Hometown Heroes  - Jeff Byrd

This week’s Hometown Hero is such a singular individual that we are running his profile by itself. While we
normally highlight two individuals on this page, today’s spotlight shines on someone who deserves the entire focus…

The Oxford dictionary defines the word 'hero' as a person who is admired for his courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities. By this definition alone, Jeff Byrd is a true hero – standing strong to do what is best, instead of what is easiest, for Dalhart’s 1,700-plus public school students each day takes true courage and nobility. And Byrd has been doing this as superintendent for Dalhart Independent School District for three years, moving here with his family in July 2022 to take on the role. He is originally from an oilfield family in West Texas and lived “all over the area” when young, he said, graduating from high school in Eastland.

Shopping at the Dalhart Elementary School’s “Farmer’s Market

Stephanie Mena (right) and her seven-year-old daughter, Ensley Clymer, took a moment Friday morning to shop at Dalhart Elementary School’s “Farmer’s Market,” hosted by the first grade classes in the school cafeteria. Students, teachers and parents sold handmade craft items and baked goods, raising more than $2,000 total. The money will be used to purchase supplies and fund field trips. “We’re happy to report that the Farmer’s Market was a huge success!” said DES Principal Dr. Elaine Dyes. “We appreciate all the support our students received!”

Little Mr. and Miss Pageant deadline today

Believe it or not, summer will be here soon, and with it, the area’s biggest party – the annual XIT Rodeo & Reunion!

Today is already the deadline to enter one of the celebration’s first events, the XIT Little Mr. and Little Miss Pageant. Held each year to select the two youngest ambassadors for the festival, the pageant is open to the public and so much fun to watch!

It will be held March 22 at the La Rita Theatre, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Entrants must be between ages three and five. The child has to be five years old by March 22, 2025.

Hospital honored for blood drives, next is March 28

Coon Memorial Hospital received the prestigious Star Hospital Award from Our Blood Institute at Coffee Memorial Blood Center on Wednesday. The recognition celebrates the hospital’s achievement in collecting 594 blood products over the past two years, “significantly contributing to the community’s health and well-being,” said Brad Duggan, OBI Executive Director.

Headed to state academics meet

Five students from Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic School in Dalhart have qualified for state level in the Private Schools Interscholastic Association academic competition. The district meet was held February 22 in Lubbock.

Miles Bezner will be competing in Number Sense. Gianna Faria will vie in Creative Writing, and Marcella Garcia will contend in Dictionary Skills. Jase Pollard will compete in Ready Writing and Zeb VanBeek in Math.

Monuments must be moved

Two area roadside monuments, placed to commemorate the site where a loved one died in a vehicular accident, need to be relocated due to upcoming construction, and this is a quest to find the related families.

A representative for W. T. Byler, the company performing construction work for Union Pacific siding extension, contacted the Dalhart Texan to request assistance in notifying the community.

“We kindly ask that the families responsible for these memorials in our work area arrange to move them before March 24, 2025,” the representative stated.

No measles found at DISD

 It was a false alarm! The possible case of measles within Dalhart ISD tested negative, according to school and health officials. 

Jeff Byrd, superintendent for Dalhart Independent School District issued a press release that read, in part: “The DHCHD notified Dalhart ISD this morning Monday March 3, 2025 that the lab reports showed this specific case to be negative. Therefore, there have been no known cases of Measles within Dalhart ISD.”

DPS seizes THC products during Oldham County traffic stop

 A Texas DPS Trooper seized more than 30 pounds of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the cannabinoid found in cannabis, and marijuana – including thousands of vape cartridges – during a traffic stop in Oldham County last week. 

At approximately 2:45 p.m. on Feb. 25, the Dept. of Public Safety officer stopped a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica driven by Gatlan Mitchell, 25, of Brackettville, TX, for an unnamed traffic violation as he was traveling east on I-40 near Vega.

 Ground broken for new grain facility

 Viterra broke ground Feb. 26 on its newest grain facility, this one located in Dalhart near the intersection of Chamberlain Road and Highway 54. Dallam County Judge Wes Richey and Dalhart Mayor James Stroud participated in the event and received a tour of the site.

Spelling Bees At Junior High School

March 1, 2000 – 25 years

The Dallam County Spelling Bee will be held March 7, 2000, at 9:15 a.m. in the Dalhart Junior High Library. Dallam County Director Karen Towler will preside with Patty Harshey pronouncing the words. Sharon Wilson and Margaret Adamson will be the judges.

Moving up, looking ahead at DIS

BY CERISE MERRITT RIPPS
Dalhart Texan

With climbing state Accountability Ratings and a new campus on the horizon, students and staff at Dalhart Intermediate School are excited about both the present and the future, said campus principal Chad Blain.

“We’re pleased with the ratings growth we’ve had so far,” he said. “But we’re still working on improving more.”

The campus was rated 55% in 2021-22, 66% in 2022- 23 and 79% in 2023-24. The 2024-25 ratings have not yet been released.

City Council cancels election

Dalhart citizens gave either a nod of approval or a shrug of apathy to their city leaders this month as no one signed up to run against incumbent City Council members or the Mayor in the next election. The filing deadline was Feb. 14.

Measles spotted locally!

 The diagnosis is official, and we have measles. 

“The Dallam-Hartley Counties Hospital District has confirmed a small number of measles cases within our community,” DHCHD stated in a press release Saturday. “While this news is concerning, it is important to note that our counties have a very high vaccination rate, and the MMR vaccine has proven to be 97% effective in preventing the disease with two doses given, and 93% effective in preventing the disease with one dose given.”

SWCD Essay Winners Announced

 The Hartley Soil & Water Conservation District recently held its 47th annual essay contest, and this year’s topic was, “Home Is Where the Habitat Is.” 

The idea was to focus on the vital role native habitats play in protecting soil and water resources, sustaining biodiversity and storing carbon. When animals, plants and aquatic life have healthy habitats, it benefits all by ensuring ecosystem stability, enhancing natural beauty, supporting clean air and water and creating a resilient and sustainable environment.

 Dalhart Elks Lodge #2390 gives $6,5000 to It’s All About Kids

 Mission: Helping Build Stronger Communities

 The Dalhart Elks Lodge #2390 recently donated $6,500 to It’s All About Kids, the local agency dedicated to providing school backpacks and supplies, along with emergency funding, to area families. The money came from the Elks’ Beacon Grant combined with the Gratitude Grant. 

The Beacon Grants offer Lodges the opportunity to develop ongoing, Elks-led charitable projects for, ideally, many years to come. They are funded by donations to the Elks National Foundation, and the Dalhart grant award was $4,000.

Ziegler named DISD Teacher of the Month

Abby Ziegler was recog-nized as the Teacher of the Month Tuesday night at the Dalhart Independent School District trustee meeting. She teaches first grade at Dalhart Elementary School and is an integral part of the first grade team.

Regional Semi-Finals Champions

Texline High School’s winning girls’ team: (left to right) Assistant Coach Britney Beckner, Christy Young, Raley Valdez, Dabria Nicholson, Prezlee Potter, Taylor Mann, Alex Montes, Jada Clay, Jasmyn Wilson, Haiden Luther, Amarissah John-son, Faith Sneller, Riata Valdez, Charleigh Romero, Averi Davidson, Head Coach Dawson Nicholson

Making History

The Dalhart Lady Wolves became the first Dalhart basketball team to make it to the Regional Finals with a 77-35 win over Clyde on February 18. L-r: Kaetlin Sundvahl, Kambry Kitchens, Karol Garcia, Emily Gaines, Evelyn Quiroz, Kammi Maddox, Teresa McDaniel, Joie Read, Arianna Chacon and Avi Day. Bill Kelly | Dalhart Texan

Diesel mechanics course latest in demand at Frank Phillips

 In its ongoing quest to fill the demands of the local job market with highly qualified candidates, Frank Phillips College has expanded its campus – and curriculum – to now offer training in Diesel Mechanics. 

“This is a high-demand job for our area, and we try to fill the needs of the local businesses as much as we can,” said Christi Dovel, provost of the Dalhart FPC campus. “We now offer a fully accredited Diesel Mechanics certificate.”

Coon Memorial Nursing Home

 This year’s Valentine Queen is Larue Mayo, who has been a resident just a few months, since November 2024. She is madly in love with her husband, Theo Mayo. He was crowned as Valentine King even though he doesn’t reside at the nursing home but visits his wife daily.