Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
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After almost two years of preparation, the Roosevelt County Food Pantry is serving residents. In May 2022, officials from the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico asked the Roosevelt County Commission to consider serving as a fiscal agent for a food security grant. The Commission unanimously agreed with that request. In August 2022, the county was awarded $216,793.50 to construct the 800 square foot building at 600 N. Ave K in Portales. Food distribution began quietly in January....
Eastern New Mexico University's Golden Library has digitized its collection of Silver Packs, the university's yearbooks – 73 years worth. That means they can all be read online, and access is free. "We first got quotes for scanning materials about three years ago. However, the original scope of the project was too large," said Regina Bouley Sweeten, Archives and Special Collections librarian. So the project was broken up into two projects: Silver Packs and The Chase (...
Editor’s note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Joe Alaniz is the acting Curry County Detention Center administrator. He’s filling in for Administrator Mark Gallegos who is in military service with the Naval Reserve. Q: What trends are you seeing with arrests? A: Recidivism is quite high, but the influx of new arrests also seems to be on the rise. Q: How is staffing? Recruiting and retaining? A: Like so many agencies and businesses we are still experiencing the residual effects of COV...
A case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI or bird flu) was found at a poultry facility in Roosevelt County, agriculture officials confirmed last week. Initial testing of the unnamed facility was performed on April 10 for the presence of HPAI, according to a news release from the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. Further testing by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed HPAI was at the facility, the release stated. All of the birds at the facility will be destroyed. Shelton Dodson, director of...
Roosevelt County commissioners in a special meeting Monday agreed to a proposed intergovernmental services agreement with the city of Portales. Terms of the agreement have been debated for more than a year, with the entities exchanging proposals back and forth. The latest proposals – submitted to the county from the city last week -- will now go back to Portales City Council for final consideration. Interim City Manager T.J. Cathey said he expects city officials will approve the deal when the Council meets next week. C...
The Clovis Community Chorus, along with ENMU choirs are gearing up for two concerts that will take place on April 20 and 23. Tami Martin, Clovis Community Chorus Director and Jason Paulk, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities for Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU), have teamed up to bring Carl Orff's Carmina Burana to the area. Paulk will conduct both performances. "It's going to be really neat," Martin said. "Orff composed this piece for large orchestra, chor...
The Roosevelt County Commission unanimously approved a grant application that would provide funding for various renovations at the Roosevelt County Courthouse. At their regular meeting Tuesday, Kevin Spears with the Ninth Judicial District Court told the commission what renovations were needed upstairs, including improvements to the restrooms and jury room. “The total cost of the project would not exceed $1 million,” Spears said. The cost would be just over $858,000 and the county would cover only 50%, which would be aro...
Editor’s note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Amber Hamilton is the county manager for Roosevelt County. Q: What is the jail situation these days? Are you short of detention officers? How many prisoners are you averaging? A: Roosevelt County has been averaging 64 detainees (per day) in 2024. There are 31 total positions at the facility with two vacant positions. Interviews are ongoing as personnel are working to fill these two slots. The Detention Center continues to provide c...
It’s time again for the Clovis Music Festival. This year’s headliners will include the rock band Gin Blossoms and country music’s Kip Moore who will headline the 37th annual event. “You don’t get this in Clovis every day,” said Kim Tipton, events coordinator for Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce. Other performances, all taking place at the Curry County Events Center, will include Bowling for Soup and a Pink Floyd laser spectacular, which will be a laser show along to the music of the popular ’70s band. A schedule of eve...
Editor’s note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Troy Hall is the finance director for Curry County. Q: How long have you worked with the county? A: I have worked for the county for 8 years. I was given the opportunity to internship with the County Finance Department my senior year of college and have been fortunate to climb the ladder within the county and have been the finance director for over two years now. I am very grateful to the county for giving a young college student from E...
Cal-Maine Foods’ poultry facility in Farwell tested positive for bird flu last week, forcing the destruction of 1.6 million laying hens and 337,000 pullets, officials said. “They’re going to be working hard to clean up the facility and get it ready to go back to work,” said Max Bowman, vice president and chief financial officer for the company. In a press release from the Texas Department of Agriculture, the loss accounts for approximately 3.6% of the company’s total flock. Cal-Maine, headquartered in Mississippi, is the U.S....
The Portales City Council adopted an ordinance for a cross connection, control, and backflow prevention plan that would allow the installation of backflow prevention valves. The ordinance was adopted on a 7-1 vote, with Councilor Rustin Self voting against. “This was something that wasn’t taken care of a few years back,” Ashley Flores, projects manager for the city said. Backflow valves are used to ensure that no hazardous condition exists between a non-potable and potable water supply. “There needs to be a backflow valve put...
The Portales City Council heard another water update on Tuesday, however they were again encouraged to remain in stage three water restrictions. “I still feel like we need to continue our conservation efforts,” Chris Mendoza, public utility superintendent said. He said to the council at their regular meeting that the city should not have the restrictions lifted. The city entered in a stage three emergency on June 28, 2023. Mendoza said the city is currently waiting on the approval of phase three of the geophysical sur...
Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of stories looking at Clovis Municipal Schools plans for closure and repurposing. The series will continue over the next three weeks. Since the announcement of the possibility that Lockwood Elementary will become a preschool center last week, parents and others share mixed opinions regarding the proposal. Some believe the change is needed, however they don’t think Lockwood is the right answer, and a Pre-K program should be in a more central location. “My thought is that James...
Editor’s note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Dr. Ronald Carver is the newly hired medical director for the city of Portales and Roosevelt County. Q: Give us some of your background, who are you, your career, etc. A: I grew up in Fredonia, KS. I am a family medicine board certified physician and work full time as medical director for Nor Lea General Hospital emergency department in Lovington. I also provide medical director services for several EMS and emergency dispatch services in e...
The Roosevelt County Commission heard a presentation on a program that could potentially bring more retail businesses to the area by recruiting and retaining. Jodi Diaz, executive director of the Roosevelt County Community Development Corporation (RCCDC) presented to the commission at their meeting on Tuesday. Diaz said the Economic Development Incentive program would include a small percentage of gross receipt tax that would be reimbursed to a new or existing business in Roosevelt County if they were expanding. It would not...
The Clovis City Commission denied a text amendment change to the Unified Development Ordinance regarding carports, going with the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission. At their regular meeting Thursday, the commission heard Jared Morris, city attorney read over the carport overlay district portion of the code of ordinances. In the ordinance, “The carport overlay district is intended to accommodate the use and construction of "stick-built" carports that generally match the appearance of the principal d...
Speed-detection cameras are active around school zones in the city of Portales, with a “grace period” in place until April 19. After the grace period, drivers will be charged $100 for speed-limit violations. Last year, Portales Police Chief Chris Williams presented an automated traffic enforcement study to the Portales City Council that showed drivers in the city aren’t too compliant when it comes to obeying posted speed limits. “This is an additional measure that our police department is taking to keep our community safe,...
Editor’s Note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Gail Tarson was recently elected to serve on the Clovis City Commission. Q: Tell me about yourself, your family, your background, etc. A: I grew up in a small Arizona town similar to Clovis in culture and climate. I was raised in a two-parent household with six siblings, a mix of brothers and sisters. I was raised on caring discipline and unconditional love. I am married to Todd Tarson who works for UPS. Todd and I will celebrate 23 years o...
Volunteer fire departments, dispatch, and fire and EMS along with the Portales Fire Department (PFD) signed an agreement to hire Dr. Ronald Carver as their medical director. The motion to enter into an agreement with Carver was passed on a unanimous vote by the Council at their regular meeting Tuesday. “Medical direction is required for all EMS services,” councilor Veronica Cordova said. Carver is an ER doctor in Lovington and has been an EMS medical director for several years across south eastern New Mexico, according to...
Editor’s note: Primary elections across New Mexico are scheduled June 4, with early voting beginning May 7. The general election is Nov. 5. We asked candidates in contested Roosevelt County commission races for their background and “Why do you want this job?” Here are their responses: District 1 Fabian Munoz (Republican) Q: Tell us about yourself. A: I am a Mexican American, and I was born and raised in Portales. I’m 28 years old. I have kids. I live in the community, I love this community. I’ve been everywhere in Roosevelt...
The Curry County Commission unanimously approved a hospital claims policy that would increase the income eligibility criteria. The resolution was passed in 2012 and more recently in 2020. “What it currently does,” Lance Pyle, county manager said at their regular meeting Tuesday, “is increases the minimum income.” For a single, one person household, the income would increase from $19,000 to $25,000 and for a 2 person plus, it would increase from $30,000 to $35,000. The effective date is April 1, 2024. According to the resolut...
Editor’s Note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Sharon Rowley was recently hired as the new superintendent for the Portales Municipal School district, succeeding Johnnie Cain who is retiring. She has previously worked in the Portales district and is currently principal at Fort Sumner schools. Q: Tell me about your background, who you are, and how you got here. A: I moved to Portales in 1986 to go to school and to go to Eastern New Mexico University and got my degree there. I started t...
2 Yucca Middle School students have qualified for the national competition, following the 2024 Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) state conference this weekend. This is the first year FCCLA has been offered at Yucca. Nicole Olson, the food and nutrition and FCCLA teacher at Yucca Middle School, said FCCLA teaches students how to prepare for many life skills, such as finance, education, home making, culinary, entrepreneurship, and more. Some students provided insight on what the competition was like....
Stephanie Johnston never had "First Lady of Eastern New Mexico University" on her radar when she was growing up. But as the years passed, her professional signature shows just how long her journey was to get to where she is today. From a bachelor of science to a masters in radiology, Johnston has only continued to add more titles to her name. In honor of Women's History Month, Johnston gave a presentation Wednesday during a luncheon at ENMU to explain how she's faced many...
