LOCAL News

NMSP to Conduct Sobriety Checkpoints & Saturation Patrols during July

6/29/2022

DEMING - State Police in Luna County and around New Mexico will be conducting sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols, and registration, insurance and drivers’ license checkpoints in Luna County and all New Mexico counties during the month of July.

New Mexico State Police say they are bringing awareness to this in an effort to reduce alcohol related fatalities, through continued media attention. Officials say that the checkpoints are helping change society’s attitudes about drinking and driving.

People are choosing not to drink and drive. This is the biggest step in keeping impaired drivers from crashing into our friends and families.

This is being funded from the New Mexico ENDWI grant.

Luna County Youth Competes at 2022 District 4-H Contest

6/27/2022

*Photo details below

DEMING - Luna County 4-H members competed in the 2022 Southwest District 4-H Contest in Silver City on June 21-22. The competition included youth from seven neighboring counties including Hidalgo, Grant, Catron, Socorro, Sierra, Dona Ana, and Luna. Novice participants were ages 9-11, and junior participants were ages 11-13.
In the archery contest (compound bows with sights), Alejandro Escarcega received high point individual in the novice division. He was also on the third place team with Aidyn Schulke and Joseph Vavrecan. Other novice participants included Luna County Team 2 – Jaxon O’Toole, Dante Torres, and Jose Wilson. In the junior category, Marshall Offutt placed fifth individually. He was also part of the second place team along with Jakob O’Toole, Daxton Schulke, and McKenzie Trejo. Brice Tharp also participated in the junior archery contest. Archery was coached by James and Susan Swope and Josh Offutt.
Stefan Tinoco placed fourth in the novice entomology contest. Dante Torres also competed. At the junior level, McKenzie Trejo placed first, Jacob Tinoco placed third, and Maxeen Jasso placed fourth. Their team, which also included Brice Tharp, placed first. The entomology participants were coached by Holly Schultz.
In novice horticulture, Dante Torres earned second place. Jose Wilson also competed. In the junior horticulture competition, Lucca D’Ammassa placed first, Marshall Offutt was second, and Maxeen Jasso was fifth. Their team, which also included Daxton Schulke, won first place. Horticulture was coached by Susan Swope and Jennifer Shafer.
Kendahl Bingham and Daxton Schulke judged livestock at the junior level. Livestock was coached by Daniel McCauley.
In the novice rifle competition, Josue Tafoya was first, Alejandro Escarcega was third, and Aidyn Schulke was fifth. Their team, which also included Jose Wilson, earned first place. Luna County Team 2 with members Stefan Tinoco, Jorge Enriquez, Dante Torres, and Joseph Vavrecan placed fourth. In the junior rifle competition, Joshua Wilkinson, Marhall Offutt, and Daxton Schulke placed first, second, and third respectively. Their team placed first. Jacob Tinoco and Brice Tharp also participated. Rifle is coached by Kenny Hays, Dwayne Wilkinson, Will Shafer, and Sam Schulke.
Marshall Offutt placed third and Dante Torres placed fifth in the junior wildlife competition. Along with Daxton Schulke and Aidyn Schulke, their team placed fifth. Wildlife was coached by Jack Blandford.
For more information about 4-H, contact the Luna County Extension Office at (575)546-8806 or email luna@nmsu.edu. Enrollment opens October 1.

*Photo Details
Alejandro Escarcega, Aidyn Schulke, and Dante Torres (left to right) participated in the archery contest.
Jacob Tinoco & Brice Tharp were on the winning junior entomology team. Not pictured are McKenzie Trejo and Maxeen Jasso.
Alejandro Escarcega and Aidyn Schulke were on the winning novice rifle team. Not pictured is Josue Tafoya and Jose Wilson.
Joshua Wilkinson, Marshall Offutt, and Daxton Schulke were on the winning junior rifle team. The three earned first, second, and third place individually as well.

Local Chamber Celebrates the Relocation of Farm Bureau Financial Services

6/26/2022

Photo provided

DEMING - The Deming/Luna County Chamber of Commerce released the following:
We are pleased to announce the relocation of Farm Bureau Financial Services to their new location at 816 S. Platinum Avenue Deming.
The ribbon cutting for David Dominguez was held on June 22, 2022. The small celebration was attended by assistant Angelica and sibling Yesenia, plus members of the Chamber of Commerce, Cynthia Galindo, Nim Manriquez, Galen Gomez and Debbie Troyer.
“We wish to congratulate Farm Bureau Financial Services in celebrating their new location and ribbon cutting in this growing Deming/Luna County community, we bring with it, one hundred years of good fortune.”, Troyer read during the proclamation.

Fort Sill Apache Tribe to Hold Public Scoping Meeting

6/23/2022

DEMING – The Fort Sill Apache Tribe will be holding a public meeting and comment period for the tribe’s proposed development plans on it’s Reservation at Akela, NM in Luna County.
Those in attendance will be given an opportunity to review the Fort Sill Apache Tribe’s development plans for its proposed casino at Akela Flats and to provide comments or ask questions about the proposed project.
     The tribe in conjunction with the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs are preparing an Environmental Assessment for the proposed casino project working with the National Environmental Policy Act.
     The public is invited to attend and participate in the public meeting Tuesday June 28th starting at 5:00 p.m. with a reception, presentations, and comment period ending at 8:15 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Mimbres Valley Special Event Center 2300 East Pine in Deming.
     For more information email comments@fortsillapachenewmexico.com

County Lifts Burn Ban

6/23/2022

DEMING – Due to the recent rains in the local area, Luna Count has temporarily lifted the burn ban effective immediately.
     According to a media release from the Luna County Volunteer Fire Department and Emergency Management, there is still in place the requirement that persons contact Central Dispatch at 546-0354 and officially notify officials of the intended burn.
     The memo also stated that the County Volunteer Fire Department and Emergency Management will continue to monitor the weather and local fire conditions.
     Should the weather and conditions dictate, the ban will be reinstated and the public again notified.
     For more information call Luna County at 546-0494.

Local Arrest & Police Reports for Thursday June 16, 2022

6/16/2022

DEMING – Here’s today’s local arrest & police report.
James Russell, age 62, was arrested on a Municipal warrant for making threatening or harassing phone calls, and was charged with interference with officers… Elizario Zamora, age 39, was arrested on a Municipal warrant for failure to pay fines, and a Magistrate warrant for failure to appear… Daniel Silva, age 22, was arrested on an Adult Probation and Parole Department warrant for probation violations… Caleb Bazor, age 21, arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines, and two Grant County Magistrate warrants both for failure to appear… Brooke Bazor, age 25, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to appear… Ruben Aguirre, age 25, was arrested on a Municipal warrant for failure to appear… Kyle Smith, age 37, was arrested on a District Court warrant for probation violations charges and cited for possession of drug paraphernalia…
In police reports:
Criminal Damage to Snappy Mart on Pine Street was reported after two large dents were done to the outside metal wall of the convenience store.

Senator Diamond Calls on Governor, President to issue Major Disaster Declaration for Black Fire

6/15/2022

SANTA FE – Today, Senator Crystal Diamond (District 35) wrote an open letter to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham calling on her to urge President Joe Biden to issue a major disaster declaration for the Black Fire.
The declaration would allow for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help with cleanup and aid to impacted areas and residents in Sierra, Catron, and Grant Counties.
“The Black Fire is now the second largest in New Mexico history and it will have generational impacts on our families in southwest New Mexico,” said Senator Diamond.
“Our communities desperately need disaster relief now to prepare for the coming summer monsoons, and to rebuild from this historic fire.
I urge the Governor and the President to provide us with the resources we need so the residents, farmers, ranchers, and producers in my district are not left out to dry.”

Umlauf Faces Charges After Local Shooting

6/15/2022

DEMING - On Monday June 13, 2022, at 12:56 p.m. the City of Deming Police Department was dispatched to 1000 S Zinc, where the Deming Manor Apartments are located.
    Upon arrival, officers located a 26-year-old Christopher Ricchards of Deming with what appeared to be gunshot wound to the head and two to the right arm.
Richards was transported to Mimbres Memorial Hospital by the Deming EMS Department, and later flown out to an El Paso Texas trauma center where he iwas placed on life support. No update on the situation was available.
Through information gathered at the scene, a suspect was identified as 31-year-old John Umlauf of Deming.
  Umlauf was later located by a Luna County Sheriff’s Office Deputy at Walmart.
     Deming Police also responded to Walmart where both agencies performed a felony stop of the suspect's vehicle. Umlauf was taken into custody without incident.
He refused to answer questions by investigators, invoking his 5th Amendment Right.
Umlauf is currently in the Luna County Detention Center charged with attempted 1st degree murder, aggravated battery, assault with intent to commit a violent felony, shooting at or from a motor vehicle and aggravated assault. Charges may change depending on the victims situation.
Umlauf is scheduled for his first court appearance before Magistrate Judge Ray Baese on Tuesday.
   The case remains under investigation and anyone with additional information regarding this shooting should contact Detective J. Fetrow at the Deming Police Department at 575-546- 3012, or by calling 911.  DEMING - On June 13, 2022, at 12:56 p.m. the City of Deming Police Department was dispatched to 1000 S Zinc, where the Deming Manor Apartments are located.
    Upon arrival, officers located a 26-year-old Deming male with what appeared to be gunshot wound to the head and two to the right arm. The name of the victim has not been released due to pending family notification.
The victim was transported to Mimbres Memorial Hospital by the Deming EMS Department, and later flown out to an El Paso Texas trauma center where he is has been placed on life support.
Through information gathered at the scene, a suspect was identified as 31-year-old John Umlauf of Deming.
  Umlauf was later located by a Luna County Sheriff’s Office Deputy at Walmart.
     Deming Police also responded to Walmart where both agencies performed a felony stop of the suspect's vehicle. Umlauf was taken into custody without incident.
He refused to answer questions by investigators, invoking his 5th Amendment Right.
Umlauf is currently in the Luna County Detention Center charged with attempted 1st degree murder, aggravated battery, assault with intent to commit a violent felony, shooting at or from a motor vehicle and aggravated assault. Charges may change depending on the victims situation.
Umlauf went before Magistrate Judge Ray Baese who denied a bond amount, and remanded the case over to the 6th Judicial District Court.
   The case remains under investigation and anyone with additional information regarding this shooting should contact Detective J. Fetrow at the Deming Police Department at 575-546- 3012, or by calling 911.

ROAD ADVISORY: LANE CLOSURE – Deming Area

6/15/2022

File Photo: Pine And Gold Streets

DEMING - The New Mexico Department of Transportation will have a lane closure in place at the northwest corner of Pine St. and Gold St., near the Budget Tire Store and Fuel Station.
Motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and be cautious of personnel and equipment in the area.
This closure will be in place starting at 9 a.m. and completed by 11 a.m.

Sign Up to be Counted in the 2022 Census of Agriculture by June 30

6/15/2022

DEMING - Sign up and be counted in the 2022 Ag Census! Agriculture producers who did not receive the 2017 Census of Agriculture and do not receive other USDA surveys or censuses have until June 30 to sign up to receive the 2022 Census of Agriculture at nass.usda.gov/AgCensus.
This once-every-five-years data collection begins this November. The Ag Census includes every American operation – large or small, urban or rural – from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products are produced and sold, or would normally be produced and sold, in the ag census year.
This can include hobby farms with livestock, such as chickens or horses, or crops growing in the backyard or on a rooftop.
The data inform policy and program decisions that directly impact producers, their operations, industries, and communities.
A complete count, with every producer getting and taking the opportunity to be represented in these data, is vital.
On the NASS Ag Census webpage, producers can also access frequently asked questions, explore past and current Ag Census data, access tools to help spread the word about the upcoming Ag Census, learn about Ag Census special studies, and more.

<<Previous

Archives