(Deming) -  State Police in Luna County and around New Mexico will be conducting sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols, and registration, insurance and drivers’ license checkpoints in Luna County and all New Mexico counties during the month of August.

New Mexico State Police say they are bringing awareness to this in an effort to reduce alcohol related fatalities, through continued media attention.  Officials say that the checkpoints are helping change society’s attitudes about drinking and driving.

People are choosing not to drink and drive.  This is the biggest step in keeping impaired drivers from crashing into our friends and families. 
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This is being funded from the New Mexico ENDWI grant.

(Deming) - Who would have thought that the Deming wastewater treatment plant was such a good place to spend the morning? 
 
About 20 people recently attended a birdwatching field trip at the water treatment plant that was sponsored by Audubon New Mexico.  Young and old alike enjoyed seeing the birds that use the ponds as habitat. 
 
The Deming ponds contain treated water that is critical for birds, especially on hot summer days. 
 
Audubon volunteers helped attendees to identify the birds using binoculars and spotting scopes.
 
Over 200 individual birds (25 different species) were seen in a 90 minute time period.
 
The group also learned that the ponds are good for people as well as birds.  The City of Deming uses the treated wastewater to irrigate landscape plants in the city’s parks, around government buildings and other properties. 
 
New Mexico Audubon Society holds monthly meetings in Deming on the second Tuesday of each month at La Fonda Restaurant, 601 E. Pine St. at 5:15p.m. 
 
The public is invited to attend. 

(Deming) -  Farm Service Agency reminds farmers and ranchers that thy have until August 1st to enroll in Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and/or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2016 crop year. 
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Producers have already elected ARC or PLC, but must enroll for the 2016 crop year by signing a contract before the August 1st, deadline to receive program benefits.

The program triggers financial protection for participating agriculture producers when market forces cause substantial drops in crop prices or revenues.  Nationwide, more than 1.76 million farmers and ranchers are expected to sign contracts to enroll in ARC or PLC program. 

For more program information or to schedule an appointment contact the local FSA office or visit fsa.usda.gov.

(Deming) – The Deming Motor Vehicle Department will be closed Monday and Tuesday August 1st and 2nd for mandatory training. 

The office will be closed both days, and will reopen for regular business hours Wednesday August 3rd.  

For more information, call 546-2088.

(Deming) – Today’s local Crime Report.
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Jose A Gonzalez, age 31, was arrested on a District court bench warrant for Failure to appear and an Adult probation and parole warrant for probation violations… Gonzalo Corral, age 40, was arrested for DUI and open container… Terrance Hicks, age 21, of Las Cruces, was arrested on a Hidalgo County Magistrate warrant for Failure to pay fines…  Marcelo Becerrra-Olivas, age 42, of Chihuahua, Mexico was arrested on a Denver Colorado District court warrant for probation violations…  Luis Ibarra, age 36, was arrested on a Lee County NM warrant for Failure to appear and a Dona Ana County District court warrant for Failure to appear… Ruperto Espino, age 36, was arrested for Driving with a suspended license and a Deming Municipal warrant for Failure to pay fine.  

(Deming) – The free back-to-school immunization clinics in Deming continue this week.

     The New Mexico Department of Health’s Luna County Public Health Office is hosting the back-to-school immunization clinics this Saturday July 30th  from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. And then Tuesday through Friday, August 2nd through the 5th from 9-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. each day at 215 S. Silver Avenue. 

     The special clinics are part of the “Got Shots? Protect Tots!” immunization campaign which has healthcare providers from across the state partnering with the New Mexico Department of Health, the New Mexico Immunization Coalition and the New Mexico Primary Care Association to get children age 18 and younger immunized.

     The immunization clinics are open to the public and free of charge.

     Parents need to bring their child’s shot record and Medicaid or private health insurance card.

     For more information on the no-charge immunization clinics, contact the Luna County Public Health Office at 546-2771.

​Deming – Here’s today’s crime report.
   Darold Wayne Oakland, age 66, was arrested on a warrant from Greenlee County Arizona for two counts of Aggravated DWI and False reporting, and Unlawful taking a motor vehicle a third degree felony… Jessica Arellano, age 33, was arrested on a Deming Municipal warrant for failure to pay fines… Robert Grado, age 63, was arrested on a District court warrant and possession of drug paraphernalia.
   Aria Gonzales, age 23, was cited for shoplifting $165 dollars in items from K-Mart… Santiago Mancillas, age 27, was cited for shoplifting $44 dollars initems from Wal-Mart. 
  In other reports, Burglary from a motor vehicle occurred on South Tin Street after $20 dollars cash was taken.  Damage of $200 dollars occurred to the window of a 1999 VW Passat. A 2003 Dodge Ram was taken from a gas station on the Columbus Highway.  

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

     According to the legal notice, the action items will include consideration of and approval of a resolution authorizing the sale of general obligation school bonds, and consideration of and approval of a resolution authorizing the sale of general obligation refunding bonds. The authorization draws from the funds voters approved in 2014 for school construction.

    The special session will be held Thursday July 28th at noon in the board room of the Emmett Shockley Administration Building, 400 Cody Road. 
     The special meeting is open to the public.

(Deming) -  Plans are underway for Luna County’s first Salsa festival this month including the first annual 5K run.

The Salsa festival is set for this weekend.  The 5K run will be held Saturday morning at 8 A.M. and will start at Starmax 333 North Country Club Road.  Cost of the run is $20 dollars for adults and $10 dollars for kids.   Open, registration will also be held the day of the race.

Other outdoor festival events will take place at the Luna County Courthouse Park featuring cook-off competitions for salsa, menudo, a green chile dish and prickly pear jam.

Organizers say there will be live entertainment, a wine and beer garden sponsored by St. Clair Winery, salsa tasting and a kid zone.
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The event is being spearheaded by Luna County Community Projects.  For more information contact Jessica Etcheverry at 543-6643.