Serving the High Plains

Articles from the June 14, 2023 edition


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  • Federal disaster declaration sought

    Ron Warnick, QCS Senior Writer|Jun 14, 2023

    Officials with Quay County and the City of Tucumcari are hoping for a federal disaster declaration that would make private property owners eligible for aid in addition to local agencies after last month's flooding and hail damage. Tucumcari city commissioners during their regular meeting Thursday unanimously approved a declaration of disaster that seeks state assistance. The declaration was similar to one that Quay County commissioners approved the same week. County manager Daniel Zamora said...

  • City OKs purchase of vehicles, cameras for police

    Ron Warnick, QCS Senior Writer|Jun 14, 2023

    Tucumcari city commissioners on Thursday approved the purchase of five new vehicles, plus vehicle cameras, for the police department. A purchase of cameras for the police building itself was put on hold until it’s determined whether a local vendor would bid on the project. Another purchase of body cameras for officers was tabled until the city manager determines whether cannabis sales-tax revenue legally can be used for them. During a work session, Police Chief Patti Lopez presented bids of five Dodge Durangos from Stellantis Dodge of Kansas a...

  • Lawsuit: Driver in Five Mile Park crash lacked a license

    Staff report|Jun 14, 2023

    The father of a Tucumcari teenager who died in an SUV accident at Five Mile Park earlier this year alleges in a wrongful-death lawsuit that an unlicensed juvenile was driving when the crash occurred. The man’s legal firm filed a second lawsuit, alleging the city violated the Inspection of Public Records Act in failing to provide police, dispatch and other records related to the accident. Steven Gloms on June 6 filed a complaint in Tucumcari District Court for wrongful death and negligence against the city and eight individuals. (The Quay C...

  • Longhorns on 66 won't be part of Rawhide Days

    Staff report|Jun 14, 2023

    Significant changes are in store for this weekend’s Tucumcari Rawhide Days, and the most visible will be the lack of Texas Longhorns herded down Route 66 during the annual parade. The Tucumcari Historical Museum took over the organization of the festival, which pays tribute to CBS-TV’s “Rawhide” of the late 1950s and early 1960s that starred Tucumcari native Paul Brinegar and a young Clint Eastwood. Some footage for “Rawhide” also was shot in rural Tucumcari. The festival went on a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic before resuming la...

  • Old objections to Christianity answered

    Gordon Runyan, Religion columnist|Jun 14, 2023

    I’m seeing an objection in short videos recently. It is an old Muslim argument, although non-Muslims make use of it, against Christianity: “Jesus never said he was God.” The charge is that Christians have wrongly raised Jesus of Nazareth to the level of divinity. We’ve made him our God, contrary to his own teachings and will. That’s the assertion. Part of the objection may be freely admitted. The Bible never records Jesus saying the words, “I am God.” (As an aside, before I address that in earnest, I’ll point out that Jesus is never recorded...

  • Tucumcari history book author dies at 96

    Staff report|Jun 14, 2023

    David Stratton, a Tucumcari native who a year ago published arguably the definitive historical book about his hometown, died May 26 in Olympia, Washington, after a short illness. He was 96. In 2022, he published: "Tucumcari Tonite! The Waning of a Western Town" with the University of New Mexico Press. The book contained abundant research typical of Stratton's background as a history professor, plus his personal memories of Tucumcari - including the first owners of the landmark Blue Swallow...

  • Destructive bat disease detected in New Mexico

    Staff report|Jun 14, 2023

    For the first time, white-nose syndrome, a disease of hibernating bats, has been confirmed in New Mexico, including in neighboring De Baca County. Samples from two live bats and two dead bats were collected in late April from Bureau of Land Management-managed caves in Lincoln and De Baca counties. The two dead bats were confirmed with white-nose syndrome - one a fringed myotis in Lincoln County; the other a cave myotis in De Baca County. Additionally, wing biopsies from two live cave myotis at...

  • Pages past - June 14

    Jun 14, 2023

    On this date ... 1973: The Tucumcari Board of Education during a meeting Monday accepted the new cafeteria building, constructed by Currell Lumber Co. of Tucumcari. They were given a tour of the new facility by architect Kern Smith of Carlsbad. Despite a few minor flaws or malfunctions in equipment and construction that were due to be fixed, the board felt the building met specifications. The cafeteria includes four serving lines, two tray-return lines and hideaway seating that can accommodate up to 600 people. The board also accepted a change...

  • Calendar - June 14

    Jun 14, 2023

    • Friday-Sunday — Tucumcari Rawhide Days. The annual event that salutes the “Rawhide” TV show will feature roping events, rodeos, gun show, target-shoot competition, stickhorse races, mutton busting, arts and crafts show, a car show, a parade, fishing derby, a 5K and 10K run, cowboy church and a dance. More information can be found at tucumcarirawhidedays.com. • Saturday — Spring Community Dance, Nara Visa Community Center. Come join us to mark the end of branding season. Limited snacks and drinks will be provided, but feel free to bring your...

  • Menus - June 14

    Jun 14, 2023

    Tucumcari Senior Center Wednesday — Pepper steak, fried rice, green beans, pears. Thursday — Sweet and sour pork, Emperor veggies, brown rice, mandarin orange and pineapple. Friday — Roast beef, baked potato with chives, sour cream and cheese, Capri veggies, whole-wheat roll with margarine, chocolate brownie. Monday — Closed for Juneteenth. Tuesday — Turkey sandwich, carrot sticks, potato chips, fresh orange. Logan Senior Center Wednesday — Tuna salad, pasta salad, cheese sticks, fruit cocktail. Thursday — Barbecued ribs, coleslaw, rol...

  • Publisher's journal: He played in the NFL, and he sold cars, too

    David Stevens, The Staff of The News|Jun 14, 2023

    Seventy-five years ago this week, Clovis’ most famous athlete was settling in for a relaxing summer with family. He could not have imagined the challenges he would soon encounter. Jerry Nuzum had been away at college where he was the star halfback at New Mexico A&M in Las Cruces. Late in 1947, he’d decided on a career field. But first, the 1941 Clovis High School graduate was spending time in his hometown. “Mrs. Jerry (Mary) Nuzum and small daughters, Jerry Jan and Sandra, have arrived from State College, N.M., to spend the summer visiting in t...

  • NAACP can't afford complacency

    Elwood Watson, Syndicated content|Jun 14, 2023

    Last month, the NAACP made waves for issuing a travel advisory for Florida in response to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ruthless efforts to whitewash Black history and severely curtail diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. “Once again, hate-inspired state leaders have chosen to put politics over people. Governor Ron DeSantis and the state of Florida have engaged in a blatant war against principles of diversity and inclusion and rejected our shared identities to appeal to a dangerous, extremist minority,” Leon Russell, chair of the national NAACP...

  • Golf merger confusing to everyone

    Michael Reagan, Syndicated content|Jun 14, 2023

    Oil money, oil money. When you have as much of it as Saudi Arabia has, it can buy a lot of things – including a sacred American sports institution like the PGA. As all of us hackers know, the PGA Tour shocked the golf world last week by announcing it will merge with the LIV Tour, the upstart Saudi-backed professional golf tour that the PGA has been in a bitter legal fight with since last year. The details of the nearly $3 billion deal are still unknown. So is the impact it will have on the wallets of pro golfers and how much control it will g...

  • Lodgers board shelves decision on streaming app

    Ron Warnick, QCS Senior Writer|Jun 14, 2023

    The Tucumcari Lodgers Tax Advisory Board on Wednesday tabled Tucumcari MainStreet’s request for $3,000 in lodgers tax funds to help set up a streaming and advertising app with a local radio station. Board member Michael Carlson said the proposal was “vague.” He said it would be helpful if the written plan — which contained just a few sentences — would have more detail on the app’s advertising and events it would promote. Carlson moved to table the matter until the board’s next regular meeting on July 5, which was approved. Connie Loveland, exe...

  • 40 youths compete in county 4-H contests

    Staff report|Jun 14, 2023

    Quay County 4-H held its annual county contest on June 4 where about 40 youth spent the day competing in 13 contests ranging from sewing projects to evaluating livestock. With the contests, youth learn decision-making skills and and other skills that can assist in employment in areas of agriculture and family and consumer sciences. Novices and Juniors are eligible to go on to district contests in Portales later this month. Seniors who finished in the top nine were eligible to advance to to the s...

  • Tucumcari student graduates from West Texas A&M

    Staff report|Jun 14, 2023

    A Tucumcari student was among the more than 1,100 who graduated from West Texas A&M University last month. Kyle Thomas Hamilton of Tucumcari earned a degree in agribusiness, according to a news release from the university. The university in Canyon, Texas, awarded 828 baccalaureate degrees and 289 master’s degrees during its May 13 commencement ceremonies. Another 193 potential August graduates walked the stage during the event. Also, Kassidee Clark and Jodi Vance-Furlow, both of Tucumcari, made it to the university’s President’s List for havin...

  • Logan shooting team nabs state title

    Staff report|Jun 14, 2023

    The Logan Longshots, a high-school trap and skeet shooting team in only its third year of existence, won the state title during recent competition at Raton. The 10-member squad competed at the three-day Scholastic Clay Target Program at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton and earned the state-champion varsity trap team award, plus the season-champion varsity trap team award. Coach Jerry Bob Osborn said his team took a slim, 14-bird lead after the first day and managed to build on it over the...

  • NMAA proposes tougher penalties on unsportsmanlike behavior

    Staff report|Jun 14, 2023

    The New Mexico Activities Association board of directors last week proposed bringing the hammer down on member schools that engage in “egregious acts of unsportsmanlike conduct” by teams or spectators. Dusty Young, associated director of the NMAA, stated in an email the proposed changes in the organization’s bylaws must pass a vote by member schools before being implemented. He said that vote will take place “over the next few weeks.” “There was not a specific incident,” Young added, “just something that the NMAA and our member schools have be...

  • THS shortstop named second team all-state in softball

    Staff report|Jun 14, 2023

    Tucumcari senior Alexis Lafferty became a second-team selection as an infielder in Class 3A all-state softball team announced last week by the New Mexico High School Coaches Association. Lafferty hit .446 during the season and led the team in home runs (3), stolen bases (25), runs scored (35) and hits (33). She also anchored the Lady Rattlers' defense with stellar play at shortstop. Tucumcari finished 10-14 overall and qualified for the Class 3A playoffs, losing to West Las Vegas in the first...

  • Two Longhorns compete at all-star baseball series

    Staff report|Jun 14, 2023

    Logan baseball seniors Park Strong and Skyler DeLuca competed against each other at the Small School North-South All-Star Games last month at Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho. DeLuca, a third baseman, was selected on the Green team. Strong, a catcher, was selected for the Red squad. The Red team won the three-game series, prevailing in the first game 6-3 and winning the third and deciding game, 12-8. The Green squad won the second game, 9-8. Strong collected several singles and doubles and...

  • Little League softball team to compete at district for first time

    Staff report|Jun 14, 2023

    The Quay County Little League All-Stars fast-pitch softball team will compete in its first-ever postseason during the District 4 Tournament starting Saturday at Las Vegas. The Quay County squad of 9- to 11-year-old girls will face the winner of the Las Vegas vs. La Plaza clash. Quay County earned a first-round bye in the double-elimination tournament. The local team is scheduled to play at 10 a.m. Saturday at La Plaza Little League field at 1308 Grant St. in Las Vegas. The district championship game will be played at 4 p.m. Monday, June 19....

  • Police blotter - June 14

    Jun 14, 2023

    These calls were made to the Tucumcari-Quay Regional Emergency Communications Center from June 5 to June 11: Monday — 12:05 a.m.: Theft in 700 block of North Second Street, Tucumcari. — 1:07 a.m.: Disturbance in 2900 block of East Tucumcari Boulevard, Tucumcari. — 1:47 a.m.: DUI with alcohol or drugs at East Heman Avenue and North Lake Street, Tucumcari. — 2:03 a.m.: Noise complaint in 600 block of East McGee Avenue, Tucumcari. — 6:54 a.m.: Disturbance in 700 block of West Sunset Avenue, Tucumcari. — 8:24 a.m.: Found property in 200 block o...

  • Jail log - June 14

    Jun 14, 2023

    These individuals were booked into the Quay County Detention Center from June 7 to June 12: — Billy Jack Baca, 43, no address listed, non-residential burglary. — Troy D. Cooper, 43, Tucumcari, contempt of court. — Charles Camerino, 33, Tucumcari, criminal trespass (unposted) and attempt to commit a felony (residential burglary). — Cosmoe Kareem Hurd, 39, Tucumcari, contempt of court. These individuals were released from the Quay County Detention Center from June 7 to June 9: — Amber Nicole Jones, 23, no address listed, court ordered. — Ernest...

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