Thomas Garcia A conservation steering committee said Thursday they would like to work together to establish policies that ensure Ute Lake water levels protecting recreation while providing water to Curry and Roosevelt counties. Clovis Mayor Gayla Brumfield said hers and other communities should be willing to work out a compromise that benefits everyone. “We do […]
Trio reunited at McMurry
Kevin Wilson The band is back together, somewhat, and it’s making a Friday swing through Portales. In the closest thing they’ll have to a homecoming, Clovis High guards Jaden Isler and Bryce Hill, and former Wildcat coach J.D. Isler, lead McMurry University in a 7 p.m. Friday neutral site game at Greyhound Arena against Northern […]
Clovis trio set for homecoming
By Kevin Wilson: CNJ staff writer The band is back together, somewhat, and it’s making a Friday swing through Portales. In the closest thing they’ll have to a homecoming, Clovis High guards Jaden Isler and Bryce Hill, and former Wildcat coach J.D. Isler, lead McMurry University in a 7 p.m. Friday neutral site game at […]
Our people: Walks without fear

Liliana Castillo: FNM correspondent Gail Keener has lived in Pep on and off for most of her life. Pep resident Gail Keener was one of a group of Victory Life Church members who came together to create the Portales Dream Center. The church’s pastor at the time gathered a group to create the center which […]
Quarterly luncheon covers recent accomplishments

CNJ staff photo: Kevin Wilson Becky Rowley, president of Clovis Community College, opens the city-county joint luncheon Tuesday at the college. She announced registration was in full swing, which was evident by heavy traffic at the front entrance. Kevin Wilson City and county officials got together Tuesday for a small lunch and a talk over […]
Together Counts promotes healthy living
By Shari Lopatin: TriWest Healthcare Alliance “For the first time in our history, American children may face a shorter expected lifespan than their parents.” That quote, taken directly from the Partnership for a Healthier America’s website, explains the essence of a growing obesity problem across the U.S. The partnership, which is headed by First Lady […]
Reader-submitted content: United Way’s Day of Caring teams helped three organizations
Sara Newell On April 16 United Way of Eastern New Mexico held their annual Day of Caring. Each year the Day of Caring challenges our community to come together for a day of service to help enhance the cities we live in. In previous years, United Way has taken on projects like rebuilding the Portales […]
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 […]
Vacation to ocean ended too soon
So as the wizard tells her the way to return to Kansas, Dorothy dutifully clicks together her heels and incants, “There’s no place like home … there’s no place like home … there’s no place like home…” Yet with a hint of wistfulness in her voice, for the magic of Oz that she is leaving […]
Texico schools gather to celebrate success

CNJ staff photo: Liliana Castillo Texico kindergartners Angel Salas, left, and Aviana Hall applaud for their fellow students Friday during the schoolwide Assembly of Success in the Educational Complex. Liliana Castillo The entire Texico school population and community members took part in a 12-year school tradition Thursday morning. Once each semester, Texico schools gathers together […]
Camel helps pay student’s way through college
Photographers providing free family portraits for needy

CNJ staff photo: Liliana Castillo Clovis resident Kayla Blair talks to volunteers at an organizational meeting for the Help-Portrait event Wednesday at Clovis Community College. Liliana Castillo A group of area photographers is getting together to provide free family portraits to less fortunate families for the holidays. Nikki Penny of Portales and Kayla Blair of […]
Blessing of animals in fourth year

CNJ file photo Three area churches plan to hold a pet blessing ceremony Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church on West 21st Street. Sharna Johnson Organizers are hoping to have a zoo Saturday on the lawn of the Trinity Lutheran Church. The fourth annual pet blessing ceremony begins at 3 p.m. and will bring together pastors […]
Ticket feature: Circus show features zombies

Courtesy photo The Zombie Circus Extravaganza follows a circus that has a ringmaster, strongman, tightrope walker and the normal circus cast, but director Bryan Hahn said there is a twist. CNJ staff report It might have been a nightmare to put together, but the director of an upcoming zombie show said there’s no nightmare for […]
Firm contracted for Tres Amigas management services
CNJ staff Tres Amigas, the electric power transmission company planning to build a superstation near Clovis, has given global consulting, design and construction firm CH2M Hill a contract to provide program management services, according to a news release. The Tres Amigas superstation is expected to tie together America’s three power grids for the first time […]
Bataan Death March pulls airmen together
Cannon Connections photo: Liliana Castillo Staff Sgt. Ngu Do, back left to right, Airman Katherine Truty, Senior Airman Ashley Perry, front left, Senior Airman Robert Rodriguez and Senior Airman Samantha Reed, all of the 27th Special Operations Medical Group, worked together during the 26.2 mile Bataan Memorial Death March on March 21. They left as […]
Veteran recounts World War II service
Courtesy photo Joe Blair, far right, of Portales has dinner and switches hats with friends at a hotel during his Navy days. A teenager from Portales followed his patriotism, and a desire to see water, on a path that led halfway around the world and through many World War II battles of the South Pacific. […]