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  • Current Cannon wing won't be idle

    Tony Parra

    The 27th Fighter Wing at Cannon Air Force Base will not sit idle waiting to be decommissioned, according to the base’s commander. Col. Scott West said the 27th Wing still must focus on training and missions as the base transitions in the next year from serving the 27th Fighter Wing to the 16th Special Operations Wing. He pointed out Cannon still has 315 service members deployed around the globe and the fighter wing is still committed to two cycles of deployment in the future — one scheduled for September and the other in the...

  • 27th still has work to be done

    Tony Parra

    The 27th Fighter Wing at Cannon Air Force Base will not sit idle waiting to be decommissioned, according to the base’s commander. Col. Scott West said the 27th Wing still must focus on training and missions as the base transitions in the next year from serving the 27th Fighter Wing to the 16th Special Operations Wing. He pointed out Cannon still has 315 service members deployed around the globe and the fighter wing is still committed to two cycles of deployment in the future — one scheduled for September and the other in the...

  • Charter school sought

    Tony Parra

    Some Portales residents are proposing a charter school for the 2007-08 school year to focus on math, science, technology, and college preparation. Joan Brown, one of the organizers, submitted a proposal Thursday afternoon to the Portales school district for the Horace Mann charter school. The school would be an extension of the district if the school board approves the proposal. “Ultimately, Horace Mann School provides the community of Portales with a choice in education models for the middle school and high school y... Full story

  • More delays ahead for Baca trial

    Tony Parra

    A competency hearing for a 20-year-old Portales man accused of killing a Portales teen in 2004 was postponed Monday at the request of the defendant’s court-appointed attorney. Ninth Judicial District Judge Stephen Quinn pushed back the date of a competency hearing at least 30 days while Richard Baca’s new attorney, Anna Aragon of Las Vegas, N.M., reviews the forensic competency report. Aragon is the third attorney assigned to defend Baca, who faces a murder charge in connection with the death of Amber Robinson, 19, who was... Full story

  • Richard Baca trial going through more delays

    Tony Parra

    Tony Parra:PNT Staff Writer A competency hearing for a 20-year-old Portales man accused of killing a Portales teen in 2004 was postponed Monday at the request of the defendant’s court-appointed attorney. Ninth Judicial District Judge Stephen Quinn pushed back the date of a competency hearing at least 30 days while Richard Baca’s new attorney, Anna Aragon of Las Vegas, N.M., reviews the forensic competency report. Aragon is the third attorney assigned to defend Baca, who faces a murder charge in connection with the death of Am...

  • Equipment failure caused ammonia leak at local plant

    Tony Parra

    DairiConcepts plant officials said equipment malfunctioning caused the June 6 ammonia leak that forced the plant’s evacuation and sent two employees to a local hospital where they were treated and released. “We’ve identified the root cause of the problem,” Ed Steven, DairiConcepts’ site manager, said in a press release. “A piece of equipment malfunctioned which resulted in the discharge. We’ve corrected the problem, and have more checks and balances and safety interlocks in place so a discharge of this nature does not happ...

  • Portales baseball sweeps Tucumcari

    Tony Parra

    Tony Parra: PNT Staff Writer The Portales Rams swept the Tucumcari Rattlers Wednesday evening in a doubleheader behind strong, young pitching. Portales won the first game 6-2 and trampled Tucumcari 13-3 in the second game in Portales. Starting pitcher Ricky Lovato, a Portales junior, picked up the win in the first game. Ozzie McMullen, a junior, bounced back from a shaky start in the second game to hold the Rattlers to three runs and win the game. McMullen gave up three runs in the first inning off of four hits and two... Full story

  • Downtown hotel could be open as soon as 2007

    Tony Parra

    The deal is moving forward, and if a local developer realizes his dream, Portales could have a refurbished historic hotel downtown within two years. Portales developer Larry Combs has the option to purchase the former Portales Inn property, which the city of Portales and the MainStreet Organization acquired earlier this month in a three-way real estate swap, according to Combs who spoke to the PNT for the first time this week about the project. The proposed historic hotel, which Combs says he will name Casa de Portales,...

  • Abstinence program could be continued at Lindsey

    Tony Parra

    Health officials said they would rather deliver the message about sexual abstinence to Portales students before students get it from their peers. Terry Theti of the Roosevelt County Health Council said she hopes an abstinence program introduced to Lindsey Elementary sixth-graders and fifth- and sixth-graders in Elida, Dora and Floyd during the 2005-06 school year will continue. “It was effective to separate the girls and boys,” Theti said. “Students were more willing to ask questions. This is an abstinence-only course. Some o...

  • Elida trio captures state rodeo crown

    Tony Parra

    The Elida Tigers rodeo team holds an honor no other school in the state can say they have accomplished — a New Mexico Activities Association high school rodeo title. Tori Bilberry, Kodi Armitage and Trent Bilberry competed in rodeo events in Gallup during the weekend and won the team title. The three rodeo competitors went up against teens from Albuquerque, Dora, Capitan, Ruidoso, Gallup, Silver City and other New Mexico cities and towns. Tori, Trent and Kodi accumulated enough points to clinch the top team spot. “It was a s...

  • School district mulls soccer team

    Tony Parra

    Young Portales soccer players may have dreams of playing for the United States national team, but for now they’d settle for playing on a high school team in Portales. More than 30 parents and children attended the Portales School Board meeting Monday evening requesting that school officials explore the possibility of adding a high school soccer program. Traci Sievers and other concerned parents gave school board members reasons to have a soccer program. The main reason was to give Portales High School students the option t...

  • PAT going for Mondays, too

    Tony Parra

    More than 450 passengers used the Portales Area Transit System in May, according to city officials. “We’re really pleased with how things are going,” Portales City Manager Debi Lee said. “Everything is positive. Some of the seniors found out that they could get rides through our senior program for free.” Under the control of the city of Portales for 2 1/2 months, PAT provides to citizens 60 years old for free within a five-mile radius of Portales. For riders under 60, there is a 75-cent fee. The city has also added service o... Full story

  • Local voter turnout is low

    Tony Parra

    According to unofficial results from Tuesday’s primary election, less than 20 percent of the registered county voters turned out to vote. The latest updated reports from the county clerk’s office showed that there are 11,229 registered voters. The total unofficial number of people who voted in Tuesday’s election was 2,017, which is 17.9 percent of the total registered voters in the county. Roosevelt County Clerk Janet Collins said in an ideal world she would like to see 80 to 85 percent. Nevertheless, she felt it was a good...

  • Ammonia leak causes evacuation

    Tony Parra

    The DairiConcepts plant west of Portales was evacuated Tuesday morning for about an hour, and two plant employees were treated at the Roosevelt General Hospital after an accidental release of ammonia, according to a company press release. The employees were sent to the hospital for undisclosed reasons and released within the hour, the release said. At 9:30 a.m., approximately 8,000 pounds of ammonia gas was accidentally released into the atmosphere, according to the release. DairiConcepts site manager Ed Steven said...

  • Ammonia release causes evacuation of local plant

    Tony Parra

    The DairiConcepts plant west of Portales was evacuated Tuesday morning for about an hour, and two plant employees were treated at the Roosevelt General Hospital after an accidental release of ammonia, according to a company press release. The employees were sent to the hospital for undisclosed reasons and released within the hour, the release said. At 9:30 a.m., approximately 8,000 pounds of ammonia gas was accidentally released into the atmosphere, according to the release. DairiConcepts site manager Ed Steven said emergency...

  • Some gave their all

    Tony Parra

    Clovis and Portales residents will take a moment to honor fallen military veterans Memorial Day. American Legion Post No. 31 in Portales is having an honor ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Portales Cemetery. Chief Master Sgt. Ray M. Clark of Cannon Air Force Base will be the guest speaker. “It (ceremony) means a great deal to family members,” said Joe Blair, commander of the American Legion Post No. 31 in Portales. “We’re honoring the deceased veterans and it’s for veterans of all wars, World War I, World War II, Vietn... Full story

  • Chamber officials ask for fireworks donations

    Tony Parra

    Firework fund-raising has already started and Roosevelt County Chamber officials are looking to raise enough money to reach their goal of $8,000. Roosevelt County Chamber Manager Sharon King said as of Thursday they have raised $5,000. “I’m hoping they will have a really good time,” King said. “Allan (Silvers) did a great show last year and we expect the same quality this year.” Members of the Lodger’s Tax committee donated $2,000 to fund. The display show will be held July 4 at the Greyhound football practice fields by the G...

  • Memorial day tributes planned

    Tony Parra

    VFW members Johnny Washington, left, and Donnie Wimberly, both of Clovis, place an American flag on a veteran’s grave Saturday at the Portales Cemetery. Washington is an Air Force veteran and Wimberly an Army veteran. (Staff photo: Eric Kluth) Clovis and Portales residents will take a moment to honor fallen military veterans Memorial Day. American Legion Post No. 31 in Portales is having an honor ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Portales Cemetery. Chief Master Sgt. Ray M. Clark of Cannon Air Force Base will be the g...

  • Valencia Elementary will have new fence

    Tony Parra

    The Portales School Board approved a bid to construct a fence around part of Valencia Elementary to protect fourth- and fifth-graders at school. Western Builders of Amarillo was awarded the contract for $19,880 Thursday during a school board special session. T.N.T. Fence of Savoy, Texas, submitted a bid of $35,000. “I’m hoping this will be done during the summer,” Portales Superintendent Randy Fowler said. Fowler said the fence will be 5 to 6 feet high. Fowler said officials with the Public School Facilities Authority are p...

  • Book deadline approaches for Elida centennial

    Tony Parra

    The deadline to submit stories or photos for an Elida Centennial Book is June 1. The book is scheduled to be released in June 2007. Elida was incorporated July 3, 1907. Shirley Cater of Elida said she spoke with former and current Elida residents during the Elida all-school reunion in June of 2004 about the centennial book. Cater said she began receiving photos and stories in the spring 2005. “We have a lot of town history,” she said. “We are looking for photos and family stories, interesting stories we can put in the book.... Full story

  • Portales economy on mend

    Tony Parra

    Community leaders say they feel there are good signs of economic growth in Portales after the first five months of 2006. Despite the continued uncertainty of a mission for Cannon Air Force Base, those leaders are optimistic. Debi Lee, city manager, said a positive sign of growth is the overall increase in gross receipt tax revenue for the city as well as figures for the April in the retail sector that show gains over last year. “Retail has been really pleasing for everyone,” Lee said. “Overall signs are good. There’s a lot of...

  • No fireworks ban in Portales

    Tony Parra

    Portales Fire Department and other city officials will be reinforcing public awareness on the drought conditions and the dangers of fireworks, but have elected not to place a ban on the selling of fireworks. “I think in talking with Charlene (Hardin, county administrator) we feel we need to have community awareness, trying to get people to understand the dangers and enforcement from our police department,” City Manager Debi Lee said. There is still a burn ban in the county and an ordinance prohibiting aerial fireworks whi...

  • RGH looks to locals to fill nursing jobs

    Tony Parra

    Roosevelt General Hospital board members approved donation of $15,000 from the hospital’s general budget to a scholarship fund being administered by Eastern New Mexico University Foundation for local nursing and social services students. The RGH board members made the approval during a board meeting Tuesday. James D’Agostino said he was approached with the request from Stephen Doerr, president of the ENMU Foundation. According to D’Agostino, Doerr will be making similar requests to Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovi... Full story

  • Almost 370 to graduate from ENMU today

    Tony Parra

    The Eastern New Mexico University Board of Regents members were glad to see that almost 370 will be graduating from ENMU today and are expecting many construction projects on campus over the next couple of years. They talked about both of these topics during a regents’ meeting Friday morning. “This time of the year is an exciting time for faculty, staff and students,” ENMU Board of Regent president Jay Gurley said. Gary Musgrave, vice president for student affairs, reported higher numbers of students receiving their diplomas...

  • Western Bank looking for new home

    Tony Parra

    Portales city councilors approved a resolution which would allow Western Bank officials to demolish apartment buildings in Portales to build a new commercial banking building. The Western Bank officials are purchasing the apartments with the help of the Portales MainStreet Association members and the city of Portales. According to the resolution, the Portales MainStreet Association will receive $85,000 from the city economic development fund and use the money to purchase the apartments located at 220 W. Chicago and then excha...

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