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Feds plan May oil and gas land sale for 33K of federal public lands

Michael Smith
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Feds plan May oil and gas land sale for 33K of federal public lands

Adrian Hedden
Artesia Daily Press
achedden@currentargus.com

Oil and gas companies are being offered more than 33,000 acres of federal public land for drilling in New Mexico.

The land will be leased to the highest bidders at an auction slated for May 20. The Bureau of Land Management issued its final approval for the auction on Friday, March 20.

Included in the sale are 74 tracts of land, spread between southeast New Mexico and West Texas.

The sale will entitle lessees access to the land for 10 years, or for as long as oil and gas are produced. To begin drilling, operators must submit subsequent applications to the bureau.

Lands offered in the sale are situated in Eddy and Lea counties in New Mexico, the two counties that make up the state’s portion of the Permian Basin – the busiest oilfield in the U.S., producing about half of the nation’s total output of 11 million barrels of crude per day.

Here’s what to know about the Bureau of Land Management’s May oil and gas lease sale in the Permian Basin.

Where are the offered lands?

Thirty-five parcels are in Eddy County on 14,289 acres – about 42% of the total lands offered in the sale. Another 24 parcels were offered in Lea County on 16,015 acres, or 47% of the sale.

The sale also includes three parcels on 360 acres in Quay County, and a single, 320-acre parcel in Roosevelt County, along New Mexico’s eastern border with Texas.

In the northwest corner of New Mexico, 11 parcels were offered on 2,168 acres spread among Sandoval, Rio Arriba and San Juan counties.

The lone Texas parcel was on 156 acres in McMullen County.

Protests accepted

With the announcement of the final parcels to be offered in the sale, the bureau began a “protest period” where those opposed to the sale have one more chance to see their reasoning entered into public record.

Protest comments can be submitted to the bureau by mail to BLM New Mexico State Office, Attention: State Director, 301 Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508.

Email submissions are also accepted: BLM_NM_Q2_2026Protest@blm.gov, using the subject line May 2026 Protest.

Protests must include the name and address of the protester, affiliation with any organization, specific parcel number being protested and disclosure of the protester’s interest in the lands.

Submissions can request that personal information be withheld from the public record.

What other actions were taken?

The Bureau of Land Management hosted a public scoping period in December 2025, allowing those interested to submit technical comments or suggestions for the parcels included in the sale.

A public comment period closed in February, giving the public another chance to comment on an environmental analysis, which found oil and gas operations on the proposed lands would have “no significant impact” to the environment, air or water quality.

More oil and gas lease offered in August

Another lease sale is planned for August, including about 20,000 acres, mostly in the northern region of the state.

The August sale will include seven parcels in Eddy County and two parcels in Lea, totaling about 2,239 acres.

The bulk of that sale will be the 16,855 acres split between Sandoval and Rio Arriba counties – 10 and two parcels, respectively. Another 2,086 acres were offered on 11 parcels – four in Roger Mills County, four in Angelina County and three in San Augustine County.

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

NM Museum of Space History offers lecture on Hubble Space Telescope

Michael Smith
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NM Museum of Space History offers lecture on Hubble Space Telescope

New Mexico Museum of Space History

The Hubble Space Telescope is brought into focus in an upcoming Launch Pad Lecture at the New Mexico Museum of Space History. Since its launch in 1990, Hubble has looked into distant galaxies, bringing the world breathtaking glimpses that have transformed scientific understanding of galaxies, nebulae, and stellar evolution. The New Mexico Museum of Space History celebrates that legacy with a Launch Pad Lecture on Friday, April 3, 2026, from 9 – 10 a.m. in the New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium.

Museum educator Mackette Kark will explore the history, engineering, and discoveries behind Hubble, which reveal some of the most distant corners of the universe. The talk will highlight the telescope’s early challenges, its dramatic in‑orbit fixes, and the breathtaking images that have reshaped our understanding of galaxies, nebulae, and the life cycles of stars.

“For over 35 years, the Hubble Space Telescope has transformed the way we see the cosmos—capturing breathtaking images of distant galaxies, glowing nebulae, and the very edges of the observable universe,” says Kark. “As one of humanity’s most groundbreaking scientific achievements, Hubble has revolutionized our understanding of space, uncovering new worlds, revealing the life cycles of stars, and helping us trace the origins and destiny of the universe itself. Through the dedication of visionary scientists and engineers, Hubble continues to ignite wonder, deepen discovery, and expand our cosmic horizons—one stunning image at a time.”

The Launch Pad Lecture Series is free to the public on the first Friday of each month in the New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium at New Mexico Museum of Space History. Coffee and donuts are provided courtesy of the International Space Hall of Fame Foundation.

Bowling opens a new lane for Artesia’s Brenden Depew at Kansas Wesleyan

JT Keith
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Bowling opens a new lane for Artesia’s Brenden Depew at Kansas Wesleyan

JT Keith

Life changes fast — and sometimes even faster if your name is Brendan Depew.

Not long ago, Depew had set his sights on enlisting in the Air Force after high school and eventually opening his own auto mechanic shop. College wasn’t part of the plan.

That all changed Friday, March 27, when Depew sat in the Bulldog Pit, surrounded by his mother, Tonya Depew, family members, friends, and former teammates, as he signed to continue his education and bowling career at Kansas Wesleyan University.

“This is special,” Artesia bowling coach Ken Clayton said during the signing. “This is a really big deal. We don’t get to do this very often. From a coach’s perspective, this really has nothing to do with sports.”

Clayton said he reached out to Kansas Wesleyan coach Herb Halinski on Depew’s behalf, and the process came together smoothly.

Depew said Kansas Wesleyan checked several boxes for him, both on and off the lanes.

“I feel like this school has done well in the past,” Depew said. “They don’t always do well, but they have what I’m looking for. They have benefits, and they have a good business program.”

Another factor was the Coyotes’ bowling program itself.

“They’re good at bowling,” Depew said, “but not so good that I’ll be outshone. I feel like I can make a difference there and still learn.”

For Clayton, Depew’s signing is another example of growth within the Artesia bowling program.

JT Keith | Artesia Daily Press
Artesia bowler Brenden Depew signs his letter of intent to attend Kansas Wesleyan University on Friday, March 27.

“Things like Brendan signing to continue his education and bowling show the success of this program, both individually and as a team,” Clayton said. “Hopefully we’re mentoring these kids — not just in bowling, but in life — so they can see what comes after high school.”

In Clayton’s 19 years as head coach, seven Artesia bowlers have gone on to compete at the collegiate level. Former Bulldog and Artesia alum Justin Weddige is set to graduate from Ottawa University in Kansas later this year.

After his bowling career ends, Depew plans to major in business and still hopes to open his own auto mechanic shop one day — a part of his original plan that hasn’t changed.

The signing also comes after a hard end to Depew’s senior season.

“After losing to Bernalillo in the 2026 state bowling match, I was really distraught,” Depew said. “I put a lot of the blame on myself. We had a good year — just not good enough. It felt almost like a repeat of last year.”

Now, instead of looking back, Depew gets to look ahead — to college, to bowling at the next level, and to a future that came together faster than he ever expected.

“Loaded” food truck opens south of Artesia with plenty of toppings for your favorite meals

Michael Smith
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“Loaded” food truck opens south of Artesia with plenty of toppings for your favorite meals

Photos by Mike Smith, Artesia Daily Press

A new food truck featuring loaded burgers, sandwiches, taquitos and other comfort food items opened Friday morning on South First Street near Motel 6.

The new food truck, known as Loaded, is open from 11 a.m. until they sell out this weekend.

Owner Debbie Ezell said people can order in-person or call 575-513-1171.

Loaded can be found at 1809 S. First St. and Ezell said regular hours would be Thursday through Monday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.

$235M is planned to buyout, restore flood-damaged properties in Ruidoso

Adrian Hedden
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$235M is planned to buyout, restore flood-damaged properties in Ruidoso

Adrian Hedden and Tim Keithley
El Rito Media

$235M is planned to restore damaged properties

A federal program could help restore properties decimated by the destructive wildfires and floods that plagued Ruidoso over the past two years.

Lincoln County officials said they have set aside $235 million in federal funds for a program to buy properties that have been damaged by floods and remain at risk for future flooding.

The buyouts are available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Watershed Protection Plan, which will see the agency buy local landowners’ property at prices based on independent appraisals using 2024, pre-damage valuations.

Federal funding will provide 75% of the cost of restoring a property, with the state of New Mexico paying the remaining 25% through a matching agreement.

This is the first time the program has been offered in New Mexico, officials said, and the first time nationwide that the funds were provided following a fire.

More than 200 residents from around the area gathered Wednesday, March 25, at Eastern New Mexico University-Ruidoso to hear details of the plan offered in response to devastating floods in 2024 and 2025.

The crowd included owners of many residential and commercial properties that suffered extreme damage during the spring and summer monsoons over the past two years.

The destruction began in June 2024, when the South Fork and Salt fires burned about 20,000 acres in Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs and caused at least three deaths. The blazes destroyed vegetation that would normally hold back monsoonal rainwaters, creating a burn scar that left Ruidoso vulnerable to subsequent floods.

The resulting deluge in July 2025 destroyed hundreds more homes, caused three deaths and led to the indefinite closure of Ruidoso Downs Race Track.

District 2 Lincoln County Commissioner Samantha Serna said floods devastated many homes in her district, leaving constituents struggling to make repairs and restore their properties.

“These floods ravaged through my district and it’s heartbreaking,” Serna said at the meeting. “I know that being here is a real weight. Many of you are here because the floods changed your homes, your property and your sense of normalcy. For many families, this has been painful, frustrating and deeply personal. We recognize that, and do not take it lightly.”

Lincoln County Manager Jason Burns said the federal program was a step toward relief for Ruidoso property owners struggling in the wake of the disasters.

“We have about $230 million in this federal program to purchase properties,” Burns said. “The process begins now, and we will be working with each property owner individually on a first come, first-served basis.”

New Mexico Rep. Harlan Vincent (R-56) said local officials from the Ruidoso area began lobbying state and federal officials for the money in fall 2024, in the wake of the first round of fires and floods.

And as the money is put toward restoring Ruidoso’s renowned scenic locales, Vincent also urged residents to frequent local businesses to help support the local economy as the community rebuilds.

“I’m hoping that this money blesses each and every one of you the way it’s supposed to,” he said. “Businesses, homeowners, Ruidoso and Lincoln County is going to be okay.”

How does it work?

The federal funding comes to Lincoln County through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Funds will pay to purchase properties within a revised floodplain, and clear structures and obstacles from property along newly drawn maps.

Target areas include portions of the Rio Ruidoso corridor and other locations heavily damaged by flooding, including areas near Upper Canyon, the Rio Ruidoso creek system and Spaghetti Flats.

Blighted structures will be demolished, Burns said, and lands would be remediated to their natural state, turned into “green spaces” that can be used for recreation, parks and other public purposes.

Vincent said the program would remove homes destroyed by the floods from the banks of the Rio Ruidoso, which frequently overflowed during the flood, and restore the scenic area.

“This is going to be one of the biggest phases is getting all those homes off the river, and letting it run,” he said.

Several property owners at the meeting filled out applications known as “expressions of interest” that allow representatives from the county and the NRCS to visit the property to start their initial evaluation.

Burns said the process begins when county staff and a hired appraiser visit the applicant’s property, potentially making an offer if it is eligible for use of a portion of the federal funds. He said the program is completely voluntary, and owners can accept or reject the county’s offer.

“This seems like a complicated process, but it is basically straightforward,” Burns told the audience. “Each property will be evaluated by an independent appraisal firm using pre-fire and flood values dating back to 2024.”

Burns said the county had yet to hire an independent appraiser for the work, but said those signing up for the program “could expect to be contacted quickly.”

“The timeline is as soon as we can,” Burns said. “Our goal is to make this program beneficial for all of you. This is our solution.”

Kenneth Branch, NRCS assistant state conservationist for programs, said the program was intended to mitigate ongoing danger, not to restore all losses suffered in the floods.

“This program is not intended to make people whole,” Branch said. “We are providing funding to the county for the purpose of purchasing properties where danger to life and property still exists.”

Here’s what to know and how to apply to the program:

Eligibility: Properties must be owned by “willing, voluntary sellers” and meet specific criteria. The list of eligibility requirements can be found on the USDA website

Acquisition: The acquisition is handled by the sponsor, in this case Lincoln County, which then purchases the property and becomes the owner. A deed restriction is placed on the title limiting land use to open space and natural resource conservation. Structures will either be demolished or relocated outside of the flood zone.

Funding: NRCS provides financial assistance to purchase and preserve the land for the purpose of restoring the natural environment, covering up to 75% percent of site restoration costs while the state pays 25%.

How to apply: Anyone interested was asked to visit ewpbuyout@lincolncountynm.gov to view a recording of Wednesday’s presentation and download an application. A dedicated phone line, 575-973-0523, has been set up by the county so that individuals can ask specific questions about their individual properties. A second public hearing is scheduled for 5 p.m. April 15 at ENMU-Ruidoso, 709 Mechem Drive.

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

Artesia Allsup’s welcome Sinclair gasoline

Michael Smith
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Artesia Allsup’s welcome Sinclair gasoline

Photos by Mike Smith, Artesia Daily Press

A grand opening event was held in Artesia Friday for a new partnership between Allsup’s convenience stores and Sinclair Oil.

Allsup’s stores in Artesia are now offering gasoline provided by Sinclair Oil.

Thomas Martinez of Admiral Beverage Company offers free Red Bull samples at Allsup’s in Artesia.

Community members gathered with officials from Sinclair Oil and Allsup’s during a ribbon cutting at the store’s location at 1600 N. First St.

There were promotions from both companies along food, drinks, and games.

Kyle Zottnick (left) and Debbie Rowland (right) from HF Sinclair handed out prizes in Artesia on Friday.

Warm winter ends ski season early in northern NM

Michael Smith
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Warm winter ends ski season early in northern NM

Mike Smith
El Rito Media
msmith@elritomedia.com

A warm, mild winter has forced Taos Ski Valley and Sipapu Ski and Summer Area to close earlier than planned, cutting short a ski season marked by thin snowpack and unusually springlike conditions.

Christy Germscheid, executive director of the trade organization Ski New Mexico, said both northern resorts had planned to close in April but due to above average temperatures and a declining snow base, they are closing Sunday.

“This is so hard for a ski area to close early,” Germscheid said during a telephone interview Tuesday from her home in Angel Fire, where the ski resort also closed early.

“Emotionally, it is so hard,” she said. “It’s a necessity this year. It’s amazing how the ski areas stayed open as long as they did.”

Germscheid said ski resorts had an up-and-down year dealing with above normal temperatures and periods of heavy snowfall that looked beneficial, only to be curtailed by mild weather.

A La Niña pattern in the Pacific Ocean and an exceptionally warm atmosphere were responsible for the warmer winter, according to Joe Galewsky, professor and chair of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Galewsky said in an online news release that New Mexico and nine other Western states experienced their warmest November-through-January period in at least 131 years.

“La Niña pushes the jet stream northward, steering storms into the Pacific Northwest and leaving the Southwest in its dry wake,” Galewsky said.

He said La Niña winters have traditionally brought dry winters to New Mexico and Arizona.

“What’s unusual this time is the warmth,” Galewsky said.

Germscheid said ski resort operators were hopeful for a late-season run of visitors after a Presidents Day weekend storm in February produced some needed snowfall across the state, but “it didn’t finish strong as weather patterns did not materialize.”

She said ski resort managers and workers did their best throughout the season but “it was stressful behind the scenes.”

New Mexico’s ski resorts have gone into summer mode, hoping to attract tourists to the mountain areas to cool off from the early spring and impending summer heat, Germscheid said.

“April is a busy month of summer preparations,” she said. “Mountain biking is huge in the summer.”

Germscheid said scenic chairlift rides, disc golf, hiking and fishing are some of the summer activities offered in New Mexico’s ski areas.

“It’s a beautiful way to spend time out of the heat,” she said.

Germscheid is optimistic for the 2026-2027 ski season with hopes of cold temperatures and plenty of snow.

“I’m looking forward to the new year – and think snow,” she said.

Latest ski conditions as of Tuesday, March 24

(Information provided by Ski New Mexico)

Taos Ski Valley had a base depth of 18 inches with 22 of 120 trails open.

Sipapu Ski and Summer Area had a 16-inch base depth with 11 of 44 trails open.

Note – snow conditions can change after this report is compiled.

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

Chrome, classics and community highlight Artesia’s Main Event Car Show

Michael Smith
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Chrome, classics and community highlight Artesia’s Main Event Car Show


Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@elritomedia.com

Artesia’s 27th Annual Main Event Car Show and Cruise rolls into town this weekend, bringing hundreds of classic rides, custom builds and car enthusiasts to the heart of downtown.

Sponsored by the Artesia Chamber of Commerce and Artesia Car Enthusiasts, the March 27-28 event is expected to attract 300 classic and vintage automobiles to downtown Artesia.

Jessica Bollema, executive director of the Artesia Chamber of Commerce, said the Car Show and Cruise was started in 1999 by Frank and Dorothy Hammond who were active members of the Artesia Car Enthusiasts.

Frank Hammond passed away in 2017 and in 2018 the Chamber agreed to help the car club with promotional efforts to keep the springtime event going.

Bollema said the Car Show and Cruise is a popular attraction for car fanatics in Artesia and beyond.

“There’s an influx from Artesia, Carlsbad, and Roswell. There’s a big group from El Paso, Las Cruces and Albuquerque,” she said. “Someone came from Maine one year.”

Bollema said the car show is open to classic automobiles, pickup trucks, hot rods and even tractors, motorcycles and bicycles.

John Metts is a Car Enthusiasts member and plans to have a 1937 Ford coupe, a 1953 Ford pickup and his wife’s 1958 American Motors Rambler on display during the show at Heritage Plaza.

“It is one of the best venues with access to everything,” Metts said of the location. “Most car shows won’t get the quantity that we’ve got.”

Metts said the event has grown thanks to the Chamber of Commerce.

“Artesia has become known as a place for a car show,” he said.

Bollema said last year’s Car Show and Cruise featured about 270 vehicles.

Registration for the cruise starts at 1 p.m. Friday at the Heritage Plaza. Cars will be on display from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. with the cruise and parade getting underway at 6 p.m. at Bulldog Bowl and winding through downtown Artesia before heading north and concluding on Seventh Street.

Saturday’s car show starts at 9 a.m. at Heritage Plaza and concludes at 3 p.m. There will be food trucks and live music.

Awards will be presented for best of show, automobiles by the decade (1920s to 1990s), bicycles, motorcycles, tractors, rat rods, T-buckets, and pedal cars.

Enthusiasts can sign up at CarShowPro.com or contact the Chamber of Commerce at 575-746-2744.

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

What to know about the June Primary

Michael Smith
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What to know about the June Primary

Adrian Hedden
Artesia Daily Press
achedden@currentargus.com

Eddy County voters will go to the polls in June to choose nominees for the Nov. 3 general election.

Local, state and federal elections will be decided in November – but first, the political parties will select their nominees on June 2.

New Mexico uses a closed-primary format, meaning only those registered as a member of a particular party – Republican or Democrat – can vote in that party’s primary.

Candidates filed to run for their party’s nomination on March 10.

Here’s what Eddy County voters need to know about the June 2 primary election.

When and where to vote?

Polls for the primary election will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 2. A list of poling convenience stations is available on the Eddy County Clerk’s website https://www.co.eddy.nm.us/405/Voting-Convenience-Centers-Polls.

Voting locations are not dependent on residency.

Who’s on the ballot in Eddy County?
Local races

State Representative District 54

Jon Henry (incumbent), Republican

State Representative District 55

Cathrynn Brown (incumbent), Republican

State Representative District 66

Dan Lewis, Republican

Trinidad Malone, Republican

District Judge, Fifth District

Eileen Riordan, Republican

Magistrate Judge Division 1

Kelly Calicoat, Republican

Magistrate Judge Division 2

Megan Fish, Republican

Magistrate Judge Division 3

Jimmy Foster, Republican

County Clerk

Cara Cook, Republican

Eddy County Commissioner District 1

Austin Washburn, Republican

Henry Castenada, Republican

County Assessor

Gemma Ferguson, Democrat

Melissa Washburn, Republican

Rhonda Hatch, Republican

Probate Judge

John Caraway, Republican

Statewide races

U.S. Senate

Ben Ray Lujan, Democrat

U.S. Representative 2nd Congressional District

Gregory Cunningham, Republican

Gabe Vasquez (incumbent), Democrat

Governor

Gregory Hull, Republican

Doug Turner, Republican

Deb Haaland, Democrat

Sam Bregman, Democrat

Lieutenant Governor

David Gallegos, Republican

Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Democrat

Harold Pope, Democrat

Secretary of State

Ramona Goolsby, Republican

Katharine Clark, Democrat

Amanda Lopez Askin, Democrat

Attorney General

Samuel Kane, Republican

Raul Torrez (incumbent), Democrat

Commissioner of Public Lands

Michael Jack Perry, Republican

Juan De Jesus Sanchez, Democrat

Matthew McQueen, Democrat

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

The Artesia boys baseball team loses to Cleveland

JT Keith
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The Artesia boys baseball team loses to Cleveland

Daniel Zuniga

Special to the Artesia Daily Press

Rio Rancho, New Mexico- The Artesia Bulldogs (5-5) were defeated 10-0 by the unbeaten Cleveland Storm (14-0) in the first round of the Sal Puentes Tournament on Thursday, March 26. 

“Even though that outcome is lopsided, there is a lot that we can learn from it,” Artesia head coach Jackson Bickel said.

It was a long day for the Artesia Bulldogs, who fell victim to Cleveland’s second-straight no-hitter game, courtesy of Cleveland pitcher Jacob Vasquez.

Despite the score, the energy from the Bulldogs never died, and players could be heard saying,” C’mon, let’s fight!” 

“That’s what they do, these [kids] are fighters, and they do it in multiple sports. That’s what we do in Artesia,” Bickel said. 

With Cleveland firmly in control of the game, 8-0, Cleveland’s Caleb Budagher bunted a Jack Byers’ pitch. Artesia whipped the ball to first base, but the throw was wide of the first baseman. The error resulted in a two-run score from Cleveland’s Peyton Noel and Anthony Del Angel. 

“That’s a really talented team, holy smokes. All through their lineup, they can hit. It is one of those lineups where you can’t miss your spots, and if you do, they are going to make you pay,” Bickel said. “That’s a really talented team, and they took advantage of our mistakes.”

Provided | Daniel Zuniga

Jack Byers faces an undefeated Cleveland Storm team on Thursday afternoon in the Sal Puentes Tournament.

It was 10-0 by the time Artesia stepped up to bat, and Vasquez was able to “call game” by striking out Artesia’s Jack Byers.

“This is why we are here, though, to play these teams, see how we toe up with them, and get better from it,” Bickel said. 

The Artesia Bulldogs will look to get back on track in the consolation bracket on March 27 and play Albuquerque Academy (8-4) at 10 a.m.

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