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Volleyball ends; a mother’s love does not

JT Keith
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Many of the Artesia volleyball fans take it for granted when they see Kirklyn Miller set the perfect ball to outside hitter Kailee Padilla, flying in from the left side and going high over the net for a kill shot. Miller’s shot against Lovington helped the Lady’ Dogs to an 18-5 record and a 4-2 District 4-4A second-place finish on Thursday.

Next step

That success belies the hard work and effort that have gone into her development, in which she made a verbal commitment to Western Colorado University to continue her playing career and education. There is a tension between mother and daughter under the best of conditions. As a single mother, Mandi Lewallen, 46, raised two girls in a town (Artesia) where she knew no one. It was different and tricky.

Padilla started playing club volleyball in third grade, and according to her mother, she could not serve it over the net. Lewallen has been the assistant coach at Artesia under Alan Williams and has helped coached her daughter for the last three years.

“It has been fun,” Lewallen said. “I don’t think people realize it is a hard relationship to have, to be mother and daughter. I am hard on her, and she has to go home and hear more about it. I am trying to be a mom, but at the same time, I am trying to be a coach, like ‘hey, this could have been better.’ I am on her (Padilla), so there is never a rest period. I have tried to do better this year in her senior year and take it all in. Again, that is a hard relationship.”

Lewallen said while Padilla was growing up, she made sure to put Padilla in camps with better athletes, not only to humble her but also to help her grow as an athlete.

Padilla is getting to celebrate the wins with her mother, whom she is close to and feels blessed to have a good relationship with. Lewallen has pushed Padilla, made her better, and helped her get to where she is now.

Relationship

“Our relationship has stayed the same between my junior year and senior year,” Padilla said. “My mindset has always been to get better. My mom continues to push me, and because it is my senior year, there is no time to take a break. I want to be the best that I can be for my teammates.”

Padilla said volleyball is a mental sport and that she has grown up and improved each season. For Lewallen, this season is one in which she is not taking the time she spends with Padilla for granted, and she realizes it will not hit her until Padilla is no longer playing at Artesia High School next year.    

“Watching her (Padilla) grow in her faith, Lewallen said, “and knowing that she has put in everything that she possibly can. From day one, there have been no regrets for her or for me because we make sure God is the center of everything we do and in the decisions we make. And how we get through things just us. It has been fun, and we are trying to take it all in.”

Lewallen said it has just been the three of them, including the youngest daughter, Kenzie, and that wherever Lewallen has been, all three have been together. The Artesia community has helped raise them since they were small.

Artesia senior volleyball player, Kailee Padilla alongside her mom and coach, Mandi Lewallen

Single mom

Lewallen said the family’s success would not be possible without her parents, Jackie and Denny Powell. Also, that she could not have been the parent she was without their help and guidance. When Lewallen needed to work, her mom would pick up the girls when they were little.

“We have an amazing village that has helped raise my kids,” Lewallen said. “I missed soccer and volleyball games while coaching. I was gone quite a bit when they were young, but I was blessed to have people step in and help me.”

Lewallen served as the head volleyball coach at Ruidoso for two years, but felt God’s pull and was led to Artesia, where she has been a coach for 15 years. Lewallen coached the Bulldogs to the 2021 state championship when head coach Alan Williams was out with COVID. Lewallen said that the championship team played for each other, and the team’s scripture was Ephesians 3:20, that you are playing for more than yourselves, striving for someone higher than you.

“I feel so blessed for the people I have had in my life,” Padilla said. “I would not trade it for anything.

Artesia’s Kailee Padilla gets ready to serve the ball against Carlsbad this season.

Strength

“I am hard on my girls because I want them to be strong,” Lewallen said. “I want them to push to be the best that they can be. I coach that way, too. I raise the bar, and I want the expectations to match. I want them to know that not everyone has or is blessed to have the opportunities they have.

If you don’t get something you think you deserve, then you need to work harder. Do not lay off in the weight room, and do not lay off when you are asked to do stuff. That work ethic will continue as they get older, and I hope it carries over into their jobs, families, and anything they choose to do outside of this. That is how I wanted to raise them.”

Artesia cross country teams shine at state meet

JT Keith
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Artesia cross country teams shine at state meet

For the Artesia boys’ and girls’ cross-country team, this season was one of adaptability and resilience. There was an overhaul plan to get bigger, faster, and stronger, carried over from the 2024 cross-country season into the track season. When cross-country coach Nicholas Rivera and track coach Adrian Olivas discussed making changes to both training programs, both were eager, this after Olivas had just missed winning the state championship in track.

Weight training

Rivera and Olivas decided that an emphasis on weight training and greater endurance in cross-country running would carry over to the track and field season. Well, the proof is in the pudding. After the boys won their third district championship, they posted their best finish at the state meet, ninth out of 17 teams at Albuquerque Academy on Nov. 8.

“When (Adrian) Olivas and I talked,” Rivera said, “and he laid out the plans to include weights into the workouts after running, and how it would help the kids structure and build on their running for not only track, but cross country, I was in. I trust Olivas completely. We had to nurse kids back from injury this year and had them lift, and when they could not run, put them on the bike to get them healthy to where they could compete.”

JT Keith | Artesia Daily Press
Artesia’s cross country runner Edwin Villarreal ran well at state on Saturday.

Cam Devenport gets better

Rivera said that his boys killed it, with all of them running their personal bests. Cameron Devenport ran his season-best with an 18:11.5 to finish in the top 50 at number 44.

“He is one of the runners that continued to get better for us during the season,” Rivera said. “He continued to get better as the season went along. I hate to see him leave as a senior, but I’m excited for him in track season. All of the boys ran their personal best at state, and it was awesome to watch.”

Rivera said the boys are mostly seniors and will have to begin anew, which is exciting, and he looks forward to the new challenge of coaching the runners who will move up.

After Devenport, teammate Edwin Villarreal ran a 18.40.2, for a 59th place finish, and AJ Garcia at 18:42.5 to finish in 62nd place. Teammate Hector Maldonado ran an 18:58.1 to finish in 68th place, and Wyatt Knudsen finished with a 19:18.5 to finish in 79th place. The boys finished in ninth place out of 17 teams.

Bulldog girls

According to Rivera, the girls won their fourth district championship since 2022. The nice part is the finish in state was ninth out of 17 teams.

“The girls ran their best, and we had two finishers in the top 52 in the state – they are killing it,” Rivera said. “We had to make sure the girls were ready, and they ran strongly, setting personal bests.”

“I am excited about what we have coming back next year,” he added. “I told the teams not to sit around for two weeks and do nothing; they need to push it and keep working until track season comes. I think we had a super season, and the results speak for themselves. We did something different in the program. Instead of putting a program together as a group, we tailored it to the individual, and those results worked better and made our one-seven runners closer.”

The Artesia Bulldogs’ girls’ cross-country team ran at a blistering pace. Aubrey Allsion finished 50th in 22:31.6, and teammate Jema Molina finished right behind her in 51st in 22:35.2. McKenna Drake ran a 23:09.2 to finish 64th. Artesia’s Adianez Rentria ran a 24:21.4 to finish in 79th place, and Caylee Shockey ran a 24:35.3 to finish in 84th place.

What happens when rejecting Jesus Christ?

Michael Smith
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What happens when rejecting Jesus Christ?

Rejection is a hard thing for us to take.  It is one thing for us to deal with personal rejection, it is quite another thing for a Christian that Jesus is rejected.  If you have ever witnessed to someone about Christ and they not only rejected the message, but attacked or blasphemed Jesus Himself, then you understand what I mean.  In Luke 9:51-56 Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem and the cross.  Jesus “…stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.”   As a result Jesus did not go around Samaria, as was the Jewish custom, but went straight though.  Then Jesus sent messengers into the village, perhaps to prepare lodging for the night.   But because He was a Jew and obviously on His way to Jerusalem the Samaritans did not receive Jesus.   If you have been a Christian for any time and have tried to tell others about Him, then you have faced rejection.   Personal rejection is one thing, but to see Jesus rejected is quite another.  How do we respond when Jesus is rejected.

We are not told how the rejection was delivered, but, considering the reaction of James and John, it must have been unusually harsh.  “And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? (Luke 9:54).”   In 2 Kings chapter one we have the account of Elijah calling down fire from heaven to consume two different groups of fifty soldiers sent by Ahaziah to bring him in.  James and John were so angered by the Samaritans’ rejection that they asked permission to destroy the village by fire from heaven.  I am certain that they felt justified in their request.  The Samaritans had insulted and rejected the Son of God.  They had zeal, but not knowledge.  Their love for Christ caused them to respond in this very human and carnal way.  We may also respond in a very human way when those we witness to reject Jesus. 

They were rebuked by Christ for this.  “But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of (Luke 9:55).”  They were not Elijah.  Their call was not to pronounce judgment.  We sometimes forget that the Old Testament prophets had a different ministry than you and I as Christians.  We are of a completely different spirit or attitude.  The prophets focused on the wrath and judgment of God, but the message and method of Christ and His followers is different.  “For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them (Luke 9:56a).”  Everything from our attitude to our message to our methods are governed by Christ’s own reason for coming into this world.  If Jesus said that “…the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10), then that is our mission as well.

There is one last phrase that we should meditate on.  “And they went to another village.”  There are consequences for those that reject Christ and His message.  In this case He move on to another village.  This was a principal that Jesus established for His disciples.  “But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another… (Matthew 10:23).”  No violence, no calling down fire from heaven, just simply move on to another town.  “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet (Matthew 10:14).”  Sadly, not everyone will hear the good news of Jesus.  We should not force them to hear.  Pray for them that God will give them grace to repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.  But there are many others that have not heard that need to hear and many of them will repent and put their trust in Jesus.

Perhaps this is the most severe judgment that any can receive.  God’s Spirit will not always abide with man.  The day of grace will pass and Jesus will move on to others more receptive to Him.  Those that reject Christ will not know the consequences of that decision until it is too late.  Charles Spurgeon said, “If you will not receive him, he will go to somebody else. If you will not hear him, somebody else will; and if, when you hear him, you will not accept him, it may be that you will not hear him many times more, the word may never again be spoken with any power to you, but Christ will go to somebody else.”

If you have any questions, we invite you to visit with us this Sunday.   Bible study is at 9:45 A.M. and worship at 10:50 A.M.  We are located at 711 West Washington Ave.

The Seven-Week Advent, Week 1

Michael Smith
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The Seven-Week Advent, Week 1

Ty Houghtaling

I invite you to experience the mystery of the Incarnation anew and to welcome Christ into you’re your hearts and lives in a new way, through an intentional 7-week Advent focus. A 7-week, 7-Sundays, advent season celebration can offer you an opportunity to deepen your spiritual lives through fasting, prayer, repentance, and reflection on the mystery of the Incarnation. I plan on writing something about a 7 Sunday advent each week here in the Daily Press. For each of the seven weeks I will emphasize a specific spiritual focus and some scriptural readings, gradually building toward the celebration of the Nativity. This progression hopefully will encourage you to journey from self-examination and repentance to joy and hope in our Savior.

If November 9th kicks off our first week of Advent, then let’s you and I use this week to focus on the initial call to awaken spiritually and prepare for Christ’s coming. Read and focus on the message of Psalm 139. This Psalm is one of obvious self-examination. I also encourage you to start reading some doctrinally sound devotions on Christmas in particular. I can recommend “Why the Nativity” by Dr. David Jeremiah or “Joy to the World” by John Piper. You could tune up your voice this week and start singing Christmas hymns and listening to Christmas music. It is never too early to listen to Christmas music! Maybe you could even challenge your Sunday School class or small group Bible study class to set up a time to go caroling, a good ol’ fashioned hayride through your neighborhood serenading your neighbors with “Away in the Manger” and “Hark the Hearld Angles Sing”.  Use this first week to focus on Jesus’ miraculous birth and get your heart and mind right before the Lord, that might mean a time of repentance each day, specific prayer for repentance and asking God to forgive you and restore in you the Christmas Spirit we all love and cherish.

You can also start making plans (mark them in your calendar) to get involved in the Christmas activities around town. Commit to your churches activities and maybe even make plans to attend other Christmas activity like what First Baptist is planning to do on the evenings of December 12 and 13. My church, FBC, is hosting a “One Night in Bethlehem” family experience in our Total Life Center. It will be worth the attending if you can make it. This is week 1, make the most of it.

Voters approve hospital mill levy

Michael Smith
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Voters approve hospital mill levy

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.

Hooks and the Huckleberries highlight Balloons, Bands and Brews

Michael Smith
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Hooks and the Huckleberries highlight Balloons, Bands and Brews

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.

Century Bank offers relief for furloughed workers during government shutdown

Michael Smith
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Century Bank offers relief for furloughed workers during government shutdown

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.

Artesia Chamber welcomes Fabricator’s Feast on West Main Street

Michael Smith
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Artesia Chamber welcomes Fabricator’s Feast on West Main Street

Artesia Chamber of Commerce

The Artesia Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome Fabricator’s Feast as one of its newest members.

Fabricator’s Feast serves freshly prepared meals right here in Artesia, with regular business hours from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Fridays. The business is conveniently located in the west parking lot of 1010 W. Main Street.

In addition to their regular menu, Fabricator’s Feast offers catering services for events of all sizes and will begin taking Thanksgiving orders next week.

Bass, walleye, salmon biting in New Mexico

Michael Smith
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Bass, walleye, salmon biting in New Mexico

Information and photo provided by New Mexico Department of Game and Fish

Trout, salmon, walleye and all kinds of fish are ready for anglers this weekend at lakes and streams in northern New Mexico.

At Ute Lake, fishing for walleye, white bass, blue gill, and channel catfish was good using 4-inch Gulp minnows on 3/8-ounce jig heads and 2 1/2-inch blade bates.

At Eagle Nest Lake, fishing for kokanee salmon was very good. Fishing for rainbow trout was slow when using flies and spoons from a boat.

Fishing for northern pike at Cochiti Lake was very good using minnows.

Along the San Juan River, fishing for rainbow trout was very good using size-24 grey-and-black Big Mac flies on a 6x tippet in the quality waters.

Fishing for trout was very good using PowerBait and pink worms at the Seven Springs Kids’ Pond.

At Red River, fishing for brown trout was slow to fair using Panther Martin spinners.

Fishing for trout was slow to fair using Green PowerBait at Santa Cruz Reservoir.

Fishing for catfish was slow to fair using chicken liver near the dam.

In southeast New Mexico at Eunice Lake, fishing for largemouth bass was very good using black and white chatterbaits and soft plastic crawfish.

This fishing report, provided by the Department of Game and Fish, has been generated from the best information available from area officers and anglers. Conditions encountered after the report is compiled may differ, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.

Balloons & Tunes blasts off Friday

Latisha Romine
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Balloons & Tunes blasts off Friday

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 7th & 13th 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 5th & 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 7th & 13th streets

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

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