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David Grousnick: the healing power of Jesus Christ

News Staff
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David Grousnick: the healing power of Jesus Christ

David Grousnick

First Christian Church

In Matthew 9:18-26, Jesus, the great physician, is on his way to make an emergency house call. There was a little girl who was in a grave state and her father implored Jesus to come. We are told that a large crowd of the curious followed Jesus. Some were hoping he would succeed, others that he would fail; most probably got caught up in the excitement of the parade.

In this crowd was one woman who was there for quite a different reason. We are told that for twelve years she had been suffering from a bleeding hemorrhage. Some modern scholars have theorized that this was a bleeding cancer. If this were the case, she was, of course, beyond all medical help.

Mark tells us that she has already been to all of the doctors and she had only gotten worse, and beside that, they had taken all her money.

Interestingly, Luke, who was a physician, tells this story as well, but he could not bring himself to tell that side of story. Call it professional pride but he is not about to say that she was taken for all her money by a long string of doctors.

How could she get the attention of Jesus?

Her problem was of a very personal nature and she did not want to discuss the issue publicly. According to Levitic Law, a woman who was bleeding was considered unclean and under law could touch no one.

There were many ancient taboos. She did not want to have to go through the disciples to see Jesus. She wanted the doctor and not the nurse.

She thus devised a plan.

Having heard the stories of Jesus’ power, she declared: If I but touch the hem of his garment I will be healed.”

We can smile at that and say: How innocent, how naive.

She reached out from the crowd and touched the garment of Jesus.

Immediately he stopped, bolted upright, and asked: “Who touched me?” The disciples were taken aback. Was this some kind of rhetorical question? Who touched you? Why master, look around, everyone is touching you. The New English version quotes their words as being: “What is the purpose in asking?”

Jesus replied with one of the most mysterious lines in the Bible.

He said: “I felt power flow from me.” For years I have been mesmerized with that verse.

What exactly happened in that moment? Did the lady drain his battery? It sounds as though he is almost describing a power surge. “I felt power flow from me.” Whatever happened, the important matter of course is that in the midst of the crowd, Christ felt the touch of a single person.

Don’t ever say that in the enormity of the cosmos God cannot care about my concerns and me. Not only does God care, but he also actually solicits our concerns “Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you peace.”

Daughter, said Jesus (and I might add parenthetically at this point that that is the only recorded time in scripture that Jesus used that term) daughter, your faith has made you well.

And, we are told, she was immediately healed. The desperation of her faith thus became the channel that led to her healing. The story says there are two kinds of touch: the first being physical touch. The other is spiritual touch.

The United States most read columnist, Thomas Friedman, likes to tell a story he got from Johns Hopkins University’s foreign policy professor Michael Mandelbaum (in his book The Ideas That Conquered the World).

A young girl is eating dinner at a friend’s house. Her friend’s mother asks if she likes brussels sprouts. “Yes, of course,” the girl replied. “I like brussels sprouts.”

After dinner, though, the mother noticed that the brussels sprouts remained untouched. “I thought you liked brussels sprouts,” the mother asked.

“I do,” answered the girl. “But not enough to actually eat them.”

We Christians like a lot of things – peace, love, harmony. But not enough to actually do something about them.

Not only are there two kinds of touch but there are also two kinds of compassion we often feel when we see the needs of others around us in our daily living.

What kind of crimes have been committed in Artesia? Here is the latest from the Artesia Police Department

News Staff
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What kind of crimes have been committed in Artesia? Here is the latest from the Artesia Police Department

May 16

LOUD

12:25 am – Officer dispatched to the 600 block of N 8th St. in reference to loud music.

1:01 am – Officer dispatched to the 900 block of S 1st St. in reference to a loud party.

Domestic

8:18 am – Officer dispatched to the 200 block of W Main St. in reference to physical domestic.

DISTURBANCE

10:45 am – Officer dispatched to the 100 block of West Cleveland Ave. in reference to a neighborly disturbance.

RECKLESS

12:32 pm – Officer dispatched to the 1900 block of W Runyan Ave. in reference to reckless vehicle.

ACCIDENT

1:17 pm – Officer dispatched to the 500 block of S 15th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

UNWANTED

3:06 pm- Officer dispatched to the 200 block of N 10th St. in reference to an unwanted subject.

339 pm – Officer dispatched to the 200 block of N 10th St. in reference to an unwanted subject.

Reckless

3:46 pm – Officer dispatched to W Washington Ave. and S 7th St. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

SUSPICIOUS

7:27 pm – Officer dispatched to West Bullock Ave. in S 11th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

RECKLESS

7:32 pm – Officer dispatched to West Dallas Ave. in S 4th St. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

DISTURBANCE

8:07 pm – Officer dispatched to the 500 block of West Hollis St. in reference to disorderly disturbance.

SUSPICIOUS

10:44 pm – Officer dispatched to the 1100 block of W Main St. in reference to a suspicious person.

10:46 pm – Officer dispatched to the 800 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to a suspicious trespass.

LOUD

11:20 pm – Officer dispatched to the 700 block of W. Texas Ave. in reference to a loud party.

May 17

ALARM

12:18 am – Officer dispatched to the 700 block of bellman drive in reference to a burglary alarm.

DISTURBANCE

12:39 am – Officer dispatched to the 600 block of N 8th St. in reference to disorderly disturbance.

LOUD

12:57 am – Officer dispatched to the 700 block of West TX Ave. in reference to allowed party.

SUSPICIOUS

139 am – Officer dispatched to the 1800 block of West Briscoe Ave. in reference to a suspicious prowler.

UNWANTED

2:15 am – Officer dispatched to the 1900 block of W Main St. in reference to an unwanted subject.

LOUD

4:59 am – Officer dispatched to the 700 block of West TX Ave. in reference to a loud party.

ALARM

6:33 am – Officer dispatched to the 2700 block of N 1st St. in reference to a burglary alarm.

ACCIDENT

11:23 am – officer dispatched to the 600 block of N 26th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

WELFARE

3:42 pm- officer dispatched to the 1400 block of colt Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.

SUSPICIOUS

4:22 pm – officer dispatched to the 1100 block of N 1st St. in reference to a suspicious person.

INCORRIGIBLE

4:48 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to an incorrigible child.

DOMESTIC

8:11 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Missouri Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

8:29 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to physical domestic.

WELFARE

9:24 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 13th ST. And Mulberry Dr. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

DISTURBANCE

9:57 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to disorderly disturbance.

May 18

Arrest

Lena Segura arrested for contempt of court/failure to comply.

SUSPICIOUS

12:48 am – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of W. Merchant Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

HARASSMENT

1:45 am – Officer dispatched to 300 block of S. 2nd St. in reference to harassment.

DISTURBANCE

1:59 am – Officer dispatched to 300 block of W. Runyan Ave. in reference disorderly disturbance.

SUSPICIOUS

5:52 am- Officer dispatched to 400 block of W. Kemp Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

ALARM

6:23 am – Officer dispatched to 2700 block of N. 1st St. in reference to a burglary alarm.

ACCIDENT

8:21 am – Officer dispatched to 1600 block of N.  1st St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

SUSPICIOUS

9:20 am – Officer dispatched to Bowman Dr. and Gilchrist Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

ALARM

4:10 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 6th St. in reference to a burglary alarm.

WELFARE

4:24 pm – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to the welfare of a child.

4:59 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of S.  13th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

DOMESTIC

6:53 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of S. 20th St. in reference to physical domestic.

LOUD

8:00 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 13th St. in reference to loud music.

WELFARE

8:14 pm -Officer dispatched to 100 block of N. 26th St. in reference to the welfare of a child.

WANTED

10:12 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 1st St. in reference to a wanted subject.

WELFARE

11:15 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Menefee Ave. and S. 28th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

May 19

Arrest

Steven Leaton Jr. arrested for disorderly conduct.

SUSPICIOUS

3:07 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Quay Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

BATTERY

3:09 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of Bullock Ct. in reference to battery.

 ARMED

10:31 am – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Main St. in reference to an armed subject.

ACCIDENT

11:20 am – Officer dispatched to W. Main St. and N. 13th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

DOMESTIC

1:3 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of S. 1st St. in reference to domestic.

ALARM

1:52 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of N. 13th St.  in reference to an alarm.

3:14 pm – Officer dispatched to 2500 block of W. Bullock Ave. in reference to a burglary alarm.

ACCIDENT

3:09 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 13th St. and W. Grand Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

DISTURBANCE

3:38 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 20th St. and W. Main Ave. in reference to disturbance.

WELFARE

3:39 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of W. Quay Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

7:07 pm – Officer dispatched to 1700 block of S. 26th St. in reference to the welfare of a child..

7:23 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of Champ Clark Dr. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

ALARM

9:45 pm – Officer dispatched to 2700 block of N. 1st St. in reference to a burglary alarm.

10:20 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Main St. in reference to a burglary alarm.

SHOTS FIRED

11:52 pm – Officer dispatched to 2200 block of W. Grand Ave. in reference to shots fired in the area.

May 20

Jordan Coddington arrested for failure to appear.

Kayla Deanna Alvarado arrested for municipal failure to comply.

ALARM

1:51 am – Officer dispatched to 2700 block of N. 1st St. in reference to a burglary alarm.

SUSPICIOUS

6:07 am – Officer dispatched to 800 block of N. 10th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

ACCIDENT

1:04 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 26th St. and W. Richey Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

SUICIDAL

5:45 pm – Officer dispatched to 2900 Browning Ave. in reference to a suicidal subject.

SUSPICIOUS

9:59 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

11:59 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Runyan Ave. in reference to suspicious activity.

May 21

Arrest

Cassandra Marie Jimenez arrested for possession, delivery, manufacturing of drugs, distribution of a controlled substance, synthetic narcotic.

Krystal Garrett arrested for failure to appear.

SUSPICIOUS

1:50 am – Officer dispatched to 1200 block of W. Merchant Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

SHOTS FIRED

3:17 am – Officer dispatched to 1600 block of W. Grand Ave. in reference to shots fired in the area.

BURGLARY

8:05 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of S. 1st St. in reference to structure burglary.

LOUD

8:15 am – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to loud music.

DISTURBANCE

8:27 am – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Gilchrist Ave. in reference to disorderly disturbance.

BURGLARY

8:57 am – Officer dispatched to 1800 block of W. Main St. in reference to an auto burglary.

10:08 am – Officer dispatched to 400 block of N. Paris St. in reference to a burglary alarm.

WELFARE

11:26 am – Officer dispatched to N. 13th St. and W. JJ Clark Dr. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

11:54 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

VANDAL

12:24 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of S. 20th St. in reference to a vandal.

WELFARE

1:53 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.

SUSPICIOUS

4:48 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of S. 20th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

DISTURBANCE

7:42 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to disturbance.

SHOTS FIRED

9:59 pm- Officer dispatched to Jaycee Park in reference to shots fired in the area.

May 22

Arrest

Amanda Dawn Price arrested for driving on a revoked license, DWI of intoxicating liquor or drugs, resisting, evading, obstructing an officer, battery upon a peace officer.

Angela Esquibel arrested for DWI of intoxicating liquor or drugs.

Yuavanni Campasoucedo arrested for battery against a household member.

Mark Alexander Alamanza arrested for plates display, vehicle registration, no insurance, driving under the influence of drugs.

John David Guitierrez arrested for failure to pay fines, criminal trespass, burglary of residential attempted forcible entry.

Berlinda Ann George arrested for municipal failure to appear.

SUSPICIOUS

1:27 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Main St. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

ACCIDENT

4:30 am – Officer dispatched to the 2300 block of W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

ALARM

10:29 am – Officer dispatched to 1800 block of W. Centre Ave. in reference to a burglary alarm.

WELFARE

1:20 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of W. Lolita Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.

3:51 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of N. 6th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

DISTURBANCE

7:48 pm – Officer dispatched to 400 block of JJ Clark Dr. in reference to disturbance.

SUSPICIOUS

8:04 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of N. 14th St. in reference to suspicious trespass.

SHOTS FIRED

8:10 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to shots fired in the area.

SUICIDAL

8:41 pm – Officer dispatched to 2400 block of Cerro Rd. in reference to a suicidal subject.

DOMESTIC

9:34 pm – Officer dispatched to 2500 block of W. Mann Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

10:05 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of S. 6th St. in reference to physical domestic.

New Transfer Rule Could Open Pandora’s Box for New Mexico Schools

JT Keith
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New Transfer Rule Could Open Pandora’s Box for New Mexico Schools

 JT Keith

The New Mexico Activities Association Board of Directors took a major step Thursday toward reshaping high school athletics, voting to advance a proposal that would allow students one free transfer with immediate varsity eligibility.

But the rule is not in effect yet. It now goes to the state’s 156-member high schools, which must approve it by June 19 for it to become official.

If the schools vote yes, the change would take hold immediately — and could alter the landscape of New Mexico prep sports overnight.

A rule years in the making

NMAA Executive Director Dusty Young, who has led the association since 2024, said the transfer rule has been under review long before Thursday’s vote. The bylaws committee has spent the last 18 months dissecting it, and the Legislature has repeatedly pushed bills aimed at forcing changes.

“This is not anything that has happened recently about the transfer rule,” Young said. “This has been ongoing for several years, where our state, including our legislature, has tried to introduce bills that would change bylaws for the state association. It has been to the Capitol several times and is happening nationwide.”

What the proposal would do

Under the proposal, every student-athlete in New Mexico would receive one transfer without penalty — regardless of grade level — and would be immediately eligible at their new school. Home-school and charter-school statutes would still apply, as would recruitment and undue-influence rules.

Foreign students entering without parents and students transferring out of a specialized sports academy would not qualify for the free transfer.

A second or subsequent transfer would trigger a 365-day varsity ineligibility period, unless the student meets one of these nine exceptions:

  1. Bona fide residency change
  2. Deceased parents
  3. State custody
  4. First parent-to-parent move
  5. Emancipated or married student
  6. Boarding-school student
  7. Deployed parents
  8. Did not participate
  9. Discontinued program

Young said the proposal is designed to align New Mexico with national trends and give families more flexibility, but he acknowledged the uncertainty it brings.

“There are a lot of unknowns out there,” Young said. “There are concerns that have been brought up by coaches, athletic directors and superintendents. At the end of the day, I think it is our association’s responsibility to put something out there as another option, based on societal and nationwide trends, as well as some external factors.”

How it could play out

Take a hypothetical sophomore transferring from Roswell to Artesia. Under the proposal, that athlete would be immediately eligible — unless recruitment or other violations are found.

If that same athlete later decides to transfer again, say from Artesia to Carlsbad, they would have to sit out a calendar year unless they qualify under one of the nine exceptions. Custody changes, deployments, and discontinued programs would still offer pathways to eligibility.

The vote that decides everything

Now the decision shifts from the boardroom to the schools themselves.

All 156 NMAA member high schools have until June 19 at 4 p.m. to cast their votes. If a majority approves, the rule goes into effect immediately. If not, the current bylaw remains in place.

The NMAA will compile and release the results on Monday, June 22.

Local reaction

Artesia athletic director Jeremy Maupin said the proposal could fundamentally change the identity of high school sports in New Mexico.

“It is a rule out of fear,” Maupin said. “I can’t find any good from it for the state as a whole. If we always operate on fear of lawsuits, we would not have any rules. High school sports are about community and playing for the pride of the school.

“It is about developing an athlete in your program for multiple years. This changes that. All other transfer rules are still in place. This gives a kid the opportunity to be part of at least three schools over a four-year high school career. Who is that good for? Not the kid, not the coach, and not the school.”

JT Keith can be reached at 575-420-006 or on X@JTKEITH1.

Javier Sanchez: Deb Haaland runs on fear, possibly squashing dreams

News Staff
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Javier Sanchez: Deb Haaland runs on fear, possibly squashing dreams

Javier Sanchez

Many years ago, someone told you that you can’t go any higher. Your belief lid was placed on your head, and for lack of knowing any better and for lack of any real alternative, you chose to believe it. A belief lid is the mental ceiling you or someone places on your potential. You won’t get there. You can’t jump that far. College is too hard and you’ll never make it. From the very beginning we have compromised our dreams and possibilities one suggestion and good piece of advice at a time. What sounded like wise counsel or advice to play it safe has made for good shackles. Though they are invisible, these shackles prevent us from achieving our full potential.

We are bound by the consejos (words of wisdom) that our great-grandparents taught our grandparents who in turn passed it to our parents and now down to us. Our parents mean well. It is their job to keep us safe and teach us right from wrong. Don’t go too far. Stay close. So long as you have fun, that’s all that matters. Unfortunately, consejos also become belief lids that silently limit what we think we can achieve. The velocity with which society has chosen to value safety above all else seems to have accelerated in recent years.

We have accepted that coddling our children and even ourselves is preferable to the discomfort of growth. The state of weakness brought on by those willing to cap your initiative comes not only from family but those around you. Even those you trust. Words that sound like friendly advice from those in your inner circle – “have you considered all of the options?” or “what is your backup plan?” – inject doubt. Perhaps it is innocent, or perhaps they subconsciously don’t want you to grow. Or maybe they are giving you advice from a stunted point of view, one that cannot see the trajectory of your growth. Whatever the reason, you cannot allow their limited belief system to hinder your potential.

Once you see belief lids masquerading as advice, consejos or worse yet, political propaganda, you will never see the world through the same lens. Last week I received a postcard from Deb Haaland, Democrat hopeful for governor. She listed the things we need to be afraid of and how she will fight for New Mexicans. There’s nothing more dangerous than a politician putting a belief lid on your head and simultaneously telling you she is the only one who can save you. The mailer said we need to be protected from billionaires and a president who are rigging the system against us somehow conspiring to keep New Mexicans poor and disenfranchised.

The logical failure in her statement becomes evident when you look at our neighboring states. Presumably, they also are being attacked by the same conspirator billionaires and president. Why then can they achieve growth and prosperity that we somehow cannot? Arizona and Texas generate per capita incomes about 17% higher than New Mexico. Colorado bests our state by a whopping 48%. It’s not billionaires and the president conspiring to make New Mexican poorer. We’ve done that very well on our own, thank you very much. We have consistently ranked lowest among livability, health, education and income for years. Don’t blame the bogeymen billionaires who are supposedly trying to “rig the system” against New Mexicans. Keeping old policies and doubling down on progressive ideology will only make New Mexico progressively worse.

By placing belief lids on our potential as New Mexicans, Deb Haaland radically limits our potential and squashes our dreams.

We cannot lose our hopes one political promise at a time. What you know to be possible and what you know you can accomplish are beliefs that come from somewhere deep inside, not from political propaganda. In philosophy, it is known “a priori.” It means you know something before feelings and before sensations or experience. It is knowledge derived through reason alone, completely independent from empirical evidence. We must learn to trust that knowledge – not politicians wielding bogeyman problems only they can solve.

Javier Sanchez is the former Mayor of Espanola, an independent businessman, and El Rito Media investor and columnist.

Vote for Artesia’s All-Time Top 100 Football Players

JT Keith
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Vote for Artesia’s All-Time Top 100 Football Players

JT Keith

Artesia, football season is coming fast, and The Artesia Daily Press is diving deep into comprehensive football coverage this summer.

 We are launching an ambitious project to celebrate the rich, unmatched history of this powerhouse program, and we want your direct help to build a definitive list of the top 100 Bulldogs football players of all time.

The goal here is simple: honor the gridiron icons who built Artesia football’s proud legacy and tell their incredible stories the right way.

This program has spent decades establishing a rigorous standard of excellence. You can see that history plain as day on the facility walls, where a football helmet hangs to honor every single state championship season, proudly displaying the year the Bulldogs brought the blue trophy home.

 We want to celebrate the elite athletes who earned those helmets and defined generation after generation of unforgettable hometown talent. From the fierce defensive stalwarts who completely shut down opponents on Friday nights to the explosive playmakers who lit up the scoreboard and left defenses grasping at air, every single era of Bulldogs football has its unique heroes.

We want to make sure absolutely no deserving player is left behind in this count, which is why this comprehensive list needs to be shaped directly by the diehard fans, families, and community members who witnessed this greatness firsthand from the stands.

Whether it is a star from the historic championship squads of the mid-20th century or a more recent standout who left everything on the field just a few seasons ago, we want to hear from you.

Please send your personal nominations, along with your favorite Friday night memories, key statistics, or brief stories about why these men belong on the ultimate all-time list, directly to my email address.

Let’s work together as a community to create a lasting, definitive tribute to the Bulldogs who defined what it truly means to wear the orange and black. Get your votes in early, let the fierce debate begin, and let’s honor the tradition that makes Artesia the greatest football town in New Mexico.

The announcement of the top 100 players will occur before the last home football game against Roswell on October 16.

jt keith can be reached at 575-420-0061, or on X@JTKEITH1, or email me at jtkeith@elritomedia.com.

Opening date set for new Artesia Rec Center with planned festivities and fanfare

News Staff
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Opening date set for new Artesia Rec Center with planned festivities and fanfare

Photos and story by Moriah Lovato
For the Artesia Daily Press

Artesia residents can mark Aug. 14 for the grand opening of the new Artesia Recreation Center.

The Rec Center will be on Bowman Drive, north of JJ Clarke Drive, and next to the Artesia Aquatic Center.

Opening day festivities will be spread between the Rec Center and Aquatic Center.

The parking lot has been paved, utilities are turned on, and for Sandra Borges, President of the Artesia Recreation Center Foundation, a multi-year project has transformed from dream to reality.

The two-story 60,000 square foot facility features sports and fitness commodities, community gathering areas and educational programming designed to “help [residents] escape the wind and keep families active” Borges said.

“Even though they may not have SeaWorld or Chik Fil A I hope they are still excited,” said Borges, citing the requests of Artesia children who participated in the community planning meetings at the project’s outset.

“I am working on a big clock that one kid asked for and some big giant windows for lots of natural light.”

Borges aimed to prioritize ease of use in every aspect of facility planning from ensuring space for childcare to a paved, walkable path leading to the rec center from the old rec center and surrounding neighborhoods.

Childcare spaces will be equipped with age-appropriate, development-minded play equipment. Younger children can play in “Dolly’s Play Lab” named after Estelle Yates and funded by her grandchildren. Older kids will have access to STEM equipment made available through funding from Devon Energy and the Cal Ripken Foundation. Children can be supervised by staff in these fully enclosed areas for up to two hours.

Borges hopes that the combination of state-of-the-art amenities with affordability and accessibility will ensure the rec center will become a sustainable, consistent source of revenue for the City of Artesia.

“It’s important that it’s a good business plan,” she said, listing methods for driving revenue such as community room rentals, corporate membership options, an after-school educational program for K-3rd graders and concession sales, among others.

STRIDE, the after-school educational program, will be operated by By Your Side Services and have a full curriculum focused on math, reading, science and learning by play. STRIDE’s goal is to “make sure [students] go into the next grade with confidence.”

“Sports are important, but academics is something we want to make sure we have at the rec center,” said Borges.

The walls of the rec center will be filled with art made by local artists with themes celebrating Artesia. The lower-level lobby wall will house “The History of Artesia” while a wall on the upper level overlooking the lobby will house a three-canvas piece titled “The Hands that Build the Rec Center” featuring hand prints from community members present at the groundbreaking, curated by local artist Kirsten Mauritsen.

Though revenue for the City is a priority, Borges said she views the rec center as a “community asset.” She said contractor Sports Facility LLC will manage the center, and to create membership programs that will be affordable for residents of all socioeconomic backgrounds.

No pricing or details on the memberships were yet determined.

CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL: Lemon Garlic & Hatch Chile Baked Cod good for elegant and casual dining

News Staff
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CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL: Lemon Garlic & Hatch Chile Baked Cod good for elegant and casual dining

Bruce Lesman

Spring calls for clean, vibrant flavors—and few dishes capture that spirit better than a beautifully baked fillet of cod kissed with lemon, garlic, and the unmistakable warmth of Hatch chiles. Light yet satisfying, this dish delivers a refined balance of brightness and subtle heat, making it ideal for both casual dinners and elegant entertaining.

Cod, with its delicate, flaky texture, acts as the perfect canvas for bold yet harmonious flavors. The citrus lifts the richness, the garlic adds depth, and the Hatch chile brings a gentle smokiness that transforms a simple preparation into something memorable.

Serves 4–6

Ingredients

• 4–6 fresh cod fillets (6 oz each)

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 4 cloves garlic, finely minced

• 2 roasted Hatch chiles, peeled, seeded, and diced

• Zest and juice of 2 lemons

• 1 teaspoon sea salt

• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

• Lemon wedges, for serving

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly oil a baking dish large enough to hold the fillets in a single layer.

2. Pat cod dry and arrange in the dish. Season evenly with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.

3. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, diced Hatch chiles, lemon zest, and lemon juice.

4. Spoon the mixture evenly over each fillet, ensuring they are well coated.

5. Dot the tops with small pieces of butter.

6. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout.

7. Finish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Chef’s Notes

• Fresh, high-quality cod makes all the difference—look for firm, translucent flesh.

• Hatch chiles can vary in heat; taste before adding and adjust to preference.

• For a slightly crisp top, broil for the final 1–2 minutes.

• Pairs beautifully with roasted spring vegetables, rice pilaf, or a light arugula salad.

Bruce Lesman is a seasoned culinary professional with decades of experience shaping restaurant concepts, cruise line dining programs, and hospitality innovations. Known for blending refined technique with approachable flavors, his Culinary Confidential column celebrates seasonal ingredients and timeless preparations designed for today’s kitchen.

Recount likely in race for New Mexico’s 66th House District

Michael Smith
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Recount likely in race for New Mexico’s 66th House District

Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@elritomedia.com

LeAnne Gandy was leading by a razor-thin, eight-vote margin in the race for the GOP nomination to New Mexico’s 66th House District.

The slim margin, less than 1% of the voters registered in the GOP primary for that house district, potentially meant an automatic recount would be conducted by the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office.

As of Tuesday, June 2, the night of the primary, Gandy earned 999 votes to Dan Lewis’ 991, with each of them at 45% of the votes tallied, according to unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office.

Trinidad Malone notched 230 votes or 10% of the vote.

Results are unofficial until they are canvassed in a special meeting by county commissions where the ballots were collected.

District 66 includes northern Eddy County, encompassing Artesia along with portions of Lea and Chaves counties.

Gandy won big in Lea County with 69% of the vote to Lewis’ 27%, but she lost out in Eddy County with 32% of the vote to Lewis’ 53%.

Chaves County was much closer with 46% of ballots in favor of Lewis and 44% for Gandy.

The day after the primary election on Wednesday, Gandy issued a statement on her campaign’s Facebook page, thanking voters and looking ahead to the results of the primary.

No Democrat signed on to run for the District 66 seat in the State House, meaning the winner of the GOP primary will likely run unopposed in the Nov. 3 General Election and replace State Rep. Jimmy Mason who opted not to seek reelection this year.

“Last night, the people of this district spoke — and every single vote matters. I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported me,” Gandy wrote.

“While we are currently leading in this race, we recognize there is now a recount underway. Under New Mexico law, a margin this close triggers an automatic recount, and we fully support that process. Democracy works when every ballot is counted accurately and every voice is heard.”

Lewis, also in a Wednesday Facebook post criticized Gandy for running what Lewis called a negative campaign, pointing to campaign materials sent by Gandy’s campaign to voters accusing Lewis of donating to “far-left” New York congressional candidate Rob Lubin.

Lubin lost his race in the 2024 General Election for New York’s Second Congressional District.

“We went from a 10-vote deficit to an 8-point deficit! I think we are in the recount margin for sure and I am checking on the possibility of a runoff. I am still praying that a negatively run campaign does not prevail,” Lewis said.

City of Carlsbad, Eddy County call for IPRA reforms as requests spike

News Staff
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City of Carlsbad, Eddy County call for IPRA reforms as requests spike

Adrian Hedden
Artesia Daily Press
achedden@currentargus.com

Eddy County Chief of Staff Adrienne Jones said the county spent $1.9 million responding to records requests in 2025, mostly from out of state.

That trend is partially why the state of New Mexico endeavored to adjust its Inspection of Public Records Act, creating a task force to consider reforms to the bedrock transparency law.

State lawmakers passed House Memorial 2 during the 2026 legislative session, leading to formation of the state’s Inspection of Public Records Act Task Force.

The task force is overseen by the New Mexico Department of Justice and held public meetings to gather feedback on possible reforms throughout eastern New Mexico in late May, with meetings in Clovis on May 26, Roswell May 27 and Carlsbad on May 28.

More meetings were planned in June and July in cities throughout the state, with recommendations expected to be made to lawmakers by September ahead of the 2027 legislative session starting in January.

The public records law, known as IPRA in the legal community, governs how New Mexico’s public government files are provided to those who request them.

Notably, the law requires government entities to provide existing public records for inspections when requested, setting deadlines for responses depending on the records requested and fee schedules based on how the records are provided.

The memorial was sponsored by Rep. Cathrynn Brown (R-55) of Carlsbad, who said she’s fielded several complaints from local government entities saying a recent spike in digital document requests under IPRA has placed undue strain on public resources.

“I started off hearing a lot of complaints about IPR, about how much it’s straining our government and quasi-government agencies,” Brown said. “I’m hoping we’ll get some reforms.”

A chief complaint, Jones said, is the high volume of requests coming from out-of-state entities that do not pay into New Mexico’s tax base, which funds local government operations including responses to records requests.

Jones estimated 78% of Eddy County’s IPRA requests in 2025 came from outside New Mexico.

“You have this astronomical impact to our Eddy County taxpayers for which the vast majority of the requesters are not paying into the New Mexico tax base,” she said during the Carlsbad meeting. “That’s the main pain point here.”

Potential changes suggested by those in attendance included allowing municipalities and other holders of public records to charge fees for digital records provided in response to IPRA requests. The current state statute allows fees only for paper copies.

Task force members also discussed increasing fees for out-of-state requesters, who local officials said do not pay taxes that fund IPRA responses from New Mexico entities.

Quay Dominguez, IPRA compliance manager for the city of Carlsbad, said that between 2020 and 2025, there was a 208% increase in requests to the city, and 40% were from entities outside of New Mexico.

Many of the requests were for “commercial interests,” Dominguez said, including online content creators looking to post police body camera footage and other digital files to platforms such as YouTube for financial gain.

She said the city was supportive of an increased fee schedule, specifically targeting out-of-state, commercial requesters, hoping it would allow municipalities to recoup some of the cost of providing the records.

“The system is no longer operating in the conditions it was designed for,” Dominguez said. “All that footage needs to be carefully reviewed and redacted.”

Dominguez also said a three-day deadline for responses from the day of the initial request was too short to allow for the variety of digital files now available. She said the deadline should be extended to account for the “complexity of modern requests.”

“Public records laws are intended to improve public transparency, not an unlimited resource for commercial use,” Dominguez said. “This is not about limiting access. It’s about sustainability.”

Brown suggested government entities post more of their records, such as staff lists, on their websites, allowing them to direct requesters to their webpage instead of staff generating data as requested.

“We still want citizens to have access to public records. That is a good thing. But there are abuses. IPRA has been used for harassment,” Brown said. “We don’t want to give a blank check and just let people make request after request. The task force should preserve access to public records, but make sure the abuse stops.”

Managing Editor Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.

Bulldogs fall short of repeat, but season leaves lasting mark

JT Keith
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Bulldogs fall short of repeat, but season leaves lasting mark

JT Keith

The Artesia Bulldogs came up one game short of repeating as Class 4A state champions, but their season still stands as one to remember.

Artesia did not get the back-to-back title it wanted, yet the Bulldogs closed the year with a long list of individual honors, team milestones, and record-book performances that speak to the strength of the program.

That run came a year after the Bulldogs captured the 2025 state championship with a win over Bloomfield, the program’s first title since 2000.

With eight seniors on the roster, Artesia leaned on experience all season, and several players finished their careers with New Mexico Activities Association marks and Artesia High School records.

Team honors

Brant Usherwood received the Leadership Award, while Jack Byers earned both the Cy Young Award and Most Valuable Player honors. Byers also won the on-base percentage award at .604. Daelon Pacheco took home the Next Pitch Award, Derrick Warren led the team with 27 stolen bases, and the Golden Glove Awards went to Jett Fuentes and Usherwood.

At the plate, Byers, Pacheco and Diego Morales tied for the team lead in home runs with two apiece. Byers and Pacheco also shared the RBI lead with 27. Morales won the Bulldog Award, Byers added the Silver Slugger Award after batting .514, and JR Bustamante was named Alumni Game MVP.

State records

Artesia stole 102 bases this season, ranking seventh all-time in NMAA history. The Bulldogs also scored 14 runs in one inning against Lovington, the ninth-most all time, and finished the year with 253 runs, the ninth-most in the NMAA record book.

On the mound, Bulldogs pitchers struck out 265 batters, good for sixth all-time in NMAA history. Byers threw four shutouts this season and finished with 10 in his career. He also recorded a perfect game. Elijah Carrasco and Lucas Atkins teamed up for a no-hitter.

School records

Byers also set the Artesia High School career strikeout record with 314. That mark adds another layer to a season that already ranks among the program’s most productive and memorable.

All-star selections

Artesia was also well represented on the all-star team. Byers was selected at third base, and pitcher, Pacheco at first base, and pitcher, Fuentes at shortstop, and Jackson Bickel served as Red Team head coach. It was another reminder of what this senior group meant to Artesia baseball and why this season will be remembered for a long time.

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