Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press

Twice retired Hagerman resident Benny Griffin embarked on a third career after his wife suggested he needed to find a way to pay for monthly fishing trips.

“The last time I retired was over a year ago and I was really enjoying fishing. I was fishing one week a month, fishing far off in a different state and my wife had been asking me if I had been looking at the checkbook,” he said in a Jan. 8 interview before the lunch hour at his Bar Ditch Bistro food truck.

Griffin said he wasn’t concerned about the money he spent on fishing – until his wife showed him the toll it was taking on family finances.

“It caught me off guard – my fishing was hitting the checkbook pretty hard,” he said with a smile. “She said, ‘You should look at something to offset that.’”

Griffin, 66, did not want to go back to work for an hourly wage. So he cooked up an alternative.

“I had cooked in the past and thought, ‘I’ll just put a food trailer together,” he said.

Good plan, but it caused a problem: “Now, I don’t have time to fish!”

Griffin was a welder in the oil fields of southeast New Mexico. He also operated heavy equipment, drove tractor-trailers and made a living as a carpenter.

He said he has cooked off and on for oil field companies and for fun for 30 years, so it wasn’t a big leap when opened Bar Ditch Bistro in August.

“I enjoy sharing what I do with other people,” Griffin said. “Any time there’s a restaurant that opens, they start out delicious (and) they start out packed. Somewhere when people start complaining, they make it bland. I have decided I am going to make my food the way I like to make it. The clientele will like it not or not.”

Bar Ditch Bistro can be found near the intersection of 13th and West Main Streets in Artesia Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Griffin serves burgers, brisket, Indian fry bread, macaroni and cheese, nachos, and hot dogs – all made fresh daily.

“We make the fry bread every morning. It’s usually ready by the time we open the door. I make chili at all different times. We bag it and freeze it. We do as much as we can as we have time and freeze everything,” he said.

When Griffin began Bar Ditch Bistro, he struggled to find a name that would fit the food truck.

“I flirted with something along the lines of Roadkill because I’m very sarcastic and I have a hillbilly attitude and I don’t really care about people’s softness. I couldn’t make anything in that manner work,” he said.

Griffin settled on a name that fit both the business and him.

“A bistro is a small high-end café and if I got all of my goods out of a bar ditch that would suit me,” he said.

Griffin likes to visit other places in New Mexico and also in Arizona and Texas, so the mobility of the food truck is ideal for him.

“I like the newness,” he said of traveling to locations beyond Artesia. “I like to see how my cuisine suits everybody.”

But home is home, so Bar Ditch Bistro also made appearances last year at the popular downtown Artesia Oil Patch markets that feature food trucks, bakers, crafters and growers.

“My go-to order is brisket, mac and cheese, and the Indian taco,” said Meghan Martinez, event coordinator for Artesia MainStreet. She became a fan after the first bite.

“Bar Ditch Bistro is an outstanding eatery that has come to our community,” Martinez said. “Fresh made fry bread, smoked tender brisket – and it’s all made with a friendly smile every single time.”

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 extension-2361.

Adrian Hedden
Artesia Daily Press

Alex Ross’ first trip out west took him about 2,000 miles from Chicopee, Massachusetts, to Havre, Montana, in a 2004 Chevy Monte Carlo.

It was 2015 when Ross, 41, accepted his first reporting job as a staff writer at the Havre Daily News.

More than a decade and thousands of stories later, Ross joined the team at El Rito Media as the company’s legislative reporter. His first day was Monday, Jan. 12.

The job means Ross will cover the upcoming legislative session as lawmakers from across the state convene in Santa Fe to debate bills and policies and devise a budget for New Mexico. The session starts Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Ross’ stories will be shared across El Rito’s network of five local New Mexico newspapers, including the Alamogordo Daily News, Artesia Daily Press, Carlsbad Current-Argus, Ruidoso News and Rio Grande Sun in Española.

It’s a natural fit for Ross, who most recently worked as a legislative reporter for New Mexico Political Report, a nonprofit, web-based outlet dedicated to state politics.

But mostly the new job is a continuation of more than a decade in journalism and a lifelong interest in news and current events.

It started when he was a baby in his native Worcester, Massachusetts, Ross said. His mother Joyce Ross told him he usually woke up early as an infant and she would put him in front of the TV during the morning news show. He kept watching as he grew older and eventually became fascinated with the news.

“I used to memorize the names of all the news anchors,” he said.

When he was about 11 or 12, Ross said, his early fixation became a true interest in the profession of reporting.

At Eagle Hill School in Hardwick, Massachusetts, he began writing movie reviews for the student newspaper, The Podium, between eighth and 10th grade.

His penchant for writing and storytelling eventually led to an associate degree in communication from Holyoke Community College, along with an internship at Reminder Publications, a free, weekly newspaper in Longmeadow, Massachusetts.

He covered school board and city council meetings at that post and continued such work during a subsequent internship with Turley Publications based in Palmer, Massachusetts, while working on a bachelor’s degree in communications at Westfield State University.

Ross graduated from Westfield in 2010 and faced a reality encountered by many young reporters in the modern era of journalism – with the newspaper industry suffering financially, jobs were hard to find.

To make ends meet he worked at a grocery store and in the administrative office of a local church. But Ross kept sending his resumes, chasing his dream.

“I had interviews, but I was never really chosen. I felt really dejected. I didn’t know if I would ever get into daily, professional journalism,” he said. “Soon, I realized I would have to get out of the area I lived in if I wanted to be competitive.”

It turned out to be another rejection, from the Havre Daily News in 2014, that finally led to a job by putting Ross in contact with Daily News Editor John Kelleher, who offered Ross a position months later after the reporter hired instead of him resigned.

That offer led to myriad beats, topics and stories on everything from local politics and crime to human interest features and coverage of northern Montana’s Indigenous community.

Ross was able to interview national politicians such as U.S. Sen. John Tester (D-MT) and former-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and also celebrities in the entertainment industry including Jeff Ament, bassist for famed grunge band Pearl Jam, who grew up in the nearby farming community Big Sandy, Montana.

His time in Montana, Ross said, showed him the value of local, community-driven journalism and the importance of emphasizing local voices and impacts in everything he writes.

It’s an approach Ross said he maintained while working as a breaking news reporter at the Roswell Daily Record for the next seven years, until September 2025 when he took a short-lived job at the New Mexico Political Report.

With El Rito, Ross said he plans to return to his roots as a local journalist, identifying the biggest storylines emanating from Santa Fe but placing emphasis on how the issues affect local communities.

“The larger markets seem to be overwhelming. You’re just a cog in the machine,” Ross said. “Smaller markets are more personal. You get to know people better.”

He will continue to reside in Roswell where he lives with his wife Phalla Ross, 38, and their three children but plans to travel throughout New Mexico, especially to the five communities El Rito represents.

“I just want to provide comprehensive coverage of the Legislature,” Ross said. “I want to continue to do that but also cover other things that are hyperlocal.”

Managing Editor Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.

Staff report

Former Lincoln County Commissioner Rex Wilson was appointed Wednesday, Jan. 7, to fill the District 33 state Senate seat vacated by the resignation of Nicholas Paul.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed Wilson, an Ancho Republican, to replace Alamogordo Republican Paul after reviewing nominees submitted by county commissioners representing the 33rd District’s three counties: Lincoln, Otero and Chaves. Wilson will serve until voters to choose a candidate in this year’s Nov. 3 election to complete the four-year term Paul won in November 2024.

Paul resigned Oct. 14, 2025, citing health concerns but offering no details.

“I am humbled and honored to serve the people of Senate District 33,” Wilson said in as statement released after his appointment was announced. “I look forward to getting meaningful things done for my fellow community members and the citizens of our Great State of New Mexico. Let’s get to work.”

After interviewing applicants for the appointment commissioners from each of the three counties submitted a nominee to the governor. Wilson was nominated by Chavez County. Otero County’s nominee was State Rep. John Block (R-51) and Lincoln County’s choice was Lincoln County Commissioner Mark Fischer.

Other applicants for the seat were Ruidoso attorney and former state representative Zach Cook; Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford; Alamogordo resident Ben Luna; Otero County Attorney R.B. Nichols; and Ruidoso lawyer Matthew Wade.

Wilson is a rancher and former southern region director for Presbyterian Medical Services where he oversaw programs in Chaves, Lincoln and Otero counties, according to a news release from the governor’s office. The New Mexico Cattle Growers Association named Wilson its 2017 Cattleman of the Year.

Wilson served on the Lincoln County Commission from 1997 to 2003. His son, Kendal, is currently a Lincoln County Commissioner.

Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer (R-1) praised his newly appointed Senate colleague.

“Rex’s contributions in the Legislature will benefit every New Mexican and he will make a great addition to our New Mexico Senate Republican Caucus,” Sharer said. “I am pleased that New Mexicans in Senate District 33 will have representation heading in to this upcoming Legislative Session.”

Adrian Hedden
Artesia Daily Press
achedden@currentargus.com

A $300 million auction of public land in New Mexico was driven by federal policies more friendly to the fossil fuel industry, officials said.

The Bureau of Land Management on Tuesday, Jan. 6, announced results of that day’s land lease sale in which parcels of public land – mostly in southeast New Mexico – were auctioned to oil and gas companies.

The leases remain active for 10 years or as long as oil or gas is produced. Operators are still required to gain approval from the bureau to begin drilling.

In total, 32 parcels were sold on 20,479 acres in this month’s sale, bringing $328.8 million in revenue to the agency, half of which is provided to the states that host the parcels, read a news release from the Bureau of Land Management.

That’s compared to $76 million brought in by the bureau’s sale in November 2025 and $58 million in a sale last July.

Acting Bureau Director Bill Groffy said the increase in revenue resulted from recent policy changes made by the administration of President Donald Trump after a budget bill known by supporters as the “One Big Beautiful Bill” was signed into law on July 4, 2025.

Among myriad provisions in the bill was a clause reducing the royalty rate companies pay on the value of oil and gas extracted on federal land.

Former President Joe Biden, Trump’s predecessor, hiked the percentage companies pay on each barrel produced from 12.5% to 16.67% in 2022. The 2025 budget bill lowered the rate back to 12.5%.

Groffy said the lower rate supported increased oil and gas development and also encouraged interest in developing energy on federal lands, advancing “the bureau’s ongoing commitment to fulfill President Trump’s mandate to unleash American energy.”

“This is expected to spur additional leasing and drilling activity, which in turn supports increased domestic energy production and strengthens U.S. energy security,” read a statement from the bureau.

Where were the lands leased?

About 95% of the lands offered Jan. 6 were in southeast New Mexico – 19,527 acres, according to the Bureau of Land Management’s sale notice published in August 2025.

Of that total,18,403 acres (94%) were offered in Eddy County with 1,118 acres offered in Lea County.

The remaining 83-acre portion of the New Mexico lease sale was split with single parcels in Rio Arriba and Sandoval counties in northwest New Mexico. Another 120 acres were offered for lease in Oklahoma.

Eddy and Lea counties make up New Mexico’s portion of the Permian Basin – the nation’s busiest oilfield – which New Mexico shares with Texas.

The Permian produced about half of the 13.8 million barrels generated per day as of October 2025, according to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration.

Groups debate royalty rate

Jesse Deubel, executive director of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, said the boom in Permian Basin oil production should mean higher returns for New Mexico taxpayers.

Citing a Jan. 6 report from government watchdog and national nonprofit Taxpayers for Common Sense, Deubel said that if Biden’s16.67% royalty rate had been applied to the Jan.6 sale, the leases would have generated more than $100 million in additional revenue for American taxpayers.

The report contended that lowering the rate meant a “loss” of about $110 million in the recent lease sale and a total of $600 million in unrealized revenue from federal oil and gas lease sales since the rate was reduced.

Deubel said the higher rate did not slow down oil and gas production in New Mexico during the two years it was in effect.

New Mexico was the second-highest oil producing state in the U.S. last year and the state accounted for 79% of production on federal land, read the Taxpayers for Common Sense study. New Mexico accounted for 88% of the growth in oil production on federal land in 2024, according to a July 2025 study from the American Petroleum Institute.

Meanwhile, state economists reported the industry brought in about half of the New Mexico’s budgeted revenue last year, which Deubel said illustrated the importance of fossil fuel operations to New Mexico and the need to “maximize” financial returns.

“We completely understand the need for oil and gas production. We all use it in our daily lives and New Mexico is reliant on revenue from the oil and gas industry,” Deubel said. “It’s just unfortunate that we are leaving so much money on the ground.”

Missi Currier, president of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association – a trade group that frequently lobbies for oil and gas interests – warned that if costs such as royalty rates get too high, companies will leave New Mexico for neighboring Texas.

The Permian Basin straddles the border between southeast New Mexico and West Texas.

Currier said oil companies could shift their operations across the state line, tapping into the same oil reserves but drilling where less land is government managed and subject to federal royalty payments.

“The recent adjustment to federal royalty rates helps maintain New Mexico’s competitiveness in attracting investment,” Currier said. “Lower rates provide an incentive for companies to continue operating here, which translates into jobs for New Mexicans, billions in state revenue, and reliable energy for the nation.”

And despite lower royalty rates, Currier said, expanded oil and gas production will prove a more valuable benefit by increasing the volume of fossil fuels extracted.

“If rates are set too high, companies may reduce investment or shift operations elsewhere, resulting in fewer royalties overall,” she said. “A balanced approach ensures that development continues, revenue flows to schools and communities, and New Mexico remains a leader in energy production.”

Deubel agreed that collaboration among state and federal agencies, industry and the environmental community was crucial. He said achieving a balance would ensure the state gets the revenue it deserves while protecting the economy and the environment.

“The idea is not to increase the royalty rate until they leave the state but to maximize the benefit to the people of New Mexico from this high-intensity oil and gas extraction,” Deubel said. “We should be inching up until we hit that threshold where industry might consider leaving the state, but not cross it. Our leaders need to find that number. We’re not there yet.”

Alex Ross
Artesia Daily Press
aross@elritomedia.com

With the state Legislature’s 30-day session set to begin next week, southeastern New Mexico lawmakers shared their thoughts on issues ranging from spending and education to health care and crime at a public forum Monday night in Artesia.

The legislators, all Republicans, fielded questions for about two hours during the meeting, which was hosted by the Artesia Chamber of Commerce at the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center and billed as a legislative town hall.

About 60 to 70 people attended the event, which is held each year before and after the session, said Jessica Bollema, executive director of the Artesia Chamber of Commerce.

Former-Executive Director and Eddy County Commissioner Hayley Klein moderated the discussion.

The lawmakers in attendance were making their case for Republican priorities in a Legislature controlled by Democrats and largely focused on the agenda of Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Democrats hold a 44 to 26 majority in the House of Representatives and a 26-16 majority in the Senate.

The legislative session begins Tuesday, Jan. 20, and under the New Mexico Constitution, lawmakers can take up the budget and only consider bills approved by the governor. The governor releases a list of bills and priorities ahead of the session’s opening day.

Spending was a key topic at the forum with at least one member of the audience wondering if all the revenue flowing to New Mexico from oil production in the state has been spent effectively.

Destiny Rodo, 33, of Artesia, specifically asked about the state’s support of education.

“I think we look at our scores statewide, a lot of people have a question, what is that money doing?” Rodo said. She asked if there were any plans to ensure that spending translates into improved student performance.

State Sen. Candy Ezzell (R-32) of Roswell, a member of the Senate Education Committee, expressed frustration with the Democratic-controlled Legislature on the issue.

“They don’t seem to understand that we want our money accounted for, and we want it to work for us,” Ezzell said.

Sen. Larry Scott (R-42) of Hobbs said that since he joined the Legislature 10 years ago, the state budget has grown from about $6 billion to $11 billion. He asked for a “show of hands” from people in the audience who believe the spike in state spending has made their lives better.

Two people in the audience raised their hands – Audrey Sanchez, 47, a human resources technician for the Artesia Public School District, and her husband Nathan Ryno.

Ryno, 50, a teacher at Zia Intermediate School in Artesia, said pay raises for public school teachers and staff that have been approved by the Legislature since 2019 have benefited them.

“Teachers got a significant pay raise,” Sanchez said, citing an increase from $35,000 to $55,000 for new teachers.

Scott acknowledged the teacher pay raises but said they represent only a small fraction of the state’s overall spending.

Lawmakers at the forum said the state should defer to school districts and school boards on education policy. State Rep. Jimmy Mason (R-66) of Artesia told the audience that when school boards make the decisions, it leads to more accountability.

“They are easy to get rid of if you don’t like what they do,” he said of school board members.

Rep. Jon Henry (R-54), who is also mayor of Artesia, said. districts and teachers need to be willing to take action – including holding back underperforming students.

“We shouldn’t be passing them on, just to pass them on,” Henry said, noting that he had to repeat the second grade – something he said was good for him in the long run.

Other legislators in attendance said greater parental involvement is needed to improve the performance of New Mexico’s students.

Juvenile justice gets attention

For the past several sessions, proposals to revamp the state’s juvenile justice code have failed to gain traction in the Legislature.

Sen. Jim Townsend (R-34) of Artesia said the state has fewer juvenile detention centers than it once did, and a key element in reining in the high juvenile crime rate is a greater willingness to adopt measures to hold youthful offenders – and, in some cases, their parents – accountable.

Henry criticized House Bill 255, a measure the Legislature took up but ultimately rejected during the 2025 regular legislative session. The bill passed the House but was defeated in the Senate.

Democratic proponents of the bill portrayed it as a data-driven approach meant to hold youthful offenders accountable and allow them to reintegrate into society.

Republicans opposed the bill, specifically its provision for a pilot program that would have given a temporary $2,000-per-month stipend to youthful offenders who served their time or aged out of the foster care system. The money would have covered housing and living expenses for those youths while they received workforce training or pursued opportunities in higher education.

Although proponents of House Bill 255 said individuals charged with first-degree murder would not be eligible for the stipend, Republicans dubbed it “the homicide scholarship.”

Henry said the stipends amounted to “rewarding kids for bad behavior.”

Medical compacts

Audience member Janell Taylor, 48, chief operating officer for a Hobbs nonprofit, Permian Basin Counseling & Guidance, asked the lawmakers about several bills that have been pre-filed to allow New Mexico to enter into interstate medical licensure compacts. The compacts would allow health care professionals licensed in another state to work in New Mexico.

“I know from my position, if we could join those compacts, I really think it would make a huge difference in getting licensed professionals into those positions that we desperately need,” Taylor said.

The compacts have garnered bipartisan support, but Townsend said some Democrats are opposed to them because they conflict with New Mexico’s medical malpractice laws. Townsend said he believes the governor will put the compact bills on her agenda for the 30-day session, but if they do not get passed, he said the governor could call a special session to approve the compacts and reform the state’s medical malpractice laws.

Alex Ross can be followed on the social media platform X @alexrosstweets.