Articles from the August 8, 2012 edition

PNT senior writer [email protected] In a year that was the hottest July on record, New Mexicans hardly felt a difference. At 77.6 degrees, last month was 3.3 degrees warmer than the 20th century average for July, which breaks the old record from July 1936 by 0.2 degrees, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Records go back to 1895. Meanwhile, in New Mexico the average was 74.6 degrees, which was 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th century average. It was the 98th hottest July in New... Full story

Kevin Wilson

CMI Staff writer [email protected] Current members of the Eastern Plains Council of Governments approved three years of scathing audits Wednesday morning, and received assurance that the things discovered could not happen under the current personnel. The board of directors meeting, which took about two hours, covered audit reports from 2006, 2007 and 2008, approved last month by the executive committee. The audit reports prepared by Hinkle and Landers listed widespread problems of borrowing between funds,...

Alisa Boswell

Portales police, sheriff and fire call logs: Tuesday 1 p.m.: Someone walked up for fingerprints. 1:36 p.m.: Caller reported a burglary, 400 block South Avenue F. 1:45 p.m.: Someone walked up for fingerprints. 1:55 p.m.: Caller requested to speak to animal control about stray dogs, 400 block South Avenue B. 1:59 p.m.: Caller requested assistance from an officer, 600 block South Avenue A. 2:17 p.m.: Caller reported someone broke into her home, 300 block East Lime. 2:37 p.m.: Caller reported she needed someone removed from her...

Health care up to individual My head has finally stopped spinning long enough to comment on the latest example of the plethora of insanity that starts in Santa Fe and plagues all of New Mexico. I refer to the article in last Wednesday's CNJ — "Advocates push to expand Medicaid" — in a state with a quarter of its population already on Medicaid. The story highlights the whining of a woman named Dana Gallegos, who believes she and her husband should qualify for Medicaid. We already pay for her kids' health care. Since Gal... Full story

Grand Forks Minn Herald

Congress is cutting it close. Both houses have recessed without passing a Farm Bill. They won't be back in session until Sept. 8. The current bill expires Sept. 30. That leaves 22 calendar days to take action, but a calendar day is not a workday. Not in Congress. The current schedule calls for only 13 working days in September. That's 13 days to reach agreement on a Farm Bill. Of course, that's not the only legislation pending. The Farm Bill is important, though, especially in such a dire year as this one is for American...

Alisa Boswell

Today General meeting — 11 a.m., Los Abuelitos Senior Center. Information: 356-5056. CAFB Varsity Men's Basketball Team tryouts — 7 p.m., CAFB Fitness Center. Active duty, dependents, DOD civilians and DOD contractors are all eligible to participate. Information: 784-7533. Friday Free preschool screening — 9 a.m.-11 a.m., Elida schools. Information: 274-6211. Old Timers Day Music Fest — 7 p.m., Melrose school sports complex. $7 adults, $5 students, under 12 free with parent. Information: 253-4530. Saturday Old Timers Day — 7...

We have ants in our bird feeder. Or maybe we have birds in our ant feeder. In this week of Olympic records and Martian landings, it might seem like an odd thing to note, but these ants have been fascinating me all summer long. While we humans bemoan the second year of a fierce drought, the ants are having a banner season. I would expect rock-hard ground and scorching temperatures to discourage them, but instead, I have seen an explosion of new beds. (Prairie dogs are thriving, too, but thankfully have yet to discover my bird...

Alisa Boswell

Local agriculture officials in the cattle industry say the new farm Bill is necessary to improve conditions for cattle owners, who have been hit hard by the drought and lack of feed. CMI staff writer [email protected] Hit hard by the drought, the state cattle industry could use a little help right now, according to industry officials. That's why it is important Congress approves a new Farm Bill that includes relief for livestock producers affected by drought and natural disasters, according to Matt Rush, Roosevelt... Full story

PNT senior writer [email protected] Sam Duwe is excited to teach anthropology courses this fall at Eastern New Mexico University. Duwe, an archaeologist from Michigan, has done much of his graduate research in northern New Mexico, near Taos. He studied at the University of Michigan for his undergraduate degree and attended the University of Arizona for graduate school. He's had prior teaching experience at the University of Arizona, but is getting his first full-time job right here in Portales at ENMU teaching three...

This fishing report, provided by Bill Dunn and the Department of Game and Fish, has been generated from the best information available from area officers and anglers. Conditions encountered after the report is compiled may differ, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities. Northeast Cabresto Lake: The lake and campground closed May 14 and will stay closed for about six months while the dam is being rebuilt. Charette Lakes: We had no reports from anglers this week. Cimarron River: Trout fishing...

This fishing report, provided by Bill Dunn and the Department of Game and Fish, has been generated from the best information available from area officers and anglers. Conditions encountered after the report is compiled may differ, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities. Northeast Cabresto Lake: The lake and campground closed May 14 and will stay closed for about six months while the dam is being rebuilt. Charette Lakes: We had no reports from anglers this week. Cimarron River: Trout fishing...

Christina Calloway CMI staff writer

In a year that was the hottest July on record, New Mexicans hardly felt a difference. At 77.6 degrees, last month was 3.3 degrees warmer than the 20th century average for July, which breaks the old record from July 1936 by 0.2 degrees, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Records go back to 1895. Meanwhile, in New Mexico the average was 74.6 degrees, which was 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th century average. It was the 98th hottest July in New Mexico out of 118 years. Thirty-two states had...

Gabriel Monte CNJ staff writer

Curry County residents will celebrate the county's 92nd annual fair from next week and organizers are expecting increased attendance. Kevin Jolley, Curry County Events Center and Fairgrounds general manager, said last year's attendance was about 35,000. The year before had 30,000 attendees, he said. He said entertainment activities such as concerts and arena cross racing have drawn people from West Texas and New Mexico. "I think we have seen growth in the last few years," Jolley said. "One of our goals is to keep growing."...

Alisa Boswell

Hit hard by the drought, the state cattle industry could use a little help right now, according to industry officials. That's why it is important Congress approves a new Farm Bill that includes relief for livestock producers affected by drought and natural disasters, according to Matt Rush, Roosevelt County cattle rancher and director of the New Mexico Farm Bureau. Rush said the drought has caused feed prices to rise, which means less money for cattle and dairy owners. "One of the things we've been really pushing Congress to...

Kevin Wilson CNJ staff writer

After much discussion Wednesday afternoon, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted to table a pair of requests in the Horse Run Subdivision that were met with heavy protest. The requests, which will be discussed during the 3 p.m. Sept. 12 commission meeting, included a rezoning from a residential zone to a planned urban development. That would allow a replat to change 17 lots for homes into 31 lots for townhouses at the subdivision, which includes Gayland Drive and Starlite Drive west of Williams Avenue, adjacent to the...

Kevin Wilson CNJ staff writer

Current members of the Eastern Plains Council of Governments approved three years of scathing audits Wednesday morning, and received assurance that the things discovered could not happen under the current personnel. The board of directors meeting, which took about two hours, covered audit reports from 2006, 2007 and 2008, approved last month by the executive committee. The audit reports prepared by Hinkle and Landers listed widespread problems of borrowing between funds, misclassification of funds, posting of expenditures to... Full story

CNJ Staff

Clovis Christian administrator awarded Clovis Christian Schools Superintendent LaDona Clayton received the administrator of the year award July 25 from the New Mexico Coalition of School Administrators. Clayton said she was the only administrator in the state to receive this award. Clayton said she is humbled and honored to receive the award. Yucca holding transition night Transition night at Yucca Middle School is from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Aug. 16 at Yucca, according to Yucca Instructional Coach Kristi Sparks. According to Sparks:...

Although teachers officially return next week, many have been trickling in, preparing for the new school year. Chatting with principals, already back in the saddle, and many of the teachers I've encountered, there's been great interest in the outcome of our Summer Reading Program, which is just winding down. Having also encountered numerous parents during the summer, they also talked about the Summer Reading Program. It's been gratifying to hear about the positive impact the program has had. To briefly recap the CMS Summer...

Here is a sampling of police, sheriff and fire calls for: Tuesday - 1:58 a.m.: Caller advised her son, who is on medication for psychotic tendencies, was in the truck parked in front of the house having a mental episode and hitting the inside of the truck, 2900 block of Kelso Avenue. - 2:50 a.m.: Caller advised her son was high on narcotics and was throwing furniture around the house, 100 block of East Grand Avenue. - 6:37 a.m.: Caller advised they were pulling over to protect two ponies walking in the roadway while waiting... Full story

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Today U.S. SENATORS TOM UDALL AND JEFF BINGAMAN announced that in light of historic drought conditions, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking steps to immediately help crop and livestock producers across New Mexico. First, New Mexico will receive $628,588 from the USDA's National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for prescribed grazing, livestock watering facilities and water conservation practices. Second, USDA will transfer $14 million into the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) f...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Today U.S. SENATORS TOM UDALL AND JEFF BINGAMAN announced that in light of historic drought conditions, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking steps to immediately help crop and livestock producers across New Mexico. First, New Mexico will receive $628,588 from the USDA's National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for prescribed grazing, livestock watering facilities and water conservation practices. Second, USDA will transfer $14 million into the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) f...