Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
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CLOVIS — The new preacher at Clovis' Central Baptist Church has two messages for the community: 1) "I don't want to just be the guy up front, I want to get to know people," Michael Kirby said. 2) "I'm a hugger." Kirby, 42, comes to the community from Ringgold, Georgia, with 20 years of service across the Southeast. He succeeds Alan McAlister, who left last year. Dick Ross, interim associate pastor, said the committee in charge of hiring the new pastor chose Kirby out of 3...
PORTALES — The Roosevelt County Junior Livestock Sale collected $128,024 from 59 sales on Friday night. Falyn Hamilton and her grand-champion steer took the individual spotlight with a sale of $7,250. “She’s been dedicated to the program and she’s worked very hard with her animals,” said Greg Smith, chairman and founder of the Livestock Sale Committee “She’s mastered the show ring.” Hamilton, who completed her last year of showing at the fair, is attending Eastern New Mexico University with a major in biology and an emphasis...
The drought is over. For the first time in the 18-year history of the U.S. Drought Monitor Program, New Mexico is drought free. This time last year, the Drought Monitor Program showed that 87 percent of the state was experiencing drought conditions at some level. At that time, Curry and Roosevelt counties were classified as experiencing “moderate drought.” No more. New Mexico is the only western state not experiencing dry conditions as of last week, according to DMP, which bases its ratings on data from multiple weather age...
The clouds got in the way, but eastern New Mexico residents on Monday were at least able to experience the first total solar eclipse to cross the U.S. in most of our lifetimes. Since the last one was 99 years ago, Clovis Community College Professor Don Scroggins told his anatomy and physiology students they could leave class early on one condition: they had to observe the eclipse. Scroggins, who is also the curator for the college's science museum, set up a device he called a...
The cloudy skies over eastern New Mexico won’t clear up in time for today’s eclipse — unless we catch a break. “There are going to be some breaks in the clouds, but it does look like it’s going to be partly to mostly cloudy during viewing time,” said National Weather Service Meteorologist Andrew Church. Peak viewing time for the region is from about 11:45 a.m. to noon. Eastern New Mexico can expect 79 percent coverage of the sun. Today marks the first total solar eclipse visible in the continental United States in 38 years...
CLOVIS — A tip of the hat, or an arm in the air, signaled the auctioneer as the bids rolled in for 101 youth and their livestock at the 2017 Curry County Fair's Junior Livestock Sale on Friday night. Officials said more than 600 people came out to support the youth, and their livestock projects at this year's sale. It brought in $370,000, compared to $400,000 in 2016. Terry Whitener, Texico High School's Future Farmers of America instructor, said community sponsors pitched i...
PORTALES — There's nothing more traditional than a county fair: corn dogs, farm animals, lawnmower races ... In addition to the staples of the century-old tradition, Roosevelt County fair promoters have come up with some new activities for the 2017 version, which runs Tuesday through Sunday at the fairgrounds in Portales. "This year, new to the fair are the big lawnmower races," said Paula Grady, the fair board secretary. "We're hoping it's going to be something big and e...
CLOVIS — Jyson Jackson walked into Zia Elementary School on Monday morning with confidence and a goal: "I want to learn everything so that I can be smart," he declared. Clovis students returned to school on Monday; some, like 5-year-old Jyson, with joy and determination, others ... not so much. Some students in Kendra Aucutt's kindergarten classroom said they were nervous as they began their academic careers. And not just about learning. Some worried about sleeping too late a...
MELROSE — Traditions die hard and not even a threat of rain could keep Melrose from celebrating on Saturday. The community’s annual Old Timers’ Day brought hundreds together at the city park, as it has since it began in 1954, said Vicky Smith, president of the Melrose Chamber of Commerce. Longtime resident James Townsend said the celebration is rooted in agriculture. “Right after the harvest was over and everyone’s crops were in, they had dinner on the grounds together,” Townsend said. They played games and renewed friendship...
An Iowa lab confirmed last week that West Nile virus was responsible for the July 17 death of an alpaca in Curry County. Rosemary Metcalf, owner of Windrush Alpacas, said she noticed on July 15 an alpaca named Echo “started with strange and sudden neurological symptoms and rapidly went down hill.” The symptoms led local veterinarian Dr. David Orton to suspect West Nile. Since alpacas are considered exotic animals, the test for the virus was performed, and confirmed, by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa...
CLOVIS — Poultry enthusiasts find themselves one step closer to bringing backyard chickens to Clovis. Members at Wednesday night’s Animal Control Task Force meeting voted 5-2 to forward an ordinance dealing with the animals to the Clovis City Commission. The proposed change to the city’s long-standing ordinance against poultry would allow residents to have up to five hens, and no roosters, within the city limits. Opposing votes came from Animal Control director Marty Martinez and District 1 Commissioner Juan Garza. Garza...
CLOVIS — Local poultry enthusiasts are crowing about changes. A movement is under way to repeal long-standing limitations on poultry ownership within Clovis’ city limits. The ordinance was enacted in 1954 and restricts the ownership of poultry within 100 feet of any property line. The Animal Control Task Force heard from some who want to change the law at its meeting on Thursday. “Chickens are a real novelty. It’s something that people can enjoy and benefit from,” said Patrick Kircher, Roosevelt County’s extension a...
GRADY - Public school discipline has changed through the years. Ask Kit Pettigrew, Grady High school class of 1947. "They'd make us bend over and hold our ankles," he said. Next came 10 licks with a paddle. Did Pettigrew deserve the whippings? Well ... Pettigrew recalled a Halloween night in which he and friends went to a teacher's house. "We knocked on her door and threw a bucket of water on her," he said. About 100 people gathered at Grady's Allen Hall on Sunday for an...
FORT SUMNER — The village of Fort Sumner hopes soon to be home to a new senior center. The center is expected to be located at the corner of Avenue A and First Street. The proposed 21,050-square-foot building will feature a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, and handicapped bathrooms. Jaime Wall, the village clerk, said she is optimistic about the center’s usage. She said construction and design are centered around a “plan for the future possibility of expansion, so there could be a phase two of the project.” The estimat...
CLOVIS — Mustache March is over, and it’s time for local men to step up their facial hair game. Clovis Pioneer Days offers the opportunity to strut your scruff in the 2017 Beard Competition. Organizer Renee Wilson said judging is scheduled to take place at 7:30 p.m. on June 5. But you better start growing those beards now if you hope to be named most bearded, best groomed or most creative. The masters of manscaping will be judged by a panel of six community leaders — three men and three women. The $15 entry fee goes towar...
