Clovis Man Charged with Negligent Arson ❏ Two Apparent the At-Large Suspect Charged in Called Police Around 9:30 A.M
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WEDNESDAY,JULY 25,2018 Inside: 75¢ Kavanaugh could change climate change. — Page 4A Vol. 90 ◆ No. 99 SERVING CLOVIS, PORTALES AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES EasternNewMexicoNews.com Clovis man charged with negligent arson ❏ Two apparent the at-large suspect charged in called police around 9:30 a.m. tion box, trying to insert a lit Around 10:40 a.m. while connection with one. Tuesday and “reported someone stick into the donation box and police were taking that report, arson incidents Ricky Morse, 22, of Clovis had came in the church during later “with an object, possibly a public works personnel was charged with negligent the night and started a fire and pocket knife, trying to pry open “observed smoke coming from being investigated. arson after a report Tuesday attempted to steal from the the donation box.” the air conditioner vents” at a morning of a fire started just donation box.” The church employee showed foreclosed vacant building By David Grieder before 2 a.m. at Clovis’ Sacred Church security footage police “a fire extinguisher on “located directly across the Heart Church, records show. shows a man “immediately rec- the wall that had been dis- STAFF WRITER street from the Church,” said the [email protected] Morse remained at large late ognize(d)” by police as Morse charged on the ground,” along Tuesday afternoon and police in at 1:45 a.m. entering the with a stack of “burnt and complaint. Morse CLOVIS — Early into an a news release asked anyone church’s worship hall, which is charred” brochures piled on the That building is without elec- investigation of two apparent with information on his where- open 24 hours, according to a ground, as well as a burn mark tricity and the fire is also being arson incidents, Clovis police abouts to contact the depart- criminal complaint. on a pew “where someone had investigated as arson, said the on Tuesday asked for any infor- ment. The video shows the suspect attempted to catch it on fire,” news release. Officials say the mation relative to either fire or An employee at the church eating from cans in the collec- wrote Officer Trevor Thron. two incidents “may be related.” BATTLE OF THE BADGES Portales votes to start rec center negotiations ❏ City manager says city has received one proposal for facility. By Jamie Cushman STAFF WRITER [email protected] PORTALES — The Portales City Council on Tuesday unanimously decided to begin negotiations for a proposal to turn the city's Rec Center into a family entertainment venue, but few details were shared about the proposal. City Manager Sammy Standefer said the city received one proposal but did not share any other details such as which company or individ- ual responded and what the plan is for the future of the Rec Center because of the ongoing procure- ment. When asked by Mayor Pro-Tem Staff photo: David Grieder Michael Miller, Standefer said he From left, Clovis Police Sgt. James Gurule, phlebotomists Nate Valenzuela and Ashley Melendez and walk-in Grace Padilla share did think the proposal was suffi- space in the bloodmobile Tuesday afternoon during the first day of the “Battle of the Badges” drive, a recurring sanguine competi- cient enough to take the next step of tion among law enforcement. By afternoon firefighters were ahead of police by six units donated, but the drive continues 9 a.m. to beginning negotiations. 1 p.m. today at the fire station, 321 Mitchell Street. Councilors Dianne Parker and Jessica Smith were not present. Also at Tuesday's meeting (all votes 5-0): ■ The council approved a notice of intent regarding a change to the Right-to-work ordinance approved city's policy for waste management disposal. ❏ 4-1 Vote followed nance. don’t see any reason why a person “Right-to-work does not increase Public Works Director John Commissioner Matthew Hunton, should have to belong to any politi- an individual’s pay. It does not bring DeSha said the potential ordinance 45-minute public who originally requested the com- cal or labor organization in order to you any more business than not would prevent residents from plac- mission consider the right-to-work get work,” Smith said. “We just having it,” Martin said. ing items next to a dumpster and hearing on the issue. ordinance, cited his libertarian think that’s a very simple matter. Christopher Saavedra, a New would give the city recourse against beliefs and the importance of choice That doesn’t mean that labor unions Mexico representative for the individuals who commit illegal By Jamie Cushman when he motioned to approve the are bad, it simply means that this is United Fruit and Commercial dumping or theft of service. STAFF WRITER ordinance. a free county and you should not Workers Union, questioned the The ordinance will now go back before the council at its Aug. 21 [email protected] “Voluntary dues I think is the key have to belong to a labor union in necessity of the ordinance. meeting when the council will vote that we are discussing and what the order to get work.” “This bill is 100 percent superflu- PORTALES — By a 4-1 margin ordinance is about,” Hunton said. Carla Sontagg, president and on the potential ordinance, follow- on Tuesday the Roosevelt County ous. It’s all pushed and run by polit- ing a public hearing. “This is not a union crusher. Unions founder of the New Mexico ical special interest groups. It’s not Commission voted to approve a are excellent. Many years ago Business Coalition, said right-to- ■ The council approved the fis- right-to-work ordinance. for the worker, it will only diminish cal year 2019 budget. Finance unions were absolutely without a work is one of the factors that site what workers have and what they The decision came following a doubt necessary. I think it’s up to selectors look at when considering Director Marilyn Rapp said the have fairly bargained and fairly public hearing on the ordinance that unions to find the value to make where to set up a business. city's general fund projected rev- negotiated for themselves today,” featured several speakers on both people want to join that union and if “We would never tell you that enues of about $7.4 million is about sides of the argument. the value’s not there, I don’t like the right-to-work is going to solve Saavedra said. $300,000 less than last year due in Commissioner Dennis Lopez idea that money can be stolen out of every problem in your county or in After the meeting, Hunton said large part to to a projected nearly cast the lone vote against the ordi- a paycheck. I just don’t.” the state, it’s not going to happen. the ordinance will not affect the rail- $270,000 decrease in gross receipts nance. The vote followed an approxi- But it will give you new economic road workers, who made up a tax. “I think that with no written mately 45-minute public hearing, opportunities for growth,” Sontagg majority of the opposition present at Rapp said the general fund pro- agreement that would offset legal which featured six individuals in said. Tuesday’s meeting. Hunton esti- jected expenditures of about $9.35 costs, with not showing me how it’s support of the right-to-work ordi- Audie Martin, a local representa- mated that very few, if any current million increased 7.5 percent over going to benefit our county and the nance and eight people opposed. tive for the International workers in Roosevelt County would last year due to increases in private sector, on behalf of my con- Larry Smith, former chairman of Association of Sheet Metal, Air, be affected by the new ordinance. salaries, benefits, purchased prop- stituents in District 1 I pretty much the Republican Party of Roosevelt Rail, and Transportation Workers The ordinance pertains to all erty services, insurance and utili- know how I’m going to vote,” County, was the first to speak in (SMART) labor union, pushed back incorporated areas of the county ties. Lopez said moments before the favor of the ordinance. against the benefits of right-to-work commission approved the ordi- “We of the Republican party touted by its supporters. ROOSEVELT on Page 3A PORTALES on Page 2A Forecast: Today Thursday Friday Index Calendars..........................2A Puzzles..............................5B Reach us at: High: 93 High: 88 High: 84 Classified ......................7-8B Markets ............................2A (575) 763-3431 Comics ..............................6B Obituaries..........................2A Low: 67 Low: 65 Low: 63 Voices................................4A TV Guide ..........................8A PAGE 2A ✦ WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2018 LOCAL THE EASTERN NEW MEXICO NEWS LOCAL ROUNDUP Meetings Events calendar Today “Coco.” Information: 575-356- Woman ordered Man in critical condition calendar ■ Battle of the Badges — 9 3940 to pay $373 in fines following shooting a.m.-1p.m. blood drive at fire sta- ■ Nurses pinning — 1 p.m. at Thursday tion, 321 Mitchell St. Information: Clovis Civic Center. Information: CLOVIS — A 24-year-old Clovis woman A 38-year-old man was in critical condi- ■ Curry County 800-333-8037 575-769-4954 has been ordered to pay $373 in fines after tion at a Lubbock-area hospital on Tuesday Commission — 10 a.m. special ■ Tiny Tots storytime — 10 ■ Free swim — 1 p.m.-5:45 pleading no contest to allegations she failed following a shooting Sunday night in Clovis, meeting in commission cham- a.m. at Clovis-Carver Public p.m. for age 18 and under at to send her 6-year-old daughter to school.