Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Articles from the January 24, 2024 edition


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  • ENMU boss could see $50,000 retention bonus

    Grant McGee, The Staff of The News|Updated Feb 1, 2024

    The new contract for Eastern New Mexico University Chancellor James Johnston provides him a $1,000 per month car allowance and opportunity for a $50,000 retention bonus in addition to an annual salary of $301,125. ENMU regents announced in a news release last week that Johnston’s contract had been extended from Jan. 2, 2025, to Jan. 2, 2028. Regents did not vote publicly on the agreement, but university spokesman John Houser said they “conducted a personnel evaluation, and the board and president were mutually interested in...

  • Paid family leave bill clears first hurdle

    Gabrielle Porter Santa Fe New Mexican, Syndicated content|Updated Jan 25, 2024

    SANTA FE -- A proposal to create a state-run paid family and medical leave program in New Mexico cleared its first hurdle Wednesday after passing a committee on a party-line vote. But if the debate before the House Health and Human Services Committee was any indication, the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act seems poised to face much of the same opposition that has stalled it for the past five years: criticisms that the plan will hurt small businesses, that it's written too broadly and that it leaves itself open to abuse. The...

  • Officials investigating dog's death

    The Staff of The News|Updated Jan 25, 2024

    Law officers are looking into the death of a dog found Friday afternoon with tape around its paws and a cord around its neck. Curry County Sheriff Michael Brockett said the animal was found in the ditch in the 1300 block of Curry Road L after a report from an anonymous caller. “The dog did have tape loosely on its legs, but the tape was not connected and it did not appear to have caused any injury or irritation to the dog before its death. The dog also had a cord loosely hung on its neck. There was no visible trauma on the d...

  • Clovis woman faces murder charge

    The Staff of The News|Updated Jan 24, 2024

    A Clovis woman indicted for voluntary manslaughter last year, then released after a judge dismissed the charge, now faces a murder allegation. Alexandra Romero, 29, told police she shot Javier Jimenez on Aug. 4 after she found him in her home in the 700 block of Dawn Loop. Records show Romero had called police to report a burglary in progress. When police arrived, Jimenez was dead. Police investigated the case for more than two months before presenting evidence to a grand...

  • Comeback by Hounds falls short

    Dave, THE STAFF OF THE NEWS|Updated Jan 23, 2024

    Eastern New Mexico University's men may have been down on Saturday, but they were hardly out. Trailing by 20 points with less than 13 minutes to go, the Greyhounds put together a furious comeback, actually taking the lead twice in the final two minutes before second-ranked rival West Texas A&M pulled out an 89-87 Lone Star Conference victory at Greyhound Arena. Senior guard Larry Wise's 3-pointer off a fast break put the Buffaloes (16-1, 10-0 LSC) in front 85-84 in the final...

  • ENMU women claim second home win in a row over WT

    Dave Wagner|Updated Jan 23, 2024

    It's a rare case when Eastern New Mexico University's women beat rival West Texas A&M, much less blow the Lady Buffs out. On Saturday, the Greyhounds appeared on their way to doing just that before WT found its stride. Down 21 points early in the second half, the Lady Buffs tied the score with under two minutes left, but junior forward Ishuana Hunter's 3-point play with 1:30 to go switched the momentum and ENMU prevailed 71-70 in Lone Star Conference women's basketball at...

  • Lady Cats improve to 15-3, turn back Lovington

    THE STAFF OF THE NEWS|Updated Jan 23, 2024

    Leading just 20-18 at halftime, Clovis High girls coach Jeff Reed said he was confident his team would be all right. The Lady Wildcats broke away in the final two stanzas to post a 53-37 win over Lovington on Saturday at Rock Staubus Gym, improving to 15-3 for the season with their fifth win in a row. CHS wraps up pre-district play this week, having visited Roswell Goddard on Tuesday night before hosting Portales on Friday. Reed said his squad, coming off a 1-point home win the night before over Organ Mountain, wasn’t p...

  • Jail logs: Jan. 24

    Updated Jan 23, 2024

    Booked The following were booked into local jails (Friday - Tuesday): Clovis • Sierra Lindley, 28, battery against a household member • Adriana Vega, 25, failure to comply with specific requirements • Barbara Shearer, 68, fraud by worthless check • Darrian Whiting, 27, failure to pay fines • Benny Pacheco, 50, driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, failure to have operating registration plate lamp • Oswaldo Flores-Saucedo, 33, failure to appear on misdemeanor charge • Taaron White, 20, ch...

  • Special meeting for Roosevelt

    Updated Jan 23, 2024

    Roosevelt County commissioners have called a special meeting for 9 a.m. Thursday. The purpose is to discuss insurance premiums and deductible amounts, according to the agenda. Commissioners meet at 109 E. First Street in Portales....

  • Work impacts Clovis streets

    Updated Jan 23, 2024

    A traffic signal at 21st and Mitchell streets in Clovis will be dark Thursday while workers reset a meter pole. City officials said stop signs will be in place until the work is completed. Also, the city reports GE Construction will be closing 14th Street from Merriweather to Connelly streets from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday while fiber optics are installed. Information: 575-763-9653...

  • Volunteer fire chief killed in ATV accident

    The Staff of The News|Updated Jan 23, 2024

    The volunteer fire chief for the Pleasant Hill community was killed Monday afternoon when his all-terrain vehicle rolled over near the 1600 block of State Road 77. Ted Richardson, 64, died at the scene, according to a news release from Curry County Sheriff Michael Brockett. The release said Richardson was herding cattle when the accident happened in a pasture. “Chief Richardson volunteered for the Pleasant Hill Fire Department for over 40 years,” the news release stated. “The Curry County Sheriff’s Office mourns the loss of...

  • Curry sheriff talks crime, staffing

    Madison Willis, The Staff of The News|Updated Jan 23, 2024

    Editor's note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Michael Brockett is the Curry County sheriff. Q: How is the crime business in the county these days? Seeing anything unusual, any trends? A: We are currently experiencing an increase in crimes of opportunity. Thieves are actively searching out unlocked vehicles and businesses and are taking advantage of what they find. I urge county residents and businesses to make sure they are locking up...

  • ENMU seeking $20.8 million From lawmakers

    Grant McGee, The Staff of The News|Updated Jan 23, 2024

    Administrators at Eastern New Mexico University’s system have asked state lawmakers for $20,789,000 in funding from the 30-day legislative session now in progress. ENMU a year ago asked the Legislature for $33.5 million for various construction projects and programs, according to newspaper archives. Last year’s Legislature approved $17 million of the requested funds. A brochure detailing the university’s request was passed on to legislative members for this year’s session. In infrastructure requests, there’s a $10 million a...

  • Pages Past: Texico kid finds old bones

    Updated Jan 23, 2024

    Jan. 24 On this date ... 1946: Clovis city commissioners voted unanimously to purchase 500 parking meters from Mark-Time Meter Co. of Denver. The meters cost $58 each, installed. City officials said downtown shoppers will pay a penny for 12 minutes or a nickel for an hour of parking time. The meters were scheduled to be installed within 60 days. 1950: Elida’s fast-stepping Tigers were riding a six-game basketball winning streak and had pushed their record to 8-8 for the season. Ranchvale’s Trojans were the latest to fall to...

  • Gattis 7th graders go 2-1 in tourney

    THE STAFF OF THE NEWS|Updated Jan 23, 2024

    PITTSBURG, Kan. – Eastern New Mexico University senior Tamia Smith and freshman Grizzell Scarlett posted event wins in Friday’s Rumble in the Jungle Invitational indoor track meet, hosted by Pittsburg State at the site of the NCAA Division II national indoor championships in March. The homestandings Gorillas dominated both divisions of the event, winning the 10-team men’s side with 214 points to 103 for runnerup Harding (Ark.) and scoring 212 points to 78 for University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma in the 11-team women’s div...

  • ENMU's Smith, Scarlett post first-place finishes at Pittsburg State meet

    THE STAFF OF THE NEWS|Updated Jan 23, 2024

    PITTSBURG, Kan. – Eastern New Mexico University senior Tamia Smith and freshman Grizzell Scarlett posted event wins in Friday’s Rumble in the Jungle Invitational indoor track meet, hosted by Pittsburg State at the site of the NCAA Division II national indoor championships in March. The homestandings Gorillas dominated both divisions of the event, winning the 10-team men’s side with 214 points to 103 for runnerup Harding (Ark.) and scoring 212 points to 78 for University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma in the 11-team women’s div...

  • Cats capture title In Hobbs tourney

    THE STAFF OF THE NEWS|Updated Jan 23, 2024

    HOBBS – Clovis High’s wrestlers spent three days in Hobbs last week, first competing against the Eagles and Lady Eagles in District 4-5A duals on Thursday night and then in Hobbs’ Oil Patch Invitational on Friday and Saturday. The Wildcats and Lady Wildcats lost the duals to Hobbs, but the Cats came back to claim the team title while the Lady Cats were second in the tournament – a combination of varsity and junior varsity wrestlers. In the boys’ dual, the Eagles claimed a 58-18 win while the Lady Eagles notched a 33-6 vict...

  • Lady Buffs hold off Ruidoso 49-47

    THE STAFF OF THE NEWS|Updated Jan 23, 2024

    RUIDOSO – Senior Graci Odom delivered 20 points on Saturday and Melrose’s girls held off Ruidoso 49-47 to improve to 14-2 for the season. Senior Karlee Elliott added eight points for the Class 1A No. 3 Lady Buffs, who led by seven points at halftime before fighting off a comeback by the Class 3A Lady Warriors (6-8). Junior Baylee Pritchett led Ruidoso with 13 points, while junior Aliyah Zamora scored 12 and freshman Faith Linares tossed in 11. In other girls clashes on Saturday: Des Moines 58, Grady 57 – The homes...

  • Lady Cats take third, Cats fourth In Academy Invitational meet

    THE STAFF OF THE NEWS|Updated Jan 23, 2024

    ALBUQUERQUE – Clovis High’s swimmers had a challenging time in the Albuquerque Academy Invitational. First off, they had to leave by 4:30 a.m. on Friday to get there. Then the meet itself proved to be quite competitive. The CHS girls took third in a field of 19 teams while the boys were fourth out of 20 squads, with Academy sweeping the team titles, as expected. Academy won the girls’ division with 543 points to 257 for Artesia and 222 for the Lady Cats. The Chargers took boys team honors with 385 points, followed by St. P...

  • Bengals hand Rams 83-75 setback

    THE STAFF OF THE NEWS|Updated Jan 23, 2024

    ESTANCIA – Senior guard Jayson Bruner scored 15 points in a 30-point Gallup third quarter and the Bengals rallied past Portales High’s boys 83-75 on Monday in a neutral-court game at Estancia H.S. Gallup (5-9) put together a 52-point second half to overcome a three-point halftime deficit against the Rams (11-7). Bruner connected on two of his three 3-pointers in the third stanza to help push the Bengals into a four-point lead. Senior forward/guard Quincy Spencer scored 21 points for Gallup while senior guard/forward Lydell Be...

  • Opinion: ENMU regents' actions were sleazy

    David Stevens, The Staff of The News|Updated Jan 23, 2024

    Eastern New Mexico University’s president and system chancellor has a new contract. You’ll see no complaints from this space regarding the terms of that deal. James Johnston has proven himself a capable leader over the past 12 months. But the manner in which Johnston’s contract was awarded last week by university regents was sleazy at best. Beyond the flagrant disregard for the state’s Open Meetings Act – the law that requires “public business be conducted in full public view...

  • Opinion: U.S. can't rely on China for mining needs

    Jim Constantopoulos, Correspondent|Updated Jan 23, 2024

    Rare earth minerals are more abundant than their name suggests. Mineral-rich deposits are scattered around the United States, but our country has only one rare earth mine, in Mountain Pass, Calif. There are other potential mineable deposits, but they are many years away from starting production. To meet our increasing need for rare earths, we rely on imports, mainly from China -- and that's boneheaded given the brittleness of U.S.-China relations and our own resources. U.S. policymakers are well aware of the peril to our...