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South Fork Fire at 54% containment, Salt Fire at 38%

Brienne Green
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South Fork Fire at 54% containment, Salt Fire at 38%

RUIDOSO — Southwest Area Incident Management Team No. 5 reported Tuesday afternoon that the South Fork Fire is now at 54% containment and the Salt Fire at 38% as residents of the Ruidoso area continue to return to their communities.

The South Fork Fire on the northwestern edge of the Village of Ruidoso is listed at 17,556 acres in size and the Salt Fire southwest of Ruidoso Downs at 7,947.

The team says that containment continues to increase as crews work to seek out and address residual heat sources. Fire activity has reduced “significantly” across both fire areas thanks to rainfall in the area. “While pockets of large, heavy, dead/downed fuels, snags and stumps continue to smolder, growth potential along the perimeter will be very minimal,” the team wrote.

Localized flooding caused by thunderstorms were well contained, and firefighters — which include 12 crews, eight helicopters, 61 engines, nine bulldozers and 18 water tenders — will now focus on constructing direct control lines and mopping up hot spots where needed.

Evacuation orders are no longer in place, and residents were allowed to begin returning to their homes over the course of Sunday and Monday. However, the team notes that “no entry/exclusion” zones remain in some areas of the communities and should be avoided. Residents can find an interactive map detailing open and closed areas by using the included QR code.

Residents returning to Ruidoso who are in need of food, water or toiletries can pick up those items at the following locations:

  • First Baptist Church of Ruidoso
  • Lincoln County Fairgrounds in Capitan
  • The Human Society of Lincoln County in Ruidoso
  • The Ruidoso Elks Lodge
  • Ruidoso Downs Senior Center
  • J&A Rustic Wood Products in Nogal

Those interested in dropping off donations may do so at:

  • Community Methodist Church of Ruidoso
  • Jack’s Backstage in Ruidoso
  • First Presbyterian Church of Ruidoso
  • Ruidoso Downs Senior Center
  • J&A Rustic Wood Products in Nogal

Residents may apply for FEMA disaster aid online at disasterassistance.gov, via the FEMA app, or by calling 800-621-3362.

Ruidoso residents to be allowed to return Monday

Brienne Green
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Ruidoso residents to be allowed to return Monday

RUIDOSO — Residents of Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs learned Saturday that they will be allowed to return to the communities beginning Monday.

Local, full-time residents only will be allowed to begin entering Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs at 8 a.m. Monday, June 24. The Mescalero Apache Tribe issued a release Saturday stating that evacuation orders had been lifted for residents of the Windmill area, Summit Drive, Mirage Lane and Fantasy Lane off of NM 244 and U.S. 70, up to Apache Summit. All other areas of Mescalero remain under evacuation orders.

The Village of Ruidoso communicated that residents of Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs wishing to re-enter will be required to show proof of residency. Second homeowners and tourists will not be allowed to enter the area at this time.

Residents are urged to bring at least one week’s worth of food and drinking water, as grocery stores will not be operating at full capacity. The village also warned that homes may be without gas, electricity or water. Outage maps are available at pnm.com and zngc.com.

Those with respiratory conditions are warned that ash, smoke and soot are in the air. Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs are also under a Boil Water Advisory.

For more information, call the EOC Phone Bank at 575-258-6900 or visit www.ruidoso-nm.gov.

The Mescalero Apache Tribe asks residents wishing to return to the areas listed above to register with the Mescalero Apache Conservation Law Enforcement Office at 575-464-9323 or at 278 Pine St. to provide proof of residency and receive a vehicle placard. Those without power or water may call the Tribal Emergency Operations Center at 575-464-9214.

Southwest Area Incident Management Team No. 5 reported Saturday that the South Fork Fire is at 26% containment with 16,614 acres involved. The Salt Fire is at 7% containment and 7,652 acres.

Heavy rainfall in the area has greatly assisted with the firefight, but hazards continue to exist throughout both fire areas. Downed power lines, damaged water, sewer and gas lines, localized flooding, fire-weakened trees and other environmental hazards pose risks to both firefighters and the public. The Team urged extra precautions be taken by those planning to re-enter due to fire vehicles on the roadways.

Eddy County Fair preparing for 79th annual event

Brienne Green
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Eddy County Fair preparing for 79th annual event

ARTESIA — Preparations are currently underway for the 79th Annual Eddy County Fair, set to run July 23-27.

Entry forms for participation in Open Class exhibits, Lead Class, 4-H indoor exhibits and the Cake Contest are due by Sunday, June 30. Entry forms for the Junior Livestock Show and Queen Contest are due by Friday, July 12. Forms can be found online at www.eddycountyfair.com.

Open Horse Show entries will be accepted the day of the show, which will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 13, at the covered arena.

Interested vendors are asked to email vendors@eddycountyfair.com. This year’s fair will see the return of a carnival, which will run from 5 p.m. – midnight July 23-25, 4 p.m. – midnight July 26, and 10 a.m. – midnight July 27.

The fair has also announced its 2024 concert lineup:

  • Sanctus Real: 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 24
  • Easton Corbin: 6 p.m. Thursday, July 25
  • Jon Wolfe: 9 p.m. Friday, July 26

    Other special events will include:
  • Eddy County Fair Parade: Tuesday, July 23
    The parade will begin at 10 a.m. and will run east on Main Street from Bulldog Bowl to Second Street. To enter, request a form by emailing jessica@artesiachamber.com.
  • Flower Show: Wednesday, July 24
    This year’s theme is “Through the Decades.” Create and set-up for design entries will be held from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. or until supplies run out. Horticulture entries will be accepted from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday and 8-10 a.m. Thursday.
  • Wool Lead Show: Friday, July 26
    Forms must be submitted by June 30; to request a form or for more information, email leadclass@eddycountyfair.com.
  • Pecan Contest Auction: Friday, July 26
    Open to all Eddy County residents. Pecan product must be made by the exhibitor and include a complete recipe. Entries will be accepted from noon – 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 25, at the Community Building kitchen. Best overall entry receives a cash prize of $500. Remaining portions will be auctioned beginning at 6 p.m. in the Livestock Barn Show Ring, with all proceeds benefiting the FFA and 4-H programs.
  • Bullriding: Friday, July 26
    The event will begin at 7 p.m. in the Artesia Horse Council Arena, with gates opening at 5 p.m. Admission is $15 per person. Those interested in entering are asked to text or call Kay-Lee Jo Bryant at 218-349-1861.
  • Fire and Ice Competition: Saturday, July 27
    The competition includes a Traditional Chili Cook-Off and Anything Goes Chili Contest, plus a Homemade Ice Cream Contest for children and a new Salsa Competition. For more information, contact AJ at 575-706-9580 or Misti at 575-706-4547.
  • Cornhole Tournament: Saturday, July 27
    Cost is $20 per person. Check in at 10 a.m. in the covered arena; tournament begins at 10:15 a.m. Switch format with six games guaranteed. For more information, text Bradley Davis at 575-703-0469.
  • Jack Rauch Anvil Toss: Saturday, July 27
    The event will run from 10 a.m. – noon in the covered arena. Registration will be held prior to the start.

Murder charge dropped against Artesia teen

Brienne Green
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Murder charge dropped against Artesia teen

Murder charge dropped against Artesia teen

ARTESIA — A charge of murder stemming from a shooting incident that occurred in May have been dropped against an Artesia teenager.

Cmdr. Pete Quinones of the Artesia Police Department (APD) reported that the second-degree murder charge against the 14-year-old male minor had been dropped by the Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

“The juvenile that was originally arrested for murder had charges dropped/dismissed after evidence was discovered that he was defending himself at the residence,” Quinones said.

The shooting took place around 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, in the 700 block of West Champ Clark Avenue. Law enforcement responded to find 32-year-old Isaac Granado had been shot. Granado was transported to Artesia General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Eddy County Sheriff’s Office deputies subsequently followed a vehicle from the scene to Memorial Drive in front of AGH, where a traffic stop was initiated. Three occupants of the vehicle were detained for questioning, and the APD Criminal Investigation Division determined one of the occupants to be the teenager involved in the shooting.

A charge of unlawful possession of a handgun by a person under the age of 19 remains in place.

Splash Pad still shooting for July 4 reopening

Brienne Green
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Splash Pad still shooting for July 4 reopening

By ELIZABETH WEBB
For the Daily Press

About 15 years ago, any family with children in Artesia likely routinely visited the Splash Pad in the Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Recreation Complex.

But then in 2020, the Splash Pad — the concrete slab adorned with various water features just south of the skate park — was suddenly defunct and inoperable. It was in desperate need of repair, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, those types of repairs just weren’t possible.

Now, four years later, a brand-new, upgraded Splash Pad is set to be unveiled in July.

“I can’t wait for the new splash pad,” said Victoria Lynchesky, who has a 4-year-old daughter. “It’ll be nice to have a family-friendly activity to beat the heat. My daughter has only ever experienced the splash pads in neighboring towns, so it’ll be a great value added to Artesia.”

City Infrastructure Director Byron Landfair said the plan is to have the construction completed by the Fourth of July weekend.

“It’ll be a horse’s race to get to that point, but we’re going to do our best,” he added.

The city received $360,000 in grant money for the rehabilitation project and then pitched in an additional $100,000 of city funds.

The city started looking at the Splash Pad needs in 2022 when Artesians were requesting its comeback en masse.

“When we dug into it, we saw that the Splash Pad had aged quite a bit from being out of use,” Landfair said.

The city then asked Artesians for input on the future of the Splash Pad, giving four options:

  • Option 1: For $5,000-$7,000, the Infrastructure Department estimated it could repair 90% of the Splash Pad for an undetermined time period.
  • Option 2: $125,000-$175,000 would fund new plumbing and render the Splash Pad fully operable in its then-current state but would leave obsolete parts that would eventually need replacing.
  • Option 3: A complete tear-out and rebuild, making it new, enlarged and upgraded.
  • Option 4: The Splash Pad would be permanently removed.

    The public overwhelmingly wanted Option 3 — a complete upgrade.

    “So we listened, we reinvested, and we’re getting a brand-new one,” Landfair said.

    The new Splash Pad will be even larger, Landfair said, by about one-third the size. Additionally, the new equipment will monitor itself, eliminating the need for staff to oversee the facility.

    Right now, the infrastructure department is just waiting for some embed parts to come in before they start pouring the concrete. In the meantime, the restrooms located nearby will soon undergo renovations.

Gary Ryan

Brienne Green
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Gary Ryan

Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, June 21, at Woodbine Cemetery for Jean Gary Ryan.

Ryan, 85, devoted father and cherished friend, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 11, 2024, surrounded by his children.

Honorary pallbearers are Dewayne Barnett, Marvin Thompson, George Denton and Israel Torres.

Gary was born March 1, 1939, in Ringling, Okla., to Ozeil and Lois Ryan.

He was a man of unwavering integrity and boundless kindness. Throughout his life, he touched the hearts of all who knew him with his gentle spirit and compassionate nature.

Gary moved to Artesia with his family at the age of 13 and graduated from Artesia High School in 1956. After high school, he joined his dad in the construction business. He spent 40-plus years as a contractor and business owner of Ryan Construction before retiring at the age of 75.

Gary was a pillar of strength for his family, offering guidance, support and endless love. His dedication to his loved ones knew no limits, and he leaves behind a legacy of warmth and generosity that will be remembered for generations to come.

Gary enjoyed fishing and camping. He found joy in the simple pleasures of life, whether it was tending to his tomato garden, going to the coffee shop, spending time with his family, or sharing stories around the dinner table.

Above all else, Gary will be remembered for his unwavering love and devotion to his family. He was a devoted father to Lee Goddard, Michelle Baer, Teresa Ryan and Paul and Shannon Ryan. He was a devoted PawPaw to grandchildren Cory, Justin, Kristen, Lane, Logan, Lance, Layton, Lacie, Brittany and Kaitlin and 13 great-grandchildren. His love knew no bounds, and his children and grandchildren were his world.

Gary will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Although he may no longer be with us in body, his spirit will live on in the hearts of those who knew him. May we find comfort in the memories we shared with Gary, and may his kindness and generosity continue to inspire us all.

Survivors include his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and sister Cheryl.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ozeil and Charlene Ryan, and James and Lois Bryant; brother Keith Ryan; sister Janice Ryan; and granddaughter Tiffany Goddard.

Arrangements are under the direction of Terpening & Son Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed online at www.artesiafunerals.com.

Henrietta De La Rosa

Brienne Green
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Henrietta De La Rosa

Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, June 21, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church for Henrietta De La Rosa.

De La Rosa, 77, passed away Saturday, June 15, 2024, at her home, surrounded by family.

Interment will follow the services at Woodbine Cemetery, with a reception afterward at the Moose Lodge. Pallbearers will be Johnny De La Rosa, Rickey De La Rosa Jr., Jeremy De La Rosa, Manuelito De La Rosa, Ryan De La Rosa, Chris Aguilar, Isaac De La Rosa and Rene De La Rosa. Honorary pallbearers are all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20, at Our Lady of Grace.

Henrietta was born March 7, 1947, in Artesia to Enrique and Dominga Ortega.

She met her husband of 57 wonderful years in high school when they crossed paths. Some would call it love at first sight because once Manuel laid eyes on her, he knew he was going to create the best life with her. They were inseparable; where you saw one, the other was following right beside. The two had spent every single day of their 57 years together, happily and filled with many beautiful memories.

Henrietta was a feisty spirit, loving mother and grandmother, a devoted wife, and a member of Our Lady of Grace. Henrietta enjoyed life and never was still. You could catch her watching her grandkids’ sporting events, dancing, being with family and her grandchildren, camping, listening to oldies, and shopping.

Oh, did she enjoy her jewelry and watching football. She was an Artesia Bulldog fan and a die-hard 49ers fan. She was strong and outspoken yet still compassionate, funny and loving.

She will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her doting husband, Manuel De La Rosa; loving children Rickey and wife Julie, Nick and wife Mary Jane, Brenda, Manuel Jr. and wife Rachel, Eric and partner Adrian, Jeremy and wife Samantha, and Rene; 27 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; brother Lewis Ortega; sisters Flora Ortega, Alice Ortega, Frances Lara and Margarita Ortega; six godchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter Stephanie; an infant son; a great-granddaughter; three brothers; and two sisters.

Arrangements are under the direction of Terpening & Son Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed online at www.artesiafunerals.com.

Daniel Cortez

Brienne Green
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Daniel Cortez

A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 19, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church for Daniel Cortez of Artesia.

Cortez, 96, passed away Tuesday, June 11, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Interment will follow the services at Woodbine Cemetery. Afterward, everyone is invited to join the family for a meal in the Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church Hall to celebrate Daniel’s life and legacy.

A rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

Daniel was born July 21, 1927, in Presidio, Texas, the beloved son of Mauro Pina and Maria Heredia (Ornelas) Cortez.

He was married to the love of his life, Maria Granado Cortez, for 50 years until her passing. The youngest of 13, he was preceded in death by his siblings Agapito Cortez, Estefania Cortez, Mercedes Garcia, Cruz Marquez, Paula Cortez, Andres Cortez, Eduardo Cortez, Francisca Saiz, Juan Cortez, Mauro Cortez, Refugio Cervantez and Crespin Lara.

Daniel proudly served his country as a U.S. Army World War II veteran, serving in Korea and Okinawa, Japan. He was awarded the WWII Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal. He was honored to be chosen as part of the South Plains Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

He pursued his education late in life, earning a GED. Daniel worked tirelessly as an oilfield worker for Kersey & Company in Artesia, then served as a civil engineer for the Bureau of Land Management until his retirement.

Daniel’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, golfing, camping, and spending time with his family playing cards and board games.

Survivors include children RoseMary Cardenas and spouse Luis of Lubbock, Texas, Sylvia Cortez Lopez of Artesia, Danny Cortez of Lubbock, Bobby Cortez and spouse Olga of Artesia, and Freddy Cortez and spouse George of Phoenix, Ariz. His legacy continues through his nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Daniel’s life was a testament to dedication, love and resilience. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Arrangements are under the direction of Terpening & Son Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed online at www.artesiafunerals.com.

Permian Basin Celebration a trip back to the ‘old America’

Brienne Green
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By JON HENRY
Artesia Mayor

In 1924, the Illinois No. 3 well struck oil. That was also the year the State of New Mexico received its first royalty check in the amount of $134.

Last year, in 2023, our state cashed in over $15 billion from this industry. Because of the grit and determination of a few, Artesia continues to produce and contribute to our community, state and country in an enormous way through oil and gas.

The weekend of June 14-15, we welcomed guests both near and far into the City of Champions to celebrate 100 years of oil and gas. We acknowledged those who came before us, those today putting the work in, and those to come.

It was truly a Permian Basin celebration!

A dinner hosted by Artesia Chamber of Commerce and Artesia MainStreet included interesting discussions by Alex Epstein, a well-known philosopher and author whose critical thinking skills have fostered great discussions on fossil fuels and energy policy.

Hanson Yates of Santo Petroleum also provided insight into the early and difficult days of Illinois No. 3 and the work of his family and others as they brought this pipe dream to reality!

Our community also enjoyed an oilfield equipment and patriotic parade, where numerous businesses, friends and family drove Main Street in true small-town-America fashion. Other activities included an Oilfield Cook-Off Competition, Oilfield Olympic Games and live music featuring The Wichita, Question de Tiempo, Tell Runyan and Bart Crow.

Special activities were held at the Artesia Public Library and the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center, and the Artesia Aquatic Center let the town in for free! Everyone participated, and I hope everyone truly enjoyed themselves.

One of my favorite conversations happened during this parade, where a gentleman visiting from Michigan said this is how he remembers the “old America.” He was beaming, and he was correct. This weekend felt different to me, too. People cheering each other, kids playing at The Derrick Floor, vendors setting up and doing business, families proud of the way they make their living.

This weekend, we were a small but vibrant town. We walked the streets and visited with both friends and strangers. There was a sense of pride in the streets. If you were unable to come to the 100-year celebration, you truly missed out on something great!

Although we will not be here to celebrate 200 years, maybe we can start a decade celebration?

We can keep this party going!

See you at 110 years of oil and gas in 2034!

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Jon Henry is the mayor of Artesia. Contact him at mayor@artesianm.gov.)

What’s next for Spaceport America?

Brienne Green
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By SHERRY ROBINSON
New Mexico News Services

It was glamour and glitz again as Virgin Galactic sent its last space tourists into the heavens this month. Now the company will fade away for two years to build the next generation ship – not here but in Mesa, Arizona.

What’s next for Spaceport America? Maybe it’s time to go back to Plan A. In case you’re wondering, Virgin Galactic was Plan B.

“Spaceport America began as New Mexico’s dream to integrate and promote its space industry to grow the state’s economy,” wrote space economist Thomas Matula in The Space Review. “Instead, it got lost in this detour into suborbital space tourism.”

Matula has history in New Mexico’s spaceport. Beginning with his MBA and PhD in business administration from NMSU, Matula became an expert on spaceports. He’s a professor of business administration at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas,

As a Ph.D. candidate he worked on the initial feasibility study for a spaceport. “That study envisioned a very different spaceport from the one operating today,” he wrote. “Instead of a facility built around an anchor client, Virgin Galactic, whose business is based on the transport of tourists into suborbital space, back in 1991 (the proposed spaceport) was supposed to be the flagship of New Mexico’s space industry.”

It all started in 1930 with Dr. Robert Goddard’s research near Roswell. That led to White Sands Missile Range, where the army during World War II tested German V-2 rockets. To support those tests, NMSU created the Physical Science Laboratory in 1946. “PSL’s ground-breaking research has shaped the nation’s space and rocket programs for more than three quarters of a century,” Matula wrote.

In this period Los Alamos National Laboratory spun off Sandia National Laboratories and the Air Force Research Laboratory, which soon expanded their work to include rockets and space technology. With New Mexico’s research universities – UNM, New Mexico Tech and NMSU – New Mexico had “substantial capability for space research and development.”

Matula wonders how the founders’ vision pivoted to space tourists.

I know because I was covering it. (My first story about the proposed spaceport was in 1995.) As the idea was taking off, Gov. Bill Richardson, his economic development people and Branson found each other. The charismatic Branson had grand plans. State officials followed a shiny object. Besides, space tourism was easier to explain (and sell) to legislators than space research and development.

And the state had money that year.

Branson didn’t deceive anybody, but his flights took far longer than anyone expected, which “put another kink in the economic development New Mexico once planned for the spaceport, a dream of revenue that would rescue this depressed pocket of the Chihuahua Desert,” Matula wrote. And now Sir Richard has waved goodbye for two more years.

Spaceport America has four other tenants, but they “bear little evidence of any strategic integration with New Mexico’s space industry,” Matula wrote. Maybe so, but they have invested substantially in their facilities here, they’ve notched successes, and together they could be the foundation of the spaceport’s next chapter.

Spaceport spokesman Charlie Hurley said “Spaceport America takes a proactive approach to identifying and communicating with aerospace and space companies” and the conversations are “frequent and ongoing in nature.”

This month a consultant is expected to deliver a master plan to the New Mexico Spaceport Authority that examines growth opportunities for the state’s aerospace industry and identifies strengths and challenges for the facility.

“I am not holding my breath that it will be any better than studies in the past,” wrote Matula. He sees a return to the original vision as the best way forward.

If the consultants are thorough they will look at the industry history here and not be distracted by shiny objects.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Sherry Robinson is a syndicated columnist whose work is distributed by New Mexico News Services.)

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