Benjamin Koelkebeck

Artesia Daily Press

Bkoelkebeck@elritomedia.com

The Ruidoso Convention Center became a winter wonderland Nov. 14-16 as visitors flocked to the annual Ruidoso Christmas Jubilee to enjoy vendors’ wares, tasty food and live entertainment.

Organized and operated by the Ruidoso Valley Greeters – the philanthropic arm of the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce – the jubilee is designed to generate business for local businesses while also raising money for charitable organizations in the community.

Organizers say the jubilee provides an immediate benefit to participating vendors by giving them a venue to interact with potential customers during the time between Labor Day and Thanksgiving – a typically slow period for local businesses.

“Everybody’s so friendly, and everybody’s so helpful and it’s festive and wonderful,” said Jane Terrell, the event’s booth sales chairman.

While the jubilee focuses on boosting local business, the festivities also offer a good time for vendors and customers alike, organizers say.

One family-owned business that enjoyed a boost was The Fruit Stand, staffed by Pat Rue, an owner, and two of her grandchildren. Rue said the jubilee brought in extra income at a time when it was needed and also provided a wealth of exposure for the small business.

“(The Jubilee) brings in a lot of tourists to the area, not necessarily because they’re coming to The Fruit Stand, but they’re coming to the Christmas Jubilee, and then you can advertise your business,” Rue said.

Another booth, A Teacher’s Hobby, sold handcrafted art and jewelry made with rocks, epoxy and other materials.

“It’s fun for me as a hobbyist and someone who just does this part time that I can sit next to a full-time business and get to share my craft, my hobby and art, and that people find value in it as well,” said Summer Wilson, a fourth-grade teacher at White Mountain Elementary and co-owner of A Teacher’s Hobby.

Getting to interact with the community, whether with past students or other local residents, was especially important to Wilson. She said the event was a good example of community spirit.

“Events like this, you get to see people at their best and it’s genuine,” said Wilson.

Mixed among the hobbyists and merchants was a four-legged celebrity named Mountain Spirit, and his passionate owner Sunny Eris.

Eris, co-founder and director of Animal Village NM, a low income spay and neuter program, rescued Mountain Spirit in 2019 and says he has since been her “copilot” on 20 different rescue transports around the country.

Mountain Spirit, a 7-year-old mixed breed (shepherd, chow, husky, malamute, border collie, Aussie and chihuahua) won the John Henry Support Animal Award earlier this year as part of the New Mexico Behavioral Health Planning Council’s annual Behavioral Health Day in Santa Fe. The award recognizes the role of support animals in mental health and recovery, according to the New Mexico Health Care Authority’s website.

The health conference was attended by a number of New Mexico’s movers and shakers, Eris said, and the dog’s story of suffering and rescue made him popular with the human celebrities.

“All the senators and the congresspeople, they’re talking to their aids, and they’re going ‘Hey get a picture of me with the dog,’” she said.

Anyone interested in participating in the next jubilee should contact the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce at 575-257-7395 or visit the chamber website www.ruidosonow.com.

Benjamin Koelkebeck is a reporter and assistant news editor for the Ruidoso News and can be reached at bkoelkebeck@elritomedia.com.

Mike Smith

Artesia Daily Press

msmith@currentargus.com

Brunch, holiday shopping, entertainment and community togetherness all will be part of Saturday’s first-ever Jingle Bell Brunch sponsored by the Artesia Altrusa Club.

Doors open at 10:30 a.m. at the Artesia Administration and Training Center at 301 Bulldog Blvd. Brunch will be served at 11:30.

Co-chairs Ashley Mason and Barbara Huitron said proceeds from the event will benefit Altrusa’s Student of the Month Scholarship and other projects of the service agency.

(Photo by Mike Smith, Artesia Daily Press. Ashley Mason during an interview on the Jingle Bell Brunch)

Artesia’s Altrusa club has been around for 70 years and long relied on a winter smorgasbord as the organization’s main fundraiser.

“We’ve seen some decline in recent years,” she said.

Mason said the idea for the Jingle Bell Brunch was sparked by a visit to the Holiday Happening event hosted by Altrusa International in Portales.

“They host it on the Eastern New Mexico University campus. We really thought it would do well,” she said.

Huitron said the Portales organization sold individual tables with Christmas decorations.

(Photo by Mike Smith, Artesia Daily Press. Barbara Huitron of the Artesia Altrusa Club)

“It’s a luncheon to start kicking off the holidays,” she said.

Mason said the Artesia group put a different twist on the holiday idea.

“We added vendors and a dessert dash. They’ve  been doing theirs for 30 years. We hope to get there,” she said.

Mason and Huitron spent October and the early part of November soliciting sponsors to decorate tables.

Huitron said freeze-dried foods, candy, homemade soaps and also clothing will be among the items offered by vendors.

Artesia Altrusa’s community service isn’t limited to scholarships, she said: “Literacy is our big topic. On Halloween we handed out books at Bennie’s Western Wear.”

Mason said Altrusa provides money and goodie bags for senior citizens living at Good Life Senior Living and Memory Care in Artesia and Lake View Christian Home in Carlsbad.

Altrusa International was founded in 1917 as the Altrusa Institute, according to the organization’s website.

Dr. Alfred Durham founded the organization in Nashville, Tennessee, citing a need for women’s service organizations during World War I. He organized chapters around Nashville, Louisville, Kentucky, and Dayton, Ohio, before moving to Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mason has been involved with the Artesia club since 2014.

“I’ve always been passionate about service. I like giving back and doing (good) for others,” she said.

Huitron said she has been involved since 2012.

“I’ve never been around anything like this before. I’ve enjoyed it,” she said. “We do a lot of good. We are hidden gem. We have so much that we want to do,”

Anyone wanting tickets or more information can call Mason at 575-365-4002 or Huitron at 575-365-5381.

Adrian Hedden
Artesia Daily Press

A fight between two men in Carlsbad last month led to a shooting and five felony charges for the alleged shooter who said he was “on a bender” in the days before the incident.

Wyatt Widener, 19, was arrested Oct. 1 after police said he opened fire with a Glock handgun on Antonio Tonrabene, 25, and Lateesha Delgado, 30, hitting Delgado in the foot.

Tonrabene was uninjured in the shooting.

Widener was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon conversion device, receiving a stolen firearm and two counts of tampering with evidence. He also faced a misdemeanor charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.

He was arraigned Monday, Nov. 17, before District Judge David Finger.

Officers responded to the scene in the 600 block of North Fifth Street about midnight Oct. 1 after Delgado called police to report she was shot in the foot by “stupid people,” read the criminal complaint filed in the case.

Police said Widener fled the scene after the shooting but was later apprehended in the 300 block of Mesquite Street and confessed to the shooting after saying he’d been “partying all night” ahead of the altercation.

Widener told police he pulled a modified handgun out of his jacket in response to aggressive actions by Tonrabene and fired several rounds from about five feet away. Widener said he took the gun apart and hid the pieces under a nearby truck then ran away from the area.

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

Nov 8

Arrest

Jonathan Ray Romero arrested for battery against a household member.

Troy Leon Hopson arrested for aggravated DWI of intoxicating liquor or drugs.

DOMESTIC

12:30 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to physical domestic.

4:12 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to physical domestic.

DISTURBANCE

7:59 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of W. Cleveland Ave. in reference to disturbance.

SHOTS FIRED

8:50 am – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Cannon Ave. in reference to shots fired in the area.

INCORRIGIBLE

2:00 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to an incorrigible child.

VANDAL

3:09 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of S. 14th St. in reference to vandal.

WELFARE

3:38 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

4:40 pm – Officer dispatched to 1700 block of W. Main St. in reference to the welfare of a child.

UNWANTED

4:07 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to an unwanted subject.

SUSPICIOUS

5:27 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of S. 21st St. in reference to a suspicious person.

9:31 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of N. 4th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

ARMED

9:41 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 5th St. and W. Main St. in reference to an armed subject.

Nov. 9

Arrest

Casey Josephine Ortega arrested for trespass and disorderly conduct.

Vicente Ontiveros arrested for municipal failure to appear.

UNWANTED

12:35 am – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 8th St. in reference to an unwanted subject.

SHOTS FIRED

3:23 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 14th St. in reference to shots fired in the area.

WELFARE

1:16 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 13th St. and W. Main St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

2:04 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 4th ST. and W. Park Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.

SUSPICIOUS

5:45 pm – Officer dispatched to 2700 block of W. Mains St. in reference to a suspicious person.

5:59 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of N. Roselawn Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

10:37 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of N. 5th St. in reference to suspicious activity.

Nov. 10

SUSPICIOUS

12:05 am – Officer dispatched to N. 14th St. and W. Bush Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

ALARM

2:53 am – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of S. 13th St. in reference to a burglary alarm.

4:21 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Dallas Ave. in reference to a burglary alarm.

Nov 11

Arrest

Samarah Ann Lara arrested for battery against a house hold member.

WELFARE

9:17 am – Officer dispatched to W. Washington Ave. and S. 9th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

DISTURBANCE

9:20 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Washington Ave. in reference to a family disturbance.

10:55 am – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Hank Ave. in reference to disturbance.

WELFARE

1:42 pm – Office dispatched to 600 block of N. 8th St. in reference to the welfare of a child.

INCORRIGIBLE

5:47 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. James Ave. in reference to an incorrigible child.

GRAFFITI

5:56 pm – Officer dispatched to 100 block of W. Cleveland Ave. in reference to graffiti.

ARMED

5:58 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of Lolita Ave. in reference to an armed subject.

SUSPICIOUS

7:52 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

ALARM

8:47 pm – Officer dispatched to 300 block of W. Main St. in reference to an alarm.

8:55 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. Roselawn Ave. in reference to an alarm.

10:07 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to an alarm.

Nov. 12

WELFARE

12:41 am – Officer dispatched to N/. 2nd St. and W. Main St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

SUSPICIOUS

4:23 am – Officer dispatched to 2400 block of Loma Rd. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

ACCIDENT

7:49 am – Officer dispatched to 2600 block of W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

BURGLARY

9:01 am – Officer dispatched to 2700 block of N. 1st St. in reference to a burglary.

SUSPICIOUS

9:54 am – Officer dispatched to N. 8th St. and W. Alvarado Ave. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

WELFARE

9:58 am – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of S. 1st St. in reference to mental welfare.

LOUD

2:33 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. 6th St. in reference to loud music.

RECKLESS

4:14 pm – Officer dispatched to s. 20th St. and W. Briscoe Ave. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

SUSPICIOUS

8:38 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of w. Washington Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

8:42 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 20th St. and W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to suspicious activity.

Nov. 13

Arrest

Anthony Isiah Benavidez arrested for possession of burglary tools, burglary of structure.

Bryant Jordan Coddington arrested for burglary of structure.

SUSPICIOUS

1:56 am – Officer dispatched to N. 13th St. and W. Main St. in reference to suspicious activity.

4:24 am – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of S. 21st St. in reference to a suspicious person.

WANTED

9:10 am – Officer dispatched to 100 block of W. Cleveland Ave. in reference to a wanted subject.

ALARM

4:59 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Washington Ave. in reference to a burglary alarm.

SUSPICIOUS

5:06 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 8th St and W. Richardson Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

6:35 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

THREATS

7:47 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Main St. in reference to threats.

DOMESTIC

8:05 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Lolita Ave. in reference to physical domestic.

LARCENY

9:49 pm – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of W. Sears Ave. in reference to larceny.

DISTURBANCE

11:01 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Centre Ave. in reference to a family disturbance.

Nov. 14

Arrest

James Todd Hughes arrested for stop sign violation, no drivers license, no insurance, false evidence of title and registration, consumption of alcoholic beverages, open container, driving while under the influence of liquor.

UNWANTED

12:06 am- Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. 1st St. in reference to an unwanted subject.

SUSPICIOUS

12:40 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Washington Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

4:40 am – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Centre Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

WELFARE

8:10 am – Officer dispatched to S. 4th St. and W. Dallas Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

SUSPICIOUS

9:35 am – Officer dispatched to S. Yates St. and W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to a suspicious person.

WELFARE

11:34 am- Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Main St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

BATTERY

12:23 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of S. 13th St. in reference to battery.

DOMESTIC

1:43 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of W. Washington Ave. in reference to physical domestic.

DISTURBANCE

3:21 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 4th St. and W. Dallas Ave. in reference to disturbance.

WELFARE

7:19 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. 3rd St. in reference to the welfare of a child.

SUSPICIOUS

9:33 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of w. Mann Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

9:53 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Sears Ave. and S. 20th St. in reference to suspicious activity.

Adrian Hedden
Artesia Daily Press
achedden@currentargus.com

Former Loving Police Chief Frank Methola was convicted Nov. 14 of impersonating a police officer, nearly four years after he was accused of making an arrest outside of his jurisdiction.

Methola, 54, was arrested on Nov. 29, 2021, and charged with a count each of impersonating a peace officer and battery – a misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor, respectively.

A 12-person jury found Methola guilty on both charges after a four-day trial held in Eddy County District Court before District Judge David Finger.

The charges stemmed from an Aug. 26, 2021, incident when Methola pulled over Cody Hill for speeding within Carlsbad city limits.

Police said Methola made the traffic stop after entering the Carlsbad city limits while driving south on U.S. Highway 285 in his Loving Police Department vehicle.

Methola, a commissioned Loving police officer, was dressed in his full Loving Police Department uniform, police said, but did not possess a commission card from the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office allowing him to make traffic stops and arrests outside of Loving but within Eddy County.

Prosecutors at trial argued that Methola acted outside of his jurisdiction when he detained Hill, using a Taser and handcuffing him after Methola alleged Hill resisted.

Hill was never arrested or issued a citation.

Following the verdict, Fifth Judicial District Attorney Dianna Luce, who prosecuted the case, said the jury’s decision should send a message that “everyone is accountable to the rule of law.”

Luce said that while the misdemeanor charge held a potential sentence of 364 days, along with 182 days for the petty misdemeanor, her biggest goal was to put a conviction on Methola’s record she hoped would make it difficult for him to be hired in the future as an officer in the state of New Mexico.

“At the end of the day, what I argued to the jury was about the rule of law,” Luce said. “He (Methola) was not cross-commissioned in the city of Carlsbad. His jurisdiction did not give him any right to go into Carlsbad and arrest a suspect.”

Luce argued during the trial that a memorandum of understanding between the village of Loving and Eddy County did not give any additional authority to officers of one municipality within the county to make arrests in another. Luce also argued that Methola had the option of following Hill and calling Carlsbad police to assist and make the arrest.

The memorandum, which described how the county contracted with municipal law enforcement for policing outside of city limits, was a point of contention during the trial.

“I know it seems like a technicality, but the problem is that if a stop is bad, any such case would be dismissed,” Luce said. “There are a lot of specific requirements for traffic enforcement; there are a lot of things he (Methola) could have done differently.”

On June 2, 2023, Methola filed a motion to dismiss the case against him, arguing his pursuit of Hill began in Loving and continued as the alleged speeder ignored orders to pull over and drove into Carlsbad.

The motion also argued that state law allowed for officers to make arrests outside of their jurisdiction when in “fresh pursuit” of a defendant fleeing that jurisdiction.

Eddy County and the village of Loving had a “joint police services agreement” in effect at the time of the incident, read the motion to dismiss, meaning Loving police officers were allowed to make arrests in other Eddy County jurisdictions.

The agreement stated the village of Loving will “provide police services to the extent available or on an as needed basis.” It also listed fire and emergency medical services being provided to residents of Eddy County by the village as needed and determined by the Eddy County Commission.

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