Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
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CLOVIS — A man slated to face trial for first-degree murder charges will spend six years in prison after accepting a plea agreement Thursday. Jonathan Cruz, 25, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit murder in the second degree and one count of tampering with evidence involving a crime of murder in the second degree. The charges are connected to the 2015 death of Joseph “Jo Jo” Chavez. Deputy District Attorney Brian Stover said Cruz will serve a maximum penalty of six years in the Department of Corrections. “I be...
CLOVIS — Central Baptist Church is sharing the love. The church is hosting its “Share the Love” event on Feb. 8 to support upcoming summer mission trips, according to event committee chair and church member Sherry Best. Doors will open for the event at 5 p.m. “We believe that part of going on mission trips is to share the love of Christ and connecting cultures with Christ,” Best said. “We’re sharing the love in the state and all over the world.” The event is held every other year, Best said, with upward of $65,000 raised...
CLOVIS — Efforts to get fiber connection to more residents are being explored in ways that are efficient and cost-effective. Plateau Wireless Engineering Projects Manager Regan Williams presented on micro-trenching during Wednesday morning’s Public Works Committee meeting. Williams said micro-trenching is a cost-effective process of installing fiber in areas it is not currently available without interfering with infrastructure. Fiber is installed 12 inches deep in a trench about three-quarters of an inch wide, with trenches g...
CLOVIS — Local church members are getting the chance to praise and sing at the same time. The Coffeehouse, which meets every second Saturday of the month with the exception of December, brings together members from various local churches for music and worship. "We have a lot of talented musicians but a lot of them don't share that talent," said First United Methodist Church member Matt Carter. "Initially it was to offer people an opportunity to come and play." Carter plays g...
Residents from Portales and Fort Sumner are uniting for a common cause to speak out for human and women’s rights. Organizer Alexis Roth is organizing a march at 10 a.m. Saturday at Dallas Park in Fort Sumner. The event is inspired by the Women’s March on Washington, and is one of many “sister marches” held nation-wide on Saturday in conjunction with the Washington D.C. event. “It means a lot because I don’t think women have rallied like this,” said Roth. “It’s bringing a voice to all of the things that haven’t been said...
CLOVIS — The Roaring 20s are making their way to Clovis as the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce celebrates a year of successes with its annual chamber banquet. Events begin 6 p.m. Friday at the Clovis Civic Center with the past presidents reception, with the banquet starting at 7 p.m. Chamber Executive Director Ernie Kos said nine awards will be given out: citizen of the year, two chamber volunteers of the year, business of the year, ambassador of the year, the Young Professionals of Clovis member of the year, the hear...
CLOVIS — The walking was one of the things that 8-year-old Olivia Romero looked forward to as a first-time participant in the Clovis Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission Symbolic Walk and Rally. But she said it was important she participate for another reason. "He wanted the black people and the white people to not fight," Romero said. The theme of unity and peace carried on for speakers and participants during the 25th annual walk, which began at Potter Park and ended at L...
CLOVIS — Those involved in the business realm now have the chance to work on the "edge." A new co-working space called Edge Co-working opened its doors last week. The organization was founded by Communications Consultant Brooke Barnes and Medical Device Consultant Jessica Johnson. The company's name stands for "empowering, doing, growing, everywhere," Johnson said, adding that they wanted to represent a concept of "co-working" that intrigued both Johnson and Barnes. "We s...
CLOVIS — It is not about remembering someone's legacy, but acting on it with love and peace. This was the message illustrated Saturday morning as speakers and performers honored Martin Luther King Jr. at the Clovis Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission Scholarship Breakfast on its 25th anniversary. Pastor Samuel Cosby of Houston was the featured speaker at the breakfast. Cosby used past injustices against African-Americans to speak about King's importance, noting the ability t...
CLOVIS — Celebrating American freedoms and inspiring courage is what an upcoming event is all about. “Voices of Freedom” is set for 7 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Clovis Civic Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. Organizer Stephen Powell said the event will pay tribute to veterans and law enforcement while celebrating American freedoms. “I’ve never seen an event quite like this,” said Powell. “I wanted it to be a celebration of freedom, giving honor to a lot of people that don’t get the spotlight. We want to pay tribute where honor is due....
PORTALES — It is magic with a message and it is for a good cause. Illusionists David and Teesha Laflin, from Denver, Colorado, will perform at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at Third and Kilgore Church of Christ. The performance will raise money for the New Mexico Christian Children's Home (NMCCH), according to Pastor David Heflin of the church. Heflin said he first heard of the duo when he received a postcard for their performances, adding he never heard of "Christian illusionists" b...
CLOVIS — Three trial dates were vacated during a docket call hearing in District Court Judge Fred Van Soelen’s courtroom Tuesday morning. A trial date was vacated for Margarito Hernandez-Rodriguez, who is facing a charge of criminal sexual penetration in the third degree. The charge was filed Oct. 28 of 2015. Hernandez-Rodriguez appeared Tuesday morning with Attorney Benjamin Herrmann representing him. Attorney Rebecca Ralph represented the state. Herrmann requested continuance and said an interview with an alleged vic...
CLOVIS — A common New Year’s resolution seems to be the need to get into the gym and get in better shape. This is precisely the mindset that members of the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce are in, except they’re building a different kind of muscle. The first annual Business to Business (B2B) event will be held exclusively for chamber members from 1-6 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Clovis Civic Center. “After our very successful membership event in October, recruiting 213 new members and also to celebrate all of our long-ti...
Two religious organizations in eastern New Mexico — one returning to Portales after a long absence and one in Clovis continuing work — share the same purpose: Healing. The Celebrate Recovery program is returning to Portales at First Baptist Church. Portales resident Vicki Bannister is heading the program with her family. Bannister said she attended programs for the recovery ministry in Clovis after looking for programs locally to help her son overcome addiction. "Through this...
CLOVIS — A plea of not guilty was entered for a man facing homicide by vehicle charges Thursday morning in District Court. Other charges for Kyle Mawhorter, 29, of Las Vegas, Nevada, include aggravated fleeing of law enforcement, receiving or transferring stolen motor vehicles, resisting, evading or obstructing an officer and reckless driving. Mawhorter was charged in November in connection with the death of Norman, Oklahoma, resident Kori Lynn Woods after allegedly crashing a vehicle on Hull Street and Brady Street f...
CLOVIS — A new trial date for man charged with first-degree criminal sexual penetration of a minor was vacated Tuesday morning. Daniel Bayless, 53, was charged Aug. 13, 2013 on allegations of assaulting a 10-year-old girl. He was found guilty on Nov. 11, 2014 and was sentenced to 19 years in prison, including a one-year enhancement for a past drug trafficking conviction. However, the New Mexico Court of Appeals remanded the case for a new trial in March after determining a witness was not properly qualified by the court b...
PORTALES — Laura Adkins is calling it a Christmas miracle. Last Wednesday, Laura and Steve Adkins of Portales were reunited with their dog Ranger after Ranger had been missing for seven months. The dog was found in Roswell, about 100 miles from the Adkins' home. "It is nice to get the dog back," Steve Adkins said. "We're in good shape." The 1-year-old Australian Shepherd, who is partially deaf, disappeared from the Adkins' home on May 25 after Steve Adkins left to get a h...
By Kurt Munz-Raper STAFF WRITER [email protected] The new year brings with it exciting events and projects in the first quarter, according to chamber and MainStreet officials. Kicking off the year's events in Clovis is the first Business to Business (B2B) Expo Jan. 12, Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ernie Kos said. The event allows business owners to connect with each other and share ideas, according to the chamber's newsletter. Those intere...
Seeing major Hollywood figures make their way toward eastern New Mexico to shoot a major film would be an exciting prospect on its own. As Clovis and Portales residents and officials said throughout the year, being a part of the experience and seeing the final product was something to be especially proud of. After filming last year, "Hell or High Water," directed by David Mackenzie, made its way to screens this year to the acclaim of local residents. Originally titled...
Snow storm Goliath was the precise opportunity for Living Word Church of God music minister and Celebrate Recovery facilitator Bonetta Hutson to exercise outreach — making sure her fellow members were safe during the storm. Hutson said she spent time at Pastor David Stevens' home with his family. "I didn't want to be stranded in an apartment, and at least I would be with friends," said Hutson. "That's the big advantage of having a close-knit church. As we watched it get h...
Clovis resident Edwina Gutierrez learned the value of planning ahead during Goliath. It was just on the bridge of Cannon Air Force Base where Gutierrez found herself stuck. The storm was so severe it sealed her car doors shut. “I was basically calling 911 and my parents right in the middle of the storm,” Gutierrez said. “The MP had to come out and got me out through my window.” It was a mistake of underestimating the force of the storm, said Gutierrez, who was working on base at the time. Gutierrez said gate workers on base t...
CLOVIS - Everyone deserves another chance. That is what Hope Egerton was given Thursday night as she celebrated overcoming addiction and graduated from the Curry County District Court Drug Court program. "I feel really great," said Egerton. "I'm excited to see how far I can come with this." Egerton said the most memorable aspect of the program is the supportive team. "Honestly, I would have to say the way they are with us, it's like family," Egerton said. The most challenging...
By Kurt Munz-Raper STAFF WRITER [email protected] PORTALES — The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has been around since 1845, but it’s a new venture for Portales. Ines Rodriguez, president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Portales and member of St. Helen Catholic Church, said the non-profit organization is getting ready to help those in need. “Our main mission is to help people who are less fortunate,” said Rodriguez. “A lot of people donate items and we do a thrift store.” Bernadette Smedley, a member of the churc...
By Kurt Munz-Raper STAFF WRITER [email protected] CLOVIS — Things are getting much sweeter in Clovis. The town has seen a new trend of donut shops opening. One has only recently opened its doors, one is on the way, while another is in a new phase of transition. They all have one thing in common, besides selling donuts of course. They all emphasize fresh product and friendly, community-oriented customer service. The 30-year Daylight Donuts establishment is in a state of transition as new manager Megan Martinez is p...
CLOVIS — Even though the weather outside really was frightful, Clovis residents still felt the joy of the Christmas spirit on Saturday. The Lighthouse Mission hosted a Christmas party for community members and families to receive goodies and gifts. "It's for children that maybe aren't going to have a good Christmas," said Board President Sandra Smith. "It's a day the community feels the love of Jesus and from the community." Estra Baltazar brought her 21-month old son V...
