Blog Archives

Elks Game Room Open with Casino-Style Gaming

10/29/2013

(Deming) – The Deming Elks Lodge now has casino-style gaming.

     The local lodge has been licensed by the state for gaming, which members say will mean additional money generated for local and national charities.

     Elks Secretary Dave Johnson said the new game room features 10 Las Vegas-type machines.

     Johnson said they have named the room “Wapiti Casino” – with wapiti coming from a Shawnee and Cree word meaning “white rump,” which is synonymous with the American elk.

     The gaming room, which has been designated as a non-smoking room, is open to members and their spouses only, and opens at noon Monday through Friday, and at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Closing hours will vary based on participation.

     The Elks Lodge is the only fraternal or veteran’s organization in Luna County licensed for gaming, and is the only casino in the county – fraternal or commercial.

     The lodge will have a grand opening of the casino on Friday, November 8th at 7 p.m. Their distributor, New Mexico Gaming, LLC, will be on-hand with prizes and giveaways.

Local Crime Report for Monday October 28, 2013

10/28/2013

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

     Jose Munoz, age 25, was arrested for DUI, having an open container and no driver’s license… Jaime Gamboa, age 24, was arrested for DUI… Rudy Contreras, age 46, was arrested for assault against a household member…

     Lovell Iverson, age 36, of Houston, Texas, was arrested on an Adult Probation and Parole Office warrant for a probation violation… John Malins, age 23, of Mesilla Park, was arrested on an Adult Probation and Parole Office warrant for a probation violation…

     Betty Ballinas, age 44, was arrested on a District Court warrant for contempt of court… Andrea Hays, age 36, was arrested on two Magistrate warrants for failure to pay fines… Nicholas Dalia, age 39, was arrested on a Municipal warrant for failure to appear… Anthony Lucero-Torres, age 28, was arrested on a Municipal warrant for failure to appear… Jesus Villezcas, age 23, of Tucson, Arizona, was cited for wrongful use of public property… a 17-year-old boy was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia… and a 16-year-old boy was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia.

     And in other news… criminal damage estimated at $2,500 was reported to a vehicle parked off East Maple after windows were broken and seats slashed; also a wallet with nearly $500 cash was taken from the vehicle… computer items, tools, a refrigerator and other items totaling over $1,800 were taken from the office of a business off East Pine… a six-year old female horse valued at $1,300 was reported stolen from near VFW and Sandhill Road… hay bales valued at $500 were reported stolen from off Rockhound Road Southeast… $500 in criminal damage was reported to a vehicle parked off South Silver after it was scratched… and $500 in criminal damage was reported to a vehicle parked off North Gold after a window was broken and the vehicle was scratched.

Narcotics Anonymous Group Forming in Deming

10/28/2013

(Deming) – A Narcotics Anonymous Group for youth and young adults is forming in Deming.

     The first meeting is set for Tuesday, October 29th, at 6 p.m. at the Luna County Public Health Office, 215 S. Silver Street.

     The group will be meeting every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the same location, 215 S. Silver Street.

     Contact Diana Martinez at 494-3299 if you have questions or need further information.

     Again, a new Narcotics Anonymous Group for youth and young adults will meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Luna County Public Health, 215 South Silver.

Achievement gap in DPS District’s bilingual programs closes

10/28/2013

(Deming) – The achievement gaps in the Deming Public School District’s bilingual programs have closed.

     Deming District Director of Bilingual Education Michael Chavez said new data from the New Mexico Standards Based Assessment shows students in grades three through eight who began as English-language learners have progressed to “English Proficient” and are scoring on par – and sometimes higher – than their peers in mathematics and reading.

     The Bilingual Education Department began in the district six years ago and has evolved to take a variety of approaches, depending on student needs, to meet its mission of closing the achievement gap.

     Chavez said there are three levels within the program: students learning English, students who have learned English and are becoming more proficient with it and native English speakers who are learning Spanish.

     The native English speakers in the bilingual program also showed higher NMSBA scores in grades three through five than their peers outside the program.

     Chavez said many studies show that “biliteracy” helps improve a student’s cognitive abilities.

     Chavez added that the bilingual department’s teaching staff uses the same materials as the mainstream classrooms, countering the misconception that the bilingual curriculum is watered down.

Local Crime Report for Friday October 25, 2013

10/25/2013

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

     Edward Horey, age 25, was arrested for burglary and tampering with evidence… Penny Flores, age 27, was arrested on a District Court warrant for a probation violation and for concealing identity…

     Diana Aguilera, age 41, was arrested on a District Court warrant for a probation violation… Ray Chavez, age 18, was arrested on a District Court warrant for a probation violation… Francisco Porras, age 23, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines and on a Municipal warrant for failure to appear… Melody Carr, age 35, was cited for shoplifting at Wal-Mart… and a 14-year-old boy was cited for larceny.

     Also… a 15x20 shed was reported missing from a property off Rivera Road Southwest… a trumpet and a backpack containing books and clothes, with a combined value of $2,200, were taken from a residence off Santa Clara… a window valued at $500 was broken on a residence off South Tin… jewelry valued at $200 was taken from a residence off South Nickel… and a pistol valued at $100 was missing from a vehicle console but the location of the theft was unknown.

Veterans Sought for Ceremony

10/25/2013

(Deming) – The Veterans Day Committee of the Deming-Luna County Chamber of Commerce is asking for veterans to participate in the local Veterans Day Ceremony.      Chamber head Mary Galbraith said any and all veterans who would like to participate in the Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11th should contact Reggie Price of the Disabled American Veterans at 575-993-1395 or Galbraith at 546-2674.

     Galbraith said the committee is particularly looking for veterans to serve in the Honor Guard Gun Salute, but she said other areas need volunteers as well.

     The local Veterans Day Ceremony will be held on Monday, November 11th, at 11 a.m. at Veterans Park off South Silver.

     The ceremony is open to the public, to remember the sacrifice of those who died and to honor and thank those still with us.

Hundreds Immunized in Luna County

10/25/2013

(Deming) – The New Mexico Department of Health’s Office of Border Health reports its annual Luna County Adult Immunization Campaign successfully immunized 481 residents this month.

     The immunization clinics, hosted by Peppers Supermarket and the Senior Center in Deming, and the Andrew Sanchez Youth Center in Columbus, provided a total of 523 vaccine doses to high risk residents requiring flu, and in some cases, additional immunizations from pneumonia.

     Combined with immunization totals from 2011 and 2012, the Office of Border Health and its partners have vaccinated 1,499 clients over the last three years. Over 60% of the clients were seniors age 65 and over who were the principal target population.

     The clinics over the last three years have been overseen by the Luna County Public Health Office, in partnership with the Ben Archer Health Centers, Mimbres Memorial Hospital and student nurses of Western New Mexico University, New Mexico State University and Dona Ana Community College.

     The New Mexico Department of Health offers vaccinations for people without insurance or who are otherwise not able to get immunized.

Local Crime Report for Thursday October 24, 2013

10/24/2013

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

Raul Medina, age 32, of Santa Fe, was arrested on two District Court warrants – one for failure to pay fines and one for a probation violation… Ashley Hernandez, age 29, of Silver City, was arrested on two Magistrate warrants for failure to appear… and 12 semi-truck tires and rims with a combined value of $21,600 were taken off rigs parked at a motel off East Pine.

Local Wolf Input Meeting Monday

10/24/2013

(Deming) – A public meeting soliciting input on changes to the Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Program will be held Monday at 6 p.m. in the Luna County commission chambers, located on the third floor of the Luna County Courthouse.

     The meeting will be open to Luna County residents only.

     The meeting will include a brief presentation and the proposed rule pertaining to the Mexican gray wolf by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service representatives.

     And Luna County Endangered Species Advisory Committee Chairman Tink Jackson will present an outline of work done by Luna County officials so far in the process.

     The remainder of the meeting will be open to local residents for questions or comments on the issue.

     County Manager Kelly Kuenstler said this will be the only opportunity for Luna County residents to speak directly to officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and she is hopeful residents will voice opinions on what they feel is best for Luna County.

     A previously scheduled meeting was cancelled during the temporary government shutdown.

     Again, the public meeting for input on changes to the Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Program has been set for Monday at 6 p.m. on the third floor of the Luna County Courthouse.

     The meeting will be open to Luna County residents only.

Healing House to Release Balloons

10/24/2013

(Deming) – The Healing House, the home of Deming’s domestic violence program and emergency shelter, will release balloons Friday during half-time of the Deming Wildcat home football game.

     The ‘Cats host Chaparral in their district home opener. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

     Organizers say the balloon release will be another opportunity to remember those who have been lost to domestic violence.

     October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

     The final planned event for the month is participation in Saturday’s community-wide garage sale at Luna County Courthouse Park starting at 8 a.m. Proceeds from The Healing House’s table will go to domestic violence prevention programs.

     Earlier in October, the Healing House staff hosted an open house, Fun in the Park event and a candlelight vigil.