Serving the High Plains

Articles from the July 3, 2019 edition


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  • Old times in the air

    Ron Warnick|Jul 3, 2019

    Old-time rock 'n' roll music filled the air of Tucumcari over the weekend, and the people who attended the inaugural Rockin' Route 66 festival filled the town's motels and restaurants. Rockin' Route 66, which replaced Rockabilly on the Route after a one-year hiatus, brought in more than 15 musical acts to various venues in Tucumcari, mostly at the convention center, from Thursday through Saturday. Brian Whitcomb, promoter of Rockin' Route 66 and president of Garage 71 Radio and Grease Inc....

  • Officials hear health statistics

    Ron Warnick|Jul 3, 2019

    Quay County commissioners learned during their meeting Friday from state Department of Health officials that Quay County saw an increase in teen obesity, suicides and adult non-vaccination rates but also experienced a decline in diabetes, teen pregnancy, overdose deaths, alcohol-related deaths, smoking and fall-related deaths to senior citizens. Francisco Porres, epidemiologist for the Department of Health, gave a PowerPoint presentation of health trends in Quay County and how it compared to the U.S., state and the agency’s Southeast region, w...

  • Quay County set for three fireworks displays

    Ron Warnick|Jul 3, 2019

    Quay County residents will have three opportunities this week to observe Independence Day fireworks displays. Tucumcari will host its annual fireworks show the night of July 4, Logan will host a fireworks display at Ute Lake State Park on Saturday night as part of its two-day Street Dance, and San Jon will host its fireworks display Sunday night at its village park. The Elks Lodge on Tucumcari’s south side has hosted the city’s annual fireworks display for many years. The lodge and city split the cost of the annual $6,000 display, City Cle...

  • Calendar - July 3

    Jul 3, 2019

    Thursday — Flag Retirement Program. Worn and discarded U.S. flags will be disposed of properly at 10 a.m. during this ceremony sponsored by the Tucumcari chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Tucumcari main fire station, 123 N. Adams St., north of Citizens Bank. Thursday — Fireworks display. The Elks Lodge again will host Tucumcari’s annual Independence Day fireworks show. The show begins at nightfall, which is about 9 p.m. or earlier if it’s cloudy. 2118 S. Adams St., Tucumcari. Friday-Saturday — Fourth of July Street Dance. Th...

  • Street projects receive action

    Steve Hansen|Jul 3, 2019

    Street projects received most of the Tucumcari City Commission’s action Thursday. The commission voted to contract with J&D Contracting Co. of Albuquerque for $470,615.73 for water line work on East Hancock Avenue from Rock Island Street to Choctaw Street. Assistant City Manager Mark Martinez said the work will include new sidewalks, curbs and wheelchair ramps. Sharayah Sisneros, a Community Development project manager, told the commission the city’s share of the cost is about $50,000, with the rest coming from federal Community Dev...

  • Voter registration instructions issued

    Staff report|Jul 3, 2019

    The Quay County Clerk’s Office last week issued instructions for voter registration and prospective candidates for the Nov. 5 local elections. Positions up for election in November include Tucumcari city commission, Mesalands Community College board of directors, the Canadian River and Southwest Quay soil and water conservation districts and school boards in Tucumcari, Logan, House and San Jon. Several entities in Quay County also will pose bond questions to voters. The New Mexico Secretary of State shall issue a proclamation Aug. 7 calling f...

  • Inmate accused of smuggling contraband into jail

    Ron Warnick|Jul 3, 2019

    A county jail inmate faces additional time behind bars after being accused of bringing a narcotic painkiller into the facility. Jimmy Neal Armstrong, 49, of Tucumcari was charged June 21 in Tucumcari magistrate court of one count of bringing contraband into a jail, a fourth-degree felony that can lead up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine. According to a complaint filed by Quay County sheriff’s deputy Rudy Vallejo, he was called to the Quay County Detention Center in Tucumcari to investigate a report of an inmate bringing contraband into...

  • Sandia National Laboratories doubles aid

    Staff report|Jul 3, 2019

    Sandia National Laboratories has doubled the amount of technical assistance it provides to small businesses, including those in Quay County, after such legislation was signed into New Mexico state law this year. The law raises the cap on the value of services Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories can offer a company through the New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program from $10,000 to $20,000 for businesses in urban counties and from $20,000 to $40,000 for businesses in rural counties. The changes took effect July 1. The program,...

  • UNM should be held accountable on transparency

    Jul 3, 2019

    “Access to public records is one of the fundamental rights afforded to people in a democracy.” This is the first sentence found within the introductory paragraph of the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) compliance guide published by the office of the Attorney General for the state of New Mexico. In an attempt to exercise this right, the Daily Lobo (University of New Mexico student newspaper) has actively requested many of these public documents as a recurring and crucial part of our reporting process. We published a story on June 24 whe...

  • Gerrymandering fault of both

    Steve Hansen|Jul 3, 2019

    I did not watch the Democratic debates last week. I had more interesting things to do, like play with the Linux operating system on my computer, which for me might replace Windows 7 as Microsoft drops its support for it. Times change. At this point, the debates resemble nothing more than the old circus act in which a vehicle the size of a Smart Car rolls into the ring and 20 clowns emerge, some running, some doing cartwheels, some beeping old car horns, amazing and amusing us all. At this point, the spectacle of 20 people sharing a debate...

  • Most vulnerable deserve care

    Tom McDonald|Jul 3, 2019

    Healthcare is a right. Raise your hand if you agree. The reality is, America is divided on this question. We’re not talking about emergency care here. I think most people with an ounce of compassion would agree that if someone’s life is in immediate danger, they should be treated before being asked how they’ll pay for their care. No, the debate is over the broader question of whether a person has a right to healthcare if they become sick or disabled, whether they can afford it or not. The irony, of course, is that just about every prosp...

  • Quay Little League teams eliminated

    Ron Warnick|Jul 3, 2019

    Quay County's Little League baseball teams were eliminated from postseason last week after suffering two losses in their respective district tournaments. The Quay County All-Stars Major League team of 10- to 12-year-olds fell 16-5 Thursday night to the Roosevelt County All-Stars at Portales in a do-or-die game that took two days to play because a storm suspended action the previous day. Quay County lost its earlier home game that week to Roosevelt County 10-4. Roosevelt County held a 6-2 lead af...

  • Tucumcari native earns national title in horseshoes

    Ron Warnick|Jul 3, 2019

    A Tucumcari native last week earned a national title in his age bracket in the horseshoes competition at the National Senior Games in Albuquerque. Joseph Garcia, also known by his middle name of Rudy, of Portales went undefeated in 13 matches at the Senior Games and came from behind to defeat eventual runner-up Larry Ulibarri by scoring a ringer on his final throw of the championship round. Garcia won the title by two points. Garcia earned the gold medal in the men's singles horseshoes...

  • Walking away can often be the best option

    Jul 3, 2019

    Our central, national celebration is upon us. I am thankful to God for the stout-hearted Americans who signed their own death warrants by affixing their names to the Declaration of Independence. In the intervening years, some confusion has grown up over what they asserted, and whether it was moral. I hope to offer some biblical light on the political phenomenon we call, “Secession.” First of all, though, let’s clear up some language issues. We probably shouldn’t call the American War of Independence a “revolution.” A revolution, as pointed out...

  • 4-H results

    Jul 3, 2019

    Thirty Quay County 4-H members traveled to Fort Sumner to participate in three days of Southeast District 4-H competitions hosted by the De Baca County 4-H program and attended by nine counties. Novice 4-H members are 9 to 11 years old, and Juniors are 12 to 13. Here are the Quay County 4-H winners: Archery Shooting a Barebow Recurve — Lanie Hammer finished second high individual in the Junior competition. Carter Smith finished fourth high individual in the Novice competition. Shooting Barebow Compound bows — The Quay County Novice team fin...

  • Police blotter - July 3

    Jul 3, 2019

    These calls were made to the Tucumcari-Quay Regional Emergency Communications Center from June 24 to June 30: Monday • 9:04 a.m.: Trespassing in 900 block of East Hines Avenue, Tucumcari. • 9:24 a.m.: Harassment in 600 block of East McGee Avenue, Tucumcari. • 9:54 a.m.: Trespassing in 700 block of West Sunset Avenue, Tucumcari. • 10:06 a.m.: Fire at Quay Road 71 and Highway 469, Logan. • 12:33 p.m.: Fire at milepost 328, Interstate 40, Tucumcari. • 1:57 p.m.: Fight with no weapon in 800 block of West Hancock Avenue, Tucumcari. • 2:10 p.m.: Va...

  • Jail log - July 3

    Jul 3, 2019

    These individuals were booked into the Quay County Detention Center from June 25 to June 30: • Charlie Paine, 49, Oklahoma City, public nuisance. • Christopher Pender, 39, Tucumcari, felony contempt of court. • Vanessa Linda Savana Sisneros, 38, Santa Rosa, warrant from other counties or states. • Miguel Soria, 37, Tucumcari, charge not listed. • Robert Edwin Aragon, 41, Mosquero, battery against a household member. • Jessica A. Gerhardt, 49, Santa Rosa, two counts of contempt of court. • Lawrence Pancho Rivas Sr., 43, Tucumcari, contempt of c...

  • MCC recognizes five students

    Staff report|Jul 3, 2019

    Mesalands Community College recognized five students for recently earning industry certifications. Through the intensive certification program, these students have shown mastery of the knowledge needed for entrance into their respective career fields related to animal science. Each of these students earned certifications from Elanco Veterinary Medical Applications: • Dakota Alcon of Sapello; • Wyatt Bishop of Tucumcari; • Mekenna Christiansen of Estancia; • Merleen Gutierrez of Sabinoso; • Vinell Mariano of Church Rock....

  • Menus - July 3

    Jul 3, 2019

    Tucumcari Senior Center Wednesday — Steak and stuff, spinach, Parmesan potato rounds, whole-wheat roll with margarine, lemon bar. Thursday — Closed for Independence Day. Friday — Turkey sandwich, mashed potatoes and gravy, buttered peas and carrots, tapioca pudding. Monday — Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed vegetables, whole-wheat bread, strawberries and vanilla wafers. Tuesday — Baked pork chop, brown rice and margarine, buttered spinach, whole-wheat roll with margarine, fruit cocktail. Logan Senior Center Wednesday...

  • Pages past - July 3

    Jul 3, 2019

    On this date ... 1969: In Cape Kennedy, Florida, the three Apollo 11 astronauts boarded their spaceship and simulated takeoff today as if were July 16 and they were setting off another great lunar adventure. Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin Aldrin spent more than 2 1/2 hours in their command ship, flicking switches and monitoring instruments just as they will for launch. The countdown begins July 10. • The Odeon Theatre advertised a Disney production about a mischievous raccoon, “Rascal ... The Masked Bandit.” The Canal Drive-In was s...