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  • Feds fail to allay concerns over power corridor

    Ron Warnick, The Staff of The News|Jan 15, 2025

    A virtual hearing with the U.S. Department of Energy officials didn't allay concerns or skepticism of Quay County commissioners and many audience members about a proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor in the eastern part of the county. More than 30 people showed up for Monday's commission meeting, prompting a move from its usual chambers to the more spacious second-floor courtroom of the Quay County Courthouse. The commission in October sent a letter to the DOE, informing it...

  • Jaremy Smith pleads guilty to killing NMSP officer

    Staff report|Jan 15, 2025

    Jaremy Smith will spend the rest of his life behind bars without the possibility of parole after pleading guilty to multiple federal charges Friday for fatally shooting a New Mexico State Police patrolman west of Tucumcari last March and killing a South Carolina paramedic. Smith’s guilty plea was part of a plea agreement. Federal law-enforcement officials made the announcement Friday. On March 13, Smith abducted a paramedic Phonesia Machado-Fore from her home in South Carolina, transported her in a stolen vehicle and fatally shot her with a h...

  • Hurley home added to historic register

    Staff report|Jan 15, 2025

    The Arch and Ola Hurley House in Tucumcari recently was designated to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation for the century-old home became official on Jan. 3, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service, which administers the National Register program. The home at 117 W. High St., a block-and-frame structure built in 1918 on a nearly half-acre lot, was noted as an excellent example of a Craftsman-style house in Tucumcari, according to the National Register...

  • Bail refused for suspect in shooting

    Ron Warnick, The Staff of The News|Jan 15, 2025

    A Tucumcari man accused of attempted murder after a shooting at a local health clinic will remain behind bars without bail as his case winds through the court system. District Judge David Reeb on Friday granted prosecutors' requests for pretrial detention for Anthony Kent, 56, who was charged after shooting at and wounding James Hutchison in the hip and ankle after an argument in front of the Quay County Family Health Center on Dec. 30. Kent also is accused of shooting at Hutchison's wife,...

  • Changes coming to Quay County Sun in 2025

    David Stevens, The Staff of The News|Jan 15, 2025

    The great philosopher Will Rogers said a century ago, “Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” We believe our newspapers are on the right track as we move through the ever-changing landscape of the 21st century. And we’ll be making some significant changes this year in effort to remain a valuable asset to our communities. Some highlights: — Beginning next month, we’ll be rolling the Quay County Sun into our regional publication, The Eastern New Mexico News. That print edition will come out each Wednes...

  • Longtime chamber chief Dorothy Kvols dies

    Staff report|Jan 15, 2025

    Dorothy Marie Kvols, a longtime director of the Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce, died at a nursing home in Colorado in November. She was less than two weeks from her 101st birthday. Kvols led the Tucumcari-based chamber for about 35 years, according to her obituary. She also was active in the Tucumcari chapter of Altrusa International sorority, the Red Hat Ladies group and the Center Street Methodist Church in Tucumcari. Dorothy Marie Thompson Kvols was born Nov. 19, 1923, in Laurel, Nebraska. She married her husband, Damon Kvols, in...

  • Pages past - Jan. 15

    Jan 15, 2025

    On this date ... 1975: Three Tucumcari police officers were commended by the FBI for their alertness and cooperation in apprehending a suspect in a stolen car last fall. Sgt. Pete Rivera and officers Henry Todara and John Mascarenas in November detained the suspect in a car that had been stolen from a drug-abuse program in Virginia. The suspect had been an enrollee in the program. The commendation letter was signed by FBI special agent in charge William Meincke. — Monthly telephone bills would be slightly lower this month due to a 1% reduction...

  • Menus - Jan. 15

    Jan 15, 2025

    Tucumcari schools Wednesday — Breakfast: Egg, sausage and cheese biscuit sandwich, blueberry overnight oats, fresh pear, apple juice, 1%, skim or strawberry skim milk; Lunch: Chicken Alfredo with broccoli pasta bake, buffalo chicken wrap, dinner roll, seasoned peas, garden side salad, ranch dressing, fruit cocktail, 1%, skim, chocolate skim or strawberry skim milk. Thursday — Breakfast: Whole grain donut ring, Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, cinnamon graham cracker, banana, orange juice, 1%, skim or strawberry skim milk; Lunch: Bean and beef Fri...

  • Calendar - Jan. 15

    Jan 15, 2025

    Feb. 1 — Jump Rope Challenge. The Quay County Health Council is hosting this event for all age groups from 10 a.m. to noon at the Quay County Fairgrounds Expo Center. Each participant will jump in two, 30-second rounds to determine his or her average. Register for the event by Jan. 20 to receive a free professional jump rope. Register at forms.gle/LLb4DDXFVosvc4Uu7 or text (575) 815-4575 for the link. Feb. 7 — Read with a Dog at Tucumcari Public Library. Join therapy dog Pearl for a special dog-themed story hour featuring the classic chi...

  • Board wants city to proceed with banners

    Ron Warnick, The Staff of The News|Jan 15, 2025

    The Tucumcari Lodgers Tax Advisory Board recommended the city proceed with obtaining price quotes for 300 banners and hardware for streetlights on the Main Street, First Street and Route 66 corridors. John Echols, account executive for Amarillo-based Gray Digital Media, the city's tourism marketer, on Wednesday presented to the board three banner draft designs and a preliminary price quote for them. Echols estimated the 2-by-3-foot, sun-resistant banners and the hardware for about 300...

  • Snowstorm prompts road closings, event delays

    Staff report|Jan 15, 2025

    The winter storm that struck the Quay County region on Thursday didn't contain a lot of snow, but it still packed a punch. The storm prompted local schools and governments to close early, postponed events and forced the closings of several highways because of vehicle accidents, including eastbound Interstate 40 on Thursday night into late Friday morning. Dozens of trucks and other vehicles with nowhere to go clogged east Route 66 and the exit and entrance ramps around Tucumcari through Friday...

  • Man wanted for allegedly harboring felon

    Staff report|Jan 15, 2025

    A man once considered to be a kidnapping victim after an apartment shooting in September in Tucumcari now is wanted on a felony charge of harboring a felon and other counts. Tucumcari Magistrate Judge Noreen Hendrickson issued an arrest warrant on Jan. 7 for Nathaniel Marcus Estergo, 22, of Tucumcari on charges of harboring a felon, tampering with evidence and making a false report. The harboring and tampering charges each are fourth-degree felonies that can lead up to 18 months in prison and up to a $5,000 fine. Estergo was not in custody as...

  • Jail log - Jan. 15

    Jan 15, 2025

    These individuals were booked into the Quay County Detention Center from Jan. 6 to Jan. 12: — Donald Bruhn, 52, Tucumcari, escape or attempt to escape from jail, resisting, evading or obstructing an officer and four counts of felony contempt of court. — Robert D. Ferguson, 37, Tucumcari, attempt to commit a felony (to wit, breaking and entering), criminal damage to property (under $1,000) and disorderly conduct. — Danish William Pervez, 33, Phoenix, contempt of court. — Johnathan James Martinez, 31, Tucumcari, parole violation. — Darius Ol...

  • State's high court strikes down anti-abortion ordinances

    Staff report|Jan 15, 2025

    The New Mexico Supreme Court struck down ordinances by counties and cities that would have restricted abortions or regulated abortion clinics or providers. The court’s unanimous opinion on Thursday invalidated ordinances by Roosevelt and Lea counties and the cities of Clovis and Hobbs that attempted to restrict access to abortion services. The court issued an order — a writ of mandamus — prohibiting the local governments from enforcing the ordinances. “Our Legislature granted to counties and municipalities all powers and duties not inconsi...

  • Police blotter - Jan. 15

    Jan 15, 2025

    These calls were made to the Tucumcari-Quay Regional Emergency Communications Center from Jan. 6 to Jan. 12: Jan. 6 — 1:56 a.m.: Burglary from vehicle in 1400 block of South Seventh Street, Tucumcari. — 5:22 a.m.: Prowler in 500 block of East High Street, Tucumcari. — 11:11 a.m.: Threat at Adams Street and East Tucumcari Boulevard, Tucumcari. — 12:46 p.m.: Juvenile problem in 400 block of North First Street, Tucumcari. — 1:42 p.m.: Arrest warrant in 200 block of West High Street, Tucumcari. — 2:50 p.m.: Found property in 1700 block of South Sec...

  • Local man accused of attempted murder

    Ron Warnick, The Staff of The News|Jan 8, 2025

    A Tucumcari man was jailed on attempted murder charges last week. Police say Anthony Ray Kent, 56, shot at a man at least 15 times and wounded him in front of the Quay County Family Health Center on Dec. 30. Kent was charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and shooting at or from a motor vehicle (no great bodily harm). The attempted-murder charge is a second-degree felony that could lead up to nine years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. The other ch...

  • Developer wants to revive old truck stop

    Ron Warnick, The Staff of The News|Jan 8, 2025

    Sammy Adell envisions a truck stop with a convenience store, motel and restaurant at the long-neglected Tucumcari Truck Terminal site on the city's west side. But Adell during an interview at the site Thursday grumbled over the sluggish pace in removing contaminants from the 20-acre tract. The cash-strapped city government also needs to obtain state funding to help replace miles of collapsed sewer lines and lift stations leading to it - another potentially long process. Adell estimated it will...

  • Year in review: Local entities saw change in 2024's second half

    Staff report|Jan 8, 2025

    Municipalities and school districts in Quay County saw plenty of change during the second half of 2024. Not only did new superintendent Carl Marano officially take over Tucumcari Public Schools in July, but longtime Logan superintendent Dennis Roch announced in November he would retire and take a position with New Mexico Senate Republicans. Tucumcari city manager Paula Chacon announced in July she would retire at the end of the year. Her assistant, former District 4 Commissioner Renee Hayoz, officially took over her position after New Year’s D...

  • Pages past - Jan. 8

    Jan 8, 2025

    On this date ... 1975: Two Tucumcari police officers stepped down from the force after facing accusations of misconduct involving four residents on New Year’s Eve. Police Chief Jim Santillan said the two submitted their resignations, and two other officers were reprimanded and their probationary periods extended. District Attorney Norman Runyan said his office was weighing charges of aggravated battery and negligent use of firearms against the two resigned officers. According to a report, one of the officers during a traffic stop fired three s...

  • Menus - Jan. 8

    Jan 8, 2025

    Tucumcari schools Wednesday — Breakfast: Frosted cinnamon rolls, Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, cinnamon graham cracker, banana, apple juice, 1%, skim or strawberry skim milk; Lunch: Chicken fajita meat, 6-inch whole-grain tortilla, buffalo chicken wrap, refried pinto beans, romaine lettuce, fresh tomatoes, fresh broccoli, salsa, ranch dressing, fruit cocktail, 1%, skim, chocolate skim or strawberry skim milk. Thursday — Breakfast: Cherry frudel, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, cinnamon graham cracker, apple, orange juice, 1%, skim or strawberry ski...

  • Calendar - Jan. 8

    Jan 8, 2025

    Feb. 1 - Jump Rope Challenge. The Quay County Health Council is hosting this event for all age groups from 10 a.m. to noon at the Quay County Fairgrounds Expo Center. Each participant will jump in two, 30-second rounds to determine his or her average. Register for the event by Jan. 20 to receive a free professional jump rope. Register at forms.gle/LLb4DDXFVosvc4Uu7 or text (575) 815-4575 for the link. March 1 - Dr. Seuss' Birthday Party. The annual celebration of the children's author will be...

  • Felony suspect apprehended after months on loose

    Staff report|Jan 8, 2025

    An Albuquerque man was apprehended months he was accused of shooting a man and carjacking another in Tucumcari. Alex Joe Patrick Gutierrez, 24, was wanted on charges of first-degree kidnapping, attempted first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The kidnapping charge is a first-degree felony that could lead up to 18 years in prison and up to a $15,000 fine. The other charges also are felonies. Quay County Sheriff Dennis Garcia said that Albuquerque Police apprehended Gutierrez last week. According to court...

  • Advocacy group wants audit of NM Gas buyout

    NM Political Report, Syndicated content|Jan 8, 2025

    A New Mexico consumer and environmental advocacy group is requesting that state regulators order a management audit of the parent company of the firm trying to acquire New Mexico Gas Co., which serves Tucumcari. New Energy Economy, a frequent utility critic, filed a request in early December asking the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission to investigate Bernhard Capital Partners. Bernhard Capital Partners is the parent company of Saturn Holdco, which is asking to acquire New Mexico Gas from Emera. “A management audit will aid the parties, th...

  • Woman dies in crash near Nara Visa

    Staff report|Jan 8, 2025

    A woman from Minnesota died and a sheriff’s deputy escaped injury during a crash Sunday on U.S. 54 near Nara Visa that involved four vehicles and was exacerbated by icy roads. New Mexico State Police reported that Joy Sundquist, 72, of Chisholm, Minnesota, a passenger in a Subaru driven by an unidentified male, was declared dead at the scene by the Office of Medical Examiner at mile marker 355 westbound, near the Texas border. A Quay County sheriff’s deputy initially responded to a crash with no injuries about 8 a.m. Sunday involving a sem...

  • Jail log - Jan. 8

    Jan 8, 2025

    These individuals were booked into the Quay County Detention Center from Dec. 30 to Jan. 5: — Zachary A. Cardenas, 20, Phoenix, aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug (0.16 or above), altered, forged or fictitious license, possession of alcoholic beverages by a minor, open drink container, stopping or parking prohibited in specific places, driving a vehicle at night without lighted lamps and driver’s license not in possession. — Cory D. Williams, 44, Port Arthur, Texas, two counts of contempt of court. ...

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