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Election Day nears

Michael Smith
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Election Day nears

El Rito Media Election Coverage

Eddy County voters go to the polls Tuesday to choose a new president, decide on who will represent the area in Congress and elect a new county sheriff.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Anyone registered to vote in Eddy County can do so at any of the county’s Voting Convenience Centers.

Here’s where to go to cast your ballot.

Carlsbad

St. Peter Lutheran Church

1302 W. Pierce St.

Lakeview Christian Home

1300 N. Canal St.

Veterans of Foreign Wars

1916 San Jose Blvd.

Hillcrest Baptist Church

605 N. 6th St.

Jefferson Montessori Academy

500 W. Church St.

County Clerk’s Office

325 S. Main St.

Eddy County Fire Service Center

1400 Commerce Drive

Otis Community Center

2513 Bannister Road

Loving

Loving School Administration

603 W Cottonwood

Artesia

Faith Baptist Church

401 S. 20th St.

Eddy County Sub-Office

602 S. 1st St.

Central Valley Electric

1403 N. 13th St.

Trinity Temple Church

16th & Hermosa

Chamber Welcomes New Business

Michael Smith
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Chamber Welcomes New Business

The Artesia Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for their newest chamber member Enchanted Framing.

Lucretia Lyles is bringing custom picture and art framing back to Artesia! They are located at 1407 1/2 W. Main St in Artesia. Their phone number is: 575-736-4583 and their business hours are:  Mon-Thurs, 9am-3pm. Appointments for after hours also available.

Izac Cazares carries Bulldogs to victory

Michael Smith
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Izac Cazares carries Bulldogs to victory

Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

Artesia senior quarterback Izac Cazares broke a tie in the fourth quarter as the Bulldogs edged the Mayfield Trojans 42-28 Saturday (Nov. 2) at the Field of Dreams in Las Cruces in the 2024 regular season finale.

The win upped Artesia’s overall record to 7-3 and finished District 5-2A with a 6-1 record.

The loss drops Mayfield’s overall record to 4-6 overall and 3-4 in league action.

The Bulldogs are the No. 2 seed in the 5A playoffs and are off until the week of Nov. 15 and Nov. 16.

Artesia hosts either No. 7 Lovington or No. 10 Goddard, both teams play each other at 1 p.m. Saturday in Lovington in the opening round.

The Trojans challenged the Bulldogs throughout the game. Tied at 28 in the final quarter, Cazares led Artesia on a six play 42-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown run with 6:51 left in the game.

Korbyn Dominguez converted the extra point kick as Artesia regained the lead 35-28.

Artesia’s defense stopped the Trojans first drive of the fourth quarter as Cazares engineered the insurance policy for the Bulldogs.

On the second offensive drive of the fourth quarter, he scored on a 48-yard touchdown run with 54 seconds left in the game.

Dominguez converted the extra point kick as Artesia claimed the victory.

Cazares amassed 425 yards in total offense for the Bulldogs.

He carried the football 14 times for 195 yards and completed 11 of 20 passes for 230 yards.

This season was his first as the fulltime starter. Last year he played quarterback in some spots, as senior Nye Estrada helped the Bulldogs get into the playoffs and win the state title.

“He had a great game,” said Bulldog head coach Jeremy Maupin after the game.

“(Cazares) showed off his athleticism and led the way.”

Maupin said the 6-foot-2 senior was the definition of a dual threat quarterback with his passing and rushing skills.

“He can sling it. He is a matchup nightmare,” Maupin said.

Cazares rushed for four touchdowns and passed for two touchdowns in the victory.

Ethan Conn was Artesia’s leading receiver with four catches for 84 yards with one touchdown catch.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

Artesia- Izac Cazares 6-yard pass to Jack Byers, Corbyn Dominguez kick, 6:54, 7-0.

Artesia- Cazares 47-yard run, Corbyn Dominguez kick, 3:07, 14-0.

Mayfield- Luke Linnan 33-yard run, Jeffrey Dominguez kick, 14-7, 1:55

Artesia- Cazares 60-yard pass to Ethan Conn, Dominguez kick, 21-7, 1:13.

2nd Quarter

Mayfield-Justin Madrid 10-yard run, Jeffrey Dominguez kick, 21-14, 9:13.

3rd Quarter

Mayfield- Linnan 42-yard run, Jeffrey Dominguez kick, 21-21, 4:27.

Artesia- Cazares 13-yard run, Corbyn Dominguez kick, 28-21, 2:32.

4th Quarter

Mayfield- Anthony Nevarez 39-yard run, Jeffrey Dominguez kick, 28-28, 9:47.

Artesia- Cazares 14-yard run, Corbyn Dominguez kick, 35-28, 6:51.

Artesia- Cazares 48-yard run, Corbyn Dominguez kick, 42-28, :54.

Offensive Stars of the Game

Passing: Cazares 11/20 230 yards, 2TDs

Receiving: Conn 4-catches 84 yards, 1TD

Rushing:Cazares 14-carries 195-yards, 4TDs

Defensive Stars of the Game

Grant Johnson 6 1/2 sacks

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

Lions of the Month are chosen

Michael Smith
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From Staff Reports:

Diego Lopez is Jr. Lion for the month of October. Parent is Kimberly Rayos. He has three siblings Ariah, Erica, and Krysela. His school activities are Student Council “Senior Spirit Leader”. His sports are football and gold. Diego’s favorite subject is History. His hobbies are pickle ball and working out. He is undecided on where is will attend college. He plans to major in Sports Science. Deigo is honored to be selected as a Junior Lions in the Artesia Downtown Lion Club.

Adalyn Troost is Jr. Lion for the month of October. Her parents are Philip and Vanessa Troost. She has two siblings Carson and Peyton Troost. Her school activities are FFA, Choir, Show Choir, Paw Prowlers, Student Council, National Honor Society and Varsity Cheer. Adalyn has Highest honors and her favorite subjects are History and English. Adalyn’s activities outside of school are voice lessons, church leader and band member. Her hobbies are painting, welding, crafting, gardening, cooking and baking. Adalyn plans to attend Wayland Baptist or Hardin Simons to major in Business.

Ethan Conn is a Jr. Lion for the month of October. His parents are Matt and Melissa Conn. He has two siblings Mason and Ashton. Ethan’s school activities are National Honor Society, Football, and Track. He has highest honors, his favorite subject is History. Activities outside of school are gym, driving around sight seeing, church and working out. He plans to attend Texas Tech University or New Mexico State University. He is undecided on a major.

Sadie Chavez is a Jr. Lion for the month of October. Parent is Maria Aguilar. She has four siblings, Alexis Perez, Miley Chaves, Baily Chaves, C J Aguilar. Her school activities are National Honor Society, and Student Council Soccer, Cross Country, and Track. She has highest honors and her favorite subjects are Language and Math. She enjoys spending time with her family and boyfriend. Sadie plans to attend the University of Colorado to major in Criminal Justice. She hopes to become a lawyer.

Roswell Museum devastated by October flooding

Michael Smith
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Roswell Museum devastated by October flooding

Museum Staff rally resources for collections and building recovery

The Roswell Museum suffered significant flooding and subsequent damage during the City’s historic flooding on October 19 and 20. Assessment continues of the 51,000-square-foot facility, which includes twelve gallery spaces, a planetarium, classrooms, auditorium and ceramics studio. Recovery will be a multi-year process.

 

Museum staff entered the building on Sunday morning to remove key works from the permanent collection and evaluate damage once flood waters, which reached over 5 feet in some areas, receded and the electricity was turned off. While volunteers from Waide Construction applied plywood to secure the building against a possible second storm surge, rapid coordination began to determine the next steps for insurance, remediation and collection recovery. Due to safety measures taken in the early assessment and recovery stages, staff were unharmed in the disaster.

 

Volunteers arrived Monday morning to remove debris and mud from the exterior of the building, allowing for safer entry. The Conservation Center of Chicago, a disaster relief conservation laboratory, also arrived in Roswell on Monday and is working with museum staff to assess damage and begin efforts to stabilize art and artifacts.

 

Multiple state officials toured the museum on Tuesday, including Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez, who noted the extreme severity of damages and the cultural significance. Debra Garcia y Griego, Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, came at the request of the Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham after the governor toured the city on Monday morning. In addition to providing valuable resources and contacts, Garcia y Griego mobilized museum staff statewide, and two state museum professionals from the Museum of International Folk Art and the New Mexico History Museum have been assisting Roswell Museum staff since Wednesday, October 23.

 

Homeland Security and FEMA representatives toured the facility with FEMA providing staff members additional national-level resources for advice and guidance when preserving historical elements, including specialists from the Smithsonian. Items in need of specialized treatments include the Robert H. Goddard Rocketry Collection and the Rogers and Mary Ellen Aston Collection of the American West with artifacts dating back to the Spanish Colonial Period, along with adobe walls that make up the original 1937 museum building. Concurrently with collection efforts, Servpro is providing remediation in cleaning the building of water and silt, reducing humidity levels, and removing compromised flooring, drywall, and furnishings to ensure the safety of the staff and workers and prevent the formation of mold.

 

Caroline Brooks, museum executive director, writes, “The museum staff, Board of Trustees and Foundation are heartbroken at the devastation that resulted from last weekend’s events. Local, state and federal resources are being employed to aid staff and conservators with recovery of the nearly 10,000 permanent collection items as well as loaned items and archive materials, representing over 500 years of cultural history. Once stabilized, assessment will be required to determine the extent of conservation needed to clean, repair and preserve damaged items. The museum represents the lifeblood of this community. Its early beginnings in 1937, built through the Works Progress Administration, have been nurtured and celebrated through the vision and passion of its citizens for more than 87 years. We will work to preserve this legacy for future generations to come.”

 

Founded as a WPA Federal Art Center in 1935, the museum opened in 1937 and is one of four WPA museums still in operation. The museum serves as a cultural beacon and historical steward with a vast collection of Southwest Art, historical archives and artifacts, the Robert H. Goddard Rocketry Collection, a world-class planetarium, and art education outreach for children and adults. Though the museum is closed until further notice, all efforts are being made to ensure the museum’s continuation as a cherished resource, enhancing learning opportunities in southeastern New Mexico.

 

Museum staff recognize the importance of transparency about the impacts to the beloved institution, however, press coverage was delayed to ensure staff safety and collection security were in place. Going forward, specialized collection recovery will be needed from archivists, conservators and other art professionals. The museum’s Board of Trustees and RMAC Foundation, along with City, State and National departments and agencies will continue to mobilize support to ensure the longevity of this vital institution. More information will be released as the recovery unfolds.

Garcia Richard played tricks while Trump treated New Mexico to ABQ rally

Adrian Hedden
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Garcia Richard played tricks while Trump treated New Mexico to ABQ rally

By: Michael Perry

In a blatant misuse of power, New Mexico State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard made the decision to refuse the Trump campaign’s use of a parking lot for their rally held on Halloween in Albuquerque. By denying access to an area that falls within the bounds of the campaign’s legally established lease from Isleta, Garcia Richard appeared to deliberately attempt to disrupt the political process. This brazen maneuver not only disregards the principles of free speech and assembly but also sets a disturbing precedent for how public office can be wielded against those with opposing political views.

The purpose of the rally was to provide a platform for supporters and those interested in learning more about a candidate’s positions. It’s an opportunity for individuals to come together in support of their beliefs and values. For the commissioner to deny the Trump campaign access to the parking lot a seemingly trivial part of the rally setup signals a broader attempt to suppress political expression. Such actions were a stark violation of the American principles that allow citizens to freely express their political affiliations, regardless of partisan lines. The campaign’s lease, which extended to the parking lot, reflects a mutual understanding and right to the space. The lot was held “hostage,” as some have described, Garcia Richard leveraged her power in a way that appeared both petty and antithetical to her duty as a public servant.

Public offices, especially one as influential as the State Land Office, are not meant to be vehicles for personal biases. They are established to serve all citizens fairly and impartially. Yet, Garcia Richard’s refusal to honor the lease agreement demonstrates a troubling trend: the erosion of neutrality in government roles, where officials prioritize partisan agendas over their constitutional oath. Instead of fostering an environment where all New Mexicans can express their political views, the State Land Office is alienating a segment of the population and attempting to dictate which voices get a platform.

This situation also highlights a broader issue in contemporary politics using government influence to silence opposition. No public official should feel emboldened to stifle free speech and expression.Yet, Garcia Richard’s actions here suggest a willingness to do exactly that. This is not merely a local issue; it reflects a growing problem within American governance. When officials refuse to uphold the rights of individuals based on political disagreements, they abandon the foundational principle of representing all citizens fairly.

What New Mexico’s Republican voters and, frankly, all Americans deserve is a government that will respect and protect the rights of all political participants. The State Land Office’s role is to manage public lands responsibly, not to suppress lawful political expression. Commissioner Garcia Richard must be held accountable for her actions in the name of fair governance, and it is crucial for all New Mexicans, regardless of party, to call out this blatant abuse of power.

Michael Perry is a Chaves County Commissioner.

Cool temperatures are not stopping anglers

Michael Smith
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Cool temperatures are not stopping anglers
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish

Fall temperatures did not discourage anglers across southern and southeastern New Mexico this week.

Between Carlsbad and Artesia, fishing for bass at Brantley Lake was fair using plastic worms.

In Lincoln County, fishing for trout at Bonito Lake was fair to good 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.

In the Truth or Consequences area, fishing for white bass was good using Flicker Shad lures.

Fishing for walleye was slow to fair using white crankbaits and jigs tipped with worms. Fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass was fair to good using plastic worms. Fishing for catfish was good using cut bait.

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 is compiled may differ, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.

Make an informed decision about judges on the ballot

Michael Smith
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By: David K. Thomson
 

Assessing how state court judges perform on the job is difficult, particularly for New Mexico voters in today’s divisive political environment. But information from the state’s Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission (JPEC) can assist New Mexicans in deciding whether to vote “yes” or “no” to retain judges and justices on the general election ballot.

 

JPEC was established to specifically help voters carry out their role in ensuring competent, professional judges in New Mexico. The commission’s evaluations also provide feedback to judges for improving their performance. The end result is a judicial system that better serves New Mexicans.

 

I am writing not to endorse or advocate the retention of any particular judge on the ballot. Ethical rules in the Code of Judicial Conduct prohibit judges and justices from endorsing or opposing any candidate for elective office.

 

My purpose is to help voters understand a judge’s role in our justice system and the work they do every day in our courts. Judges do not write laws or create policy. Judges do not prosecute criminal cases. They do not advocate for or against legal matters. Judges must decide cases based on the law’s requirements and the evidence presented in court.

 

Why is that?  Our Constitution created the judiciary as an independent branch of government to protect the rights of all the people and impartially deliver justice. To do that, judges must cast aside their personal opinions and remain free of influence from popular sentiment about the issues in a pending case.

 

At times, the public may question why a judge ruled a certain way. But what one learns about the ruling from the internet or news reports may be incomplete or even misleading.

 

JPEC assesses a judge’s impartiality and integrity, knowledge and understanding of the law, management of cases to efficiently decide them, and skills in communicating their rulings. The commission’s evaluation of a judge’s performance is free from partisan bias and not influenced by any particular viewpoint in favor or against a specific issue.

 

Ultimately, it falls to voters to decide whether to keep a judge on the job. That is how our system works. More than 30 years ago, voters adopted a requirement for periodic retention election of judges by establishing a merit selection system for appellate, district and metropolitan court judges. It is a rigorous selection process that screens people who wish to become judges and ensures qualified individuals are recommended to the governor for appointment to the bench.

 

Serving as a judge is a demanding job. I trust that voters, in carrying out their responsibility, will review information from JPEC to make an informed decision when they reach the judicial selection portion of their ballots.

 

We all benefit from what our Constitution requires of judges: Fair and impartial justice, free of bias and prejudice.

 

David K. Thomson is the Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court

Groundbreaking held for Artesia Rec Center

Michael Smith
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Groundbreaking held for Artesia Rec Center

By:  Dave Shabaz, Publisher
 

     Tuesday was a special day, not only for the Artesia community but also for the local youth. A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Artesia Recreation Center, which should be completed in 15 months.

 

     Sandra Borges welcomed the crowd to what became more of a ground-blowing than a groundbreaking. The wind was blowing hard, but the swirling dust couldn’t dampen the high spirits of those who attended. Borges is president of the Artesia Recreation Center Foundation and executive director of the PY Foundation.

 

     Borges reminded everyone that it has been a year and a half since community meetings were held to discuss plans for the project.

 

“The kids at the current rec center had a long wish list,” she said – a list that included a Chick-fil-A, a Sea World and the hope they could get soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to come to Artesia.

 

“But what they really wanted,” she said, “was a place they could really enjoy, with basketball courts, a rec center with windows and somewhere to hang out with friends, which they are going to get.”

 

    Donors for the Rec Center project are: PY Foundation, Chase Foundation, TLC Foundation, Frank Yates Jr. Family Foundation, Western Bank, Royal Services, First American Bank, and Devon Energy.

 

“One exciting part of this project is our partnership with healthcare organizations like Artesia General Hospital, UMC Medical Center in Lubbock and the Burrell School of Osteopathic Medicine, which enables us to go beyond recreation and into wellness,” Borges said. “These partnerships will allow us to offer preventive health workshops, free screenings, and educational resources to empower our community to lead healthier lives.”

 

     Speakers at the event included Mayor Jon Henry, Hayley Klein of the Artesia Chamber of Commerce, Huitt-Zollars architect Jose Zelaya, Shad James and Peyton Yates.

 

Yates began by welcoming the 3rd grade students who attended the event. They came from the Yeso, Yucca, Hermosa, Central and Roselawn Elementary schools.

 

“We appreciate you and I want you to not forget this day because it is very special to have you all here,” he said. He finished by welcoming Republican U.S. Senate candidate Nella Domenici, who attended the event with her husband Pat.

 

“Nella’s dad Pete served as a U.S. senator for 36 years, making him the longest tenured U.S. senator in New Mexico’s history,” Yates said.

 

     Look for a March 2026 completion of the Artesia Recreation Center.

Thoughts on Halloween

Michael Smith
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Thoughts on Halloween

By: Pastor Rick Smith

With Halloween taking place this week, I think I need to speak about a Christian’s participation in it.  Let us acknowledge that Halloween can in no way be considered a Christian holiday.  It is Celtic and pagan at its roots.  The Catholic church tried to sanitize it by moving All Saints Day and All Souls Day to the season of what we now call the Halloween celebration.  Just by happenstance Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the Wittenberg church in Germany on October 31, 1517 which the reformed churches now celebrate as Reformation Day.  Though I’m not reformed, there is justification for celebrating Reformation Day instead of the pagan day of Halloween.  Moses warned the children of Israel not to participate in the wicked practices of the people occupying the Promised Land. You can find this in Deuteronomy 18:9-13.  I believe it is a warning that we as Christians should heed.  We can take Moses’ instructions to them as guidelines for us today.  

 

First, we are not to follow the abominable practices of idolatry and paganism.  “When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations (Deuteronomy 18:9).”.  We all have a tendency to adopt cultural practices of those we come into contact with.  Not all of this is wrong, but we have to be careful, as children of God, to avoid that which is evil in the sight of God. When Halloween was brought to this country by immigrants from the British Isles it was the “trick or treat” that appealed to young men.  They would harass people for food and drink for their wild parties.  Thankfully, Christians were able to make it a children’s holiday where “trick or treat” came to mean nothing really, but candy for kids.   

Also, in Deuteronomy 18:10-11 the children of Israel, and we as Christians, were warned of those things we should avoid.  They were warned, “There shall not be found among you any one…”.  As a nation they weren’t to have anyone that practiced or participated in the following practices.  No one was to make their children “pass through the fire”, which meant human sacrifice.  We are not innocent of that, because we sacrifice our children on the altar of “my body, my choice” and make the murder of the innocent legal and acceptable.  Or a diviner, someone who tells fortunes.  You can find them in our cities, in the newspapers, call them up on the phone, and search for them on the internet.  Neither one who is an observer of times – astrologer.  No enchanters – one who discovers hidden things.  No witches, or sorcerers.  No charmers or those that have familiar spirits – demons.  No wizards – those that possess secret knowledge.  No necromancer – those that communicate with the dead – Ouija boards, seances.  The primary principle that we have here is that anything that draws you from dependence on God to the abomination of idolatry and paganism has to be resisted and rooted out.  We need to remember that “…we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places(Ephesians 6:12).”.  We destroy our enemies with the gospel and truth.

 

Why do we need to flee from these practices?  “For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD… (Deuteronomy 18:12).”  These are things that God hates and he brings judgment on the nations that practice them.  Because of these abominations, God determined their destruction and commanded Israel to do it.  Just as God hated the sin and abominations of the Canaanites and pronounced judgment on them, He pronounces judgment on our personal sins.  As a result we should put to death sin in our own lives and seek the salvation of others.  Jesus Christ came and died on the cross for vile sinners like you and me.  And Christians should seek the salvation of others.  But we should seek their salvation “…with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh (Jude 1:23).”

 

Finally, Moses says to us, “Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God (Deuteronomy 18:13).”. We must take care as we look to the needs of others and we fail to guard our own soul.  It is easy for any of us to be ensnared in temptation.  Therefore, put on the whole armor of God.  Fight the good fight of faith, but be aware that “…your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).”  And watch over them that are the most vulnerable – our children.  Most of the littlest of these cannot distinguish between play, fantasy, and reality.  They can be easily influenced by media and peer pressure to get involved in things that will turn them from God and the truth.  For some it may be for a time, but for others it may be forever.  Be an example and a witness to them even as we take them out “Trick or Treating”.   

If you have any questions, we invite you to visit with us this Sunday.   Worship at 10:50 A.M.  We are located at 711 West Washington Ave.  Check our sermon videos on Youtube @ricksmith2541.  Send comments and prayer requests to prayerlinecmbc@gmail.com.

Rick Smith is the Pastor at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Artesia.

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