Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Articles from the March 29, 2020 edition


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  • COVID-19 numbers up across New Mexico

    Staff and wire reports|Updated Mar 30, 2020

    The numbers have a story to tell. First, New Mexico’s number of residents who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 was up to 191 on Saturday morning. Friday saw the most positive tests in a single day — 55, including a Cannon Air Force Base airman in his 20s. Officials said the man is in self-isolation at his home in Portales. That makes two confirmed cases in eastern New Mexico. A Curry County woman in her 50s is also quarantined at home after testing positive on Monday. And then there’s the economic relief package Congres... Full story

  • 'Non-essential' businesses feel strain

    Peter Stein|Updated Mar 29, 2020

    PORTALES - Diane Gallegos already had a full plate. The Portales resident is a small-business owner and a single mother of two daughters, the younger of which has Down syndrome. COVID-19 made the plate even fuller. Gallegos has owned Making the Cut Hair Studio in Portales since 2017, and that business is among the many affected by the coronavirus. To help contain the virus' spread, on Monday afternoon Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a stay-at-home order for New Mexico,... Full story

  • Military retirees no longer allowed on Cannon grounds

    Peter Stein|Updated Mar 29, 2020

    Kathy Branfield was already a social-distancer, long before the second week of March when it all of a sudden became a thing everyone was being urged to do. Branfield was already immune-suppressed and suffering from asthma. And then along came COVID-19. “So I’m not leaving my house at this point unless I absolutely have to. I am not seeing anybody outside of my husband,” said Branfield, whose husband is retired military, having deployed multiple times after 9/11. Branfield is lucky she has him to run errands, pick up groce... Full story

  • Guadalajara liquor license waiver tabled

    Kevin Wilson - Staff|Updated Mar 29, 2020

    CLOVIS - When the state Alcoholic Beverage Control office did a preliminary site review of the Master's Centre for a liquor license transfer, the nearest church and elementary school were both found to be well outside 300 feet. That's the range the state establishes to protect such entities. However, nobody thought of the school across the hall from the potential site of the new Guadalajara restaurant, and the next Clovis City Commission will have to. Commissioners on...

  • Q&A: Roosevelt General Hospital on COVID-19

    The Staff of The News|Updated Mar 28, 2020

    The News spoke Tuesday afternoon with representatives of Roosevelt General Hospital regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. There are currently no Roosevelt County positive tests, with 191 positive tests reported statewide as Saturday morning. The hospital is working on telehealth procedures for the coming weeks and has established a line at the hospital for COVID-19 questions. Residents can call 575-356-9292 8 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays, with calls sought from anybody who believes they may be symptomatic or has come into contact with... Full story

  • Chambers of Commerce still available

    Peter Stein|Updated Mar 28, 2020

    Despite all the COVID-19 turbulence, the local Chambers of Commerce are open for business. Just not in the traditional sense. As far as literal doors being literally unlocked and literally open, no, the Roosevelt County and Clovis/Curry County Chambers are not open that way. But they are open in the most important way for members — they’re available. “Our staff is working remotely. But we’re answering a lot of calls and we’re helping a lot of people,” Karl Terry, executive director of the Roosevelt County Chamber said Tuesda...

  • Curry County declared 'emergency area' in response to COVID-19

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Mar 28, 2020

    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 via teleconference for a special meeting at which it made the declaration. County Manager Lance Pyle said he’d been advised to do so by the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security, National Association of Counties and other entities. As of March 20, the county has lost roughly... Full story

  • U.S. Census carrying on with new online option

    the Staff of The News|Updated Mar 28, 2020

    The U.S. Census is still in full swing despite national shutdowns to combat COVID-19, with the option for anyone to file online available for the first time. Census letters began arriving March 12, with national Census Day taking place April 1. If you haven't filed already, the self-response phase for this year has been extended until Aug. 14. All household Census visits have been suspended until April 1 and most non-essential visits will be limited to phone calls. Door-to-door visits to non-responders are still on, but have...

  • RGH board meets digitally for usual monthly business

    the Staff of The News|Updated Mar 28, 2020

    PORTALES — The Roosevelt General Hospital board met digitally Tuesday evening to take care of its usual monthly business, with Chief Executive Officer Kaye Green giving a brief update on the hospital’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. Green said RGH has officially set up a nurse hotline using Centers for Disease Control protocols; patients can call in and see whether or not they should come in for treatment, stay home or to get any other information on the coronavirus. The hotline went live Tuesday and can be rea...

  • Reflections of stress: Let's hope COVID-19 more bark than bite

    David Stevens - Staff|Updated Mar 28, 2020

    The coronavirus has hit home. Hard. Hundreds of businesses across eastern New Mexico are closed or limited in services they can provide. Schools have been closed for two weeks and soon switching to a "learn-at-home" model. And Curry and Roosevelt counties have both received notification that residents have tested positive for COVID-19. It's not just something we see on the news anymore. This thing has walked in our front doors and settled into our most comfortable chairs. And... Full story

  • Trump not to blame for COVID-19

    Michael Reagan|Updated Mar 28, 2020

    Every 4-year-old knows the official coronavirus drill by now. Wash your hands often, cover your coughs and sneezes and don’t touch your face. And also practice “social distancing,” stay away from large crowds and especially stay away from those who are most likely to die if they catch the virus — the very old and the already weak or very sick. That’s always been excellent advice for everyone to follow during any “normal” flu season, which for decades has been killing tens...

  • Virus shutdowns not sustainable

    Rich Lowry|Updated Mar 28, 2020

    Countries have experienced economic depressions before, but not usually as a matter of choice. The nationwide coronavirus shutdowns over the past few weeks have ground parts of the country to a halt. We have probably never before in our history seen so much economic activity vaporize so quickly — within days or even hours. The Great Depression and the panics of the 19th century are the only possible analogues. Goldman Sachs is forecasting a 24% drop in quarterly GDP. Morgan St...

  • Public record - March 29

    Updated Mar 28, 2020

    The following marriage licenses were recently issued at the Curry County Clerk’s office: • Joe Aaron Harbin, 46, and Veronica Mitchell Levacy, 43, both of Floydada, Texas • Jordan Taylor Palmer, 27, and Katlain Leeann Phillips, 27, both of Clovis • Sean Andy Kelley, 27, and Mary Camille Tucker, 37, both of Clovis • Christopher R. Irwin, 47, and Alana D. Reeves, 44, both of Clovis • Jerry Arrellano, 47, and Lyndie Michele Craven, 42, both of Amarillo • Desmar Jormond Acy, 41, and Dawn M. Whitehead, 51, both of Clovis • Noah...

  • Water authority proceeding as usual

    Kevin Wilson - Staff|Updated Mar 28, 2020

    CLOVIS — The Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority is proceeding as usual, even though everything in the world around them is anything but. The authority had its monthly meeting Thursday at its offices, with much of the participation occurring through a conference call given state restrictions on gatherings of more than five people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chair David Lansford was the only authority member to attend in person, with authority staff filling other slots. Authority Administrator Orlando Ortega said t...

  • Clerks encourage voters to prep for election

    the Staff of The News|Updated Mar 28, 2020

    Though county clerk’s offices are closed to the public, clerks are still encouraging citizens to prepare for the June 2 primary elections. The state deadline is May 5 to register to vote or make changes to an existing voter registration. Residents can check their voter information at www.nmvote.org or by calling their local clerk’s office. The Curry County clerk’s office can be reached at 575-763-5591. The Roosevelt County clerk’s office can be reached at 575-356-8562. Any information submitted after Feb. 4 will not be proc...

  • Cancellations and postponements - March 29

    Updated Mar 28, 2020

    Today • Home, Garden, and Lifestyle Show at the Curry County Events Center — canceled Tuesday • Free Family Night at the Interactive Science Museum — canceled • ENMU Friends of Music scholarship auditions at Buchanan Hall — postponed Thursday-Friday • 44th annual Jack Williamson Lectureship activities at ENMU — postponed until fall Friday-Saturday • Portales High School spring musical, “Seussical” — postponed Saturday-Sunday • Salvage and Sparkle Arts and Crafts Show at the Clovis Civic Center — postponed • “Clovis Rocks...

  • Pages past - March 29

    Updated Mar 28, 2020

    On this date ... 1960: A fire had destroyed a double-car garage near Ranchvale, but “the wind direction kept it from the farm home of Mr. and Mrs. Noel Compton, located only a few feet away,” the Clovis News-Journal reported. Two visitors were working on a car in the garage when the fire started “apparently from sparks igniting some gasoline,” the newspaper reported. A freezer, automatic washer, power mower and several smaller items were destroyed by the fire, along with the structure. Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens...

  • Meetings calendar - March 29

    Updated Mar 28, 2020

    Meetings are subject to change due to coronavirus concerns Monday • Clovis swearing-in ceremonies for newly elected officials — 2:55 p.m., City Hall, 321 Connelly St., Clovis. No public access; event will be streamed on Facebook live at City of Clovis, NM. Swearing-in schedule: 3 p.m., Michael Morris, mayor; 3:15 p.m., Leo Lovett, commissioner, district one; 3:30 p.m., Lauren Rowley, commissioner, district two; 3:45 p.m., Helen Casaus, commissioner, district 3; 4 p.m., Chris Bryant, commissioner, district 4; 4:15 p.m., Vicki...

  • Events calendar - March 29

    Updated Mar 28, 2020

    April 8 • Blood drive — 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Bloodmobile, Roosevelt General Hospital, 42121 Highway 70, Portales. Register online at http://www.bloodhero.com. Information: 877-258-4825 Ongoing • Portales Creative Group artist for March displaying at James Polk Stone Community Bank, 109 E. Second St., Portales, is Grant Beauprez with pastels on paper. Information: 575-218-9166 To place an item on the events calendar, call the newsroom at 575-763-6991 or e-mail: [email protected]...

  • Roads to be closed for repairs

    the Staff of The News|Updated Mar 28, 2020

    CLOVIS — Curry County Road 4 between Rd L and Rd K South of Clovis will be closed from 8 a.m. April 6 to 6 p.m. April 7 so that BNSF Railroad can make repairs to the railroad crossing in that area. RoadSafe Traffic Systems will have detours in place for the duration and asks motorists to be prepared to reroute if necessary....

  • Swearing-in adjusted for virus

    the Staff of The News|Updated Mar 28, 2020

    CLOVIS — New Clovis Mayor Mike Morris, four newly elected Clovis city commissioners and the municipal judge will be sworn in Monday afternoon, but the ceremony will take a little longer than normal due to mass gathering restrictions with the COVID-19 pandemic. The ceremony will begin at 2:55 p.m. at Clovis City Hall with brief comments from City Manager Justin Howalt, followed by the members being sworn in individually at 15-minute intervals. Gatherings of more than five are banned under a current state public health o... Full story

  • Roads closing for chip seal

    the Staff of The News|Updated Mar 28, 2020

    CLOVIS — Curry County will close sections of two county roads for chip seal and overlay work this week. The county will work Monday through Wednesday on chip-sealing Curry Road 13 from Curry Road G to NM 108, and on Thursday will work on overlay of Curry Roads 10 and 13 between Curry roads G and H. Work will be 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Citizens are asked to seek an alternate route and minimize usage of the road in the hours following the application of oil to roads. Information: 575-762-1501...

  • School closure extended

    the Staff of The News|Updated Mar 28, 2020

    SANTA FE — When the New Mexico Public Education Department closed schools for three weeks due to COVID-19, it did so with the hope an April 6 return to normal instruction would be safe. Two weeks in, “We know we haven’t reached the peak of this,” Education Secretary Ryan Stewart said in a Friday conference call. With that, Stewart announced New Mexico schools will shift to a learn-at-home model and schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year. “We know this announcement is not one we take lightly,... Full story

  • Ex-Clovis attorney tests positive for COVID-19

    Staff and wire reports|Updated Mar 28, 2020

    A former Clovis attorney, now a public defender in Santa Fe, says she has tested positive for COVID-19. Jennifer Burrill, who moved to Santa Fe from Clovis in 2016, told The Santa Fe New Mexican that she learned of the positive test result on Tuesday night. The New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender on Wednesday issued a news release stating it has temporarily closed its Santa Fe office and has launched a contact history. The office is closed until at least April 12,... Full story

  • Tucumcari DA held in contempt

    Staff and wire reports, Albuquerque Journal|Updated Mar 28, 2020

    Tucumcari’s district attorney said he was held in contempt of court after “heeding the governor’s declaration of a public health emergency” and failing to attend a hearing in Carlsbad earlier this month. Timothy Rose is asking the New Mexico Supreme Court to require Judge Lisa Riley to rescind the contempt order, which was issued after Rose’s request to attend the hearing by phone was denied. Tenth Judicial District Attorney Rose had agreed to take on a case in the 5th Judicial District, which prosecutors there were unab... Full story

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