Artesia Police Department officers work to load cases of water following the Cpl. D. Robert Harvey Thirst Responders Drive, held at Hermosa Elementary School. In total, the Superkids collected more than 600 cases of water for local first responders. 'We appreciate all the Superkids, local sponsors, APS staff and the Harvey Family for this event,' the APD said in a Facebook post. 'We also appreciate serving such a generous city and local community that supports their first responders!' Below, first responders speak to the students during the presentation assembly.

RUIDOSO -- The U.S. Forest Service reported Saturday afternoon that the Blue 2 Fire burning near Ruidoso was at 14% containment.

RUIDOSO DOWNS -- Trainer JJ Gonzales III qualified the top four quarter horses for the New Mexico-bred Mountain Top Derby for 3-year-olds Saturday at Ruidoso Downs. The fastest time of the day belonged to Copy of Jess and jockey Eduardo Nicasio, winner of the third race in a time of 17.407 seconds for 350 yards.

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, June 4. Those voting absentee by mail who did not have their ballots postmarked by May 28 may drop ballots off at any polling site on Election Day.

Chase Scholars will be performing community service for senior citizens June 19-21. Students will be in groups with an adult supervisor and will be available for yard work, cleaning exterior windows, and various odd jobs. Students will not be painting. Sign-ups for those needing work done are available at the Senior MealSite, the Senior Center, the Artesia Chamber of Commerce, and KSVP. For more information, contact Ginny at the Chase Foundation, 575-746-4610.

The Artesia High School Student Council has launched its game-day apparel for the 2024-25 season. Fans can now purchase a variety of products at great prices; there’s something for everyone in the collection so you can show your support for the team in style. All orders must be placed online by July 24. Use promo code BULLDOG to remove the shipping cost. Pick-up will be available at the AHS office Aug. 16 and 19. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gear up for the games and give back to the Student Council, and don’t forget to share with your fellow Bulldog fans!

CARLSBAD — In early May, swabs collected from cave Myotis bats in the Left Hand Tunnel area of Carlsbad Cavern and near the Rattlesnake Springs day-use area tested positive for Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS).

CARLSBAD -- The Eddy County Commission will have one public hearing on its docket during a regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday in Carlsbad. Following a period for public comment, the board will host the public hearing to consider an ordinance granting a non-exclusive franchise to New Mexico Gas Co.

A celebration of life is scheduled from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the home of Jeff and Staci Sanders for Fred Lee Sanders of Granbury, Texas.

Graveside services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, June 7, at Woodbine Cemetery for Charles Patrick Pinkerton.

MESCALERO -- The Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) and the Mescalero Apache Tribe will host a veterans' benefits event this week in Mescalero. VA and Tribal Veterans' Service Officers, along with other knowledgeable advocates, will be on hand to assist veterans with the completion of VA claims paperwork from 9 a.m.

CHAVES COUNTY -- The New Mexico State Police (NMSP) arrested a Texas man last week on child sex crime charges as he was travelling through Chaves County. A be-on-the-lookout (BOLO) was issued around 7 p.m.