Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
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Editor’s note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Mark Gallegos is back in his position of jail administrator for the Curry County Detention Center after a recent military deployment. Q: You recently returned from military deployment. As much as you can, talk about your military commitment and what you were doing on this latest mission. A: I am in the Navy Reserves as a Naval officer. I was activated to active duty from Aug. 4, 2023, to June 21, 2024, under the Operation Spartan Shield O...
Ruthann Kelly traveled to Lincoln County to help the emergency management teams any way she could during the South Fork and Salt wildfires in Ruidoso. She came home with ideas for better preparing our part of the state for potential disaster. "I've got so many notes on things that I want to change here on how we operate," said Kelly, the emergency management director for the city of Clovis and Curry County. Kelly was in the Ruidoso area June 18-21 after the fires – they ultima...
The Roosevelt County Commission on Tuesday passed a resolution that opposes a proposal from the Land Protection Plan that could ultimately impact many private landowners in the county. The proposal from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would acquire 7 million acres for the LPP, with the help of the Nature Conservancy. It would include the Muleshoe and Grulla National Wildlife Refuges in west Texas and eastern New Mexico called the “Conservation Partnership Area.” The mission would be to protect various wildlife hab...
Editor's note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Dr. Carlton Lewis is the director of mental health for Clovis Municipal Schools. Q: You have recently accepted the position as director of mental health for Clovis schools. Tell us about this position. What does it involve? A: The role is multifaceted, encompassing a range of responsibilities. My team and I will plan, implement, and coordinate events and programs focused on mental health. I...
The Portales City Council on June 25 unanimously approved a zoning change it hopes will make the downtown area more business friendly. At its regular meeting, the Council heard an explanation on a downtown ordinance first published about 15 years ago. That ordinance had multiple restrictions and rules for a section on Main Street, where the Courthouse and Courthouse Café are located. Those restrictions discouraged businesses from even making repairs to structures, said Kelly McLellan, community services director. So, the...
Editor's note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Col. Jeremy Bergin is the commander of the 27 Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base. Q: Your assignment to Cannon is ending soon. What is in store for you and your family at Air Force Special Operations headquarters? Tell us about your new job. A: I will be on the staff at Air Force Special Operations Command, leading the headquarters staff in supporting our power projection wings...
Roosevelt County has scheduled a special meeting for 10 a.m. Monday to begin the process of hiring a new county manager, officials said. Current Manager Amber Hamilton announced last month she will resign effective July 26. Monday’s meeting, to be held in executive session, will take place in the administrative conference room at the Roosevelt County Courthouse. “Any action necessary as a result of the closed executive session” is also on the agenda, but County Attorney Michael Garcia said county commissioners are “just...
The nation will celebrate freedom on Thursday and area residents will join in on the festivities in different ways. The largest crowd will gather, as usual, at Clovis’ Greene Acres Park all day for the 20th Smoke on the Water events. Fireworks highlight festivities beginning at dark, around 9 p.m. Smoke on the Water will also include a skateboarding competition and a three-on-three basketball tournament as well as the Freedom Car Show, live music and musical performances, and even a pie eating contest. “For twenty inc...
From controlling robots to watching movies, the summer reading program in Portales helps to get kids out of the house and have something fun to look forward to. "We're learning but the focus is fun," said Sarah Victor, children's librarian. For seven weeks, kids, teenagers and even adults can be part of the program. The program started the first week of June and will take a break the week of July 4. Tawna Luscombe, the director for the library, has seen the summer reading...
An Eastern New Mexico University alumnus has donated $2.5 million in what college officials are calling the “single largest gift in university history.” ENMU announced in June it had accepted a large donation from Steve Loy, a sports agent and former ENMU football player, but did not announce the amount until this week. The donation is to support ENMU athletes and athletic programs. In honor of the gifts, ENMU will rename Greyhound Stadium and Greyhound arena after the Loy family, according to an ENMU news release. ENMU spo...
Editor’s note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Annie Hogland is the Curry County clerk. Q: You were recently named the president for New Mexico Counties. What does that position entail? A: My job is to be an advocate for good county government and help guide the collaborative efforts of all 33 counties in their mission. Q: Do most of the state’s 33 counties have similar issues? What are most county officials spending their time addressing? A: Each county is unique with its own dem...
Editor’s note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Mike Nolen is the fire chief for the Clovis Fire Department. Q: You sent a dozen personnel to help with the Ruidoso fires. What was their mission? A: Their mission is to assist where possible. We had received a statewide request for help on the initial day of the fire (Monday). A crew of 12 Clovis Fire Department personnel staffing two structure trucks and an ambulance were sent out early Tuesday. As of Thursday morning, we sent an a...
Despite weather challenges, Draggin' Main organizers declared the 2024 event bigger and better than last year. Rain interrupted gatherings on three different days during the eight-day focus on motorized vehicles. "People are diehards," said Sherri Wilson, event coordinator. "We had a nice sizable crowd, more than we expected, because hot rodders are particular about their cars getting wet." The rain did wipe out the Hittin' the Bricks Block Party on Friday evening, including...
Editor’s note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Claire Burroughes is the assistant city manager for the city of Clovis. Q: How did you end up in Clovis? How often do you go back home (England)? What is the most significant difference between the countries? A: I moved to Clovis as a result of my husband’s service in the United States Air Force, and I enjoy traveling back to the UK most years to visit my family there. The most significant difference between the countries is having to dri...
The remains of a Clovis man killed during World War II will soon be returned home, according to a family member. Sgt. Samuel Prince, born Aug. 29, 1914, died in the Philippines on Sept. 22, 1942, as a prisoner of war, records show. But while family members have long known he likely died from malaria or another illness in a Japanese POW camp in Cabanatuan, the whereabouts of his remains were not known. That changed April 25 when researchers identified Prince's remains through...
Former Roosevelt County Sheriff Malin Parker won a four-way race to gain a seat on the Roosevelt County Commission on Tuesday. All four candidates were Republicans and no Democrats participated in the primary election, so Parker is expected to take office on Jan. 1. “I ran a solid campaign. I think my experience helped in the matter,” Parker said when asked why he thought voters selected him. Parker received 268 votes to 158 for runner-up August Cooper. James Hamilton was third with 100 votes, followed by Jarryd Burris wit...
Editor’s note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Kris Paulus is the Medication Assisted Treatment program director at the Roosevelt County Detention Center. Q: Briefly explain what the MAT program is and what is its overall goal. A: There are three FDA approved medications for opioid use disorder, which are methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. RCDC offers buprenorphine and naltrexone to patients who are appropriate candidates. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist, meaning it does g...
Editor’s note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Sandy Pieratt is the aquatics administrator for the city of Clovis. Potter Pool is open for the season. Hours of operation are: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday: Closed Q: What are some pool rules everyone needs to know before visiting? A: No street clothes are permitted. You must wear a swimsuit. No water rings, all personal flotation devices must be U.S. Coast Guard approved. C...
Roosevelt County Manager Amber Hamilton will be resigning her position and her last day will be July 26. Hamilton told county commissioners Tuesday and gave them an official letter of resignation. In the letter, Hamilton wrote, “This has not been an easy nor quick decision as we’ve spent more than 18 months praying for God’s direction and preparing for His release.” In a separate interview with the News, Hamilton said she and her husband knew this time would come, and God told them it would be in 2024. “It will be just shy...
Editor’s note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Col. Barry Roche is the Commander for the mission support group at Cannon Air Force Base and will be leaving in June. Q: Your assignment to CAFB will be ending in June. Where is your next assignment? A: I will be going to HQ Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field Florida to serve as Director, Cyber and C4 Systems. Q: How has CAFB changed since your arrival in the summer of 2022? A: There have been many changes within the o...
One local fifth grader got to showcase her real-world skills at a global competition in Atlanta. Amilia Sloan, a fifth grader at the Arts Academy at Bella Vista, competed at the Ron Clark Academy Global Amazing Shake recently, and it was an experience she said she'll never forget. According to the RCA, the Amazing Shake places an emphasis on teaching students manners, discipline, respect, and professional conduct. "It kind of puts kids in professional situations as well as...
An application requesting funding for a new animal control shelter in Portales has been submitted to the Board of Finance, with the possibility of the city receiving $350,000. Kelly McClellan, the director for community services, told the council at their regular meeting Tuesday the application that was submitted is 164 pages. In the application, McClellan said they considered this an emergency for funding due to smaller rooms in the shelter, which means decreased services to citizens. McClellan said there’s an increased f...
In a 3-2 vote, the Roosevelt County Commission declined to change the speed limit from 55 mph to 40 mph on a road section just southeast of Portales. The road that was in discussion was South Roosevelt Road (SRR) 8 and NM-88, and goes about 5 miles east to SRRG. Commissioners Tina Dixon, Roy Lee Criswell and Dennis Lopez voted against the resolution. Commissioners Paul Grider and Rod Savage voted yes. Roosevelt County Road Supervisor Juan Dominguez told the commission at their regular meeting Tuesday that a traffic study was...
Roosevelt County could possibly have a home economist again, if the commission allows it in their budget for fiscal year 2025. Several county residents and 4-H members asked the commission at their regular meeting Tuesday to vote in favor of bringing back a family and consumer sciences agent to the Roosevelt County Extension Office. The last time Roosevelt County had an FCS agent was around 2016 when the county was in a financial crunch and needed to cut funding, according to Roosevelt County Ag Agent, Patrick Kircher. At...
Roosevelt and Curry counties are used to replacing road signs. Whether they're being stolen, spray painted, or shot, vandalism to road signs is common and can be a problem, officials said. Pam Wortham, a Roosevelt County resident, said she and her husband like to cruise the countryside and listen to audio books regularly. "We've noticed over the past couple of years, and not just in Portales, but the roadsides all over the county and all over Curry County are disappearing,"...
