El Rito Media News Services

TUCUMCARI — The New Mexico Department of Health recently reported steep increases in overdose deaths and overdose-related emergency department visits during the first half of 2025 in three northeast counties: Rio Arriba, Santa Fe and Taos.

Those big increases weren’t seen in two area counties, however — Curry and Quay. Roosevelt County saw its total increase by one during the same period.

Drug overdose deaths increased in Rio Arriba County by 48%, in Santa Fe County by 104% and in Taos County by 340% compared to the same time last year.

Drug overdose-related emergency department visits also rose by 81% in Rio Arriba County, 131% in Santa Fe County and 206% in Taos County.

Fentanyl use is linked to the majority of fatalities.

The New Mexico Department of Health Adulterant Checking Program has detected higher concentrations of fentanyl in fentanyl products. While typical samples contain approximately 1% fentanyl, recently identified samples have contained as much as 20% fentanyl. This increase in potency may result in more fatal and nonfatal overdoses.

“Opioid use impacts people and communities across New Mexico,” said David Daniels, NMDOH’s harm reduction section manager. “We have contacted our partners in these counties to ensure they are raising awareness with their clients and reinforcing overdose prevention methods.”

According to data supplied by NMDOH communications director Robert Nott, Curry County saw its number of overdose deaths drop from five to four between the first half of 2024 and the first half of 2025.

Quay County saw its overdose deaths fall from two to one during that period. Roosevelt County saw its overdose deaths rise from two to three.

NMDOH offers medications for opioid use disorder at all public health offices at no cost to the patient.

Sept 22

DISTURBANCE

8:06 am – Officer dispatched to W. Bullock Ave. and S. Heath St. in reference to disturbance.

WELFARE

10:23 am – Officer dispatched to 200 block of N. Paris St. in reference to the welfare of a child.

ACCIDENT

10:53 am – Officer dispatched to N. 13th St. and W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

VANDAL

11:23 am – Officer dispatched to 400 block of W. Main St. in reference to structure vandalism.

RECKLESS

1:01 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Grand Ave. and S. 5th St. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

DOMESTIC

2:59 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

WELFARE

6:37 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Yucca Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

OVERDOSE

7:08 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Yucca Ave. in reference to overdose.

DOMESTIC

7:10 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Dallas Ave. and S. 4th St. in reference to physical domestic.

SHOTS FIRED

7:41 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of w. Hank Ave. in reference to shots fired in the area.

DOMESTIC

9:28 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Briscoe Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

DISTURBANCE

11:45 pm – Officer dispatched to 200 block of N. 2nd St. in reference to disturbance.

Sept 23

Arrest

Leyah Marie Perez arrested for criminal trespass.

Josiah Daniel Olguin arrested for trespass.

UNATTEND DEATH

1:07 am – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 26th St. in reference to an unattended death.

DISTURBANCE

2:31 am – Officer dispatched to 200 block of N. 2nd St. in reference to disturbance.

3:13 am – Officer dispatched to 200 block of N. 2nd St. in reference to disturbance.

UNWANTED

6:20 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to an unwanted subject.

SUSPICIOUS

8:26 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to a suspicious trespass.

8:31 am – Officer dispatched to S. 20th St. and W. Main St. in reference to a suspicious person.

THREATS

8:48 am – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Cannon Ave. in reference to threats.

BATTERY

9:38 am – Officer dispatched to N. 8th St. and W. Cannon Ave. in reference to battery.

WELFARE

9:50 am – Officer dispatched to 2300 block of W. Grand Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.

DISTURBANCE

2:18 pm- Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to disturbance.

THREATS

6:03 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Chisum Ave. in reference to threats.

DISTURBANCE

11:33 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 13th St. in reference to disturbance.

Sept 24

Antoinnette Guaderrama arrested for battery against a household member.

Karmen Nicole Davis arrested for larceny of motor vehicle parts$500-$2500 of motor vehicle parts, contempt of court.

Alexis Ivan Montes failure to appear.

ARMED SUBJECT

1:55 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 13th St. in reference to an armed subject.

DOMESTIC

4:15 am – Officer dispatched to 2600 block of N. 26th St. in reference to domestic.

SUSPICIOUS

9:17 am – Officer dispatched to 3300 block of W. Richardson Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

WANTED

10:03 am – Officer dispatched to 3300 block of W. Main St. in reference to a wanted subject.

UNWANTED

11:08 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Chisum Ave. in reference to an unwanted subject.

SUSPICIOUS

11:51 am – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of N. 1st St. in reference to a suspicious trespass.

WELFARE

12:30 pm – Officer dispatched to 2300 block of W. Grand Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.

FIGHT

12:59 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Bullock Ave. in reference to a fight in progress.

WANTED

1:02 pm – Officer dispatched to 3300 block of W. Main St. in reference to a wanted subject.

SUICIDAL

1:19 pm – Officer dispatched to 1700 block of W. Main St. in reference to a suicidal subject.

SUSPICIOUS

1:27 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of W. Richardson Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

WELFARE

1:51 pm – Officer dispatched to 2300 block of W. Grand Ave. in reference to welfare of a child.

LARCENY

2:41 pm – Officer dispatched to 200 block of W. Gage Ave. in reference to larceny.

DOMESTIC

2:42 pm – Officer dispatched to 3200 block of W. Main St. in verbal domestic.

ACCIDENT

3:16 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 13th St. and W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

BATTERY

5:16 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of Bullock Ave. in reference to battery.

WELFARE

8:30 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Grand Ave. and S. 20th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

OVERDOSE

10:10 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of W. Lolita Ave. In reference to an overdose.

DOMESTIC

10:15 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of S. 21st St. in reference to domestic.

Sept 25

Arrest

Zachary Ryan Carr arrested for domestic violence order violation.

Christine Marie Pitman arrested for municipal failure to pay.

HARASSMENT

7:30 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to harassment.

WELFARE

10:21 am – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of W. Washington Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.

SUSPICIOUS

10:32 am – Officer dispatched to 2000 block of W. Main St. in reference to a suspicious person.

ACCIDENT

12:44 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 13th St. and W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

DISTURBANCE

2:42 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. James Ave. in reference to disturbance.

INCORRIGIBLE

4:42 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of S. 6th St. in reference to an incorrigible child.

WELFARE

5:14 pm – Officer dispatched to 3600 block of W. Quay Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

LARCENY

5:20 pm – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of S. 4th St. in reference to larceny.

SUSPICIOUS

6:25 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Bullock Ave. in reference to an arrest warrant.

SUSPICIOUS

8:46 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to suspicious trespass.

Sept 26

Arrest

Esmeralda Avalos arrested for failure to pay fines.

Lee Anthony Delgado arrested for interference with officers display of current valid registration plate.

WELFARE

12:12 am – Officer dispatched to Lovington Hwy in reference to the welfare of an adult.

VANDAL

12:20 am – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Main St. in reference to vandal.

ACCIDENT

5:37 am – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of S. 1st St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

Staff reports

A hearing to set the schedule for court proceedings in a lawsuit challenging New Mexico’s recent electric vehicle requirements for newly-built buildings was planned for 2 p.m., Oct. 6 in Fifth Judicial District Court in Carlsbad.

The lawsuit, filed last year by the Artesia Recreation Center Foundation against the state’s Construction Industries Division called for the court to deem the new rules “illegal and unenforceable” and for a court to award the foundation damages to be determined at trial.

The case centers on the Artesia Recreation Center, a 49,000-square-foot facility that would be required, per the updated building codes in question, to have 36 electric vehicle charging stations installed in its parking lot.

The lawsuit contended this would add between $300,000 and $700,000 to building costs for the $35 million facility.

At Monday’s hearing, the parties and the court will set deadlines for the case, including discovery, pre-trial activities, and the scheduling of a trial date in Spring 2026.

The Artesia Recreation Center project is not being delayed amid the proceedings.

Construction planning and progress remain on track, according to a Friday news release from the Foundation. But the litigation is necessary because the CID is requiring the installation of “costly electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure” at the project, the release read, and in all new residential and commercial construction in the State of New Mexico.

“This EV mandate is diverting valuable resources away from the needs of Artesia families and communities across New Mexico,” read the release.

“Our community has made it clear what they want in a Recreation Center — spaces for families, opportunities for youth, and amenities that everyone can enjoy,” said Sandra Borges, Artesia Recreation Center Foundation, President. “These EV requirements are unnecessary, burdensome, and take funding away from projects that reflect our community’s priorities. We believe Artesia should decide how our resources are best used, not government mandates.”

Artesia Recreation Foundation Owner Representative Scott Taylor added: “This case is about standing up for Artesia. Every dollar we spend should go toward building the best Recreation Center possible, not toward unnecessary mandates. We are committed to protecting this investment for the people who live here and ensuring the facility reflects what our community has asked for. ”

Updates will continue to be shared by the Foundation as the case moves forward.

Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

Editor’s note: The Artesia Daily Press has submitted questionnaires to each candidate for Artesia Special Hospital District and school board running in this year’s general election on Nov. 4. The paper is publishing each of the responses in print in the order they are received.

Danny Parker, 56, is an Artesia native and is the assistant superintendent of secondary education in the Artesia Public Schools.

He is unopposed for a second term on the Artesia Special Hospital District (ASHD) Board of Directors District 4.

What made you decide to run for this office?

“I was asked to run four years ago by a friend who was on the Board. I have really enjoyed getting to understand the workings of our hospital and the very special relationship the Special Hospital District Board has with our hospital. I decided to seek re-election because, I believe, we have a real opportunity to expand on what our hospital can offer those in our region. Not every small town like Artesia has a hospital as complete as ours. I believe that in the future, we will be able to offer even more, which is great for Artesia, but also great for the citizens in our region.”

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

“I want to continue the work that many before me have accomplished. I was born in the Artesia General Hospital when it was located on Roselawn, and I grew up knowing many giants in Artesia’s healthcare history—Dr. Henry Wall, Dr. Owen Taylor, Dr. James Gaba, and Dr. Bernard Bordman are three that come to mind. They loved this town, had delivered many of us, patched up our hurts, casted our broken arms, but most importantly wanted the very best for our health care.

“I believe that the administration and staff at the hospital today have that same passion. Whether it be for the pre-born baby and the emergency care that mother may need, the baby who is born in a difficult situation where the mother may need to make the very difficult decision to use our new baby box, or the school-aged child that needs emergency health care, the Artesia General Hospital serves its citizens well. We always want to improve on that the best that we can.”

What do you see as the biggest needs for ASHD?

“Right now, the biggest need for our district is passing the mill levy. I know there are a lot of people who are concerned about the district taking on the burden of constructing a new hospital. This mill levy vote has nothing to do with those future plans. I know there are concerns about the hospital not securing the baby box sooner. That project required some important negotiations to ensure that your hospital was not put at risk for litigation or, more importantly, the loss of precious life.

“The mill levy is for the continuation of some real services that have positively affected our community: the new women’s clinic, the bus that provides transportation services to our community to their very important health appointments, the brand new state-of-the-art MRI machine that provides imaging better than anywhere else in our region, the continued recruitment of physicians, both general practitioners and specialists, and most importantly, a hospital that meets the new basic needs of the citizens and taxpayers of our town.”