This Week

The City of Clarendon is asking residents’ cooperation as work gets underway next week on the 2022 seal coat program.

City Hall requests that all obstructions – including vehicles and trailers – be moved off streets set to be worked on next week. Officials say that if a vehicle or other object is still in the roadway when work begins, it will be removed by wrecker at the owner’s expense.

Streets scheduled for seal coat work include:
East Fourth Street from South Carhart to US 70 South; South Carhart from US 287 to East Browning; Clarendon Ave from South Bugbee past Collinson; South Allen Street from West Fifth to West Third; South Bugbee from West Eighth to West Sixth; South Taylor from West Third to West Sixth; South Ellerbe from West Third to West Sixth; and North Jefferson from West White to West Dyer.

This project will take one to two days to complete and will start Tuesday, September 20, at 8:00 a.m.

One of the supporting characters from a 2021 “Thelma & Louise” style run from the law found himself back in front of the 100th Judicial District Court in Clarendon August 25.

Rueben Campos, 38, from Amarillo, was sentenced to 16 months in prison for the state jail felony offense of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

District Attorney Luke Inman, along with Assistant District Attorney Harley Caudle, prosecuted the case for the State of Texas, with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.

“Well, that didn’t take long,” Inman said.  “The defendant couldn’t even keep his nose clean for 90 days on probation, so bad for him but good for the rest of the community.

Campos was arrested on May 21, 2021, by Donley County Deputy Brian Stevens. Another man and two women were arrested the same day, with them women attempting run from the law in a stolen car before running it off into a ravine south of Clarendon.

Campos was originally placed on probation on July 21, 2021.

The State filed a motion asking the Court to adjudicate Campos’ probation on October 19, 2021, alleging five violations of probation.

At the hearing on August 25, Campos admitted violating his probation conditions, and Messer sentenced him to the 16-month prison term.

“This guy wasn’t even one of our local undesirables,” said Caudle.  “He was an Amarillo criminal who drifted a little too far away from home to commit this crime.  Maybe he will remember to not come back to Donley County when he gets out.”

Campos was also ordered to pay the remaining $2,500 fine and $305 in court costs.

Clarendon College reported lower fall enrollment this week as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to trickle through the institution.

Total headcount following the 12th class day last week was reported at 1,285, reflecting an 8.1 percent drop from 1,399 one year ago.

CC President Tex Buckhaults said about half of the loss in enrollment came in the college’s nursing program, which he said had a lower starting class two years ago that continues to get smaller as students move through the program. The other major enrollment drops were seen in different programs.

Buckhaults said last year’s numbers were higher than they might have been except for some student athletes who stayed enrolled at CC in different classes or certificate programs while they enjoyed a third year of eligibility resulting from COVID cutting short the 2020 seasons.

Some programs are experiencing growth, however, with the rodeo program “busting at the seams,” the president said.

CC has fewer students on its Clarendon campus this year, 288 down from 331 last fall, and on its Pampa Campus, 100 down from 150. The cosmetology center in Amarillo is stayed even at 66. Enrollment in Childress is 34, down just two from a year ago.

Dual credit classes increased slightly from 605 last year to 616 this fall.

The number of students taking courses through area correctional facilities was even at 81.

Distance education students – those taking classes strictly online – dropped from 130 to 100.

Greenbelt Electric Cooperative, Inc., will hold its annual 83rd Drive-Thru Annual Membership Meeting on Friday, September 23, at 706 Tenth Street in Wellington.

The drive-thru meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. and closes at 1:30 p.m.

Members are asked to enter the alley from the north on Ninth Street.

Members will vote for directors, receive $25 cash and a door prize, and will also get a boxed meal to go. There will also be two $800 cash prizes during the day.

Hedley High School will host a blood drive for Coffee Memorial Blood Center on Tuesday, September 20, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the school library/media center.

Donors will get a free “Don’t Sass the Squatch” bigfoot t-shirt, a free bundtlet from Nothing Bundt Cakes, and one free entry to the Discovery Center.

A photo ID is required, and you must be at least 17 years old to donate. Donors who are 16 may donate with a signed parental consent form.
Save time, complete your questions online (day of drive only) using Donor Express at www.thegiftoflife.org.

For your lifesaving appointment, go to yourbloodinstitute.org or call (806) 331-8833, toll free 1-877-574-8800.