Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Articles from the June 20, 2021 edition


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  • Local officials question PED's social studies standards

    Kevin Wilson, Editor|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    A local superintendent and a group of state legislators are questioning the Public Education Department's effort to update social studies standards at New Mexico’s K-12 schools. Reps. Randy Crowder, R-Clovis and Martin Zamora, R-Clovis, are two of 15 House Republicans who signed on to a letter Wednesday asking the Legislative Education Study Committee “so that policymakers and the general public can thoroughly understand the process of rewriting K-12 social studies standards, ascertain what impact these ‘guiding princ...

  • Local scoreboard - June 20

    Updated Jun 19, 2021

    BASEBALL Prep linescores Tuesday District 4-5A First game Hobbs 9, Clovis 0 Clovis 000 000 0 — 0 2 1 Hobbs 203 112 x — 9 8 0 Will Jordan, Manuel Gutierrez (3), Zack Wheeler (5) and Joseph Albert; J.D. Parada; J.D. Parada, Colton Graham (7) and Kenyon Singleton. W — Parada. L — Jordan. Top hitters — Clovis: Albert 1-3; Josh Lawson 1-2. Hobbs: Brevin McCool 2-3, 2 HRs, 6 RBIs, SF; Graham 2-3, 3B, 3 runs, BB; Eryk McNabb 2-3, 2 2Bs, 2 RBIs, 2 runs. Second game Hobbs 9, Clovis 1 Clovis 001 000 0 — 1 5 1 Hobbs 341 010 x — 9 7 0 Za...

  • Commission discusses future of Clovis' city charter

    Kevin Wilson, Editor|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    CLOVIS — The Clovis city charter is somewhat of a nebulous area in New Mexico law. Its term limits for city commissioners are unenforceable because of state standards, but its recall procedures remain in place despite different state standards. Charter review commission members discovered just why that is during their Tuesday meeting to help determine the future makeup of the city’s governing document. The charter, first adopted in 1971, requires a citizen vote for changes. Such elections can be scheduled at any time by the...

  • Texas governor signs permitless carry bill

    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Syndicated content|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    Texans will soon be able to carry a handgun without a license after Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill allowing for the permitless carry of firearms. The new law, which goes into effect Sept. 1, allows those who are 21 and older and not otherwise prohibited from having a gun to carry a handgun without a license. Abbott signed House Bill 1927 on Wednesday and held a ceremonial signing for the legislation and other new gun laws on Thursday. He was joined by members of the Legislature and representatives from the National Rifle...

  • Clovis officials hear revitalization plan

    Kathleen Stinson, Staff writer|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    The city of Clovis Commission heard a plan to revitalize two Metropolitan Redevelopment Areas in the city at its meeting Thursday. Jacqueline Fishman, principal/planner for Consensus Planning, a planning consulting firm based in Albuquerque, explained the plan in detail. She and her staff identified “opportunity sites” within two redevelopment areas and using information from a survey of the residents identified properties and development strategies. Assistant City Manager Claire Burroughes said the city has two Met...

  • Opinion: Public speaking learned skill, takes practice

    Walt Rubel, Syndicated content|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    There’s a great scene in the movie “Bull Durham” where “Crash” Davis, the veteran catcher, teaches hotshot pitching prospect “Nuke” LaLoosh how to talk to the media: “We’ve got to play ‘em one game at a time.” “I’m just happy to be here, and hope I can help the ballclub.” “I just want to give it my best shot. And, the good Lord willing, things will work out.” As a former sportswriter, I thought director Ron Shelton gave it 110 percent in capturing the typical locker-room exchanges. Players and coaches lean on cliches because...

  • Opinion: Dem attacks on Manchin packed with party irony

    Christine Flowers, Syndicated content|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    I find it interesting that Democrats are ganging up on Joe Manchin. It’s not exactly surprising, since the West Virginia senator hasn’t been a team player for a while, despite the fact that he is not now and never will be a Republican. But he is not the kind of Democrat that gets fawned over by mainstream media, because he won’t vilify conservatives. Manchin voted to impeach Trump, but he respects the folks (many of his own constituents) who voted for the man. He has this...

  • Opinion: Republican policies breed ignorance

    Leonard Pitts, Syndicated content|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    The morning bell rang at Republican High (“Home of the Fightin’ Pachyderms”) as students shuffled in. Gretchen Niedermeyer dry swallowed a couple of pre-emptive aspirins and reminded herself as she did every morning that she was just 16 months and — a glance at the calendar — seven days from her pension. “Good morning, class,” she said. “As you know, oral reports on African-American history are due this morning.” She ignored a chorus of groans. “Tommy, you go first.” Tommy We...

  • Opinion: Putin gave US thrashing at 'summit'

    Michael Reagan, Syndicated content|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    I think I can still hear them partying in the Kremlin. Vladimir Putin and his inner circle are toasting each other with shots of vodka and loud singing. I can’t understand Russian, but I recognize the tune — “Happy Days Are Here Again.” After the thrashing Putin gave to President Joe Biden at their “summit” meeting in Switzerland last week, the devilish former KGB operative has every reason to celebrate. Someone asked me on a scale of 1 to 10 what score I’d give to Biden for h...

  • Opinion: No excuse not to pursue defenses

    Rich Lowry, Syndicated content|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    Joe Biden isn’t known for his austerity, except when it comes to the nation’s defense. As part of his welcome emphasis on competition with China, the president cajoled reluctant European countries at the G-7 summit into releasing a statement critical of China, on top of the announcement of an infrastructure program meant to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative. That’s all fine as far as it goes, but a glaring omission from Biden’s campaign is a defense budget that refl...

  • Opinion: Transparency also good for businesses

    Kip Purcell, Syndicated content|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    Thirty-odd years ago, a champion of government transparency was lectured by a legislator who insisted that no one really cared what the government did behind closed doors, other than a special-interest group known as the press. The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government was founded in the wake of that disconcerting episode. We’ve come a long way since then. Today there’s widespread recognition — including among legislators — that government transparency isn’t just for newshounds. Nor is its natural constituency confined...

  • Senior calendar - June 20

    Updated Jun 19, 2021

    Curry Resident Senior Meals Association 901 W. 13th St., Clovis 575-762-9405 All meals served with 2% milk and tossed salad w/dressing Monday: Cheeseburger, tater tots, baked beans, ice cream Tuesday: Pork roast w/gravy, sweet potatoes, black-eyed peas, cornbread w/margarine, fruit Wednesday: BBQ riblets, macaroni and cheese, vegetables, dinner roll w/margarine, yogurt Thursday: Green chili chicken enchilada, pinto beans, salad w/dressing, pudding Friday: Baked fish, potato wedges, vegetables, biscuit w/margarine, fruit...

  • Airport to simulate airplane crash

    the Staff of The News|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    CLOVIS — An airplane crash, or at least a simulated one, is scheduled for Wednesday morning at the Clovis Regional Airport. City officials say the event is a training exercise. A Full Scale Exercise, a city release said, is scheduled to begin 8 a.m. Wednesday at the airport. The four-hour exercise will include airport staff, the Clovis fire and police departments, Cannon Air Force Base personnel and the Clovis/Curry County Office of Emergency Management. General access to the airport will not be impacted. Emergency M...

  • Principal to take CMS position

    the Staff of The News|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    CLOVIS — A longtime middle school principal will be elevated to Clovis Municipal School’s director of operations, according to a CMS release. Loran Hill, who has been principal at Yucca Middle School since 2010, will begin his new positions July 1. The position was created to meet district needs. Hill has been with the Clovis district since 2003, when he became assistant principal at Marshall Middle School. He was also a teacher and assistant principal at Yucca. During his time with the district, Hill has aided with cre...

  • Fireworks restrictions remain in place

    the Staff of The News|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    CLOVIS — The Curry County Fire and Safety Department is reminding county residents fireworks restrictions are currently in place in the county’s unincorporated areas. The proclamation, approved by the Curry County Commission in its June 1 meeting, restricts the sale and use of certain aerial fireworks and ground audible fireworks including helicopters, aerial spinners, missile rockets, stick rockets, chasers and firecrackers. Permitted fireworks in the incorporated county areas include ground and hand-held sparking dev...

  • County clerk elected to board position

    the Staff of The News|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    CLOVIS — Curry County Clerk Annie Hogland was elected vice president for the New Mexico Counties Board of Directors Thursday, according to an NMC release. Hogland will serve along with President Linda Stover (Bernalillo County clerk) and President Elect Jhonathan Aragon (Valencia County commissioner). The past president is Otero County Assessor Steve Boyle. The association also elected its representatives for the National Association of Counties and the Western Interstate Region board. Those positions will be filled by C...

  • Road construction extended again

    the Staff of The News|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    CLOVIS — One construction project on Seventh Street has been extended for a second time, while another one begins Monday, according to a pair of releases from the city of Clovis. Monday marks the first day of work at the intersection of Seventh and Thornton streets. Eastbound and westbound traffic will be reduced to one lane on Seventh, and the north side of the intersection will be closed with traffic destroying via Reid or Calhoun streets. Work continues on Seventh between Ross and North Prince, with work extended t...

  • Portales man gets 87 months in prison

    the Staff of The News|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    ALBUQUERQUE — A Portales man was sentenced Tuesday in federal court to serve an 87-month prison sentence for failing to update his sex offender registration. Erich Riker, 44, was convicted on three separate charges between 1995 and 2006 in Minnesota under the name Jamie Lee Wood. According to a criminal complaint filed In the United States District Court in Roswell: • Riker moved to Oregon in 2006, and failed to update sex offender registration. He was arrested in Eugene, Oregon, 10 years later, and sentenced in 2017 to a s...

  • Clovis to hold study sessions

    the Staff of The News|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    CLOVIS — The Clovis City Commission will hold a pair of study sessions over the next two weeks, according to city releases. The sessions are scheduled for 5:15 p.m. Tuesday and 5:15 p.m. June 30 at the North Annex of the Clovis-Carver Public Library. The Tuesday study session will feature discussion of a land trust. The trust would help in matters associated with a Readiness Environmental Protection Initiative effort to protect groundwater in the paleochannel surrounding Cannon Air Force Base. A release from Curry County n...

  • Officials: Air Force has spent $31 million to address contamination

    Albuquerque Journal, Syndicated content|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    The U.S. Air Force has spent more than $31 million to address groundwater contamination at Cannon Air Force Base near Clovis, base officials said Wednesday. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, leaked into the Ogallala Aquifer on and off-base from firefighting foam used in training exercises. A $16.6 million water treatment pilot project at the base's southeast corner is set for construction as early as March 2022, and would likely begin operating in April 2023. Christipher Gierke, Cannon's remedial project manager,...

  • Fire and police departments face hiring challenges

    Molly Adamson, Staff writer|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    If you’ve been on local police and fire departments’ social media pages, Iistened to the radio, or read local papers recently, you may have noticed some “Help Wanted” signs. Departments across the nation are finding themselves short-staffed, and that problem hasn’t skipped over New Mexico either. In an interview with the Eastern New Mexico News, Clovis Deputy Fire Chief Byron Dixon stated that being a firefighter is “definitely not a job for everyone.” Part of his job as deputy fire chief is hiring qualified and motivated...

  • Shots fired into Portales floral shop

    Kevin Wilson, Editor|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    PORTALES - Rose Richards has no idea why anybody would ever fire a bullet into her Portales floral shop. But the longtime owner of Hestands Floral did learn quite a bit about the community in the aftermath. Richards and staff closed the shop on Tuesday following the early morning vandalism, and were able to do enough cleaning to reopen the shop Wednesday while various suppliers gave estimates on items beyond Richards' ability to fix. "We don't know if we were targeted...

  • In tribute: Zoo assistant director's absence is felt

    Kevin Wilson, Editor|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    CLOVIS - Mark Yannotti loved his Harley-Davidson, his granddaughters and the San Francisco Giants. But he was most known around Clovis for his love of animals, a love that often extended beyond the walls of the Hillcrest Park Zoo where he worked since 1988. Yannotti, the zoo's assistant director, died June 6 in his sleep. Family members didn't know the specific cause of death, but noted he had suffered a heart attack just a week prior. Yannotti was pretty much synonymous with...

  • "Smoke on the Water" moved to July 10

    The Staff of The News|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    CLOVIS — The city of Clovis will return to some normalcy with the Smoke on the Water fireworks display making its return. However, the event will be moved to July 10 due to staffing issues in the fireworks industry. Calls placed to Rooney Moon Broadcasting, the headline sponsor for the fireworks show, were not returned. But the company posted on its website the fireworks vendor Smoke on the Water has used for more than two decades doesn’t have enough crews to shoot all of its normal shows on Independence Day. Rooney Moon own...

  • State to lift most COVID-19 restrictions July 1

    Kevin Wilson, Editor|Updated Jun 19, 2021

    Close enough. New Mexico will, as planned, move out of its “Red to Green” COVID-19 restrictions on July 1, despite just missing a Thursday goal of 60% of New Mexicans 16 and older receiving their final vaccination dose. The lifting of the color-coded system means all pandemic-related occupancy restrictions for commercial activity will be lifted. Facemasks will still be required for unvaccinated individuals. Businesses can still adopt their own policies above and beyond state guidelines. Until July 1, all 33 New Mexico cou... Full story

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