SUNDAY,JUNE 25, 2017
Inside: $1.50
Yesteryear’s draggers tell stories of their adventures on Main Street. — Page 1B Vol. 89 ◆ No. 74
SERVING CLOVIS, PORTALES AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES EasternNewMexicoNews.com Main no drag for thousands ❏ Promoters: Combining music festival with Draggin’ good idea. By David Grieder Main with Gene Porter. STAFF WRITER “We’ve had good atten- [email protected] dance — real good atten- dance.” CLOVIS — Gina Promoters predicted Hochhalter was delighted 800 cars would cruise to see all the people. downtown Clovis. Those “For me it’s about see- figures may well have ing the town and the held up. At least that diversity of Clovis,” she many more came without said. “And the cars. cars, crowding the side- There’s old cars, new walks for almost a dozen cars, dented cars, shiny blocks. cars. It’s just cars! And Boone said he “totally motorcycles.” expects” the numbers Thousands of people this year to meet or — and their vehicles — exceed last year’s crowded Clovis’ Main turnout, a record aided Street on Saturday for by the agreeable weather the fourth annual Saturday (partly cloudy Draggin’ Main. and mid-70s) and multi- Organizers declared it ple class reunions, in another success. addition to the music fes- The experiment this tival and a softball tour- year was to host the Main nament that attracted a dragging with the Clovis few thousand on its own. Music Festival. The overlap in pro- “I know that people gramming may have also have been real happy contributed to the logisti- Staff photo: Tony Bullocks with the combination,” cal hurdles that saw a Clovis’ Main Street party featured agreeable weather. said Bryan Boone, who co-founded Draggin’ MAIN on Page 2A Romance rocks music festival ❏ Newlyweds have first dance onstage with Firehouse. By Stephanie Losoya salute to The Clovis Sound band’s tour director once STAFF WRITER made famous by Norman they heard they were coming [email protected] Petty. to Clovis and were set up Friday’s show also includ- with a VIP package that CLOVIS — It was the ed ’80s band, Winger. allowed them on stage to “Love of a Lifetime” at “It was great looking into share their first married Clovis Music Festival on (Tina’s) eyes and being in the dance. Friday. moment,” said the newly “We were blessed to share One lucky couple had the married Carlos Molina. that experience,” Molina opportunity to share their The song has long held a said, “it was unreal.” first dance as husband and special place in the love Molina said he did not feel wife during the Firehouse birds’ hearts and Molina said awkward to be on stage Courtesy photo performance of “Love of a the timing was perfect. Newlyweds Tina and Carlos Molina, center, are on stage with the band Firehouse Lifetime” during the annual The couple contacted the FESTIVAL on Page 3A after their first dance as a married couple. Dad: Son ‘enjoyed the people around him’ ❏ Portales native was killed in Tres Piedras Damian Herrera, 21, is accused had recently retired from his posi- — a sometimes complicated sub- of killing his stepfather, brother and tion as the west district archaeolo- ject — simple for others, James earlier this month, one of five shooting victims. mother in La Madera. Police said gist for Carson National Forest. Kyte said. he then drove to Tres Piedras, His father, James Kyte of “He enjoyed talking with people By Eamon Scarbrough Michael Kyte, 61, of Tres where Herrera is accused of killing Portales, struggled to find any and working with people on STAFF WRITER Piedras, grew up in Portales and Kyte and stealing his pickup, which motive for his son’s death. archaeology and things like that. [email protected] graduated from Eastern New he used to drive to Abiquiu, where “It just caught us off guard. As He could take you out and show Mexico University with a master of a fifth man was killed. far as we knew, he never knew the you the artifacts and things in a PORTALES — A gentle, pas- arts degree in anthropology. Herrera was arrested that same person that did it. His wife just way that you could understand it,” sionate teacher left this world on He was one of five people killed evening and faces five counts of came in and found him in the drive- he said. June 15, but his influence is still in a rampage this month in northern murder, among other charges. way,” he said. felt, according to his father. New Mexico. Kyte was killed at his home. He Michael Kyte made archaeology KYTE on Page 6A
Forecast: Today Monday Tuesday Index Calendar...... 2A Crossword ...... 2B High: 74 High: 81 High: 88 Classified ...... 5-6C Obituaries...... 2A Comics ...... 4B Sports ...... 1-4D Low: 60 Low: 60 Low: 64 Commentary ...... 4-5A PAGE 2A ✦ SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2017 LOCAL THE EASTERN NEW MEXICO NEWS
attended. “The only big difference Teen Main “Everybody seemed to now is there’s two lanes like the venue as far as instead of four,” said from Page 1A being on the grass at Johnny Romero, a lifelong missing scheduled Saturday morn- Marshall (Middle School),” Clovis resident. ing car parade canceled, but Boone said. “We tried to “We didn’t have a special Boone was not discouraged. make the event more cen- day (for Draggin’ Main), There was “not enough tered around Main Street we did it every night back at Lake this year. It’s a continuation (pre-registration) atten- in the ’60s and ’70s,” said of trying to promote the dance to justify” the parade his wife of 33 years, Mary on Saturday morning, given businesses on Main.” Romero. Sumner the street closures it would Main Street may have changed since many of the “It’s a shame it’s only By David Grieder have required. The town did not seem to old-timers cruised it in the once a year. During the STAFF WRITER badly miss the event, as the 1950s and 1960s, but it summer, this should happen [email protected] Gearhead Gathering from could not have had more all the time. Or every Staff photos: Tony Bullocks FORT SUMNER — State 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. life 60 years ago than it did Saturday,” said Jenny Promoters predicted about 800 cars would cruise Main police are expected to con- Saturday was robustly Saturday night. Martinez. Street Saturday during the Draggin’ Main event. tinue the search today for a missing teenager believed to have drowned Friday at a diversion dam near Fort Sumner. De Baca County Deputy Medical Investigator Juan Chavez said officials were going to shut off water at Lake Sumner dam and resume the search at 8 a.m. today. Sheriff’s officers received a report Friday evening of a possible drowning at the diversion dam “along the Pecos River, north of US Highway 60 near milepost 325,” according to an NMSP press release. Colton Alexander Sawyer, 19, of Tularosa was said to have “not resurfaced” after jumping into the river with two others, the release said. The sheriff’s office was notified around 7:30 p.m. Friday, Chavez said, and state police were called in to assist around 9 p.m. NMSP’s Search and Recovery Dive Team searched the area Saturday morning, along with others, along the river south of the dam. Chavez said the search Saturday was “pretty exten- sive,” with “ranchers on horseback, ATVs, firemen, and people on boats” out looking for any sign of the teen. Saturday’s search opera- tion was suspended about 3 Staff photos: Tony Bullocks p.m., Chavez said, with the No Refund jams at the old Levine’s location on Main. hope that shutting off water to the dam will aid the search today. Obituaries Lottery Meetings calendar Events calendar Friday Monday Use Committee — 5:30 p.m. Today Information: 575-356-3940 Funerals ■ Parks, Recreation and at Dora Community Building. ■ Juneteenth — 3 p.m. at ■ Toddler Time — 10 a.m. Monday Mega Millions Beautification Committee — Public Town Hall meetings Legacy Life Family Church. at Clovis-Carver Public Library Merle Terry — 10 a.m. at 12 20 53 66 74 5:30 p.m. at city hall, Clovis. regarding land use plans. Presenters, poets, music. for ages 10 months-3 years. Kingswood Methodist in Megaball: 11 Information: 575-769-7828 Information: 575-356-5307 Information: 575-749-6570 Information: 575-769-7840 Clovis, 2600 N. Main St. Megaplier: 2 Tuesday Thursday Monday Thursday ■ Roosevelt County Land ■ Roosevelt County Land ■ Movie Mondays — 1 ■ Steven Gamble retire- Use Committee — 1 p.m. at Use Committee — 5 p.m. at p.m. in Ingram Room, Clovis- ment reception — 2 p.m. at Roosevelt County Courthouse, Floyd Community Center. Carver Public Library. Movie: Campus Union Building, commission room. Public Town Public Town Hall meetings “Sing.” Information: 575-769- Eastern New Mexico University. Hall meetings regarding land regarding land use plans. 7840 Information: 575-562-1011 ■ use plans. Information: 575- Information: 575-356-5307 Full STEAM Ahead — ■ Blooming Talent — 356-5307 10:30 a.m. at Portales Public 10:30 a.m. at Portales Public ■ Clovis Municipal School This calendar is a daily list- Library for grades K-6. Activity: Library. Guest: Garden Source Bristle bots. Information: 575- Board — 5:30 p.m. in district ing of area public meetings. Nursery. Information: 575-356- 356-3940 board room, Clovis. To place an item on the calen- 3940 Information: 575-769-4300 ■ Farmers Market opening dar, call the newsroom at 575- ■ Childrens’ Storyhour — 763-6991 or e-mail: day — 5 p.m. at corner of 10 a.m. at Clovis-Carver Public Wednesday mmontgomery South Avenue B and First Library for ages 3-6. ■ Roosevelt County Land @thenews.email Street, Portales. Information: Information: 575-769-7840 575-760-0690
Tuesday Friday ■ ■ Budding Artists — 10:30 Friday Flix — 10:30 a.m. a.m. at Portales Public Library at Portales Public Library. for grades 2-6. Activity: Movie: “Storks.” Information: Floriculture and a Spot of Tea. 575-356-3940 Information: 575-356-3940 ■ Big Kids Activity Hour Ongoing ■ — 10 a.m. at Clovis-Carver Pintores artist of the Public Library for ages 7-11. month — Ed Martinez is the Information: 575-769-7840 featured artist for June at ■ Mario Kart tournament Clovis-Carver Public Library. — 10 a.m. at Clovis-Carver Information: 575-769-7840 Public Library for ages 8-18. Information: 575-769-7840 The events calendar is a daily listing of area events. Wednesday To place an item on the cal- ■ Little Sprouts storytime endar, call the newsroom at — 10:30 a.m. at Portales 575-763-6991 or e-mail: Public Library for preschoolers. montgomery Story: “Digging in the Dirt.” @thenews.email
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Member: The Associated Press THE EASTERN NEW MEXICO NEWS LOCAL SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2017 ✦ PAGE 3A ENMU has unusually high turnover By Anna George does not mean they are not STAFF WRITER glad they came.” [email protected] The theatre and digital filmmaking department is PORTALES — Eastern bringing candidates to the New Mexico University is campus to fill an empty digi- reporting an unusually large tal filmmaking position, a loss of faculty in the past process Rutland called “fan- semester due to the New tastic.” Though he said he Mexico economy and lack of struggles truly seeing what commitment to a small town. each applicant can do based Retiring President Steven solely on their resume. Gamble said the university “You can’t totally see what lost 12 faculty members this they know and what they past semester, a number have been through,” Rutland higher than he is used to see- said. File photo ing. College of Liberal Arts Farmers markets are back in business, starting this “We always have some and Sciences Dean Mary week in Clovis and Portales. that leave but this is by far Ayala said she has lost facul- the most I have seen in my ty members due to “natural 16 years,” Gamble said. circumstances.” He said the primary issue “I would say that a good Farmers markets is compensation. ENMU’s chunk of our openings this budget was recently cut $3.9 year corresponded to antici- million, which is preventing pated retirements of people the institution from provid- who had been here for a back in season ing faculty with competitive fruitful, robust career,” Ayala BY THE STAFF OF THE NEWS immediately available. pay, Gamble said. Staff photo: Anna George said. “As the market goes, we “Right now, any time we Department of Theater and Digital Filmmaking teaching She said several new hires Farmers markets are have the okra, tomatoes, can come up with something candidate Bobby Lewis performs a mock teaching ses- are people returning to returning to Clovis and watermelon, cantaloupe, for our faculty salaries, no sion as one of three applicants brought to campus for ENMU, happily at that. Portales this week. pumpkins, all of those matter how little, we give it,” an interview. “In a couple of cases, fac- Starting Monday, a mar- things, but it’ll just be a lit- Gamble said. “But recently ulty left for really good ket will be open at 5 p.m. tle while before all that’s we have been having to do much into the salaries as every candidate’s dream opportunities to advance that Mondays and Thursdays at things we don’t want to do, they want. location. wouldn’t have been possible the corner of West First ready,” she said. we have no choice.” ENMU Department of “Like anywhere else, in our small program here Street and South Avenue B Plummer said a few ven- These circumstances Theatre and Digital Portales is not everyone’s and we are happy for them in Portales. dors have indicated they involve raising tuition 7.5 Filmmaking Chairman Neil forever home,” Rutland said. and wish them luck,” Ayala Starting Saturday, the will be selling baked goods percent and not putting as Rutland said Portales is not “But just because they leave said. Clovis market will open at as well. 8 a.m. Saturdays and 5 p.m. Both markets will be par- Tuesdays at the Goodwin ticipating in the Double Up “There were about 900 in ’60s. nament began,” Cockrell Lake Walking Trail on Food Bucks program, attendance on Thursday, “It was a home run partner- said. Festival North Prince Street. which allows Supplemental (compared to 550-600 atten- ing with Draggin’ Main,” said Kos said she hoped the Both markets are expect- from Page 1A dees on Friday of 2016),” Clovis/Curry County softball fans would realize Nutrition Assistance ed to run through the end Program recipients to qual- Cockrell said. Chamber of Commerce their added entertainment of October. because as a musician him- ify for double what they self, he has been on stage Overall, organizers said Director Ernie Kos said. options between games Products will fluctuate spend using their SNAP many times, including open- they believe attendance was While the music festival throughout the weekend. depending on the growing more than a year ago though had faced financial hardship card. ing for Motley Crue. Kos and Cockrell agree season, Director Margie they did not have official in recent years, she said it was In addition to that first they hope to see the merger of Plummer said, adding that “If they scan for $20, numbers. already “in the black” this Draggin’ Main and the Clovis green beans, onions, they get $40 worth of dance, organizers said the “It was awesome, both year after Thursday night. music festival was a hit. Music Festival continue. squash, collard greens, new tokens to purchase food,” nights were awesome,” “Merging seems like it cre- potatoes and honey will be Plummer said. Director Derek Cockrell Cockrell said. ated more buzz,” Kos said. “Right now, they’re still said the event usually spans He attributes success to Cockrell said going into the separate committees,” said three days and Thursdays moving the dates from fall to event, there was some con- Cockrell, “(but) we want to always have the lowest atten- summer. Traditionally, the cern because hundreds of make sure everything worked dance. festival had been held in softball players were also in the way (the Draggin’ Main easternnewmexiconews.com This year, he said, September but was moved town for the weekend. committee) wanted it to. The Your source for local news and sports Thursday’s rock-legends this year to coincide with “(The hotels) became more music festival committee is impersonators rivaled the Draggin’ Main, which also of an issue beginning Friday extremely happy about how 2016 Friday night attendance. targets fans of the ’50s and because that’s when the tour- things have gone,” he said.
Staff photo: Tony Bullocks Firehouse frontman C.J. Snare fires up the stage and crowd during the Clovis Music Festival. PAGE 4A Sunday June 25, 2017 The voice of Curry OICESHE ASTERN EW EXICO EWS T E N M N and Roosevelt counties V and beyond
A Clovis Media Inc. newspaper
Our newspaper gives voice to all. We regard freedom as a gift of life. And with voice and freedom come responsibility — to ensure the same for everyone.
Rob Langrell David Stevens Publisher Editor
The Eastern New Mexico News Clovis office - 521 Pile Street, Clovis NM, 88101 Portales office - 101 East First Street, Portales, 88130
Viewpoint State tax rates ‘absolutely matter’ to business interests How ’bout respect for the rain? t would be easy to take the simplistic view that lowering New Mexico’s top corporate There’s always a better way “Heavens spill 272 gallons corn farmers, he said. Iincome rate from 7.6 percent to 5.9 percent to do something. per acre.” Kersh said he doesn’t know over a five-year period as part of a 2013 business Let’s talk about measuring David The water science school why we measure rain in inch- tax overhaul is costing New Mexico a lot of rainfall. Stevens website — water.usgs.gov — es, just that it’s been estab- money. Last Sunday night at my gives us a chart for converting lished by the World house, there was a great light- ◆ rainfall amounts so it’s an Meteorological Organization. It would also be wrong. ning show, complete with Editor easy fix. “In other parts of the world Corporate tax collections have dipped from window-rattling claps of If we see 1/10th of an inch where the metric system is $281 million in fiscal 2012 to a projected $118 thunder. of rain in that gauge on the being used, they use millime- million in fiscal 2017. Critics of the overhaul, The weather station a few fence, that equals 2,715 gal- ters instead of hundredths of which also included getting rid of the so-called blocks away reported we different way to record rain- lons per acre. an inch and centimeters of single sales factor, point to the numbers and say received 1/100th of an inch of fall. A half inch of rain: That’s rain vs. inches of rain,” he if the goal was to encourage job growth, it has rain. I think it would be more 13,575 gallons per acre. wrote. been a failure. That’s not nothing on our accurate — and certainly it And imagine the joy of That’s better, too. Indeed, New Mexico State University econo- parched Plains, but it seemed would make us all feel better receiving 3 inches of rain, or Instead of 1/100th of an mist Jim Peach says there “is very little evidence like nothing when I saw it — if we reported rainfall in 81,450 gallons per acre, in inch, we could say we that lowering tax rates promotes economic written down. gallons per acre, instead of by just a few hours. received 25.4 millimeters. growth. You’re seeing that here.” Peach argues Who’s in charge of PR for how many micro-inches we Steve Kersh, the TV mete- Same amount of rain, more that a well-trained work force is more important. rain? They’re doing a lousy receive in a cylinder on the orologist from Amarillo, respect for the wet. State officials counter that the overhaul put job. fence. agrees with me that rain is a I’m writing to the World New Mexico in a more competitive position and We got 1/100th of an inch Let’s use last weekend’s big deal and deserves more Meteorological Organization cite the economic devastation wrought by the of rain. It’s hard to write and sprinkling as an example. respect. right now. plunge in oil and gas prices. Clinton Turner, chief it’s hard to say. It wouldn’t Instead of a pathetic report “(A)ny rainfall is important economist for the Department of Finance and attract a single reader if we of 1/100th of an inch of rain to especially agricultural David Stevens is editor Administration, points out that job growth in pri- put it in a newspaper headline. that wouldn’t make page 39 in interests,” he wrote in an for Clovis Media Inc. vate business is up 9,000 jobs over last year. In this age of “alternate the Stevens Family Gazette, email. Contact him at: Moving outside academia for a moment, it’s facts,” I’d like to propose a we get a front-page headline: Rain means the world to [email protected] worth noting that New Mexico’s old corporate rate would have us higher than Arizona, 4.9; Utah, 5; Colorado, 4.63; and even New York at Those Cowboys were playboys, too 6.5. Texas and several other states have no corpo- rate income tax. Since I hauled hay for the was busted in a hotel room eat lunch, but could not enter Meanwhile, states like New York are aggres- parents of legendary with strippers, cocaine and after sundown. Groupies sively pushing other tax breaks. New York offers Cowboys’ quarterback Don Wendel drug paraphernalia. could. companies that agree to start or relocate certain Meredith in my east Texas ■ After a Super Bowl win ■ After beating Buffalo for hometown of Mt. Vernon, Sloan over Buffalo, players formed kinds of businesses on or near eligible university ◆ their second consecutive or college campuses “the opportunity to operate choosing “Boys Will Be a touring off-season basket- Super Bowl win over them in Boys: The Glory Days and Local ball team. Brawls broke out tax-free for 10 years.” The state has 10 regions columnist 1993, Jones fired head coach offering tax-free zones. Party Nights of the Dallas with several opponents. Jimmy Johnson in a clash of Cowboys Dynasty” seemed Treated with awe by fans in egos. Perhaps New York hasn’t gotten the message like a logical choice for my the smaller cities, their post- that tax rates don’t promote economic growth. June book-of-the-month sum- He was referring to my game buffets included booze, Jones then hired Barry Gary Tonjes, chief executive of Albuquerque mary. Halloween costume in the marijuana, cocaine and Switzer as head coach. Economic Development, deals with companies The only obstacle prevent- column being “999,” but groupies. Switzer approached discipline looking to expand or relocate. ing me from following in the when homeowners answered Women from various towns “as if he were the proprietor He says that prior to the 2013 changes, New footsteps of “Dandy Don” the door I would do a hand- joined them on their chartered of the Moonlite Bunny Mexico’s policy toward expanding employers was being 5-foot-8 and 145 stand. plane to their next destination. Ranch.” ■ was “atrocious” and New Mexico was eliminated pounds. (I sometimes get up Excerpts from the book: When the Cowboys When the Cowboys made it from consideration for many projects because of to 150 during watermelon ■ During film sessions, agreed under Jerry Jones’ back to the Super Bowl in its tax structure. A study by Ernst and Young season, but am always back to Charles Haley had to be ownership for American Switzer’s second season, he rated our attractiveness to manufacturers as worst 145 after finally getting up for ordered to put clothes on Airlines to continue being joined much of the team in good in the morning.) their transportation provider, in the nation. (among other unprintable nightlife debauchery. Less Peach is correct that companies consider many The 406-page expose the airline had to provide pho- than 48 hours before kickoff, (HarperCollins, 2008) by Jeff behaviors). tographs and measurements factors, including work force. They also look at ■ Veterans duct-taped he hosted a wild party in his public schools, crime, transportation infrastruc- Pearlman was given to me by of the most attractive flight suite. my editor, David Stevens. rookie Kevin Smith to the attendants and let the team ture, etc. “I didn’t know if we’d win I suspect the Muleshoe goalposts for forgetting to select them. Tonjes says that for most companies, deciding native was extending a peace pick up after-practice sand- ■ A drunken Jones once or lose the Super Bowl,” on a new location is not a process of selection — offering after — for the first wiches for them. whispered to a female Switzer said. “But I knew I rather it is one of elimination. and only time — gently nudg- ■ Michael Irvin would take reporter, “Give me five min- was gonna have one And taxes, he says, “absolutely matter.” ing me a few years ago to turn off his wedding band and dish utes with you and I’ll take you @#$%^&* week.” Lawmakers should keep that in mind when in a different column than the out $5 bills for him and team- to heaven.” They beat Pittsburgh. they revisit this issue. Halloween one I had submit- mates to use at strip-clubs. ■ At the Cowboys Sports ted by asking, “Do you really Shortly after the Cowboys Café, owned by former play- Contact Wendel Sloan at — Albuquerque Journal want to poke the bear again?” won Super Bowl XXX, Irvin ers, spouses were allowed to [email protected]
Opinion page policies Mallard Fillmore Bruce Tinsley Editorials Contact us Unsigned editorials are the opinion of the Letters and columns Clovis Media Inc.’s editorial board, which con- should be sent to: sists of Publisher Rob Langrell and Editor David Via mail Stevens. All other views expressed on this page Editor are those of their authors. Letters to the editor The Eastern New They should be on topics of public interest, not Mexico News private disputes, and no more than 300 words. P.O. Box 1689 Email letters to [email protected] or call Clovis, NM 88101 763-6991. Via fax Guest columns (575) 742-1349 Please contact Editor David Stevens at Via e-mail [email protected] or call 763-6991. [email protected] PAGE 5A Sunday June 25, 2017 The voice of Curry OICESHE ASTERN EW EXICO EWS T E N M N and Roosevelt counties V and beyond Tax hike no cause for hysterics Get your fainting couches One man disagreed, and would carry those shoes, or 44 cents? I go grocery shopping and milk ready. Clovis’ taxes are going called me soon after the discount them without compe- We get short-sighted on goes from $2.50 to $5 a gallon up Saturday. increase was approved. Kevin tition for 10 miles? wage increases too. “Wage — but cereal, eggs, peanut but- July 1 marks the first day of “The city’s going to lose I’ll always remember the increases do nothing because ter and bread are still the same a “one-eighth” hike — the revenue, not gain it,” the caller Wilson time my parents and I nearly prices will rise by the same price. It’s fair to say my gro- first of three possible after the said. “Everybody’s going to ◆ ran out of gas in Garryowen, amount.” cery bill went up, but not to say state phased out the “hold buy their groceries in Farwell Managing Montana, and the only gas sta- Not really, because math. If the dairy industry doubled it. harmless” program that reim- because their tax is 7.75 per- editor tion in a 50-mile radius Bob’s Sandwiches sells 100 Still up in arms? At least be a bursed municipalities when cent (compared to 8.1875 for charged an extra 25 cents per sandwiches in an hour for $4 smart shopper. A good fainting food and medicine were Clovis).” gallon of gas and an extra dol- each and pays its eight couch is $600 before tax, but exempted from gross receipts Not really. I reminded him ic pair of shoes with a $100 lar per soda. Proximity drives employees $8 an hour, Bob it’s going to cost 75 cents more taxes. groceries weren’t taxed in retail price tag. prices. has $400 in incoming sales in Clovis than Farwell. Just I’m not saying governments New Mexico. A half-dozen stores at Still, assume libertarian and $64 in outgoing wages. If double-check on delivery shouldn’t operate efficiently. “Well, they’ll buy their Clovis’ mall might carry them. fairy dust eliminates real mar- Bob wanted to double wages, costs. I’m saying when we get into clothes in Farwell.” Maybe they’ll compete for my ket conditions and the shoes he doesn’t have to make an hysterics over a tax hike of a Not really, because reality. business, so I can pick the bet- are $100 before tax every- extra $400 in sales to cover the Kevin Wilson is managing quarter per $200 spent, it’s Farwell has great stores and ter price — or the less irritat- where. They’re $108.19 in extra $64 in wages. editor for the Clovis office of tough to take us seriously better people, but a bigger city ing staff if prices are equal. Clovis and $107.75 in There’s more to it than that, The Eastern New Mexico when we have grievances over means more shopping options. What’s my expectation the Farwell. Why drive 20 miles clearly, but wages are just one News. Contact him at: bigger things. Let’s say I wanted a specif- discount store in Farwell and spend $1.40 in gas to save factor in a price point. Pretend [email protected] Frying, not flying, as temps rise As most of you are aware, flashbacks to the popular song week. the thermometers had dipped weeks, complain about the summer officially started last “The Heat is On” that was Heck, even the day my wife, down to a “cool” 109. When heat as they rolled back into week. recorded by Glenn Frey and Rob Tina, and I got married in Las the reception started to wind the safety of our air-condi- However, well before the used in the film “Beverly Langrell Vegas, the high temperature down around midnight, the tioned office. I do feel for calendar flipped to June 20, the Hills” Cop back in 1984. For ◆ that afternoon topped out at mercury still showed triple fig- them. Lately, the afternoon heat had already been turned those of you a bit younger, Publisher 116 — setting a record for that ures. heat has disrupted many folks’ up locally and on many of our think Nelly and his famous hit date that has since been sur- I grew up on the East Coast regular routines. friends to the west. “Hot in Herre.” passed. and always knew — and Remember, though, it’s only While we topped out with While you painstakingly try We had a Friday wedding on enjoyed — the summer heat. I June. The months of July and several days of temperatures in to get those lyrics from repeat- These passenger jets can’t the evening of July 17, 1998. didn’t realize at the time just August may have some new the low 100s prior to the for- ing over and over in your head, operate safely when the tem- We joked for a while afterward how humidity played a factor “treats” in store for us. mal kickoff to summer, tem- we can delve into some of the peratures hit 118. Who knew? that it was a good thing we had in all of that. To this day, the peratures in Phoenix and Las oddities that we learned last I lived in Vegas for nearly planned night nuptials so the heat still doesn’t bother me Rob Langrell is the pub- Vegas touched as high as 118 week about high temperatures. two decades and never recall temps had a chance to cool much. I think my co-workers lisher of The Eastern New and 119, respectively. Airlines grounded nearly flight cancellations because of down. dislike that about me. Mexico News. Contact him In recognition of the Clovis 100 flights over the past few the heat being a part of the And they did: When it came I’ve heard employees on at: Music Festival, that gave me days because it was too hot. news. That all changed last time to walk down the aisle, various occasions in recent [email protected] PAGE 6A ✦ SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2017 LOCAL THE EASTERN NEW MEXICO NEWS
JUNE 25 On this date ... 1977: Former President Gerald Ford, playing golf in Milwaukee, hit a spectator in the head with a tee shot. The spectator suffered a cut that required six stitches to close, but was not seri- ously injured. It wasn’t the last time Ford hit someone in the gallery with a golf shot. He once deadpanned, “I know that I am getting better ... because I am hitting fewer spectators.” Comedian Bob Hope directed multiple jokes at the president’s golf game. He said playing with Ford inspired him to take lessons: “Not golf lessons. First aid.”
1977: The Fabrific Fabric Center was having an end-of-month clearance. Brushed denim was $1.99 a yard. Jersey prints were two yards for $1. Purple and red polyester lining was four yards for 78 cents. The fabric center was at 911 Main in Clovis.
Pages Past is compiled by Editor David Stevens. Contact him at: [email protected] Kyte from Page 1A Michael Kyte’s obituary details his most impactful contribution to archaeology: His efforts to protect the Weathermon Draw Rock Art Complex and Archaeological District in southern Montana from developers — actions James Kyte said his son viewed simply as his respon- sibility. “The thing that I think influenced me the most — he would get on to a big proj- ect, like the ones up in Montana, saving the petro- glyphs and the different kinds of paintings that the Indians did, and he would just finish it and never say a word, just go on to his next project. If you asked him, he’d tell you, but he didn’t really volunteer that much,” he said. James Kyte said his son also followed a pattern com- mon throughout his life: Making friends. “He had friends up there (in Montana) among the Indian tribes. He was friends with the descendants of the scouts for the Indian tribes up there that worked with Custer,” he said. While volunteering at the American Legion in Portales, James Kyte said he has been approached numer- ous times by Eastern New Mexico University profes- sors who had fond memories of his son as a graduate stu- dent in the archaeology pro- gram. Even as a child, Michael Kyte was practicing accept- ance of all people, making friends on each military base his father was assigned to across the country and the world. “We never moved to a place that he didn’t blend with the community. He was easy to get along with. He was one that enjoyed life. He enjoyed the people around him. He was a people per- son,” James Kyte said. Sunday June 25, 2017 Your source for complete EGIONAL local coverage R THE EASTERN NEW MEXICO NEWS B Der to the railroad station ❏ Draggin’ Main stirs memories.
By David Grieder and Eamon Scarbrough STAFF WRITERS CLOVIS — Saturday’s Draggin’ Main attracted old-car fans and young-at-heart seniors who reminisced about the days when social media meant friends chatting loud enough to be heard above the car stereos on the main drag. Some came to watch, some came to be watched. They all have a story. Here are a few:
The anti-car show, Gearhead Gathering, was held at Marshall Middle School Saturday as part of Draggin’ Main 2017.
Right: Lesly Batiz ❏ of Clovis Charles Wade poses for a pin-up photo at would’ve loved the Gearhead Gathering at Marshall Draggin’ Main Middle Clovis’ Debbie Bracken, friends from Der School. 55, is a believer in tradition Wienerschnitzel — they — and not just her own. called it “Der” — to the Below: Bracken participated in Santa Fe Gerald Draggin’ Main on Saturday Railroad Kilmer of morning, bringing her 1938 station and Clovis uses LaSalle and 1957 Chevrolet back. Bel Air to the Gearhead “You saw his drone Gathering. all your to record The cars belonged to her friends, you video of the late father, Charles Wade, threw water day’s and she wanted to commem- balloons, events. orate his love for the vehi- you mooned Bracken cles. each other, “I laugh, because I think you held up signs. It was just he’s up above, smiling and our life. We loved it,” she glad that we’re doing some- said. thing to carry on,” she said. “Our parents loved it, Her father’s memory was- because they knew where we n’t the only reason Bracken were, they knew we were said she came for the festivi- safe. We were on Main ties. Street. It’s just a great mem- She was a teenage Main ory for all of us 50- and 60- dragger herself, driving with year-old people.” ❏ He calls it a rat rod ...it’s one of a kind Robert Harris drags Main “They call it a poor man’s in a truly one-of-a-kind rig. hot rod,” said his wife, Eddie “I call it a 1929 rat rod Harris. pickup,” he said. “I built it in “The kids love it and I my garage.” love it,” Robert Harris said. Harris’ custom automobile At 6 was assembled in the space miles to the of nine months and complet- gallon, the ed around 2012. He already medley had the S10 frame, and the motor vehi- cab and box came from a cle was farmer’s field. The remain- towed in ing pieces were repurposed from the from a recycling center in Harris home Clovis. in Melrose, The cab is a hybrid assem- where the Harris bly of Chevrolet parts from couple has ❏ 1926 through 1929, and the lived since 1995. It’s about the cars and the music bed is a 1930 Dodge. The The Harris’ have partici- Farwell’s Santos Cuevas was at a certain time and place. You can’t met them through there. They’re rear end and front end are pated in all four of Clovis’ Saturday’s Draggin’ Main for two have one without the other,” he looking for a part for this car, that from a Mitsubishi, said Draggin’ Main events. things: music and cars. said. car, or something hard to find. It’s a Harris, and the motor is a Before that, they partici- Sporting a T-shirt of the heavy At 49, Cuevas has worked in the common thing,” he said. 383 stroker. pated in Denver’s version of metal band Stryper, his favorite automotive industry for much of his Cuevas also values the opportuni- Inside, the floor and doors the car cavalcade for years. band, Cuevas described with gusto adulthood. Since he began, he has ty working on cars gives him to are lined with license plates They said they were excit- the dual role rock ‘n’ roll and auto- made his greatest friends through help others. and Route 66 signs. If the ed to take the car down Main mobiles have played in his life. buying and selling car parts, he said. “To me, it’s relaxing. It’s just contraption weren’t custom Street on Saturday night and “Music and cars run together for “Pretty much all the guys I know, something I like to do. I can take a enough, Harris glued red show off the unique cre- Cuevas me. You go cruising, and you’ll get it’s because of cars. For the longest car that’s somebody’s junk, doesn’t dice to various switches on ation, which Robert Harris in your car and you’ll hear a song or time, I worked at a parts store. A lot run anymore or whatever, and bring the interior panel and uses an said is a recurring crowd- whatever, and that takes you back to of the guys that have these cars, I it back to life,” he said. old tequila bottle to hold the pleaser. radiator fluid. A metal eagle What inspired Harris to mounted on the engine came make his custom cruiser? ❏ off a flagpole from Harris’ “I got bored and I love How to cope with life: Moody Blues, cruisin’ home state of Colorado. cars,” he said. Some people take vehicles for grant- he has two Volkswagens at home — a Jethro Tull.” ed — just a way to get around. bus and a bug — in addition to sever- Rock music, Smith Clarence Smith, 59, of Portales, said al motorcycles. said, gives him the cars, for him, have always been an out- He traced his love of vehicles to his same opportunity for let for his emotions and an opportunity misadventures growing up. escape he finds when Photos by for escape. “When the folks went out of town, I he is racing down the “Just to get away and not worry hot-wired my dad’s ’64 Chevy pickup, highway on one of his about anything; no cares. You just and we’d go for rides on it. We got motorcycles. Tony Bullocks don’t think about mundane life at all. caught eventually,” he said. “It helps me cope It’s an escape. It truly is,” he said about Music, too, is a passion Smith found with life. Put some Smith his car hobby. at an early age, but he was sure to clar- Moody Blues on, it Smith was at Saturday morning’s ify that he only enjoys “good rock ‘n’ makes me feel like life is worth living,” See more photos on page 3B. Gearhead Gathering as a spectator, but roll. Blue Oyster Cult, Moody Blues, he said. PAGE 2B ✦ SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2017 SOUTHWEST THE EASTERN NEW MEXICO NEWS SOUTHWEST ROUNDUP Man slammed by officer gets settlement rivers, flooding streets and Blowing NM dust By Carlos Andres Lopez behind and throwing him onto the facing criminal charges in connection bringing warnings of flash LAS CRUCES SUN-NEWS ground — where Black appears to lose to the incident. closes AZ highway flooding in several areas. consciousness. The lawsuit was formally dismissed WILCOX, Ariz. — Up to 5 inches of rain, LAS CRUCES — Dona Ana County In his lawsuit, Black alleged that the on April 14. A week earlier, Black had Interstate 10 in southeastern more in isolated areas, fell has agreed to pay a half-million dollars officer had violated his civil rights, signed off on the settlement, accord- Arizona has now reopened. Saturday in the Houston to settle a federal lawsuit filed by a specifically protections against exces- ing to a copy of the agreement the Blowing dust in New metro region but the storm man who was body-slammed by a jail sive use of force and cruel and unusu- Sun-News obtained this week under a Mexico had forced the high- system covered a stretch of officer while he was being booked into al punishment. He also sued over public records request. way closure Saturday. the state extending from the detention center in 2015. claims of battery, alleging he had “suf- The agreement makes clear that the The Arizona Department West Texas into North and Public records obtained by the Sun- fered pain and injuries” as a result of settlement should not be construed as of Transportation had East Texas. News show that the man, Timothy Ruiz’s action. an admission of liability by the coun- warned of the closure Flash flood warnings for Black, agreed to settle his lawsuit Black’s attorney, Jerome O’Connell, ty or Ruiz. It also states that Black “is Saturday morning, alerting counties west of Houston against the county for $500,000. said Friday that Black “is pleased that settling and compromising disputed drivers of the visibility issue. were extended into Saturday Black’s lawsuit centered on an alleged this ordeal is behind him.” claims” that the county expressly O’Connell added: “(Black) hopes denied. The highway was closed afternoon and flood advi- battery incident at the Dona Ana that what happened to him will not A county official said the settle- from east of Wilcox to sories also were issued for County Detention Center in November Lordsburg, New Mexico. 2015. occur to any other persons in custody ment was paid by the county’s insur- the Dallas-Fort Worth area. After Black had been arrested Nov. at the DACDC and that law enforce- er, the New Mexico Association of The Trinity River was near 27 on a charge of resisting a police ment will examine this incident close- Counties. State settles flood stage in the Dallas officer, he was transported to the ly and work to ensure that the civil Ruiz, meanwhile, is scheduled to Medicaid dispute area, as was the Sabine River detention center. But during the book- rights of everyone, regardless of social stand trial in September in 3rd near the Louisiana border in stature, are protected and valued.” Judicial District Court in Las Cruces. SANTA FE — The New ing process, he was thrown by a jail Southeast Texas. officer, Luis Ruiz, and reportedly lost By the time the settlement had been Last year, he was indicted by a Dona Mexico Human Services Tropical Storm Cindy ear- consciousness after hitting his head on reached, the case was well into the dis- Ana County grand jury and charged Department has settled with lier in the week brought the floor. covery phase, according O’Connell, with one count of aggravated battery a former Las Cruces behav- flooding when it made land- The entire incident was captured on who had been preparing to go to trial. resulting in great bodily harm, a third- ioral health provider for a fall near the Texas-Louisiana surveillance video. It shows a Black In signing the settlement, Black degree felony. sliver of the amount it origi- line. It was downgraded to a standing and facing a wall with hands agreed to dismiss the lawsuit against If convicted, he faces up to three nally demanded. depression as it moved handcuffed behind his back. Later, the county and Ruiz, who is still years in prison. He has previously More than four years ago, toward Arkansas. Ruiz can be seen grabbing Black from employed at the detention center and pleaded not guilty to the charge. the department accused Southwest Counseling Center of overbilling the Person triggers Group unveils estimated $20M homelessness project state by $2.8 million in hotel sprinklers Medicaid reimbursements. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS mental health care, sub- project has led to more tant, “but if you don’t have The state, however, lowered LAKEWOOD, Colo. — stance abuse treatment, job than $90 million in savings real housing at the end of its demand to just under Authorities say about 300 SANTA FE — A local training, case management and has reduced homeless- it, you’re going to create a $485 — the amount both guests had to evacuate a architect and a pair of and a host of other services ness in downtown San crisis,” he said. parties have settled at. Lakewood hotel when some- organizations that serve to help people in the com- Antonio by 80 percent. The group, which The settlement is part of a one intentionally set off the Santa Fe’s homeless popu- munity overcome the cause The group faces con- includes St. Elizabeth four-year dispute that shook fire alarm and sprinkler sys- lation have been working of their housing crisis. cerns about the Haven for Shelter and Health Care for up New Mexico’s behavioral tem. together for nearly two The proposed 400-bed Hope-based project’s price the Homeless, hopes the health network. It began in West Metro Fire reports years to develop a long- facility is modeled after a tag, however, with some project will draw city, 1,500-bed facility in San advocates saying that level county and state funding. 2013 when the state Human that flooding affected the term solution to homeless- ness that extends far Antonio, Texas, called of public funding could If the One Door project Services Department cut off first and second floors of a Holiday Inn on Hampden beyond a bed and a meal. Haven for Hope. better serve people strug- moves forward, Health Medicaid and other funding The group’s estimated Haven for Hope has seen gling with homelessness if Care for the Homeless Avenue. No one was hurt in to 15 providers, citing alle- $20 million proposal called success not just in getting it were spent on affordable would be based there, and gations of overbilling, mis- the incident early Saturday. One Door just lacks two people off the streets, but homes. St. Elizabeth Shelter would management and possible Lakewood police say the primary ingredients: fund- in transforming people’s Joseph Jordan-Berenis, relocate its overnight fraud. person who triggered the ing and a site, The Santa Fe lives so they can live inde- director of the Interfaith men’s shelter to the site, sprinkler system was in cus- New Mexican reported ear- pendently in permanent Community Shelter at along with its Casa Another bout of tody. lier this week. homes, said the group’s Pete’s Place, is one of Cerrillos housing program The Red Cross assisted The group envisions a lead architect, Suby those advocates. for people with severe rain engulfs Texas guests in finding other places project that combines sev- Bowden. He said the services pro- mental illness and disabili- HOUSTON — Another to stay. eral types of temporary Haven for Hope spokes- vided at a campus such as ties, St. Elizabeth round of rain is engulfing housing on a 10- to 15-acre woman Laura Calderon Haven for Hope or the pro- Executive Director much of Texas, swelling — Wire reports campus with medical and estimates the 7-year-old posed One Door are impor- Deborah Tang said. Tech firm fed up with crime By Martin Salazar Jehassi met with members of the Berry and Matthew Reisen administration, including Police Chief Gorden Eden, on Wednesday to discuss his ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL concerns. Gilbert Montaqo, Mayor Berry’s One of Albuquerque’s shining high-tech chief of staff, called it a positive and produc- startups has put the city on notice that it may tive meeting. leave Downtown and potentially the state if “As a result of the meeting, we are focused something isn’t done about the “marked and have implemented a new tactical plan to deterioration in the safety and security of the address those concerns,” he said. downtown Albuquerque area.” While he declined to go into specifics, Lavu, which launched in 2010, sent a letter Montaqo said overtime has been approved to to Gov. Susana Martinez and Mayor Richard increase the presence of officers trained in Berry earlier this week decrying the crime crisis intervention, including dealing with and “consistent and ongoing verbal harass- individuals with mental illness and substance ment by homeless and recently released abuse problems. inmates” that his employees have been hav- “Part of the (tactical) plan employs and ing to endure. allows for more officers to saturate that “I cannot stress enough to the both of you area,” he added. “Some other issues we don’t how serious the lack of safety in downtown have control over. Jail drop off has always Albuquerque has become for Lavu,” compa- been a point of contention.” ny President Ohad Jehassi wrote. “So much Bernalillo County runs the Metropolitan that there are now serious discussions at the Detention Center and decides where inmates Board of Director level at Lavu as to the need who are being released are dropped off. of Lavu to move . so that Lavu can assure The Journal was unable to reach Jehassi employees that they need not risk their life, for comment late Friday. But he issued a health or property when coming to or leaving statement to KOB-TV, saying the meeting from work.” went well. THE EASTERN NEW MEXICO NEWS REGION SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2017 ✦ PAGE 3B DRAGGIN’ MAIN
Above: Clovis’ Joaquin Gutierrez and his dog Canelo share some love.
Left: Damien Truong, 7, of Clovis gets his face paint- ed by Muleshoe’s D’dee Ellis.
Above: Clovis’ K’Lynn Gutierrez, 5, hangs on tight dur- ing her ride on a mechanical bull.
Below: Clovis’ Taylor Southwick admires the engine of a 1976 Corvette Stingray owned by Clovis’ John Good.
Bottom: Clovis’ Kane Muscato, 7, climbs the Kids go Wild rock wall. PAGE 4B ✦ SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2017 COMICS THE EASTERN NEW MEXICO NEWS
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