Climbing the family tree

BY JONNA BRIDGMAN
Special to the Dalhart Texan

 There is a song by Kaci Musgraves titled “Family is Family”. I think it must have been written especially for my family! Almost everyone tracing their ancestry will find some nuts and squirrels among those branches or skeletons in the closet.

Dalhart 7^th grade student passes away
Counseling provided to students after loss

Dalhart ISD Superintendent Jeff Byrd released the following statement on Monday April 6: 

“It is with an extremely heavy heart to report that the Dalhart ISD Administration was notified on Saturday [April 4] that a 7^th grade Dalhart ISD student died as a result of a tragic incident on the night of April 2, 2026. The entire Dalhart ISD community is deeply saddened by this event. Words cannot express the sorrow we feel about the loss of one of our students. We extend our deepest condolences to the student’s family.”

St. Anthony 3rd, 4th graders donate money for new nursing home

 Following the Ash Wednesday Mass on February 18, the third and fourth graders at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School decided to collect change to donate to the new Nursing Home as their Almsgiving Project during the Season of Lent. As the deadline for community contributions to the Nursing Home was March 31, the students sent their coins to the bank to be changed into a cashier’s check that amounted to $319.33. The classes invited Mrs. Louise Rahll and Mr. Zach Bickel to come to the school on Tuesday March 31 to accept their check on behalf of the DHCH Foundation. Mrs. Rahll is shown here accepting a replica of the check from the students. Photo submitted.

2026 Gala & Awards

Don’t miss our special section covering and celebrating the Annual Chamber Gala that is to be held on Saturday, March 21.

Dalhart basketball coaches honored by TABC

Dalhart head boys basketball coach Ruben Lopez, shown here talking to his team during the season, was named the Don Coleman Outstanding Coach of the Year for Class 3A by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. The Don Coleman award is presented to one boys basketball coach from each of the six different classifications. Bill Kelly | Dalhart Texan

La Rita Theatre presents The Frontmen on April 17

The Frontmen, a group which features the dynamic voices of 90’s country legends Richie McDonald (formerly of Lonestar), Larry Stewart (of Restless Heart) and Tim Rushlow (formerly of Little Texas), will perform at the La Rita Theatre two weeks from tomorrow, Friday April 17. 

This will be the second time in less than 12 months that The Frontmen have performed in Dalhart. They were one of the musical groups to sing at the XIT Rodeo & Reunion last August, and are returning to Dalhart to sing at the historic La Rita Theatre in downtown Dalhart.

AgTexas returns patronage to member-owners after strong year

 AgTexas Farm Credit Services, a member-owned agricultural cooperative serving producers in 43 counties across Texas, is distributing patronage checks to its members following a successful fiscal year. 

The cooperative’s Board of Directors approved returning more than $35 million in patronage, reflecting the organization’s continued financial strength and commitment to sharing earnings with the members who finance their agriculture properties and activities through AgTexas.

 Chamber hosts annual Gala & Awards Ceremony

BY BILL KELLY
Dalhart Texan

 The Dalhart Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its 2026 Gala & Awards at the Rita Blanca Coliseum on Saturday March 21, with a theme of Roaring 20s-Gatsby. Along with cocktails, entertainment and dinner, five different awards were presented to people who’ve made a major impact in different ways in the community. 

Dalhart meets Gene Rahll’s fundraising challenge

BY BILL KELLY
Dalhart Texan

 Approximately a year ago, Gene Rahll made a special announcement at the 2025 Dalhart Area Chamber of Commerce Gala. He told everyone at the gala that he and his wife Louise would donate $10 million for a new nursing home, but only if the rest of the community could come up with $5 million by December 31 of that year. The deadline was eventually extended to March 31, and the goal has now been met, which means that the Rahlls will donate their $10 million to add to the slightly over $5 million already collected.

St. Anthony students advance to State in academic competition

BY BILL KELLY
Dalhart Texan

Students from St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School attended the Private School Interscholastic Association (PSIA) competition held at Christ the King Catholic School in Lubbock on Saturday March 7. 

Of the 11 participants (with some competing in more than one event), five students qualified for State, with two qualifying in more than one event. One of those five is also an alternate in a different competition. Six other students are alternates to State. The students who qualified for State will travel to San Marcos to compete in the PSIA State Meet on April 18.

Comptroller distributes $1.1 billion in monthly sales tax

City of Dalhart receives over $245,000

(AUSTIN) — Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced today he will send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose districts $1.1 billion in local sales tax allocations for March, 2.1 percent more than in March 2025. 

These allocations are based on sales made in January by businesses that report tax monthly.

Chamber of Commerce hosts Gala & Awards Saturday

Roaring 20s-Gatsby theme

BY BILL KELLY
Dalhart Texan

The Dalhart Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Gala & Awards this Saturday, March 21 at the Rita Blanca Coliseum. The theme for this year’s gala is the Roaring 20s-Gatsby (the novel “The Great Gatsby”), and the chamber will present several awards during the evening. 

The awards that will be presented include Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Early Impact of the Year, Treasured Business of the Year, and Agricultural Person/ Family of the Year.

Rep. Ronny Jackson announces provisions, amendments to farm bill

 WASHINGTON — Congressman Ronny Jackson (TX-13) announced on March 5 that he championed Texas’ agriculture priorities during the House Committee on Agriculture’s markup of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 — commonly known as the Farm Bill. The 2026 Farm Bill ensures agriculture producers have the tools necessary to face the challenges of the modern agricultural industry. 

“As the Representative for the number one agriculture district in Texas, I know firsthand that an updated Farm Bill is long overdue,” said Jackson. “Our farmers and ranchers in TX-13 work tirelessly to feed and fuel this nation, and they deserve policies that provide them the certainty needed to remain in operation for generations to come. I’m proud to have secured key wins for our district and for the agriculture industry as a whole, and I look forward to getting this Farm Bill across the finish line and signed into law.”

Hartley County officials elected in Republican Primary

Camilla Green elected Hartley County Judge

 BY BILL KELLY
Dalhart Texan

 The Republican and Democratic primaries were held last Tuesday, March 3. With several Hartley County officials deciding to retire and not seek reelection this time around, and with no one filing to run in the Democratic Primary, the winners in the Republican Primary have basically won since they will have no opposition in the general election, and will take over those offices in January. (All vote totals for Hartley County and Dallam County are considered unofficial until officially canvassed.) 

Camilla Green was elected Hartley County Judge with 637 votes, while Shellie McNabb received 286 votes. Libby Caviness- Flanery was elected Hartley County Treasurer with 459 votes and Timbra Morris received 379 votes. Kristy Detwiler was elected Hartley Country Justice of the Peace with 536 votes while Gary Messer received 364 votes. Gary Schniederjan was elected Hartley County Commissioner for Precinct 4 with 132 votes and Justin Waggoner received 84 votes.

Dalhart athletes sign for college sports

Left-Dalhart High senior Remi Johnson, shown here with her parents and twin sister Circe, signed a letter of intent to play volleyball for Oklahoma Wesleyan University in front of her club volleyball team on Monday March 2. An interview with Johnson will be published in a future edition of the Dalhart Texan. Right-These four Dalhart High seniors (l-r: Reese Jenkins, Talon Garcia, Geovani Barron and Hunter Trusler) signed letters of intent on Tuesday March 3 to play sports at different colleges...

Primary election held Tuesday

 BY BILL KELLY
Dalhart Texan

 The Republican and Democratic primaries were held Tuesday March 3. This edition of the Dalhart Texan had to be laid out Tuesday afternoon in order to be printed early Wednesday morning, so results of the primaries will be published next week in the March 12 edition of the Texan.

State sales tax revenue totaled $4 billion in February

 (AUSTIN) — Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock today said state sales tax revenue totaled $4 billion in February, 3.8 percent more than in February 2025. The majority of February sales tax revenue is based on sales made in January and remitted to the agency in February.

DHS automotive students compete at Skills USA

3 advance to state competition

 Last month, students from the DHS automotive class took part in the 2026 Skills USA Texas Leadership & Skills Conference contest for District 3. The contest was held in Amarillo on Friday February 13 and Saturday February 14.

Dalhart Elks donate money to “It’s All About Kids”]'

The Dalhart Elks Lodge #2390 presented a check to It’s All About Kids for assistance with the supplies for their backpack program. Money is donated to the ENF Grant Program through the lodge members. Karen Lang, President of It’s All About Kids stated, “Their help with the cost of supplies and donation of their facility to assemble the backpacks is really important to our mission.” Elks Care, Elks Share. Back row l-r: Kirk Carson, Chasen Haschke-Elks Exultant Ruler, Lawana Page, Carlos Lopez, Econ Lysford and Brian Briscoe. Front row l-r: Angela Reynolds, Brian Banks, Terri Banks, Jamey Kvanvig-It’s All About Kids Secretary, Karen Lang-It’s All About Kids President and Michelle Eisling. Photo submitted.

La Rita Theatre hosts WTAMU Faculty Wind Quintet

The La Rita Theatre recently announced that a free concert will be presented by the West Texas A&M University Faculty Wind Quintet. The announcement stated that “La Rita Theatre is proud to welcome ‘Showcase in a Suitcase’ from West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, on Friday March 6 at 7 p.m. 

This special evening will feature a talented WTAMU Wind Quintet. Part of WT’s regional arts outreach initiative, ‘Showcase in a Suitcase’ brings outstanding student and faculty performers to communities across the Texas Panhandle, sharing live music, education, and cultural enrichment. 

The program is made possible through the generous support of the Louise C. and Gene F. Rahll Endowment, established by Dalhart natives Gene and Louise Rahll to permanently fund arts outreach throughout the region. Their legacy continues to ensure that high-quality performances are accessible to Panhandle communities. 

Join us for an inspiring night of live music right here at your hometown theatre.” 

According to the West Texas A&M website, “The WTAMU Faculty Wind Quintet has established itself as a dynamic part of the musical life at West Texas A&M University. Committed to advancing the university’s mission through artistry, outreach, and education, the ensemble brings together faculty performers from the School of Music who are dedicated to excellence and engagement both on and off campus. 

The quintet presents programs that span from the classic masterpieces of the woodwind quintet tradition to exciting new works by contemporary composers. Recent performances have included appearances on the Faculty Showcase and a WTAMU campus recital. Beyond the university, the ensemble has partnered with Chamber Music Amarillo for outreach initiatives in Perryton— sharing music in schools, retirement communities, and public concerts—and recently presented a series of performances in Lubbock. 

In February 2026, the WTAMU Faculty Wind Quintet will represent the university on a major stage with its appearance at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, and continue its outreach efforts with visits to schools near San Antonio and throughout the Texas Panhandle.” 

Members of the quintet include Dr. Jessica Schury Peckham playing flute, Dr. Kathleen Bell playing oboe, Dr. Conor Bell playing bassoon, Doug Storey playing clarinet, and Dr. Guglielmo Manfredi playing horn.