Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
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Jack Huffman of Michigan is walking across the country to raise awareness and money for disabled veterans, but his second takeaway from the journey is the generosity from fellow Americans. Huffman on Thursday had trodded 60 miles east from Santa Rosa and made it into Tucumcari that evening. During a phone interview from a room donated by the Motel Safari, Huffman had just eaten a meal given to him from Watson's BBQ. He said such kindness has been "incredible" since he began his "Sundog Run" to W...
The Logan Municipal Schools board approved a resolution opposing the state Public Education Department’s 180-day instruction rule change that would effectively end the four-day week at many rural schools. The resolution, passed last Monday, also authorizes superintendent Dennis Roch to support litigation that would challenge the PED’s rule change. “There is a profound concern that these changes will lead to a loss of local control over educational decisions and undermine the unique needs and successful practices of our rural school distr...
SAN JON — The business manager for San Jon Municipal Schools said during a board work session Thursday she anticipated “a very, very tight budget” for the 2024-2025 school year. Superintendent Alan Umholtz agreed with the assessment from Stormi Sena. He said the state government is slated to provide additional money only for mandated 3% raises for teachers. But Umholtz also said the district is fiscally hampered by a 31% increase in risk insurance and a 15% increase in medical insurance. He attributed the risk insurance hikes to more injur...
SANTA ROSA — The hiring of a city administrator and police chief, among other new hires, and limits on the mayor’s power to authorize personnel actions and spending were among the items Santa Rosa councilor Erasmo Bravo asked the council on to act on. The city administrator’s position has been vacant since Martín Martinez’s resignation in June. The city has had eight people in the position since Mayor Nelson Kotiar first was elected in 2018. The city is also operating without a police chief since October 2022, when then-chief Angelo Romo was...
These individuals were booked into the Quay County Detention Center from April 8 to April 14: — Nicholas Anthony Baucon, 38, Los Angeles, contempt of court. — Joseph James Aragon, 38, Tucumcari, battery against a household member. — David Sandoval Jr., 45, Tucumcari, contempt of court and criminal damage to property (over $1,000). — Donovan J. Oldham, 22, Tucumcari, contempt of court. — Roberto Nelson Rivas Jr., 47, Tucumcari, contempt of court. — Christopher M. Sandoval, 39, Tucumcari, contempt of court. — William Sandoval, 19, Clovis, warra...
These calls were made to the Tucumcari-Quay Regional Emergency Communications Center from April 8 to April 14: April 8 — 12:58 a.m.: Disturbance in 200 block of North Second Street, Tucumcari. — 2:12 a.m.: Domestic disturbance in 700 block of West Sunset Avenue, Tucumcari. — 1:37 p.m.: Found property at South First Street and East Hines Avenue, Tucumcari. — 1:59 p.m.: Trespassing in 600 block of East Tucumcari Boulevard, Tucumcari. — 3 p.m.: Sex assault in 300 block of East Miel de Luna Avenue, Tucumcari. — 3:10 p.m.: Suicidal subject in...
ALBUQUERQUE — The body camera worn on the chest of New Mexico State Police officer Justin Hare the early morning of March 15 captured the image of a stranded motorist on Interstate 40 west of Tucumcari who wanted a lift into town. The NMSP-issued device recorded the sound of the first gunshot, causing the 35-year-old Hare to slump over in his patrol vehicle, an FBI agent testified Tuesday in federal court. The video footage showed the assailant come around to the driver’s side, “briefly pausing as a semi-truck passed by,” and then shootin...
A sheriff’s agency in South Carolina announced 17 arrest warrants for a man suspected last month of killing a paramedic, then fatally shooting a New Mexico State Police officer near Tucumcari. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release Friday that Jaremy Smith, 33, of Marion, South Carolina, has been charged in the kidnapping and killing of South Carolina paramedic Phonesia Machado-Fore. The office stated the warrants are for these charges: — Murder — Kidnapping — Carjacking — First-degree burglary (two counts) — Possession of...
The Tucumcari Lodgers Tax Advisory Board last week recommended almost $160,000 in assistance to varying events and projects for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The recommendations are scheduled to go this week to the city commission, which can approve, modify or reject them. A total of $117,087.29 in promotional funds from lodgers tax revenue would be used for varying projects, and another $42,300 in executive funds of lodgers taxes also would be spent. The board approved these aid recommendations: — Fired Up festival, $10,200; — Rattler Reu...
The New Mexico Environment Department announced it has submitted applications for federal grants to establish three heavy-duty charging stations and mobile hydrogen refueling stations for long-haul freight along the Interstate 40 corridor, including in Tucumcari. The approximately $250 million requested in the grant applications to the U.S. Environmental Projection Agency would be part of the Zero40 corridor, with additional charging stations in the Gallup area and one in Bernalillo and Sandoval counties. The Tucumcari site will offer clean...
On this date ... 1974: U.S. Energy chief William Simon said there would be enough gasoline for Americans to take their normal summer trips this year. Simon said rapidly improving gasoline supplies from the Middle East were reaching the U.S. and that the situation was “nearly normal.” Simon made his comments during an interview on NBC’s “Today Show.” Fuel shortages had roiled the U.S. during the past winter, also leading to sharply higher prices at the pump. — U.S. Sen. Joseph Montoya said he expected the price of pinto beans to level off o...
Sunday — Candidates forum and dessert auction. The Wranglers 4-H club is hosting a forum for local primary election candidates, where each will have three minutes to speak, at the Quay County Fairground exposition hall. The event, which includes a dessert auction, begins at 2 p.m. April 16 — Culpepper & Merriweather Circus. The circus is coming to town for shows at 5 and 7:30 p.m. at Mesalands Community College. The event is sponsored by the Tucumcari Historical Research Institute and Tucumcari Historical Museum. Tickets, which are $13 for adu...
Tucumcari schools Wednesday — Breakfast: Blueberry overnight oats, Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, cinnamon graham cracker, banana, apple juice, 1%, skim or strawberry skim milk; Lunch: Chicken patty sandwich, ham and egg chef salad, ranch potato wedges, seasoned peas, fresh broccoli, ranch dressing, fruit cocktail, 1%, skim, chocolate skim or strawberry skim milk. Thursday — Breakfast: Cinni mini, Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, cinnamon graham cracker, mandarin oranges, orange juice, 1%, skim or strawberry skim milk; Lunch: Pepperoni pizza, ham...
These individuals were booked into the Quay County Detention Center from April 3 to April 7: — Teresa Childers, 60, Albuquerque, contempt of court. — Jonathan R. Pacheco, 39, no address listed, warrant from other counties or states. — Dominick Michael Ortiz, 30, Tucumcari, criminal trespass (unposted), shoplifting ($250 or less) and battery. — Jerry McMurray, 64, no address listed, aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug (bodily injury; fifth offense). — Maria Margarita Romero, 36, Tucumcari, aggravate...
Quay County commissioners on Monday approved a contract with Wireless Tower Solutions to regulate wireless communications facilities. Chief training and technology officer Dean Williamson, appearing by videoconference during the meeting, said he anticipates the company would develop a county ordinance for cellular facilities within two months. Wireless Tower Solutions is based in South Carolina and has an office in Albuquerque. The contract comes at no cost to the county. Wireless Tower Solutions earns its revenue through application and...
SANTA ROSA — Former Santa Rosa city administrator Lisa Brassell has settled her case against Santa Rosa city government officials for a sum of $102,500 to be divided between Brassell and her attorney Michael Schwarz of Santa Fe, according to a copy of the settlement. In return, according to a copy of the agreement obtained through the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act, Brassell has dropped all charges against the city officials, including former city councilor Jose Campos III, who was named as a defendant in an amended complaint f...
An update to the City of Tucumcari's comprehensive plan took shape during a second hearing at the convention center, but the city manager insisted on one particular thing to emphasize. Late in the hearing Wednesday, city manager Paula Chacon implored that improving Tucumcari's infrastructure, especially on the city's west side, had to be high priority within the 20-year plan. Chacon said without improvements to the city's aging infrastructure, it would be more difficult to draw new businesses an...
These calls were made to the Tucumcari-Quay Regional Emergency Communications Center from April 1 to April 7: April 1 — 4:02 a.m.: Disturbance in 2600 block of South First Street, Tucumcari. — 4:45 a.m.: Burglary from vehicle in 100 block of North Seventh Street, Tucumcari. — 5:56 a.m.: Vehicle theft in 1900 block of South Mountain Road, Tucumcari. — 6:26 a.m.: Noise complaint in 700 block of West Sunset Avenue, Tucumcari. — 9:25 a.m.: Vehicle theft in 200 block of East Center Street, Tucumcari. — 11:46 a.m.: Vehicle fire inn 35300 block of Int...
The attorney for Tucumcari city manager Paula Chacon stated in a letter to the city commission written on her behalf that she would rescind her earlier offer to resign. The letter accused Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Lopez of harassment, a hostile work environment and a conflict of interest. Copies of the letter were distributed to the commission before its regular meeting Thursday. During the public comment portion of the meeting, eight people — including several city department heads — voiced their support for Chacon, prompting applause from the cro...
Two applicants for the Tucumcari Public Schools superintendent position were criminally charged years ago but not convicted. Several more have been named in lawsuits against their respective school districts, and two resigned under pressure from their boards. Eight people have applied for the position to replace Aaron McKinney, who retired on Jan. 1 after 18 years at the helm. At least two of the applicants have strong links to Tucumcari, including one who is a TPS administrator. The Quay County Sun examined the applications through an open-rec...
Though the funeral was more than 160 miles away, Jeri Herrera of Tucumcari stood as she watched a livestream of law enforcement officers carrying away the cremains of fallen New Mexico State Police officer Justin Hare of Logan. An estimated 2,000 people attended Hare's funeral Wednesday at Legacy Church-Central Campus in Albuquerque. At least another 800 people, such as Herrera, watched online. Legacy Church in Tucumcari offered to show the livestream on one of its large video screens. About 15...
It’s official — Tucumcari Mountain Cheese Factory makes the best feta cheese in the United States. The company earned a second-place finish in March in the World Championship Cheese Contest in Madison, Wisconsin. That was an improvement from its third-place finish in the world in 2022. The competition is held every two years. The only entry in the feta cheese division to top Tucumcari Mountain Cheese Factory was Team Krusa from Arla Foods Krusa of Denmark, which finished runner-up in 2022. Team Krusa earned a score of 99.4 points, ahead of Tucu...
On this date ... 1974: High winds wreaked havoc on the region, leading to property damage and brush fires. A big gust knocked over the press box of Rattler Stadium onto the reserved seating section. The stadium’s public-address system and some bleachers also were damaged. Firefighters were called to put out a brush fire four miles south on Norton Road. A brush fire also was reported in a hay stack behind the Sheraton Inn in Tucumcari. Winds gusted up to 67 mph. — A total of 18 candidates filed for county offices. James Knight, Becky Bry...
Tucumcari schools Wednesday — Breakfast: Peach and yogurt parfait, Cocoa Puffs cereal, cinnamon graham cracker, fruit cocktail, orange juice, 1%, skim or strawberry skim milk; Lunch: Green Frito pie, chef salad, pinto beans, shredded romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, salsa, fruit cocktail, 1%, skim, chocolate skim or strawberry skim milk. Thursday — Breakfast: Blueberry muffin, string cheese, Lucky Charms cereal, cinnamon graham cracker, fruit cocktail, apple juice, 1%, skim or strawberry skim milk; Lunch: Cheeseburger, turkey with cheese wrap,...
Saturday — Six-week dog training class. Tucumcari Dog Training and Tucumcari MainStreet are sponsoring a dog obedience class on Saturdays from April 6 through May 11 at the Tucumcari Railroad Museum. Cost is $50 for the class and includes a free clicker and training log. Proceeds from fees will go to Paws and Claws animal rescue and the museum. This course will cover dog safety, basic obedience commands and solutions to common canine behavior issues. Advance registration required; visit tucumcaridogtraining.com/obedience-lessons to sign up. F...