Photos by Mike Smith, Artesia Daily Press

Wednesday, J&J Home Care of Artesia hosted a community information meeting at Kith and Kin Roasting Company to allow residents a chance to get additional information from Native Air, an air ambulance company with a helicopter stationed at Artesia General Hospital.

People asked questions of Native Air’s crew and management personnel along with officials from the hospital.

Native Air has 300 bases serving in 48 states.

Dr. Casey Dellabarca from Artesia General Hospital offered insights of a partnership with the hospital and Native Air ambulance.

Dr. Joe Salgado from Artesia General Hospital listened to a presentation from Native Air ambulance on Wednesday at Kith and Kin.

Artesia General Hospital family nurse practitioner Laurie Crockett during a community gathering at Kith and Kin in Artesia.

Jeremy Kern, project manager at Artesia General Hospital, talks about the benefits of Native Air’s presence at the hospital for medical air transport.

Krista Bartock, a flight nurse with Native Air, talks about her work with the air ambulance company.

Staff reports

Eddy County Fire & Rescue Chief Joshua Mack has been named Fire Chief of the Year by the New Mexico Fire & EMS Expo. Chief Mack received the award during the annual event held in Socorro, New Mexico, on Saturday, Oct. 11.

The award recognizes Chief Mack’s exemplary leadership, dedication to fire safety and emergency medical services, and his significant contributions to improving the preparedness and response capabilities of Eddy County Fire & Rescue. Under his guidance, the department has implemented initiatives focused on training, community outreach, and interagency cooperation, enhancing the overall safety of Eddy County residents.

“This recognition is a testament to the hard work and commitment of every man and woman who serves in Eddy County Fire & Rescue,” said Chief Mack. “I am incredibly honored, but this award truly belongs to our team. Their dedication to professionalism and service is what makes a real difference in our community every single day. I also want to acknowledge the unwavering support of our families; their understanding and sacrifices allow us to answer the call 24/7. We will continue to strive for excellence and ensure we’re ready to meet the needs of all Eddy

County residents.”

Eddy County Manager Mike Gallagher commended Chief Mack’s leadership, noting its lasting impact on the department and the community.

“This award reflects not only Chief Mack’s

outstanding leadership but also the strength of the entire Fire & Rescue team,” said Gallagher. “Under his direction, the department has built a culture of excellence, teamwork, and service that benefits every resident of Eddy County.”

Staff Reports

The Otero County Prison Facility recently welcomed a group of Buddhist monks from Nepal, who visited to meet with inmates who practice the Buddhist faith.

The monks were accompanied by longtime religious volunteer Lim Kien, who has devoted more than 11 years to supporting the spiritual growth and well-being of the Buddhist community within the facility.

The monks are currently visiting several locations across the United States to share their teachings and promote understanding of Buddhist philosophy. Their visit to Otero marked the first prison in the U.S. they have ever visited.

During their time at the facility, the inmates had the opportunity to spend meaningful moments with the monks, learning from their wisdom and engaging in discussions about mindfulness, compassion and inner peace. The monks shared guidance rooted in Buddhist philosophy, which emphasizes self-awareness, moral discipline and kindness toward all living beings.

Buddhism, one of the world’s oldest and most practiced religions, teaches that enlightenment and peace come through reflection, meditation and living a life of balance and understanding. For many inmates, the visit offered both inspiration and a renewed sense of purpose, reinforcing the principles they strive to follow each day.

“The residents are becoming more at peace with themselves,” Kien shared. “They’re learning to approach life with love and compassion, to accept adverse conditions and to recognize how external circumstances can influence their state of mind. Instead of reacting, they’re beginning to reflect, to ask why things are happening and to look inward for the cause of their agitation.

“Through this practice, they’re learning to respond in ways that are more thoughtful and beneficial, and to influence others around them to cultivate the same peace and compassion. It’s something we must all practice every day.”

Oct. 2

Arrest

Dwright M. Ontiveros arrested for battery against a household member.

ALARM

4:31 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 42nd St. in reference to a burglary alarm.

VANDAL

9:57 am – Officer dispatched to 3000 block of Browning Ave. in reference to a vandal.

ACCIDENT

11:12 am – Officer dispatched to W. Main St. and S. 20th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

12:10 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Texas Ave. and N. Roselawn Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

12:15 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Main St. and S. 20th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

MISSING

1:09 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Cannon Ct. in reference to a missing adult.

ACCIDENT

3:54 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 26th St. in reference to  a motor vehicle accident.

WANTED

7:29 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 13th St. and W. Mahone Dr. in reference to a wanted person.

OVERDOSE

7:32 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to an overdose.

Oct 3

Arrest

David Ray Molina arrested for battery against a household member interference with communications, destroying, removing criminal damage property.

Luis David Navarrette Machuca arrested for aggravated assault against a household member.

Ammette Marie Valasquez arrested for battery against a house hold member.

SUSPICIOUS

12:16 am -Officer dispatched to 2500 block of W. Mann Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

THREATS

2:56 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of S.  20th St. in reference to threats.

ACCIDENT

9:02 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of N. Roselawn Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

11:33 am – Officer dispatched to N. 13th St. and W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

WELFARE

1:16 pm – Officer dispatched to 1800 block W. Runyan Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

DISTURBANCE

2:43 pm – Officer dispatched to 100 block of N. York St. in reference to disturbance.

SUSPICIOUS

3:39 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 1st St. in reference to a suspicious person.

DOMESTIC

4:12 pm – Officer dispatched to 100 block of N. York St. in reference to physical domestic.

SUSPICIOUS

9:27 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Richardson Ave. and S. 3rd St. in reference to a suspicious person.

DOMESTIC

10:45 pm -Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Washington Ave. in reference to domestic.

WELFARE

10:59 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Catalina Dr. in reference to the welfare of a child.

Oct. 4

DOMESTIC

12:02 am – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of S. 6th St. in reference to domestic.

WANTED

11:09 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 13th St. in reference to a wanted subject.

SUSPICIOUS

11:15 am – Officer dispatched to 2300 block of Sierra Vista Rd. in reference to a suspicious person.

12:51 p m- Officer dispatched to S. 5th St. and W. Quay Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

UNWANTED

1:10 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 1st St. in reference to an unwanted subject.

DISTURBANCE

2:02 pm – Officer dispatched to 2600 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to disturbance.

VANDAL

4:51 pm – Officer dispatched to 400 block of W. Quay Ave. in reference to vehicle vandalism.

ACCIDENT

5:42 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of S. 1st St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

HARASSMENT

8:18 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block on N. 10th St. in reference to harassment.

Oct 5

ACCIDENT

4:36 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 11th St. and W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

SUSPICIOUS

5:44 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. James Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

Oct 6

DOMESTIC

8:40 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of N. 20th St. in reference to domestic.

SUSPICIOUS

9:39 am – Officer dispatched to 1600 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to suspicious person.

HARASSMENT

12:19 pm – Officer dispatched to 3300 block of W. Main St. in reference to harassment.

DISTURBANCE

4:41 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to a family disturbance.

WELFARE

4:58 pm – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of W. Main St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

DOMESTIC

7:35 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

SUSPICIOUS

9:03 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to a suspicious prowler.

10:13 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. 2nd St. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

Oct 7

Arrest

Zedrick T. Cole arrested for destroying or tampering with property, shoplifting, aggravated battery vs household member inflicting injury.

Timothy William Torres arrested for driving on suspended arrest clause battery against a household member.

BATTERY

9:47 am – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Cannon Ave. in reference to battery.

UNATTEND DEATH

10:24 am – Officer dispatched to 200 block of W. Chisum Ave. in reference to an unattended death.

SUSPICIOUS

3:16 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Lolita Ave. in reference to suspicious trespass.

WELFARE

4:54 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Hermosa Dr. and S. 1st St. in reference to the welfare of a child.

RECKLESS

6:08 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 26th St. and W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

SUSPICIOUS

6:18 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 13th St. and W. Mahone Dr. in reference to suspicious activity.

DOMESTIC

6:42 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to domestic.

WELFARE

8:48 pm – Officer dispatched to  900 block of N. 5th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

Oct 8

Arrest

Reba Flossy Plainfeather arrested for contempt of court failure to comply.

Jeremy Domingo Torres arrested for contempt of court failure to comply.

Lindsey Renee Rossing arrested for contempt of court failure to comply.

WELFARE

11:19 am – Officer dispatched to 1800 block of N. Pine St. in reference to the welfare of a child.

UNWANTED

1:20 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 1st St. in reference to an unwanted subject.

SUSPICIOUS

1:33 pm – Officer dispatched to 100 block of S. 14th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

WANTED

3:02 pm – Officer dispatched to 100 N. 15th St. in reference to a wanted subject.

3:35 pm – Officer dispatched to 100 N. 15th St. in reference to a wanted subject.

3:36 pm – Officer dispatched to 1200 block of W. Mann Ave. in reference to a wanted subject.

DOMESTIC

5:10 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 26th St. and W. Grand Ave. in reference to domestic.

DISTURBANCE

6:04 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Main St. in reference to disturbance.

6:32 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of n. 10th St. in reference to disturbance.

Oct 9

Arrest

Adrian Michael Christino Guillen arrested for driving on revoked license.

ARMED SUBJECT

8:05 am – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of N. 1st St. in reference to an armed subject.

ACCIDENT

8:50 am – Officer dispatched to the 400 block of W. Shelton Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

FIGHT

3:11 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Lolita Ave. in reference to a fight in progress.

SUSPICIOUS

7:58 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of N. 8th St. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

10:29 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of W. Main St. in reference to suspicious trespass.

Oct 10

WELFARE

12:11 am – Officer dispatched to N. Osborn Ave. and W. Chisum Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

7:54 am – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 26th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

ALARM

1:18 am – Officer dispatched to 2300 block of W. Grand Ave. in reference to a burglary alarm.

1:45 am – Officer dispatched to 600 block of W.  hermosa Dr. in reference to a burglary alarm.

ACCIDENT

8:19 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 1st St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

8:59 am – Officer dispatched to W. Richardson Ave. and S. 7th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

9:27 am – Officer dispatched to 200 block of N. 5th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

ARMED SUBJECT

8:23 am – Officer dispatched to W. Richardson Ave. and S. 6th St. in reference to an armed subject.

HARASSMENT

2:22 pm – Officer dispatched to 3300 block of W. Main St. in reference to harassment.

RECKLESS

2:28 pm – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

ACCIDENT

5:03 pm – Officer dispatched to E. Hermosa Dr. and S. 1st St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

OVERDOSE

8:10 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 bock of N. 6th St. in reference to an overdose.

SUSPICIOUS

10:27 pm – Officer dispatched to 2700 block of N. 1st St. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

DOMESTIC

11:01 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of Cannon Pl. in reference to verbal domestic.

Oct. 11

DOMESTIC

1:08 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Lolita Ave. in reference to physical domestic.

ACCIDENT

10:01 am – Officer dispatched to N. 14th St. and W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

RECKLESS

11:54 am – Officer dispatched to N. 26th St. and W. Main St. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

SUSPICIOUS

1:47 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Bush Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

WELFARE

3:29 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Gilchrist Ave. in reference to altered mental welfare.

SUSPICIOUS

5:37 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Sears Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

DISTURBANCE

7:41 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of S. 20th St. in reference to disorderly disturbance.

7:45 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of Gilchrist Ave. in reference to disorderly disturbance.

ACCIDENT

7:45 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 26th St. and W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

VANDAL

8:04 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of N. 9th St. in reference to vehicle vandal.

SUSPICIOUS

10:32 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

1:49 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Main St. and N. 4th St. in reference to suspicious vehicle.

SUICIDAL

10:33 pm – Officer dispatched to 2400 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to a suicidal subject.

Oct 12

Arrest

Luis Alberto Islava Chavez arrested for driving under the influence of intoxication liquor, proof, of insurance and registration.

LOUD

1:48 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of N. 4th St. in reference to loud music.

SUSPICIUOS

3:41 am – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

THREATS

11:53 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to threats.

INCORRIGIBLE

3:04 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. James Ave. in reference to an incorrigible child.

WELFARE

5:00 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 13th St. in reference to the mental welfare.

Oct 13

WELFARE

9:42 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Lolita Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

10:31 am – Officer dispatched to 600 block of S. 3rd St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

ACCIDENT

9:47 am – Officer dispatched to 2000 block of W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

DOMESTIC

10:51 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to domestic.

BURGLARY

1:00 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of W. Mahone Dr. in reference to burglary.

INCORRIGIBLE

1:15 pm – Officer dispatched to 400 block of W. Logan Ave. in reference to an incorrigible child.

SUSPICIOUS

1:16 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Bullock Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

DOMESTIC

2:19 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St.  in reference to verbal domestic.

ACCIDENT

2:59 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 13th St. and W.  Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

SUSPICIOUS

6:03 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Main St. in reference to a suspicious person.

SHOTS FIRED

6:26 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Centre Ave. in reference to shots fired in the area.

Oct 14

BURGALRY

6:15 am – Officer dispatched to 2600 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to an auto burglary.

WANTED

8:03 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to a wanted subject.

ACCIDENT

8:06 am – Officer dispatched to Bulldog Blvd and W. Grand Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

DISTURBANCE

8:45 am – Officer dispatched to 100 block of N. 15th St. in reference to disturbance.

ARMED

2:47 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Bullock Ave. in reference to an armed subject.

SUSPICIOUS

8:09 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of S. 5th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

Adrian Hedden
Carlsbad Current-Argus
achedden@currentargus.com

A 29-year-old Carlsbad man was found dead at the Eddy County Detention Center on the morning of Oct. 9, hours after he was incarcerated and after jail staff said the man had a “medical emergency.”

Joel Barrett was arrested and brought to the Carlsbad jail at about 11:50 p.m. Oct. 8, according to Warden Billy Massingill, who said Barrett was in a general area awaiting processing when the “incident” began about 3 a.m.

Massingill declined to speculate on what caused the incident.

Medical personnel at the jail responded according to protocol and attempted to render aid, Massingill said. Barrett was declared dead by the Office of the Medical Investigator at about 5:30 a.m.

“The jail staff clearly rendered aid and did what they were supposed to do. We won’t know what caused it until we get the final report,” Massingill said. “We don’t want anybody dying.”

Massingill said the medical investigator was conducting an autopsy but had yet to determine the cause of Barrett’s death.

The warden said Barrett was put on a 15-minute watch when he entered the jail, meaning staff checked his condition every 15 minutes because he was “acting erratically.”

Inmates are normally checked every hour but checks can be made at 30-minute intervals or more frequently, Massingill said, depending on their behavior.

“We pulled him off the bench area and increased watch on him,” Massingill said. “Something happened between those checks.”

Barrett was originally pulled over while riding a bicycle because he did not have proper lighting and was subsequently arrested for an outstanding municipal court warrant, Massingill said.

Barrett allegedly resisted the officer, got into a physical altercation and was additionally charged with assaulting an officer.

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