Home Blog Page 78

Former APS employee runs for school board

Michael Smith
-
0
Former APS employee runs for school board

Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

Editor’s note: The Artesia Daily Press has submitted questionnaires to candidates for Artesia Special Hospital District and school board in this year’s general election. The paper is publishing the responses in print in the order they were received.

Artesia native and resident Dennis Garcia is a retired Artesia Public Schools (APS) educator and administrator and is running for school board in District 1 against incumbent David Conklin.

What made you want to run for this office?

“I want to ensure that Artesia Public Schools continue to provide a high-quality education for every student in our district. I’ve seen firsthand how the quality of education offered by APS not only supports student success but also contributes to the overall success of our community.”

What would be your day-one priority if elected to this office?

“I don’t have a specific “day-one” priority, other than gaining a deeper understanding of the role of a board member, listening to community stakeholders, and applying what I’ve learned from my experience as a former APS employee.”

What are some of the top issues facing Artesia students?

“Chronic absenteeism is a major challenge to student achievement in any school district. During my 33 years as an educator for APS and for nearly a decade as an administrator, I observed how poor attendance affected student success. If a student missed 2 to 4 days in the first month of school, they were often on track to miss 15 to 25 days over the course of the school year. And that was before the impact of COVID-19.

“Addressing absenteeism requires a collaborative approach involving parents, schools, community, and policymakers. It’s not enough to monitor attendance, we need to also address the underlying causes.

“If elected, I would be committed to joining conversations and initiatives that work to implement real, lasting solutions to reduce student absenteeism.”

If elected, how would you deal with future growth and future construction?

“It’s important that approved budgets are allocated effectively for educational growth. I would engage with the administration and community to gather feedback and ensure that the district’s goals align with the needs of the students and community.”

Athlete of the Week

JT Keith
-
0
The Artesia marching band is Athlete of the Week, seen with Seek 1st Ty Houghtaling.

A look at Artesia volleyball against Ruidoso

JT Keith
-
0
A look at Artesia volleyball against Ruidoso
Artesia’s Avery Fredrick goes up on a kill shot against Ruidoso’s Morgan Eidson, Tuesday night. Artesia defeated the Lady Warriors 25-19, 25-19 and 25-10. Todd Fuqua Artesia Daily Press
Artesia’s Brecklyn Miller gets a dig in against Ruidoso in a match Tuesday night. Todd Fuqua Artesia Daily Press
Artesia’s Brooklynne Ivans serves against Ruidoso in the Lady Dogs victory on Tuesday night. Todd Fuqua Artesia Daily Press
Artesia’s Jenna Whitmire goes up high against Ruidoso in a match Tuesday night. Todd Fuqua Artesia Daily Press
Artesia’s tower of power Kirklyn Miller and Jena Whitmire goes up for a block against Lady Warriors’ Aubrey Eidson during Tuesday night action.
Artesia’s Kirklyn Miller sets the ball against Ruidoso during action on Tuesday night.

Scenes from the Zia football game on Monday

JT Keith
-
0
Zia quarterback Beau Hocker looks to throw a pass during the football game on Monday night at the Bulldog Bowl. The white team won 22-6. JT Keith | Artesia Daily Press
The band was there playing for the Zias.
Coach Jeremy Maupin huddles with the white team to hear the call of the play.

A orange defensive player tackles Roman DeHoyos in the backfield during the game on Monday.

Mason Perez looks for room to run during action Monday night.
Orange quarterback Peyton Fuentes steps out of bounds after picking up a first down on a quarterback run.
Coach Maupin listens to the play called by the Orange team.
Zia running back Brayden Burnell makes a big run against the White team’s defense.
Liam Barbour makes a catch and tries to break a tackle during the game on Monday.
Both teams get the rush of running out and breaking through paper under Monday Night Lights.
Logan Miller #81 chases #43 of the White team during action on Monday night.
Landon West chases down a player and makes the tackle on Monday during the Zia game.
Liam Barbour scores a touchdown on a 40-yard run during the game on Monday night.

Letter to the editor

Michael Smith
-
0
Letter to the editor

Domestic Violence Awareness Month was first observed in October 1987, marking the beginning of a national movement to bring attention to the issue of domestic violence and honor the strength of survivors. Since then, October has served as a reminder that ending abuse requires both community awareness and collective action.

Here in Eddy County, we are fortunate to have a strong network of agencies and organizations dedicated to protecting victims and their children while holding offenders accountable. Affirming Heart Victim Services provides vital counseling, forensic interviewing, and advocacy. Grammy House and the Carlsbad Battered Families Shelter offer safe refuge and supportive services to those escaping abuse.

Law enforcement also plays a critical role. The Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, through its specialized Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team (DVERT), works alongside the Carlsbad Police Department, Artesia Police Department, New Mexico State Police, and Loving Police Department to ensure a coordinated and trauma-informed response. These professionals demonstrate daily that protecting families and breaking cycles of violence requires teamwork, compassion, and perseverance.

But lasting change requires more than just professional dedication, it also depends on community involvement. Each of us can make a difference by supporting local shelters and advocacy programs through financial contributions, volunteering time, or simply spreading awareness. By standing together, we ensure that survivors know they are not alone and that Eddy County is united in breaking the silence around domestic violence.

During this month of awareness, I encourage all community members to recognize the courage of survivors, support the agencies that stand with them, and join in the effort to build a safer, healthier Eddy County for future generations.

Sincerely,

Eric K. Threlkeld

Captain, Eddy County Sheriff’s Office

Behind the scenes of democracy

Michael Smith
-
0
Behind the scenes of democracy

Photos by Adrian Hedden

Weeks before this year’s election, staff at the Eddy County Clerk’s Office were hard at work testing and certifying the machines used by voters to choose their elected leaders for the next four years.

Eddy County Clerk Cara Cooke and her team spent the morning of Sept. 30 running dummy ballots through the machines, ensuring they will run correctly for early voting starting today, and later for the Election Day on Nov. 4.

Mescalero man faces federal sexual abuse charges

Michael Smith
-
0
Mescalero man faces federal sexual abuse charges

Staff Reports

Deverne Torres Jr., a Mescalero man, is facing federal charges of Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Sexual Abuse of a Minor after allegedly engaging in sexual acts with a minor.

Torres, 45 and an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, will remain in custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled, according to a release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Mexico. If convicted, Torres faces up to life in prison.

Following a report made to the Bureau of Indian Affairs in February 2021, Torres underwent an investigation. The report stated that a witness claimed to have seen Torres kissing and touching a minor and reportedly threatened the witness to keep quiet. During a subsequent interview, the victim disclosed that Torres had engaged in sexual acts with them beginning when they were under the age of 12 and continuing for years.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is seeking other potential victims of Torres. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Bureau of Indian Affairs at (575) 464-4479.

Bulldogs focus on more than just championships

JT Keith
-
0
Bulldogs focus on more than just championships

JT Keith
Artesia Daily Press
jtkeith@elritomedia.com

Coach aims to leave a legacy in players’ lives

In the Oct. 7 coaches’ poll, the Artesia Bulldogs are ranked No. 1 in District 5A with 110 points and 11 first-place votes, followed by District 2-5A rivals Roswell at No. 2 and Lovington at No. 3. There is still a lot of football left in the next three weeks, and each team will face off against the others to determine who will win the district and advance to the playoffs.

Bulldogs football coach Jeremy Maupin said he ignores the polls and that his main goal is to improve his team by tournament time.

The 2025 Bulldog Standard Artesia Athletic Communications

 

 

Artesia (6-1, 4-0 in District 2-5A) has played in the championship game the last four years. Maupin said his team is setting “The Bulldog Standard,” the team’s new motto this season. Every letter in their mascot name stands for something different:

B-Be the best version of you

U-Unity

L-Leadership

L-Loyalty

D-Discipline

O-Off the field, what you do matters

G-Grit

“As a department, we are using that as a standard and fitting all we want and making it happen,” Maupin said. “People make fun of us because we all wear the same-colored cleats and our socks are the same, but that’s unity. That’s something we feel separates us when we walk down the ramp; we look like one unit. We can find something meaningful in all those words.”

Maupin acknowledges that the Artesia coaches have a significant impact on the athletes who play for them for four years, and he wants his players to become good men, husbands and fathers, as well as productive citizens in society.

Maupin does not want his athletes’ most significant accomplishment to be winning a high school championship, and that’s it. Maupin said he wants his athletes to use high school as a platform to build a successful life.

“I will have the team over to my house during the season,” Maupin said. “I want them to see they can have good, clean fun without doing some of the things society says is fun. I love our team, and we have good young men, which is why I will have them to my family’s home during the season. We want to prepare our players for life and to be successful after they leave high school.”

Artesia soccer player has busy summer

JT Keith
-
0
Artesia soccer player has busy summer

JT Keith
Artesia Daily Press
jtkeith@elritomedia.com

Artesia junior Estrella Gutierrez, a defender on the Artesia girls soccer team, played a lot of soccer this summer.

She traveled to Colorado and Minnesota, competing in the US Club Soccer NPL U16 Finals in Commerce City, Colo., and the Target USA CUP in Blaine, Minn.

Gutierrez said it was a fantastic experience getting to play for the second consecutive year against elite competition.

She said that her goal is to play in college, and this experience is what college soccer would be like. Gutierrez wants to use her experience to help strengthen the Lady Bulldogs soccer team.

“Not very many players have had this type of opportunity,” Gutierrez said. “I want to share the many different skills and tips I learned with my teammates and coaches and become more of a leader.”

 

 

In the NPL U16 Finals, Gutierrez played for Sting WTX Olivarez 09G, based out of Lubbock, Texas.

They played in the Red River National Premier League in Dallas and secured first place in the 2024-25 season, qualifying for the national tournament. There were 16 teams in their age group from Florida, New Jersey and California.

 

In the Target USA CUP, she played with her travel team, Select Chicas 08/09G. The Chicas are a U17 Select team from Anchorage, Alaska, coached by Steve Day. The team includes girls from Alaska, but also welcomes girls from across the country who play competitive soccer and aspire to play in college. It gives them exposure in most major showcases across the U.S.

Artesia’s Estrella Gutierrez makes a pass to a teammate during Tuesday night action against Portales at Robert Chase Field.

The Target USA CUP is the largest youth soccer tournament in the U.S., with more than 1,200 teams from 17 countries.

Gutierrez said that playing in the nationals is more challenging than playing in high school because some girls representing other countries are bigger and faster than some of the girls in high school here.

“Playing in the USA CUP helps me to be able to play against all types of players from all around the world,” Gutierrez said. “Not knowing any of the girls on the team helps you.”

By playing in the club and for the national team, Gutierrez said that it will help her know what to do on the field during games and how to create plays.

“I would like to be a better teammate this year,” Gutierrez said. “I would like to score and give more assists.”

JT Keith can be reached at 575-420-0061, or on X @JTKEITH1.

Artesia Bulldogs football team overwhelms Santa Teresa

JT Keith
-
0
Artesia Bulldogs football team overwhelms Santa Teresa

JT Keith
Artesia Daily Press
jtkeith@elritomedia.com

Perhaps the Artesia Bulldogs football team should start every game with a turnover.

In the last two weeks, the Bulldogs have won the opening kickoff and turned the ball over on the first play of the game. Artesia running back Bryce Parra fumbled on his first run of the game on Friday after the opening kickoff against Santa Teresa, but the Bulldogs bounced back from the turnover and continued their dominating ways with a 58-0 thrashing of the Desert Warriors at the Bulldog Bowl.

Artesia (6-1, 4-0 in District 2-5A) dominated on offense, defense and special teams.

“We were overwhelmed,” said Santa Teresa coach Shae Vierra. “Artesia obviously had a lot more talent than we did, but I love the fight in our kids. Our team came out and gave a great effort, but we were just overwhelmed.”

Artesia coach Jeremy Maupin said he was proud of his team and the effort they gave. The shining unit for the Bulldogs was special teams, which scored on a blocked punt, forced a safety, and returned a punt and kickoff for touchdowns.

 

“Bryce is healthy, and he is back on kickoff returns,” Maupin said. “Santa Teresa kicked to him, and Parra took one to the house and Edel Villa returned a punt for a 48-yard touchdown. Marco Soto blocked a punt in the end zone for a safety.”

 

Maupin said the defense has two starters not playing right now and the other players have stepped up and played well. Maupin said he is hoping to get the starters back in time for the last three games of the season and the playoffs.

Every receiver caught a pass

All the Bulldog receivers made catches, and none more exciting and frustrating than when quarterback Derrick Warren threw a slant to a slashing Jack Byers, who ran the ball 62 yards to the 1-yard line before being tackled by a Desert Warrior defensive back. Maupin said that he was happy to get all the wide receivers’ touches in the game.

Class act

At the end of the second quarter, when the game was called, the Bulldogs’ football team stayed out and sat down in the end zone to watch the band perform its performance for an upcoming contest this week. Not only that, but the team listened to the senior band members being introduced to the crowd on Senior Night.

“It started when I was at Los Lunas,” Maupin said. “I feel like it is an excellent opportunity to support the band and see their show. We never get to watch the band because we are always in the locker room game planning. Eric Benton is the new band director, and he is doing an excellent job. It is fun to watch (the band) evolve and grow. They play for us the whole game, so for us to get to watch them for 20 minutes, it is the least we can do. I thought it was really cool that we got to be a part of that.”

Artesia wide receiver Trent Egeland makes a catch against Santa Teresa for a two-point conversion at the Bulldog Bowl on Friday night, Oct. 3.

Bye week

The Bulldogs have a bye this week before taking on the Roswell Coyotes at 7 p.m. at the Wool Bowl on Friday, Oct. 17.

Maupin said he will give the players Saturday off and push everything back a day, and the team will still get after it. According to Maupin, the bye week only means the Bulldogs do not have a game that week.

‘Best team in the state’

“They are the best team in the state,” Vierra said. “They (Artesia) are probably going to win every game by double digits. They are an outstanding team, and they have so many players who are so big and fast. The main thing is that Artesia is so disciplined and fast. You can throw any wrinkle at them, and it is not going to fool them.”

JT Keith can be reached at 575-420-0061, or on X @JTKEITH1.

1...777879...256Page 78 of 256