Serving the High Plains

Articles from the August 30, 2023 edition


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  • 'Substantial' oil, gas strike predicted

    Ron Warnick, QCS Senior Writer|Aug 30, 2023

    Tommy Wallace is hopeful his ranch in southern Quay County sits amid a substantial field of oil, natural gas and helium that could produce dozens, perhaps even hundreds, of well-paying jobs. Wallace said in a phone interview last week that Louisiana-based Moran-Lavaca is “pretty sure” a substantial amount of helium exists on his property off Norton Road and at a recently drilled spot near Grady. He said he learned about the strike about six months ago. The Grady area well is on property owned by Elmer White, White confirmed on Friday. Tho...

  • Courthouse to upgrade its security cameras

    Ron Warnick, QCS Senior Writer|Aug 30, 2023

    The Quay County Courthouse in Tucumcari soon will have an improved and more sophisticated security-camera system. The county commissioners on Monday unanimously approved spending about $61,000 to install the Verkada cameras. The purchase, a five-year deal, was recommended by Sheriff Dennis Garcia and the 10th Judicial District Court. Jacob Farris, a sales representative for California-based Verkada, demonstrated the camera system by videoconference during the commission’s meeting. Farris said the cameras can be accessed by smartphone or r...

  • Oversight delays streets resolution

    Ron Warnick, QCS Senior Writer|Aug 30, 2023

    An apparent paperwork oversight prevented Tucumcari city commissioners on Thursday from approving a resolution for $319,000 in state capital outlay funds slated for street improvements. The inaction also prevented approval of an agreement for capital appropriations for the same project. Project manager Ralph Lopez said the capital outlay funds, which were awarded during the New Mexico Legislature’s session earlier this year, probably would be used for resurfacing South Third Street from the Quay County Courthouse to Main Street. However, at l...

  • MCC board won't yet commit to partnerships

    Ron Warnick, The Staff of The News|Aug 30, 2023

    The board of trustees for Mesalands Community College came to a consensus it was too early to commit to pursuing additional partnerships or a merger with a four-year institution, including possibly Eastern New Mexico University. Mesalands’ interim president Allen Moss asked the trustees during their Aug. 22 meeting for input regarding a response letter he was writing to state Sen. George Munoz (D-Gallup). Munoz, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, in late July wrote letters to Mesalands, ENMU and New Mexico State University, asking t...

  • Commonalities between Labor Day, Santa

    Leonard Lauriault, Religion columnist|Aug 30, 2023

    This year’s flying by, with Labor Day being next Monday. While shopping recently, I saw the store I was in already had Halloween candy for sale, which made me wonder when the Christmas candy and ads would be out. Then, I thought again about Labor Day and wondered if Santa Claus and Labor Day had anything in common. We usually only hear about Santa doing anything, like work, when he delivers presents overnight before Christmas morning. Completely encompassing the globe north, south, east and west is a pretty big job. So, he and his reindeer prob...

  • Enrollment rises at Tucumcari schools

    Ron Warnick, QCS Senior Writer|Aug 30, 2023

    Tucumcari Public Schools is seeing a significant rise in enrollment this fall, according to its superintendent and principals. Superintendent Aaron McKinney told the school board during its regular meeting on Aug. 21 that total enrollment in the district is 921, compared to 854 last year. That is nearly 8% higher. Elementary principal Tonya Hodges said her school’s enrollment stood at 461, with six or seven more students pending. She said that compares to 404 students a year ago. Middle school principal Lendall Borden said his enrollment was 2...

  • Pages past - Aug. 30

    Aug 30, 2023

    On this date ... 1973: Special prosecutor Archibald Cox won his first battle in his efforts to obtain President Richard Nixon’s secret Watergate tape recordings, moving the case a step closer to a historic showdown with the U.S. Supreme Court. Chief U.S. District Court Judge John J. Sirica ruled that Nixon should produce the tapes for Sirica to inspect privately so the judge can determine whether they should be turned over to the Watergate grand jury. The Western White House said Nixon would not comply with the order and that presidential l...

  • Calendar - Aug. 30

    Aug 30, 2023

    • Sept. 9 — Fired Up Festival. This year’s Tucumcari MainStreet event will feature a stop by the Platinum Hop Tour low-riders. The festival in the Tucumcari Historic Railroad Plaza will run from noon to about 9 p.m. with an event-ending fireworks show. • Oct. 7 — Quay County on the Move Fun Run/Walk. This free event will give a T-shirt to all finishers. More information will be given later. • Oct. 28 — Spooktacular Block Party. Tucumcari MainStreet is planning a downtown Halloween-themed block party with trick-or-treat booths, food trucks a...

  • Menus - Aug. 30

    Aug 30, 2023

    Tucumcari schools Wednesday — Lunch: Macaroni and cheese, turkey and cheese hoagie, steamed seasoned corn, fresh broccoli, buttermilk ranch dressing, fruit cocktail, skim, chocolate skim, 1% or skim strawberry milk. Thursday — Lunch: Pepperoni pizza, ham and cheese sandwich, garden salad, fresh baby carrots, fruit cocktail, chocolate skim, 1% or skim strawberry milk. Monday — Closed for Labor Day. Tuesday — No information available. Tucumcari Senior Center Wednesday — Beef fajita, wheat tortilla, refried beans, salsa, roasted zucchini, mixed fr...

  • Rattlers game canceled after student's death

    Staff report|Aug 30, 2023

    Tucumcari Public Schools has canceled Friday night’s scheduled football game against McCurdy after a TPS student died Saturday night. The district was sending five or six counselors to school to help grieving students this week, said high school Principal Nicole Bright-Lesly. District officials did not identify the student publicly, but several said he was a freshman member of the football team. The student died at his home, they said. The Tucumcari Invitational volleyball tournament will continue to be played later this week. The event will s...

  • Publisher's journal: Terry Funk always a crowd favorite

    David Stevens, The Staff of The News|Aug 30, 2023

    Before he played the bouncer in “Road House” … before he was the focus in the documentary “Beyond the Mat” … before he was elected to five wrestling hall of fames … before he retired from the sport the first time in 1983 ... Terry Funk was a legend across eastern New Mexico and the High Plains. If you grew up in the 1960s and 1970s, you were a Funk fan, whether watching him wrestle on television or seeing him in person in Clovis, Portales and other small-town venues. We lost the legend last week following a two-year struggle with dementia. He...

  • Time for all-above approach to education

    Paul Gessing, Guest columnist|Aug 30, 2023

    New Mexico should be in crisis mode. Our K-12 education system is certainly facing a crisis. Problems abound: recent reports highlight serious school attendance issues, the NAEP (known as the “Nation’s Report Card”) test places New Mexico 52nd across ALL age groups and subjects studied, the Kids Count report shows New Mexico kids are losing ground, and no one seems to have a solution. Education spending has increased markedly in recent years with nothing to show for it. With New Mexico already suffering from poor educational outcomes the COVID...

  • Nikki Haley only breakout in debate

    Michael Reagan, Syndicated content|Aug 30, 2023

    As usual, there was too much cross-talk and chaos on stage. And there was way too much partisan cheering and hooting by the audience. But the first Republican presidential primary debate on Fox News was an entertaining spectacle. Instead of watching Tucker Carlson interview Donald Trump on Twitter/X, it was a good way to check out the personalities and political positions of the GOP’s lineup of second and third stringers who have the impossible dream of beating out Trump for the party’s 2024 nomination. No one jumped off the screen and loo...

  • Thoreau surges in second half over Tucumcari

    Staff report|Aug 30, 2023

    Two freakish lapses in special teams during the second half proved decisive in Tucumcari’s 20-6 non-district football loss Friday at Thoreau. Leading off the second half, Thoreau’s line-drive kickoff went between Tucumcari players and seemingly straight to the Hawks’ Irvin Smith, who ran it 23 yards downfield to Tucumcari’s 23-yard line. That set up Thoreau quarterback Isaac Bear Eagle’s 2-yard touchdown run to break a scoreless tie. Tucumcari coach Tarik Embrack described the quasi-onside kick as a “crazy accident.” “I’ve never seen a play...

  • Longhorn gridders overwhelm Questa

    Staff report|Aug 30, 2023

    Logan took a big first-half lead and largely dominated during a 44-12 victory over non-district foe Questa during eight-man football action on Saturday afternoon. The Longhorns (2-0) led 36-6 at intermission. “The boys played well,” Logan coach Dwayne Roberts said. “I saw some positive things and some things to work on. I’m very proud of the boys.” Logan quarterback Brock Burns threw for 209 yards and two touchdowns. Aydin Kotara run for 159 yards and a touchdown, and Izaiah Kneitz combined for 110 yards rushing and receiving with a TD. Also...

  • Lady Longhorns take back Logan title

    Ron Warnick, QCS Senior Writer|Aug 30, 2023

    LOGAN - The Lady Longhorns took a path to redemption Saturday during their season-opening volleyball tournament. First, they dominated defending champion Tucumcari 25-11, 25-14, 25-10 during the morning semifinals. The Lady Rattlers later wound up in third place after downing Grady in five sets. Then the Lady Longhorns after a slow start downed Springer - the team that bounced Logan out of contention for the tournament title last year - by a score of 22-25, 25-16, 25-12, 25-20 in the finals....

  • Tucumcari, San Jon both competing in cross country.

    Staff report|Aug 30, 2023

    For once, Tucumcari won’t be the only team competing in cross country in Quay County. San Jon has joined the fray this fall. Tucumcari and San Jon are scheduled to meet at the Amarillo ISD Invitational on Sept. 9, the Ruidoso Cross County Invitational on Sept. 30 and the City of Natural Lakes Invitational in Santa Rosa on Oct. 28. Tucumcari coach Tim Clark, in his second year, said he has at least five boys and three girls participating in the sport. He particularly excited about Alex Bueno De La O. “He’s been running all summer, and I’m e...

  • San Jon spikers earn first win

    Staff report|Aug 30, 2023

    The San Jon volleyball team earned its first victory of the season last week with a 25-13, 25-22, 25-16 decision over district foe Clovis Christian. San Jon improved to 1-1. It was Clovis Christian’s season-opener. “They did well, really started playin as a team more and having fun with it,” San Jon coach Bobby Kandel said. “Our serving has really improved; that was our focus for the game.” The Eagles were led by a pair of freshmen — Reece Robb and Madisyn Kruckeberg — with four kills each. Hannah Medina added seven aces. However, Clov...

  • Clovis city commissioner steps down

    the Staff of The News|Aug 30, 2023

    CLOVIS — Embattled Clovis City Commissioner David Bryant on Wednesday submitted his resignation, effective immediately. “It is with heavy heart I regret to inform you that I will no longer be able to (perform) my duties as City Commissioner,” Bryant wrote in his letter submitted to city attorney Jared Morris. “The continued hostility directed at myself by others has become not just a distraction but the constant barrage of personal attacks has taken its toll on myself, my family and my constituency. I have decided that ultimately the best thing...

  • Jail log - Aug. 30

    Aug 30, 2023

    These individuals were booked into the Quay County Detention Center from Aug. 21 to Aug. 27: — Jonathan Juarez, 31, Santa Ana, California, aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug (0.16 or above). — Crystal Gail Perrine, 44, Tucumcari, warrant from other counties or states. — Rose M. Stroud, 27, Tucumcari, intentional child abuse (no death or great bodily harm) and battery against a household member. — Christopher Williams, 34, Tucumcari, probation violation and contempt of court. — Jose Juan Rivera Jr...

  • Police blotter - Aug. 30

    Aug 30, 2023

    These calls were made to the Tucumcari-Quay Regional Emergency Communications Center from Aug. 21 to Aug. 27: Monday — 10:30 a.m.: Theft in 500 block of East Laughlin Avenue, Tucumcari. — 12:43 p.m.: DUI with alcohol or drugs in 1700 block of South Mountain Road, Tucumcari. — 12:45 p.m.: Reckless driving in 2000 block of Highway 268, Melrose. — 1:54 p.m.: Theft in 2300 block of Highway 469, San Jon. — 3:29 p.m.: Fraud in 200 block of East Center Street, Tucumcari. — 7:20 p.m.: Accident in 1900 block of South Mountain Road, Tucumcari....