By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

Right now, before you forget, put a rubber band around your wrist to remind you of one gardening task that cannot be postponed: Planting seeds for your fall garden. As summer draws to a close, gardens everywhere can change into an abundance of delicious greens, from tender lettuce to frost-proof spinach.

Crown Snatchers

By REV. JUDI WIEGMAN

It is amazing all the excuses we invent to explain away “things” in our lives that just might add up to disobedience according to God’s Word.

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

Antonio Torres-Silva was detained by border patrol on August 15, 2011, until Hartley County Sheriff’s Department could obtain a warrant for Torres-Silva on indecency with a child. The State of Texas defines a child as anyone under the age of 15.

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

As children prepare to head back to school, Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes on August 19-21, 2011, the state’s annual sales tax holiday. The law exempts most clothing and footwear priced under $100 per item from sales and use taxes, saving shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend.

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

“The greatest assets to Dalhart are our children,” Robert Stout, Interim Chief of Police, stated. The 2011-12 School year will begin Monday, August 22, 2011. “Watch out for the children,” Stout reiterated in his bulletin numerous times.

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

When Hilmar Cheese Company opened for operation in 2007, Texas Workforce Solutions (TWS) came as part of the arrangements, but there was no guarantee as to how long they would maintain an office in Dalhart. “I hate to see them go,” Dyke Rogers spoke. “They [Workforce Solutions] have provided a great benefit to the employers in Dalhart,” Rogers added.

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

The singing of the auctioneer is sending Dalhart cattle north to Nebraska and the Dakotas. Cattleman’s Livestock Commission Company is busy as cattlemen sell portions of their herds. The deep cuts to the herds will affect the cattlemen for years to come. Not only are young calves being sold, but cattlemen are selling some breeding stock. The sale of breeders will be hard to replace, not to mention the cost of the replacement.

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

XIT Rangers’ horses didn’t participate in this year’s Memorial Day celebration. The Rangers were on hand to assist, but left their riding partners at home due to an outbreak of EHV-1 virus.

By CONNIE WILMER

Dallam and Hartley Counties welcomed a new game warden on August 1.  Stewart Rogers has been assigned the position which, until recently, was held by Adam Clark.  Rogers is a recent graduate of the Texas Game Warden Academy in Austin.  The responsibility of a Texas game warden is to protect the state’s natural resources.  In addition, they protect lives by enforcing the Water Safety Act and conduct standard peace officer duties.

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

Question: What does 10,000 pounds of barbeque look like?
Answer: The biggest party in Texas.

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

“We wanted our employees to be the first to know,” Christina Beyer began. “We will be closing the Dalhart branch January 20, 2012. We wish there was a location for our employees to transfer to,” Beyer added.
For the first time in 15 years, banks are closing across the United States. Bank of America, the nation’s largest bank, has announced plans to close one in 10 branches nation wide by 2014. Bank of America has maintained a branch in Dalhart for many years, and will give their customers a 90-day notice of the official closing date.

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

Johnny W. Varner of BNSF Railroad filed a formal complaint with the City of Dalhart on August 3, 2011. Varner referenced safety issues with regards to the “used car lot” at the corner of 7th Street and Highway 87. In addition, Varner has requested the city’s assistance in cleaning up the situation.

By WARREN SLAUGHTER
Special to the Texan

The Dalhart City Council discussed setting the property tax rate for 2011-2012, and received some input from Karl Woods, who represents a group of citizens that would like to see the city consider lowering the tax rate. The current tax rate is $0.3333 per $100 valuation. On a $132,000 home, the owner paid about $440 in city taxes.

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

On Friday evening the parade preparations were being made. The street barricades were ready and the chairs were placed on the sidewalks. Pounds of candy, boxes of frozen pops and those much appreciated bottles of water had been purchased. Denrock had been officially prepared for the 75th XIT Rodeo and Reunion parade.

Goin’ Public

By REV. JUDI WIEGMAN

I never had a problem saying a prayer at the table or in my comfy chair, but being called on to talk with the God of the Universe in public, a different story altogether!  I disliked the feeling in my college dorm when the ‘house mom” would glance around the room looking for a person to call on for prayer in our weekly prayer meeting.  I thought if I looked down and seemed to be “busy at prayer,” maybe she wouldn’t call on me.

By Jonathan Scherer

As predicted, the pork chop feed brought with it rain.  In truth, the rain held out until the feed was over, but it didn’t spare the rodeo.  Pea-sized hail greeted rodeo goers along with the rain, and though it settled the dust, it stung the crowd.

By ASHLEY ELERICK

Nothing says “Texas” like cowboy boots and buckles, good friends and country music, bar-b-que on the grill and a three-day long celebration. Nothing says “Texas” like the annual XIT Rodeo and Reunion. After the party is over, the visitors prepare to head home, locals go back to work and the awards are stowed away, the 75th anniversary of the XIT Rodeo and Reunion surely provided enough good time memories to last everyone for the next year.

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

Swimmers have one more weekend to enjoy the cool, refreshing water of Dalhart’s pool before it closes for the summer. The last day of fun in the sun will be Sunday, August 14.

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

It has been the longest two days of their lives. As each of the four young ladies competing for this year’s title waited to enter the arena for the coronation, Thursday’s events replayed in their minds. This year’s competition was tight. All of the contestants bidding for the title were well-deserved.