Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
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Former Quay County manager Richard Primrose attended his first meeting Thursday as a member of the Mesalands Community College board of trustees, then he promptly was elected chair of that body. Early in the meeting, acting chair Teresa Stephenson said the board's policies required a new election of a chair. The previous chair, Jim Streetman, resigned in March after more than 30 years on the board. Board member Tom Sidwell nominated Stephenson as chair, and Phillip Box seconded it. Board member...
The number of findings in a fiscal-year 2021 audit for financially troubled Mesalands Community College more than tripled compared to the previous year, and the findings were more serious. The report, released by the New Mexico Office of the State Auditor last week after its submission in early April, contained 17 total findings, including nine material weaknesses (the most serious type), seven significant deficiencies, one material noncompliance finding and three repeated or modified findings. The audit covers the fiscal year that ended June...
The second annual Tucumcari Film Festival likely will have a repeat competitor when the event returns next April. That would be Brandon Martinez, a student who just completed his third year in cinematic arts and technology at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. He won the Best New Mexico Student Works honor for his short film, "Foresight." Martinez explained during the awards ceremony Saturday night at the Tucumcari Railroad Museum it was the first honor he'd earned for one of...
A former Tucumcari resident is reactivating the city's American Legion post after more than a quarter-century hiatus and will house it in the long-closed Hardee's building. John Pacheco, a Tucumcari High graduate who now lives near Houston as a general contractor, said American Legion Post 20 in Tucumcari was reactivated in mid-April after it went dormant in 1996. He said it was one of New Mexico's oldest American Legion posts. Pacheco plans renovate the Hardee's building, which has been closed...
• Saturday — Cinco de Mayo Celebration. This age 21+ event from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Tucumcari Convention Center will feature the musical acts Cuarenta y Cinco, El Trio CPR and Al Hurricane Jr. Tickets, which are available at the Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce and Tucumcari Convention Center, are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m. • Saturday — Annual rabies clinic. Rabies and parvo / distemper combination vaccinations will be held at several towns in Quay County. Tucumcari: 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. at...
Tucumcari schools Wednesday — Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with ham, whole-wheat toast, mini-bagels with strawberry cream cheese, banana, apple juice, skim, 1% or strawberry milk; Lunch: Cobb salad, barbecued chicken thighs, potato smiles, breadstick, baked beans, chilled peaches, skim, chocolate skim, 1% or strawberry milk. Thursday — Breakfast: Sausage breakfast pizza, assorted cereal, graham crackers, apple juice, orange juice, skim, 1% or strawberry milk; Lunch: Turkey and cheese sandwich, cheeseburger, french fries, baked beans, romaine let...
On this date ... 1973: Seven Tucumcari High School Lady Rattlers qualified for the first-ever girls state track meet this coming weekend after the team finished second to Amistad at the district meet. Qualifying were Cece Lopez in the 50- and 80-yard low hurdles, Linda Lujan in the high jump and 880-yard run, Jeanie Harrelson in the high jump, Celina Sena in the shot put, Helen Genitski in the mile run, Kathy Borquez in the discus throw and Jackie Cothern in the 50-yard dash. Traveling with the girls will be the coach, Mrs. Franco. — State poli...
File this one under “Nothing new under the sun.” An ancient idea has resurfaced in the current cultural phenomenon of transgenderism. I’m not seeking to insult individual people, dealing with serious issues, who have been made in the image of God and thus deserve to be treated as neighbors. As Christ taught, let’s love them like ourselves. I’m looking at the ideology that is argued for on college campuses and social media, like TikTok. This is the argument that everyone should accept transgenderism as good, normal, and worthy of great sup...
This has been a tough year for losses. In February, my husband Wayne lost his brother, George, to Alzheimer’s. Then, a day before the fifth anniversary of my dad’s passing, Wayne’s dad, George Jeston Head, died, leaving us mired in a pit of grief. There are so many similarities between our two fathers. Both had very distinct visions of right and wrong. Both served their countries proudly, without question. Both were spiritual men of honor and integrity, who loved their families without hesitation. Often, Wayne would look at his father, and s...
One of two suspects charged in a fatal dog attack waived her right to a preliminary hearing last week, resulting in the magistrate judge binding her over for trial. Mary Olimpia Montoya, 51, of Tucumcari, waived her right for a preliminary hearing last Tuesday, one day before it was scheduled. She is being represented by public defender Anna Aragon of Las Vegas. After the waiver, Magistrate Judge Noreen Hendrickson found probable cause for Montoya’s charges and transferred the case to district court, according to online court documents. No t...
You can tell how seriously someone takes property rights by whether they support “code enforcement.” “Code enforcement” is a euphemism for government violating residents’ property rights. It’s an inexcusable justification for government to steal property or to violate other rights. Government has no rights and can never be a victim, so government isn’t owed anything for a violation. A “fine” is nothing but legalized theft used to punish. Yes, it’s a common practice but “common” can’t make it right. This sort of behavior has no place in...
A spate of recent shootings serve as a depressing reminder that accidentally ringing the wrong doorbell, driving to an incorrect residence, or mistakenly getting into the incorrect vehicle can be deadly. In Kansas City, 16-year-old honors student Ralph Yarl mistakenly arrived at the wrong home while looking for his younger siblings. There he was shot and severely wounded by 84-year-old Andrew Lester, a chain of events that shocked residents and sent citizens and the country on edge. Lester stated he was intimidated by the young teen’s size and...
Joe Biden lies. He stumbles. He has the beginnings of dementia. Everything Fox News says about his incompetence and his horrible domestic and foreign policies is absolutely true. Everyone knows America will be more prosperous and safe when he is no longer in the White House. But Joe Biden isn’t leaving. He’s decided he can run for re-election in 2024 for one simple reason – the Republican Party nomination is in the pocket of Donald Trump. I’m not a Never Trumper. I voted for him twice and I think he did a good job as president. But like ev...
The Tucumcari City Commission on Thursday approved an agreement with the nonprofit Ogallala Commons organization to hire two interns last this year at no cost to the city. City manager Paula Chacon recommended two Level 1 interns for 100 hours at $11 an hour to provide young people with education and leadership opportunities. The cost of the stipend would be covered by the nonprofit. During a work session, Chacon said one of the interns might help the animal control officer or work in the water, finance or sewer departments. Mayor Ralph Moya...
A Tucumcari-based food company recently received funding from the Job Training Incentive Program with the New Mexico Economic Development Department. Tajin International, dba Paulita's Ne Mexico, received a total award of $40,864.40 for three trainees at an average wage of $18.34 an hour. Paulita's provides custom dehydrated New Mexico green chile to customers worldwide. Tajin is the world's largest consumer of chile and manufactures chile products in Mexico. Paulita's is the vehicle Tajin has c...
These calls were made to the Tucumcari-Quay Regional Emergency Communications Center from April 24 to April 30: Monday — 1:07 p.m.: Reckless driving at South Camino del Coronado and West Tucumcari Boulevard, Tucumcari. — 2:33 p.m.: Disturbance in 300 block of East Miel de Luna Avenue, Tucumcari. — 3:21 p.m.: Breaking and entering in 600 block of South College Street, Tucumcari. — 3:35 p.m.: Domestic disturbance in 600 block of East Aber Street, Tucumcari. — 4:04 p.m.: Reckless driving in 900 block of South 14th Street, Tucumcari. — 7:01 p.m.:...
These individuals were booked into the Quay County Detention Center from April 26 to May 1: — Juanita Rodriguez, 19, Tucumcari, receiving stolen property (over $100). — Brandon Santiago Romero, 25, Clovis, charge not listed. — Dennis Hendren, 18, Tucumcari, contempt of court and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer (arrest). — Sylvia DeLuca, 40, Tucumcari, contempt of court. — Donny Lee Maldonado, 33, San Antonio, Texas, contempt of court. — Rodney Hodges, 47, Tucumcari, contempt of court. — Tye Tillmon, 37, no address listed, conte...
Tucumcari's softball team finally notched its first district win of the season Wednesday largely because its pitcher's bat. Senior Juli Rivera hit a two-run homer over the left-field fence, helping fuel a nine-run rally in the fifth inning during a 21-20 victory over East Mountain. The home run was the first over-the-fence dinger for the Lady Rattlers this season, though they've hit several inside-the-park homers. Rivera, who also earned a complete-game pitching victory, also hit two doubles...
The Logan boys track team’s depth guided it to a relatively easy district championship during the District 6-1A meet Saturday at Melrose. The Longhorns repeatedly saw two or three players finish in the top five at events, piling up team points. Logan also swept all five relay events and broke school records in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200. The Longhorns finished with 184 points, well past runner-up Fort Sumner’s 108. Because the top two finishers in each event automatically qualified for the state meet, that also meant a busload of 17 Logan boy...
Logan’s playoff-bound baseball team ran the table of its district schedule with a doubleheader sweep Friday at Melrose. The Longhorns (18-0) on Sunday gained the No. 1 seed in the Class 1A tournament and received a bye for Wednesday’s quarterfinals. Logan will play the winner of Mesilla Valley Christian (10-4) vs. Gateway Christian (11-7) in the semifinals May 12 at the Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex in west Albuquerque. The finals will be May 13 at the same site. Logan is going for its third straight state championship. The...
The Tucumcari girls track team nabbed a district title by the thinnest of margins at the Class 3A-4 district meet Friday at Dexter and took home seven individual district championships, including two each by Caylee Benavidez and Kyla Lopez. The THS boys team finished fourth at the meet but took home four district titles, including two by long-distance runner Fernando Ureste. The top two finishers at the district meet, plus those who met state-qualifying criteria, will compete at the state meet in Albuquerque on Friday and Saturday. The Lady...
The Tucumcari baseball team closed its regular season with a 13-3 district loss Saturday against visiting East Mountain. The Rattlers trailed just 2-1 lead after three innings, but the Timberwolves scored four in the fourth, three in the fifth and four in the sixth to win by the 10-run mercy rule. Tucumcari finished its season with a 5-18 mark overall and 1-14 in district play. The Rattlers did not qualify for the playoffs. The Rattlers continued to improve, quintupling their overall victories from last season and snapping a 47-game losing...
Despite Marilyn Moreno’s heroics, the Logan softball team dropped a doubleheader Friday against visiting Clayton, keeping the Lady Longhorns winless in district play. The Yellowjackets prevailed by scores of 18-11 in the first game and 22-19 in the second game. Logan fell to 7-14 overall and 0-8 in district play. In the first game, Moreno went 3-for-3 with a double, five stolen bases and four RBI. In the nightcap, Moreno went 4-for-5 with two doubles, seven stolen bases, four runs scored and two RBI. Fellow Lady Longhorn Savannah Smith went 2...