Staff reports

Anna Vasquez was promoted to be Eddy County’s human resources director. With more than 36 years of experience in both the private and government sectors, Vasquez brings knowledge, compassion, and a fresh vision for the department.

Her salary will be $132,516.80 a year.

Vasquez began her career with Eddy County in 2012 as a Human Resources Specialist. In 2015, she was promoted to Assistant Director of Human Resources. Over the years, she has supported the department in numerous areas, including employee benefits, the Employee Assistance Program, compensation and orientations. Now, she steps into her new leadership role as director.

Continuing her professional development, Vasquez is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in business management with a concentration in human resources from New Mexico State University.

Outside of work, Vasquez is a proud wife, mother of three, and grandmother of four. She enjoys dancing, taking spontaneous family trips, and cheering on her husband while he plays music. Most of all, she treasures time spent with her family.

For Vasquez, her new role is more than just a title; it’s a calling.

“Now I have a chance to make a difference, an opportunity to change things for the better,” she said. “I want to help people find a career they can thrive in here at Eddy County.”

She also hopes to reshape the way employees view the role of human resources.

“I want our department to be seen as approachable and open, here to help with everything from benefits to questions, and most importantly, to be here for the people,” she explained.

Known as a good listener, problem solver, and true people person, Anna is committed to ensuring employees feel supported and valued throughout their careers with Eddy County. Eddy County is excited to celebrate Anna’s leadership and looks forward to the positive impact she will continue to make for our employees and our community.

“She has the trust of the employees and a caring, while professional, approach,” said Eddy County Manager Mike Gallagher. “She is the right fit.”

Julia Goldberg
Source New Mexico

The New Mexico Department of Health on Friday announced residents will be able to more easily access COVID-19 vaccines at state pharmacies, following updated protocols from the state Board of Pharmacy.

Last week, DOH Secretary Gina DeBlassie issued a public health order directing the state health department to work with New Mexico’s Board of Pharmacy “to remove potential barriers and ensure access to COVID-19 vaccines at pharmacies across the state.”

That order stemmed from “some pharmacies announcing they cannot administer the vaccine in New Mexico unless recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), an advisory group to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has yet to convene and act on the matter,” a news release noted.

NMDOH medical epidemiologist Dr. Chad Smelser told Source New Mexico earlier this week that many of the vaccines administered in the state are done so through its pharmacies, which are governed by a protocol established by the Pharmacy Board and others that essentially requires the pharmacies to follow the ACIP guidelines in order to have “prescriptive authority” and give vaccines. Lacking the ACIP guidelines, Smelser noted, the pharmacies’ parent companies “have determined that they require a prescription in order to get a vaccine.”

The revised protocols, announced Friday, mean “pharmacists can prescribe and administer COVID-19 vaccines using state health department guidelines instead of waiting for federal recommendations,” a health department news release said.

“This action will ensure New Mexicans have access to the vaccine if they choose,” New Mexico Board of Pharmacy Executive Director and Chief Drug Inspector Cheranne McCracken said in a statement, adding the New Mexico Pharmacists Association played an important role in the protocol update. “It provides pharmacists statewide with the clarity and guidance to provide COVID-19 vaccines.”

A statement from Sid Tenneti, senior vice president of retail pharmacy CVS Health confirmed the new protocol will allow access.

“Following today’s regulatory action by the New Mexico Department of Health, CVS Pharmacy will ensure COVID-19 vaccinations are available as soon as possible at our pharmacies throughout the state,” Tenneti said in a statement. “Appointments can be scheduled online via CVS.com, through the CVS Health app, or patients can walk into our pharmacies and clinics.”

The New Mexico Department of Health recommends COVID-19 vaccination for:

Anyone 65 and older.

People ages 2–64 who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness.

Any New Mexico resident who wants to be vaccinated.

“We are committed to ensuring access for those who wish to be vaccinated and our collaborative work with the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy demonstrates a swift resolution to remove barriers,” DeBlassie said in a statement. “As the fall/winter respiratory virus season rapidly approaches, New Mexico cannot afford to wait for the federal government to act on this matter.”

Earlier this week, prior to the new protocols being released on Friday, several state medical systems confirmed to Source NM this week availability of the COVID-19 vaccine for patients

“At Presbyterian, we support efforts to provide vaccines to New Mexicans,” Presbyterian Healthcare Services VP and Chief Pharmacy Officer Erica Downing said in a statement. “We continue to work through state and federal requirements and expect to be able to prescribe COVID vaccines for our patients and administer COVID vaccines in our facilities.”

“CHRISTUS St. Vincent has received its first shipment of the Pfizer Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccines,” a statement provided to Source said. “The vaccines will initially be offered in our clinics and in our outpatient pharmacy to adults 65 and older, and individuals ages 5 through 64 who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19.”

“Generally speaking—If a patient asks for a COVID vaccine, we’ll provide it, assuming we have the supply,” a UNM Health spokesperson said.

For questions about the COVID-19 vaccinations, call the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773).

Staff reports

Jason Florez was appointed as Eddy County’s new Information Technology (IT) Director. Florez, who began his career with the County as an IT Specialist in 2008, was promoted to Assistant Director in 2019 and will now step into the Director role.

His salary will be $132,516.80 a year.

“Eddy County has always been home to me, and it is an honor to be stepping into this new role,” Florez said.

Raised in Carlsbad, Florez attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied computer science and engineering with an added focus on economics. He also holds several industry certifications from Cisco and Microsoft, with a focus on cybersecurity, leadership and more. Florez attributes much of his leadership style and work ethic to the grit he said was instilled in him by his teachers, coaches, peers, and family.

Throughout his career, Florez said he emphasized attention to detail and a commitment to learning how each department of Eddy County fits and works together. He recalls one of his most impactful moments in IT as responding to a global software issue overnight. While many governments and companies were scrambling the next day, Eddy County operations were ready to go by the time employees arrived.

As he assumes this new role, Florez is focused on ensuring Eddy County continues to adapt to the ever-evolving world of technology.

“Technology changes constantly, and it’s important to stay on top of it while improving and adapting to the needs of our organization and community,” he said.

Florez also draws inspiration from his late grandfather, who served on the Carlsbad City Council.

“He always said if you have a way to give back to the community, in any way, do it,” Florez shared.

Outside of work, Florez is entering his 23rd season coaching Little Cavemen Football. He also enjoys golf, cornhole and spending time with family and friends.

Eddy County congratulates Jason Florez on this well-deserved appointment and looks forward to his leadership in continuing to strengthen the County’s technological foundation for the future.

“With 17 years of service at Eddy County, Jason is aptly prepared to lead the IT Department,” said Eddy County Manager Mike Gallagher. “Employees view him as the go-to, and with his community-minded approach, he is the right leader at the right time.”

Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

Conservative policy advocates and Republican state lawmakers visited Artesia Aug. 26 to tout tax cuts and other provisions of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” budget law passed by Congress and signed July 4 by President Donald Trump.

Among the speakers for the “Protect Prosperity & Defend Taxpayers” event at the Spark by Hilton hotel were Republican State Reps. Jon Henry of Artesia, who also serves as Artesia’s mayor, and Rod Montoya of Farmington; state Sen. Jim Townsend of Artesia, whose district (34) includes Eddy and Otero counties; and Jeremy Armstrong, southern New Mexico engagement director for conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity.

Americans for Prosperity and conservative Hispanic organization LIBRE co-sponsored the event, which had its roots in Americans for Prosperity’s campaign launched earlier this year in support of extending tax cuts enacted during Trump’s first term in 2017. The extension was a key component of the Republican-backed legislation officially titled “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” until the name was deleted prior to the bill’s approval in the U.S. Senate.

The Artesia event was part of a statewide tour that made previous stops in Farmington and Santa Fe and is expected to include visits to Hobbs, Las Cruces and Albuquerque.

In an interview after the meeting, Armstrong said his organization campaigned to extend the 2017 tax reductions because 2025 “was a bad time for taxes to go up.” Without the extension, he said, Americans making between $11,000 and $93,000 a year would have seen a 3% increase in taxes, and a special deduction for taxpayers with children “would have been cut in half.”

If the “Big Beautiful Bill” hadn’t passed, Armstrong said, the average New Mexico family would have paid an additional $1,800 a year in taxes.

“We don’t think they could afford it,” he said. “Our initial push was to get that extended and once it was passed it was (time) to celebrate that.”

Townsend praised not only continuation of the tax cuts but also the overall policy objectives of the budget bill.

“It was a bill that very specifically itemized promises that the president made to the American people (during the 2024 election) and kept his word,” Townsend said the during the meeting. “He really did exactly what he said he was going do.”

Montoya said the bill would reduce government waste, fraud and abuse.

“If you’re a legal citizen, taxpayer, in America, the One Big Beautiful Bill is tremendous for you,” he said. “If you’re a person who is gaming the system, or who shouldn’t be on the system at all because you don’t have a right to be on the system – the One Big Beautiful Bill, you probably don’t like it as much.”

Democrats see it differently, of course. Asked to comment on the bill the White House calls the “largest middle- and working-class tax cut in U.S. history,” Democratic Party of New Mexico spokesperson Daniel Garcia said the law does more for wealthy Americans than for working people.

“Since the Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law on July 4th, we’ve seen prices increase and the job market decrease,” he said. “The most recent jobs report showed that it’s getting more difficult to get a job and Trump’s clumsy tariffs are only making it harder to get by.”

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 extension-2361.

Todd Fuqua
Artesia Daily Press
tfuqua@elritomedia.com

The Alamogordo Police Department responded to an incident at Alamogordo High School’s football game on Aug. 29 that led to one arrest.

At 9:20 p.m., officers responded to “several disturbances,” where they arrested a 14-year-old female for Battery Upon a Peace Officer and Resisting or Obstructing an Officer, according to an APD press release. A 15-year-old female was also referred to Juvenile Probation Parole for Public Affray and Resisting or Obstructing an Officer.

The press release goes on to state officers were then made aware of potential threats connected to these altercations, which is when Alamogordo Public Schools (APS) made the decision to clear the stadium and order fans and members of the school band to leave the campus. These threats are currently under investigation.

“Our first responsibility is always the safety of students, families, and staff,” Superintendent Michael Crabtree stated in a press release from APS. “When faced with a situation that presented risk and disruption, we acted immediately and decisively. The decision to clear the stadium was not easy, but it was the right one.”

APS reported the evacuation was a coordinated effort between the Alamogordo Police Department, Otero County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State Police, APS district security personnel, school leadership and Roswell Independent School District.

The game, which also was delayed several times by rain and lightning, resumed after spectators were evacuated and Alamogordo posted a 27-13 victory over defending Class 5A state champion Roswell in an empty stadium.

In response to the fight and threat response, APS stated it will address the “disruptive behavior,” under the district’s code of conduct, actively communicating expectations with students and fans at extracurricular events and continuing to provide visible security at athletic events.

“Tiger Stadium should always be a place where our community can come together with pride,” Crabtree said. “We stand by our decision, and we will continue to take every step necessary to provide a safe, supportive environment for our athletes, students, and families.”

Todd Fuqua is Sports Editor for the Alamogordo News and can be reached on Instagram at @toadfox1.