Serving the High Plains

Articles from the November 22, 2023 edition


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  • Mesalands total enrollment drops 26%

    Ron Warnick, The Staff of The News|Nov 22, 2023

    Overall enrollment at Mesalands Community College fell 26% in the fall semester compared to a year ago, though on-campus enrollment rose sharply during the same period. Josh McVey, vice president of student affairs, gave those findings during his annual enrollment management report at the Mesalands board of trustees meeting last Wednesday. Total enrollment this fall was 586, down from 791 in fall 2022. McVey wrote in his report “this is due to reducing our dual enrollment services to high schools in our region” during cost-cutting moves this ye...

  • Authority talks new phase of water pipeline

    Staff report|Nov 22, 2023

    The Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority is ready for a new focus – the 27.1-mile phase of the Ute water pipeline between the caprock and Grady. Officials on Thursday discussed specifications, construction bid packages and plans to advertise requests for proposals for the pipeline construction. “It’s the next phase of the project, and it’s an exciting one,” Clovis Mayor Mike Morris said. The authority will begin looking for the most financially optimal construction company for the job. “The water authority put this out and requested p...

  • Dream doll revived

    Ron Warnick, The Staff of The News|Nov 22, 2023

    Two local organizations' forthcoming giveaway of a doll and its accessories has sparked fond memories from women of a certain age in the Tucumcari region. Tucumcari MainStreet and the CRAFT Club of Tucumcari have teamed up for a Very Merry Tucumcari fundraising raffle of an Adora Amazing Girls doll and more than 20 outfits, accessories and three vintage trunks to store them all. The doll and her belongings are displayed at Blanco Creek Boutique in downtown Tucumcari. They will be given away on D...

  • Grant will boost Logan stage, add arts programs

    Staff report|Nov 22, 2023

    Logan Municipal Schools received a $12,000 fine-arts grant from the Singleton Family Foundation, much which will pay for improvements to its Performing Arts Center. Gregg Gudgell, manager for the Pecos-Trigg Ranch that is part of the Singleton family’s ranching operation, presented the check to the school board during its Nov. 13 meeting. Superintendent Dennis Roch said some of the money would be used to improve the audio system, microphones and lighting on the center’s stage. Tears in the stage’s curtains would be repaired, along with the i...

  • Hope for Thanksgiving

    Leonard Lauriault, Religion columnist|Nov 22, 2023

    America celebrates Thanksgiving this week, but things have seemed pretty bleak for some time with all the evil that’s happening in our nation and around the world. While evil will increase over time, there’s still hope that life will get better (2 Timothy 3:12-13; Matthew 24:4-13, 21-22). But this article isn’t about the present evils. It’s about our blessings and how we should still be thankful despite all that’s going on around us and that we shouldn’t let ourselves get so distracted by evil that we forget about God because he’s our on...

  • Pages past - Nov. 22

    Nov 22, 2023

    On this date ... 1973: The Tucumcari-Quay County Chamber of Commerce announced that “in the best interest of the energy crisis,” it would not sponsor a Christmas home-decorating contest this year. President Nixon had urged Americans earlier in the month to conserve energy because of a severe shortage of fuel heading into the winter months. In another matter, the chamber also urged all members to submit their ballots by Nov. 27 to elect new directors on the board. — Winners of the Boy Scouts Pack 652 contests were Rocky Campbell, who finis...

  • Calendar - Nov. 22

    Nov 22, 2023

    • Thursday — First Baptist Church Thanksgiving Day Lunch. This sit-down meal at the fellowship hall at 321 E. Center St. will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. • Dec. 2 — Annual Parade of Lights. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. and go on Route 66 from Lake Street to the Tucumcari Convention Center, with setup on Lake Street starting at 5:15 p.m. Email [email protected] for a parade registration form. After the parade, the Odeon Theatre will host a free screening of the 1971 movie “Two-Lane Blacktop,” which contains scenes in Tucumcar...

  • Menus - Nov. 22

    Nov 22, 2023

    Tucumcari schools Wednesday — Breakfast: Blueberry muffin, string cheese, Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, cinnamon graham cracker, banana, apple juice, 1%, skim or strawberry skim milk; Lunch: Chicken patty sandwich, ham and egg chef salad, ranch potato wedges, seasoned peas, fresh broccoli, buttermilk ranch dressing, fruit cocktail, 1%, skim, chocolate skim or strawberry skim milk. Thursday — Breakfast: Whole-grain donut ring, Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, cinnamon graham cracker, mandarin oranges, orange juice, 1%, skim or strawberry skim mil...

  • Arch Hurley board keeps same officers

    Staff report|Nov 22, 2023

    The Arch Hurley Conservancy District board of directors swore in three incumbent members to four-year terms and kept the same officers during its Nov. 14 meeting. Quay County Clerk Ellen White swore in board members John Griffiths, Debra Mitchell and Robert Lopez after they were unopposed during the October election. The board also approved electing the same officers — Lopez as president, Larry Perkins as Vice President and Mitchell as secretary-treasurer. In other business: — Franklin McCasland said during his manager’s report that Conchas Lak...

  • Make sure hope part of holidays

    Tom McDonald, Syndicated content|Nov 22, 2023

    It’s the onset of our annual holiday season, when gratefulness, gift-giving and anticipation of a new year come over us. It’s coming during troubled times. Nationally and internationally, the problems seem overwhelming. One war, between Ukraine and Russia, keeps dragging along with no clear victory in sight, while horrors are unfolding in a brand-new Israel-Hamas war. All this while the Earth warms, the climate changes and the weather turns extreme. On our homefront, there’s a pitched battle coming between authoritarianism and democratic rule...

  • Republican culture war losing appeal

    Elwood Watson, Syndicated content|Nov 22, 2023

    The ghost of political déjà vu has revisited the Republican Party, with the GOP suffering humiliating defeats in virtually all of their political contests. The one bright spot was Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves holding onto his seat in a state so ruby red no one expected Democrats to win, anyway. Ohio voters overwhelmingly voted in favor of guaranteeing women the right to an abortion in the state’s constitution. Interestingly, in November 2022, access to abortion measures won in all six state ballot measures where it was up for a vote. On the...

  • Homeless 'miracle' could be any city

    Michael Reagan, Syndicated content|Nov 22, 2023

    Here in sunny Los Angeles, it’s raining. It’s too bad it didn’t rain real hard on Nov. 11. It might have helped firefighters put out the enormous fire under the 10 Freeway near downtown before the heat weakened the pillars and forced the highway to be closed. The fire – which officials now say was arson – erupted near a village of homeless people living in their colorful tents, trailers and sleeping bags. It was fed by huge stacks of wood pallets that were illegally stored in the underpass. Gov. Newsom would never dare say that “houseles...

  • Gateway ousts Logan in 1A semifinals

    Ron Warnick, The Staff of The News|Nov 22, 2023

    RIO RANCHO - A Class 1A volleyball championship clash of No. 1 Melrose vs. No. 2 Logan seemed inevitable virtually all season, but Gateway Christian had other ideas Saturday morning. The Warriors, seeded fourth in the tournament, ousted the Lady Longhorns 21-25, 25-23, 25-11, 16-25, 15-10 in the semifinals. In the fifth and deciding set, Gateway's Kimber Balok made three kills and an ace during a critical 5-2 scoring run to give her team a 13-9 lead. Balok totaled 11 kills and a team-high six sc...

  • Logan moves to six-man football in 2024

    Staff report|Nov 22, 2023

    The Logan Municipal Schools board voted reluctantly to drop its football program from its current eight-man format to the six-man division for two years starting in 2024 due to declining participation. The vote was 4-1, with Kene Terry casting the only “no” vote during the board’s Nov. 13 meeting. Terry said he wanted to table the item until a later date. Athletic director Billy Burns recommended Logan going to six-man football because of projected low participation numbers by underclassmen and junior-high students. He faced a Nov. 29 deadl...

  • Lady Rattlers' new plateau

    Ron Warnick, The Staff of The News|Nov 22, 2023

    RIO RANCHO - The Lady Rattlers didn't bring home a trophy, nor did they advance to the Class 3A semifinals. What they did, however, was solidify their claim as the best volleyball team in school history. The Lady Rattlers not only earned their first-ever victory at the state tournament on Thursday, but they notched another win on Friday. Tohatchi finally brought Tucumcari's postseason to an end with 15-25, 25-14, 16-25, 19-25 loss Friday afternoon at the Rio Rancho Events Center. The Lady...

  • Logan QB voted co-Offensive Player of Year

    Staff report|Nov 22, 2023

    Logan senior Brock Burns recently was named co-Offensive Player of the Year for District 3-1A in eight-man football. Burns shared the award with Melrose wide receiver Michael Cardonita. As Logan's quarterback, Burns went 92-for-178 passing for 1,791 yards, 21 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. He also ran for 292 yards and six touchdowns. He even caught a pass for a TD. Burns was named a first-team all-district selection as quarterback, defensive end and punter. Logan finished 7-3 overall...

  • KOA in Tucumcari wins honor

    Staff report|Nov 22, 2023

    The Tucumcari/Route 66 KOA Journey campground recently earned a KOA President’s Award from Kampgrounds of America. The prestigious award was presented Thursday at Kampgrounds of America Inc.’s annual international convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. The KOA President’s Award is given to campgrounds meeting exceptional quality standards and receiving high customer service scores from their camping guests. KOA surveys hundreds of thousands of campers each year about their KOA camping experiences. “These award-winning KOA owners have made the rig...

  • Tucumcari FFA member wins prestigious award

    Staff report|Nov 22, 2023

    Dyson Clark, a member of the Tucumcari FFA Chapter, recently earned a prestigious American FFA Degree. Clark was awarded his degree during the 96th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis on Nov. 4. Only six members in the history of the Tucumcari chapter have achieved the honor. The others were Jonathan Clark in 2021, Tianna Peterson in 2021, Brandon Sours in 2008, Randy Worley in 1983 and Melvin Reynolds in 1973. The award recognizes demonstrated ability and outstanding achievements...

  • Woman sues Logan over Legionnaire's illness

    Staff report|Nov 22, 2023

    A Logan woman filed a lawsuit against the village and its water department, saying she contracted Legionnaire’s disease from contaminated water last year. Sheryl Hackney filed the three-page complaint for damages on Nov. 7 in Quay County District Court through the Parnall Law Firm of Albuquerque. In the complaint, Hackney states she was hospitalized in August 2022 with Legionella pneumonia “caused by contaminated water from the Village of Logan.” The lawsuit alleges the village and its employees “failed to make a reasonable inspection of the...

  • Jail log - Nov. 22

    Nov 22, 2023

    These individuals were booked into the Quay County Detention Center from Nov. 14 to Nov. 18: — Santos Preciado, 32, Tucumcari, criminal dame to property (under $1,000) and contempt of court. — Shanna Roxanne Owensby, 35, no address listed, warrant from other counties or states. — Carlos Caceres, 36, no address listed, aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug (0.16 or above), failure to maintain traffic lane and open container (possession). — Rose M. Stroud, 27, Tucumcari, contempt of court. — Daniella...

  • Police blotter - Nov. 22

    Nov 22, 2023

    These calls were made to the Tucumcari-Quay Regional Emergency Communications Center from Nov. 13 to Nov. 19: Monday — 5:01 a.m.: Reckless driving at milepost 330, Interstate 40, Tucumcari. — 7:17 a.m.: Reckless driving in 30800 block of U.S. 54, Tucumcari. — 7:58 a.m.: Arrest warrant in 200 block of West High Street, Tucumcari. — 8:47 a.m.: Theft in 200 block of East Center Street, Tucumcari. — 10:12 a.m.: Code enforcement in 1500 block of South Fifth Street, Tucumcari. — 3:39 p.m.: Code enforcement in 100 block of U.S. 54, Logan. — 3:56 p.m....

  • Obituary: Mary Crespin

    Nov 22, 2023

    Mary Crespin peacefully passed away November 17, 2023 in Albuquerque, NM. She was born October 6, 1933 in Santa Rosa, NM. Later she moved to Tucumcari, NM where she met and married Max Crespin. She lived most of her life in Tucumcari where she had a fulfilling life and a member of St Anne’s Catholic Church. After Max passed she moved to Albuquerque to be close to her sons and family. She enjoyed camping and spending time with family. Her favorite passed time was bingo and the casino. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Max, mother and f...