Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
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Troubling conditions at the Curry County jail have cost more than embarrassing escapes and having a convicted killer at large. The documented dollar total acknowledged is more than $1 million paid out in lawsuits. But the total paid from 22 lawsuits recently disclosed in response to Clovis News Journal public information requests — most filed over conditions at the jail — has not been revealed. Taxpayers don't know the final figure because the costs of settling several of the... Full story
Curry County Commissioner Dan Stoddard recently established the non-profit, New Mexico Veterans Hope Inc., in Santa Rosa, where he said he helps homeless veterans. It was through his work with veterans that Stoddard said he learned about a property tax exemption for which he filed about a week ago. So Stoddard won't be paying any more property taxes on his home in Clovis. Stoddard was granted an exemption from the tax after filing as a 100 percent disabled veteran, according to records at the county assessor's office. The...
Curry County and the state will split the cost of installing new carpeting and hopefully get state court employees back into their second-floor offices soon. Commissioners approved the deal Tuesday during one of their occasional traveling meetings, this one held at the Grady Senior Center. Carpeting in the district court clerk's offices was soaked by an apparent air conditioner leak in mid-March, forcing employees to relocate to temporary offices on the third floor. County Manager Lance Pyle said some court employees are...
The state has notified Curry County that more than two dozen District Court employees have filed worker's compensation claims over a fluid leak in the courthouse last month. But at least one of those on the list, District Judge Stephen Quinn, said there is reason to question it. Quinn said he hasn't filed a claim and has no intention of doing so despite his name appearing on the list of those who supposedly filed. Quinn said he wasn't in the courthouse when the leak was discovered March 12. Quinn also said he didn't work for...
Staffing is low at the Curry County jail, down by 22 employees, including at least 15 front-line detention officers. That's about one-third of the total detention officer staff, officials said. Two key county leaders say the situation isn't cause for concern and it doesn't pose a risk to employees, inmates or the community. "It's all covered. Everything's good," said Curry County Commission Chairman Wendell Bostwick. Bostwick said the staff shortages are a combination of attrition and new jail Administrator Gerry Billy's...
Voters head to the polls Tuesday to determine the fate of Curry County's troubled jail for the second time in the last two years. Commissioners are asking voters to approve a $9.3 bond issue to pay for expansion of the jail. CNJ staff photo: Tony Bullocks Curry County Detention Center trustees work in the center's kitchen Friday preparing meals for inmates. Approval wouldn't increase property taxes. Commissioners plan to extend by another 20 years an existing property tax...
The $9.3 million jail Curry County commissioners are asking voters to approve April 3 only covers the cost of a building and equipping a new 60-bed expansion of the existing jail. It won't cover other expenses such as land acquisition, additional staff and renovating the existing jail, according to commission Chairman Wendell Bostwick. The estimated $1.5 to $2 million needed to complete the plan will have to come from cost savings and the county's $7 million cash reserve fund, Bostwick said Friday. "We should have close to $5... Full story
Five years ago today the most destructive tornado in the city's history tore through Clovis, causing millions of dollars in damage and forever changing lives across much of eastern New Mexico. The storm spawning the twister skipped across the High Plains, sending residents running for cover in Dora, Elida, Farwell and Texico, dropping tornados on Grande Vista dairy near Portales and flattening 30 homes the small town of Logan in Quay County. In Clovis, two people died from injuries suffered during the twister. Another 35...
