(Deming) - State Auditor Tim Keller released a special audit of Deming Public Schools. The audit resulted in 19 findings and identified nearly $145,000 in public funds that were likely stolen from the District. State Auditor Keller designated Deming Public Schools for a special audit after receiving information from the school district about the potential mishandling of money by a former employee.
 
“We see our fair share of fraud, but it’s especially disappointing to see tens of thousands of dollars apparently being taken from kids by an employee for personal use,” stated State Auditor Tim Keller. “We appreciate the cooperation of the district and law enforcement in working with us to get to the bottom of these serious allegations.”
 
The OSA will be forwarding the report with potential criminal violations, including fraud, larceny, embezzlement, forgery, and making or permitting a false public voucher to law enforcement and the District Attorney. The Deming Police and the Sixth Judicial District Attorney’s Office were also previously made aware of potential violations when concerns were first raised.
 
Doctor Arsenio Romero, Deming Public School Superintendent released the following statement:
 
“This special audit has been very informative for the district and provided us with the opportunity to make the changes necessary to move forward and ensure public money is safeguarded appropriately. The audit resulted in 19 findings and identified nearly $145,000 in funds that were likely stolen from the school district. The employee that is named in the audit no longer works for the school district.
 
The information that was provided from the special audit will have an impact on our District, as we refine our procedures and continue to make improvements in our operations. The Deming Public School District has been open and transparent with the State Auditor’s Office and will now be working with local law enforcement as they take over the investigation.
 
A number of internal controls and procedural changes have already been established to address the audit findings.”
 
Deming Police officials said today they had not received the report, but will follow up as necessary.  

​The full report is available here:
 https://www.saonm.org/media/audits/7021__Deming_Public_Schools__Forensic_Consulting_Report_-_November_2017.pdf

(Deming) – Deming Intermediate School teacher Melanie Alfaro was honored Thursday morning during an assembly as the 2017-18 Milken Educator Award winner for New Mexico.   
     According to a media release from the Milken foundation, Alfaro uses student assessments, video instruction and collaborative projects as part of her teaching strategy, Alfaro engages all levels of learners and gives them every opportunity to understand and grasp sixth grade math; her students lead the grade level in math proficiency. 
     Joined by New Mexico Education Secretary-Designate Christopher Ruszkowski, Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley bestowed Alfaro with the $25,000 Milken Educator Award before an exuberant all-school assembly, causing the Wildcats to roar with cheers after the announcement. 
     Alfaro is the only recipient for the state of New Mexico, and is among 44 honorees for 2017-18 to receive the national recognition and unrestricted cash prize. 
     The Milken Educator Awards, hailed by Teacher magazine as the “Oscars of Teaching” has been opening minds and shaping futures for 30 years. 

​(Deming) – Engineers studying the 36-mile stretch from the U.S./Mexico border to the Hatch Highway have identified what they consider the top three route alternatives which could divert truck traffic from downtown Deming.
     The alternatives were presented during a public meeting Tuesday evening at the Mimbres Valley Learning and Special Events Center.
     One alternative would be east of Deming, with traffic diverted off the Columbus Highway south of Waterloo, then north on Ventura Road to the Old Las Cruces Highway.
     The other two alternatives are west of Deming and would utilize Hermanas Road.
     One would divert traffic south of Elote Road, direct it west to Hermanas Road, then north, installing an overpass to cross Interstate 10 and routing the traffic east to the Hatch Highway.
     The third option would divert the traffic off the Columbus Highway at Sunshine Road, then north on Hermanas Road to the frontage road along Interstate 10.
     There was some confusion surrounding the route alternatives because the engineers listed “Palomino Road,” which was a name used for Hermanas Road years ago during the conversion to E911 rural addressing.
     The study, funded by the Economic Development Administration, was prompted by the anticipated increase in vehicle and commercial freight traffic with the expansion of the Columbus port of entry.
     A final recommendation from Wilson & Company, Inc., Engineers and Architects is expected in February.
     Any decision would be made by the Luna County Commissioners.

​FREE Family Science Night November 30 in Deming offered by Explora and HELP-NM, with support from CHISPA
Deming, NM:  Fun hands-on science activities for all ages, plus food and door prizes await families at the free Family Science Night held by Explora and HELP-NM on Thursday, November 30,  5-7pm, at the Regional Educational Cooperative (near Amigos), 1321 E. Poplar Street, Deming 88030. A bilingual Explora educator will be on hand to help family members—from young children to grandparents—get involved in testing, experimenting, and playful exploration. These hands-on activities are designed to spark curiosity about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects.

Explora, New Mexico’s premier science center and children’s museum in Albuquerque, NM, and Help New Mexico (HELP-NM), a non-profit with a mission to create self-sufficiency and promote economic opportunities to strengthen families throughout New Mexico, have teamed up to offer free bilingual Family Science Events in Deming and Tularosa.

Explora’s Deputy Director and Director of Community Engagement, Kristin Leigh, says, “We are delighted to be working with HELP-NM to bring activities to Deming and Tularosa that encourage young learners to be curious about STEM subjects, and that helps their families support these interests. Activities that support out-of-school time learning help provide today’s youth the best chance for future successes in life, school, and career.”

Explora is working with HELP-NM to help kick start and implement an outreach program supported by CHildren Investigating Science with Parents and Afterschool (CHISPA) in the southwestern part of NM. CHISPA is a national collaboration between the Frost Museum of Science, the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the ASPIRA Association, and a network of ten other science museums located in cities with growing Latino populations, working together to build stronger communities and increase the engagement of Hispanic children and their families with science and local science resources.

For more information about this event or HELP-NM, contact Crystal Peña, 575-546-7414.

Explora Family Science Events are part of Explora’s array of science, technology, engineering, art, and math programs and activities that can be experienced either at Explora’s main location in Albuquerque or through booking an outreach program to travel to your school, community center, or other place.

For more information about Explora Family Science Nights or other Explora programs, please contact Tara Henderson, Associate Director of Educational Services, Explora, 505-224-8394, thenderson@explora.us Explora, 1701 Mountain Rd. NW, Albuquerque NM 87104, www.explora.us

(submitted to Deming radio)

​(Deming) - Here's the area crime report:
     Esmeralda Dominguez, age 33, was arrested on a federal U.S. Marshal’s no-bond warrant for dangerous drugs… Jin Lee, age 65, of Surrey, British Columbia, was arrested for resisting, evading or obstructing an officer and reckless driving… Joshua Saenz, age 24, was arrested for driving while license was suspended or revoked and on a lighted-lamp violation… and Christopher Wang, age 22, of Carlsbad, was arrested on an Eddy County warrant for six counts of forgery.
     Also, a 2005 28-foot camp trailer valued at $3,000 was taken from a location off Sunbelt Trail.

​(Deming) – Four people were recognized as "Friends of 4-H" during the Luna County 4-H Awards Banquet Monday night.
Appreciation gifts were given to Braeden Blandford, Joanne Hethcox, Ken Melton and Barbara Rios.
All four "Friends of 4-H" were selected by 4-H members to be honored for their various contributions to area youth and the local 4-H program.
During the awards ceremony, local 4-H members were recognized for their project record books, and the 4-H members who are high school seniors were highlighted in a presentation for their years with the program.
Also, 4-H clubs compiled baskets which were auctioned to raise money for scholarships and other activities.
The incoming Luna County 4-H Council officers were inducted as well.  The 2017-2018 president is Reid Swinney… vice-president is Kylan Swinney… secretary is Truett Shafer… treasurer is Kamryn Zachek… reporter is Susanna Turner… and song and recreation leader is Poppy Schultz.

ALBUQUERQUE, NM - The New Mexico Activities Association, in conjunction with the NMAA Hall of Fame Committee, announces the Class of 2018 for induction into the NMAA Hall of Fame. The NMAA Hall of Fame induction ceremony and luncheon will be Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 12pm at the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid Hotel.
 
The ring ceremony, presented by Herff Jones, will take place during the State Basketball Championships on March 8, 2017, at halftime of the 6:30pm semifinal game at Dreamstyle Arena. 
 
The Inductees Are:
 
Matt Martinez – Pojoaque Valley High School
During Mr. Martinez’s tenure as Athletic Director for the Elks and Elkettes from 1999-2017 and including 1998, Pojoaque Valley won 20 state team athletic championships in seven different sports (22 with the activity of bowling). Martinez coached Pojoaque’s girls basketball team to the 1998 Class 3A state championship, which culminated a run of three straight years (1996-1998) where Pojoaque Valley played in the Class 3A state title game. After two runner up finishes, the Elkettes capped off an undefeated season (28-0) in 1998 with a 67-65 victory over Kirtland Central High School to win their first state basketball championship.
 
Cooper Henderson – Artesia High School & Ruidoso High School
Throughout his tremendous career as a football coach, Mr. Henderson compiled an overall record of 293-103-1 and a record of 238-84-0 while guiding the Artesia Bulldogs from 1989-2015. During that era, Henderson led Artesia to 14 state championships in his 27 seasons. His final game with Artesia was a thrilling 42-34 victory over Centennial in the Class 5A final in 2015. Over the years, Henderson has been honored for his coaching accomplishments. Most recently he was named the 2015 NFHS Football Coach of the Year, becoming one of six coaches ever to earn that honor from New Mexico. In 2011, Henderson and his father, L.G., were inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame.
 
Louie Baisa – Lordsburg High School
Mr. Baisa has been in education at Lordsburg HS since 1988 and has spent time as a teacher, counselor, coach, and athletic director.  In 1990, he became the head football coach for the Mavericks. He finished his first year with an 11-2 record, district championship, and state runner-up trophy. He retired as the head football coach in February 2017 after winning the 2016 Class 2A state title.  Baisa accumulated 187 wins and 112 losses, which is good for 8th all-time in wins for the state of New Mexico. The Mavericks won the State Championship in 2006 and 2016 and were state runner up in 1990, 2003, and 2009.
 
 
The NMAA Hall of Fame was established in 1976 and is comprised of an elite group of 102 accomplished individuals who have made significant contributions to interscholastic athletics and activities in New Mexico.  In order to be considered, nominees must show great support of the NMAA’s philosophy and objectives, they must have a combination of involvement in formulating regulations and procedures for various interscholastic education programs, and they must have a minimum of 25 years of service, 20 of which must have been in New Mexico.   Nominations are then screened by the NMAA Hall of Fame Selection Committee which consists of current and former leaders within interscholastic athletics and activities.  The committee meets in October each year and then selects a maximum of four individuals for induction.  The Class of 2018 – Cooper Henderson, Matt Martinez & Louie Baisa – will represent the 103rd, 104th and 105th members of this prestigious group.  
 
For additional information pertaining to this release, please contact Dusty Young, NMAA Associate Director at (505) 977-5385 or dusty@nmact.org.

 (Deming) - Here's the area crime report:
     Julian Pinon, age 30, was arrested for DUI, trafficking in marijuana, assault, driving while license was suspended or revoked, no proof of insurance and having an expired registration… Eberardo Martinez, age 58, was arrested for DUI, speeding and on an improper-lane driving violation… Paul Martens, age 36, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon… Victor Montano, age 22, was arrested for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and receiving or transferring a stolen motor vehicle…
     Ignacio Moreno, age 39, was arrested for battery against a household member… a criminal summons was issued for Luis Valdez, age 26, for battery… Shannon Relyea, age 46, was arrested for assault on a peace officer… Greg McKinnis, age 58, of Rio Rancho, was arrested on a Bernalillo County warrant for embezzlement…
     Berenice Miranda-Armendariz, age 33, was arrested for causing criminal damage to the property of a household member… Arturo Gomez, age 45, of Mesquite, was arrested for driving while license was suspended or revoked… Sylvia Calderon, age 52, was arrested for unlawful use of a license…
     Jose Gonzalez, age 33, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines… Donnie Johnson, age 54, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to appear… Armando Terrazas, age 22, of El Paso, TX, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to appear… Veronica Muro, age 36, was arrested on a Municipal warrant for failure to pay fines…
     Raul Garcia, age 36, was cited for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia… Jessica Arellano, age 34, was cited for trespassing and shoplifting at Walmart… Salvador Ortega, age 18, was cited for minor allowing self to be served alcohol… and Raul Garcia, age 36, was cited on a loud music violation.
     Also, a mobile home fire was reported Friday afternoon in the 4000 block of Tamarack… a 2001 Ford Focus valued at $2,000 was reported stolen from a location off S. James Street… $2,000 in criminal damage was reported to a metal pipe fence off S. Eighth Street after a vehicle ran through it… a 1984 mini-pickup truck was stolen form a location off N. Diamond Street… a nine-millimeter handgun valued at $400 was taken from a vehicle parked off E. Florida… and criminal damage to a vehicle fender was reported at a location off Apache Hills after unleashed dogs chewed it.