Rain is defined as the condensation of atmospheric water vapor into drops heavy enough to fall, making it to the surface of the earth.  I felt that I needed to brush up on the definition. In recent times, we have not gotten to hear its soothing pitter-patter on the roof, smell its clean refreshing scent, or see the wonders it can do to our dry mother earth in our locale.  However, most recently our plagued abstinence of rain has been broken.

    Late Tuesday evening, July 14th a fire broke out at the Beck Ranch, located about 30 miles southwest of Dalhart.  The fire began at approximately 7:00 p.m. and ultimately didn’t succumb to firemen until July 15th.  The Dalhart Fire Department responded to the fire, which quickly grew.  Assistance rolled in from the Sedan Fire Department in New Mexico and the Texline Fire Department.  The firemen worked through the night to battle the blaze that consumed 920 acres.

     The first reading and a public hearing were held regarding Ordinance 2009-22, which would change the zoning on lots owned by David Lowe from R-1 Residential to Special Use for the purpose of building zero lot line patio or garden homes. The zoning change would increase the number of lots from four to six. Plans presented by Lowe show a 30’ wide paved street with curb and gutter that would be paid for by Lowe and deeded to the city as a public street. The plans also call for burying all utilities in that area.

In the late hours of Wednesday, July 30th, the Dalhart Police Department responded to a burglar alarm sounding in the 500 block of West 7th Street.  At the same time, the owners of B&B Liquor Store, Harold and Carla Meyers, received telephone calls on their cell phones notifying them that the alarm was going off at the store.   When the Meyers arrived at the store, just six blocks from their home, they discovered three police squad cars and four officers were already on the scene of what appeared to be an attempted break in.

    Sylvia Renick addressed the Board of Trustees at the regular meeting of the board held July 21st.  She made a request for continued funding for the Community Connect community education program.  She updated the board on the program’s successes in the past year and her expectations for the coming year.

    Question:  I rented a house in town on a one-year lease.  At the end of the lease I gave notice to my landlord that I wanted to stay in the house and renew my lease.  My landlord replied that the house was purchased in a foreclosure sale and that it would be up to the new owner.  I contacted the new owner.  I expected to hear that he was glad a tenant wanted to renew their lease, but he said that I would have to move because he was not going to lease the house to anyone but had bought it for his son and son’s family to move into.  He told me I have to be out by July 31st.

    At the regular meeting of the Dalhart Independent School District Board held Tuesday, July 21st  DHS Chemistry teachers, Melissa Ritchey and Lori Beckner, gave a presentation regarding Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry and their recent completion of training.  The training gave each of them a better understand of the requirements necessary to get an AP Chemistry course on the schedule at DHS.

   On Wednesday the 22nd of July Michael Turner, son of Dr. and Mrs. Matt Turner of Dalhart, performed a variety of magic for the Dallam-Hartley County Library summer reading club.

    High Country Community Rural Health Clinic LLC has hosted a current Texas Tech student for the past six weeks for an in depth on the job internship that provides valuable experience to the intern in regards to the working and operations of healthcare in a rural area such as our own.  Kelly Rueda, a Canyon native, will be completing her internship on Tuesday and will be graduating August 15th from Texas Tech as a Physician Assistant.

    3 Js Graphic Design and Photo Studio held their grand opening and ribbon cutting on Friday, July 24.

    There was no shortage of enthusiasm as the Channel 10 crew rolled into town to visit Dalhart, the fourth Panhandle town on their “Summer Celebration” tour.  They will long remember being treated by the area Chamber of Commerce to a delightful “chicken fried” steak dinner at The Loose Caboose!

    The repeated click of a ballpoint pen, tapping of a pen, or jingling keys in a pocket can become quite distracting.  Why people engage in annoying habits is a mystery, but all people have some habit that likely annoys those around them or even cuts off proper communication completely.

    The Dalhart Independent School Board held a regular meeting on Tuesday, July 21st.  Many items were on the meeting’s agenda.  Of particular interest was the discussion regarding teacher raises for the upcoming school year. 

    Paul Braun, Public Information Officer with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) provided information recently regarding improvements to US Highway 87 southeast of Hartley to the city limits of Dalhart.  The project is scheduled to get underway as soon as weather permits.

     Friday, July 17th ETA EPSILON Sorority sponsored the Dalhart Senior Center July fundraiser meal and the center would like to express its gratitude to the sorority and all of its members for sponsoring the meal.  It was a pleasure working with each of the members and the seniors enjoyed their enthusiasm and all of the effort that they put forth to help the center out with the July fundraiser meal.