The Stratford Hospital District is accepting applications from individuals interested in serving on the Board of Directors.

Candidate filing deadline: August 17, 2026

Applications are available at the Stratford Hospital District Administrative Office.
📞 For more information, call 806-396-5568.

There were some 76,000 fewer kids in Texas public schools this last year than the year before.

Stratford ISD Superintendent Dr. Paul Uttley told KXDJ’s Chris Samples recently that because they continue to see declining enrollment, they will enact a more aggressive transfer campaign. 

“We’ve never really advertised that we accepted transfers, but we are going to try and get the word out this year. Now, there is a state law that says we cannot drive into another district and park a bus without their permission. We are not looking at crossing district lines but there are some rural areas we could maybe drive to and meet some kids,” he explained. 

Listen to more https://highplainsobserverperryton.com/uttleytransfer.mp3 target=new>here. 

Dr. Uttley went on to note, “I think we all understand we have the same end goal.”

PARADE PLACINGS!

BEST IN SHOW
Coldwater Manor

COMMERCIAL FLOAT
1st Homeworks The General Store
2nd A&I Parts Center
3rd Landoll Company

ANTIQUE AUTOS
The judges couldn't make up their minds so three first places to:
Brent Spurlock
Ray and Linda Hauser
RJ Chamberlain

EQUINE
1st Greentree Ranch

SCHOOLS
1st SHS 1976 State Basketball Champions
2nd SHS Class of 1986
3rd Stratford Junior High Cheer

CAR CLUBS
Dalhart Cruzers

NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
1st Coldwater Manor
2nd XIT Rodeo and Reunion Past Directors
3rd First Christian Church

OTHER
1st Hi Flyer Gymnastics

by Herrera Creative Media LLC

To view and purchase photos go HERE

Coldwater Roundup Rodeo Returns to Stratford June 2026

The annual Coldwater Roundup Rodeo returned to Stratford on June 12-13, 2026, bringing two days of rodeo action and western heritage to the community, drawing contestants from across Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas, and surrounding states. 

Fans witnessed exciting competition, family-friendly entertainment, and an opportunity to support local businesses while welcoming visitors from throughout the High Plains region.

Events included---

•Bareback
•Ranch Bronc
•Bull Riding
•Steer Wrestling
•Breakaway
•Tie-Down Calf Roping
•Saddle Bronc
•Open Team Roping
•40/40 Team Roping
••Panty Dressing••
•Barrels
•Jr. Barrels
•County Team Roping
•Bull Riding

Held at the Stratford Youth Rodeo Arena, the Coldwater Roundup has become one of the area's premier summer rodeos. Competitors battled for prize money and points in traditional rodeo events produced by McCloy Rodeo Company, a longtime supporter of rodeo competition throughout the region.

The Coldwater Roundup is more than a rodeo; it is a celebration of the western lifestyle and Stratford's agricultural heritage.

The event began with Steak and Cake, a dinner and auction held to raise money for local non-profits.

This rodeo is always a summer favorite!

photo via Facebook---As the crew continues finalizing the build pad, some of the materials to begin framing are starting to get delivered. More to come soon!

(STRATFORD)---Construction Progress Continues at Cobblestone Stratford

Exciting progress is taking place at the future site of the Cobblestone Hotel & Suites in Stratford. As crews continue finalizing the build pad, the first framing materials have begun arriving on-site, marking another important milestone in the construction process.

With site preparation nearing completion, additional materials are expected to arrive soon as the project moves into the next phase of development. Community members can look forward to watching the structure begin to take shape in the coming weeks.

The new hotel is expected to provide a valuable boost to local tourism, business travel, and economic development while offering additional lodging options for visitors to Stratford and the surrounding region.



#CobblestoneStratford #StratfordTX #New #Hotel #Texas #ComingSoonCobblestone #ConstructionUpdate #Construction #NewBuild

We continue our series on declining public school enrollment. A recent report noted there were 76,000 fewer kids in Texas public schools this year.

Most Panhandle schools are decreasing in number. Stratford ISD Superintendent Dr. Paul Uttley says he definitely has seen a growth in those choosing to home school, but another factor could be the federal government’s change in immigration policy.

“We don’t have any hard data on that, but I will say that there were all sorts of rumors about ICE being in certain areas. When those rumors hit Stratford, our attendance took a big drop on those days. I do know it affected our average daily attendance. So, I do not have any data to say that it has affected our overall enrollment. I would guess that there is some impact, but I don’t have any hard data,” Dr. Uttley told KXDJ’s Chris Samples.

Of course, that data is hard to obtain because public schools do not ask and have no information on whether a student is here legally or illegally.

Listen to more https://highplainsobserverperryton.com/uttleyill.mp3 target=new>here.

 

 

 

Several Sherman County 4-H members traveled to College Station recently to participate in the annual Texas 4-H Roundup, held on the campus of Texas A&M University.

Texas 4-H Roundup is the premier event of the state 4-H program, bringing together youth from across Texas to compete, learn, and celebrate their accomplishments. Participants qualify to compete at the state level through success at county and district contests, while some events are invitational and open to any senior 4-H member in grades 9 through 12. The event features approximately 50 contests in areas such as agriculture, family and community health, leadership, and STEM. 

Sherman County 4-H members represented their community well, earning several top placings in both individual and team events.
Individual Results:

• Kadie Cox – 3rd place, Fashion Show (Buying – Business Attire)

• Kenzie Cox – 4th place, Invitational Solo Duds to Dazzle (Wearable category)

• Kadie Cox – 5th place, Invitational Solo Duds to Dazzle (Non-Wearable category)

Team Results:

• Family & Community Health Quiz Bowl – 7th Place Team

    • Ellie Clift, Kenzie Cox, Brylynn Hauser, Jackson Wyatt

• Family & Community Health Quiz Bowl – 9th Place Team

    • Ripsey Roberts, Case Brown, Kadence Copley, Hunter Lee

• Livestock Judging Team

    • Jackson Wyatt, Brylynn Hauser, Hunter Lee

• Food Challenge Team

    • Kadie Cox, Kenzie Cox, Ellie Clift

In addition to contest success, Sherman County 4-H member Hannah McCurry was awarded an $8,000 Texas 4-H Foundation Scholarship sponsored by the Fort Worth Stock Show.

Texas 4-H Roundup provides youth with opportunities to develop leadership, life skills, and career readiness while connecting with peers from across the state. The event continues to showcase the hard work and dedication of 4-H members and the support of families, volunteers, and communities.

 

 

Photo by TPWD

Memorial Day 2026 was observed Monday, May 25, with ceremonies across Texas and the nation honoring military service members who gave their lives in defense of the United States, and locally at the Stratford Cemetery.

Memorial Day traditions included flag placements, wreath ceremonies, moments of silence, and the playing of “Taps”.

Thanks to the Sherman County Historical Commission, Jesse Mariscal and Boy Scout Troup 38, Silver Spurs Rodeo Club, and Sherman County 4-H. (View ceremony itinerary in photo show)

Memorial Day remains one of the nation’s most solemn observances, focused specifically on honoring military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

✨Celebrations:

Congratulations to our kindergarten students who will graduate this evening. We love that our young graduates take a picture with our high school graduates each year. What a great group of graduates.