I grew up in what was once a small town just outside of Montgomery, Ala. It has grown through the years, but was once a town about the size of Clovis. Montgomery is home to Maxwell Air Force Base, so growing up I crossed paths with several Air Force families coming through Maxwell for schooling […]
Cuts coming out of defense budget
The “super committee” that Congress and President Obama created in August to make tough budget choices and slow America’s runaway debt has left military people confused and divided over whether to cheer for its success or pray for its failure as its Thanksgiving deadline nears. Success will be achieved if seven of 12 lawmakers on […]
Friday morning briefing: Ribbon cutting and football coming
Good morning, and welcome to the Freedom New Mexico Friday morning briefing.
Education column: Book fairs expand horizons
It was Scholastic Book Fair week again for many of our elementary schools. Peeking in the library at Cameo Elementary, Pat Archibeque, school librarian, was bustling about, organizing materials and arranging things for classes coming to the library that day. Large, silver cases on wheels, filled with books, were “parked” in the corner of the […]
Ticket feature: Group of former soldiers singing in Clovis

Courtesy photo: 4troopsmusic.com The members of 4TROOPS are Unites States combat veterans who served on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan. Freedom New Mexico A singing group made up of former soldiers raising awareness about the sacrifices troops are making in Iraq and Afghanistan is coming to area as part of Clovis Community College’s […]
Parks and Recreation conference coming to Clovis
CNJ staff The Clovis Civic Center will host this year’s New Mexico Recreation and Park Association state conference, running Wednesday morning through Friday. An estimated 200 parks and recreation employees will attend the conference, with speakers from around the region offering educational sessions and National Recreation and Park Association Board of Directors Chair Janna Rankin […]
Civic center hosting redistricting meeting
Kevin Wilson If there is any consensus to be found with redistricting coming up this fall, it’s uncertainty. Among representatives and analysts, there’s nothing guaranteed regarding how the Legislature does its decennial organization of its 70 House seats and 42 Senate seats, along with congressional districts and districts for city councils and commissions and school […]
Pecos League plans game in Clovis
CNJ staff The Pecos League is coming to Clovis — at least for a day. A game between the Alpine Cowboys and Carlsbad Bats is planned 7:05 p.m. July 28 at Mike Harris Field. Tickets are $6. The six-team league, which sought to have a franchise in Clovis this season, is seeking game sponsors and […]
God’s plan for each of us not work of fiction
John Scott our son has a birthday coming up. I think back to childhood times when he was a little boy. But even though he is grown, I remember years filled with fantasy and child play. John Scott had an infatuation with “The Incredible Hulk” series on television and. The Hulk was a normal man […]
Our people: Coming full circle

Liliana Castillo: Freedom New Mexico Melrose schools superintendent Jamie Widner comes from a family of 11 children. Melrose native Jamie Widner has been in education as a teacher and administrator for 26 years, all in New Mexico. Coming from a family of 11 children, all who graduated from Melrose High School, he is family-oriented. Widner […]
Commissioners to give county manager budget guidance
Sharna Johnson In a break from tradition, Curry County Commissioners will host a budget workshop during a special meeting Thursday to hear the needs and wishes of department heads and elected officials for the coming fiscal year. After hearing the requests, commissioners are expected to give the county manager guidance on which items will be […]
Reader-submitted content: National Day of Prayer coming up
Sabrina Farmer With National Day of Prayer scheduled for noon Thursday, we would like to share what has been happening locally in what has been called the “prayer movement.” As crisis after crisis arises in the world around us, people are being drawn to a secret place of prayer to find peace that passes understanding. […]
Committees plan to ask for more time
CNJ staff The expected recommendation coming from Curry County’s jail and courthouse citizens’ committees is to give them more time. Tuesday marks the deadline the committees were given to present recommendations to the commission with those recommendations expected during a 9 a.m. commission meeting in the North Annex of the Clovis-Carver Library. According to the […]
Tuesday morning briefing: Coming together, an Easter warning and terrorism at home
Good morning and welcome to the Freedom New Mexico Tuesday briefing. Coming together The community comes together at noon today during the joint City of Clovis/Curry County luncheon at the Clovis Civic Center. Quirky quote “It’s just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up.” — Muhammad Ali Easter […]
Yard of the Month competition coming
By 27th SOW Public Affairs Family housing residents will soon battle for the best yard in the neighborhood as the Yard of the Month competition will run from May through September. The criteria for selection is based on the following: • Landscaping: Is the yard mowed, edged and trimmed? • Flowerbeds: Are they weed and […]
Ticket feature: New Year’s Eve ranch rodeo coming to events center

File photo Ranch rodeos include activities that take place on ranches such as branding, stray gathering, doctoring, trailer loading pictured above at the first Curry County Ranch Rodeo held May 29. Freedom New Mexico Hammer Down Rodeo Company is hosting the first New Year’s Eve Steven Watson Memorial Ranch Rodeo beginning 1 p.m. Dec. 31 […]
Professional baseball league coming to Clovis
Kevin Wilson Professional baseball is coming back to Clovis. Pecos League Commissioner Andrew Dunn said Thursday that one of the league’s eight teams will definitely be in Clovis in 2011. Most of the games are expected to be played at Bell Park, owned by Clovis Municipal Schools, though some may be at the city-owned Mike […]