By WARREN SLAUGHTER

The Dalhart City Council heard proposals from various entities seeking a portion of the community development fund that is administered by the city. The fund is a voluntary contribution that is added onto the water bills of city residents and water customers. Various entities make requests for funding, and the money is used for the benefit of Dalhart citizens. The entities must then submit receipts from their projects to receive reimbursement from the fund.

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

Gordon Mote will perform at the La Rita Performing Arts Theatre on Saturday, May 4 at 7:00 p.m. Mote, an awarding winning pianist, plays southern gospel music. His roots date back to rural Alabama where he faced many challenges during his childhood and youth. Mote and his brother were born totally blind, which made them different from their peers, but Mote never considered his blindness a handicap.   

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

In two weeks the cemetery crew will begin a systematic and thorough cleaning of Memorial Park Cemetery. If anyone has lights, flowers, vases, statues or any other decorations not permanently attached to a monument, they must be picked up before May 6, 2013.

By REV. JUDI WIEGMAN

I love the story of Zacchaeus in the Bible.  Maybe it’s because one of my sons would bring me the Bible story book and ask me to read it over and over. (You’ll find it in Luke 19: 1-9)  At the end of the reading we would sing the little song, “Zacchaeus was a wee little man.”  

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

The quietness of Sunday afternoon was broken with several explosions and fire on Omaha Street. “There were at least six explosions,” stated one neighbor. The air filled with smoke from a fire in a large shed around 2:00 p.m. “The smell that came from the burning garage was horrific,” the neighbor added.

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

The Dalhart Trash Bash on Saturday, April 20 attracted over 250 pairs of hands to assist with the clean up of the Rita Blanca Lake area including the Pavilion and the grounds surrounding the vicinity. Volunteers began gathering around 8:00 a.m., which included many students from Dalhart Independent School District who were offered extra credit for lending a hand with the clean-up. Clean-up organizers assisted with registration of participants and the organization of numerous groups to complete a massive trash sweep of the area

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

An obstacle course fundraiser was held on Saturday, April 20 to benefit the Twilight Fund. Local men and women made their way through the physical boot camp style obstacle course to help “Cross Out Cancer.”

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

On a quiet Sunday afternoon a Clayton police officer attempted to stop a motorcycle traveling 120 mph. The driver ignored the officer’s request, which led to a chase that crossed the Texas state line in Texline. Dallam County Sheriff’s Deputy Max Morris became involved in the pursuit followed by Dallam County Chief Deputy Martin engaging in the high speed chase at FM 1879 and US Highway 87. Martin stated that his speed was 140 plus mph and the driver of the motorcycle was pulling away from him.

By RODNEY WHITE

The Golden Wolves were dominant easily outdistancing their competition to win the district track meet.  The Lady Wolves fell just a little short of their goal due to some unfortunate scratches due to false starts and nervousness.

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

The Dalhart High School (DHS) Golden Wolves Band traveled to Panhandle on Thursday, April 11, to participated in the UIL Concert/Sight reading contest. The Band performed three concert pieces for three judges. The first selection was Bavarian Trails March by Compello, their second selection was In the Shining of the Stars by Robert Sheldon and their final piece was the Overture for Wind by Charles Carter.

By REV. JUDI WEIGMAN

Recently someone shared this story with me. She was a passenger in a car that got pulled over. While the officer was talking to the driver about his slightly heavy foot, she tossed a cigarette out of the passenger window. Not a good plan where fire risk is high; she got the ticket! Standing before the judge, she was reprimanded and slapped with a fine of $435.00.  Or, she could take three days of community service to “work off” the ticket.

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

In what may be hailed as one of the most exciting and unexpected Marches ever, Louisville captured the victory over Michigan.

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

It’s 2:00 a.m. in the morning and you awake to your spouse clutching his chest and unable to breathe. “Are you alright,” you ask. Your loved one collapses on the bedroom floor. You pick up the phone and help is only three numbers away 911.  The voice on the other end of the phone talks you through CPR while they dispatch emergency personnel to your location. The voice is calm, reassuring and makes sure that help has arrived before they disconnect the call. You may never meet this person face to face or it may be your neighbor, nonetheless; they are your hero.

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

The XIT Rangers Annual St. Jude’s Hospital Benefit Ride will be held on Saturday, May 18 and will leave the XIT Rangers’ Clubhouse at 10:00 a.m.  The Chuck Wagon supper will follow at 6:00 p.m. at the Rangers’ clubhouse and will be provided by C Bar C, Ken Cunningham and Crew.

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

If not you, who? This is a question on everyone’s mind with regards to all types of abuse. There is no time like the present to end all forms of abuse, especially child abuse. Every child has the right to grow up in a happy, safe and loving environment free of abuse and neglect. Last year, 211 Texas children died from abuse and neglect.  That’s 211 too many and it means a child’s life ends every 41 hours.

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

The Dalhart Independent School District (DISD) Board of Trustees hosted a community meet and greet for the new Superintendent, John Massey, on Monday evening, April 8. The meeting room at the Allyn Finch Administration office was packed with local residents that stopped by to welcome Massey.

By WARREN SLAUGHTER

No new streets in Dalhart will be paved this year, as only three people requested paving and they are all on different blocks. This falls short of the city’s participation percentage for getting a street paved. Instead, the city will concentrate on seal coating some existing paved streets and working on the alleys.

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

Did you know that less than one percent of all the water on earth can be used by people?
The remainder of our water is salt water from one of our oceans or is in a frozen state. Communities across the country and especially in the panhandle are starting to face challenges in maintaining a healthy, abundant and affordable water supply. It’s more important now more than ever to use our water wisely and not waste it.

By REV. JUDI WIEGMAN

A couple of weeks ago Chalmer came home with a large cupboard in the back of the pickup.  The ground was soggy where he backed up to unload and consequently the tires made some ugly ruts.  As we looked at the muddy mess, he began making plans to repair the yard.  

By TAMMI KATE LEDFORD

Diane Thompson announced her retirement of February 19, 2013. She is the current District and County Clerk of Hartley County. Thompson stated it is with mixed emotions that she will retire and leave her unexpired term on May 31, 2013. “I have been blessed to serve the residents of Hartley County for the last twenty-five years, and I will always be thankful for the opportunity,” stated Thompson.