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  • 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

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...