Donley 4-H members collected over 130 winter warmth items including hats, gloves, scarves and coats to donate to the Crossties clothing ministry recently. President Gracie Ellis and Vice President Kyler Bell delivered them to the center.
This Week
Don Alton Davis
Don Alton Davis, 57, of Pampa passed away on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, in Amarillo.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Robertson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon. Private inurnment will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Cremation and arrangements are under the care of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Donnie was born on January 12, 1968, in Pampa to Charles Ray and Nancy Darlene Walker Davis. He graduated from Pampa High School and later Clarendon College. Throughout his life, he worked with several petroleum companies until his illness. Donnie was known for his skill and curiosity—whether working on cars, tinkering with anything mechanical, tending cattle, or spending time outdoors hunting and fishing.
He had a compassionate heart and a steady presence, offering support and guidance to many young people, especially those facing difficult paths.
His family remembers the deep love he held for his nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews, each of whom he cherished.
Special thanks are extended to Stan Leffew and to Pampa Regional Medical Center for the care and support provided to Donnie.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Darlene Usleton; a great-niece, Brook Baldwin; and his brother-in-law, Doug Woods.
He is survived by his brother, Danny Davis and wife Julie of Amarillo; his sister, D’Anne Woods of Pflugerville; his nieces, Tiffany Baldwin and Brooke Finney; his nephews, Stephen Woods, Sean Usleton, Josh Davis, and Will Davis; and his great-nieces and great-nephews, Julie Woods, Bailee Woods, Wyatt Baldwin, Ellie Baldwin, Liora Charlotte Davis, Blake Usleton, Brody Usleton, Gavin Usleton, Darci Usleton, Kinleigh Gunn, Kaleb Gunn and Harper Finney. He is also remembered with affection by his dear friends Clint Taylor, Aaron Maldonado, Jamie Wheat, and Trina Douthit-Garcia.
The family requests that memorials be sent to the American Diabetes Association or the Citizens Cemetery Association in Clarendon.
Lady Broncos smash Perryton
By Sandy Anderberg
The Lady Broncos were on fire against Perryton at home last week. The ladies totally dominated the Ragerettes defeating them 61-24.
Perryton tried to put up a fight against the Lady Broncos, but the maroon and white proved to be too tough for them. Both teams finished at 50 percent from the bonus line, while Clarendon hit one of two bonus shots and the ‘Ettes converted 10 of the 20 they were given.
The Lady Broncos took the lead early and their speed on both ends was too much for Perryton. A huge third quarter gave the ladies the boost they needed to get the 37-point win.
Cambree Smith led the way with 17 points that included three three-pointers and Gracie Ellis hit some big threes to finish with 14. Kenidee Hayes finished with 11, Kate Shaw had seven and Berkley Moore put in six. Millie McAnear helped with four, Madi Benson had three, and Presley Smith added two.
The Lady Broncos will host Wheeler December 19 at 6:30.
Broncos play hard in Childress Tournament
By Sandy Anderberg
The Broncos played several hard games at the Childress Tournament last week and got past Hartley, Memphis, and Floydada but fell short against Vernon.
Senior Michael Randall posted a double-double against Hartley, putting in 21 points and grabbing 23 rebounds.
The Broncos played with determination in the game but could not break down the Vernon offense and the lead they held. Free throws hindered the Broncos as they were only able to convert at 25 percent from the bonus line and only hit 50 percent of the field goals they shot.
Heston Seay helped on the scoreboard with 13, and Caleb Herbert and Braxton Gribble added eight each. Tyler Cavanaugh finished with three, and Kreed Robinson and Brentley Gaines helped with two apiece.
The Broncos were able to breeze by Floydada at 41-28, while taking Memphis down to the wire to win by three. Randall had 19, Gaines put in 10, and Seay added six in the win over Floydada.
Randall led the way in the Memphis game with 11 points and Gaines added nine. Herbert, Gribble, and Paxton English finished with five each, and Tyler Cavanaugh added one.
The Broncos will travel to Sunray December 19 and play at 7:00 p.m.
City okays northside water line proposal
Council votes to discipline secretary
The Clarendon City Council approved moving forward with a project to replace aging water lines on north side of town during its regular meeting last Thursday, December 11.
Former alderman Mandy Smith spoke in support of the project during public comments at the opening of the meeting.
“I’ve asked for two and half years for clean water, and we’re so excited,” Smith said. “We hope you all vote ‘yes.’”
City Administrator Brian Barboza told the council the city’s engineers estimate the project will cost about $107,000 to replace several blocks of cast iron water pipes. The city would look at funding the project with tax notes, which could be paid off in seven years with an annual note payment of about $30,000.
The project would not replace all of the cast iron supply pipes on the north side of town, but it would reach a large number of households.
The council voted unanimously to approve the project.
In other city business, the council met in closed session for almost an hour and half to consider disciplinary action on City Secretary Machiel Covey following citizens’ complaints aired at the November meeting. Returning to open session, the council approved placing written employee disciplinary note in Covey’s file.
The city’s procedures for cutting off water service due to non-payment were discussed. The council express their desire for notices not be placed on the outside of meter boxes in public view, and aldermen also encouraged more to be done to educate the public about e-billing and other options to help possibly mitigate cut-offs.
Also last week, the council approved amending the waste management agreement with Republic Services to add complimentary service to Prospect Park and to adjust rates for Greenbelt Water Authority following a meeting between city, Republic, and Greenbelt officials.
A resolution was approved for the city’s participation in a Panhandle Regional Mutual Aid Agreement.
The council approved appointing Brandon Frausto, Bob Weiss, Nathan Floyd, and Earl Hartman to the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors.
A proposed ordinance to add new stop signs in the city was discussed but no action was taken.
A quote for lighting in Prospect Park was also discussed, but the council directed Barbosa to talk with AEP / SWEPCO first.
An ordinance was approved to set $150 as the radio tower rental rate, and a tower rental agreement was approved with AW Wireless.
Franks wraps another solid NFR
By Ted Harbin, TwisTed Rodeo
LAS VEGAS – It’s been a whirlwind 365 days for bareback rider Cole Franks. He left Nevada last December with more than $155,000 in earnings and a plan to be back.
He set out on a plan to do that, but there were other aspects to his life that were also a priority. Franks was married in May to the former Dustie Warr, then set off on the rodeo trail that kept him on the road for much of the summer. He kept winning, and the result was a fourth qualification to the National Finals Rodeo.
He and his bride are also expecting their first child in February, so he arrived in Las Vegas two weeks ago with gold on his mind and a goal of buying diapers and baby food for months to come. This is the world’s richest rodeo, where a disappointing 10 nights still resulted in a payday of $107,781.
“It’s still a good payday, but it’s definitely not what I wanted to get done or anywhere close to what I had envisioned,” said Franks, 24, of Clarendon. “Nothing felt right the last four rounds. I don’t know necessarily if it was equipment or my body. A lot of stuff is hurting right now, my hips, my neck, everything.”
The business of bareback riding is brutal on one’s body. Cowboys wear specially designed gloves with binds on the ring and pinky fingers to lock their hands into the riggings, which are strapped tightly to the horse’s back. They then try to spur from the front of the animal’s shoulders back to the rigging before surging the feet back to the front before the bronc’s front feet hit the ground again.
All the while, 1,200 pounds of bucking dynamite is exploding beneath them.
It’s time.
“I finally committed to just saying getting my hip,” said Franks, the 2021 intercollegiate champion at Clarendon College in both the all-around, bareback riding and as part of the men’s title team. “I’ve got a torn labrum and bone spurs growing in my hip. I feel like it’s probably the best time to do it, get it done before the new year and come back in mid-April.
“That’ll give me two months at home with a new baby. I won’t have to worry about being gone and missing the baby or missing him being born because his due date is in the heat of winter rodeo.”
Rodeo is how Cole Franks makes a living, and it’s a pretty good one. He finished the year with $308,143 riding bucking horses, and his consistency at the NFR came through despite his ailments. He rode 10 broncs for a cumulative score of 846 points, placing fourth in the aggregate, which was worth $44,356.
It’s time to get things fixed and heal so he can continue to support his growing family. That’s the priority, after all.
Final Small Town Christmas Cash drawing set for Friday
The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce named Jo Burns as its second $100 Chamber Cash winner last Friday, December 12, as Small Town Christmas shopping promotions continue.
The Chamber will hold its third drawing for $100 in Chamber Cash as well as the bonus drawing for $250 in Chamber Cash this Friday, December 19.
The fourth annual “Shop Small” promotion from the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce will put a grand total of $550 in Chamber Christmas Cash in the hands of lucky winners who shop with local merchants.
Shoppers can sign-up at participating merchants for Friday’s regular drawing. To enter, shoppers will fill out an entry at local participating merchants. Enter as many times as you shop locally, so shop often. Entries stay in the hopper each week, so those who enter will have multiple chances of winning.
To sign up for this week’s $250 bonus drawing, shoppers must take their receipts from participating merchants to the Clarendon Visitor Center where they will receive one entry for every $25 spent since December 1.
This year’s participating merchants are: Amanda’s Country Soaps, Broiller’s Auto Parts, Clarendon Outpost, Cornell’s Country Store, Country Bloomers Flowers, Every Nook & Cranny, Floatin’ T, Floyd’s Automotive, Henson’s, Garrison’s, J&W Lumber, Lowe’s Family Center, Monroe’s Peach Ranch, Mulkey Theatre, Mike’s Pharmancy, Ramblin’ Ranch Boutique, REFZ Sports Bar & Grill, Sully Suds Laundromat, and the Whistle Stop.
Shop at home this holiday season and remember the important role your local merchants play in keeping your community strong. Support the businesses who support your town!
Cities receive final sales taxes for ’25
Two Donley County cities will finish the calendar year with larger sales tax revenues than in 2024 after Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock distributed November sales tax allocations to local governments last week.
The City of Clarendon was up 1.71 percent for December at $47,947.77, but the city’s yearly total of $567,899.88 was 9.17 percent above the 2024 total of $520,180.51.
Howardwick was down 24.39 percent for December, at $1,562.87, but the lakeside city was up 6.81 percent for the year at $22,901.18.
Hedley was up 1.62 percent for December with an allocation of $15,406.95 but finished the year down 16.85 percent at $15,406.95.
Donley County Assistance District 1 in the City of Howardwick was up 16.68 percent for December at $1,191.35 and finished its first full year of collecting sales taxes to help fund county law enforcement with a total $15,283.77. Donley County Assistance District 2 collected $4,081.25 in the unincorporated areas of the county.
Across the state, Hancock delivered $1.2 billion in local sales tax allocations for December, 7.5 percent more than in December 2024. These allocations are based on sales made in October by businesses that report tax monthly.
Nearby, Claude was up 81.37 percent for the month at $36,967.86 and finished the year up 28.71 percent at $321,635.06. Memphis was up 15.66 percent for December at $33,133.70 and finished 2025 up 7.94 percent at $426,395.33.
Franks gets rank to finish sixth
By Ted Harbin, TwisTed Rodeo
LAS VEGAS – Bareback rider Cole Franks stretched his right hand, rolled his neck around and winced.
It looked like he’d just been in a fist fight. Whether he’d won is still up in the air. There was victory, as much as one can have when he tangles with 1,200 of wild, bucking flesh, but there was that look.
Franks had just packed a whale of a punch on Rosser Rodeo’s Right On Q for 83.75 points. It was good enough for sixth place in Thursday’s eighth round of the National Finals Rodeo and picked up $5,914. He might need that for an ice bath.
“I feel very glad that the next two horses I’m getting on are going to be fun,” said Franks, a four-time NFR qualifier from Clarendon, Texas. “It should be fun, so hopefully it is.”
ProRodeo’s premier championship is a slugfest for bareback riders. They are challenged by a variety of bucking horses, from the “hoppers,” the easiest to ride, to the “eliminators,” which is self-descriptive. Right On Q was part of the latter. The powerful, red explosive device was anything but fun.
“That horse was a little bit more than I expected,” Franks said. “I knew it was going to be hard, and I knew it was going to buck. I’m not really sure what happened, but I got set up right at the start, and he stepped ahead a little bit and hit me in the back of the head pretty hard, and it kind of rang my bell. I was just fighting the whole rest of the time, trying to stay caught up with him.
“I pretty much dropped the ball a little bit again tonight.”
The goal is to spur from in front of the horse’s shoulders and back to the rigging, then extend the feet back to the front before the bronc’s front feet hit the ground again. Judges are going to mark half the score based on how well the animal performs, and the other half on how well the cowboy spurs in rhythm with the horse’s bucking motion.
The tougher the bronc, the harder it is to do that. Still, Franks has ridden seven horses for a cumulative 676.75 points and is fourth in the average race. He has amassed $63,426 in eight rounds and sits sixth in the world standings with $256,787. Money for placing in the aggregate will be added Saturday night; as it stands, he has potential to add $44,356 to his pockets.
But this has been a rather slow NFR compared to his three previous. A year ago, he earned more than $156,000 over 10 nights.
“It’s not what I’m used to, but it’s adding up,” Franks said. “I mean once that average sinks in, it’ll be close and will even out a little bit. Hopefully the next two rounds will be $37,000 a night.”
Go-round winners earn $36,668, so he still has a chance at more than $73,000 in round money along with his average payout. It’s a big opportunity to cash out big in Vegas.
Franks, old friend tangle in Vegas
By Ted Harbin, TwisTed Rodeo
LAS VEGAS – In February 2021, Cole Franks was a 19-year-old cowboy who was being trained by his dad, Bret, the rodeo coach at Clarendon (Texas) College.
Sippin Firewater was about 5 years old and was being used as a training tool for the Clarendon rodeo team. Bret Franks and the college had a partnership with Bill Hext, a livestock producer near Glazier, Texas, in which the student athletes would practice on the animal.
“We called him Mouthwash when we had him, because it felt like you needed some mouthwash when you got done dealing with him,” said Cole Franks, 24, a four-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Clarendon. “He was a little hard to handle.
“We bucked him in the bronc riding a bunch, and no one could ever get out on him or get a clean go or could ever really figure him out. Finally, one day, I just told Dad that I’m getting on him, and we came up with a game plan. He went out there and was and was an NFR-caliber horse from the first time I ever got on him.”
The college and Hext sold the bronc to Rorey Lemmel, who owns Harper & Morgan Rodeo Co. Ten months later, both Cole Franks and Sippin Firewater were at the NFR for the first time.
“That horse made everything start snowballing for me,” Franks said. “Right after I got on that horse, I finally started winning a little bit at the ProRodeos. For whatever reason, everything just clicked. That horse and both his brothers hold a pretty special spot for me.”
It came full circle during Tuesday’s sixth round of this year’s NFR. Franks and Sippin Firewater danced across the Thomas & Mack Center dirt for 85.5 points. Franks finished in a tie for fourth place, collecting $12,420 – it was Franks’ biggest payday so far in Las Vegas. While the bronc is at an elite level in the sport, one brother remains a practice horse in Clarendon, and the other is being used as a pickup horse,
“We didn’t really know anything about those three horses when we got them, and still really don’t know much about them,” he said, noting that a Hext bucking stallion has been breeding on the family’s ranch in the northeastern portion of the Texas Panhandle. “Since we knew who their dad is, we started breeding to that stud to see what we could get.”
Raising bucking horses is an important step in the progression of rodeo. Bucking studs are matched with bucking mares to provide strong genetics, and the proof is shown at the 205 horses performing in Las Vegas. Sippin Firewater is one of them.
“We’ve both grown up a lot since then,” Franks said. “He’s chilled out a lot, but he’s still very hair-triggered and he’s just a freakin’ bucking horse. When I first got on him, he didn’t really know what he was doing because I was the first person to ever stay on him after the second jump.”
The horse has figured it out now.
“When I got on him the first time, I was putting my rigging on him and talking to him, scratching under his chin,” he said. “That was one thing I figured out with him. If you just treat him kind of like a baby, love on him a little bit, he’d mellow out a little. He’s definitely a lot more bucking horse today than he was five years ago.”
It’s been a bit of a slow ride in Sin City for Franks. He has ridden six broncs for a cumulative score of 507.25 points and earned $32,000. He is seventh in the world standings with $232,442.
“We’re chipping away at it,” Franks said. “A little bit is better than nothing. I’m just going to keep doing my job. I’ve got the horse I wanted in (Wednesday’s) pen.”
Franks will test Bridwell Pro Rodeo’s Silver Beaver in Round 7. His traveling partner, Rocker Steiner, won Friday’s second round on the California bucking horse.
“I was talking to Tim Bridwell (Tuesday), and I told him I predicted I’d be getting on his horse,” Franks said. “I guess I manifested it a little bit.”
At this stage of the week with four rounds remaining in ProRodeo’s grand finale, the Texas cowboy is ready to do anything he can to collect some big Las Vegas cash.
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