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Around Town takes a look at community activities for everyone

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RPEC (Republican Party, Eddy County)

The monthly meeting is Thursday, May 14th at the Artesia Country Club at 2701 W. Richey Ave. Come at 5:30p to enjoy a wonderful meal (TBA). Our speakers will begin at 6:00p.

Join us for food and community sharing. Everyone is welcome!

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Toddler Time

April  30 @ 10:30am

For toddlers ages 1-3 and their families. Music, creative movement, group activities, play with age-appropriate toys, and social time.

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STEM/STEAM

After School April  30 @ 4:00pm

For students in grades K-6th and their families. Each week we offer a different fun activity to put STEAM techniques and ideas to work, from LEGO building to paper circuits, slime lab, and more.

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Teen Tuesdays

April 30 @ 3:30pm

Looking for a place to read, study, or just do homework and hang out? Join us Tuesdays from 3:30-5:00pm. Ages 12-17

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Dungeons & Dragons

April  30 @ 2:00pm

Our weekly Dungeons & Dragons program meets on Tuesday afternoons. Come join the fun.

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Literary Lounge

April 30 @ noon

The Literary Lounge book discussion group reads books on all topics pertaining to books, literature, libraries, bookshops, librarians, authors, and more. This month’s selection is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by May Ann Shaffer. Books are available at the library and on Libby. Age 18+

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Cuddles & Comfort

Please support Eddy County First Responders by donating stuffed animals and blankets to Bennie’s Western Wear or to The Legislature Offices in the Petroleum Building both in Downtown Artesia throughout the year.

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President Trump’s Prayer Initiative:

President Trump has asked that the American People come together and pray for our Nation weekly until July 4th, 2026.

Artesia will be holding its prayer gathering every Thursday at Lucky Duck Restaurant, 2209 W. Main St, Artesia NM at 10-11am.

Come and go during the hour. Everyone is welcome Come join and pray for our Nation.

We’ll begin again on January 8th, 2026.

Come & go during the hour.  Everyone is welcome.

Shared prayers or silent prayers- whatever you feel comfortable with

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 Final Phase 26th Reconstruction

26th St. will be closed to traffic in both directions from W. Mann/W. Remington ST. to just north of W. Hermosa Dr. for the final phase of the 26th St. reconstruction project. For more information contact Todd Carroll 575-626-6013 or Scott Hicks 575-626-5042.

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PHLEBOTOMIST PROGRAM

Applications are now open for Artesia General Hospital’s certified phlebotomist program. To learn how to apply and for more information on this career opportunity, call 575-736-8178 or email foundation@artesiageneral.com.

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GRIEF SUPPORT

A Grief Group meets at 1:30 p.m. each Tuesday in the Saint Damien Center at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 1111 N. Roselawn Ave. Free support is offered in both English and Spanish. For more information, contact Nora at 575-308-3248.

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P.A.L.S.

People about losing safely meets at 9 a.m. Wednesdays at the Senior Center. For more information, call the Center at 575-746-4113.

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ALZHEIMER’S/DEMENTIA SUPPORT GROUP

Every other Tuesday  from 6:30pm-7:30pm at Artesia Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center -1402 Gilchrist Ave. RSVP to Helen at 575-746-6006.

A look at Artesia golfers in action on Monday

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JT Keith| Artesia Day Press
Artesia golfers eye up a shot during action on Monday.
An Artesia golfer eyes up a putt
Ashton Craft lines up a putt during action on Monday.
An Artesia golfer after making a putt.
An Artesia golfer hits a tee shot during Monday’s action at the Artesia Country Club.
An Artesia golfer hits a tee shot during action on Monday.
An Artesia golfer marks her ball during action on Monday.
An Artesia golfer hits a putt during action on Monday.
An Artesia golfer looks to the course before teeing off.
An Artesia golfer hits a tee shot during action on Monday’s golf tournament.
An Artesia golfer follows through on his tee shot.
An Artesia golfer hits a shot during Monday’s action.
An Artesia golfer follows through on his shot on Monday.
Artesia golfers look at an opponent hit a tee shot.
An Artesia golfer gets ready to hit a tee shot.
An Artesia golfer hits a tee shot during Monday’s tournament.
An Artesia golfer follows through during Monday action.
An Artesia golfer follows through on his tee shot.
An Artesia golfer hits her tee shot on Monday.
Ashton Craft watches her putt during action on Monday.

Eddy County under flash flood watch. Here are some details.

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An upper-level weather disturbance along with plenty of moisture are creating favorable amounts for rainfall today in Eddy County, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Midland, Texas.

A flash flood watch has been posted until 3 p.m. today as heavy rainfall could produce one to two inches of rain.

Rain chances in Artesia today are 90 percent, read an NWS forecast.

(Mike Smith, Artesia Daily Press) Heavy rain produced minor flooding near the corner of West Washington Avenue and Roselawn Avenue in Artesia.

Here is a look at the latest crimes and arrests reported by the Artesia Police Department

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April 14

Arrest

Lino L. Aguirre arrested for municipal failure to pay.

UNATTENDED

4:43 am – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Mahone Dr. in reference to an unattended death.

DOMESTIC

5:29 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to verbal domestic.

7:15 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Runyan Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

GRAFFITI

8:08 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of S. 13th St. in reference to graffiti.

LARCENY

8:31 am – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of S. 4th St. in reference to larceny.

WANTED

9:19 am- Officer dispatched to 3300 block of W. Main St. in reference to a wanted subject.

WELFARE

2:51 pm – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of W. Main St. in reference to the welfare of a child.

SHOTS FIRED

3:28 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 13th St. in reference to shots fired in the area.

3:46 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 13th St. in reference to shots fired in the area.

SUSPICIOUS

3:52 pm – Officer dispatched to 100 block of N. 16th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

DISTURBANCE

9:33 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to neighborly disturbance.

RECKLESS

9:41 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 7th St. and W. Richey Ave. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

SHOTS FIRED

11:06 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to shots fired in the area.

April 15

Arrest

Natasha Maria Atkinson arrested for Battery and criminal damage to property.

SUSPICIOUS

1:43 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

2:06 am -Officer dispatched to 400 block of W. Kemp Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

ALARM

7:56 am – Officer dispatched to 2000 block of W. Clayton Ave. in reference to a burglary alarm.

ACCIDENT

8:08 am – Officer dispatched to N. 1st St. and W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

HARASSMENT

9:42 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of N. 4th St. in reference to harassment.

WELFARE

9:55 am – Officer dispatched to 100 block of N. 1st St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

BURGLARY

12:59 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 1st St. in reference to an auto burglary.

ACCIDENT

3:28 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 13th St. and W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

INDECENT EXPOSURE

4:20 pm – Officer dispatched to Benelli Ave. and Springfield St. in reference to indecent exposure.

DISTURBANCE

9:48 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Bullock Ave. in reference to disturbance.

April 16

Arrest

Natasha Maria Atkinson arrested for battery, criminal damage to property.

Jeremy M.  Bravo arrested for Violation of Conditions of release.

Jonthan A. Bravo arrested for municipal failure to appear.

Vicente H. Ontiveros arrested for driving on a revoked license, possession, delivery, manufacture of drug paraphernalia.

WANTED

12:24 am – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 13th St. in reference to a wanted subject.

DOMESTIC

2:49 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 11th St. in reference to physical domestic.

DISTURBANCE

3:21 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 of W. Richey Ave. in reference to disturbance.

WELFARE

4:30 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

DOMESTIC

4:58 am – Officer dispatched to 100 block of N. 1st St. in reference to domestic.

VANDAL

8:04 am – Officer dispatched to 200 block of W. Main St. in reference to structure vandal.

WELFARE

9:07 am – Officer dispatched to 5100 block of W. Richardson Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.

GRAFFITI

9:13 am -Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Clayton Ave. in reference to graffiti.

WANTED

10:33 am – Officer dispatched to 100 block of N. 5th St. in reference to a wanted subject.

SUSPICIOUS

11:08 am – Officer dispatched to 300 block of W. Gage Ave. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

GRAFFITI

2:22 pm – Officer dispatched to 1200 block of W. Washington Ave. in reference to graffiti.

SUSPICIOUS

3:11 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Yucca Ave. in reference to suspicious trespass.

WELFARE

4:50 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Clayton Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

WANTED

6:21 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Lolita Ave. in reference to a wanted subject.

6:46 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Lolita Ave. in reference to a wanted subject.

INCORRIGIBLE

8:36 pm – Officer dispatched to 1600 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to an incorrigible child.

DISTURBANCE

10:21 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of Champ Clark Ave. in reference to disturbance.

April 17

Arrest

Jorge A. Molina arrested for municipal failure to pay, municipal failure to comply. Careless driving, resisting, evading, obstructing an officer, revoked suspended with arrest.

Jose Giovanni Vazquez Diaz arrested for negligent use of a deadly weapon, disorderly conduct.

LARCENY

8:09 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 1st St. in reference to larceny.

GRAFFITI

9:32 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Dallas Ave. in reference to graffiti.

11:39 am – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Dallas Ave. in reference to graffiti.

HARASSMENT

1:27 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Bullock Ave. in reference to harassment.

GRAFFITI

3:47 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of W. Clayton Ave. in reference to graffiti.

OVERDOSE

5:19 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 13th St. in reference to an overdose.

 SUSPICIOUS

6:28 pm – Officer dispatched to 400 block of W. Quay Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

SHOTS FIRED

10:17 pm -Officer dispatched to 600 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to shots fired in the area.

April 20

Arrest

Javier Delgado arrested for criminal damage to property.

Horacio Quezada arrested for failure to appear.

Joshua Campa Correa arrested for DWI.

BATTERY

8:22 am – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Cannon Ave. in reference to battery.

GRAFFITI

9:27 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of S. 20th St. in reference to graffiti.

9:36 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of S. 20th St. in reference to graffiti.

9:37 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of S. 20th St. in reference to graffiti.

12:51 pm –Officer dispatched to 500 block of S. 20th St. in reference to graffiti.

ACCIDENT

9:59 am – Officer dispatched to Bowman Dr. W. JJ Clarke Dr. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

SUSPICIOUS

1:11 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Cannon Ave. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

2:36 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of N. 10th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

DISTURBANCE

4:49 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 8th St. in reference to disorderly disturbance.

LOUD

7:29 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to loud music.

DOMESTIC

8:11 pm – Officer dispatched to 100 block of N. Osborn Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

ACCIDENT

8:15 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Main St. and N. 7th St.  in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

BATTERY

11:27 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 13th St. in reference to battery.

April 21

Arrest

Edward Martinez DeLaCruz arrested for extreme cruelty to animals.

ACCIDENT

12:21 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Main St. and N. 7th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

2:38 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 1st St. and W. Mahone Dr. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

WELFARE

1:47 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Main St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

GRAFFITI

3:20 pm- Officer dispatched to 1200 block of W. Main St. in reference t o graffiti.

WELFARE

5:00 pm – Officer dispatched to 1200 block of S. 18th St. in reference to the welfare of a child.

5:02 pm – Officer dispatched to 300 block of W. Gage Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

BURGLARY

7:21 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of N. 4th St. in reference to an auto burglary.

DISTRUBANCE

4:10 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to disturbance.

WELFARE

4:51 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

ACCIDENT

6:57 am – Officer dispatched to 1600 block of W. Grand Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

Tom Wright: Can New Mexico make a comeback from governor to Congress?

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I really liked state Sen. David Gallegos’ opinion piece titled: If Someone Wanted to Hold New Mexico Back. It went straight to the point on why we are at the bottom of most lists, from education to economic opportunity. There is one category where we lead – welfare dependency. Sen. Gallegos rightly placed the blame on progressive Democrats, who are all about power and not the people. They promote government dependency for those who struggle economically and over-regulate those who achieve.

How do we reverse these trends? Vote differently. Perhaps I should say: educate yourself on the candidates and get out and vote. I know good people who stay at home election day, saying, “What’s the use? Things never change.” The Democrats have control and, true enough, they are one vote away from a super majority in our Legislature. I sat at a dinner party with well-to-do confessed Republicans who had no idea of the Republican candidates running in the June 2 primary. Not good for change.

Statewide, the percentage of registered Democrats is declining while Republicans and Did Not State (DNS) independents are increasing. In 2020, according to the secretary of state’s office, voter registration totals by party were: 580,999 Democrats; 386,872 Republicans; 11,326 Libertarians; 286,771 DNS; and 12,985 other. As of January 2026, the registration totals were: 574,129 Democrats; 443,233 Republicans; 358,848 DNS; and 27,751 other.

Over the last six years, the Democrat majority is diminishing. The number of Republican, DNS and other voters is increasing and the combined totals outnumber registered Democrats by almost double. So, how did Democrats get one vote away from a super majority? Voter apathy is the logical answer.

However, the mayoral special election in Rio Rancho seems to set a new trend. Republican Paul Wymer won against his Democrat opponent by a 26% margin – 63% to 37%. That exceeds the political party makeup of Sandoval County where registration numbers show 45,164 Democrats; 38,583 Republicans; and 32,205 DNS. This is not a new voting trend in Rio Rancho where Republican Gregg Hull has been mayor for the past 12 years, guiding that city to rank as the state’s third largest with thriving businesses, jobs and employment. Hull is running in the Republican primary for governor.

National news organizations are noting that President Donald Trump won Rio Rancho by a margin of 3%, meaning Paul Wymer outperformed the president by 23%. Could this be a trend in New Mexico? We will see. What I do know is Trump just endorsed Greg Cunningham in the 2nd Congressional District. Democrats’ gerrymandering has perhaps backfired in District 2 and in District 3, which is mostly composed of northern New Mexico and now includes conservative Clovis. Clovis’ own Martin Zamora, who was elected to state House District 63 in 2018 and is running for Congress in District 3, is truly one of the people. He is a farmer and rancher, not a lawyer or professional politician, and has campaigned among the communities in the northern part of the state where his opponent seldom goes. While Santa Fe County is a Democratic stronghold, I met Zamora there this past week. He has the sincere personal appeal that attracts people. This is something I have found lacking in our current representative.

Can New Mexico make a comeback? I believe it can, from governor to Congress. This will take defeating progressive Democrats. We the people of New Mexico deserve better representation, but we must get out and vote. The Democratic Party may tell you it is big and tough and has a mean, loud machine, but it is now in the minority.

Tom Wright is a Santa Fe columnist and El Rito Media investor.

Scenes from Artesia boys baseball district championship win over Goddard on Thursday

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Provided | Shawn Naranjo

Artesia pitcher Charlie Campbell IV throws a pitch to a Goddard batter during the district championship game at the Launch Pad on Thursday.

Artesia first baseman Daelon Pacheco waits on the ball while trying to tag a Goddard baserunner out.
Artesia outfielder Jett Whitmire tracks down a ball off the bat of a Goddard hitter.
Artesia catcher Brant Usherwood frames a pitch for a strike as a Goddard batter looks on.
An Artesia baserunner slides back into first base safely during Thursday night’s championship game.

Artesia softball team repeats as District champs

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JT Keith | Artesia Daily Press,

The Artesia Lady ‘Dogs have captured their second consecutive District title and remain unbeaten in district play. Artesia is 22-4 on the season and ranked No. 1 in the state. The Lady ‘Dogs will play a doubleheader against Portales at the Mack at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Artesia boys tennis wins District title

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Provided | Artesia Athletics Communications

The Artesia boys tennis team won the district championship Tuesday afternoon at the Mack Chase Sports Complex.

Artesia Bulldogs baseball team repeats as District 4A-4 champions

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JT Keith | Artesia Daily Press, Artesia pitcher Jack Byers wins against Goddard on Wednesday. The Bulldogs defeat Goddard on the road at the Launch Pad on Thursday to claim their second consecutive district title with a 3-1 victory. The Bulldogs should be the No. 1 seed during the baseball tournament.

Artesia and Carlsbad Mayor’s square off in friendly mini-golf competition looking to foster stronger ties with Eddy County’s two largest communities

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Photos by Mike Smith, Artesia Daily Press

A friendly game of miniature of golf on April 25 at the Carlsbad Miniature Golf Course allowed Artesia’s new mayor Jeff Youtsey the opportunity to get know Carlsbad Mayor Richard Lopez.

During previous tournaments, Lopez hosted State Rep. Cathrynn Brown (R-55) and Carlsbad Mayor Pro Tem JJ Chavez.

“The mayor of Carlsbad invited me to this event several weeks ago.  I really enjoyed the entire event. It was a lot of fun,” Youtsey said.

Lopez shot a 42 during the tournament and Youtsey scored a 50.

“I will always see a huge value in supporting one another as communities. We should work together everywhere that it makes sense for the common good. I feel that Mayor Lopez and I were able to begin what I hope to be a strong partnership and more importantly, a strong friendship. I plan to reciprocate his kind gesture soon and invite he and his staff to visit our community,” Youtsey said.

Carlsbad Mayor Richard Lopez defeated Artesia Mayor Jeff Youtsey on April 25, 2026.