THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS in Dickens County saw new industry and business expansion arrive—and a new sheriff was elected, to take office January 1, 2025. But in Spur by far the biggest splash all year was the Memorial Day reopening of the Swenson Park swimming pool, a joint effort of the city, the county and private donations, including a lead gift from Galaxy Digital. Later in the year, Spur also gained a state-of-the-art fire station, thanks to a private donation. The Spur Bulldogs varsity football team closed out a Cindere l l a season, undefeated all the way into the playoffs, under substitute head coach and school perintendentCraig Hamilton after Coach Tate Clark remained on the injured list.
Public safety remained a challenge in Dickens County and the City of Spur. Jay Allen was elected Dickens County sheriff after a three-way race that resulted in a runoff, to succeed retiring Terry Braly. Spur’s police department was forced to close when its chief departed and its last remaining deputy, after a brief stint as chief, accepted a more lucrative position as a sheriff’s deputy. The city entered an interlocal agreement to rely on the county for law enforcement.
In Kent County, four ambitious school bond issues were on the November ballot, but only one passed. By the closing days of the year, the Jayton-Girard school board found itself at odds over whether, or how, to apply the district’s Permanent School Fund wealth — even as its six-man football team claimed the state championship trophy at AT&T Stadium. Back in March, its boys basketball team had also emerged as state champions.
JANUARY
Work began on the new Spur firehouse at Third Street and Burlington Avenue. Collier Construction and its subcontractors completed forms and poured the concrete floor. Kent County continued its 80-year tradition of featuring local 4-H and FFA students and their animals in the junior livestock show; the Dickens County Junior Livestock Show followed, the next weekend. Both included exhibits of rabbits, chickens, goats and lambs, along with popular beef and swine competitions, and premium sales generously backed by the community raised funds for future shows and other youth agriculture education activities.
• Winners announced for 9-county Big Buck Contest includedWilliam Allen, Hayden Harris, Landon Hinson, Wellington Moore and Landon Hutchinson
• Spur Area Chamber of Commerce and Saber Power Services hosts groundbreaking for the Burksol Battery Energy Storage System project by esVolta in northern Dickens County
• Three candidates announce bids for Dickens County Sheriff, after longtime sheriff Terry Braly declines to run for reelection
• Jayton girls varsity basketball team wins District
• Jayton robotics team ranked #1 in the District Swenson Park swimming pool reconstruction got underway, on an ambitious schedule.
Jayton-Girard ISD named Scott Bicknell sole finalist for superintendent post.
Area schools rehearsed for the annual One Act Play competition. Spur High School presented “A Thousand Cranes.” Guthrie High School performed “Beggar’s Opera” and Jayton High School performed “Don Quixote.” Motley County High School presented “Greek Mythology Olympiaganza.”
• City of Spur pursues block grant for downtown revitalization
• Jayton Cemetery designated Historic Texas Cemetery
• Spur ISD CX Debate team advances to state
• Jayton-Girard ISD students perform with All Region Band
• Patton Springs ISD team wins TxDOT Project Graduation video contest
• Jayton boys varsity basketball team wins District 5 1-A title, ranked #2 in State
• Jayton girls varsity basketball team named District champions, wins Bi-District and Area championships
• J-Bots Jayton robotics team up with Hamlin and Shallowater to win league championship and move on to regional competition
The Texas Spur, founded in 1909, was honored as a “Texas Treasure” by the Texas Historical Commission, in a ceremony at Spur’s Palace Theater that also featured a showing of the “Texas Country Reporter” television segment about the newspaper.
Also in Spur, James Robinson retired as store manager at Lawrence Brothers IGA grocery store in Spur after 15 years; assistant manager C.C. Noland was named to succeed him.
In the March primaries, Dickens County sheriff candidates Jay Allen and Jerry Schmidt emerged as contenders in a May runoff.
• Dickens county commission accepts SB22 $250K grant
• Rep. Dustin Burrows tours Galaxy Helios plant in Dickens County
• Primary voters went to polls March 5
• Spur One Act Play advances to Bi-District
• Jayton One Act Play advances to Bi-District
• Spur ISD studentTatumWalker beats her own record at shot put, setting new record at 35 feet, 6 1/2 inches
• Jayton ISD sophomore Jace Chisum sets a school record of 11:36 in the 3200 at the Graham track meet
• Jayton ISD sisters Daylee Chisum and Jace Chisum win region and state honors in basketball
• Jayton boys varsity basketball team win state
APRIL
The Spur Family Dollar closed after less than a year in business, part of a nationwide scaleback by the parent company.
• Clearway Energy Group completes $660 million 452 NWTexas Solar Nova complex in Kent County, hosts ribbon cutting on site
• Dickens commissioners approve SB22 funds
• Dickens junior 4-H team wins Grand Champion at District 3 meat judging
• Spur OAP cast of “A Thousand Cranes” competes at Bi-District in Post; Allee Hamilton named to All-Star Cast, Joshua Ortiz receives honorable mention
• Spur track advances to Regional
• Spur track athlete Margarito Pesina advances to State
• Spur advances to Regional in UIL Academics • Four Patton Springs ISD students advance to Regionals
• Jayton earns top 2024 District UIL awards
• Jayton robotics team places second in the state competition in 1A-4A division
• Kent County students advance in 4-H fashion events
MAY
One City of Dickens city council candidate conceded after a tie for third place; winners were Bobby Kautz and David Wallace, both at-large.
JGISD voters elected school board members: incumbent Jody Scott, newcomers Stephanie Allen, Cody Stanaland.
Spur police chief Billy Spears resigned. Spur’s Swenson Park swimming pool reopened Memorial Day and was also the subject of a documentary, “The Big Empty,” shown at Palace Theater.
• Spur High School Class of 2024 graduates 21 seniors
• Dickens 4-H competes in Quiz Bowl, members selected for Texas 4-H Congress
• Afton resident Ronda Dalton selected for 4-H Leadership Award
• Jayton finishes third at UIL Regional Academic Meet, sends nine students to State UIL Academic Championships
• Jayton accounting team wins State UIL
• Jayton ISD student Griff Reel wins first place in poetry at Regional UIL
• Jayton journalism student Lainey Baldridge places second in news writing and third in editorial; Melody McClane places second in editorial writing – both going to State
• Jayton ISD track athlete Jade Chisum takes silver in State UIL in the mile competition • Jayton ISD track athlete Griff Reel finishes second in the 400 meter at State
• Jayton boys relay track team wins second in State
• Jayton High School student Griff Reel elected Texas FFA Area 2 president
• Patton Springs ISD student Jet Ramirez places second in individual Mathematics; math team places third
• Patton Springs ISD students Diezel Ramirez andToryan Childers win State tennis championships; take third in mixed doubles
• Patton Springs mathematics student Jet Ramirez wins third place in State UIL Academics meet
• Jay Allen wins runoff, elected Dickens County Republican nominee for sheriff
JUNE
Dickens 4-H named several scholarship winners.
Elsewhere in the region, Lucy Dean Record, pianist of Lockney (Floyd County), was honored on her 100th birthday at a party and dance with well-wishers from all multiple counties and states.
David Pafford of Spur posted a series stories from their family trip around the globe.
• Palace Theater installs sound, lighting improvements
• White River Reservoir plant honored for over 25 years of weather observations
• Shorty’s Barber Shop opens in Dickens County
• Spur pool drained for treatment
• City of Spur, considers interlocal agreement with county for policing
• Spur begins move to new firehouse
JULY
Local communities celebrated Independence Day with picnics, parades and fireworks.
South Plains Electric Cooperative and CoBank donated $10K for Spur pool enhancements Spur firefighters moved into their new firehouse.
• Haynes School in Spur celebrates 49th reunion
• Stanaland brothers to coach together in Jayton, as John relocates from position at Valley
• Beckton’s Chophouse and Tavern shut down indefinitely (reopened later in year)
• Crosby County Fuels holds grand opening of rebuilt facility in McAdoo
• Jayton FFA announces honors
AUGUST
The 101st annual Motley-Dickens Old Settlers Rodeo & Reunion was held in Roaring Springs–during a stretch of triple-digit temperatures.
Organizers of the Motley-Dickens Old Settlers Reunion and Rodeo turned out a great time in Roaring Springs. The two neighboring counties, which first gathered at a picnic spot in Dickens in 1923 to reminisce over their pioneer days, have shared a long heritage working ranches, legendary cattle and horses, and able ranch hands of both sexes. Rodeo riders of multiple generations put on an impressive WRCA event; residents and returnees alike gathered to honor their eldest, and fondly remember those lost in the previous year. Live music featured Jake Hooker and the Outsiders, and Chad Maines.
• Texas Spur publishers travel all of Route 66, reporting weekly from the road
• JGISD hires Jamie Humphries as new principal
• Spur schools move to four-day week
• New faculty and staff start school year
• Earthquake rattles West Texas
• New smart water meters installed in Spur
• 16 teams participate in Fat Daddy’s Golf Tournament in Spur
• Roger Green from Spur inducted into Agriculture Teachers of Texas Hall of Fame
• Golden Spread Electric Company celebrates 40th anniversary
• Jayton students Griff Reel and Jace Chisum top 10 finalists in National FFA Agriscience Fair
SEPTEMBER
The City of Spur hired a new city secretary but soon announced a vacancy again.
Jayton-Girard ISD approved putting a bond election on the ballot with four propositions totaling $10 million, and scheduled a series of public meetings leading up to election day.
• Quanah Parker Day observed Sept. 14
• Spur’s Ortiz wins medal at Mae Simmons cross country meet
• Jayton students win medals at cross country meet
• Spur Golf Assication holds club championships • Spur, Patton Springs, Jayton start football season with wins
• Jayton welcomes back champions from 1984-85 team
OCTOBER
Spur prepared for its 72nd homecoming celebration, always a big occasion in the tiny town.
Spur took the homecoming win, going 6-0 for the season.
During Homecoming weekend, the Spur Fire Department rang in its new station Octber 5 with plenty of pomp and circumstance.
Jayton completed its remodel of gazebo on courthouse square, thanks to fundraising help from the Kent County Lions Club.
• Spur Area Chamber hosts 1st Chili Cookoff
• Dickens County Historical Commission hosts former state historian Bill O’Neal atThe Palace Theater for history ramble
• Spur’s newest eatery, Mix’d Café, hosts soft opening
• Spur chamber elects officers
• Spur hamber of Commerce hosts Trunk or Treat in Spur; Dickens, Jayton hold Trunk or Treat events
• Star Feed & Seed Big Buck contest gets underway
• Texas Spur news group receives $100K grant to boost local news coverage
• Jayton named 2024 National Blue Ribbon School by Department of Education
• Patton Springs students Diezel Ramirez, Kayson Chandler regional track qualifiers
• Jayton ISD track students win District cross country championship
• Jayton varsity girls track athletes Jace Chisum takes first place, Abigail Mosely second, Remington Long third in District event
• Jayton varsity boys runners Sean Stanaland wins first place, Griff Reel second and Zech Mosely third in District meet
NOVEMBER
In the November 5 national general election, a majority of Dickens and Kent voters went for Trump in the presidental race.
Dickens County elected a new sheriff, Jay Allen.
Superintendent Craig Hamilton continued to coach the Spur football team during Clark’s illness and recovery. The Spur
See YEAR IN REVIEW, page 9 Bulldogs went to the playoffs, remaining undefeated District champs but ending their season with a loss in the Bi-District round.
The Jayton Jaybirds took District and Bi-District football championships and headed to semifinals.
• Galaxy Helios plant announces profitable year
• West Texas has better cotton crop than in past two years
• Capital Farm Credit returns $60 million in allocated equity to members
• Local counties designated by USDA as Primary Natural Disaster Areas for drought
• Jayton State cross-country medalists Jace Chisum (4th place) and Griff Reel (10th) recognized
Jayton won the State Division I football Championship Dec. 18, defeating Oakwood at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium.
• Jayton holds Winterfest, followed by parade and visits with Santa at renovated gazebo
• Spur holds Late Night Holiday Market and Downtown Dinner, with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving in horse-drawn carriage
• Rep. Dustin Burrows says he has votes to be Texas House Speaker
• Dickens 4-H earns honors at District 3 contest
• Spur Methodist Church presents annual Living Nativity program
• Jayton’s Chisum, Reel, Stanaland named to THSCA Super Elite XC
• Galaxy Digital’s Helios plant expected to convert from all-Bitcoin processing to data center
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Dickens County and Kent County will each swear in newly elected officials—including a new sherrif in Dickens. The City of Spur continues to grapple with a range of matters requiring revision or addition of ordinances, while the City of Jayton addresses municipal water management matters under the administration of a new city secretary. Whether the Jayton-Girard Independent School District decides to fund a baseball facility and other improvements, and whether their basketball team will defend their state championship, remain to be seen in the new year. New industry throughout the region, primarily in the renewable energy sector, continues to drive tax revenues and some environmental concerns. Small retail may grow, or change hands, in 2025 as in 2024.
