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I-10, Mile Marker 49, Deming Area Road Work This Week

1/18/2021

DEMING – The New Mexico Department of Transportation has announced road work will be done on Interstate 10 between Deming and Lordsburg this week.
Local Contractor Kimo Constructors, will be continuing bridge replacement and roadway reconstruction on NM 146 that’s the “Hatchita Bridge” at I-10 milepost 49.
The bridge is closed and a detour will be in place on the frontage road.
The Separ exit 42 and frontage road at the Quincy exit 55 on the I-10 eastbound passing lane is also closed but now the westbound lanes are open.
The construction hours of operation will be from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday; lane closures and traffic control will remain in place 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
In all construction zones, motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and use extreme caution, as well as continue to be cautious of heavy equipment and construction personnel in the area.
Double fines for speeding in work zones may be in effect.
For more information log onto www.nmroads.com or call 511.

Cowboys for Trump Leader Arrested over US Capitol Riot

1/18/2021

FILE - In this March 12, 2019, file photo, Cowboys for Trump leader and Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin, center, talks with Republican New Mexico state Rep. Candy Ezzell of Roswell, N.M., at a protest against gun control and pro-abortion rights legislation outside the New Mexico State Capitol, in Santa Fe, N.M. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee, File)

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico county official and founder of the group Cowboys for Trump who had vowed to return to Washington after last week’s riot at the U.S. Capitol to place a flag on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk has been arrested Sunday by the FBI.

Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin was arrested on charges of illegally entering the U.S. Capitol.

According to court documents, Griffin told investigators that he was “caught up” in the crowd, which pushed its way through the barricades and entered the restricted area of the U.S. Capitol, but he said he did not enter the building and instead remained on the U.S. Capitol steps.

A video posted to Griffin’s personal Facebook page shows Griffin in the restricted areas, according to the affidavit.

Griffin did not immediately respond to phone or text messages seeking comment.

On Thursday, Griffin, said he planned to travel with firearms to Washington, D.C., for Biden’s inauguration.

“I’m gonna be there on Jan. 20 ... and I’m gonna take a stand for our country and for our freedoms,” Griffin said during a meeting of the Otero County Board of Commissioners.

“I’m gonna leave either tonight or tomorrow. I’ve got a .357 Henry Big Boy rifle lever action that I’ve got in the trunk of my car and I’ve got a .357 single action revolver, the Colt Ruger Vaquero that I’ll have underneath the front seat on my right side and I will embrace my Second Amendment,” he said.

Associated Press journalist Morgan Lee contributed to this report.

Sam Baca Passes Away

1/17/2021

Sam D. Baca, 75, longtime Deming resident, mayor and businessman peacefully passed away at home on Wednesday, January 13, 2021.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 22, 2021 at Holy Family Catholic Church from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
The rosary will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 10:00 AM, officiated by Fr. Ron Machado. Mass of the Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM celebrated by Fr. Prakasham Babu and Fr. Ron Machado, followed by concluding services and interment with military honors at Mt. View Cemetery. Due to capacity restrictions, church services will be live streamed. To view additional details about Sam D. Baca’s Services, including any available live streams:
https://my.gather.app/remember/sam-d-baca
Sam was born February 15, 1945 in Faywood, NM to Eduardo and Elena Dominguez Baca. He attended the Cobre School system continued his education at Western New Mexico University. He served in the United States Army and after being discharged he went to the California College of Mortuary Science in Los Angeles, California graduating in 1970. His dedication to funeral service brought about the purchase of Wheeler Mortuary in 1975, followed by the establishment of Baca’s Heather Funeral Home in Lordsburg, NM, Baca’s Funeral Chapel in Silver City, NM and Baca’s Funeral Chapel in Las Cruces, NM; along with New Mexico Granite and Marble Company and Mimbres Crematory.
He served as Mayor of Deming for 20 years, was a past board member of Deming Public Schools, the New Mexico Board of Funeral Service and was very active with the Community Development Block Grant program for our local area.
On October 13, 1983 he became an advisory director for First New Mexico Bank and was appointed a full director on March 14, 1985, for a total of 36 years on the board.
He was proud to serve on the board of the Help in Healing Foundation at the Village at Mayo Clinic.
He was a dedicated Catholic and had a lifelong dream of refurbishing his childhood church in San Jose, NM. Along with the help of former parishioners, family members and friends he was instrumental in accomplishing his dream.
He is survived by his brother, Fernando “Buddy” Baca of Deming, numerous nieces and nephews and professional family. Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Eduardo and Elena Baca; sisters Clara and Nora; and brothers Adan, Ramon, and Julian.
Pallbearers will be Paul Baca, “Coach” Sandoval, Tony Saenz, Max Eddings, Jesse Valencia, and Ricardo Molina. Honorary pallbearers are his fellow Directors from First New Mexico Bank: G.G. Gore, Dr. John Lundy, Teresa Molina, Richard Patterson, Jakub Sherman, and Gary Shiflett, along with close colleague John Strand and very good friend Olivina Ortiz.
In lieu of flowers please send memorial contributions to Help in Healing Home Foundation at the Village at Mayo clinic, 5811 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix AZ. 85254.
Entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels and Mimbres Crematory.

DPS Offering Online Enrichment Classes

1/15/2021

DEMING – Deming Public Schools Instruction Division is now offering online enrichment classes after school for interested students.
A media release said some of the classes being offered include:
• Tutoring
• Literacy
• STEM – or Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
• College and Career Readiness
• Civic Leadership
• Fine Arts
• Health and Wellness
• Music Education
• Social-Emotional Learning
Parents and students should contact their school for more information on the after-school enrichment programs.

Luna County’s 49th Resident Dies with COVID

1/15/2021

DEMING – Luna County had three more residents die with COVID Thursday, bringing the county’s loss to 49 people.
     New Mexico state health officials described the persons as a female in her 60s who had been hospitalized, a female in her 80s who was a resident of BeeHive Homes of Deming, and a male in his 80s who had underlying conditions.
     The state also reported Luna County had 28 additional COVID-19 cases Thursday.
     The state’s COVID-19 dashboard (https://cvprovider.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard.html) shows the total number of active cases in the county is now 768.
     The state is reporting 1,771 people have completely recovered and 49 people have died, making the cumulative number of positive cases in Luna County 2,588.
     The dashboard also shows 25,798 tests have been administered in the county.

Luna County’s 46th Resident Dies with COVID

1/14/2021

DEMING – Luna County had another resident die with COVID Wednesday, bring the county’s loss to 46 people.
     New Mexico state health officials described the person as a male in his 70s who was hospitalized, had underlying conditions, and was a resident of Mimbres Memorial Nursing Home.
     The state also reported Luna County had 28 additional COVID-19 cases Wednesday.
     The state’s COVID-19 dashboard (https://cvprovider.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard.html) shows the total number of active cases in the county is now 761.
     The state is reporting 1,753 people have completely recovered and 46 people have died, making the cumulative number of positive cases in Luna County 2,560.
     The dashboard also shows 25,611 tests have been administered in the county.

Marshall Memorial Library Partially Reopening

1/14/2021

DEMING – Marshall Memorial Library in Deming will be partially reopening next week.
     Director Lucas Marsh said the library, at 110 S. Diamond Ave., will be open for computer usage by appointment only beginning Tuesday, Jan. 19th.
     Appointments can be made by calling 546-9202.
     Marsh said persons wishing to use the library’s computers must have a library card, and cards will be issued to Deming residents with a valid picture ID and proof of residency, such as mail showing a name and address.
     Also, any fines owed the library must be paid in full.
     Marsh said only the individual with the appointment may enter the building, although an assistant may be permitted if needed.
     Masks must be worn at all times, and the restrooms are closed to the public.
     The library will be open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays.

Local Crime Report for Thursday January 14, 2021

1/14/2021

DEMING – Here’s the area crime report:
Lindsi Zumwalt, age 37, was arrested for interference with officers and on a District Court warrant for failure to comply with conditions of probation… Bianca Rincon, age 28, was charged with interference with officers… Pablo Espinoza, age 23, was arrested on two District Court warrants for failure to comply with conditions of probation… and John Cadet, age 25, of El Paso, TX, was arrested on a Dona Ana County warrant and a Lincoln County warrant – both for failure to appear.
Also, $2,500 in damage was reported to a steel gate off Carlota Rd SE… and a Deming woman reported fraud after discovering her debit card was being used for unauthorized video game purchases.

Luna County Commission Meets

1/13/2021

DEMING – The Luna County commissioners will meet in regular session Thursday morning.
     Instructions to attend the meeting virtually are posted on the agenda available on the county’s website: www.lunacountynm.us.
     The first item of business will be the election of a chairperson for 2021. District 3 Commissioner John Sweetser chaired the board last year.
     Agenda items include recognition for Senator John Arthur Smith for 32 years of service, Sheriff Kelly Gannaway for 30 years of service, and Robert Ramirez for being selected as the Luna County Deputy of the Year.
     Retirements to be recognized include Gloria Rodriguez for 49 years with the treasurer’s office, Andrea Rodriguez for 29 years with the clerk’s office, Marty Miller for 28 years with the road department, Mike Hatch for 23 years with the road department, and Dora Madrid for 20 years with the treasurer’s office.
     Numerous service awards will be presented as well.
     Also on the agenda is a funding request for PlaySharity, budget increases and transfers, disposition of personal property, and a meeting notice of the Labor/Management Relations Board.
     The meeting is set to being at 10 a.m. this Thursday, Jan. 14th, 2021, in the commission chambers, located on the third floor of the Luna County Courthouse, 700 S. Silver Ave.

Applicants Sought for School Board

1/13/2021

DEMING – The Deming Public Schools Board of Education is seeking applicants to fill the District 4 vacancy created with the resignation of William (Bayne) Anderson.
     Anderson submitted his resignation effective Dec. 31st, saying he felt it was time in light of pending administrative changes and his over 14 years of service to the school board.
     The board will begin interviewing candidates soon and must name a replacement within 45 days of the vacancy date.
     The newly appointed member will serve the remainder of the respective term, and will be subject to election on Nov. 2nd, 2021.
     Anyone interested in applying for the District 4 school board seat should submit a letter of interest and resume addressed to: Mrs. Amy Delaney-Hernandez, Board Secretary, Attention: Kim Hernandez, Board Support, Deming Public Schools, 1001 South Diamond, Deming, NM 88030.
     Letters and resumes also may be emailed to kim.hernandez@demingps.org.
     New Mexico law requires school board members be at least 18 years old, a resident of the respective district, and a registered voter.
     The deadline to submit information is Jan. 19th, 2021, at 4 p.m.

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