Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
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A regular customer of The Happy Place & Courthouse Café in Portales was likely speaking for a lot of people when describing a brief respite from her quarantine. "'I went into the out today,'" Julie Rooney, owner of the Happy Place gift shop quoted the customer as saying after getting to venture outside recently. Most people would probably like to go "into the out" more after being quarantined for so long due to COVID-19. With talk of a gradual re-opening of New Mexico...
After two months of working at home I do believe our society may come away changed forever. Many of us knew for a long time most of our job could be done anywhere we had a phone and a WiFi connection. The last two months have proven that to be correct. Sure, there have been a few things that have been unhandy, most of which I could change with just a few changes in my home office space. The advantages in a time when folks can’t get out and about anyway far outweigh the n...
Mayor Martin “Modey” Hicks made national news lately for defying both the coronavirus and the governor by ordering businesses in Grants to reopen. Down the road in Gallup, where cases have exploded, his counterpart begged the governor for a lockdown. Only in New Mexico. Hicks, whose flowing silver locks give him the look of a character in an Italian western, has annoyed and entertained the locals since becoming mayor in 2016. He’s popped up in news accounts regularly. In 2016, Hicks proposed a day off for Good Friday. When a...
SANTA FE — A reopening plan released by the state offers a peek at how New Mexico might gradually relax its business closures and stay-at-home instruction throughout the summer. If disease transmission is low enough, for example, New Mexicans could visit theaters sometime next month, and schools might open in August. Each step, of course, will depend on New Mexico’s success at limiting the spread of COVID-19, the respiratory disease that has contributed to the deaths of 181 people in the state. Gov. Michelle Lujan Gri...
SANTA FE — There are headaches and heartburn on tap at the Roundhouse, as a new report issued last week indicated New Mexico’s revenue outlook will be bleak for the foreseeable future. Specifically, a double whammy of collapsing oil prices and a broader economic downturn triggered by the coronavirus means New Mexico will likely collect between $1.8 billion to $2.4 billion less than previously projected for the fiscal year that starts in July. “It hasn’t been — in any way — a pretty picture,” said Rep. Patricia Lundstrom, a Ga...
La Casa Family Health Center will sponsor a Summer Food Service Program in both Clovis and Portales, according to a release from the health provider. The program, administered by the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department, is designed to fill the gap during the summer months for children ages 1-18 who normally receive free meals provided by their school. Breakfast and lunch will be served together from 9:30 a.m. to noon weekdays at the following sites through Aug. 7: Clovis (beginning May 21): Clovis High School,...
On this date ... 1960: E.T. Hensley retained his district judge seat while Nelson Worley was elected Curry County sheriff in a landslide. Worley, who had been appointed sheriff during the winter, had more than twice the number of votes as his closest opponent, Val Baumgart. Hensley narrowly edged Harold Gore among Curry County voters in the judge’s race, but Hensley “shellacked” Gore in Roosevelt County, the Clovis News-Journal reported. Hensley and Worley both ran as Democrats. There were no Republicans on the primary ballo...
CLOVIS — Plateau has received a $19.2 million Reconnect grant as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utility Service, according to a company release. The money, which largely went to Plateau, is part of a $23 million New Mexico allocation to three recipients. Plateau is required to provide a $6.4 million match, and has five years to complete the project. The grant will be used for the installation of 759 miles of high-capacity fiber line to connect rural areas that lack broadband access and provide those areas...
PORTALES — The Portales Municipal Schools Board of Education on Monday will have a public hearing for its tentative 2020-21 budget and consider both the budget and salary scales, along with the district’s plans for a Portales High School graduation. The 1 p.m. meeting is virtual due to state public health orders regarding mass gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be accessed at portalesschools.com under “Webcasts” or at: livestream.com/accounts/25937490 Superintendent Johnnie Cain did not give a time or date as...
MELROSE — You might say Kevin Lackey has always rooted for the underdog. Growing up, Lackey’s next-door neighbor was a girl with Down Syndrome. “I think I’ve always kind of had a heart for some of those kids who have had things stacked against them,” Lackey said. “I always had a soft spot in my heart for her, helping her. So it’s the route I took.” “The route” was to a career as a special education teacher at Melrose Municipal Schools, and he’s now director of the department there. “It’s a good field,” he said. “I’ve en...
In recent weeks, some have called for a special session to address the urgent challenges facing New Mexico. I share their sense of urgency. New Mexico — along with the rest of the world — is facing a public health emergency unlike anything we have ever seen. The COVID-19 pandemic has wrought extraordinary economic damage and that reality — along with the recent drop in oil prices — will require us to consider major questions about our state’s future. Unfortunately, however, it isn’t yet safe to hold a special session of...
Access to high-speed broadband internet is not simply nice to have, it is a necessity in the 21st century. Investing in the expansion of rural broadband is as vital as the rural electric and telephone networks were decades ago. The coronavirus pandemic has introduced new challenges to our way of life. Social distancing guidelines put in place to help slow the spread of the coronavirus have caused millions to work from home and have caused widespread school closures nationwide. If you have access to high-speed broadband...
A month ago I said it will be the public that makes the decision to reopen America, not the government. It took too long, but that’s exactly what has happened. From the beaches of Southern California and Florida to the state capitals of Michigan and Pennsylvania, thousands of regular people have yelled, “End the COVID-19 shutdown. Give us back our country and our freedoms.” The elite liberal media portrayed the peaceful crowds that crashed the beaches and waved their handm...
We will be in a fight against the coronavirus for months, if not years, and yet it is time to declare mission accomplished on one important goal. The lockdowns of much of the country were undertaken “to flatten the curve” and largely to prevent the hospital system from being overwhelmed. It was a near-run thing in New York and New Jersey, but the dikes held, thanks to the incredible sacrifices of front-line healthcare workers. Now, the rhetoric around the shutdowns has shi...
As President Harry Truman announced the Nazi surrender on May 8, 1945, he remained cautious. The war was still going on with Japan. He said, “Our victory is only half over,” reminding Americans that many of their husbands, brothers, neighbors and friends were still in the thick of it, fighting against Japanese aggression in Asia and the Pacific. But folks celebrated anyway. New York featured one of the largest celebrations with huge crowds in Times Square. Thousands marched down Fifth Avenue, confetti raining down. Many Ameri...
PORTALES - The Roosevelt Soil and Water Conservation District is seeking community help to eradicate noxious weeds in Roosevelt and surrounding counties. The district has a High Plains Cooperative Weed Management Area funded by a state grant. "Our focus has mainly been on African Rue," said Dawn Privett of the conservation district. "We have been assisting landowners with spraying for the past two years." County Manager Amber Hamilton is asking residents to contact Privett at...
CLOVIS — The Curry County Retired and Senior Volunteers and Foster Grandparents programs are encouraging residents to join in an effort to show support to patients battling COVID-19 alone in New Mexico hospitals. Cards can be dropped off in the drop box at the Curry County Administrative Complex at 417 Gidding St. or mailed directly to UNM Hospital, Attention Barbara Temer, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. Cards must be submitted by Friday. Information: 575-763-6009 or 575-763-6016...
PORTALES — The Roosevelt County Road Department will start work on South Roosevelt Road P on Monday, according to a county release. The work will be between South Roosevelt Roads 11 and 13, and the road will be enhanced from dirt to caliche. Expected completion will be June 30, weather permitting. Motorists are asked to drive slowly and watch for road equipment and personnel. Information: 575-356-5307...
CLOVIS — The city of Clovis is seeking applicants to fill four citizen positions on the Clovis-Carver Public Library Board. The board meets quarterly on the last Monday of the month at 3:30 p.m. at the library. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. May 29 and are available by calling the city manager’s office at 575-769-7828....
CLOVIS - The Curry County Fair will feature an exhibition race by the United States Lawn Mower Racing Association, according to a county news release. Admission to the event, slated for Aug. 14-15, will be included in general fair admission. Prices are $7 for ages 13-55, $6 for 55 and older, $3 for children 5-12 and no charge for children under 5. The lawn mower races were part of the Curry County Events Center's 10-year celebration in October, and the event's popularity...
Saturday • Clovis Christian School — 4 p.m., parking lot by Faith Christian Family Church, 3401 N. Norris, Clovis. All attendees remain in cars; graduation broadcast over jumbotron and church radio station. Information: 575-935-2278 May 17 • Dora High School — 3 p.m., Virtual graduation will be streamed live. Link will be available at doraschools.com. Information: 575-477-2211 • Texico High School — 6 p.m., parking lot by Faith Christian Family Church, 3401 N. Norris, Clovis. All attendees remain in cars; graduation broadcast...
Meetings are subject to change due to coronavirus concerns Monday • Portales Municipal Schools board — 1 p.m., virtual meeting. Join: https://meet.google.com/fcf-hmuo-ojd +1 314-433-5615 PIN: 281422811#. Information: 575-356-7000 Tuesday • City of Clovis Lodgers’ Tax Advisory Board — 5:30 p.m., teleconference. To obtain a call-in number or for more information: 575-763-9654 Wednesday • City of Clovis Planning and Zoning Commission — 3 p.m., teleconference. To obtain a call-in number or for more information: 575-769-7828...
Friday • Free one-hour webinar sponsored by the New Mexico Behavioral Health Planning Council — 12:30-1:30 p.m. at https://zoom.us/j/97235303059. “The Vagus Nerve and Worthiness: From Depression to Strength.” Includes meditative music from Lyndsey McAdams,MA, LPCC and guided mindfulness from Craig Thomas McAdams, MA, LPCC. Recorded webinars available at https://newmexico.networkofcare.org/mh/ May 19 • Blood drive — 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Pioneer Room, Clovis Civic Center, 801 Schepps Blvd., Clovis. Register online at www.bloo...
It’s clear that public entities see rough times ahead, with the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on commerce, oil prices and anything else you can imagine that funds governments. What the rough times specifically mean, however, is still tough to tell. Disbursement of gross receipts tax revenue falls two months behind collection, and local municipalities will know on Friday what they can expect to receive from March revenues. The state closed schools March 16, and restrictions on businesses began later that week. The New Mexico Leg...
SANTA FE — The next stage of New Mexico’s battle to curb the COVID-19 outbreak will be waged with masks and expanded testing. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is imploring state residents to stay vigilant to avoid new spikes of confirmed cases. Specifically, the governor said last week that face masks are now required for some essential workers — including grocery store and restaurant employees. And coronavirus testing for corrections officers and inmates will be ramped up over the next week after the state’s low testing rates in...
