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Articles from the January 26, 2017 edition


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  • Truancy program helps fight the good fight

    Cindy Kleyn-Kennedy|Updated Jan 26, 2017

    School truancy is not a new problem. Truancy is, in fact, not only a concern throughout the U.S., but also in other countries. A recent article in The Guardian by education historian Nicola Sheldon could be describing schools across America: “Why is it so difficult to reduce truancy in schools? ... A small proportion of students accounts for a significant amount of absence. … Many local initiatives have been tried. After fines, court summonses, truancy sweeps, behavior and att...

  • Recognizing variety of untruths easy

    David Stevens|Updated Jan 26, 2017

    “Alternate facts” became trendy last week, and reminded me of their cousins: “lies, damn lies and statistics.” I am familiar with all of these terms, having been a journalist for 38 years now, and have advice for their consumers. First, do not be afraid. They sound scary, but they’re easy to recognize from a safe distance and won’t impact your life if you don’t let them. Lies Truth is, people tell lies every day. On occasion — sheesh, I hope I don’t lose my press pass over t...

  • PHS' Johnson receives coaching award

    The Staff of The News|Updated Jan 26, 2017

    Portales High School Boys' Track Coach Glenn Johnson was recently awarded the title of 2016 New Mexico boys track coach of the year at the 29th annual New Mexico Track and Cross Country Association Jan. 20-21 in Albuquerque. Johnson has been coaching track and field at PHS for 18 years. In that time, he has taught physical education and math. He currently teaches driver's education. How does it feel to be the winner of this award? It's a great honor, and I'm just very...

  • Clovis schools offering kindergarten registration

    The Staff of The News|Updated Jan 26, 2017

    CLOVIS — Clovis Municipal Schools is offering kindergarten registration March 15, according to a release from the school district. Registration will be 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at all elementary schools. Parents need to register children within their attendance zone, and can find their zones on the district website at www.clovis-schools.org. Registration will be 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Lincoln-Jackson Family Center for parents who would like to enroll their child at La Casita or Lockwood elementaries, which offer bilingual instruction. C...

  • Pages past - Jan. 26

    The Staff of The News|Updated Jan 26, 2017

    On this date ... 1977: Clovis Animal Shelter officials announced plans to hand out more citations while picking up fewer strays. "We're going to concentrate on giving citations," Animal Warden Junior Romero said. "The people are at fault for letting their dogs run loose, not the dog." Animal shelter personnel were instructed by city officials to "follow the dogs home and mail a citation to the dog owners," the Clovis News-Journal reported. A first citation carried a $10 fine....

  • Child molestation trial moved again

    Alisa Boswell|Updated Jan 26, 2017

    PORTALES — The trial for a former Portales man accused of child molestation has been moved back for the second time at the request of the defendant. Rocky Banda, 36, of Amarillo was arrested in February 2016 and charged with 24 counts of criminal sexual penetration of a child, as well as criminal sexual contact with a child and bribery of a witness, for allegedly molesting a female victim over the course of a few years. Banda was set for a two-day trial today and Friday but a...

  • Curry commission clears way for Broadview station house

    Douglas Clark|Updated Jan 26, 2017

    CLOVIS — During Wednesday’s special meeting the Curry County Commission cleared the way for a new Broadview Fire Department station house. Davtek Corporation will construct the 60-by-100-foot, 6,000-square-foot pre-engineered metal building that officials said would carry a price tag of $432,773.33. According to project specifications, the construction effort will include four apparatus bays, a new domestic well to provide water to a 10,000 gallon tank, infrared propane tube heaters, a multi-purpose room, unisex restroom and...

  • Taqueria Jalisco gains 'approved' status

    The Staff of The News|Updated Jan 26, 2017

    CLOVIS — A day after a Clovis restaurant received a grade of “unsatisfactory,” it has passed a followup inspection and gained “approved” status. The New Mexico Environment Department confirmed the upgrade for Taqueria Jalisco in a Wednesday afternoon report. The restaurant was not required to close throughout the process, but had to post the downgraded status at all of its entrances. Manager Anjel Santoyo said it was a relief for the restaurant and its staff to get the status back to its prior grade. The work, he said, lar...

  • Meetings calendar - Jan. 26

    Updated Jan 26, 2017

    Monday • Clovis-Carver Library Board — 5:30 p.m. at the library. Information: 575-769-7840 • Parks, Recreation and Beautification Committee — 5:30 p.m. at city hall, Clovis. Information: 575-769-7828 Thursday • Clovis City Commission — 5:15 p.m. at north annex, Clovis-Carver Public Library. Information: 575-769-7828 This calendar is a daily listing of area public meetings. To place an item on the calendar, call the newsroom at 575-763-6991 or e-mail: [email protected]...

  • Clovis police blotter - Jan. 26

    Updated Jan 26, 2017

    The following is a sampling of calls received by dispatchers for Clovis police, Curry County sheriff and area fire stations: Tuesday • 6:54 a.m.: Assist outside agency, Police Department • 7:13 a.m.: Burglary (auto), 1000 block of York Street • 8:09 a.m.: Motor vehicle theft - auto, 2000 block of Axtell Street • 8:29 a.m.: Improper lane change, 700 block of Hondo Street • 9:01 a.m.: Dogs and cats running at large, 21st Street/Norris Street • 12:18 p.m.: Improper lane change, 2100 block of Sycamore Street • 12:20 p.m.: Burglar...

  • Portales police blotter - Jan. 26

    Updated Jan 26, 2017

    The following is a sampling of calls for Portales police, fire and sheriff: Tuesday • 10:11 a.m.: Motor vehicle accident without injuries, 100 block South Main Avenue • 11:01 a.m.: Breaking and entering, 900 block East Second Street, report taken • 11:43 a.m.: Breaking and entering, 1300 block North Avenue A • 11:50 a.m.: Fraud, walk in, report taken • 1:15 p.m.: Juvenile problem, 700 block West 18th Street • 2:22 p.m.: Fraud, walk in • 6:23 p.m.: Ambulance requested, walk in, report taken • 6:44 p.m.: Ambulance reque...

  • ENMU briefs - Jan. 26

    Updated Jan 26, 2017

    ‘Women in Literature’ readings on Friday “Women in Literature” readings will be at 4:30 p.m. Friday in Room 112 of the Jack William Liberal Arts Building at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales “The readings are about celebrating our diversity of experiences,” said Carol Erwin, associate professor of English. “We will read about a variety of experiences connected to women: Losing a loved one, motherhood/family, the suffrage movement, LGBT experiences, and Mexican experiences.” Readers will be ENMU professors and...

  • School bond forum slated for tonight

    The Staff of The News|Updated Jan 26, 2017

    CLOVIS — Tonight, the public will get the chance to participate in a public forum addressing a school bond for the Clovis Municipal Schools. The High Plains Patriots is hosting the forum for the 2017 School Bond and Two-Mill Capital Improvements Levy. “Instead of having a debate, we’re just gonna have a roundtable discussion of topics or concerns,” said High Plains Patriots Secretary and Treasurer Dianne Davis. According to the Clovis Municipal Schools website, the general obligation bond is for $20 million and the two-mil...

  • Events calendar - Jan. 26

    Updated Jan 26, 2017

    Today • General recital — 2 p.m. in Buchanan Hall at ENMU, Portales. Admission: Free. Information: 575-562-1011 • Colour Creators — 10 a.m., 6 p.m. at Clovis-Carver Public Library. Information: 575-769-7840 • Preschool storytime — 6 p.m. at Portales Public Library. Book: Now You See Me. Information: 575-356-3940 • Tween program — 4:30 p.m. at Portales Public Library for ages 9-12. Activity: Bookmarks. Information: 575-356-3940 • Pre-K story hour — 10 a.m. at Clovis-Carver Public Library. Story: It’s a Mad Hatter Tea Party....

  • ENMU basketball capsules - Jan. 26

    Updated Jan 26, 2017

    West Texas A&M at ENMU Women 5:30 p.m., Greyhound Arena Records: WT 13-6, 6-5 LSC. ENMU 14-3, 10-0. Last time out: ENMU held off Angelo State 76-72 Saturday for its first 10-0 LSC start and a sweep through the first half of the conference schedule. The Lady Buffs lost their second straight, 78-60 at Texas A&M-Commerce. Last meeting: Dec. 3, ENMU 72-67. WT leads the series 70-15 overall, with 12 of ENMU’s victories at home. Notes: This is the second time during the season Mikaehla Connor and Daeshi McCants are the reigning L...

  • ENMU joins Coaches vs. Cancer effort

    The Staff of The News|Updated Jan 26, 2017

    PORTALES — The Eastern New Mexico University men’s and women’s basketball teams are taking part in the Coaches vs. Cancer 3-Point Challenge from Feb. 1-March 5. Every 3-point shot made by the Greyhounds during this time will result in donations to the American Cancer Society. Pledges can be made in a flat rate, or by pledging a certain amount per 3-pointer made. Pledges can be made online at https://pledgeit.org/cvc-enmu. Both the men’s and women’s teams are averaging almost seven 3-pointers per game (6.9 for women, 6....

  • Anthropology professor inspired by students' drive

    Updated Jan 26, 2017

    Editor's note: This is one in a series profiling local educators each week. Eastern New Mexico University Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Applied Archeology Katy Putsavage was drawn to her field through a desire to study a species she finds fascinating: Humans. "Humans are really interesting creatures, and we are amazing, and beautiful, and wonderful, and confusing, and I was drawn to anthropology because I was interested in understanding us as people more throughout...

  • Officials exploring fiber options in Clovis

    Kurt Munz-Raper|Updated Jan 26, 2017

    CLOVIS — Efforts to get fiber connection to more residents are being explored in ways that are efficient and cost-effective. Plateau Wireless Engineering Projects Manager Regan Williams presented on micro-trenching during Wednesday morning’s Public Works Committee meeting. Williams said micro-trenching is a cost-effective process of installing fiber in areas it is not currently available without interfering with infrastructure. Fiber is installed 12 inches deep in a trench about three-quarters of an inch wide, with trenches g...

  • Education caters to snowflake indulgence

    Walter Williams|Updated Jan 25, 2017

    One wonders just how far spineless college administrators will go when it comes to caving in to the demands of campus snowflakes. For those unfamiliar with the term "snowflakes," it is increasingly being used to characterize college students easily traumatized by criticism and politically incorrect phrases. They demand safe spaces and trigger warnings so as not to be upset by views that challenge their own. Snowflakes feel as though they must be protected against words,...

  • Students experiencing authentic science

    Betty Williamson|Updated Jan 25, 2017

    Dora School science teacher Laura Wilbanks is not a superstitious type, but Friday the 13th might be her new favorite day. She was working late at the school following a teacher in-service on our most recent Friday the 13th when she received email notice that a team of juniors in her environmental science class had been named one of the 16 teams to receive $10,000 in the Lexus Eco Challenge. That’s a national contest for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) s...