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.”

Sarah Rubinstein and Adrian Hedden | Artesia Daily Press

Lawmakers moved quickly in the opening days of a special session convened in Santa Fe, passing a $162 million budget bill intended to overcome federal cuts backed by Republicans in Congress, and appropriating state funds to make up the difference should Congress allow the Affordable Care Act to expire at the end of the year.

The special session, the first of 2025, was called by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Oct. 1 to address a sweeping list of topics, namely the state’s efforts to account for federal funding cuts enacted by President Donald Trump when he signed a spending bill July 4, known by supporters as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

The session ended Thursday night, after lawmakers passed five of 11 bills introduced during the two days of committee meetings, debates and votes on the House and Senate floors.

First among Lujan Grisham and Democrat priorities, House Bill 1, the funding bill, passed the House on Oct. 1 after a 43-24 vote, and the Senate later that day, 25-13. It will next go to Lujan Grisham’s desk to be signed into law.

HB 1 entailed a $30 million food assistance program, making up for cuts to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which came under fire in the federal spending bill, along with $17 million in healthcare subsidies and $50 million to the state’s Rural Health Delivery Fund used to supplement health care facilities in small towns and remote communities.

“Over the last several months in meetings across our state, our Legislative Finance Committee has been closely reviewing the massive federal funding cuts and changes coming out of Washington, D.C. to understand how they will impact New Mexicans,” said Rep. Nathan Small (D-36), who chairs the Legislative Finance Committee and was a lead sponsor of HB 1.

“The investments we are making today are about responding in a responsible way to protect the things families across our state need most: healthcare and food.”

The House and Senate also passed House Bill 2, which would allow the state’s Healthcare Affordability Fund to be used to maintain healthcare coverage for New Mexicans, should the federal government repeal or allow the Affordable Care Act to expire, meaning tax credits offered to U.S. policyholders would be eliminated.

Republicans in Congress signaled they intended to do so, with the ACA expected to expire at the end of 2025. That was a sticking point for Democrats in Congress who refused to agree to a federal budget by the Oct. 1 start of the 2026 fiscal year, leading to a government shut down that continued as the state’s special session began.

HB 2 passed the House 49-13 Oct. 1, and the Senate 34-3 on Oct. 2.

Other bills passed included Senate Bill 1, which appropriated $50 million to the state’s Rural Health Care Delivery Fund to aid hospitals in small towns and remote communities. Senate Bill 2 would allow local or metropolitan courts to preside over criminal competency hearings, reversing legislation enacted during the 2025 regular session requiring these matters be taken up by district courts.

Senate Bill 3 will allow the New Mexico Department of Health and Human Services to enact vaccine requirements for children enrolled in public schools, linking the regulations to recommendations set out by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

“The legislation passed during the special session protects families from being priced out of health care when their premiums double or triple, and we’re supporting providers who are keeping the doors open in our smallest communities,” Lujan Grisham said at the outset of the session.

Session opens with plea for peace

The session opened with lawmakers in the State House and Senate opining on political violence about three weeks after the public murder of conservative social media influencer Charlie Kirk.

Kirk was fatally shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University, and 22-year-old Taylor Robinson was subsequently arrested for the shooting and is being tried for first-degree murder.

Alluding to the shooting for about 10 minutes before the session began, members from both parties in the Senate took turns to share the need for open disagreement and discussion during speeches at their respective chambers at the opening of the session.

“Let’s rebuild a culture of dialogue where we listen as fiercely as we speak, where we argue with passion, but never lose sight of our shared humanity,” said Sen. William E. Sharer (R-1).

Lawmakers cited Kirk’s death and also that of former Democratic Speaker of the Minnesota House Melissa Hortman, who was shot to death on June 14 at her home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota along with husband Mark Hortman. Fifty-seven-year-old Luther Boelter was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree murder.

Boelter was also charged with two counts of attempted second-degree murder after police said he shot and injured Democratic State Sen. John Hoffman and wife Yvette Hoffman earlier that day at their home near Champlin, Minnesota.

Before the session began, New Mexico lawmakers held a moment of silence for the victims of the shootings, and their families.

“I know that it shouldn’t matter what party or ideology Melissa or Charlie had, we should feel the same pit in our stomachs about every act of political violence, no matter who was murdered,” said Sen. Mimi Stewart (D-17).

In the House, legislators from both sides also spoke of the need to be civil in policy disagreement.

“The people of this state are demanding that we change course, to tone down the dangerous rhetoric that has seeped into our discourse,” said Rep. Gail Armstrong (R-49).

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.

Perry Williams is an Artesia native and resident who is a retired Army veteran and emergency medical technician.

Now he is a project lead for Conoco Phillips’ in Carlsbad. He is running against Artesia Special Hospital District (ASHD) District 5 incumbent Karen Waldrip.

Also running is retired rancher David Romine.

What made you decide to run for this office?

“I’m running for the hospital board to continue a lifetime of service. With over 30 years as an Emergency Medical Technician and as a proud U.S. Army veteran, I’ve seen firsthand the critical importance of timely, quality healthcare. I believe the people of Eddy County deserve the very best care close to home, and I’m committed to working hard to make that a reality.”

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

“My day one priority would be to listen to our medical staff, patients, and community so that I clearly understand their most urgent needs. With that input, I will focus on strengthening the quality of care at Artesia General Hospital by supporting our healthcare workers, addressing staffing challenges, and ensuring that every citizen of Eddy County can access safe, reliable, and timely medical services close to home.”

What do you see as the biggest needs for ASHD?

“The biggest needs I see for Artesia General Hospital are improving access to specialized care, supporting and retaining quality medical staff, and keeping the hospital financially strong for the future. As a veteran, I know firsthand the challenge of traveling great distances—even out of state—for care through the VA Community Care Program. I don’t want our citizens, especially our veterans, to face those same struggles.”

“As a board member, I will work to bring more specialty doctors to Artesia, so patients can get the care they need closer to home. I will also focus on supporting our front-line healthcare workers with the resources they need and ensuring strong financial oversight so the hospital can continue to expand services responsibly. My goal is to make Artesia General Hospital a place where every citizen of Eddy County, including our veterans, can count on receiving high-quality care without having to leave the community.”

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.

Karen Waldrip, 45, was raised in Texico, New Mexico and moved to Artesia 17 years ago.

She is a pharmacist at Lowell’s Pharmacy and is seeking re-election in District 5 for the Artesia Special Hospital District Board of Directors.

She was elected to the position in 2021 and faces opposition from Perry Williams, project leader for Conoco Phillips and retired rancher David Romine.

What made you want to run for this office?

“I am running for re-election for the Artesia Special Hospital District 5 position. I would like to continue serving on the board to build on the progress we’ve made over the last four years. As a board we have approved funds for important upgrades to the hospital’s equipment including a new CT device, a new state-of-the-art MRI and most recently the baby box.”

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

“My first priority as a board member is to support and improve the hospital. Living in rural New Mexico, it is essential we have quality healthcare close to home.”

What do you see as the biggest needs for ASHD?

“Our biggest need currently is the community’s support for the Mill Levy. These crucial funds help upgrade the hospital’s equipment, maintain emergency services and recruit new providers. I will be sharing information about the Mill Levy and what the funds have provided for Artesia and the surrounding communities. We are blessed in Southeast New Mexico to have the oil and gas industry which predominately funds our MiIl Levy.”

Adrian Hedden

Artesia Daily Press

achedden@currentargus.com

A human skeleton was found along the train tracks near North 1st Street in Artesia, and police are investigating the discovery as a homicide.

A train conductor with BNSF alerted police to the remains at about 2:50 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29, after seeing what initially appeared to be a decomposed foot along the tracks in the 300 block of North First Street, near a loading dock for a tire warehouse operated by Artesia Ford Company.

The rest of the body was found beneath the dock after police responded, said Commander Pete Quinones with the Artesia Police Department.

Quinones said it was unclear which specific bones were found, but that all the remains at the scene were recovered. Quinones said the incident, like all death investigations, was being treated as a homicide until evidence is found to the contrary.

“We have to look at every death investigation as a homicide until we have evidence that it is not,” he said.

Initial reports indicated the remains appeared to be at the location for more than a year, and that the foot bone appeared to have been dragged from the dock to the tracks, possibly “by an animal,” Quinones said.

The area is occasionally frequented by people who are homeless and sleep nearby under the dock, Quinones said. He said investigators planned to canvass the area and speak with people nearby, searching for any information leading to the identity of the body and manner of death.

“It is a kind of like a hidden area back behind the train tracks,” Quinones said. “We are still trying to follow leads and investigate this.”

The remains were sent to the University of New Mexico’s Laboratory of Osteology for analysis to determine the possible cause of death and any trauma apparent on the remains.

Cadaver dogs were deployed by police working with the Office of the Medical Investigator on Tuesday to search for additional evidence. Quinones said police also were checking missing persons reports in the area, hoping to uncover the identity of the deceased.

The investigation is ongoing. Stay with the Artesia Daily Press for updates as information is made available.

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

Rebecca Hauschild
For the Artesia Daily Press

The city of Artesia is grappling with evolving modes of transportation used by residents and the resulting safety issues.

During the City Council’s Sept. 23 meeting, residents voiced concerns about potential traffic hazards caused by motorized vehicles classified by the city as “micromobility” vehicles, including scooters, electric bikes and electric skateboards.

Police Chief Kirk Roberts said city officials were looking at stronger regulations to clarify where such vehicles can be used and how to separate them from car and truck traffic.

“The manner in which people get around is changing,” Roberts said. “There is a larger and larger mix of traffic. It becomes confusing who belongs where and it becomes more dangerous. I think it may become more normalized for that to be the only form of transportation for people.”

He said the city has options such as creating ordinances to better control the flow of such vehicles, which are usually much smaller and slower than cars and trucks. He said it would also likely take grants from the state of New Mexico to help fund new infrastructure such as bike lanes.

“There is no state law against them,” Roberts said. “For us to mandate, we could do city ordinances. Larger communities have bike paths and more options. We may want to look for grants to put in more bike lanes that will handle this.”

Mayor Jon Henry asked Roberts to provide the council with a report on what is allowed, what is legal and what is possible.

In other business:

– Councilors voted to shift the city’s observance of Halloween from Friday, Oct. 31, to Saturday, Nov. 1, due to Artesia High School’s Oct. 31 football game against Mayfield at the Bulldog Bowl.

– The council approved an exchange of property with Artesia Public Schools. The city will exchange 11.987 acres on the north part of Roberts Park valued at $480,000 for the 6.4 -acre location of Roselawn Elementary School, valued at $1,530,000. The school district plans to build a new Roselawn school on the Roberts Park land.

“This is the first stage to approve the exchange agreement,” said Community Development/Infrastructure Director Byron Landfair. “No money is changing hands. After the new school is built then the old school site will be transferred to us at no cost.”

Roselawn Elementary has an enrollment of 183 students in first through fifth grade and provides programs such as English as a second language; science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); and special education. The 39,037-square-foot building was built between 1949 and 1951.

– The council granted a variance for a fence in the alleyway of 1005 Mahone Drive owned by Frank and Adelina Lopez. Frank Lopez said he received a permit to construct the fence on city property in the 1970s to keep people from driving between a utility pole and his property fence.

Staff Reports

In preparation for the test, three observation points were established at 10,000 yards from ground zero to the south, north and west, and each had a direct line-of-sight to ground zero. These bunkers were known as South 10k, North 10k and West 10k. These were concrete shelters protected by wood structures and earthen berms. These three bunkers were the closest manned positions to ground zero during the test.

South 10k was the control center for all test activities and where the device was triggered. Due to deterioration, the Army dismantled South 10k in 1965, leaving only a concrete slab to mark this historic location. The concrete bunkers at North 10k and West 10k remain but the supporting wood structures and earthen berms were removed.

The test leadership were at different locations during the test: Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, head of Los Alamos National Lab, was at South 10k and controlled the execution of the test; while the Director of the Manhattan Project, Maj. Gen. Leslie Groves, observed the test from base camp, ten miles southwest of ground zero and four miles from South 10K; and Dr. Edwar Teller, a leading project scientist, watched from Compania Hill, 20 miles northwest of ground zero.

According to Jim Eckles in his book “Trinity,” a few small instrumentation bunkers were also constructed closer to ground zero. One of those bunkers, which can be seen when driving into the site, is only 800 yards from ground zero. That bunker was originally built to protect Fastax cameras. These bunkers are small and were only built to protect test equipment.

According to Berlyn Brixner, Los Alamos photographer, he had to change plans for some of these cameras. Tests determined that cameras close to ground zero, like the ones at the west 800-yard bunker, would be exposed to high levels of radiation and the film would never survive. Before the test, the cameras were moved to a sled outside the bunker. Brixner and his team fabricated lead boxes to protect the cameras. The boxes were mounted on the sled that was placed at the 800-yard bunkers. The cameras were pointed straight up through windows made of leaded glass. Mirrors were positioned over the cameras and angled so each camera was focused on the tower. These “periscopes” protected the cameras from the direct effects of the test.

After the test, the crews used the thousand-foot cable attached to the sled to pull it back to their position. This eliminated any unnecessary exposure to the high levels of radiation in the immediate ground zero area right after the explosion.

Eckles goes on to write that on the night of the test, personnel stationed at various bunkers didn’t receive much information about the rain delay from 4:00 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. for the detonation. On one of his visits to Trinity Site, Brixner told Eckles he knew there was a delay at 4 a.m. but had no idea of the new test time. Brixner was on top of the North 10k (he was one of the few people allowed to watch the test from outside a bunker) as he operated a 35mm Mitchell motion picture camera mounted on a machine gun turret that allowed him to track the fireball and cloud. The camera was equipped with a 75mm lens and was running at 24 frames per second.

According to Eckles, Brixner said he was never told the new detonation time, but some seconds before the blast his camera powered up, so he knew it was time to go to work (the camera was switched on by the automatic sequencing system located in the South 10k). Then the switch was thrown to start the process, cameras and other instruments sprang to life, flares were ignited, and the device was triggered at a precise moment in the sequence, and history was made in the New Mexico desert.