Q1015

March 9th, Afternoon News

Education Funding Coming from Feds
US Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall announced that the US Department of Education will soon release an additional $86 million to New Mexico to support schools around the state. The funding is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, bringing the total federal monies invested in the state to $577 million. Concerning the additional funding, Bingaman said, “State budgets across the country remain extremely tight, but I am convinced that the Recovery Act is having a positive impact.” He went on to say that without the investment in New Mexico’s schools, there would have been some very deep cuts in education budgets at the state level.

PNM Offering Good Neighbor Fund
PNM is offering extended help for their customers who may have trouble paying their bill. Company officials report that low-income customers who have a past due amount on their bill will have help available to them when the protection from utility shut-off ends on March 15th. Those customers who were eligible for the utility shut-off protection will now qualify for a PNM Good Neighbor Fund payment that could possibly cover most and in-some case the total amount of their past due charges. This is the first time that this assistance will be available through the fund on a year-round basis. This fund is through the Salvation Army and will be available to PNM customers while the donations last. Through the fund, PNM customers are allowed a grant once a year to help pay their utility bills. In order to qualify for the Good Neighbor Fund, you must be a PNM customer, have a past-due amount and are qualified financially as well as provide certain forms of documentation. To apply for these grants, contact the local Salvation Army office.

Vandalism on the Rise in Portales
The Portales Police Department has noted an increase in general vandalism around the city. According to Deputy Chief of Police Lonnie Berry, more incidences of broken windows at residences and vehicles have been reported. Berry stated that his officers are pursuing leads on the crimes right now and he believes a couple of groups are responsible. Residents around Portales are asked to contact the Portales PD to report any suspicious activity that may be encountered.

Executive Session to Discuss Superrintendent Position
The Clovis Schools Board of Education will be holding a regular meeting this evening at 5:30, but what follows in the executive session may be of greater consequence. Board members will be meeting with the objective of discussing the position of the superintendent of schools. That vacancy is due to current Superintendent Dr. Rhonda Seidenwurm tendering her resignation in January. Her effective final day is June 30th.

March 8th, Afternoon News

Senator Harden Weighs In on Special Session
The special session of the New Mexico legislature wrapped up last week, but many lawmakers have made it known that they had some issues with how the budget package made it’s way through the chambers of both the Senate and House. Senator Clint Harden, who represents a district stretching from Curry County to Union County, said that he did not like the final outcome of the special session.
“I don’t think either side of the aisle is really pleased. One of the problems was that the tax package came through as one single omnibus bill and there wasn’t any way to separate it. That was done by design, and leadership did that so they could get the full package through. I don’t think anyone was happy with ALL of the package itself.”
Harden also said that he felt the majority leadership in both the Senate and House compromised amongst themselves without any input from the minority party in the legislature.

Newly Elected Officials Sworn in Today
The City of Portales will be hosting a swearing-in ceremony this evening for newly elected officials. This event will take place between 5:00 and 5:30 at the Portales City Hall. Officials to be sworn in include; Sharon King as Mayor, and newly elected councilman Oscar Robinson. In addition, four other council members will be sworn in again as will Municipal Judge Fred Arnold. Likewise in Clovis, a swearing-in ceremony for newly elected officials was scheduled to take place at 3 o’clock this afternoon.
As required by law, newly elected officials must be sworn in within six days of the election.

Clovis Board of Education Meeting Again Thursday
Once again, the Clovis Board of Education will be conducting a special meeting so that the board may meet in executive session. This meeting will take place on Thursday and is being held for the discussion of limited personnel matters as it relates to the position of the Superintendent of Schools, according to the legal notice issued through the office of the superintendent. This meeting will be held at 5:30 Thursday evening in the Clovis Municipals Schools Board Room. This meeting will be closed to the public, but an agenda for the meeting may be picked up at the school administration office 24 hours prior to the meeting.

Wind Advisory Issued Until 8 PM
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a wind advisory for the local area until 8 o’clock this evening. The warning also addresses dangerous crosswinds for high profile vehicles, especially on Highway 60 from Clovis to Yeso, and Highway 206 from Milnesand to Portales.

March 8th, Morning News

Governor Signs HB 15 in Clovis Saturday
Governor Bill Richardson made a stop in Clovis on Saturday for a brief time. During his stop, Governor Richardson signed into law HB 15, which created the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority. This bill was passed by lawmakers during the regular legislative session. The bill was created to help communites in Eastern New Mexico develop long term solutions for a sustainable water source.

Swearing-In Ceremony for New Commissioners Today
The swearing in ceremony for the new Clovis City Commissioners will be taking place this afternoon. The ceremony will take place at 3:00 p.m. in the Assembly Room inside the Bert Cabiness City Government Center located on Connelly Street. This ceremony is open to the public and those wishing to are encouraged to attend the swearing-in ceremony. For further information, contact the City Managers Office.

Local Basketball Teams Headed to State Finals
Some local basketball teams have advanced to the beginning rounds of the state basketball tournament. On the girls side, teams from Dora, Floyd, Texico and Portales will be playing in the state tournament, while on the boys side, those will be Ft. Sumner, Melrose and Clovis. State basketball play will begin Tuesday morning in Albuquerque. For further details on the state basketball tournament play, please check our websites.

NWS Issues Wind Advisory for Area Today
The National Weather Service in Albuqueruqe has issued a Wind Advisory for the local area from 11 o'clock this morning through 8 o'clock this evening. Winds are expected to be blowing between 30 and 40 miles per hour with gusts of 55 miles per hour expected. Due to the increased wind conditions, strong crosswinds have the potential to affect travel along major routes. Those routes that are expected to be impacted include Highway 60 from Clovis to Yeso, Highway 206 from Milnesand to Portales, as well portions of Interstate 40 in Quay County. Motorists are being advised to exercise caution while traveling in these areas.




	March 9th, Afternoon News Education Funding Coming from Feds US Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall announced that the US Department of Education will soon release an additional $86 million to New Mexico to support schools around the state. The funding is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, bringing the total federal monies invested in the state to $577 million. Concerning the additional funding, Bingaman said, “State budgets across the country remain extremely tight, but I am convinced that the Recovery Act is having a positive impact.” He went on to say that without the investment in New Mexico’s schools, there would have been some very deep cuts in education budgets at the state level. PNM Offering Good Neighbor Fund PNM is offering extended help for their customers who may have trouble paying their bill. Company officials report that low-income customers who have a past due amount on their bill will have help available to them when the protection from utility shut-off ends on March 15th. Those customers who were eligible for the utility shut-off protection will now qualify for a PNM Good Neighbor Fund payment that could possibly cover most and in-some case the total amount of their past due charges. This is the first time that this assistance will be available through the fund on a year-round basis. This fund is through the Salvation Army and will be available to PNM customers while the donations last. Through the fund, PNM customers are allowed a grant once a year to help pay their utility bills. In order to qualify for the Good Neighbor Fund, you must be a PNM customer, have a past-due amount and are qualified financially as well as provide certain forms of documentation. To apply for these grants, contact the local Salvation Army office. Vandalism on the Rise in Portales The Portales Police Department has noted an increase in general vandalism around the city. According to Deputy Chief of Police Lonnie Berry, more incidences of broken windows at residences and vehicles have been reported. Berry stated that his officers are pursuing leads on the crimes right now and he believes a couple of groups are responsible. Residents around Portales are asked to contact the Portales PD to report any suspicious activity that may be encountered. Executive Session to Discuss Superrintendent Position The Clovis Schools Board of Education will be holding a regular meeting this evening at 5:30, but what follows in the executive session may be of greater consequence. Board members will be meeting with the objective of discussing the position of the superintendent of schools. That vacancy is due to current Superintendent Dr. Rhonda Seidenwurm tendering her resignation in January. Her effective final day is June 30th. March 8th, Afternoon News Senator Harden Weighs In on Special Session The special session of the New Mexico legislature wrapped up last week, but many lawmakers have made it known that they had some issues with how the budget package made it’s way through the chambers of both the Senate and House. Senator Clint Harden, who represents a district stretching from Curry County to Union County, said that he did not like the final outcome of the special session. “I don’t think either side of the aisle is really pleased. One of the problems was that the tax package came through as one single omnibus bill and there wasn’t any way to separate it. That was done by design, and leadership did that so they could get the full package through. I don’t think anyone was happy with ALL of the package itself.” Harden also said that he felt the majority leadership in both the Senate and House compromised amongst themselves without any input from the minority party in the legislature. Newly Elected Officials Sworn in Today The City of Portales will be hosting a swearing-in ceremony this evening for newly elected officials. This event will take place between 5:00 and 5:30 at the Portales City Hall. Officials to be sworn in include; Sharon King as Mayor, and newly elected councilman Oscar Robinson. In addition, four other council members will be sworn in again as will Municipal Judge Fred Arnold. Likewise in Clovis, a swearing-in ceremony for newly elected officials was scheduled to take place at 3 o’clock this afternoon. As required by law, newly elected officials must be sworn in within six days of the election. Clovis Board of Education Meeting Again Thursday Once again, the Clovis Board of Education will be conducting a special meeting so that the board may meet in executive session. This meeting will take place on Thursday and is being held for the discussion of limited personnel matters as it relates to the position of the Superintendent of Schools, according to the legal notice issued through the office of the superintendent. This meeting will be held at 5:30 Thursday evening in the Clovis Municipals Schools Board Room. This meeting will be closed to the public, but an agenda for the meeting may be picked up at the school administration office 24 hours prior to the meeting. Wind Advisory Issued Until 8 PM The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a wind advisory for the local area until 8 o’clock this evening. The warning also addresses dangerous crosswinds for high profile vehicles, especially on Highway 60 from Clovis to Yeso, and Highway 206 from Milnesand to Portales. March 8th, Morning News Governor Signs HB 15 in Clovis Saturday Governor Bill Richardson made a stop in Clovis on Saturday for a brief time. During his stop, Governor Richardson signed into law HB 15, which created the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority. This bill was passed by lawmakers during the regular legislative session. The bill was created to help communites in Eastern New Mexico develop long term solutions for a sustainable water source. Swearing-In Ceremony for New Commissioners Today The swearing in ceremony for the new Clovis City Commissioners will be taking place this afternoon. The ceremony will take place at 3:00 p.m. in the Assembly Room inside the Bert Cabiness City Government Center located on Connelly Street. This ceremony is open to the public and those wishing to are encouraged to attend the swearing-in ceremony. For further information, contact the City Managers Office. Local Basketball Teams Headed to State Finals Some local basketball teams have advanced to the beginning rounds of the state basketball tournament. On the girls side, teams from Dora, Floyd, Texico and Portales will be playing in the state tournament, while on the boys side, those will be Ft. Sumner, Melrose and Clovis. State basketball play will begin Tuesday morning in Albuquerque. For further details on the state basketball tournament play, please check our websites. NWS Issues Wind Advisory for Area Today The National Weather Service in Albuqueruqe has issued a Wind Advisory for the local area from 11 o'clock this morning through 8 o'clock this evening. Winds are expected to be blowing between 30 and 40 miles per hour with gusts of 55 miles per hour expected. Due to the increased wind conditions, strong crosswinds have the potential to affect travel along major routes. Those routes that are expected to be impacted include Highway 60 from Clovis to Yeso, Highway 206 from Milnesand to Portales, as well portions of Interstate 40 in Quay County. Motorists are being advised to exercise caution while traveling in these areas.		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