5 things to know about last week

1. Trial for a teenager accused in the Aug. 28 shooting deaths at Clovis-Carver Public Library has been tentatively scheduled for next year.

Judge James Hudson of Roswell set March 18, 2019, as opening day for the trial, which is expected to last about a month.

Nathaniel Jouett is accused of killing library workers Krissie Carter and Wanda Walters and injuring four others.

Attorneys will continue to present arguments on whether Jouett should be sentenced as an adult or as a juvenile if he is convicted.

2. Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis will soon have a new administrator, and he has a familiar face.

Dick Smith, PRMC administrator from 1999 to 2003, has been hired for the position again, effective Feb. 26.

The job, which also oversees Dr. Dan C. Trigg Memorial Hospital in Tucumcari, had been held by Terry Clark, who will resume his role as president of regional operations for Presbyterian Delivery System.

3. Eastern New Mexico University has set another record for enrollment.

University officials on Wednesday announced 5,450 students had enrolled for the spring semester — an increase of 118 from the previous spring, which also set a record.

This was the 21st consecutive spring the Portales university has set a record for enrollment, officials said.

4. Curry, Roosevelt and De Baca counties combined received more than $2.1 million in capital outlay funding from state lawmakers as they wrapped up their annual session in Santa Fe.

Gov. Susana Martinez has the authority to veto projects, but most area leaders were confident the money for roads, vehicles, and renovations of public buildings would be approved.

5. Records released by Curry County allege a Clovis police officer failed to properly search a criminal suspect on Feb. 1, resulting in the suspect bringing a gun into the jail.

“This is all my fault ...,” Officer Sanford Wagner is alleged to have said after Wesley Flores pulled a gun from his clothing and began a four-hour standoff with law officers, records show.

Clovis police have declined to comment on the reports, obtained after The Eastern New Mexico News filed public information requests.

The News has been unable to reach Wagner, despite attempts through email and phone calls.

Flores was last reported hospitalized in Lubbock after he ended the standoff by shooting himself in the face.

— “5 things ...” is compiled by the staff of The News.