Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
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Lori Teel says she doesn't use the Portales Public Library, never has, and probably never will after what happened to her the night of June 12. Teel, pregnant and the mother of five small children, was arrested, handcuffed and hauled away to jail in front of her kids for failing to pay library fines of $35.98. "My children are still traumatized by it," Teel said. Teel and her attorney Eric Dixon filed notice Tuesday that she intends to sue the city of Portales and Roosevelt County for false arrest and because of the way she...
Lori Teel says she doesn't use the Portales Public Library, never has, and probably never will after what happened to her the night of June 12. Teel, pregnant and the mother of four small children, was arrested, handcuffed and hauled away to jail in front of her kids for failing to pay library fines of $35.98. "My children are still traumatized by it," Teel said. Teel and her attorney Eric Dixon filed notice Tuesday that she intends to sue the city of Portales and Roosevelt County for false arrest and because of the way she...
A follow-up inspection of the Curry County jail kitchen has uncovered fewer major health violations, but state officials remain determined the county must fix problems with the floor. The inspection by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) on Wednesday found two high-risk health violations — one that was corrected — and one low risk violation. An inspection in May found seven high-risk health violations, four moderate-risk violations and two low-risk violations. Enough violations, jail Administrator Gerry Billy said ea... Full story
Bronc and bull riders at recent state high school rodeo finals in Clovis got bucked out of the Curry County Events Center and landed in court in a dispute over beer and marijuana. On June 15, District Judge Stephen Quinn granted a permanent injunction sought by Alamogordo High School rodeo star Lon Danley, 18, clearing his way to compete in state finals and move on to national championships in bull and saddle bronc riding. Danley was barred from competing in state finals early into the competition in Clovis June 14-16 after...
A Tucumcari city commissioner's concerns about a proposed drought management plan for the Ute Lake Reservoir were cut short Thursday by former Clovis Mayor Gayla Brumfield. Brumfield, who chairs the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority, told Tucumcari Commissioner Robert Lumpkin his concerns about water levels at reservoir should be saved for a July steering committee hearing on the plan. The steering committee meets July 19 at Portales City Hall to hammer out details of the plan. Lumpkin has long advocated... Full story
Republican leaders split by the bitterness of the Pat Woods-Angie Spears campaigns for state Senate may be divided on how to repair the damage. But they agreed Wednesday they must work to fix the chasm created in Woods' slim 2,283 to 1,991 vote victory in Tuesday's primary for District 7. Much of the bitterness stems from Gov. Susana Martinez's decision to endorse a candidate — Spears — in a primary election, a move many region Republicans saw as outside interference. Chief among them, state Sen. Clint Harden of Clovis, whose...
A low-key Pat Woods declared victory over challenger Angie Spears late Tuesday in one of the most bitter and closely watched races in New Mexico. CNJ staff photo: Tony Bullocks District 5 county commission candidate Danny L. Powell, left, congratulates Pat Woods on his District 7 state senate win Tuesday night at a victory party at a private residence in Clovis. The final vote was 2,283 to 1,991. Woods, speaking at a victory party on Clovis' northeast side said it was time...
Curry County's jail remains significantly short-staffed. But while it is a concern, it is far from being a crisis, say the administrator and the chairman of the county commission. "It is a matter of genuine concern for me," said Administrator Gerry Billy, adding quickly, "but there is no panic." Billy, entering his fourth month as chief of the troubled facility, said he is still short about 19 employees from a full staff of 78. He said 15 of those vacant are detention officer positions and four are in the booking division....
The state has ordered Curry County to clean up its jail's kitchen or face serious sanctions. Seven major violations were found in the kitchen by New Mexico Environment Department inspectors during the agency's annual on-site review of the kitchen May 23. Frank Fiore, acting environmental health bureau chief, said flooding of the kitchen floor is a major concern because it presents a safety hazard to kitchen staff. "A big-time safety hazard, I would say," said Fiore. "People can slip and fall and hit their head on the side of... Full story
Nine days before primary elections, a Clovis Media Inc. poll shows one of the most hotly contested state races is in a dead heat. Angie Spears, left, and Pat Woods Although the final tally of the poll shows state Senate District 7 Republican candidate Angie Spears with a slight lead over Pat Woods — 38 percent to 31 percent — it has a 6.86 percent margin of error. Additionally, about a third of the voters polled during the past 10 days said they still haven't decided how they...
Editor's note: This is the second in a two-part series about lawsuits filed against Curry County since 2005. The Clovis News Journal spent more than a month filing public records requests, then digging through hundreds of court documents related to 22 lawsuits that county officials say their insurance carrier has settled for more than $1 million. The Orlando Salas case, spotlighted in this report, spurred interest in researching the lawsuits when county officials on Feb. 28 acknowledged Salas had been paid $450,000 about 14...
Editor's note: This is the second in a two-part series about lawsuits filed against Curry County since 2005. The Clovis News Journal spent more than a month filing public records requests, then digging through hundreds of court documents related to 22 lawsuits that county officials say their insurance carrier has settled for more than $1 million. The Orlando Salas case, spotlighted in this report, spurred interest in researching the lawsuits when county officials on Feb. 28...
Troubling conditions at the Curry County jail have cost more than embarrassing escapes and having a convicted killer at large. The documented dollar total acknowledged is more than $1 million paid out in lawsuits. But the total paid from 22 lawsuits recently disclosed in response to Clovis News Journal public information requests — most filed over conditions at the jail — has not been revealed. Taxpayers don't know the final figure because the costs of settling several of the... Full story
The Portales Police Department review report can be viewed here A 14-page report critical of the Portales Police Department and Chief Jeff Gill in particular portrays a culture rife with officer intimidation, lack of communication and sloppy handling of evidence. Alisa Boswell: Portales News-Tribune Sgt. Kirk Wilson reviews outdated evidence in evidence room on Friday afternoon. The room contains shelves of outdated evidence currently being disposed of by Wilson. The report by FKR Consulting of Rio Rancho is an audit ordered...
Curry County Commissioner Dan Stoddard recently established the non-profit, New Mexico Veterans Hope Inc., in Santa Rosa, where he said he helps homeless veterans. It was through his work with veterans that Stoddard said he learned about a property tax exemption for which he filed about a week ago. So Stoddard won't be paying any more property taxes on his home in Clovis. Stoddard was granted an exemption from the tax after filing as a 100 percent disabled veteran, according to records at the county assessor's office. The...
Curry County and the state will split the cost of installing new carpeting and hopefully get state court employees back into their second-floor offices soon. Commissioners approved the deal Tuesday during one of their occasional traveling meetings, this one held at the Grady Senior Center. Carpeting in the district court clerk's offices was soaked by an apparent air conditioner leak in mid-March, forcing employees to relocate to temporary offices on the third floor. County Manager Lance Pyle said some court employees are...
The state has notified Curry County that more than two dozen District Court employees have filed worker's compensation claims over a fluid leak in the courthouse last month. But at least one of those on the list, District Judge Stephen Quinn, said there is reason to question it. Quinn said he hasn't filed a claim and has no intention of doing so despite his name appearing on the list of those who supposedly filed. Quinn said he wasn't in the courthouse when the leak was discovered March 12. Quinn also said he didn't work for...
Staffing is low at the Curry County jail, down by 22 employees, including at least 15 front-line detention officers. That's about one-third of the total detention officer staff, officials said. Two key county leaders say the situation isn't cause for concern and it doesn't pose a risk to employees, inmates or the community. "It's all covered. Everything's good," said Curry County Commission Chairman Wendell Bostwick. Bostwick said the staff shortages are a combination of attrition and new jail Administrator Gerry Billy's...
Five years ago today the most destructive tornado in the city's history tore through Clovis, causing millions of dollars in damage and forever changing lives across much of eastern New Mexico. The storm spawning the twister skipped across the High Plains, sending residents running for cover in Dora, Elida, Farwell and Texico, dropping tornados on Grande Vista dairy near Portales and flattening 30 homes the small town of Logan in Quay County. In Clovis, two people died from injuries suffered during the twister. Another 35...
An otherwise routine Curry County Commission meeting got startled by calls for more open government Tuesday from two top elected officials. It started with Commissioner Dan Stoddard, who accused County Manager Lance Pyle of trying to hide $7,200 in a cash payout for unused vacation time. Later while announcing her retirement effective April 30, Treasurer Bernice Baker said she allowed herself to be "brow beat" by Pyle and two commissioners and the past three years were some of the most difficult of her life. Stoddard said he... Full story
Retirements sparked a rush of candidates Tuesday to register for three key Curry County offices in the June 5 primary election. Four candidates filed for Commissioner Caleb Chandler's District 5 seat, four filed for County Clerk Coni Jo Lyman's position and four more filed for County Treasurer Bernice Baker's office. All three incumbents had announced their retirements, Baker waiting until a commission meeting earlier Tuesday to make it official. Incumbent Commissioners Wendell Bostwick and Dan Stoddard will each face a...
Eastern New Mexico voters will have a quartet of primary elections for the New Mexico Legislature, but only one contested race once the general election comes around. Tuesday was the lone day to file for elections at the Secretary of State's Office in Santa Fe and at county courthouses — only for legislators who would represent a single county — for the June 5 primaries. There will be primary races for Senate District 7 and House Districts 63, 64 and 66, with only House District 63 holding both Republican and Democratic can...
Candidates for Curry County offices have from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday to file for three seat commission seats and the offices of treasurer and county clerk in the June 5 primary election. Up for grabs on the commission are the District 2 position held by Dan Stoddard, the District 4 seat held by Wendell Bostwick and the District 5 position held by Caleb Chandler. Here's how the races are shaping up by party affiliation: Republican - Stoddard and Bostwick each say they intend to file for re-election. - Chandler has...
Candidates for Curry County offices have from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday to file for three seat commission seats and the offices of treasurer and county clerk in the June 5 primary election. Up for grabs on the commission are the District 2 position held by Dan Stoddard, the District 4 seat held by Wendell Bostwick and the District 5 position held by Caleb Chandler. Here's how the races are shaping up by party affiliation: Republican - Stoddard and Bostwick each say they intend to file for re-election. - Chandler has...
Curry County commissioners make less money than counterparts in at least two similar-size New Mexico counties. But they make far more than commissioners in Roosevelt County and the city of Clovis. And when it comes to benefits, they enjoy the same health and retirement packages as every city and county official under plans provided by the state. Curry commissioners are paid about $2,800 less a year than commissioners in Eddy and Chaves counties. They make $4,000 more each year than commissioners in Roosevelt County and more...
