Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
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The Tucumcari Public Schools board on Thursday chose Jehu "J.D." Knapp to fill the last six months of Bo Wallace's term after he resigned last month. After the board unanimously approved Knapp's appointment, board President Heather Gonzales said Knapp would serve the rest of Wallace's term through Dec. 31. She said Knapp could opt to file for the November election next month. Knapp will be sworn into office during the board's next meeting in August. Wallace, who had served in District 5 in the...
A somewhat divided Arch Hurley Conservancy District board of directors today allocated three inches of water per acre — the first time it had allocated water from Conchas Lake in over three years. The vote was 3-1, with board member Debra Mitchell casting the only dissenting vote after a long pause. Mitchell and other board members — along with numerous ranchers and farmers in attendance — said they were torn between allocating water and preserving it for next year. Board members, however, told the nine farmers and ranchers who attended today...
The contents of a survey shocked a parent of a Tucumcari Public Schools student, and what she described surprised several TPS board members, as well. During the public discussion portion of the TPS school board’s meeting Thursday, Lisa Montoya said her teen son received a online health survey from Apex of Albuquerque containing sexually explicit questions that “horrified” her. Two New Mexico Department of Health officials contacted by Quay County Sun said this was the first complaint about the survey they’d heard in their years with the age...
Quay County’s total damage assessment from the May 25-26 storms stands at $8.7 million — a figure that likely will grow because it received a 30-day extension from the state to report more flood-ravaged roads. County manager Daniel Zamora on Thursday toured 15 damaged sites with three state officials and a representative from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Zamora said he hopes the county will receive a federal disaster declaration from late May’s flash-flooding event. Such a declaration would require the U.S. government to cover...
Happy day after Independence Day! With the de-emphasizing of the facts of our American history and heritage these days and that our nation’s greatest holiday falls during summer when most schools are closed, I wonder how many young people actually know why we celebrate with fireworks and why July 4 is a holiday (we should never have started calling it by the date instead of “Independence Day,” which states its purpose)? It’s sad but true that those who don’t learn from their history (or, worse yet, don’t even know it) are doomed to repeat it....
The “dog days of summer” has an extra special meaning this year. This July 4 weekend marked an entire year with SassyPants, the great Pyr, patrolling the grounds. While just a pup, she would regularly come down the road to visit. The giant fluffball would saunter down for a cookie and a belly rub, and an occasional hot dog. She also had quite a crush on the senior dog in the front, OtterPup; and just like OtterPup, we fell in love with the fluffer the first time she ventured into the yard. OtterPup had been pretty glum in the months prior to th...
On this date ... 1973: Over 5,000 people attended Tucumcari’s Independence Day fireworks display that was held on the night of July 3. The day included a kids rodeo and roping at the Quay County Rodeo Arena. Levi and Johnny Garcia won the team roping title, and Jack Copeland won the individual roping title. The Cowboy Club also served a beef barbecue dinner to about 400 people. In Logan, an estimated 2,000 people attended the first-ever Ute Lake Fourth of July Fiesta. Kathy Feerer was crowned by Mayor Robert McFarland at the Fiesta Queen. ...
• July 14 — Down at the Depot. Bring your lawn chairs and join Tucumcari MainStreet for live music, food, shopping and family fun at these monthly summer events. National Park Radio is making a return appearance in Tucumcari to perform its music. The event will salute area first responders. • July 28-29 — Quay County Rodeo. 4-H youth from all over the county will test their rodeo skills at the Quay County Fairgrounds rodeo arena in Tucumcari. • Aug. 3-6 — Rattler Reunion. The annual gathering of Tucumcari High School alumni will include a g...
Tucumcari Senior Center Wednesday — Beef and noodles, salad with dressing, peas and carrots, whole-wheat roll with margarine, mixed fruit. Thursday — Chicken tenders, mashed potatoes with gravy, broccoli, bread with margarine, banana pudding. Friday — Asado, pinto beans, tossed salad with dressing, tortilla, pineapple with cottage cheese. Monday — Fried fish, tartar sauce, broccoli with cheese sauce, sweet potato fries, lemon cookie. Tuesday — Green chile cheeseburger, potato salad, Sun chips, peaches and strawberries. Logan Senior Center We...
The Tucumcari Farmers Market opens its season Saturday with a new person in charge of the twice-a-week event. New manager Raine Miller, who owns Wild West Enterprises farm in rural Tucumcari, will oversee the market when sales begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Wailes Park on the city’s east side along Route 66. Opening day typically draws several hundred people, and vendors sometimes sell out well before closing time. Miller said last week he has 13 to 14 vendors lined up to sell their products at the market this season, though not all of them w...
PORTALES – The director of the Portales Islamic Center said the mosque was attacked by vandals Friday for a fifth time since June 1. Ahmed Benssouda, the director, said police and firefighters responded to a report of smoke emerging from the center about 1 a.m. Benssouda said there was smoke inside and outside the building. In addition, Benssouda said, “racial messages” were spray-painted on the center’s walls, including “N-word” and the initials “KKK.” Benssouda said vandals damaged carpets, poured beer in places and urinated on carpets. “Th...
These calls were made to the Tucumcari-Quay Regional Emergency Communications Center from June 26 to July 1: Monday — 8:10 a.m.: Fraud in 200 block of East Center Street, Tucumcari. — 8:40 a.m.: Arrest warrant in 200 block of East Center Street, Tucumcari. — 9:02 a.m.: Juvenile problem in 1200 block of South Jackson Street, Tucumcari. — 11:58 a.m.: Disturbance in 400 block of South College Street, Tucumcari. — 12:49 p.m.: Accident with injuries in 31500 block of Interstate 40 east Tucumcari. — 1:58 p.m.: Reckless driving in 1200 block of Ea...
These individuals were booked into the Quay County Detention Center from June 26 to June 30: — Douglas C. Batson, 20, Logan, operating a vehicle not equipped with an ignition interlock and driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug (0.08 or above). — Abbie Renea Sanderson, 20, Tucumcari, aggravated battery (deadly weapon). — Kimberly Kay Sanderson, 40, Tucumcari, intentional child abuse (no death or great bodily harm), battery and probation violation. — Kiersten Countryman, 35, Amarillo, contempt of court. — Antonio A...
After decades of aggressive and strategic efforts from influential right-wing forces the Supreme Court outlawed race conscious admissions at universities throughout the nation. It dismantled decades of progress and crippled the potential of racial diversity and pluralism at our nation’s institutions of higher education. Chief Justice John Roberts, speaking for the majority, argued that “the student must be treated based on his or her experiences as an individual — not on the basis of race.” He was joined by conservative Justices Clarenc...
Once again New Mexico is at the bottom of a list. “Kids Count 2023” is compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation with distribution and media handled by New Mexico Voices for Children. While it is not the report Rio Grande Foundation would compile, the 16 variables considered in do highlight issues regarding the well-being of New Mexico children. Sadly, like so many similar reports, the results are not good for our state. What is unique is the positive spin being applied by Voices for Children. As Voices for Children’s Amber Wallin recen...
The New Mexico Activities Association implemented what is being called a “two strikes, you’re out” sportsmanship policy after nearly 80% of its members voted for the bylaw change. The new policy will be enacted during the 2023-2024 school year. “We are glad to see our member schools approve this updated bylaw which coincides with our ‘Compete with Class’ initiative and hope this will help eliminate much of the growing bad behavior,” NMAA Executive Director Sally Marquez stated in a news release last week. The updated bylaw specifies the possibi...
Three of Quay County’s Little League baseball teams competed in the recent District 4 tournament in Las Vegas, with the intermediate, age 11-13 team making finishing second. The age 11 to 13 Quay County All-Stars scored a 14-10 victory over Las Vegas but were ousted after consecutive losses to La Plaza during the double-elimination tournament. Johnny Aughtman, one of the squad’s coaches, said the team looked “really sharp” during the tournament. “We lacked experience. That’s probably what cost us,” he said. “But they had a blast.” The Qua...
PORTALES — A Stage 3 emergency water emergency that went into effect Wednesday was properly declared by John DeSha, the city’s public utilities director, according to Portales city manager Sarah Austin. The Portales City Council did not declare the emergency, but two councilors reacted to it at a council meeting last Tuesday. Ward B Councilor Oscar Robinson said it is unfair to place restrictions on residents when the city will not fix leaks in its own water system. A water leak near his home has persisted for weeks, he said, and has not receiv...
Responding to water shortages throughout the western United States, the National Center for Appropriate Technology has released a new edition of its popular “The Irrigator’s Pocket Guide” specifically for New Mexico irrigators. “With growing conflict over water supplies and with New Mexico irrigators feeling the pinch to save water, energy and money, we wanted to come up with a concise and super-useful guide to water and energy conservation,” said Mike Morris, NCAT’s Southwest Regional Director, who led the project. Irrigation experts fro...
The vermin that vandalized the Portales Islamic Center five times last month are probably not our community's high achievers. Statistics show they are not "focused on long-term goals (or) imbued with grit and determination," according to the Dolan Consulting Group, which provides training for police across the country. The research, according to Dolan, shows that most vandals are thrill-seekers, looking for an "emotional rush of the risk, and to lash out at authority. ... (M)ost are generally...