Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
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Tucumcari’s city manager will resign in late June after less than two years on the job. Near the end of Thursday’s city commission meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Lopez said after a 75-minute closed executive session to discuss personnel and litigation that city manager Paula Chacon had submitted her resignation letter. Chacon was not in the commission chambers when open session resumed. Chacon was hired in August 2022 to replace Mark Martinez, who took a position at Mesalands Community College Lopez said after the closed session that Chacon had...
The Mesalands Community College board of trustees announced Friday it would begin a nationwide search for a president. The college stated it would take applications from candidates through April 17. A news releasee stated that five candidates would be proposed to the board by a selection committee, which includes board Chairman Richard Primrose as the search chair. Allen Moss has been Mesalands’ interim president for about a year. Josh McVey, vice president of student affairs, stated in an email that Moss would apply for the position. The b...
Saturday — Second annual Chess Tournament. Preliminary rounds will be in the east room of the Tucumcari Railroad Museum, with the finals in Jackalope Coffee Haus. Beginner, intermediate and advanced players are invited. Some proceeds will go to Paws & Claws Animal Rescue. For more information, call or text (575) 815-4486. April 6 — Six-week dog training class. Tucumcari Dog Training and Tucumcari MainStreet are sponsoring a dog obedience class on Saturdays from April 6 through May 11 at the Tucumcari Railroad Museum. Cost is $50 for the cla...
The Arch Hurley Conservancy District’s board declined to allocate water during its March 12 meeting despite pleas from a half-dozen farmers and ranchers. Board members said they were disinclined to divert water to the irrigation system’s canals until levels at Conchas Lake rise substantially higher. The level’s elevation was 4,171.84 feet on the morning of the meeting, a bit lower than the previous month’s 4,172 feet. Evaporation and other losses during the month of February totaled 1,431 acre-feet, compared to 1,260 acre-feet in inflow. Distri...
Voters in Quay County will face a decision on a three-way race for the county assessor’s position during the June 4 primary election. Two incumbents up for re-election on the county commission face challengers, as well. Candidates who filed for the county treasurer and clerk’s position likely will be unopposed, barring the filing later this summer by any independent candidates. A candidate for district attorney also is unopposed, but the current DA, an independent, may file for re-election in late June. For assessor, current officeholder Dan...
The Logan Municipal Schools board last week held a first reading on a revised and toughened cellphone policy for students set to take effect during the 2024-2025 school year. The board will be scheduled to vote whether to adopt the new policy during its April meeting. Superintendent Dennis Roch said the policy revisions came after two work sessions. “The board still welcomes stakeholder input as they consider revising this policy,” Roch wrote in an email to the Quay County Sun. A key part of the revised policy states: “Logan Municipal Schoo...
The Higher Learning Commission placed Mesalands Community College on probation as expected, but the college’s president again expressed optimism its finances would be above water by the end of the fiscal year in late June. The HLC awards accreditation to educational institutions in nearly 20 states. Mesalands interim president Allen Moss said HLC signaled months ago the college would be placed on probation. That designation was made official by certified mail on March 5, with the HLC board stating the college was “out of compliance” for its a...
These individuals were booked into the Quay County Detention Center from March 11 to March 15: — Reina Alicia Lovato, 23, Rio Rancho, contempt of court. — Lee J. Sisneros Jr., 62, Tucumcari, contempt of court. — Jason Ruben Rojo, 40, Tucumcari, violation of restraining order prohibiting domestic violence, battery against a household member and criminal damage to property of a household member (over $1,000). — Jazmin Ortiz, 20, Tucumcari, encouraging violation of probation, parole or bail. — Josiah J. Martinez, 18, no address listed, contempt...
These calls were made to the Tucumcari-Quay Regional Emergency Communications Center from March 11 to March 17: March 11 — 1:19 a.m.: Disturbance in 500 block of South Fourth Street, Tucumcari. — 2:10 a.m.: Disturbance in 400 block of South Dawson Street, Tucumcari. — 4:58 a.m.: Disturbance in 400 block of South Third Street, Tucumcari. — 7:35 a.m.: Disturbance in 400 block of East Tucumcari Boulevard, Tucumcari. — 8:08 a.m.: Animal bite at South Rock Island Street and East Rankin Avenue, Tucumcari. — 7:40 a.m.: Arrest warrant in 200 block of W...
The New Mexico Public Education Department on Thursday imposed a minimum of 180 instructional days for public schools in the 2024-2025 school year despite widespread opposition — including from all four superintendents of Quay County’s schools. The new rule, which takes effect July 1, means many rural schools will have to set a five-day school week instead of the usual four. The PED would allow exemptions, but only if they show substantial growth in reading proficiency during the current school year. Public Education Secretary Arsenio Rom...
The suspect in the killing of a New Mexico State Police officer west of Tucumcari was captured Sunday morning in Albuquerque after a foot pursuit and shootout. Jaremy Smith of South Carolina was taken into custody in Albuquerque after being shot at least once by pursuing officers. He was taken to a hospital for treatment, according to a Bernalillo County sheriff's officer during a news briefing shortly before noon. A store clerk at an Albuquerque gas station spotted Smith and called police,...
A New Mexico State Police officer with area ties was shot and killed west of Tucumcari on Interstate 40 on Friday morning, and the attacker remains at large. A statement from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham hours later expressing condolences confirmed the fallen officer was Justin Hare, who lived in Logan. Hare also grew up in Moriarty. “I’m heartbroken by the devastating news that State Police Officer Justin Hare was killed in the line of duty while responding to a call near Tucumcari this mor...
A Tucumcari woman remains in the county jail after being accused of fatally shooting a local man in the back of the head at Five Mile Park. Ashley Danielle Hall, 22, is charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. The murder charge is a capital felony that requires a sentence of life in prison if she is convicted. Hall is accused of shooting Ernest Arguello, 32, also of Tucumcari, during an argument on March 11 at the park on the city’s west side. According to the criminal complaint and affidavit filed by New Mexico State P...
A line-item veto on $10 million in state funding for a new Trigg Memorial Hospital in Tucumcari actually expands on the ways the county can use the money. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday made line-item vetos in multiple sections of an appropriations bill approved by the New Mexico Legislature during its recently completed 30-day session. In the bill, a $10 million Health Department allocation “for the construction of a hospital in Tucumcari-Quay County,” the words “the construction of” were stricken by the governor. In a veto stateme...
The Tucumcari Lodgers Tax Advisory Board recommended approval of a $7,840 request from Mesalands Community College to host a concert by country artist Joe Peters at the nearby convention center on March 20. The city commission can accept, reject or amend the board's recommendation, though it typically approves such requests. The concert, which begins at 7 p.m., is part of a celebration by Houston-based Impact Wind setting up an office and wind turbine certification courses on the Mesalands...
About a dozen employees of Tucumcari Public Schools weighed in on what they want from their next superintendent during a special board meeting. Many ideas were voiced during the March 4 session, but a consensus emerged of wanting someone who is invested long-term in the community and not someone who views Tucumcari as “a stepping stone” to another school-administration job. The board ultimately will pick a replacement for superintendent Aaron McKinney, who retired in January after 18 years at the helm. Interim superintendent Dave Johnson said a...
A Tucumcari police officer arrested for domestic violence-related counts in January saw his charges dismissed last week on the request of the prosecutor. Quentin Ray, the 9th Judicial District Attorney in Clovis-Portales who was assigned to prosecute the case, filed a notice of dismissal on Friday regarding charges against Matthew Lopez. Ray stated the case was dismissed for cause “in the best interest of justice.” The charges against Lopez were dismissed without prejudice, which means they cannot be refiled. Ray stated in an email Monday he...
The City of Tucumcari and Tucumcari MainStreet will host a community meeting at 5:30 p.m. March 18 at City Hall chambers so residents can provide input on a wayfinding signage plan. The plan aims to guide residents and tourists to key destinations, including government buildings, educational and healthcare facilities, museums, parks, trails, sports facilities and other points of interest. The plan will create cohesive design standards for wayfinding while celebrating the city’s history and identity. The project team will conduct a study on exis...
Cannabis sales in New Mexico officially topped the $1 billion mark last week, less than two years after the state legalized the substance. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the sales mark on March 5, less than a month before the second anniversary of legal cannabis sales in the state. Tucumcari has recorded more than $9.2 million in adult-use and medical cannabis sales from more than 157,000 transactions since legalization began in April 2022. Twelve registered dispensaries have opened in the city. In the past year, Tucumcari has averaged...
On this date ... 1974: New World Inns, which leases and manages the Pow Wow Inn in Tucumcari, filed for bankruptcy in Minneapolis. A creditors meeting was set for March 18 in front of a federal bankruptcy judge where creditors would prove their claims and nominate a provisional trustee. New World Inns stated it would continue to operate its business and keep its personnel in the meantime. — Former Nara Visa resident John A. Wilson was promoted to president and chief operating officer of the Tandy Corporation, based in Fort Worth, Texas. W...
Tucumcari schools Wednesday — Breakfast: Blueberry muffin, string cheese, 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: Whole-grain doughnut ring, Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, cinnamon graham cracker, mandarin oranges, orange juice, 1%, skim or strawberry skim milk; Lun...
• Saturday — March for More fair. The Quay County Health Council is hosting a free family resource fair from noon to 3 p.m. at the Quay County Fairgrounds barn. The fair will provide information to help families find services and prevention information on substance misuse. The event plans door prizes every 15 minutes, a food truck and fun activities for children and youth. It includes a Show and Shine car show by the Rollerz Only car club. • March 23 — Second annual Chess Tournament. Preliminary rounds will be in the east room of the Tucumca...
Tucumcari recently hosted a New Mexico State Parks meeting to discuss the possibility of implementing new fees for all state parks. The meeting was held on March 6 at Mesalands Community College’s wind energy center. The new fees, announced earlier this month, are being suggested due to inflation, lack of upgrades and low employment rates. Between 10 and 15 people attended. CJ Wiegel, a member of the State Parks Advisory Board, said he understands the necessity of increasing fees. “(I didn’t realize) the need to increase our fees (and the n...
The Village of Logan learned last week it received a $15,000 outdoor marketing grant from the New Mexico Economic Development Department. Village Administrator Rodney Paris said the no-match grant will be used to print pamphlets, update websites and place print advertisements to publicize the village and Ute Lake. “A lot of people in New Mexico don’t realize that Logan and Ute Lake are there,” he said. “We want people to know we’re here.” The village’s grant was among 41 awarded statewide, totaling more than $873,000, plus $1.18 million in ma...
SAN JON - The San Jon Municipal School board approved a new logo that will be used by the school's sports teams and merchandise. The board also voted Wednesday to continue to keep the boys and girls sports teams on junior-varsity schedules for the next two years. Business manager Stormi Sena, speaking on behalf of absent athletic director Bobby Kandel, said a logo committee met with a designer a few weeks ago regarding the design that took elements from drafts by two San Jon students. Sena said...
