City Recreation Director Louie Reyes speaks to a group of students from Yucca Elementary (who were anxious to try out the Splash Pad) on the importance of water safety and conservation Tuesday at Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex Splash Pad. “Water is very important — we can’t live without it — that’s why we’ve got to make sure we conserve it,” said Reyes. Certified pool operator and supervisor of the water system which powers the Splash Pad, Jacob Mendoza, demonstrated to the children how he tests the water to ensure its safety.  “I test the water six times a day … to make sure it is safe for you guys,” said Mendoza. He also said the water’s PH is constantly tested by regulator before it is pumped out to the features.  The Splash Pad will open for the summer at 2 p.m. Friday. Throughout the season, the pad will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 7 p.m. on Sunday until Labor Day weekend. A summer recreation program registration will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. during the opening of the Splash Pad. For more information, contact Reyes at 746-9009.

Yucca Elementary School fourth grade students (from back) Lupe Ortiz, Jordan Cataño, Gracie Puentes and Elisa Cardenas wait in line to get a Sprite as they prepare to watch Shrek 4 this morning outside the Land of the Sun movie theater. Third, fourth and fifth graders from Yucca attended the movie as an end of the year field trip.

Characters from various public safety agencies attended an assembly Friday at Grand Heights Early Childhood Center to teach students about safety. Pictured, McGruff, members of the New Mexico State Police (NMSP), students, teachers and assistants pose for a photograph at Grand Heights school after the children receive information from NMSP on crime scenes.

Grand Heights Early Childhood Center held graduation for several hundred kindergarten students Thursday evening at the Artesia High School auditorium. Graduates performed musical numbers and danced for family members and friends in the audience prior to receiving their diplomas. Pictured, Ashlynn Pearson, daughter of Chris and Dee Anne Pearson, shows off her sense of fashion as she makes her way back to her seat after receiving a diploma from Principal Lisa Robinson. Ashlynn’s aunt Stephanie Salinas crafted a special black and flourescent yellow dress, complete with hand-tied bows and customized rhinestone shoes for the young lady to wear for the important occasion.

From left, Wanda Sweat, Ruth Bratcher, Barbara Chandler, Ineta Russell, Marsha McArthur, Wanda Johnson, Mary Ellen Blankenship and Shirly Utley of the Heartland Care Helpers Club; resident of the Heartland Care of Artesia (HCA) Ann Katton; official ribbon-cutter William Hoppert Jr.; resident of HCA Margret Carrasco; HCA administrator William Hoppert Sr.; employee of HCA Brenda Skidmore; resident of HCA Lupe Armendarez; Michael Blunt of the Chamber of Commerce Trailblazers (ACCT); Karen Bolt, employee of HCA; Irene Holly of the Helpers Club; David Grousnick of ACCT; Mary Hendrickson of the Helpers Club; Debbie Bell of ACCT; and (behind Bell) Don Rindahl of ACCT, pose for a pre-ribbon cutting picture Monday at Heartland Care of Artesia, formerly known as the Good Samaritan Center. “We just want to welcome you to Artesia and say we are very honored to have your business in Artesia to serve the needs of our residents,” said Grousnick. The new owner of the facility, Renelle Tweedy, purchased the Good Samaritan center in December and hired Hoppert as the administrator in March. Hoppert said other than the change in name, management and ownership Heartland Care of Artesia is almost identical to its predecessor. Along with the previously mentioned variances, the facility has also changed phone numbers. The number for Heartland Care of Artesia is now 746-6006.

By EMIL WHITIS
Daily Press Staff Writer
The 2010 Chase Foundation Scholarship reception was held Monday at the Artesia Country Club. Approximately 300 Artesians weathered the foreboding storm clouds to attend the event.
Speakers, including Artesia High School principal Dr. Crit Caton, director of The Chase Foundation Richard Price, ex-member of the U.S. Army Robert Leonard and Ronald D. Krist of the Krist Law Firm, reiterated the importance of taking full advantage of the “golden opportunity” provided.
“I traded one of my legs for an education,” said Leonard, who entered the Army to pay for college. “The one thing I’ve learned through all this is life’s too short. You’ve got to take full advantage of the opportunities you are given.”
The Chase Foundation Scholarship provides anywhere from $500 to $5,500 to recipients, based on the amount of  funding a student receives from the New Mexico State Lottery and the college the student plans to attend.
Although the scholarship is renewable for four years, a student must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA, full-time enrollment status (12 credit hours), enroll in a college by the beginning of the fall semester following high school, and report their GPA to The Chase Foundation on a deadline after each college semester to receive full benefits.

Kathy Kolt of Team Turkey Bowmasters, the local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, smiles Friday afternoon as, from left, Clay Houghtaling of Yeso Elementary School, Jimena Martinez of Yeso and Sadie Ramirez of Hermosa Elementary School select new bicycles and helmets at Wal-Mart. The students were selected as bike winners out of nearly 400 entries from local first- and second-graders in a coloring contest sponsored by Team Turkey Bowmasters and the Daily Press. Students at all Artesia elementary schools had a chance to decorate a coloring sheet featuring a turkey and the message, “Even turkeys don’t do drugs.” Martinez won the people’s choice award for receiving the most votes from customers in the Daily Press office. Judges Evolyn Terpening and Joe Schiel selected the other winners. “Now these bicycles are being purchased by Team Turkey Bowmasters,” said Kolt. “Your local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Team Turkey Bowmasters, and the Artesia Daily Press enjoyed having our coloring contest with a prevention message. Let’s make staying off drugs fun at a young age.”

From left, Artesia Police Department Officer Pete Quinones, APD Sgt. Ricardo Huerta, APD Commander Milo Olivas, NMSP Officer Dustin Lockridge, APD Cpl. Angela Phillips, APD Sgt. Scott London, APD Commander Richard Martinez, APD Records Clerk Jamie Johnson, APD Animal Control Officer Richard Schulz, APD Cpl. Esteban Sepulveda, Eddy County Detention Center (ECDC) Sgt. Amy Russell, APD Executive Assistant Diana Coronado, APD Prosecuting Attorney Liaison Becky Wonenberg, ECDC Officer Anthony Gonzalez, APD Commander Guy Chavarria, APD Chief of Police Don Raley, APD Sgt. Lindell Smith and (front) APD’s most recent addition, McGruff the Crime Dog, pose for a picture in observance of National Police Week held annually from May 9 to May 15. Smith said the week was instituted in 1962 under President John F. Kennedy to honor the commitment and sacrifices made by police officers nationwide. He also noted it is important to remember the week not only recognizes commissioned and certified police officers but also police department staff who provide support for officers in the field. “The week is held to honor the large gamut of people, both behind the scenes and on the front line, who work day in and day out to protect the American way of life.”

Former U.S. Representative Steve Pearce (pictured) is hitting the campaign trail with full force as he vies for re-election in New Mexico’s District 2. The Republican from Hobbs is hoping to regain the seat currently held by Democrat Harry Teague. A fundraiser and reception was held at Hotel Artesia Thursday, where Pearce spoke to attendees about issues such as immigration and health care. The reception to support Pearce was organized by a host committee which included Peyton and Linda Yates, Robert and Deb Chase, Johnny and Terry Gray, Lowell and Norberta Irby, Steve and  Kathy Ripley, Mack and Marilyn Chase, Rep. Bill and LaNette Gray, George and Barbara Gandy, Gary and Sara Sims, Alan and Peggy Deans, Bill and Wanda Sweatt, Chuck Moran, Mike and Flo Williams, Doug and Terry Chandler, Eddie and Debbie Guy, Tim and Theresa Baize, Mike and Judy Deans, Kirk and Sherleen Irby, Ronnie and Kathy Wilbanks, Ray and Karen Westall, Johnny and Rose Mary Knorr, Cooper and Judy Henderson, Dennis and Betty Maupin, Frank and Robin Morgan, Joel and Karen Carson and Glen and Delia-Cortez Collier.

Long-time Artesia pharmacist and businessman Lowell M. Irby (right) was inducted into Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame May 8 as part of SWOSU’s commencement on the Weatherford campus. Pictured, SWOSU President Randy Beutler presents Irby with a plaque. Irby was guest speaker at the SWOSU ceremony.