Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
1. A Portales man on Monday was shot by Roosevelt County Sheriff’s deputies after a destructive run with heavy equipment.
Officials said James Wallace McFarlin, 48, was driving a front-end loader and seen flipping a vehicle and damaging property before running the tractor through fences in an attempt to escape police.
McFarlin was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, officials said.
A witness said he saw McFarlin destroy his own property after arguing with another neighbor. Another witness said McFarlin was “smiling” as he tried to elude police.
2. If you’re traveling from north or west Clovis to the Civic Center or Clovis Community College, you may need a new route for the next four months.
The city began a drainage improvement project on Tuesday that shuts down eastbound traffic on Seventh Street from Norris Street to Marlene Boulevard.
The project will take about 120 calendar days, City Manager Justin Howalt said.
3. About 50 people braved below-freezing temperatures Monday morning to honor civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. with a symbolic walk down MLK Boulevard in Clovis.
“If it’s something you believe in, you sacrifice,” said Diane Smith, explaining why she participated in the march that was symbolic with King’s march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965. “He did it for the benefit of all people, not just for some.”
Portales held a similar march on Monday evening.
4. Clovis school officials confirmed police are looking into a potentially criminal hazing incident alleged to have taken place in May at the state track meet in Albuquerque.
Superintendent Jody Balch said three or more students may have been involved in hazing an underclassman.
Balch said he and High School Principal Jay Brady learned of the concerns on Dec. 1 and notified police the same day.
Clovis police said they turned over information to New Mexico State Police since the incident occurred in Albuquerque.
NMSP Lt. Elizabeth Armijo said an investigation is ongoing but declined “to discuss details of the case.”
5. State lawmakers opened a 30-day session of the Legislature with Gov. Susana Martinez asking for new business incentives and stiffer criminal penalties.
The governor also called for a 2 percent increase in pay for public school teachers and new restrictions on administrative spending at school districts.
— “5 things ...” is compiled by The Staff of The News
