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Local Crime Report for Friday February 27, 2015

2/27/2015

(Deming) – Here’s the area crime report:

Lorenzo Duran, age 44, was arrested for DUI, driving while license was suspended or revoked, on a failure-to-stop driving violation, expired registration and no proof of insurance… Juan Carlos Madrid, age 18, was arrested on a probation violation… Daniel Ortiz, age 36, was arrested on a District Court arrest warrant… Fernando Gutierrez, age 33, was arrested on a District Court arrest warrant for a probation violation… Chasidy Washington, age 37, was cited for trespassing at a residence… and a 15-year-old boy was cited for shoplifting at Walmart.

Also… a semi-automatic handgun valued at $300 was reported stolen from a residence off North Lane Northwest.

Deming Students Protesting PARCC Test

2/27/2015

Students protesting outside Thursday night’s Deming school board meeting

(Deming) – Deming High School students are protesting the mandatory administration of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers – or PARCC – test.

     DHS senior Andrew Hernandez said students would ultimately like to get rid of the PARCC test, which has replaced the Standards Based Assessment test as a graduation requirement in New Mexico.

     But immediately, Hernandez said, the students would like the district to give an opt-out option to students as has been done in other New Mexico districts.

     And, he said, they would like to have passage of the PARCC test eliminated as a requirement for graduation. As it stands, this years’ junior class – the graduating class of 2016 – must pass the PARCC in order to receive a diploma.

     DHS sophomore Enrique Aguilar said he feels the PARCC test is unfair and one of the hardest assessment tests in the United States.

     The students protested outside Thursday night’s Deming school board meeting, and moved the protest to outside the high school Friday.

     Hernandez said their goal is to have students in class, so they are protesting outside of class times – before school, during lunch and after school.

     They also are asking for community support with their protest, hoping non-students will join in their cause.

     The PARCC test is to begin being administered Monday.

Two Deming Girls Advance in Hoop Shoot

2/27/2015

Pictured: Valentine, Dominguez, Soto, Fulgenzi, Stoner and Burrola.

(Deming) – Two Deming girls have advanced in the Elks National Hoop Shoot Competition, winning the state contests in their respective age divisions.

     Santana Valentine won the New Mexico 8-9 year-old girls’ category, while Harmanie Dominguez won the state 10-11 year-old girls’ category.

     The state competition was held February 22nd in Rio Rancho.

     The two Deming girls are among six contestants advancing to the Southwest Region 11 competition in Dallas, Texas, March 21st.

     Other winners at the state level were: Janell Soto from Artesia, Nico Fulgenzi from Santa Fe, Keaden Stoner from Las Vegas and Taymon Burrola from Roswell.

     The six will compete against winners from Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.

     The regional winners will then advance to the national competition April 18th in Springfield, Massachusetts.

     Again, congratulations to Santana Valentine and Harmanie Dominguez for winning their respective divisions in the state Elks Hoop Shoot competition.

La Frontera Plans to Pull Out of Deming

2/27/2015

(Deming) – A nonprofit reportedly plans to stop providing mental health services in Deming and throughout southern New Mexico.

     The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that La Frontera New Mexico would be the second Arizona-based provider to give up on New Mexico after being brought in to replace other Medicaid providers terminated under a 2013 shake-up by Gov. Susana Martinez's administration.

     La Frontera New Mexico has clinics in Deming as well as Lordsburg, Silver City, Elephant Butte, Ruidoso, Mescalero, Alamogordo, Las Cruces and Anthony.

     Dona Ana County Health and Human Services Director Jamie Michael said La Frontera officials are to contact county officials after La Frontera on Monday formally notifies the state of its plans to leave the state in 90 days.

     La Frontera officials did not immediately return a call for comment Friday.

Missing Deming Man Found Dead

2/27/2015

(Deming) – The Deming man reported missing earlier this week has been found dead.

     Hidalgo County Sheriff Warren Walter said the body of 72-year-old Frank James Callari was found near Cloverdale, about 46 miles south of Animas, early Thursday afternoon.

     Walter said two U.S. Forest Service officials were traveling on County Road 1 near the forest boundary when they came upon Callari’s black 2009 GMC Canyon pickup. Callari’s body was found about 40 yards south of the vehicle.

     Walter said the body was sent to the Office of the Medical Investigator for an autopsy, but it did not appear that there was any foul play.
     Callari was last seen in the early morning hours of Saturday, February 21st, leaving his home off Plomo Road in Luna County. He reportedly was taking cancer medications which made him disoriented at times.

     A Silver Alert was issued for Callari Monday after he had not returned home over the weekend.

Local Crime Report for Thursday February 26, 2015

2/26/2015

(Deming) – Here’s the area crime report:

     Elijah Ramos-Luke, age 22, was arrested on three counts of criminal sexual penetration… Justin Reyes, age 21, was arrested for driving while license was suspended or revoked.

     Tony Maynes, age 50, was arrested on a District Court warrant… Jeremy Vasquez, age 29, was arrested on a District Court warrant for a probation violation… Robert Chacon, age 62, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines… Consuelo Ortiz-Hernandez, age 46, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines… Nathaniel Kelly, age 20, was arrested on a Municipal warrant for failure to pay fines… Lindsi Zumwalt, age 31, was arrested on two Municipal warrants for failure to appear… and a 14-year-old boy was cited for battery.

     Also… a 2003 Kia SUV caused $7,000 worth of damage when it crashed through a brick fence and into a home in the 1300 block of Socorro Street; the driver fled following the accident and is being sought by police… a 70-year-old Deming woman reported that her Social Security check for $450 was stolen, forged and cashed… and a purse containing cash, a class ring and numerous documents was taken from a location off East Poplar.

Letters of Interest Sought for Shooting Range

2/26/2015

(Deming) – The Luna County commissioners are accepting letters of interest for residents willing to serve on a county shooting range exploration committee.

     According to a media release, the purpose of the committee is to explore the possibility of a county shooting range including planning, location and funding.

     Anyone interested in serving on the Luna County Shooting Range Exploration Committee should submit a letter to Glory Johnson, 700 S. Silver Avenue, Deming NM 88030, or send an email to glory_johnson@lunacountynm.us.

     Letters of interest must be received by 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 5th.

Academic Charter School Clears Hurdle

2/26/2015

(Deming) – Organizers of an Academic Opportunities Charter Middle School proposed for Deming say they have received approval from the State Public School Facilities Authority for their plan to enter into a build-to-suit lease for a facility at 8th and Florida streets.

     Mark Casavantes of El Paso, Texas, received a letter Wednesday from State Facility Master Planner John Valdez saying the plan for an educational program based on mastery learning, constructivism and progressive learning with instruction in both English and Spanish for grades 6th, 7th and 8th meets the Public School Facilities Authority requirements.

     The next step is including the plan and the PSFA letter of approval in the organization’s charter school application to the New Mexico Public Education Commission.

     The approved plan’s space summary calls for 15 classrooms including a main academic space, pullout classrooms, and classrooms for dance and PE, science, art and music.

     Casavantes said they are looking forward to bringing to life their Academic Opportunities Charter School in Deming, which they plan on opening in the fall of 2016.

     Casavantes said the school will be free to all who wish to attend, with an initial enrollment of 200 students, and the ability to add another 200 within five years.

Local Crime Report for Wednesday February 25, 2015

2/25/2015

(Deming) – Here’s the area crime report:

Francisco Aguirre, age 51, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia… charges were filed on Irvin Villalba, age 18, for aggravated burglary in a case dating back to 2012… John Maynes, age 22, was arrested on a U.S. Marshals no-bond warrant… and Cynthia Martinez, age 29, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines.

Also… a 2003 Ford diesel pickup reported stolen in Deming was recovered off Highway 377 Southeast in the county; tools were missing from the vehicle… household goods were reported stolen from a storage unit in the industrial park… and doors were damaged during an attempted break-in at a residence off Monte Vista.

U.S. Marshals Conducted Arrest Roundup Here

2/25/2015

(Deming) – Luna County was part of the U.S. Marshals Service recent arrest roundup dubbed Operation Desert Snow.

     According to a media release, Operation Desert Snow has five phases targeting different areas of the state in an effort to arrest violent fugitives in the area.

     Marshals Service officers are working with local, county, state and tribal officials in each area to build partnerships and develop an emergency response strategy throughout the entire state.

     Reportedly, Phase I began in the Farmington area in December.

     Deming and Luna County were part of Phase II of the operation, which took place last Thursday through Sunday, February 19th-22nd.

     Phase II included Luna, Sierra, Dona Ana, Otero and Lincoln counties.

     The media release said the Marshals Service and combined local law enforcement task force members were successful in arresting 24 violent fugitives and clearing 33 warrants in the four-day operation.

     Officials said Phase III will commence soon throughout the northern New Mexico area, and the remaining two phases will take place this year.

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