Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
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TUCUMCARI - Carmen Gonzales wasn't sure what to think at first. "I was inside and my daughters came in, slammed the door and screamed, 'There is a bear outside,'" she said. She thought the girls might be playing with her, but they weren't. There was a bear in a neighborhood tree. About 50 people soon were gathered in the area of South Seventh Street and West McGee Avenue, and the bear settled in for what became a two-hour standoff with city, county and state law officers. In the end the brown be...
More than 5,000 took part in the fifth and final Rockabilly on the Route in a successful yet bitter-sweet farewell to Tucumcari. For five years, the Tucumcari Convention Center and other various locations across town come to life for one weekend in June during the four-day music festival celebrating Route 66 and classic Americana. This year's event featured the music of 27 bands from across the country and world, including the Stratoliners of Fort Worth, Texas. The band has only been together...
TUCUMCARI - Carmen Gonzales wasn't sure what to think at first. "I was inside and my daughters came in, slammed the door and screamed, 'There is a bear outside,'" she said. She thought the girls might be playing with her, but they weren't. There was a bear in a neighborhood tree. About 50 people soon were gathered in the area of South Seventh Street and West McGee Avenue, and the bear settled in for what became a two-hour standoff with city, county and state law officers. In the end the brown be...
LOGAN - Like a rough stock rider, sometimes you're going to go on some unexpected rides, but those rides will give you the experience to get better and succeed, according to 2017 Logan High School Salutatorian Kaylee Bruhn. Bruhn used her experience as a rodeo competitor as part of her speech Saturday during the commencement ceremony at Logan High School. Bruhn said the teachers and staff of Logan schools have given the seniors a strong foundation to succeed. She said even with all of the...
A week of anticipation culminated into the tossing of caps by more than 50 graduates Friday night at the Snake Pit. "I am ready to be done with it," said Tucumcari High School senior Zach Martinez as he waited for the start of the commencement ceremony. As family, friends and guests filled the bleachers at the Snake Pit, the soon-to-be graduates were nervously waiting in the hallway to make their grand entrance. "I am nervous being one of the first ones to march out," said Santiago Alires....
Following an executive session, Quay County commissioners voted 2-1 on Monday to hire a consulting firm and to draft a letter to the U.S. Department of Energy opposing the borehole project. Commission Chair Franklin McCasland and District 1 Commissioner Sue Dowell authorized the hiring of EA Engineering, Science and Technology Inc. of Albuquerque as the county’s National Environmental Policy Act consulting firm. County Manager Richard Primrose and County Attorney Warren Front were appointed to work with the firm to ensure the county’s int...
This weekend's commencement ceremonies at area high schools will mark the end and beginning of chapters in the lives of local seniors. But for Joseph Benavidez, it will be the final milestone in what has been a tumultuous senior year. Benavidez, a senior at San Jon High School, said he started his final year with goals, expectations and desires. "It was the last chance I would have as a Coyote to win a state football championship," Benavidez said, adding that a state football championship was...
By Thomas Garcia QCS Senior Writer [email protected] Six graduates started the next chapter of their lives Sunday at House High School. The commencement ceremony served dual purposes honoring the three graduates of House High School and the three graduates of The Learning Center. House Superintendent Lecil Richards welcomed the families to the celebration of the graduates' accomplishments. "Welcome, we are glad you are here to help celebrate the hard work these six graduates have done to...
Reconnecting with locals, meeting new people and being part of the Old West makes Tucumcari feel like home, according to Shirley Brinegar. Brinegar, the widow of Paul Brinegar, was one of the returning family members of characters from the TV series 'Rawhide,' that was celebrated last weekend in Tucumcari. The second annual Rawhide Days festival was held Thursday-Saturday, drawing in more than 2,500 people throughout the weekend, said Karen Alarcon, event coordinator. Alarcon said this year,...
Quay County high school track and field teams brought home two-team state championships, a state team runner up, a third place team and several individual state champions. The Tucumcari Rattler boys track and field team won the 3A state team championship on Saturday at the 1A-3A state track and field championships at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. "I am extremely proud of how boys and girls teams performed this season," said Wayne Ferguson, Tucumcari head track coach. Ferguson...
Another round of severe weather will move into Eastern New Mexico later today with the potential for damaging winds, hail up to 2 inches and the possibility of an isolated tornado, according to the National Weather Service in Albuquerque. Chuck Jones, NWS meteorologist, said there are severe weather warnings in effect for Central New Mexico; this storm system is forecast to continue to develop east into the Quay County area. He said today's severe weather could produce isolated tornadoes like...
Mesalands Community College graduates should not just shoot for the stars but shoot for a better career, a better future and better version of themselves, according to student speaker Sadie McAllister. McAllister addressed her fellow graduates during the commencement ceremony Friday at the Tucumcari High School auditorium. Mesalands had 87 graduates that received their high school equivalency diploma, occupational certificates, applied science certificates, liberal arts certificates, associate o...
A strong reception by local residents and attendance by visitors from across the nation has prompted the Tucumcari Columbus Club to plan a second New Mexico Music Showcase. “This is an event that can draw the following of the bands to Tucumcari,” said Jerry Lopez, event coordinator, adding that despite the inclement weather forcing them to cancel the car show and vendors not attending, the show was a success. He said even with the snow fall, one area resident, Joe Dominguez, brought out his 1955 Impala and was awarded the trophy for best ori...
TUCUMCARI — Chuck wagon teams and enthusiasts braved the harsh elements of a spring snow storm to take part in the 17th annual chuck wagon cook-off at Ute Lake State Park in Logan. "Cowboys of the plains cooked in good and bad weather; this is authentic chuck wagon conditions," said Dean Decker of the Mountain Trails chuck wagon in Rye, Colorado. Saturday's weather conditions were less than ideal for a chuck wagon cook-off. People huddled near the chuck wagons for warmth from the fires as the ch...
There is still time to hit the trail to enjoy live music, a longhorns cattle drive, gunfights and much more this weekend at the second annual Tucumcari Rawhide Days. The three-day event celebrates the spirit of the Old West and the local connection to the filming of the classic western TV series "Rawhide." Last year's event drew more than 2,000 people to Tucumcari, including Shirley Brinegar, widow of Paul Brinegar; Kimber Eastwood, daughter of Clint Eastwood and Chrystie Wooley, daughter of...
Elementary students from area schools learned about Earth Day through a series of hands-on exhibits Thursday at the Tucumcari Elementary Outdoor Classroom. "This event teaches the children about more than the Earth," said Relissa Nials, a natural resources district conservationist with the USDA. Nials said each year, the Earth Day event brings in students from surrounding schools to learn about different areas of study, projects and industry that use the Earth. She said these fields include...
More than 250 area residents enjoyed dinner and the musings of Cowboy comedians Chad Prather and Cooper Wade during the Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet. "It was a huge success," said Aaron Kennedy, chamber vice president, adding that this year's fundraiser attracted more than the previous year. He said while the total raised from the ticket sales and silent auction is still not known, he feels it will be close to the $5,000 raised last year. The event was held...
The state’s budget, cuts to funding and recent and future legislation were the topics of discussion Wednesday at a New Mexico Association of Counties meeting. NMAC board members, area county officials and state senators came together Thursday at Mesalands Community College for NMAC’s District 4 legislative meeting at the North American Wind Research and Training Center. District 4 consists of Curry, DeBaca, Guadalupe, Quay, Roosevelt and Torrance County. “Legislators need to go back to Santa Fe, work on a budget that does not cut out fundi...
The countywide burn ban was lifted Monday with Quay County commissioners advising residents to use caution on red flag windy days and notify dispatch of plans to conduct a controlled burn. “We want people to be able to burn, to prepare for crops and clear debris, but please be cautious,” said Franklin McCasland, commission chair. Water has been released in the Arch Hurley Conservancy District, yet the winds continue to blow drying up moisture, with future forecasts of wind throughout the extended forecast, said Donald Adams, Quay County fir...
The Tucumcari Rattlers have a short week to get over two weekend losses to the Wolverines before facing them again Friday at Texico. The Rattlers, 6-8, 0-3, fell in double header action to the Wolverines, 17-1, 6-0, who are currently first in the District 5-3A standings. "We had to make some adjustments in the roster due to losing two players," said Dwayne Roberts, Rattlers head coach. Roberts said the shifts to fill the gaps placed a few players in positions they don't have a lot of experience...
A class action lawsuit has been filed by a Logan School teacher against the New Mexico Public Education Department regarding the law that punishes teachers for using sick and personal leave. Hanna Skandera, New Mexico secretary of education, confirmed Monday that her department has received the suit and is reviewing it but offered no further comment. The class action suit was filed on March 30 in the First District Court in Santa Fe on behalf of Angela Medrow and all teachers in the state, said Logan attorney Warren Frost, who is representing M...
The recent passing of “Bobby’s Law” will help to protect the lives of tow truck operators like Bobby Unruh. Unruh, 37, of Tucumcari was killed on Feb. 19, at mile marker 318 on I-40 near Montoya while attempting to tow a commercial vehicle. Senate Bill 76 was signed into law on April 6 by Gov. Susana Martinez. “The governor signed it, because it will keep our families safer on our highways,” said Michael Lonergan with the governor’s office. “With this bill, it’s now crystal clear that motorists cannot drive in a lane adjacent to a vehicle on...
A Tucumcari man was arraigned Thursday in Quay County Magistrate court for the charges of murder and tampering with evidence a day after New Mexico State Police investigated a shooting at a residence north of Tucumcari. John T. Coston, 25, appeared before Magistrate Judge TJ O'Quinn represented by his attorney Michael Garrett of Clovis. He is charged with the first-degree murder of Joseph T. Burgess, 25, of Tucumcari. According to a New Mexico State Police press release, officers responded to a...
The only things stronger than the chili made by the Quay County volunteer fire department was the spirit of generosity by the community to help fire fighter Jess Weaks in his battle against cancer. More than 300 county residents attended the chili cook-off benefit held Saturday at the Quay County Fair Barn. The purpose of the benefit was to raise money for Weaks, who is currently battling throat cancer. "I really don't know what to say; I'm not even sure I deserve such an outpouring of support,"...
After more than a year and a half of investigation and review, 10th Judicial District Attorney Tim Rose announced his decision to decline prosecution in the shooting death of 17-year-old Patrick Gonzales. “I want to express my appreciation, sympathy and respect for Patrick’s family, knowing that this decision is contrary to their wishes and only adds to the great pain and suffering they continue to endure,” Rose said. Gonzales died on Oct. 1, 2015, during a shooting that injured another 15-year-old male on the 700 block of South Seventh Stree...