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Articles written by tonjia rolan cnj staff writer


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  • In tribute: Crash victim, volunteer remembered for smile

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    Crystal Sutherland was a volunteer, an employee and a Special Olympics contestant. Courtesy photo: Debbie Barela Crystal Sutherland, left, and her mother Debbie Barela. Sutherland died Wednesday in an automobile accident at the intersection of Norris and Seventh streets. She was 29. Sutherland, who was mentally challenged, worked three days a week at IHOP, assisting the dishwasher, washing floors and windows and cleaning bathrooms, according to restaurant manager Anna Davis....

  • Hot, dry weather contributes to moth invasion

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    Moths are flying into refrigerators, landing in coffee cups, dive-bombing sleeping victims and plastering vehicles with their gooey carcasses, according to Clovis residents. Courtesy photo: North Dakota State University extension service at www.ag.ndsu.edu Officials say miller moths are an annual event, but the sudden population explosion is unusual and related to a hot, dry, early spring. "I was getting dressed the other morning and I had one as a brooch," said Judy Matthews, owner of The Patchwork House in Clovis. Officials...

  • Hot, dry weather contributes to moth invasion

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    Moths are flying into refrigerators, landing in coffee cups, dive-bombing sleeping victims and plastering vehicles with their gooey carcasses, according to Clovis residents. Courtesy photo: North Dakota State University extension service at www.ag.ndsu.edu Officials say miller moths are an annual event, but the sudden population explosion is unusual and related to a hot, dry, early spring. "I was getting dressed the other morning and I had one as a brooch," said Judy Matthews, owner of The Patchwork House in Clovis. Officials...

  • Dry county

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    Last year was sixth driest in recorded New Mexico history, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association — and this year isn't stacking up to be much better. CNJ staff photo: Tony Bullocks A playa located on Llana Estacado Boulevard remains dry from a lack on rainfall. Clovis has seen just over a quarter inch of rain this year, according to Accuweather meteorologist Dave Samuhel. Samuhel said normal rainfall from January to April is 2.71 inches, based on a 3...

  • Four tribute artists, local country singer lined up for music festival

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    Four tribute artists and a budding local country artist will join rock 'n' roll legend Chubby Checker in the entertainment lineup for the 2012 Clovis Musical Festival. The 25th annual festival is Sept. 7-9. Randy Petty, music festival chairman, announced Wednesday singer-songwriter Will Banister and the Mulberry Band will be the opening act when the festival concerts kick off Friday. Tribute artists scheduled to perform that night are: - Jerry Lee Lewis by Darrell Croy - Ritchie Valens by Ray Anthony - Buddy Holly by Johnny R...

  • Class profiles: Grady High School

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    When Grady's seven graduating seniors were asked to list their accomplishments, they formed a quorum, held a meeting, presented the case, and decided against it. "We don't need bragging rights," senior Cody Poncho said. Joni Lampley, a decorated athlete, said, "We're here for school. We don't want to try and appear better than anyone." Administrative assistant Kathy Edwards said the consensus exemplifies the camaraderie among Grady seniors. "Some of them had a lot of...

  • Hot, dry weather contributes to moth invasion

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    Moths are flying into refrigerators, landing in coffee cups, dive-bombing sleeping victims and plastering vehicles with their gooey carcasses, according to Clovis residents. Courtesy photo: North Dakota State University extension service at www.ag.ndsu.edu Officials say miller moths are an annual event, but the sudden population explosion is unusual and related to a hot, dry, early spring. "I was getting dressed the other morning and I had one as a brooch," said Judy Matthews,...

  • Earth Day presentation promotes green message

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    Students at Eastern New Mexico University ignored the age old advice, "Don't play with your food," Monday, at an Earth Day celebration that featured Frisbees as plates. CNJ staff photo: Tonjia Rolan Chris Garre, left, and folk singer-songwriter Gabrielle Louise present an Earth Day message about green fuels Monday at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales. The students ate an outdoor picnic lunch from green Frisbees and rinsed them off for later use as flying objects. The m...

  • Part of historic train may get movie role

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    Walt Disney Pictures is interested in using items off an historic train engine that sat in Hillcrest Park for more than 50 years in a movie. File photo The railroad retired and donated engine number 9005 to the city of Clovis in 1954, after nearly 50 years of service. The steam engine was moved to Clovis Depot Train Museum in December. Phil Williams, owner of Clovis Depot Train Museum, said the motion picture company contacted him two weeks ago regarding the 1906 steam engine...

  • Clovis High senior spends day as county manager

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    Clovis senior Taylor Ann Marez was chosen from four high school applicants to become "county manager for a day." CNJ staff photo: Tony Bullocks Clovis senior Taylor Ann Marez was chosen from four high school applicants to become "county manager for a day." Marez, an honor student and captain of the softball team, spent Friday shadowing Curry County Manager Lance Pyle, met state Sen. Clinton D. Harden of Clovis, hired a county employee and participated in a radio interview with...

  • Rodeo draws crowd from around US

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    When mild mannered Melrose accountant Susan Vick leaves the office Friday, she will transform into a dirt-eatin', calf-wranglin', rope-slingin' cowgirl. Courtesy photo: Susan Vick Vick's all-women rodeo team wrestles a calf during the tie down event in Derby, Kansas, last year. The 38-year-old mom, who has been rodeoing for three years, will compete at Clovis' Grab the Gold rodeo with her all-women rodeo team, which includes DeAnn Parsons, a school teacher from Portales,...

  • Class profiles: Clovis Christian School

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    Editor's note: This is the first in a series of profiles of the local high school graduating classes. Clovis Christian School was recently called "a gem on the prairie" in a report by the Association of Christian Schools International, and with good reason. A quarter of the school's senior class will graduate with a 4.0 GPA in May, having mastered calculus, chemistry and physics in the process. A third have been honored as Kiwanis student of the month based on character,...

  • Giraffes under increased security

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    Clovis' tallest toddler nibbled peacefully from tree branches Tuesday at Hillcrest Park Zoo, ignoring her mother and pricking her ears attentively to the sound of camera flashes. CNJ staff photo: Tonjia Rolan Hillcrest Park Zoo's 8-week-old giraffe, Jerrica, nibbles on leaves Tuesday, a new activity for the bottle-fed youngster. Jerrica, now 8 weeks old, appeared calm and unaffected by a March 21 incident that sent her crashing in fear through a PVC pipe barrier. The incident...

  • Giraffes under increased security

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    Clovis' tallest toddler nibbled peacefully from tree branches Tuesday at Hillcrest Park Zoo, ignoring her mother and pricking her ears attentively to the sound of camera flashes. CNJ staff photo: Tonjia Rolan Hillcrest Park Zoo's 8-week-old giraffe, Jerrica, nibbles on leaves Tuesday, a new activity for the bottle-fed youngster. Jerrica, now 8 weeks old, appeared calm and unaffected by a March 21 incident that sent her crashing in fear through a PVC pipe barrier. The incident...

  • Clovis schools going green

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    Clovis schools are going green, according to Joel Shirley, Director of Operations for Clovis Municipal Schools. CNJ staff photo: Tonjia Rolan Construction of a new W.D. Gattis Middle School on North Thornton Street will incorporate green, energy efficient technology. The project will cost $25 million. A new $25 million, energy-efficient W.D. Gattis Middle School, being constructed on North Thornton Street "should be a highly-efficient building to run," Shirley said. Shirley sa...

  • Planned apartment complex passes another hurdle

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    An apartment complex still in the planning phase passed another hurdle Wednesday when the city's Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a preliminary plat and zoning request. Courtesy photo: Chad Lydick A new apartment complex planned for Clovis will be modeled after this Tuscon, Ariz. multi-family community. Chad Lydick, the landowner and a member of Foxwood Development Corp. of Clovis, plans to build a gated multi-family complex complete with pool and clubhouse...

  • Farwell sophomores take gold in debate contest

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    There's no arguing about the success of two Farwell sophomores ability to debate. Courtesy photo: Angela Teachout Farwell High sophomore Savanna Barksdale, left, and Hunter Hall sophomores were awarded gold medals for winning the Texas Class 1A state cross-examination debate championship last month. Savanna Barksdale and Hunter Hall earned the school's first Texas state championship gold medals last month. Barksdale and Hall bested 54 Class 1A teams to win the University...

  • Stabbing victim's wife arrested

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    The wife of a Clovis man stabbed to death Saturday was arrested Tuesday afternoon on an open count of murder. Elizabeth Betancourt, 36, is being held without bail at the Curry County Detention Center. District Attorney Matt Chandler said a grand jury will be convened within the next 10 days to determine if there is probable cause to proceed with the charge. Santiago Betancourt, 35, was involved in a physical altercation with his wife, according to a press release from the...

  • Stabbing victim's wife arrested

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    The wife of a Clovis man stabbed to death Saturday was arrested Tuesday afternoon on an open count of murder. Elizabeth Betancourt, 36, is being held without bail at the Curry County Detention Center. District Attorney Matt Chandler said a grand jury will be convened within the next 10 days to determine if there is probable cause to proceed with the charge. Santiago Betancourt, 35, was involved in a physical altercation with his wife, according to a press release from the...

  • Water restrictions in effect

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    As summer approaches, bringing increased demands on shrinking water supplies in the drought stricken High Plains, water restrictions are the order of the day. CNJ staff photo: Gabriel Monte Local voluntary water restrictions ask residents not to water lawns between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and on Mondays. Albuquerque began mandatory water restrictions April 1, effective through October, and Carlsbad initiated voluntary, stage one water restrictions the same day, according to news...

  • House destroyed in fire was scheduled to be condemned

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    A vacant house that was scheduled to be condemned caught fire Wednesday morning and was later destroyed in the search for possible victims. Courtesy photo: Roxanne Ortiz City fire officials said no one was injured in a Wednesday morning fire at 322 N. Lea St. that engulfed what turned out to be a vacant house scheduled for demolition. The fire was reported at 7 a.m. No one was injured, officials said. The fire, at 322 N. Lea St., was reported by neighbors shortly after 7 a.m....

  • Chubby Checker to headline music festival

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    Singer-songwriter Chubby Checker is coming to town. Courtesy photo Ernie Kos, executive director of the Clovis-Curry County Chamber of Commerce, said Chubby Checker will be the headliner for Clovis Music Festival, scheduled for September. Ernie Kos, executive director of the Clovis-Curry County Chamber of Commerce, said Checker, who rose to stardom in 1960 with the hit song "The Twist," is under contract and will be the headliner for Clovis Music Festival, scheduled for...

  • Chubby Checker to headline music festival

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    Singer-songwriter Chubby Checker is coming to town. Courtesy photo Ernie Kos, executive director of the Clovis-Curry County Chamber of Commerce, said Chubby Checker will be the headliner for Clovis Music Festival, scheduled for September. Ernie Kos, executive director of the Clovis-Curry County Chamber of Commerce, said Checker, who rose to stardom in 1960 with the hit song "The Twist," is under contract and will be the headliner for Clovis Music Festival, scheduled for...

  • CCC employees recognized for service

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    Clovis Community College employees who have served the college for five years or more were given recognition and awarded service pins Wednesday by the CCC Board of Trustees. Chairman Charles Guthals thanked the 27 employees who received service awards saying "You make this institution what it is today. We received a glowing report from our last evaluation, and I thank you all on behalf of the board." The board passed an annual open meetings resolution and a resolution to hold board meetings in 2012 and 2013 at 8 a.m. on the...

  • Lost dogs family's last connection to son who died

    Tonjia Rolan CNJ staff writer

    Two lost schnauzers are causing heartbreak for a family who say the dogs are their only connection to 12-year-old Jacob, who died in a vehicle accident in December. Courtesy photo: Mechelle Thomson Jacob with lost schnauzers Page and Bella, who were last seen Tuesday at the corner of 21rst and Thornton St. "These dogs mean everything to us," Mechelle Thomson said. "They're the only thing we have left of Jacob. He was so close to them." The schnauzers, Page and Bella, were...

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