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Fatal Head-On Crash on NM Highway 11 in Luna County

12/30/2020

DEMING – On December 28, 2020 at approximately 7:04 p.m., the New Mexico State Police investigated a fatal head-on crash on NM Highway 11, near milepost 16 south of Deming, NM.
The initial investigation indicates a 2003 Chevrolet Blazer, driven by Francisco T. Molina (76) of Deming, NM, was traveling southbound on NM Highway 11. As the Chevrolet attempted to pass another vehicle in the opposing northbound lane, the Chevrolet collided head-on into a 2003 GMC Equinox SUV traveling north. Molina sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of Medical Investigator.
The driver of the GMC, Maria C. Balcazar (48) of Boaz, AL was transported by emergency personnel to an area hospital in Deming, NM where she succumbed to her injuries. There were two other passengers in the GMC, a 10-year-old child and a 6-year-old child. The 10-year-old and 6-year-old were transported by emergency personnel to a hospital in El Paso, TX. Their conditions are unknown.
Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash and seatbelts were only properly utilized by the driver and passengers in the GMC. For the privacy of the family, the identity of the children will not be released by the New Mexico State Police.

Local Crime Report for Wednesday December 30, 2020

12/30/2020

DEMING – Here’s the area crime report:
Flavio Holguin-Barraza, age 18, of Palomas, MX, was arrested on a Department of Corrections warrant for a probation violation and on a Grant County warrant for failure to appear… Marci Dworkin, age 39, was arrested on an Adult Probation and Parole Office warrant for a probation violation… and John Hernandez, age 43, was arrested on a Dona Ana County warrant for failure to appear.

School Board Applications due Thursday

12/30/2020

DEMING – The deadline for submitting letters of interest for the Deming Public Schools Board of Education District 2 vacancy is Thursday, Dec. 31st, at 4 p.m.
     The opening was created with the Dec. 14th resignation of William (Billy) Ruiz, which was effective immediately.
     A media release said the board will begin interviewing candidates soon and must name a replacement within 45 days of the vacancy date.
     The newly appointed member will serve the remainder of the respective term, and will be subject to election on Nov. 2nd, 2021.
     Anyone interested in the District 2 school board seat should submit a letter of interest and resume addressed to: Mrs. Amy Delaney-Hernandez, Board Secretary, Attention: Kim Hernandez, Board Support, Deming Public Schools, 1001 South Diamond, Deming, NM 88030.
     Letters and resumes also may be emailed to kim.hernandez@demingps.org.
     New Mexico law requires school board members be at least 18 years old, a resident of the respective district, and a registered voter.
     Again, the deadline to submit information is Dec. 31st, 2020, at 4 p.m.

Local Crime Report for Tuesday December 29, 2020

12/29/2020

DEMING – Here’s the area crime report:
Sylvia Mathews, age 46, was arrested for battery, assault against a household member, resisting, evading or obstructing an officer, and on a Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines… Pablo Espinoza, age 23, was arrested for interference with officers, on a Magistrate warrant for failure to comply with conditions of probation, and on a Dona Ana District warrant for failure to comply with probation… Antonio Montes, age 22, was arrested for interference with officers… Jazmine Valenzuela, age 20, was arrested for interference with officers… and Sandra Pacheco, age 37, was arrested on a District Court warrant for failure to appear.
Also, nine classic vehicles – mostly from the 1920s and 1930s, a utility trailer and a truck hauler were taken from a location off the Hatch Hwy… a 2002 Toyota Tacoma four-door valued at $9,000 was reported stolen from outside a business of E. Pine… a rifle, a shotgun, two handguns, an air rifle, and two televisions, with a combined value of nearly $3,700, were taken from a residence off Franklin Rd. SE… tools and equipment valued at $350 were taken from a commercial building off E. Pine St… $100 in criminal damage to a back door was reported at a residence off E. Fourth St. during a break-in… and several fence posts were burned at a location near 8th and O’Kelley.

Luna County’s 43rd Resident Dies with COVID

12/28/2020

DEMING – Luna County had two more residents die with COVID Monday, bring the county’s loss to 43 people.
     New Mexico state health officials described both men as residents of Mimbres Memorial Nursing Home who were in their 90s and had underlying conditions.
     The state also reported Luna County had six additional COVID-19 cases Monday.
     The state’s COVID-19 dashboard (https://cvprovider.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard.html) shows the total number of active cases in the county is now 799.
     The state is reporting 1,467 people have completely recovered and 43 people have died, making the cumulative number of positive cases in Luna County 2,309.
     The dashboard also shows 23,476 tests have been administered in the county.

Local Crime Report for Monday December 28, 2020

12/28/2020

DEMING – Here’s the area crime report:
     Joel Zamarripa, age 21, was arrested for aggravated DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, and driving while license was suspended or revoked… Carlos Ransdell, age 26, was arrested for battery on a peace officer, assault on a peace officer, and criminal trespass… Moises Lopez, age 36, was arrested on three Magistrate warrants for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, robbery with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon, and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, and on a U.S. Marshal’s warrant for a parole violation… Herman Benzor, age 31, was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle… Holly Foster, age 28, was arrested for battery against a household member…
     Javier Arroyo, age 22, was arrested for residential burglary, causing criminal damage to the property of a household member, criminal trespass, and possession of burglary tools… Uriel Arroyo, age 27, was arrested for residential burglary, causing criminal damage to the property of a household member, criminal trespass, and possession of burglary tools… Kiramai Mendoza, age 21, was arrested for residential burglary, causing criminal damage to the property of a household member, criminal trespass, and possession of burglary tools… Tyler Herrod, age 27, was arrested for resisting, evading or obstructing an officer… Glenn Lunceford, age 50, was arrested for trespass and violation of a protection order…
     Steve Duran, age 54, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to comply with conditions of probation… Jose Nunez, age 18, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to appear… Fabien Contreras, age 19, was arrested on a Municipal warrant for failure to pay fines… and Angel Cuevas, age 21, of Hobbs, was arrested on a Municipal warrant for failure to pay fines.
     Also, criminal damage estimated at $1,500 was reported to a pickup parked off S. Slate after the vehicle was scratched and mirrors broken… and two vehicle batteries, with a combined value of $150, were taken from a location near Eighth and Cedar streets.

Deming Radio's Special Christmas Programming

12/23/2020

DEMING – On a programming note: Thursday, Christmas Eve, at noon, we will begin our special Christmas programming with sounds of the season – Christmas music accented by Christmas greetings and community "thank you's" sponsored by area merchants.

The festive greetings will run on 94.3-FM KDEM and 1230-AM KOTS through 10 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Also, we will air Charles Dickens' classic, "A Christmas Carol," on both stations from 7-8 p.m. Thursday night – Christmas Eve.

The program is a complete uninterrupted rebroadcast of the 1939 Campbell's Playhouse Production produced and narrated by Orsen Wells and starring Lionel Barrymore as Scrooge. "A Christmas Carol" is sponsored by First New Mexico Bank.

And all of us at Luna County Broadcasting wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe holiday.

2021 EQIP Sign-Up Period Ends January 8th

12/23/2020

DEMING – The sign-up period for fiscal year 2021 Environmental Quality Incentives Program assistance is underway.
     Any Luna County agricultural producers who would like to be considered for financial assistance under special conservation initiatives need to apply by Friday, January 8th, 2021.
     The program assistance provides a targeted, science-based approach to restoring and protecting habitat, and provides a flat-rate payment to producers to install conservation practices, such as range planting, windbreaks, residue management no-till, riparian forest buffers, watering facilities, fence, tree planting, and wildlife habitat management.
     While producers can apply year-round for USDA Environmental Quality Incentives Program assistance, the application cutoff is specific to 16 national, state and local incentives.
     More information is available online by searching NRCS New Mexico, or by visiting Deming’s USDA Service Center at 405 East Florida Street.

Vibes Nutrition Wins MainStreet Contest

12/23/2020

DEMING – Deming Luna County MainStreet officials have announced the winners of the organization’s “Christmas Hope – Light up Downtown” campaign.
     Congratulations to first-place winner Vibes Nutrition, which was awarded $600; second-place winner Trendz Hair Salon, which received $500; and third-place winner Virtue Salon, which was awarded $400.
     A media release said MainStreet initiated the campaign in an effort to keep the “Candle of Christmas Hope” burning brightly in the hearts of Deming’s citizens and merchants.
     Deming merchants participated in the contest by decorating their businesses and lighting up their storefronts, and the winners were selected by votes through the website: demingms.org.
      Collaborating partners included Luna County, City of Deming, Mark & Susan Schaaf, Mimbres Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home, Deming Luna County Chamber of Commerce, Deming Rotary Club, and Deming Luna County Economic Development.

County Offices Revert to Normal Hours in 2021

12/23/2020

DEMING – Luna County officials have announced offices will revert to normal business hours beginning January 4th, 2021.
     Hours were extended in July to accommodate residents needing early and late appointments during the pandemic.
     Beginning Monday, Jan. 4th, the courthouse and all offices within will be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
     The courthouse remains closed to the public, however, and access is limited to prearranged appointments and emergencies.
     Residents are encouraged to continue using the county’s on-line services where possible.
     For appointments, contact the individual office needed, or contact the Luna County manager's office at 546-0494.

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