JT Keith | Artesia Daily Press
A look at the 11 Artesia Bulldog volleyball seniors taken at The Bulldog Pit.
A look at the Artesia volleyball seniors with coach Williams and Lewallen.
Sophomore Ellie McGaughy shows her emotions during Senior Night on Tuesday night.
A few Artesia teammates show their emotions of laughter and tears during Senior Night on Tuesday at The Bulldog Pit.
Artesia’s Marisa Martin throws the ball in against Roswell on Tuesday night. Artesia would defeat Roswell 1-0.
Artesia’s Emily Soto tries to get around a Roswell player on Tuesday at Robert Chase Field.
Abigail Jowers pursues and Roswell opponent with the ball during a 1-0 victory over Roswell at the Chase on Tuesday night.
Emily Soto makes a move around a Roswell defender on Tuesday night.
Artesia senior Jacky Tovar is with her mother on Senior Night.
Artesia senior Kailee Padilla with her mom, assistant coach, Mandi Lewallen, Tuesday after defeating Carlsbad.
Senior Ashton Craft with her parents on Senior Night, after defeating Carlsbad on Tuesday night.
Adrienne Harvey with her parents on Senior Night after defeating Carlsbad on Tuesday night.
Jenna Whitmire is with her parents on Senior Night after defeating Carlsbad on Tuesday night.
Kaitlyn Addington is with her parents on Senior Night on Tuesday after defeating Carlsbad.
Brooklynne Ivans is with her parents on Senior Night on Tuesday after defeating Carlsbad.
A senior manager for the volleyball with her parents on Tuesday night.
Brecklyn Miller serves against Carlsbad at The Bulldog Pit Tuesday night.
Artesia’s Demrie Howard goes for a kill shot against Carlsbad on Tuesday night at The Bulldog Pit.
Staff reports
Preparations are underway for the regular local election planned for Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Several local government positions, including city council, school board, and college board members will be chosen by voters in Carlsbad, Artesia, Loving and Hope.
To ensure a smooth and transparent election process, Eddy County entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the New Mexico Secretary of State (SOS).
Through this agreement, the SOS provides funding to the County to help conduct the election. The funds cover essential costs, including election worker pay, legal publications and necessary election supplies.
“The upcoming Regular Local Election is a very important election,” said Eddy County Clerk Cara Cooke. “This election will determine local government positions that directly affect our community. We look forward to a great voter turnout. If anyone has questions, please call our office at 575-885-3383.”
As part of its outreach efforts, the Clerk’s Office will host an Election Information Town Hall on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Carlsbad Library, 101 S. Halagueno Street. Residents are invited to attend to learn more about the election process, ask questions and ensure they are ready to vote.
Bruce Lesman
Southwest New Mexico elk is lean, bold, and tied to the land. Here it’s paired with wild mushrooms and toasted piñon nuts for a rustic yet refined dish. Serve with roasted root vegetables and creamy blue corn polenta for a complete table.
Elk Medallions with Wild Mushrooms and Piñon Nuts
Ingredients
2 lbs elk tenderloin, cut into medallions
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
10 oz wild mushrooms, sliced
½ cup dry red wine (New Mexico red preferred)
1 cup beef or game stock
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp ground coriander
½ tsp smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper
2 tbsp parsley, chopped
¼ cup toasted piñon nuts
Method
Season elk with salt, pepper, coriander, and paprika. Sear in olive oil, 2–3 minutes per side. Remove and tent with foil.
Sauté onion in butter until soft. Add garlic and mushrooms, cook until golden. Deglaze with wine, reduce by half, then add stock and thyme. Simmer to thicken.
Return elk and juices to pan briefly. Spoon sauce over, garnish with parsley and piñon nuts.
Roasted Root Vegetables
Ingredients
3 carrots, cut into batons
2 parsnips, cut into batons
2 sweet potatoes, cubed
2 beets, wedged
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and pepper
Method
Toss vegetables with oil, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F for 30–35 minutes, turning once.
Blue Corn Polenta
Ingredients
1 cup blue cornmeal
4 cups water or stock
1 tbsp butter
½ cup Mexican melting cheese (optional)
Salt and pepper
Method
Bring water or stock to a boil. Slowly whisk in cornmeal. Reduce heat, cook 20 minutes until thick. Stir in butter, cheese (if using), salt, and pepper.
Chef’s Note
Elk is naturally lean, so avoid overcooking to keep the medallions tender. The toasted piñon nuts add both flavor and a true taste of New Mexico’s landscape.
Bruce Lesman, Bachelors of Science, Hotel, Food and Travel, Associates Degree, Culinary Arts, Past positions, Corporate Food and Beverage Director, Cunard and Seabourn Cruise Lines, Vice President, Canyon Ranch Health and Fitness Resorts.
Sept 13
DOMESTIC
12:14 am – Officer dispatched to S. 38th St. and W. Lowell Ave. in reference to domestic.
SUSPICIOUS
4:52 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 6th St. in reference to a suspicious person.
WELFARE
8:57 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of E. Mill Rd. in reference to the welfare of an adult.
DISTURBANCE
9:57 am – Officer dispatched to 4200 block of W. Main St. in reference to disturbance.
10:58 am – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 26th St. in reference to disturbance.
UNWANTED
2:16 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of N. St. in reference to an unwanted subject.
WELFARE
3:02 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Runyan Ave. and S. 4th St. in reference to the welfare of a child.
4:33 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 1st St. and W. Yucca Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.
DISTURBANCE
4:16 pm – Officer dispatched to 2600 block of W. Main St. in reference to disturbance.
ACCIDENT
4:52 pm – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.
SUSPICIOUS
8:22 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 5th St. and Champ Clark in reference to a suspicious person.
DOMESTIC
8:36 pm – Officer dispatched to 2700 block of W. Grand Ave. in reference to domestic.
DISTURBANCE
11:15 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to disturbance.
Sept 14
Arrest
James Matthew Grayford arrested for telephone harassment.
Pable Hernandez Jr. arrested for failure to pay fines.
Michael Lawerance Perez arrested for assault against household member, resisting evading, obstructing an officer. Criminal trespass, disorderly conduct.
SHOTS FIRED
12:04 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of N. 13th St. in reference to shots fired in the area.
DISTURBANCE
1:17 am- Officer dispatched to 900 block of Bullock Ct. in reference to disturbance.
3:36 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of Bullock Ct. in reference to disturbance.
SUSPICIOUS
2:33 am- Officer dispatched to 2300 block of W. Bullock Ave. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
DOMESTIC
3:33 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to domestic.
Sept 15
WELFARE
11:02 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.
DISTURBANCE
11:43 am – Officer dispatched 500 block of Paddy Wagon Way in reference to disturbance.
11:47 am – Officer dispatched to 2100 block of W. Mann Ave. in reference to family disturbance.
ACCIDENT
1:05 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 10th St. and W. JJ Clarke Dr. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.
WELFARE
3:05 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.
ALARM
3:16 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of W. Bullock Ave. in reference to a burglary alarm.
ACCIEDENT
5:04 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 26th St. and W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.
SUSPICIOUS
5:52 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Washington Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.
9:06 pm- Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Missouri Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.
WELFARE
6:07 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 10th St. and W. Hank Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.
BURGLARY
6:21 pm – Officer dispatched to 200 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to burglary.
Sept 17
Arrest
Carrie L Patitsas arrested for fraudulent used of credit card 250 to 500.
Michael James Calderon arrested for criminal trespass.
SUSPICIOUS
1:01 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of W. Sears Ave in reference to a suspicious person.
WELFARE
1:36 am – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. 1st St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.
UNWANTED
3:51 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of N. 4th St. in reference to an unwanted subject.
WELFARE
7:35 am – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Clayton Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.
FRAUD
8:30 am – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to fraud.
DOMESTIC
10:57 am – Officer dispatched to 100 block of Osborn Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.
STOLEN
12:22 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to a stolen vehicle.
WELFARE
12:59 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of S. 1st St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.
5:02 pm – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of W. Cannon Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.
SUSPICIOUS
5:56 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of W. Grand Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.
RECKLESS
6:31 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Bullock Ave. in reference to reckless vehicle.
8:49 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 10th St. and W. Washington Ave. in reference to a reckless vehicle.
DISTURBANCE
10:33 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to disturbance.
WANTED
10:49 pm – Officer dispatched to 3300 block of W. Main St. in reference to a wanted subject.
Sept 18
Arrest
Monique Rammocca Orquiz arrested for driving while under the influence of intoxication
Lenora A Chavez arrested for embezzlement $2,500-$20,000
SUSPICIOUS
12:48 am – Officer dispatched to 1700 block of S. 17th St. in reference to a suspicious person.
5:20 am – Officer dispatched to 300 block of N. 10th St. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.
WANTED
8:05 am – Officer dispatched to 3300 block of W. Main St. in reference to a wanted subject.
WELFARE
10:29 am – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of W. Grand Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.
11:13 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of W. Grand Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.
12:56 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 1st St. and W. Fairview Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.
FRAUD
1:45 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Missouri Ave. in reference to fraud.
HARASSMENT
4:39 pm – Officer dispatched to N 7th St. and W. James Ave. in reference to harassment.
ARMED SUBJECT
4:54 pm – Officer dispatched to 300 block of W. Mahone Dr. in reference to an armed subject.
LOUD
8:42 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of W. Missouri Ave. in reference to loud music.
11:01 pm – Officer dispatched to 200 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to loud music.
FIGHT
8:59 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to a fight in progress.
Sept 19
Arrest
Alejandro R. Martinez arrested for driving on a revoked license.
David P Gurrola Jr. arrested for driving on a revoked license, contempt of court, failure to appear.
Luis Carlos Sotelo arrested for aggravated DWI of intoxicating liquor or drugs, careless driving, insurance required, motor vehicle required to be registered.
DOMESTIC
12:02 am – Officer dispatched to 300 block of S. 39th St. in reference to verbal domestic.
SUSPICIOUS
4:54 am – Officer dispatched to 200 block of W. Quay Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.
WELFARE
7:50 am – Officer dispatched to S. 20th St. and W. Washington Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.
UNWANTED
2:52 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of W. 13th St. in reference to an unwanted subject.
SUSPICIOUS
3:04 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to a suspicious person.
4:12 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of Hank Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.
HARASSMENT
4:33 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of E. Main St. in reference to harassment.
WELFARE
5:13 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of W. Yucca Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.
LOUD
6:32 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to loud music.
SUSPICIOUS
8:24 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of S. 9th St. in reference to suspicious activity.
THREATS
10:53 pm – Officer dispatched to 2000 block of W. Main St. in reference to threats.
Sept 20
DOMESTIC
1:06 am – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of S. 6th St. in reference to domestic.
DISTURBANCE
2:51 am – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to disturbance.
SUSPICIOUS
5:54 am – Officer dispatched to 800 block of N. Roselawn Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.
11:52 am -Officer dispatched to 200 block N. 13th St. in reference to suspicious activity.
DOMESTIC
12:44 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of S. 2nd St. in reference to physical domestic.
SUSPICIOUS
6:01 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of N. 13th St. in reference to suspicious person.
WELFARE
6:20 pm – Officer dispatched to 400 block of W. Logan Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.
ACCIDENT
9:19 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Clevland Ave. and N. 7th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.
Sept 21
Arrest
Karla Barrera arrested on driving on roadways laned for traffic, insurance required, aggravated DWI of intoxicating liquor or drugs.
Ruben Mata arrested for failure to appear.
Kasey Nicole Rodriguez arrested for battery against a household member, interfering with communications, destroying, removing.
DOMESTIC
12:37 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 2nd St. in reference to domestic.
DISTURBANCE
12:50 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to disturbance.
WELFARE
8:42 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.
WANTED
12:59 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 9th St. and W. Texas Ave. in reference to a wanted subject.
WELFARE
1:33 pm – Officer dispatched to 300 block of S. 19th St. in reference to the welfare of a child.
DOMESTIC
2:55 pm – Officer dispatched to 1600 block of W. Sears Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.
5:34 pm – Officer dispatched to 2400 block of W. Bullock Ave. in reference to physical domestic.
10:16 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of w. Missouri Ave. in reference to domestic.
Oso Grill takes another award for best green chile cheeseburger
By Tim Keithley
Brian and Pam Cleckler did it again.
Their famous Oso Grill Green Chile Cheeseburger made fresh daily at their restaurant in Capitan has been voted “Best Green Chile Cheeseburger” on KRQE-TV’s annual survey of the “Best of the Land of Enchantment.”
“That’s amazing because there were several outstanding restaurants being considered,” Brian said during a statewide television interview this week from Albuquerque. “Our burger is consistently fresh and we feel like it has all the correct ingredients.”
Brian and Pam are now in their 10th year as proprietors of Oso Grill. They started the restaurant in an old bank building right on the corner opposite of the Smokey Bear Museum at 100 Lincoln Avenue. The burger was retired as a five-time New Mexico State Fair champion two years ago.
“Our recipes remains consistent,” Brian said. “Now with all of the recognition over the past ten years we’re grilling more burgers than ever. We go through about twelve-hundred pounds of hamburger every week.”
Plus the restaurant keeps plenty of green chile around. There are two types on the burger: one is fried strips and the other is a spicy died green chile located at the bottom along with a special chipotle ranch sauce underneath melted cheese.
“This is a prestigious award because it was voted individually across the state on the KRQE website,” Brian said. “So many people had to know in advance about our burger in order to receive the number of votes it takes to win.”
The New Mexico Restaurant Association has also taken notice. Brian and Pam have been invited to their annual banquet in Albuquerque to receive an award for being a top restaurant in New Mexico later this month. Oso Grill has been featured on a video produced by the American Beef Council that will be released on a nationwide podcast soon.
“It’s a little overwhelming for us—we’re just a family oriented restaurant with a quality menu,” Brian said. “We feel honored that our burger continues to be recognized as the best.”
Oso Grill is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. They are open for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays each week.
Sherman McCorkle
Background: Military Leaders and Healthcare Access
In February 2018, the Secretaries of the Navy, Army, and Air Force sent a joint letter to all U.S. governors, urging them to enhance state support for military families, especially in areas affecting their quality of life during relocations. Among their top concerns was access to medical care. Representing the interests of 2.4 million service members, these senior leaders called on states to prioritize robust healthcare accessibility for military personnel and their families.
New Mexico’s Ongoing Physician Shortage
New Mexico has struggled with a critical shortage of doctors for many years. By 2021, data showed that four out of five counties in the state fell short of the recommended 8.5 primary care practitioners for every 10,000 residents. The Cicero Institute further highlighted the severity of the problem, identifying 32 out of 33 counties as being in urgent need of primary care physicians—with only Los Alamos County meeting the necessary benchmark.
The Impact of 2021 Malpractice Legislation
The situation worsened in 2021 when the state legislature enacted some of the nation’s highest malpractice caps, increasing potential liabilities for hospitals and independent practices nearly tenfold. This legislative change caused malpractice insurance premiums for physicians to skyrocket—doubling, tripling, or even quadrupling in some cases. The dramatic rise in both the frequency and magnitude of malpractice settlements has made practicing medicine in New Mexico an increasingly risky proposition for many doctors.
Consequences for Healthcare Access and Physician Retention
By 2025, eight years after the service secretaries’ call to action, New Mexico’s physician shortage remains a major barrier to healthcare access for both residents and military families relocating to the state. The heightened financial and legal uncertainties have led many physicians to reconsider their commitment to practicing in New Mexico, with some choosing to leave or retire early. This trend has resulted in longer wait times for appointments and diminished access to specialized medical services, further straining the healthcare system.
The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact: A Practical Solution
The most effective and immediate step New Mexico can take to address its physician shortage is to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). Similar in spirit to the Uniform Commercial Code, professional licensure compacts like the IMLC streamline the process for qualifying physicians to obtain licenses and practice across state lines. This not only facilitates cross-state telemedicine without legal obstacles but also enables rapid responses to medical crises by reducing bureaucratic delays. Importantly, the IMLC maintains high professional standards rather than lowering them.
The compact is a proven solution: more than 40 states—including all of New Mexico’s neighbors (Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah)—have already joined. Many physicians who have left New Mexico have relocated to these states, drawn by more favorable legal and professional environments.
Legislative Efforts and Opposition
For several years, the Kirtland Partnership Committee has championed legislation to enable New Mexico to join the IMLC. However, these efforts have faced resistance from supporters of the 2021 malpractice caps, which many see as unreasonably high. On the opposing side is the group New Mexico Safety Over Profits, whose primary donors are plaintiff attorneys and law firms that collect significant portions of jury awards. This ongoing debate has hindered progress on healthcare reform.
Broader Impacts on the State’s Economy and Security
New Mexico derives significant economic benefits from its military community. In the previous year alone, Kirtland Air Force Base contributed $7.5 billion to the state’s economy. Military leaders consider healthcare access a crucial factor when selecting locations for operations. Currently, it is estimated that one in four planned military transfers to New Mexico does not take place due to concerns about inadequate healthcare. All three New Mexico bases are in the Air Force’s top 15 highest rejection rate of “Dependent Travel not Advised” based on the medical specialty care available in the state. Addressing the 2018 request from military service secretaries is therefore essential for both the state’s economic future and national security interests.
The 2021 malpractice statute has also created challenges for recruitment at premier research institutions such as Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories, as well as in the private high-wage technology sector—all of which rely on accessible, high-quality healthcare to attract talent.
Learning from the National Nurse Licensure Compact
New Mexico’s experience with the National Nurse Licensure Compact, which the state joined in 2003, demonstrates the value of professional licensure compacts. In some communities, up to 80% of available nurses are present because of this compact. While joining the IMLC will not resolve every healthcare challenge the state faces, it represents the most practical, reasonable, and cost-effective approach to expanding New Mexico’s physician workforce and improving healthcare access for all residents.
Sherman McCorkle is a co-founder of the Kirtland Partnership Committee, a New Mexico-based organization that supports operations at Kirtland Air Force Base.
Pictured left to right:
(Senior) Kailee Padilla, (Senior) Brooklynne Ivans, (Senior) Kirklyn Miller, (Senior) Lily Klingshirn, (Junior) Avery Fredrick, (Sophomore) Kadance Tran.
They were formally announced at the bonfire on Monday night at 7:30. The winner will be announced at the Homecoming pep assembly at AHS on Friday, 9/26.
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