Todd Fuqua
Alamogordo News
tfuqua@elritomedia.com

RUIDOSO – Days after the most destructive flood in Ruidoso’s history, New Mexico’s U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan were given a tour of the worst-affected areas, from the Upper Canyon to Ruidoso Downs Racetrack.

The driving tour on Friday included Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford, village councilors Rafael Salas, Joseph Eby, Susan Lutterman, Darren Hooker, Village Emergency Manager Eric Quellar, Village Manager Ron Sena, Lincoln County Commission Chair Mark Fischer and Lincoln County Manager Jason Burns.

Heinrich and Lujan expressed their commitment to seeing the area receive all the funding and planning it needs to recover from – and prepare for – flooding of this magnitude.

“When you see the videos that were posted, that alone was incredible, but you don’t get a sense of depth across the watershed and across the community,” Heinrich said. “To be here on the ground and see the scale of what needs to be rebuilt gives you a sense that we’re going to be in this for the long term.”

The flooding left three dead, 7-year-old Sebastian Trotter and his 4-year-old sister Charlotte Trotter, as well as an adult male identified as Benjamin Timothy Feagin. All were swept into the water from the Riverview RV Park.

The deceased children’s parents, Sebastian and Stephanie Trotter, were injured and treated in an El Paso hospital. Sebastain Trotter is a soldier stationed at Fort Bliss.

The latest damage estimates from Emergency Management indicate as many as 200 homes were damaged or destroyed by Tuesday’s flooding, with that number likely to rise as officials continue surveying the area.

Mayor Lynn Crawford told reporters at a news briefing at the Village Emergency Operations Center Wednesday that several other people were hurt badly enough that they had to be hospitalized at Lincoln County Medical Center. He said all were in stable condition Wednesday morning.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday requested and was granted a federal disaster declaration, mobilizing resources through the Federal Emergency Management Administration for life-saving measures and immediate recovery.

Additional requests made by the governor for relief funds to pay for rebuilding homes and other properties in Ruidoso, along with temporary housing, supplies and debris removal were under review as of Friday.

The ferocity and volume of the fast-flowing current shocked even longtime residents who have lived here through many monsoon seasons and had seen the Rio Ruidoso do serious damage before.

The damage seen during Friday’s driving tour was stark. In the Upper Canyon, where spires of chimneys remain as the only remnants of homes that once stood among clear-cut hills, mud and debris had cut through the remaining structures along the river and road crews toiled to fix bridges and clear roads torn up by the violence of the deluge.

Officials also saw the devastation at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack, where floodwaters crested at 20 feet and flooded the entire infield, track and barn area, forcing the track to close and move the remainder of its race meet to Albuquerque Downs.

Sen. Lujan said the flooding is a reminder that fires and floods go hand in hand, and that the two should be viewed as a single event.

“Looking at how FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has looked at these situations, it’s clear to see that we need to amend a chapter in the FEMA charter that combines fire and flood,” Lujan said. “It’s also a matter of years, not just one year. When the fire and flood first happens, you might get some waivers and support that first period. But then next year there’s another flood and there’s a whole other study and they treat it like it’s a different event, but this is one event, and that’s how it should be treated.”

Tuesday’s flood was the result of rains that fell on the burn scar from the 2024 South Fork fire, with the ground unable to absorb the rushing water. The flooding surpassed even last year’s devastating floods that followed the South Fork and Salt fires.

“As someone who is a former engineer,” Heinrich said, “I can see that we need laws in place to build to where we are now, not just rebuild what was there before. This watershed has changed, the climate has changed, and we need to build something that can survive the floods we’re seeing.”

Todd Fuqua is Assistant Editor for the Alamogordo News and can be reached on Instagram at @toadfox1.

Photos and story by Adrian Hedden
Carlsbad Current-Argus
achedden@currentargus.com

Carlsbad’s Head Start parents offer summer events amid uncertainty for federally funded preschool

Brittany Dye looked out at the gathering of children as she turned the page in her book “Muddy Paws.”

She was reading the children’s book on the banks of the Pecos River to a group of students from Carlsbad’s Head Start preschool program administered by the Southeast New Mexico Community Action Corporation.

The program was temporarily shuttered and thrust into confusion by federal funding cuts this spring, leading to the furlough of 135 local employees between Eddy and Chaves counties on May 22, and the suspension of the preschool program many parents have come to depend on.

The nonprofit program, which relies on federal grant funding, provides preschool for 659 children at five centers in Carlsbad, Artesia, Roswell and Dexter.

In June, funds began trickling back and the organization’s executive director, Sherra Hester, said the program will likely return in August as normal with a “skeleton crew.” Enrollments were being accepted as of June 31.

“It’s a relief as far as being a parent,” Dye said. “A lot of people depend on it and early childhood education. Hopefully, everything will go back to normal.”

But Hester said the program may look “a little different” than before as she expected to operate with a smaller staff.

Head Start also may contend with new federal guidelines for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices, Hester said, which could impact how teaching practices are tailored to students from different backgrounds. The administration of President Donald Trump called on all federal agencies to end such practices or face steep financial penalties.

“The best thing is we’re bringing staff back,” Hester said. “We’re going to start cranking away on things we left a month ago. It’s hard to imagine there’s any room for waste. Every penny is counted.”

‘I was about in tears’

Hester said it was unclear how much program funding or staff levels would be reduced but she maintained that an operating budget would be in place for the program by August.

The funding reductions and furloughs came amid continuing actions by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), helmed initially by billionaire Elon Musk who since stepped down from the federal government and an administration-wide effort to reduce government spending.

Cuts to the nationwide Head Start program were suggested in March by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

In a March 27 press release by his department, Kennedy did not name Head Start specifically but said HHS would cut $1.8 billion in costs, targeting programs Kennedy labeled as “wasteful” and “inefficient.”

“Over time, bureaucracies like HHS become wasteful and inefficient even when most of their staff are dedicated and competent civil servants,” Kennedy said in the release. “This overhaul will be a win-win for taxpayers and for those that HHS serves.”

Although the connection between Head Start and HHS’s planned restructuring was murky, the release coincided with southeast New Mexico’s Head Start being placed on furlough with little explanation, Hester said.

After pressure from Congress and supporters of Head Start, Kennedy appeared to backtrack the following month and said during a May 14 congressional hearing the federal government would maintain some funding for Head Start.

In a May 17 statement, a week before Head Start workers in Carlsbad were furloughed, Kennedy said he intended to fund the program he described as crucial to educating low-income students and supporting their families.

“I am committed to protecting the promise of Head Start, as envisioned by my uncle who created the program 60 years ago …. And I will ensure that the next generation of families living in poverty have access to this vital program that offers what they need to thrive.”

Although Kennedy credited his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, with “envisioning” Head Start, the program was created as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “war on poverty” in 1965, about two years after Kennedy was assassinated.

Despite the reversal, several Head Start programs across the country, including in southeast New Mexico, faced staff furloughs over the summer – and in the case of Carlsbad, restricted access to the building on San Jose Boulevard for summer programming.

In response to the cuts, Dye, 27, and a group of parents on Carlsbad’s Head Start Parents Committee began hosting events throughout the summer, including weekly story times held at the Lake Carlsbad Beach Park area in lieu of the summer preschool. The story times and other volunteer events provide “in-kind” hours used to help fund the program.

Due to inclement weather during the summer rainy season, Dye said the weekly story times – held every Thursday at 6 p.m. – were moved to the Pecos River Recreation Center. The center is owned and operated by the City of Carlsbad.

The federal government provides about 80% of the funding for Head Start, through the Department of Health and Human Services. The other 20% comes from in-kind hours, which are assigned a different dollar value each year to provide the matching funds. Dye said with the summer programs alone, the parents had generated 69 hours as of July 1.

Another $500 was earned just in direct donations from local organizations and individuals, Dye said. Little Caesars provided pizzas for the events, which Dye said attracted heavy support from the community.

“I was about in tears,” she said of the moment she heard the program might be cut. “We just had to power through it.”

What is Head Start?

Southeast New Mexico Community Action operates Head Start programs funded through the unique combination of federal dollars and volunteer hours in Carlsbad, Artesia and Roswell. Head Start programs are similarly structured across the U.S., operated through the Office of Head Start in Washington, D.C.

Since being launched in 1965, the programs have operated in every state through 1,600 agencies, according to Head Start’s website.

The preschools are intended to provide life skills to young children up to the age of four and provide a respite for many working parents. Students are trained in basics such as tying their shoes and brushing their teeth and assisted with other tasks young children can struggle with such as reading and counting.

Even more beneficial, Dye said, is the opportunity for socialization Head Start offers the children.

“The kids that come through there, they’re knowledgeable,” Dye said, referring to her 4-year-old daughter Ariyah Monroe. “She’s much more social.”

Dye is also raising her 7-year-old sister Adeline Heater, and 9-year-old son Elijah Monroe, and said that being able to ensure her youngest gets a good education at the start of her childhood was invaluable amid the chaos of raising three children.

“They’re too smart to just be sitting at home. There’s not a lot of places for them to go,” Dye said.

The debate for New Mexico’s Head Start funding entered the halls of Congress in the weeks after the cuts were proposed.

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), who said he participated in the program as a child, criticized the Trump administration for suggesting funding cuts.

Heinrich and Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) signed an April letter to Kennedy, demanding he unfreeze Head Start funding, hire back laid-off workers and continue to support early childhood education for those in need.

“The Administration has a legal and moral obligation to disburse Head Start funds to programs and to uphold the program’s promise to provide high-quality early education services to low-income children and families across this country,” read the letter. “There is no justifiable reason for the delay in funding we have seen over the last two months, and you have refused to offer any kind of explanation.”

Managing Editor Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.

Staff Reports

All American Futurity to be run Sept. 1 at Albuquerque Downs

Ruidoso Downs Racetrack will run the 2025 All American Futurity, Derby and Oaks at Albuquerque Downs on Labor Day again this year, track owner Johnny Trotter announced Thursday.

“Under our current circumstances we are grateful to Albuquerque Downs owner Paul Blanchard that he has graciously offered to host the All American again,” Trotter said. “The recent events are unfortunate for everyone associated with Ruidoso Downs, but we are happy to announce that our signature race will have the opportunity to move forward this year.”

This marks the second straight year that the All American races have been moved from their home at Ruidoso Downs. The racetrack and property suffered significant damage from the flooding event that occurred on July 8 which made the current racing season impossible to continue.

Crews at Ruidoso Downs have began cleaning up the massive mud and debris caused by Tuesday’s flooding event. The infield at Ruidoso Downs sustained more 10 ten feet of water at the height of the flash flood destroying the jockey’s quarters, scoreboard, timing mechanisms and other necessary equipment needed to operate horse racing.

Flooding in the barn area contributed to the death of one racehorse, according to Ruidoso Downs General Manager Rick Baugh.

“That’s one horse out of 1,800 that were back there,” Baugh said. “Every other horse is accounted for. None are missing.”

The Rainbow Futurity, Oaks, Derby, Invitational, and Juvenile were scheduled to be run this weekend, while the Zia Futurity and Derby were set to be run July 19-20. Trotter said all purses for those races will now be equally distributed among all the qualifiers.

While remaining Ruidoso Downs schedule will be run in Albuquerque for the second year in a row, Trotter reported he is determined to bring horse racing back to Ruidoso Downs.

“After having met with Governor Michelle Luhan Grisham today, we remain confident that there we will be horse racing again at Ruidoso Downs in 2026,” Trotter said. “We have been assured that corrective measures will be taken by the state of New Mexico to improve flood control. However, we did need to make an immediate decision about this year’s All American on behalf of our horse owners and trainers and that’s what we are announcing today.”

Trials for the $1 million All American Futurity for two-year-olds at 440-yards will be held August 4 and 5. Trials for the American Derby and All American Oaks for three-year-olds at 440-yards will be Aug. 6. The fastest times in those trial races will advance to the finals on Labor Day, Sept. 1, at Albuquerque Downs.

Along with a full race card, there will be five stakes races on Labor Day, including the All American Futurity, All American Derby, All American Oaks, All American Invitational and All American Juvenile.

Meanwhile, Ruidoso Downs will continue to host the two major horse sales including the New Mexico Breed Sale on Aug. 8 and 9, and the All American Select Sale Aug. 29 and 30 at the Ruidoso Downs Sales Pavilion.

The Casey Donahue concert scheduled for July 26 will continue at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack as scheduled. The annual Ruidoso Downs Hall of Fame Banquet will be held in the Turf Club at Ruidoso Downs on Aug. 7th. Other events that were on the racing calendar for the Ruidoso Downs racing season are to be determined.

The latest information about Ruidoso Downs Racetrack including racing and events can be found at www.raceruidoso.com.

Rebecca Hauschild
For the Artesia Daily Press

The Artesia City Council is considering a proposal to create a new management position intended to streamline oversight of city departments, improve interdepartmental coordination, and assist the mayor with administrative duties.

The proposal was first discussed during the council’s June 24 meeting and again on July 8. No decision was made.

District 3 Councilor Michael Bundt said the proposal would help ease the burden on Artesia Mayor Jon Henry, who is responsible for overseeing municipal operations, including personnel matters. Bundt said the position could also involve collaboration with city councilors, keeping them informed of upcoming activities and potential votes at their bi-monthly meetings.

The council also discussed – and rejected – the possibility of creating the position of city manager, which would entail a major overhaul of the city’s management structure.

“We’re not ready to jump to city manager,” said Henry who also serves as state representative for District 54, which includes Eddy, Chaves and Otero counties. “It’s a big change. How do we make this fit Artesia and what we’re trying to do as a city?”

Bundt spoke in favor of hiring a city administrator.

“I fall heavily on (a) city administrator position,” he said. “At this point I think it’s really important for us. It will help council. It will help me understand more about the city and what is going on. I think it will result in a better-informed council that will make better decisions.”

District 2 City Councilor Jarrod Moreau agreed administrative help is needed but said the city should add administrators or directors for individual departments, rather than one person to oversee all activities. That would lighten the mayor’s load, Moreau said, with less alteration to the city’s current administrative structure.

Council members agreed to move forward with drafting job descriptions for a city administrator and for additional department director roles.

Other business

The council discussed the possible consolidation of the human resources and safety coordinator roles, as well as a proposed wage increase for the city’s lowest pay classification from $15 per hour to $15.25 per hour. Councilors agreed to review classification and pay-scale data for the upcoming budget cycle before making any decisions.

The Artesia Arts Council will hold the Wild West Fest July 18 in downtown Artesia featuring a Michael Martin Murphy concert at 6 p.m. Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church will hold its Fall Fiesta 5k Run/Walk from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sept. 20.

Adrian Hedden
Carlsbad Current-Argus
achedden@currentargus.com

Amid two lawsuits and a series of complaints by former officers and employees alleging a “hostile work environment” at the Carlsbad Police Department, city officials plan to hire an attorney from outside the city’s administration to lead an investigation.

Mayor Rick Lopez said on June 27 the city would be working with the New Mexico Municipal League to find counsel for the investigation. City attorney Denise Madrid Boyea is handling the pending lawsuits, Lopez said.

Complaints have centered around allegations against Carlsbad Police Chief Jessie Rodriguez, a longtime officer in Carlsbad who was promoted to the top spot in December 2024, replacing former Chief Shane Skinner after a vote by the Carlsbad City Council.

Lopez said Rodriguez will remain chief throughout the investigation. The mayor said he was confident Rodriguez will ultimately retain his position.

“He’ll stay in position until the investigation tells me otherwise,” Lopez sad. “I do not have enough evidence to remove him.”

While Lopez would not comment on the specific allegations, the mayor said the investigation was largely tied to a pair of lawsuits filed recently against the city and the police department.

The first, filed March 26 by former police dispatcher Gina Styring, alleged a series of “sex scandals” at the department involving Skinner and others and a situation where Styring was asked by Rodriguez to take a polygraph test when she denied having sex with an officer, Omar Lopez.

Styring’s attorney, Curtis Waldo of Waldo Gubernick Law Advocates in Houston, described the alleged scandals as making “Caligula-era imperial Rome look like Saved by the Bell.”

Saved by the Bell was a family-friendly TV sitcom that was popular during the 1990s.

Throughout the complaint, Waldo described a “boys will be boys” atmosphere in which officers, including Skinner, had sexual affairs with co-workers and received only “slaps on the wrist” when caught.

Waldo said Styring was wrongfully terminated after she brought up the issue at a meeting of the department. The attorney said Styring is entitled to monetary damages to be assessed at trial for lost wages and mental anguish.

“We want to clamp down on the sexism that is rampant at the department,” Waldo said in an interview with the Current-Argus.

About two months later, on May 29, another suit was filed by a group of former officers including Eunice Police Chief Danny Garrett, who formerly served as a Hobbs police officer and was at one point a “probationary employee” of the Carlsbad department, Lopez said, although he was unsure exactly when.

Other officers joining the suit were former Captain Andy Carver; Drug Task Force Chief Devon Stinson; 16-year officer John Sneathen; 14-year officer Matt Langlitz; and former-Officer Richard Cage, all of whom resigned due to a “hostile work environment,” according to the complaint.

The plaintiffs in that case asked for a judge to rule the Carlsbad Police Department unfit to protect the public, arguing that the 70-officer department had a staffing deficit of as many as 36 vacant positions as of May 27. Others were allegedly planning to leave the department for similar reasons, read the complaint.

The Eddy County Sheriff’s Office should be tasked with policing Carlsbad city limits until police staffing numbers can be restored, the lawsuit suggested.

Tom Martin, a Carlsbad lawyer representing the Carlsbad Police Union declined to comment on the case or the city’s investigation.

Lopez said the inquiry will rely on interviews with “anyone who has a complaint” about the police department.

“Everything isn’t just he said, she said. There are details that need to be figured out,” Lopez said. “If it truly is the case that people quit because of a hostile work environment, that’s a serious issue.”

Managing Editor Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.