June 8, 2006 Local Briefs

Area leaders plan to meet regarding growth challenges

Eastern New Mexico leaders will meet with a federal agency next month to discuss growth challenges that may emerge with the new mission at Cannon Air Force Base, according to a joint press release from the cities of Clovis and Portales and the counties of Roosevelt and Curry.

The Local Growth Management Committee — comprised of commissioners from Clovis, Portales, and Roosevelt and Curry counties — will meet with representatives of the Office of Economic Adjustment, a federal agency tasked with helping communities with bases being downsized or expanded, the release said.

The meeting is to be held Aug. 16 at Clovis City Hall.

“We feel we are already ahead in the process of planning for growth as this was something we looked at last year,” Clovis Mayor David Lansford said in the release.

The Air Force 16th Special Operations Wing will assume ownership of Cannon in October, according to Air Force officials.

State leaders have estimated the base could grow threefold with the new mission.

Boeing plans training venture Tuesday at CCC

Training for a Boeing venture in Clovis will begin Tuesday at Clovis Community College, according to Boeing spokesperson Chick Ramey.

Boeing will conduct training at the college for personnel who use its unmanned aerial vehicles, called ScanEagles. Test flights for the drones at Melrose Bombing Range, near Cannon Air Force Base, will begin at a later date, Ramey said.

Prior to the start of training, a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the venture will be held 10 a.m. Monday at Clovis Community College.

Boeing dignitaries will be on hand to provide more information about the venture, Ramey said.

State Guard to conduct monthly drill today

The New Mexico State Guard will conduct its monthly drill 10 a.m. Saturday at the Clovis National Guard Armory.

The public is welcome to observe.

Information: 693-4688

Attorneys recommended to fill district judgeship

Two attorneys were recommended to the governor Friday as candidates to fill a fifth judgeship position in the 9th Judicial District Court, according a University of New Mexico Law School press release.

Albert Julian Mitchell Jr. and David P. Reeb Jr. were selected from three candidates following a meeting of the District Judicial Nominating Commission in Clovis.

The position was created by the 2006 State Legislature, the release said.