Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Articles written by Liliana Castillo


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 25 of 1631

  • Mayor: $18,000 raised at charity ball

    Liliana Castillo

    FNM Correspondent: Liliana Castillo Clovis and Curry County Chamber of Commerce president Raymond Mondragon displays a quilt during the live auction Saturday at the fourth annual Mayor's Ball held at the Clovis Civic Center. The quilt was donated by Clovis resident Adah Dean. All proceeds from the event benefitted the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico and Clovis Police Department's Shop with a Cop. Benna Sayyed The annual mayor’s ball, which raises money for local charities, continues to grow. Clovis Mayor Gayla Brumfield... Full story

  • Our people: Living in the moment

    Liliana Castillo

    LILIANA CASTILLO: FNM correspondent Portales resident Valerie Russ enjoys her job at Oasis State Park because she gets to work outside. Portales resident Valerie Russ enjoys working at Oasis State Park because she gets to meet new people and learn about them. She has worked there for seven years. “I have met people from all over the world in this job,” Russ, 30, said. She enjoys working outside most of all. Her job duties include coordinating events year round and daily cleaning and maintenance of the park grounds. Russ...

  • Cannon displays airpower during open house

    Liliana Castillo

    Cannon Connections correspondent: Liliana Castillo Tripp Aragon, 4, sits in the cockpit of a UH-1N Huey during the open house. Benna Sayyed By An estimated 4,000 civilians poured in to Cannon Air Force Base Saturday to get an up-close look at the 27th Special Operations Wing’s airpower and learn about air force operations. Civilians mingled with airmen, learned about and toured various aircraft and watched youngsters enjoy their few minutes as pilot of a static aircraft. “Getting to see the planes up close in person, to...

  • Cannon displays airpower during open house

    Liliana Castillo

    Cannon Connections correspondent: Liliana Castillo Tripp Aragon, 4, sits in the cockpit of a UH-1N Huey during the open house. Benna Sayyed By An estimated 4,000 civilians poured in to Cannon Air Force Base Saturday to get an up-close look at the 27th Special Operations Wing’s airpower and learn about air force operations. Civilians mingled with airmen, learned about and toured various aircraft and watched youngsters enjoy their few minutes as pilot of a static aircraft. “Getting to see the planes up close in person, to...

  • Our people: Man of steel

    Liliana Castillo

    Liliana Castillo: FNM Correspondent Clovis Family YMCA Director Shane Nelson is such a big fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, he has an entire wall themed in their signature yellow and black in his office. Shane Nelson, associate executive director of the Clovis Family YMCA, made the first big move of his life to bring the Y back to Clovis after over 30 years. Nelson, a husband and father of two, has worked for the Y for five years. “I love my job because it allows for me to change the lives of children and families in a... Full story

  • Our people: Mentality for music

    Liliana Castillo

    Courtesy photo Clovis resident Chuck Tipton has been involved in music for more than 20 years. Most stories about Clovis resident Chuck Tipton begin with “When we were working on that musical...” There’s reason for that. Tipton taught music in Clovis’ schools for 20 years at all levels, including college, and he never got out of it. He has worked with show choirs, Cotillion and directed and adapted shows for all age levels including “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Oklahoma,” “Annie,” and “The Mikado....

  • Our people: Mentality for music

    Liliana Castillo

    Most stories about Clovis resident Chuck Tipton begin with “When we were working on that musical...” There’s reason for that. Tipton taught music in Clovis’ schools for 20 years at all levels, including college, and he never got out of it. He has worked with show choirs, Cotillion and directed and adapted shows for all age levels including “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Oklahoma,” “Annie,” and “The Mikado.” Tipton’s involvement was rarely kept to backstage and he has performed in several productions in the... Full story

  • Our people: Man of action

    Liliana Castillo

    Liliana Castillo: Freedom New Mexico Clovis resident Larry Holland enjoys outdoor activities. Clovis resident Larry Holland has never let being jolted by more than 14,000 volts stop him do anything. The electrical accident took Holland's arms, two ribs, an ear and left extensive damage to his face and heels. Nearly 50 years later, he's lost track of how many surgeries he's undergone. He enjoys telling his story and does so for groups in a presentation called "I Can," in which he talks about how he uses his prosthetic arms and...

  • Our people: Walks without fear

    Liliana Castillo

    Liliana Castillo: FNM correspondent Gail Keener has lived in Pep on and off for most of her life. Pep resident Gail Keener was one of a group of Victory Life Church members who came together to create the Portales Dream Center. The church’s pastor at the time gathered a group to create the center which he had seen in action in Oklahoma. She has been volunteering her time three days a week at the center since its creation nine years ago. Keener said the center helps many people. “It’s a joy to help people who are down...

  • Our people: I'm going to let it shine

    Liliana Castillo

    Liliana Castillo: FNM correspondent Randy Gomez is a Clovis native and spent six years in the Air Force. Clovis native Randy Gomez started the Beacon of Light Church after separating from the Lighthouse Mission in April of 2007. Gomez and his wife established a new name and location and adopted the Recovery Program. Gomez said he wanted to operate the Recovery Program in honor of his brother Anthony Gomez. He said his brother struggled in the last years of his life with health problems due to excessive drug and alcohol abuse...

  • Our people: Voice of the Cats

    Liliana Castillo

    Liliana Castillo: FNM Correspondent Bill Gaedke of Clovis is known as the voice of the Wildcats and couldn't choose a favorite sport to announce for. Clovis resident Bill Gaedke has been called the voice of Clovis High School Wildcat sports. He earned the name by announcing for every home game of nearly every sport at the high school. Gaedke said he couldn’t pick a favorite sport. He doesn’t like them all — he loves them all. “I like that I am involved with some of the brightest, most gracious boys and girls who... Full story

  • Our people: Like mother, like daughter

    Liliana Castillo

    Liliana Castillo: FNM Correspondent Clovis resident Kay Berry's most prized possession is this wind-up Victrola, which was in the farm home she grew up in. Her aunt shipped the Victrola to her 35 years later. Clovis resident Kay Berry has helped seniors and other with their taxes through the AARP Tax Aide program for 18 years. Much of her time is dedicated to volunteering. At her church Trinity United Methodist, she is on the finance committee, treasurer at the women’s group and the Sunday school class and she sings in the... Full story

  • About 60 dogs participate in Weiner Nationals

    Liliana Castillo

    CNJ staff photo: Liliana Castillo Sasha took first place in the competition. Her owner, Tammy Coldren said the Dachshund needed no training. Four-year-old Isabella Hailey called the winner of Weiner Nationals during one of the first heats. Lendra Hailey said her great niece watched Sasha belt toward her owner Robert Bruhn in the second heat and yelled out “She’s going to win!” Isabella was right. After two years of racing in the competition, which is only for purebred Dachshunds, Sasha took first place during the event...

  • All business: Small Business Program director acts as liaison

    Liliana Castillo

    Courtesy photo Cherri Duval is getting the word out about contracts for Air Force Special Operations Command at both Hurlburt, Fla., and Cannon Air Force Base. Air Force Special Operations Command has a new face for small businesses to meet and discuss prime and subcontracting opportunities. Cherri Duval, who works out of Hurlburt Field, Fla., is the AFSOC Small Business Program coordinator. She has been on the job two months and has about eight years of experience working with contracts. Duval said her position is as...

  • All business: Small Business Program director acts as liaison

    Liliana Castillo

    Courtesy photo Cherri Duval is getting the word out about contracts for Air Force Special Operations Command at both Hurlburt, Fla., and Cannon Air Force Base. Air Force Special Operations Command has a new face for small businesses to meet and discuss prime and subcontracting opportunities. Cherri Duval, who works out of Hurlburt Field, Fla., is the AFSOC Small Business Program coordinator. She has been on the job two months and has about eight years of experience working with contracts. Duval said her position is as... Full story

  • Governor talks driver's license law, school grading system

    Liliana Castillo

    Gov. Susana Martinez said Wednesday that New Mexico is a magnet for people all over the world looking for a valid U.S. ID. And that’s one of the reasons behind her push to repeal a law that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses in New Mexico. Martinez spent Wednesday in Clovis, meeting with leaders at Cannon Air Force Base and area communities and to address her push to change the state’s driver’s license law. The governor spoke to about 70 people in a press conference at the Clovis Civic Center...

  • Governor talks driver's license law, school grading system

    Liliana Castillo

    CNJ staff photo: Tony Bullocks New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez came by the Clovis News Journal office Wednesday for an interview with staff after visiting Cannon Air Force Base. Gov. Susana Martinez said Wednesday that New Mexico is a magnet for people all over the world looking for a valid U.S. ID. And that’s one of the reasons behind her push to repeal a law that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses in New Mexico. Martinez spent Wednesday in Clovis, meeting with leaders at Cannon Air Force...

  • Rodeoing family tradition

    Liliana Castillo

    CNJ staff photo: Liliana Castillo Curry County resident Jo Hughes' granddaughter Hannah Hughes competed in the 9- to 12-year-olds goat tying event Saturday in the High Plains Junior Rodeo Association Finals at the Curry County Events Center. As a girl raced toward the first barrel on her trusty steed, Sally Bland yelled “Go Stephanie!” Then she realized that wasn’t Stephanie. Stephanie was that girl’s mother. “She so looked like her, competing in the same event and everything,” Bland said. At the High Plains...

  • Running tribute

    Liliana Castillo

    Courtesy photo: Henry Serrano About 60 Air Commandos participated in the run July 15 in honor of Maj. Gen. John Allison, who is considered the father of Air Force Special Operations. Cannon Connections Cannon Air Force Base non-commissioned officers ran a 5k in their uniforms July 15 in honor of Maj. Gen. John Allison, who is considered the father of Air Force Special Operations. Allison was chosen in 1943 by Gen. Henry Arnold, then head of the Army Air Forces, to serve as deputy commander of the First Air Commando Group in... Full story

  • Clovis music groups receive top honors

    Liliana Castillo

    Courtesy photo The Marshall Middle School choir performed at Christmas. The group shown here is made up of about 190 students, Marshall Choir Director Lori Salmon said. Two Clovis Municipal Schools musical groups received top honors from the New Mexico Music Educators Association, a first for both schools. The Marshall Middle School choir was selected as the 2011-2012 New Mexico Music Educators All-State Honor Choir. The group is directed by Lori Salmon. The Clovis High School Freshman Academy Band was selected as the 2011-20... Full story

  • Ticket feature: CCC students performing Broadway hits

    Liliana Castillo

    CNJ staff photo: Liliana Castillo Clovis Community College's Broadway-style singing class practices the opening number “Getting to Know You” Tuesday for their end-of-class show. The performance is 7 p.m. Tuesday at CCC's Town Hall and is free and open to the public. Freedom New Mexico The fourth annual performance of Clovis Community College’s Broadway-style singing class will take place Tuesday, promising a line-up of classic music selections. Set for 7 p.m. in the college’s Town Hall, the performance,...

  • Major school construction projects on schedule

    Liliana Castillo

    CNJ staff photo: Liliana Castillo The new special education building at Marshall Middle School will be state-of-the art, said Clovis Municipal Schools Deputy Superintendent of Operations Joel Shirley, and will be surrounded by an Americans with Disabilities Act compliant courtyard. Each summer is busy for the operations side of Clovis Municipal Schools. But none has been as busy as this summer with eight ongoing construction projects taking place across Clovis’ school district. Deputy Superintendent of Operations Joel Shirl... Full story

  • Area resident organizing 42 tournament in Clovis

    Liliana Castillo

    File photo Faye Keener of Portales grabs the dominoes to shuffle with a smile after she and her teammate Beverly Winn won a game of 42 during a warm up for last year's New Mexico State 42 Tournament at the Texico Senior Center. Saturday's 42 tournament is rock ‘n' roll themed and will take place at the Clovis and Curry County Chamber of Commerce. Jerry Whitney played 42 for 15-and-a-half hours when he won the title of 2009 Texas State 42 Champion. He knew right then and there that none of his tournaments would ever... Full story

  • Cannon youths present: ‘Pinocchio’

    Liliana Castillo

    Cannon Connections: Liliana Castillo Nine-year-olds Kaia Riffle, left, and Graydon Lavallee, both cast as urchins, go over their scripts as they await their cues backstage. Each of the 50 children who auditioned for the Missoula Children’s Theatre production of “Pinocchio” at Cannon Air Force Base were cast for the performance. Part of the Missoula Children’s Theatre is a traveling theater group, going from town to town or base to base, bringing with them everything they need for the production of a musical with one...

  • Cannon youths present: ‘Pinocchio’

    Liliana Castillo

    Cannon Connections: Liliana Castillo Nine-year-olds Kaia Riffle, left, and Graydon Lavallee, both cast as urchins, go over their scripts as they await their cues backstage. Each of the 50 children who auditioned for the Missoula Children’s Theatre production of “Pinocchio” at Cannon Air Force Base were cast for the performance. Part of the Missoula Children’s Theatre is a traveling theater group, going from town to town or base to base, bringing with them everything they need for the production of a musical with one...

Page Down

Rendered 03/27/2024 17:57