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  • Clovis Farmers Market opens for season

    Eric Butler CMI correspondent

    The first day of the Clovis Farmers Market in 2012 had just what organizers had hoped for: A new location off a busy street that attracted customers who just happened to be driving by and noticed the activity. CMI photo: Eric Butler Jacqueline Davis of Clovis concludes her purchase of potatoes, squash and salad mix from Portales' Margie Plummer on the opening day of the Clovis Farmer's Market on Saturday. At the parking lot for the Goodwin Lake Trail off Prince Street,...

  • Officials put fireworks ban in place

    Eric Butler CMI correspondent

    When it comes to the Fourth of July, things that go bang and provide sharp flashes of light are the norm. CNJ staff photo: Kevin Wilson Another dry summer has firework sellers and purchasers dealing with restrictions on what can be sold and used within county boundaries. Unfortunately for Eastern New Mexico, chronically dry conditions are also part of the usual course of action and local elected officials have acted accordingly. Indeed, county and city commissioners have... Full story

  • Fireworks organizers seeking donations

    Eric Butler CNJ correspondent

    Certainly, organizers of Clovis' annual 4th of July fireworks display don't really favor one contributor over another. After all, as it says in a recent press release from the Clovis Chamber of Commerce, "any amount, no matter how big or how small, is greatly appreciated." File photo Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ernie Kos says about $8,500 still needs to be raised for this year's "Smoke on the Water" fireworks display. But Ernie Kos, the chamber's executive... Full story

  • No rest for Custom participants

    Eric Butler CMI correspondent

    It all depends upon your perspective, when it comes to the 24-7 schedule of the Custom Classic softball tournament in Clovis, and Steve Watkins of Juice liked his team's angle late Saturday morning. CMI correspondent photo: Joshua Lucero Shortstop Tyler Swisher of Extreme throws to first after catching a line drive for an out during Extreme's game against Cheba Hut Saturday afternoon. Juice had just beaten I'd Hit Dat by an 8-4 count in the Men's E Division bracket — the l...

  • No rest for Custom participants

    Eric Butler CMI correspondent

    It all depends upon your perspective, when it comes to the 24-7 schedule of the Custom Classic softball tournament in Clovis, and Steve Watkins of Juice liked his team's angle late Saturday morning. CMI correspondent photo: Joshua Lucero Shortstop Tyler Swisher of Extreme throws to first after catching a line drive for an out during Extreme's game against Cheba Hut Saturday afternoon. Juice had just beaten I'd Hit Dat by an 8-4 count in the Men's E Division bracket — the l...

  • 29th Custom Classic softball tournament draws 120 teams

    Eric Butler CMI correspondent

    It all depends upon your perspective, when it comes to the 24-7 schedule of the Custom Classic softball tournament in Clovis, and Steve Watkins of Juice liked his team's angle late Saturday morning. JOSHUA LUCERO: CMI correspondent The Coronitas Vicki Davis catches a fly ball during their game against New Mexico Elite Saturday afternoon. Juice had just beaten I'd Hit Dat by an 8-4 count in the Men's E Division bracket — the largest field (48 teams) of any of the tourneys taking place and the most recreational of the men's. T...

  • Skills matter, as does a good horse

    Eric Butler CMI correspondent

    Good lineage is a plus in the world of rodeo and 17-year-old NaLynn Cline of Bernalillo has that. Her family tree for instance includes cousin Taos Muncy, world saddle bronc riding champ from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) in 2011. A set of skills also comes in handy. Cline herself proved she has that by finishing second in barrel racing (called the "Reserve National Champion") at the National High School Rodeo Finals in 2010 and winning All-Around Rookie Co...

  • Skills matter, as does a good horse

    Eric Butler CMI correspondent

    Good lineage is a plus in the world of rodeo and 17-year-old NaLynn Cline of Bernalillo has that. Her family tree for instance includes cousin Taos Muncy, world saddle bronc riding champ from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) in 2011. A set of skills also comes in handy. Cline herself proved she has that by finishing second in barrel racing (called the "Reserve National Champion") at the National High School Rodeo Finals in 2010 and winning All-Around Rookie Co...

  • Rodeoers set for state

    Eric Butler CMI Correspondent

    In many sports events, preliminaries lead toward something often called the "finals." This weekend though, the whole thing is called the finals when New Mexico's best high school cowboys and cowgirls get together. The New Mexico High School Rodeo Association Finals take place at the Curry County Special Events Center beginning at 9 a.m. today. Shelby Montano of Thoreau ropes her calf during breakaway roping at the 2011 New Mexico High School Finals Rodeo. Montano placed second... Full story

  • Rodeoers set for state

    Eric Butler CMI Correspondent

    In many sports events, preliminaries lead toward something often called the "finals." This weekend though, the whole thing is called the finals when New Mexico's best high school cowboys and cowgirls get together. The New Mexico High School Rodeo Association Finals take place at the Curry County Special Events Center beginning at 9 a.m. today. Shelby Montano of Thoreau ropes her calf during breakaway roping at the 2011 New Mexico High School Finals Rodeo. Montano placed second...

  • Buffs, Broncos meet in semifinals

    Eric Butler CMI correspondent

    A couple of reasons exist for Floyd not wanting to see Melrose in the Class 1A baseball state semifinals today at Manzano High School in Albuquerque. "Well, you kind of like to stay away from your friends, if you can, until the last game of the season if possible," Floyd coach Darwin Chenault said of the clash between District 3-1A rivals. But there is another reason too, even though nearly every recent statistic seems to suggest the Broncos (18-6, 11-1 district) shouldn't...

  • Buffs, Broncos meet in semifinals

    Eric Butler CMI correspondent

    A couple of reasons exist for Floyd not wanting to see Melrose in the Class 1A baseball state semifinals today at Manzano High School in Albuquerque. "Well, you kind of like to stay away from your friends, if you can, until the last game of the season if possible," Floyd coach Darwin Chenault said of the clash between District 3-1A rivals. But there is another reason too, even though nearly every recent statistic seems to suggest the Broncos (18-6, 11-1 district) shouldn't...

  • Scoping the competition

    Eric Butler PNT correspondent

    When it comes to a 16-team playoff in New Mexico, some of the higher seeds aren't often familiar with the lower ones they'll have to play in the first round. Joshua Lucero: Portales News-Tribune correspondent Portales second baseman Brandon Lovato catches a ground ball to get Texico's Jarron Hill out at second base in the top of the third inning of a Rams' game against Texico April 19 at Ram baseball field. That's certainly the case for the Portales softball and baseball teams this weekend as the squads have searched high...

  • Roping contest draws old hands, new blood alike

    Eric Butler CMI Correspondent

    Golf might be the more common recreational activity for those getting a little older, but don't count out calf roping just yet. CNJ staff photo: Tony Bullocks Calf roper Wayne Dabbs ropes his calf Saturday with a time of 10.61 at the 8th annual Joe's Boot Shop calf roping competition at the Curry County Events Center. In fact, if you're someone like former world champ Dave Brock, it's natural to keep competing — even if it's some 33 years after you were on top. And it's no pas...

  • Lady Cats drop pair to Hobbs

    Eric Butler CMI correspondent

    Compared to the rest of the doubleheader, in the top of the second inning of the second game, things were going pretty well for the Clovis High Lady Wildcats. No runs had scored, although two Hobbs Eagles had reached base with two outs in the frame. That's when a foul ball down the first base line blew into fair territory, crossing over the line just in front of the bag. CNJ staff photo: Tony Bullocks Clovis senior Taylor Marez makes the long throw to first to nail a Hobbs bas...

  • Clovis hosts state Golden Gloves event

    Eric Butler CMI correspondent

    For the 24th time, Clovis will play host to the New Mexico Golden Gloves boxing championships as the three-day event begins with bouts tonight at Roy Walker Community Center. Those who end up victorious in the various weight classes on Sunday not only will have earned bragging rights for the weekend but will then find themselves only one more step from the national Golden Gloves competition in Mesquite, Nev. The winners will represent New Mexico in a state-to-state duel against Colorado boxers on April 14 in Albuquerque and...

  • Clovis hosts state Golden Gloves event

    Eric Butler CMI correspondent

    For the 24th time, Clovis will play host to the New Mexico Golden Gloves boxing championships as the three-day event begins with bouts tonight at Roy Walker Community Center. Those who end up victorious in the various weight classes on Sunday not only will have earned bragging rights for the weekend but will then find themselves only one more step from the national Golden Gloves competition in Mesquite, Nev. The winners will represent New Mexico in a state-to-state duel against Colorado boxers on April 14 in Albuquerque and...

  • Tenacity main attribute for Zias' undersized Johnson

    Eric Butler

    Joshua Lucero: CMI correspondent At 5-foot-7, ENMU’s Tara Johnson is often asked to guard much larger interior players, but Zias coach Lindsey Wilson said the Portales native has done the job with tenacity. PORTALES — Tara Johnson has always been tenacious. Certainly, her tenacity combined with raw talent led to her playing for Portales High’s girls basketball and volleyball varsity teams while she was anywhere from two to four years younger than the rest of the players. Aggressiveness can sometimes have a side e...

  • Tenacity main attribute for Zias' undersized Johnson

    Eric Butler

    At 5-foot-7, ENMU's Tara Johnson is often asked to guard much larger interior players, but Zias coach Lindsey Wilson said the Portales native has done the job with tenacity. PORTALES — Tara Johnson has always been tenacious. Certainly, her tenacity combined with raw talent led to her playing for Portales High's girls basketball and volleyball varsity teams while she was anywhere from two to four years younger than the rest of the players. Aggressiveness can sometimes have a side effect, and two banged-up knees in high s... Full story

  • Johnson makes mark for Zias

    Eric Butler CMI correspondent

    Tara Johnson, at 5-foot-7, is often tasked to guard much larger interior players, but Zia basketball coach Lindsey Wilson said the Portales native has done the job with tenacity. Johnson has started in 21 games for Eastern this season. Tara Johnson has always been tenacious. Certainly, her tenacity combined with raw talent led to her playing for Portales High's girls basketball and volleyball varsity teams while she was anywhere from two to four years younger than the rest of the players. Aggressiveness can sometimes have a...

  • Johnson makes mark for Zias

    Eric Butler

    Eric Butler: CMI correspondent Tara Johnson has always been tenacious. Certainly, her tenacity combined with raw talent led to her playing for Portales High’s girls basketball and volleyball varsity teams while she was anywhere from two to four years younger than the rest of the players. Aggressiveness can sometimes have a side effect, and two banged-up knees in high school are also part of Johnson’s resume. But the tenacity remained and her desire to continue playing basketball helped Johnson land a spot playing college hoo...

  • Wilkinson providing big boost for Hounds

    Eric Butler

    ENMU senior Curtis Wilkinson shoots against Texas A&M Kingsville's Marcus Ford during a Lone Star Conference game against Texas A&M-Kingsville on Jan. 26 at Greyhound Arena. Although he has missed six games this season, Wilkinson is averaging more than 11 points and six rebounds a game for the Greyhounds. Curtis Wilkinson jumps up to block a shot by Texas A&M-Kingsville's Derryl Nash during a Lone Star Conference game on Jan. 26 at Greyhound Arena. PORTALES — When Eastern New Mexico University senior Curtis Wilkinson d...

  • Wilkinson providing big boost for Hounds

    Eric Butler

    FNM correspondent: Joshua Lucero ENMU senior Curtis Wilkinson shoots against Texas A&M Kingsville's Marcus Ford during a Lone Star Conference game against Texas A&M-Kingsville on Jan. 26 at Greyhound Arena. Although he has missed six games this season, Wilkinson is averaging more than 11 points and six rebounds a game for the Greyhounds. PORTALES — When Eastern New Mexico University senior Curtis Wilkinson describes playing against NCAA Division I basketball schools, he certainly sports the right attitude. Especially...

  • Melrose’s Barnard reprises QB role

    Eric Butler

    New Mexico Highlands University: Courtesy photo Former Melrose High standout Clint Barnard, pressed into quarterback duty at New Mexico Highlands this season, is shown carrying the ball for a gain during the Cowboys’ Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game against Chadron State on Oct. 15. Barnard, who helped Melrose to two 8-man state titles, began the season at linebacker. Even though he was from a small high school, given that he was big and athletic, it wasn’t a major shock to see Melrose’s Clint Barnard see act... Full story

  • Melrose’s Barnard reprises QB role

    Eric Butler

    Even though he was from a small high school, given that he was big and athletic, it wasn’t a major shock to see Melrose’s Clint Barnard see action at linebacker at New Mexico Highlands during his redshirt freshman season this fall with the Cowboys. But when a slew of injuries at the quarterback position led to Barnard parking himself behind center, those old 8-man football days with the Buffaloes were quickly summoned. There was some ribbing, according to Highlands coach Eric Young, such as: “Now understand, Clint, that... Full story

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