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Religion still has power in American politics even as the U.S. becomes a more secular nation

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By TRIP JENNINGS
El Rito Media Columnist

In 1996 I took a year off from journalism to attend seminary in Atlanta. The plan was to cram as much theology, sociology of religion and church history into two semesters to return to a newspaper to cover the intersection of religion and politics. It was obvious even then that understanding the white evangelical Christian constituency that would propel George W. Bush and Donald Trump into the White House would come in handy for a political reporter.

After a year, however, I decided I liked reading philosophy, theology, ethics and history and the conversations they had prompted, so I tacked on another two years and earned a Master’s of Divinity degree. After graduating, I got a newspaper job in Connecticut an hour from New York City just in time to cover the 9/11 terror attacks, anthrax, and several political scandals.

I never got to report on the mix of religion and politics like I’d hoped. However, the topic is an abiding interest. For example, this week the use of the word “biblical” in American politics is of keen interest. At its annual meeting in Indianapolis, the Southern Baptist Convention will decide whether to take up the question of whether to ban women from serving in any pastoral roles at a church. Supporters defend the proposal as “biblical,” meaning they trace its authority to the Bible itself.

“If we won’t stand on this issue and be unapologetically biblical, then we won’t stand on anything,” the Associated Press quoted amendment proponent Mike Law, pastor of Arlington Baptist Church in Virginia, as saying.

The Southern Baptist Convention is the largest Protestant denomination in the country and is made up of mostly white evangelicals, a constituency that overwhelmingly supported Trump in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections and likely will again this year. When I say I’m bewildered by the phrase “unapologetically biblical,” this is not coming from a casual observer of American Christianity or American politics: I’ve been around the Bible since childhood and have covered politics for more than 30 years. Contrary to the pastor Law’s fervently held belief, the Bible does not speak definitively on the question of women as pastors. People on opposite sides of the question have found support biblically for their respective stances for decades.

That’s the thing about the Bible; it’s not as clear as many people purport it to be. In fact, it can be extraordinarily vague, which is why there exist so many competing interpretations of the Bible.

Interpretation is not a bad thing. We humans do it every day, to make sense and derive meaning from both trivial and profound matters in our lives.
The Bible is no exception.

Perhaps this point is meaningless to you as you cite the country’s increasingly secular turn. But it does matter. In some corners of America, the Bible remains a source of authority and certainty, even solace and comfort, at the same time many of these Americans who revere the Bible seem increasingly not to really know what’s in it.

The irony, then, is that the word “biblical” holds a certain power even as more Americans sever their ties to organized religion. The use of “biblical,” then, offers a glimpse into the perennial power of faith and religion in American politics. To say an idea or belief is “biblical” is shorthand for many Americans that the idea or belief is grounded in truth. And to say something is true with a capital T can sway people to vote a certain way even if they’re not sure what the Bible says themselves. People who use the word “biblical,” in fact, often count on this biblical illiteracy.

They can say whatever they want without challenge. Full disclosure so you know my bias on women pastors and the importance of knowing the Bible, especially journalists: I was raised Southern Baptist. Reading the Bible and church going were at the center of my life growing up. In addition to three weekly services, I participated in Bible studies and “sword drills,” a game in which an adult called out a Bible verse to a group of children who competed to locate it in the Bible. Later came seminary, with classes in all the subjects mentioned above as well as classes in ancient Hebrew and Greek. The thinking was, and still is, that pastors should be able to read the Bible in the original languages they were written. It’s more of an aspiration than a reality for most graduating seminarians, but it’s a notable goal.

I am also a preacher’s kid. In my case, it was my mother who was the minister. A lifelong Southern Baptist, my mother departed the denomination in the 1980s when she was dissuaded from pursuing a call to ministry after a fundamentalist takeover of the denomination. (The same players would help to strengthen white Evangelical and fundamentalist power and influence over the Republican Party years later.)

Not one to let men stand in the way of what she considered a calling from God, my mother attended a Presbyterian seminary and became a minister in that denomination.

I am not writing this column to litigate whether the Bible supports women as pastors or not.

It’s a free country. Those who oppose women becoming pastors by quoting the Bible have a right to their opinions, as do I and many others who find ample evidence in the Bible to support the opposing view. I just wish more Americans stopped to think before believing what someone says is in the Bible or simply shrugging and saying it doesn’t matter. Whether you believe in God or think religious belief is a bunch of hooey, the mix of religion and politics helps to shape our public life in the United States. Sometimes it even influences who sits in the White House.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Trip Jennings started his career in Georgia at his hometown newspaper, The Augusta Chronicle. Since 2005, he has covered politics and state government for the Albuquerque Journal, the New Mexico Independent and the Santa Fe New Mexican. In 2012, he co-founded New Mexico In Depth, a nonpartisan, nonprofit media outlet that produces investigative, data-rich stories with an eye on solutions that can be a catalyst for change.)

Local restaurants keep Artesia’s oil patch pumping, one breakfast burrito at a time

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Conchita Ramirez of Alma’s loads a breakfast burrito with a generous amount of filling.
(Martin Green – For the Daily Press)

Drive down South First Street at 4 a.m. — when the typically busy portion of U.S. 285 is mostly deserted, save for the occasional semi truck or WIPP shipment — and you might spot a small food trailer, its lights on and side door open.

Inside, Rosa Guillermo, owner of Super Taco, and her staff are preparing for the breakfast rush. At most restaurants, that typically occurs anywhere between 8 and 9 a.m. But in Artesia, where scores of oil and gas industry workers will soon be streaming into the oil patch, it’s a different story — one whose main character is the humble breakfast burrito.

“Our rush is typically from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.,” Guillermo said.

Super Taco, located at 702 S. First St., opens at 5 a.m., and often, there’s already a pickup truck or two waiting in the parking lot. Prep work includes cutting the meats and produce that will fill the burritos — “especially all the produce for our pico de Gallo,” Guillermo said — cracking eggs, firing up the grills, and getting started on the carne asada and asado.

Across town, cooks at Fenn’s Country Market and Alma’s are also beating the sunrise to work. They’ll begin their preparations for the morning with plenty of chopping and egg-cracking as well. All three eateries offer more than burritos, but it’s that most portable of breakfast items that appeals to hungry workers en route to an arduous day in often remote locations.

Vicenta Garcia of Fenn’s Country Market prepares to move a pile of freshly wrapped breakfast burritos alongside
stacks of fixings. (Martin Green – For the Daily Press)


A breakfast burrito can be easily eaten on the long drive to the rig site, a hearty way to start the day. Foil-wrapped burritos can be packed into coolers and saved for lunch. Burritos are also a simple item to purchase in bulk for distribution to coworkers.

“Having a hot, fresh burrito in the morning is one of the best things around,” said Anthony Martinez, a lease operator with Coterra Energy. “Having it readily available in the morning makes it easy when you’re trying to get out of town. The burrito is a delicacy in itself but even more so early in the morning.”

Alma’s opens at 6 a.m., and by that time, they typically already have a large, pre-placed burrito order waiting to be filled.

“Navajo is one of our biggest customers on burritos, and APSI as well,” said owner Alma Martinez. “Waitresses get there at 5:30 a.m. to get it all going.”

The most popular request of the day is generally the Bulldog Burrito.

“That’s our famous one,” said waitress Massiel Miranda. “It comes with everything besides the kitchen sink, like it says on the menu. Eggs, hashbrowns, sausage, ham, bacon, green chile — if it’s a breakfast item, it can go in there.”

At Super Taco, the favorites include the Mexicana Burrito with carne asada and grilled pico.

Araceli Guillermo, left, and Marisela Pando get ready to begin crafting another burrito at Super Taco.
(Martin Green – For the Daily Press)


“Most people will typically add beans and cheese at no additional cost,” Guillermo said. “Another very popular and common option is, of course, our asado, and most people will add beans and cheese, and some will add eggs.

“We also have our arriero burrito, and it includes our fried pork, green chile, cheese, homemade pinto beans, and of course our brisket burrito, which is a great option for everyone, since you can have it by itself with grilled pico de gallo, with green chile, or with cilantro and onion!”

Fenn’s gets plenty of orders for its hefty bacon, egg and cheese burritos, as well as chorizo, egg and cheese. And as all burrito aficionados know, it’s not all about the main course; the salsa needs to shine as well.

“People love our salsas,” said Francisca Leon, deli manager at Fenn’s. “We make all our own salsas. I’ve been here 10 years, and the recipes haven’t changed.”

It takes a certain kind of person to make it in the oil and gas industry, someone willing to work hard for an honest day’s pay, through long shifts, scorching summer heat, and physically demanding tasks. Many workers reside in Artesia and the surrounding area, but others travel long distances for work, leaving family and the creature comforts behind to make their living.

The restaurant owners and staff willing to climb out of bed even before the workers do to ensure they have a hot, filling breakfast to send them off recognize that level of dedication — and are themselves examples of it.

“We are not a chain restaurant, and our business depends on our day-to-day customers,” said Martinez. “Our food is made fresh every day, and we want our customers to feel valued, welcome and appreciated. It is because of them we can succeed as a business. Special thank-you to all our employees that go above and beyond every day to give the best service.”

“Some people don’t have the time to cook themselves breakfast,” said Leon. “Some people are just on the go, so it’s pretty nice to have people that are here and ready to serve the people that have to get up and go to work so early.”

“We know how it is, especially with the oilfield,” said Miranda. “They come from very far away sometimes, and they don’t have families here — they don’t have home-cooked meals. So for us, it gives us a little peace knowing that they get something close to home, something fresh.”

“We are willing to go above and beyond to serve these workers because we too come from families and homes that have someone working out in the oilfields or at the refinery,” Guillermo said. “Our clients and the workers of Artesia, or even those passing through, have become like family to us, and we’d do anything for family, especially when they have been as supportive as the workers of the oil and gas industry.

“We know that the early mornings can become a hassle, and workers shouldn’t have to worry about what is going to fuel their bodies for the long day ahead, especially when we’re sure Super Taco will have exactly what they are needing — and, if not, that our chef will be willing to accommodate!”

Cooler, wetter weather aiding Ruidoso fire fight

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RUIDOSO — Southwest Area Incident Management Team No. 5 reported Friday that cooler, rainy weather in the Ruidoso area is helping firefighters on the ground but still warned that localized flooding remains a threat.

The South Fork Fire, burning in the Village of Ruidoso, was listed at 16,542 acres as of Friday afternoon and is still at 0% containment. The Salt Fire, burning on the Mescalero Apache Reservation and nearer Ruidoso Downs, is listed at 7,652 acres at 0% containment. Evacuation orders remain in place for the entire communities of Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs.

Roads in the area remain closed, including U.S. 70 from the NM 244 intersection four miles east of Mescalero to two miles east of Carrizozo.

A flash-flood warning has been issued by the National Weather Service, making the rain both welcome and another potential danger, which is why residents are continuing to be asked to stay away from the area. The heavy rain falling over the South Fork, Blue 2 and Salt Fires is expected to continue throughout the coming week, which will greatly aid the fire fight.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, utilities remain shut down across the South Fork and Salt Fires. South Fork crews are engaging the fire with hand tools directly at its edges and utilizing hoses to extinguish smoldering fuel while continuing to build fire lines. Salt crews are preparing new lines where needed and conducting point protection to help save private property and critical infrastructure.

A public information line is available from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. at 575-323-8258, or residents may email questions to 2024.southfork@firenet.gov.

Artesia continues to join other communities around the state in collecting donations and providing shelter for evacuees, but with donation centers currently becoming overwhelmed with physical items, Ruidoso and the Mescalero Apache Tribe are asking individuals seeking to help to consider monetary donations instead.

Monetary donations for the Mescalero Apache Tribe can be made at www.gofundme.com/f/support-mescalero-apache-tribes-fire-relief, and donations for Lincoln County can be made at www.cfolc.org.

Council provides updates on ongoing construction projects, including second McDonald’s

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By REBECCA HAUSCHILD
For the Daily Press

Updates on construction projects around Artesia were the highlight of the June 11 Artesia City Council meeting.

Infrastructure Director Byron Landfair reported work on the previously reported second McDonald’s location in front of Wal-Mart is getting started. Equipment for the Splash Pad at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex has arrived, and crews are hopefully targeting the Fourth of July for an opening. More likely, Landfair said, it will be later in July.

Bathrooms at the City of Champions Sports Complex at Jaycee Park are progressing, and the city also plans to award the bid for the 26th Street Reconstruction Project at the first council meeting in July, with construction starting in fall or early winter and running for 18 months.

During the budget and finance committee report, District 2 Councilor Jarrod Moreau reported the city received a grant from the Water Trust Board to be used for a new water well at the Bulldog tank west of town. The council later approved Resolution 1863 that verifies the city’s matching contribution of $108,785 for the Water Trust Board grant. The total project cost is $2.2 million, according to Landfair.

“We got a 90/10 split, which is not common,” said Moreau. “It’s typically a 60/40 split. So our match is $108,785, and we’re gonnna pick up $687,000.”

District 1 Councilor Raul Rodriguez gave a report on the Planning Committee meeting, which includes updates on developments throughout the community, including the NinjaCross system installation at the Artesia Aquatic Center, personnel at the aquatic center, summer recreation, and a list of condemned properties. He also noted people are appreciating the upgrades at the cemetery.

Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Youtsey reported on the Government Committee meeting, which inluded an update on an airport hangar agreement and fees and a possible replacement for the airplane that was removed from the Airplane Park on the east end of Eagle Draw.

Following a public hearing, the council approved the vacation of 50 feet of public right-of-way in the Charlie H. Smith Addition of Smith Avenue to the City of Artesia, County of Eddy, for a dedication circle and consolidation of Lots 1, 3, 5 and 7, Block 2; owners: Richard Leaton/English Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the City of Artesia, and Wesley Knowlton/Tiny Homes, LLC.

The council also approved Resolution 1864 for a budget adjustment and a lease transfer made between 2404 Parkland, LLC, to Robert M. and Pamela K. Eales, and the City of Artesia.

City Clerk Summer Valverde reported the final pricing results of the Gross Receipts Tax Bond Series 2024, with interest rates of 3.19% and 3.92% on the bonds.
As part of its consent agenda, the council granted permission for:

  • a request for proposal for the provision of indigent attorney services to Saunders, Bruin, Coll & Worley, PA.
  • an aviation grant agreement between the NMDOT-Aviation Division and the City of Artesia for a project tractor and attachments.
  • the Fiscal Year 2025 LDWI Enforcement Allocation between the Eddy County DWI Program and the Artesia Police Department.
  • the hiring of Jacob Lara, Finance and Administration Department PT Accounts Payable, at a pay rate of $2,425.15 per month and Kaden Zuniga, uncertified firefighter, $4,478.50 per month.
  • the resignation of Scot Moter, IT administrator, effective June 7.
    Resignation
  • one fire employee to attend the Fire-Rescue International Conference in Dallas, Texas.
  • one fire employee to attend the NMML Policy Committee Meeting in Albuquerque.
  • one fire employee to attend Enhanced All-Hazards Incident Management training in College Station, Texas.
  • one fire employee to attend Wilderness Emergency Medical Services training in Taos.
  • one police employee to attend Visit Espanola Animal Services training in Espanola.
  • one police employee to attend the NMML Policy and Resolution Committee Meetings in Albuquerque.
  • one finance and administration employee to attend IIMC Online Professional Development Program classes.
  • one finance and administration employee to attend the NMML Policy and Resolution Committee Meetings in Albuquerque.

AC&B’s eWaste Collection set for Friday, Saturday

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By AVERY TAYLOR
For the Daily Press

Artesia Clean & Beautiful’s 17th Annual Electronic Waste Collection Event will take place Friday and Saturday at the Eddy County Fairgrounds food court. The event will run from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday.

CARC Document Destruction will also be there destroying paper documents, like old bills and tax records, from 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on Friday.

The recycling event, which first began in 2008, has kept nearly 230 tons of electronics out of landfills.

“I started this a few years ago because there wasn’t one around here,” Linda Stevens, the executive director of Artesia Clean & Beautiful, said.

Both the eWaste Collection and document destruction are free of charge, Stevens said. The only cost associated with the event is a $5 fee for the collection of cathode ray-tube monitors.

Stevens said there are a variety of electronics people can bring, including gaming systems, VCRs, DVD players, phones, cameras, record players and typewriters.

“A lot of old stuff like that still is out there,” Stevens said. “Every once in a while you’ll get something vintage.”

There are some things that cannot be recycled at the event, however, including televisions and appliances.

For larger items like TVs and appliances that cannot be recycled at the event and will not fit in a dumpster, Stevens recommends taking them to a waste transfer station.

There is no formal limit to how many electronics people can bring to the event, Stevens said.

“We don’t care how much you bring, and there’s no charge for the event, so just bring it,” Stevens said.

Businesses or other people or groups with a large amount of electronics to recycle should contact Artesia Clean & Beautiful about dropping them off early, Stevens said.

Tuesday ends with fires still uncontained

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By DIANA ALBA SOULAR
Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative

Two fires threatening the community of Ruidoso expanded Tuesday, June 18, affecting at least 500 structures and prompting a second evacuation order, this time for the neighboring City of Ruidoso Downs.

The South Fork Fire burning to the west and north of the village grew to nearly 15,300 acres by mid-afternoon, while the Salt Fire, burning to the south, totaled about 5,500 acres. Both were 0 percent contained by 8 p.m. Tuesday. KOB-TV and Source New Mexico reported at least one death has resulted from the fires.

Shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday, authorities announced a second evacuation order in as many days, urging residents of the City of Ruidoso Downs to evacuate immediately due to the Salt Fire “making a run” toward the community. An evacuation order Monday applied only to a portion of Ruidoso Downs, as well as to Ruidoso proper and surrounding neighborhoods, a village official said.

The only available evacuation route for the 2,600-person community of Ruidoso Downs was U.S. Hwy. 70 east toward Roswell.

State police blocked all highways leading to Ruidoso due to the high risks of traveling to the area.

Fire crews from multiple agencies were fighting the blazes using both ground and air equipment.

Since its start on Monday morning, the larger South Fork Fire has encroached upon homes and businesses in Ruidoso and Alto, a short drive to the north.

Dramatic footage of the Alto Ski Shop ablaze at night was circulating on social media Tuesday. Also perishing in the fire was the Swiss Chalet Inn, a well-known hotel along Mechem Drive that was built in 1962.

It was rumored the Albertsons grocery store, also located on Mechem Drive, had burned, but a company spokesperson said that was not the case – at least through late afternoon Tuesday. The store is closed, however, and will remain so until it’s safe for employees to return.

Residents and onlookers followed fire progress on an alert app known as Watch Duty. At least according to the app, much of the Upper Canyon, a heavily wooded area of Ruidoso, appeared to still be standing.

Officials declined to comment about what structures had or hadn’t survived the fire, saying their main focus now is on fighting the blazes. Assessments of damage will come later.

The Ruidoso Midtown area, known for its shops and restaurants, appeared to be intact through late afternoon. Smoky skies over a deserted street could be seen via a popular webcam.

Monday, most residents evacuated Ruidoso as the threat of the South Fork Fire especially grew throughout the afternoon and evening hours. Despite the order being described as mandatory, an unknown number of people remained behind in their homes, said Village of Ruidoso spokesperson Kerry Gladden.

“We did a mandatory evacuation of the village yesterday afternoon,” she said. “But in New Mexico, it’s against the law to make people leave their property. We had a lot of people go, but there were people that stayed.”

Tuesday, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an emergency declaration concerning the Ruidoso fires, a move that opens the doors for funding to flow to the response efforts.

At least one federal website listed the source of the fires as human-caused. However, Gladden said she wasn’t able to verify that Tuesday.

The fire response was expected to transition to a high-level federal command structure Tuesday evening, according to Gladden.

One family’s evacuation story

Monday, long lines of cars formed on major evacuation routes, congested as thousands of people attempted to leave the area at the same time.

Among the evacuees was Lauren McCullough, who lives in the Rancho Ruidoso Valley Estates northeast of Alto. She said authorities have a “ready, set, go” three-stage warning system that’s supposed to be used to prepare people for evacuating from a fire. But the “get ready” stage hadn’t even been announced when police drove through the neighborhood telling people to evacuate.

“This thing escalated really quick,” she said.

About 30 minutes before police arrived, McCullough said the area was being rained upon by ash originating from the South Fork Fire.

McCullough had several plastic totes filled with decorations for her upcoming wedding. Anticipating a likely evacuation, she and her children emptied those and started filling them instead with “important stuff that wasn’t replaceable.”

“We ransacked our house,” she said. “And shortly after, our power went out.”

PNM power company did cut off power in areas Monday, but it’s unclear if that’s why McCullough’s power was shut off.

Her daughter, who’s attending New Mexico State University, is back home for the summer, which meant the family had two cars with which to evacuate.

“We were able to escape with eight totes, four suitcases and a dog, three cats, a snake and a ferret,” she said.

About 9 p.m. Monday, the family evacuated north on Hwy. 48. They continued to Albuquerque and are staying in a hotel until they can return, if their home is still standing. McCullough said she’s trying to remain calm in the face of a chaotic situation.

“I have a feeling we’ll be OK,” she said. “I definitely pray for the ones who aren’t so lucky.”

(EDITOR’S NOTE: The Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative is a partnership of local newsrooms working together to cover important topics in the southern half of the state. For more information, visit www.southNMnews.org or www.surNMnoticias.org.)

Artesia reaching out to support those affected by Ruidoso fires

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ARTESIA — Artesia is joining the rest of Southern New Mexico in offering support to residents of Ruidoso and Alto as evacuation orders continue due to the ongoing South Fork and Salt Fires.

On Monday, the Eddy County Fair Board announced that it was opening the Eddy County Fairgrounds on South 13th Street to anyone fleeing the fires. The fairgrounds are open to livestock and RVs, with horse stalls, RV spaces and more than 100 livestock pens available.

The fairgrounds gates have been opened, and contact numbers include:

  • Horses/Cattle: 575-308-2367
  • Small Animals: 575-513-0479
  • RVs: 575-513-9139

    The Artesia Recreation Center, 612 N. Eighth St., is open to evacuees and can be reached at 575-746-9009. Pecos Inn, 2209 W. Main St., is currently offering a discounted rate for evacuees and can be contacted at 575-748-3324.

    For those wishing to donate items, such as clothing, water, non-perishable food items, hygiene supplies, blankets, pillows, towels, pet supplies, sleeping bags, air mattresses, or books, games, puzzles and activities for children, two local drop-off options are currently available:
  • KSVP Radio Office: 317 W. Quay Ave.
  • Faith Baptist Church: 401 S. 20th St.
  • Feelsgood Tattoo, in coordination with West Main Baptist Church: 604 S. 13th St.

    Artesia’s veterinary clinics — Artesia Animal Clinic at 110 W. Mahone Drive and Critter Care Center at 609 W. Richardson Ave. — are also open to those in need of emergency animal services. Artesia Animal Clinic is capable of servicing livestock and large animals.

    The Ruidoso Animal Clinic was safely evacuated as of 10:30 a.m. Wednesday and referred pet and livestock owners to the Artesia facilities. Artesia Animal Clinic can be reached at 575-748-2042 and Critter Care at 575-736-8888.

    Artesia General Hospital announced via Facebook that it stands ready to help as needed. The hospital, 702 N. 13th St., can be reached at 575-748-3333.

    The Lincoln National Forest announced Tuesday morning that, while it appreciates the public’s desire to donate food and other items to fire crews working the blazes, firefighters are well provided for. Residents are asked not to attempt to enter the fire area with donations for safety reasons.

‘It’s sad,’ says Roswell volunteer aiding South Fork Fire evacuees from Ruidoso

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By MIKE SMITH and ADRIAN HEDDEN
El Rito Media

Two growing forest fires burning near the Village of Ruidoso Monday night did not allow much time for Ulyessas and Chelsea Garcia to pack personal belongings and head west to Roswell after officials ordered evacuations.

No containment was announced by fire officials Tuesday for the South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire as evacuations were ordered for the entire Village of Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs.

Evacuations were ordered for places around the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation as both fires burned a combined estimated 20,000 acres as of Tuesday morning.

Ulyessas Garcia said he was traveling back to Ruidoso after a dentist’s appointment in Alamogordo, when he saw smoke near the family residence on Sudderth Drive as evacuations were mandated.

“There was a lot of traffic (on U.S. Highway 70), we had to bail,” he said.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday declared a State of Emergency for Lincoln County, calling for increased federal and state resources for Lincoln County amid the fires. The governor said in the executive order that 500 structures were reported destroyed. Lujan Grisham pointed to similar orders issued by the Mescalero Apache Tribe and Lincoln County.

The order directed the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to coordinate any responses to requests for assistance, and ordered all cabinet departments under the control of the Governor’s Office to assist as needed. The National Guard was also deployed, under the order, to provide military support to those in need.

“The horrific South Fork Fire and Salt Fire have ravaged our lands and property, and forced thousands to flee their homes,” Lujan Grisham said in a statement accompanying the order.

“We are deploying every available resource to control these wildfires, and to provide support to the Village of Ruidoso, the Mescalero Reservation and surround areas. I extend my deepest appreciation to the courageous firefighters battling these blazes, as well as everyone who has pitched in to help a community in crisis. I urge everyone to heed official orders at all times to stay safe.”

Six locations set up in Roswell for fire evacuees

The Garcias arrived at Church on the Move in Roswell after leaving the growing fire.

Chelsea Garcia said the family joined scores of Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs residents fleeing the fires for a space 74 miles away.

She said the temporary quarters were comfortable as the father-daughter duo could be staying in Roswell for an undetermined amount of time.

Church on the Move was one of six locations in Roswell providing temporary housing for some displaced Lincoln County residents, said City of Roswell Spokesperson Todd Wildermuth.

April Guilez, the church’s executive administrative assistant, said efforts to change the church from a place of worship to an evacuation center started around 8:30 p.m. Monday.

“We called on church volunteers to sort donations,” she said Tuesday morning as church leaders and others sifted through food, clothing, drinks and pet food supplies placed on tables in the church’s main building.

Guillez said donations brought to the church were sent to other shelters in Roswell.

Church officials estimated more than 100 people stayed Monday night into Tuesday.

“We have no idea on how long people will be here,” she said.

Church on the Move Associate Pastor Brett Shangraw said the church was there to meet the needs of all evacuees.

He said the church’s Valley Café, located across the street from the main worship center, was serving meals to those displaced by the fires.

Shangraw said the church was busing people to New Mexico Military Institute in north Roswell for showers since there are no bathing facilities.

Lead Pastor Troy Smotherman said helping evacuees took a toll on church personnel.

“It’s sad, I’ve cried several times,” he said. “It’s great to help them.”

Somtherman said church staff and volunteers provided moral and spiritual support.

He said the church was in need of snacks, toiletries and drinks. Donations may be taken to 901 West Brasher Road in Roswell. People can also call 575-622-7011 if they want to help out.

Fire relief on the way?

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Albuquerque forecasted showers, thunderstorms and cooler temperatures for the Ruidoso area through Sunday.

Wednesday’s predicted high temperature was 84 degrees cooling down to highs of 67 to 80 degrees during the forecast period.

Rain and thunderstorm chances varied through Sunday from 30% to 70%.

Growing fire forces village-wide evacuation in Ruidoso

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By MICHAEL SMITH
El Rito Media

The South Fork Fire now spans Otero and Lincoln counties, is moving fast and an immediate evacuation has been ordered for the entire Village of Ruidoso, according to a news release.

By 8:15 p.m. the fire had grown to more than 3,380 acres according to reports.

An emergency Go evacuation was issued from Sudderth and Mechem to Freedom Bloom at Big O Tire, noted the release.

“Both (New Mexico) Highway 48 and (U.S.) Highway 70 at Apache Summit are closed, so the only route for evacuation is on Sudderth to Highway 70 and out to Roswell,” the release stated.

Evacuees should use U.S. 70 heading east towards Roswell.

U.S. 70 was closed with the intersection of New Mexico State Road 244, four miles east of Mescalero to nearly two miles east of Carrizo.

Longtime Ruidoso-area resident Tim Keithley was in the long line of vehicles leaving on highway 48.

Around 7:10 p.m. Monday, he said Midtown Ruidoso “looks like a ghost town.”

Later, around 7:35 p.m., he added, “Nothing like this has ever happened before.”

An Emergency Operations Center is now operational. People can call 575-258-6900.

The New Mexico State Forestry Division said the fire was discovered around 9 a.m. Monday on Mescalero Apache Tribal Land along the Rio Ruidoso.

“Currently, the fire is being managed by Mescalero Apache Fire Rescue, but the fire will be transferred tomorrow to a Complex Incident Management Team. Air resources have been performing drops throughout the afternoon. Multiple resources are responding to the nearby neighborhoods to perform structure protection,” read a statement from State Forestry.

In a press release late Monday evening, the City of Alamogordo offered assistance to the community of Ruidoso. Alamogordo emergency operations manager, Fire Chief Jerry Ramirez, has been actively coordinating with Otero County, Lincoln County and the Village of Ruidoso personnel to offer support and assistance.

Chief Ramirez, accompanied by a team of Alamogordo firefighters, will be deploying to Ruidoso to aid in addressing the loss of structures. Additionally, the Alamogordo Police Department has been mobilized to potentially assist with traffic control efforts.

In preparation, the staff at the Alamogordo Civic Center has been placed on standby and is ready to open the facility as needed.

26th Street Reconstruction Project to begin this summer

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Artesia residents will need to prepare for yet another bout of major road construction on one of Artesia’s most active streets.

Smith Engineering will begin a four-phase project towards the end of the summer — potentially five phases. The project corridor includes 26th Street from West Main Street to West Hermosa Drive.

The 18-month-long overhaul will include rehabilitation on the road, new sidewalks and walking paths, replaced sewer lines and water lines, and new curbs and gutters.

The exact start date is still to be determined, although the project will begin in the late summer, and the phases will run three to five months each.

“We’re looking at an overall project timeline of 18 months,” said Scott Hicks, project engineer for Smith Engineering.

A potential Phase One, still dependent on funding, will be from Main Street to just north of Grand Avenue, moving south.

Following that, four more phases will follow its completion:

⦁ Phase Two: From West Grand Avenue to Washington Avenue, just south of Guardian Self Storage Center
⦁ Phase Three: From West Washington Avenue to West Ray Avenue, which will also include rehabilitation on the bridge
⦁ Phase Four: From West Ray Avenue to just north of West Mann Avenue
⦁ Phase Five: From West Mann Avenue to West Hermosa Drive, connecting with the recent Hermosa Drive construction

Hicks said there will be total closures, but detours will be clearly marked.

“Please drive with care and caution in the area of the construction,” he said. “We ask that people follow those detour routes and leave a little earlier if they need to. Please have patience and we’ll try to get each phase done as quickly as possible.”

Smith Engineering is the same engineering firm that has completed similar road construction projects in Artesia, including the work on Main Street in 2015, the 13th Street Reconstruction Project in 2016, the 20th Street Reconstruction Project in 2022, and the recent road construction on Hermosa Drive.