Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Articles from the January 30, 2006 edition


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  • 1/31 Letters to the editor

    Helena Rodriguez

    Wage increase will help reduce poverty I am writing in response to State Rep. Anna Crook’s declaration that bringing the minimum wage up to $7.50 will hurt the economy. This kind of thinking only proves that she is not in touch with reality. Increasing the minimum wage will help reduce poverty in New Mexico. New Mexicans work in jobs paying at or below minimum wage more than any other state in the union. A full-time worker paid $7.50 an hour would earn a pre-tax income of about $15,600, which is only slightly above the federa...

  • Legality of spy program deserves serious look

    Freedom Newspapers

    President Bush’s administration has been conducting a full-court offensive to persuade Americans that the program of surveillance of Americans by the National Security Agency without a warrant was not only legal but virtually obligatory after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. The campaign is no doubt intended to soften public opinion in advance of hearings into the matter scheduled for next week by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The trouble is, every argument the administration makes rests on shaky legal ground. The Foreign I...

  • 1/31 Business digest

    CNJ Staff

    Plateau completes fiber installation Plateau Telecommunications of Clovis recently completed the installation of its latest fiber technology, according to a company press release. Jeff Moore, the company’s chief operating officer, said the company invested more than $5 million to bury fiber optic cable in the main business corridors of Clovis. He said the installation will provide both voice and high-speed Internet connections at competitive rates. Moore also said existing phone numbers would not have to be changed. H... Full story

  • Airport officials hope to launch new project

    CNJ Staff

    Great Lakes Airlines flight 5093 takes off enroute to Albuquerque on Monday afternoon from the Clovis Municipal Airport. (Staff photo: Eric Kluth) The Clovis Municipal Airport recently completed one major project and is petitioning federal officials in hopes of launching another, Director Steve Summers said. The airport finished replacing the lighting on the taxi-ways, which are used by aircraft to travel to the hangars and runways. Summers said renovation of the lighting cost $600,000. “Half of the money used for the p...

  • Water project could get boost from Legislature

    Tony Parra

    House bills beneficial to the Ute Water Pipeline Project are immersed in the many bills requesting money from the New Mexico legislative session. Both Portales Mayor Orlando Ortega and Scott Verhines, Ute Pipeline Project manager, have been giving testimony during the legislative session in support of bills affecting the project. Ortega and Verhines said they have been receiving positive feedback from committee members in regard to House Bill 121 and House Bill 134. Rep. Mimi Stewart, D-Bernalillo, is sponsoring HB 121,...

  • 1/31 Local roundup

    Cause of loud boom unknown Officials Monday said they were not sure what caused the loud boom and flickering lights reported around 7 p.m. at Clovis High School. “I don’t have a clue (what caused it),” said Clovis Fire Department Lt. Ricky Mitchell, on duty at the time of the incident. Several people exiting the high school shortly after police were dispatched to the building said the lights inside the building flickered, but they did not know the cause, and did not appear worried. Mitchell said police officers were patro...

  • Iraq veterans need seamless health care

    With the Iraq war producing a steady stream of severely wounded service members, the departments of Defense and of Veterans Affairs are struggling with calls to create a “seamless transition” for disabled warriors moving from active duty medical care to long-term veterans’ care. For some war wounded and their families, the seams between systems remain frustrating, even dangerous, according to stories shared during a January public meeting of Veterans Disability Benefits Commission. “We’ve fallen through every crack imaginabl...

  • Jan. 31, 2006 Obituaries

    Frank Teti Services: 10 a.m. Feb. 18, Monterey, Calif., cemetery. Professor Francis Michael Teti, 68, died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2006, in Portales. He was born on Feb. 5, 1937, in Utica, N.Y., to Frank T. and Nella Teti. He spent his 36-year professional career as a professor of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate school in Monterey, Calif., where he also served as acting department chair, family members said. He also taught as an adjunct professor for colleges that included Monterey Peninsula College, Chapman... Full story

  • Smith attorney wants evidence

    Freedom Newspapers

    The attorney representing accused killer James Smith on Monday complained to a district court judge that he’s not received evidence in the case, as required by law. Judge Joe Parker ordered prosecutors hand over the requested information by Friday. District Attorney Matt Chandler said he filed notice with the court on Jan. 19 that he would produce the evidence by Friday and intends to do so. Smith, a Clovis dentist, is accused of killing Laura McNaughton, a 30-year-old mother of two. McNaughton’s body was found Dec. 10 in... Full story

  • Smith lawyer wants evidence

    Freedom Newspapers

    The attorney representing accused killer James Smith on Monday complained to a district court judge that he’s not received evidence in the case, as required by law. Judge Joe Parker ordered prosecutors hand over the requested information by Friday. District Attorney Matt Chandler said he filed notice with the court on Jan. 19 that he would produce the evidence by Friday and intends to do so. Smith, a Clovis dentist, is accused of killing Laura McNaughton, a 30-year-old mother of two. McNaughton’s body was found Dec. 10 in...

  • Ethics bills move through committees

    SANTA FE — A piece of Gov. Bill Richardson’s ethics package got unanimous committee endorsement Monday and headed to the full House for a vote. A Senate panel also approved a much broader measure, barring people who do business with the state from contributing to statewide officials — including the governor, a position added at the request of a lawmaker who criticized what he called the “pay to play” culture of the Richardson administration. The ethics bills were prompted by a recent kickback scandal in the state treasurer’s...

  • Six Cats may sign to play college football

    Dave Wagner

    Devin Sweet would like to carry on a family tradition. The Clovis High senior plans to follow his uncle, father and brother to Eastern New Mexico University in Portales to play football. Sweet, the Wildcats’ quarterback and free safety during a 12-2 season that ended with a loss to Las Cruces Mayfield in the Class 5A state championship game, said he will sign with the Greyhounds on Wednesday, the first day of the national signing period. He is one of perhaps six Cats looking at playing in college next season. Sweet said he e...

  • Buffs start fast to cruise past Hounds

    CNJ staff

    CANYON, Texas — Forward Patrick Culver and guard Damien Lolar each scored 23 points Monday night, and West Texas A&M opened an early lead en route to a 93-81 victory over Eastern New Mexico University in a Lone Star Conference South Division men’s basketball game. The win was the 400th in 19 seasons as a college coach for WT’s Rick Cooper (400-166), including 248 wins in 13 years with the Buffaloes. WT (14-5, 4-1 South) bounced back from a two-point loss at division-leading Tarleton State on Saturday and extended its homecour...

  • Minimum wage bill has party-line split

    Freedom Newspapers

    Local legislators exhibit a party-line split in the debate over whether to raise up the state’s minimum wage. Rep. Anna Crook, R-Clovis, and Sen. Gay Kernan, R-Hobbs, think if the minimum wage were raised from $5.15 to $7.50 as proposed, job cuts would result. “I think it hurts the economy. I’m opposed to raising it,” Crook said. “Businesses won’t hire as many employees if the minimum wage rises because they won’t be able to afford training the new hires.” Kernan agrees job cuts would piggy-back a minimum wage increase,...

  • Medical care gaps frustrating to vets

    With the Iraq war producing a steady stream of severely wounded service members, the departments of Defense and of Veterans Affairs are struggling with calls to create a “seamless transition” for disabled warriors moving from active duty medical care to long-term veterans’ care. For some war wounded and their families, the seams between systems remain frustrating, even dangerous, according to stories shared during a January public meeting of Veterans Disability Benefits Commission. “We’ve fallen through every crack imaginabl...

  • Minimum wage bill features party-line split

    Freedom Newspapers

    Local legislators exhibit a party-line split in the debate over whether to raise up the state’s minimum wage. Rep. Anna Crook, R-Clovis, and Sen. Gay Kernan, R-Hobbs, think if the minimum wage were raised from $5.15 to $7.50 as proposed, job cuts would result. “I think it hurts the economy. I’m opposed to raising it,” Crook said. “Businesses won’t hire as many employees if the minimum wage rises because they won’t be able to afford training the new hires.” Kernan agrees job cuts would piggy-back a minimum wage increase,...

  • Bills could aid Ute Water Project

    Tony Parra

    House bills beneficial to the Ute Water Pipeline Project are immersed in the many bills requesting money from the New Mexico legislative session. Both Portales Mayor Orlando Ortega and Scott Verhines, Ute Pipeline Project manager, have been giving testimony during the legislative session in support of bills affecting the project. Ortega and Verhines said they have been receiving positive feedback from committee members in regard to House Bill 121 and House Bill 134. Rep. Mimi Stewart, D-Bernalillo, is sponsoring HB 121,...

  • Heflin believes water supply is council's biggest issue

    Tony Parra

    Compiled by Tony Parra, PNT Staff Writer The following is the first part in a question and answer series of candidates running in the municipality election on March 7. Candidates are asked questions regarding the city’s future. Chad Heflin, 24, is running for the Ward B position in the Portales City Council. His opponent is the incumbent, Robert De Los Santos. 1. In your view, what is the most pressing issue the Portales City Council is facing? In the next couple of years there are going to be important issues discussed t...

  • Greyhounds drop to 2-3 in LSC South

    Freedom Newspapers

    CANYON, Texas — Forward Patrick Culver and guard Damien Lolar each scored 23 points Monday night, and West Texas A&M opened an early lead en route to a 93-81 victory over Eastern New Mexico University in a Lone Star Conference South Division men’s basketball game. The win was the 400th in 19 seasons as a college coach for WT’s Rick Cooper (400-166), including 248 wins in 13 years with the Buffaloes. WT (14-5, 4-1 South) bounced back from a two-point loss at division-leading Tarleton State on Saturday and extended its homecour...

  • Lovington on tap for PHS squads

    Kevin Wilson

    Though both Portales teams face Lovington tonight, the boys and girls are in completely different territory in their respective District 4-3A seasons. The Rams head into tonight’s district opener at Lovington on a two-game losing skid. The Portales girls, meanwhile, have won their last three games and have beaten their district opponents by an average of 34.5 points. Portales coach Brenda Gomez said it’s a good feeling for the team to know that it’s still the team to beat in 4-3A, but admits that a few things could be done...

  • Witness: Disrespect inspired shooting

    CNJ Staff

    A witness to Clovis’ most recent homicide told police he saw Robert Macias shoot at Wilfred Salas’ car at least two times just before Salas was killed, court records show. Salas, 19, was killed by a single shot to his head on Jan. 15. Macias is charged with an open count of murder. The shooting occurred in front of 605 Merriwether St. — a home listed to Macias in the phone book and owned by Macias’ grandmother, records show. The medical examiner removed a bullet from Salas’ head, which matched the caliber of bullet casings f...

  • Accused killer seeks evidence against him

    CNJ Staff

    James Smith, left, listens during his first hearing Monday, requested by his lawyer, Stephen Doerr. (Staff photo: Eric Kluth) The attorney representing accused killer James Smith complained Monday to a district court judge that he’s not received evidence in the case, as required by law. Judge Joe Parker ordered prosecutors hand over the requested information by Friday. District Attorney Matt Chandler said he filed notice with the court on Jan. 19 that he would produce the evidence by Friday and intends to do so. Smith, a C...

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