Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Articles from the May 17, 2018 edition


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  • Jury finds man guilty of child abuse

    David Grieder|Updated May 17, 2018

    CLOVIS — A Clovis man accused of hitting a young child at a restaurant was convicted Wednesday of disorderly conduct and felony abuse of a child, for which he faces up to 4 1/2 years in prison. A jury deliberated almost two hours following a morning trial with presiding Judge Fred Van Soelen. Bruce Bender, 64, was arrested March 16, 2017, following the incident that evening at Leal’s Mexican Restaurant on Prince Street. Prosecutors said Bender scolded the child, a relation by marriage, for sitting on his knees and lost his... Full story

  • Choir, band concerts worth attending

    Cindy Kleyn-Kennedy|Updated May 16, 2018

    It comes as no surprise that the music program of the Clovis Municipal Schools is exceptional. Our long-standing tradition of excellence is the direct result of the dedication of staff, students, and parents supporting their children's efforts. The Clovis Schools are somewhat unique in that a few years ago, when many schools across the nation were cutting back music programs — even doing away with them entirely — we stood firm and never faltered in offering the same out...

  • Prevention makes a big difference

    Betty Williamson|Updated May 16, 2018

    When someone takes action that could have prevented a tragedy — but not until after the tragedy has already occurred — well, you probably know the saying: It’s like closing the barn door after the horse is already out. Darla Reed and the staff of the Roosevelt County Driving While Intoxicated Grant Program are trying to beat that horse to the barn door with a free program on Saturday, which they have dubbed Prevention Day. It’s worth a look. First of all, it’s not a whole day...

  • Perfect pick-me-up

    Kevin Wilson|Updated May 16, 2018

    CLOVIS — Next to the gridiron, the Clovis Wildcats spent Wednesday night pumping iron. Amid shouts of encouragement for successful lifts and spotters prepared for the weight winning the battle, Wildcat football players engaged in the annual lift-a-thon, the program's biggest fundraiser and an unofficial kickoff to the 2018 football season. Just over 100 football players lifted on a group of weight benches adjacent to the north end zone of Leon Williams Stadium, each trying f...

  • Clovis to take up intergovernmental agreement

    The Staff of The News|Updated May 16, 2018

    CLOVIS — The Clovis City Commission today will consider again an intergovernmental agreement presented from Curry County. The 5:15 p.m. meeting will feature a shared services and cost agreement approved Tuesday by the Curry County Commission, 3-2. Shared services do not change — the county houses city prisoners in its detention center while the city provides EMT and fire services, pest control, enhanced 911, emergency management, landfill use and library use. The municipalitie...

  • Reporter's notebook: New chapter

    Jamie Cushman|Updated May 16, 2018

    A Girl and A Gun, a national women’s shooting organization, is coming to the High Plains. Stateline New Mexico, A Girl and A Gun’s new chapter in Clovis, will look to bring women from eastern New Mexico and west Texas together for shooting and other activities, facilitator Patti Emmerling said. “It’s a group of women where we get together, we bond and do other things not just shooting,” Emmerling said. “We support each other, we help each other grow. It really truly is an empowering organization.” The group will hold a L...

  • Pages past - May 17

    The Staff of The News|Updated May 16, 2018

    On this date ... 1988: A Clovis News-Journal feature profiled the first two women to join the El Desayuno Kiwanis Club, an organization that had been men-only until recently. Phyllis Musgrove, dean of instruction at Eastern New Mexico University-Clovis, joined the club in November 1987, and Laura Martin, law enforcement supervisor at Cannon Air Force Base, followed a few months later. "Our club, I believe, was ready for it," said El Desayuno President Jim Krake. Member Tom...

  • About 500 to graduate Friday in Clovis

    Jamie Cushman|Updated May 16, 2018

    CLOVIS — About 500 Clovis High School students are scheduled to celebrate graduation success on Friday night. “It’s the largest (graduating class) we’ve had in quite some time,” Superintendent Jody Balch said. Clovis High School Principal Jay Brady is in his second year at the high school, after stops at elementary and middle schools in Clovis. He said he enjoyed seeing the students’ transformations from when they first came to elementary school to the time they’re ready to graduate. “It’s amazing to see how they’ve chang...

  • ENMU's DeLaCruz gets regional honor

    The Staff of The News|Updated May 16, 2018

    PORTALES — Eastern New Mexico second baseman Alex DeLaCruz was announced Wednesday as a first-team selection on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association’s South Central Regional team. This is DeLaCruz’ first regional honor of the year, after receiving ABCA/Rawlings and D2CCA regional awards last season. The senior recently received his second-consecutive selection to the All-Lone Star Conference team. He was fourth in the league in batting (.380), while finishing second in the LSC in hits (70), third in stole...

  • 'Something fun' in Roosevelt sheriff campaign

    David Grieder|Updated May 16, 2018

    PORTALES — It’s the season of big billboards, TV, radio and newspaper ads, not to mention lawn signs, bumper stickers and other electoral ephemera. For some candidates, it’s a cumbersome reality of the process, and for others it’s an opportunity to think outside the box. Seeking his second term as Roosevelt County Sheriff, Malin Parker announced this month a promotion on his personal social media account: “Whoever posts a pic with a Parker for Sheriff Shirt Or Sign and gets the most shares on facebook will win $250.00 C... Full story

  • Education digest - May 17

    Updated May 16, 2018

    Summer program enrollment online Enrollment for Clovis Municipal Schools’ K-5 Plus summer program and the district’s expanded preschool program is available online, according to CMS press releases. To enroll, go online to www.clovis-schools.org/ registration.html The preschool program is available for students who are 4-years-old prior to Sept. 1 and has limited space. K-5 Plus is a summer program available to incoming kindergarten through fifth-graders where students are given an extra 25 days of specialized learning. CHS...

  • Body in burning truck identified

    The Staff of The News|Updated May 16, 2018

    PORTALES — Officials have positively identified the body found in a burning pickup truck last year and determined the cause of death was accidental. A news release Wednesday from Roosevelt County Sheriff Malin Parker said the victim was identified as Steve Robert Gephart, 59, whom witnesses said lived in the neighborhood west of Portales where the truck was found. The release said officials believe Gephart caused the Dec. 13 fire himself. “A propane torch located in the vehicle within the area of the deceased is believed to...

  • Drama camp to teach life skills

    Eamon Scarbrough|Updated May 16, 2018

    PORTALES — All the world’s a stage, but that doesn’t mean everyone’s a natural. So an upcoming day camp hopes to instill into local young people all the skills they’ll need for the great drama called life. Patrick McCreary, an Eastern New Mexico University theater instructor and organizer of the Theatre Arts and Drama Academy, said he hopes the program will help its participants develop skills like communication, confidence and organized thinking. “They’re all basic skills that sometimes we take for granted in the theater,...

  • Meetings calendar - May 17

    Updated May 16, 2018

    Today • Curry County Health Council — Noon to 1 p.m. at the Curry County Administrative Complex, 417 Gidding St., Clovis. Information: 575-763-6009 • Clovis City Commission — 5:15 p.m. at North Annex of Clovis-Carver Public Library. Information: 575-769-7828 Monday • Clovis Parks, Recreation and Beautification Committee — 5:30 p.m. at the Bert Cabiness City Government Center, 321 N. Connelly St., Clovis. Information: 575-769-7828 • Grady Board of Education — 6 p.m. at Grady Municipal Schools, 100 Franklin St., Grady. Inf...

  • Events calendar - May 17

    Updated May 16, 2018

    Friday • Clovis High School graduation — 6 p.m. at the Curry County Events Center. Information: 575-769-4350 • Fort Sumner High School graduation — 6 p.m. at the Fort Sumner High School Gymnasium. Information: 575-355-7734 • Bovina High School graduation — 7 p.m. (CDT) at the Bovina High School Auditorium. Information: 806-251-1336 • Muleshoe High School graduation — 7 p.m. (CDT) at Muleshoe High School Gymnasium. Information: 806-272-7400 Saturday • American Cancer Society Mushball Tournament — 8 a.m. at the Portales Softba...

  • Updated May 16, 2018

  • Candidate Q&As: Curry County Commissioner, District 4

    Updated May 16, 2018

    Seth Martin and Dillon Lewis, both Republicans, are seeking a two-year term as Curry County commissioner for District 4. Martin is the incumbent, appointed in December to fill a vacancy from October. Candidates were given the same questions, and asked to answer them on the spot. Absentee voting began last week and will take place Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until June 1 and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 2 at the Curry County Administrative Complex. Early voting begins Saturday and will be available Tuesday...