Between Editions: Feb. 20

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday sent an "executive message" to state senators, asking them to "pass legislation creating a department for early childhood education."

Senate Bill 22 would establish the Early Learning and Care Department as a cabinet-level department within the executive branch, Lujan Grisham said in a news release.

"This consolidation of existing childhood services will better serve New Mexico's children because they will receive a continuum of care from birth to age five and enable the State to lay the groundwork for a successful future that encompasses our values as New Mexicans," she said.

• A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Genesis Clovis Healthcare & Rehabilitation. Genesis is at 1201 N. Norris St.

• The alley at Highland Elementary School in Clovis will be closed for at least the next two weeks from Plains to Manana streets. The mission: pave the alley. Questions may be directed to Griego and Sons: 575-935-5400.

• The Lone Star Conference has agreed to a non-conference football alliance with the Great Northwest Athletic Conference for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. The deal calls for LSC and GNAC teams to meet 13 times each season. Eastern New Mexico University is scheduled to play Azusa Pacific at Portales on Nov. 7, 2020, and at Azusa in 2021. The Greyhounds also have a 2021 home game against Central Washington.

Upcoming funeral services:

Feb. 21

• Sally Helen Bara, 65, 2 p.m. (CST), Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Muleshoe

• John Raymond Ysco, 65, 11 a.m. St. Anne's Catholic Church, Tucumcari

Feb. 22

• Suzanne Rae Bell, 71, 2 p.m., Steed-Todd Funeral Home Chapel, Clovis

• Bobby Russ, 66, 10 a.m., First Baptist Church, Fort Sumner

Feb. 23

• Laddie Von Tillman 85, 9:30 a.m., San Jon Baptist Church

• Vicki Areta Dorgelo 57, 11 a.m., Logan Baptist Church

• Ryan Magness, 45, 11 a.m., Wheeler Mortuary Chapel, Portales

• Loretta Mitchell, 89, 2 p.m., Muffley Funeral Home Chapel, Clovis

Feb. 26

• Nakiyah Jade Brown, 16, 2 p.m., Muffley Funeral Home Chapel, Clovis

- Compiled by The Staff of The News