Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Articles written by Argen Duncan


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  • Not this year — Things we refuse to include among new year's resolutions

    Argen Duncan

    Some of our Facebook friends agreed to share the one thing you refuse to include among your new year’s resolutions. Here are some of the answers. I refuse to give up Duck Dynasty!! Virigina Gonzales My husband would like for me to give up Diet Dr. pepper. Karen Donice Strickland Caffeine free coke zero and decaffeinated coffee!!” Brittany Denaye Reed-Allen Diet Coke Becky Hammerton Berg I won’t make any resolutions about meat. I might resolve to add move fruits and veggies, but there will be times when I will want and seek...

  • CNJ takes top award

    Argen Duncan

    Staff and wire reports ALBUQUERQUE — The Clovis News Journal on Saturday was awarded the top prize from New Mexico Press Association at its annual Better Newspaper Contest. CNJ won the general excellence award for the fifth consecutive year — the eighth time in nine years — taking honors for news and sports reporting and advertising initiatives in the classification for small dailies. The Clovis newspaper staff also won NMPA’s public service and best of show awards. Additionally, The news and advertising sta...

  • PNT wins at press awards

    Argen Duncan

    The Associated Press ALBUQUERQUE — The Clovis News Journal on Saturday was awarded the top prize from New Mexico Press Association at its annual Better Newspaper Contest. CNJ won the general excellence award for the fifth consecutive year — the eighth time in nine years — taking honors for news and sports reporting and advertising initiatives in the classification for small dailies. The Clovis newspaper staff also won NMPA’s public service and best of show awards. Additionally, The news and advertising s...

  • My turn: A little good news

    Argen Duncan

    Three decades or so ago, two things that affected me happened within a 12-month period: I spent a summer working at the Portales News-Tribune under the watchful eye of my lifelong friend Gordon Greaves, and singer Anne Murray released a song called “A Little Good News.” Gordon taught me a lot about news writing that memorable summer, but sometime along the path, I realized that my heart was really for the softer side of the news business, items that often found their way into Gordon’s long running column, “By The Way.” A... Full story

  • My turn: Turkey burgers gobbling good

    Argen Duncan

    For a healthy change, these turkey burgers with cranberry combine Thanksgiving and summer cookouts. We’re using the recipe from www.tasteofhome.com with permission. Marla Clark of Moriarty submitted the contest-winning recipe to Taste of Home. Sweet and Sassy Turkey Burgers 6 turkey bacon strips, diced and cooked • 1/4 cup dried cranberries • 1 tablespoon maple syrup • 1 teaspoon rubbed sage • 1/8 teaspoon pepper • 1 1/4 pounds extra-lean ground turkey • 1 Italian turkey sausage link (4 o...

  • Beef show gives youths ranching experience

    Argen Duncan

    The Breeding Beef Show teaches participants what ranchers deal with every day, the show superintendent said. In the show at the Roosevelt County Fair, youth exhibited heifers — females that haven’t had a calf — and one cow with a calf, while the judge evaluated their physical appearance and movement. Superintendent Jim Duncan said the show lets youth who want to breed cattle promote the offspring. They may show animals they’ve bred or buy an animal, show it, breed it and show the calf the next year. “They get a... Full story

  • Goat show entries up

    Argen Duncan

    The Roosevelt County Fair goat shows are growing, and participants say it’s fun, hard work and a learning experience. The fair features several goat shows, and Superintendent Rod Savage said entries were up a little compared to last year. With the goat project being only 6 or 7 years old in the county, he said, it’s taken time for people to learn about and acquire a taste for it. Bryce Derrer, 10, who lives near Portales, showed for the first time this year. After placing third in the County-Bred Goat show, which aims to rec...

  • County fair kicks off

    Argen Duncan

    During the Roosevelt County Fair Entry Day on Monday, artists of a range of ages entered paintings, drawings and photographs into the photography and fine arts shows. The fair officially opens at noon today. “We’re just trying to get involved,” said Jessie Dodington, who entered paintings, photos and knitting in the fair. Dodington, a professional artist and an amateur photographer, and her husband, Elliott Stollar, just moved to the area. Dodington said she was excited to see the other submissions and to compare the Roose...

  • Two killed in crash on U.S. 70

    Argen Duncan

    Freedom New Mexico: Argen Duncan Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Deputy James Acree talks on the radio while manning a roadblock in front of the scene of a fatal wreck in the east-bound lane of U.S. 70 Monday afternoon. Two people died in a car wreck in Roosevelt County near the county line. Two people were killed Monday afternoon when a Ford Explorer collided with a privately-owned garbage truck near the Curry-Roosevelt County line on U.S. 70. State police spokesman Sgt. Tim Johnson said a 57-year-old woman and 84-year-old...

  • Aug. 21 — Police blotter

    Argen Duncan

    Samplings of recent calls to Portales law enforcement, according to police reports:...

  • Ranchers say USDA not giving insurance payments

    Argen Duncan

    A number of New Mexico ranchers say the U.S. Department of Agriculture isn’t giving them the insurance payments they paid for and need. Last year, the USDA Risk Management Agency offered a pilot program in which ranchers in New Mexico and other states could work with private insurance companies to buy policies they expected to pay out claims in case of drought. Now, in the midst of a drought so severe that Roosevelt and other counties have been declared disaster areas, ranchers said the Risk Management Agency tells them t... Full story

  • Ranchers: USDA not paying out on policies

    Argen Duncan

    A number of New Mexico ranchers say the U.S. Department of Agriculture isn’t giving them the insurance payments they paid for and need. Last year, the USDA Risk Management Agency offered a pilot program in which ranchers in New Mexico and other states could work with private insurance companies to buy policies they expected to pay out claims in case of drought. Now, in the midst of a drought so severe that Roosevelt and other counties have been declared disaster areas, ranchers said the Risk Management Agency tells them t...

  • Portales restaurant owners petition for Sunday liquor sales

    Argen Duncan

    Freedom New Mexico: Argen Duncan Cattle Baron bar tender Donovan Finley prepares a lime for a drink Wednesday at the restaurant. The restaurant is one of three in Portales collecting signatures on a petition calling for a vote on whether to continue the prohibition of liquor sales on Sunday. A petition is calling for a vote on Sunday liquor sales in Portales restaurants. If 5 percent of voters registered in Portales city limits sign the petition, the city will have to hold an election in which voters decide whether to...

  • Businesses seek Sunday alcohol sales

    Argen Duncan

    A petition is calling for a vote on Sunday liquor sales in Portales restaurants. If 5 percent of voters registered in Portales city limits sign the petition, the city will have to hold an election in which voters decide whether to continue the prohibition on Sunday liquor sales at restaurants in Portales. Cattle Baron Manager Richard Chambers, who started the petition, said the election would affect only restaurants, not liquor or convenience stores. People can sign the petition at Cattle Baron Steak and Seafood Restaurant,... Full story

  • High school seniors share advice on first day of school

    Argen Duncan

    In with the new — school year, that is. Third through 12th-graders in Portales Municipal Schools started the new academic year Tuesday. Kindergarten through second-grade students come back to school next Tuesday, while pre-school begins Aug. 30. “It’s been a very smooth start,” said Michael Terry, district coordinator for the Student Teacher Accountability Reporting System-Vision. Terry said parents taking care of school lunch information and enrollment verification Monday helped Tuesday go well. Enrollment is looki...

  • RGH celebrates anniversary with health fair

    Argen Duncan

    Community members took advantage of free or low-cost health screenings, physician consultations and a chance to check out a medical helicopter during the Roosevelt General Hospital Health Fair on Saturday. The fair celebrated RGH’s 10th anniversary. “I thought it was very informative,” said attendee Orlando Shelly. “I’m so glad they came out to answer some of our questions. And I’m so excited: My vision is better than I thought it was — with my glasses on.” Ashley Brunson, who came with Shelly, said everyone was...

  • Field Day focuses on water

    Argen Duncan

    People need to know water for agriculture provides food and fiber, and Curry County is the top producer of raw agriculture products in the state, the new state secretary of agriculture said. New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte gave the keynote speech during the annual field day at the New Mexico State University Agricultural Science Center at Clovis on Thursday. The day also included tours and information dealing with recent research at the center and lunch. Center Superintendent Rex Kirksey said he thought the...

  • Seminar offering drought management information

    Argen Duncan

    Farmers and ranchers dealing with drought have a chance to gain management information with a seminar scheduled for Monday. Admission is free, and no preregistration is required. The drought-management workshop is geared toward local agricultural producers. “There’s times you need a little more information to make a decision, and I’m hoping some of the things that are covered will help them feel more comfortable about a decision they’re making or help them go ahead with a decision they were thinking about,” said Roosevelt Cou...

  • Local agriculture experts to host drought-management workshop

    Argen Duncan

    Farmers and ranchers dealing with drought have a chance to gain management information with a seminar scheduled for Monday. Admission is free, and no pre-registration is required. The drought-management workshop is geared toward local agricultural producers. “There’s times you need a little more information to make a decision, and I’m hoping some of the things that are covered will help them feel more comfortable about a decision they’re making or help them go ahead with a decision they were thinking about,” said Roosevelt...

  • Joining forces: RGH enters rural hospital network

    Argen Duncan

    A new network of small, rural hospitals Roosevelt General Hospital is participating in should provide cost savings, more information resources and an opportunity for more services, the RGH CEO said. Seven rural hospitals with less than 50 beds received a federal grant to plan the policies and procedures of the network, said RGH CEO Larry Leaming, who has participated in such networks in other states. The $85,000 became available to the network in May. “Small hospitals, we don’t have a whole lot of depth of resources like big...

  • Small schools prepare for school year

    Argen Duncan

    PNT senior writer [email protected] With school in Dora, Elida and Floyd starting Wednesday, school employees and students are looking ahead into the new academic year. “I’ve just really enjoyed my time at Elida, and I plan to make the best of this last year,” said Elida High School incoming senior Justus Criswell. Criswell plans to be active in 4-H and FFA, as well as playing several sports. After graduation, he intends to attend Tulsa Welding College in Oklahoma. Criswell advised incoming freshmen to get involved in di... Full story

  • Business owners expect brisk sales during tax-free weekend

    Argen Duncan

    Kevin Wilson and Argen Duncan For the seventh year in a row, back-to-school shopping will be slightly less taxing. Numerous merchants in New Mexico are getting set for the state’s tax-free holiday. According to the state’s Taxation and Revenue Department website, the tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on the first Friday of August and concludes midnight Sunday. During those approximate 72 hours, the state allows a deduction from gross receipts tax equal to that community’s tax rate. The week is timed to help the state compe...

  • My turn: Tomato salad fast, healthy

    Argen Duncan

    With farmers markets starting to sell home-grown tomatoes and basil, I had just the opportunity to try a healthy recipe with them. “Mozzarella and Tomato Salad” comes from Roosevelt County Extension Home Economist Connie Moyer’s cookbook “Fast and Fabulous.” My work schedule often makes getting to the Portales Farmers Market at 5 p.m. rather difficult, but my co-worker Victoria kindly picked up basil and tomatoes for me when she went not too long ago. (You’d better get there early if you want tomatoes — we’ve found...

  • Commission votes to look into automated security

    Argen Duncan

    The Curry County Commission has voted 4-1 to request proposals for an automated security system at the county courthouse. At their meeting Tuesday, Commissioner Frank Blackburn voted against the measure, and commissioners Daniel Stoddard, Caleb Chandler, Wendell Bostwick and Robert Sandoval voted for it. The vote came after a presentation by David Barnes of Isotec Security Inc. “No facility using Isotec Security anti-terrorism technology has even suffered an armed assault,” Barnes said. Barnes said Isotec Security tec...

  • Championship teams displayed on wall

    Argen Duncan

    Eastern New Mexico University is recognizing its championship sports teams in a new way. The Greyhound Arena has a new “Wall of Champions” displaying the district, conference, regional, playoff and national championships plus football bowl game wins. The wall has 103 championship teams listed, said Athletic Director Jeff Geiser. Final touches were completed Monday. “The Wall of Champions concept really has two purposes: No. 1, to recognize our athletic tradition here at Eastern, and No. 2, to give our current student athle... Full story

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