Year in review: Pandemic carries through year

The COVID-19 pandemic continued to be a big story in Quay County during the first half of 2021, though it was the loosening of health restrictions that dominated local storylines instead of the crackdowns seen in the previous year.

Due to a waning of a winter COVID-19 spike and a rollout of vaccines, New Mexico's state government essentially called an uneasy truce with the virus early in the first half of 2021.

First, middle- and high-school students were allowed to resume in-person classes in early February. Then a condensed prep sports calendar was announced after football stadiums and gymnasiums sat quiet during the latter half of 2020.

Also in February, the county's COVID-19 case numbers fell enough that restaurants and other businesses were allowed to fully open with few restrictions.

The lessening of those curbs culminated with Tucumcari High School's graduation in May, when more than 900 people attended the ceremony at Rattler Stadium. State health officials, however, still restricted occupancy in many indoor venues.

Here are the significant stories by Quay County Sun edition dates during the first half of 2021. The second half of 2021 will be recounted in the Jan. 5 edition.

Longtime county manager to retire

Jan. 13: Longtime Quay County manager Richard Primrose, 68, announced his imminent retirement after an executive session with county commissioners.

Nursing home residents vaccinated

Jan. 20: Several residents at a Tucumcari nursing home received the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

City approves Zia Club liquor license

Jan. 20: Despite a few protests from neighboring homeowners, the Tucumcari City Commission approved a club liquor license for the Tucumcari Zia Club.

In-person classes set to resume

Jan. 27: Middle-school and high school students at all New Mexico public schools will be able to resume in-person classes starting Feb. 8, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced during her State of the State speech.

Several hundred vaccinated

Jan. 27: Two healthcare providers in Quay County vaccinated several hundred people against the coronavirus. The Quay County Family Health Center in Tucumcari gave 150 people the Moderna vaccine. Trigg Memorial Hospital administered 204 doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

Festivals canceled or delayed

Feb. 3: Three Tucumcari festivals - New Mexico Music Showcase, Rockin' Route 66 and Tucumcari Rawhide Days - were canceled or at least delayed because of ongoing COVID-19 health restrictions.

NMAA adopts condensed sports calendar

Feb. 3: The New Mexico Activities Association board members adopted an adjusted sports calendar where condensed fall sports seasons of football, cross country and volleyball would begin on Feb. 22.

Indoor dining returns to county

Feb. 10: Quay County restaurants were allowed to host indoor dining again after weeks of COVID-19 restrictions. The county entered the yellow designation of the state's "Red to Green" reopening plan for the first time.

Xcel Energy urges power cutbacks

Feb. 10: Xcel Energy declared an Energy Alert because of unusually frigid temperatures and warned of rolling blackouts if power consumption didn't fall.

Logan wins state powerlifting title

Feb. 17: The Logan High School boys captured the small-schools title in the inaugural NMAA powerlifting state championships. Logan freshman Izaiah Kneitz also won an individual state title in the 123-pound weight class.

County goes into green zone

Feb. 24: Quay County vaulted from the yellow to green zone in COVID-19 risk assessments announced by the New Mexico Department of Health, allowing further relaxation of health restrictions.

San Jon student wins national video contest

March 3: A San Jon High School student was a grand prize winner of a national video contest that urges utility customers to call before starting digging projects. San Jon junior Saisravya Bandla's 59-second video tied for first in the "Know What's Below - Call Before You Dig" competition.

Spectators can attend games in Quay County

March 3: In a reversal, the New Mexico Activities Association and Public Education Department announced spectators would be allowed at prep sporting events in many counties, based on COVID-19 risk assessments.

Full school re-entry by April

March 3: The New Mexico Public Education Department and Department of Health announced a goal to reach full school re-entry by April 5.

Zamora accepts county manager job

March 3: Quay County Emergency Manager Daniel Zamora accepted an offer to become the county's new manager.

County lands in turquoise risk zone

March 10: Quay County vaulted into the turquoise zone - the best achievable: in COVID-19 risk assessment - which means bars and entertainment venues could reopen at limited capacity for the first time in many months.

'Bands of Enchantment' begins production

March 17: Tucumcari's historic railroad depot was converted into a television studio and production center for the "Bands of Enchantment" television music series that began shooting.

Nearly 600 vaccinated

March 17: Nearly 600 residents of Quay County received COVID-19 vaccines the previous week, mostly during mass-vaccination events in the region.

Capital outlay funds approved

March 24: The New Mexico Legislature approved more than $850,000 in capital outlay funds for four Quay County projects during lawmakers' last week of the 60-day session.

'Bands' to play on

March 24: Four Tucumcari city commissioners during a special meeting approved another $60,000 in lodgers tax funds for four more episodes of the "Bands of Enchantment" music television series.

State officially legalizes recreational pot

April 7: The New Mexico Legislature during a special session at the Roundhouse voted to legalize recreational marijuana, becoming the 18th state to do so.

Magistrate judge resigns

April 14: Tucumcari Magistrate Judge Timothy O'Quinn resigned by email after serving on the bench for about 4 1/2 years. He did not give a reason.

Board declines to allocate irrigation water

April 21: Facing persistent drought, the Arch Hurley Conservancy District's board of directors voted to not allocate any irrigation water to area farmers. It was the first time since 2017 the district had not allocated water for the beginning of growing season.

City to set up cannabis task force

April 28: The Tucumcari City Commission set up a cannabis task force as it prepares to capitalize on the recent legalization of recreational marijuana.

Mesalands chooses new president

April 28: The Mesalands Community College board of trustees announced after an executive session it voted unanimously to offer educational consultant Gregory Todd Busch of Tucson, Arizona, a contract as its new president.

Restrictions to be lifted at 60% vaccinated

May 5: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said New Mexico's red-to-turquoise COVID-19 restrictions would be lifted once 60% of the state's residents are fully vaccinated against the disease. That was projected to happen by late June.

Fired Up festival canceled again

May 12: The Fired Up festival scheduled for September in downtown Tucumcari was canceled for a second straight year because of COVID-19 concerns, but organizers replaced it with monthly Fired Up Friday events through the early fall.

State drops mask mandate

May 12: The New Mexico Department of Health announced vaccinated individuals no longer will be required to wear masks in indoor or outdoor settings.

City cuts salary, contract of EDC chief

May 19: On a 3-2 vote, the Tucumcari City Commission cut the city's allowance for the salary of Patrick Vanderpool, executive director of the Greater Tucumcari Economic Development Corporation, nearly in half and shortened the contract between the city and the EDC to one year.

THS students graduate at stadium

May 26: A crowd estimated at more than 900 people gathered at Rattler Stadium to see 43 Tucumcari High School students walk across a temporary stage to receive their diplomas. It had been more than 15 years since THS held a graduation ceremony at its football field.

Tucumcari FFA team wins state title

June 2: The Horticulture Produce Team of the Tucumcari FFA chapter recently won a state championship during career development events.

Roping benefit raises $30,000

June 2: A benefit roping event raised more than $30,000 for a cancer-stricken rancher in rural Tucumcari. A co-organizer of the Loco 4 Koko event at an arena in rural Tucumcari said the money raised benefits local rancher Carlos Ortiz, who spent weeks in at an Arizona hospital being treated for lymphoma.

Second Street construction raises concerns

June 2: Owners of property next to the troubled Second Street construction project in downtown Tucumcari told the city commission their properties have been damaged by construction crews.

Pacheco Dentistry opens

June 9: It took about a year longer than expected because of the COVID-19 pandemic and renovations to his facility, but Pacheco Family Dentistry in Tucumcari opened to the public.

Restrictions to be lifted July 1

June 16: New Mexico's COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted July 1 after the governor deemed the state close enough to its 60% goal of full vaccination against the disease.

Magistrate judge chosen

June 23: New Mexico's governor tapped Tucumcari Municipal Judge Noreen Hendrickson as Quay County's next magistrate judge and would take office in July

Tucumcari police chief resigns

June 23: Tucumcari Police Chief David Lathrom resigned his position, effective July 7, after more than four years at the helm.

Logan girls take state track title

June 23: The Logan girls track team captured its second consecutive state title and the Longhorns boys team finished a close runner-up during the Class 1A track and field state championships at the UNM Track-Soccer Complex in Albuquerque.

U.S. 54 bridge opens

June 30: Alvin Keith, a Logan resident who witnessed a dedication ceremony for the Canadian River Bridge 67 years ago on U.S. 54, was among those who participated in a ceremonial ribbon-cutting for a new $23.5 million span.