Articles written by Mathew Brock - Staff
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Our people: Commitment to rescue and volunteering
Linda Sumption is an English professor at Eastern New Mexico University. She is 70 years old. Tell us about yourself. I came here in 2003 after looking on the job market and I didn't know a lot about...
Curry County declared 'emergency area' in response to COVID-19
CLOVIS — Curry County is now an “emergency area” in response to COVID-19 concerns. That means officials have laid groundwork for potential state and federal funding to help with ongoing shutdowns. The Curry County Commission met Friday morning... Full story
Curry County named 'emergency area' in response to COVID-19 concerns
CLOVIS — Curry County is now an “emergency area” in response to COVID-19 concerns. That means officials have laid groundwork for potential state and federal funding to help with ongoing shutdowns. The Curry County Commission met Friday morning... Full story
Educators prep to teach remotely
Most local educators aren’t taking the chance that the coronavirus shutdown will end by April 6. They’re preparing to teach remotely. From Portales to Texico, teachers are beginning to arrange lesson plans via online teaching platforms, putting... Full story
Portales council meeting canceled
PORTALES — A Portales City Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday on whether or not to approve a tax hike was canceled after a new public health order from the governor. The hearing would have allowed the public to speak before the council decided...
Jobless claims jump with virus closures
About 11,000 people filed for new unemployment claims in New Mexico last week. For perspective, officials said the state’s average number of new claims in a week is about 800. With COVID-19 shutdowns in full swing, many workers have found their... Full story
Council agrees on emergency resource expansion
PORTALES — The Portales City Council on Tuesday made a tentative agreement with Elite Medical Transport to expand local emergency resources for the Portales Fire Department. Fire Chief T.J. Cathey said the agreement would provide a valuable...
Cannon monitoring about 100 airmen, dependents
Cannon Air Force Base has about 100 airmen and dependents who are self-monitoring while isolated in quarters, though it has had no confirmed cases of the coronavirus so far. Representatives from the base said it is important to differentiate between... Full story
Churches adjusting to COVID-19
Coronavirus concerns will force many churchgoers to stay home this weekend. But larger churches will be doing what they can to bring Sunday morning service to the comfort of their members’ homes.... Full story
Hospitals prepare for virus patients
New Mexico had 23 positive cases of COVID-19 as of Tuesday morning. None were in eastern New Mexico, but Roosevelt General Hospital and Plains Regional Medical Center continue to ready themselves for a potential flood of patients. For now, officials...
Missing security cameras will extend renovation
CLOVIS — Security cameras missing from the Curry County Adult Detention Center plans in December will cost the county an extra $226,535 and extend the renovation and addition project about 151 days. Travis Coker, chief operating officer for HB...
Senior center gatherings canceled
In wake of recent statewide coronavirus concerns, most gatherings at local senior centers have been canceled until further notice. Activities at Baxter Curren, La Casa and Los Abuelitos senior centers have been canceled until further notice....
Shoppers puzzled, frustrated by empty shelves
The forecast is for coronavirus. So everyone's gone to the grocery store. "I'm not scared of the coronavirus thing, but I am taking certain precautions," said John Erdmann on Saturday as he searched...
Five local races contested in primary election
Presidential candidates will likely be decided by then, but eastern New Mexico voters will still have work to do in the June 2 primary elections. Curry County has two contested elections and Roosevelt County has three, in addition to a crowded field...
Officials receive camera update
CLOVIS — Despite the close date being pushed back several months, the Curry County Adult Detention Center’s renovation project remains a standout issue for the Curry County Commission. Commissioners on Thursday received an update regarding securi...
Lions Club gun show starts Friday
Editor's Note: The event has been postponed, due to a state order banning large gatherings. Guns, knives, coins and more — even fudge — can be found this weekend at the Clovis Civic Center. The twice-annual Clovis Evening Lions Club Gun, Knife an...
Roosevelt approves building assessment
PORTALES — The Roosevelt County Commission approved an assessment by RFP Architecture and Engineering Professional Services for the county courthouse to address several issues with the building during a special meeting Monday. County Manager Amber...
Bailey County incumbent sheriff to remain at post
Incumbent Richard Wills defeated longtime Muleshoe police officer Benny Parker in the race for Bailey County sheriff on March 3. Wills received 597 votes to Parker’s 334. Both candidates ran as Republicans. There were no Democrats on the ballot....
Pastor called to Elida
ELIDA - Cheston Fair believes God put him on the path to becoming a pastor 15 years ago and has now called him to Elida to serve in the role for the first time. Fair, 39, is a Portales native, but he...
Animal rescue head seeks answers from city
PORTALES — Monica Eppinger wants to save as many Portales animals as she can from euthanasia at the local shelter. She even founded the non-profit Labor of Love Project to help do that. But she faces one major problem: The Labor of Love’s...
Portales council files complaint on burned site
PORTALES — Brady Brunson said he’s been doing his best to clean up the aftermath of a structure fire on his property from last summer. But progress has been slow-going and the Portales City Council has decided to take action to clean up the...
Feelings mixed over session
PORTALES — State representatives for the Portales area had mixed feelings about the legislative session this year, where recreational marijuana remained a discussion item while a “red-flag” gun...
About 40 laid off at Ready Roast
PORTALES - Around 40 employees were laid off at the Ready Roast Nut Company peanut plant in Portales on Friday, including Plant Manager Jim Lucero. The layoffs follow the recent purchase of the plant...
New Mexico beginning coronavirus preparations
While New Mexico has yet to see any coronavirus cases, authorities and hospital officials are preparing for the worst. “People are worried about the unknown and this is a new virus,” said Dr. Michael Landen, the state epidemiologist for the New...
County board receives audit
CLOVIS — Curry County’s fiscal year 2019 financial audit came back mostly clean this year, with just a few suggestions for county improvements to note. The Curry County board of commissioners received a presentation by Bobby Cordova of Cordova...
