Serving the High Plains

Articles from the April 10, 2024 edition


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  • Footage of officer's killing detailed

    Albuquerque Journal, Syndicated content|Apr 10, 2024

    ALBUQUERQUE — The body camera worn on the chest of New Mexico State Police officer Justin Hare the early morning of March 15 captured the image of a stranded motorist on Interstate 40 west of Tucumcari who wanted a lift into town. The NMSP-issued device recorded the sound of the first gunshot, causing the 35-year-old Hare to slump over in his patrol vehicle, an FBI agent testified Tuesday in federal court. The video footage showed the assailant come around to the driver’s side, “briefly pausing as a semi-truck passed by,” and then shootin...

  • Charges filed in South Carolina against NMSP shooting suspect

    Staff report|Apr 10, 2024

    A sheriff’s agency in South Carolina announced 17 arrest warrants for a man suspected last month of killing a paramedic, then fatally shooting a New Mexico State Police officer near Tucumcari. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release Friday that Jaremy Smith, 33, of Marion, South Carolina, has been charged in the kidnapping and killing of South Carolina paramedic Phonesia Machado-Fore. The office stated the warrants are for these charges: — Murder — Kidnapping — Carjacking — First-degree burglary (two counts) — Possession of...

  • Lodgers tax board recommends $160K

    Ron Warnick, The Staff of The News|Apr 10, 2024

    The Tucumcari Lodgers Tax Advisory Board last week recommended almost $160,000 in assistance to varying events and projects for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The recommendations are scheduled to go this week to the city commission, which can approve, modify or reject them. A total of $117,087.29 in promotional funds from lodgers tax revenue would be used for varying projects, and another $42,300 in executive funds of lodgers taxes also would be spent. The board approved these aid recommendations: — Fired Up festival, $10,200; — Rattler Reu...

  • State applies for pollution reduction grants

    Staff report|Apr 10, 2024

    The New Mexico Environment Department announced it has submitted applications for federal grants to establish three heavy-duty charging stations and mobile hydrogen refueling stations for long-haul freight along the Interstate 40 corridor, including in Tucumcari. The approximately $250 million requested in the grant applications to the U.S. Environmental Projection Agency would be part of the Zero40 corridor, with additional charging stations in the Gallup area and one in Bernalillo and Sandoval counties. The Tucumcari site will offer clean...

  • We only have one life to live

    Leonard Lauriault, Religion columnist|Apr 10, 2024

    Question: Why did the cat change its mind about crossing the road? I actually saw that happen while driving down Tucumcari’s Lake Street recently. My first thought was the cat had tried crossing unsuccessfully eight times before and decided not to take any more chances when a car was approaching. In this case, the cat had plenty of time before I’d get to the crossing point. Still, perhaps the cat realized it had only one life left to live. That’s all any of us have, for there’s a (singular) time to be born and a (singular) time to die after whi...

  • Pages past - April 10

    Apr 10, 2024

    On this date ... 1974: U.S. Energy chief William Simon said there would be enough gasoline for Americans to take their normal summer trips this year. Simon said rapidly improving gasoline supplies from the Middle East were reaching the U.S. and that the situation was “nearly normal.” Simon made his comments during an interview on NBC’s “Today Show.” Fuel shortages had roiled the U.S. during the past winter, also leading to sharply higher prices at the pump. — U.S. Sen. Joseph Montoya said he expected the price of pinto beans to level off o...

  • Calendar - April 10

    Apr 10, 2024

    Sunday — Candidates forum and dessert auction. The Wranglers 4-H club is hosting a forum for local primary election candidates, where each will have three minutes to speak, at the Quay County Fairground exposition hall. The event, which includes a dessert auction, begins at 2 p.m. April 16 — Culpepper & Merriweather Circus. The circus is coming to town for shows at 5 and 7:30 p.m. at Mesalands Community College. The event is sponsored by the Tucumcari Historical Research Institute and Tucumcari Historical Museum. Tickets, which are $13 for adu...

  • Menus - April 10

    Apr 10, 2024

    Tucumcari schools Wednesday — Breakfast: Blueberry overnight oats, 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, ranch dressing, fruit cocktail, 1%, skim, chocolate skim or strawberry skim milk. Thursday — Breakfast: Cinni mini, Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, cinnamon graham cracker, mandarin oranges, orange juice, 1%, skim or strawberry skim milk; Lunch: Pepperoni pizza, ham...

  • Jail log - April 10

    Apr 10, 2024

    These individuals were booked into the Quay County Detention Center from April 3 to April 7: — Teresa Childers, 60, Albuquerque, contempt of court. — Jonathan R. Pacheco, 39, no address listed, warrant from other counties or states. — Dominick Michael Ortiz, 30, Tucumcari, criminal trespass (unposted), shoplifting ($250 or less) and battery. — Jerry McMurray, 64, no address listed, aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug (bodily injury; fifth offense). — Maria Margarita Romero, 36, Tucumcari, aggravate...

  • Capital outlay completion track record not good

    Walter Rubel, Syndicated content|Apr 10, 2024

    The capital outlay bill passed by the Legislature this year provides just under $290 million for 136 projects throughout the state, including $20 million for steam tunnel and electrical infrastructure upgrades at New Mexico State University. NMSU will also get $10 million for facility construction in the Creative Media Institute and $1.575 million for road improvements on the Gadsden campus. All 136 projects will be funded without any kind of ranking system to determine what our top priorities are, or vetting process to ensure that the projects...

  • GOP capitalizing on human tragedy

    Elwood Watson, Syndicated content|Apr 10, 2024

    Leave it to the right to make a cheap attempt to capitalize off human tragedy. For most people, the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore was a disaster of horrific proportions. Americans across the political spectrum expressed their sorrow and prayers toward the victims and their families. But for many in the bombastic world of right-wing conservatism, it presented an opportunity to partake in one of their favorite hobbies: injecting racism into the issue at hand. As first responders frantically plunged into the frigid waters...

  • Bridge response shamefully partisan

    Michael Reagan, Syndicated content|Apr 10, 2024

    The end of last month must have been especially rough for the people still living in the contaminated eastern Ohio town of East Palestine. On March 26, only hours after the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore Harbor was knocked down by an out-of-control container ship, they had to watch President Biden come on national TV and promise to “move heaven and earth” to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge “as soon as humanly possible.” They also had to see Biden pledge to have the federal government pay the entire cost of the accident and hea...

  • Huffman leads THS girls to runner-up at Ft. Sumner

    Staff report|Apr 10, 2024

    Haisley Huffman won two individual events and finished runner-up in another as the Tucumcari girls track team finished a strong second Saturday at the Mario Martinez Qualifier meet at Fort Sumner. The Lady Rattlers finished with 60 points, behind only Class 1A defending champion Melrose at the 13-team meet. Huffman, a senior, easily won the long jump with a distance of 16 feet, 7 3/4 inches and the triple jump with an effort of 35-8. She is the defending Class 3A champion in both events. She also was a member of the winning 400-meter relay...

  • Logan rebounds with Questa, Gateway wins

    Ron Warnick, The Staff of The News|Apr 10, 2024

    LOGAN - Longhorns coach Kyle Griffiths said pitching is his team's strength and that his players needed to shore up their defense after a recent doubleheader loss at Gateway Christian. Logan (4-2) appeared to do both well - at least for now - during 24-0 and 30-2 non-district victories over visiting Questa on Thursday. In the opener, Brock Burns and Diego Sanchez combined on a five-inning no-hitter against the Wildcats (1-5). They walked three and struck out 10. In the nightcap, Logan pitchers...

  • Area powerlifters competing at state on weekend

    Staff report|Apr 10, 2024

    A bunch of area athletes will be competing in this weekend’s state powerlifting championships in Rio Rancho, including a few contenders for a first-place trophy. Logan junior Haden Judd, also a standout on the Longhorns’ track team, is a defending state champion in powerlifting at 148 pounds and is ranked second in the latest standings of that weight class. He’s behind only Corbin Barrera of Legacy Academy, who has lifted a total of 1,060 pounds in the bench press, dead lift and squat. Judd has lifted a total of 945 pounds. Other Logan boys...

  • Sandia Prep tops Tucumcari in windy games

    Ron Warnick, The Staff of The News|Apr 10, 2024

    Yes, the Tucumcari baseball team did host district foe Sandia Prep on Saturday afternoon despite the wind. It was clear early in the first game the Sundevils weren't used to playing in such chilly, blustery weather. But they adjusted and swept the doubleheader by scores of 19-6 and 14-7. Sandia Prep, winners of six of eight, improved to 7-7 overall and 2-1 in district play. Tucumcari fell to 3-8, 0-3. Wind gusts on Saturday consistently measured more than 50 mph at Tucumcari Municipal Airport...

  • THS cheer squad finishes fifth at state

    Staff report|Apr 10, 2024

    The Tucumcari High School cheerleading squad finished fifth during the Class 3A championships on Saturday at The Pit in Albuquerque. The Lady Rattlers squad scored 75.73 points in the first performance and 62.8 points in the second for a total of 138.53. The THS girls finished just behind fourth-place Robertson and its 140.63 points. District foe Ruidoso won the state title with a total score of 162.83 points, well ahead of runner-up Cobre and its 158.63. Raton finished third with 151.6 points. THS coach Jolene Garcia said her team continues...

  • County OKs pact with wireless regulator

    Ron Warnick, The Staff of The News|Apr 10, 2024

    Quay County commissioners on Monday approved a contract with Wireless Tower Solutions to regulate wireless communications facilities. Chief training and technology officer Dean Williamson, appearing by videoconference during the meeting, said he anticipates the company would develop a county ordinance for cellular facilities within two months. Wireless Tower Solutions is based in South Carolina and has an office in Albuquerque. The contract comes at no cost to the county. Wireless Tower Solutions earns its revenue through application and...

  • Former Santa Rosa administrator settles for $102.5K

    Guadalupe County Communicator, Syndicated content|Apr 10, 2024

    SANTA ROSA — Former Santa Rosa city administrator Lisa Brassell has settled her case against Santa Rosa city government officials for a sum of $102,500 to be divided between Brassell and her attorney Michael Schwarz of Santa Fe, according to a copy of the settlement. In return, according to a copy of the agreement obtained through the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act, Brassell has dropped all charges against the city officials, including former city councilor Jose Campos III, who was named as a defendant in an amended complaint f...

  • City manager wants to emphasize infrastructure in plan

    Ron Warnick, The Staff of The News|Apr 10, 2024

    An update to the City of Tucumcari's comprehensive plan took shape during a second hearing at the convention center, but the city manager insisted on one particular thing to emphasize. Late in the hearing Wednesday, city manager Paula Chacon implored that improving Tucumcari's infrastructure, especially on the city's west side, had to be high priority within the 20-year plan. Chacon said without improvements to the city's aging infrastructure, it would be more difficult to draw new businesses an...

  • Police blotter - April 10

    Apr 10, 2024

    These calls were made to the Tucumcari-Quay Regional Emergency Communications Center from April 1 to April 7: April 1 — 4:02 a.m.: Disturbance in 2600 block of South First Street, Tucumcari. — 4:45 a.m.: Burglary from vehicle in 100 block of North Seventh Street, Tucumcari. — 5:56 a.m.: Vehicle theft in 1900 block of South Mountain Road, Tucumcari. — 6:26 a.m.: Noise complaint in 700 block of West Sunset Avenue, Tucumcari. — 9:25 a.m.: Vehicle theft in 200 block of East Center Street, Tucumcari. — 11:46 a.m.: Vehicle fire inn 35300 block of Int...