Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
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CLOVIS — During Thursday’s regular meeting the Clovis City Commission approved a measure that prohibits alcohol consumption at the Clovis Municipal Airport. “The Clovis City Commission finds that the consumption of alcoholic beverages at the city owned and operated Clovis Municipal Airport is inconsistent with aviation activities and should be prohibited,” per Ordinance 2082-2017. “Title 16, Chapter 16.04, Section 16.04.170 should be amended to prohibit the consumption of alcoholic beverage at Clovis Municipal Airport....
During a special meeting Friday, the Curry County Commission added two plans to the two previously existing options for the adult detention center addition and renovation project. “The architect (ASA Architects) is working in design-development,” County Manager Lance Pyle told commission members. “The way the contract is written and scheduled, that is set to be completed in April, so we need direction regarding whether you want to include Options 3 and 4. This does not lock you all into anything. They’re going to prepare...
Local school district personnel are lending insight in the wake of Gov. Susana Martinez signing legislation addressing accessing school district cash balances. Martinez approved Senate Bill 114 Tuesday. “The original Senate bill made the cuts but stayed silent on how to make them up,” she said. “In contrast, the House’s first amendments included a wise requirement that districts spend down their cash balances to keep up with their everyday expenses, directly linking the state equalization guarantee (SEG) reduction to excess...
CLOVIS — Curry County Deputy Clerk Annie Hogland had this to say about her friend, Jo Lynn Queener: “Jo Lynn shared such a special bond with so many people. She could light up a room, a workplace and an entire community. And no matter what she did, she made sure to share that light with others.” Curry County Assessor Candace Morrison said Queener had an “enigmatic laugh and bubbly perspective on life.” “She was always willing to help out those around her by pitching in and offering a positive viewpoint, with a few laughs...
CLOVIS — The High Plains Patriots hosted an open forum at the Clovis-Carver Library Thursday, with an eye toward the Clovis Municipal Schools general obligation bond and tax levy election. School district officials said they are asking voters to authorize up to $20 million in general obligation bonds, which would essentially continue the existing debt service at the same level and will not result in a debt service tax rate increase — adding the district’s assessed value has continued to grow strong, which allows the distr...
CLOVIS — During Wednesday’s special meeting the Curry County Commission cleared the way for a new Broadview Fire Department station house. Davtek Corporation will construct the 60-by-100-foot, 6,000-square-foot pre-engineered metal building that officials said would carry a price tag of $432,773.33. According to project specifications, the construction effort will include four apparatus bays, a new domestic well to provide water to a 10,000 gallon tank, infrared propane tube heaters, a multi-purpose room, unisex restroom and...
Kade Dixon lost his battle with pulmonary hypertension after only 13 months of life, but his birthday, resolve and spirit will be celebrated today in Clovis — while also paying it forward to aid other families of children fighting battles. The Team Kade birthday celebration is slated from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Java Loft, featuring live music, pictures with Clovis Police Department officers, face painting, a children’s book drive and raffle prizes. “My son was born 1 pound, 10 ounces and fought to live,” said Kade’s mother,...
CLOVIS — Heeding the advice of a former city commission and current state legislator, the Clovis City Commission has decided to go small or go home with its capital outlay list. On the advice of Rep. Randy Crowder, R-Clovis, the commission voted 7-1 to prioritize small-scale projects on its Industrial Capital Improvement Plan. The ICIP’s top three priorities are a brush fire truck, a fire rescue truck/pumper and repairs for Sugarbeet Road. “We’re all aware of the problems financially with the state, the issues being faced b...
CLOVIS — During Thursday’s regular meeting the Clovis City Commission demonstrated support for a state legislative measure helmed by Rep. Randy Crowder that, if approved by voters, would grant authority to all counties and municipalities to impose a tax on retail sales of gasoline and special fuel to enhance infrastructure. Commissioners voted 8-0 for the resolution supporting House Bill 63, also known as the County and Municipal Fuels Tax Act. According to the legislative introduction, changes would be made permitting use...
In the wake of New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez recently announcing the state’s Class of 2016 established an all-time high graduation rate, local reaction attributes the feat to due diligence of educators. Martinez revealed earlier this week more students are graduating high school in the state than ever before, with the graduation rate for 2016 reaching 71 percent — representing an 8 percent rise since 2011, officials said. “I think it’s amazing that we have finally seen the proof of the reforms we have implemented are showin...
CLOVIS — The attorney representing a man slated to stand trial in district court next month to face criminal sexual contact charges has filed a motion to sever charges. Chris Christensen serves as the lawyer for David Garcia, who is scheduled for trial Feb. 15-17. “We will be ready for trial,” said Christensen during a docket call before Judge Drew Tatum Tuesday. “I did file that motion to sever Jan. 11. I personally feel this motion to sever should have been filed at least a year ago.” Garcia is facing eight felony co...
CLOVIS — A plea deal deadline was established in district court Tuesday for a Clovis man slated to stand trial later this month for first-degree murder. Jonathan Cruz, 25, is scheduled to stand trial Jan. 30 through Feb. 3 on charges connected to the 2015 shooting death of Joseph “Jo Jo” Chavez. Judge Matthew Chandler issued a deadline of next week by which the state and attorney representing Cruz reach a plea deal. “Today was the plea deadline, but he (Cruz) has rejected the state’s plea offer,” Chandler said. “The court...
A series of events commemorating the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are slated in Clovis and Portales in recognition of King Day. The Clovis Dr. Martin Luther King Commission, which is marking its 25th year of paying homage to King, will host a scholarship breakfast today at the Clovis High School cafeteria while a symbolic walk and rally is slated for Monday from Potter Park to Legacy Life Family Church. "It's been a struggle, but much like Dr. King...
CLOVIS — During the first Curry County Commission meeting of the new year, Commissioner Ben McDaniel outpointed Commissioner Chet Spear 3-2 Thursday for the right to serve as the commission’s chairman. McDaniel succeeds Wendell Bostwick, whose term on the commission ended in December. Commissioner Angelina Baca nominated McDaniel for the post while Commissioner Robert Thornton nominated Spear. McDaniel’s votes came in the form of his own, Baca’s and Commissioner Benjamin Smith. With regard to the Vice Chairman slot, McDanie...
In the wake of Portales city officials declining to commit finances to the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority’s financial plan, during Wednesday’s Water Policy Advisory committee meeting Clovis Mayor David Lansford implored the body to help resolve the stalemate. To that end, City Commissioner Ladona Clayton will spearhead a strategic planning committee charged with developing a manner of action. “What I am suggesting is this committee consider more or less updating or modifying the (water) policy to include sever...
CLOVIS — Early and absentee voting begins Friday and will continue through Feb. 3, as voters decide the fate of a Clovis Municipal Schools general obligation bond, as well as a capital improvements levy. Officials said early and absentee ballots can be cast at the Curry County Clerk's office at 417 Gidding Street - Suite 130 regarding the $20 million general obligation bond and $2 million capital improvements levy. Election Day is Feb. 7. Erik Harrigan represents RBC C...
An arrangement outlining the rendering of services and payment for such between the city and county is on hold, as more information is being sought. The Clovis City Commission tabled approval of the Joint Powers Agreement between the city and county after a motion by Commissioner Fidel Madrid, who sought specific data on the amount of funds spent on jail inmates, fire protection efforts and other services. Officials said in the late 1990s the city and county entered into a universal service agreement that would cover all of...
CLOVIS — Armed with the goal of helping New Mexicans find affordable health insurance that fits their needs, a pair of beWellnm officials visited Curry and Roosevelt counties Thursday as a means of spreading the word about plans at consumers’ disposal. “We’re the official health insurance marketplace for New Mexicans,” said beWellnm Outreach Manager Veronica Reyes, who is joining Broker Relations Liaison Maureen Manring in making stops in each of the state’s 33 counties to promote the initiative. “We’re now in the open enr...
CLOVIS — A delegation of state lawmakers huddled with residents Friday as a means of garnering ideas to create jobs and bolster the economy. New Mexico House of Representatives Speaker-designate Brian Egolf chaired the Job Creation and Economic Development Listening Tour, which made a stop at the Clovis-Carver Library. Egolf was joined by Rep. Bill McCamley, Rep. Randy Crowder, Rep. Carl Trujillo, Rep. Antonio Maestas, Rep. Dennis Roch, Rep. George Dodge, Jr., Rep. Jim T...
CLOVIS — During Thursday’s regular Clovis City Commission meeting, commissioners upheld a prior decision by the Planning and Zoning Commission to deny a request to have a parcel of property rezoned from residential to mixed development. A motion by Commissioner Tom Martin to approve the rezoning request died for a lack of a second. The agenda item sought commission approval of adoption of an ordinance that would involve a zoning change for a property at 821 York Street. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended by a 6-0...
CLOVIS — A man facing charges in connection with the death of an 18-month-old child in 2015 received a bond reduction in district court Thursday. Christopher A. Waltrip appeared before Judge Drew Tatum with his attorney, Stephen Taylor, while the state was represented by Assistant District Attorney Kirsten Beltran. Waltrip has been charged with Intentional Abuse of a Child Under 12 (Resulting in Death). A grand jury indictment was returned against Waltrip on Oct. 21. Officials said Clovis police were called to the Plains R...
A New Mexico lawmaker wants to change the manner in which the state’s teachers are evaluated. Sen. Howie Morales is the originator of Senate Bill 34, which officials said would practically eliminate the current evaluation process — which allows for 50 percent weighing student achievement, 25 percent for multiple measures such as teacher attendance and 25 percent observations. Meanwhile, under the measure introduced by Morales, a body comprised of teachers, superintendents and various unions would take a look at how tea...
Poison centers are placing parents on alert with regard to the potential for teens using gardening seeds to get high. Officials said seeds for plants like Hawaiian Baby Woodrose, Sleepy Grass and Blue Morning Glory contain the hallucinogenic substance LSA, which is considered to be similar to LSD. “Ingested seeds can cause auditory and visual hallucinations, spatial or temporal distortion and introspection,” said Jeanie Jaramillo of the Texas Panhandle Poison Center, adding the seeds contain LSA in varied amounts — depen...
CLOVIS — Leadership changes, a voter ID requirement and the selection of a new police chief were among the storylines that dotted the Clovis city government landscape in 2016. Randy Crowder, one of the longest-tenured members of the Clovis City Commission, announced in March he did not intend to run for a fourth term in 2016. He made the announcement during a commission meeting, though he made his plans known to other commissioners prior to the meeting. One of two c...
CLOVIS — Local reaction is mixed on the heels of a state lawmaker proposing a bill that would eliminate the secretary of education position and replace it with a 10-member elected state school board. “Today we have a situation where we appoint a secretary of education every time a governor comes and goes,” said Sen. Michael Padilla in regard to his new measure, Senate Joint Resolution 2. “That, to me, is alarming. We should have a licensed educator in this role, because that way, they would better understand what’s going on...
