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  • Education feature: Clovis, Portales organizing esports teams

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Nov 19, 2019

    Competitive video gaming has seen a massive rise in popularity in recent years, with viewership of live tournament broadcasts surpassing that of many traditional sporting events. Prize pools have risen to multi-million dollar levels and some game companies even offer full ride college scholarships to those who win tournaments they host. Commonly known as esports, these events have caught the eye of the New Mexico Activities Association, which is organizing its second statewide esports league this year. Starting in December,...

  • Ground broken on new fire substation

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Nov 18, 2019

    PORTALES - Fire coverage is an important part of any city's infrastructure, and station location is key. The city of Portales will soon have a new fire substation that will cover to the northwest part of town, while adding coverage of the area north of the railroad tracks. "It's going to bring a quicker response time to the north part of Portales," said Fire Chief Gary Nuckols. "The railway has been a hindrance for us at times and can delay our response. This is going to be a...

  • Ag 50 hears speaker on World Food Security

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Nov 16, 2019

    CLOVIS — The Ag 50 Committee opened its first quarterly meeting since its reorganization with a bang by inviting Tara Vander Dussen, a local dairy farmer, environmental scientist and global dairy industry advocate, to speak. Vander Dussen advocates for the dairy industry across the nation and recently traveled to Rome to attend the United Food and Agriculture Committee meeting on World Food Security. She often goes by the online handle the “New Mexico Milkmaid.” “I grew up on a dairy farm in Portales and married a fine da...

  • Portales student selected for honor band

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Nov 12, 2019

    Every year, thousands of high school musicians across the U.S. submit auditions to perform in the All National Honors Ensemble. Around 200 end up making the cut. Portales High School senior Parker Yi was one of two New Mexico musicians selected to play in the ANHE's 120-person concert band this year after submitting his audition in May. "It was very exciting. It's an honor to be chosen out of everyone who auditioned in the entire country," Yi said. "I was selected third chair...

  • WWII vet staying active

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Nov 9, 2019

    CLOVIS - Steve Owen has lived nearly his entire life in Clovis, with one big exception. He was drafted in 1942 to serve in World War II, which took him from the boundaries of the state to foreign shores, serving in the South West Pacific Area. At 101, Owen is one of few remaining veterans from WWII, which ended 74 years ago. He served 3 1/2 years in the Army Air Corps as an aircraft mechanic. This year he was elected to be Saturday's marshal of the Clovis Veterans Day Parade,...

  • ENMU approved for liquor license

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Nov 9, 2019

    PORTALES — Eastern New Mexico University was approved for a governmental liquor license during Tuesday’s Portales City Council meeting. Wade Jackson, a lawyer representing ENMU, and ENMU President Jeff Elwell spoke on behalf of the university during the meeting’s public hearing. No one present spoke against allowing the license. With this change, ENMU will cease being a completely dry campus and this will be its first license to serve alcohol. The only location the license is expected to be used is in the Campus Union Build...

  • Western music on tap in Clovis

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Nov 9, 2019

    CLOVIS — Harking back to the days of the wild west, the Sons of the Pioneers will ride through Clovis once again Thursday as part of Clovis Community College’s Cultural Art Series. “We’re no strangers to the area. The Pioneers have played in Clovis a few times over the years,” said Sons of the Pioneers member John Fullerton. “We’re excited and it seems like folks love us every time we come to town.” The six-man group offers a tight three-part vocal performance of classic western music including their own hits like “Cool Wate...

  • Spence looks to business side of CCC

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Nov 9, 2019

    Realtor Carolyn Spence is looking to bring a unique business sense and the perspective of conservative values to the Clovis Community College Board of Trustees after winning a seat during Tuesday’s election. Spence defeated incumbent Raymond Mondragon in the race for Clovis Community College Position 4 and will begin her tenure on the board of trustees starting next year. The race was a highlight for the election that also saw voters approve alcohol in the unincorporated areas of Curry and Roosevelt counties. Spence said s...

  • For mothers in need

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Nov 5, 2019

    Saturday evening, local artists, musicians, patrons and more gathered at the Java Loft to raise money for mothers in need. The Art for Moms charity auction raised roughly $500 in bids and donations, with some items still taking bids via the group's Facebook page. Art for Moms is raising money to help provide pre-natal and post-natal care for women who have come across the U.S. border and may not have access to medical services. "It's basically non-existent," said Art for Moms...

  • Roosevelt approves officer raises

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Nov 5, 2019

    Officers at the Roosevelt County Detention Center can expect a raise this year after county commissioners approved changes to the pay plan on Tuesday. The detention center has had ongoing issues retaining personnel and remains the most problematic department in the county in that regard, according to County Manager Amber Hamilton. Jail Administrator Justin Porter said that after looking at the hiring process it was decided a pay increase would be the best incentive to keep officers on. “We looked at training, retention and p...

  • Annual Pops concert set for Nov. 16

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Nov 5, 2019

    Classic Americana music, guessing games and a good meal will go toward educating future musicians at the 52nd annual University Friends of Music Pops Dinner Concert on Nov. 16. “It’s a traditional, fun event that people who have been around awhile really like to attend,” said Kathleen Salter, treasurer for University Friends of Music. “Some people dress up, but plenty wear ordinary clothes. It’s a great connection between the town and university.” The Pops Dinner Concert is set for 7 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Eastern New Mexico Uni...

  • Veterans Day events on tap across area

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Nov 5, 2019

    To honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. military and their families, members of the Clovis and Portales communities are coming together to put on a slew of events, from open houses at local veteran organization posts to the annual Veterans Day Parade. Veterans Day is Monday, and there’s a lot going on the days leading up to it. John Montano is the lead organizer of the Clovis Veterans Week events and has helped arrange everything from the parade to the Veterans Day breakfast. “We want to honor these vet...

  • RGH awards contract for new emergency department

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Nov 2, 2019

    PORTALES — Roosevelt General Hospital is moving forward with the construction of its new emergency department and has awarded the contract for the architectural and engineering portion of the project to FBT Architects. Chief Executive Officer Kaye Green announced the hospital would be working with FBT for the project during RGH’s monthly meeting Tuesday night. Green said representatives from FBT would be on site Friday to begin the design process. The hospital is expecting four proposals from construction management firms for...

  • Candidate Q&A: Texico School Board Position 3

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Nov 2, 2019

    Craig Rohrbach is looking to start his fifth year on the Texico School Board, but he’s been challenged for the spot by Charles Vannatta during this year’s election. Texico School Board Position 3 will be decided Tuesday. The News sat down with both candidates to talk about themselves and what they’ll do if elected Charles Vannatta Why are you running? My goal is to bring unity to the schools in my community and maintain quality throughout the entire school. My goal would be to help further the school and make it better than...

  • Candidate Q&A: Clovis Community College Board of Trustees

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Nov 2, 2019

    Clovis Community College Board of Trustees member Raymond Mondragon is up for re-election after his first four-year term and he has been challenged by Carolyn Spence. Election Day is Tuesday. The News sat down with both candidates to talk about their qualifications for the position. Candidate: Carolyn Spence Why are you running? Because our community gets knit together by specific organizations. It is affected more by things like the community college than standard businesses. I have a successful business in Clovis and we...

  • Trek for Trash set for Saturday

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Oct 29, 2019

    Twice a year, residents of Clovis take a day to clean up the town, one scrap of litter at a time. From parks to walkways, teams compete to see who can grab the most trash. The annual Fall Trek for Trash cleanup is set for Saturday at the Parks and Recreation Department with day-of registration starting at 7:30 a.m., a doughnut and juice breakfast at 8 a.m. and cleanup going until noon with a pizza lunch to follow. Prizes will be handed out at 12:30 p.m. for whichever team...

  • CCC hosting Shop Small Community Kickoff

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Oct 29, 2019

    CLOVIS — November marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season. And in the hustle and bustle of customers trying to find the perfect gifts for loved ones, local venues often get overlooked in favor of online orders or big box stores. Clovis Community College will host the Shop Small Community Kickoff this Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The mission is to get shoppers thinking about local vendors as they begin their November shopping sprees. The event will feature a live piano performance, songs by the Clovis High S...

  • Dedication set for Clovis war dog memorial

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Oct 29, 2019

    CLOVIS - From rescue and service dogs to military and police K-9s, man's best friend has helped fill many important roles in modern society. Several citizens of Clovis have been working hard to make sure the dogs get the recognition they deserve. This Saturday there will be a war dog memorial dedication at 2 p.m. at Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens cemetery to honor dogs serving in the military and those that have fallen in the line of duty. The event will be hosted by Patsy Delk...

  • Commish votes to draft property tax resolution

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Oct 26, 2019

    CLOVIS — After nearly two hours of heated debate on Tuesday, the City Commission voted 6-2 to begin drafting a resolution to increase property taxes to fund the interim groundwater project portion of the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System. The project would connect Clovis, Portales and Cannon Air Force Base with a water pipeline and is the second stage of the rural water system. The levy would raise local property taxes depending on the amount chosen for the debt service. Once the resolution is drafted, the commissioners w...

  • Candidate Q&A: Grady School Board Position 3

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Oct 26, 2019

    Two candidates are vying for Grady School Board Position 3 this year, with Kodie Weese throwing her hat in the ring against four-year veteran Gerald Garland. Early voting has started and Election Day will be Nov. 5. The News sat down with both candidates to ask about their qualifications. Other candidate interviews will follow in upcoming editions of The News. Kodi Weese Why are you running? I am running because I have two children in the school and I think that the board should have more members with children attending the...

  • Building demolitions to begin this week

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Oct 26, 2019

    CLOVIS — Demolition of buildings on the 800 block of Main Street and the 900 block of Mitchell Streetwill begin this week to make room for a parking area with green space to better serve businesses and government buildings in the area. The Curry County Commission approved a partnership with Main Street, Inc. to submit a grant project proposal for planning, designing and constructing the project. The grant would allow up to $80,000 for the project with a 20 percent match, 60 percent of which must be in cash, while 40 p...

  • Community members weigh in on tax proposal

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Oct 26, 2019

    CLOVIS — Before commissioners voted to draft a new property tax resolution to pay for part of the Ute pipeline project on Tuesday, several Clovis and Curry County citizens weighed in on the matter. Blake Prather, who lives just outside the city limits, opened the discussion, stating he had experience on previous water projects and criticized how the current project is being handled. Prather emphasized the importance of securing a water supply before focusing on the infrastructure, saying the city may find itself with a p...

  • New airline provider may take over in Clovis

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Oct 26, 2019

    CLOVIS — A new airline may be providing flights from Clovis to Dallas early next year with Contour Airlines instead of Boutique Air Service as the alternate essential air service (ESA) provider for Clovis. During Tuesday’s meeting, the City Commission recommended Contour’s offer out of 11 options from five different companies. Contour will take over at the start of 2020 if the Federal Aviation Administration accepts the city’s recommendation as expected. Eight communities currently use Alternate EAS, with the FAA subsidi...

  • FFA teams head out

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Oct 26, 2019

    After finding success at the state championships in April, FFA teams from Clovis and Portales high schools are bound for the 92nd National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis this week. Portales will send juniors Abi Cameron, Alyssa McAlister and Emily Newberry and sophomore Rylie Courtney from its floriculture team, while Clovis sends junior Grant Palla, sophomores Cara McWilliams and Robert Gage Myers and freshman Thomas Palla from the dairy team. The Clovis team will compete in dairy cattle evaluation and management...

  • 100 years of providing a home

    Mathew Brock - Staff|Updated Oct 22, 2019

    PORTALES - For 100 years the New Mexico Baptist Children's Home has provided a place for children who have lost their family or been forced out of their homes to live and grow in a safe environment. Things have changed drastically for the organization over its existence, but its commitment to helping children in need and instilling positive values in its wards has not. Today, the Children's Home is run by President and CEO Randy Rankin, who has been working to expand its...

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