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  • Commission acts swiftly to replace city manager

    Mike Linn

    More than 30 years ago, Joe Thomas came to Clovis to pursue a career in law enforcement. His plan was to work as a patrolman with the Clovis Police Department for a few years, then return home to Tucumcari and run for sheriff of Quay County. The plan never reached fruition. Thomas found a home in Clovis. In two weeks, he will be in charge of his adopted city. The Clovis City Commission on Thursday unanimously approved Thomas as the new city manager, succeeding Ray Mondragon, whose resignation is effective Dec. 17. Mondragon...

  • FAN-tastic: Clovis expects 5,000 to 6,000 fans on Saturday for title game

    Mike Linn

    Bessie Lovorn, wearing the No. 68 jersey of her grandson Kendall Richards, has been a Wildcats fan since 1975 and has only missed one game in the last seven years. (Staff photo: Eric Kluth) Bessie Lovorn wears purple and white socks and has painted her grandson’s number on her fingernails. Last week, when Clovis football fans tried to propel the ’Cats over Highland with chants of “Defense, defense,” Lovorn muttered “Please Lord, please Lord.” She’s a faithful Wildcat follower, one of more than 5,000 expected for Saturday...

  • Hunting 'will never be the same'

    Mike Linn

    The Associated Press BIRCHWOOD, Wis. — Clovis resident Ron Pierson was “absolutely mortified” last week to hear that two acquaintances — Robert Crotteau, 42, and son Joey, 20 — were slain during a deer hunt 20 miles from his former home in Rice Lake, Wis. Pierson said he played softball and socialized with the Crotteaus when he worked at a radio station in Rice Lake. But the co-owner of KICA FM-98.3 and AM-980 in Clovis said he doesn’t believe last month’s shooting of eight deer hunters will negatively impact hunting in Wisco...

  • Eastern to award veteran honorary degree

    Mike Linn

    PORTALES — It was a few moments spent reading a book to a 4-year-old boy, but it changed Portales resident Kenneth Hubbard’s outlook on life. His uncle, an administrator of the Portales Children’s Home, was reading to the boy when the young Hubbard stopped by for a visit. “My uncle asked me to read to the boy as a payback for all the times he had read to me as a young boy,” Hubbard said. “It was a lesson I’ve used ever since. If everybody pays back then our lives will be better, and the lives of the future generations w...

  • Logan withdraws from water project

    Mike Linn

    The Village of Logan will no longer be involved in the Ute Pipeline Project, a decision that is expected to have little impact on the project and Logan’s future water supply. Logan Village Administrator Larry Wallin said the town will continue to reserve its 400 acre feet of water from the lake, but a town sewer project takes financial priority over the project. Since the lake provides plenty of water for the town’s underground aquifer, Wallin said the pipeline is not necessary for Logan’s future water supply. Members of the...

  • Late DA appointment postpones court cases

    Mike Linn

    Criminal court cases scheduled for Monday were postponed because Gov. Bill Richardson had not appointed a district attorney in time to replace Brett Carter, whose duties end at 5 p.m. today. Carter has accepted a job to work as the district public defender. Incoming District Attorney Matt Chandler — whose official term begins Jan. 1 — was expected to be appointed by the governor to replace Carter in a smooth transition. When the governor had not appointed Chandler by Friday morning, criminal cases scheduled for Monday were po...

  • Logan out of Ute Water Project

    Mike Linn

    The Village of Logan will no longer be involved in the Ute Pipeline Project, a decision that is expected to have little impact on the project and Logan’s future water supply. Logan Village Administrator Larry Wallin said the town will continue to reserve its 400 acre feet of water from the lake, but a town sewer project takes financial priority over the project. Since the lake provides plenty of water for the town’s underground aquifer, Wallin said the pipeline is not necessary for Logan’s future water supply. Members of the...

  • Late appointment leaves district without D.A. temporarily

    Mike Linn

    Criminal court cases scheduled for Monday were postponed because Gov. Bill Richardson had not appointed a district attorney in time to replace Brett Carter, whose duties end at 5 p.m. today. Carter has accepted a job to work as the district public defender. Incoming District Attorney Matt Chandler — whose official term begins Jan. 1 — was expected to be appointed by the governor to replace Carter in a smooth transition. When the governor had not appointed Chandler by Friday morning, criminal cases scheduled for Monday were po...

  • Clovis in hunt for another movie

    Mike Linn

    Clovis has become the closest thing to a Hollywood on the High Plains. Just weeks after producers of “Believe in Me” called it a wrap, Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce officials are recruiting a film with a new set of stars — more specifically Sandra Bullock, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd. Crew members of the roughly $70 million production want to film the drama, about a writer’s relationship with two convicted murders, in New Mexico and are scheduled to arrive in Clovis today to scout the area for the...

  • Hounds stay in house for new football coach

    Mike Linn

    In his first public comments as head football coach of Eastern New Mexico University, Mark Ribaudo said he will work to continue the program’s success in graduating players and winning games. His only caveat: Win more games. The defensive coordinator for the Greyhounds the past eight seasons, Ribaudo was promoted to head coach on Wednesday. He will continue his duties as coordinator of the team’s defense, which led the league in sacks this year with 36 but ranked only 10th out of 13 teams in total defense. “I’m extreme...

  • Clovis woman accused of working as a nurse after forging documents

    Mike Linn

    A woman who worked for more than two years as a nurse in Clovis was arrested Friday on charges she forged nurse licenses and embezzled from one of her employers. Jennifer Jenwah King, 33, of Clovis, is charged with embezzling $907 from La Casa Family Health Center, working as a nurse without a license and providing two healthcare facilities with fraudulent nurse’s licenses. King was terminated from her position at La Casa on July 23 after working as a nurse for more than two years, according to a statement from Jeanette C...

  • New movie could be filmed in Clovis

    Mike Linn

    Clovis has become the closest thing to a Hollywood on the High Plains. Just weeks after producers of “Believe in Me” called it a wrap, Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce officials are recruiting a film with a new set of stars — more specifically Sandra Bullock, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd. Crew members of the roughly $70 million production want to film the drama, about a writer’s relationship with two convicted murders, in New Mexico and are scheduled to arrive in Clovis today to scout the area for the...

  • Woman arrested on charges of fake nursing license

    Mike Linn

    A woman who worked for more than two years as a nurse in Clovis was arrested Friday on charges she forged nurse licenses and embezzled from one of her employers. Jennifer Jenwah King, 33, is charged with embezzling $907 from La Casa Family Health Center, working as a nurse without a license and providing two healthcare facilities with fraudulent nurse’s licenses. King was terminated from her position at La Casa on July 23 after working as a nurse for more than two years, according to a statement from Jeanette Chavez, d...

  • Thirty-six police officers on bargaining unit

    Mike Linn

    Cops and Courts Thirty-six Clovis police officers on Friday voted to form the Clovis Police Officers Association, a bargaining unit of sergeants, patrolmen, detectives and the evidence technician, said group president Kirk Roberts, a detective. “It provides clear lines of communication between line-level employees and administration and provides a format for addressing issues,” Roberts said. Roberts said there were 38 officers eligible to be in the Officers Association, and two voted against joining. He said the Officers Ass...

  • Business feature: Holiday hiring season here

    Mike Linn

    Dilliard’s employees Amina Fuseini (left) and Lina Jano sort Christmas items Monday night at work. (Staff photo: Mike Linn) With Thanksgiving just a little more than a week away, local businesses and national retailers are beefing up their staffs in preparation for the extra work loads in the coming holiday season. And for those interested in seasonal work, the time to apply is now, local store managers say. The nation’s retailers expect a modest pickup in holiday spending this year, despite higher gasoline prices and ris...

  • City takes ownership of Hotel Clovis

    Mike Linn

    The City of Clovis on Monday took over ownership of the Hotel Clovis, a one-time glamorous building for those who remember the hotel as the city’s landmark of luxury. And some residents would like to see the building — dilapidated and boarded up for years — return to its splendor, or at least to some level of operation. The city foreclosed on the hotel after the Hispano Business Council didn’t pay property taxes or repay the roughly $30,000 the city spent two years ago to secure the building, which had become a public...

  • Man pleads guilty to vehicular homicide

    Mike Linn

    By: Mike Linn: CNJ news editor A Clovis man pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle Wednesday in the July 4, 2003, death of a Clovis woman. Joe Martinez, 44, faces up to 17 1/2 years in jail on charges he fled police while intoxicated and ran into and killed 39-year-old Bobbie Lynn Sandoval, court records show. Melissa Equia, Sandoval’s sister-in-law, said the family is somewhat comfortable with the guilty plea and thankful to avoid a jury trial, which was scheduled to begin Monday. “Joe Martinez chose his actions to drive dru...

  • Wildcats extend winning streak into playoffs

    Mike Linn

    Clovis junior running back Tanner Fickling stiff-arms Cibola's Jacob Martinez during the Wildcats' 21-6 win Friday. CNJ photo: Mike Linn Patience is paying off for Phillip Williams. It wasn’t an easy lesson though as the Clovis senior set out this season to prove he is the best running back in the state. After a slow start, he’s put himself in the running. Ignoring a cold drizzle that turned the ball and the field slick, Williams darted for 229 yards rushing and two touchdowns while leading the Wildcats to a 21-6 win ove...

  • In tribute: Sisters grew closer with age

    Mike Linn

    Friends and family described her as determined, caring and even-tempered. She was a tomboy in youth and a superb cook in her later years. On Oct. 29 Marilyn Tyson of Clovis died at Plains Regional Medical Center after a short battle with cancer. She was 72. Tyson was born Oct. 31, 1931 in Chanute, Kan., but the family soon moved to Pueblo, Colo., when her father was transferred there with his railroad company. She grew up in the early 1940s with her younger sister, Margie Tyson, at her side. “Marilyn being older, and being t...

  • Proud to be remembered: Veterans appreciate day of honor

    Mike Linn

    Evelyn Glasscock, right, tells veteran Dennis Dayhoff thank you for his service in the United States Armed Forces during a appreciation ceremony for veterans Wednesday at the Retirement Ranch in Clovis. CNJ staff photo: Eric Kluth Mike Linn: CNJ news editor For about five minutes, all eyes were on Lester Teakell, an energetic and humorous sort who is not afraid to tell friends they need to shave or watch their weight. When the group of about 10 people weren’t laughing at Teakell’s light-hearted jokes Wednesday, they were hon...

  • Judge tosses out CNJ lawsuit against county

    Mike Linn

    A district judge threw out a public records lawsuit filed against Curry County on Monday because of what he said was a procedural error. District Judge Joe Parker said Freedom Communications, parent company of the Clovis News Journal, incorrectly sued Curry County when it sought the salaries of county employees. Parker said the lawsuit should have listed the county’s board of commissioners as defendants, and whoever was in charge of the records, in this case Curry County Manager Geneva Cooper. He said his decision may look l...

  • Wages worry sheriff

    Mike Linn

    Curry County sheriff’s deputy Dean Marney fills out a warning for speeding Monday afternoon north of Clovis. (Staff photo: Mike Linn) Curry County Sheriff Roger Hatcher said Monday he plans to request a pay raise for his deputies in response to a recent increase awarded city police. Hatcher said he will ask county commissioners to bump pay for certified deputies from $11.58 to at least $15.45, the minimum salary approved by the city for an officer with one year experience. The Clovis City Commission on Thursday approved a $...

  • Erroneous Melrose graduation rate overturned by state

    Mike Linn

    Melrose science teacher Alan Daugherty, right, helps Melrose freshman Toni Burdine with her studies Tuesday during biology class at the high school. (Staff photo: Eric Kluth) An error that led to Melrose High School not meeting adequate yearly progress was overturned recently after state officials corrected the school’s graduation rate. Melrose High originally did not meet state standards because the school’s graduation rate was incorrectly labeled at 21 percent for the 2003/2004 school year. Melrose High Principal Jamie Wid...

  • Lawsuit against Curry County thrown out

    Mike Linn

    A district judge threw out a public records lawsuit filed against Curry County on Monday because of what he said was a procedural error. District Judge Joe Parker said Freedom Communications, parent company of the Clovis News Journal, incorrectly sued Curry County when it sought the salaries of county employees. Parker said the lawsuit should have listed the county’s board of commissioners as defendants, and whoever was in charge of the records, in this case Curry County Manager Geneva Cooper. He said his decision may look l...

  • Ad leads authorities to more gaming devices

    Mike Linn

    Cops and Courts For the second time in six months, a newspaper advertisement led to the seizure of illegal gaming devices in Clovis, according to a press release from the New Mexico Gaming Control Board. Undercover Gaming Control Board officials received a tip from a Clovis resident who saw a full-page ad in the Clovis News Journal promoting a truck-stop sale at the National Guard Armory Oct. 29 - Oct. 30. The ad promoted the sale of “skill stop” gaming machines for $159. Undercover agents located three gaming machines. Age...

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