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Former Luna Commissioners Send Letter Regarding Public Input

2/25/2015

(Deming) – Three former Luna County commissioners have sent a letter to the current commissioners protesting the lack of public input at county commission meetings.

     The letter, signed by Debra French, Jay Spivey and Fred Williams, says the three believe the current commission is wrong to prohibit public comment when an item of business is on the floor for consideration and vote.

     The commissioners this year instituted new public comment rules prohibiting comments on agenda items as they are discussed by the commissioners. Members of the public are permitted a three-minute comment period at the beginning of the meeting to address agenda items only.

     Previously, members of the public were allowed to comment as the commissioners discussed an agenda item, and the letter says there were times when public comments resulted in necessary corrections or clarifications before action was taken.

     The former commissioners said they do not believe the new restrictions are in the best interests of the citizens of Luna County and urged the commissioners to restore public comment when items of business are on the floor.

Deming Public School Board Meets Thursday

2/25/2015

Dr. Dan Lere

(Deming) – The Deming School Board will meet in regular session Thursday.

     At the meeting Superintendent Dr. Dan Lere will present school calendar options to the board.

     There has been discussion of Deming schools adopting a year-round or modified year-round calendar beginning next school year. Columbus Elementary already operates on a year-round calendar.

     Also on the agenda is the administering of the Oath of Office to new board members Dr. Francine Jacobs and Matt Robinson… an amendment to Superintendent Lere’s contract… immunizations… and a wireless upgrade proposal.

     The meeting is set to begin at 5 p.m. Thursday in the board room of the Emmett Shockley Administration Building, 400 Cody Road.

     The meeting will be open to the public.

     An executive – or closed – session to discuss limited personnel including staff assignments and Superintendent Lere’s contract, along with the acquisition or disposal of real property and pending or threatened litigation, will precede the open meeting at 3:30 p.m.

Local Crime Report for Tuesday February 24, 2015

2/24/2015

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

Kimberly Gaco, age 32, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for embezzlement of a motor vehicle… and Juan Islas, age 23, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines.

Also… an ATV reported stolen in Nebraska was recovered at the Columbus border crossing… and a taillight valued at nearly $150 was broken on a vehicle belonging to a resident of Antelope Trail.

Deming High School Begins Bystander Intervention Program

2/24/2015

(Deming) – Deming High School officials are working with La Pinon Sexual Assault Recovery Services of Southern New Mexico to assist with a bystander intervention program at the school.

     Principal Janean Garney said the program is designed to make Deming High a safer and more productive environment for students by using learned skills to prevent bullying, sexual harassment and relationship abuse.

     The program also assists students in making healthy relationship choices utilizing communication and conflict-resolution skills.

     DHS sophomores are involved in the program in their Health class this spring.

     As part of the curriculum, a school-wide pre-test will be administered during the students’ advisory period this Wednesday, February 25th.

     Garney said a parent passive-consent form was mailed to all DHS parents concerning the administration of the survey.

     Also, Jeff Bucholtz will be presenting a “We End Violence” presentation this Thursday, February 26th, at the high school. More information on the presentation is available at www.weendviolence.com.

Rubio Turns Himself in to Deming Authorities

2/24/2015

(Deming) – The suspect in the January 31st shooting on West Pine Street has turned himself in to authorities.

     Deming Police Lt. Det. Matt Rudiger said 23-year-old Jose Rubio turned himself in Monday, accompanied by an attorney.

     Rubio was then arrested on a Magistrate warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

     Earlier, Deming Police Chief Brandon Gigante said video surveillance footage at the Pic Quik Store off West Pine confirmed that at least two shots were fired by Rubio on Saturday, January 31st, during an affray that started in the parking lot and spilled over onto Pine Street.

     Gigante said the fight involved four men, and started about 7:30 p.m. that Saturday in the parking lot areas of Burger Time and Pic Quik off West Pine.

     At some point in the fight, Rubio reportedly pulled out a gun and started firing, chasing another man west on Pine Street.

     No one was injured in the shooting.

Local Crime Report for Monday February 23, 2015

2/23/2015

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

     Gregorio Rios, age 32, was arrested for aggravated DUI, resisting, evading or obstructing an officer and unlawful use of a license… James Sweeney, age 51, of Tucson, Arizona, was arrested for aggravated DUI, having an open container and speeding… Joseph Myers, age 38, was arrested for DUI, possession of a controlled substance and bringing contraband into a place of imprisonment… Javier Ruiz-Servano, age 51, of Phoenix, Arizona, was arrested for DUI and speeding…

     Randy Bennett, age 27, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for aggravated battery… Maria Diaz, age 18, was arrested for battery against a household member… Jason Thompson, age 35, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for embezzlement and on a District Court warrant for violating conditions of release… Steven Waian, age 50, was arrested for carrying a prohibited weapon, trespassing and shoplifting at Walmart… Kami Melendres-Martinez, age 33, was arrested for trespassing and shoplifting at Walmart…

     Tony Hernandez, age 32, was arrested on an Adult Probation and Parole Office warrant for a probation violation… Patrick Melendres, age 44, was arrested on two District Court warrants for probation violations… Demetrio Jaure, age 27, was arrested on a District Court warrant for a probation violation and on a Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines… Jesus Avila, age 32, was arrested on a District Court warrant for a probation violation… Katherine Butz, age 58, was arrested on a District Court warrant for a probation violation… Penny Flores, age 28, was arrested on a District Court warrant for a probation violation… Deborah Munoz, age 30, was arrested on a District Court warrant for a probation violation… Carlos Teran, age 31, was arrested on a District Court warrant for a probation violation…

     Miguel Allan, age 20, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to appear… Cesar Beltran, age 36, who was already incarcerated, was served a Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines… Juan Pablo Delariva, age 22, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to appear… Juan Torres, age 36, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines…

     Edward Cantu, age 19, was arrested on two Municipal warrants – one for failure to pay fines and one for failure to appear… Rodrigo Gonzalez-Flores, age 23, was arrested on a Municipal warrant for failure to appear… Steven Hernandez, age 18, was cited for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana… and Maria Munoz, age 37, was cited for shoplifting at Kmart.

     Also… a case of fraud was reported at a business off Highway 418 after $7,000 worth of store cards were improperly activated… two 15” tires valued at $500 were taken from a location off East Spruce… a wallet and other items totaling nearly $150 were taken from a location off 14th Street… a purse with approximately $200 worth of items was taken from the flea market off the Silver City Highway… taillights valued at $100 were taken from a location off Emerson… and a semi-truck reportedly pulled electrical wires at a location off River Road.

Land Swap Approved by City, School Board

2/23/2015

(Deming) – The Deming City Council and the Deming School Board approved a land swap Monday which helps pave the way for the new Deming Intermediate School to be built east of Red Mountain Middle School.

     The two entities agreed to transfer over 80 acres of city-owned land at the intersection of Pear Street and Hermanas Grade in exchange for nearly 93 acres of school-owned land at Florida Street and Highway 418 or the Old Lordsburg Highway.

     The swap still must be approved by the State Board of Finance.

     Deming School Superintendent Dr. Dan Lere said the reason for the change is the intersection of Florida and Highway 418.

     New Mexico Department of Transportation officials reportedly told the district that Florida Street intersects Highway 418 at less than a 70 degree angle, and intersections with such a small angle are unsafe for bus traffic, as well as the overall increase in traffic from parents and staff.

Silver Alert Issued for Elderly Deming Man

2/23/2015

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SILVER ALERT ISSUED FOR 72-year-old Frank James Callari

(Deming) – A Silver Alert has been issued for an elderly Deming man who has not been seen since early Saturday.

     Luna County Sheriff’s officials said 72-year-old Frank James Callari left home Saturday before 5 a.m. in a black 2009 GMC Canyon pickup with a distinctive black luggage carrier on top.

     Callari reportedly is taking cancer medications which make him disoriented at times.

     Family members report that he has left home before thinking that he was going to work in New York.

     Callari is described as a white male, 6’ tall, 150 pounds, with white and brown hair that is short on top and long on the sides.

     He was last seen wearing black sweats under black pants, a black shirt and black vest.

     Anyone with information on Callari’s whereabouts is urged to call Detective David Holguin with the Luna County Sheriff’s Department at 546-8533.

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Local Crime Report for Friday February 20, 2015

2/20/2015

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

     David Reyes, age 59, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and on a Municipal warrant for failure to pay fines… Fritz Orozco, age 32, of Las Cruces, was arrested for abandonment or abuse of a child, battery against a household member and assault against a household member… Matthew Baca, age 18, was arrested on a Municipal warrant for shoplifting…

     George Vera, age 31, was arrested on a U.S. Marshal’s hold for narcotics charges… Jose Payan, age 53, was arrested on two Magistrate warrants and a Grant County warrant – all for failure to appear… Alex Alvarez, age 60, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to appear and on a Municipal warrant for failure to pay fines… Maria Orozco, age 46, was arrested on a Municipal warrant for failure to appear… Christopher Meza, age 32, was cited for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana… and two girls – one age 16 and one age 15 – were cited for public affray.

     Also… a flat-screen television valued at $400 was taken from a residence off North Iron; $100 in criminal damage to a door occurred during the burglary… a window valued at $300 was broken on a vehicle parked off North Iron… and six wooden cross-arms valued at $150 were taken from a business off North Gold.

Charter School Hosting Cookout for Parents

2/20/2015

(Deming) – Monday is Parent-Teacher Conference Day in the Deming Public School system, and that includes Deming Cesar Chavez Charter High School.

     But the charter school is adding a new motivation for parents to attend: a cookout.

     Charter school officials said parent-teacher conferences will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, February 23rd. And parents are encouraged to join teachers and staff for a cookout that day from 2-5:30 p.m.

     Deming Cesar Chavez Charter High School is located at 315 East First Street.

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