CNJ staff The Salvation Army is accepting only monetary donations to assist victims of Hurricane Irene, according to a press release from the agency. Donations can be made online at www.SalvationArmyUSA.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, according to the release. A $10 donation can also be made by texting the word “STORM” to 80888 using a […]
Rebuilding after disaster homeowners’ responsibility
Freedom Newspapers News outlets are reporting heavily about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which hit the Mississippi coast on Aug. 29, 2005. Heavy rain from the huge storm overwhelmed the levees surrounding New Orleans, causing flooding that destroyed much of the city. Five years later, much of the damage still exists, and thousands of people […]
For Christians, name means security, eternity
Judy Brandon: Religion columnist On the day I am writing this column I also heard that a tropical depression is forming in the Gulf of Mexico. If its winds get to a certain point, this will turn to a hurricane and the hurricane’s name will be Alex. Alex is the first of the season. As […]
Weather could drench festivities
Clarence Plank Roosevelt and Curry counties, along with much of eastern New Mexico, could get drenched during the Fourth of July holiday, courtesy of a hurricane hundreds of miles to the south. Local emergency management leaders are also warning of possible flash flooding. Two to 4 inches of rain are being forecast and experts say […]
Raising prices based solely on economics
Freedom New Mexico In these divisive times, there has to be a bad guy when a hurricane blows in. It can’t just be a natural phenomenon that’s bigger than us all. It has to be a Democratic hurricane, or a Republican hurricane, the bogey man’s hurricane, or a hurricane caused by us all. Somebody has […]
Local electric workers aid in Ike recovery
By Gabriel Monte: CNJ staff writer Six Farmers Electric Cooperative linemen are helping to bring back power in areas in Texas and Louisiana hit by Hurricane Ike, according to utility company officials. The linemen join other volunteers from Curry and Roosevelt counties who have assisted with relief efforts in areas hit by the hurricane. Farmers […]
Local guardsmen aiding in Hurricane Gustav aftermath
CNJ staff As part of his mission in the New Mexico National Guard, Sgt. 1st Class Terry Stevens of Portales is in Louisiana with 400 other New Mexico guardsmen deployed to regions affected by Hurricane Gustav. The Category 2 storm made landfall Sept. 1, causing flooding and wind damage to homes in the state, according […]
Two missing in Ruidoso flood
The Associated Press RUIDOSO — About 300 people were evacuated from homes, campgrounds and a recreational vehicle park Sunday after flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Dolly. Two people were reported missing in the water.
Forecasting weather not exactly science
By Freedom New Mexico Thank goodness the snow finally arrived in New Mexico and the Colorado mountains. It was only a matter of time before the lack of snow was blamed on global warming. It seems every natural anomaly now gets blamed on this all-purpose bogeyman. Drought hits the Southeast? It’s related to warming. Wildfires […]
Business Feature: Store caters to fans of New Mexican music

CNJ staff photo: Andy DeLisle Carolina Sierra stands in front of merchandise on display in her store, Carolina’s New Mexico Music. By Helena Rodriguez: CNJ staff writer Carolina Sierra hopes to fill a niche market with her recently opened music store. Located at 615 N. Main, Carolina’s New Mexico Music specializes in the fast-paced, drum […]
FEMA failures show D.C.’s inefficiencies
Freedom Newspapers The news about the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to last year’s Hurricane Katrina just keeps getting more and more shocking. As Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins put it, “The blatant fraud, the audacity of the schemes, the scale of the waste — it is just breathtaking.” A survey by the New York […]
Hurricane falsehoods leading to waste
By Mona Charen: Syndicated Columnist Reviewing the falsehoods, myths and misrepresentations spun by the press, politicians and pundits following Hurricane Katrina, one is reminded of Nora Ephron’s bon mot: “No matter how cynical I get, I can’t seem to keep up.” Most recently, we have word from the National Hurricane Center that Katrina was not […]
Church members give hurricane aid
By Tony Parra: Freedom Newspapers A contingent of Portales church members spent portions of the last three months in the hurricane-ravaged areas in south Texas and Louisiana and providing the victims food, shelter and above all, hope. Don Davis of Portales was one of the volunteers who went to help. “We were there to help […]
Power company workers return from Texas, Louisiana

Randy Mitchell of Clovis’ Powerline Inc., top, and an unidentified co-worker repair a damaged power line during Hurricane Rita relief efforts. (Courtesy photo) By Andy Jackson: CNJ staff writer After restoring power to homes in Texas and Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Rita, representatives from a Clovis power company came home Friday. Randy Mitchell, […]
Local hand lends aid to devastation
Tonya Garner: CNJ Staff Writer A former Clovis resident has been using his job training in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina hit in September. Blanton Christesson, a 1971 Clovis High graduate, is a foreman at Environmental Restoration Co. of St. Louis, Mo. The foreman said he and his crew worked seven days a week and […]
Violence vivid even after abuser gone
CNJ Readers I would like to commend Debbie Vinson for her bravery to publicly talk about her experiences as a victim of domestic violence. (“Panelists encourage victims of violence to step forward,” Friday’s CNJ) Her statement about the pop and smell of fireworks reminding her of a specific incident paints a vivid picture of what […]
Bush shouldn’t accept blame for nature
By Walter Williams: Syndicated Columnist President Bush, in his post-Hurricane Katrina address to the nation, said, “And to the extent that the federal government didn’t fully do its job right, I take responsibility.” Accepting the blame for the federal response is one thing, but I hope he doesn’t shoulder the blame for the hurricane itself. […]
To revitalize Gulf Coast, suspend rules, regulations
CNJ Editorial The hurricanes that lashed Louisiana and parts of Texas unleashed not only misery but an outpouring of generosity and tangible help from people all over the country. There is little question that most of what has been destroyed will be rebuilt, including New Orleans. The question is: Who will do the rebuilding, and […]
More than levees broken in New Orleans
Leonard Pitts The women were on the roof of the hotel, calling for help as floodwaters rose. Then a motorboat full of policemen came by. “Can you help us?” the women cried. The policemen replied, “Show us what you’ve got!” and motioned for them to lift their T-shirts. The women said no. The policemen left […]