TUESDAY,FEB. 20, 2018 Inside: 75¢ Students to march on Florida Capitol. — Page 4B Vol. 89 ◆ No. 279 SERVING CLOVIS, PORTALES AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES EasternNewMexicoNews.com WIND AND WORK Residents weigh in on gun control ❏ Armed staff, state mental health workers. “I agree that there are better screening some gaping holes (in the federal background check among suggestions. system) that need to be addressed,” said State Rep. By David Grieder Randy Crowder, R-Clovis, STAFF WRITER referring specifically to dis- [email protected] continuity in reporting from CLOVIS — A better sys- state and federal entities to tem for screening prospec- the FBI’s National Instant tive gun owners and armed Criminal Background staff at public schools — Check System (NICS). just a few ideas on the But would that solve this minds of area residents in issue? Crowder and others the wake of the country’s suggested that restricted most recent mass shooting. rules on gun ownership Better screening echoed could only go so far. an announcement Monday “I don’t know. It’s a hard from the White House that thing for sure, because any- President Donald Trump one can go off,” said Frank was supportive of bi-parti- Lynn, of Clovis. san efforts to improve the “Criminals are always federal background check going to be able to get a system, multiple agencies hold of a gun or a bomb, it reported. seems like. It’s tragic what The shooter accused of happened, but I expect it killing 17 last week at a could happen again.” Florida high school legally Specific to safety in pub- purchased the AR-15-style lic schools, Crowder ven- rifle used in the attack, tured the idea to do away reported BBC, in spite of being examined in 2016 by GUNS on Page 5A Trump supports limited effort on background checks By Catherine Lucey and supporters of their cause. Staff photo: Tony Bullocks and Maria Danilova At his Florida club just 40 miles from a community rav- Josh Adkins of Clovis clears leaves from the yard of the family home Monday on Adkins Court. He had help THE ASSOCIATED PRESS aged by the shooting that left from the winds that reached gusts of 44 mph. Area residents can expect more of the same today, only windi- WEST PALM BEACH, 17 dead last week, Trump er and a little cooler, weather forecasters say. Fla. — From the confines of gave a nod toward a specific his golf club, President policy action, with the White Donald Trump offered sup- House saying he had spoken Staff photo: port for a limited strengthen- Friday to Sen. John Cornyn, Eamon ing of federal background a Texas Republican, about a Scarbrough checks on gun purchases bipartisan bill designed to Alternative ed Zoe Monday while staying large- strengthen the FBI database Rodriguez, ly mum in the last few days of prohibited gun buyers. ❏ Employee earns BUSINESS FEATURE 19, pres- about the victims of the Spokeswoman Sarah ents the Florida school massacre and Huckabee Sanders qualified the support, stressing that diploma through received her high school diploma in high school the escalating debate about controls on weapons. talks continue and “revisions a public ceremony at the restaurant. diploma she McDonald’s program. She is the first at any of the restau- One side of that debate are being considered,” but received by said “the president is sup- By Eamon Scarbrough rants in Tucumcari, Clovis, or was represented outside the Portales to receive her diploma by completing White House as dozens of portive of efforts to improve STAFF WRITER the the federal background [email protected] successfully completing the teens spread their bodies Archways to Opportunity program “Archways across the pavement to sym- check system.” Fast food may be a bargain for offered by the McDonald’s to bolize the dead and call for The main action Trump customers, but in some cases, the Corporation. Opportunity” stronger gun controls, a pre- has taken on guns in office people behind the registers and fry- The program is free to employees online high cursor to a march in has been to sign a resolution ers are getting a deal, too. in good standing with the company. school pro- Washington planned next blocking an Obama-era rule On Feb. 13, Zoe Rodriguez, an month by survivors of the gram. employee at McDonald’s in Portales, DIPLOMA on Page 5A Parkland school shooting TRUMP on Page 3A Forecast: Today Wednesday Thursday Index Calendars..........................2A Puzzles..............................5A Reach us at: High: 58 High: 39 High: 56 Classified ..........................6B Markets ............................2A (575) 763-3431 Comics ..............................5B Obituaries..........................3A Low: 22 Low: 24 Low: 28 Voices................................4A Sports ............................1-3B PAGE 2A ✦ TUESDAY, FEB. 20, 2018 LOCAL THE EASTERN NEW MEXICO NEWS Officials to hear finance report FEB. 20 BY THE STAFF OF THE NEWS The audit includes one finding. tary payday loan program that provides “It’s a minor finding,” Pyle said. “We no risk to the county. On this date ... ■ CLOVIS — Curry County commis- had a special fund that was not in bal- Capt. Omar Cervantes will give a 1983: By day, Lt. Lee sioners will be told the county is in ance, it was out of balance by $1,022.” presentation on the 2017 Cannon Air Wheeler was a medic at solid financial shape during today’s Also on the agenda for today's meet- Force Base Air Installations Cannon Air Force Base. But meeting. That’s when Griego ing, scheduled for 9 a.m. in the com- Compatible Use Zones Study. in his spare time, he trans- Professional Services owner J.J. Griego mission chambers at the Curry County According to the presentation the formed into “Wheelie the discusses the county’s financial and Administrative Complex, 417 Gidding study is a land use planning document Clown,” a local performer compliance audit for fiscal year 2017. St.: that provides recommendations to com- who also headed up a class “Curry County’s audit is an unmodi- ■ The commission will vote on a munities for compatible development. for kids from ages 9-17 who fied, which means it’s the best opinion sponsorship for the 2018 Eastern New ■ A proclamation may be issued were also interested in given,” Curry County Manger Lance Mexico Spring Job Fair, scheduled for declaring March 2 as National clowning around for a pur- United States veteran. Pyle said. “This type of opinion means April 13. Education Association’s Read Across pose. Carnine died Feb. 3 at the the auditor was able to audit the finan- Pyle said the county has sponsored America Day. Wheeler and his students Retirement Ranch, only 19 cial statement without problems and the the event before and the cost of this Pyle said the county’s elected offi- made regular appearances at days ahead of his 104th auditor feels confident that everything year’s sponsorship is $1,400. cials are planning to spend the day vis- area events like birthday. He had served as a ■ in the financial statement is a true The commission will vote on an iting area schools to read their favorite Texico/Farwell’s Border private in the United States reflection of the entity’s operation.” agreement with TrueConnect, a volun- Dr. Seuss books. Town Days, Melrose Old Army during the Spanish- Timers’ Day, and the Curry American War, before going County Fair. on to a life in the ministry. Business digest Terri Streeter, 17, of Clovis and Cannon Air Building inspection Clovis was one of the 20 Force Base’s Veterans of Winners will be students in Wheeler’s group. Foreign Wars Post 3280 was Scholarship apps She and the rest of the announced at Plateau’s annu- named for him when it was clowns were brushing up on solution to be due March 6 al membership meeting on their routines prior to mak- started in October of 1978. Applications for the April 28 in Santa Rosa. ing a group road trip in Later, the name of one of presented to city Plateau Education Over $200,000 of scholar- March to perform at the the original members of the Foundation Scholarship ship money is available this Santa Fe School for the post was added, so today it Program are due March 6, year, according to the press is known as John Carnine- from the city of Clovis and Deaf and the New Mexico BY THE STAFF OF THE NEWS according to a Plateau press release. James Wiseman VFW Post the state, Standefer said. Indian School. release. 3280. PORTALES — A possible Also at tonight’s meeting Applications are available Business Digest is com- Carnine and Wiseman are solution to the city of at 6 p.m. in the Memorial 1978: Flags were flying at area high school guidance piled by the staff of The at half-staff across New both buried in the Santa Fe Portales’ inability to per- Building: offices, Plateau retail stores Eastern New Mexico News. ■ Mexico in honor of the National Cemetery. form building inspections The city of Portales’ and online at: Contact Kevin Wilson at will be proposed to the 2017 water conservation death of the Rev. John www.plateautel.com/ 575-763-6991, or by e-mail: Carnine, a long-time resi- Pages Past is compiled Portales City Council and use report by water con- company/scholarships [email protected] dent of the Retirement by Betty Williamson. tonight. sultant Charles Wilson. Ranch in Clovis and, at the Contact her at: A memorandum of under- ■ A resolution allowing time, the oldest living [email protected] standing with the city of the mayor to apply for up to Clovis may allow Portales $25,000 in hardship funds to to utilize its neighbor’s participate in the New Roosevelt to consider building inspectors, accord- Mexico Department of Events calendar ing to Portales City Transportation’s annual Manager Sammy Standefer.