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  • Conchas Lake levels raise concerns

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Apr 9, 2013

    More than a dozen residents attended the Arch Hurley Conservancy District meeting Tuesday to speak with state and federal legislators about Conchas Lake levels. "I am an advocate of agriculture in the legislature," said State Sen. Pat Woods. The district members have not had an allocation of water in five years and several years prior to that they only received a partial allocation due to the low water levels at Conchas Lake, which supplies the district with irrigation water. The lake has a current elevation of 4,154 feet, which is 46 feet...

  • Tucumcari man sentenced to life in prison

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Apr 5, 2013

    It took a jury about 45 minutes to find Robert Wynashe of Tucumcari guilty of murder Friday in a trial delayed four years over competency issues. Wynashe 70, was sentenced to life in prison for the 2009 shooting death of Howard Russell King in Tucumcari. "The family is ready for closure," said Tom Blakney, lead prosecutor for the 10th Judicial District Attorney's office. Wynashe was arrested in June 2009, accused of shooting 45-year-old King in the back of the neck at the Redwood Lodge in...

  • Suspected burglar eludes police near Logan

    Thomas Garcia QCS senior writer|Apr 4, 2013

    New Mexico State Police were unable to locate a burglary suspect following a seven-hour search Thursday by air and ground on U.S. Highway 54 near Logan. Capt. Jimmy Glascock said residents in Nara Visa caught a man burglarizing a building around 8 a.m. Thursday. Glascock said the residents called 911 and described the man and the 2005 Maroon Chevy Suburban he was driving. The suspect was traveling on U.S. Highway 54 when he encountered Logan police officers responding to the 911 call, said NMSP Lt. Lance Bateman. Bateman said the suspect led...

  • Water authority approves money to aid Logan legal battle

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Apr 2, 2013

    Tucumcari Quay County Regional Water Authority continues with efforts to help the Village of Logan's legal battle to stop the Ute Water Project. The authority approved the use of $200,000 it received from Tucumcari. The money allocated to the authority comes from a fund that has been set aside by the city and approved by the voters to development of infrastructure to bring water to the city from Ute Lake and protect its water rights at the Reservoir, said Doug Powers, city manager. Powers said the money is generated from a quarter of a cent...

  • Students proposing theater district

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Apr 2, 2013

    Students of the University of New Mexico's School of Architecture and Planning are proposing a downtown theater district in Tucumcari. The proposal presented Friday in Tucumcari includes the renovation of the Princess Theater's facade and eventually the interior. In a joint effort with the New Mexico Mainstreet program, UNM students study a selected community to identify assets and challenges and uncover strategies that build upon the region's history and existing strengths, said Elmo Blea, Mainstreet historic program associate. The projects...

  • Lujan office hours limited to local locations

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Apr 2, 2013

    Few residents attended the office hours held by Rep. Ben Ray Lujan Jr., whose spokesman said future sessions will be limited to local locations due to recent federal cuts. "The cuts have eliminated all of our travel budget," said Ron Wilmont, who represents Lujan. Wilmont said the travel restrictions will keep him mostly stationed at the Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce. He said other congressional representatives have been affected in this way. "It hurts our ability to get out into the district to hear the concerns of the...

  • Mesalands students holding Easter Bunny charity event

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Mar 26, 2013

    Mesalands Community College's student government organization is holding an Easter Bunny charity event Thursday. To help usher in the holiday and give back to the community the student government arranged for the Easter Bunny to visit with the students at Tucumcari Elementary School and area children. Proceeds go to the Ministry of Hope said Jason Witterman, president of student government. Witterman said the Easter Bunny would be giving out plastic eggs filled with candies to pre-kindergarten through second grade classes. He said later the...

  • Fire destroys local business

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Mar 26, 2013

    A fire late Monday night destroyed a local business and left the owner in shock and disbelief. QCS Photo: Thomas Garcia Danford Cross is brought to tears as he discovers the only picture he had of his late wife was not destroyed during a fire Monday night that damaged his store located at 115 East Smith Avenue. "It's to hard to go in to the store and even begin assessing the loss," said Danford Cross, owner of Danford Dan's Music Shop in Tucumcari. Cross said he woke to the smell of smoke around 9:30 p.m., and stepped out of his RV, which is...

  • County commission holds meetings on road

    Thomas Garcia QCS senior writer|Mar 26, 2013

    The Quay County Commission held their regular meeting in Nara Visa and plan on holding meetings in San Jon and House to reach out to the communities they represent. "We appreciate the commissioners coming out to Nara Visa," said Renee Rinestine. Local issues brought before the commission pertained to the maintenance of county roads. There has been a steel rail placed off the fence line of Quay Road AF at mile marker 62, said Mike Martin, Nara Visa resident. Martin said he also had questions about the status of a road, which he had an archeologi...

  • La Mesa's final appeal denied renewing Quay County's bid for a racetrack and casino

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Mar 22, 2013

    The race is on again in Quay County's bid for the state's last racetrack and casino license. A spokesman said Quay County will ask the New Mexico Racing Commission next week to once again open applications. The request follows a state Court of Appeals decision on Thursday that upheld nullification of the license once held by La Mesa racino in Raton. What it all means is there are no more hold ups as far as Raton is concerned, their licenses are gone, said Warren Frost, executive director of the Quay County Gaming Authority. La Mesa's final...

  • Lady Longhorns take state

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Mar 19, 2013

    The Logan Lady Longhorns denied the Melrose Lady Buffaloes a repeat bid for the 1A State basketball championship Saturday in Albuquerque, bringing it home to Logan. CMI correspondent photo: Joshua Lucero Melrose senior Cara Barnard pushes through Logan senior Marissa Miller on her way to a layup attempt early in the first quarter of the Class 1A girls championship game Saturday at The Pit in Albuquerque. "I had made my mind up, that I was not leaving that court without that blue trophy," said Whitney Cordova, Lady Longhorn senior point guard....

  • Iron pour draws folk from all over

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Mar 19, 2013

    Mesalands Community College's annual iron pour was a success thanks to the dedication and experience of those who return each year, officials said. QCS photo: Jerrene Bradley Students pour hot iron into molds that they made. More than four dozen took part in the week-long event, which culminated Friday with the melting and pouring of the iron. "The main reason we have been able to hold such a large successful pour for 15 years is because of the people who return to help," said D'Jean Jawrunner, fine arts instructor. Jawrunner said there are man...

  • City Commissioners choose new District 3 commissioner

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Mar 15, 2013

    Tucumcari City Commissioners picked Ernest Dominguez Jr. Thursday night from among four candidates to fill the District 3 commission seat vacant since the Dec. 29 death of Daniel Lopez. "This was a difficult decision to make and we know Daniel would have wanted us to do this to help move the city forward," said Commissioner Robert Lumpkin. Lumpkin announced the commission seat would be opened to application and nominations during the Jan. 10 regular commission meeting. Residents were able to submit their application or nomination until Jan. 24....

  • Police arrest Las Vegas man attempting to rob local fuel station

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Mar 14, 2013

    A Las Vegas man was arrested Monday morning after police said he threatened to kill a cashier while trying to rob the McStop Circle K store at 2624 S. First St. Larry Huddson 61, was arrested by Tucumcari Police Cpl. Clay Huffman, Patrolman Dustin Lopez, said Chief Jason Braziel. Braziel said Huddson entered the store to withdraw cash from an ATM. He said Huddson was unable to withdraw money and became agitated. Braziel said Huddson demanded money from the cashier, threatening their life if he did not comply. He said the cashier stepped away...

  • Mesalands trustees take oath of office

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Mar 12, 2013

    Three Mesalands Community College's trustees took the oath of office Monday during a rescheduled monthly meeting. QCS photo: Thomas Garcia Natalie Gillard, vice president of academic affairs at Mesalands Community College, swears in board of trustees Teresa Stephenson, Jimmy Sandoval and J. Bronson Moore on Monday. Natalie Gillard, vice president of academic affairs, swore in J Bronson Moore, Teresa Stephenson and Jimmy Sandoval. The three trustees were elected March 5 during an in-house election held at the Quay County Clerks office due to...

  • Tucumcari rancher appointed to State Game Commission

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Mar 12, 2013

    A Tucumcari rancher's appointment to the State Game Commission was unanimously confirmed on March 6 by the New Mexico State Senate. Courtesy photo Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle, R-Portales, left, visits with Scott Bidegain, center, and Senator Pat Woods after Bidegain's confirmation on March 6 in the Senate. Sen. Pat Woods, R-Broadview, sponsored Scott Bidegain's appointment to the seven-member commission for a four-year term. Woods said he truly believes the commission needs people who make their living off the land, who have first hand...

  • Youth Corps helping remodel homes

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Mar 12, 2013

    Four homes in Tucumcari will receive an energy efficiency remodeling by members of the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps. QCS photo: Thomas Garcia Quay County Commissioner Brad Bryant shakes the hands of the youth corps members who will be working to make four Tucumcari residences energy efficient. Two crews from the Taos based corps are working to complete customized upgrades that will make each home as energy efficient as possible. They are some of the nicest young men, said Wanda Walker. Walker's home is one of those selected to receive the...

  • Longhorns, Lady Longhorns advance

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Mar 12, 2013

    Boys The 8 seed (18-10) Logan Longhorns will face the No. 1 seed (26-1) Cliff Cowboys Wednesday in Albuquerque. "We just need to continue to do the little things which ultimately win games," said Rafael Roybal, Longhorns head coach The Longhorns advanced to the second round of 1A state basketball tournament by beating the 9 seed Springer Red Devils 72-51 Saturday at Logan. Roybal said the team showed discipline on the court by not committing needless fouls and limiting the number of free throws for the Red Devils who were 5-10 for the night....

  • One dead in train collision near Logan

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Mar 7, 2013

    A Bernalillo man died Thursday after a Union Pacific train struck the tractor-trailer rig he was driving near Logan, according to New Mexico State Police. QCS photo: Thomas Garcia Crews work to remove the debris from a fatal collision of a Union Pacific train and tractor-trailer rig Thursday near Logan. State police said Pres Salazar, no age available, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash reported at 8:54 a.m. The collision happened at Mile Marker 43 on N.M. 469, police said. "I was driving to work and looked towards the railroad...

  • Mesalands launches president search website

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Mar 5, 2013

    Mesalands Community College has begun taking applications and launched a website to keep the community informed as they search for a new president. The website is another tool to help in the college's efforts to hire a new president, said J. Bronson Moore, Mesalands board chairman. The website also includes a presidential profile, which details the duties of the position and information about the college, said Kimberly Hanna, director public information. Hanna said the website is an outlet for candidates to find the information to begin the...

  • Local law enforcement: Gun ban unconstitutional

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Mar 5, 2013

    Local law enforcement says they could not and would not enforce a federal gun ban if passed. "The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution is just as important as the First or Fifth Amendment," said Quay County Sheriff Joel Schallert. Schallert said he, along with the other sheriffs in state, have vowed to uphold their oath of office to support and enforce the U.S. Constitution and the laws and statutes of New Mexico. "I would not enforce a federal ban," Schallert said. "It would be a violation of the constitution and state laws...

  • Regional water authority taking steps to halt first phase of Ute Water Project

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Feb 28, 2013

    The Tucumcari Quay County Regional Water Authority armed itself Thursday for a long legal battle to pull the plug on the first phase of the Ute Water Project. QCS photo: Thomas Garcia Robert Lumpkin speaks to the members of the Tucumcari Quay County Regional Water Authority about the importance of having a legislative committee. The authority hired a Santa Fe legal firm to represent it with plans to ask for a new federal appeals court review. It also created a committee to lobby state and federal lawmakers against the Ute project. The moves...

  • Wrestlers finish season with two-time state champion

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Feb 26, 2013

    The Tucumcari Rattlers finished their season with a two-time state champion and four additional wrestlers placed at 3A state title matches Saturday in Albuquerque. QCS Photo: Thomas Garcia The Tucumcari Rattlers Wrestling team had nine wrestlers compete at state competition in Albuquerque Friday and Saturday with five placing. Above: runnerup Rudy Vallejo, state champion Augstin Sandoval, Breysen Billings runner up, Timmy Skinner fourth place and not pictured Dillon Wood fourth place. Rattlers head coach Eddie Encinias said there were a lot of...

  • Advance action helps area weather blizzard

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Feb 26, 2013

    Advance action by police and other emergency agencies and citizens heeding numerous warnings to stay off the roads helped many weather the worst blizzard in a decade, officials said. QCS Photo: Thomas Garcia Residents drive down slushy and icy roads on South First Street Monday morning after a strong winter storm dropped eight inches of snow on Tucumcari. Officials credit the early closure of Interstate 40 for a low amount of accidents in Sunday's blizzard, which pummeled the region with 60 mph winds and dumped eight inches of snow on...

  • 1A 2A district basketball tournaments rescheduled

    Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer|Feb 25, 2013

    Monday's snowfall has forced the rescheduling of the 2A and 1A district tournaments for the Tucumcari Rattlers and Logan Longhorn's basketball teams. The Tucumcari Rattlers and Lady Rattlers will play a double header in district 2 2A starting at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday at the Snake Pit. The (8-16) (2-4) Lady Rattlers will play the (7-19) (0-6) Santa Rosa Lady Lions. The Lady Rattlers earned the home court game by beating the Lady Lions 40-34 on Friday at the Snake Pit. "Despite the win we know we have to play better," said Gary Hittson, Lady...

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