Troyce Lee Boone, 54, passed away on December 25, 2024 in Lubbock, TX. Troyce was born April 14,1970, in Portales, NM; the son of Terry Lee and Mary Lou Boone.
Troyce grew up in Floyd, NM, a farming community. Starting as a young boy, he spent many days farming alongside his dad. Troyce was baptized at Floyd Baptist Church and continued this faith throughout his entire life. He went to Floyd High School where they won 2 State Basketball Championships. He graduated in 1988. Following graduation, he attended NMJC on a baseball scholarship. Troyce was an incredible athlete, teammate and friend.
During the next phase of his life, Troyce was involved in several different careers and business adventures. He was an avid entrepreneur while at the same time being a father to his two sons and later his daughter, Tatum. Being a father was a true highlight of his life.
On June 29, 2013, at the Smokin on the Pecos BBQ event, he married the love of his life, Leah Turnbough-Smith and began a new chapter in Artesia, NM. Troyce quickly became invested in the community of Artesia and made many friends during his time there. Troyce and Leah lived happily in Artesia until his unexpected passing. Together they loved to travel any chance they could and especially enjoyed spontaneous getaways to Ruidoso, NM.
He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and various aunts and uncles.
He is survived by his wife Leah, son Tyler Lee Boone, son Taylor Lee Boone, his wife Cynthia, and children Tayson Lee and Taylyn LeeAnn of Canyon, TX, daughter Tatum Lynn Avery Boone of Roswell, NM, step-daughter Joli Harris and husband Tanner of Artesia, NM and; his Sister, Betsy Shields and family Alton, Tara and Terrence of Roswell, NM.
Above everything else in his life, Troyce was a devoted family man who adored his wife, sons, daughters, grandchildren and extended family. Troyce cherished his beloved Australian Shepard, Jake who was his constant companion. Troyce was an avid collector of many hobbies. He had a passion for cooking and was an expert pasta maker. He also loved hunting and fishing with his sons and son-in-law and enjoyed playing golf and bowling with many friends over the years. Troyce loved his country and had strong conservative values. In his free time, Troyce enjoyed welding and woodworking projects and was very proud of his many creations. One of his favorite places to be was poolside with family and friends.
Troyce was known for his beautiful smile and his contagious laugh. His sense of humor was unmatched and he never knew a stranger. He was so loved and will be missed by so many.
Memorial services for Troyce Lee Boone, 54, of Artesia, NM will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 10:30 am. The services will be held at First Christian Church, 1006 West Bullock with Rev. David Grousnick officiating.
Troyce Lee Boone
SARAH KATHERINE POLLOCK
Services are scheduled for 10:00 am January 2, 2025 at New Hope Baptist Church for Sarah Katherine Katy Pollock of Artesia, New Mexico. Visitation will be prior to the service from 9:00am – 10:00am at New Hope Baptist Church.
Mrs. Pollock, 89, passed away on December 29, 2024 in Artesia surrounded by loved ones.
Justin Swafford and Red Del Rio will officiate the services, with burial at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ricky Swafford, Justin Swafford, Seth Pollock, Justin Stewart, Justin Thomas Swafford, and Trenton Swafford. Honorary pallbearers include Stuart Swafford and Colby Stageberg.
Katy was born June 15, 1935 in Artesia, New Mexico, to Robert Harrison Pinson and Birdie L. Dealy Swinford Pinson. She spent her entire life in Artesia.
She married the love of her life, Jimmie Neal Pollock, Sr, on August 12, 1954 in Artesia. They were married for 68 years and had 2 wonderful children, Dealy Christine Pollock (Swafford), and Jimmie Neal Pollock, Jr.
Nina, as she was referred to by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Nina loved to spend time in the kitchen making various goodies like Gourd Seed, Pumpkin Cake, Cheese Cake, or her award winning Banana Nut Bread.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jim, her parents, brothers, Walt Pinson, Pinky Pinson, Charlie Pinson, sister Irene Pinson Ellis, son Jimmie Neal Pollock, Jr., and great-grandchildren Addyson Mae and Robert Henry Swafford. She is survived by her daughter Christine Swafford and husband Rick of Artesia; sister Onie Davis of Artesia, and brother Willie Pinson and wife Denise of Artesia; grandchildren Ricky Swafford of Irving, TX, Justin Swafford and wife Michelle of Sapulpa, OK, Stuart Swafford and wife Melissa of Lubbock, TX, Jessica Stewart and husband Justin of Phoenix, AZ, Kara Stageberg and husband Colby of Clovis, NM, and Seth Pollock and wife Kaitlen of Clovis, NM; great-grandchildren Justin Thomas Swafford, Shae Danielle Stageberg, Trenton Alan Swafford, Layton Gene Stageberg, Emma Dealy Stewart, Lyncoln Rae Pollock, Westin Neal Pollock, Katherine Mae Swafford, Brayleigh Renee Swafford, Owen Charles Swafford, and Charlotte Quinn Stewart.
Eddy County to swear in new commissioners at Tuesday meeting
Adrian Hedden
El Rito Media
achedden@currentargus.com
Newly elected and reelected Eddy County commissioners will be sworn in during a ceremony at the Jan. 7 commission meeting in the body’s chambers at the Eddy County Administration Building in Carlsbad.
The incoming commissioners were elected to four-year terms in the Nov. 5 general election along with the county’s new sheriff and treasurer.
District 5 Commissioner Sarah Cordova of Carlsbad will return to her post while Hayley Klein of Artesia will take over the District 2 seat after Artesia Mayor Jon Henry stepped down to run for state representative in New Mexico’s 54th House District. He ran unopposed.
Phillip Troost will be sworn in as District 3 commissioner, succeeding Fred Beard who opted to not seek another term. Commission Chairman Bo Bowen’s term as District 4 commissioner runs through 2026.
Commissioners will vote to elect a chairman and vice chairman for the coming year.
Incoming Sheriff Matthew Hutchinson, formerly the county’s undersheriff, succeeds Mark Cage who will assume the position of undersheriff. Cage was ineligible to seek reelection after serving two four-year terms as sheriff.
Hutchinson ran unopposed in the November election after defeating Victor Martinez in the June Republican primary.
Patricia Carrasco is the incoming county treasurer, succeeding Laurie Pruitt who chose not to run again.
The newly elected officials will benefit from a new pay scale for elected officials adopted last month by the county commission. The sheriff’s annual salary will nearly double from $78,000 per year to $153,000; the country treasurer’s salary jumps from $75,000 to $129,000; and commissioners’ pay jumps $18,000 per year, from the previous level of $26,000 to $44,000.
Commissioners Bowen and Ernie Carlson (District 1) will not receive the higher salaries because they still have two years to serve on their current terms and the state constitution prohibits public officials from increasing or diminishing the salaries of incumbents during their terms in office.
The salary hikes were made by possible by New Mexico Constitutional Amendment 4, which the state’s voters approved in the Nov. 5 general election. Passage of the amendment transferred authority for setting salaries for the county’s elected officials from the state Legislature to county commissioners.
Other business
Also on the commission’s agenda is a discussion requested by Hutchinson about the undersheriff’s salary. No official action will be taken.
Carrasco and Pruitt will present the annual treasurer’s report for 2024, detailing the year’s finances.
The report showed Eddy County had about $166 million in its general fund, with about $2.6 million in property valuation. Other key funds were the building construction fund ($110.2 million) and the capital improvement fund ($124.6 million). The county had about $635.4 million in total claims on cash, according to the treasurer’s report.
Tuesday’s meeting will be the first to include new County Manager Mike Gallagher, who was appointed last month. He previously served as Lea County manager.
Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.
Bulldogs start ’25 on winning note
Braylon Vega scored 20 points as Artesia defeated Moriarty 69-32 Saturday at the Bulldog Pit.
Charlie Campbell had 15 as Artesia upped its overall record 7-4.
At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Carlsbad High School, the Bulldogs square off with the Cavemen in the second round of the Eddy County War.
Complete recap can be found in Thursday’s Artesia Daily Press.
Artesia football player makes transition
Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com
Artesia High School basketball player Charlie Campbell didn’t have much time to switch from football conditioning to basketball shape.
The 6-foot-2 junior guard went from playing in the 5A state football championship game Thanksgiving weekend to the start of the basketball season Dec. 5 at Artesia’s City of Champions Classic.
As the basketball season rolls into January, Campbell appears to have shaken off the aftermath of the football season and his roundball campaign is in high gear.
Campbell played safety in football and noted a key difference in the demands of the gridiron versus the hardwood.
“The only time I would get the ball was on an interception or something,” he said of his work keeping football opponents out of the end zone. “The (basketball) defense if we run the press or something and if I can just read the court and make plays off the ball then I can find some similarities.”
Campbell jokes he has played basketball since he could walk. On a serious note, the 16-year-old said he began playing organized basketball in fifth grade.
Campbell said the Bulldogs had difficulties during the initial stages of the basketball season.
“Right now, I think we are the best we have been so far, and I just hope we can keep growing as a team,” he said. “These guys (have) come a long way and I’m proud to see where they are going to go.”
As a sophomore last year, Campbell helped the Bulldogs compile an 18-9 record (6-0 in District 4-4A) and advance to the state playoffs where they were eliminated by Albuquerque Hope Christian. The Bulldogs have won six games and lost four this season.
Bulldogs head coach Michael Mondragon said Campbell has matured since last season and is now team captain.
“As a sophomore he started for us for quite a few games and was a role player. This year he has taken on that role as captain,” he said.
Mondragon said Campbell has met the challenge of being a team leader.
“He is a great two-way player for us,” the coach said. “When he gets going on defense, people don’t realize how good of a defender he is and how much he rebounds the basketball.”
On offense, Mondragon said, Campbell is a shooter and acts as floor general at the point guard spot.
“The guys that have been playing with him a long time are all juniors,” Mondragon said. “He has been a big piece of that glue that has kept them together and definitely gives them more confidence and more energy when he’s on the floor.”
Campbell wants to be a guiding force on the court this season, helping his teammates make better decisions and have a greater understanding of the game.
“I just want to make sure they are having fun out there,” he said. “I don’t want them to feel like basketball is a job. I want them to run the floor and get their points, and facilitate with them.”
Campbell isn’t just an athlete, of course. He’s hard at work in the classroom as well as on the basketball court and says his favorite subject is language arts. After high school, he would like to play college basketball and pursue a career in the medical field.
Campbell is a son of Charles Campbell III and Jeanette Palmer. Charlie (he’s Charles Campbell IV) has three brothers, CJ and TK Campbell and Cree Palmer.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 and can be followed on X @MSmithartesianm.
Ode to Joy
By: Javier Sanchez
I always listen to the first movement twice. Chaos doesn’t just happen. Chaos builds on itself. It uses gravity to envelop, encircle and pull. Beethoven’s 9th symphony epitomizes the conscription of liberty, revolution, the end of the enlightenment period, romanticism and, above all, it brings hope to life. And hope does not come easily.
Written in the early 1820’s, Beethoven’s work came after the French Revolution, the Napoleonic wars, and the complete upending of European life. He saw virtue in what was happening in Europe because it brought order to the chaos. It signaled a new path toward brotherhood and liberty. A new chapter was being written that would settle and put right the confluent tragedy of a foregone darkness.
Beethoven wrote his Symphony No. 9 to chart a new path forward. Full with hope and joy. That’s what the final movement is called, the Ode to Joy, and it has become synonymous with the entire pièce de résistance. It has even become the “national” anthem for the European Union. For good reason. It shows us that between chaos and order lies creation. Chaos is inevitable. What we do at the moment immediately after worlds collide determines who we are.
In the Judeo-Christian, and to a great extent Islamic, tradition we have a unique way of interpreting the world and how we see ourselves in it relative to others throughout the world. Our religious teachings have imbued westerners with a way of thinking that puts the onus of control and destiny in our own hands. We learned that from God himself. The Bible teaches that in the beginning there was light. It is perhaps the most powerful statement ever made because it begs the question: Where did the light come from? What was this dark mixture from whence the universe was created? This phenomenon is known as creatio ex nihilo, Latin for creation out of nothing. In school we are taught that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. But what caused the first action? Chaos?
The Bible’s explanation wasn’t good enough for scientists curious about how the world came about. Instead of “let there be light,” they use the term Big Bang. There is more than one way to skin a cat. Though we cannot determine how the universe erupted into being, scientists gather clues from what they think happened just moments AFTER this big bang. It is said there was a moment (the wrong word because space and time lose meaning at this juncture) when everything came together and exploded into the expanding universe we know today – the event known as the singularity. Creatio ex nihilo, perhaps? Impossible for man to do. Yet we replicate its methods each time we dust ourselves off or pick ourselves up by the bootstraps.
The ideals surrounding individual freedoms, a strong sense of self and perhaps even capitalism find root in the concept that, though man cannot create light ex nihilo, he certainly can create himself. The idea that we have the ability to create ourselves is innate. The need grows ever more fervent this New Year’s Day. It is time to take stock. It is time to set straight the chaos of the past and put into perspective what lies ahead.
Personally, I must take greater responsibility for the things that I make happen; I must set time aside for those who are important to me; I must sometimes say no. We look for ways to improve. We strive for excellence. We plan and find better ways to put our house in order.
I listen to the first movement of Beethoven’s 9th again, but this time I let it carry me through its entirety. The same theme gets repeated. Clap, clang, bang – the cries of chaos. Beethoven is a genius of cacophony. Where do these sounds come from? Pu-du-du, du-tu-du-du. Dread, fear and uncertainty pervade his universe. The roll and thunder of the timpani, the high-pitched screech of the flute, the rosin-over-horse hair-over steel of the violin strings is maddening. It reminds me of the moonscape on top of the highest mountain I ever climbed on a moonlit night. Black obsidian, sharp like razors, heaped on a barren cliffside on the edge of the world. Ready to be subsumed and broken in a ravine of chaos. This is where wind is born—on mountain tops, in the tumult of primordial energy-ridden, volcanic cumulonimbus clouds. From its highest depths, the wind releases its howls to the world in a singular moment of abject ferocity. This is also where grief, abandonment and confusion erupt into a seething, bubbling heap of dread. Nothing escapes this darkness – not even the hope of light – until we begin to put the chaos in order. That is our redeeming moment. God made us in his image. Inferior, surely. Not on the same footing, but with all the desire and ability to make this world right. From chaos to order. From the unknown to the known.
Chaos has a way of building on itself. I happened to listen to Beethoven’s symphony at a time that I was rereading Sophie’s World. It’s a book about the history of philosophy. One of the first questions is: “Where does the world come from?” Perhaps it was a coincidence that I read this while contemplating Beethoven and learning about the Big Bang. But then again, chaos has a way of building on itself and nothing truly is a coincidence. Then I listened to a new single from one of my favorite bands, Aterciopelados, out of Columbia. It’s called Agradecida, or Grateful. The first line hums in wonderful bellow: “I am grateful to the moon, the sun and the beat of my heart.”
Be grateful for the chaos that comes into your world. Look for the cacophony of light, sound, books and dilemma. This year vow to put them straight by understanding them.
In the face of uncertainty, turn to the light. Orchestrate the moving parts and conduct accordingly. Though we cannot create light ex nihilo, we most certainly can create our New Year. Full of light, hope and joy.
Javier Sanchez is the former Mayor of Espanola, an independent businessman, and El Rito Media investor and columnist.
Moccia out at NMSU
Provided by New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University President Valerio Ferme announced to campus Thursday that Mario Moccia will depart NMSU as the university’s athletics director. As part of the announcement, Ferme also stated that Amber Burdge, NMSU’s deputy athletic director for strategic initiatives and leadership, would be promoted to the role of acting athletics director, effective immediately.
“After carefully reviewing the recent report issued by the New Mexico Department of Justice, I felt we needed a fresh start in our athletics program,” Ferme said. “I have utter confidence in Dr. Burdge’s ability to lead our Athletic Department, and look forward to working with her in the coming months.”
Burdge had served as NMSU’s deputy athletic director for strategic initiatives and leadership, as well as the senior woman administrator and deputy Title IX coordinator for the athletics department. Ferme said she is highly regarded for having a student-first mindset and has helped work on NMSU’s strategic response to hazing prevention.
Before coming to NMSU, she was the associate athletic director for student-athlete success services at Louisiana Tech University for eight years, overseeing significant academic improvement and community service initiatives. Before that, she served as the athletic director for Neosho County Community College, where she oversaw 16 sports programs that won six national titles and produced 36 NJCAA All-American accolades and honors.
Her experience also includes leadership roles at Stephen F. Austin and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, with a strong focus on academic and leadership development. She holds a bachelor’s in health and a master’s degree in counseling from Oklahoma State. She also earned a Doctor of Education at Louisiana Tech.
New Year does not change fishing conditions
Information and photo provided by New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Fishing prospects remained the same from 2024 as the new year started this week at lakes and streams across New Mexico with mild temperatures forecast for the weekend.
In Lincoln County, fishing for trout was good using flies, lures and worms at Bonito Lake.
Fishing for trout was good using earthworms at Corona Pond and at Grindstone Lake fishing for trout was good using PowerBait.
Fishing for trout was very good using PowerBait at Oasis Lake State Park near Portales. Fishing for bass was slow.
In southern New Mexico, fishing for walleye was slow to fair using plastic baits at Elephant Butte Lake near Truth or Consequences. Fishing for catfish was fair to good using cut bait. Anglers reported water levels were rising.
At Young Park Pond in Las Cruces, fishing for trout was fair to good using small rainbow-pattern spoons.
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.
What Does True Gratitude Look Like?
By: Pastor David Grousnick
Patrick J. Wilson tells about a friend of his who began his ministry at little First Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen, Mississippi.
His first year as pastor he was visited by three men inquiring about one of his members, a widow who lived by herself. Was she getting out? Were her friends in Aberdeen keeping in touch? Was there anything they needed to know?
The three men explained the situation, gave him their cards – one lived in New Jersey, another in Oklahoma, the other in California – and he was told to call them if there was anything they could humanly do to make her life happier or easier.
These three men arrived each year bearing presents their wives had picked out in the shops of San Francisco and New York. The men had hired a family who mowed the woman’s yard, trimmed the bushes, and checked on tree branches and gutters.
One of the men prepared the woman’s tax returns each year while another contracted repairs on her house or made them himself. Sometimes they helped her shop for a new car. They were meticulous in wanting to check on everything and anticipate every difficulty the woman might face.
Each year they visited the President of the Bank of Mississippi in Aberdeen – there was a regular turnover in young bank executives – and passed out their cards, explaining that he was to notify them of any worldly need this woman might have, and they explained to the Bank President the situation.
So, what’s the back story here?
Sixty years ago, prior to when this story was being told, the three men had been three soldiers standing on the ground floor of a house in Normandy just a few days after D-Day when a German potato masher grenade came bouncing down the stairs. A fourth soldier, the woman’s husband, threw himself on the grenade, absorbing most of its impact.
The three men lived because of his death.
After the war was over in 1945 the three men began making their way to Aberdeen, Mississippi on a regular basis to make sure that this man’s widow would lack for nothing they had within their power to provide for her.
They had been doing that for more than twenty-five years when Patrick’s friend was pastor of First Presbyterian Church.
Isn’t that a remarkable story?
Patrick tells us another remarkable thing: there were eighteen soldiers on the first floor of that house in Normandy. All eighteen of them were spared by the action of that one soldier leaping on a grenade, and after the war was over, three of them made their regular pilgrimages to Aberdeen, Mississippi.
Three out of eighteen: that’s 16 2/3%.
Let me ask you: What would 100% gratitude look like?
Why, it would change the world.
If you make a New Year resolution for 2025, you might consider making a resolution of gratitude toward someone or something. Our world needs more gratitude!
Happy and Blessed New Year!!
David Grousnick, is the Pastor at the First Christian Church in Artesia.
Volunteers fighting wildfires get new fire truck from feds
Story and Photos by Adrian Hedden
El Rito Media
achedden@currentargus.com
Firefighters battling wildland blazes in the forests of southern New Mexico have a new vehicle that could help contain the fires and evacuate locals, courtesy of the federal government.
The Bureau of Land Management’s Pecos District Office supplied a 2011 type 6 fire engine to the Bonito Volunteer Fire Department in Alto Dec. 19, augmenting the rural fire service’s resources in the area recently threatened by frequent wildfires.
Alto is situated just north of Ruidoso, amid Lincoln National Forest and historic Fort Stanton, which the bureau manages. The South Fork and Salt fires burned about 20,000 acres and led to at least two deaths in the area last July.
Type 6 engines are lightweight and intended for wildland firefighting. The federal agency was able to provide the vehicle to the fire department as part of a federal program to donate used equipment to local first responders after it has completed its federal lifetime.
In this case, the truck reached the 3,000-usage hour mark, tracked by a clock in the vehicle, meaning it could no longer be used by the bureau to fight fires on federal land.
When such a vehicle becomes available, federal agencies notify area first responders who can apply to acquire the vehicle at no cost to the local agency.
The entire process takes about six months, said Matthew Thomas, wildland fire operations specialist at the bureau’s Pecos District Office.
Factors considered in evaluating the application include proximity to Bureau of Land Management land, the age of the local agency’s equipment and the overall need of the area, Thomas said.
He said the Bonito Fire Department was an ideal candidate because its district abuts and in places overlaps with land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service and the State Forestry Department.
The transfer will also ensure Bonito’s equipment is consistent with the bureau’s, Thomas said.
“We’ve known for years that they have significant wildfire risk in Ruidoso,” Thomas said. “Usually, the volunteers beat us there. If they have reliable stuff similar to us, we can get there and interface with it.”
Bonito Volunteer Fire Department Chief Spencer Baldwin said the smaller, lightweight type 6 vehicles are good for entering tight areas and evacuating people from the rough terrain of the region.
“The majority of our calls are wildland fires,” he said. “Some of our roads are steep and narrow. These smaller ones are good for getting into the seat of the fire.”
Before being awarded the engine the department had two 2002 type 6s, Baldwin said, but one broke down when the clutch failed while responding to the South Fork and Salt fires.
A new type 6 engine costs about $200,000, Thomas said. The one given Bonito was worth about $60,000, he said.
“It’s a challenge to come up with the money to buy a new apparatus, budget-wise,” Baldwin said. “Our primary thing with that fire was evacuation. It’s hard to get our bigger trucks into tight areas to get people out.”
Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.