County Commission pauses on demolition of Otis Gymnasium

By MIKE SMITH El Rito Media Reporter The old Otis Gym south of Carlsbad will remain standing for now. Eddy County’s Board of County Commissioners canceled a bid to tear down the building, which has not had any use for several years.

Letter to the editor

July 1, 2024 To: Artesia Daily Press I am writing this Letter to the Editor of the Artesia Daily Press to honor and compliment Brienne Green. Brienne has been one of the most dedicated and professional workers that I have known.

What happens when government has no respect for rules

By JIM TOWNSEND Guest Columnist Currently the Environmental Improvement Board is considering an outlandish request of the New Mexico Environment Department to increase the fees for General Construction Permits by approximately 500 percent and without the normal Legislative oversight. This request is not being vetted through customary process.

A BIG thanks for making a BIG difference

On May 1, 2024 the 69th Annual District Ten Conference opened in Albuquerque, NM. Altrusans were present from every club in the district, which covers New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. During the Conference, members were able to donate and collect materials to support the New Mexico Dream Center – an organization which provides a 360° strategic approach to address human trafficking in New Mexico through prevention activities, outreach to victims, services for survivors, and a support system for clients in their self-determination. Attendees were also able to participate in workshops about leadership, fundraising, and organization. None of this would have been possible without the generous support from local businesses in Artesia and Dexter. When costs in Albuquerque put strain on the District budget, members reached out to local businesses for help. Altrusa International of District Ten would like to give a special ‘Thank You’ to those who answered our call and went above and beyond to help – Valley Dairy Products, SWCCI, Hocker & Sons, Sondie Stockton State Farm, Artesia Soft Water, Burgess Chiropractic Center, and Bennie’s Western Store. It is thanks to these sponsors that Altrusans were able to attend Conference and, in turn, could help others in another New Mexico Community. We are truly blessed to live in such a wonderful and supportive community.

Eddy County students drive for safety

On June 25, the Permian Road Safety Coalition participated in EnergyPlex 2024 in Hobbs, New Mexico, a sold-out meeting of community members discussing the energy industry’s future in Lea County. PRSC Managing Director Mike Smith moderated the road-safety-focused panel entitled “Connecting the Permian.”

Leveling up student leadership

For the second year in a row, Artesia Junior High Student Council members had the opportunity to attend the NMASC Summer Leadership Workshop in Socorro, NM. This year 17 students and two advisors were able to attend the fourday camp. A huge thanks goes out to HF Sinclair and Written in Red Foundation. Their generosity allowed students to attend without concerns about registration costs. Because of their kindness, we were able to take four times as many students as we did our first year! This is an unforgettable experience that will have exponential impact on our schools and community.

Weather watcher posts record high

Looking back 40, 30 and 20 years ago, the following are excerpts from the Artesia Daily Press. 40 years ago June 30 - July 6, 1984 This B-25 bomber was one of seven planes which were flown into Artesia Saturday morning by members of the New Mexico Wing of the Confederate Air Force, and here it looms above interested spectators who give it a close inspection.

First Day

VOTING SYSTEM CHECK -- Eddy County Bureau of Elections would like to inform the public that an “Accuracy Check of the Voting Tabulators” will be conducted for the Primary Election on July 10th at 10:00 am, as set forth in Section 1-14-13.2, NMSA 1978 and 1.10.23.9 NMAC. This Audit will be done at the Voting Machine Warehouse located at 326 S. Canyon Street. For questions please contact the Eddy County Clerk’s Office at (575) 885-3383 or 325 South Main Street, Carlsbad, New Mexico.