NEW!
Enter a word or phrase
below to search Artesia360
Enter a word or phrase
below to search Artesia360
NEWS:
Volume 3, Number 21
March 3, 2008
March 3, 2008
Your contributions, comments
& suggestions are welcome.
Please click News to email us.
& suggestions are welcome.
Please click News to email us.
Artesia360.com
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Special weather information
provided by:
Wendell L. Malone,
Area Skywarn Coordinator
Eddy & Culberson counties
provided by:
Wendell L. Malone,
Area Skywarn Coordinator
Eddy & Culberson counties
| THE WEATHER BOX www.eddycountyskywarn.blogspot.com Windy conditions with accumulating snows are expected across southeast New Mexico and portions of West Texas today. Gusty northerly winds will also persist through the day with blowing snow obstructing visibility at times. This upper level system should exit to the east of the region by late afternoon. Today: Snow likely with areas of blowing snow. Cloudy early, then gradual clearing, with a high near 37. Northwest wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to between 10 and 15 mph. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 21. West wind between 5 and 10 mph. Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 68. Southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. West wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. West wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. |
| The United States government's national threat level is Elevated, or Yellow. The U.S. threat level is High, or Orange, for all domestic and international flights. Only small amounts of liquids, aerosols and gels are allowed in carry-on baggage. See the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website for up-to-date information on items permitted and prohibited on airlines. |
Border Patrol fact sheet released
Each day at America’s ports of entry CBP officers inspect more than 1.1
million travelers, including 340,000 vehicles and over 85,000 shipments of
goods approved for entry; process more than 70,000 truck, rail and sea
containers; collect more than $88 million in fees, duties, and tariffs; seize
more than 5,500 pounds in illegal narcotics; and intercept more than 4,400
agricultural items and pests at ports of entry.
Securing the Border
* DHS has completed more than 167 miles of pedestrian fence and 134
miles of vehicle fence on the southwest border, for a total of approximately
302 miles.
* We are on track to have 670 miles of total pedestrian fence and vehicle
fence by the end of 2008.
* The Border Patrol now has more than 15,000 agents and by the end of
this year we will have more than 18,300 agents. This doubles the size of the
Border Patrol over the FY 2001 level.
* We are committed to using technology along the border in connection
with tactical infrastructure, where Border Patrol deems necessary. Some
technology currently used includes: unattended ground sensors, truck-
mounted mobile surveillance systems, remote video surveillance systems,
unmanned aerial systems, and fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft to detect,
classify, track and respond to illegal border crossings.
* The National Guard continues to support the Border Patrol under
Operation Jump Start. This partnership has been extremely productive as
we work to the build the fence and train Border Patrol agents.
* DHS saw a more than 20 percent reduction in apprehensions of illegal
aliens at the southern border in Fiscal Year 2007. This is an indication that
there are fewer attempts to cross the border illegally.
Interior Enforcement
* In Fiscal Year 2007, U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
arrested 3,563 gang members and their associates. This includes 1,489
criminal arrests.
* Under Operation Community Shield ICE has arrested more than 8,000
members and associates of approximately 700 different gangs. Of those
apprehended, 2,444 have been charged criminally and 5,211 have been
charged with immigration violations and processed for removal.
* Over a three month period last summer ICE arrested more than 1,300
violent street gang members and associates in 23 cities across 19 states.
* ICE has expanded its Criminal Alien Program to identify incarcerated
criminal aliens. In Fiscal Year 2007, ICE identified for removal more than
164,000 criminals who were incarcerated in federal, state and local facilities.
* ICE has increased its fugitive operations teams from 15 in 2005 to 75
today with an additional 29 allocated for Fiscal Year 2008. As a result, the
fugitive alien population has plummeted by more than 35,000. Fugitive
Operations Teams made more than 30,000 arrests in 2007, nearly doubling
Fiscal Year 2006 arrests.
* ICE continues to increase worksite enforcement operations. In Fiscal
Year 2007, ICE made 863 criminal arrests and 4,077 administrative arrests
for a total of 4,940 arrests.
* In Fiscal Year 2007, DHS obtained more than $30 million in criminal
fines, restitutions and civil judgments as a result of worksite enforcement.
E-Verify
* E-Verify is a free and simple to use Web-based system that
electronically verifies the employment eligibility of newly hired employees.
For more information on E-Verify visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
* E-Verify works by allowing participating employers to electronically
compare employee information taken from the Form I-9 (the paper based
employee eligibility verification form used for all new hires) against more
than 425 million records in the Social Security Administration’s (SSA)
database and more than 60 million records in DHS immigration databases.
Results are returned within seconds.
* Currently, more than 54,000 employers in every state are enrolled in E-
Verify and, on average, the program increases by about 1,000 new
employers each week. The system is currently capable of handling up to 25
million inquiries a year.
No-Match Letters
* DHS issued a regulation earlier last year which outlines specific steps an
employer should take if they receive a “no-match” letter from the SSA
informing them they have an employee whose name and Social Security
Number do not match the government records.
* The regulation sets forth clear guidance for businesses to comply with
“no-match” notices and provides a safe harbor for employers who follow the
guidance and perform due diligence so they are not found in violation of
their legal obligations.
* The implementation of this regulation has been delayed to lawsuits filed
by the ACLU and U.S. Chamber of Commerce preventing DHS from issuing
“no-match” letters.
ENMU Seeks Entries for New Film Festival
PORTALES—Eastern New Mexico University is accepting short film entries
through March 21 for the first High Plains Film Festival.
A judging panel of award-winning actors, directors and screenwriters will
award six $500 prizes. Winning entries will be screened May 4 in Portales,
at a location to be announced.
Filmmakers may enter animated, dramatic and documentary/experimental
works that are no longer than 10 minutes. The contest includes a pre-
college division for students through 12th grade and a college-plus division
for all others. Entries must not have won awards previously in a juried
competition.
Judges include actress Joan Leslie, who appeared with Humphrey Bogart in
"High Sierra," with James Cagney in "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and with Gary
Cooper in "Sergeant York."
Another panelist is screenwriter Diana Ossana, who collaborated with Larry
McMurtry on "Brokeback Mountain," which won both an Oscar and a
Golden Globe for Best Screenplay in 2005.
Jack Sholder, an Emmy and Grand Prix award-winning editor and director,
leads the Motion Picture and Television Program at Western Carolina
University.
The film festival celebrates ENMU's Digital Cinema Arts program,
established in 2006, and New Mexico's growing film industry, said Michael
Sitton, dean of ENMU's College of Fine Arts.
For entry forms and additional information, check the festival Web site at
www.enmu.edu/filmfest or call 575.562.2373.
Entries must be received by March 21. Entry fees are $20 in the pre-
college division and $30 for the college-plus division. Submit four DVD
copies of each entry, playable on a standard DVD player, to High Plains
Film Festival, College of Fine Arts, ENMU Station 16, Music Building, Room
113, 1500 S. Avenue K, Portales, NM, 88130.
Van Slyke among military academy nominees
Washington - Representative Stevan Pearce has announced his United
States Military Academy nominations for the Class of 2012 from the Second
Congressional District of New Mexico. Some of these students will receive
appointments to the individual academies and will begin their training in July
of 2008. Those announcements and acceptances have not been noted at
this filing.
Mr. Jeffery Van Slyke of Artesia, the son of Doris and Jeffery Van Slyke
has received nominations to the United States Air Force Academy, United
States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy and United States
Merchant Marine Academy. He attends Artesia High School.
Miss Lauren E. Whaley of Artesia, the daughter of Kimberly and Donald
Whaley has received nominations to the United States Air Force Academy
and United States Naval Academy. She attends the New Mexico Military
Institute.
Mr. Taylor Harris of Roswell, the son of Diane and Steve Harris has
received nominations to the United States Air Force Academy, United
States Naval Academy, United States Merchant Marine Academy and
United States Military Academy. He attends Goddard High School.
Mr. Marcus A. Alvidrez a prior academy student of the Air Force Academy
and living in Albuquerque, son of Renee and Elias Alvidrez has received a
nomination to the United States Air Force Academy.
Mr. Anthony D. Anastasia of Chaparral, the son of Gloria and James
Anastasia has received nominations to the United States Air Force
Academy, United States Naval Academy and United States Military
Academy. He attends Northeast Christian Academy of El Paso, Texas.
Mr. Benjamin Clark of Las Cruces, the son of Cynthia and Curtis Clark has
received nominations to the United States Naval Academy, United States
Military Academy and United States Merchant Marine Academy. He attends
Las Cruces High School.
Mr. Christopher M. Franco of Las Cruces, the son of Holly and Mike Franco
has received nominations to the United States Naval Academy, United
States Military Academy, Unites States Air Force Academy and United
States Merchant Marine Academy. He attends Oñate High School.
Miss Michelle Christine Gonzalez of Los Lunas, the daughter of Wanda
Leyba-Gonzalez and Michael Gonzalez has received a nomination to the
United States Air Force Academy. She attends Bosque Farms Christian
Academy.
Mr. Thomas Dean Hainline of Alamogordo, the son of Mary and Charles
Hainline has received nominations to the United States Air Force Academy
and United States Naval Academy. He attends Alamogordo High School.
Mr. Jonathan A. Maddux, Jr. of White Sands Missile Range, the son of
Elizabeth and Jonathan Maddux has received nominations to the United
States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy, United States
Merchant Marine Academy and United States Air Force Academy. He
attends Oñate High School.
Mr. Patrick Martinez of Mesquite, the son Lisa and Antonio Martinez
currently living in Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec, Canada has received
nominations to the United States Military Academy, United States Air Force
Academy and United States Naval Academy. He attends Lower Canada
College, Quebec.
Miss Ashley Diane Olson of Silver City, the daughter of Jill and Leland
Olson has received a nomination to the United States Air Force Academy.
She attends Silver City High School.
Mr. Zachariah Owens of Eunice, the son of Vicki and Robert Owens has
received a nomination to the United States Military Academy. He attends
Eunice High School.
Mr. Wyatt Ray Shellhorn of Glenwood, the son of Cindy and Wayne
Shellhorn has received nominations to the United States Air Force
Academy and United States Naval Academy. He attends Reserve High
School.
Mr. James G. Tewaheftewa of Isleta, the son of Paulette Johnson and
Philbert Tewaheftewa has received a nomination to the United States Air
Force Academy. He attends Los Lunas High School.
Mr. Jeremiah G. Williams of Alamogordo, the son of Yolanda and Robert
Williams has received nominations to the United States Air Force Academy
and United States Naval Academy. He attends Alamogordo High School.
Congressman Pearce made these selections based on the
recommendations of his two Academy Review Boards, each board being
made up of distinguished educators, active duty and retired military officers,
former military academy graduates, political leaders and district citizens who
have an abiding faith in the academies. The board interviews all applicants
in early November in Las Cruces and recommends those students who
demonstrate excellence in character, academics, leadership, athletics and
extracurricular activities while attending high school, junior college or
college and have submitted an application.
For further information on how to apply for a congressional nomination to a
United States Military Academy, you may download a nomination application
package at http://pearce.house.gov or you send a letter requesting an
application form to Congressman Stevan Pearce, 1717 West 2nd Street,
Suite 100, Roswell, New Mexico 88201.
Each day at America’s ports of entry CBP officers inspect more than 1.1
million travelers, including 340,000 vehicles and over 85,000 shipments of
goods approved for entry; process more than 70,000 truck, rail and sea
containers; collect more than $88 million in fees, duties, and tariffs; seize
more than 5,500 pounds in illegal narcotics; and intercept more than 4,400
agricultural items and pests at ports of entry.
Securing the Border
* DHS has completed more than 167 miles of pedestrian fence and 134
miles of vehicle fence on the southwest border, for a total of approximately
302 miles.
* We are on track to have 670 miles of total pedestrian fence and vehicle
fence by the end of 2008.
* The Border Patrol now has more than 15,000 agents and by the end of
this year we will have more than 18,300 agents. This doubles the size of the
Border Patrol over the FY 2001 level.
* We are committed to using technology along the border in connection
with tactical infrastructure, where Border Patrol deems necessary. Some
technology currently used includes: unattended ground sensors, truck-
mounted mobile surveillance systems, remote video surveillance systems,
unmanned aerial systems, and fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft to detect,
classify, track and respond to illegal border crossings.
* The National Guard continues to support the Border Patrol under
Operation Jump Start. This partnership has been extremely productive as
we work to the build the fence and train Border Patrol agents.
* DHS saw a more than 20 percent reduction in apprehensions of illegal
aliens at the southern border in Fiscal Year 2007. This is an indication that
there are fewer attempts to cross the border illegally.
Interior Enforcement
* In Fiscal Year 2007, U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
arrested 3,563 gang members and their associates. This includes 1,489
criminal arrests.
* Under Operation Community Shield ICE has arrested more than 8,000
members and associates of approximately 700 different gangs. Of those
apprehended, 2,444 have been charged criminally and 5,211 have been
charged with immigration violations and processed for removal.
* Over a three month period last summer ICE arrested more than 1,300
violent street gang members and associates in 23 cities across 19 states.
* ICE has expanded its Criminal Alien Program to identify incarcerated
criminal aliens. In Fiscal Year 2007, ICE identified for removal more than
164,000 criminals who were incarcerated in federal, state and local facilities.
* ICE has increased its fugitive operations teams from 15 in 2005 to 75
today with an additional 29 allocated for Fiscal Year 2008. As a result, the
fugitive alien population has plummeted by more than 35,000. Fugitive
Operations Teams made more than 30,000 arrests in 2007, nearly doubling
Fiscal Year 2006 arrests.
* ICE continues to increase worksite enforcement operations. In Fiscal
Year 2007, ICE made 863 criminal arrests and 4,077 administrative arrests
for a total of 4,940 arrests.
* In Fiscal Year 2007, DHS obtained more than $30 million in criminal
fines, restitutions and civil judgments as a result of worksite enforcement.
E-Verify
* E-Verify is a free and simple to use Web-based system that
electronically verifies the employment eligibility of newly hired employees.
For more information on E-Verify visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
* E-Verify works by allowing participating employers to electronically
compare employee information taken from the Form I-9 (the paper based
employee eligibility verification form used for all new hires) against more
than 425 million records in the Social Security Administration’s (SSA)
database and more than 60 million records in DHS immigration databases.
Results are returned within seconds.
* Currently, more than 54,000 employers in every state are enrolled in E-
Verify and, on average, the program increases by about 1,000 new
employers each week. The system is currently capable of handling up to 25
million inquiries a year.
No-Match Letters
* DHS issued a regulation earlier last year which outlines specific steps an
employer should take if they receive a “no-match” letter from the SSA
informing them they have an employee whose name and Social Security
Number do not match the government records.
* The regulation sets forth clear guidance for businesses to comply with
“no-match” notices and provides a safe harbor for employers who follow the
guidance and perform due diligence so they are not found in violation of
their legal obligations.
* The implementation of this regulation has been delayed to lawsuits filed
by the ACLU and U.S. Chamber of Commerce preventing DHS from issuing
“no-match” letters.
ENMU Seeks Entries for New Film Festival
PORTALES—Eastern New Mexico University is accepting short film entries
through March 21 for the first High Plains Film Festival.
A judging panel of award-winning actors, directors and screenwriters will
award six $500 prizes. Winning entries will be screened May 4 in Portales,
at a location to be announced.
Filmmakers may enter animated, dramatic and documentary/experimental
works that are no longer than 10 minutes. The contest includes a pre-
college division for students through 12th grade and a college-plus division
for all others. Entries must not have won awards previously in a juried
competition.
Judges include actress Joan Leslie, who appeared with Humphrey Bogart in
"High Sierra," with James Cagney in "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and with Gary
Cooper in "Sergeant York."
Another panelist is screenwriter Diana Ossana, who collaborated with Larry
McMurtry on "Brokeback Mountain," which won both an Oscar and a
Golden Globe for Best Screenplay in 2005.
Jack Sholder, an Emmy and Grand Prix award-winning editor and director,
leads the Motion Picture and Television Program at Western Carolina
University.
The film festival celebrates ENMU's Digital Cinema Arts program,
established in 2006, and New Mexico's growing film industry, said Michael
Sitton, dean of ENMU's College of Fine Arts.
For entry forms and additional information, check the festival Web site at
www.enmu.edu/filmfest or call 575.562.2373.
Entries must be received by March 21. Entry fees are $20 in the pre-
college division and $30 for the college-plus division. Submit four DVD
copies of each entry, playable on a standard DVD player, to High Plains
Film Festival, College of Fine Arts, ENMU Station 16, Music Building, Room
113, 1500 S. Avenue K, Portales, NM, 88130.
Van Slyke among military academy nominees
Washington - Representative Stevan Pearce has announced his United
States Military Academy nominations for the Class of 2012 from the Second
Congressional District of New Mexico. Some of these students will receive
appointments to the individual academies and will begin their training in July
of 2008. Those announcements and acceptances have not been noted at
this filing.
Mr. Jeffery Van Slyke of Artesia, the son of Doris and Jeffery Van Slyke
has received nominations to the United States Air Force Academy, United
States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy and United States
Merchant Marine Academy. He attends Artesia High School.
Miss Lauren E. Whaley of Artesia, the daughter of Kimberly and Donald
Whaley has received nominations to the United States Air Force Academy
and United States Naval Academy. She attends the New Mexico Military
Institute.
Mr. Taylor Harris of Roswell, the son of Diane and Steve Harris has
received nominations to the United States Air Force Academy, United
States Naval Academy, United States Merchant Marine Academy and
United States Military Academy. He attends Goddard High School.
Mr. Marcus A. Alvidrez a prior academy student of the Air Force Academy
and living in Albuquerque, son of Renee and Elias Alvidrez has received a
nomination to the United States Air Force Academy.
Mr. Anthony D. Anastasia of Chaparral, the son of Gloria and James
Anastasia has received nominations to the United States Air Force
Academy, United States Naval Academy and United States Military
Academy. He attends Northeast Christian Academy of El Paso, Texas.
Mr. Benjamin Clark of Las Cruces, the son of Cynthia and Curtis Clark has
received nominations to the United States Naval Academy, United States
Military Academy and United States Merchant Marine Academy. He attends
Las Cruces High School.
Mr. Christopher M. Franco of Las Cruces, the son of Holly and Mike Franco
has received nominations to the United States Naval Academy, United
States Military Academy, Unites States Air Force Academy and United
States Merchant Marine Academy. He attends Oñate High School.
Miss Michelle Christine Gonzalez of Los Lunas, the daughter of Wanda
Leyba-Gonzalez and Michael Gonzalez has received a nomination to the
United States Air Force Academy. She attends Bosque Farms Christian
Academy.
Mr. Thomas Dean Hainline of Alamogordo, the son of Mary and Charles
Hainline has received nominations to the United States Air Force Academy
and United States Naval Academy. He attends Alamogordo High School.
Mr. Jonathan A. Maddux, Jr. of White Sands Missile Range, the son of
Elizabeth and Jonathan Maddux has received nominations to the United
States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy, United States
Merchant Marine Academy and United States Air Force Academy. He
attends Oñate High School.
Mr. Patrick Martinez of Mesquite, the son Lisa and Antonio Martinez
currently living in Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec, Canada has received
nominations to the United States Military Academy, United States Air Force
Academy and United States Naval Academy. He attends Lower Canada
College, Quebec.
Miss Ashley Diane Olson of Silver City, the daughter of Jill and Leland
Olson has received a nomination to the United States Air Force Academy.
She attends Silver City High School.
Mr. Zachariah Owens of Eunice, the son of Vicki and Robert Owens has
received a nomination to the United States Military Academy. He attends
Eunice High School.
Mr. Wyatt Ray Shellhorn of Glenwood, the son of Cindy and Wayne
Shellhorn has received nominations to the United States Air Force
Academy and United States Naval Academy. He attends Reserve High
School.
Mr. James G. Tewaheftewa of Isleta, the son of Paulette Johnson and
Philbert Tewaheftewa has received a nomination to the United States Air
Force Academy. He attends Los Lunas High School.
Mr. Jeremiah G. Williams of Alamogordo, the son of Yolanda and Robert
Williams has received nominations to the United States Air Force Academy
and United States Naval Academy. He attends Alamogordo High School.
Congressman Pearce made these selections based on the
recommendations of his two Academy Review Boards, each board being
made up of distinguished educators, active duty and retired military officers,
former military academy graduates, political leaders and district citizens who
have an abiding faith in the academies. The board interviews all applicants
in early November in Las Cruces and recommends those students who
demonstrate excellence in character, academics, leadership, athletics and
extracurricular activities while attending high school, junior college or
college and have submitted an application.
For further information on how to apply for a congressional nomination to a
United States Military Academy, you may download a nomination application
package at http://pearce.house.gov or you send a letter requesting an
application form to Congressman Stevan Pearce, 1717 West 2nd Street,
Suite 100, Roswell, New Mexico 88201.
Expanded GI benefits on the table
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici
Friday cosponsored legislation to expand GI Bill
benefits for veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
Domenici, a member of the Senate Defense
Appropriations Committee, has agreed to
cosponsor a revised Post-9/11 Veterans
Educational Assistance Act, which was altered
to gain broader bipartisan support. The
changes are expected to help move the bill from
the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
“I hope this version of a bill to improve the GI Bill
can now move forward. These changes are
intended to ensure that our most recent
veterans can benefit from the GI Bill while still
addressing concerns about its effect on the
budget and force retention,” Domenici said.
The new legislation, sponsored by Virginia
Senators John Warner and Jim Webb, covers
veterans who have served after Sept. 11, 2001,
and offers them educational benefits equal to
the highest tuition rate of a public college or
university in their state. It also creates a way for
the government to provide a one-to-one match
to contributions from private schools, which tend
to have higher tuition rates. The bill also offers
a housing stipend based on geographic areas.
The benefits offered under this new bill would
be commensurate with the benefits that World
War II veterans received.
The initial version of this bill (S.22) introduced in
January 2007—which offered full tuition, room
and board at any school—incurred opposition
by the Pentagon.
The legislation has been endorsed by the
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Iraq and
Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), The
American Legion, the Military Officers’
Association of America (MOAA), Vietnam
Veterans of America (VVA), the Air Force
Sergeants Association (AFSA), the Enlisted
Association of the National Guard of the United
States (EANGUS), the American Association of
Community Colleges (AACC), and the National
Association of State Universities and Land
Grant Colleges (NASULGC).
In January, Domenici cosponsored another GI
Bill reform that would allow U.S. military
personnel to share their federal GI Bill
education benefits with their family. The GI Bill
Assistance Transferability Act of 2008 (S.2575),
authored by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-
Texas), would allow men and women in uniform
to transfer unused GI Bill educational funds to
their spouses or children. The measure would
strike restrictions in current law that limit the
ability of service members to transfer unused
portions of this benefit.
ArtesiaParc lot reservations coming
Four new “tabs” are available at the ArtesiaParc
web-site, according to developer Tucker
Overstreet.
* Artesia Parc HOA … which will include
quarterly news letters and a “Homeowner’s Blog”
* Community Restrictions …. The CCR’s for
Artesia Parc
* Live Web-Cams… for Residents (Police and
Emergency Personnel) Only
* Homes for Resale… When you “resell” your
home, all Homes that are “On The Market” can
be listed here.
Don’t forget to view the “NEW” Hamilton (single
story) and the “NEW” Walker (2 story) plans.
"We will be taking “Lot Reservations” beginning
the first week in March. A $2,000 lot deposit,
will allow a “Purchaser” to reserve a particular
home … say for 44 Dogwood Court … and give
you a “First Right of Refusal” to, choose a
model home and amenities that meet your
needs and then to enter into a Purchase
Contract with ParcHomes within 3 business
days," explained Overstreet.
"When we receive interest from another “Bona
Fide 2nd Purchaser” of that same lot and you
have not entered into a contract within that
period, ParcHomes will fully refund your
deposit. For more information, please feel free
to call us at 575.736.3600.
Check out ArtesiaParc on our links page or go
directly to www.ArtesiaParc.com.
BLM Shuts Down Helium Enrichment
Plant for Maintenance
AMARILLO - The BLM’s Crude Helium
Enrichment Unit (CHEU) north of Amarillo,
Texas, will shut down for maintenance of critical
process items and replacement of a key
component at the plant from February 29
through March 14, 2008.
During this time the BLM will restrict deliveries of
crude helium gas to private sector refiners to
4.4 million cubic feet of helium per day
(mcf/day). Under normal operating conditions,
the BLM supplies refiners with 6 mcf/day.
Unrefined helium from the adjacent federal
helium reserve – the only underground helium
storage reservoir in the world – supplies about
45 percent of total U.S. helium needs and a
third of worldwide demand.
The temporary shutdown could potentially
exacerbate a helium supply imbalance that
began to affect industry in the fall of 2006 due
to increased worldwide demand for the gas.
However, the BLM has coordinated the plant’s
shutdown with the refiners, who have made
appropriate preparations.
“Doing this maintenance now is optimal in terms
of minimizing impacts of the shutdown,” said
Leslie Theiss, manager of the BLM’s Helium
Operations Office in Amarillo. “Demand for
helium has been somewhat depressed over the
holiday season and is just beginning to ramp
up.”
Throughout the ongoing 18-month period of
tight supply, the BLM has worked with industry
to ensure a consistent supply of helium. The
BLM’s Amarillo plant operated for a total of 350
days in 2007, exceeding industry norms,
supplying the market with 2.1 billion cubic feet
(bcf) of helium.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici
Friday cosponsored legislation to expand GI Bill
benefits for veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
Domenici, a member of the Senate Defense
Appropriations Committee, has agreed to
cosponsor a revised Post-9/11 Veterans
Educational Assistance Act, which was altered
to gain broader bipartisan support. The
changes are expected to help move the bill from
the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
“I hope this version of a bill to improve the GI Bill
can now move forward. These changes are
intended to ensure that our most recent
veterans can benefit from the GI Bill while still
addressing concerns about its effect on the
budget and force retention,” Domenici said.
The new legislation, sponsored by Virginia
Senators John Warner and Jim Webb, covers
veterans who have served after Sept. 11, 2001,
and offers them educational benefits equal to
the highest tuition rate of a public college or
university in their state. It also creates a way for
the government to provide a one-to-one match
to contributions from private schools, which tend
to have higher tuition rates. The bill also offers
a housing stipend based on geographic areas.
The benefits offered under this new bill would
be commensurate with the benefits that World
War II veterans received.
The initial version of this bill (S.22) introduced in
January 2007—which offered full tuition, room
and board at any school—incurred opposition
by the Pentagon.
The legislation has been endorsed by the
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Iraq and
Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), The
American Legion, the Military Officers’
Association of America (MOAA), Vietnam
Veterans of America (VVA), the Air Force
Sergeants Association (AFSA), the Enlisted
Association of the National Guard of the United
States (EANGUS), the American Association of
Community Colleges (AACC), and the National
Association of State Universities and Land
Grant Colleges (NASULGC).
In January, Domenici cosponsored another GI
Bill reform that would allow U.S. military
personnel to share their federal GI Bill
education benefits with their family. The GI Bill
Assistance Transferability Act of 2008 (S.2575),
authored by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-
Texas), would allow men and women in uniform
to transfer unused GI Bill educational funds to
their spouses or children. The measure would
strike restrictions in current law that limit the
ability of service members to transfer unused
portions of this benefit.
ArtesiaParc lot reservations coming
Four new “tabs” are available at the ArtesiaParc
web-site, according to developer Tucker
Overstreet.
* Artesia Parc HOA … which will include
quarterly news letters and a “Homeowner’s Blog”
* Community Restrictions …. The CCR’s for
Artesia Parc
* Live Web-Cams… for Residents (Police and
Emergency Personnel) Only
* Homes for Resale… When you “resell” your
home, all Homes that are “On The Market” can
be listed here.
Don’t forget to view the “NEW” Hamilton (single
story) and the “NEW” Walker (2 story) plans.
"We will be taking “Lot Reservations” beginning
the first week in March. A $2,000 lot deposit,
will allow a “Purchaser” to reserve a particular
home … say for 44 Dogwood Court … and give
you a “First Right of Refusal” to, choose a
model home and amenities that meet your
needs and then to enter into a Purchase
Contract with ParcHomes within 3 business
days," explained Overstreet.
"When we receive interest from another “Bona
Fide 2nd Purchaser” of that same lot and you
have not entered into a contract within that
period, ParcHomes will fully refund your
deposit. For more information, please feel free
to call us at 575.736.3600.
Check out ArtesiaParc on our links page or go
directly to www.ArtesiaParc.com.
BLM Shuts Down Helium Enrichment
Plant for Maintenance
AMARILLO - The BLM’s Crude Helium
Enrichment Unit (CHEU) north of Amarillo,
Texas, will shut down for maintenance of critical
process items and replacement of a key
component at the plant from February 29
through March 14, 2008.
During this time the BLM will restrict deliveries of
crude helium gas to private sector refiners to
4.4 million cubic feet of helium per day
(mcf/day). Under normal operating conditions,
the BLM supplies refiners with 6 mcf/day.
Unrefined helium from the adjacent federal
helium reserve – the only underground helium
storage reservoir in the world – supplies about
45 percent of total U.S. helium needs and a
third of worldwide demand.
The temporary shutdown could potentially
exacerbate a helium supply imbalance that
began to affect industry in the fall of 2006 due
to increased worldwide demand for the gas.
However, the BLM has coordinated the plant’s
shutdown with the refiners, who have made
appropriate preparations.
“Doing this maintenance now is optimal in terms
of minimizing impacts of the shutdown,” said
Leslie Theiss, manager of the BLM’s Helium
Operations Office in Amarillo. “Demand for
helium has been somewhat depressed over the
holiday season and is just beginning to ramp
up.”
Throughout the ongoing 18-month period of
tight supply, the BLM has worked with industry
to ensure a consistent supply of helium. The
BLM’s Amarillo plant operated for a total of 350
days in 2007, exceeding industry norms,
supplying the market with 2.1 billion cubic feet
(bcf) of helium.