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Articles from the November 30, 2017 edition


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  • Eyewitness testifies 14 years later

    David Grieder|Updated Nov 30, 2017

    CLOVIS — More than 14 years after the fact, Telia Vancleave took the stand Wednesday to tell a jury what she saw, as a teenager, on the day Jessie Clyde "J.C." Tucker was gunned down in his office. For prosecutors in the cold-case murder trial this week of 69-year-old William Hadix, Vancleave's testimony places the accused in Tucker's office on the day of his killing in 2003, pointing a gun at him and demanding money. For Hadix's defense, the account is clouded by more than a...

  • Dora seeks improvement

    Eric Murray|Updated Nov 30, 2017

    DORA — Building a program as a first-year coach can be tough, but luckily for veteran coach John Wootton, he’ll be inheriting a Dora Coyotes team that won 20 games a season ago. The former 12-year coach of Fort Sumner — along with stops at Maxwell, Tatum, San Jon and Santa Rosa — is looking to put his philosophies in place and in the process, he hopes it leads to more winning. “We’re hoping to push the ball,” Wootton explained. “We got some kids that like to run. Defensively, we want to give people something to look at, and w...

  • Woody's closing sad end of a Portales era

    Betty Williamson|Updated Nov 30, 2017

    H.L. “Woody” Woodward and his elegant wife, Myrtice, opened Woody’s Jewelry in Portales in 1955. Somehow they were friends of our family. I was only a baby in 1962, the year Woody’s moved to its present location on the southeast side of the square. We went to Portales maybe twice a month back then. We had regular stops once we got there: Our Aunt Blanche’s children’s clothing store, Odom’s Office Supply, Slaten Brothers Hardware, Skinner’s Western Wear, Grady’s Superma...

  • Letter to the Editor: Bad behavior of past no free pass today

    Updated Nov 30, 2017

    Shame on Rube Render for somehow trying to legitimize the actions of the alleged child predator Roy Moore. (“Denying Moore may be unconstitutional,” in Wednesday’s paper.) By comparing it to the incidents of some politicians in the past, he infers that since they got away with it, so should Moore. Really? It’s no secret that politics has been fraught with bad behaviors in the past. Daily we hear about someone else being accused of misconduct not only in politics, but in almost every walk of life. Sadly, this behavior continu...

  • Grady teams expect to run this season

    Kevin Wilson|Updated Nov 30, 2017

    GRADY — When you’re one of the smaller schools in the state’s smallest classification, you’re likely to find some roster deficiencies. And so it is with Grady. The girls have little in the way of height, and the boys have little experience beyond the starting lineup. Both teams, however, are already 1-0 and confident they’ll find their way once again into the state basketball tournament when March rolls around. “Our strength, I would say, is our chemistry,” first-year coach Jonathan Langan said the day after his team’s 62...

  • Pages past - Nov. 30

    The Staff of The News|Updated Nov 30, 2017

    On this date ... 1982: Members of the New Mexico Board of Economic Development were in Clovis to discuss the pending loss of the Levi Strauss plant, which was scheduled to close later in the year. "Losing Levi Strauss is something which should not be taken lightly," Ed Tatum told the board. "It's a loss to the city but we must move forward." At its peak, the local Levi Strauss facility employed 310 workers making jeans and other clothing for toddlers through early teens. At...

  • Rams aim for blue trophy

    Eric Murray|Updated Nov 30, 2017

    PORTALES — When a team goes from a state semifinal appearance one year, to a state title game appearance the next, the next logical step is to win it all, right? For the Portales boys basketball team, that's exactly what head coach Rickie McBroom believes his Rams can accomplish in 2017-18. The defending 4A state runner-up Rams return seven seniors and roughly seven total lettermen for '17-18, with dreams of an NMAA championship trophy dancing in their heads. "If you look at o...

  • Boxing tournament set for Saturday

    The Staff of The News|Updated Nov 29, 2017

    CLOVIS — Roy Walker Gym will hold a boxing exhibition this weekend, with hopes those words will be said much more frequently in 2018. Four eastern New Mexico youth boxers plan to take part in the event, scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday. Local boxing coach Tony Romero said clubs are coming from Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and west Texas. “We’re thinking we’ll have about 22 to 25 fights,” Romero said, “depending on who shows up.” Local fighters will be Luis Sandoval and Angel Sandoval, Isabella Garcia and Jonathan Sanchez. Sanc...

  • ENMU basketball capsules, Nov. 30

    Updated Nov 29, 2017

    Men UT Permian Basin (5-1) at Eastern New Mexico (3-3) 7:30 p.m., Greyhound Arena On the air: Cow Country 1450 AM. Last time out: The Falcons topped St. Mary’s 74-65 for their second-straight win. The Greyhounds dropped their second-straight in the St. Edward’s Thanksgiving Classic, falling to Dallas Baptist 83-69. Last meeting: The Falcons, ranked No. 18 in Division II, swept the season series last year, topping the Greyhounds 94-79 at home and 85-67 at Greyhound Arena. Notes: This weekend marks the second and third tim...

  • Cool dampens cotton quality

    Eamon Scarbrough|Updated Nov 29, 2017

    Rain helped cotton growers in eastern New Mexico and west Texas in 2017, but cool weather put a damper on the quality of their crops. Roosevelt County producer Kevin Breshears said he harvested two to three and a half bales an acre this year, which "wasn't a bumper crop by no means," but still a step in the right direction. Breshears remained positive about his crop, but admitted that the quality of the cotton was lower than in years past. "The grades on the cotton are not as...

  • Jail logs - Nov. 30

    Updated Nov 29, 2017

    Booked The following were booked into local jails through Wednesday: Clovis • Mary Gutierrez, 50, driving while license suspended or revoked, evidence of registration, no proof of insurance • Josefina Martinez, 33, failure to pay fines, bringing contraband onto prison grounds, felony possession of a controlled substance (two counts) • Francisco Estrada, 30, failure to appear on misdemeanor charge • Fidel Sanchez, 20, forgery • Alicia Bernal, 20, probation violation • Rosalva Salinas, 21, failure to pay fines • Anthony Bara,...

  • Empty stocking fund - Nov. 30

    Updated Nov 29, 2017

    Today’s family in need: Three members of this six-person family are disabled. The father and two young boys were born with disabilities. The mother tries to work part time, but the family’s situation makes it “nearly impossible,” according to Salvation Army Lt. Kelly Berggren. When asked what they want for Christmas, the two daughters, ages 7 and 9, said they only want a bed. “I hope someone can find it in their heart to help these young ladies receive a new bed for Christmas,” Berggren said. About the Empty Stocking Fu...

  • School winter choir concert set for Dec. 12

    The Staff of The News|Updated Nov 29, 2017

    PORTALES — The Portales Municipal Schools Winter Choir Concert is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Dec. 12 at First United Methodist Church. The concert will feature students from Lindsey-Steiner Elementary School, Portales Junior High School, and Portales High School, according to a press release by PMS....

  • Portales winter band concert rescheduled

    The Staff of The News|Updated Nov 29, 2017

    PORTALES — The Portales Municipal Schools Winter Band Concert, originally scheduled for Tuesday at the high school, has been rescheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Eastern New Mexico University’s Buchanan Hall. The concert, featuring students from grades six through 12, had to be rescheduled because of lighting issues at the high school, said PHS Principal Mark Gormley....

  • Five local students win at CCC art show

    The Staff of The News|Updated Nov 29, 2017

    CLOVIS — Five local students won awards at the seventh annual Clovis Community College Juried Art Show on Wednesday, according to a press release from CCC. CCC students Tanya Bennet won Best of Show for oil painting “Here or There,” Abigail Dart earned first place for digital photography “St. Louis Arch,” Schree Mayfield earned second place for oil painting “Wookie” and Miles Waters won People’s Choice for pottery “Brother of a Different Mother.” Eastern New Mexico University student Michelle Perry earned third place for scu...

  • Vacancy open on planning commission

    The Staff of The News|Updated Nov 29, 2017

    CLOVIS — The city of Clovis has one vacancy for a Clovis-area resident to serve on the Planning & Zoning Commission, according to Assistant City Clerk Vicki Reyes. P&Z meets at 3 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at Clovis City Hall. Applications will be received until 5 p.m. on Dec. 15. Contact the city manager’s office at 575-769-7828 or [email protected] for more information or to obtain an application form....

  • Jury finds woman guilty of battery

    The Staff of The News|Updated Nov 29, 2017

    CLOVIS — A Clovis jury on Tuesday found a Clovis woman guilty of battery on a peace officer. Sarita Jones, 35, was sentenced to 18 months probation, according to a news release from the district attorney’s office. Jones was accused of hitting a police officer who was serving a warrant against her son on May 25, the release said....

  • Clovis man convicted of stealing car

    The Staff of The News|Updated Nov 29, 2017

    CLOVIS — A Clovis man on Wednesday was found guilty by a jury of unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and battery on a household member. A news release from the district attorney’s office said Juan Garza, 36, was accused of punching his girlfriend and stealing her car in July 2016. He was sentenced to eight months in jail, followed by 22 months of supervised probation....

  • Meetings calendar - Nov. 30

    Updated Nov 29, 2017

    Today • Curry County DWI Task Force — 4 p.m. at Curry County Administration Complex. Information: 575-763-6016. Friday • Water Policy Advisory Committee — 7:30 a.m. at City Hall, Clovis. Information: 575-769-7828 Monday • Eastern Plains Council of Governments — 10 a.m. at 418 Main Street, Clovis. Information: 575-762-7714 Tuesday • Portales City Council — 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at the Memorial Building. Information: 575-356-6662 ext. 1012 • Roosevelt County Commission — 9 a.m. in commission room at the county courthou...

  • Events calendar - Nov. 30

    Updated Nov 29, 2017

    Today • Teen program — 4:30 p.m. for ages 13-18 at Portales Public Library. Activity: Superhero wall art. Information: 575-356-3940 • Page Turners book club — 6:30 p.m. at Clovis-Carver Public Library. Book: “The Light Between Oceans.” Information: 575-763-9687 Friday • Blood drive — 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. at Clovis-Carver Public Library. Information: 575-625-9743 • First Pentecostal Fellowship Meeting — 6:30 p.m. at the Memorial Building, Portales. Featuring Rev. Bobby Hart of Big Spring, Texas, and Calvary Men from Cl...