Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 26
CLOVIS — Police in Clovis on back-to-back days made arrests following reports of burglaries in progress, court records show. The burglaries, reported on Monday and Tuesday, do not appear to be related. Four people were arrested in the two incidents — Gary Marez, 39, and Martha Rodriguez, 32, on Monday afternoon and Isaiah Wilmot, 18, and Christopher Rodriguez, 34, on Tuesday afternoon. All four face multiple charges, including aggravated burglary. Records show Marez and Martha Rodriguez were arrested after brief pursuits fol...
Many of us remember carrying that tray in the school cafeteria, the one that had the food and the little half-pint cardboard container of milk. Plenty of adults use milk in their coffee, and some even like a cold creamy glass every once in a while. COVID-19 is shaping up like bad news for those milk drinkers and dairy farmers countrywide, specifically in New Mexico. Among the establishments closed since March by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham are schools and restaurants, two of the biggest customers for dairy farmers, leading... Full story
PORTALES — The Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office on Monday said via its Facebook page it won’t enforce public health orders that have closed many small businesses. The post also encouraged business owners to “Keep doors closed and locked and limit your patrons in numbers. “We support your rights to open your business but ask that if you do, you do so discreetly and responsibly.” It also states the sheriff’s office won’t enforce “any mandates set by MLG or the NM Dept. of H... Full story
Two dozen Republican lawmakers on Tuesday sent a letter to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham alleging she is “trampling” residents’ “civil rights and livelihoods.” The letter tells the governor there is “growing restlessness in communities throughout New Mexico and ever louder demands that we come to a commonsense balance between protecting people’s health and preserving their civil and economic rights.” Local GOP Representatives. Randy Crowder, Martin Zamora, Jack Chatfield and Phelps Anderson are among those who signed the lett... Full story
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said his statewide stay-at-home order on coronavirus will expire on Thursday as scheduled, while Texas malls, stores, movie theaters and restaurants may open the next day — with 25% occupancy. Barber shops, hair salons, gyms, massage establishments, tattoo parlors, video arcades and bowling alleys must wait until mid-May at the earliest to reopen, he said. Outdoor sports such as golf and tennis may resume with no more than four participants in a match, and they must observe social distancing g... Full story
AMARILLO — City of Amarillo officials, as well as local medical professionals, spoke about the possibility of the Amarillo City Council extending the city’s disaster declaration order during its meeting Tuesday. According to state health officials, there were 488 active cases of the virus in Potter and Randall counties on Monday. This was an increase of 82 cases from Sunday. Amarillo Mayor Ginger Nelson said she does not believe Amarillo is ready to reopen. “We are still seeing our numbers increase, and that makes it chall... Full story
PORTALES — A community night to promote 2020 Census efforts in Roosevelt County will be held Saturday on Facebook Live, according to a release from the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce. The event is scheduled to go from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., and will feature nearly a dozen local musicians playing from their own living rooms. It will show on the Chamber’s Facebook page, and residents are advised to like the page in advance so they can be notified when the event begins. The lineup tentatively includes Will Banister, Eas... Full story
CLOVIS — Despite early optimism it would go on as scheduled, Clovis Community College has decided to cancel its summer Kids’ College program. A statement from Al Potthoff, organizer of the program, expressed regret in disappointing all of the families looking forward to the program. While Potthoff said he was optimistic right up until Monday afternoon, it was determined good-faith planning couldn’t take place with so many unknowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program exists, according to its website, to provide enjoy... Full story
CLOVIS — Citing a potential risk of exposure to COVID-19, Clovis Municipal Schools will discontinue meal service at Sandia Elementary School for the remainder of the year, according to a release from the district. The release noted the district was alerted Sunday about the potential exposure of an employee. It was not immediately clear if the employee had tested positive for COVID-19, and the district told The News it would not disclose the test result when received. The district notes it has observed public health g... Full story
PORTALES — Roosevelt General Hospital and the New Mexico Department of Health will host a drive-thru testing Saturday for COVID-19, according to an RGH release. The event will be held 7 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Greyhound Stadium parking lot. The testing is available for free without any documents required for anybody who has been exposed or has COVID-19 symptoms. Participants are asked to remain in their vehicles during the testing. Information: 575-359-1800.... Full story
PORTALES — Hampton Farms, the Borden peanut shelling facility in Portales, is temporarily closed after “several positive tests for COVID-19,” according to a news release from Severn Peanut Company, the parent company for Borden. Company officials did not state the exact number of positive tests, citing respect for the privacy of team members. The news release said there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19. “Most importantly the employees are doing well and self-qu... Full story
An accused vehicle thief was hospitalized Sunday after crashing a pickup as police pursued, officials said. Hagerman Police Chief Rachelle Bateman said Abery Miller, 30, of Roswell was flown to Lubbock after the incident near Hagerman. Bateman said Miller exited the vehicle after the crash and ran “for quite a while” before police captured him. She said he was treated for heat stroke and dehydration, but did not appear to be otherwise injured. Authorities had been on the lookout for Miller and an accomplice, Joy Estes, 40,...
It’s a quirk of human nature that a crisis can bring people together, bring out our best, and give our lives meaning. Sure, it can also bring out the worst in some damaged people, but we can acknowledge their existence then continue to ignore them as insignificant. A threat to life, liberty, and property is terrible, but you can find some good in it if you look. People love to unite against a common enemy, whether it’s a virus or grotesque alien overlords from a galaxy far...
So, how are you doing, really? I ask with the concern of a therapist. OK, I’ll leave the therapy to the professionals, but it doesn’t take a shrink to see how this pandemic is having an emotional impact on people with vastly different experiences and perspectives. I know introverts who aren’t bothered by the edict to stay at home, while at least one extrovert I know appears to be looking for excuses to get out of his house. Some people are discovering the benefits of working at home. Others are feeling the stress that comes...
Stuck at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Phyllis Roeder has decided to write her life’s story. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for 25 years, since I retired,” she said. So that’s what got her started thinking about her childhood in Portales. And that’s when she started remembering her school days, which reminded her of the big explosion at Central Grade School. Problem was, Roeder had never known details of the explosion and she wanted some. So she emailed the newspaper to see what she could find out. This is what...
In the battle against pandemics, one material that could go a long way toward reducing infections and preventing the spread of pathogens has been largely overlooked. It’s so effective that we would be remiss not to make greater use of it. No one disputes that copper and copper alloys like brass have antimicrobial properties — that the coronavirus cannot survive on copper surfaces the way it can on stainless steel and aluminum used for doorknobs and other fixtures. The coronavirus can live on most hard surfaces for a week or...
I was scrolling through some news and ran across a completely nonsensical “headline” in the midst of much “non-news.” Some popular actress or other generic celebrity (I don’t remember her name), the headline promised, would tell us all about “her truth.” Great. I suppose that if we’re interested enough to read that article, we can logically look forward to some companion articles, some sequels. Maybe she can later tell us about “her gravity” or “her multiplication tables.” If...
Christopher Rustay is on the hunt for a few good playas in the Clovis area. Well, not really. In truth, Rustay is looking for a few damaged playas in the Clovis area, and he's bringing some serious funding to help private landowners of those shallow temporary wetlands make improvements aimed at extending the life of our region's most precious resource: underground water. Rustay is the conservation delivery leader for Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV), a regional partnership of...
On this date ... 1970: A Portales restaurant had caught fire for the second time in three days. Officials said a Sunday night fire had "gutted" the Troy Dee Steak House. Firefighters believed the blaze had been extinguished, but were called to the site again early the following Tuesday. Newman Carter, Portales' city superintendent, said the second fire almost burned the roof off the building. Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens. Contact: [email protected] For more...
Business owners’ opinions on the COVID-19 pandemic and the shutdowns resulting from it have been fairly consistent — they’re losing their livelihoods and they’re not happy. But what about the employees of businesses, essential and non-essential? How do those in the former category feel about risking their health, possibly their lives, by going to work? How do those in the latter category feel about staying at home, or in some cases, the money they’re losing? How do they feel about the prospect of returning to work? Recently,...
CLOVIS — A gross receipts tax increment first put in place 20 years ago is still in place, but Curry County Commission members have taken a first step toward redirecting its use. By a 5-0 vote Monday, the commission introduced an ordinance covering the county’s .125% environmental tax. If commissioners approve the ordinance following a public hearing in their May 19 meeting, the tax will on Jan. 1 be stripped of its current designation “for the acquisition, construction, operation and maintenance of solid waste facilities, wa...
Just two weeks ago, eastern New Mexico was in the deep freeze — temperatures in the 20s and snow people in front yards. This week, weather forecasters say we could see temperatures near triple digits. “Record-breaking temperatures will ... pose heat-related health risks to those working outdoors this week, especially in east central to southeastern New Mexico Thursday and Friday,” the National Weather Service warns. “Above normal temperatures could continue through the weekend. Spotty to scattered areas of critical fire we...
PORTALES — Eastern New Mexico University has honored senior football player Tyler Lynch and junior women’s soccer player Caitlyn Schmidt as its academic Greyhounds of the year, according to a school release. One athlete was nominated from every sport by coaches based upon athletic and academic achievements over the 2019-20 season, and Lynch and Schmidt were chosen by a vote from athletic department staff and head coaches. Lynch, a December graduate, was part of the Greyhound football program for five seasons, and was the lead...
Booked The following were booked into local jails (Friday-Tuesday): Clovis • Dazzmen Bonney, 20, probation violation • Mike Johnson, 60, failure to appear on a felony charge • Domingo Garcia, 35, failure to appear at time and place stated in citation, aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer, resisting, evading or obstructing an officer, driving while license suspended or revoked, multiple beam road lighting equipment • Brad Ramos, 21, robbery, aggravated burglary, criminal damage to the property of a household member,...
CLOVIS — A gross receipts tax increment first put in place 20 years ago is still in place, but Curry County Commission members have taken a first step toward redirecting its use. By a 5-0 vote Monday, the commission introduced an ordinance covering the county’s .125% environmental tax. If commissioners approve the ordinance following a public hearing in their May 19 meeting, the tax will on Jan. 1 be stripped of its current designation “for the acquisition, construction, operation and maintenance of solid waste facilities, wa...
