Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Sorted by date Results 76 - 100 of 252
When most people take a snow day they tend to stay inside where it's warm and catch up on their DVR recordings or reading. However, Tucumcari residents Rich Encinias and Kheldon Sherwood felt the 31 degree day would be better spent outdoors, in swim shorts, sunglasses and flip flops getting a tan. As the two sat in their lawn chairs, people stared from adjacent businesses and drove by probably asking the same question as I 'Why'? "It was my idea," Sherwood said. "I just thought why not go out and get a tan." Encinias said the day was too nice...
Friends describe Daniel Lopez as a man who cared about his community, was compelled to serve and above all loved his family. Daniel Lopez Lopez, 45, was a former New Mexico State Police captain and Tucumcari chief of police. He was elected in March as the District 3 city commissioner. He was found in his home late Saturday, suffering from a gunshot wound, and later died at the Tucumcari hospital. Preliminary autopsy results show he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, officials said. Friends said they did not know why Lopez wou...
It took a District Court jury in Tucumcari less then 30 minutes Thursday to find a former Tucumcari Police officer guilty of criminal damage to property of a household member. Pete Vargas, 32, stood silent at the Tenth Judicial District Court as the decision of the jury was read. Judge Drew Tatum sentenced Vargas to complete 364 days probation, anger management courses and pay restitution for the damaged property. Vargas was originally charged with fourth-degree felony breaking and entering and misdemeanor criminal damage to property in an inci...
A preliminary trial scheduled for Friday for a local teen who has pleaded not guilty in connection to the deaths of two family members has been waived. Tony Day, 14, remains in the Quay County Detention Center juvenile section charged with two open counts of murder in the Nov. 26 deaths of Sue Day, 67, and her daughter Sherry Folts, 49, at the family home on Quay Road 63. The motion to waive the preliminary hearing and the two pleas of not guilty were filed by Day's attorney Jeff Buckels on Dec. 13, in the Tenth Judicial District Court....
Four Tucumcari Rattler wrestlers placed in the top five Saturday during their annual invite at Rattler Gym. QCS Staff Photo: James Lout Rattlers Dillon Wood wrestled against Capital's Gilbert Mancha for first place in the 126 pound division. Wood was defeated, 5-1. Dillon Wood placed second in 126 pound, Brysen Billing placed third in 285 pounds, Rudy Vellejo third in 220 pounds and Joseph Otero placed fourth in 185 pounds. "I was upset when I lost the chance to wrestle for first," said Billing. "Though I knew I still had a chance at third so...
The 4-2 Tucumcari Rattlers go into the holiday break with a 66-31 win against the 3-8 Floyd Broncos on Friday. QCS Staff Photo: James Lout Mia Baker shoots the lay-up against Lady Demons' Heria Lopez. The win gives the Rattlers a good momentum shift following a 68-52 loss the previous night to the 7-2 Dexter Demons. "We need to be ready to play there are no easy opponents," said John Span Rattlers head coach. Span said at this point in the season the Rattlers are still ironing out some of the basic and mental mistakes made early in the season....
More than 50 county residents attended a legislative meeting Wednesday to discuss priorities and issues with area legislators. QCS Staff Photo: Thomas Garcia State Senators Pat Woods and Pete Campos speak with residents about their concerns after a legislative meeting Wednesday at the Tucumcari Convention Center. Local agencies and residents had a chance to voice their concerns for the upcoming legislative session to Sen. Pat Woods, Sen. Pete Campos and Rep. Dennis Roch at the Tucumcari Convention Center. "There are a lot of important issues...
With the holiday rush in full swing people are trying to get their last minute shopping, decorating and cooking done for the perfect festive celebration. So as a distraction from the hustle and bustle of the season we wanted to ask them some holiday trivia. What three gifts did the wise men bring for baby Jesus? Antonio Padilla: Gold, frankincense and myrrh? Frosty the snowman was a happy jolly soul. He had a button nose, two eyes made out of coal and what else? Bonnie Smith: You're asking the wrong person about Christmas Carols. Was it a top h...
City officials continue to work on a way to demolish and dispose of the Sands Dorsey building in a way that is financially responsible for the residents of Tucumcari. "We have not walked away from this project," said City Manager Doug Powers. Powers said recently the city had a waiver denied by the New Mexico Solid Waste Bureau. He said the waiver was a request to allow the city to place the debris of the demolished building in their new landfill. Powers said the reason the waiver was submitted was the Albuquerque-based engineering firm...
In the wake of the Dec. 14, mass shooting at an elementary in Newton, Conn., area school administrators are working to improve their lockdown procedures. "It's scary," said Johnnie Cain, superintendent for Logan Schools. Cain said Sand Hook had the security and safety measures in place, despite how prepared they were it turned out tragic. He said the school will be holding a lockdown drill within a month. Cain said it crucial that the students, staff and teachers all know the procedures and steps to follow in the event of a lockdown. On the...
A desire for her voice to count and call Tucumcari and the U.S. home prompted a resident to take the steps to become a citizen. QCS Photo: Thomas Garcia Tracey Griego's office at the Tucumcari Senior Center shows off her proud heritage from the United Kingdom, though a closer look shows the U.S. Flag which she received when she became a citizen on Nov. 9 in Albuquerque. Tracey Griego became a citizen of the U.S. when took the United States Oath of Allegiance on Nov. 9 at Albuquerque. Griego said she was one and 171 people representing 41...
A need to understand the selection process prompted city commissioners to table the awarding of a $196,048 bid for repair on Whitmore Street. Commissioners tabled one of two agenda items to be voted on Thursday following the concerns expressed by commissioner Daniel Lopez. Lopez said there needs to be a review of the city's criteria and grading process for awarding bids on infrastructure projects. "How can we be fiscally responsible on behalf of the residents if we are not familiar or involved with these processes," Lopez said. Lopez said the...
Xcel Energy is citing increased energy demand as the reason for seeking a 14.4 percent increase in customer rates. Xcel has filed the proposal with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, according to company spokesman Wes Reeves. Reeves said there has been as much as a 60 percent increase in demand over the past 10 years, prompting Xcel to ask the NMPRC to authorize the increase in electric rates beginning in January 2014. "One of the highest examples of that demand is in the Hobbs area, which during peak demand there was a 50 percent...
Speculation runs from any day now to sometime after the first of the year on the timing of a state appeals court ruling that could open the door for a racino in Quay County. "We are on the court's schedule," said Vince Mares, director of the New Mexico Racing Commission. Mares said while a struggle between the racing commission and La Mesa investment group is being reviewed by the court of appeals, they would not accept any applications nor discuss the awarding of license with any entity. He said the commission has no choice but to await the...
A Colorado judge has ruled in favor of minority shareholders, stripping Barry Freedman of controlling power of the Ute Lake Ranch Inc. and DVR LLC and appointing a receiver. On Nov. 29, Arapahoe County District Court Judge J. Mark Hannen made a ruling stripping Freedman of controlling power of the subdivision and DVR LLC located at Ute Lake Reservoir near Logan. Minority shareholders Bruce Hamon and W. Winston Wall filed suit against Freedman, the majority shareholder of ULR and DVR LLC, in district court at Centennial, Colo. According to...
A Tucumcari teen charged with killing his mother and stepsister is in shock as he awaits a court hearing later this week, according to his attorney Jeffrey Buckels. QCS Photo: Thomas GarciaTony Day's preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. Friday at Tenth Judicial District Court. Chief Deputy District Attorney Tim Rose will be representing the State in this case. Above Rose, left, speaks with officers at the scene of the double homicide on Nov. 26. Tony Day, 14, faces two murder charges at District Court hearing 9 a.m. Friday for the Nov. 26...
A Quay County teen is in custody after police say he killed his mother and stepsister in their home Monday night outside of Tucumcari. QCS Photo: Thomas GarciaState Police investigators discuss the crime scene of a reported double homicide at a residence on the 4400 block of Quay Road 63 two miles west of Tucumcari. New Mexico State Police officials said Tony Day, 14, shot Sue Day and stabbed her daughter, Sherry Folts. Tony Day is being held at the Quay County Detention Center's juvenile...
A former Quay County resident home to visit family over the holiday weekend recalled his time in New York in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. "The damage was widespread," said Chris Arnett, journeyman lineman for American Electric Power, Abeline, Texas. Arnett said he was part of the 30 members of the Abilene branch who volunteered to go to New York and help restore power. He said the crew drove four days covering over 2,100 miles to reach their destination. Arnett said he and the rest of the crew was stationed in a yard with 1,000 line workers fro...
Two area agencies are working to ensure the less fortunate have a merry Christmas. Since 2005, the Helping Hands Hospice has raised money for their Angel Fund through ceramic angels, said Sherri Lopez, administrator. Lopez said the fund is set up for patients and their families for unforeseen occurrences that may happen throughout the year. She said the money is used to help members of the program year round, though the holiday season is the only time money is raised. Lopez said selling the ceramic angels is the groups only fundraising...
Some residents called for a petition to overturn a new animal ordinance adopted Monday at a Quay County Commission meeting. QCS Photo: Thomas Garcia Ordinance committee member, veterinarian Jean P. Corey talks to the residents about the proposed animal ordinance Monday at the regular Quay County Commission meeting. "However many signatures it takes, I am certain the residents of Quay County will overturn this," said Noami Ashcraft, county resident. "It seems the public hearing was just for show, the commissioners had their minds made up before...
The two last ticket holders decided to split the $15,000 grand prize Saturday at the Altrusa International of Tucumcari's annual Cash Party. Pablo and Gonie Lopez, and Ruth Nelson were not present at the party held at the Quay County Exhibition Center and had to be contacted by phone and informed they were the last two ticket holders, said Kimberly Hanna, Altrusa communications chair. Hanna said they were asked if they wanted the drawing to continue, were one would twin the grand prize of $15,000 and the runner up a prize of $500. She said...
More than 50 residents took advantage of free dumping Saturday at the old Tucumcari landfill. This event was a success with a total of 4.6 tons of waste deposited at the old landfill, said Veronica Sandy, city code enforcement officer. "This is double the amount of waste which was taken in during the last free dumping held in spring," Sandy said. Sandy said residents were able to dump items in the old landfill by presenting a current water bill from the city. She said many of the items dumped were those problem items (furniture metal and tree l...
The third seed Logan Longhorns will travel to play the second seed Coyotes Friday at Tatum in the quarterfinals of the 8-man state tournament. "We did what we needed to do to advance past Mountainair now we are focused on Tatum," said Kene Terry Longhorns head coach. Terry said the team will be looking to contain the Coyotes runningback Timmy Pearce, who has averaged 174 yards a game. He is a large part of their offense. They designed counters and play actions plays around him. Terry said another key will be to control the tempo of the game....
The Tucumcari Lady Rattlers cross country team ended their season with a district championship and ninth place finish at state. "I did not expect such a strong start when this season began," said Gary Hittson, cross country head coach. Hittson said the team was looking for a stronger finish, though the cold weather they faced Saturday at Rio Rancho proved to be too much. "The announcer said it was 38 degrees, though that was not including the wind chill," Hittson said. Hittson said despite the cold, the girls went out and were able to finish...
It's official. Quay County Commissioners completed a canvass Friday of the Nov. 6 2012 General Election and certified all results. Some 63 percent of the county's registered voters cast ballots in the election. "This is the highest level of participation in an election since I started," said Quay County Clerk Ellen White. White said about 53 percent of registered Quay County voters participated in 2008. White said having a central polling location for voters has contributed to the higher number of participating voters. Commissioner Robert Lopez...
