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Artesia’s First Methodist Church brings history to life with Last Supper reenactment

Michael Smith
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Artesia’s First Methodist Church brings history to life with Last Supper reenactment

Mike Smith
Carlsbad Current-Argus
msmith@elritomedia.com

Artesia’s First Methodist Church marked Holy Week with its annual reenactment of the Last Supper, offering attendees a visual portrayal of one of Christianity’s most significant events.

Twelve churchmen offered insight into the moments Jesus Christ spent with his Apostles in the hours before he was crucified.

“It takes us back to our roots,” said Sandy Schuetz who has directed the reenactment each year since its debut in 2024.

Schuetz said the idea for the reenactment came from former New Mexico State Sen. Vernon Asbill, who proposed it during a 2023 men’s prayer breakfast.

He said the idea dated back to 1976.

“We had a preacher here that talked about it. We put it together for one year,” Asbill said.

The minister left, Asbill said, and the play was dropped until the church brought it back in 2024.

Asbill has portrayed the Apostle Andrew in all three reenactments. After studying his lines and Andrew’s persona, Asbill said, he identified with the biblical figure.

“My characteristics echo that same character,” Asbill said.

Cast members had to memorize their lines the first year of the presentation, Asbill said, but Schuetz changed that with the help of a hidden visual aid.

“Luke Blackmon (student ministry pastor) had his hand on a (computer) mouse clicking forward through their speeches,” Schuetz said.

The cast rehearsed five times over the three weeks leading up to the April 2 presentation, Schuetz said.

First Methodist Pastor David McGaughy said the Maundy Thursday reenactment offered important details of Jesus’ final moments with the Apostles.

“It makes you think that even though one of them would betray him, he still washed their feet and had a meal with them,” McGaughy said. “In other words, he still loved them. It was a great reminder that even in our failures his love remains. It’s a perfect picture that we are to love no matter the circumstances.”

The Last Supper reenactment was one of several special events hosted by First Methodist Church during Holy Week. The church held an Easter Prayer Vigil that started at 8 p.m. on Good Friday, April 3, and concluded at 6 a.m. Easter Sunday, April 5.

A sunrise service was conducted at the Bulldog Bowl on Easter morning.

Schuetz and Asbill said the activities were part of a greater outreach for the entire Artesia community.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 extension-2361.

Domino’s Pizza owner: ‘It’s not rocket science’

Michael Smith
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Domino’s Pizza owner: ‘It’s not rocket science’

Staff reports

Domino’s top franchisee got his start in southeast New Mexico

Brian Bailey owns more Domino’s franchise stores than anyone else.

And he got his start delivering the pies in southeast New Mexico.

He worked as delivery driver in Alamogordo, quickly promoted to manage the store.

In 1988, Bailey bought his first Domino’s store in Carlsbad. Today he owns Domino’s locations across southeast New Mexico, with others in Ruidoso and Artesia.

Almost 40 years later in 2025, Bailey secured the title of Domino’s largest U.S. franchise owner with the purchase of 45 Domino’s stores in Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. With his most recent store opening earlier this year in Texas, Bailey hit the milestone of being a franchise owner of 160 stores spanning across five states: Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas.

“Like many Domino’s franchisees, when I started as a young man, I honestly thought it was just a temporary job while I figured out my real career,” Bailey said. “What I didn’t realize at the time was that I had just stumbled into one of the greatest entrepreneurial opportunities in the country.

After earning his electrical engineering degree in 1985 from DeVry Institute of Technology, while looking for what he described as “a real job,” he started delivering pizzas for Domino’s in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Just 58 days after he started as a driver, Bailey was promoted to manager of Alamogordo Domino’s.

“I always say, ‘It’s not rocket science’ – although that’s what I was envisioning for my career,” Bailey said. “Domino’s is one of the few brands where someone can start at in an entry level job at the store and build an incredible career through hard work, leadership and determination.”

Bailey quickly advanced within the brand and gained hands-on experience building and running stores from the ground up. By 1999, he was debt-free, owned 12 stores, and faced a pivotal decision.

“We had three choices once we hit 12 stores: sell, coast or go big … I didn’t want to sell, and I don’t like to coast, so we decided to go big,” Bailey said.

He said he is incredibly grateful for his family, team, franchise community, corporate partners, and the leaders who helped guide him along the way such as Zig Ziglar, Tom Monaghan, Patrick Doyle, Don Meij, and Russell Weiner.

“Success in business is rarely about one individual. It is about people coming together with a shared purpose, lifting each other up and building something bigger than themselves,” Bailey said. “When I look back over the past 40 years, the most meaningful part of the journey has not been the number of stores we operate. It has been watching thousands of team members grow into leaders, support their families and build better lives.”

Today, Bailey’s Domino’s franchise employs more than 3,000 people who operate under a shared mission statement, “Guarantee every customer is WOWed by me.”

Many of his leaders such as Anthony Fish, Rob Hoff, Cyndi Tweet, Tim Erb, Scott Gates, and Callea Bogdon have spent decades supporting and growing the brand.

“Our team is everything,” Bailey said. “When our team members succeed, their families succeed, our stores succeed, and our communities succeed. That is the real engine behind our growth.”

Bailey’s franchise is guided by three core values: growth, great operations and giving back. Last year alone, Team Bailey contributed nearly $250,000 to the Domino’s Partners Foundation, setting a new foundation record. In addition to supporting the Domino’s Partners Foundation, Bailey’s franchise regularly gives back at the local level, supporting local schools, food banks and community organizations across the five states they serve.

“Giving back has always been important to Michelle and me because we believe that success carries responsibility,” Bailey said. “The opportunities we have been given in life and in business are blessings, and we believe those blessings should create opportunities to help others. When businesses and communities work together to lift people up, everyone benefits.”

Michelle Bailey, Brian’s wife, plays an essential role not only in his life but also within the business. She supports multiple functions within the franchise and often jumps in to make pizzas alongside their teams during large rushes and will even stay late to help with cleaning. Within Bailey’s franchise, Michelle is affectionately known as “Mrs. Boss.”

“Her support, wisdom, and partnership have made everything we have built possible,” Bailey said.

Faith and family remain at the center of Bailey’s leadership philosophy.

“Family keeps you grounded. No matter how busy business becomes, family reminds you what truly matters,” he said. “Faith gives you perspective. It reminds you that leadership is really about serving others, treating people with respect, and trying to make a positive impact on the lives around you.”

Looking ahead, Bailey is focused on continued growth within the pizza industry and believes the best chapters are still ahead.

“Domino’s success story is still being written, and it is exciting to be part of that journey,” Bailey said. “We were made for more.”

Brian Bailey’s southeast New Mexico stores

Alamogordo

100 S. White Sands Blvd.

Artesia

302 S. First St.

Carlsbad

220 S. Canal St. in Carlsbad

3819 National Parks Highway

Ruidoso

1717 Sudderth Ave.

Artesia boys’ golf team out to prove a point by winning the Bulldog Classic

JT Keith
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Artesia boys’ golf team out to prove a point by winning the Bulldog Classic


JT Keith

Last year was last year — except for the four returning seniors on the Artesia boys’ golf team.

Those seniors were part of a Bulldogs squad that finished second at the state tournament behind Albuquerque Academy, a result that still fuels the group.

“It was a tough ending, and we were close there to the end,” Bulldogs coach Tristan Bowden said. “They got the best of us that day.”

On Monday, Artesia made a statement on its home course. The Bulldogs defeated 10 teams to win the Bulldog Classic, shooting a 293, five over par, before traveling to Hobbs for a tournament later this week.

“Getting to play on your home course has some advantages,” Bowden said. “I was impressed with the scoring.”

Joel Ochoa, the team’s No. 2 golfer, finished one over par. Jeighton Gray, Steven William, Lucas Atkins and Veer Bhatka each shot 78, while Jack Byers carded an even‑par round.

Bowden pointed to Byers’ work ethic as setting the tone.

“I give Jack all the credit,” Bowden said. “He doesn’t get much rest. He comes out here during sixth period, works on the range, then goes straight to baseball.”

Bowden said the early results are encouraging as Artesia looks to establish itself as the season progresses.

“I’m really looking forward to this group,” he said. “We’re three tournaments in, and I want to solidify us as the top dogs. After what happened at state last year, we want to prove we can compete.”

Leading the Bulldogs on Monday was sophomore Beau Byers, who shot two under par. Ochoa finished third overall.

Byers got off to a strong start, recording three straight birdies on the front nine and shooting three under on holes four through six. He was four under after 10 holes.

“I left a lot out there today,” Byers said. “I think I could have had it back, but I made a couple of not‑smart bogeys I’d like to have back.”

Byers said he welcomes the pressure that comes with being one of the state’s top players.

“I like it,” he said. “Iron sharpens iron. I’ve got great teammates — the best in the state. We push each other every day, and that makes me better.”

Byers credited playing earlier this season at the Trump Invitational for preparing him for the year, calling it tougher than any course he has played in New Mexico.

Artesia will compete Thursday in Lovington, a course Bowden said he will approach as preparation for the district meet scheduled there later this season.

April 27 will mark the Bulldogs’ final home regular‑season tournament. The Lady ’Dogs finished second out of nine teams at the Bulldog Classic.

“I want our best rounds to be at the end of the season,” Bowden said. “I like this group and the way they’re playing.”

Sherry Robinson: A few bright spots as New Mexico faces fire season

Michael Smith
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Sherry Robinson: A few bright spots as New Mexico faces fire season

Sherry Robinson
All She Wrote

A Zia Pueblo farmer I know is debating how much corn to plant this year. “There’s no snow in the mountains,” he says. Irrigation will be tight, and he’s reluctant to draw from a pond he might need for emergencies.

As water and weather experts confirm what our eyes already tell us, New Mexico is holding its collective breath for this fire season.

So allow me to sprinkle a little good news. State and federal governments and electric utilities have taken steps to better prepare for what’s coming.

Lincoln County’s new Rio Safe Program will provide state and federal funding for the county to buy and demolish about 400 homes in the flood path of the Rio Ruidoso and relocate residents. The program will also restore watershed and create a park from a disaster area.

It’s the first home buyout program in New Mexico and the first buyout funded by the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service for communities recovering from post-fire flooding.

In a second development, electric utilities are working hard to keep drought-stricken trees from falling onto power lines and igniting wildfires. In a recent hearing before the state Public Regulation Commission, utility executives said they have new mapping software to identify high-risk areas and artificial intelligence-enabled cameras to quickly detect wildfire starts. They’ve been replacing wooden power poles with steel structures that have non-exploding fuses and design features that prevent trees or wildlife from contacting live wires. And they’re ready to shut off power pre-emptively during acute fire weather.

It’s not cheap, which is one reason why your utility bills are rising.

Investor-owned and cooperative utilities aim to be responsible, but they also fear lawsuits like the $25 million action against the Jemez Electrical Cooperative, which doubled its cost of insurance. A bipartisan bill to give responsible utilities a little protection died in this year’s legislative session.

This is all from reporting by Patrick Lohmann, of Source NM, who knows more about fire here than any other journalist.

In Washington DC, a new agency could shake up the federal fire-fighting bureaucracy. Predictions are mixed.

The Trump administration plans to consolidate Interior Department firefighting operations in the new Wildland Fire Service. Firefighters and fire policy experts like the idea because it could streamline communications and speed up response times in a new era of megafires, according to the Washington Post. However, congressional Democrats, including our own Sen. Martin Heinrich, and public lands advocates warn it siphon off even more employees from land management agencies already weakened by DOGE layoffs.

The 4,500-person Wildland Fire Service combines firefighting entities from the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Aviation Services and Office of Wildland Fire. The agency would have a new center for centralizing wildfire intelligence.

Supporters like the advocacy group Megafire Action say the old decentralized system doesn’t meet the demands of today’s bigger, faster-moving fires and longer fire seasons driven by climate change and drought.

Grassroots Wildland Firefighters has called for a unified agency since its founding in 2019, said president Riva Duncan. Her organization supports the administration’s eventual goal of moving the U.S. Forest Service’s firefighting operations out of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and into the new agency.

This super agency, envisioned in a 2025 presidential executive order, would have more than 11,300 employees, twice the size of current BLM, which has 5,000 employees, down from 10,000 in January 2025.

“They’re going to break our public land management agencies,” former BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning told the Post.

Where workers fought fires during fire season and performed other land management tasks in the off season, the new agency will focus on fires year-round and call on land management agencies for help with fires.

In a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in February, Heinrich and others said separating wildfire management from land management could have life-or-death consequences.

“We are concerned that the DOI is advancing a rapid and consequential restructuring of wildfire management without adequate analysis, transparency, or planning to prevent disruption during what is expected to be a significant fire season or to safeguard long-term wildfire preparedness,” they wrote.

Proponents admit that much depends on how the new agency is rolled out but trust the service’s new director, Brian Fennessy, a former California fire chief with long experience. This could still be a great idea, but it adds another reason to hold your breath.

Sherry Robinson is a longtime New Mexico reporter and editor. She has worked in Grants, Gallup, the Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico Business Weekly and Albuquerque Tribune. She is the author of four books. Her columns won first place in 2024 from New Mexico Press Women.

Competitive schedule has the Bulldogs right where they want to be

JT Keith
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Competitive schedule has the Bulldogs right where they want to be

JT Keith

No one in Bulldog land is pushing the panic button as the Artesia baseball team continues to come together, with its basketball players back for just over three weeks.

Despite a 7-7 overall record, Artesia remains ranked No. 1 in District 4 and is beginning to show the benefits of a demanding early-season schedule. Coach Jackson Bickel has guided the Bulldogs through a challenging non-district slate designed to test the team well before district play begins.

The Bulldogs have faced tough competition, including an undefeated Cleveland Storm team during the Sal Puentes Tournament. Artesia also squared off against a strong Goddard squad in the same tournament, falling 3-1 in a tightly contested game.

Last week, the Bulldogs traveled to Hobbs and split a doubleheader. Artesia dropped the opener 14-2 but responded with a 15-6 win in the second game. The split reflected a team still finding consistency but showing resilience as players fully transition from basketball to baseball shape.

Artesia is scheduled to play a doubleheader against Carlsbad before opening District 4A-4 play against Portales. The district competition will provide a clearer picture of where the Bulldogs stand as the season progresses.

While the record sits at .500, the early stretch has helped define roles and highlight areas needing improvement. The Bulldogs continue to grow more comfortable defensively and at the plate with each outing, using the tough competition to sharpen execution.

JT Keith | Artesia Daily Press
Artesia third baseman Jack Byers gets ready for a play in a game earlier this season.

Pitching depth is expected to improve as Charlie Campbell IV and Jack Byers return to the mound to join Daelon Pacheco and Elijah Carrasco, while Lucas Atkins has been solid out of the bullpen. The lineup has also seen contributions from underclassmen, including sophomores Jared Flores and Hayden Moser and freshmen Kolton Hamilton and Logan Rodriguez, who provide versatility across multiple positions.

As the defending state champions look ahead, Artesia will see another determined Goddard Rockets team during district play, with the district title potentially coming down to the final three games of the season.

Perfect conditions make it a prime time to fish on all New Mexico waters

Michael Smith
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Perfect conditions make it a prime time to fish on all New Mexico waters

Information and photo provided by New Mexico Department of Game and Fish

Southeastern New Mexico anglers looking for largemouth bass and trout should visit Brantley Lake and Lake Van.

At Brantley Lake, between Carlsbad and Artesia, conditions for largemouth bass were good using #2/3 Mepps inline spinners.

Sixty-two miles north of Carlsbad, trout fishing was good using minnows at Lake Van near Dexter.

Near Portales at Oasis Park Lake, fishing for trout and catfish was fair to good using homemade dough bait.

In Lincoln County at Grindstone Reservoir, smallmouth bass fishing was particularly good using wacky-rigged worms.

Near Clovis at Greene Acres Lake, bass fishing was slow to fair using plastic crawdads.

In southern New Mexico at Elephant Butte Lake near Truth or Consequences, fishing for striped bass was slow to fair using small umbrella rigs. Fishing for largemouth bass was exceptionally good using worms and fishing for white bass was fair to good using crankbaits.

In northern New Mexico at Charette Lakes, fishing for yellow perch was slow using worms. Fishing for trout was fair to good using Orange Powerbaits.

At Conchas Lake, fishing for largemouth bass was good using Texas-rigged weightless green pumpkin stick bait. Fishing for walleye and smallmouth bass was slow to fair using plastic worms.

Fishing for trout along the Pecos River was good using nightcrawlers and size-16 green zebra midges and a Parachute Adams fly.

Fishing for rainbow trout in the bait waters along the San Juan River was good using PowerBait. Fishing for trout in the quality waters was slow to fair using dry and dropper flies upstream of the Texas Hole Boat launch.

Along Tingley Beach in Albuquerque, fishing for bluegill, catfish, trout and largemouth bass was exceptionally good using worms. Trout fishing was fair to good using homemade PowerBait.

This fishing report has been generated from the best information available at the time of publication.

Fly fishing comes to the big screen in Alamogordo as part of an ongoing series

Michael Smith
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Fly fishing comes to the big screen in Alamogordo as part of an ongoing series

Staff reports

The Flickinger Center for Performing Arts will be featuring an afternoon showing of a series of Fly Fishing Short Films that highlight New Mexico’s native fish, beautiful angling destinations, and the communities that embrace the sport and conservation of these resources and public lands.

This anthology of short films is sponsored by the Mesilla Valley Fly Fishers, a local angling group, and the Gila/Rio Grande Chapter of Trout Unlimited that encompasses southern New Mexico.

The films cover waters located across the state from the Pecos River and Rio Grande to the wild reaches of the Gila River. The selection highlights fishing opportunities in these waters, and ongoing conservation work for native species including Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout, Gila Trout, and California’s Golden trout that are native to the southern Sierra Nevada mountains.

The films also feature the federal and state agencies and other partners who are working to protect these special places and fish.

Other segments highlight youth-focused programs such as Trout in the Classroom and the 5 Rivers College Fly Fishing Club Network and meet other inspiring anglers like the New Mexico Lady Anglers, an active group of women fly fishing enthusiasts, are also featured.

If you go

Showtime is 3 to 5 p.m., Sunday, April 19 at the Flickinger Center, 1110 New York Ave., Alamogordo.

Doors open at 1 p.m., and guests can meet with hosts and those involved in the series for information on fly fishing and conservation in southern New Mexico.

Tickets are available for purchase online through the Flickinger’s website and at the door. Contact Bob Silver for more information (575) 642-5865 or rsilver@nmsu.edu.

New Mexico School for the Deaf opens infant hearing testing center in Artesia

Michael Smith
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New Mexico School for the Deaf opens infant hearing testing center in Artesia

Officials from the New Mexico School of the Deaf gathered in Artesia Friday at the Haven of Hope for the opening of a new regional infant hearing testing center.

A ribbon cutting was held Friday as community members gathered for the ceremony.

A complete recap is coming next week at artesianews.com and in Thursday’s newspaper.

Here are the latest arrests and crimes reported by Artesia police

Michael Smith
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Here are the latest arrests and crimes reported by Artesia police

March 23

Arrest

Mayra Janet Torrez Arogomez arrested for shoplifting.

Michael Anthony Molina arrested for failure to appear.

DOMESTIC

9:09 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to physical domestic.

GRAFFITI

10:16 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Dallas Ave. in reference to graffiti.

10:46 am – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of W. Washington Ave. in reference to graffiti.

WELFARE

11:04 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.

2:18 pm – Officer dispatched to 200 block of N. 10th St. in reference to the welfare of a child.

BURGLARY

2:14 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. 6th St. in reference to an auto burglary.

3:30 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of S. Heath St. in reference to an auto burglary.

SUSPICIOUS

4:38 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to a suspicious person.

UNWANTED

7:14 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Cannon Ave. in reference to an unwanted subject.

ACCIDENT

7:56 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Grand Ave. and S. 38th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

UNWANTED

8:11 pm- Officer dispatched to 2100 block of W. Mann Ave. in reference to an unwanted subject.

March 24

Arrest

Stephen Perez Hernandez arrested for driving on a revoked license.

Jayden Madrid arrested for battery against a household member.

Larry Joe Galindo arrested for probation violations.

STOLEN

1:49 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Washington Ave. in reference to a stolen vehicle.

SUICIDAL

4:49 am – Officer dispatched to 300 block of N. York St. in reference to a suicidal attempt.

ACCIDENT

7:51 am – Officer dispatched to W. Bush Ave. and N. 15th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

LARCENY

8:37 pm – Officer dispatched to 100 block of S. 1st St. in reference to larceny.

GRAFFITI

8:50 am – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. 3rd St. in reference to graffiti.

DOMESTIC

8:54 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of N. 13th St. in reference to verbal domestic.

BRUGLARY

9:09 am – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of N. 5th St. in reference to an auto burglary.

FRAUD

10:32 am – Officer dispatched to 2500 block of W. Quay Ave. in reference to fraud.

VANDAL

10:43 am – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Mahone Dr. in reference to vehicle vandalism.

THREATS

11:21 am – Officer dispatched to S. 1st St. and W. Park Ave. in reference to threats.

DOMESTIC

6:59 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to domestic.

8:41 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to physical domestic.

WANTED

11:31 pm – Officer dispatched to 3300 block of W. Main St. in reference to a wanted subject.

March 25

Arrest

Jaclyn Roark arrested for criminal damage to property, aggravated battery inflicting great bodily harm or death edged weapon, unlawful taking of motor vehicle.

SUSPICIOUS

1:29 am – Officer dispatched to 800 block of N. 5th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

DISTURBANCE

5:49 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to disturbance.

WELFARE

6:47 am – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Main St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

7:45 am – Officer dispatched to N. 1st St. and E. Richey Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

GRAFFITI

10:54 am – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Merchant Ave. in reference to graffiti.

WANTED

12:58 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of N. 1st St. in reference to a wanted subject.

RECKLESS

2:00 pm – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of S. 24th St. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

ACCIDENT

5:38 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 14th St. and W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

DOMESTIC

10:42 pm – Officer dispatched to 2700 block of W. Grand Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

March 26

Martin Ontiveros Madrid arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, firearm, criminal damage to property, battery against a household member.

Cruz A Munoz arrested for indecent exposure.

Luke Weldon Mendenall arrested for battery against a household member.

Renay Rochelle Ponce arrested for disorderly conduct.

SUSPICIOUS

2:15 am – Officer dispatched to 2000 block of W. Main St. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

6:54 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of S. 1st St. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

RECKLESS

10:05 am- Officer dispatched to Maple St and E. Richey Ave in reference to a reckless vehicle.

DOMESTIC

10:21 am -Officer dispatched to 1700 block of S. 17th St. in reference to verbal domestic.

FIGHT

12:19 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Bullock Ave. in reference to a fight in progress.

DOMESTIC

2:34 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 7th St. and W. James Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

ACCIDENT

2:48 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 1st St. and W. Quay Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

UNWANTED

3:38 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. 1st St. in reference to an unwanted subject.

INDECENT EXPOSURE

4:03 pm – Officer dispatched to 1200 block of N. 4th St. in reference to indecent exposure.

DOMESTIC

6:09 pm – Officer dispatched to 300 block of W McArthur Ave. in reference to physical domestic.

ACCIDENT

7:15 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Main St. and Centennial Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

STOLEN

7:20 pm – Officer dispatched to 200 block of W. Kemp Ave. in reference to a stolen vehicle.

INCORRIGIBLE

10:59 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of N 8th St. in reference to an incorrigible child.

SUSPICIOUS

11:26 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Bullock Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

March 27

GRAFFITI

10:00 am- Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to graffiti.

SUSPICIOUS

11:50 am – Officer dispatched to 200 block of S. 8th St. in reference to suspicious trespass.

12:18 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 26th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

WELFARE

4:10 pm – Officer dispatched to 1800 block of S. 17th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

SUSPICIOUS

9:22 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 13th St. and W JJ Clark Dr. in reference to suspicious activity.

WELFARE

10:36 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

March 28

Arrest

Jarrod Richardson arrested for abuse of a child, no great harm or death.

Brian Alexander Hernandez Duarte arrested or careless driving, aggravated DWI of intoxicating liquor or drugs.

Rito Dominguez Perez arrested for municipal failure to pay.

Alizae Rose Loredo arrested for driving while under the influence of intoxication of liquor.

DWI

12:12 am- Officer dispatched to N. 26ht St. and W. Main St. in reference to DWI arrest.

LOUD

12:46 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to a loud noise.

1:15 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to loud music.

DISTURBANCE

6:38 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to disturbance.

Artesia boys’ track team dominates in Hobbs

JT Keith
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Artesia boys’ track team dominates in Hobbs


JT Keith

The Artesia Bulldogs boys’ track team is peaking at the right time. After finishing second at the Artesia Invitational on their home track, the Bulldogs followed that performance with an impressive showing in Hobbs, where they dominated the field events, qualified two relays for the state meet, and continued to pile up strong individual performances across the board.

Bulldog coach Adrian Olivas said the focus going into the meet was clear, and the team delivered on its goals.

“We went to the meet wanting to qualify two relays,” Olivas said. “We did that. All the times we ran as individuals were better, so we are pretty satisfied with that.”

Artesia officially qualified for state in the 4×800-meter relay and the 4×100-meter relay, two events Olivas felt were realistic targets entering the weekend. The Bulldogs are also in position to qualify additional relays later this week in Hobbs.

While the relay success stood out, the Bulldogs once again showed their depth in the field events, a consistent strength all season. Jenna Whitmire, Cael Houghtaling, and Brant Usherwood each finished in the top five of the javelin throw, giving Artesia valuable points and continued momentum.

In the throws, Marco Soto won the shot put, and Dylan Quiroz tied for first place in the long jump with a jump of 21.5. Harper Murray continued her strong run by winning the shot put again, posting a throw of more than 37 feet.

Olivas said Murray’s progress has been noticeable as the season has gone on, and her consistency has been a boost for the team.

“She’s getting better every week,” Olivas said. “It’s good for us to have the top two throwers in the state in her and Brooklynne Ivans.”

JT Keith | Artesia Daily Press
An Artesia runner is encouraged by assistant coach Nicholas Rivera during the Artesia Invitational on March 28.

On the track, several Bulldogs posted times that rank among the best in Class 4A. Ayden Kenyon ran an 11.29 in the 100 meters, placing him in the top four statewide. Marcos Ornelas ran a 22.4 in the 200 meters, a time that put him in the top five in the state and earned him a trip to the state meet. Tootie McNeil also qualified for the state in the 110-meter hurdles.

The meet featured 14 teams, including Andrews High School and several Lubbock-area schools, providing strong competition throughout the day.

“We started really well,” Olivas said. “We had a really good meet overall for us.”

So far this season, Artesia has qualified 25 track athletes for the state meet. The Bulldogs will compete next at a meet in Portales on Friday as they continue to fine-tune performances before state.

“We are right where we need to be,” Olivas said. “Our field events are just getting better a little at a time, heading into state.”

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