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Articles written by Jim Lee


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  • Local honor guard serves with distinction

    Jim Lee|Updated May 30, 2017

    On Monday, continuing a tradition begun back in 1868 according to PBS.org, many Americans honored veterans - specifically those killed while serving their country. Portales resident and World War II veteran Joe Blair said it was originally called Decoration Day, but now we call it Memorial Day. Since 1971 it has been a federal holiday observed on the fourth Monday of May. Blair is a longtime member of American Legion Post 31 in Portales where he founded its uniformed honor...

  • Motorcycle safety rally Saturday

    Jim Lee|Updated May 5, 2017

    CLOVIS — May is National Motorcycle Awareness Month, and Saturday brings an event to draw attention to that. But event organizers say it’s always the right day and month to look out for bikes on the road. “We got to look out for each other,” said Share the Road rally organizer Jack Jouett. The rally will begin 9:30 a.m. at 14th and Main streets, leaving at 10 a.m. with a parade procession to the Curry County Courthouse — with motorcyclists, bicyclists or car drivers welcome to take part. At the courthouse Mayor David Lan...

  • Police: Two men likely responsible for each other's deaths

    Jim Lee|Updated Apr 27, 2017

    CLOVIS — Two men found dead by Clovis police on April 20 were arguing over marijuana and likely responsible for the deaths of each other, police said Thursday after completing their week-long investigation. David “Bo Bo” Lopez, 43, and Carlos Gallegos, 25, were found dead a few blocks from each other near Martin Luther King Boulevard. A news release issued Thursday from Clovis Police Capt. Roman Romero notes Lopez was found dead in an apartment building, while Gallegos was found dead in a car a few blocks away. Romero said...

  • Easter goodies not good for pets

    Jim Lee|Updated Apr 16, 2017

    The advice comes sometime between Lent and Good Friday that Easter-day pets are a bad idea, for many reasons. Unscrupulous breeding practices may mean health problems. They grow up fast, and so does the kid’s responsibility as a pet owner. But Easter isn’t without its pitfalls for our traditional furry friends, either. This means extra care about their safety, and how to handle the holiday mishaps if they happen. According to ASPCA clinical toxicologist Rose Ann Gould Soloway, “Family pets can be as curious as child...

  • CCC raising tuition rates

    Jim Lee|Updated Apr 13, 2017

    CLOVIS — Tuition rates are going up for the first time in five years at Clovis Community College, school President Becky Rowley said Wednesday. CCC’s board of trustees on Wednesday morning voted unanimously to increase in-state tuition from $39 per credit hour to $44 per credit hour, beginning with the fall semester. Tuition for out-of-state students will increase from $89 to $111 per credit hour. The hike is expected to generate about $400,000, Rowley said. Some student fees will also go up, by $10 to $25, according to num...

  • Clovis man pleads guilty in stabbing, kidnapping

    Jim Lee|Updated Mar 22, 2017

    CLOVIS — A stabbing, kidnapping, car robbery and police standoff last June will put a Clovis man in jail for the next 59 1/2 years. That was the sentenced handed down Tuesday following a guilty plea by Aaron Morrisette. The four felony charges included aggravated battery against a household member, assault with intent to commit a violent felony, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and tampering with evidence. An eight-year enhanced sentence was added to each count based on three prior felony convictions. District Judge Matt C...

  • Official: Effects of defunding PBS won't be immediate

    Jim Lee|Updated Mar 21, 2017

    It’s that time again. A recent election battle followed up by a budget fight. The inevitable topic of public broadcasting has hit headlines, and the conflict returns between those who embrace PBS as a necessity and those who think it’s useless, damaging and too expensive to tolerate. How much does public broadcasting cost? What are the chances that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) — the corporate umbrella for PBS and NPR — will lose its funding? What happens if CPB goes away? These are all questions being a...

  • Departments report in at quarterly luncheon

    Jim Lee|Updated Mar 15, 2017

    CLOVIS — The Clovis Civic Center hosted a gathering of city and county officials for the quarterly gathering of department leaders. Of particular interest was the intent of the New Mexico Legislature concerning the City of Clovis and Curry County. Each department mentioned what it has done, what it wants to do, and related reductions in funding from the state. The following are highlights by entity from the quarterly luncheon: • Cannon Air Force Base: Lt. Colonel Diane Sullivan reported on a $1.3 billion base con...

  • Anchor for Veterans' Park arrives in Clovis

    Jim Lee|Updated Mar 15, 2017

    CLOVIS — The U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command dropped anchor in Clovis on Monday. The historic piece probably won't get too wet in this climate, but it may have some admirers. It is big and rusty and now residing at the Parks and Recreation Department on Sycamore Street. It apparently needs some TLC before it relocates to Veterans' Park in May. When the forklift takes it to the site, the anchor will be lowered onto a concrete slab bearing a plaque. The plaque will r...

  • Ready for state

    Jim Lee|Updated Mar 12, 2017

    After producing two state champions since 2013, Curry County has its representative ready to compete at the New Mexico Spelling Bee this month. Porter Kidd, 11, won the Curry County Spelling Bee by correctly spelling the word cotswold — an English breed of large sheep. The next step for the fifth-grader is the statewide contest on Saturday. His parents are Jessy and Bryce Kidd. Porter attends Mesa Elementary School in Clovis where his favorite subject is social studies. He s...

  • Locals: Death penalty still has its place

    Jim Lee|Updated Mar 12, 2017

    An attempt to revive the death penalty in New Mexico has failed, but locals think there is still a place for the ultimate punishment. House Bill 72, introduced in this year’s legislative session, would have allowed capital punishment for the murder of a child or law enforcement officer. It is not yet certain if the measure will return during the 2018 legistative session. The death penalty was repealed in 2009. Two men, Robert Ray Fry and Tomothy Allen, remain on New Mexico’s death row because conviction and sentencing cam...

  • Wind storm roughs up trees

    Jim Lee|Updated Mar 7, 2017

    Eastern New Mexico's recent windstorms resulted in more than flying shingles and escaping hats. Local trees had a really rough time. Conifers weren't immune but deciduous trees got the worst of it, according to local tree experts. Steven Thomas, who calls himself a tree doctor, said many trees were lost because of uprooting caused by disease. Clovis tree trimmer Jesse Trevino said limb breakage and uprooting can result from a tree becoming "too heavy on the top." A strong...

  • Radio drama to play out on stage

    Jim Lee

    PNT senior writer [email protected] A group of Eastern New Mexico University students, alumni and professors are excited to give area residents a new experience when it comes to listening to “the radio.” link Christina Calloway: PNT photo Amethyst Collins, right, gives her character Florence some southern sass as she rehearses the radio program, "Will Someone Please Tell Me What's Going On Here?" Thursday night. The group will simulate a radio show at 7 p.m. today at... Full story

  • Our people: Radio guy

    Jim Lee

    Courtesy photo Lee and his son Robert in 1998. Jim Lee, News and Public Affairs Director at KENW/KMTH-FM in Portales has worked in radio, television, theater, movies and plays over the past 46 years. Now he is often referred to ask the ‘radio guy.’ “I’m not what I do,” Lee said. “It doesn’t matter what we do but who we are.” When I get in my car, the first thing I listen to is... My wife turning off the radio (unless I am on my way to work). My friends and family call me... “Jim” (unless they’re mad at me). In an alternativ...

  • Our people: Radio guy

    Jim Lee

    Jim Lee, News and Public Affairs Director at KENW/KMTH-FM in Portales has worked in radio, television, theater, movies and plays over the past 46 years. Now he is often referred to ask the ‘radio guy.’ “I’m not what I do,” Lee said. “It doesn’t matter what we do but who we are.” When I get in my car, the first thing I listen to is... My wife turning off the radio (unless I am on my way to work). My friends and family call me... “Jim” (unless they’re mad at me). In an alternative life, I would have been a... Bug-eyed alien d... Full story

  • Democrats weigh in at polls

    Jim Lee

    Staff and Wire Reports Polling places throughout the state were witnessing heavy turnout for the Democratic Presidential Preference Caucus Tuesday and Roosevelt County was no different. Long lines in some areas of the state forced party officials to hold up releasing returns until everyone had a chance to vote, according to the Associated Press. KOAT in Albuquerque was reporting Hillary Clinton leading Barack Obama by 9 percent with 12 percent of New Mexico precincts reporting. In Portales lines were never too long but the...

  • Democrats have opportunity to weigh in on candidates

    Jim Lee

    Following Super Bowl Sunday Democrats in Roosevelt County will get a chance to be a part of the presidential primary excitement called Super Tuesday. On Tuesday registered Democrats have the opportunity to participate in the Roosevelt County Presidential Preference Caucuses which will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Causey and Dora precincts will vote at Dora School, Elida and Floyd precincts vote at the Floyd Community Center and all other precincts vote at the Memorial Building at Seventh and Abilene in Portales, according to...

  • Parker says water and civic pride city's top issues

    Jim Lee

    Editor’s note: The following is the first part in a question and answer series of candidates running in the municipal election on March 7. Candidates are asked questions regarding the city’s future. Incumbent Dianne Parker is running for re-election in Ward D and will be facing Eddy Hiner and Jim Lee. 1. In your view, what is the most pressing issue the Portales City Council is facing? Water is the first and foremost issue our community is currently facing for our future. It is vital and very important that we continue to... Full story

  • Hiner shares views

    Jim Lee

    Editor’s note: The following is one part in a question and answer series of candidates running in the municipal election on March 7. Candidates are asked questions regarding the city’s future. Eddie Hiner will be running for election in Ward D. He will face Jim Lee and incumbent Dianne Parker for the Ward D position. 1. In your view, what is the most pressing issue facing the city council? I have not attended any council meetings. Therefore, at this time, I do not know what is on the agenda. 2. What is your philosophy on eco... Full story

  • Lee says improving quality of life will attract future growth

    Jim Lee

    Editor’s note: The following is one part in a question and answer series of candidates running in the municipal election on March 7. Candidates are asked questions regarding the city’s future. Jim Lee will be running for election in Ward D. He will face Eddy Hiner and incumbent Dianne Parker for the Ward D position. 1. In your view, what is the most pressing issue the Portales City Council is facing? The challenges facing the City Council cannot be boiled down to just one issue. There are many issues, and the most imp...

  • Municipal candidates sound off

    Jim Lee

    Portales city council candidates shared hope for continued ecomomic growth at a political forum Monday while differing on ways to achieve that growth. About 50 people attended the forum sponsored by city government and the Portales Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce Monday night at the Memorial Building to hear candidates for city council and the Portales Municipal Judge position answer questions from the public. Portales resident Dolores Penrod said she thought all the candidates did a good job in explaining themselves. “I...

  • Prediction: Commercials overtake television in ‘06

    Jim Lee

    Jim Lee: Local Columnist Well, it seems like only yesterday it was last year, doesn’t it? Not only that, in a couple of months it will be three years since starting this column. A lot has happened since that first column appeared on March 16, 2003. Since then, our country got itself into another undeclared war, we re-elected George W. Bush, and a former member of the Hitler Youth took over the Vatican. So how can we say we’re not making the world a better place? After all, this column began during the centennial year of Har... Full story

  • Two special people earn their degrees

    Jim Lee

    Jim Lee: Local Columnist Eastern New Mexico University presented its semi-annual commencement activities on Saturday at the Greyhound Arena here in Portales. That’s not really big news in a small college town. It’s big news to the new graduates and their families, though. And it should be. These fine people worked hard to get to this big moment in their lives and deserve more credit than they get. In my opinion, some of them deserve an extra serving of recognition. Non-traditional students, affectionately known as non-trads,...

  • Healing through science not playing God

    Jim Lee

    Jim Lee: Local Columnist I’ve been hearing a lot about the science-versus-playing-God controversy lately. I don’t exactly understand why it has to be a controversy. Maybe I’m dumber than a lobotomized rock, but I always thought God wanted us to make life better. Don’t we have a duty to work toward ending suffering? When I’m just lookin’ around, I see things that could be improved if somebody could figure out a way to do it, and I just assume God gave us big brains so we could. Is this cosmic ignorance? Does it make me a b...

  • Recycle for environment, save some money

    Jim Lee

    Jim Lee: Local Columnist Every day we are buried in an avalanche of paper. We live with computer printed “hard copy,” receipts from gasoline pumps and ATMs, unwanted special offers courtesy of the United States Postal Service, paper towels, paper plates, paper coffee filters, and enough other paper whatevers to fill the Grand Canyon and the Rose Bowl ... with enough left over for 19 tickertape parades. Then we buy paper shredders to tear it all up and get some more. We say we use computers to cut back on paper usage, and tha...

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