Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
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PORTALES — Eastern New Mexico University Chancellor and Portales campus president Jeff Elwell tendered his resignation from the school, effective April 24. The ENMU board of regents accepted the resignation in an emergency meeting Friday, and named Patrice Caldwell as interim chancellor. Elwell, who joined the university in 2017, announced last month he would resign no later than June 30, 2021. It wasn't immediately clear why the university's 10th president in leaving so soon, and regents declined to give a specific reason d...
Think spending time in isolation is frustrating? Think of how spring coaches feel. These were supposed to be the days they were teaching and leading their teams. These were the weeks and months when some high school seniors were supposed to get their last chances to be noticed by colleges, when college seniors were getting their last chances to compete, period. Now these are the days, weeks and months of social distancing, of Skyping and Zooming, of thinking about wearing surg... Full story
Who doesn’t like making their way around the car lot, checking out all the car models and their shiny new paint? Who doesn’t like the smell of the showroom, and of course that new-car scent when you climb inside one? In recent weeks, though, all of the above is just part of what the COVID-19 pandemic has taken away. No more lots and showrooms for a while, at least until the end of the month, as people stay socially distant to contain the coronavirus. But car dealerships are working it out, just like other businesses. No sho... Full story
CLOVIS - Augustine Martinez never thought he would be teaching from long distance when he entered the profession. To be fair, there was no Skype, no Zoom, no Google Classroom, when Martinez became a teacher 35 years ago. Now there are all of those online forms of communication, along with a desperate need for them. COVID-19 has forced schools to close throughout the country. Here in New Mexico, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered that the schools remain closed for the rest of... Full story
The Farmer’s Almanac says we still have a few days to go before the “average” last spring frost date in eastern New Mexico. If you’re interested in specifics, it says Clovis folks should be safe after Saturday, while Portales gardeners are in the danger zone through April 23. Over in Elida, the Almanac says the average last frost isn’t until April 30. But this balmy spring has plenty of us outdoors with visions of gardens dancing in our socially distanced brains. I’ve been reminiscing about the best garden of my childhood....
CLOVIS — In a Monday report to Curry County commissioners, the administrator of Plains Regional Medical Center commended his staff for its preparation and work in the “unprecedented times” brought to eastern New Mexico by the COVID-19 pandemic. Drew Dostal spoke with commissioners for around 25 minutes in Monday’s special telephonic meeting, and noted he expected the curve to reach its peak a few weeks later than originally anticipated — which he said, “speaks to the effect of social distancing.” Dostal joined PRMC in late... Full story
Booked The following were booked into local jails (Friday - Tuesday): Clovis • Margaret Rodriguez, 46, probation violation • Tyrone Johnson, 22, disorderly conduct • Willie Hoggard, 43, aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, concealing identity, no insurance, evidence of registration • David Tarango, 34, aggravated assault, negligent use of a deadly weapon • Miguel Reyes, 36, aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug • Anna Owen, 38, criminal tr...
A normal Easter Sunday. That’s pretty much exactly what this COVID-19 Easter Sunday 2020 wasn’t. For my family, it was already a “particularly special” holy day. It was the fifth anniversary of my granddaughter Brenley’s baptism. And it was the 35th anniversary of our move to the 16th & D Church in Muleshoe. Especially special, for sure. Just not normal. Like churches all over the country, and a lot of the world, we were “social distancing,” not meeting together in large groups, even on Easter Sunday. Pope Francis did n...
CLOVIS — Fourteen students from area schools were selected to receive various scholarships from the Education Foundation at Plateau, according to a company release. The students are among 36 honored with more than $131,000. The Foundation has awarded more than $1.3 million since its inception in 1993. Local winners included: • Robert M. Harris Memorial Scholarship ($8,000) — Kassadie Louise Tindle, Clovis • Evelyn Patterson Memorial Scholarship ($8,000) — Luke Andrew Phipps, Texico • Banner Scholarships ($3,000) — Victoria...
TUCUMCARI — Richard Lewis has survived diabetes, two strokes, several heart surgeries and even being struck by lightning. Family members say he’s showing signs of surviving coronavirus as well. “He has nine lives, I’m sure,” Lewis’ former wife, Jennifer Lewis, said Saturday in an interview during a conference call with Richard’s son, Christopher Lewis, also of Tucumcari. They revealed some of the details behind the man who may be Quay County’s first confirmed coronavirus case. A county confirmation was announced Saturday by t... Full story
CLOVIS — Plains Regional Medical Center Administrator Drew Dostal, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, has agreed to regular discussions with The News. Here are parts of a Q&A conducted Monday: Q: Are there any COVID-19 patients in the Clovis hospital? A: No. Q: How many hospital employees have been tested? How many total employees does the hospital have? A: I do not know how many have been tested. There are people who are tested I don’t know about. (Dostal estimated PRMC has 610 employees.) Q: Have any hos... Full story
Right now, America faces greater economic pain than at any time since the Great Depression. Tens of millions of people have applied for unemployment — including tens of thousands here in New Mexico — and millions more face profound uncertainty about how they will support themselves and their families in the months ahead. Given this extraordinary strain, it is understandable that many wonder when we can get back to work. In recent weeks, the debate between reopening the economy and protecting public health has dominated our... Full story
I’m going out on a limb to make another coronavirus prediction. You can decide for yourself, with hindsight, how my previous predictions have held up — and hindsight will get clearer as more time passes. My newest prediction is that the coronavirus panic has peaked and is already on its way down. This doesn’t mean I believe the pandemic itself has peaked, only that society has passed its peak reaction to the pandemic. I see people starting to behave more normally again. I’ve seen this in those around me over the past several... Full story
CLOVIS — In a special meeting scheduled to weigh in on an argument to the New Mexico Supreme Court, the Curry County Commission opposed an appeal by county clerks to hold the June 2 primary as an all-mail election. The state’s highest court was set to begin oral arguments on the matter Tuesday afternoon, and the county resolution that passed by a 4-1 vote is expected to be presented as an exhibit. A group of 27 county clerks across the state asked the court March 30 to allow a mail-in election because of safety and log... Full story
CLOVIS — It probably seems peaceful, relaxing, if you close your eyes and picture the White Sands near Alamogordo. It will be easier to picture for those who purchase Clovis High School’s 2020 yearbook, The Plainsman, because the White Sands and other scenery from the Land of Enchantment will be on the cover. The yearbook staff of 20-plus has worked hard on what will be The Plainsman’s 100th anniversary installment. Yes, the Clovis High yearbook has been around almost as lo... Full story
When old-timers talk about the deadliest tornadoes in our region’s history, the focus is usually on 1970. In just 24 days that spring, 49 people died in a series of twisters that also left hundreds hospitalized, destroyed thousands of homes and damaged 10,000-plus vehicles and more than 100 aircraft. The worst storm hit Lubbock on May 11, 1970. Meteorologists believe that tornado was on the ground for 8 or 9 miles, its violently rotating winds leveling much of the city’s downtown. It left 26 people dead and at least 500 inj...
PORTALES — Eastern New Mexico University has finalized its football schedule for the upcoming season, with six home games and five away games. Much of the schedule is simply the 2019 schedule with home sites flipped, primarily its seven Lone Star Conference games and a battle with Tarleton State, which is leaving the LSC and moving up to Division I. The Green and Silver are coming off an 8-4 season, including a 2019 Heritage Bowl win over Southern Arkansas. “We are definitely looking to build off of the momentum of our first...
PORTALES — The pandemic-related cancellation of spring sports at Eastern New Mexico University may have thinned the candidate pool. But it would be difficult to argue under any conditions that Paul Terry and Mercy Rotich weren’t worthy candidates for Greatest Greyhounds. The two were named the male and female winners of the award for the 2019-20 athletic season Monday, according to a release from the school. The seniors will be honored at the Hall of Honors banquet, with date and location to be determined. The awards dat...
CLOVIS — The Clovis City Commission will take a third, and potentially final, look at a request to secure a home on Purdue Street when it meets Thursday evening. The 5:15 p.m. meeting at the Clovis-Carver Public Library’s North Annex will be virtual due to public health orders regarding mass gatherings. The meeting may be viewed on Suddenlink Channel 10, the city website or the city Facebook page. Any questions during the meeting can be called in to 575-763-9200. In the commission’s March 26 meeting, an authorization to se...
I doubt John Prine’s death would have gotten the attention it did had it not been for the coronavirus. He died from the disease at age 73 but, thankfully, his body of work didn’t. If you ask me, we could use some of his wit and humor about now. If you’re already a fan of Prine’s music, I hope you’ll enjoy the following as a trip down a good memory lane. And if you’ve never heard of the guy, or know next to nothing about him, consider this your introduction into a rare gem of the boomer generation — one of the great, hidden...
On this date ... 1970: Mr. and Mrs. Truman Doolittle had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a family reunion in Farwell. Those helping celebrate included sons Leon and Marvin Doolittle of Clovis and Keith Doolittle, who lived in Texico. The couple had nine children, 26 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens. Contact: [email protected] For more regional history, see the website: pagespast.net...
PORTALES — The Roosevelt County Road Department began work Monday on South Roosevelt Road 4 between Roosevelt Roads N and O, according to a county release. The chip seal work, part of the county’s five-year road plan funded by capital outlay, is expected to conclude April 30, weather permitting. Residents are advised to drive slowly and look out for heavy equipment and personnel in the work area. Information: 575-356-5942 or 575-356-5307....
We’re there now! We have officially rolled out our entire educational system online within a short period of time. As Superintendent Renee Russ mentioned in her recent local radio interview; something like: give a problem to educators, and they’ll jump on board and come up with great solutions in no time. Granted, there have been bumps along the way, but it’s truly remarkable that such a thing can be done within such a time frame. It’s reassuring, somehow, to realize how amazingly flexible and adaptable we are, not only as ed...
CLOVIS - Residents driving around Hillcrest Park might have noticed something other than the snowfall of late - the reopening of Seventh Street. The most recent phase of renovation closed about 5 p.m. Monday, City Manager Justin Howalt said, when traffic cones and detour signs were pulled off of the area surrounding the intersection of Seventh and Norris streets. A one-block portion of Seventh between Weatherford and Norris became an issue in January when cracking developed...
PORTALES — The Eastern New Mexico University Board of Regents has called a special meeting for Friday afternoon. The 1 p.m. meeting will be held virtually due to state public health orders banning mass gatherings. Anybody wishing to attend the meeting may contact the president’s office at 575-562-2121 or: [email protected] The meeting includes an action item on two personnel matters, followed by an executive session on a third personnel matter. An inquiry sent to ENMU Chancellor Jeff Elwell on the matters was not imm...
