WEDNESDAY,JULY 4,2018 75¢ Vol. 90 ◆ No. 81 SERVING CLOVIS, PORTALES AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES EasternNewMexicoNews.com Mood mostly positive at racino meeting ❏ Racetrack proponents munity I believe is threefold: it brings did not know much about other than the in jobs, it brings in economic develop- fact they’ve met with city hall. discuss vision for area. ment and quality of life and all three of Brumfield said to her knowledge the those are things that we need here in our groups are looking at sites on the east By Jamie Cushman community,” said Gayla Brumfield, a side of the city on Mabry Drive and all STAFF WRITER representative of Vision 2020, the are estimating a similar workforce [email protected] group promoting Clovis as the optimal impact for a new racino — about 300 site for the state’s next racino. full-time jobs and up to 450 jobs during CLOVIS — Proponents of Clovis as Brumfield said there are four groups racing season, and as many as 750 jobs the site for the state’s sixth and final that she knows of working to bring a during construction. racino license presented their vision for racetrack to Clovis: Laguna “The horse industry is a three-quarter Staff photo: Jamie Cushman bringing a racetrack and casino to the of a billion dollar industry in our state Development Corp., Sunland Park and Gayla Brumfield, left, and Tom Martin of Vision 2020 give area by 2020 during a meeting on a group led by Shaun Hubbard, all of and with Clovis’ rich horse culture and Tuesday at the Clovis/Curry County which have hosted meetings at the our horse industry, I think it just works a presentation promoting Clovis as the site for the state’s Chamber of Commerce. Chamber, and a fourth group that has next racino during a meeting at the Clovis/Curry County “What (a racino) does for our com- been referred to as Full House that she RACINO on Page 2A Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday. WHEN IN THE COURSE OF HUMAN EVENTS ... Fallout remains year after drowning By David Grieder STAFF WRITER [email protected] CLOVIS — Though a festive occasion for most, Independence Day this year in Clovis also marks the first anniversary of a tragic inci- dent at a city park that left a child dead less than two weeks later. There is little discernibly different now at Hillcrest Park, but the signs advising against swimming and wading in public ponds are back in place. Officials said they had disap- peared shortly before the afternoon of July 4, 2017, when 12-year old Gevion Lewis went under the opaque waters for over five minutes before first responders located and removed him. Lewis was airlifted to a Texas hospital, Staff photo: Kevin Wilson where he never regained consciousness. He Members of the Ninth Judicial District take part in a reading of the Declaration of Independence on the steps of the Curry turned 13 there, and was removed from a res- County Courthouse Tuesday morning. Speaking at the ceremony were, from left, Drew Tatum, Leah Hutchins, Jeremiah pirator and died July 15, 2017. The incident is still the object of a wrongful James “J.J.” Hall, Janemarie Vander Dussen, Andrea Reeb, Kristen Sample, Ben Cross and Nicole Roybal. A similar cer- death lawsuit against the city of Clovis, sched- emony was held in Portales. Hutchins said there would be plans to hold the event next year, and readers wished the crowd uled for a four-day jury trial starting next a happy Independence Day. April. The plaintiff is Lewis’ mother Shawnita POND on Page 3A Trump talks to potential picks ❏ President says knowledge of the meetings “These are very talented people, brilliant people. who was not authorized to he’ll announce his We’re going to give you a great one.” speak publicly about them. The White House did not — Donald Trump, U.S. president choice on Monday. disclose Trump’s additional conversations, but two other people, brilliant people,” with the call. By Catherine Lucey names considered top con- Trump said during an appear- Paul has told colleagues that and Ken Thomas tenders are Thomas Hardiman, ance in West Virginia. “We’re he wouldn’t vote in favor of THE ASSOCIATED PRESS who has served with Trump’s going to give you a great one.” Kavanaugh if the judge is nom- sister, now on senior inactive WASHINGTON — With trademark flair, Trump inated, citing Kavanaugh’s role status, on the 3rd U.S. Circuit President Donald Trump spoke has said he’ll announce his during the Bush administration Court of Appeals in with three more potential pick to replace retiring Justice on cases involving executive Philadelphia; and Joan Larsen, Supreme Court candidates on Anthony Kennedy on Monday, privilege and the disclosure of who serves on the federal Tuesday as a key senator pri- choosing from a list of 25 can- documents to Congress. appeals court in Cincinnati and vately aired concerns about one didates vetted by conservative Trump’s choice to replace previously served as a of the contenders. groups. Top contenders include Kennedy — a swing vote on Michigan Supreme Court That follows four Trump federal appeals judges the nine-member court — has Justice. interviews with judicial candi- Raymond Kethledge, Amul the potential to be part of The president also spoke by dates a day earlier, as well as a Thapar, Brett Kavanaugh and precedent-shattering court phone with Lee on Monday, as conversation with Republican Amy Coney Barrett. decisions on abortion, health first reported by the Deseret Staff photo: David Grieder Trump has also been consult- care, gay marriage and other News and later confirmed by Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, who is Signs at Hillcrest Park advise against not regarded as a top con- ing with lawmakers — includ- issues. the senator’s office, which tender. An administration offi- ing Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., On Monday, Trump inter- characterized it as an interview. swimming or wading but had disappeared cial said Trump had spoken to who has expressed reservations viewed Kethledge, Thapar, Asked about the call, White from the area shortly before the drowning seven candidates in total. about Kavanaugh’s candidacy, Kavanaugh and Barrett, incident last summer, city officials said. “These are very talented according to a person familiar according to a person with JUSTICE on Page 5A They were since reposted. Forecast: Today Thursday Friday Index Calendars..........................2A Puzzles..............................5A Reach us at: High: 94 High: 89 High: 86 Classified ..........................6B Markets ............................3A (575) 763-3431 Comics ..............................6A Obituaries..........................3A Low: 66 Low: 64 Low: 64 Voices................................4A Sports ............................1-3B PAGE 2A ✦ WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2018 LOCAL THE EASTERN NEW MEXICO NEWS Events calendar Jail logs Today ■ Family Movie Night — 6 p.m. Booked pay fines ■ Stephenie Aguilar, 27 ■ Smoke on the Water — 4 p.m.- at Clovis-Carver Public Library. Movie: ■ Laura Moreno, 43, fraud by worth- ■ Daniel Jimenez, 30 5 p.m: Michael Thompson, 5:20 p.m.- “Selena.” Information: 575-769-7840 The following were booked into less check ■ Richard Fallis, 29 6:20 p.m.: Curry County Outlaws, local jails Monday: ■ Manuel Rodriguez, 39 6:40 p.m.-7:40 p.m.: Blackwater Tuesday Portales ■ Julien Aranda, 23 Band, 7:40 p.m.-8 p.m.: Set up for ■ Classic Creations — 10:30 Clovis ■ Dimetrice Edwards, 24 next act/National Anthem performed a.m. at Portales Public Library. ■ Amanda Mascarenas, 33, bench ■ by Ashleigh Cooper, 8 p.m.-9 p.m.: ■ Yolanda Flores, 41, out of state Tommy Johnson, 22 Project: Solar ovens. Information: warrant, hold for other agency ■ Kelvin Gooden, 43 Junk Yard Rhinos, 9 p.m.: Fireworks. fugitive ■ Fausto Rocha, 30, driving while 575-356-3940 ■ ■ Justin Page, 27 All at Greene Acres Park. Admission: ■ LEGO club — 1 p.m. at Clovis- Whitney Hall, 27, failure to regis- license suspended or revoked ■ Free. Information: heymix.com Elizabeth Fletcher, 32 Carver Public Library. Information: ter vehicle, driving while license sus- ■ Richie Zambrano, 26, aggravated ■ July 4 Celebration — 9 p.m. at ■ Whitney Hall, 27 575-769-7840 pended or revoked 1st DWI, reckless driving, larceny, Portales Softball Complex on ■ ■ Devion Mills, 25 ■ Quilter Tuesday — 5:30 p.m. at Jon Hoppe, 53, possession of a driving while license suspended or ■ Industrial Road. Admission: Free. controlled substance revoked, resisting, evading or obstruct- Theresa Moralez, 66 Information: 575-356-8541 Clovis-Carver Public Library. Project: ■ Anthony Gonzales, 28 Cool tie neck wraps. Please preregis- ■ Devion Mills, 25, probation viola- ing an officer ter. Information: 575-769-7840 tion Thursday ■ ■ Preschool storytime — 10 Manuel Villalobos-Mendez, 21, Released Portales July 11 failure to appear ■ a.m. at Clovis-Carver Public Library. The following were released from Charles Lopez, 32, bond ■ Tiny Tots storytime — 10 a.m. ■ Theresa Moralez, 66, contempt of ■ Information: 575-769-7840 local jails Monday: Julio Pacheco, 43, court order at Clovis-Carver Public Library. court ■ Joe Sanchez, 40, court order Friday Information: 575-769-7840 ■ Chris Eshleman, 68, failure to ■ Friday Flix — 10:30 a.m. at ■ Rock-n-Rollers — 10:30 a.m. appear Clovis* * The Curry County Detention Portales Public Library. Information: at Portales Public Library. Theme: ■ Jorge Quiroga, 51, probation viola- ■ Joshua Lucero, 25 Center in Clovis does not disclose 575-356-3940 Summer fun. Information: 575-356- tion ■ Noe Estraca, 40 the reasons for release in its daily 3940 ■ Jeanette Sena, 52, possession of a ■ Geno Mendoza, 31 briefings. Saturday ■ Stitch Addicts — 6:30 p.m. ■ ■ controlled substance, possession of Travers Martin, 38 Memorial Dedication — 2 p.m. come and go group at Clovis-Carver drug paraphernalia ■ Tony Kitts, 60 for Reverend Charles and Angie — Compiled by the Staff Public Library.