Jada Clay joins 1,000 point club

Texline junior Jada Clay passed 1,000 points for her high school career earlier in the season, and was honored after the Lady Tornadoes beat Boys Ranch on Friday January 30 in their final home game of the season. L-r: Ella Clay, Riata Valdez, Aly Crisp, Dabria Nicholson, Prezlee Potter, Taylor Mann, Jada Clay, Raley Valdez, Amarissah Johnson, Haiden Luther, Alexandra Montes and Faith Sneller. Photo submitted.

Valentine’s Day “Candlelight & Cupid” show at La Rita Theatre

The La Rita Theatre will have a special show for Valentine’s Day, next Saturday February 14. It was originally billed as dinner and a show, and although the dinner has now been sold out, tickets are still available for the show by Bryce Howard and Friends, which is called “Candlelight & Cupid.”

Gene Rahll: A man who saw the big picture

By Molly Ritchey
Special to the Dalhart Texan

For 59 years, Louise Rahll shared her life with a man who rarely sought attention, rarely raised his voice, and never stopped believing that Dalhart could be better than it was yesterday.

Texline homecoming royalty

Hadley Crisp and Prezlee Potter were named Texline Homecoming King and Queen after the homecoming basketball games against Hartley on Thursday January 22. An article about the basketball games is in this edition of the Dalhart Texan. Photo courtesy of Jacklyn Potter. 

Dalhart High School: Then and Now

 By Jonna Bridgman
Special to the Dalhart Texan

 As I began to think about the many changes that have happened through the years in the local high school, it was so overwhelming that I almost didn’t start writing. I have been a substitute at the high school for several years, so I have some insight on the students involved today. My first classes in DHS as a student were in September, 1960. Yes, back then school started after Labor Day. My dad had died just six weeks prior to school starting and I remember being confused about what to write after “parents.” Back then, only the student went to school and enrolled himself.

DHS Class of 2024 posed in front of Dalhart High School on Spirit Trail

Bill Kelly | Dalhart Texan

The DHS Class of 2024 posed in front of Dalhart High School on Spirit Trail after walking through the other campuses, including the two previous high school buildings.

$1.2 billion in monthly sales tax revenue distributed to local governments

City of Dalhart receives over $250,000

(AUSTIN) — Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced on January 7 that he will send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose districts $1.2 billion in local sales tax allocations for January, 4.9 percent more than in January 2025.

Meet local candidates next week

BY BILL KELLY
Dalhart Texan

With four different positions being contested in Hartley County in the Republican Primary in March, there will be a “Meet the Candidates” event this coming Tuesday, January 27. It will be held at The Flying Pig from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Voters will get a chance to meet the candidates for Hartley County Justice of the Peace (Kristy Detwiler and Gary Messer), Hartley County Judge (Camilla Green and Shellie McNabb), Hartley County Treasurer (Libby Caviness- Flanery and Timbra Morris), and Hartley County Commissioner for Precinct #4 (Justin Waggoner and Gary Schniederjan.) Those attending will have to opportunity to ask questions of the candidates and share their own thoughts, along with learning about the future of the community.

Kirsten Foust signs to play college volleyball

Dalhart High senior Kirsten Foust signed a letter of intent to play volleyball in college for MidAmerican Nazarene University in Kansas on Tuesday January 13. Her high school teammates posed for a photo with her after she signed. An interview with Foust will be published in a future edition of the Dalhart Texan. L-r: Alyra Rivera, Lesly Camacho, Remi Johnson, Joie Read, Addison Ramirez, Kambry Kitchens, Kirsten Foust, Reese Jenkins, Kammi Maddox, Kaetlin Sundvahl and Addysin Carnesecca. Bill Kelly | Dalhart Texan

A closer look inside Coon Memorial Nursing Home

 The Dallam-Hartley Counties Hospital District invites the Dalhart community to attend upcoming guided tours of Coon Memorial Nursing Home this coming Sunday, January 18, and also Sunday, January 25, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Rest in peace Mr. Rahll

 The Dalhart Texan would like to express its condolences to the family and friends of Gene Rahll, who passed away on Wednesday January 7. Everyone in Dalhart is aware of everything that Mr. Rahll, and his wife Louise, did for this community, from donating money for scholarships to the money for the Frank Phillips College campus and Rahll Activity Center. Most recently, they pledged $10 million for a new nursing home for Dalhart if the community can come up with the rest of the money needed for a new building. Gene Rahll was a tireless supporter of Dalhart, and he will be deeply missed. 

Bi-County Livestock Show: Often a family affair

Rabbit judge Amanda Hutcheson poses for a photo with Chance and Colby Juilfs. Chance had the Grand Champion Rabbit and Colby had the Reserve Grand Champion Rabbit. Complete results of the stock show, and more photos, will be published in a special section of the Dalhart Texan at the end of January. Bill Kelly | Dalhart Texan

Repeat: Lady Wolves win Caprock Classic bracket for 2nd straight year

The Dalhart Lady Wolves all hold up two fingers after defending their MCM Elegante Bracket championship at the Caprock Classic in Lubbock over Christmas Break, beating Shallowater in the title game for the trophy. Kammi Maddox was also named Co-MVP of the bracket, and Arianna Chacon, Aubree Ramirez and Joie Read were named to the All-Tournament team. Details of the tournament, and more photos, are in this edition of the Dalhart Texan. L-r: Kaetlin Sundvahl, Maggie Hartman, Kambry Kitchens, Joie Read, Aubree Ramirez, Kammi Maddox, Arianna Chacon, Avi Day, Luxie Woolley, Audrey Hobbs and Coach Anthony Catherall. Bill Kelly | Dalhart Texan

Victoria Terrazas named to All-State, Elite cross country teams

BY BILL KELLY
Dalhart Texan

With the end of cross country season, different organizations began announcing different superlatives recognizing individual runners who had outstanding seasons. Dalhart senior Victoria Terrazas was named to two different All- State teams, and was also named to an even more exclusive team that only includes seven runners.

Bi-County Livestock Show continues through weekend

BY BILL KELLY
Dalhart Texan

The 2026 Bi-County Livestock Show started yesterday, Wednesday January 7 at the Rita Blanca Coliseum with steer and heifers. It will continue today and tomorrow, January 8 and 9, with the sale happening on Saturday January 10.

 Here’s the new crew behind Spirit Burritos! (left to right) Rose Pedraza, Alex Sacdin, Logan Guetersloh, Diego Guevara, Haley Calvert, Jake Byrd and Jacob Fernandez are students in Natalie Garcia’s Life Skills Class who won a $10,000 award from Texas A&M to create a classroom business.

That’s the spirit!
Classroom-based burrito business teaches lessons to all

 By Cerise Merritt Ripps
Dalhart Texan

 A new food vendor is coming to Dalhart, and this one is truly special.

ERC officially open

 Members and supporters of the Dalhart Police Department and Volunteer Fire Department watch as Police Chief Tommy Hughes (center left) and Fire Chief Mario Garcia (center right) cut the ribbon to celebrate the official opening of the Emergency Response Center, 609 Liberal Street, Saturday morning. Dalhart Area Chamber of Commerce member Sherri Haschke (in light blue shirt) with Full Circle Insurance and CoC President Kristi Detwiler (in black jacket) hold the ribbon. 

New Dalhart Intermediate School opens

 Dalhart ISD board member Shelby Campbell prepares to cut the ribbon as teachers, students, other school board members and administration were on hand for the official opening and ribbon cutting of the building that the Dalhart Area Chamber of Commerce helped host. Nichole Crosby (left) and Kristy Detwiler (right) helped Dalhart ISD Superintendent Jeff Byrd hold the ribbon. The ribbon cutting for the new Dalhart Intermediate School building on Spirit Trail was held on Monday August 11, followed by an open house. Students spent their first day in their new school yesterday, Wednesday August 13. Bill Kelly | Dalhart Texan 

DPS launches holiday traffic enforcement initiative

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is increasing enforcement for Christmas and New Year’s to ensure Texans have a safe holiday. Texas Highway Patrol (THP) Troopers will surge enforcement efforts from Friday, Dec. 19, through Thursday, Jan. 1, and have Troopers looking for people committing traffic violations including not wearing seat belts, driving while intoxicated, speeding, failing to follow the state’s Move Over, Slow Down law and others.

Joie Read passes 1,000 points for career

Joie Read was presented a poster after the game against Farwell on December 16 for passing 1,000 career points during the tournament in Brownfield the previous weekend. L-r: Audrey Hobbs, Luxie Woolley, Maggie Hartman, Kambry Kitchens, Joie Read, Aubree Ramirez, Kaetlin Sundvahl, Avi Day, Kammi Maddox and Arianna Chacon. Bill Kelly | Dalhart Texan