Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
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Quay County will remain in the turquoise zone for COVID-19 risk for the next few weeks, according to state officials during a health briefing last week. All New Mexico counties landed in the turquoise zone, thanks to a new public order Wednesday by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Health officials said during the briefing that because of the state’s progress with vaccinations and a “continued positive outlook” with new cases, “counties will remain turquoise, barring exceptional circumstances” — such as an unforeseen mass outbreak — while the red...
COVID-19 vaccinations in Quay County continued to slow to a trickle last week, prompting one health provider to consider giving away its leftover vaccines at one of the local truck stops before they expire. Mesalands Community College hosted an event Thursday with the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine and drew only six takers. Only five people participated in the Quay County Health Department's weekly vaccination event at the Tucumcari Convention Center. Despite the low number, the department...
There is no constitutional or statutory requirement to compensate businesses for financial losses and expenses from restrictions imposed by public health emergency orders during the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled Monday. In a unanimous opinion, the state’s high court concluded the public health orders “cannot support a claim for a regulatory taking requiring compensation” under the New Mexico Constitution. The court also held the Public Health Emergency Response Act does not provide for compensation for a loss of revenue...
SAN JON — San Jon Municipal Schools soon will receive more than $258,000 from the third round of federal coronavirus relief. Finding ways to spend in an allotted time is proving to be a challenge for the district’s superintendent. Superintendent Janet Gladu said during the board’s meeting Thursday the district soon will receive $172,278.89 in federal money, then another $86,139.44 later. It must be spent by Sept. 30, 2024. Gladu said 20% of those funds — or $43,069 — must be spent to alleviate learning loss suffered by students during th...
Next Monday is National Flag Day, which commemorates acceptance of the American flag’s design on that date in 1777. Although celebrated for decades, Flag Day wasn’t a holiday until 1916, and it didn’t become a national holiday until 1949. In a 1914 Flag Day address, Interior Secretary Franklin Lane quoted the flag’s “statement” to him that morning as, “I am what you make me; nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright beam of color, a symbol of yourself.” Although this isn’t an endorsement of either book, for my devotional in 202...
New Mexico is giving away $10 million in prize money as a way to entice more residents to register for the COVID-19 vaccine. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, the state’s Department of Health and the New Mexico Lottery on June 1 announced the Vax 2 the Max Sweepstakes. Health Secretary Tracie Collins said during a health briefing Wednesday that similar lotteries have proven effective in raising COVID-19 vaccination rates in other states. She said vaccination registrations rose 53% in all age groups in rural areas in Ohio after that state i...
It took about a year longer than expected because of the COVID-19 pandemic and needed renovations to his facility, but Pacheco Family Dentistry in Tucumcari opened to the public last week. Dr. Matthew Pacheco, a Tucumcari native and graduate of Eastern New Mexico University, said he and his staff fielded a flurry of phone calls at his 501 S. Second St. clinic since opening Wednesday. Pacheco Family Dentistry occupies the building used by Dr. Bernard Fitzner for nearly 50 years. Getting the...
Note: Events subject to change due to the COVID-19 pandemic. • June 18 — Fired Up Friday. An Open Mic Night will be held for poets and entertainers. Food trucks will operate from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. or until the food runs out. Tucumcari Historic Railroad Plaza at Second and Main streets. • July 16 — Fired Up Friday. The Quay County Health Council will host a chalk art contest. Food trucks will operated from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. or until the food runs out. Tucumcari Historic Railroad Plaza at Second and Main streets. • Aug. 5-7 — Rattler Reunion. Th...
The Tucumcari Senior Center and Logan Senior Center remain closed to the public indefinitely but will deliver meals to those who qualify. Those interested in meal deliveries should call the Tucumcari facility at 461-2307 or the Logan facility at 487-2287 for more information. Tucumcari Senior Center Wednesday — Chile rellano with cheese, pinto beans, crackers, fruit. Thursday — Hamburger stroganoff, egg noodles, cabbage, spinach, pears. Friday — Kraut dog, California vegetables, baked french fries, bananas. Monday — Sloppy joe, parsley potatoes...
On this date ... 1971: The New Mexico National Guard was preparing for the first of two two-week training camps in the Dona Ana Range north of El Paso. Members of the 4th Automatic Weapons Battalion in Tucumcari were shown getting a Duster, which is a hybrid machine of twin 40 mm guns on an M41 tank body, ready for transport. Among those preparing the duster were Guardsmen William Ward, Sonny Tatum, Johnny M. Wallace, Jackie J. Cannon, Henry J. Gonzales, Carey Scott and Butch Jaynes. • Six males age 16 to 22 were arrested during a raid last n...
Quay County returned to a low ebb of coronavirus cases last week, recording no cases since May 25. That was a far cry from a one-month period starting in mid-April, when more than 80 cases were reported. Most were reported in the Tucumcari, Logan and San Jon ZIP codes. The overall total in the county through Friday stood at 518, with 10 deaths. One case was removed by the state Department of Health from the total last week because it was a duplicate. A total of 462 people were deemed by the DOH to have recovered from the disease. The breakdown...
Free meal programs for children and youth are resuming at more than 700 locations statewide this summer, the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care and Public Education departments announced Thursday. The two departments work together on summer feeding programs to ensure children and youth up to 18 have access to nutritious meals from June through August. Meal sites include Tucumcari Public Schools’ Mesa Cafeteria at 501 S. Fifth St., with lunch times from 11:30 to 1 p.m. weekdays. “These programs fill an important nutrition gap whe...
Businesses are scrambling to fill job vacancies as the country continues to reopen from the coronavirus pandemic, but the reality is there simply are not enough people looking for work. The state of Pennsylvania made the right move to pull back on the relaxed standards for unemployment benefits and to reinstate the requirement that those collecting benefits must be actively looking for work. When the pandemic began more than a year ago, Pennsylvania and many other states relaxed rules related to unemployment compensation. In addition to...
I got some mail last week from the National Rifle Association. They wanted money. I would have been inclined to donate years ago, when I remembered the NRA as the sponsor of my gun safety classes when I was a kid. That was when the NRA advocated for the Second Amendment by emphasizing responsible gun ownership and safe shooting. I apologize for what I am about to say to the NRA members in Quay County, whose guns are for predators who prey on their livestock, for hunting that provides recreation and meat, and for just-in-case, because it can...
The Democratic opposition to legislative minorities using whatever leverage they have to block legislation is highly situational. In Washington, D.C., where Democrats control the White House and both chambers of Congress, the Senate filibuster is portrayed as a Jim Crow relic that is profoundly undemocratic. In Austin, Texas, where Republicans control the governor’s mansion and both chambers of the Legislature, House Democrats walking out to prevent the passage of a bill with majority support is portrayed as a heroic act preserving our d...
The Logan girls track team dominated the 11-team Ute Lake Relays at Logan on Saturday, scoring 110 points more than runner-up Clayton. Meanwhile, Clayton edged Logan in the boys standings by a mere five points for the team title. Tucumcari finished third in the girls leaderboard with 26 points, while the Rattler boys were last with four points. San Jon finished eighth in the boys standings with 14 points. San Jon's girls finished ninth with seven points. Logan coach Robert Young admitted his gir...
LOGAN - The Longhorns baseball team ran its record to 10-0 after a doubleheader sweep Friday against Cimarron. Aided by the strong pitching of starter Gabe Milakovich and reliever Kaeden Stoner, Logan breezed to a 17-0 victory in the first game. Logan continued its strong pitching with a one-hitter by Dante Sanchez during a 23-0 win in the second game. Cimarron fell to 1-6. Logan's stout pitching was not a surprise, as the team's ERA for the season is a minuscule 0.89. Coach Kyle Griffiths said...
The Tucumcari baseball team continued to take it on the chin in district play with a doubleheader sweep Wednesday by Sandia Prep. Sandia Prep won the opener 25-0 in five innings. The Rattlers managed just two hits — by Josh Infante and Joseph Cordova — and struck out 11 times against Lucas Lemons. Tucumcari also was hampered by six errors. Tucumcari coach Dennis Dysart said Sandia Prep was an “awesome” team with “super pitching.” In the second game, the Sundevils prevailed 12-1 in five innings. Tucumcari again totaled two hits, with the lo...
One East Mountain player in particular made life difficult for the Tucumcari softball team during its district-opening doubleheader last week. Fireballing sophomore pitcher Olivia Ford threw a no-hitter and hit a three-run home run during the Timberwolves' 16-0 victory, then blasted two more three-run homers during her team's 24-5 victory in the nightcap. Ford nearly hit a third homer during the second game, but Tucumcari left fielder Felicity Lopez caught it against the fence, then tumbled...
Motorists should be aware of slowdowns due to the latest roadwork that began this week on Mountain Road south of Tucumcari Boulevard in Tucumcari. Construction began Monday on roadway rehabilitation and extension of a concrete box culvert on about 1.65 miles of Mountain Road, aka U.S. 54, from north of Interstate 40 to East Saxon Avenue, in Tucumcari. Motorists in this area should expect delays and give themselves extra time to reach their destinations. The work will add lanes, new curbs and Americans with Disabilities-compliant sidewalks from...
Atzmus Taekwondo of Tucumcari brought home 15 medals during a May 29 tournament hosted by Humble Warrior Taekwondo of Albuquerque, featuring 80 competitors. Dinhora Ogutu earned a gold medal in International Taekwondo Federation, or ITF, patterns, a bronze medal in open patterns and a silver medal in breaking boards. Will Frost earned gold medals in breaking boards and open patterns, a silver medal in sparring, and a bronze medal in ITF patterns. Ruby Frost earned a bronze medal in ITF patterns and a silver medal in open patterns. Emmet Garcia...
Justin Downey of House recently graduated with a welding certificate in basic processes from South Plains College in Levelland, Texas. Downey was among more than 1,300 students recognized for their academic achievement during graduation ceremonies last month. South Plains College is a comprehensive, two-year community college that serves the greater South Plains area of Texas with educational programs that span the arts and sciences, technical education, continuing education and workforce development....
These individuals were booked into the Quay County Detention Center from May 28 to June 6: • Lawrence R. Arias, 60, Tucumcari, contempt of court. • Seth A. Chavez, 33, Tucumcari, contempt of court. • Den Hern, 33, Santa Rosa, criminal trespass (unposted) and possession of drug paraphernalia. • Marcus Hill, 38, Logan, intentional child abuse (no death or great bodily harm) and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. • George Nickolas Molinas, 22, Albuquerque, four counts of contempt of court. • Randy Tenorio, 39, Santa Rosa, battery and...
These calls were made to the Tucumcari-Quay Regional Emergency Communications Center from May 24 to June 6: May 24 • 9:11 a.m.: Pursuit at milepost 331, Interstate 40, Tucumcari. • 9:48 a.m.: Illegal dumping at Golf Course and Bugg Ranch roads, Tucumcari. • 11:17 a.m.: Vehicle theft at South First Street and East Tucumcari Boulevard, Tucumcari. • 1:58 p.m.: Arrest at South Fifth and West High streets, Tucumcari. • 3:28 p.m.: Arrest warrant in 1200 block of East Tucumcari Boulevard, Tucumcari. • 4:07 p.m.: Breaking and entering in 500 block of S...