High Winds Slam Clarendon Dockery Said Groundbreaking Washing of Vehicles, Boats, Rvs, on the $1.9 Million Water Recreation Or Driveways
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THE CLARENDON 08.02.2018 The Texas Panhandle’s First Newspaper. Established 1878. Enterprise THE CLARENDON NEWS & THE DONLEY COUNTY LEADER www.ClarendonLive.com Single 00 Aldermen Copy $1 pick pool THIS WEEK 2 The Texas Public Policy Nature’s Fury Foundation speaks out about engineer newsprint tariffs. Clarendon’s water recreation 3 Local 4H members do well project could be open for business in the district record book next summer following last week’s contest. action by the City Council. 4 Beware the online car sale The city recently reviewed pro- scams. posals from engineering firms for the 5 And AEP’s proposed wind job, and aldermen reviewed a com- energy project in Oklahoma mittee’s scoring of those proposals gets scrapped. before voting to select Waters Edge All this and much more as The Enterprise Aquatic Design out of a group of reports in this week’s amazing edition! seven applicants. “This is a historic moment, guys,” Mayor Sandy Skelton told the Howardwick still on council before the vote was taken. water restrictions Waters Edge has previously Howardwick residents are done the concept design work for the reminded that although Red River Clarendon pool project. City Admin- Water Authority has rescinded istrator David Dockery said the firm the order to boil drinking water, was selected because for its ability to restrictions on water use are still do all the engineering in-house, its in place. record of bringing projects in either City residents are restricted at or below budget, and because they to watering only Monday through felt they could meet the goal of fin- Thursday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. The old Antro Hotel suffered severe damage when a storm struck the city Sunday night. See more photos on page 8. ENTERPRISE PHOTO ishing the project to be open next with even numbered addresses summer. watering on Monday and Wednes- Waters Edge is also the same day, and odd number addresses firm that designed the Wellington watering Tuesday and Thursday. Aquatic Venue. Red River is also not allowing any High winds slam Clarendon Dockery said groundbreaking washing of vehicles, boats, RVs, on the $1.9 million water recreation or driveways. A blast of destruction hit the case of an old cedar tree behind wall collapsed over into the interior Southwestern Electric Power facility is expected to take place in Residents found to be vio- Clarendon Sunday night, July 29, the Donley County Courthouse of the structure, crashing all the way Co. lines were knocked down and October. lating the restrictions could face when a sudden storm swept through that was guessed to be at least 100 into the basement. linemen worked throughout the In other city business, the alder- temporary disconnection and a the city unexpectedly. years old. The storm snapped the At the Sandell Drive-In, the night to restore electric service. The men voted to continue using the $50 reconnect fee. The Donley County Sher- tree about eight feet off the ground, storm flattened the marquee of that entire town was without power for Donley County State Bank as the Water restrictions will con- iff’s Office logged the first trouble but it fortunately missed the historic historic business and peeled the roof about three hours with much of the city’s depository. tinue until Red River Water at 8:12 p.m. when a 911 caller building when it came down. off of the concession stand struc- city remaining darkened until after Aldermen approved applying Authority and improve pumping reported the first power outage asso- The greatest damage down- ture, exposing the projection equip- midnight and some people not get- for a RAMP grant through the Texas and storage capacity in the city. ciated with the storm, the harbinger town was inflicted on the aban- ment to the elements. ting power restored until 4 a.m. or Department of Transportation to of what would be a long night for doned Antro Hotel at First and Part of the front of the old later. patch cracks in the airport runway. Chamber social to emergency personnel and utility Kearney. The 1927 three-story hotel Dairy Queen building was blown The storm was followed by The project is expected to cost about workers. was already missing its roof and away; and across the city, residents another, less severe round of rain $34,000, and the grant would pay be held next week As winds picked up, driving much of its interior structure from suffered roof and other damage and wind after midnight. Altogether, about fifty percent. The city already The Clarendon Chamber of heavy rain sideways, trees took the an aborted attempt to demolish the from the high winds. the Enterprise gauge measured 0.55 has about $14,000 in an account for Commerce will hold its next Busi- brunt of nature’s fury across the building about 30 years ago. When Weather officials termed the inches of precipitation. airport work. ness After Hours at the Donley city and nearby rural areas. Massive the straight-line north winds, mea- storm a microburst, and two acci- Clean-up will likely continue An agreement was signed with County Senior Citizens Center tree limbs were broken off, several sured at up to 84 miles per hour, hit dents occurred on US 287 due to the for several days as residents and Chloe’s Canines to assist the city next Thursday, August 9. inches in diameter in some cases. the north face of the building, most weather, one east of town and the local officials work to recover from with adopting out dogs captured by The come-and-go event will Some trees were lost entirely, as was of the upper two floors of that brick other west of town. the event. animal control. The agreement calls be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for the city to pay the animal shelter and will provide Chamber mem- $500 per year to assist the city. bers and prospective members an In his administrator’s report, opportunity to learn more about Dockery complimented the public what’s happening in the local works department for a recent in- business community. Visitors are house job that looped some water- welcome to arrive at any time lines downtown to improve water during the event and may feel free pressure to part of the central busi- to leave early if they need to get to ness district, including the Fire Hall. other appointments Dockery said the work should have a Refreshments will be served. positive effect on the city’s key rates Come join the Chamber for a for insurance. great opportunity to network with Aldermen also reviewed the local business men and women. draft budget and discussed the tax rate for the coming year. The council Texas Sales Tax A large old cedar tree behind the Donley County Courthouse Stephen Biven’s van suffered damage when a huge part of a is proposing a tax rate of $0.75865 per $100 valuation, an increase over came crashing down in the storm. ENTERPRISE PHOTO / ASHLEE ESTLACK. tree at his residence broke off. ENTERPRISE PHOTO / ASHLEE ESTLACK. Holiday Aug. 10-12 the current rate of $0.733821. Dock- AUSTIN – Whether you’re ery said that while this year’s pro- in need of book bags, blackboard posed rate is higher, the city will pay chalk or bell-bottom pants, Texas off some of indebtedness in 2019 Comptroller Glenn Hegar is that should in a much lower rate for reminding shoppers they can save 2020. money on those and certain other items during the state’s sales tax holiday. This year, the sales tax holiday is scheduled for Friday, Abbott taps Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 10-12. The law exempts most cloth- Porter for Red ing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced below A broken limb of at the Clarendon Lions Hall was typical of the A portion of the roof of the Larry Kidd house was peeled away by River board $100 from sales tax, saving shop- destruction of Sunday’s storm. ENTERPRISE PHOTO / ROGER ESTLACK. the wind. ENTERPRISE PHOTO / ROGER ESTLACK. pers about $8 on every $100 they AUSTIN - Governor Greg spend during the weekend. Abbott last week appointed “As Texas families begin the Clarendon native William “Wade” process of replacing their beach BBB urges caution on clean-up help Porter to the Red River Authority bags with book bags, Texas’ sales Board of Directors for a term set to tax holiday is the perfect oppor- The Texas Panhandle knows ciple contacts. You can also read and ask if temporary repairs can be specific filing requirements. expire on August 11, 2023. tunity to save some money on the few strangers when it comes to and submit reviews on companies. made. “It will take some time for 3. Contact the BBB at www. The authority provides the con- supplies families need before the offers to help, especially after a Know the difference; well estab- companies to make all the needed bbb.org/Amarillo or 806-379-6222 trol, conservation and development school bell rings,” Hegar said. “As natural disaster. Unfortunately, the lished companies with a proven repairs.” for a list of accredited businesses of the watershed and water of the a dad to three young children, I aftermath of a storm also brings out track record will be here to help Use reputable, well established in the industry you are shopping Red River and its Texas tributaries. know how these expenses can add companies and individuals who will long term and are interested in more companies for home and car repair in (roofers, remodelers, landscape Porter of Amarillo is executive up.” take advantage of an already diffi- than simply taking your money.