Week of April 15, 2026
Week of April 15, 2026
A murder charge has been dismissed against one of the two people police initially believed were responsible for the deadly March 22 shootings at a Clovis party. Assistant District Attorney Jake Boazman told The News on Tuesday that officials no longer believe Kaleb Moreno-Ponce had prior knowledge of the shootings that killed two women and injured four other people. "We've taken statements from him (Moreno-Ponce) and other people who were around him and Enrique Padilla after... Full story
Clovis Booked The following were recently booked into the Curry County Adult Detention Center: • Addiel Alcantra-Lopez, 42, failure to appear on misdemeanor charge • Russel Bennett, 44, battery against a household member, battery, assault (attempted battery) • Fernando Cervantes, 27, failure to appear on misdemeanor charge • David Chapman, 36, resisting, evading or obstructing an officer • Josette Chavez, 36, aggravated battery (deadly weapon), child abuse intentional (no death or great bodily harm), leaving the...
Today *City of Clovis Investment Committee – 2 p.m., assembly room, Burt Cabiness City Government Center, 321 N. Connelly, Clovis. Information: 575-763-9654 *City of Portales town hall to discuss utility rates – 6 p.m., Yam Theatre, 219 S. Main Ave., Portales. Information: 575-356-6662 Thursday *Portales Municipal Airport public information workshop – 4-5 p.m., Memorial Building, 200 E. Seventh St., Portales. Information: www.portalesnm.gov or call 575-356-6662 *City of Portales Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan...
TUCUMCARI — Two city officers said the city will try to resume normal water billings by May 1 but acknowledged complications in doing so, including recently discovering magnetic tampering of meters. Valerie Benavidez, financial specialist and accounts receivable officer, and Janelle Garcia, accounts payable officer, talked about the “very difficult” task of restoring water accounts to normalcy during the city commission’s meeting on Thursday. Benavidez said in addition to “dead” meters, she and Garcia found...
Today *Friends of the Portales Public Library annual “pay what you can” used book sale – 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Portales Public Library, 218 S. Ave. B, Portales. All funds raised are used to support library programming. Information: 575-356-3940 *Tiny Tots storytime – 10 a.m., Clovis-Carver Public Library, 701 N. Main St., Clovis. Information: 575-769-7840 *Preschool storytime: “Hungry Caterpillar” — 10:30 a.m., Portales Public Library, 218 S. Ave. B, Portales. Information: 575-356-3940 *Elementary Educated Storytime...
Three years ago, Portales' utility rates froze, despite a five-year plan to raise them annually. City officials failed to realize the oversight, until recently. On April 7, City Manager Scott Mitten alerted City Council members and the public to the error and announced it will be rectified. Beginning May 1, Portales residents receiving water, trash, and sewer services from the city will see a rate increase that Mitten said will average $30 per household. The increase was...
SAN JON — Because of rising costs and shrinking enrollment, the business manager for San Jon Municipal Schools anticipates a tighter budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year that begins in July. Business manager Stormi Sena and superintendent John York presided over a public hearing last Wednesday on the forthcoming budget that was attended by just one community member. Sena said among the additional expenses for the district are a state-mandated 1% pay raise for teachers, health insurance premiums rising 9.95%, dental...
With their first rodeo since hiring a fairgrounds manager behind them, Roosevelt County commissioners are looking forward optimistically and planning for more. On April 7, the Commission heard from new Fairgrounds Manager Anthony Ortega that the High Plains Junior Rodeo was a success, with strong attendance and positive feedback from participants and attendees. Ortega described participants as respectful, said the facilities were well maintained, and noted no major issues were reported with stall or recreational vehicle...
LOGAN — A brush fire south of Logan prompted the closing of U.S. 54 for nearly two hours on Thursday afternoon. Quay County Emergency manager Bill Kardokus said workers with the Arch Hurley Conservancy District were burning brush in one of its irrigation ditches when the blaze grew out of hand near mile marker 320 of the highway. Kardokus said it wasn’t particularly windy on Thursday, but light showers in the area produced swirling breezes that made the fire spread in unpredictable directions. He said the blaze burned...
LOGAN — One person was injured during a crash on U.S. 54 on Monday morning between a pickup truck and a Logan Municipal Schools bus. According to the New Mexico State Police, the crash occurred at 7:01 a.m. Monday on eastbound U.S. 54 near mile marker 320 south of Logan. None of the six children on the bus, nor its driver, were injured in the crash. The other driver, who was not identified by NMSP, suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital. State police are investigating the...
Clovis Municipal Schools last week announced it has appointed Heather Woodard as the district’s senior director of Student Support Services. “Woodard brings more than a decade of experience in education, with a strong background in student services, compliance, and leadership,” a CMS news release states. “She most recently served as the district’s Title IX Director, where she led efforts to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, supported campuses in addressing student concerns, and provided...
Three Eastern New Mexico cities learned they received Trails+ Grants from the state. The Outdoor Recreation Division of the New Mexico Economic Development Department announced last week 39 recipients that received a total of nearly $6 million in fiscal year 2026. The City of Clovis received $90,000 to improve Ned Houk Park. The project includes a new central entrance sign, markers pointing to various spots in the park, trailhead signs and wayfinding signs for easier navigation. The City of Tucumcari received $99,982 to...
Construction is expected to be completed by September on a new regional mental health center in Clovis, but it could be early next year before it’s open for business. It could take another three to six months to complete state licensing once a certificate of occupancy is issued for Horizon Behavioral Health Center, area city and county officials were told at an April 6 joint online meeting. Curry County Commission Chairman Brad Bender led the internet gathering, which included representatives from Clovis, Portales,...
TUCUMCARI — The Quay County Commission hired Weil Construction of Albuquerque as construction manager for the upcoming Dr. Daniel C. Trigg Memorial Hospital project. The company will be paid $26,676.06 for services for the preconstruction phase. Weil project manager Randy Gilbert estimated his firm will be paid 2% to 3% of the total contractor amount for the new hospital. Based on a $32 million project, Weil would be paid between $640,000 and $960,000. Gilbert said his company’s role is to ensure contractual obligations...
Melrose Clinic is expected to open later this summer under a new contract approved Friday by Curry County commissioners. The two-year contract with Community Bridges Inc. costs the county nothing and expands on former services. Melrose Clinic has been closed since October 2024 when Plains Regional Medical Center declined to renew its contract with the county to operate it one day a week. PRMC Chief Executive Bill Priest said there wasn’t a large enough population to support the clinic. Community Bridges spokesman Rob...
The city of Portales’ finances have received a clean bill of health from auditors – no small feat after receiving nine audit findings the prior year. The news – met with relief and levity by councilors – came at the regular council meeting April 7 during a presentation from Chris Gardner of Beasley, Mitchell & Co. Gardner said the city received what auditors call a clean or unmodified opinion, meaning the city’s financial statements were found to be fairly presented under the accounting standards the auditors are...
Portales’ police chief has weighed in on the contested race for Roosevelt County sheriff: Christopher Williams is offering “strong support for Floyd Jones.” Williams’ support comes in the form of a letter posted to Jones’ Facebook page on Friday morning. “In an era where public safety requires both expertise and a steady hand, Floyd is the clear choice to lead our county forward,” Williams wrote. Jones is one of three candidates seeking a four-year term as Roosevelt County sheriff. The field also includes...
TUCUMCARI — The city of Tucumcari owes more than $6.5 million in unpaid federal payroll taxes over a three-year period. That’s according to an email from Tucumcari’s city manager obtained Friday by The News via a public-records request. City Manager Renee Hayoz stated in a Feb. 19 email to city commissioners that the total tax liability is about $4.3 million, with an additional $2.1 million in penalties. The total is $6,503,990.63. Mayor Marcy Willis said the Internal Revenue Service might waive the penalties. She...
Curry County Road 15 will be resurfaced Wednesday through Friday, according to a news release from American Road Maintenance. “We kindly ask residents to plan accordingly, avoid on-street parking, and use caution when traveling through the work zone,” the release states. As a reminder, motorists in the area can expect: • Intermittent traffic delays due to lane closures and reduced speed limits • Loose gravel in active and recently treated areas — reduced speeds are strongly encouraged • Traffic control measures...
On this date … 1936: Raymond Murdick dropped by the Tucumcari Daily News office to remind the publisher of a singing convention to be held Sunday at the Wheatland schoolhouse. Singers from all over New Mexico and Texas were expected. Murdick said attendees should “bring a cup, fork, spoon, plate, a basketful of eats and come prepared for a grand time.” 1941: Bill Allen, manager for the Tucumcari Utes baseball squad, said a semi-pro team will represent the city in an eight-club league this summer. The Northern New...
Daughters of the American Revolution The El Portal Chapter, NSDAR, met April 14, to celebrate the Chapter’s 95th birthday along with member Peggy Jones’ 95th and in memory of Vicky Stratton’s mother who would have been 95 in June. The Opening Ritual and business featured a report from the president general. National Defense, Constitution and Conservation Minutes were presented. Carey Allen Kiekel’s Revolutionary War patriot was Capt. Stephen Calkins. Calkins (1732-1814) was a direct descendant of Elder William...
Hillcrest Senior Life Center 1704 E. Seventh St., Clovis (575) 769-7908 Menu Today: Teriyaki chicken, Oriental vegetables, wild or brown rice, vegetable egg roll, light nonfat vanilla yogurt Thursday: Swedish meatballs with wheat pasta, roasted carrots, asparagus, gelatin with banana Friday: Fish sandwich with tartar sauce, sweet potato fries, roasted Brussels sprouts, spinach salad with cranberries and red onion, raspberry vinaigrette, pear April 20: Classic chicken salad, tomato and onion salad, sweet potatoes, apple...
The books listed below are now available for checkout at the Clovis-Carver Public Library. The library is open to the public, but patrons can still visit the online catalog at cloviscarverpl.booksys.net/opac/ccpl or call 575-769-7840 to request a specific item for curbside pickup. “The Beginner’s Quilt” by Wanda E. Brunstetter. Despite the best efforts of Emma Bontrager’s mother, Emma hasn’t learned much of anything that will prepare her to be an Amish wife. Therefore, she’s sent to Arthur, Illinois, to be...
I believe she stood an even 5-feet tall and could walk circles around me. Two women in my life fit that bill and they were cut from the same fabric — my Grandmother Terry and Wanda Pettus. Grandmother’s been gone two decades and sadly, Wanda, in her late 80s, passed away earlier this month. I could give her exact age, but she’s threatened me more than once about giving out numbers. Age certainly never defined Wanda Jean. I got to know Wanda as a teenager at the old...
Jackie Goodman is a lifelong Clovis resident who said her life has been defined by relationships and a deep connection to her community. Goodman said she spent more than 46 years at the Clovis hospital, working her way up from a courier to manager of the purchasing department. Outside of work, Goodman said she values family, longtime friendships and staying active. Q: Tell me a little about yourself. A: I'm homegrown. I've lived here all my life; my parents are from here. I...
Services Click Here to View Obituaries • Tristyn Balch, 24, died April 8. Information: Muffley Funeral Home • Jene Evans, 81, died April 9. Information: Wheeler Mortuary • Martha Hardwick, 78, died April 7. Information: Muffley Funeral Home • Jerry Milner, 85, died April 11. Information: Wheeler Mortuary • Lonnie Mitchell, 72, died April 9. Information: Muffley Funeral Home • Jerry Skinner, 82, died April 7. Information: Wheeler Mortuary • Billy Smith, 85, died... Full story
PORTALES – Portales High's softball team needed some late-inning magic to post a 6-5, 12-11 sweep over Clovis High on April 7. The first game took eight innings. Both games seesawed a bit. In Game 1, Clovis (3-11) grabbed a 3-1 lead with a three-run fourth before the Lady Rams (7-9) rallied with a four-spot in the fifth. The Lady Cats then forced bonus cantos with two in the top of the seventh, but PHS pushed over the game-winner in the first extra frame. Junior Addison...
CLOVIS – After fighting through all the weather from the weekend, the Clovis High and Portales High tennis squads managed to salvage what they could on Monday from what was to have been a four-team High Plains Classic. Both girls squads faced Las Vegas Robertson on Thursday and Friday, learning that the Cardinals don't have a boys team this season. Meantime, New Mexico Military's contingents canceled out at the last minute. CHS won both matches over Portales – 6-3 in the...
MORA – Tucumcari’s softball team dropped four games last week, including a non-district doubleheader on Thursday at Mora by scores of 17-10 and 14-9. In the first game, Mora (6-5) jumped to leads of 9-3 in the second inning and 11-7 in the third. The Rangerettes totaled 11 hits and nine walks off losing pitcher Kimberly Gardea. Hayley Naranjo scored three runs for Tucumcari (4-7). Maaja Anaya hit a double, drove in a run and stole three bases. In the nightcap, Mora seized control with a 10-run third inning. Gardea...
AMARILLO – Clovis High's baseball team jumped to a quick lead on Thursday night and the Wildcats defeated Portales High 11-1 in a game played at Hodgetown Park, home of the Class AA minor league Amarillo Sod Poodles. Clovis (11-9) took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first off Rams senior left-hander Carson Pfaffenberger on junior Sandro Cordova's two-run single and an RBI single from junior Joseph Hernandez. The Cats never looked back, ending it after six on the 10-run rule....
TUCUMCARI – Sophomore Brandt Foust hit a walk-off RBI double in the bottom to the seventh inning to deliver Tucumcari a 7-6 comeback victory over Clayton on April 7. The Rattlers' first District 6-2A win ended their six-game losing streak. Tucumcari trailed 6-5 to start the bottom of the inning. Senior Pat Garcia led off with a single, stole second and scored the tying run on senior Nick Goen's single down the third base line. Goen was thrown out at second trying to stretch...
TEXICO – Texico's baseball team had its work cut after after Tucumcari broke open a tie game with four runs in the top of the fifth on Thursday. But the Wolverines were equal to the challenge, bouncing back with their own four-spot and then putting three more on the board in the sixth to claim a 10-7 non-district win. Senior Hunter Bowman pitched into the fifth inning and drove in three runs with a two-run single in the fifth and a sacrifice fly in the sixth for Texico....
PORTALES – Clovis High's boys finished fourth and host Portales High was sixth in Friday's George/Love Relays at Eastern New Mexico University. Due to rain, boys pole vault, girls shot put and the final five track events for both – the 300 hurdles, the 1,600 medley relay, the 200, the 1,600 and the 1,600 relay – were not completed. In boys competition, Artesia nabbed the team title with 49 points, ahead of runner-up Hobbs (46) and the Cats (45). Among other area boys...
RIO RANCHO – Girls from Portales, Clovis and Texico captured individual state titles in the powerlifting state championships on Saturday at Rio Rancho Events Center. Three area boys finished runner-up during boys finals on Friday. Danai Landeros and Azlan Smith each took home first-place medals during Portales’ second-place finish overall in the Class 4A girls team standings. Competing in the 105-pound weight class, Landeros lifted a total of 470 pounds in the squat, deadlift and bench press, edging runnerup Olivia...
BIG SPRING, Texas – The Eastern New Mexico University women’s rodeo team placed third while the men were fourth over the weekend in the Howard College rodeo. Senior Jacob Walters led the way individually by scoring in three different events – including a runner-up finish in tie-down roping – to take the men’s all-around title by 10 points. Freshman Cutter Pareo earned top honors in tie- down with runs of 11.1 and 10.7 seconds. Junior Shaeden Marr (90 points) and freshman Harlee Barela (55 points) were the top...
ROSWELL – Senior Kylie Sprinkle earned medalist honors and Clovis High’s girls tied for fourth place on Monday in the Coyote Classic, hosted by Roswell High. Lovington took team honors in the eight-team field at 345, followed by Roswell Goddard at 358 and Hobbs at 364. The Lady Cats and Artesia were at 375, while Clovis Christian came in seventh at 429. Other scores for the Lady Cats included Aahana Bhakta 98, Ezra Chinikidiadi 99, Skylar Hamilton 105 and Kenli Black at 109. Also, Juli Jasso played as an extra and shot...
Paul Weir, former athletic director at Eastern New Mexico University and coach of the University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University men’s basketball teams, has been named the new president of St. Michael’s High School. Weir replaces outgoing President Michael Sandoval, who served in the role for nearly 3 1/2 years. The decision to crown Weir came after a search process that began in the fall, according to an announcement to the school community sent by Colleen Gavin, the chair of the school’s board of...
