Blog Archives

Stars-N-Parks Program Saturday

3/31/2016

(Deming) – A Stars-N-Parks astronomy program will take place this Saturday at Rockhound State Park.
Rockhound State Park is located in the Little Florida Mountains southeast of Deming.
Attendees will observe highlights of the April sky, including a good view of Jupiter at program start, along with the spring constellations that are prominent in the east as the winter constellations set in the west.
The event begins with a night sky tour, followed by views of deep sky objects through a high-powered telescope.
John Gilkison will be the presenter.
The program is viewed in a dark sky setting beginning at 8:35 p.m., and attendees should arrive at the park at sunset, which is at about 7:25 p.m., so they can become familiar with their surroundings before nightfall.
The program will end at about 10 p.m.
Stars-N-Parks is sponsored by the National Public Observatory, a non-profit membership organization. More information is available at www.Astro-NPO.org.

Chamber Offices Moving Back to Depot Friday

3/31/2016

(Deming) – The Deming-Luna County Chamber of Commerce will be moving back into the Visitor’s Center off East Pine Street Friday.
     And the Visitor’s Center will now serve as the home of Deming MainStreet as well.
     Chamber President Tyler Benting said having the Chamber and MainStreet housed in the same location will allow both organizations to better utilize resources and serve the community in more productive and efficient ways.
     It was announced earlier in March that Laurie Findley would be serving as the joint executive director for both organizations.
     Benting said the chamber has enjoyed its nearly three-year stay in the former King Surveying building at 103 East Ash.
     He added that they appreciate the community’s support and look forward to continuing to promote a prosperous business atmosphere in Deming and Luna County.

Positives, Concerns of Deming Discussed

3/31/2016

(Deming) – Residents discussed the positive aspects of Deming along with their concerns Wednesday night at a public meeting to update the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
     Jacqueline Fishman with the city’s consulting firm, Consensus Planning, asked the attendees for input on where they see Deming in 20 years and to define the direction the community should take in the future.
     Fishman said this was the group’s second trip to Deming for the Comprehensive Plan update, and they’ve been pleased to find a community that was positive and committed to working together to better the area.
     Deming’s high unemployment was discussed, along with the reality that jobs need to pay $14 an hour or more for residents to come out better financially by working than being on government assistance.
     The expansion of the Columbus port of entry was noted as a positive move for the community, since Columbus is the state’s only 24-hour port.
     And there was talk of emphasizing the community’s unique aspects to create a memorable “brand” for Deming which would attract visitors.
     Fishman said the plan update will take approximately seven months to complete.
     Input is still being accepted.  Anyone interested should contact Bryan Reedy or Mary Mackey at city hall for more information on where to submit ideas.

Basics of Alzheimer’s Covered Thursday

3/30/2016

alz.org

(Deming) – Families facing Alzheimer’s disease will be interested in a free class being offered in Deming this Thursday by the New Mexico
chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
     “The Basics of Alzheimer’s Disease” will be presented Thursday, March 31st, from 10–11 a.m. at the Deming Senior Center, 800 South Granite.
     The instructor will be Candace Thomas.
     “The Basics of Alzheimer’s Disease” is designed primarily as an introduction for new, non-professional or family caregivers who are seeking a basic knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and an overview of support resources that are available in the area.
     It provides valuable information on the disease process and different stages of Alzheimer’s, and helps caregivers and family members differentiate dementia from normal age-related memory changes by introducing the warning signs and known risk factors.
     Thomas also will provide information about the core programs provided by the New Mexico chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and descriptions of the other educational classes that it provides statewide.

City of Deming Looking to Implement Poly-Cart Collection

3/30/2016

(Deming) – The city of Deming is planning to implement residential poly-cart trash collection services this summer.
     City Public Works Director Jim Massengill said the Deming city councilors will vote on an ordinance at their May meeting, and the city hopes to start poly-cart trash pickup at residences east of the Columbus Highway in June.
     Massengill said they have ordered 1,900 96-gallon poly-carts which are expected to arrive next month.
     Those containers will serve approximately half of the targeted residences.
     Massengill said they are having to phase-in the program due to the initial purchase costs.
     He added that research shows collection of poly-cart solid waste is faster and more cost-effective than traditional dumpster pick-ups because the carts are lighter and dump faster with less labor.
     Their use also will eliminate the challenge of large dump trucks having to navigate narrow alleyways in town.
     Massengill said dumpsters will continue to be used as commercial solid waste receptacles.

Local Crime Report for Tuesday March 29, 2016

3/29/2016

(Deming) – Here’s the area crime report:
     Meleni Pollock, age 22, was arrested for battery against a household member… Ezra Uzueta, age 18, was arrested for resisting, evading or obstructing an officer and was cited for driving an ATV in a reckless manner and failing to yield at a stop sign… Jesus Renteria, age 39, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines and possession of drug paraphernalia…
     Michael Garcia, age 48, was arrested on a District Court warrant for failure to appear… Christina Benzor, age 29, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for violating a protection order… and Patricia Torres, age 46, was arrested on a Municipal warrant for failure to pay fines and on a Municipal warrant for failure to appear.
     Also… $200 in criminal damage occurred to a vehicle parked at a business off South Gold after the vehicle was scratched.

Hospital Dedicates Garden to “Muggs”

3/29/2016

Marilyn “Muggs” Johnson

(Deming) – Mimbres Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home invites the community to the unveiling of a garden area Wednesday afternoon dedicated to the life and work of Marilyn “Muggs” Johnson, a beloved nurse who passed away January 15th at the age of 87.
     Hospital CEO Steve Westenhofer said the unveiling ceremony will begin at 2 p.m., Wednesday, March 30th, at the front entrance of the nursing home.
     Westenhofer said the event is scheduled at 2 p.m. because that was the time “Muggs” would start her shift at the nursing home.
     Johnson spent 34 years of her nursing career providing excellence in health care to the patients and residents of Mimbres Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home.
     Westenhofer said everyone who would like to share in this celebration of the life of “Muggs” Johnson and the contribution she made to our community is welcome to attend the dedication Wednesday at 2 p.m. in front of the nursing home.
     A small reception will follow the dedication on the patio.

Luna Has One of 115 Flu-Related Deaths

3/29/2016

(Deming) – New Mexico health officials say flu activity is widespread around the state and is expected to continue for several more weeks, adding that at least one Luna County woman has died from complications of the flu.
     The death of a 79-year-old Luna County woman was one of 115 influenza and pneumonia-related deaths in New Mexico so far this flu season.
     The Department of Health said elevated flu activity started a bit later than in the previous three seasons but that flu-related hospitalizations and deaths have increased in recent weeks.
     The department also said the flu vaccine for this season appears to be a good match with strains that are circulating.
     The department said many of the pneumonia-related deaths may have been related to complications from having flu because pneumonia is a known complication of influenza infection.
     Influenza and pneumonia-related deaths also have occurred in Bernalillo, Dona Ana, Grant, Lincoln, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Sandoval and Santa Fe counties, in addition to Luna County.

California Couple Carjacked Near Deming

3/29/2016

(Deming) – A California couple was carjacked off the interstate near Deming Saturday just before noon after stopping to help three people in a wrecked vehicle.
     Luna County Sheriff’s Captain Jose Martinez said the couple – a 74-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman from Sylmar, California – stopped to assist motorists in a 2001 Honda that had been involved in an accident on the interstate near mile-marker 81.
     As the man approached the wrecked vehicle and asked if he could help, the driver of the wrecked vehicle told him one of the occupants was pinned in the wreckage.
     While the man was looking at the wrecked Honda, the driver of the Honda got into the driver’s seat of the man’s 2000 Toyota Camry, rudely told the woman to get out of the car, and drove away in the Toyota.
     The two passengers in the wrecked Honda – a 26-year-old man from Carlsbad and a 19-year-old woman from El Paso – told officers they had been hitchhiking from Las Vegas, Nevada, were picked up by the suspect, and didn’t know his name.
     They described him as a short, white male wearing jeans and a white shirt.  He drove eastbound in the stolen Toyota about 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
     Martinez said the Toyota was later found abandoned and burned east of El Paso.
     All four people were transported to the Deming hospital – the two hitchhikers because they had been involved in an accident and the California couple because they had medication which had to be taken daily that was stolen with their carjacked Toyota.
     Martinez said the wrecked Honda was registered to a woman in El Paso, and they are following up for leads to the identity of the carjacker.

Dave Johnson Passed Away Over the Weekend

3/28/2016

(Deming) – Luna County Broadcasting lost a good friend and colleague over the weekend.
     Dave Johnson passed away Saturday evening from complications of pneumonia.  He was 62.
     Dave moved to Deming from Michigan to work at this radio station some 36 years ago.
     He worked as a news reporter, salesman and on-air personality for decades, most recently co-starring with Dana Bivens on a popular Wednesday night talk show.  The “Dave and Dana Show” has been on the air for nearly 20 years, starting with a live broadcast from the former Hat Creek Saloon, and in recent years, broadcasting from the studio.
     Besides his on-air presence, Dave did a lot of behind-the-scenes technical, engineering and computer work at the radio stations. He will be missed.
     Dave also is known for his work with the Great American Duck Races each August in Deming.  Dave served as the Chief Publicity Quacker and race announcer for years, and recorded many of the annual events’ commercials.
     And Dave was an active member of the Elks organization, holding office at the local, district and state level.
     He was currently serving as secretary of the local Elks Lodge.

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