Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
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All Quay County schools received passing grades Monday under the guidelines of the state's new school grading system. The results, announced by Gov. Susana Martinez, show more than 65 percent of the state's schools either maintained or improved their marks from grades that were first released in January. Tucumcari High School dropped from an A to C, while the elementary school improved to a C and the middle school to a B, both of which had previously received a D. "One of the issues we had was our reading scores were low across the board,"...
The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission unanimously approved on Tuesday Xcel Energy's plans to build a new power generating facility in Tucumcari. Courtesy photo A design drawing of the for Xcel Energy's the recently approved power station at Tucumcari. The facility will be called the Quay County Generating Station and will be comprised of a single simple-cycle combustion turbine powered by diesel fuel, said Wes Reeves, Xcel spokesman. Reeves said the station's primary purpose will be to provide 22 megawatts of standby electricity for the...
A tax forcing residents and small businesses to purchase health insurance, could lead to gaps in coverage and a decline in insurance providers, according to a local legislator. "This law is a solution to a problem, which is not as wide spread as they have lead us to believe," said State Rep. Dennis Roch. On June 28, U.S. Supreme Court upheld he Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, which supporters say will make quality, health care affordable to Americans. Supporters of the health care law say the there are...
The absence of a ban of aerial fireworks will not deter the 10th Judicial District Attorney's office from prosecuting a case if negligent conduct is a factor. QCS photo: Thomas Garcia A concern was raised by residence and the District Attorney's office over the use of aerial fireworks during the dry season. The level of criminal conduct rises if their property damage, personal injury or the setting of fires as a result of negligent or reckless use of fireworks, said Tim Rose, chief deputy district attorney. Rose said the district attorney's...
A new investment group has expressed interest in building a race track and casino in Raton should La Mesa fail in its appeal to save their gaming and racing license. La Mesa was awarded the state's final gaming and racing licenses in June 2009. Those licenses were nullified by the New Mexico Gaming Control Board the following year. Canadian developer Michael Moldenhauer filed two appeals at the New Mexico Court of Appeals, contesting the voiding of their licenses. On June 12, the court voted to uphold nullification of the gaming license by the...
Money generated from the sale of surplus city vehicles and equipment is being used to repair the street lighting in Tucumcari, according to city officials. It's an effort to light streets and make the community safer and more appealing to travelers on Interstate 40 at night, said Doug Powers, city manager. Powers said city commissioners approved the sale of excess vehicles and equipment and the money raised from those sales has been used to fund light repair on two major streets in Tucumcari. Powers said the city has been working with Xcel...
A declining water elevation and shoreline damage prompted the closure of the south boat ramp at Conchas Lake State Park, according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials. "Heading into the holiday weekend we wanted to update the concerned citizens about the south boat ramp being closed," said Karl Martin, Albuquerque District Chief, Lake Operations Branch. Martin said the ramp was primarily closed in the interest of safety. He said the extended drought in eastern New Mexico has had profound impacts on the lake elevation at Conchas. Martin...
The New Mexico Racing Commission's legal council is trying to knock out a final appeal from a group trying to put a race track and casino in Raton, with the aims to make those licenses available again as soon as possible. La Mesa was awarded the state's final gaming and racing licenses in June 2009, but those licenses were nullified by the New Mexico Gaming Control Board the following year. The nullification of the gaming license was upheld June 12 by the New Mexico Court of Appeals, but the nullification of the racing license is still in the c...
City fire officials urge safety and common sense when using fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday during this dry and hot climate. "There are no restrictions on fireworks inside the city, that being said we are stressing residents to be careful when setting off fireworks," said Tucumcari Fire Chief Mike Cherry. QCS photo: Thomas Garcia Fire Planet Fireworks manager Roxanne Howard shows two of the larger arial fireworks available at the store located at the old Hamilton Cross Country Ford lot. Arial have not been restricted inside...
More than 300 children have read more than 541 hours totaling 1, 914 books as a part of the Summer reading program at Tucumcari Public Library. QCS photo: Thomas Garcia Cisco Martinez colors his cloth dog Fido Tuesday as a part of the Tucumcari Public Library's Summer Reading Program. Martinez said he and his sister Kaylee are reading up to 10 books a week. The purpose is to encourage and excite children about reading, said Dianetta Kroeker, library director. Kroeker said the children have been doing outstanding after the first six weeks of...
With temperatures forecasted to top the century mark going into next week there is a danger of heat exhaustion for Quay County residents. QCS photo: Thomas Garcia Diego Sanchez drinks water to cool off Tuesday at the city of Tucumcari softball fields. Even with the sun setting temperatures out side were still in the high 90's. There will be near record-breaking temperatures set in the Quay County area, said Clay Anderson, meteorologist National Weather Service Albuquerque. Anderson said the recent heat can be linked to an upper high system in...
Poets and singers honoring the cowboy tradition and heritage helped to raise money for a local museum. "It's about the camaraderie," said Bill Crenshaw, poet. "People of a kindred spirit coming together to help a cause." QCS photo: Thomas Garcia Bill Crenshaw shares a cowboy theme story with the residents who attended the Cowboy Poetry Jamboree at the Tucumcari Historical Museum Saturday. Crenshaw was one of the performers at the Cowboy Poetry Jamboree held on Saturday to benefit the Tucumcari Historical Museum's Research Institute. "The...
A local agency is lending a hand in removal of graffiti from buildings in Tucumcari. "We want the kids to have a sense of pride and have a part in creating and maintaining that pride," said Robert Poe, Team Builders behavioral management specialist. Poe said during the summer, he and other staff along with the kids in their program will be conducting a graffiti clean up of local businesses. "It's giving the kids a chance to give back to their community," Poe said. On Wednesday, the kids painted the back of the ALCO retail store marked with...
Local youth attended a presentation for Flag Day Thursday at the Tucumcari Public Library hosted by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Gwen Gray read aloud "F is for the Flag" written by Wendy Cheyette Lewison, during a Flag Day celebration Thursday at the Tucumcari Public Library. As a part of the local Flag Day celebrations, the local DAR chapter entertained and educated the children enrolled in the library's summer reading program. "We want children from a young age to recognize that the American Flag is a symbol for our country and...
The State Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld a decision from the New Mexico Gaming Control Board to invalidate a gaming license for a planned race track and casino in Raton — news that gives more life to the possibility of Tucumcari gaining such a facility instead. The board decided in 2010 to nullify licenses for La Mesa, which was awarded the state's final gaming and racing licenses in June 2009. Tucumcari also lobbied for those licenses. The nullifiation was based on La Mesa's failure to open the casino by May 2010 or show it had adequate f...
More than 50 classic cars and 100 bikers rumbled down Tucumcari's stretch of Route 66 during a pair of weekend events. Classic cars drive along Route 66 Thursday as a part of the Cruise 66 event for the Wheels on 66 event. Gatherings for Wheels on 66 and the Mother Road Rally were held in conjunction at the Tucumcari Convention Center. "It was a good turnout and we definitley got some good groundwork for next year's event," said Kevin Mueller, Wheels on 66 coordinator. The weekend's festivities were kicked off with the registration of the New...
A Tucumcari family celebrated the purchase of their first home Tuesday, in large part due to the United States Department of Agriculture's rural home loan program. This program creates opportunities for families like the Martinez's to become home owners and be a part of the American dream, said Tammye Trevino, USDA Housing Administrator. Danny Trevino, a USDA housing administrator based out of Washington D.C., was in Tucumcari to congratulate Francisco and Keren Martinez. She called the program a great way for families to become part of the...
Forecasted rainfall for the Quay County area may hold off fears of the threat associated with a recent statewide fire restrictions, but caution is still advised, according to local fire officials. On Tuesday morning, Energy, Mineral and Natural Resources Department Secretary John Bemis and State Forester Tony Delfin placed restrictions on fireworks, smoking, campfires and open fires to non-municipal, non-federal and non-tribal land in the state. "Recent high temperatures and low humidity levels have dried our forest and wildland vegetation sign...
Area teens participating in a state youth program will work to improve the landscape of the Tucumcari Train Depot. Seven Tucumcari teens will be participating in the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps, said Community Development Director Yvette Fazekas. Fazekas said each year the teens work on a project aimed at improving community facilities. The work these youth have completed in the past can be seen all over the community, said City Manager Doug Powers. Powers said the gazeboes next to the Chamber of Commerce and Northside Park and...
Tucumcari's city pool is well in to its summer operation hours with staff offering water acclimation sessions. QCS photo: Thomas Garcia Bailee Gries enjoys the slide at the city pool Tuesday afternoon. It's all about getting the kids familiar with the water and the pool's surroundings, said Kim Garcia, pool manager. Garcia said the sessions do not teach the child the swim, as it's more of an adjustment class to get them used to being around the water. She said the classes are held outside normal business hours so all seven of the life guards...
No arrest have been made in the arson investigation of the May 21 fire at the Tucumcari Animal Hospital, which claimed the lives of over 50 animals, said State Police Lt. Lance Bateman. Bateman said state police investigators are still following up on tips and awaiting lab results taken from the scene. He said state police are working in conjunction with the Tucumcari Police Department to resolve this case. Tucumcari Police Chief Jason Braziel said the department and state police are working to determine if the animal hospital fire has a...
Plateau's new fiber optics data service will optimize data services for city, county and medical offices in Tucumcari. "There is a considerable difference in speed," said County Manager Richard Primrose. Plateau Chief Executive Officer Tom Phelps said fiber optics is geared towards those who need a large bandwidth, including hospitals and government offices. Phelps said Plateau offers residents wireless Internet, and said at this time the fiber optics service is not geared towards residential customers. "Eventually we'll offer the service to...
A fire on May 28 damaged and has temporarily closed the Tucumcari Animal Hospital, forcing residents to travel out of town for their animals care. QCS PHOTO: Thomas Garcia Styx has a cone placed around his neck to prevent him from biting at the stitches on his stomach. Two days after the fire Tami Simpson's dog, Styx, was attacked by a German Shepherd and his abdomen was punctured by the Shepherd's bite. "I was frantic; I had called to locate a vet who would come out that night and had no luck," Simpson said. Simpson said this would have never...
City of Tucumcari will use $1.5 million from the New Mexico Finance Authority to improve its water infrastructure. City Manager Doug Powers said the money ($1,594,790) will be used for two water projects, radio read water meters and a new 500,000-gallon water tank. The radio meters are guaranteed accurate for 20 years, said Water Department Superintendent Charlie Sandoval. Sandoval said the system will free up one of his staff who would normally read meters 12 to 15 days a month. "It's a great system that will allow us to be more efficient,"...
An increased turnout of voters in the Tuesday primary election resulted in a pair of close races and one landslide victory. QCS photo: Thomas Garcia County Clerk Ellen White, right, reads off election result numbers from Precinct 2 (Forrest), as Franklin McCasland writes the results for the residents keeping tally during Tuesday's primary election. "It was a wonderful turnout," said Sue Dowell, District 1 County Commission seat winner. Dowell defeated incumbent Robert Lopez by 13 votes, and felt having a close race showed community involvement...