JOSH HERRAN--BOOKER TEXAS

 

Smith all the while was considering an avenue to get his content to the public.

"I really was leaning toward an online magazine," says Brady who also has several social media presences as well.

But the tragic events of the Booker Pack fire brought Brady and Gina together when his story about the fire went viral and the High Plains Observer shared it.

This connection developed into the HPOs adding a weekly column called Panhandle Palette written by Smith that include his art that matches the mood with words.

Where the Blacktop Ends takes a refreshing step away from politics and 1st world issues to provide readers and now listeners with interesting guests on off the wall subjects.


The new team, Josh and Brady, together with the HPO, recognize stories need to be told, just in a different way---grounded in community, celebrating a way of life many cherish.  The focus will be on art, history, nature and of course sports.

At its core, the idea is simple: create something that feels like a break from the noise without disconnecting from what matters. Intentionally making people pause, think or laugh.

Where the Blacktop Ends promises to entertain and we are excited to bring this new format to you!

✨Celebrations:
Congratulations to our Top Elks at MAE this week.
Stetson Thrasher (2nd Grade)
Mason Melton (3rd Grade)

Sherman County District Clerk was recently honored to receive her Certificate of Federal Professional Training in Chicago.

Mrs. Tina Brooks of Stratford ISD attended Texas MegaCon 2026 in Waco, April 6–8. Texas MegaCon is the Texas Department of Agriculture’s annual conference for school nutrition directors and staff. The conference delivers professional development, reviews forthcoming rules and regulations for the 2026–2027 school year, and highlights exemplary school nutrition programs across the state.

This year, Stratford ISD’s child nutrition program received multiple awards in recognition of the team’s hard work and commitment. The honors celebrate excellence in menu planning, innovative use of USDA Foods, and an ongoing commitment to quality and student nutrition. These statewide recognitions reflect the high standards and creativity our child nutrition staff bring to daily operations and meal service.
The conference also featured an inspiring keynote address by Coach Ken Carter (subject of the film Coach Carter). His remarks emphasized leadership, teamwork, and perseverance—values that align closely with Stratford ISD’s approach to student success and staff collaboration.

During the event, Mrs. Brooks presented Commissioner Sid Miller with a Stratford ISD shirt and original artwork created by our high school art students. Commissioner Miller graciously accepted the gifts and extended his appreciation to Stratford ISD.

Included with this notice are photographs from the conference, including images with Commissioner Sid Miller, Assistant Commissioner Lena Wilson, and Mrs. Brooks. We extend sincere thanks to the Stratford ISD child nutrition staff for their continued professionalism, teamwork, and dedication, which made these honors possible and help ensure nutritious meals for our students each day.

SHERMAN COUNTY, Texas (KFDA) - A Stratford man’s recent guilty plea is the second conviction of its kind in the Texas Panhandle.

Christopher Orosco Gomez, 56, pleaded guilty to a charge of child grooming on March 16.

He will spend two years in prison for the third-degree felony offense.

A Sherman County grand jury indicted Gomez in November, following an investigation by the Texas Rangers.

The investigation centered around reports of Gomez displaying inappropriate behavior with a juvenile at the Stratford Country Club.

Gomez, 56, pleaded guilty to child grooming in Sherman County (Sherman County Sheriff's Office)

Gomez is listed as the manager or superintendent for the private golf course on several web directories.

Texas enacted the child grooming law (or Section 15:032) on Sept. 1, 2023. It is intended to criminalize predatory behavior used by adults to entice, coerce, induce or persuade a child to engage in sexual activity.

The DPS records indicate that Gomez’s conviction for child grooming in Sherman County is the second conviction recorded in the Texas Panhandle.

The first conviction happened in Randall County in 2024.

Additional data from the DPS records are:

Arrests for child grooming in the Texas Panhandle

• Dallam County- 4 Arrests (2025)
• Gray County- 3 Arrests (2025)
• Randall County- 1 arrest (2024)
• Sherman County - 1 arrest (2025)
• Wheeler County - 1 arrest (2024)

Convictions for child grooming

Randall - 1 conviction (2024)

Arrests in Texas for child grooming
2023 - 3 arrests
2024- 76 arrests
2025- 110 arrests

The arrest and conviction records maintained and provided by the Texas DPS show that they were last updated on January 13, 2026.

Canyon ISD made the move at the end of 2025 to move Matt Lovorn into the head coaching position for the Canyon Eagle football team. KXDJ’s Chris Samples asked Amarillo sports guru Lance Lahnert about it.

“His alma mater is Canyon High, so they were thrilled to get him there. He’s a very smart man and obviously did a great job at Stratford. They moved him in right away as the interim. Behind the scenes, I was told that most of them did not even want the interim on his name, let’s just give him the job. Very smooth transition. They played well. Made it to the third round in the playoffs. It was a no-brainer,” Lahnert said.

Click here to listen.

Of course, this move was made after Canyon ISD abruptly put Lovorn into the interim position in the middle of the season, replacing Todd Winfrey who had been the head coach since 2021.

Submitted by Tina Brooks

I am delighted to share that I, Tina Brooks, from Stratford ISD, had the esteemed honor of being invited to participate in a comprehensive week-long (March 9th-13th) training program at the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN), located at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi. This opportunity allowed me to engage deeply with contemporary practices and insights in child nutrition, alongside a diverse group of professionals dedicated to advancing this crucial field.As the sole representative from Texas, I was privileged to collaborate with peers from various regions, each bringing unique perspectives and experiences. This collaboration enriched the learning experience and fostered a robust exchange of ideas and best practices. The training sessions were meticulously designed to cover a wide array of topics, from nutritional guidelines and meal planning to the implementation of effective child nutrition programs in educational settings.

The ICN's commitment to excellence was evident throughout the program. The faculty and staff provided invaluable guidance, ensuring that each attendee left with enhanced skills and a renewed commitment to improving child nutrition standards. The immersive environment at Ole Miss facilitated both professional growth and personal reflection on the importance of our work.This experience not only broadened my understanding of child nutrition but also reinforced the vital role we play in shaping healthy futures for children. I am eager to apply the knowledge and strategies gained during this training to benefit our community in Texas and to continue advocating for improved nutritional practices in schools.

In conclusion, attending the ICN training at Ole Miss was an extraordinary opportunity for professional development. I am grateful for the chance to represent Texas and to contribute to the ongoing dialogue around child nutrition. I look forward to implementing these insights and fostering positive change within our educational systems.

 The Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN), connected to the School of Applied Sciences at The University of Mississippi, is the sole national center funded by the federal government, focused on applied research, education, training, and technical support for child nutrition programs. Established by Congress through the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 1989, it receives funding via a grant managed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The detailed responsibilities of the Institute are outlined in Section 21 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. Its mission is to deliver information and services that foster ongoing improvements in child nutrition programs.

As a national hub, the Institute offers information, performs applied research, and provides training and educational opportunities utilizing suitable technology.

"If the tie remains after the recount: The tied candidates must “cast lots” (a random method like drawing names, flipping a coin, etc.) to decide who advances."

What are the odds?

"I think I started in 2017 for the 2018 Election," said Sherman County Republican Chairman Susie Spurlock, who adds she cannot remember this situation ever happening.

In the recent election for Sherman County Commissioner Precinct 4 race, two candidates Tim Hudson and Rustin Russell, each received 41 votes while Chris Riffe received 48.

During the normal canvassing of the election results, the electronic recount confirmed there was in fact a tie.

As stated in the Election Code, candidates must "cast lots" to determine who would be the second candidate in the runoff election.  

You may be wondering what it means to “cast lots.”

According to Wikipedia, it’s a form of cleromancy. You may now be wondering what cleromancy is. It’s a form of selection where the outcome is determined in a random manner, such as by rolling dice.

And using the phrase “casting of lots” instead of “random drawing” or “drawing names” harkens back to biblical times. There are several references to casting lots in the Bible. It was even how Roman soldiers decided who won Jesus’ clothes when they crucified him.

A domino draw was conducted following the rule that the highest domino would be the winner.  Rustin Russell pulled the double five domino while Tiffany Hudson (appointed by Tim Hudson) pulled the double six domino.

Primary Runoff Ballot on May 26 for this position will be
1. Tim Hudson
2. Chris Riffe

"I have experienced the procedure for filling an unexpired term twice with the most recent in 2024," continues Spurlock, "regarding the recount, my thoughts will always be I learned from this experience."

In a side note, in Precinct I Bart Thoreson (45) defeated Nora Wells (44) by one vote.

This unprecedented situation should make you realize how much your vote counts!

Photo by Laura Holinski

"Check out this find! While looking for an old marriage license, I found the first ever in Sherman County! This would have been filed at the old courthouse in Coldwater, then stolen in the night and brought to Stratford! The date is January 10th, 1890! I hope they had a long happy marriage!" 👰🏻🤵🏻⛪️

Earlier this afternoon, the procedure for resolving a tie for Sherman County Commissioner Precinct 4, between Rustin Russell and Tim Hudson was held in the Sherman County Election Room.  

Following the electronic recount, it was confirmed each candidate received 41 votes.  As stated in the Election Code, candidates must cast lots to determine who would be the second candidate in the runoff election.  

A domino draw was conducted following the rule that the highest domino would be the winner.  Rustin Russell pulled the double five domino while Tiffany Hudson (appointed by Tim Hudson) pulled the double six domino.


Primary Runoff Ballot for this position will be

1. Tim Hudson
2. Chris Riffe


Primary Election Runoff will be May 26,2026