Rodeo Queen contest open

The directors of the XIT Rodeo & Reunion are searching for the new Rodeo Queen to reign over the 89th annual celebration this August. In addition to the privilege of representing Dalhart’s premiere event for a full year, the winner receives a $3,000 scholarship and $2,500 in prizes. The entry deadline is May 15.

Dalhart Council recognizes hungry, awards scholarships

The Dalhart City Councilmen faced a short agenda at their regular meeting Monday night, April 28, with only five brief items up for vote.

The first was a proclamation introduced designating April 2025 as Senior Hunger Awareness Month in the City of Dalhart. Representatives from related agencies were so busy feeding the hungry throughout the month that this was the soonest they could get together for the proclamation signing.

District Champs!

The Dalhart Golden Wolves won the District 1-3A championship with defeats over Tulia, River Road and Childress to end the regular season. This photo was taken after their final home game against River Road. Back row l-r: Coach Chris Bird, Kaden Basaldua, Ryan McClellan, Kyler Read, Kevin Rios, Braxton Akin, Luis Deleon, Hunter Trusler, Kaleb Speer, Caden Bird and Coach Chase Thompson. Front row l-r: Talon Garcia, Geovani Barron, Logan Ball, Kreed Hines, Tony Vasquez and Chance Juilfs. Bill Kelly | Dalhart Texan

DISD hires new Police Chief

 The Dalhart ISD board of trustees met in regular session April 15. 

With several board members out due to illness or family obligations, there weren’t quite enough present for a quorum, so those present waited for one more to arrive. In the meantime, they heard presentations from students and teachers, including second-graders displaying their computer skills and junior high Gifted and Talented class members sharing about a recent field trip.

 XIT Rodeo to join Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame

 Saturday has been proclaimed as XIT Rodeo & Reunion Day in Dalhart, to celebrate the local event’s induction this weekend into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in Fort Worth. 

XIT Rodeo directors learned the news, to their surprise, in January. “I did not see this coming,” said president Brian Bezner upon hearing the announcement. “We’re all just so excited! It’s actually kind of poignant, because the first reunion was held in Fort worth, almost 90 years ago, before it was moved to Dalhart. This means so much to all of us!”

Texan moves to weekly

 Readers will notice a change in the publication dates of the Dalhart Texan, starting today. We have embraced digital technology for some time, and going forward we will deliver one issue per week—on Thursdays—in print instead of two, while upgrading our daily website postings at thedalharttexan.com.

Synthia Howell New Director For Senior Center

April 21, 2000 – 25 years

Mrs. Synthia Howell is the new Executive Director for the Senior Citizens Center in Dalhart.

She will assume her new duties on May 1. Synthia was born in Dalhart. In 1972 she moved to Van Horn, TX. And attended schools there.

Special services scheduled for Easter Sunday

If ever there is a day for worship and reflection, it’s Easter Sunday, and area church leaders invite the community to join them for services tomorrow.

Crusaders compete well at state academic meet

Five students from St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School traveled to San Marcos April 12 to vie in the state-level Private Schools Interscholastic Association academic competition. They qualified through competing at the PSIA district competition in Lubbock on Feb. 22.

Egg-stra, Egg-stra, Two
community hunts planned

 Grab your baskets, boys and girls – it’s Easter Egg hunting time, and there are two community-wide events coming up! 

Don’t miss Coon Memorial Nursing Home’s annual Egg Hunt at 5:30 p.m. this Friday, April 18. Residents are eagerly anticipating the joy of watching little ones hunt for treats, so come on out and join the fun! 

Then, on Easter Sunday, April 20, the XIT Rangers will hold their Easter Egg Hunt at 2:30 p.m. at the XIT Clubhouse & Arena, 2408 FM 281, Dalhart. All are encouraged to take part in the festivities.

Hartley County burn ban lifted

 Hartley County commissioners lifted the burn ban Monday at their regular meeting, along with approving the purchase of fire extinguishers for all county vehicles and the Justice Center. 

Three requests, all approved, came from the Sheriff’s Department. It will send a cadet through the police academy, paying his or her salary while in attendance. A $4000 line item for computers will be added to the department budget. The office will be allowed to hire a part-time deputy at a rate to be determined by the sheriff and the treasurer.

 Schniederjan earns OSU scholarship

 Gracie Schniederjan recently received Oklahoma State University’s Joseph Fleming Memorial Continuing Scholarship to provide academic support for the 2025-26 school year. The scholarships were awarded at the 2025 Scholarship and Awards banquet, hosted by the Ferguson College on April 3.

Adrian & Texline HS Plays Share District UIL Honors

April 8, 1975 – 50 years

Adrian and Texline High Schools shared honors by being selected for winning plays of District 1-B in University Interscholastic League One-Act Play Contest last weekend, reports Mary Jo Ondracek. The Adrian play was The Box and Cox; and Texline, The Wood Shed.

Checkmate: Asher Rivera wins at the game, draws at finding local opponents

Asher Rivera, 9, is well on his way to becoming a chess whiz. He learned the game just three years ago, as a second-grader, and has won first place at University Interscholastic League (UIL) competition all three years since. Now he’s competing at tournaments at Texas Tech University winning the third place trophy for his age division March 29.

Boy Scouts Troop 46 ready to alarm Dalhart

The Boys are back – the Boy Scouts, that is, and they’re back to their good deeds! Boy Scout Troop 46 reorganized this past year, and on March 29 joined with the Red Cross at the grand opening of the Dalhart Emergency Center to coordinate on a joint project to distribute and install smoke alarms in Dalhart homes.

Flying to the rescue

 A lot of men don’t know what to do when they’re confronted by a weeping woman, but Adan Venzor was quick to react. He reached out to his friend, Salvador Gonzalez, “the most honorable and noble man I know,” Venzor said, and the two quickly resolved the woman’s problem beyond her wildest expectations. 

It all began about two weeks ago, Venzor related, when Stephanie Escobar called him, crying. The Denver woman had been driving to Houston for a family emergency when her car died – completely. Venzor, owner of Advanced Auto Repair, immediately responded.

Measles case count still increasing

 With the second Texas death from measles last week (the third overall) and the current statewide outbreak at 481 cases and increasing, the community is reminded that even though our local rate is low at seven cases, it’s still not to be ignored. 

Due to privacy laws, little information, including age or county of residence, can be released about the persons infected; however, one case has been added since last week.

Chamber Gala brings extraordinary ‘award’ this year

 The annual Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala is expected to bring surprises, but Saturday night’s event may have outdone itself ! First, there was no Citizen of the Year presentation, then a surprise announcement led to a local philanthropist being a shoo-in should there be a local Benefactor of the Year Award soon.

Dalhart Becoming Real Center of Dairy Field

April 3, 1925 – 100 years

The Kaufman Creamery reports that $436.24 was paid out to 43 farmers last Saturday for butter fat. The Saturday before, $253 was paid to farmers, and two weeks before, only $190 was paid.

Clean-up, clean-up, everybody do your share…

T. S. Eliot called April the cruelest month, but locally perhaps it should be known as the cleanest month, with three community clean-up projects on the calendar.