Central Valley Electric Cooperative (CVE) is congratulating Luke Davis for being recognized by his peers with the Long Rope Safety Award.
Davis is a serviceman in the oilfield. He has worked for CVE for more than 15 years.
His peers describe him as dependable and willing to help his fellow coworkers on or off the clock.
“Luke always thinks of safety first and is a great leader,” said one colleague. “He has a positive attitude and is willing to keep learning and improving. Luke stands up for what he believes in, is mentally strong, and always thinks things through. He is a true leader.”
The Long Rope Safety Award is dedicated to all linemen in New Mexico who have been killed or injured on the job. It is given to an individual with a positive attitude toward training, communication and safe work habits who demonstrates a culture of safety in a challenging industry.
The employees, management and board of trustees at CVE would like to congratulate and thank Davis for being a leader in safety.
Davis wins CVE safety award
Artesia massage parlors have no connection to Carlsbad bust
Following the racketeering arrests this month of two individuals connected with a pair of Carlsbad massage parlors, the Daily Press has confirmed that the massage parlors located in Artesia have no association with the owners of the Carlsbad businesses.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced April 5 that Shaoping Wen, 64, and her associate, 41-year-old Xu Wang, had been formally charged with conspiracy to use interstate travel in aid of racketeering enterprises after it was determined that employees of at least seven parlors allegedly owned by Wen had offered customers illicit commercial sex.
Wen and Wang were arrested March 21 in New Mexico and were, at the time, awaiting extradition to Lubbock, Texas.
According to the criminal complaint, Wang, who identified himself as Wen’s son, allegedly operated the parlors on her behalf when she was out of state. On at least 10 occasions between June 2023 and February, undercover officers purchased $60 massages at Wen’s parlors in Texas and New Mexico. The officers reported that they were generally greeted by lingerie-clad Asian women who allegedly agreed to engage in sex with them for an additional fee of between $140 and $200. Several of the women allegedly used translation apps to negotiate sexual services.
When the women were arrested on prostitution charges, they identified themselves as Chinese citizens and listed their occupation as “laborer.” On multiple occasions, Wen or Wang arrived to pay the women’s cash bond.
Officers also reported observing Wen’s vehicle transporting Asian females directly from airports to her parlors. Neighbors stated the women never left the building, and searches of the premises revealed beds placed on floors, suggesting the women resided at the parlors.
On at least one occasion, a witness reported hearing a woman screaming and entered a parlor for a welfare check. He stated he saw three women between the ages of 30 and 50 dressed in provocative clothing.
According to the DOJ, officers found the massage parlors advertised on websites often used to market commercial sex. The ads included photos of partially nude women and promoted “100% sexy” girls who “like to spend time with nice, upscale gentlemen.” They also advertised the “girlfriend experience,” “porn star experience” and “fantasy outfits on request.”
If convicted, Wen and Wang face up to five years in federal prison. The FBI’s Dallas Field Office – Lubbock Resident Agency, DHS, Texas Department of Public Safety and Lubbock Police Department were assisted in their investigation by, among other agencies, the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO); Carlsbad, Roswell and Clovis police departments; and Carlsbad and Roswell fire departments.
The ECSO issued an accompanying release on April 5, stating that two of the parlors in question were located in Carlsbad.
“It is essential to understand that these types of massage parlors are often fostering human trafficking,” the release read. “Chief Deputy Matthew Hutchinson and the ECSO, collectively, are committed to combating human trafficking in all its forms.”
Following the ECSO’s release, multiple Artesians raised concerns regarding this city’s massage parlors, located on South First Street, with residents primarily asking if Wen and Wang were in any way involved with those parlors.
Artesia Police Department (APD) Cmdr. David Rodriguez confirmed Tuesday that the local parlors have no connection with the individuals in question. Rodriguez reported that APD Criminal Investigations Division detectives have investigated minor, non-criminal matters at the parlors that involved business license requirements, and those compliance matters were resolved.
Rodriguez stressed that any allegations of criminal activity anywhere in Artesia will be fully investigated by his team, and anyone with questions or concerns may contact the APD at 575-746-5000.
Chris Olivas
A funeral Mass is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 1, at St. Anthony Catholic Church for Chris Olivas of Belen.
Olivas, 44, passed away Friday, April 12, 2024, in Belen.
Fr. Francis Lazer will officiate the services, with interment of ashes to follow at Woodbine Cemetery.
A rosary will be recited at 9 a.m. Wednesday at St. Anthony.
Chris was born Feb. 9, 1980, in Artesia to Errmilo and Patricia Ann (Herrera) Olivas.
He was a loving man who loved his children and family. He was very proud of Melina and Micah, whether it was academically or in sports. Chris would always keep Grandpa Milo and Grandma Pat updated on all their activities and accomplishments.
Chris enjoyed watching sports on TV, especially when they involved his Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Yankees, Nebraska Cornhuskers or Tottenham Hotspurs.
He attended high school in Artesia and was an integral part of two state football championships and one state track championship. He went on to play football for New Mexico Military Institute and Eastern New Mexico University, where he obtained a degree in criminal justice. He later received a master’s degree in education.
When Chris visited Artesia from his home in Los Lunas or Belen, it would take him about five hours to get here because he would take the “scenic route” between Vaughn and Roswell and would never drive over the speed limit.
Survivors include his beloved children, Melina and Micah; parents Errmilo and Pat Olivas; brother Adrian Olivas and wife Shana; nieces and nephew Caiya, Cati, Calina, Amala and Benjamin Olivas; grandparents Alejandro and Juana Olivas; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and his cherished dog, Kobe, and cat, Cosmo.
He was preceded in death by grandparents Luis and Geneva Herrera; and brother Jacob Olivas.
Chris is now with his baby brother and his Grandma and Grandpa. Our dad, son, brother, grandson, nephew and uncle will be greatly missed, and we will never forget him and the many memories he has given us.
Mary Juarez
Mary Lou Juarez, 64, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 9, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born Jan. 19, 1960, in Deming, to Arcenio Baeza and Manuela Sepulveda.
A passionate animal advocate, Mary Lou was a huge dog lover and dreamed of establishing a no-kill shelter for Chihuahuas. Her compassion and dedication to animals touched the lives of many.
She had a love for high heels that was unmatched. Her impeccable style and grace were evident in every step she took.
Mary Lou will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her kindness, generosity and unwavering love will continue to inspire those whose lives she touched.
Survivors include her devoted husband, Manuel D. Juarez; children Robert Gene Pacheco, Erica Marie Tontodonati, Manuel Arcenio Juarez, Dooley Raul Juarez and Matthew Bricky Juarez; stepchildren Paula Madrid, Susan Tyler, Lisa Juarez, Jennifer Rivera, Loretta Juarez Hurtt, Danny Juarez Jr. and Benny Juarez; and her cherished dog, Trumpy, who was a constant source of joy in her life. Mary Lou’s legacy extends to her 51 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. She held a special place in her heart for each one of them.
Mary Lou is reunited in the afterlife with her beloved mother, Manuela Sepulveda; her father, Arcenio Baeza; and her cherished dogs, Yogi, Chappy, Lil Girl and Rocko.
Mary Lou’s life will be celebrated in a private service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to your local no-kill shelter.
Clara Wagner
Clara Ann Wagner, 90, passed away Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Artesia.
Cremation will take place under the direction of Terpening & Son Mortuary.
Clara was born Dec. 7, 1933, in Dows, Iowa, to Clarence and Johanna (Sorensen) Hendrickson. She graduated high school in Elgin, Iowa, and went to college at Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa, earning a degree in education. She taught elementary school in Crystal Lake, Iowa.
In 1956, she and John Wagner were married in a little church in Nashua, Iowa.
Clara was an extraordinary woman and had so many accomplishments throughout her life. She had an interest in so many activities, such as painting, sewing and arts and crafts. She also taught Sunday School for some time and was an amazing piano player.
Clara did not have any immediate family survivors but did have a caregiver, Queena Martinez of Artesia; and her son-in-law, David Taylor of Texas.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband John Wagner; son Charlie; daughter Ramona; brothers Robert, Nelson, Donald and Paul and infant brother Harold Hendrickson; and sister Marie Nelsen.
Clara will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
Arrangements are under the direction of Terpening & Son Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed online at www.artesiafunerals.com.
Kevin Kelley
Services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at Ellis Resthaven Funeral Home in Midland, Texas, for Kevin Dean Kelley of Midland.
Kelley, 41, passed away Sunday morning, April 14, 2024, at Midland Memorial Medical Center.
Bro. Michael Elliott will officiate the services. Honorary pallbearers are BC Martin, Lance James, David Chappell, Dominic Ochoa, Casey Robinson, Eric Fitzgerald, Wesley Kelldorf, James Logsdon, Doepp Crockett, John Angell, Hagan Crockett, Blane Smith, Jeremy Campbell, Eric Schmidt, Joshua Ramirez and Nicholas Ramirez.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Kevin was born July 15, 1982, in Clifton, Texas, to David M. and Linda K. (Campbell) Kelley. He attended Artesia High School, where he completed his education in 2001.
After high school, Kevin began his longtime career in the oil and gas industry. At the age of 18, he began his roughneck adventures for L&M Drilling in Artesia. During his career, he worked his way up the ladder before finally becoming a directional driller and, later, a coordinator for various producers in the basin area.
In 2000, Kevin met Michele Brown in Artesia and proposed quickly, knowing he had found his person. The two were married on Aug. 17, 2002. They later welcomed a daughter, Morgan Lacey, on Jan. 19, 2013. Morgan was the pride of her daddy’s eye and had him wrapped around her little finger from the moment he laid eyes on her.
Kevin had many great passions in life but none more than the family he built with Michele and Morgan. When he wasn’t working, he was planning spur-of-the-moment adventures for him and his girls to see all the world had to offer. He loved traveling and wanted to share that love with them. From the coast of Florida to the mountains of New Mexico, he never passed up a chance to hop in the truck or on his motorcycle and go.
When he wasn’t getting “wind therapy” on his bike, Kevin took every opportunity to brag on how outstanding of a softball player Morgan is and spent every chance he had watching her on the field. He also enjoyed the simple pleasure of dropping a line in the muddy waters of Texas and New Mexico any chance he got, spinning Michele around a dance floor, singing anywhere he could be heard, NASCAR, and starting projects he never quite got around to finishing.
Kevin became a founding member of the Midland chapter of the Rig Riders MC in 2019. He began his service to the club as a road captain, later serving as president from 2021-24. As a proud member of the Rig Riders, he was able to serve his community by participating in many fundraising events benefiting Oilfield Helping Hands. He was also the first in line to help with any other charity event or toy drive and was always willing to help anyone in need; he never met a stranger.
Survivors include his wife, Michele Kelley; daughter Morgan Kelley, 11, of the family home; parents Linda Kelley of Artesia, and mother-in-law Tracy Ramirez and husband Jesse of Midland; siblings Kristy Crockett and husband Doepp of Artesia, Kary Angell and husband John of Artesia, sisters-in-law Jessica Ramirez and Cheyenne Ramirez, both of Midland, and brothers-in-law Nicholas Ramirez and wife Kim, and Teagan Ramirez, both of Midland; grandparents Donna Bishop and Glen Bishop; nephews Blane Smith, 20, Hagan Crockett, 17, Joshua Ramirez, 16, and Michael Ramirez, 3; nieces Emma Serna, 14, Charlie Angell, 11, Daphne Angell, 10, Ella Crockett, 9, Sophia Ramirez, 8, and Hazel Ramirez, 6; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, David Kelley; father-in-law Jerry W. Brown; and grandparents Bill and Marlene Campbell, and WL “Red” and Georgia Ann Kelley.
Margarita Chavarria
Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, April 26, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church for Margarita Chavarria of Artesia.
Chavarria, 76, passed away Friday, April 19, 2024, in El Paso, Texas.
Fr. A.L. Vijaya Raju will officiate the services, with interment to follow at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Anselmo Herrera Jr., Steve Herrera, Benjamin Herrera, Demetrio Lozano Jr., Michael Rodriguez and Michael Sarabia. Honorary pallbearers are Lori Sarabia, Francisco Lozano, Melissa Lozano, Michael Zachary Sarabia, Qrion Sarabia and Briana Adams.
Visitation will be held from 2-6 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at Terpening & Son Mortuary. A rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of Grace.
Margarita was born Jan. 2, 1948, in Artesia, the daughter of Espiridion Solis and Maria (Balencia) Hernandez.
She was a devoted wife to Zeke Chavarria, and it is known by all the family that these years were the happiest of her life. It was with him that she rediscovered her love of recipes and cooking, as he was a great cook also.
Margaret was a devoted daughter. She moved in with her parents after Zeke’s passing for the last years of their lives to care for them during her Dad’s illness and then her Mother’s dementia and Alzheimer’s, doing anything and everything for her Dad and Mom any time it was needed or wanted of her, including taking care of her Mother’s dog, Rosie.
Rosie became Margaret’s number-one priority after her Mom’s passing. She was also a devoted sister to her siblings, assuring them that Mom and Dad would be cared for through their illness. Anything that was asked of Margaret for the family was met without hesitation.
She also cared for her nieces and nephews with the same care and love, from babysitting to caring for health needs. She could do it all. She was loved by many, and in the final nine months of her illness, she moved in with her sister Lupe at her home.
Margaret and Lupe and her other sister, Sylvia, would go to El Paso for cancer treatment and also to spend time with each other. In her own time and besides taking care of Rosie, she enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, and worshipping Our Savior Jesus Christ. Margie will be missed!
Survivors include brothers and sisters Lupe Herrera and husband Anselmo, Sylvia Lozano, Espiridion Hernandez Jr. and wife Mary Grace, Pete Hernandez and wife Juanita, Jane Trujillo and husband Robert, and Refugia Fuentes; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Zeke Chavarria; sister Rosita Hernandez; and brothers-in-law Demetrio Lozano and Fred Fuentes.
Arrangements are under the direction of Terpening & Son Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed online at www.artesiafunerals.com.
Dewana Gray
Memorial services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, May 10, at the Smith Family Chapel at Riverbend Church in Austin, Texas, for Dewana Lou (Berry) Gray.
Gray, 87, passed away Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Austin following a long battle with cancer.
Interment will follow the services at the Remembrance Gardens. A luncheon will follow interment at the home of Alicia Ellison in Dripping Springs, Texas.
Dewana was born Nov. 12, 1936, in Austin to Chester “Check” and Jessie Mae Berry. When she was 5, she moved with her parents and sister, Alma Ann, to Artesia, where her brother, Ray, was born.
When she was a freshman in high school, Dewana attended an Artesia Bulldog basketball game, where a cute junior basketball player named W.L. “Dub” Gray winked at her across the gym from where he sat on the bench, taking a break as a star player. She winked back. They were married May 29, 1955, one week after she graduated from high school.
Dewana has been described by many as being “a force of nature.” They are not wrong. She was feisty, smart, funny, creative, beautiful and fiercely loyal and protective of those she loved. She and Dub had three children, and she was a devoted mother to all of them.
She was the cool, pretty mom all her kids’ friends wished they had. She attended every school event, track meet, football game, choir concert or other activity her children were involved in, often being the mom in charge of organizing everything behind the scenes. In addition to being a full-time mother, she was Dub’s partner in his many businesses, keeping the books and being involved in the day-to-day finances of the family operations.
Far from being just Mrs. Dub Gray, a title she refused to go by, she was Dewana Gray — a full partner in life to her husband. She was her own person with her own ideas and opinions, most of which she was more than happy to share!
In the early ’80s, she became a business owner when she opened Hello World Travel in Artesia. For many years, she shared her sense of adventure and love of travel with the whole community. And boy, did she love to travel! She and Dub took trips all over the world together, from Africa to New Zealand and many points between.
She brought so much energy and joy to being a grandmother. She and Dub would host “Camp PaPa” at their mountain home in Mayhill. She created a week-long summer camp experience that began with a registration form for the grandkids to fill out, including a camp packing list, and a full brochure describing the camp’s activities: arts and crafts, horseback riding, fishing, skits, campfires, day trips to White Sands, and much more.
When the kids arrived, there would be daily schedules of activities, along with a chore chart for all the kids to pitch in. The week culminated with a skit and songs performed for the parents when they came to pick the kids up.
Dewana was a true artist, bringing creativity to all aspects of her life. She loved nothing better than to be in front of her easel with a paintbrush in her hand. In addition to her many oil paintings, she painted murals on the walls of her homes, even in recent years painting one for a great-grandson’s nursery.
She was a storyteller and a writer. Many of her stories to her family began with the phrase, “As you travel down life’s highway…” In later years, she took up memoir writing, taught a memoir-writing class, and self-published a book of memories from her life. Of course, she titled the book “As You Travel Down Life’s Highway.”
Dewana was a devoted friend who was loved by many. She enjoyed entertaining and often hosted parties, dinners and happy hours where she and Dub would welcome friends and family into their home. To be in her presence at her table was to be surrounded by great food, great conversation and much laughter.
She leaves behind her devoted husband of almost 69 years, Warren Lewis “W.L.” Gray of Austin; daughter and son-in-law Alicia (Key) and Mark Ellison of Dripping Springs; son and daughter-in-law Steve and Debbie Gray of Dallas, Texas; daughter Nancy Gray of Austin; grandchildren Tyler Key of Buda, Texas, Sara Key of Dripping Springs, Stephanie Capshaw of Prosper, Texas, Jessica Grijalva of Denver, Colo., James Gray of Houston, Texas, Christian Kneupper of Austin, and Nicholas Kneupper of Boston, Mass.; 11 great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law Ray and Austella Berry of Midland, Texas; four nephews; one niece; four great-nephews; and two great-nieces. As she was fond of saying at the frequent family gatherings surrounded by all her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids, none of us would be here without her. And none of us will be quite the same with her gone.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Jessie Mae Berry; and sister Alma Ann Burnam.
The family wishes to express its thanks to Dr. Punit Chadha and PA Pam Garza of Texas Oncology, 8re4 and nurse Allison Reich of St. David’s Hospice for their loving care and support.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Curtis Blevins
Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, April 19, at Brush Country Cowboy Church in George West, Texas, for Curtis Weldon Blevins.
Blevins, 83, passed away Sunday, April 14, 2024, at his home in George West, surrounded by family.
Pastor Pat Traxler will officiate the services, with interment to follow at the George West Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Beau Gooch, Aaron Guerrero, Tristen Blevins, Jeremy Wilhelm, Matthew Garza, Jesse Carbajal and Shannon McMullen.
Visitation will be held from 9-10 a.m. Friday at the church.
Curtis was born July 2, 1940, in Stratford, Okla., the son of Curtis Alexander and Rebecca Ruth (Wood) Blevins.
On Oct. 24, 1959, he married the love of his life, Eddie Lou Parrish. The couple raised three beautiful children: Gregory Weldon Blevins, Lisa Annette Jackson and John Reese Blevins.
Curtis was a devoted husband and father. After his retirement, he spent his days in South Texas with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an avid fisherman and spent every minute he could fishing on the Nueces River.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Eddie Blevins; sons Greg Blevins, and John Blevins and Julie; son-in-law Terry Jackson; siblings Kay Knowlton, Steve Blevins and Cecilia, and Diann Payne; grandchildren Terri and Michael, Amanda, Beau, Kendra and Jeremy, Jessica and Aaron, Jami and Aaron, Karley and Keith, Shelby and Carlos, Alyssa and Zane, Koury and Jesse, and Tristen; and 16 precious great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his beautiful daughter, Lisa Annette Jackson; and siblings Clara Grisom, Gayle Patterson and Bobby Blevins.
Celebrate financial literacy by making it a graduation requirement
New Mexicans have an opportunity to improve the financial literacy of the next generation by making it a graduation requirement in all 89 of our local school districts.
As of April 2024, 25 states have added a standalone course in financial literacy to their high school graduation requirements, reaching 53% of students nationwide, according to the national nonprofit NextGen Personal Finance. By contrast, in New Mexico, financial literacy is offered as an optional elective, and only about 11% of New Mexico students choose to take the class. New Mexico ranks 49th in the nation for overall financial literacy according to the online personal finance website WalletHub.
During the 2024 legislative session, Think New Mexico partnered with a diverse and extensive coalition of organizations to urge legislators to add a financial literacy course to New Mexico’s high school graduation requirements. Members of this coalition included elected officials like State Treasurer Laura Montoya and Navajo Nation Vice President Richelle Montoya as well as bankers, credit unions, chambers of commerce and other business groups, higher education institutions, civic organizations, and anti-poverty groups. Unfortunately, the proposal to add a standalone financial literacy course to the graduation requirements ultimately failed to pass the legislature on a close vote.
However, the legislation that was enacted to revise the state’s high school graduation requirements included another opportunity to increase access to financial literacy education. Of the 24 credits that high school students must complete, two credits will now be designated by each school district at the local level. This means that every New Mexico school district can adopt financial literacy as one of those local credits.
When students increase their financial literacy, studies have found that they shift from high-cost to low-cost sources of credit and student loans, and are 21% less likely to carry a balance on a credit card. The New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee reported that after financial education was mandated in the states of Georgia, Idaho and Texas, students who participated in the programs had higher credit scores and higher savings rates.
Completing a class in personal finance is particularly important for students from low-income families, which research indicates have far less access to financial literacy courses than do their wealthier peers. When high school students learn personal finance, they often bring those lessons home to their parents and grandparents, benefitting the whole family.
A 2022 poll of 751 likely New Mexico voters found that 84% believe it is very important for students to be taught about personal finance topics. Similarly, a recent national poll found that 80% of U.S. adults wish they had been required to complete a personal finance course in high school.
School districts that adopt this requirement will benefit from access to free materials and trainings. NextGen Personal Finance offers free curriculum and professional development for financial literacy teachers, and even offers stipends for teachers to complete the training if their districts make financial literacy a graduation requirement. Many of New Mexico’s local credit unions and nonprofits like JumpStart also provide support for financial literacy education.
We encourage readers to reach out to your local school board members and urge them to make a standalone course in financial literacy one of their locally designated high school graduation requirements. More information can be found on our website at www.thinknewmexico. org.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Fred Nathan is executive director of the nonpartisan, results-oriented think tank Think New Mexico.)