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MCHD Service Excellence Award | PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT: Ashleigh Wiswell and Christine Kimbrell |
Congratulations to Christine Kimbrell, who is a recipient of a Service Excellence Award! Here is her story: Christine Kimbrell, Director of the Therapy Services Department, exemplifies exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to both her staff and the patients she serves. She is deeply committed to ensuring that every patient receives not only high-quality clinical care, but also the support and resources needed to succeed beyond the walls of our facility. Christine became aware of a patient who had been re-admitted with congestive heart failure because the patient he did not have a way to monitor their body weight daily; an essential part of managing fluid retention and preventing further complications. Understanding the serious impact this barrier could have on the patient’s health and recovery, Christine immediately took action. In true demonstration of her compassionate leadership, she went above and beyond her role by personally purchasing a digital scale for the patient. This simple yet meaningful gesture ensured the patient could track their weight each morning, empowering them to better manage their condition and helping reduce the risk of re-hospitalization. Christine’s actions reflect the heart of outstanding leadership: she not only guides her department with excellence, but also leads by example through genuine care, advocacy, and an extraordinary commitment to patient-centered service. Thank you, Christine, for your leadership and service to your staff, the District, and the patients we serve! We are incredibly proud that you are a part of our team! | | Candidate Forum February 19Voting is not only our right, it's our responsibility. The Chamber will be hosting it's Candidate's Forum on February 19th at the Dumas Junior High Auditorium at 6pm at 1901 Dumas Avenue The event will be open to the public and will also be live streamed for those who are unable to attend. We will have a moderator asking each Candidate the questions in a structured setting. Here's where you get involved. Send your questions to officemanager@dumashamber.com, all questions will be presented anonymously, so there is no reason you should hesitate to ask about the issues important to you. All 4 Candidates for County Commissioner Precinct 2 will be there, as well as the local Candidate running for Land Commissioner. No question is too big or too small. | | Meet Christopher and Tyler Webb Webb & Company Chevrolet GMC is proudly owned by local brothers, Christopher and Tyler Webb. Although we are not native to Borger, we have lived here since acquiring the dealership in December 2024. We are proud to now call Borger home for the foreseeable future. Our mission is to provide our customers with a type of service they have never experienced from a dealership. We like to jokingly say, “we are the anti-car dealership, dealership!” Our goal is to create a company that has generational customers. We believe that price should not be the only factor when deciding where to buy a vehicle. So, we want our customers to feel a sense of value from their car buying experience. This is why our service after the sale is where we truly shine. For example, one of the many perks of being a Webb & Company customer is having free carwashes for the life of your vehicle. Additionally, the most important aspect to us is that the company is, and always remains, faith based and that we strive to do all things for the glory of God. Please come and experience the Webb & Company difference, because everyone needs a “W”! Sincerely, Christopher & Tyler Webb | | Dumas Hall of Fame Nominations | | Dumas ISD Data CenterRaymond Brady, Director of Information Technology with Dumas ISD speaks with KXDJ'S Chris Samples about the data center. Listen to what he has to say HERE Dumas ISD partnered with Duos Edge AI (a Duos Technologies subsidiary) to build a cutting-edge, on-premise Edge Data Center (EDC), providing high-speed, low-latency computing for real-time data processing, enhancing student technology, and supporting AI applications, making it a first for Panhandle school districts to bring advanced tech directly to campus. The collaboration places powerful infrastructure closer to users, boosting digital tools for education and workforce readiness. Key Aspects of the Dumas ISD Data Center: Partnership: Dumas ISD with Duos Edge AI, a specialist in rural tech solutions. Type: An Edge Data Center (EDC), placing computing power closer to the users (students/staff). Purpose: Enables advanced AI, real-time processing, and enhanced digital learning tools. Benefits for Students/Staff: Direct, on-premise access to powerful technology, improved performance, and better preparation for future careers. Location: On Dumas ISD property, making it a localized hub for technology. Significance: A pioneering move for a Texas Panhandle school district to adopt such advanced, localized infrastructure. | | Two Dalhart Men Sentenced to Five Years in Prison | | Dumas City Manager Hall Speaks With KXDJ'S Chris SamplesWe continue our series on area cities and how 2025 was for them. Today, Dumas City Manager Mark Hall joins KXDJ’s Chris Samples to discuss the last year. “A lot of progress. We have a sidewalk improvement project going on and it is pretty extensive. That is a TxDOT project and they are predicting it will end in the late spring,” Hall told Samples. Listen to more HEREWe will have more from Hall in coming days. | | MCHD Excellence Service Award | Pictured left to right: Connie Flores, Kaile Sysakayavong, and Samantha Thompson |
Congratulations to Kaile Sysakayavong, who is a recipient of a Service Excellence Award. Here is her story: Late October, a patient arrived at the facility in visible distress, overwhelmed by a family civil matter and the challenges of caring for a newborn. Having recently given birth, the patient had very limited supplies and nowhere to turn for help. Kaile Sysakayavong immediately recognized the urgency of the situation and responded with compassion and decisiveness. She brought the patient upstairs to receive support from the OB nursing team ensuring they were surrounded by care and understanding during a vulnerable moment. While the patient was being supported, Kaile went above and beyond what was expected. She took it upon herself to visit the gift shop and personally purchase essential baby items, offering practical assistance along with emotional reassurance. Her thoughtful actions brought comfort and relief to someone who was feeling overwhelmed and alone. This moment reflects a pattern of kindness that Kaile demonstrates every day. On another occasion, an individual who frequently walks around town stopped by the facility to rest and use the phone. During a phone conversation, it became clear that the individual was facing eviction. Without hesitation, Kaile responded. She went to her father’s food truck and returned with food, ensuring the person would not go hungry during an already difficult time. Kaile consistently treats everyone she encounters with empathy, dignity, and respect. She looks for meaningful ways, both large and small, to ease the burdens of others. Her quick thinking, generosity, and genuine care for those around her exemplify an unwavering commitment to service. Kaile truly embodies the values we strive to uphold and is an invaluable asset to our team and the community we serve. | | HAPPY 250TH BIRTHDAY AMERICA--Essay Contest to Win $250 | July 4 2026 America will celebrate a historic milestone… the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence |
How much do you like to write essays? How much do you like Happy Birthday parties? How much do you like a chance to win money?
HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE AMERICA? The High Plains Observers want to hear from you! ***** any age school student in the HPO family write a one-page essay expressing how much you love AMERICA! The winner will receive $250! email your entry to bgillispie@ptsi.net deadline June 15 winner announced June 30! God Bless America! ***NO AI PLEASE | | MCHD Lifesaver Award--Conda BellCongratulations to Conda Bell, who is a recipient of a Life Saving Award. Here is her story: On the morning of August 18, 2025, Conda Bell noticed that something was wrong with one of her co-workers after visiting with him in his office. He did not “look right” to her, and his shortness of breath concerned her deeply. Though her role as HR Benefits Specialist doesn’t involve patient care, she didn’t hesitate. Acting on instinct, Conda called the ED and requested immediate assistance, ensuring he could get the care he urgently needed. Her quick thinking set a chain of life-saving actions in motion. Her coworker arrived at the ED and the clinical team quickly assessed and stabilized him, ultimately identifying a life-threatening pulmonary embolism that required emergency intervention. Her coworker received immediate stabilization and was transferred for treatment and surgery. Thanks to the rapid response initiated by Conda, he was discharged home safely the next day. Conda went far beyond her normal responsibilities. She stepped into an unfamiliar, high-stakes situation with courage, compassion, and determination. She demonstrated that compassion and courage are not limited by one’s job description, and her actions directly contributed to saving a life of a co-worker who is still with us today due to her actions. | | Coach Dunnam and Chris SamplesDumas Demon Head Coach Aaron Dunnam speaks with KXDJ's Chris Samples about his progress over the season, keys to success and what to expect Listen to his interviews | | MCHD Moore To Give Award | Pictured left to right: DeDee Hudspeth, Mayumi Tay, Mariana Gonzalez, Alexa Serda, and Amanda Jones |
Congratulations to DeDee Hudspeth, Amanda Jones, Brandy Cano, Mariana Gonzalez and Alexa Serda, who are recipients of a Moore to Give Award! Here is their story: When Medical Technologist, Ma “Mayumi” Tay, moved here from Dubai, she faced the daunting challenge of starting life in a new country without a driver’s license or a car. DeDee Hudspeth, Amanda Jones, Brandy Cano, Mariana Gonzalez and Alexa Serda immediately stepped in, and for nearly two years they have faithfully supported Mayumi not only in her day-to-day work activities, but also with needed transportation. All of these ladies have stepped in to make sure Mayumi has always had a ride to and from work whenever they are available even when they were not scheduled to work themselves. Brandy, DeDee and Amanda have consistently gone the extra mile by taking Mayumi to the store and other places she needed to go so that she has the resources she needs to be successful both at home and at work. With patience and encouragement, DeDee and Amanda taught Mayumi how to drive, and Mayumi recently achieved a major milestone by earning her driver’s license, made possible in large part because of DeDee and Amanda’s dedication to teaching her. More than simply “giving rides” these ladies recognized the importance of independence for Mayumi’s success and confidence. Their willingness to give their time, energy, and care has had a lasting impact on Mayumi’s personal and professional life. They have fostered a supportive work environment, strengthened team bonds, and demonstrated what it truly means to look out for one another. Their actions go far beyond the scope of their job duties and speak to their character as a caring teammates and supportive friends. They are shining examples of how generosity can change another person’s life. Thank you for your kindness, selflessness, and commitment to helping a teammate We are incredibly proud that you are a part of our team! | | Area tax rates (city) adopted for the next fiscal year include: Cactus $0.314208 Canadian $0.846380 Borger $0.606807 Dumas $0.614928 Fritch $0.547556 Gruver $0.2770 Pampa $0.703304 Perryton $0.501485 Spearman $0.469711 Stinnett $0.815583 Sunray $0.302340 Stratford: $0.820486 As the area taxing entities wrap up their public tax hearings, we are finally able to publish the information as each community and county adopt local budgets and tax rates for the upcoming year. Have you ever wondered just how your taxes are calculated? Be an informed taxpayer! To learn more click (more) | | Ogallala Commons Working To Conserve Our Precious Water Source We kick off a new five-part series on the future of Panhandle water and the efforts to conserve it. Darrell Birkenfeld is deputy director of Ogallala Commons and based out of Nazareth. They have been around since 2000 and today, he discusses the work of the group as well as the amazing water source we have below our feet.
“Our mission focuses on reinvigorating communities in the Great Plains. We have three core programs. One is stewarding natural resources, and another is workforce leadership and development. The last is a program called “rebuilding local food systems.” You cannot have a thriving community or healthy community without nutrient-dense food,” Birkenfeld told KXDJ’s Chris Samples.
Click here to listen to more from them.
So, what is the current status of the Ogallala? Birkenfeld said, “Overall, north or south in the great Ogallala region, if you live north of say, I-70, there’s less depletion there. There’s what I call the Saudi Arabia of groundwater and that’s in western Nebraska. There’s over 1,000 feet of water bearing formation. It’s very close to the top and feeds those rivers. But down here, over 50 percent and more, in a lot of cases, is depleted. In some places, they are down to less than 30 feet. I think our realization is that we cannot have a civilization without water so we have some decisions to make."
“We are going to have to move from a water-depletion approach to somehow a groundwater recharge model. That is what Ogallala Commons has been working on for the last 15 years now.”
Another topic he discussed was recharging the Ogallala and how important playa lakes are to the process.
“We’ve had pulses of water in playas that are on their way down to the water table. Every time we have a wet season, it sends a pulse of water down to the water table,” Birkenfeld told Samples. How long it takes will differ depending on the depth of the water table. “If we think of what the Ogallala is, is our water budget and we begin to adopt practices in our lifestyle where we’re not taking out more than we’re putting in, kind of like a bank account.”
You can listen to more here.
He went on to say, “I just think that communities would need to look and say, “How are we going to have water for 100 or 200 years?””
When it comes to the Ogallala, Birkenfeld said, “It is the largest freshwater aquifer, and the amazing thing is that it has water in eight states. In most places, you can tap into it and its drinkable. There are other aquifers around the world that are not as potable as the Ogallala.” | | Where Did Moore County Get It's Name? | Moore is also depicted in a portrait at the courthouse in Moore County, Texas |
Texas has 254 counties---how many are named after judges? Of the 254 counties in Texas, 14 were named after their original county seats. Of the remaining 240, 199 were named after people, and 27 were named after geographic features, such as rivers. The other 15 have miscellaneous names in English, Spanish, or Indian languages.
The historic chambers of the Texas Supreme Court at the Texas State Capitol--the three portraits behind the bench include Judges Hemphill and Wheeler As of the 2020 census, Moore County population was 21,358. The county seat is Dumas. The county was created in 1876 and organized in 1892. It is named for Edwin Ward Moore, the commander of the Texas Navy. Moore County history is highlighted in the Window on the Plains Museum in Dumas Edwin Ward Moore Born July 15, 1810 Alexandria, Virginia, US Died October 5, 1865 (aged 55) New York City, US Branch United States Navy Texas Navy Years of service US Navy - 1825-1839 Texas Navy - 1839-1843 Edwin Ward Moore (July 15, 1810 – October 5, 1865), was an American naval officer who also served as commander-in-chief of the Navy of the Republic of Texas. Early life Moore was born in Alexandria, Virginia. His grandfather and uncle had served in the American Revolution. Moore was a classmate of Robert E. Lee's at the Alexandria Academy. Early naval career Moore entered the United States Navy as a midshipman in 1825 at the age of 15. His first assignment came when he was posted to the USS Hornet, followed by stints on the Fairchild and the Delaware. He saw active service on the Atlantic Coast and the Mediterranean Sea. In 1830, Moore was stationed at the Gosport Navy Yard, and five years later was commissioned a lieutenant and assigned to the sloop-of-war Boston on July 1, 1836. While serving on the Boston, Moore saved the ship from sinking when it encountered heavy seas in a hurricane. In September 1836, the Boston captured the Texas privateer Terrible off the coast of New Orleans. The Texas ship was sent to Pensacola, Florida, on piracy charges. This contact with the Texans is believed to have prompted Moore to re-evaluate his military career. Promotion within the U.S. Navy at this time was a slow process, as many of the officers who served in the War of 1812 still held rank above Moore. Moore's journey to and with the Republic's Navy In 1839, Moore was accused of recruiting officers and up to 80 sailors from the Boston to join him in enlisting with the Republic of Texas Navy. Moore's cousin, Alexander Moore, confirmed this rumor to Commodore Charles Ridgley, who forwarded the charges to the Secretary of the Navy. On July 8, 1839, Moore resigned from the U.S. Navy to become commander of the Republic of Texas Navy. U.S. Secretary of the Navy, John Forsyth, tried to bring charges against Moore based on his violation of the Neutrality Act of 1819, but Moore resigned his commission before any trial was held. From 1840–1841, he sailed off the Mexican coast to hasten peace negotiations between the Republic of Texas and Mexico. On collapse of the negotiations, Moore returned to Texas and to the support of Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar. Lamar signed a treaty with the Mexican state of Yucatán for the lease the Texas navy for $8,000 per month and to protect their ports from being blockaded by the Mexican Navy. On September 18, 1840, Moore received orders to guard the Yucatán coast in conformity with the Texas-Yucatán Treaty and on December 13, 1840, left Galveston, Texas, with three ships to join the small Yucatán fleet at Sisal, Yucatán, under the command of former Texas Navy officer Captain James D. Boylan. Moore later captured the town of San Juan Bautista, Tabasco, and then surveyed the Texas coast. His chart was later published by the British Admiralty. Rank Commodore of the Texas Navy | |
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