Blog Archives

News Report Correction

6/30/2016

(Deming) – We have a correction to make on a news report that aired June 13th:
     The report said that an unattended charcoal grill was being blamed for the total loss of a home, two vehicles and a motorhome, and the death of a dog.
     The good news – reported to us by the homeowner – is that while the home was a total loss, the vehicles, motorhome and especially the dog were spared from the fire.
     The fire took place in the 13000 block of Solano Road Southeast at about 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 12th.
     The homeowner said that while losing their home was hard, they were very grateful to get out unharmed with their pets.
     The radio station received misinformation about the extent of the fire, and we regret the error.

Gross Receipts Taxes Decrease Starting Friday

6/30/2016

(Deming) – Just a reminder that gross receipts taxes in Deming, Columbus and Luna County decrease beginning Friday.
     The sales tax is going down because Luna County administrators allowed a 1/8th of 1% Special County Hospital Gross Receipts Tax to sunset – or expire.
     The tax, which funds ambulance expenses, has been on the tax rolls since at least 1990, but must be approved every five years.
     In fiscal year 2015 – the last full fiscal year – the Special County Hospital tax generated nearly $325,000.
     Beginning Friday, July 1st, the sales tax rate for Deming will be 7.75% - down from 7.875%.
     Columbus' sales tax rate decreases to 7.8125% from 7.9375%.
     And the rate for the Deming Industrial Park and the remainder of Luna County outside the incorporated areas will drop to 6.75% from 6.875%.
     The Luna County commissioners have approved a ballot election for August which, if approved by voters, would add the 1/8th of 1% ambulance tax back to the county’s tax total beginning in January.

DAG Offering July 4th Pet Special

6/30/2016

(Deming) – Deming Animal Guardians is having a July 4th spay and neuter special for Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixed-breed dogs.
     The first 10 income-eligible families to call 546-9711 will receive $100 coupons to present to local veterinarians toward the cost of spay or neuter surgeries.
     Coupons must be used by August 31st.
     One coupon per family will be issued.
     Organizers say this special is funded by a grant from The Babes and Bullies, a New Mexico organization that distributes funding to assist bully breeds around the state
     Deming Animal Guardians is celebrating 25 years of assisting Luna County families and their companion dogs and cats.
     Again, only the first 10 income-eligible families will receive the $100 spay or neuter coupon.
     Call Robyn at 546-9711 to receive a coupon or for more information.

Deming and Columbus Celebrate July 4th

6/30/2016

(Deming) – Deming and Columbus are joining communities across the country in celebrating our nation’s independence this Fourth of July.
     In Deming, there will be a parade Monday beginning at 10 a.m. starting at the Visitors’ Center and travelling east on Spruce to Gold, then south on Gold to Courthouse Park.
     The parade Grand Marshals will be veterans in the American Legion Riders from American Legion Bataan Post 4.
     Then, opening ceremonies are set for 11 a.m. in the Courthouse Park gazebo.
     At the park, there will be vendors selling all types of food and products, games and rides for all, Smokin’ Oldies car club and Vintage Iron tractor entries in the car and tractor show, watermelon- and hotdog-eating contests, sack and balloon races, a drawing contest, music, a best-costume contest for children of all ages, a prize for the best decorated booth and more.
     For more information or entry forms, call Jessica Juarez at 545-2230.
     The evening will conclude with the traditional city fireworks display at the airport.

     In Columbus, the July 4th celebration will run from 7:30-11 p.m. Monday at Albert Field Park next to the municipal swimming pool.
     Festivities include music, a watermelon eating-contest, an adult horseshoe tournament and a fireworks display at 9 p.m.
     Raffle tickets are being sold with the proceeds going to pay the cost of the Columbus fireworks.
     Prizes in the raffle have been donated by Border Shoppers Duty Free, El Centro, San Jose Grocery, Splash Car Wash, San Jose Fina, Patio Café, Los Milagros Hotel, Philip Skinner, Foxworth Galbraith, Tractor Supply and Busy Bee.
     Call Norma at 575-343-0147 or July at 575-494-0009 to purchase raffle tickets.

Local Crime Report for Wednesday June 29, 2016

6/29/2016

(Deming) – Here’s the area crime report:
Jason Zamora, age 32, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for abandonment or abuse of a child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor… Ronald Carroll, age 48, was arrested on a Municipal warrant for failure to pay fines… Perla Gutierrez, age 22, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to appear… Alma Ortiz, age 35, was arrested on a Municipal warrant for failure to pay fines… Fabian Parra, age 20, was cited for careless driving… and a 17-year-old boy was cited for failure to stop or yield.
Also, an ivory figurine and prescription medication, with a combined value of over $8,000, were taken from a residence off Hermanas Road… a 10-foot utility trailer, an all-terrain vehicle and ratchet straps, with a combined value of $3,200, were taken from a business off Atlantic Way… and $600 worth of fencing materials were taken from a location off Bosque Road.

Camp Innoventure Products to be Sold

6/29/2016

(Deming) – Approximately 20 Deming young people this week are participating in Camp Innoventure, a business class promoting the next generation of entrepreneurs.
     The program, from New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center, was offered at no charge to Luna County students in grades 6-9 thanks to support funding.
      The students reportedly have been developing and producing products to sell, and their “inventions” will be offered for sale to the public at the Deming MainStreet Farmers and Crafters Market this Saturday, July 2nd.
     The kids will get to keep the money they make from selling their products.
     The public is invited to visit the students’ booths, interact with the young people, and consider purchasing the students’ inventions as a way to encourage the students and their entrepreneurial ideas.
     The Farmers and Crafters Market will be open from 8-11 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot east of the Post Office.
     For more information on the program, contact Deming-Luna County Economic Development Executive Director Cassie Arias at 546-8848 or by email at carias@cityofdeming.org.

District 32 House Recount Will Be Friday

6/29/2016

(Deming) – A primary election vote recount affecting Luna County was ordered Tuesday by the State Canvassing Board.
     The Canvassing Board is made up of Gov. Susana Martinez, Secretary of State Brad Winter and Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Daniels, via the positions they hold.
     State-paid recounts are required under state law if the final margin between legislative candidates is less than 1 percent of votes cast in a race.
     In the Republican contest for District 32 State Representative – the seat currently held by Dona Irwin – Vicki Chavez holds a 16-vote lead over fellow Luna County resident Scott Chandler, with a total of 1,768 ballots cast in the race.
     The District 32 seat encompasses all of Luna County, most of Hidalgo County and one Grant County precinct. The vote recount will be conducted Friday by county clerks in those counties.
     Bureau of Elections Director Kari Fresquez said the recount will likely be completed in one day, though the results won’t be certified until the State Canvassing Board meets again next week.
     Blair Dunn, the attorney for Chandler, said he’s still seeking more information about exactly how the vote recount will be conducted and the names of voters who cast provisional ballots in the race.
     Under state law, paper ballots are generally exempt from the state’s Inspection of Public Records Act until 45 days after a recount.

Local Crime Report for Tuesday June 28, 2016

6/28/2016

(Deming) – Here’s the area crime report:
Jonathan Sigman, age 37, was arrested for trespassing, drunkenness, having alcohol in a public place and interfering with officers… Luis Silva, age 22, of El Paso, Texas, was arrested for driving while license was suspended or revoked and speeding… and Adrian Lopez, age 24, was arrested on a Municipal warrant for shoplifting.
Also, a debit card and over $500 cash were taken from someone at the hospital.

City ICIP Input Meeting is Wednesday

6/28/2016

(Deming) – Deming city officials are holding a workshop Wednesday to collect input from local residents on community projects to be selected for the 2018-2022 Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan.
The workshop is set for 5 p.m. this Wednesday, June 29th, in the John Strand Municipal Building, 309 S. Gold Ave.
A copy of the city’s 2017-2021 Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan is available in the municipal building.

Heinrich Works on Border Resources

6/28/2016

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich

(Deming) – During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing last week, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich called for additional resources for counter drug efforts along the southwest border to address the heroin and opiate epidemic in the United States.
     During the hearing, Senator Heinrich underscored that while New Mexico shares a 179-mile border with Mexico, the state is only provided with enough funding for five National Guard personnel to prevent drug trafficking due to what he called “a failed resourcing model.”
     The existing model used by the Department of Defense allocates funds nationally based on a number of metrics rather than prioritizing where drugs actually enter the country.
     Heinrich urged officials to revamp the existing resource model so the United States can stop drugs before they enter the country.
     Heinrich also advocated for CV-22 Osprey and the benefits they would bring to the National Guard for emergency responses, including during natural disaster relief.
     The CV-22 Osprey are unique in that they blend the vertical flight capabilities of a helicopter with the speed, range, altitude, and endurance of a fixed-wing turbo-prop airplane.

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