By: Harry Bailey, Supervisor
Artesia Animal Shelter

An animal running at large can become a tricky situation. There are several reasons why animals run around on the streets and most people want to help, but sometimes they put themselves or the animal in harm’s way even though they mean well.

Before we talk about what to do if you see an animal running the streets, let’s talk about a few reasons why they are running the streets. The most common would be because they are not sterilized. When an animal becomes sexually mature around 6 months old, their drive becomes very prevalent, and they go looking for a female or the female admits a scent to attract males. Another reason may be separation anxiety. This occurs when there is a change in your schedule, or you may be very close with your animal, and they want more of your time. Another cause maybe they are not being properly restrained on the property due to fencing and other factors.

After identifying a few of these issues, we should talk about what to do when you see an animal running the streets. If you find an animal running loose, the best thing to do is take a photo of the animal and call an Animal Services Officer to describe the animal (size, color, fur length) and which direction it was heading, also noting if there was a collar or leash attached. This should be done before sharing on social media. Social media is a great tool however, letting an Animal Service Officer know first allows us to respond in a better time frame.

We do not recommend residents chase after or try to capture an animal. Animal Service Officers are trained for this, and we don’t want to see anyone get bit. You can get assistance by calling our dispatch center at 575-616-7155 and if you are missing your animal or looking to adopt, please come down to the Artesia Animal Shelter located at 502 N. Paddywagon Way, here in Artesia to look for your pet.

Third Congressional District race

Name: Teresa Leger Fernandez

Party affiliation: Democrat

Office sought: U.S. Congress, New Mexico’s Third District

Current occupation: Congresswoman, New Mexico’s Third District

City of residence: Santa Fe

Age: 65

IMMIGRATION

1. What, specifically, would you encourage the House to do about the following immigration issues:

a. The process by which immigrants may seek asylum in the U.S.

b. The backlog of millions of people waiting for their cases to be heard in federal immigration courts.

c. Length of stay for documented noncitizens currently in the U.S. legally.

d. Deportation of undocumented noncitizens in the U.S. illegally. e. Prevention of illegal crossings into the U.S.

We must fix our broken immigration system. I support a balanced approach that will make our country safer, reduce the immigration court backlog, make our border more orderly and secure, and keep families together. We must create a pathway to citizenship for those who have been here a long time, work hard, and play by the rules – including our Dreamers who came to this country as children. In speaking to agricultural and construction industries, we know we must also pass the bipartisan Farmworker Modernization Act and ensure that we have legal pathways for other needed workers. We must send more resources to the border, especially investments in technology and staff to make sure that drugs and criminals do not come into the U.S. I will continue to work on a bipartisan basis to find common sense solutions that fix our system and uphold our nation’s values.

EDUCATION

2. With New Mexico ranking so consistently at the bottom of all national rankings regarding K-12 education, what would you encourage the House do to address the issue in some way?

We invest in what we believe in, and I believe in our students and their future. My parents were educators and I saw firsthand how good education and caring teachers can change the lives of students. I started my academic career at the local Head Start and fell in love with learning. The American Rescue Plan invested $112 billion in our nation’s grade schools. As a member of the House Education Committee, I’ve worked to expand apprenticeships and vocational school opportunities for New Mexicans wanting to go right into the workforce. I have advocated to preserve and expand funding in our schools that serve lower income students, known as Title, I schools. In New Mexico, 86% of New Mexico schools are eligible for Title 1 funding. Republicans have proposed to cut or eliminate Title 1 funding and Head Start which would devastate New Mexico’s education system. Lastly, I supported Constitutional Amendment I to provide access to early childhood education for all New Mexico’s children.

INNOVATION

3. New Mexico has a history of being part of historic innovation in many fields, including science, military, and the arts. What would you encourage the House to do in helping our state build on and expand innovation in multiple areas?

We must continue to leverage federal investments, federal programs, and federal institutions to spur private innovation and investment that will grow our economy and create good-paying jobs. I led efforts to promote technology transfer from our national labs to spin off groundbreaking technologies and grow private business. I introduced legislation to protect our arts economy during the pandemic. I’m hoping my Creative Economy Investment Act will generate additional funds for New Mexico’s creative arts and apprenticeships. The CHIPS and Science Act helped spur Intel to invest $3.5 billion into its facilities in New Mexico. This is only part of the approximate $8.3 billion in private investment in manufacturing and other industries flowing from bills I helped pass my first session in Congress. I’ve pushed back against Republican efforts to undo that legislation this session because I know New Mexico must create an Enchanted Innovation Economy. To build any economy, you also need basic infrastructure so that our businesses have water and roads and internet. Together, the bills I helped pass like the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the CHIPS and Science Act have invested billions of dollars into New Mexico roads, transit systems, manufacturing, renewable energy, clean water systems, health care, and so much more. I will continue to secure investments that grow our economy, diversify our tax base, and put hard-working New Mexicans to work in good jobs.

PARTY LINES

4. Name an issue where you have – or would consider doing so – voted against the majority of your party because it was the better decision for the people in your district.

The needs of our New Mexico communities always come first in D.C. and in New Mexico. I represent the second-largest rural Democratic district in the country and our rural communities share many similarities with Republican districts. After talking with farmers and ranchers, I partnered with a Republican colleague to introduce the Support the West Act to make sure USDA conservation programs work for the arid west. I’m a co-sponsor of another Republican colleague’s bill which would cut red tape for local slaughterhouses and allow small ranchers to sell their meats at farmers’ markets and to local hotels, restaurants, and grocery stores. I constantly educate my colleagues on both sides of the aisle about the unique issues and challenges in our rural communities. I’ve led legislation that increases communication between the federal government and land grants, which are so unique to New Mexico. I have held the federal government accountable for PFAS contamination in New Mexico working with dairy farmers and pushed the Hermit’s Peak Office to compensate survivors more quickly. I continue to work on a bipartisan basis on an array of issues and will never hesitate to advocate for our beloved communities, regardless of party politics.

ENERGY ISSUES

5. Knowing New Mexico as a state receives as much as 50 percent of its budget from revenues from oil and gas exploration, what would you encourage your colleagues in the House to do to protect the industry in the state?

a. What would you do to make the industry safer?

New Mexico is blessed with an abundance of natural resources that include oil and gas that help fund our schools but also wind and solar that can help power our state. I know many hardworking New Mexicans work in the oil and gas industry and am committed to not only supporting the workers in these communities but also growing and diversifying their economies to avoid the boom-and-bust cycle we have seen in the past.

b.What would you do to simultaneously encourage other energy industries?

For example, I secured $4.7 billion dollars to clean up abandoned oil and gas wells – which will prevent methane from seeping into the atmosphere and create good jobs in oil and gas communities. We also have to invest in the federal agencies that regulate and oversee worker safety in the energy industry. These investments will create good paying jobs for skilled New Mexican workers, grow our economy, and make sure that the New Mexico energy industry is keeping workers safe.

Third Congressional District race

Name: Sharon Clahchischilliage

Office sought: U.S. Congress, New Mexico’s Third District

Current occupation: New Mexico Public Education Commissioner

Party: Republican

Age: 75

City of residence: Gadiiahi

IMMIGRATION

1. What, specifically, would you encourage the House to do about the following immigration issues:

a. The process by which immigrants may seek asylum in the U.S.

The current laws need to be enforced.

b. The backlog of millions of people waiting for their cases to be heard in federal immigration courts.

This is a judicial issue which can be fixed with legislation or an executive order.

c. Length of stay for documented noncitizens currently in the U.S. legally.

Enforce the current laws.

d. Deportation of undocumented noncitizens in the U.S. illegally.

The US reserves the right to deport illegal immigrants.

e. Prevention of illegal crossings into the U.S.

Enforcing the laws will deter illegal immigrants from crossing the border.

EDUCATION

2. With New Mexico ranking so consistently at the bottom of all national rankings regarding K-12 education, what would you encourage the House do to address the issue?

A “one size fits all” does not work. There are schools within NM which have success rates which could be used as a model for other schools. As a Public Education Commissioner I have witnessed the success rates of Charter Schools whose teaching methods have addressed the educational inadequacies. The education systems need to change with the times to meet the needs of the student.

INNOVATION

3. New Mexico has a history of being part of historic innovation in many fields, including science, military and the arts. What would you encourage the House to do to help our state build on and expand innovation in multiple areas?

The state needs to improve its rankings in crime and education in order to draw tech companies and their families. New Mexico has lost bids as with Space Force due to the factors of low rankings. New Mexico cannot build effectively if its rankings aren’t addressed.

PARTY LINES

4. Name an issue where you have, or would consider doing so, voted against the majority of your party because it was the better decision for the people in your district.

As a Congressional Rep I would place a priority on the needs of my constituents before the position of my party.

ENERGY ISSUES

5. Knowing New Mexico as a state receives as much as 50 percent of its budget from revenues from oil and gas exploration, what would you encourage your colleagues in the House to do to protect the industry in the state?

a. What would you do to make the industry safer?

I believe the industry is very safe and other states should emulate New Mexico. New Mexico has the cleanest air in the U.S.

b. What would you do to simultaneously encourage other energy industries?

I would encourage competition and innovation. My main concern is to keep down utility bills and not pass down the cost to taxpayers.

Adrian Hedden
Carlsbad Current-Argus
achedden@currentargus.com

City of Roswell spokesman Todd Wildermuth said officials were working to clean up debris and assessing damage to city buildings in the wake of a massive flood that turned fatal after record-breaking rainfall drenched the city over the weekend.

The storm dropped about six inches of rain on Roswell within hours on Saturday, leading to destructive flooding Sunday, while city officials and others worked to clean up debris and assess the damages.

Two people were reported dead within the city and Chaves County, Roswell police confirmed Tuesday. Officials did not give any details to identify the deceased or the circumstances of their deaths.

“There’s a lot of clean up we’re doing. There’s so much debris on the thoroughfare,” Wildermuth said. “We’re telling people to try and stay off the streets while we make them safe again.”

Wildermuth said the event qualified as a “500-year flood,” meaning a flood of such magnitude would only occur once every 500 years.

“This event certainly was rare, and something we don’t want to go through again,” he said.

Wildermuth said the work in the wake of the flood consisted largely of removing debris from roadways and inspecting damage to city buildings. The Roswell Independent School District canceled classes for Wednesday, and several other facilities remained closed through the week.

Several impacted city facilities remained closed until further notice including the Recreation and Aquatic Center, Adult Center, Spring River Zoo, Roswell Public Library and Museum, the Convention Center and the Nancy Lopez Golf Course, according to a Facebook post from the City of Roswell.

The Cemetery and Municipal Court reopened on Wednesday.

The New Mexico National Guard said it conducted 125 welfare checks at local homes, taking 38 people to local hospitals for various treatments. The Guard said it rescued more than 300 people trapped by the floodwaters.

On Tuesday the Guard reported 75 guardsmen were on the ground in Roswell.

The Guard used 24 tactical vehicles capable of driving in four feet of water to evacuate people who were trapped by the flood, read a news release. The displaced were sent to a shelter set up by the Red Cross at the Eastern New Mexico University Fairgrounds at 2500 SE Main Street in Roswell and were allowed to bring livestock if properly contained.

The Roswell International Air Center was temporarily closed, with flights canceled Sunday into Monday morning. The airport reopened Monday afternoon and flights resumed. Roads in and out of Roswell were closed Sunday night but reopened the next day with north and southbound traffic advised to seek alternative routes.

Traffic heading north from Artesia to Roswell was diverted to State Road 2, turning west on Ojibwa and north on U.S. Highway 285, according to a Facebook post by the Chaves County Sheriff’s Office.

Anyone heading south from the city was directed to travel south from Roswell to Artesia, to turn east on Okjibwa, then south on State Road 2.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued two state executive orders Monday declaring a disaster and appropriating $1 million in state funds to help with flood recovery.

Lujan Grisham’s first order sent $750,000 to the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, while the second provided $250,000 to the New Mexico National Guard.

The Chaves County Commission declared a local state of emergency, indicating local resources were “insufficient to address the emergency,” the governor’s executive order stated.

The governor met with the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), which had yet to issue its own declaration. A federal declaration could bring more relief funding to the area but it was unclear when such a declaration would be issued. FEMA staff were reportedly in Roswell evaluating the damages.

Lujan Grisham and state officials visited the city this week to survey the damage and meet with local leaders to coordinate the recovery.

“My declaration of a state of emergency for Chaves County will help support local recovery efforts in the aftermath of historic and severe flooding in and around Roswell,” Lujan Grisham said in a statement. “I’m grateful for the swift actions taken by local authorities and our state departments to help communities in need.”

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

Adrian Hedden and Mike Smith

El Rito Media

At least two people died as a result of massive flooding in Roswell and surrounding areas over the weekend. The deluge caused multiple road closures, cutting off Roswell and nearby communities and leaving many travelers stranded or searching for alternate routes.

The deaths were confirmed Sunday by New Mexico State Police. No other details were immediately provided.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday signed an emergency declaration, unlocking $1 million in state relief funds.

Rainfall began Saturday, dropping almost 6 inches of rain on the area on Saturday, breaking the previous record set in 1901, according to the National Weather Service.

The New Mexico National Guard reported Sunday that the Guard and other agencies rescued 290 people, taking 38 to local hospitals.

The Guard’s Community Emergency Response Team performed at least one “swift water rope save” Saturday night, a technique used to pull people out of rushing waters learned during flooding in Ruidoso earlier this year.

Fifty-seven Guardsmen were deployed for the mission.

“We feel for the New Mexicans affected by this latest flooding in our state,” said Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, New Mexico National Guard’s Adjutant General in a Sunday statement. “We’ve worked all night, and continue to work with swift water rescue teams and other partner agencies to help our fellow citizens get to safety.”

The Chaves County Sheriff’s Office reported Sunday the Rio Feliz Bridge near Hagerman was wiped out in the floods, mean U.S. Highway 285’s southbound lanes heading from Roswell to Artesia and Carlsbad were impassable.

State Road 2 between Dexter and Hagerman were also closed by the floods, the Sheriff’s Office reported.

At about 8:55 p.m. on Saturday night, Chaves County reported a flashflood warning was in effect until 12:30 a.m. as water continued to rise on U.S. 285, which was closed at Cottonwood Bridge at 7:30 p.m.

Flood waters breached U.S. 285 in several places and on U.S. Highway 70, the Chaves County Sheriff’s Office reported.

Chaves County Sheriff Mike Herrington posted multiple videos from atop his police vehicle Saturday night as it was swept away in the flood. He urged residents of Chaves County to stay home and seek shelter from the flooding.

“I am completely surrounded by water at this time,” he said in the video posted on Facebook. “There are multiple vehicles. I came into this not expecting that much water, and before I know it, I was swept off into this. Multiple vehicles have been swept away as well.”

The City of Roswell said on Facebook that the Roswell International Air Center was closed with all flights canceled Sunday and Monday morning, along with several other city facilities.

The National Weather Service’s Midland-Odessa Office issued a flood watch as of Sunday, continuing into the evening with storms expected to clear on Monday in Chaves County and parts of the eastern New Mexico plains.

“Widespread heavy rainfall from Saturday has saturated soil conditions across much of eastern NM. Another round of showers and thunderstorms is likely to develop this afternoon with more locally heavy rainfall,” read the flood watch.

To assist Chaves County responders, the Carlsbad Fire Department sent a five-person rescue crew at about 2 p.m. Sunday, while the Eddy County Fire Service activated a drone to assess the damage, specifically to the Rio Felix Bridge on U.S. 285.

“There is significant damage based on the pictures that we’re seeing,” said Eddy County Emergency Manager Jennifer Armendariz.

She said responders in Eddy County were continuing to work closely with those in Chaves County to keep the public informed and remained prepared for any worsening conditions.

“We’ve had several briefings. I’m working closely with the hospitals to make sure we have coverage,” she said.

As of about noon on Sunday, Armendariz said authorities were letting people out of Roswell but not into the city as U.S. 285 at the Eddy-Chaves County line remained closed. She suggested motorists find alternative routes to get south to avoid the floodwaters.

“There are ways for people to get out of Roswell that aren’t straight down 285. It makes for a longer trip but it’s possible,” Armendariz said. “If you don’t need to travel to Roswell, I would suggest not going.”

Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

The Artesia Bulldogs football team attempted to overcome two interceptions, a fumbled kickoff return and 12 penalties, the Roswell Coyotes seized the opportunities and defeated Artesia 44-40 Oct. 18 at the Bulldog Bowl in Artesia.

Bulldog quarterback Izac Cazares threw his first interception on Artesia’s opening drive of the game as Roswell’s Jacob Palomino completed a 16-yard touchdown pass completed to Jaylon Cloud.

Francisco Lara converted the extra point kick as Roswell led 7-0 with 9:47 left on the clock.

Cazares and the Bulldog offense settled down on the second drive as Jack Byers scored on a 19-yard catch. Artesia could not capitalize the 2-point conversion as Roswell held onto a slim 7-6 lead with 5:19 remaining in the opening period.

Roswell seized on Artesia’s second interception on the third drive of the first quarter.

A 7-yard touchdown run by Xai Carrasco ended a 12-play drive that started in the first quarter. Carrasco made the 2-point conversion with 8:06 left in the second period.

Seconds later, Cazares and the Bulldogs answered Roswell’s touchdown with a 61-yard pass to Frankie Galindo. The 2-point conversion was no good as the Coyotes led 15-12.

Early in the third quarter, the Bulldogs appeared to have gained the upper hand recovering a Coyote fumble on the kickoff.

Cazares scored on a 35-yard run and Corbyn Dominguez made the extra point kick leading 19-15.

The lead was short lived as Carrasco scored another touchdown on a 27-yard run with 9:26 left in the third period. Lara converted the extra point kick as the Coyotes overtook the lead 22-19

As the third quarter wore on Artesia appeared to be on the way to another victory as Trent Egeland and Bryce Parra scored two touchdowns for the Bulldogs. Artesia had a 34-22 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Roswell gained on Artesia in the final period scoring on a 46-yard drive, a Bulldog penalty helped the Coyotes score on a 5-yard run by Carrasco with 10:57 left in the game. Lara made the extra point kick as Roswell was down by five.

The Coyotes capitalized on a Bulldog kickoff fumble as Cloud scored on a 21-yard run 12 seconds after the previous score. Keegan Nichols ran in the 2-point conversion as Roswell had a 37-34 lead.

Roswell’s defense sacked Cazares on Artesia’s opening fourth quarter drive and later capitalized with another Carrasco touchdown. Lara made the extra point kick as the lead was 44-34 with 6:09 left in the game.

Artesia scored a 3-yard run by Galindo with 4:36 left in the game. The extra point kick was blocked as the Bulldogs comeback fell short.

Both squads are tied for first place in District 5-2A with 4-1 records. Overall Roswell is 6-1, while Artesia falls to 5-3.

Scoring Summary
1st Quarter

Roswell-Jaylon Cloud 16-yard pass from Jacob Palomino, Francisco Lara kick, 9:47, 7-0.

Artesia-Jack Byers 19-yard catch from Izac Cazares, 2-point conversion no good, 5:19, 7-6.

2nd Quarter

Roswell-Xai Carrasco 7-yard run, Carrasco 2-point conversion, 8:06, 15-6.

Artesia-Frankie Galindo 61-yard catch from Izac Cazares, 2-point conversion no good, 7:51, 15-12.

3rd Quarter

Artesia-Cazares 35-yard run, Corbyn Dominguez kick, 11:50, 19-15.

Roswell-Carrasco 27-yard run, Lara kick, 9:26, 22-19.

Artesia-Trent Egeland 25-yard catch, Diego Lopez 2-point conversion good, 3:21, 28-22.

Artesia-Bryce Parra 27-yard run, Dominguez kick, :51, 34-22.

4th Quarter

Roswell-Carrasco 5-yard run, Lara kick, 10:57, 34-29.

Roswell-Jaylon Cloud 21-yard run, Keegan Nichols 2-point conversion, 10:45, 37-34.

Roswell-Carrasco 19-yard run, Lara kick, 6:09, 44-34.

Artesia-Galindo 3-yard run, kick blocked, 4:36, 44-40.

Offensive Stars of the Game:

Passing: Cazares 16/29 138 yards, 3 TDs, 2 Int

Rushing: Cazares 9 carries for 80 yards, 1 TD

Receiving: Frankie Galindo 6 catches for 116 yards, 1 TD

Defensive Stars of the Game:

Kaden Grantham 3 quarterback sacks

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 and follow on X @MSmithartesianm.