Serving the High Plains

Articles from the February 16, 2022 edition


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  • City OKs $300 for cannabis licenses

    Ron Warnick, QCS Senior Writer|Feb 16, 2022

    The Tucumcari City Commission split 3-2 on Thursday while approving a resolution that sets a $300 fee for each cannabis license issued. The vote on the resolution occurred with little discussion during the regular meeting. Commissioners Christopher Arias, Mike Cherry and Mayor Ruth Ann Litchfield voted to approve the measure. Ralph Moya and Paul Villanueva, who favored a $400 fee instead, voted against it. Commissioners discussed the fee structure again during a 30-minute work session Thursday before the meeting, but it became apparent minds...

  • State's indoor mask mandate lifted immediately

    Staff report|Feb 16, 2022

    New Mexico's governor announced shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday she is ending the indoor mask mandate, effective immediately. According to several media outlets, including the Associated Press, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham made the announcement during a news conference near the conclusion of the New Mexico Legislature's 30-day session. Flanked by Lt. Gov. Howie Morales and other Democratic leaders, she and many others removed their masks during the announcement. “For those wondering, this does include schools,” the state Public Education...

  • Regional mental health facility being studied

    Ron Warnick, QCS Senior Writer|Feb 16, 2022

    A feasibility study to construct a regional mental health facility that would include Quay County in its coverage area is underway by a Denver-based consulting firm. Initium Health, the consultant, stated in a Feb. 2 news release it “will assess gaps in behavioral health services and will provide recommendations for the construction of a regional facility to fill those gaps.” The release stated it is working with local healthcare providers, local officials, military representatives, fire responders, schools and others “to develop a broad...

  • 5 county residents die of COVID-19

    Staff report|Feb 16, 2022

    Five more confirmed COVID-19 deaths were reported last week in Quay County, though the county and state continued to see a weeks-long decline in the number of new infections of the disease. The latest deaths in the county reported by the New Mexico Department of Health were: • A woman in her 40s who had underlying conditions; • A woman in her 100s who was hospitalized; • A woman in her 60s who was hospitalized and had underlying conditions; • A man in his 70s who was hospitalized and...

  • Filing date for candidates approaching

    Staff report|Feb 16, 2022

    The Quay County Clerk’s Office sent out a notice last week to voters and prospective candidates of important information for the June primary election, including the lone filing day next month. These county offices will be up for election during the June 7 primary: • County commission, District 3 (four-year term) • Assessor (four-year term) • Probate judge (four-year term) • Sheriff (four-year term) • Magistrate judge (four-year term) Filing day for those offices will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 8 at the county clerk’s office...

  • Show and tell your love for God

    Leonard Lauriault, Religion columnist|Feb 16, 2022

    Valentine’s Day was this past Monday. Last year, I ordered a living plant for my wife online and then the weather turned really nasty. So the delivery was delayed and when the plant arrived, it was frozen. My wife still accepted that as a show of my love for her. I recall an account of a wife who complained her husband never said he loved her, although he often showed it. He reminded her he said he would love her through good and bad “until death do we part” when they got married and if that ever changed, he’d let her know. Obviously, t...

  • Clerk: Election bill won't change Arch Hurley board

    Staff report|Feb 16, 2022

    Quay County’s clerk told the Arch Hurley Conservancy District’s board of directors she anticipated few, if any, changes for the board from an election bill working its way through the New Mexico Legislature. County Clerk Ellen White during the board’s meeting Feb. 8 gave details about Senate Bill 6, an elections security and administration measure she said probably would be enacted into law. White said if the bill is enacted, the Arch Hurley board must approve a resolution in 2022 that states a declaration of its makeup. Members didn’t...

  • New staff member added to Trigg clinic

    Staff report|Feb 16, 2022

    Certified family medicine nurse practitioner Lindsy Foust recently joined the care team at the Presbyterian Medical Group Family Medicine clinic in Tucumcari. “Lindsy is a valuable addition to our team,” Vickie Gutierrez, hospital chief executive at Dr. Dan C. Trigg Memorial Hospital, stated in a news release. “She is experienced caring for people of all ages and in a variety of clinical settings. She also grew up in eastern New Mexico and understands the health care needs of our community.” According to the release, Foust believes in...

  • Calendar - Feb. 16

    Feb 16, 2022

    Note: Events subject to change due to the COVID-19 pandemic. • April 29-May 1 — Tucumcari Rawhide Days. The event will include a Texas longhorn show on April 30, a film festival, cattle drive on Route 66 and more. For more details, go to tucumcarirawhidedays.com. • June 24-26 — Rockin’ Route 66. This event will feature live music, classic cars and more of classic Americana. More details will be announced later at rockinroute66.com. • Aug. 4-7 — Tucumcari Rattler Reunion. This annual event for all Rattler alumni primarily will...

  • Menus - Feb. 16

    Feb 16, 2022

    The Tucumcari Senior Center and Logan Senior Center also offer grab-and-go meals to those who qualify. Those interested should call the Tucumcari facility at 575-461-2307 or the Logan facility at 575-487-2287 for more information. Tucumcari schools Wednesday — Breakfast: Pancake sausage on a stick, applesauce cup, orange juice, 1% or skim milk; Lunch: Hot dog, arroz con pollo, chuckwagon corn, herb-roasted potatoes, fresh orange, skim, 1% or chocolate skim milk. Thursday — Breakfast: Ultimate breakfast round, fresh pear, apple juice, skim...

  • Pages past - Feb. 16

    Feb 16, 2022

    On this date ... 1971: Two juveniles were detained as they walked into Tucumcari High School, accused of phoning in a bomb threat. Tucumcari police officers investigated after Mountain Bell Telephone Company placed a trap on phones at the junior high and high schools after a bomb threat the previous day. The bomb-threat was traced to a phone booth at McAda’s Gulf across the street from the New Mexico State Police office. The gas station’s attendant described a pickup truck with two boys in it, leading to the arrests. • Tucumcari City...

  • Police blotter - Feb. 16

    Feb 16, 2022

    These calls were made to the Tucumcari-Quay Regional Emergency Communications Center from Feb. 7 to Feb. 13: Monday — 3:06 a.m.: Hit-and-run accident in 2000 block of South Mountain Road, Tucumcari. — 8:17 a.m.: Accident with injuries at milepost 338, Interstate 40, Tucumcari. — 9:57 a.m.: Assault and battery in 300 block of East Miel de Luna Avenue, Tucumcari. — 10:44 a.m.: Threat in 3600 block of Quay Road 63, Tucumcari. — 11:58 a.m.: Reckless driving at milepost 339, Interstate 40, Tucumcari. — 12:53 p.m.: Trespassing in 200...

  • Time to rethink visitor centers around the state

    The Taos News, Syndicated content|Feb 16, 2022

    Last summer, when droves of tourists left their home cities to travel again after lockdowns, the tourism industry saw some much needed regrowth. Taos, too, saw its share of travelers, who enjoyed at least partly reopened businesses, parks and other town amenities. But the Taos Visitor Center, the one dedicated resource for tourists at the corner of Paseo del Cañon and Paseo del Pueblo Sur, remained closed, and still is today. Some people have been asking why the center is still shuttered. But the more important question might be: How can the...

  • Legislation only creates more crime

    Kent McManigal, Local columnist|Feb 16, 2022

    Legislation, which many people incorrectly call “law,” doesn’t reduce crime. It can’t. In fact, each new bit of legislation creates at least one more crime -- often several more -- and many more criminals as a result. People who weren’t criminals before are now, for doing things that weren’t crimes yesterday, but which are now arbitrarily declared to be. Every time anything is criminalized it creates new criminals. That’s really the only thing it does. Anyone who doesn’t understand this correlation shouldn’t be in a position...

  • Optimism found in talk about methane

    Tom McDonald, Syndicated content|Feb 16, 2022

    It’s hard to be optimistic about the world these days, but I still try. A rise in nationalism is not only ripping into the fabric of democracies, it’s making a global effort to save our earth seem impossible. Nevertheless, my belief in humanity’s problem-solving abilities was restored the other day when I ran across a TED Talk featuring Dr. Ilissa Ocko, a climate scientist with the Environmental Defense Fund who spoke on how we can mitigate climate change by tackling methane first. According to Ocko, “Cutting methane is the single...

  • Jail log - Feb. 16

    Feb 16, 2022

    These individuals were booked into the Quay County Detention Center from Feb. 7 to Feb. 13: — Lorenzo Barela, 40, Santa Rosa, two counts of contempt of court. — Otis Risper, 46, Tucumcari, two counts of contempt of court. — Ernest L. Arguello, 71, no address listed, contempt of court. — Glen McGeachy, 55, Tucumcari, contempt of court. — David Michael Sparling, 62, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. These individuals were released from the Quay County Detention Center from Feb. 7 to Feb. 14: — John Nelson Garcia, 36, Opelika,...

  • Dexter nips Lady Rattlers in final seconds

    Ron Warnick, QCS Senior Writer|Feb 16, 2022

    Nayeli Cobos sank a free throw with 2.2 seconds left to lift the Dexter girls basketball team to a dramatic 40-39 victory Thursday over host Tucumcari that secured a regular-season district title for the Lady Demons. Cobos' foul shot followed a clutch 3-pointer by Tucumcari's Alexus Lafferty with less than 10 seconds left that tied the game. Dexter, 14-5 overall and 3-0 in Class 3A's District 4, took a two-game lead in the district standings and faces only a winless New Mexico Military...

  • Eighth-grader nabs district title

    Ron Warnick|Feb 16, 2022

    The Tucumcari wrestling team qualified 13 athletes for this week's state tournament, but it was one eighth-grader who also can boast himself as a district champion. Nicholas Romero, 18-7 this season in the 113-pound weight class, earned a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the finals of the District 3A-1 meet Saturday at Tucumcari. Trailing 4-2, he scored a takedown on Robertson's Esequeil Mascarenas, then pinned him with one second left to assure the victory. Tucumcari coach Eddie Encinias li...

  • Dexter eliminates Rattlers from contention

    Ron Warnick, QCS Senior Writer|Feb 16, 2022

    Dexter staked a double-digit lead in the first quarter and made it hold up almost the entire remainder of the game during a 47-40 district boys basketball victory Thursday over host Tucumcari in boys basketball. The Rattlers' seventh straight loss eliminated them from contention for a regular-season district title. The night also was marred by an on-floor scuffle early in the second quarter that resulted in the ejection of one player each from Tucumcari and Dexter. A Demons player allegedly...

  • Logan girls edge Fort Sumner in district play

    Staff report|Feb 16, 2022

    The Logan girls basketball team outlasted a strong Fort Sumner-House squad 53-50 in a district game Saturday at Logan. Kyra Conway scored 18 points to lead Logan, and teammate Reece Goldston added 11. The Lady Longhorns (19-5, 5-2) have delivered two of the Vixens’ three losses this season. Logan also defeated Fort Sumner-House 42-36 in the title game Jan. 8 of the EPAC Tournament. The only other loss for the Vixens was a 26-21 decision to Capitan in early December. Logan on Saturday also snapped Fort Sumner’s seven-game win streak. Fort...

  • Foxes muscle past Longhorns

    Staff report|Feb 16, 2022

    Fort Sumner-House stayed in first place in the regular-season district standings by muscling past host Logan 77-47 on Saturday. The Foxes improved to 14-3 overall and 7-1 in District 6, tied for first place with Clovis Christian (17-6, 7-1). Park Strong scored 18 points to lead the Longhorns (7-16, 3-6). Brock Burns added 12 points. “We battled them for three quarters, just like we did the previous time we played them,” Logan coach Kyle Griffiths said. “The final score was no indicative of how close the game was most of the way. They...

  • Oklahoma pedestrian killed near San Jon

    Staff report|Feb 16, 2022

    An Oklahoma woman died Saturday after she was struck by a vehicle while apparently walking the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 near San Jon. According to a news release Monday from New Mexico State Police, officers received a report at 12:51 p.m. Saturday of a woman who had been struck by a vehicle near milepost 351 of I-40, west of San Jon. Pronounced dead at the scene by the Office of Medical Examiner was Andrea Lee Carnes, 49, of Elk City, Oklahoma. State police stated the eastbound vehicle that struck Carnes left the scene of the accident...

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