Adrian Hedden and Mike Smith

El Rito Media

At least two people died as a result of massive flooding in Roswell and surrounding areas over the weekend. The deluge caused multiple road closures, cutting off Roswell and nearby communities and leaving many travelers stranded or searching for alternate routes.

The deaths were confirmed Sunday by New Mexico State Police. No other details were immediately provided.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday signed an emergency declaration, unlocking $1 million in state relief funds.

Rainfall began Saturday, dropping almost 6 inches of rain on the area on Saturday, breaking the previous record set in 1901, according to the National Weather Service.

The New Mexico National Guard reported Sunday that the Guard and other agencies rescued 290 people, taking 38 to local hospitals.

The Guard’s Community Emergency Response Team performed at least one “swift water rope save” Saturday night, a technique used to pull people out of rushing waters learned during flooding in Ruidoso earlier this year.

Fifty-seven Guardsmen were deployed for the mission.

“We feel for the New Mexicans affected by this latest flooding in our state,” said Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, New Mexico National Guard’s Adjutant General in a Sunday statement. “We’ve worked all night, and continue to work with swift water rescue teams and other partner agencies to help our fellow citizens get to safety.”

The Chaves County Sheriff’s Office reported Sunday the Rio Feliz Bridge near Hagerman was wiped out in the floods, mean U.S. Highway 285’s southbound lanes heading from Roswell to Artesia and Carlsbad were impassable.

State Road 2 between Dexter and Hagerman were also closed by the floods, the Sheriff’s Office reported.

At about 8:55 p.m. on Saturday night, Chaves County reported a flashflood warning was in effect until 12:30 a.m. as water continued to rise on U.S. 285, which was closed at Cottonwood Bridge at 7:30 p.m.

Flood waters breached U.S. 285 in several places and on U.S. Highway 70, the Chaves County Sheriff’s Office reported.

Chaves County Sheriff Mike Herrington posted multiple videos from atop his police vehicle Saturday night as it was swept away in the flood. He urged residents of Chaves County to stay home and seek shelter from the flooding.

“I am completely surrounded by water at this time,” he said in the video posted on Facebook. “There are multiple vehicles. I came into this not expecting that much water, and before I know it, I was swept off into this. Multiple vehicles have been swept away as well.”

The City of Roswell said on Facebook that the Roswell International Air Center was closed with all flights canceled Sunday and Monday morning, along with several other city facilities.

The National Weather Service’s Midland-Odessa Office issued a flood watch as of Sunday, continuing into the evening with storms expected to clear on Monday in Chaves County and parts of the eastern New Mexico plains.

“Widespread heavy rainfall from Saturday has saturated soil conditions across much of eastern NM. Another round of showers and thunderstorms is likely to develop this afternoon with more locally heavy rainfall,” read the flood watch.

To assist Chaves County responders, the Carlsbad Fire Department sent a five-person rescue crew at about 2 p.m. Sunday, while the Eddy County Fire Service activated a drone to assess the damage, specifically to the Rio Felix Bridge on U.S. 285.

“There is significant damage based on the pictures that we’re seeing,” said Eddy County Emergency Manager Jennifer Armendariz.

She said responders in Eddy County were continuing to work closely with those in Chaves County to keep the public informed and remained prepared for any worsening conditions.

“We’ve had several briefings. I’m working closely with the hospitals to make sure we have coverage,” she said.

As of about noon on Sunday, Armendariz said authorities were letting people out of Roswell but not into the city as U.S. 285 at the Eddy-Chaves County line remained closed. She suggested motorists find alternative routes to get south to avoid the floodwaters.

“There are ways for people to get out of Roswell that aren’t straight down 285. It makes for a longer trip but it’s possible,” Armendariz said. “If you don’t need to travel to Roswell, I would suggest not going.”

Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

The Artesia Bulldogs football team attempted to overcome two interceptions, a fumbled kickoff return and 12 penalties, the Roswell Coyotes seized the opportunities and defeated Artesia 44-40 Oct. 18 at the Bulldog Bowl in Artesia.

Bulldog quarterback Izac Cazares threw his first interception on Artesia’s opening drive of the game as Roswell’s Jacob Palomino completed a 16-yard touchdown pass completed to Jaylon Cloud.

Francisco Lara converted the extra point kick as Roswell led 7-0 with 9:47 left on the clock.

Cazares and the Bulldog offense settled down on the second drive as Jack Byers scored on a 19-yard catch. Artesia could not capitalize the 2-point conversion as Roswell held onto a slim 7-6 lead with 5:19 remaining in the opening period.

Roswell seized on Artesia’s second interception on the third drive of the first quarter.

A 7-yard touchdown run by Xai Carrasco ended a 12-play drive that started in the first quarter. Carrasco made the 2-point conversion with 8:06 left in the second period.

Seconds later, Cazares and the Bulldogs answered Roswell’s touchdown with a 61-yard pass to Frankie Galindo. The 2-point conversion was no good as the Coyotes led 15-12.

Early in the third quarter, the Bulldogs appeared to have gained the upper hand recovering a Coyote fumble on the kickoff.

Cazares scored on a 35-yard run and Corbyn Dominguez made the extra point kick leading 19-15.

The lead was short lived as Carrasco scored another touchdown on a 27-yard run with 9:26 left in the third period. Lara converted the extra point kick as the Coyotes overtook the lead 22-19

As the third quarter wore on Artesia appeared to be on the way to another victory as Trent Egeland and Bryce Parra scored two touchdowns for the Bulldogs. Artesia had a 34-22 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Roswell gained on Artesia in the final period scoring on a 46-yard drive, a Bulldog penalty helped the Coyotes score on a 5-yard run by Carrasco with 10:57 left in the game. Lara made the extra point kick as Roswell was down by five.

The Coyotes capitalized on a Bulldog kickoff fumble as Cloud scored on a 21-yard run 12 seconds after the previous score. Keegan Nichols ran in the 2-point conversion as Roswell had a 37-34 lead.

Roswell’s defense sacked Cazares on Artesia’s opening fourth quarter drive and later capitalized with another Carrasco touchdown. Lara made the extra point kick as the lead was 44-34 with 6:09 left in the game.

Artesia scored a 3-yard run by Galindo with 4:36 left in the game. The extra point kick was blocked as the Bulldogs comeback fell short.

Both squads are tied for first place in District 5-2A with 4-1 records. Overall Roswell is 6-1, while Artesia falls to 5-3.

Scoring Summary
1st Quarter

Roswell-Jaylon Cloud 16-yard pass from Jacob Palomino, Francisco Lara kick, 9:47, 7-0.

Artesia-Jack Byers 19-yard catch from Izac Cazares, 2-point conversion no good, 5:19, 7-6.

2nd Quarter

Roswell-Xai Carrasco 7-yard run, Carrasco 2-point conversion, 8:06, 15-6.

Artesia-Frankie Galindo 61-yard catch from Izac Cazares, 2-point conversion no good, 7:51, 15-12.

3rd Quarter

Artesia-Cazares 35-yard run, Corbyn Dominguez kick, 11:50, 19-15.

Roswell-Carrasco 27-yard run, Lara kick, 9:26, 22-19.

Artesia-Trent Egeland 25-yard catch, Diego Lopez 2-point conversion good, 3:21, 28-22.

Artesia-Bryce Parra 27-yard run, Dominguez kick, :51, 34-22.

4th Quarter

Roswell-Carrasco 5-yard run, Lara kick, 10:57, 34-29.

Roswell-Jaylon Cloud 21-yard run, Keegan Nichols 2-point conversion, 10:45, 37-34.

Roswell-Carrasco 19-yard run, Lara kick, 6:09, 44-34.

Artesia-Galindo 3-yard run, kick blocked, 4:36, 44-40.

Offensive Stars of the Game:

Passing: Cazares 16/29 138 yards, 3 TDs, 2 Int

Rushing: Cazares 9 carries for 80 yards, 1 TD

Receiving: Frankie Galindo 6 catches for 116 yards, 1 TD

Defensive Stars of the Game:

Kaden Grantham 3 quarterback sacks

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 and follow on X @MSmithartesianm.

Artesia Daily Press Staff Report

The City of Artesia celebrated the grand opening of two new retractable obstacle courses at the Artesia Aquatic Center on Oct. 11.

Luke Burns, City of Artesia spokesperson, said the courses hang down over the indoor pool.

The NinjaCross system was installed by a company from Overland Park, Kansas.

“It’s a two lane system,” said Sabrina DeHoyos, general manager of the Artesia Aquatic Center.

“It sits high above the ceiling, there is a drop down. When we drop it down, all obstacles lie into the water. One course is super beginner, the second course is very advanced,” she said.

“It is a lot of upper body strength, its an up and down system.”

She said installation of the new system started Sept. 23 and ended Oct. 4.

DeHoyos said swimmers can attempt to maneuver the course from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday’s and Thursday’s and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday’s.

Mike Smith
El Rito Media
msmith@currentargus.com

Three options for the future of the Eddy County Courthouse were discussed by county commissioners at their meeting on Tuesday (Oct. 15).

Jason Burns, the county’s public works director, presented two options based on studies conducted over a four-month period, and a third option emerged during the meeting that will be presented to the public at a town hall meeting Oct. 23. A time and place for the meeting have not been determined.

The options arising from the study, Burns said, would offer the choice of adding on to the current courthouse or building a new facility near the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office on Corrales Road where a new administration complex and a new detention center are under construction.

Burns said the third option would involve renovating the existing courthouse with security improvements, remodeling the exterior and completing needed maintenance projects.

“The cost estimate to keep it downtown was $139 million and that’s to do the add on and to renovate the existing (structure) and make that the facility that it needs to be,” Burns said.

He said building a new facility south of Carlsbad would cost $149 million.

Burns said Eddy County’s cost for a new building could be reduced if the county magistrate and Carlsbad municipal courts would “agree and partner with us to become part of the judicial center out here (the Corrales location). They would then pay their portion of the projects which would respectively be $23 million for magistrate and $21 million for municipal court.”

He said if both courts agree, Eddy County’s overall cost for the new facility would be $105 million.

Eddy County Commission vice chair Sarah Cordova said the commissioners tasked Burns and other county staffers to study what a potential move would mean for business owners and those who work at or near the current courthouse downtown.

“First off, it was the information we had asked for. Looking towards what could potentially be housed in the courthouse (if court operations move). I felt very pleased with what was presented,” she said. “It’s very important to me as well as the other commissioners that the public has an opportunity to voice their opinions, concerns, and ideas. We want people coming forward either way if they’re for it or against it.”

According to a historical timeline presented by Burns, the courthouse at 102 N. Canal St. in Carlsbad was built in 1892 but the original structure was mostly demolished and rebuilt in the late 1930s. Additional renovations have been completed in the decades since that reconstruction.

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