Articles from the December 29, 2014 edition

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On this date … 1974: Two longtime staff members of the Portales News-Tribune were retiring from day-to-day duties. But J. Fred Thompson and Georgiana Cooper “simply can’t be replaced,” Editor Gordon Greaves said. “We’re not turning them loose entirely. Both will have a sort of ‘emeritus’ status, and both will continue to write the columns that bear their names.” 1970: Clovis defeated Guymon, Okla., 79-67, to win the consolation trophy at the Borger (Texas) Invitational Basketball Tournament. Dick Hunsaker led Clovis with 29 p...

Editor Editor’s note: This is one in a series of columns looking back at regional news in 2014. It will continue through Jan. 1. For three nights in a row, alarms went off at the Clovis-Carver Public Library. The first night, on Jan. 24, police arrived at 3 a.m. and spent 90 minutes searching for a prowler or a disturbed bookworm or who knew what. “We thought maybe a homeless person might have hid out in the building,” said Margaret Hinchee, the library’s director. Indeed there was more evidence that some one, or some th...

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Local columnist Another year draws to a close. Another chapter finished. Another calendar placed in the bottom drawer of the old black dresser. With 2014 coming to an end, I'm thinking again how time flies. It's time to open a new folder and label it “PNT 2015,” then begin to fill it with these little snippets I like to call happy drivel. For three years you've been such a kind audience. You've commiserated with my bad haircuts, called to check on my cat when she was sick, and you've sent my articles along to long lost fri...

Staff report In 2013, the failed Beauty Health and Science Innovations cosmetics plant and the ensuing scandal was the story of the year. In 2014, business owners still felt the effects of the collapse. In February, three Clovis business owners filed claims of more than $176,000 against the city over the failure of the startup. All claimed through their attorney they weren't paid for services rendered by BHSI. Emails released in November detail locals who raised red flags about the BHSI deal days before the city cut checks...

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Today Holiday Blood Drive — 3:30 p.m., Curves, 2909 N. Prince St. Information: 575-762-2574 Page Turners Book club — 7 p.m., Ingram room Information: 575-7697840 Wednesday Food Bank Open House — 1 p.m., open House, happy hour and chili bar, homemade chili and all the fixings, 2217 E. Brady Ave. Information: 575-763- 6130 Toddler Time — 10 a.m., Clovis-Carver Public Library, Ingram room. Information: 575-769-7840 Saturday Blood Drive — 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Clovis-Carver Public Library, Ingram room. Information: 575-769-7...

CNJ Staff

Following is a sampling of calls received by dispatchers for Clovis police, Curry County sheriff and area fire stations. Wednesday • 12:52 a.m.: Burglary (residence), 1200 block of Dartmouth Street. • 8:10 a.m.: Criminal damage, 2200 block of North Prince Street. • 9:19 a.m.: Fraud, 1800 block of Glenarm Drive. • 11:56 a.m.: Shoplifting, 3700 block of North Prince Street. • 3:09 p.m.: Criminal damage, 2800 block of North Prince Street. • 5:43 p.m.: Interference with telecommunications, 200 block of West Manana Boulevard.... Full story

Staff report A 76-year-old Clovis man was hog-tied in his home and robbed of several guns and his pickup truck by armed bandits, according to a police report released Monday. The home invasion and robbery happened Dec. 21. Two men and a woman allegedly forced their way into the victim’s home on Howard Cowper Drive while he was watching a football game on television, according to the report. One man wearing a mask ordered the victim to the floor and threatened to “shoot him in the head” if he didn't comply, the report said....

Kevin Wilson

Staff writer [email protected] In the Clovis school system, a former student, teacher and principal in the system was elevated to its highest office midway through 2014. In the week following the graduation of 419 seniors — a first-time grouping of students from both Clovis High School and Choices Alternative School — Jody Balch was named as new superintendent in late May by a 4-0 vote. Balch is the first Clovis native hired to serve as superintendent in 50 years, dating back to the December 1964 hire of Vernon Mil... Full story

Staff report LITTLEFIELD — Portales boys held 6-foot-7 Smyer senior Brennen Fowler off the scoreboard in the first half, but they weren’t able to contain him the rest of the way. Fowler erupted for 15 points in the final two periods and the Bobcats rallied for a 55-48 win over the Rams in the second round of the 11-team Littlefield tournament. Portales (2-6) is expecting to face the winner of a Friday morning matchup between Abernathy and Hart in a 2:30 p.m. (MST) consolation bracket game today. “The difference was their...

Staff report LUBBOCK — The Portales Lady Rams got off to a solid start on Monday in the Lubbock Caprock Holiday tournament. Junior Kambrey Blakey scored 20 points and senior McKenzie Bucksath added 15 points, a team-high eight rebounds and three steals as the Lady Rams dispatched Class 6A Lubbock Monterey 54-45. PHS (6-1) will take on Burleson, Texas-based BRL Centennial, a 48-32 winner on Monday over Brownwood, in an 11 a.m. (MST) clash today. Except for an early 2-0 deficit, the Lady Rams led the entire game. Their b... Full story

Thursday • First Day Hike — 1 p.m. at Oasis State Park. Fees waived for this event. This fun hike begins in a wooded are that leads to the dunes, where visitors will have a great view of the scenery and wildlife. Learn how the dunes evolved through the years. Information: 575-356-5331. Ongoing • 7 Deadly Sins, ENMU student juried art exhibition — Through Jan. 30, ENMU Golden Library. Admission: free. Information: Bryan Hahn 575-562-2778. The to do list publishes daily and features non-recurring public meetings and enterta...

Thomas Garcia

QCS Senior Writer The medical director at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis and the federal Centers for Disease Control are recommending getting a flu shot. “For November and December we have had a considerably higher number of flu cases compared to last year at both Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis and Dan C. Trigg Memorial Hospital in Tucumcari,” said Donna Thibodeau chief medical director for PRMC. Thibodeau said some of the patients seen at both hospitals had received flu shots in late October and ear... Full story

PNT Staff

Staff writer [email protected] Editor’s note: This is the first of three reports on the most compelling stories in the Portales area in 2014 as determined by the PNT staff. Citizens took action earlier this year, halting the demolition of the 90-year-old elm trees located at the Portales Cemetery. The elm trees are still standing as 2015 approaches, though a few have been removed by the city after they were determined unsalvageable by city officials, according to Public Works Director John DeSha. DeSha said the trees h...

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