Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Articles from the August 18, 2021 edition


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  • State to re-implement mask mandates Friday

    The Staff of The News|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    SANTA FE — Citing a rising tide of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, New Mexico plans to re-implement a statewide requirement of face masks in indoor settings. The office of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham also announced a requirement for workers in medical close-contact congregate settings — including hospitals, nursing homes, juvenile justice facilities, rehabilitation facilities, state correctional facilities and more to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The state also issued a requirement that all workers at pri... Full story

  • Jail logs, Aug. 18

    Updated Aug 17, 2021

    Booked The following were booked into local jails (Friday-Tuesday): Clovis • Tamra Schutzbach, 35, battery against a household member, failure to appear on misdemeanor charge Damion Martinez, 37, possession of a controlled substance • • Gabriel Hernandez, 43, use of telephone to terrify, intimidate, threaten, harass, annoy or offend, criminal damage to the property of a household member • Gunner Wynn, 27, resisting, evading or obstructing an officer, probation violation • Rocio Terrones, 30, failure to pay fines • Manuel...

  • Heated discussion follows Afghanistan drawdown

    Dallas Morning News, Syndicated content|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    WASHINGTON — Nearly two decades after Texas’ George W. Bush led the nation to war in Afghanistan to root out terrorists behind the Sept. 11 attacks, the Taliban were suddenly back in control Monday after a chaotic U.S. withdrawal. Texas politicians in both parties were pointing fingers. They decried the bungled drawdown and tragic miscalculations about the Afghan government’s ability to hold out against insurgents. For those who’d demanded withdrawal for years, the humiliation of a rout dampened the joy they’d expected...

  • Lawmakers to ask for crime, firearms legislation

    Albuquerque Journal|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    SANTA FE — As Albuquerque faces a record-breaking year of homicides and reels from a school shooting, New Mexico lawmakers said Monday they will ask Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to add crime and firearms legislation to the agenda of the next regular session. No consensus emerged Monday, but the ideas include imposing tougher criminal penalties, authorizing extra money to hire more police officers and requiring gun owners to lock up their firearms. The discussion comes as legislators prepare for two legislative sessions — a spe...

  • A closer look: Reviewing Tech's Red Raiders after first preseason scrimmage

    Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Syndicated content|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    LUBBOCK ‚ Two weeks from today, the Texas Tech football team will be in game-week preparation mode for the Sept. 4 season opener against Houston. The Red Raiders have gone through multiple August workouts and Saturday was their first full-pads scrimmage, the first of only two such scrimmages the NCAA now permits during the preseason. There's still time for players to make moves on the depth chart, but training camp is far enough along for Matt Wells and his staff to have f...

  • Police officer cleared in bodyslamming incident

    Ron Warnick, Staff writer|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    A Tucumcari police officer who was shown last month on a video posted to social media body-slamming a suspect has been cleared after an internal investigation, and he was returned to his job. That didn’t satisfy the suspect’s lawyer, who said he was “outraged” by the police department and its officers and vowed to file a lawsuit. Tucumcari officer Justin Garcia had been placed on administrative leave until a review of the July 17 incident could be completed, stated acting police chief Pete Rivera in an email Wednesd...

  • Faith: Keep your hope in God and you'll never lose your smile

    Curtis Shelburne, Religion columnist|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    What does it mean when you lose your smile? I once heard a “face reader,” a fellow who works with jury consultants, businesses (hiring personnel), and large corporations say that 40% of our facial “terrain” is inherited, but 60% is what we've unconsciously made of it. He and his colleagues claim to be able to tell a fair amount about personalities and character traits by “reading” faces. Oh, I know. Part of this sounds a little hokey. But I figure there's also something r...

  • Hounds tabbed for cellar in LSC volleyball poll

    the Staff of The News|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    RICHARDSON, Texas — Angelo State is anticipated to repeat as the Lone Star Conference’s volleyball champion, according to a poll of conference coaches, sports information directors and media representatives. After not playing the abbreviated spring season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Eastern New Mexico University isn’t anticipated to do much. The Greyhounds were chosen last out of 18 teams in the poll released Monday by the conference office. The Rams garnered 771 points and 31 of the 44 first-place votes in the poll an ar...

  • Pages past, Aug. 18: Portales preps for city picnic

    David Stevens, Publisher|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    On this date … 1916: Portales was preparing for its annual city picnic, with 2,000 people expected to attend that Saturday. The Clovis Ladies’ Band was scheduled to kick things off with music at 10 a.m., followed by a few short speeches and then more music. Sen. Isaac Barth, promoted as “one of the best speakers in eastern New Mexico” was planning to speak from 11 a.m. to noon. Dinner at noon was free and featured barbecue, bread, pickles and coffee. The “business men of Portales” paid for the feast. After eating, a free pict...

  • Hounds scrimmage on Saturday

    the Staff of The News|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    PORTALES — It’s still a few weeks away from the games that count, but Eastern New Mexico University is getting excited to play in front of a crowd for the first time since 2019, even if it’s only against each other for now. The Greyhounds, who haven’t played since the 2019 Heritage Bowl, are set for a 6 p.m. scrimmage on Saturday at Greyhound Stadium. “I think they’re all pretty jacked,” Greyhound coach Tye Hiatt said. “They’re happy to play, be able to get out.” There will be no admission charge for the scrimmage, and the...

  • Here's to new memories at area fairs

    Betty Williamson, Local columnist|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    All it takes is one breath of “rural county fair,” that intoxicating fragrance of horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry, intermingled with all manner of deep-fried foods, and topped with a whiff of warm spun sugar, and nostalgia sets in. What I wouldn’t give to turn back the clock … for a few hours at least … and walk onto the Roosevelt County fairgrounds from my childhood. My first stop would be on the shady bleachers on the south side of the old grassy paddock where a g...

  • CCS sports new look this season

    Dave Wagner, Staff writer|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    CLOVIS — The Clovis Christian football team has a new coach this season — and quite a different look. Trent McKay takes over the 6-man Eagles program, adding football to his boys basketball and golf coaching duties. Many of the team’s top players from the spring, when CCS went 4-1 including a pair of forfeits, have moved on. “We don’t have many kids who’ve played football,” McKay said as the team works toward Friday’s 7 p.m. opener against Ramah at Jim Hill Field. “We’re a basketball team trying to play football.” New Mexi...

  • Inexperienced Cats hopeful

    Dave Wagner, Staff writer|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    CLOVIS - So far, so good for the Clovis High football team. With several key players to replace from the COVID-abbreviated spring season, the Wildcats are anxious to get going this fall. Clovis, ranked No. 3 in the Class 6A MaxPreps preseason poll, begins its campaign on Friday night with a 7 p.m. kickoff against rival and fifth-ranked Hobbs at Leon Williams Stadium. "It's good to be where we're at right now, compared to where we were last year," fifth-year CHS coach Cal...

  • PHS faces Hope Christian in opener

    Dave Wagner, Staff writer|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    PORTALES — Over the past few seasons, the Portales High football team has established itself among the top programs in Class 4A. Prior to the COVID-shortened spring season with no New Mexico Activities Association playoffs, the Rams had reached at least the Class 4A state semifinals for five consecutive campaigns, including titles in 2016 and 2019. PHS, which was 4-1 in the spring with the loss coming at rival Lovington, is looking to make another potential title run this fall, beginning with Saturday’s 5 p.m. season ope...

  • Education digest - Aug. 18

    Updated Aug 17, 2021

    ENMU professor earns awards PORTALES — Eastern New Mexico University history professor Donald “Doc” Elder was honored with a pair of Excellence in Broadcasting awards from the New Mexico Broadcasters Association for his work broadcasting sporting events. Elder won in the small market radio awards division for best sports play-by-play and sports show or interview. Elder was also honored with a morning show category, along with “Morning Throwdown” co-host Kevin Robbins. “I am very honored that the New Mexico Broadcaster...

  • Opinion: Climate change needs bigger response

    Tom McDonald, Syndicated content|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    Last week I wrote fondly about one of my favorite infrastructures, Interstate 40, reflecting on my life and travels back and forth across this long-running superhighway. It’s proof that I’m part of the problem. I have burned a lot of carbon in all my years of South-to-Southwest driving. It’s just one of many ways in which I’ve contributed to Mother Nature’s current condition. But at least I’m not in denial, which is a whole other sin. Conservatives have used denial effectively through the years, and some still do, to avoi...

  • Pavement project to begin soon

    the Staff of The News|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    CLOVIS — The New Mexico Department of Transportation District Two will begin a two-mile pavement improvement project this month on N.M. 311 near Cannon Air Force Base. The work between mile markers 0 and 2 is expected to take two weeks and will require a one-lane closure and short delays 7 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. Drivers are asked to watch for personnel and signage in the work area. Information: nmroads.com...

  • Opinion: Libertarianism works in real world

    Kent McManigal, Local columnist|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    When you take a libertarian and whittle away everything nonessential — all the philosophy and politics — what is left is the understanding that no one has the right to use violence against those who aren’t harming someone else, and no one has the right to violate the property rights of others. This simple idea is often phrased as “no one has the right to initiate force.” Another name for the initiation of force is “aggression,” so the definition of a libertarian is anyone who...

  • Opinion: Data collection, sharing need to improve

    Bloomberg News, Syndicated content|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    The past 18 months have shown that accurately counting the dead is vital for protecting the living. At the outset of the pandemic, many countries lacked adequate registration systems, and others saw their processes break down under strain. This made it harder to track the spread of COVID-19 and deal with its consequences. Even in normal times, lack of data about deaths and their causes can seriously impede efforts to protect public health. Fixing this ought to be a global priority. Reliable information on mortality and...

  • Real 'Friday Night Lights' again

    Cindy Kleyn-Kennedy, Local columnist|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    A pent-up eager anticipation is in the air. It usually is this time of year, but generally more for students. This year both staff and students are excited about coming back to school in person. Both new and returning staff are noticeably more animated, as are students. With a difficult stretch behind us, it’s not surprising we’re all so ready to be together again in person for this adventure called school. With the flurry of activities — staff trainings and workshops, stude...

  • Roosevelt County Fair schedule

    Updated Aug 17, 2021

    Wednesday • 10 a.m.: Steer and breeding beef weighing • 10 a.m.-10 p.m.: Home arts and youth building open • 1 p.m.: Goat show • 5 p.m.-7 p.m.: Praise and worship, Jake Lopez Building • 5 p.m.-10 p.m.: Merchants building open • 2 p.m.-midnight: Sun Valley Rides Carnival • 5 p.m.: Lamb show, events center • 5:30 p.m.: Jett Sharp Team Roping, outdoor arena • 8 p.m.-11:30 p.m.: Justin Kemp Band, slab Thursday • 8 a.m.-2 p.m.: Free admission for senior citizens • 8 a.m.: Antique tractor show, pavilion • 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Pioneer...

  • Parks board approves grant application for shade structures

    Kevin Wilson, Editor|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    CLOVIS — As Clovis MainStreet’s Food Truck Friday has proved to be a popular option for Clovis residents over the last few months, the city’s parks and recreation committee wants a little less light on the subject. Members of the Parks, Beautification and Recreation Committee on Monday approved what would be a joint grant application to put shade structures on the county-owned lot on the 800 block of Mitchell Street. City Manager Justin Howalt said the $50,000 grant from Outdoor Recreation Trails would require a 50% match...

  • Curry hears impact of pandemic, labor shortage

    Kevin Wilson, Editor|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    CLOVIS — Curry County’s financial advisor told commissioners Tuesday morning not much has changed regarding the county’s investment portfolio. Everything else, on the other hand ... Rob Burpo addressed commissioners for roughly 30 minutes on a variety of impacts they can expect to see over the next few years, with the nation still in the COVID-19 pandemic and a swath of federal stimulus measures and private industry dealing with labor and materials shortages. Burpo said when you go to your local Applebee’s or Chili’s, the per...

  • Lujan gives infrastructure update

    Kevin Wilson, Editor|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    CLOVIS - With a fist bump to greet everybody and slightly crossed fingers, Sen. Ben Ray Lujan updated Clovis and Curry County leaders Monday on what a $1 trillion federal infrastructure bill could mean going forward. In an hour-long meeting at the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce, New Mexico's junior senator said the House of Representatives was still debating the measure, which passed the Senate last week on a 69-30 vote. Both chambers would have to hammer out...

  • Curry fair wraps up

    the Staff of The News|Updated Aug 17, 2021

    CLOVIS - Attendance at the 2021 Curry County Fair was down about 4% from the 2019 version. But organizers felt it was really a circumstance that could be blamed on the rain - two nights worth, to be precise. "The fair went great," Events Center and Fairgrounds Manager K.C. Messick said Monday. "We started out great. Attendance, after Wednesday, was up from 2019. We were looking at record numbers, then the rain hit. Thursday and Friday was kind of a letdown, but we finished...