ANGELS BEARING THE NAMES OF HOMICIDE VICTIMS were hung on a Christmas tree and a candle lit as each name was read aloud. About 100 angels now dangle from the tree, each representing a loss to surviving family and friends. THE SIXTH ANNUAL MEMORIAL TREE of the New Mexico Survivors of Homicide was decorated Tuesday […]
Sexual assault tests outpace reports
October 8, 2006
By Sharna Johnson: CNJ staff writer July and August saw a rise in sexual assault examinations performed in Curry County, but officials say they don’t match the number of reported criminal cases. There were 13 exams performed by Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners in the two-month period — compared with 12 conducted in the first half […]
Miss N.M shares identity theft story
August 26, 2006
By Paula Cronic: Freedom Newspapers A victim of the growing identity theft problem, Miss New Mexico 2006 Christina Hall is helping others avoid a similar situation. “When I was 19 my identity was stolen by a girl who renewed her driver’s license under my name,” said Hall, a 2005 Eastern New Mexico University graduate. “I […]
FEMA failures show D.C.’s inefficiencies
July 6, 2006
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 […]
Reporter’s notebook: District attorney, Plateau team up against domestic violence
May 11, 2006
The 9th Judicial District Attorney’s office and Plateau Wireless have joined together to give victims of domestic violence and abuse access to 911 through a program called “Donate a Lifeline.” Plateau will donate used cell phones and wireless service permitting calls to 911 for victims of abuse and domestic violence, according to a press release […]
Resident maintains oasis for victims
April 28, 2006
Hank Baskett of Clovis explains the purpose of the Oasis Children’s Advocate Center, recognized by the 9th District Attorney’s Office for its work. (Staff photo: Tony Bullocks) By Sharna Johnson: CNJ staff writer Hank Baskett, Oasis Children’s Advocacy Center director, believes God directed him down a path he could never have envisioned. He conducts forensic […]
4/25 Local roundup
April 24, 2006
No injuries reported in Tolar grass fire No structures were lost and no injuries were reported Saturday in a grassfire near Tolar that consumed approximately 5,800 acres of grassland, according to Melrose Fire Chief Kenny Jacobs. Several small fires grew about four miles south of Tolar, creating a blaze that burned for the better part […]
Residents can no longer be complacent
December 28, 2005
By David Stevens: CNJ Editor Police warned us in September 2003. They presented a petition to city commissioners alleging Clovis is “one of the most dangerous places in the state to live.” Mostly, we waved them off. They were just a bunch of drama queens, we told ourselves, their credibility in question because of their […]
Cannon, community join to stop domestic violence
October 28, 2005
Deputy Sheriff Dean Marney (far right) introduced the members of the forum’s council and read questions sent in to them by citizens concerning domestic violence related issues. Melanie Salazar Striving to put a stop to domestic violence and empower its victims, Cannon and local community members recently joined to create a forum to reach out […]
Domestic violence leaves an ‘empty place at the table’
October 21, 2005
Melanie Salazar On a purple table cloth in the Landing sits a plate, a centerpiece, a teddy bear, a golf ball and a few other things that make the place setting unique. But behind all these personal items is an empty chair. This exhibit, aptly named the Empty Place at the Table, uses an abandoned […]
Panelists encourage victims of violence to step forward
October 20, 2005
By Tony Parra: Freedom Newspapers PORTALES — Panelists from Clovis and Portales used a forum on Thursday evening to encourage victims of domestic violence to step forward. It took Debbie Vinson, a former victim of domestic violence, more than eight years to do it, but she did it. Professionals who deal with domestic violence victims […]
United Way yard sale to benefit hurricane victims
September 23, 2005
Staff reports The United Way is sponsoring a yard sale to offer relief to the recent hurricane victims. The sale will take place at the Curry County Fairgrounds from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 1 Laurie Bentley of the United Way said area residents can drop off donated items on Sept. 24 and Sept. […]
Victims Memorial Garden dedicated in Roosevelt County
September 23, 2005
Karl Terry: Freedom Newspapers It was planned as a peaceful place for victims to gather during the multiple stages of a criminal trial and a memorial to victims of crime. The Victims Memorial Garden was dedicated Friday on the grounds of the Roosevelt County Courthouse. On hand for the ceremony were victim’s families as well […]
SARP office provides confidential treatment for sexual assault
September 23, 2005
Melanie Salazar For the first time, Air Force members have a confidential way to confront sexual assault. The Air Force has recently adopted a new outlet for victims called the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO). SAPRO, put to work at Cannon in mid July, should be the first step for anyone wishing to […]
Portales residents continue to help victims
September 9, 2005
Tony Parra: Freedom Newspapers Portales residents continue with efforts to help Hurricane Katrina victims, even as the need for cash donations become increasingly urgent. Some organizations have stopped accepting clothing and food donations because these items require manpower to separate and itemize, said to Chuck Haman, Portales city emergency management coordinator. Haman said he attended […]
Clovis prepared to take in 250 hurricane victims
September 7, 2005
By Marlena Hartz: CNJ staff writer Clovis is poised to embrace 250 Hurricane Katrina victims, and efforts to provide relief to victims continue, local officials said. Curry County Manager Dick Smith said the county could house victims in the 4-H and arts buildings at the Curry County Fairgrounds. He said that the county is on […]
Mother, daughter spend weekend volunteering for victims
September 6, 2005
Volunteers with Katrina’s Kids sort and box clothing that will be sent to victims of Hurricane Katrina Monday at the North Plains Mall in Clovis. (Staff photo: Eric Kluth) By Tonya Garner: CNJ staff writer Mother and daughter, Linda and Amanda Thrower, spent their holiday weekend cooking. They weren’t grilling hamburgers and hot dogs for […]
Official: Clovis won’t receive Katrina victims
September 4, 2005
Staff and wire reports Victims of Hurricane Katrina won’t be coming to Clovis after all, said Ken De Los Santos, emergency management director for the city of Clovis and Curry County. De Los Santos said on Sunday he expected about 250 refugees from the storm would arrive in Clovis this week. But on Monday, he […]
Portales opens doors to hurricane victims
September 3, 2005
By Melanie Salazar: Freedom Newspapers With Hurricane Katrina forcing thousands of evacuations from the Gulf Coast area every day, Portales will soon be doing its part to help. The New Mexico Department of Emergency Management and Federal Emergency Management Agency recently requested assistance from communities around the world to provide short and long-term housing for […]
