line to practice whenever and wherever she can. It’s in her blood.
Broncos to face Seymour for Area title
Not willing to see their stellar 2010 season end just yet, the Broncos are getting their game faces on in preparation for their next playoff game with Seymour.
The District Champions are fired up and ready to play for the Area Championship this Saturday in Lubbock at Lubbock Cooper High.
After breaking the 29-year District Champion drought, the Broncos are more than determined to be playing well into December as they vie for a state berth. Because of earning a bye in the first round of playoffs, the Broncos will move on to the Area round, which is just a stepping-stone away from where they want to be. They know the game with Seymour will be tough, but they are ready and willing to do what it takes to get the win.
“Seymour went 6-4 on the season and beat New Deal in the first round of the playoffs,” head coach Gary Jack said. “New Deal had lost about three starters so they weren’t the team we saw early in our season, but Seymour is a tough team and is out of a really tough district.”
The Panthers finished third to Albany (10-0) and Stamford (9-1) who are both ranked high in the standings. Jack knows the Broncos will have to play hard.
“It will be tough from here on out,” Jack said. “There are good quality teams left. It will be a very exciting game.”
The game will be played Saturday, November 20 at Lubbock Cooper High in Lubbock at 2:00 in the afternoon.
“Lubbock Cooper has a brand new stadium and we’re expecting a big Bronco crowd,” Jack said.
To find Lubbock Cooper take the Tahoka Highway exit from Loop 289 and go five or six miles south.
There will be a bonfire at the McAnears’ farm south of Clarendon on Hwy. 70 on November 18 at dusk. Also there will be a Bronco send-off at 8:30 a.m. on Kearney Street.
Picnic
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