Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
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Portales Animal Services is hosting a free vaccination and registration clinic from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Memorial Building parking lot. Portales Community Services Director Kelly McClellan said the city received a grant, in the form of vaccine shots, by Petco Love for free pet vaccinations to community-owned pets. She said she’s hopeful Portales can host a similar event once a month. “Parvo season starts when the weather starts heating up and we are at the tail-end, hopefully, of a distemper outbreak, so we are...
The city of Portales will be looking into introducing a new water efficiency plan (WEP) and establishing a water advisory committee by February. That’s what area residents heard Thursday at a community meeting at the Memorial Building. City Manager Sarah Austin said the plan is being developed to provide the city with a framework for coordinating a response to water supply/production emergencies, including droughts and infrastructure or equipment failures. “The purpose of the WEP is to establish an effective and sys...
The man accused of starting the Clovis Walmart fire on Sept. 3 has been indicted on federal charges of arson and attempted arson, officials said. Ninth Judicial District Attorney Quentin Ray said Friday he has dismissed state charges so that Jimmy Guillen, 59, can be prosecuted under federal law. “They have a higher range of punishment and I think a different system may work better if there are any defenses that the defendant tries to bring up,” Ray said. Under state law, Guillen faced up to 25 ½ years in prison if conv...
Drawn inside due to freezing temperatures, Clovis and Portales-area residents on Monday celebrated civil rights and diversity on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In Clovis, the day began with an outdoor ceremony at Potter Park. About 20 celebrants braved 18-degree temperatures next to memorials of King and his wife Coretta Scott King in the city park. The event was originally planned as a march from Potter Park east on Seventh Street to Legacy Life Church at Seventh and Main...
New Mexico’s legislative session kicks off a 30-day run Tuesday with a focus on budget issues. But local lawmakers expect the Second Amendment and crime rates will also be hot topics of conversation and possibly new legislation. Rep. Andrea Reeb, R-Clovis, said she expects age limits to purchase guns, waiting periods for gun buys and guns in polling places will be among issues addressed before the session ends on Feb. 15. “The primary focus is going to be, besides the budget, the Second Amendment and gun control,” Reeb said....
Clovis’ mayor’s position and four City Commission seats will be contested when voters go to the polls on March 5. Thirteen city residents signed up Tuesday for six positions on the ballot. All positions are for four years except the seat Debbie Zamora currently holds in District 3. Zamora was appointed to fill the seat vacated by David Bryant and that position is for two years. Early voting begins Feb. 6. We asked each candidate for their background and “Why do you want this job?” Their responses follow: Mayor Mike Morris...
Rosemary Metcalf said she never had a barn cat while growing up in England. Now that she has a ranch in Clovis, she said she can't imagine them out of her life. Barn cats aren't just "tools" to protect the property; they are family, she said. "I don't consider any animal a tool. They are a living, breathing creature. They serve a purpose with rodent control, but at the end of the day they need to be cared for," said Metcalf, whose Windrush Alpaca Ranch is home to six barn cats...
The sign's been a part of downtown Clovis for 80 years, bringing attention to the railroad's presence in the city for 117 years. And now that fluorescent marker on the south end of Main Street is brighter than most of the community can ever remember. Late this summer, Clovis' George Krattiger heard the Santa Fe Railway sign might be coming down because of its state of disrepair. Krattiger, who also was part of a 1994 restoration project of the iconic sign, voiced concerns...
After months of training, the Eastern New Mexico University's Greyhound Sound has won Metallica's "For Whom the Band Tolls," marching band competition. Metallica had challenged marching bands across the United States to incorporate their music into the marching band's shows. The competition gave marching bands at high school and collegiate levels opportunity to compete for nearly $200,000 in music equipment. "I am so proud of our Greyhound Sound! They rocked the field, and it...
Editor's note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Michael Miller is the newly appointed mayor of Portales. Q: What inspired you to take up the role as mayor? Were you planning on running for the position in the next election anyway if Ron Jackson had stayed? Do you think Mayor Jackson did a good job? A: Mayor Jackson did a good job serving as mayor. I had no intention of running for the position but was asked by my colleagues on the council...
After 18 hours of induced labor, Kasper Montes arrived Wednesday as the first 2024 baby at Plains Regional Medical Center. Born at 1:33 a.m., Kasper is a treasure, said his mother, Maria Ortega. Kasper's name literally means bringer of treasure, she said. "It was an amazing experience," Ortega said. Kasper was born smaller than Ortega and his father John Montes expected – he's 6 pounds, 2 ounces and 19 inches in length. Ortega and Montes are from Clovis, with Kasper being t...
Clovis Community College has received 18 applicants for its president’s position, trustees announced at Wednesday’s meeting. Once again, interim President Robin Jones declined to say whether she plans to apply for the job, which became open when embattled President Charles Nwankwo resigned Feb. 1. “I am not able to put anything on record at this time,” Jones told The News after Wednesday’s meeting. She was named interim president after Nwankwo was placed on paid leave in August 2022. In March she said she was intereste...
After several years of dormancy, the city of Clovis is looking to revive the Local Growth Management Committee to better seek ways to support the mission of Cannon Air Force Base. Mayor Mike Morris presented a memorandum of agreement to the commission at its regular meeting on Thursday. Morris proposed the name of the committee be changed to Armed Forces Support Committee along with presenting amended duties of the committee. Morris said the goal of the committee would be to bring in elected representatives from the...
The city of Portales has received a $997,000 quality of life grant to better its economic development. One of the major projects the grant will be used for is establishing a dog park in La Buena Vida Park, said Portales Community Services Director Kelly McClellan. Public Infrastructure Projects Coordinator Administrator Jo McVey said it has yet to be decided how much of the grant will be dedicated to the dog park, but she plans on making a park that is enjoyed by the community. “We would like to give something for the communi...
Editor’s note: Staff of The News asked area officials to summarize the highlights and low points of 2023 and to identify the highest priority of 2024. This is one in a series of those reports. Curry County Manager Lance Pyle described 2023 as one the most “busiest and productive years” the county has had. Pyle said the County Commission has been working rigorously this year to receive federal and state grants. He said some of the highlights of the year include the completion of the courthouse addition and renovations, and a...
Curry County has received a $376,850 grant to construct the first Americans with Disability Act-compliant playground in the county, officials announced on Tuesday. County Grant Administrator and Preventionist Kristian Price presented the news to the commissioners. Price said the new playground will replace the Ag Barn on the fairgrounds. “It’s very cool that you got this done. It’s cool playground equipment and it’s appropriate for the fairgrounds,” Commission Chairman Robert Thornton said. Price said the playgroun...
Music is everlasting and Clovis High School students gave it meaning, said longtime Clovis Band Director Norvil Howell as he received a plaque Thursday noting his recognition in the U.S. Congressional Record. Ben Salazar, congressional aid to U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M., said Howell was not only a music mentor to himself but to countless students as well during Howell’s 40 years with Clovis Municipal Schools. More than 100 students, staff and friends gathered Thursday to honor the significant impact Howell has h...
When I was in fourth grade, I remember our teacher would make us create letters asking Santa what we wanted for Christmas. As most kids would groan and talk about the various toys they wanted for the holiday, I would always treat my letters with heavy consideration. There was only one thing I ever wanted as a kid and that was to see my dad for Christmas. My dad had joined the Army as an air traffic controller. My mom said he joined about four years after I was born; since...
The Roosevelt County Courthouse may soon see renovations after receiving funding from the Roosevelt County Commission. Court Executive Officer Kevin Spear along with District Judge Donna Mowrer presented the request to the commission on Tuesday. Spear said the commission would have to match a $1 million project with $500,000 in order for the court to get funding from the Administrative Office of Courts. Mowrer said the court doesn’t have the funding unless the county can assist. Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the $...
Curry County commissioners on Tuesday named Sam Kelley as the new county assessor. The vote was 3-2 with Commissioners Seth Martin and Brad Bender opposing. The position became available after the abrupt resignation of former Assessor Randa Jesko two months ago. Commissioners also unanimously appointed Michael Brockett acting sheriff following the death of Mike Reeves early this month. Brockett had been Reeves’ chief deputy and will be acting sheriff until after November’s election. Commission Chairman Robert Thornton sai...
New Mexico can look forward to this legislative session providing more funding for local infrastructure. That was the word from area lawmakers who spoke at Tuesday’s Clovis-Curry County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast. “We all know how cumbersome the compliance, the paperwork is to go after these big … grants. But those are the grants that are going to help us push the needle to redo our roads and infrastructure and provide us with well needed things for our rural communities,” said Shanna Sasser, Departm...
A single star-shaped light above a makeshift stable shines like a beacon at Living Stones Community Church of the Nazarene these nights. Residents gathered in their winter attire Monday night as they watched in amazement of the living nativity. Pastor Rusty Brian said the Clovis church has been hosting this event for four years straight. He said it's not only good to get people in the holiday spirit, but to be reminded of the reason for the holiday. "Christmas is one of our...
Portales Municipal Schools Superintendent Johnnie Cain last week announced his retirement after 11 years with Portales schools and 30 years in education. Cain said he wanted to spend more time being closer to his family and enjoying his hobbies. "I have put 30 years into education and I think it's just time. ... I have been a superintendent for 15 years and 11 of them within Portales and it's been really great," Cain said. Cain said his last day as superintendent will be June...
In a 7-1 vote Tuesday, the Portales City Council named Councilman Michael Miller as the city's new mayor. On Nov. 28, Portales Mayor Ron Jackson announced his plans to resign due to health reasons. Jackson had nearly served two years of his current four-year term. It was up to City Council members to appoint a new mayor until the next election. Councilman Daniel Boan nominated Mike Davidson, an outspoken advocate for change in city water policies, for the mayor's job. Boan...
Editor's note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Bill Allred recently announced his retirement as Clovis High School's band director after a run of 11 consecutive state marching band championships. Q: You have nearly three decades with the Clovis band programs. What themes have you seen in teaching students through this time? A: Throughout nearly three decades of teaching within the Clovis community, my dedication and commitment to...
