A married couple who both hold Columbus Village trustee positions are expected to officially resign next month.

Columbus Mayor Nicole Lawson confirmed that William "Bud" Canfield and Jeane Canfield will be resigning to move to Wisconsin.

Lawson said Bud Canfield had an existing medical condition that was recently exacerbated, and they decided to move closer to family members.

Bud Canfield was in the middle of his four-year term as a trustee, and Jeane Canfield was just elected this month to a four-year term.

Bud was the last remaining trustee in office from before the gun smuggling case that rocked the border community last year and prompted the resignations of the mayor, police chief and trustee Blas "Woody" Gutierrez.

Lawson said the Canfields have not submitted their resignations yet, but she expects them to do so next month, effective April 30th.

She has notified Municipal League attorneys of the impending resignations.

Lawson said once the resignations are official, she will request letters of interest from Columbus residents who would like to be appointed to the village trustees. She will then select two candidates from those letters and submit her choices to the trustees for approval.

_A Luna County produce farm has been awarded nearly 50-thousand dollars from the U-S Department of Agriculture. U-S-D-A Rural Development State Director Terry Brunner will be in Luna County Thursday to present a certificate of obligation to Doctor Matthew Stong of Preferred Produce, located 25 miles south of Deming off the Columbus Highway.

Stong is receiving a value-added producer grant for 49-thousand 500-dollars awarded to help Preferred Produce provide high-quality vegetables to more people at a lower cost.

A media release says the company plans to create an additional job that will pay more than twice the wages paid at most Luna County farms.

In addition, Preferred Produce plans to provide high-nutrition vegetables to area school children and increase food safety for its customers through providing locally produced vegetables delivered to consumers within eight hours of harvest.

The U-S-D-A Value-Added Grant Program provides financial support for planning activities and for working capital to market value-added agricultural products and for farm-based renewable energy.

Preferred Produce is located at 23485 Columbus Road. The ceremony to celebrate the successful application of funds is set for this Thursday at 11:30 a-m.

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Miguel Mendivil, age 29, was arrested for D-W-I and interference with officers, and was cited for speeding and no driver's license... Maria Wilson, age 35, was arrested for violating a protection order... Silas Wilson, age 48, was arrested for violating a protection order... and Andrew Cantone, age 24, was cited for reckless driving, unlawful use of a license and no driver's license.

Also... radiators were reported missing from several vehicles located off North Eighth Street... and a telephone box located off Silver and Willow Streets sustained 100-dollars worth of criminal damage.

A structure fire caused a propane tank explosion Sunday in Columbus.

Luna County Sheriff's Deputy Trini Garcia said the fire started at before 11 a-m Sunday in a mobile home serving as the business office of Columbus L-P Gas, located at 1550 South Highway 11, north of Columbus.

Emergency dispatchers were notified by witnesses who saw smoke coming from the property.

Garcia said the fire spread to four sheds on the property, and caused a 125-gallon propane tank to explode.

Columbus and Deming fire departments responded to the blaze.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A special border task force and increased federal support are being credited for helping reduce illegal migrant traffic along the U.S.-Mexico border in New Mexico.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports (http://bit.ly/yPEq3T) that ranchers on New Mexico's border praised this week the Southwestern Border Security Task Force for the dramatic drop in border arrests in just six years.

In 2005, government figures show that 122,679 people were arrested trying to enter illegally through the El Paso Sector, which includes New Mexico. Last year, only 10,345 were apprehended

in the same area - a more than 90 percent drop.

James Johnson, a rancher near Columbus, says he hadn't seen illegal border traffic this quiet in 30 years.

The task force is made up of a coalition of local and federal authorities.

Luis Alarcon, age 22, was arrested for driving while license was suspended or revoked, improper equipment and no insurance... Eric Paz, age 29, was arrested for breaking and entering and resisting or obstructing officers... Mark Robbins, age 45, was arrested for filing a false report... and Arthur Reyes, age 55, was arrested on a Municipal warrant for failure to pay fines.

Also... a residence, vehicle and shop were tampered with off Solana Road Southeast... and a 19-year-old Deming man reported being the victim of fraud after his credit card was used for over 250-dollars worth of purchases without his permission.

The public's input on gang issues in Deming and Luna County is being sought.

Deming Police Chief Michael Carillo, who also serves as a director of the New Mexico Gang Task Force, said they are seeking input at the community level on gang issues -- specifically the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats related to gang enforcement, prevention, intervention and suppression.

Carillo said information submitted at the local level will be taken to a statewide meeting where officials can work on projects reflecting the input that can then be implemented in communities across the state.

Carillo attended a state gang task force meeting in Albuquerque this week, and everyone present was directed to go back to their home communities and solicit grassroots input.

Specifically they are looking for the public's ideas on how to fix gang problem issues and maintain effective programs -- especially in light of projected funding cuts.

Anyone who can provide input on the gang situation in Deming and Luna County is encouraged to email Chief Carillo at mcarillo@cityofdeming.org or drop off their input at the police department, 700 East Pine.

Input needs to be submitted by March 30th.

Deming Police officials have renewed their request for help from the public in locating a missing local man.

47-year-old Paul Madrid was last seen by family members and friends in May.

Deming Police Chief Michael Carillo said it is suspected that foul play might be involved in his disappearance... and detectives are following up on new information they've received.

Madrid was entered into the National Crime Information Center system as missing and endangered.

Anyone with information on Madrid's whereabouts is encouraged to call Deming Police Detective Richard Pacheco or Crime Stoppers at 546-7800.

Calls to Crime Stoppers are never recorded or traced, and you could receive up to a thousand-dollars for information provided anonymously.

Again... 47-year-old Paul Madrid has not been seen by family or friends since May... and officials believe foul play may be involved in his disappearance.

He continues to be listed as missing and endangered.

Anyone with information on Madrid's whereabouts should contact the Deming Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 546-7800.

A 46-year-old Deming man was struck by a vehicle on North Gold after the man walked into oncoming traffic.

Deming Police Captain Brandon Gigante said 46-year-old Joselino Sosa-Martinez of Deming walked into the north bound lane of North Gold at just before 9 Tuesday night and was struck by a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro being driven by 54-year-old Anita Medina of Bayard.

Sosa-Martinez's injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, but he was transported to El Paso for treatment.

Gigante said officers at the scene reported that Sosa-Martinez was intoxicated when he walked into the oncoming traffic.

The impact caused Sosa-Martinez to roll onto the hood, windshield and then roof of the Camaro, shattering the windshield and damaging the body of Medina's car.

Medina was cited for careless driving.

The Deming Elks Lodge has made recent contributions in its mission to help people with Cerebral Palsy.

The local Elks members, in conjunction with the state Elks Association Cerebral Palsy Commission, presented an iPad and case, valued at over 800-dollars to a local girl with Cerebral Palsy and developmental delays.

Officials say the iPad, which uses touch technology, will help Lynette Von Tress with her school work.

The Elks members also presented a six-thousand dollar check to Deming Dust Devils Gymnastics to replace mats at the gym.

Lisa Perez, a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant, said gymnastics is one of the most comprehensive lifestyle exercise programs available for children with Cerebral Palsy.

She said it incorporates strength, flexibility, speed, balance, coordination, power and discipline.

The Deming Dust Devils organization reportedly offers special needs youth the opportunity to develop agility, flexibility, muscular endurance, static and dynamic balance, and conditioning, which improves the children's overall health and self-esteem.