SATURDAY,JAN. 6, 2018 Inside: 75¢ Reporter’s notebook: A quick fill-in about crack sealing. — Page 2A Vol. 89 ◆ No. 241 SERVING CLOVIS, PORTALES AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES EasternNewMexicoNews.com Two awarded Distinguished Flying Cross ❏ Capt. Raabe, Staff Sgt. Afghanistan was under fire on all sides from enemy insurgents. “We train over and over and “The special operations community is a very Bjerke recognized for When Capt. Charlotte Raabe and Staff over again for this small, tight-knit community, and I Sgt. Gary Bjerke, along with the rest of heroism in Afghanistan. their MC-130J aircraft crew, flew supplies sort of thing, and wouldn’t want to serve with and ammunition to the forces at a low alti- it really brings so anyone else. It’s probably the best By Eamon Scarbrough tude through oncoming fire, they didn’t STAFF WRITER know they were earning the military’s old- much meaning to group of friends and co-workers I’ve [email protected] est flying declaration. that,.” ever worked with.” On Jan. 5, 2016, a team of United States and Special Coalition forces in CROSS on Page 3A — Capt. Charlotte Raabe — Staff Stg. Gary Bjerke Projects ongoing at Curry County Courthouse ❏ Re-roofing, office renovations among continued construction efforts. By Jamie Cushman County Manager Lance Pyle STAFF WRITER said. [email protected] Roberts said the work, which included replacing the CLOVIS — The Curry paint and carpeting, began County Courthouse has about two months ago and undergone multiple changes will hopefully be completed over the past months, with by the end of January. more renovations still on the Roberts said the county horizon. was responsible for less than Work began in November $5,000 of the project. to re-roof the courthouse and Even more construction the juvenile detention center. plans for the courthouse are Curry County Facilities still being developed. In Maintenance Superintendent November the commission Ben Roberts said the project approved a contract with is scheduled to Trane for be completed Heating, later this month “We had had Ventilation and and the cost of Air $363,931 has multiple leaks in Conditioning not changed the past and it’s renovations to despite road the courthouse. bumps. been a long while “They are cur- “We had had since they rently working multiple leaks in on a detailed the past and it’s re-roofed it. It was project develop- been a long just time.” ment where while since they they’re doing Staff photo: Tony Bullocks re-roofed it,” engineered Roberts said. “It — Curry County Facilities plans for replac- Melrose senior Jordan Jasso muscles his way past Texico senior Nathan Phipps in the second half of Friday’s Maintenance Superintendent Eastern Plains Athletic Conference semifinal at Greyhound Arena. was just time.” Ben Roberts ing the entire The other system and they ongoing project are going to go at the courthouse involves out to bid later this month or renovations to the old county early February to get some THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT ... commission chamber and pricing and then we’ll go administration offices to pro- back to the commission vide offices and a courtroom March 6 to present the instal- THE EASTERN PLAINS ATHLETIC for judge Matthew Chandler lation of the equipment,” and his staff, who previously Roberts said. ONFERENCE OURNAMENT worked out of the Dan If approved by the com- C T Buzzard Law Library locat- mission, Roberts said work ed next to the courthouse. would begin in April at the Here are five things to Of the 60 prior EPAC duties. “This moved him to a know about the tourna- boys champs, 12 won a The tournament is physi- more secure location,” Curry PROJECTS on Page 5A ment. state championship and cally hosted by either eight finished as a run- Melrose or Texico in the EPAC is frequently a nerup. San Jon and Texico opening two rounds, and 1state title preview. have both done it three Eastern New Mexico 5By Kevin Wilson Over the 102 previous tour- times — San Jon did it in University for the closing 5MANAGING EDITOR naments — 60 boys, 42 1961, 1962 and 1963. two rounds regardless of [email protected] girls — the champion of Granted, the odds of an the host school because EPAC has reached its EPAC-New Mexico sweep those are the places with PORTALES — The respective state title game are a little better now. the most suitable facilities Eastern Plains Athletic Conference tournament 46 times. When EPAC first started. to host. was making highlights The girls champions In the first EPAC tourna- The host school, Elida before anybody dreamed of have been more successful ments, the teams all played Athletic Director Jaden ESPN, and putting fans in in that respect. Of the 42 in Class A. Now, they are Isler said, handles every- stands before the U.S. put a prior EPAC girls champi- spread out over classes 1A, thing one could think of — man on the moon. ons, there have been 17 2A and 3A. including sponsors, media Plenty has transpired state champions and nine arrangements, staffing the over the 61 runnings of one runners-up. In fact, since It’s a nightmare referees and game workers, Staff photo: Jamie Cushman of New Mexico’s premiere 2010, the EPAC girls win- 2 for one school organizing the seeding Bo Craby of WWRC, Inc. replaces the head for a ner also lifted a blue trophy every year. committee and working out basketball tournaments, downspout at the Curry County Courthouse Friday which concludes with in March six times. This year, it’s Elida’s contracts with ENMU to seven games today at The Texico girls have turn dealing with the use Greyhound Arena. This afternoon. Re-roofing of the east wing of the building is Eastern New Mexico done the sweep six times, toughest matchup in EPAC one of multiple construction projects underway at the University. including 2016. — the tournament hosting EPAC on Page 3A courthouse. Forecast: Today Sunday Monday Index Calendar............................2A Crossword ........................4A Reach us at: High: 58 High: 56 High: 61 Classified ..........................6B Obituaries..........................3A Sports ............................1-3B (575) 763-3431 Low: 37 Low: 27 Low: 35 Comics ..............................5B PAGE 2A ✦ SATURDAY, JAN. 6, 2018 LOCAL THE EASTERN NEW MEXICO NEWS JAN. 6 Reporter’s notebook Filling the gap Street, and ask drivers to with pressurized air and On this date ... heed signage in the area then filling them in with a 1983: Bill Richardson emperature fluctua- during that work. rubberized substance heated was in his first week in his tions aren’t fun for “The main need for crack in a boiling kettle and new job in Washington, Tanybody. Roads sealing is to keep moisture applied with a wand while D.C., as the United States aren’t an exception. from getting under the it is in scalding hot liquid representative for New For the latter, those fluc- pavement,” said Public form, Bunch said. Mexico’s newly formed tuations often manifest as Works Director Clint The best times to fill third Congressional District. scar lines resembling Bunch. “Once moisture those cracks are in the cold- Richardson’s district streaks of black tar lacing starts getting in, that’s the er days of spring and the included most of northwest- the street. death of a roadway.” warmer days of winter, ern New Mexico, an area Regulars on the left-hand The lines may look like Bunch said cracks in when temperatures expand comes, the cracks are clos- rich in natural resources, so side of the page included the fallout of a leaking paint roads allow in water during the fissures to just the right ing back together.” he was celebrating his “Peanuts,” “Way Out,” “The can, but it’s preventative the day. When that water dilation. Crack sealing holds up appointment to the House Willets,” “Jackson Twins,” maintenance called “crack freezes and expands during “You do (crack sealing) around four or five years, Energy and Commerce “Short Ribs,” “Debbie sealing.” the night, small cracks grad- when the cracks are the Bunch said, and has been Committee. Deere,” “Wash Tubbs,” Clovis public works staff uate to become bigger widest, when it’s cool out- required on local roads as Richardson said that com- “Eek and Meek,” “Out Our is scheduled Tuesday to cracks or even potholes. side but not too cold. The young as five years old. mittee “handles natural gas Way,” and “Our Boarding crack-seal a stretch of City employees try to cracks are widened by the deregulation, copper and House.” Mitchell Street between thwart those ravages early difference in temperature,” — Compiled by Staff uranium issues, all health The right-side line of Mabry Drive and Seventh on by cleaning cracks out he said. “When the summer Writer David Grieder care issues, tourism, the comics included “Blondie,” Clean Air Act, and most “The Flintstones,” “Mickey environmental issues. Finn,” “Joe Palooka,” “It’s especially important “Priscilla’s Pop,” “Bugs Events calendar Bunny,” “Alley Oop,” “The to my district,” he said. Monday bag.” Pre-registration required. ■ 2018 Annual Portales Jr. Symbolic Walk — 9 a.m. at “These are the issues that Born Loser,” “Winthrop,” ■ Stitch Addicts — 1:30 Potter Park, Clovis. concern those people.” and “Freckles.” Information: 575-763-9687 Chamber Banquet — 6 p.m. p.m. to 3 p.m. at Clovis-Carver to 9 p.m. at the Yam Theatre. Information: 575-769-7828 1968: The Clovis News- Pages Past is compiled Public Library. Lesson: “Mug Wednesday RSVP: [email protected] ■ Dr. Martin Luther King, Journal published a full by Betty Williamson. hug.” Information: 575-763- ■ Preschool storytime — or 575-356-8541 Jr.