Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
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The city of Portales has received a $997,000 quality of life grant to better its economic development. One of the major projects the grant will be used for is establishing a dog park in La Buena Vida Park, said Portales Community Services Director Kelly McClellan. Public Infrastructure Projects Coordinator Administrator Jo McVey said it has yet to be decided how much of the grant will be dedicated to the dog park, but she plans on making a park that is enjoyed by the community. “We would like to give something for the communi...
Editor’s note: Staff of The News asked area officials to summarize the highlights and low points of 2023 and to identify the highest priority of 2024. This is one in a series of those reports. Curry County Manager Lance Pyle described 2023 as one the most “busiest and productive years” the county has had. Pyle said the County Commission has been working rigorously this year to receive federal and state grants. He said some of the highlights of the year include the completion of the courthouse addition and renovations, and a...
Curry County has received a $376,850 grant to construct the first Americans with Disability Act-compliant playground in the county, officials announced on Tuesday. County Grant Administrator and Preventionist Kristian Price presented the news to the commissioners. Price said the new playground will replace the Ag Barn on the fairgrounds. “It’s very cool that you got this done. It’s cool playground equipment and it’s appropriate for the fairgrounds,” Commission Chairman Robert Thornton said. Price said the playgroun...
Music is everlasting and Clovis High School students gave it meaning, said longtime Clovis Band Director Norvil Howell as he received a plaque Thursday noting his recognition in the U.S. Congressional Record. Ben Salazar, congressional aid to U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M., said Howell was not only a music mentor to himself but to countless students as well during Howell’s 40 years with Clovis Municipal Schools. More than 100 students, staff and friends gathered Thursday to honor the significant impact Howell has h...
When I was in fourth grade, I remember our teacher would make us create letters asking Santa what we wanted for Christmas. As most kids would groan and talk about the various toys they wanted for the holiday, I would always treat my letters with heavy consideration. There was only one thing I ever wanted as a kid and that was to see my dad for Christmas. My dad had joined the Army as an air traffic controller. My mom said he joined about four years after I was born; since...
The Roosevelt County Courthouse may soon see renovations after receiving funding from the Roosevelt County Commission. Court Executive Officer Kevin Spear along with District Judge Donna Mowrer presented the request to the commission on Tuesday. Spear said the commission would have to match a $1 million project with $500,000 in order for the court to get funding from the Administrative Office of Courts. Mowrer said the court doesn’t have the funding unless the county can assist. Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the $...
Curry County commissioners on Tuesday named Sam Kelley as the new county assessor. The vote was 3-2 with Commissioners Seth Martin and Brad Bender opposing. The position became available after the abrupt resignation of former Assessor Randa Jesko two months ago. Commissioners also unanimously appointed Michael Brockett acting sheriff following the death of Mike Reeves early this month. Brockett had been Reeves’ chief deputy and will be acting sheriff until after November’s election. Commission Chairman Robert Thornton sai...
New Mexico can look forward to this legislative session providing more funding for local infrastructure. That was the word from area lawmakers who spoke at Tuesday’s Clovis-Curry County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast. “We all know how cumbersome the compliance, the paperwork is to go after these big … grants. But those are the grants that are going to help us push the needle to redo our roads and infrastructure and provide us with well needed things for our rural communities,” said Shanna Sasser, Departm...
A single star-shaped light above a makeshift stable shines like a beacon at Living Stones Community Church of the Nazarene these nights. Residents gathered in their winter attire Monday night as they watched in amazement of the living nativity. Pastor Rusty Brian said the Clovis church has been hosting this event for four years straight. He said it's not only good to get people in the holiday spirit, but to be reminded of the reason for the holiday. "Christmas is one of our...
With the holiday season, families may be looking into expanding with an additional four-legged companion. According to a nationwide survey by Forbes Advisor, the most popular dog breed New Mexico residents consider is the German shepherd. According to a news release, two-thirds of U.S. households own a dog and 85% of dog owners consider pets a part of their family. To help determine which furry friend is perfect for your household, Forbes Advisor surveyed 10,000 dog owners in America to determine which breed is most favored i...
Eastern New Mexico University regents on Friday approved a 2% increase in room and board rates for fiscal year 2024-2025. ENMU Vice President of Business Affairs and System Chief Financial Officer Tony Major presented the new rates to the regents. Major said the increase is so that reserves are available for repair and maintenance to the buildings. He said the 2% rate will range between $8 and $66 per student, depending on their living situation. According to the ENMU website, a student living in a Curry Hall dorm would...
Portales Municipal Schools Superintendent Johnnie Cain last week announced his retirement after 11 years with Portales schools and 30 years in education. Cain said he wanted to spend more time being closer to his family and enjoying his hobbies. "I have put 30 years into education and I think it's just time. ... I have been a superintendent for 15 years and 11 of them within Portales and it's been really great," Cain said. Cain said his last day as superintendent will be June...
In a 7-1 vote Tuesday, the Portales City Council named Councilman Michael Miller as the city's new mayor. On Nov. 28, Portales Mayor Ron Jackson announced his plans to resign due to health reasons. Jackson had nearly served two years of his current four-year term. It was up to City Council members to appoint a new mayor until the next election. Councilman Daniel Boan nominated Mike Davidson, an outspoken advocate for change in city water policies, for the mayor's job. Boan...
Editor's note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Bill Allred recently announced his retirement as Clovis High School's band director after a run of 11 consecutive state marching band championships. Q: You have nearly three decades with the Clovis band programs. What themes have you seen in teaching students through this time? A: Throughout nearly three decades of teaching within the Clovis community, my dedication and commitment to...
After studying countless hours and spending time away from her Lubbock family, Eastern New Mexico University student Gwen Buchanan will be able to hold proof of her hard work at Saturday's 145th commencement ceremony. The 21-year-old forensic science major said attending ENMU is nearly a family tradition, as both her parents and grandparents also graduated from the Portales university. That makes Buchanan the third generation in her family to graduate. "I'm from the Lubbock...
Portales Municipal Schools has been awarded a grant for a security system aimed at identifying guns on campus. The Stronger Connection grant will allow installation of an Artificial Intelligence system that will work with cameras at Portales High School. Once installed, the program will be able to identify “gun-shaped objects,” and alert law enforcement and school staff to take safety precautions. Director of Federal Programs, Curriculum and Instruction Rick Segovia provided the news to the Portales school board on Mon...
She was a good Christian woman. A symbol of character for the community. A role model for women everywhere. That's how friends and family described Wilma Fulgham, who died Tuesday morning. "She was a great mother. She always stayed active and supported her family. Ever since I've known her, she was always involved with the community. She was a hard worker," Fulgham's son, Jerry Fulgham said. Wilma Fulgham, 92, died Tuesday morning at Clovis' Plains Regional Medical Center....
Since she was 8, Lisa Kia has often had a dog attached to her hip. Through her father's guidance, she trained them to not only be her best friend but to also help others. Years later Kia owns Allegiance K9 Dog Training where she and her team advocate for the representation of service and therapy dogs within the region. Kia said they have recently created a therapy dog team that visits colleges, elderly homes and Cannon Air Force Base. "To me I think that's where the industry...
The Roosevelt County Commission has drafted an agreement that will decrease annual funding for rural fire departments by $2,000. Representatives from those departments were at Tuesday’s Commission meeting to express their concerns. Dora Fire Chief Paul Luscumbe said his volunteers could be out of business with the reduced funding. “Our costs have increased dramatically and the cost to provide those services has increased as well,” Luscumbe told commissioners. “It’s getting to the point where we cannot afford to continue...
Clovis Community College will become a host site for the Statewide Educational Network to optimize connectivity to schools, allow sharing of resources and reduce cybersecurity risk. Broadband Program Manager Ovidiu Viorica presented the project to CCC’s board of trustees at Wednesday’s meeting. Viorica said the two-phase project will aim to provide better internet speed and connectivity and expert network management. “For New Mexico schools and school districts, the state is remote, rural and sparsely populated in many areas...
The Roosevelt County Commission voted 3-2 Tuesday to keep its ethics ordinance, but plans to consider amendments in the future. The ordinance is a 14-page document that details the promotion of the ethical conduct of public officials within the county and addresses interference by county commissioners or other elected officials. Commissioner Roy Lee Crisswell said the ethics ordinance in place “hampers transparency” between the employees of the county and the commissioners. He said the ordinance suggests employees of the cou...
Editor's note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Stephanie Chavez is the new zoo director for Hillcrest Park's zoo. Q: Summarize your job description: What does the zoo director do? A: I provide strategic leadership for the zoo, overseeing day-to-day operations and guiding long-term planning. I am dedicated to the well-being of our animal residents. This involves collaborating with curators and zookeepers to establish and maintain high...
It started as a love for animals. Ten years ago, two best friends decided to band together to advocate for animal wellness and decrease the stray population within Clovis and Portales. Founder of Cindy’s Hope for Precious Paws, Cindy Clayton, and co-founder Wendy Turner knew immediately they had to do something about the growing stray population. Turner said they always loved animals and found it “heartbreaking” by seeing how many cats and dogs were left on the street. “It’s something we’ve been passionate about for a good...
Clovis Municipal Schools Superintendent Renee Russ shared her concerns about proposed state mandates with school board members on Tuesday night. Russ said CMS and all public school districts in New Mexico are facing a significant challenge ahead. She said New Mexico’s Public Education Department is proposing a mandate that all school districts adhere to a minimum of 180 student days per academic year. “It’s particularly frustrating because they’re not soliciting input from educators and asking them what they think,...
Area residents aren’t the only ones getting ready for Christmas. Local cities are in the holiday spirit as well. The Portales Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 38th annual Christmas Jubilee light parade at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Clovis’ annual Christmas Light Parade is set for 6 p.m. Saturday. Organizers from both events said they expect big turnouts. The Portales parade will start on the corner of Second Street and Avenue O and travel down Main Street. Portales Chamber Executive Director Karl Terry said they had nea...
