Press Releases

Excel offers new green programs

ROSWELL – Xcel Energy announced today a series of energy efficiency programs in New Mexico. The programs are designed to help business and residential customers operate more efficiently to save energy and money.
 
The programs were launched under Xcel Energy’s Demand-Side Management (DSM) efforts as part of an ongoing commitment to reducing electricity demand. The company will spend $5 million on launching and growing participation in these business and residential programs. The goal is to gather more than 23,000 participants and save over 22 million kilowatt-hours of electricity. That’s enough to power roughly 3,000 homes for a year.
 
The various business programs offer rebate dollars for high efficiency equipment that the customer buys and installs, including cooling systems, lighting systems, motors and other equipment.
 
The Refrigerator Recycling program is new for residential customers. It provides a $35 cash incentive for removal of inefficient, secondary refrigerators. Qualified customers can contact Xcel Energy for pick-up, transportation, disposal and proper recycling.
 
“Xcel Energy has launched one of the most aggressive energy efficiency programs in the nation, and we will continue to bring innovative offerings to our New Mexico customers,” said Denzil Dunn, Xcel Energy account manager. “Investment in energy efficiency is a great way to improve a company’s bottom line and reduce its carbon footprint as well.”
 
Included in the offerings this month for business customers:
 
Lighting Rebates: Lighting is often a main driver of electricity use, accounting for up to 44 percent of monthly energy bills. This program helps customers reduce their lighting expense by installing energy-efficient lighting or limiting lights to where and when they’re needed. Rebates are available to existing commercial buildings of any size and all newly constructed buildings.

Xcel Energy announces new efficiency programs – pg. 2 of 2
 
Cooling Rebates: Cooling is the No. 2 user of electricity for most commercial buildings. The Cooling Efficiency program helps those replacing an entire system or specific components. The list of qualifying equipment includes the following components of a heating and cooling system for new construction or existing buildings: rooftop units, condensing units, split systems, chillers, variable air volume boxes, packaged terminal air conditioners and water source heat pumps.
 
Motors Rebates:  Up to 98 percent of the cost of motor-driven equipment is spent on energy over the course of the motor’s lifetime while only 2 percent is spent on the motor itself. Xcel Energy offers prescriptive rebates for 1-500 horsepower NEMA (National Electric Manufacturers Association) Premium Motors, and Variable Frequency/Adjustable Speed Drives on fans and pumps from 1-200 horsepower.
 
Custom Rebates: The Custom Efficiency program offers money back for energy-efficiency investments that exceed standard options, but aren't covered under the standard programs. The more energy saved, the more rebate dollars earned.
 
One other program, Small Business Lighting rebates, will be available in coming months. This offering is tailored toward small businesses with less than 400 kilowatt-hours of electricity demand. Small businesses get a free lighting audit, expert energy advice and substantial lighting equipment rebates that are up to 50 percent higher than the Lighting Rebate program.
 
For more information on Xcel Energy’s DSM programs, go to [ http://www.xcelenergy.com/ ]www.xcelenergy.com. Select “New Mexico” for the state site you wish to visit, then select “Programs and Resources” on the drop down menu under “Residential” or “Business.” On the left column, click on the specific program you wish to explore.

Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company that provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity customers and 1.9 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies in eight Western and Midwestern states. Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis. More information is available at xcelenergy.com.
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Press release: Missing Clovis man found dead

On 07-05-2009 at about 9:30 pm the Clovis Police Department received a call of a man down in an alley south east of Lasso Street in Curry County.

Curry County Sheriff Deputies responded and located the body of Ramon Duran, 87 years of age.  Mr. Duran was reported missing to the Clovis Police Department on Wednesday, July 1^st, 2009. \

Information relayed to Deputies indicates that Mr. Duran was seen walking in the area of Lasso Street on Friday, July 3^rd, 2009.  The body was turned over the Office of the Medical Investigator and follow up investigation will be conducted by the Curry County Sheriff's Office.  There were no apparent signs of foul play at the scene.       

Police looking for missing elderly man

On Wednesday July 1, 2009 the family of Ramon Duran aged 87 reported him missing to the Clovis Police Department.  The family reported the last time Mr. Duran had been seen was at about 1800 hours the day prior to the report. As a result of this notification the Clovis Police Department then put out an attempt to locate Mr. Duran with his physical descriptors.

It was reported to the Clovis Police Department that Mr. Duran is known to walk in the alleys on the west side of Clovis while pulling a small black cart. Mr. Duran uses the cart to carry cans that he collects to sell. After this information was relayed to the Clovis Police Department, officers began canvassing the area around Mr. Duran’s residence checking alleys dumpsters and vacant or abandoned buildings. After there were no results the search area was expanded to include the entire City of Clovis and the immediate areas outside the city. The Clovis Police Department has also sent out information to all neighboring states requesting any information or possible sightings of Mr. Duran.

At this time Mr. Duran has not been located and his whereabouts are unknown. The Clovis Police Department continues to investigate this case as a missing endangered person. The Clovis Police Department is also requesting that any persons with information about Mr. Duran’s location please contact the Clovis Police Department.

Clovis Community College’s Health and Fitness Center and Campus Hours during July 4th Weekend

Clovis Community College’s Health and Fitness Center and Campus Hours during July 4^th Weekend 

In observance of Independence Day, the CCC Health and Fitness Center and pool will have limited hours. The Center will be open Friday, July 3^rd from 6 a.m. – 11:45a.m., with open swim from 6:30 a.m. – 9:15a., but closed Saturday, July 4^th. The College will be closed Friday, July 3^rd  and will reopen on Monday, July 6^th.

Happy and safe 4^th of July!!

Press Release: Drug probe yields theft charges

Deputies from the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office arrested Dustin Nelson, 31, of Clovis New Mexico, on Wednesday July 01, 2009 for Receiving Stolen Property during a follow-up investigation.

Initially Deputies responded to Oasis State Park to locate a male subject who attempted to purchase marijuana from an off duty Portales Police Officer who was at the park not acting in an undercover capacity.

Deputies made contact with Mr. Nelson’s father at a campsite and learned that Mr. Nelson had departed the area in a red truck. Deputies waited for Mr. Nelson to return and made contact with him a short time later at the same campsite.

While speaking with Mr. Nelson Deputies observed a bicycle and camping equipment in the truck which had store tags from Wal-Mart attached to them.

Deputies questioned Mr. Nelson on scene who denied the attempt to purchase marijuana but did admit to stealing the items in the truck from the Portales Wal-Mart.

The value of the items was in excess of $1,100.00. Mr. Nelson was arrested on scene and charged with Receiving Stolen Property a Fourth Degree felony with a $5,000.00 bond.

Additional Felony charges are pending.

DWI saturation patrols scheduled for Friday and Saturday in Clovis

On Friday, 07/03/09, from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. and Saturday from 11 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. officers of the Clovis Police Department will be conducting DWI Saturation Patrols in the city of Clovis. Officers will be specifically targeting drunk drivers. The ODWI Grant makes this possible from Safer New Mexico Now.

The Clovis Police Department would like to remind you that Law Enforcement Officers throughout New Mexico and Curry County will be out in force to make sure that drunk drivers don’t cause tragedy on the roads this year. Please drink responsibly and have a sober designated driver or call a taxi to get you home. Remember, Sobriety Checkpoints and Patrols are everywhere and if you Drink, You Drive, You Lose!

Bingaman: Feds release additional $19.12 million in education funding for New Mexico

U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that the U.S. Department of Education is releasing $19.12 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

"In these difficult economic times, we must do whatever we can to prevent cuts to school budgets. This funding will allow New Mexico to give school districts the support they badly need," Bingaman said.

"This announcement means that New Mexico's Education Department will be well-funded to fill educational funding gaps," said Udall. "This Recovery funding will be distributed with flexibility to help improve schools, infrastructure, public safety and much more."

Funds are part of the ARRA’s State Fiscal Stabilization Funds (SFSF), which is intended to boost a state’s education budgets, and can be used for education, school modernization, public safety, or other government services.

The funding awarded today is in addition to $213 million that was released last month.  New Mexico is slated to receive an additional $105 million in the fall.

Press Release: Smokin' 3rd fireworks set

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE            FOR MORE INFORMATION:
                                    Sharon King
                            Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce
(505) 356-8541 or (800) 635-8036            chamber@portales.com


Fireworks Fund Short of Goal

    Portales, NM – The Annual Fireworks Display will be held on Friday, July 3rd, again this year.  Last year the show was changed to the 3rd because of a scheduling problem with the company who shoots the fireworks.  Even though it was not planned, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sharon King said she thinks it actually worked out better than having the show on the 4th.

  “By having the Portales show on Friday, residents were able to drive to Clovis on the 4th and see a second show.” 

The Lodger’s Tax Fund has provided $3,000 for fireworks; however, $5,500 must come from private donors.  Two days before the show, the fund is still $2,500 short of meeting its goal.  Donations may be sent to the Chamber at 100 S. Avenue A.  Call 356-8541 for more information.

The Portales News-Tribune is sponsoring the Smokin’ 3rd of July Bash again this year.  This will be the third year the “bash” has occurred and it is anticipated it will be bigger and better than ever.  The Tribune is offering booth space for non-profit organizations to raise money for their cause.  Ian Cooke, advertising director for Freedom Communication, is heading up the “bash” events this year.  Cooke is looking forward to the event, saying “We had a great turnout last year and expect to have even more people come out and enjoy the fun this year.” 

In addition to the booths, there will be live music with local musicians performing.  For more information on the “bash,” contact Ian Cooke at the News-Tribune, 356-4481.

New hospital facility will have added features

Parmer Medical Center (PMC) is making final plans for the move into the new facility in August.  In addition to several new clinical service lines delivered in a state-of-the-art healthcare setting, the new facility brings a highly patient-focused touch, with larger patient rooms, more patient-friendly lab and radiology areas, and numerous features designed to create a positive hospital experience for patients and their families.  One such feature is the addition of the walking path pictured above.  Patients and/or their families will have easy access to this path as an added element to their routine recovery and physical therapy.

New clinical service lines immediately available in the new facility will include aquatic therapy and sleep laboratory studies.  Upon relocating to the new facility, the PMC team will begin development of an endoscopy program and specialty clinic services, such as urology, cardiology, dermatology and other specialties for which there is a community need.

This is YOUR new state-of-the-art facility, and the PMC team is grateful for the opportunity to utilize it in serving the healthcare needs of Parmer County and the surrounding area.

Game commission will consider aquatic invasive species rule changes

SANTA FE -- The State Game Commission will consider rule changes under the Aquatic Invasive Species Control Act that will allow state agencies and contractors to take appropriate actions to prevent the introduction and possible spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in state waters. AIS will be among several items on the agenda for the commission meeting Thursday, July 2, at Heron Lake State Park.

The meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the park visitor center, approximately 13 miles south of Chama on N.M. 95, three miles off U.S. 84. The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish Web site, www.wildlife.state.nm.us or by calling (505) 476-8008.

The AIS Control Act, passed as an emergency measure by the 2009 Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Bill Richardson, is intended to keep invasive species such as zebra and quagga mussels out of state waters. The AIS rule change is needed to clearly state that agencies and contractors may transport contaminated vessels and invasive species for cleaning and disposal. Current rules prohibit any transport of AIS in the state.

Other agenda items include:

A proposal to move the application deadline for deer licenses from April to February to give hunters who are successful in the draw the opportunity to buy discounted licenses including junior, senior and combination licenses, which are available after March 31 annually.

A proposal to simplify the deer licensing process by eliminating the deer hunting permit. Successful applicants would be issued a deer license, similar to the way elk, antelope and other big-game licenses currently are issued.

A proposal to set season dates and adjust some bag limits for the 2009-2010 small game and waterfowl seasons. The proposal includes adding a youth sandhill crane hunt on the Bernardo and Casa Colorada waterfowl areas, increasing the dove seasons from 60 days to 70 days in the north and south zones, increasing the daily and seasonal bag limit to two birds for the Middle Rio Grande Valley dark goose hunt, and requiring a free permit for hunts during the Light Goose Conservation Order.

An update on the Mexican wolf reintroduction program, including project activities, status, opportunities and prospects for the future.

A progress report on efforts to improve the San Juan River special trout fishery and results of the most recent angler survey.

Final approval of Habitat Stamp Program projects for 2010, as recommended by five regional citizen advisory committees.

The State Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state’s diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Jim McClintic, Albuquerque; Vice-chairwoman Sandy Buffett, Santa Fe; M.H. “Dutch” Salmon, Silver City; Alfredo Montoya, Alcalde; Leo Sims, Hobbs; Tom Arvas, Albuquerque; and Kent Salazar, Albuquerque.

If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Shirley Baker, (505) 476-8030. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.