Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

A mill levy partially funding Artesia General Hospital was approved by voters in the Tuesday, Nov. 4, general election, according to unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State.

The levy was supported by 74% of voters with 1,657 votes in favor and 591 against.

The results still must be certified by the Eddy County Commission at a special meeting Monday, Nov. 10, in Carlsbad before being declared official.

Voters turned down the mill levy 638 to 608 in a special, mail-only election on June 3. It was the first time the levy was defeated since it was enacted in 1979. Revenue from the tax is used to supplement the hospital’s operating costs, providing about $4 million to $7 million a year for ongoing expenses at the hospital which serves patients throughout Eddy and Chaves counties.

The levy is paid on property taxes for homeowners and businesses within the Artesia Special Hospital District, which encompasses most of the city limits and about 10,000 voters. It amounts to $2.70 paid on property tax bills per $1,000 of net taxable value.

Hospital officials attributed the levy’s defeat in June to misunderstandings by voters regarding both the filing of mail-in ballots and how the tax would be used. Officials maintained the money would not be used for additional medical facilities planned by the hospital district.

The levy remained in effect through 2025 without renewal, but would have been eliminated in 2026 if voters had rejected the levy in Tuesday’s election.

“In a rural setting, this community investment helps ensure access to a full range of essential healthcare services for local residents,” read a statement from Artesia General Hospital.

District 5 Artesia Special Hospital District Board member Karen Waldrip said the funds would be used for ongoing expenses such as operational costs, equipment purchases and emergency services.

“I’m proud that our community voted to continue the mill levy,” said Waldrip, who won reelection to the hospital district board Tuesday night by capturing 63% of the vote against two challengers.

Waldrip outpolled Perry Williams, who had 25% of the vote, and David Romine with 12%, according to unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State’s office.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to have served my district that last four years. I’ve received an outpouring of support from our community during my campaign for re-election and am especially thankful for those who helped me,” Waldrip said.

Incumbents reelected to school board

Incumbent District 1 Artesia Public Schools board member Jeffery David Conklin won reelection with 74% of the vote, defeating challenger Dennis P. Garcia who earned 26%.

District 2 school board member Kristy Crockett and District 4 board member Benjamin Harvey ran unopposed.

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

Photo by Mike Smith, Artesia Daily Press

Scores of people gathered in downtown Artesia Saturday night for fire, food and music during Balloons, Bands and Brews.

The Artesia High School band and cheerleaders performed while balloonists fired their burners to the music and cheers.

Albuquerque based band Hooks and the Huckleberries were the headline band.

Staff reports

Century Bank announced Tuesday an initiative to aid furloughed employees affected by the current government shutdown. The bank’s program will include low or no-interest rates on personal unsecured loans, Certificate of Deposit secured loans, a payment deferral program for consumer loans, and no penalties for early withdrawal from Certificates of Deposits. Each need will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

“New Mexico is a such a beautiful state, and it is the people that make it vibrant. It is our duty as a community bank to support our neighbors. We are obligated to help on a more personal level,” said Anna Maggiore, director of public relations.

The Bank also announced record-breaking financial results for the quarter ending September 30, 2025. The Bank reports that core earnings and its capital position remain “very strong.”

“The communities we serve—and the people who make them what they are—remain our number one priority. We are in a strong position to help, and are committed to doing just that,” said John E. Brichetto, president and chief executive officer. “I am proud to report our third quarter financials and strong gains we’ve made in our core earnings, our current capital position as well as growth at the branch level.”

Highlights for the third quarter of 2025:

Net income was $9.5 million for the third quarter of 2025.

Tier 1 leveraged capital ratio increased to a healthy 9.60% in the third quarter.

“Century Bank, locally owned since 1887, remains committed to both financial strength and community support, reinforcing its role as a trusted partner in New Mexico,” read a statement from the bank.

Century Bank is a locally owned community bank established in 1887. Century Bank offers a wide range of banking products and services tailored to businesses and residents and is deeply committed to the communities it serves throughout New Mexico. For more information, visit www.mycenturybank.com.

Owners Steve and Pam Wilson, along with their crew and sponsors team from Xcel Energy, set up their hot air balloon “The Empty Nest” at Roselawn Elementary Friday morning.

Pictured with a hot air balloon during the setup are (from left) Chelsea Frederick, Melissa Brennan, John Brennan, and DJ Gonzales (back of the balloon), Pam Wilson, and Candida Gonzales. The pilot, Steve Wilson, is in the basket. The event is a long-standing tradition in Artesia, New Mexico, held the first weekend of November each year.

Students watched in excitement as the balloon was filled with air.

Balloons and Tunes scheduled for the weekend.

Saturday, November 8, 2025

6:00 am – Balloon Launch (weather permitting) at Eagle Draw Park between 7^th & 13^th streets

6:00 am – Food & Coffee Trucks serving at Eagle Draw Park

7:00 am – Artesia’s first “inflatable costume race” inside the draw where hot air balloons lifted from

7:00 am – RC Balloons flying around Eagle Draw park as well

5:00 pm –9:00 pm – Balloons, Bands, & NM Brews @ parking lot at 5^th & Texas St.

               *6:00 pm – the hot air balloon pilots will play along side the AHS marching band in a “fire concert”

Sunday, November 9, 2025 – basic repeat of Saturday

6:00 am – Balloon Launch (weather permitting) at Eagle Draw Park between 7^th & 13^th streets

6:00 am – Food & Coffee Trucks serving at Eagle Draw

Clovis Livestock Market News

Martin Zamora, a Clovis farmer, rancher, businessman and state representative, officially announced his candidacy to challenge Teresa Leger Fernandez in New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District.

The Republican is the first announced challenger who would like to unseat current Democrat incumbent Teresa Leger Fernandez.

Reports filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) show that Zamora outraised incumbent Leger Fernandez during the third quarter of 2025. Between July 1 and September 30, Zamora’s campaign brought in $247,065, compared to the $236,834 raised by Leger Fernandez during the same period.

Zamora’s campaign will focus on economic opportunity, energy independence, border security, and protecting the agricultural backbone of northern New Mexico.

Zamora, a native of Vaughn, is serving his fourth term in the New Mexico House, representing the citizens of District 63. The district includes all of De Baca and Guadalupe counties and portions of Curry, Roosevelt and San Miguel counties.

Zamora and his wife Debbie, a Clovis city councilor, have two daughters and six grandchildren.

He hosted a campaign event last month at the Artesia Country Club where Zamora met with local Republican leaders and touted his six years of experience in the Legislature.

Zamora sits on the Legislature’s interim Water and Natural Resources Committee, which recently met in Artesia to debate oil and gas policy.