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Eddy County Fire and Rescue upgrading with growth

Michael Smith
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Eddy County Fire and Rescue upgrading with growth

Mike Smith
El Rito Media
msmith@currentargus.com

With continuing growth in Eddy County causing increased demand for emergency service, the county’s fire and rescue department is pursuing an extensive program of equipment, facility and organizational upgrades.

Requests for fire and emergency services increased 3% through September of this year compared with September 2023, according to Eddy County Fire and Rescue Chief Joshua Mack.

Two years ago, county commissioners approved Mack’s plan to consolidate 11 volunteer fire department districts into three paid districts serving the northern and southern ends of the county along with Queen Fire District in southwestern Eddy County.

Mack said the districts would improve emergency response and maintain fire insurance ratings.

Along with consolidation, the department is enhancing facilities with the help of government grants, said department spokesperson Savannah Cabezuela.

Grants from the state and other sources also have been instrumental in upgrading equipment, including fire trucks and hoses, according to Mack.

Among the facility improvements cited by Cabezuela are new living quarters and a gymnasium for the fire and rescue department’s station in Loving.

Mack said the Loving station and a station in Otis are strategically placed to help with emergencies in parts of the county that have experienced significant growth from fossil fuel development.

Mack said a regional fire station was constructed in response to residential and commercial development in the McNew area north of Carlsbad and increased traffic on U.S. Highway 62/180. A regional fire station also was being built near Artesia on Tumbleweed Road, he said. The new station will replace an outdated station on 13th Street.

Topping the list of equipment upgrades, officials said, is a six-year, $12 million project to improve public safety communication with new radios and transmission capabilities.

Fire Marshal Jarod Zuniga said the fire department and the Eddy County sheriff’s office transitioned in September to new digital frequencies that replaced an outdated system installed in 2007.

“The upgraded system connects Eddy County’s radios and towers to the statewide Digital Trunked Radio System,” Zuniga said. “This partnership enhances radio coverage throughout the county, allowing units to communicate across the state and access additional radio towers in and around Eddy County.”

Zuniga said the new transmission and receiving equipment includes vehicle and handheld radios for Eddy County Fire and Rescue, the sheriff’s office and Eddy County Emergency Management.

In addition, he said, “Changes made over the past few years also allowed for additional radios to be donated to the city of Artesia, enabling Artesia Police and Fire to operate on the new frequencies when collaborating with the county.”

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or email at msmith@currentargus.com.

Be Thankful for Unanswered Prayers

Michael Smith
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Be Thankful for Unanswered Prayers

By: Javier Sanchez

During this holiday season, don’t forget to take a step back and give thinks for all of the things in your life.  Be grateful for your family, your health, good friends and a roof over your head.  For there are many who lack these basic necessities.  Make it a point to give to those in need, and don’t forget that even those among us who seem to have it all, need to be checked on too.  Count your blessings.  And when you look at the totality of life, don’t forget about the things that are missing—like unanswered prayers.  They are the hopes and dreams we desperately needed but never came.

We go about our daily lives, providing for our families, making a living, and hauling hay (well I’ve only really done that a few times, but I know plenty of folks who do it for a living).  Sometimes we struggle.  We see loved ones grow old, we see our loved ones parish.  Life is hard.  We are taught that we shouldn’t complain because this is God’s will.  For the meek shall inherit the earth.  We take the daily struggles as our lot in life.  Some people were meant to have it easy and others like us were meant to work harder just to make ends meet. 

Yet as a people and as a community we find joy and beauty in life.  Whether it’s by taking an afternoon off to fish your favorite watering hole, or making biscochitos for your grandson, we find happiness.  Giving respite to our bodies so that we can give OF ourselves defines true love.  The everyday hubbub, the noise of our dedicated routines cycle on and off.  During those moments of existential angst—when we wonder, why am I doing this?  Why am I trapped in this hamster wheel going round and round yet go nowhere?  That’s when we often find ourselves wanting change.  We pray for something to happen.  We pray for that girl or that boy, that we are so desperately and madly in love with to love us back.  We want that winning lottery ticket.  We want to get that next big job or promotion.  We want the world handed to us on a silver platter.  And then we tell God, we dare to barter with him and say, “If only you gave me that one thing, I promise I will do x, y, and z.” 

But life wasn’t made that way.  God didn’t make us that way.  He wants us to figure it out on our own.  And every now and then he gives us a hard time.  But he also gives us clues about how to think about life.  Sometimes it happens in the art we see or when we read poetry.  More often than not, he gives us his message in ways that each of us can understand.  Sometimes that message shows up in a country music song. 

This Holiday Season, as we count our blessings and take stock of our lives, take comfort in the words of Garth Brooks.  Sometimes life doesn’t turn out the way we want it.  Look back at all of the things you thought you once needed or wanted. 

Sometimes, you’ll find, you should thank God for those unanswered prayers.  Just because he doesn’t answer, don’t mean he don’t care.  Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.  Shake the dust off your butt, look at the grit and calluses on your hands, and take another step into the unknown.  Full with the understanding that you create your path and your future.  Give thanks.  Give to those around you and bring them along for the ride.

Javier Sanchez is a former Española mayor and is an investor in El Rito Media.

Artesia General Hospital’s Susan Dade retires after 40 years as a dietitian

Michael Smith
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Artesia General Hospital’s Susan Dade retires after 40 years as a dietitian

Staff reports

Susan Dade’s retirement from Artesia General Hospital marks the close of a four-decade chapter in healthcare for the area. Over the past 40 years, Dade’s work as a dietitian and diabetes educator left an impact on the community. Dade guided patients through the ups and downs of nutrition and diabetes management with practical advice and steady support.

“I’ve always believed in keeping things simple and realistic,” Dade said. “Health changes don’t have to be grand gestures—they’re often the small, consistent steps that make the biggest difference.”

In addition to her clinical work, Dade has also been a leader in the field, serving as chair of the New Mexico Diabetes Advisory Council from 2015 to 2017 and working as a certified insulin pump trainer. These roles allowed her to shape diabetes care in New Mexico while deepening her connection to her patients’ needs.

As Dade steps into retirement, Artesia General Hospital CEO, Dr. Joe Salgado, reflects on her contributions with gratitude.

“Susan has been an invaluable part of our team and community for decades,” said CEO Dr. Joe Salgado. “Her dedication to patient care and her practical, compassionate approach have set a high standard for all of us. We’re incredibly thankful for her years of service and the positive impact she’s had on so many lives. She’s leaving a legacy that will continue to shape our hospital’s care for years to come.”

Stepping into her role is Jordan Fuentes, RDN.

“Her approach to healthcare is grounded and authentic, I’m looking forward to continuing the kind of patient-centered care she’s championed here.” she said.

With her retirement, Dade plans to finally have some time for her favorite things— engaging in quality time with grandchildren, traveling, reading and plenty of sudoku. While her presence will be missed at Artesia General, she leaves behind a legacy of practical, people-centered care that will influence the hospital’s approach to nutrition and diabetes management for years to come.

Contact Information for Jordan Fuentes

Artesia Office Phone: 575-736-8415

Carlsbad Office Phone: 575-725-5562

Fax: 575-736-8184

Email: j fuentes@artesiageneral.com

Where to chop down your own Christmas tree this holiday season

Michael Smith
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Adrian Hedden
El Rito Media
achedden@currentargus.com

New Mexico is known for its arid desert and wide-open mountain landscapes, but it’s also thick with forests ideal for finding the best tree this holiday season.

There are several public lands where New Mexicans can cut down their own trees, bring them home and decorate them with ornaments and presents before Christmas Day.

Here’s where and how to harvest your own New Mexico Christmas Tree.

Lincoln National Forest

Lincoln National Forest is situated in south-central New Mexico, around Ruidoso and Alamogordo with the southern area dipping into Eddy County near Carlsbad.

How to get a permit

Permits to cut down Christmas trees in the forest are available from the U.S. Forest Service for $10 and a $2.50 processing fee. Permits can be purchased online at recreation.gov and entitle the holder to cut one Christmas tree on Forest Service land. The permit must be displayed on the vehicle’s dashboard.

The cutting season is from Nov. 14 to Dec. 31.

What are the rules?

The Forest Service advises to avoid cutting on private land, in designated wilderness areas, within 300 feet of a campground or trail, or within 100 feet of a paved road. Cutting is not permitted in active timber sales areas.

Trees must not be taller than 10 feet and cutters must take the whole tree.

How to find a tree and stay safe

Maps of good locations to cut trees are available online where the permit is purchased, and the Forest Service recommends bringing a printout of the map to the forest as GPS and cell service can be spotty in the wilderness.

Roads may or may not be plowed, so shovels and tow chains should be taken, and road closures and weather conditions should be observed in case of heavy snowfall.

How to contact the Forest Service

Questions can be directed to one of four offices in Lincoln National Forest:

Guadalupe District

4 Lost Lodge Rd

Cloudcroft, NM 88317

(575) 682-2551

Sacramento District

4 Lost Lodge Rd

Cloudcroft, NM 88317

(575) 682-2551

Smokey Bear District

901 Mechem Dr

Ruidoso, 88345

(575) 257-4095

Supervisor’s Office

3463 Las Palomas Rd

Alamogordo, NM 88310

(575) 434-7200

Northern New Mexico

A trip up north can afford holiday revelers a chance to cut a tree on Bureau of Land Management land.

How much are they?

The agency, which manages federal land across the state, offers $5 Christmas tree permits at several of its field offices in the northern part of the state where the trees grow.

When and where can I get a permit?

Permits are available starting Nov. 20 at the Farmington and Taos field offices; Nov. 29 for the Socorro office; and Dec. 2 at the Rio Puerco office. Permits can be bought in person or online at forestproducts.blm.gov. Maps are also available at the point of purchase.

Here’s where to inquire about Christmas tree permits through the Bureau of Land Management.

Rio Puerco Field Office

100 Sun Ave., NE, Suite 330

Albuquerque, NM 87109

(505) 761-8700

Socorro Field Office

901 S. Old U.S. Hwy 85

Socorro, NM 87801

(575) 835-0412

New Mexico State Office

301 Dinosaur Trail

Santa Fe, NM 87508

(505) 954-2000

Farmington Field Office

6251 College Blvd

Farmington, NM 87402

(505) 564-7600

Taos Field Office

1024 Paseo del Pueblo Sur

Taos, NM 87571-5983

(575) 758-8851

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 734-972-6855, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.

Warm weather invites anglers in New Mexico

Michael Smith
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Warm weather invites anglers in New Mexico

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish

Springlike temperatures are inviting fishermen across southern and southeast New Mexico to lakes and streams before Thanksgiving.

Fishing for trout and catfish was slow at Oasis Park Lake near Portales using corn and worms.

In Lincoln County, fishing for trout was fair to good at Bonito Lake using olive-green Pistol Pete spinner flies .

At Grindstone Lake, fishing for trout was good using Rooster Tail spinners, Salmon Peach PowerBait, chartreuse Pautzke Balls O’ Fire and mini marshmallows.

At Timberon Ponds in Otero County, fishing for trout was good using Orange PowerBait Trout Nuggets.

Around Truth or Consequences, fishing for white bass was fair to good using Kastmaster lures.

Fishing for walleye was slow to fair using white crankbaits and jigs tipped with worms and angling for catfish was good using cut bait and marinated garlic shrimp.

Around Truth or Consequences at Elephant Butte Lake, fishing for white bass was fair to good using Kastmaster lures. Fishing for walleye was slow to fair using white crankbais and jigs tipped with worms.

Fishing for catfish was good using cut bait ad marinated garlic shrimp.

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 was compiled may differ, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.

County approves ladder truck purchase

Michael Smith
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County approves ladder truck purchase

Mike Smith
El Rito Media
msmith@currentargus.com

The Eddy County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Nov. 19 to approve a $478,000 budget adjustment that will allow the county to purchase a new ladder truck for Eddy County Fire and Rescue.

The change was requested by Fire and Rescue Chief Josh Mack, who said the ladder truck is needed to provide increased fire protection in the growing communities of Loving and Otis.

To accommodate the purchase, commissioners had to change a 2023 purchase order for two new fire engines. Mack said the vehicles were ordered based on needs for two staffed fire stations. Mack asked commissioners to change the order to substitute a 100-foot ladder truck for one of the vehicles included in the original order.

He said the truck offers more water capacity and could provide needed assistance to the Loving Municipal Schools (LMS).

“Because none of the schools in Loving have sprinkler systems, if we ever have anything significant, we’re going to need an elevated advantage,” Mack said. He said the unit will also aid in rescues by giving emergency personnel a better view of the scene.

Mack said the new unit will be custom made for Eddy County Fire and Rescue and should be ready for use in 2029.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or email at msmith@currentargus.com.

Bulldogs ready for basketball opener

Michael Smith
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Bulldogs ready for basketball opener

Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

For 11 years, Artesia High School head boys’ basketball coach Michael Mondragon has understood the meaning of improvisation.

This month, as in previous Novembers, Mondragon waits patiently while key basketball players remain in football mode as the Artesia Bulldogs go deep into the state playoffs.

Four days before the official start of basketball practice sessions, Mondragon watched junior varsity players and a varsity transfer go through offseason drills.

Braylon Vega, a 6-foot-2 junior guard, transferred from Hobbs High School during the off-season.

Vega played in 28 games for the Hobbs Eagles last season, averaging 11.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.

Mondragon said Vega started for the Eagles during his underclassman years.

The coach is expecting Vega to contribute to this year’s team along junior guard Charlie Campbell and junior forward Clay Kincaid.

Campbell and Kincaid were preparing for the state football playoffs during the week of Nov. 18.

“Clay led us in rebounding (in 2023-2024),” Mondragon said.

Kincaid averaged three rebounds and 10 points per game last season.

At 6-foot-2, Campbell averaged 10 points and five rebounds per game.

“These guys fill up the stat sheet for us,” Mondragon said.

Artesia starts the season at 10 a.m. Dec. 5 with an opening round game against Kirtland Central in the City of Champions Classic at the Bulldog Pit.

Other schools set to play in the three-day tournament: Carlsbad, Alamogordo, Hobbs, Rio Rancho, Los Lunas and Deming.

“It’s tough as always on the boys’ side – it’s very competitive. I’m excited,” Mondragon said.

Mondragon said the preseason schedule is a tough one for the Bulldogs.

“To be the best, you have to play the best,” he said.

Artesia will play traditional southeast New Mexico large schools Carlsbad, Hobbs and Roswell during the non-district portion of the schedule.

The Bulldogs also will face northern New Mexico powers Valencia and Albuquerque Valley and will compete in the Hope Christian tournament in Albuquerque in January.

District 4-4A play for the Bulldogs starts Jan. 31 at Lovington. The Bulldogs have won the league title each of the past five years.

Artesia swept through league play with a 6-0 record last season. The Bulldogs were 18-9 overall and lost to Hope Christian, 67-61, in the second round of the state 4A playoffs.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or email at msmith@currentargus.com.

Keeping New Mexico Safe: PFAS Are Not Used in NM Oil and Gas Operations

Michael Smith
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By Missi Currier, Jim Winchester, and Ben Shepperd

 

The Oil Conservation Commission will consider changes to PFAS rules in New Mexico related to oil and gas use. This rule making request was made by WildEarth Guardians and New Energy Economy.

 

The New Mexico oil and gas trade associations and these environmental nonprofits (eNGOs) agree – PFAS should not be utilized in oil and gas production. However, we differ on the fearmongering tactics that utilize half-truths and purposely ignore the best available science and PFAS facts. A common tactic used by eNGOs is playing on peoples’ fears in the pursuit of a much more sinister agenda – to shut down one of the most valuable industries in our beloved state.

 

PFAS are everywhere and are safely used in your everyday life. PFAS are a diverse class of thousands of fluorinated substances that have been used extensively in industrial, commercial, and consumer applications, including electronics, gaskets and seals, friction reducers, outdoor gear and clothing, and non-stick coatings for household products.

 

PFAS are not intentionally used in fracking in New Mexico. Some PFAS are ubiquitous in the environment and come from sources such as municipal water, surface water, and private well water. So, while your municipal water may have PFAS, so might the water used in fracking – and because of that, opponents of oil and natural gas claim fracking uses PFAS. This is a half-truth that conveniently leaves out the scientific research on PFAS in water sources.

 

Opponents of the industry are implementing additional scare tactics. For example, they are claiming oil and gas operators are not required to disclose their proprietary chemicals and they are actually trying to hide PFAS in their operations. These are false claims.

 

The NM Hydraulic Fracturing Disclosure mandates all oil and gas operators report the composition of the hydraulic fracturing fluid used during hydraulic fracturing operations. FracFocus records everything from the trade name to the supplier to the purpose of the ingredient and maximum concentration. Proprietary ingredients are recorded in the national database in a way that does not waive recognized trade secret protections. Translation – the industry is already required by law to report their chemical usage and ensure that PFAS are not intentionally utilized while protecting proprietary information and trade secrets that keep American companies competitive.

 

Industry opponents continue to use fearmongering and your tax dollars to engage in an unnecessary and costly state rule making process to address an issue that is simply not an issue.

 

As leaders in the energy sector, we are committed to ensuring NM remains a safe and healthy place for all residents. We will continue working with regulators and researchers to ensure the safest and cleanest operations based on the full, factual picture from the best available science. Most importantly, we are committed to working with facts, not fear.

 

Missi Currier is president of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association; Jim Winchester is president of the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico; Ben Shepperd is president of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association.

County Commissioners sign off on election results

Michael Smith
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County Commissioners sign off on election results

Mike Smith
El Rito Media
msmith@currentargus.com

The Eddy County Board of County Commissioners certified the results of the Nov. 5 election at a special meeting Nov. 14 in Carlsbad.

Commissioners met as the official canvassing board for the election and validated the 23,450 ballots cast across Eddy County.

The county had only two contested races, for sheriff and state House District 54, but still drew 64% of the county’s eligible voters to the polls, according to County Clerk Cara Cooke.

“It’s a great turnout,” said County Commission Chairman James “Bo” Bowen.

“I think that’s the highest turnout I’ve seen in the 17 years I’ve been at the county clerk’s office,” said Cooke. “The numbers kind of align with the General (Election) of 2020.” She said about 23,000 voters participated in 2020.

Cooke said she believes the presidential race between Republican Donald J. Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris contributed to the large turnout.

Personnel from the county clerk’s office began preparing for the canvassing process on Nov. 6, Cooke said.

“We start after the election and we’ll go through all the voting convenience centers’ documentation and make sure the number of ballots issued and the number of ballots put into the tabulators match up and align,” she said. “All 13 voting convenience centers did match up during this election. We’ll go through the absentee board’s records and early voting records,” she said.

Cooke said any write-in votes or ballots that are counted by hand by her office are entered manually entered into the New Mexico Secretary of State’s system in order to get complete voter totals.

Once the tabulation is complete, she said, results are officially validated by commissioners in their capacity as canvassing board.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or email at msmith@currentargus.com.

Bulldogs bite Lovington advance in playoffs

Michael Smith
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Bulldogs bite Lovington advance in playoffs

Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

The Artesia Bulldogs overcame an early 7-0 deficit defeating the Lovington Wildcats 45-7 to advance to the 5A football playoff semifinals next week.

Lovington used nearly 13 minutes of the opening quarter to score on a 17-play 55-yard drive as Ondalis Cardenas scored on a 1-yard run and Caleb Aranda kicked the extra point.

Artesia head coach Jeremy Maupin did not panic as the Bulldogs took care of business taking 7 plays and 80 yards to tie the Wildcats 7-7 with :33 left in the first quarter in the quarterfinals Nov. 16 at Bulldog Bowl.

Quarterback Izac Cazares scored on a 7-yard touchdown run and Corbyn Dominguez kicked the extra point.

Artesia’s defense took over in the closing stages of the first quarter as 6-foot-4 defensive end Kaden Grantham intercepted a pass that led to Artesia’s second touchdown in the second quarter.

“Kaden Grantham gets a tip off the interception and then kind of pulls some guys downfield with him,” said Maupin during a post-game interview.

Diego Lopez caught a 4-yard pass from Cazares with 9:33 left in the first half. Artesia’s 2-point conversion failed, and the Bulldogs extended the lead 13-7.

Artesia’s defense thwarted another Lovington offensive drive in the second quarter blocking a Wildcat punt which led to the third touchdown of the first half.

Running back Frankie Galindo scored on a 2-yard run with 6:23 left before halftime.

Galindo threw a pass to Ayden Huffman in the end zone for the 2-point conversion as Artesia extended the lead 21-7.

Artesia’s defense stopped another Lovington offensive drive and wrapped up a 6-play 50-yard drive with Dominguez booting a 33-yard field goal upping the score to 24-7 with 2:07 remaining in the second quarter.

Artesia capped off the first half with another touchdown as the defense forced a Wildcat fumble as 6-foot senior defensive end Rafael Orozco scored on the recovery with over a minute left before halftime.

Dominguez made the extra point kick as the Bulldogs coasted to a 31-7 halftime lead.

Two more Artesia touchdowns in the second half, including a 91-yard kick off return by Ethan Conn provided some insurance for the Bulldogs.

“I know they got some points and made some stops,” said Maupin of the defense.

“We came out and our offense hit them in the mouth, and it was the aggression that we talk about all week and the psychical style of play, and I thought are guys really showed up and got after these guys.”

Before the Lovington game, Maupin wondered how Artesia would perform against a District 5-2A foe in the playoffs.

The Bulldogs defeated the Wildcats 57-21 during a Sept. 22 regular season game in Lovington.

Saturday, the Bulldogs host the Mayfield Trojans in the semifinals. Artesia edged the Trojans in Las Cruces 42-28 to end the regular season earlier this month.

Artesia is the No. 2 seed in the playoffs and the Trojans are No. 6 and downed the Deming Wildcats 21-7 in Deming on Nov. 15.

“Every time we talked and said, ‘we’re going to play these guys twice.’ When the (playoff) bracket came out we said, ‘there’s a chance we’re going to play our whole district twice.’ We know that was reality, so we had a good Lovington team today (Nov. 16) and we know we’ve got a hungry Mayfield team that is playing real good football and so we know we have to have a good week of preparation and its going to be fun to host another playoff game,” Maupin said.

Scoring Summary
1st Quarter

Lovington-Ondalis Cardenas 1-yard run, Caleb Aranda kick, 2:38, 7-0.

Artesia-Izac Cazares 7-yard run, Corbyn Dominguez kick, :33, 7-7.

2nd Quarter

Artesia-Izac Cazares 4-yard pass to Diego Lopez, 2-point conversion no good, 9:33,13-7.

Artesia-Frankie Galindo 2-yard run, Galindo to Ayden Huffman 2-point conversion, 6:23,21-7.

Artesia-Dominguez 33-yard field goal, 2:07, 24-7.

Artesia-Rafael Orozco fumble recovery, Dominguez kick,1:21, 31-7.

3rd Quarter

Artesia-Ethan Conn 91-yard kick off return, Dominguez kick, 11:43, 38-7.

Artesia-Galindo 3-yard run, Dominguez kick, 8:09, 45-7.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or email at msmith@currentargus.com.

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