Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
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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...
After more than a year of back-and-forth discussion, the city of Portales and Roosevelt County have agreed to an intergovernmental services contract. This new one has no financial contribution from either entity. Instead, it is services for services. Noteworthy topics in the new agreement, which was approved by city officials on April 22, include 911 dispatch, animal control and fire/EMS services. “The agreement settled the expectations from both governing bodies in reference to the administrative duties that the Dispatch C...
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,"...
Editor’s note: This is one in a series of Q&As featuring candidates in contested races for the June 4 primary. Early voting begins Tuesday at the county courthouse. For the Roosevelt County Commission District 2 seat, Jarryd Burris, Malin Parker, August Cooper, and James “Bobby” Hamilton are all running for the position currently held by Rod Savage. Savage declined to seek re-election. Jarryd Burris Q: How can the County Commission help local business grow and prosper? A: A higher focus on using the already-in-place asset...
The massive fire at Hampton Farms outside Portales on April 15 did more than destroy the peanut processing plant. It also exposed staffing challenges at the Portales Fire Department. Firefighters from around the region responded to help PFD at the peanut plant, but the facility continued to burn for days, requiring personnel to keep an eye on it. The night of April 17, with the peanut mill still requiring oversight, responders received a call for a house fire in the 700 block of North Avenue M. Four minutes after that, an...
For the fourth year, Curry County will administer the summer internship program for high school students, ages 16-18. “The goal of this program is to provide career exploration in a field that the intern may have an interest in,” said Darian Roybal, the county’s human resource director. Among 33 counties in New Mexico, Roybal said Curry County is one of 14 that take on the grant that makes it possible. “This began as the New Mexico Public Education Department College and Career Readiness Bureau Summer Enrichment Program...
Roosevelt County will pay about $245,000 more for insurance over the next three years, County Manager Amber Hamilton told commissioners on Tuesday. The county currently pays $720,350 annually to the New Mexico County Insurance Authority pool for property, workers compensation and law enforcement liability, Hamilton said. New Mexico counties are self insured through the pool. Hamilton, who serves on the NMCIA board of directors, said the insurance market is challenging across the state. “It is just difficult,” Hamilton sai...
After almost two years of preparation, the Roosevelt County Food Pantry is serving residents. In May 2022, officials from the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico asked the Roosevelt County Commission to consider serving as a fiscal agent for a food security grant. The Commission unanimously agreed with that request. In August 2022, the county was awarded $216,793.50 to construct the 800 square foot building at 600 N. Ave K in Portales. Food distribution began quietly in January....
Eastern New Mexico University's Golden Library has digitized its collection of Silver Packs, the university's yearbooks – 73 years worth. That means they can all be read online, and access is free. "We first got quotes for scanning materials about three years ago. However, the original scope of the project was too large," said Regina Bouley Sweeten, Archives and Special Collections librarian. So the project was broken up into two projects: Silver Packs and The Chase (...
Editor’s note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Joe Alaniz is the acting Curry County Detention Center administrator. He’s filling in for Administrator Mark Gallegos who is in military service with the Naval Reserve. Q: What trends are you seeing with arrests? A: Recidivism is quite high, but the influx of new arrests also seems to be on the rise. Q: How is staffing? Recruiting and retaining? A: Like so many agencies and businesses we are still experiencing the residual effects of COV...
A case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI or bird flu) was found at a poultry facility in Roosevelt County, agriculture officials confirmed last week. Initial testing of the unnamed facility was performed on April 10 for the presence of HPAI, according to a news release from the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. Further testing by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed HPAI was at the facility, the release stated. All of the birds at the facility will be destroyed. Shelton Dodson, director of...
Roosevelt County commissioners in a special meeting Monday agreed to a proposed intergovernmental services agreement with the city of Portales. Terms of the agreement have been debated for more than a year, with the entities exchanging proposals back and forth. The latest proposals – submitted to the county from the city last week -- will now go back to Portales City Council for final consideration. Interim City Manager T.J. Cathey said he expects city officials will approve the deal when the Council meets next week. C...
The Clovis Community Chorus, along with ENMU choirs are gearing up for two concerts that will take place on April 20 and 23. Tami Martin, Clovis Community Chorus Director and Jason Paulk, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities for Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU), have teamed up to bring Carl Orff's Carmina Burana to the area. Paulk will conduct both performances. "It's going to be really neat," Martin said. "Orff composed this piece for large orchestra, chor...
The Roosevelt County Commission unanimously approved a grant application that would provide funding for various renovations at the Roosevelt County Courthouse. At their regular meeting Tuesday, Kevin Spears with the Ninth Judicial District Court told the commission what renovations were needed upstairs, including improvements to the restrooms and jury room. “The total cost of the project would not exceed $1 million,” Spears said. The cost would be just over $858,000 and the county would cover only 50%, which would be aro...
Editor’s note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Amber Hamilton is the county manager for Roosevelt County. Q: What is the jail situation these days? Are you short of detention officers? How many prisoners are you averaging? A: Roosevelt County has been averaging 64 detainees (per day) in 2024. There are 31 total positions at the facility with two vacant positions. Interviews are ongoing as personnel are working to fill these two slots. The Detention Center continues to provide c...
It’s time again for the Clovis Music Festival. This year’s headliners will include the rock band Gin Blossoms and country music’s Kip Moore who will headline the 37th annual event. “You don’t get this in Clovis every day,” said Kim Tipton, events coordinator for Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce. Other performances, all taking place at the Curry County Events Center, will include Bowling for Soup and a Pink Floyd laser spectacular, which will be a laser show along to the music of the popular ’70s band. A schedule of eve...
