By any standard, in the past decade oil production in New Mexico has attained world-class stature. In 2023, New Mexico was producing about 1.8 million barrels per day (657 million barrels that year) of crude oil, 10 times more than it was producing in 2010, thanks to investments in new fracking technologies. This quantity places New Mexico just about even with the oilrich countries of Mexico, Kazakhstan, and Norway, and slightly above Nigeria and Qatar. If New Mexico were a nation it would rank about 14th in the world in oil production, well above the OPEC countries of Libya, Algeria, and Venezuela. Visionary as they might have been, it seems unlikely that Mary and Martin Yates, thrilled by the gushing black liquid at Illinois #3 in Spring of 1924, could have imagined that exactly one century later their descendants would still be drilling in a New Mexico now producing more oil than Qatar.
I am pleased to join the Permian Basin Centennial celebration. In many ways, it is a celebration of New Mexico’s national, pre-eminent leadership in energy production; its contribution to our energy independence and free world leadership; and a tribute to the men and women who work in the oil fields.
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ARTESIA -- Aspiring young actors are invited to audition next month for the upcoming Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) production of “Jack and the Beanstalk.” The audition will be held from 10 a.m. - noon Monday, June 17, at the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center and is open to students in grades 1-12.
Artesia Clean & Beautiful will be hosting its 17th Annual eWaste Collection event June 21-22 at the food court at the Eddy County Fairgrounds. We will be accepting all of your office-related equipment, fax machine, copiers, typewriters, CPUs, consumer electronics including DVD and VCR players and video game consoles, radios, telephones and cell phones, server and telecom equipment, cameras, and stereo equipment.
Updates on construction projects around Artesia were the highlight of the June 11 Artesia City Council meeting. Infrastructure Director Byron Landfair reported work on the previously reported second Mc Donald’s location in front of Wal Mart is getting started. Equipment for the Splash Pad at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex has arrived, and crews are hopefully targeting the Fourth of July for an opening. More likely, Landfair said, it will be later in July.
Friday, June 14 • Dinner at the Artesia Country Club with keynote speaker Alex Epstein and guest speaker Hanson Yates; contact the Chamber of Commerce at 575-746-2744 for ticket information Saturday, June 15 • 9 a.m.: Oilfield Equipment Parade - Parade will start at Bulldog Bowl and proceed east on Main Street to Second Street • 10 a.m. - noon: Derrick Floor Shenanigans - Come enjoy a variety of activities for all ages in Oil Patch Plaza at Sixth and Main streets • 10 a.m.
HEAD START ENROLLMENT -- Head Start is currently enrolling 3- and 4-year-olds for its 2024-25 program year. Children must turn 3 by Sept. 1. To schedule an enrollment appointment, call 575-748-1141. Parents or guardians will be asked to bring the child’s birth certificate and immunization records, verification of income (2023 tax return or SNAP), and a Medicaid or private insurance card. ----------------- ARTESIA HEALTHCARE AND REHAB OPEN HOUSE -- Artesia Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center invites the public to an open house from 10:30 a.m. - noon Friday, June 14, at the Center, 1402 W. Gilchrist Ave. Learn about the services provided, tour the facility, meet the staff, and enjoy snacks and beverages in the rose garden. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to Helen at 575-308-2076. For more information, call 575-746-6006. ----------------- NORTH EDDY REPUBLICANS -- The North Eddy County Republicans will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20, in the clubhouse at the Artesia Country Club. All are welcome. Need not be a member of the club to attend. The speaker has yet to be determined. ----------------- SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING -- The Eddy County Commission will hold a special meeting at 8:30 a.m. Friday, June 14, in Commission Chambers at the Eddy County Administration Complex, 101 W. Greene St., Carlsbad, for the purpose of canvassing the results of the June 4 Primary Election. ----------------- HOSPITAL BOARD -- The Artesia Special Hospital District Board of Trustees will meet at 5:15 p.m. Monday, June 24, in Green Chile Room A at Artesia General Hospital for the purpose of conducting regular business and discussing finances and other matters in an open setting. ----------------- KIDS’ STORYTIME -- Children ages 12 and under are invited to a Summer Reading Program adventure-themed StoryTime and Craft at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 18, at the Artesia Public Library. For more information, call the library at 575-746-4252. ----------------- KIDS’ LEGO CHALLENG
YARD OF THE WEEK -- Artesia Clean & Beautiful is sponsoring its Yard of the Week contest now through September. Colorful, attractive, wellgroomed lawns with curb appeal meet the qualifications. To nominate a yard worthy of the title, contact Linda at 575-513-0143 or the AC&B office at 575748-3192. ----------------- TALL PAUL -- All ages are invited to enjoy the magic of Tall Paul from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, June 13, at the Artesia Public Library. For more information, call the library at 575-746-4252. ----------------- TEEN ART -- The Teen Summer Reading Program will hold Teen Art for ages 13-17 from 1-2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 13, at the Artesia Public Library. Come decorate a sasquatch cookie. All supplies provided. For more information, call the library at 575746-4252. ----------------- CRAFTING FOR ADULTS -- Adults ages 18 and up are invited to create pill bottle emergency kits at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, June 13, at the Artesia Public Library. For more information, call the library at 575-746-4252. ----------------- FATHER’S DAY EVENT -- Fathers are invited to join their kids for a special StoryTime, craft and games from 3-5 p.m. Friday, June 14, at the Artesia Public Library. For more information, call the library at 575-746-4252. ----------------- FILM SCREENING First Church Artesia, 402 W. Grand Ave., will hold a free screening of “Letter to the American Church” at 6 p.m. Friday, June 14. The public is welcome to attend. ----------------- SRP REGISTRATION -- The final day to register for the Artesia Public Library’s children’s, teen and adult Summer Reading Programs will be Saturday, June 15. For more information, call the library at 575-746-4252. ----------------- CHASE SCHOLAR COMMUNITY SERVICE -- Chase Scholars will be performing community service for senior citizens June 19-21. Students will be in groups with an adult supervisor and will be available for yard work, cleaning exterior windows, and various odd jobs. Students will not be painting. Si
Artesia was represented Saturday at the Red, Green, Gold and Turquoise All-Star Softball games in Las Cruces by, from left, Mikenzi Carlo, Zowe Warren, Madison Martinez and Lady Bulldog head coach Sandra Pulido. Morning games in the all-classifications round robin saw Carlo, Martinez and Pulido's Turquoise squad end in an 8-8 tie against the Green team, while Warren's Gold team topped Aguilar's Red squad 9-4. See Page 2 for additional photos.
