Blog Archives

Street Closures for Drivers, City/County/Deming Public Schools Services

9/23/2020

DEMING - Local contractor DEI, Inc. will be performing street repair in the area near the intersection of 8th and Pear Streets this week and next.
Pear Street will be closed from 8th Street west to Deming Intermediate School on Thursday, September 24.
This same section of Pear Street and the 8th - Pear intersection will be closed next week from Wednesday, September 30 through Friday, October 2. Motorists must find an alternate route around the work area.
Exact closure periods are dependent upon material and equipment availability.

Local Crime Report for Tuesday September 22, 2020

9/22/2020

DEMING – Here’s the area crime report:
     Garry Kavanaugh, age 37, of Las Cruces, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license was suspended or revoked, and on an Adult Probation and Parole Office order for a probation violation… William Hefley, age 25, was arrested for shoplifting and on an Otero District Court warrant for failure to appear… and Tyler Trusty, age 32, of Las Cruces, was arrested on two Magistrate warrants – one for failure to appear and one for failure to pay fines, on a Dona Ana County warrant for failure to appear, and on a Municipal warrant for failure to pay fines.
     In other news: a resident of S. Ruby reported an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after telling two males who were trespassing in the backyard of the residence to leave and having one pull a handgun out before jumping the fence and running.
     Also, a vehicle parked off E. Plum was burglarized and miscellaneous items were taken.

Local August’s Unemployment Rate Drops Slightly

9/22/2020

DEMING – Luna County's unemployment rate dropped slightly in August from July’s high, but was considerably higher than August a year ago.
     Preliminary figures from the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions show Luna County with an August unemployment rate of 17%, down from the July rate of 18.8%, but up from the August 2019 rate of 8.4%.
     While many counties in the state saw double-digit unemployment in August, Luna County still topped the state.
     Following Luna, Lea County had 15.3% unemployment last month, Taos County had 14.5%, and McKinley County had 14.3%.
     In our area, Hidalgo County had 7.7% unemployment last month, Grant County had 13%, and the Las Cruces area had 10.9%.
     Los Alamos County had the lowest unemployment in New Mexico in August at 5.2%.
     Unemployment statewide was 11.3% in August – down from 12.7% in July, but more than double the 4.8% rate in August 2019.
     The New Mexico labor force estimates show Luna County with a labor force of 10,943 – with 9,081 employed and 1,862 unemployed.

Local Crime Report for Monday September 21, 2020

9/21/2020

DEMING – Here’s the area crime report:
     William Molina, age 19, was arrested for aggravated DUI, no driver’s license, minor allowing self to be served alcohol, and on a Magistrate warrant for failure to appear… Robert Medicus, age 20, of Haw River, NC, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and on a Municipal warrant for failure to appear… Cesar Velazquez-Alvarez, age 23, was arrested on a fugitive complaint out of Adams County, CO, for possession of a controlled substance and failure to appear…
     Carlos Torres, age 23, was arrested for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon… a criminal complaint was filed on Carlos Martinez, age 31, for battery, leaving the scene of an accident, and unlawful use of a license…  Brenda Sosa, age 25, was arrested for battery against a household member and littering… Gerardo Chavez, age 21, was arrested for larceny and two counts of prowling… Frances Campa, age 42, was arrested for unlawful use of a license, no insurance, and on a lighted-lamp driving violation…
     Andrew Contreras, age 20, was arrested on an Arizona Dept. of Corrections fugitive complaint… Rogelio Garza, age 32, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to appear… Ricardo Meza, age 31, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines… Ky Ramos-Trejo, age 21, was arrested on a Columbus warrant for failure to appear… and a 16-year-old boy was detained on a Sixth Judicial Children’s Court warrant for a probation violation.
     Also, air conditioning units, gas chimneys, propane tanks, televisions, and other items, with a combined value of $19,150, were taken from a warehouse off N. Gold… a utility trailer, generator and battery charger, with a combined value of over $1,100, were taken from a location off Boothill and Geranio Rd. SE… and two televisions and other electronics, with a combined value of nearly $400, were taken from a residence off Pecos Rd. SW.

Luna County Health Complex Gets CDBG Funds

9/21/2020

DEMING – Luna County will be receiving nearly $750,000 for renovations and expansions at the county health complex.
     The money is part of $9.75 million in essential infrastructure projects announced Monday for rural communities across New Mexico.
     The funds were awarded through the New Mexico Community Development Council, which awards block grants to municipal and county governments.
     The $749,077 will go to Luna County for work on the county health complex at 1510 S. Slate St.
     The council also set aside $1.5 million in Community Development Block Grants for local economic development projects in rural New Mexico communities.
     State officials said investments in safe, reliable infrastructure are important steps towards a more vibrant economy.

Valenzuela Charged with Sept. 14th Shooting

9/21/2020

DEMING – A Deming man has been charged with a shooting that occurred last week at a Deming residence.
     Deming Police Chief Alex Valdespino said 23-year-old
Angel Valenzuela has been charged with shooting at a dwelling, aggravated battery, and possession of a firearm by a felon. He also was cited for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
     Valenzuela is charged with shooting a 37-year-old woman in the leg.
     Reportedly, an 18-year-old man also was grazed by a bullet in the incident that occurred at a residence in the 300 block of S. Diamond at about 4:30 p.m. Monday, September 14th.
     No further details about the shooting were immediately released.

Police Investigate Saturday Street Shooting

9/21/2020

DEMING – Deming Police investigators are looking into a shooting that occurred Saturday night on West First St.
     Chief Alex Valdespino declined to release specific information since the case was still actively being investigated.
     He said one man died from multiple gunshot wounds, and two other men suffered what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.
     Valdespino said the shooting happened in the street, and that further details would be released soon.

Local Crime Report for Friday September 18, 2020

9/18/2020

DEMING – Here’s the area crime report:
Dennis Eaglestar, age 33, was arrested for aggravated DUI… Willow Powers, age 24, of Hurley, was arrested for battery and on a District Court warrant for failure to appear… Arissa Garcia, age 22, was charged with assault on a peace officer, interfering with officers and on a roadway-crossing violation… and Eric Clayton, age 29, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to appear.
Also, a 2002 Mazda valued at $5,000 was reported stolen from a location off Santa Cruz… and a 2012 Ford Focus valued at $3,000 was reported stolen from a location off S. Platinum.

Sheriff Warns of Rise in Telephone Scams

9/18/2020

DEMING – The Luna County Sheriff’s Department is warning residents of a rise in telephone scams being reported in the area.
     Although these scams typically target the elderly, anyone can become a victim.
     A media release said the most recent type of phone scam involves a caller claiming to be from the Social Security Administration who informs the recipient of the call that there is a problem or suspicious activity with his or her social security number and the account or number has been suspended.
     Sheriff Kelly Gannaway is advising residents that these calls are fraudulent and anyone receiving them should report them as soon as possible.
     In other examples, the scammers try to trick people out of money or gain access to personal information.
     The scams may come through phone calls from real people, automated calls, or text messages, and the scammer often makes false promises, such as opportunities to buy products, invest money, or receive free product trials.
     They also may offer money through free grants and lotteries. Some scammers also call with threats of jail or lawsuits if the intended victim doesn’t cooperate.
     Gannaway said Luna County residents should be wary of such scams, and never release personal or sensitive information to unknown persons via phone or other forms of communication.

Local 4-Her Leads NM Officer Team

9/18/2020

Tatumn O’Toole

DEMING – A Luna County 4-H member is leading the New Mexico State 4-H leadership team.
     Tatumn O’Toole was elected state 4-H president in July at the annual state conference, which was held virtually.
     O’Toole is a 17-year-old senior at Deming High School, who served last year as a State 4-H Ambassador.
     She has been a member of Luna County 4-H for four years, and her projects have included leadership, baking, archery, market goats, and public speaking.
     In addition to her usual presidential duties, O’Toole will chair the election and selection committee for next year’s leadership team – a new responsibility added this year.
     Also new this year: each officer is teaming with a 4-H Ambassador to present a virtual workshop for 4-H members across the state during the fall. O’Toole and Ambassador Christopher Turner of Santa Fe County presented the first virtual workshop Aug. 31st about livestock.

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