Serving the High Plains

Articles from the June 28, 2023 edition


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  • FEMA officials to tour damaged roads this week

    Ron Warnick, QCS Senior Writer|Jun 28, 2023

    Quay County's manager said Monday he would show storm damage to Federal Emergency Management Agency officials in an effort to receive a federal disaster declaration in the wake of last month's storms. County manager Daniel Zamora said state Homeland Security officials were "surprised" by the extent of flood damage to county roads after the May 25-26 storms. Zamora said he would show storm damage to FEMA officials on Thursday. He said state officials encouraged him to pursue the federal disaster...

  • City again fails to fund chamber

    Ron Warnick, QCS Senior Writer|Jun 28, 2023

    City funding for the Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce remained in limbo again after a motion for a $47,000 proposal died for the lack of a second during a city commission meeting Thursday. Commissioner Christopher Arias made the motion to approve the chamber funding plan for fiscal-year 2023-2024 with the understanding the chamber would submit quarterly reports and have “better communication” with the city. But the motion failed to attract a second from Mayor Ralph Moya or Commissioner Mike Cherry. Commissioner Paul Villanueva was abs...

  • College's financial footing improves

    Ron Warnick, QCS Senior Writer|Jun 28, 2023

    A report last week by the chief financial officer and financial documents sent to the state indicate Mesalands Community College’s finances have improved significantly in recent months. At one point early this year, the college was in imminent danger of not making its payroll. A series of cost-reduction moves, including progressive pay cuts for employees, and emergency aid from the state kept the Tucumcari institution afloat. The board of trustees during its June 20 meeting approved budget adjustments and a revised 2023-2024 budget that r...

  • City manager: Swimming pool to reopen mid-July

    Staff report|Jun 28, 2023

    Better late than never, apparently. Tucumcari’s city manager announced during a city commission meeting Thursday the city’s municipal swimming pool would reopen next month and stay open into the fall. The pool had been closed since 2019. It was shuttered for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it remained closed last year after severe leaks were found at the facility. Paula Chacon said during her city manager’s report Thursday the pool would reopen during the third week of July. Her announcement brought a smattering of applause from peo...

  • 'Shiny Happy People' a sobering watch

    Gordon Runyan, Religion columnist|Jun 28, 2023

    Have you been too cheerful lately? You might take the time to watch the Neflix documentary series, “Shiny happy people.” Seriously, you should watch it. I know some are warning against it: “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.” Christians should never be afraid to look. While I’m at it, let me also recommend the documentary from “Christianity Today” magazine, “The rise and fall of Mars Hill.” If you’re a podcast listener, check out episodes 148 and 149 of the Bare Marriage podcast and hear the voice of a victim of so-called “purit...

  • Suspect back in jail hours later after car-theft charge

    Staff report|Jun 28, 2023

    A few hours after an Albuquerque woman initially jailed on a litany of charges was released from the Quay County Detention Center, she was accused of stealing a car from one of Tucumcari’s truck stops. Kayln Worker, 36, was jailed again Thursday afternoon at the county lockup on a complaint that included two counts of felony tempering with evidence, one count of unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and one count of resisting, evading and obstructing an officer. The tampering and vehicle theft charges each are fourth-degree felonies that can l...

  • Pages past - June 28

    Jun 28, 2023

    On this date ... 1973: A nationwide gasoline shortage was beginning to affect the Quay County region. Local fuel distributors said they were being allotted only so much gasoline and diesel, though they’ve yet to run out. Station owners said they didn’t have a problem for now but expected shortages in the future. Municipalities were dealing with higher fuel costs, and one supplier for Tucumcari could commit only to a six-month supply. At the city’s power plant, it increased its auxiliary supply from five days to 16. The shortages already have af...

  • Calendar - June 28

    Jun 28, 2023

    • Saturday — Red, White & Ute: Ute Lake Fourth of July Celebration. The event includes a parade in downtown Logan at 10 a.m. and fireworks over the lake at dusk. Raffle tickets for a $10,000 prize or a 2022 Yahama Umax Rally utility car are available at Logan businesses. • July 4 — The annual fireworks show hosted by the city and Quay County in Tucumcari is scheduled to begin at dark, or after 8:30 p.m. near the Elks Lodge on South Adams Street. • July 14 — Down at the Depot. Bring your lawn chairs and join Tucumcari MainStreet for live music,...

  • Menus - June 28

    Jun 28, 2023

    Tucumcari Senior Center Wednesday — Pork roast, rosemary baked potatoes, roasted tomatoes, tossed salad with dressing, cornbread, plums. Thursday — Green chile cheeseburgers, tater tots, celery sticks, baby carrots, gelatin. Friday — Orange chicken, brown rice, stir-fry vegetables, fortune cookie, vegetable egg roll, mandarin oranges. Monday — Grilled ham sandwich, Brussels sprouts, french fries, mandarin oranges. Tuesday — Closed for Independence Day. Logan Senior Center Wednesday — Beef fajitas, fajita blend vegetables, pinto beans, crac...

  • Publisher's journal: Tucumcari native, Cowboys kicker earns HOF honor

    David Stevens, The Staff of The News|Jun 28, 2023

    Some of us remember it as the greatest football game ever played. Danny Villanueva was a big part of it. The Dallas Cowboys led the Green Bay Packers, 17-14, in that NFL Championship game of Dec. 31, 1967, that’s come to be known as the Ice Bowl. Gametime temperature was 15-below zero. The wind-chill factor was 48-below. One fan died of exposure to those elements. Players and fans suffered frostbite that plagued them the rest of their lives. Villanueva, the Cowboys veteran kicker, was the difference in his team’s lead with a 29-yard field goa...

  • Ideas and promises not enough

    Elwood Watson, Syndicated content|Jun 28, 2023

    Black Americans are a community of people that have endured abominable levels of trials, abuse and tribulations. Our experience in this country includes rivers of blood, mountains of sweat and countless numbers of anguished tears. As a Black American, I am descended from a people for whom the history of slavery, lynching, segregation, black codes, poll taxes, oppressive sharecropping systems and Jim Crow laws are historical facts deeply etched in the fabric of history. My ancestors were brought to America as slaves. I can only begin to imagine...

  • Disinformation coming from Dems

    Michael Reagan, Syndicated content|Jun 28, 2023

    Barack Obama told a good joke the other day. He said he thought that the level of disinformation and misinformation online has gotten so dangerously high in the U.S. that we need to develop “digital fingerprints” so ordinary citizens can tell what’s truly true and know who’s not telling it. We? Did he mean “We the American people” or “We the politicians with all the power”? The ex-president of us all didn’t specify what government agency or allegedly nonpartisan public watchdog group he thought should get to decide what is the “truth” or ho...

  • Tucumcari native named to NM Sports Hall of Fame

    Staff report|Jun 28, 2023

    A Tucumcari native was among five individuals named Saturday to the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame. Danny Villanueva, born in Tucumcari as the ninth of 12 children in 1937, had several big moments of glory for New Mexico State University and then with the Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys in the NFL. Villanueva's family moved from Tucumcari to Phoenix just a few days after he was born. Villanueva later played high-school sports in Calexico, California. He kicked a field goal and two extra poin...

  • Logan's Stoner named 1A Player of Year

    Staff report|Jun 28, 2023

    Five Logan High School players earned Class 1A all-state honors last week, including junior pitcher and shortstop Kaeden Stoner, who was named Player of the Year. Other Longhorns who landed first-team all-state honors were senior catcher Park Strong, freshman first baseman Mason Wallin, freshman outfielder Aydin Kotara and sophomore outfielder Diego Sanchez. As a pitcher, Stoner sported an 0.95 ERA with 86 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings. As a hitter, Stoner hit .455 with 19 RBI and a team-high 44...

  • Dog attack lands local man in hospital

    Staff report|Jun 28, 2023

    A new Tucumcari resident was hospitalized after a dog abruptly attacked him Saturday afternoon. John Nichols, who moved to Tucumcari with his wife Ruth from Utah about six weeks ago, suffered bite injuries to the back of both legs, one arm and his head. The head wound required eight staples to close. The Nicholses, who live in the 2000 block of South Eighth Street, said the attack occurred shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday. He said a neighbor’s pitbull, which usually is behind a locked gate and wall across the street, was loose. The Tucumcari Polic...

  • Pow Wow to reopen in early July under new owners

    Staff report|Jun 28, 2023

    The Pow Wow Restaurant and Lizard Lounge apparently won’t stay closed for long. Tucumcari resident Christopher Arias said he and his wife Tori completed the purchase of the local icon on Sunday, and they tentatively plan to reopen it on July 7. Previous owner Todd Duplantis closed the Pow Wow shortly after Mother’s Day. He bought the business at 801 W. Route 66 Blvd. in January 2022. Duplantis opened Stone’s Pizza Grill in Logan shortly after shuttering the Pow Wow. Arias said in a phone interview Sunday he wants the restaurant and bar reope...

  • Clovis mayor calls for commissioner's resignation

    David Stevens, The Staff of The News|Jun 28, 2023

    CLOVIS — Mayor Mike Morris on Friday called for the resignation of City Commissioner David Bryant, accusing Bryant of “misuse, if not theft, of public funds.” Bryant did not respond to multiple requests for comment from The News. His Facebook page said he was “going off the grid today.” Text messages and phone calls also were not returned. In emails to Bryant obtained by The News, Morris accused the commissioner of being “dishonest” about attending a recent New Mexico Municipal League training. “I believe you lied to your fellow commissioners a...

  • Jail log - June 28

    Jun 28, 2023

    These individuals were booked into the Quay County Detention Center from June 20 to June 25: — Stephine Talarico, 28, no address listed, contempt of court and larceny ($250 or less). — Israel Widner-Housenga, 30, no address listed, felony possession of a controlled substance (narcotic drug) and two counts of larceny ($250 or less). — Timothy Skinner, 51, Lovington, failure to display registration plate, contempt of court and two counts of trafficking (by possession or intent to distribute). — Gary Baxter, 76, no address listed, contemp...

  • Police blotter - June 28

    Jun 28, 2023

    These calls were made to the Tucumcari-Quay Regional Emergency Communications Center from June 19 to June 25: Monday — 12:06 a.m.: Shots fired in 700 block of West Sunset Avenue, Tucumcari. — 12:10 a.m.: Threat in 500 block of South Eighth Street, Tucumcari. — 12:15 a.m.: Shots fired in 800 block of West Hancock Avenue, Tucumcari. — 7:37 a.m.: Accident in 1900 block of South Mountain Road, Tucumcari. — 8:05 a.m.: Property damage in 400 block of Pueblo Street, Logan. — 10:55 a.m.: Disturbance in 1400 block of Grove Street, Tucumcari....