Blog Archives

Luna County's 56th Resident Dies of COVID-19

1/29/2021

DEMING – Luna County had another resident die with COVID-19 Friday, bringing the county’s loss of life to the virus to 56 people.
     New Mexico state health officials described the person as a male in his 80’s who had been hospitalized and had underlying conditions.
     Luna County also recorded 14 additional COVID-19 cases on Friday.
     The state’s COVID-19 dashboard (https://cvprovider.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard.html) shows the total number of active cases in the Luna County is now 893.
     The state is reporting 1,961 people have completely recovered and 56 people have died, making the cumulative number of positive cases in Luna County 2,910.
     The dashboard also shows 30,094 tests have been administered in the county.

Jury Trials Resuming in Courts in Grant, Hidalgo and Luna Counties

1/29/2021

DEMING – Jury trials will resume starting Monday Feb. 1 in courts in the Sixth Judicial District of Grant, Hidalgo and Luna counties.

People summoned to jury duty should begin calling their respective court’s jury division to determine if they need to report to a courthouse for jury selection. A jury summons will list a phone number for checking on scheduling. Court locations and contact information are available online at the Sixth Judicial District Court's website.

Courts have implemented public health precautionary measures to protect against the coronavirus. These COVID-safe practices include:

●       A minimum of 6-foot distancing between people in courtrooms, juror assembly rooms and other locations throughout courthouses. This ensures potential jurors will not be sitting next to one another during jury selection or a trial.
●       Requiring everyone – jurors, attorneys, witnesses, judges and court staff – to wear a mask when in a court building. Each juror will receive hand sanitizer, a mask, notebook and pen.
●       Temperature checks and screening of everyone to ensure someone with symptoms does not enter a court facility.
●       Protective plexiglass has been installed where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
●       Cleaning and disinfecting all areas in judicial buildings, particularly high-touch surfaces such as doors. Hand sanitizer is available to the public throughout courthouses.

A Supreme Court order provided for jury trials to resume in February, after being suspended in November because of rising COVID-19 cases across the state and the possibility of greater increases after the holidays.

Deming MainStreet Awarded $275,000 Infrastructure Revitalization Funds

1/27/2021

DEMING – The New Mexico MainStreet and the New Mexico Economic Development Department announced that $1.5 million has been awarded for revitalization projects in four districts: Deming, Farmington, Lovington, and Truth or Consequences.
In Deming, the local MainStreet project was awarded $275,000 for the Zia Sun Art-Scape Intersection Project. Deming Luna County MainStreet Executive Director Christie Ann Harvey said, “This award is a real shot in the arm that provides much-needed funding for our Economic Development Mission.”
The Capital Outlay award makes possible yet another public artwork and infrastructure improvement that continues to well position Deming’s Business District and COVID recovery efforts.
Projects in Deming, Farmington, Lovington, and Truth or Consequences are now fully-funded, and scheduled to be completed this year.

Local Crime Report for Tuesday January 26, 2021

1/26/2021

DEMING – Here’s today’s local crime report:
Sonia Aguilar, age 27, was arrested for DWI, possession of drug paraphernalia, open container, driving with a suspended or revoked license and not wearing seat belts… Jose Roman, age 21, was arrested for battery against a household member and Angelo Esquibel, age 37, of Albuquerque was arrested for interference with officers, battery and shoplifting at Walmart.

Deming Schools Continues Online Learning as NM Allows Schools to Reopen

1/26/2021

DEMING – After the announcement from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham that New Mexico school districts would be able to welcome all students back to the classroom February 8th.
     Deming Public schools announced that the district will be maintaining the current plan of district wide online learning and plans to reopen to the special needs students of February 1st.
     According to a media release, Deming Public Schools are awaiting further guidance from the New Mexico Department of Health and the New Mexico Public Education Department on the options for re-entry in a hybrid learning model before the district decides on a date for in school reopening.
     The Deming Public Schools Sports are currently operating under strict COVID-19 restrictions and specific future involvement will be announced as conditions change.
     The media release said that the Deming Public Schools Board of Education will begin a process of planning and review of reentry options for students and the board may take action in an upcoming board meeting.

Local Crime Report for Monday January 25, 2021

1/25/2021

DEMING – Here’s today’s local crime report:
Ernesto Ibarra, age 31, was arrested for aggravated battery on a household member resulting in great bodily hard with a firearm, aggravated fleeing from law enforcement, unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon, two counts of resisting, evading or obstructing an officer, criminal damage to property, driving with a suspended or revoked license and on a Probation and Parole warrant for probation violation charges… Michael Valenzuela, age 41, was arrested for aggravated DWI (third offense) refusing to comply with chemical testing, speeding, resisting, evading or obstructing an officer, open container and no proof of registration… Paul Bautista, age 28, arrested for battery against a household member, interference with communications… Manuel Lucero, age 39, was arrested for commercial burglary at Walmart after allegedly breaking into the store after hours, and possession of drug paraphernalia… Minerva Chavez, age 59, was arrested for speeding and cited for failure to sign citation… Juan Castillo, age 36, was arrested on a Luna County Magistrate warrant for failure to appear and was cited for no driver’s license, no vehicle registration, no insurance and improper equipment… Jesus Sanchez, age 32, was arrested on a Lincoln County Magistrate warrant for failure to appear…Brian Porras, age 21, was arrested for causing criminal damage to property of a household member… Elizabeth Renteria, age 32, arrested on an Eddy County, NM Magistrate warrant for failure to appear.
In other reports: credit card fraud was reported to a Deming residence after $500 was illegally withdrawn from a local ATM… a 12x8 trailer valued at $700 was reported taken from a location off of West Maple street… a counterfeit $100 bill was discovered at a local food restaurant on South Gold street… A shed valued at $10,000 was reported stolen from a residence on South Pedro Road… A bank ATM in Columbus sustained criminal damage to the machine… a 2002 Toyota Avalon valued at $5,000 was reported stolen from a location on U.S. 180.

Luna County's 50th Resident Died with COVID-19

1/25/2021

DEMING – Luna County had another resident die with COVID-19 Monday, bringing the county’s loss of life to the virus to 50 people.
     New Mexico state health officials described the person as a female in her 50’s who had been hospitalized.
     Luna County also recorded 8 additional COVID-19 cases on Monday.
     The state’s COVID-19 dashboard (https://cvprovider.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard.html) shows the total number of active cases in the Luna County is now 869.
     The state is reporting 1,923 people have completely recovered and 50 people have died, making the cumulative number of positive cases in Luna County 2,842.
     The dashboard also shows 29,461 tests have been administered in the county.

Deming Optimist Club Provided Christmas Meal to Firemen

1/25/2021

DEMING - Submitted - The Optimist Club of Deming has been providing a Christmas meal to the local Fire Station for the past 15 years. “Our club members look forward to this annual tradition” said Optimist Club President Tony Sayre. The Club provides a roasted turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, a vegetable relish tray, and pies to the firemen on duty at 12 Noon on Christmas Day.

The Club started delivering a meal to the on-duty firemen as part of the Respect for Law program. The entire club meets at the Fire Station at 12 Noon on Christmas Day to deliver the meal, wish each other a Merry Christmas, and to personally thank the first responders who spend their day away from their families so that Deming stays safe. We appreciate their sacrifice.

The Deming Optimist Club is part of the Optimist International which is one of the world’s largest service club organizations with 75,000 adult and youth members in 2,600 clubs in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico and throughout the world. Respect for Law is one of the organization’s most popular programs, with more than 1,500 clubs participating annually. Carrying the motto “Bringing Out the Best in Kids,” Optimists conduct positive service projects that reach more than six million young people each year. To learn more about membership in the Deming Optimist Club, please contact Robert Velez at (915) 525-5126 or visit the organization’s website at www.optimist.org.

Local Crime Report for Wednesday January 20, 2021

1/20/2021

DEMNG – Here’s today’s local crime report:
     Raymond Guess, age 39, was arrested on a fugitive complaint warrant from Foulton County Indiana for failure to appear…   Rafael Gomez, age 26, was arrested on a felony fugitive complaint warrant from Adams County Colorado for sexual assault, assault, strangulation and false imprisonment.
     Paul Zembower, age 44, was summoned into court for felony shoplifting over $500 of items from Walmart.   Ramon Franco, age 21, was arrested for battery on a peace officer, resisting evading or obstructing an officer and criminal trespassing.
    Finally, a 58-year-old Deming woman reported her social security number was being illegally used in Miami Florida.

Local Crime Report for Tuesday January 19, 2021

1/19/2021

DEMING – Here’s today’s local crime report:
Gilbert Andrew Villegas, age 33, of Las Cruces, NM was arrested for aggravated DWI – 3rd offense, and refused to submit to testing, reckless driving and driving with a suspended or revoked license… Justin Hull, age 41, was arrested for DWI… Ben Ross, age 51, of Utah, was arrested for DWI… Jason Sparks, age 44, was arrested for receiving stolen property… Brandon Kibe, age 37, was arrested for criminal trespassing… Jose Madrid, age 51, was arrested on a Luna County Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines… Jackelyn Perris, age 51, arrested on a Socorro County Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines, and shoplifting at Walmart… Scott Cusick, age 52, was arrested for battery on a household member… Marcus Lopez, age 20, arrested for driving with a suspended or revoked license… Anthony Jaeb, age 64, was arrested on a San Miguel County Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines… Carmen Regalado, age 51, was arrested on a Luna County no-bond warrant for failure to appear… Mario Hernandez, age 28, was arrested on a Magistrate court warrant for stalking and disorderly conduct… Shyenne Pierro, age 24, arrested on a Deming Municipal warrant for failure to appear… David Garcia, age 20, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for battery on a peace officer.
Over $4500 in cash and jewelry was reported taken from a residence on South Santa Fe Street… Criminal damage to property occurred at the Living Word Church on South Gold after a front window was broken, damage was estimated at $800 to the window. A mirror, and windshield wiper valued at $172 was damaged on a vehicle parked on South Shelly.’

<<Previous