Home Blog Page 191

Where to chop down your own Christmas tree this holiday season

Michael Smith
-
0

Adrian Hedden
El Rito Media
achedden@currentargus.com

New Mexico is known for its arid desert and wide-open mountain landscapes, but it’s also thick with forests ideal for finding the best tree this holiday season.

There are several public lands where New Mexicans can cut down their own trees, bring them home and decorate them with ornaments and presents before Christmas Day.

Here’s where and how to harvest your own New Mexico Christmas Tree.

Lincoln National Forest

Lincoln National Forest is situated in south-central New Mexico, around Ruidoso and Alamogordo with the southern area dipping into Eddy County near Carlsbad.

How to get a permit

Permits to cut down Christmas trees in the forest are available from the U.S. Forest Service for $10 and a $2.50 processing fee. Permits can be purchased online at recreation.gov and entitle the holder to cut one Christmas tree on Forest Service land. The permit must be displayed on the vehicle’s dashboard.

The cutting season is from Nov. 14 to Dec. 31.

What are the rules?

The Forest Service advises to avoid cutting on private land, in designated wilderness areas, within 300 feet of a campground or trail, or within 100 feet of a paved road. Cutting is not permitted in active timber sales areas.

Trees must not be taller than 10 feet and cutters must take the whole tree.

How to find a tree and stay safe

Maps of good locations to cut trees are available online where the permit is purchased, and the Forest Service recommends bringing a printout of the map to the forest as GPS and cell service can be spotty in the wilderness.

Roads may or may not be plowed, so shovels and tow chains should be taken, and road closures and weather conditions should be observed in case of heavy snowfall.

How to contact the Forest Service

Questions can be directed to one of four offices in Lincoln National Forest:

Guadalupe District

4 Lost Lodge Rd

Cloudcroft, NM 88317

(575) 682-2551

Sacramento District

4 Lost Lodge Rd

Cloudcroft, NM 88317

(575) 682-2551

Smokey Bear District

901 Mechem Dr

Ruidoso, 88345

(575) 257-4095

Supervisor’s Office

3463 Las Palomas Rd

Alamogordo, NM 88310

(575) 434-7200

Northern New Mexico

A trip up north can afford holiday revelers a chance to cut a tree on Bureau of Land Management land.

How much are they?

The agency, which manages federal land across the state, offers $5 Christmas tree permits at several of its field offices in the northern part of the state where the trees grow.

When and where can I get a permit?

Permits are available starting Nov. 20 at the Farmington and Taos field offices; Nov. 29 for the Socorro office; and Dec. 2 at the Rio Puerco office. Permits can be bought in person or online at forestproducts.blm.gov. Maps are also available at the point of purchase.

Here’s where to inquire about Christmas tree permits through the Bureau of Land Management.

Rio Puerco Field Office

100 Sun Ave., NE, Suite 330

Albuquerque, NM 87109

(505) 761-8700

Socorro Field Office

901 S. Old U.S. Hwy 85

Socorro, NM 87801

(575) 835-0412

New Mexico State Office

301 Dinosaur Trail

Santa Fe, NM 87508

(505) 954-2000

Farmington Field Office

6251 College Blvd

Farmington, NM 87402

(505) 564-7600

Taos Field Office

1024 Paseo del Pueblo Sur

Taos, NM 87571-5983

(575) 758-8851

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 734-972-6855, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.

Warm weather invites anglers in New Mexico

Michael Smith
-
0
Warm weather invites anglers in New Mexico

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish

Springlike temperatures are inviting fishermen across southern and southeast New Mexico to lakes and streams before Thanksgiving.

Fishing for trout and catfish was slow at Oasis Park Lake near Portales using corn and worms.

In Lincoln County, fishing for trout was fair to good at Bonito Lake using olive-green Pistol Pete spinner flies .

At Grindstone Lake, fishing for trout was good using Rooster Tail spinners, Salmon Peach PowerBait, chartreuse Pautzke Balls O’ Fire and mini marshmallows.

At Timberon Ponds in Otero County, fishing for trout was good using Orange PowerBait Trout Nuggets.

Around Truth or Consequences, fishing for white bass was fair to good using Kastmaster lures.

Fishing for walleye was slow to fair using white crankbaits and jigs tipped with worms and angling for catfish was good using cut bait and marinated garlic shrimp.

Around Truth or Consequences at Elephant Butte Lake, fishing for white bass was fair to good using Kastmaster lures. Fishing for walleye was slow to fair using white crankbais and jigs tipped with worms.

Fishing for catfish was good using cut bait ad marinated garlic shrimp.

This fishing report, provided by the Department of Game and Fish in cooperation with Dustin Berg of www.gounlimited.org, has been generated from the best information available from area officers and anglers. Conditions encountered after the report was compiled may differ, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.

County approves ladder truck purchase

Michael Smith
-
0
County approves ladder truck purchase

Mike Smith
El Rito Media
msmith@currentargus.com

The Eddy County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Nov. 19 to approve a $478,000 budget adjustment that will allow the county to purchase a new ladder truck for Eddy County Fire and Rescue.

The change was requested by Fire and Rescue Chief Josh Mack, who said the ladder truck is needed to provide increased fire protection in the growing communities of Loving and Otis.

To accommodate the purchase, commissioners had to change a 2023 purchase order for two new fire engines. Mack said the vehicles were ordered based on needs for two staffed fire stations. Mack asked commissioners to change the order to substitute a 100-foot ladder truck for one of the vehicles included in the original order.

He said the truck offers more water capacity and could provide needed assistance to the Loving Municipal Schools (LMS).

“Because none of the schools in Loving have sprinkler systems, if we ever have anything significant, we’re going to need an elevated advantage,” Mack said. He said the unit will also aid in rescues by giving emergency personnel a better view of the scene.

Mack said the new unit will be custom made for Eddy County Fire and Rescue and should be ready for use in 2029.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or email at msmith@currentargus.com.

Bulldogs ready for basketball opener

Michael Smith
-
0
Bulldogs ready for basketball opener

Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

For 11 years, Artesia High School head boys’ basketball coach Michael Mondragon has understood the meaning of improvisation.

This month, as in previous Novembers, Mondragon waits patiently while key basketball players remain in football mode as the Artesia Bulldogs go deep into the state playoffs.

Four days before the official start of basketball practice sessions, Mondragon watched junior varsity players and a varsity transfer go through offseason drills.

Braylon Vega, a 6-foot-2 junior guard, transferred from Hobbs High School during the off-season.

Vega played in 28 games for the Hobbs Eagles last season, averaging 11.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.

Mondragon said Vega started for the Eagles during his underclassman years.

The coach is expecting Vega to contribute to this year’s team along junior guard Charlie Campbell and junior forward Clay Kincaid.

Campbell and Kincaid were preparing for the state football playoffs during the week of Nov. 18.

“Clay led us in rebounding (in 2023-2024),” Mondragon said.

Kincaid averaged three rebounds and 10 points per game last season.

At 6-foot-2, Campbell averaged 10 points and five rebounds per game.

“These guys fill up the stat sheet for us,” Mondragon said.

Artesia starts the season at 10 a.m. Dec. 5 with an opening round game against Kirtland Central in the City of Champions Classic at the Bulldog Pit.

Other schools set to play in the three-day tournament: Carlsbad, Alamogordo, Hobbs, Rio Rancho, Los Lunas and Deming.

“It’s tough as always on the boys’ side – it’s very competitive. I’m excited,” Mondragon said.

Mondragon said the preseason schedule is a tough one for the Bulldogs.

“To be the best, you have to play the best,” he said.

Artesia will play traditional southeast New Mexico large schools Carlsbad, Hobbs and Roswell during the non-district portion of the schedule.

The Bulldogs also will face northern New Mexico powers Valencia and Albuquerque Valley and will compete in the Hope Christian tournament in Albuquerque in January.

District 4-4A play for the Bulldogs starts Jan. 31 at Lovington. The Bulldogs have won the league title each of the past five years.

Artesia swept through league play with a 6-0 record last season. The Bulldogs were 18-9 overall and lost to Hope Christian, 67-61, in the second round of the state 4A playoffs.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or email at msmith@currentargus.com.

Keeping New Mexico Safe: PFAS Are Not Used in NM Oil and Gas Operations

Michael Smith
-
0

By Missi Currier, Jim Winchester, and Ben Shepperd

 

The Oil Conservation Commission will consider changes to PFAS rules in New Mexico related to oil and gas use. This rule making request was made by WildEarth Guardians and New Energy Economy.

 

The New Mexico oil and gas trade associations and these environmental nonprofits (eNGOs) agree – PFAS should not be utilized in oil and gas production. However, we differ on the fearmongering tactics that utilize half-truths and purposely ignore the best available science and PFAS facts. A common tactic used by eNGOs is playing on peoples’ fears in the pursuit of a much more sinister agenda – to shut down one of the most valuable industries in our beloved state.

 

PFAS are everywhere and are safely used in your everyday life. PFAS are a diverse class of thousands of fluorinated substances that have been used extensively in industrial, commercial, and consumer applications, including electronics, gaskets and seals, friction reducers, outdoor gear and clothing, and non-stick coatings for household products.

 

PFAS are not intentionally used in fracking in New Mexico. Some PFAS are ubiquitous in the environment and come from sources such as municipal water, surface water, and private well water. So, while your municipal water may have PFAS, so might the water used in fracking – and because of that, opponents of oil and natural gas claim fracking uses PFAS. This is a half-truth that conveniently leaves out the scientific research on PFAS in water sources.

 

Opponents of the industry are implementing additional scare tactics. For example, they are claiming oil and gas operators are not required to disclose their proprietary chemicals and they are actually trying to hide PFAS in their operations. These are false claims.

 

The NM Hydraulic Fracturing Disclosure mandates all oil and gas operators report the composition of the hydraulic fracturing fluid used during hydraulic fracturing operations. FracFocus records everything from the trade name to the supplier to the purpose of the ingredient and maximum concentration. Proprietary ingredients are recorded in the national database in a way that does not waive recognized trade secret protections. Translation – the industry is already required by law to report their chemical usage and ensure that PFAS are not intentionally utilized while protecting proprietary information and trade secrets that keep American companies competitive.

 

Industry opponents continue to use fearmongering and your tax dollars to engage in an unnecessary and costly state rule making process to address an issue that is simply not an issue.

 

As leaders in the energy sector, we are committed to ensuring NM remains a safe and healthy place for all residents. We will continue working with regulators and researchers to ensure the safest and cleanest operations based on the full, factual picture from the best available science. Most importantly, we are committed to working with facts, not fear.

 

Missi Currier is president of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association; Jim Winchester is president of the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico; Ben Shepperd is president of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association.

County Commissioners sign off on election results

Michael Smith
-
0
County Commissioners sign off on election results

Mike Smith
El Rito Media
msmith@currentargus.com

The Eddy County Board of County Commissioners certified the results of the Nov. 5 election at a special meeting Nov. 14 in Carlsbad.

Commissioners met as the official canvassing board for the election and validated the 23,450 ballots cast across Eddy County.

The county had only two contested races, for sheriff and state House District 54, but still drew 64% of the county’s eligible voters to the polls, according to County Clerk Cara Cooke.

“It’s a great turnout,” said County Commission Chairman James “Bo” Bowen.

“I think that’s the highest turnout I’ve seen in the 17 years I’ve been at the county clerk’s office,” said Cooke. “The numbers kind of align with the General (Election) of 2020.” She said about 23,000 voters participated in 2020.

Cooke said she believes the presidential race between Republican Donald J. Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris contributed to the large turnout.

Personnel from the county clerk’s office began preparing for the canvassing process on Nov. 6, Cooke said.

“We start after the election and we’ll go through all the voting convenience centers’ documentation and make sure the number of ballots issued and the number of ballots put into the tabulators match up and align,” she said. “All 13 voting convenience centers did match up during this election. We’ll go through the absentee board’s records and early voting records,” she said.

Cooke said any write-in votes or ballots that are counted by hand by her office are entered manually entered into the New Mexico Secretary of State’s system in order to get complete voter totals.

Once the tabulation is complete, she said, results are officially validated by commissioners in their capacity as canvassing board.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or email at msmith@currentargus.com.

Bulldogs bite Lovington advance in playoffs

Michael Smith
-
0
Bulldogs bite Lovington advance in playoffs

Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

The Artesia Bulldogs overcame an early 7-0 deficit defeating the Lovington Wildcats 45-7 to advance to the 5A football playoff semifinals next week.

Lovington used nearly 13 minutes of the opening quarter to score on a 17-play 55-yard drive as Ondalis Cardenas scored on a 1-yard run and Caleb Aranda kicked the extra point.

Artesia head coach Jeremy Maupin did not panic as the Bulldogs took care of business taking 7 plays and 80 yards to tie the Wildcats 7-7 with :33 left in the first quarter in the quarterfinals Nov. 16 at Bulldog Bowl.

Quarterback Izac Cazares scored on a 7-yard touchdown run and Corbyn Dominguez kicked the extra point.

Artesia’s defense took over in the closing stages of the first quarter as 6-foot-4 defensive end Kaden Grantham intercepted a pass that led to Artesia’s second touchdown in the second quarter.

“Kaden Grantham gets a tip off the interception and then kind of pulls some guys downfield with him,” said Maupin during a post-game interview.

Diego Lopez caught a 4-yard pass from Cazares with 9:33 left in the first half. Artesia’s 2-point conversion failed, and the Bulldogs extended the lead 13-7.

Artesia’s defense thwarted another Lovington offensive drive in the second quarter blocking a Wildcat punt which led to the third touchdown of the first half.

Running back Frankie Galindo scored on a 2-yard run with 6:23 left before halftime.

Galindo threw a pass to Ayden Huffman in the end zone for the 2-point conversion as Artesia extended the lead 21-7.

Artesia’s defense stopped another Lovington offensive drive and wrapped up a 6-play 50-yard drive with Dominguez booting a 33-yard field goal upping the score to 24-7 with 2:07 remaining in the second quarter.

Artesia capped off the first half with another touchdown as the defense forced a Wildcat fumble as 6-foot senior defensive end Rafael Orozco scored on the recovery with over a minute left before halftime.

Dominguez made the extra point kick as the Bulldogs coasted to a 31-7 halftime lead.

Two more Artesia touchdowns in the second half, including a 91-yard kick off return by Ethan Conn provided some insurance for the Bulldogs.

“I know they got some points and made some stops,” said Maupin of the defense.

“We came out and our offense hit them in the mouth, and it was the aggression that we talk about all week and the psychical style of play, and I thought are guys really showed up and got after these guys.”

Before the Lovington game, Maupin wondered how Artesia would perform against a District 5-2A foe in the playoffs.

The Bulldogs defeated the Wildcats 57-21 during a Sept. 22 regular season game in Lovington.

Saturday, the Bulldogs host the Mayfield Trojans in the semifinals. Artesia edged the Trojans in Las Cruces 42-28 to end the regular season earlier this month.

Artesia is the No. 2 seed in the playoffs and the Trojans are No. 6 and downed the Deming Wildcats 21-7 in Deming on Nov. 15.

“Every time we talked and said, ‘we’re going to play these guys twice.’ When the (playoff) bracket came out we said, ‘there’s a chance we’re going to play our whole district twice.’ We know that was reality, so we had a good Lovington team today (Nov. 16) and we know we’ve got a hungry Mayfield team that is playing real good football and so we know we have to have a good week of preparation and its going to be fun to host another playoff game,” Maupin said.

Scoring Summary
1st Quarter

Lovington-Ondalis Cardenas 1-yard run, Caleb Aranda kick, 2:38, 7-0.

Artesia-Izac Cazares 7-yard run, Corbyn Dominguez kick, :33, 7-7.

2nd Quarter

Artesia-Izac Cazares 4-yard pass to Diego Lopez, 2-point conversion no good, 9:33,13-7.

Artesia-Frankie Galindo 2-yard run, Galindo to Ayden Huffman 2-point conversion, 6:23,21-7.

Artesia-Dominguez 33-yard field goal, 2:07, 24-7.

Artesia-Rafael Orozco fumble recovery, Dominguez kick,1:21, 31-7.

3rd Quarter

Artesia-Ethan Conn 91-yard kick off return, Dominguez kick, 11:43, 38-7.

Artesia-Galindo 3-yard run, Dominguez kick, 8:09, 45-7.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or email at msmith@currentargus.com.

Clif Perkins, 101 and still going strong 

Michael Smith
-
0
Clif Perkins, 101 and still going strong 

Story & Photos by: Dave Shabaz, Publisher

 

   Last Monday, on Veterans Day, 101-year-old Lt. Col. Clifton Perkins of Artesia was honored with an award named for another Artesia war hero who lived to be 101, Lt. Col. Charles “Chuck” Joy.

 

  Artesia residents turned out for the ceremony honoring Lt. Col. Perkins and featuring presentation of the Lt. Col. Charles “Chuck” Joy Award at the War Memorial at Baish Park. The award was given by Boy Scout Troop 228 of Artesia.

 

Perkins turned 101 years of age last May. His dedication to his country spanned over three decades in the Army Air Corps and The National Guard.

 

“Clif Perkins exemplifies the values of dedication and service we strive to instill in our scouts,” said Jeremy Kern, scoutmaster of Troop 228. “His commitment to both community and country makes him an inspiring role model for our youth, and we’re honored to recognize him this Veterans Day.”

 

Perkins is also known locally for opening well-known local landmark restaurant La Fonda in 1965 along with his parents, BJ and Otiska Perkins.

 

Chuck Joy was not originally from Artesia but was a longtime resident. He served in World War II and flew over 50 missions with the Army Air Corps in a B-24 Liberator. He passed away at the age of 101 in January 2022.

 

Perkins was born in Pasadena, California, on May 30, 1923. He moved to Artesia when he was 6 years old and in 1943 graduated from Artesia High School. He joined the Army Air Corps, now the United States Air Force, at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. The Army Air Corps decided Clif had a proficiency for engineering and he began a 31-year military career that would take him around the world. He spent 10-years in the Air Force and Army and 21-years in The National Guard.

 

     Clif’s technical expertise began with hands-on training with the legendary B-17 bomber at Boeing’s Seattle plant. His dedication and proficiency soon led him to operational roles in Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina and Virginia.

 

     In one of his voyages aboard the USS General Mann, Clif recalls navigating the Atlantic Ocean, “zigzagging” through dangerous waters as a protective measure against enemy submarines. The trip was long and arduous. The route took the ship through the Rock of Gibraltar, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Suez Canal before reaching Bombay, India. The journey then continued by train to Calcutta, where the conditions were challenging, he said. Clif recalled traveling on open rail cars and living on sea rations – “kinda like popcorn,” he said.

 

     Clif’s courage shone during missions in the China-Burma-India theater as he flew C-47 transports over “The Hump,” a perilous route across the Himalayas. Stationed in Kweiyang, China, he eventually qualified to fly P-51 Mustangs due to a pilot shortage and played a critical role in protecting the Burma Trail, ensuring that vital supplies reached their destinations.

 

Clif’s Mustang was called the Queen of Hearts and displayed matching nose art. He spent a total of three years in China.

 

“I’ve been around the world and the people in China truly honored Americans,” he said.

 

     In Indochina, the bitter cold tested both man and machine. Cliff and his fellow airmen displayed ingenuity by setting barrels of rocks alight with gasoline to warm engines and keep missions running.

 

     After returning stateside, Cliff joined the Army National Guard, serving in Army Air Defense with the Hawk and Hercules missile systems. While still serving, Clif began working for his father at Perkins & Son in Artesia. They provided plumbing, sheet metal, air conditioning and soft water. After that, he owned Cliff’s Cafeteria. He kept the name “Cliff’s” since he always went by “Clif.”  

 

     Perkins bought and later sold a local Dairy Queen franchise and in 1965, with the help of his parents BJ and Otiska Perkins, he opened La Fonda Restaurant. The restaurant is currently owned by his daughter Betsy and her husband Josh, who bought the business in 2019.

 

 When Clif opened La Fonda, it held 70 customers. Today it can serve 400. The restaurant’s motto: “if you leave hungry, it was your own fault.”

 

  Perkins met Selah, his wife of 53-years, at the restaurant, where she was an employee. One night, they closed up and they were the only two people there he recalled. “I took a chance and asked her if she’d like to go to the racetrack in Ruidoso and that turned out to be our first date.”  

 

     Clif and Selah have two boys and three girls, along with 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He loves carpentry and loves making cornhole platforms. He said he doesn’t play the game but loves building them for people to enjoy.

 

   He said the one question he’s always asked is, “What’s your secret?” 

His reply: “I don’t have a secret. I don’t smoke or drink (because I did that when I was younger) and I figure that God put me here and he’s keeping me here for a reason.”

 

Perkins said he is fortunate to have watched Artesia grow. When he moved here in 1929, Artesia had 4,700 people and now has over 12,000 according to the 2023 census.

 

“It has been a privilege to be brought up here in Artesia,” he said.

 

Those who honored Perkins on Veterans Day would say it’s been a privilege and honor to have him here.

Game and Fish unveils new website

Michael Smith
-
0
Game and Fish unveils new website

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish

A new website featuring information for off-highway vehicle users in New Mexico was revealed Nov. 7 by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

RideNM.org features information for off-highway vehicle (OHV) users in a user-friendly format, according to a press release from New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

The new website features easy-to-navigate drop-down menus, giving the public easy access to important information regarding OHV recreation in New Mexico. The site also includes an educational video that also shows off spectacular scenery from throughout the state while also discussing what it means to be an ethical rider. In addition, the site provides quick and easy links to the Department’s hands-on OHV youth safety classes, as well as online youth safety training providers, read the release.

The site’s laws and rules page includes a list of prohibited OHV uses, safety requirements for youth operators and passengers under 18 years of age and links to paved road ordinances and resolutions passed by city and county governments across the state. The Contacts page provides quick links to get in touch with the Department’s OHV Program staff as well as partner organizations, noted the release.

The site will soon feature a downloadable map available for online or offline use. This map will allow OHV operators to access trail information as well as paved-road-use ordinances.

Two killed in Artesia car crash that led to power outage

Adrian Hedden
-
0
Two killed in Artesia car crash that led to power outage

Adrian Hedden

El Rito Media

At least two people were killed when a car crashed into a utility pole late Thursday night in Artesia.

Police said a white 2014 Chevrolet Corvette was traveling north on 13th Street at about 11:30 p.m. when it hit the power pole. The driver and a passenger were pronounced dead at the scene, according to a news release from the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office.

The names of the deceased were not officially released as the accident was under investigation, but they were believed to be Aaron Harmon, 21, and Mallory Ebert, 14.

Deputies with the sheriff’s crash and reconstruction unit were investigating.

Lt. Amy Dugas with the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office said no other vehicles were involved and the sheriff’s office did not suspect any crime had occurred.

“It is considered a single vehicle accident,” she said. “It’s a tragic accident. There’s not really anything else we’re suspecting.”

The crash was reported on the north side of town near North 13th Street and Mahone at the bridge, closing the road to Memorial Drive at Artesia General Hospital.

Artesia police said 13th Street was reopened as of Friday afternoon.

The accident also damaged a power line, leading to a temporary power outage in the city, according to police.

Artesia General Hospital said the power outage and road closure affected hospital operations and access to the main campus on North 13th Street. Power was restored by about 3:50 p.m. Friday, the hospital said via Facebook.

1...190191192...255Page 191 of 255