Blog Archives

Local Arrest and Crime Report for Deming & Luna County

1/30/2022

DEMING - Here’s today’s local crime & arrest report:
Sean Chester, age 34, of Santa Fe, New Mexico was arrested and charged with trafficking in a controlled substance 10 grams of methamphetamines, possession of a firearm by a felon, commercial burglary, breaking and entering, criminal damage to property, resisting, evading or obstructing an officer and possession of burglary tools… James Loges, age 59, was arrested for possession of a firearm by a felon and driving with a suspended or revoked license… Robert Guerrero, age 23, arrested for residential prowling, concealing identity and possession of drug paraphernalia… Edgar Villezcas, age 26, was arrested for resisting evading or obstructing an officer on two Municipal warrants one for failure to pay fines and one for failure to appear and on an Adult Probation and Parole warrant for probation violations… Ronald Carroll, age 45, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamines… Sheldon Cummins, age 68, was arrested for possession of a firearm by a felon… Jorge Granado, age 23, was arrested on a Municipal warrant for violating conditions of release.
In local police reports:
A restaurant located on east Pine Street was broken into taken was a cash register, safe and an undisclosed amount of cash.. Collectable records valued at $13,000 was reportedly stolen from a residence on Kipling Street. Residential windows on West 4th street were broken, damage estimated at $150.

Luna County Records 111th COVID-19 Death

1/30/2022

DEMING – Luna County recorded another resident died from COVID-19 bringing the county’s total loss of life to the virus to 111 people.
     New Mexico state health officials described the person as a man in his 90’s.
     Luna County also recorded 68 additional COVID-19 positive cases as of Friday.
     According to figures on NMhealth.org, The state is reporting 4,773 people have completely recovered in Luna County, and 111 people have died.
     The dashboard also shows 77,281 tests have been administered in the county since the pandemic began.
       New Mexico COVID-19 update on Friday had 5,291 new cases, totaling 470,513 since the pandemic began, and 26 additional COVID-19 deaths on Friday.
     To schedule a free COVID test go online to curative.com. To get yourself on the list for the free COVID vaccine, or booster shots go to vaccinenm.com or check with your local healthcare provider.

Mexican gray wolf that tried to cross border shot in leg

1/29/2022

SILVER CITY, N.M. (AP) — An endangered Mexican gray wolf that drew media attention late last year after it appeared to spend five days pacing along the border fence separating New Mexico from Mexico has been found with a serious gunshot wound.
The Center for Biological Diversity announced Friday evening that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service used a helicopter to track the injured wolf and used a tranquilizer dart to sedate it.
The animal called "Mr. Goodbar" was then taken to the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo and veterinarians planned to amputate part or all of its injured leg.
Michael Robinson of the Center for Biological Diversity says the wolf will probably be released back to the wild after it recovers.

Deming Police Arrest Santa Fe Man Charged with Local Burglaries

1/28/2022

DEMING - On January 21, 2022, at about 3:40 a.m., Deming Police officers arrested 34-year-old Sean Chesser of Santa Fe, and subsequently charged him with burglary, breaking and entering, criminal damage to property, resisting, evading or obstructing an officer and possession of burglary tools.
Through an investigation, initiated by a Deming patrol sergeant, it was found that Chesser had burglarized the Tractor Supply Store. Chesser was found to be in possession of over $6,000.00 in items he had allegedly stolen after making entry.
Detectives had developed a separate case on Chesser the week prior stemming from a shoplifting call where Chesser had allegedly stolen shoes from the Shoe Department. Through the course of that investigation, a search warrant was executed on Chesser’s vehicle in which was located about 10 grams of methamphetamines, a firearm and multiple items reported stolen in at least one other burglary.
Upon his arrest for the burglary committed at Tractor Supply, an arrest warrant was served on Chesser charging him with trafficking in a controlled substance as well as possession of a firearm by a felon.
There are ongoing joint investigations against Mr. Chesser being conducted by the Deming Police Department and the Luna County Sheriff’s Department.

Deming Firefighters/EMTs & City to Hold Contract Negotiations

1/26/2022

DEMING – After 14 Deming firefighters/EMT gave their two weeks notice last week over poor pay, the Union representing the workers and the City of Deming will begin contract negotiations again.
The Deming City Council met in Special Session Wednesday morning and went into closed session to discuss the firefighters/EMT resignations.
City Administrator Aaron Sera told Deming Radio News that he was not able to comment as to what happened during the Commissions’ closed session. However, he did say that the Union representing the local firefighters/EMT’s and the city will begin new negotiations soon.
The City and firefighters/EMT’s have been without a contract since 2020 when it expired.   Sera told the Deming Headlight that he was to have a meeting with Union officials Tuesday January 25th. But the 14 employees had resigned before the meeting was held.
Deming saw local residents show their support for the employees, by mounting pay wage protests in front of City Hall at 309 South Gold.

Local Arrest & Crime Report for Monday January 24, 2022

1/24/2022

DEMING – Here’s today’s local arrest and crime reports.
     Isaac Diaz, age 44, arrested for burglary, shoplifting and criminal trespassing at a local business…   Luis Ortiz, age 45, of Mesquite, New Mexico, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to appear… Reymundo Vera, age 41, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines… Christopher Avina, age 18, arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to appear… Brenda Sosa, age 26, was arrested on a District Court warrant for failure to comply with conditions of the court… Justin Gray, age 25, arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to appear, and a Municipal warrant for failure to appear… Steven Soledad, age 18, of Sunland Park, New Mexico, was arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor… Edgar Villezcas, age 26, was arrested for resisting, evading or obstructing an officer and on two Municipal warrants one for failure to appear and one for failure to pay fines.
     In police reports:
     The First Presbyterian Church located at 120 South Zinc was burglarized over the weekend, criminal damage occurred and several items of religious nature were reported stolen. No valued was given. St. Luke’s Church at 417 West Spruce was also burglarized. Again, criminal damage occurred, and several religious items were taken, valued at around $3,000. A 2006 GMC passenger car was reported set afire on Arrowhead Drive damage listed at $3,000. A propane tank, tools and items valued at $730 was reported taken from a residence on Del Sol Road.   Finally, a .9mm handgun valued at $730 was reported stolen from a residence at Oro Street in Columbus.

County Commission Meets Monday Morning

1/23/2022

DEMING – The Luna County Commissioners will meet in special session Monday morning.
    The commissioners are expected to hear about the CDBG Health Complex bid make a motion and a roll call vote on the issue.
     The commission meeting is set to begin at 9 a.m. Monday in the commission chambers, located on the third floor of the Luna County Courthouse.
     The meeting is open to the public and virtually by Google meeting. The link is available on the county’s web page at lunacountynm.us.
     Then the Luna County Commission will be meeting in a work session at 10:00 a.m. Monday.
     The reason for the work session will be discussion of County Ordinance 23 the Luna County Personnel policy.
    No action will be taken during the special work session. The work session is also available online again at the county’s web page at lunacountynm.us.

Deming High & Mimbres Valley High Schools go into "Hybrid Cohort Remote"

1/21/2022

DEMING - Positivity rates for COVID-19 have surged in the local Deming community and also in some of our schools.
     Specifically, at Deming High School (DHS) and Mimbres Valley High School (MVHS).
     Because of this, the Deming Public School District has decided that they are unable to cover classes with qualified adults.
    According to a media release from DPS Executive assistant Charles Turner, the district, “has made the difficult decision to move DHS & MVHS to a hybrid cohort remote schedule beginning Monday, January 24, 2022.”

    The schedule for students attending DHS and MVHS will be:
MONDAYS & TUESDAYS
• IN-PERSON: 9TH & 11TH grade students
• REMOTE: 10th & 12th grade students
o Remote students will work on and complete assignments, via Canvas

WEDNESDAYS
• Continue as Remote Wednesdays with students checking-in, via Canvas, to each class as follows:
o 8:20-8:50 am – 1st period
o 8:50-9:20 am – 2nd period
o 9:20-9:50 am – 3rd period o 9:50-10:20 am – 4th period o 10:20-10:50 am – 5th period o 10:50-11:20 am – 6th period o 11:20-11:50 am – 7th period

THURSDAYS & FRIDAYS
• IN PERSON: 10th & 12th grade students
• REMOTE: 9th & 11th grade students
o Remote students will work on and complete assignments, via Canvas

This schedule will be followed through February 11, 2022. The district will reassess the situation at DHS & MVHS each week, and if rates decrease, we will re-open on February 14, 2022.
     Turner said that “We know this is a difficult time for everyone and we will continue to keep the public informed.”

Silver City Ranger District Planning Winter/Spring Vegetation Treatments

1/21/2022

SILVER CITY - Jan. 21, 2022 — The Gila National Forest, Silver City Ranger District is planning three vegetation treatments this winter and spring to reduce hazardous fuels, protect private infrastructure in the wildland-urban interface, and improve wildlife habitat. Smoke production should be light, and kept to the local area, although smoke may be visible from some distance. The dates of implementation are subject to change based on weather and fuel conditions
The three projects include the following areas in the order listed:
Georgetown – consists of 300 acres divided into three 100-acre units located west of Georgetown Road and north of SR 153. This area has been previously treated by fire crews to remove excess trees and thin the canopy to improve the area for wildlife habitat. This project is expected to be performed in the early spring and may be burned simultaneously or in individual units as conditions dictate.
  Willow – this unit is approximately 3000 acres and is in the Burro Mountains east of County Road 4-24 (Redrock Road) and adjacent to the Sawmill Prescribed Fire that was completed in the spring of 2021, this unit is expected to be completed late April-June 2022.
  Jaybird – this unit is located on the east side of SR15, north of signal peak, and is the second and final phase of the prescribed fire. The first phase was a “blacklining” operation which secured the perimeter in the fall of 2021.
Resource managers use prescribed fires to replace naturally occurring fires that have been suppressed through years of human interaction. These fires simulate natural fires by reducing forest fuels, restoring nutrients, and increasing habitat diversity. Prescribed fires are always managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.
Many factors are considered before fire managers decide to implement a prescribed fire. The forecasted weather, fuel moisture and other conditions are closely watched to determine if a prescribed fire is the correct tool to achieve the desired result. Prescribed fires are designed to meet specific objectives, including, providing community protection and forest health although other positive side effects such as benefit to wildlife or increased water availability are possible.
Smoke from the prescribed burn will be monitored to ensure that the New Mexico Environment Department’s Air Quality Bureau regulations are being met.  Smoke-sensitive individuals and those with respiratory or heart disease should take precautionary measures.  Air quality information and health protection measures are posted online at the New Mexico Department of Health’s website:  https://nmtracking.org/fire.
For more information regarding these projects contact Silver City Ranger District Fire Management Officer Marcus Cornwell at marcus.cornwell@usda.gov or 575-388-8248. For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at www.fs.usda.gov/gila or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

14 Deming Emergency Service Employees Resign in Mass

1/20/2022

DEMING – The Deming Fire and EMS services are now operating with about half their regular employees.
     Deming City Administrator Aaron Sera told Deming Radio News that on Wednesday January 19th, fourteen Emergency services employees submitted their letters of resignation to the city.
    Sera said that the city was not given any opportunity to talk to the resigning employees to see if some agreement could be worked out and that their actions had come as a surprise.
     The reason given for the mass resignations was unhappiness with salaries.
    The employees are unionized, and the City of Deming had in good faith recently negotiated a contract that was accepted and signed with the Union and all Emergency Personnel.
     Sara said, salaries for Deming Emergency personnel are on par with the salaries of surrounding communities. The employees were given a 6% wage increase in 2021 as well as a retaining bonus of $2,000 to $10,000 dollars.
     Sera said that local residents should be assured that the resignations will not leave the community with hampered services. He said back up plans are in place, and the city can “borrow” employees from area agencies.
    Sera said that he was saddened by the resignations because the personnel swore an oath to protect and serve the residence of Deming and Luna County and have chosen to just get up and leave without giving the city any opportunity to reach a compromise.

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