‘He’s the life of the party,’ according to senior care workers

Sarah Rubinstein

Alamogordo News

With a lifetime spanning 100 years, Alamogordo’s John DiRisio says the best decision he ever made was moving to the area for a job at White Sands Missile Range. After living in Alamogordo since 1953, DiRisio celebrated his 100th birthday at The Aristocrat Assisted Living Center with cake and friends on Dec. 2.

After serving in World War II, DiRisio moved to Alamogordo to work as an electronics technician at WSMR, a position he held for 30 years.

“That is the best move I ever made, I wouldn’t trade it,” he said.

 However, it wasn’t the job that excited him as much as the woman he met at a nightclub.

DiRisio noticed Floread Bell from across the room and could sense that something wasn’t right. She looked uncomfortable as a drunk patron kept pestering her, so DiRisio broke up the scene and the two were together for more than 60 years.

DiRisio said Floread was very different from him. While DiRisio grew up in New York, she grew up in the Sacramento Mountains.

“She’d wear overalls and (be) barefoot; she looked like a hillbilly girl,” he joked.  

When they got together, she already had two teenaged sons. In addition to the family, together, they had a son, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

“We never had an argument; we never had a fight. We never had any questions,” he said. “We got along just fine.”

DiRisio, who grew up in Fairport, NY, was deployed on D-Day in 1944 as a radio operator on a freighter going across the Atlantic in a convoy, heading to Iran to unload armaments for the Russians. At only 18 and as a “young high school kid,” he worked as an assistant radio operator, getting his license before leaving.

“I was a radio operator but the funny thing about it is you couldn’t transmit it because it was a secret,” he said. “So, all I had to do was listen to the radio and report to the captain what I heard.”

After serving as a merchant marine, DiRisio joined the Army, living in Honolulu, Hawaii, for a year. While he never saw any combat, he remembers seeing U-boats.  

“The guys down below (in the freighter) would pound on the funnel, and it sounded like trouble, like depth charges going off after a U-boat but they were just fooling around,” he said.  

DiRisio doesn’t remember too much from his childhood. He was the youngest of ten children in a full house. His mother died when he was born and his father never remarried.  

“We had a 10-kid family and some of my relatives would come over from the old country, Italy, and they’d stay with us for a little while,” he said.

DiRisio said he is proud of his grandson Jerrett Perry, executive director of the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce.

“He’s a great guy and he’s well-known,” he said.

DiRisio has been living at The Aristocrat for six years. He plays chess every day on his computer.

“I enjoy beating people if I beat them, but I don’t beat very many people because these guys, they’re all over the world,” he said.  

Kenna Paige, activities director at The Aristocrat, said that John is a wonderful person and has a “beautiful competitive spirit” when involved in activities like cornhole and bowling.

“He’s the life of the party,” she said.

 DiRisio also loves listening to Western music and artists like Robert Wells and he still drives, going to Walmart occasionally and church every Sunday. His first car was a 1931 Essex that was given to him by a cousin.  

Now, DiRisio said family is the most important thing to him.

 “They’re the only thing I have,” he said.

Rebecca Hauschild
For the Artesia Daily Press

Florida-based Sports Facilities Management LLC will run the new multimillion-dollar Artesia Recreation Center when it opens early next year.

The Artesia City Council voted at its Tuesday, Nov. 25, meeting to approve a three-year contract that will pay Sports Facilities Management (SLM) $18,000 per month or $216,000 per year for management of the center, which is under construction near the Artesia Aquatic Center on Bowman Drive. SLM also has the management contract at the Aquatic Center.

Construction contractor the Jaynes Corporation broke ground Oct. 29, 2024, on the recreation center, a 46,900 square-foot facility that will feature a variety of recreational options including a fitness center and pickleball courts. The center also will function as a venue for community events.

Estimated to cost about $35 million, the center will replace Artesia’s existing 23,000-square foot recreation center, which was built about 45 years ago and no longer meets community needs, according to city officials.

Other business

The council amended a resolution related to the March 2026 city council elections to clarify that both District 4 council seats will be up for election, one for a regular four-year term and the other for the remaining two years of an unexpired term.

Community Development/Infrastructure Director Byron Landfair reported the 26th Street waterline project will be wrapping up by the end of the year and the 8th Street waterline replacement project will start in mid-January. The project will run along Main Street south to Washington Avenue on 8th Street. Remodeling will begin on the old police department building in February, Landfair said.

Recreation Supervisor Jayde Burnell spoke to the council about an opportunity to use Sports Connect, an online registration platform for all program registrations. Registrants would be charged an extra three dollars, and the city would be charged a 3.4% processing fee. For many programs this would increase the cost for participants from $40 to $43. There would still be an option to register in person and not pay the extra fee. The online registration includes signature of all agreements. More information will be presented to the council for a later decision.

Bob Campbell
Lovington Leader

Abandoned oil and natural gas wells in New Mexico are being dealt with by the state’s energy industry more rapidly than government agencies, according to an oil and gas trade group.

The Santa Fe-based New Mexico Oil and Gas Association reported oil and gas operators have plugged over 90% of the wells decommissioned in the state in recent years.

NMOGA President Missi Currier said 451 wells were plugged by industry, compared to 49 by the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division — the state’s main energy industry compliance arm that plugs wells using public funds when they are abandoned.

“For every well plugged using public funds the oil and gas industry independently plugs 10 more without fanfare and without burdening New Mexico taxpayers,” Currier said.

And Currier noted that wells plugged by the state are funded through its Reclamation Fund, which oil companies pay into to allow for the remediation work.

“Let’s be clear: only tax dollars paid by the oil and gas industry are used to plug orphaned wells in New Mexico. Not a single cent comes from the pockets of New Mexico families,” Currier said.

She said about 34,000 of the about 69,000 active oil and gas wells generate state fees, and that only 349 of those, about 1%, are classified as “orphaned,” and industry term for abandoned.

“This is a testament to the industry’s commitment to responsible operations and long-term stewardship. “However, we know that 1% is still too many and the industry is committed to continuing our work with OCD to ensure the reduction of that number.

In 2022, Currier said, the Reclamation Fund held $21 million and by November 2024 that balance had grown to approximately $66 million thanks to increased federal support and continued contributions from the Conservation Tax directly from industry.

“But these funds are only effective if they’re deployed efficiently” she said. “Delays in procurement and administrative bottlenecks risk not only slowing progress but also jeopardizing future funding.”

Currier called on New Mexico’s government leaders to avoid sweeping the reclamation fund for other purposes, an ensure the money is use primarily for cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells.

“New Mexico’s leadership must prioritize using these dollars as intended on well plugging and site remediation, not diverting them to unrelated initiatives,” she said.

Currier said the energy industry supports modernizing the Reclamation Fund to ensure that it remains a sustainable, efficient tool for environmental protection.

“That means streamlining procurement, reducing administrative burdens and preserving the fund’s integrity for its intended purpose,” she said. “The oil and gas industry is proud to carry the responsibility of plugging and remediating wells.

“It’s a responsibility we take seriously, and one we’re already fulfilling. Let’s work together to ensure that the systems in place support this important work now and for generations to come.”

Nov. 19

Arrest

Luz Elena T. Aguirre arrested for abuse of a child, no great harm or death.

Joshua Corrales arrested for battery against a household member.

DISTURBANCE

12:01 am – Officer dispatched to 600 block of S. 4th St. in reference to disturbance.

SUSPICIOUS

12:05 am – Officer dispatched to 110 block of N. 6th St. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

DOMESTIC

8:49 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to domestic.

STOLEN

10:07 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to a stolen vehicle.

SUSPICIOUS

11:05 am -Officer dispatched to S. 12th St. and W. Grand Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

WELFARE

4:39 pm – Officer dispatched to 1800 block of S. 26th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

INCORRIGIBLE

5:03 pm – Officer dispatched to 2100 block of W. Currier St. in reference to an incorrigible child.

SUSPICIOUS

5:06 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 26th St. in reference to suspicious trespass.

DISTURBANCE

5:33 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 10th St. in reference to disturbance.

DOMESTIC

7:25 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of W. Washington Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

SUSPICIOUS

9:01 pm – Officer dispatched to 200 block of S. 19th St. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

DOMESTIC

10:26 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of W. Mann Ave. in reference to domestic.

UNWANTED

11:19 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. James Ave. in reference to an unwanted subject.

Nov. 20

Arrest

Michael Rey Anthony Salinas arrested for battery against a household member, criminal damage to property, resisting, evading, obstructing an officer.

Denise Dawn Duran arrested for failure to appear.

UNWANTED

1:03 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of N. 4th St. in reference to an unwanted subject.

WELFARE

8:34 am – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

8:53 am – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of W. Sears Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

LARCENY

9:50 am -Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. James Ave. in reference to larceny.

SUSPICIOUS

10:48 am – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Cannon Ave. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

4:59 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Main St. in reference to suspicious activity.

WELFARE

5:25 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 20th St. and W. Grand Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.

THREATS

6:31 pm – Officer dispatched to 1800 block of W. Feather in reference to threats.

UNWANTED

9:11 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richardson Ave. in reference to an unwanted subject.

9:32 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of N. 6th St. in reference to an unwanted subject.

Nov 21

Arrest

Luis Carlos Sotelo arrested for driving on a revoked license.

DOMESTIC

10:12 am – Officer dispatched to 1200 block of W. Yucca Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

10:59 am – Officer dispatched to W. Bush Ave. and N. 13th St. in reference to domestic.

UNWANTED

2:35 pm – Officer dispatched to 200 block of W. Chisum Ave. in reference to an unwanted subject.

FRAUD

4:55 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 26th St. in reference to fraud embezzlement.

SUSPICIOUS

6:33 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of n. 5th St. in reference to suspicious activity.

DISTURBANCE

7:02 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to disturbance.

8:12 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to disturbance.

LOUD

9:15 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to a loud noise.

SHOTS FIRED

9:41 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to shots fired in the area.

Nov 22

John Roberts Sipes arrested for disorderly conduct, assault on peace officer.

STOLEN

12:27 pm – Officer dispatched to 200 block of S. 19th St. in reference to a stolen vehicle.

FIGHT

1:54 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Gilchrist Ave. in reference to a fight in progress.

INCORRIGIBLE

2:47 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of S. 4th St. in reference to an incorrigible child.

UNWANTED

3:36 pm – Officer dispatched to 3200 block of W. Main St. in reference to an unwanted subject.

WELFARE

3:45 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Cleveland Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

7:45 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Gilchrist Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

DOMESTIC

8:49 pm – Officer dispatched to 300 block of S. 2nd St. in reference to verbal domestic.

LOUD

9:17 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 26th St. and W. Grand Ave. in reference to a loud party.

10:55 pm – Officer dispatched to 2800 block of W. Missouri Ave. in reference to loud noise.

Nov 23

Isaac Ray Ornelas arrested for battery against a household member, interference with communications, destroying, removing.

Brandon Blake Wilcox Riley arrested for driving while under the influence of intoxication liquor, driving on roadways laned for traffic, registration on demand.

SUSPICIOUS

12:32 am – Officer dispatched to S. 20th and W. Runyan Ave. in reference to a suspicious activity.

1:45 am – Officer dispatched  to the 2000 block of W. Mann Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

WELFARE

1:05 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Mains St. and N. 41 St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

ALARM

6:24 pm – Officer dispatched to 400 block of commerce Rd. in reference to a burglary alarm.

7:24 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of W. Quay Ave. in reference to a burglary alarm.

DOMESTIC

7:39 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to physical domestic.

Nov. 24

VANDAL

10:17 am – Officer dispatched to 800 block of N. Roselawn Ave. in reference to a vandal.

THREATS

10:53 am – Officer dispatched to 200 block of N. 13th Rural St. in reference to threats.

UNWANTED

11:15 am – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. 2nd St. in reference to an unwanted subject.

SUSPICIOUS

11:28 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to suspicious trespass.

WELFARE

11:33 am – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of Gilchrist Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

ALARM

7:50 pm – Officer dispatched to 300 block of S. 4th St. in reference to an alarm.

Nov. 25

ALARM

12:25 am – Officer dispatched to 600 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to a burglary alarm.

SUSPICIOUS

3:29 am – Officer dispatched to N. 5th St. and W. Chisum Ave. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.