Good morning and welcome to the Freedom New Mexico Tuesday briefing. Music, music, music The Yam Music Series featuring Andy Mason is 7 p.m. today at the Yam Theatre, 219 S. Main St., Portales. Admission is $5 at the door. School’s out A reminder that all Clovis public schools are closed for the holiday. Classes […]
Cannon Appreciation Day set for Saturday

Freedom New Mexico: Alisa Boswell Roosevelt Chamber of Commerce Director Karl Terry, left, and Promotions Director Sandy Van Der Veen go through boxes of door prizes Monday afternoon for the Cannon Appreciation Day, which is happening Saturday in the 801 military housing. Alisa Boswell The Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce is holding a Cannon Appreciation […]
Home security system hard to beat
I unlocked the door, and the second I opened it the blast began. It sounded like ten banshees fighting off a dozen gorillas. Holding my ears, I ran to the contraption on the wall by the front door and pushed the numbers (which, thankfully, I remembered) and was immediately greeted by a wonderful silence. This […]
Slaying suspect rented hotel room next to victims
Freedom New Mexico A man suspected of killing two Tucumcari men in a hotel was renting the hotel room next door to the two men found fatally shot, according to New Mexico State Police Agent Joshua J. Armijo’s affidavit. Gabriel Baca, 37, and Bobby Gonzales, 57, both of Tucumcari, were found dead on March 24 […]
Police blotter — April 3
Samplings of recent calls received by Clovis-area law enforcement officers, according to reports: Around 4 p.m. March 19 an officer responded to a residence in the 200 block of Buccaneer Loop for a report of men selling magazines door-to-door. The resident said two men came to her door telling her they were selling magazines and […]
McGee: Answer door at own risk
By Grant McGee: Freedom columnist It was another sunny Saturday morning on the High Plains and I was just kicking back at home. The doorbell rang. I wasn’t expecting anyone. I pondered whether to just stay in the recliner or get up and answer the door. I got up and looked out the window. I […]
In search of ponies: Big freeze brings pet care lessons
Sharna Johnson Earlier this week, while heading out the door for work, I noticed a frenzy of bird activity on my back porch. The flock was centered around the dogs’ bowls of half-eaten food, abandoned when they gladly traded their 20-below breakfast time for the warmth of their kennels inside. I noticed one of the […]
Military mama: Raising twins twice reward
This time last year I was waddling my way to a prenatal appointment, trying not to slip on the ice. On the way out the door I had my mom snap a photo of me in all my glorious belly bliss. These will be treasured snapshots because: a) I had makeup on, and b) at […]
Community shows appreciation for Cannon
Cannon Connections photo: Argen Duncan Ryan Wimbrly, civilian electrical shop employee at Cannon Air Force Base, competes in a pie-eating contest during Cannon Appreciation Day at Unity Park. By Argen Duncan: Freedom New Mexico From burgers to a pie-eating contest and horseshoes to door prizes, Cannon Air Force Base airmen, their families and civilian employees […]
Police blotter —
Samplings of recent calls received by Clovis-area law enforcement officers, according to reports: Around 4 a.m. July 26 officers responded to a business in the 1200 block of Main Street for a burglary. The caller told dispatchers he noticed the rear door to the business was open. Officers found evidence the door had been pried […]
Message of Jesus’ love always the same
By Judy Brandon: Religion calendar This past week, I read about the new Lighthouse Mission facility to be constructed this summer. Over the years, those folks, the Salvation Army and the newer Matt 25 organization have done a tremendous work for many people. I can remember different days in the 1950’s in Clovis. Daddy was […]
Cannon opens door to community

CNJ staff photo: Liliana Castillo Tyson Light, 10, plays with a gun on the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter Saturday during Cannon Air Force Base’s open house. By Liliana Castillo: CNJ staff writer Air Force participants and attendees to the 27th Special Operations Wing open house Saturday felt interaction between the base and surrounding communities was […]
Police looking into magazine sales
CNJ staff Clovis police are hoping to make contact with a group of people conducting door-to-door magazine sales in the community in order to verify they are observing city ordinances. Capt. Patrick Whitney said the group, which has surfaced in the last few days, has prompted calls from citizens suspicious of the solicitation. He said […]
Racino delays could open door for Tucumcari
Freedom New Mexico Construction delays on the Raton racino could open the door for Tucumcari to lure it to Quay County. Logan attorney Warren Frost, president of the Quay County Gaming Authority, said he has mailed a letter to the New Mexico Racing Commission stating Tucumcari’s continued interest in building a racino, which is a […]
2-26 Police blotter
Samplings of recent calls received by Clovis-area law enforcement officers, according to reports: About 11 p.m. Feb. 7 an officer responded to a residence in the 1000 block of Cameo Street. A woman said a man she knew had reached in through the window of her home to try and open the door after she […]
Police department evacuated after gas leak
Freedom New Mexico Clovis police Capt. Patrick Whitney said the Clovis police department was evacuated for two hours this morning. A construction crew struck a gas line while working on plumbing in the building next door to the department. There were no injuries. The building was evacuated from about 9:30 to 11:30 am., Whitney said.
Home invasion experience still haunts Portales resident

Freedom Photo: Eric Butler Jo Ann Vickers stands over the spot in her hall where she lie beaten and suffering a broken femur during a March 30, 2008 home invasion. Vickers attackers are serving prison time, but memories of the attack still haunt her. By Eric Butler: Freedom New Mexico It was late on a […]
Several recent daytime home burglaries in Clovis
Over the last several weeks there have been several reported home burglaries during daylight hours while people are gone to work or out of town. The burglary suspects are going to the front door and knocking or ringing the doorbell to see if anyone is home and if they get no reply, they are going […]
County hires Wicker to drive van
Freedom New Mexico Curry County hired former city commissioner Gloria Wicker Tuesday to drive women and children to their medical and other necessary appointments. The County Commission voted to hire Wicker at a salary of $1,600 a month through October, at which time her contract will be reviewed. The Mother Child Health van takes women […]