News

Childress High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) floriculture student Avery Keys competes at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Horticulture Competition, where she took a seventh-place finish in Texas Tables. Childress FFA

Childress High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) floriculture student Avery Keys competes at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Horticulture Competition, where she took a seventh-place finish in Texas Tables. Childress FFA

Houston, we’ve got flowers

Elizabeth Tanner
Thursday, March 12, 2026
HOUSTON — Childress High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) floriculture students, including the team of McKenzi Burton, Zada Cunninghame and Keely Mock and individualist Avery Keys, recently competed at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Horticulture Competition.

At the Childress Municipal Airport

Tiffany Tully
Thursday, March 12, 2026
CHILDRESS — Tuesday, March 3,one Citation flew in from Houston to drop off passengers, and another one, from Oklahoma. A Bell 407 helicopter dropped in for fuel; a Beechcraft King Air, out of Dallas, dropped off passengers; and yet another Citation came in.
Chloe Williams, of Altus, Okla., won the inaugural Miss Cotton Country Collegiate Pageant title in 2025. Since 2005, the Miss Cotton Country Pageant promotes the cotton industry, not only in Harmon County, but the surrounding area as well. Miss Cotton Country

Chloe Williams, of Altus, Okla., won the inaugural Miss Cotton Country Collegiate Pageant title in 2025. Since 2005, the Miss Cotton Country Pageant promotes the cotton industry, not only in Harmon County, but the surrounding area as well. Miss Cotton Country

Shiny Hats Association opens Miss Cotton Country Collegiate Pageant entries

Bev Odom
Thursday, March 12, 2026
HOLLIS, Okla. – Shiny Hats Association announces entries are open for the 2026 Cotton Country Collegiate Pageant, set for Saturday, April 18 at Hollis High School. Entry for the competition is $70.
The Land of Oz: Is there green ahead?

The Land of Oz: Is there green ahead?

The Land of Oz: Is there green ahead?

Fred Hardwicke
Thursday, March 12, 2026
In a new world with internet everywhere, rural America could be positioned for a comeback. Ho w e v e r , things like rural health care—or lack of it—could be holding things back. That brings us to Dr. Mehmet Oz, of TV fame, and now, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator.
Mesquite Groundwater Conservation District Engineer Bence Close, of Lela; Attorney Keith Good, of Perryton; General Manager Whitney Wiebe, of Wellington; Hydrogeologist Amy Bush, of Abilene; and Administrative Assistant and Field Tech Samantha Bohannon, of Wellington, gather prior to the State of the Water Address at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5 at the Bura Handley Community Center in Wellington. The Red River Sun/Bev Odom

Mesquite Groundwater Conservation District Engineer Bence Close, of Lela; Attorney Keith Good, of Perryton; General Manager Whitney Wiebe, of Wellington; Hydrogeologist Amy Bush, of Abilene; and Administrative Assistant and Field Tech Samantha Bohannon, of Wellington, gather prior to the State of the Water Address at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5 at the Bura Handley Community Center in Wellington. The Red River Sun/Bev Odom

State of the Water Address well received

Bev Odom
Thursday, March 12, 2026
WELLINGTON – “The state of the water is declining, and the district is facing increased pressures to conserve our water,” said Mesquite Groundwater Conservation District (GCD) Hydrologist Amy Bush during the State of the Water Address.
Childress High School (CHS) Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members compete at the Region I Leadership Conference Thursday, Feb. 26-Friday, Feb. 28 at the Abilene Convention Center. Childress FCCLA

Childress High School (CHS) Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members compete at the Region I Leadership Conference Thursday, Feb. 26-Friday, Feb. 28 at the Abilene Convention Center. Childress FCCLA

Childress FCCLA wins big at Region 1 Leadership Conference

Elizabeth Tanner
Thursday, March 12, 2026
ABILENE — Childress High School (CHS) Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members recently competed at the Region I Leadership Conference Thursday, Feb. 26-Friday, Feb. 28 at the Abilene Convention Center.
Under the direction of Matthew Newsom assisted by Harley Warrick, the 59-piece Rocket Regiment earns a Division II rating in both concert and sight reading at the Wednesday, March 4 UIL contest in Panhandle. Natasha Mixon

Under the direction of Matthew Newsom assisted by Harley Warrick, the 59-piece Rocket Regiment earns a Division II rating in both concert and sight reading at the Wednesday, March 4 UIL contest in Panhandle. Natasha Mixon

Rocket Regiment earns Division II ratings

Bev Odom
Thursday, March 12, 2026
WELLINGTON – Weeks of preparation led up to the Wednesday, March 4 spring UIL Band Concert and Sight Reading Contest in Panhandle. The Rocket Regiment warmed up at 3:25 p.m., followed by its 3:50 p.m. performance.
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