Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Articles from the February 19, 2023 edition


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 25 of 47

  • Opinion: Life story not complete without goats, Clovis

    Ryn Gargulinski, Guest columnist|Updated Feb 19, 2023

    If you’re ever going to write your life story, there are two things you need to do first. Number one is to stall for about 20 years. Writing your life story is one big, scary feat, after all. Just keep in mind the longer you stall, the longer your book is going to have to be. Number two is make sure you have experienced all that life has to offer – and that definitely includes goats, Clovis and Tucumcari. If you get one of the three, you’re on the right track. Two out of three is golden. But three out of three is where it’s...

  • Major retailer heading to Clovis mall

    Grant McGee, The Staff of The News|Updated Feb 19, 2023

    A major retailer’s interest in locating to Clovis resulted in the chain’s new store having a planned fall opening -- and the North Plains Mall having a new owner. Big R, the Pueblo, Colo.,-based retailer, plans the opening in late October and a grand opening in November, Chief Operating Officer Adam Carroll said via email last week. Carroll said the store will be occupying the former Sears location at the mall. “The store will occupy 42,000 square feet plus a 25,000 square foot outside display yard,” Carroll wrote. Carroll...

  • In tribute: Cherrie Hayden: Working mom, wicked sense of humor

    Betty Williamson, Correspondent|Updated Feb 19, 2023

    At 74, Clovis real estate agent Cherrie Hayden was still listing homes and had no intention of ever retiring - in fact, "she wouldn't have," according to her son, Scott. Hayden died Jan. 25 after some ongoing health challenges took an unexpected turn for the worse, her family said. Her friends and family agree on this: She was a true people person, with a blazing work ethic, a "wicked sense of humor" and a heart that reached out to others in ways that will be forever...

  • Events calendar - Feb. 19

    Updated Feb 18, 2023

    Today *Dominique Barrera junior trumpet recital – 3 p.m., Buchanan Hall, ENMU Music Building, Portales. In collaboration with Miles Massicotte. Information: 575-562-2377 Monday *Presidents Day Tuesday *Books and Babies: “Shape Up” — 10:30 a.m., Portales Public Library, 218 S. Ave. B, Portales. Open ages 0-3. Information: 575-356-3940 *Afterschool S.T.R.E.A.M. (Science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, math): Wii MarioKart — 4:30 p.m., Portales Public Library, 218 S. Ave. B, Portales. Open to kindergar...

  • Local stargazer photographs Green Comet

    De Baca County News, Syndicated content|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    FORT SUMNER - A green-hued comet has made its closest approach to Earth, attracting night sky watchers from across the Northern Hemisphere. Among those who caught a glimpse of the celestial object as it passed across the sky – for the first time in 50,000 years – was Lee Simnacher of Fort Sumner. Simnacher photographed C/2022 E3 (ZTF) with his 4.5-inch Evscope Unistellar telescope, one of seven telescopes he uses to watch the night sky. He said his mother got him int...

  • Proposed legislative budget passes state House

    The Santa Fe New Mexican, Syndicated content|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    SANTA FE -- At the halfway point of the 60-day legislative session, New Mexico’s proposed budget is halfway to the governor’s desk. The $9.43 billion spending plan, which includes average 5% pay raises for state government employees and leaves room for rebates for taxpayers, is headed to the Senate Finance Committee after passing the House 52-17 on Thursday. Seven Republicans joined all 45 Democrats in the House in voting to advance House Bill 2. During a three-hour discussion and debate on the spending plan — the highe...

  • Jail log - Feb. 19

    Updated Feb 18, 2023

    Booked The following were booked into local jail (Tuesday - Friday): Clovis • Brandon Wood, 29, assault with intent to commit a violent felony, possession of a firearm or destructive device by a felon, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, resisting, evading or obstructing an officer, failure to appear on misdemeanor charge • Terance Abeyta, 21, non-residential burglary, larceny • Mitchell Mc Eldowney, 37, battery, non-residential burglary, conspiracy to commit reporting/record violations • Mariah Saul, 28, aggravated battery...

  • Report: Fatal fire started in kitchen

    the Staff of The News|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    ur people in Clovis on Jan. 12 began in the kitchen area, according to a report released Friday by the state fire marshal. The report stated the cause was “undetermined,” but investigators “could not rule out the portable stove or electrical system from the area of origin” as the possible source. The blaze killed Tia Nabours, 43; Christopher James, 41; and Joshua Ward, 33, officials have said. A fourth victim remained unidentified this weekend. The home was at 511 1/2 Wallace St. The victims were discovered during fire su...

  • Official offers high wind travel tips

    the Staff of The News|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    With this last week’s high wind conditions in eastern New Mexico, those with the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Department want to remind drivers hitting the road how to stay safe under these conditions. Officer Wilson Silver, the Public Information Officer for NMSP, suggests several tips that he says drivers may want to follow if they find themselves in strong winds when traveling to their destination. First, Silver said to plan ahead. “Check the weather before leaving and allow extra time to reach your destination,” Silve...

  • ENMU fees to remain the same for 2023

    the Staff of The News|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    RUIDOSO -- The Eastern New Mexico University Board of Regents on Friday approved a motion to keep tuition and fees the same for the 2023 fiscal year. Regents, meeting in Ruidoso, also approved grants and discussed enrollment, which is up by 7.8% from spring 2022. ENMU’s new chancellor, James Johnston, was in attendance, along with Board President Phillip Bustos, ENMU-Roswell President Shawn Powell and ENMU-Ruidoso President Ryan Trosper....

  • School shooting hoaxes plague state

    The Santa Fe New Mexican, Syndicated content|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    BERNALILLO — Cars manned by anxious parents lined the edges of Bernalillo High School on Thursday after local law enforcement received a false report of a fatal shooting inside the cafeteria. The report may have been a hoax — one of many throughout the state and the nation in the past several days — but that didn’t stop mothers like Miranda Armijo from fearing the worst. “I just needed to get my kids out,” Armijo said as she waited for her son and daughter to emerge from the campus in the small town north of Albuquerque...

  • Portales officials hear presentation on business

    Landry Sena, The Staff of The News|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    Portales City Council, at their regular session Tuesday, learned of a proposal to bring an industry to the area that will provide an estimated 400 jobs. Glenn Bell with Drought Adaptation Industries (DAI) and scientist Robert Hockaday with Tucumcari Bio-Energy gave their presentation titled, Native Soils, which went in depth about waste use savings for the City of Portales. Based on norms and averages, Bell said their project would "save the city 45 million gallons of potable...

  • Clovis man to run concealed carry class for area women

    Landry Sena, The Staff of The News|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    One Clovis man is putting on a concealed carry class for women, starting towards the beginning of April. Mike Thomson is a certified conceal carry and firearms instructor in the state of New Mexico, and he said he believes this kind of class doesn’t only help women, but really, anyone. “I truly feel everyone can benefit from taking this class as a way to confront any questions or fears they may have about firearms,” Thomson said. “I teach with a very hands-on approach.” He said the class also covers everything from basic gun...

  • District attorney announces four convictions

    the Staff of The News|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    CLOVIS – Ninth Judicial District Attorney Quentin Ray announced convictions in four separate cases this month. Ray reports Marcus Lewis, 21, was found guilty by a jury of shooting at or from a motor vehicle, three counts of aggravated assault upon a peace officer with a deadly weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, aggravated fleeing from a law enforcement officer, three counts of shooting at or from a motor vehicle and failure to give immediate notice of accidents. He was also found to have discharged a firearm during t...

  • Opinion: Balloons least of what we have to worry about

    Rich Lowry, Syndicated content|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    It’s best never to take White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s word for anything, but we can presumably believe her when she says the flying objects shot down by the United States in recent days aren’t from an alien civilization. Although she left herself some wiggle room -- “there is no indication” of extraterrestrial activity, she said, displaying the weasel-word instincts of someone whose job involves dancing around the truth. If she’s wrong, we are having clos...

  • Opinion: Staying human has its advantages

    Tom McDonald, Syndicated content|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    At the risk of sounding like a numbskull who doesn’t believe in climate change, the moon landing or the roundness of the earth, I must say that I don’t always believe in science. Or, more precisely, scientists. I certainly believe the scientific method as the best way to search for real-world answers, but sometimes I wonder if those who apply such a method to the biggest questions of our time have blinders on. Seems they too easily discount the unknowns. For example, artificial intelligence, something that’s been in the n...

  • Letters to the editor - Feb. 19

    Updated Feb 18, 2023

    City plans for $50 sports fee outrageous I am absolutely shocked at what our city commissioners have done to the children of Clovis. We all know there is little to nothing for the children and young people in this area to do, unless they are involved in sports. Now are we going to penalize them with a $50 fee? Think about the single mom with three children. She has already struggled to pay the league fees, buy a uniform, provide sports equipment, and now you are going to tell her that she will have to pay another $150 if she...

  • Opinion: Child predators must be held accountable

    Las Vegas Optic, Syndicated content|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    Another case of child rape was reported in Las Vegas recently. A Las Vegas City Schools teacher, Leonard Romero, was arrested for the alleged crime. If the accusations prove to be true, this is yet another instance of a young person in this community having their innocence destroyed and their life changed forever because of the actions of someone with power and authority over them. The level of outrage should be off the charts. This should be terrifying for parents and everyone else in Las Vegas. But instead, it seems as if...

  • Opinion: 'Legal' not the same as 'ethical'

    Kent McManigal, Local columnist|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    You may think I only object when it’s government doing the bad things. Nope. An act isn’t wrong or right based only on who’s doing it. Theft is wrong no matter whether you’re a burglar, a mugger, or a government tax collector “just doing his job.” To imagine it’s only wrong if it’s done by the government revenue employee is as crazy as saying it’s right because it’s called “taxation.” The act is wrong in itself and no rules can make it right. Not even if those rules have been...

  • Area legislators oppose abortion, gender-affirming bills

    Steve Hansen, The Staff of The News|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    Opposition is unanimous from Curry and Roosevelt county’s all-Republican state legislators to pending bills related to abortion and gender-affirming medical treatment, and regulation of firearms. As of Thursday, the House had not taken a floor vote on House Bill 7, which would require appropriate health care providers in the state to perform abortions and other reproductive services, along with sex-change care when requested. It had been on the House calendar for three days. Left up to the Curry and Roosevelt delegation, h...

  • A look at fentanyl use in eastern New Mexico

    the Staff of The News|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S. What does fentanyl use in eastern New Mexico look like? Robert Telles, Captain with the Clovis Police Department, answers that question. Telles said they've started to see a noticeable increase in the amount of fentanyl being found here in the area over the last couple of years. "Fentanyl is highly addictive and provides a greater high t...

  • Lon Graham to replace retiring Matt 25 director

    Grant McGee, The Staff of The News|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    Lon Graham has been a pastor for the past 17 years in east Texas and Washington state. He thought it was time for a change. Graham will assume the Executive Director post of Clovis' Matt 25 Hope Center on Thornton Street March 1. Graham replaces Steve Reshetar who retires Feb. 28. Graham and his wife Amy have three daughters and a son. The family arrived in Clovis in November. The move came after a conversation between Graham and a man he described as his best friend....

  • Mayor hopes for 'thousands' at hiring event

    the Staff of The News|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    Clovis Mayor Mike Morris is hoping “thousands” of young people show up for Clovis Hires at Clovis Community College Feb. 28. Morris has described it as a hiring event, not a typical job fair. More than 50 employers will be there. “I want to find a way for young people to see it clear for their education and career,” Morris said of next Tuesday’s event that will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Morris spoke of the inspiration for Clovis Hires which happened last spring when state Cabinet Secretary Yolanda Montoya-Cordova, the Secre...

  • Clovis zoo adding some 'roos

    Landry Sena, The Staff of The News|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    Things are hopping at Hillcrest Park Zoo. Two baby kangaroos arrived Friday. The joeys, a male and female, are both around 7-8 months old, according to zoo Director Damian Lechner. He said the zoo has had kangaroos before, but it has been quite a while. Lechner said the zoo is trying to locate animals into geographical areas across the park. He said officials are also trying to focus on animals that will do well in eastern New Mexico's climate. The kangaroos are from...

  • Business owner to go to court over parking issues

    Grant McGee, The Staff of The News|Updated Feb 18, 2023

    Robert Vilandry just wants easy-access parking for his customers. The city of Clovis says those parking spots in front of the Bullet Bob Has It store on Main Street are for everyone. Vilandry said last week he plans to go to court Monday to try and reason with City Hall. “It’s because of my parking signs and my sweeping flags,” Vilandry said. “These things are on city property. It might be city property, but I don’t see the problem. It’s not bothering anyone.” Daron Roach, director of Building Safety for the city, provide...

Page Down