Eastern New Mexico is about to gain one more American citizen. That’s the report I got a few weeks ago, when then-Clovis City Commissioner Fred Van Soelen suggested we do a story about Legislative and Community Development Director Claire Burroughes applying for U.S. citizenship. Burroughes, who has been married to a U.S. citizen for more […]
TV show hits right chords
Curtis Shelburne I learned long ago to be careful about recommending movies or television shows to anyone. Either they’ll hate the show and wonder about you, or they’ll love the show and tell other people you recommended it. Then, chances are, a good many of those people will wonder about both of you. But I’ll […]
Don’t expect policy changes from Obama
Freedom New Mexico When President Barack Obama promised this week to open 75 percent of potential offshore gas and oil resources to drilling and praised the controversial fracking method for extracting untapped oil reserves on land, a collective shudder went through his green constituency. Welcome to election-year rhetoric. The green lobby is learning what other […]
County needs to get out of jail business
CNJ staff Are you kidding? Again? Unbelievable. That sentiment was expressed repeatedly Sunday as area residents learned that yet another violent inmate had escaped custody of the Curry County Adult Detention Center. This continued incompetency — 14 inmates have escaped custody in nine years, by our count — leads us to only one conclusion: It […]
Little learned in last 10 years
By Kent McManigal: FNM columnist Last weekend America observed the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Apparently few Americans have learned anything in the past 10 years. At least, that is the lesson I take away from what I saw of the commemorations. If the terrorists hate us for our freedom, they […]
Rite of passage: the busted wing
Landon Hall For my 5-year-old daughter, a broken arm actually has been a positive learning experience. She’s learned that her body isn’t invincible — and yet it’s not fragile, either. She’s learned how the body works, and how it heals. On Aug. 2, she fell while playing hide-and-seek with the neighbor kids, smacking her elbow […]
Adventure fever strikes again
It is indeed nothing unusual. It happens to me about this time every year, sometimes sooner by a week or two, sometimes later by a week or two, and I have learned to adjust. It will go away, and it is by no means a malady unique to me. If there is such a condition […]
Twin Cronnie Drive-In sold

CNJ staff photo: Kevin Wilson Amanda Rodarte, an employee at Twin Cronnie Drive-In, preps tater tots for the afternoon. The drive-in is now under operation of Walter Bradley’s family, following the purchase from Clint Harden. The restaurant was opened in 1952. Kevin Wilson Clint Harden learned about making food, making a dollar and the importance […]
Monument leaves its mark
Courtesy photo: museumofnewmexico.org A unique new museum designed by Navajo architect David Sloan —shaped like a hogan and a tepee — and an interpretive trail, provide information about the history of Fort Sumner and Bosque Redondo Indian Reservation, according to the New Mexico State Monuments website. By Airman 1st Class Jette Carr: 27th SOW Public […]
Military mama: Summer hysteria has set in at home
Summer hysteria has stricken my household. It seems that everything that was learned throughout the school year has magically disappeared into the great beyond. Manners, what are those? We have far too many conversations centering around burps, farts and other bodily functions that seem to fascinate my five year old. Sharing is apparently only something […]
Everybody’s business: Managing people is an art
Running a business and managing employees can appear as two separate and non-relational skills. However, management is an integral role of owning a business. Some people do not like supervising; others have the knack and thoroughly enjoy it. Similar to other skills, managing people can be learned. Most small businesses start out with the founder […]
Governor recounts lessons learned to Clovis crowd
Kevin Wilson District Attorney Matt Chandler surveyed the audience of about 350 at the Clovis Civic Center Tuesday morning. “This is our biggest crowd,” Chandler said of the seventh annual area breakfast to mark National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, “and I’m glad everybody came to hear me speak.”Chandler and the audience laughed, knowing full well […]
Director: Teen Parent Program will be missed
Liliana Castillo When Brittany Barrows learned she was pregnant, she was a senior at Clovis High School. Five months later, she enrolled in the Teen Parent Program. “I absolutely love it,” the 19-year-old said. “I love everything, especially the parenting classes. We learned things like ways to better yourself and to teach your children. Things […]
In search of ponies: Sometimes dreams come true
Sharna Johnson I still remember the day I learned dreams can come true. I must have been 7 or 8 and my dad, little brother and I drove to a surprise destination on my birthday. We arrived at the stockyard and my new horse was led out. It was the best day of my life. […]
Congressmen should consider cuts
I learned to swim a few weeks ago, but I still stay in the shallow end of the pool. I think I’ll stay in the shallow end of these arguments as well: • It looks like the new victim of attacks from Congress is the public employee, and the unions that help them acquire pensions […]
Education column: Children can bring back surprising memories
By Penny Bailey: Clovis Municipal Schools I have learned each day educators live in a world full of surprises. Fortunately, most of their surprises are good ones, or they could not be so dedicated to their life’s calling. Well, the other day, I was visiting one of our schools and I came across one of […]
Education column: French lesson provided splash of culture
By Penny Bailey: Clovis Municipal Schools Being raised by a wonderful southern cook, I learned early in life to enjoy eating. Add to that, being raised in a Baptist Church where their motto seemed to be “Food, Fun, and Fellowship!”, my favorite meal is the potluck. However, I attended a potluck the other day that […]
Current TRICARE contracts extended
By Tom Philpott: CNJ columnist Six million military health care beneficiaries learned last July that their TRICARE support contractor would be changing on April 1, 2010, because those companies that run TRICARE’s North and South Regions had lost in competing for the next generation of contracts. But what a difference six months makes. Government auditors […]