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NEWS:
Volume 3, Number 55
April 18, 2008
April 18, 2008
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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 A FIRE WEATHER WATCH is in effect for Saturday for the Guadalupe Mountains and southeastern New Mexico for very windy and dry conditions along with HIGH FIRE DANGER. Moisture levels are expected to continue to decrease and relative humidity values will drop to around five percent. Increasing winds and very dry conditions will combine to produce CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER conditions during the afternoon and evening hours. Today: Sunny, with a high near 78. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. South wind between 5 and 15 mph. Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to between 15 and 20 mph. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. South wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Windy, with a west wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to between 25 and 30 mph. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Sunday Night: Mostly clear and windy, with a low around 51. Monday: Sunny, with a high near 91. Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 88. |
| 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. |
Health Department screening for tuberculosis
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health is screening
approximately 250 individuals in Albuquerque and Clovis to rule out the
spread of tuberculosis (TB) from a health-care worker who was recently
diagnosed with the disease. The Department of Health and other agencies
have already tested 73 individuals who have been in close contact with the
worker. There is no evidence of disease transmission to date.
As the investigation progresses, the Department may identify additional
people who should be screened. The Department is providing treatment for
the health-care worker. Federal and state patient privacy laws prohibit the
Department from releasing the patient’s name or identifying information.
“We know who was potentially exposed to TB in this case, and we will be in
touch with you if we think you need to be tested,” said Dr. Marcos Burgos,
the department’s medical director of the tuberculosis program. “We are
contacting individuals who may have been exposed so we can treat them if
they are infected.”
Tuberculosis is a disease caused by germs that can be spread from one
person to another through the air when a person with TB coughs, sneezes,
speaks or sings. TB disease is most likely to be spread from a diseased
person to others when they spend frequent time together, such as family
members, friends and co-workers. Transmission of TB disease to another
person depends on three factors: close contact in confined spaces,
duration of contact and frequency of contact.
TB germs can live in the body without making someone sick. This is called
latent TB infection. People with latent TB infection cannot spread TB to
others and can be treated to prevent development of TB disease. If
someone has TB disease, germs are actively growing and can make people
sick.
Symptoms of TB include a strong cough that lasts several weeks, coughing
up bloody sputum, chest pain, weakness or fatigue, weight loss, appetite
loss, chills, fever and night sweats.
The Department will use skin and blood tests to screen for TB infection and
disease. In some cases, the Department will use chest x-rays to further
evaluate individuals exposed. Tuberculosis is preventable and curable. TB
disease can be treated by taking medication for six to 12 months.
There were 51 cases of tuberculosis in New Mexico in 2007 and 48 in 2006.
There have been 15 cases diagnosed so far this year.
Rabies on the rise
WASHINGTON – Wednesday, Congressman Steve Pearce brought
attention to the unusually high number of rabies outbreaks in New Mexico.
An ongoing Fox Rabies outbreak in Sierra, Catron and Grant counties has
resulted in three human bite cases, more than 20 confirmed animal cases
and dozens of more suspected cases. Congressman Pearce gave the
following recommendations on how to keep families and livestock safe from
this growing threat:
“If you see a wild animal acting abnormally during the day, or find one dead
or sick, take immediate action and call your local New Mexico Department of
Fish and Game or Wildlife Services.” Pearce said, “It is imperative that our
state and federal agencies take action to eliminate this problem before it
becomes even more of an issue. Animals infected by rabies do not fear
humans and pose a great threat to families unfamiliar with these symptoms.”
An important component to fighting rabies outbreaks is public education.
The New Mexico Department of Fish and Game additionally recommends:
• Stay away from wild or unfamiliar animals. Do not attempt to feed,
approach, or touch wild animals (alive or dead). Teach this important
message to your children. Rabid animals may show no fear of people and
may seem friendly or become aggressive.
• Pets should be up-to-date on rabies vaccinations and wearing current
license tags on their collar.
• Horses and other valuable livestock should be considered for rabies
vaccination to protect them from wild rabid animals that may attack
them.
• If you or a loved one are bitten by an animal, or come into contact
with an animal’s saliva, wash the exposed site immediately with soap and
water. Be sure to report the bite to local animal control and seek medical
care as soon as possible.
• Keep pets on a leash at all times.
• If your cat or dog has been bitten or scratched, call your pet’s
veterinarian, even if the wound appears to be superficial.
If you see a sick or dead wild animal, or a wild animal acting abnormally,
report it to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish at (575) 532-
2100 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, or anytime at (505) 827-9376. For
more information about rabies call the Department of Health at (505) 827-
0006 or visit the Department of Health website at http://www.health.state.nm.
us/epi/rabies.html.
Preparing for papal visit
Photo courtesy of Domenici's office
WASHINGTON – In a prelude to events marking Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to
the United States, U.S. Senator Pete Domenici Tuesday met with two
representatives from Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Las Cruces, who
are in Washington to be part of the Pope’s first pastoral visit here.
Las Cruces Catholic Charities director Tom Chagolla (center) and Deacon
Brian Guerrini of the Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Artesia met with
Domenici to discuss the needs of the poor throughout southern New
Mexico, and federal legislation and programs that could aid them. These
included programs that affect food banks, affordable housing and
immigration.
Like Domenici, Chagolla and Guerrini, along with Bishop Ricardo Ramirez,
will attend a White House welcoming ceremony for the Pope Wednesday,
as well as Thursday’s Mass to be celebrated by the Pope.
“I think it is wonderful that there are New Mexicans who can be in
Washington to be part of celebrating Pope Benedict’s visit. I can also
appreciate that Catholic Charities is using the visit to bring attention to the
universal call to do what we can for the poor among us,” Domenici said.
Domenici today also cosponsored a bipartisan Senate resolution formally
welcoming Pope Benedict to the United States. The resolution notes that
the Pope has “spoken approvingly of the vibrancy of the religious faith in
the United States” and as being “a clear and courageous voice for the
voiceless, working tirelessly for the recognition of human dignity and
religious freedom across the globe.”
ZIA Energy Act could bring energy options
WASHINGTON – Tuesday, Congressman Steve Pearce introduced
legislation to push America forward toward a new solar energy future for
America. The “Zeroing In America Energy Act”, or ZIA Energy Act,
authorizes the Secretary of Interior to begin leasing designated public lands
to develop solar energy.
“At a time when we are struggling to meet our energy needs, we need a
commitment to develop our own domestic energy resources,” said Pearce.
“We need a multi-pronged approach to investing in our domestic energy
sources such as solar, oil & gas, hydropower and wind. We have at our
fingertips the solution to our energy crises, we only need the courage to
reach out and grab those solutions and produce the energy we need.”
The bill would designate 6.4 million acres of public land throughout the
western United States to be available for solar leasing and could generate
up to 1000 gigawatts – enough to power 750,000,000 homes.
“The Southwestern United States has been called the Saudi Arabia of solar
energy,” continued Pearce. “We have the resources, we have the
knowledge, now all we need is the will to develop that resource and create
the energy.
“The ZIA Energy Act can deliver that promise.”
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health is screening
approximately 250 individuals in Albuquerque and Clovis to rule out the
spread of tuberculosis (TB) from a health-care worker who was recently
diagnosed with the disease. The Department of Health and other agencies
have already tested 73 individuals who have been in close contact with the
worker. There is no evidence of disease transmission to date.
As the investigation progresses, the Department may identify additional
people who should be screened. The Department is providing treatment for
the health-care worker. Federal and state patient privacy laws prohibit the
Department from releasing the patient’s name or identifying information.
“We know who was potentially exposed to TB in this case, and we will be in
touch with you if we think you need to be tested,” said Dr. Marcos Burgos,
the department’s medical director of the tuberculosis program. “We are
contacting individuals who may have been exposed so we can treat them if
they are infected.”
Tuberculosis is a disease caused by germs that can be spread from one
person to another through the air when a person with TB coughs, sneezes,
speaks or sings. TB disease is most likely to be spread from a diseased
person to others when they spend frequent time together, such as family
members, friends and co-workers. Transmission of TB disease to another
person depends on three factors: close contact in confined spaces,
duration of contact and frequency of contact.
TB germs can live in the body without making someone sick. This is called
latent TB infection. People with latent TB infection cannot spread TB to
others and can be treated to prevent development of TB disease. If
someone has TB disease, germs are actively growing and can make people
sick.
Symptoms of TB include a strong cough that lasts several weeks, coughing
up bloody sputum, chest pain, weakness or fatigue, weight loss, appetite
loss, chills, fever and night sweats.
The Department will use skin and blood tests to screen for TB infection and
disease. In some cases, the Department will use chest x-rays to further
evaluate individuals exposed. Tuberculosis is preventable and curable. TB
disease can be treated by taking medication for six to 12 months.
There were 51 cases of tuberculosis in New Mexico in 2007 and 48 in 2006.
There have been 15 cases diagnosed so far this year.
Rabies on the rise
WASHINGTON – Wednesday, Congressman Steve Pearce brought
attention to the unusually high number of rabies outbreaks in New Mexico.
An ongoing Fox Rabies outbreak in Sierra, Catron and Grant counties has
resulted in three human bite cases, more than 20 confirmed animal cases
and dozens of more suspected cases. Congressman Pearce gave the
following recommendations on how to keep families and livestock safe from
this growing threat:
“If you see a wild animal acting abnormally during the day, or find one dead
or sick, take immediate action and call your local New Mexico Department of
Fish and Game or Wildlife Services.” Pearce said, “It is imperative that our
state and federal agencies take action to eliminate this problem before it
becomes even more of an issue. Animals infected by rabies do not fear
humans and pose a great threat to families unfamiliar with these symptoms.”
An important component to fighting rabies outbreaks is public education.
The New Mexico Department of Fish and Game additionally recommends:
• Stay away from wild or unfamiliar animals. Do not attempt to feed,
approach, or touch wild animals (alive or dead). Teach this important
message to your children. Rabid animals may show no fear of people and
may seem friendly or become aggressive.
• Pets should be up-to-date on rabies vaccinations and wearing current
license tags on their collar.
• Horses and other valuable livestock should be considered for rabies
vaccination to protect them from wild rabid animals that may attack
them.
• If you or a loved one are bitten by an animal, or come into contact
with an animal’s saliva, wash the exposed site immediately with soap and
water. Be sure to report the bite to local animal control and seek medical
care as soon as possible.
• Keep pets on a leash at all times.
• If your cat or dog has been bitten or scratched, call your pet’s
veterinarian, even if the wound appears to be superficial.
If you see a sick or dead wild animal, or a wild animal acting abnormally,
report it to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish at (575) 532-
2100 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, or anytime at (505) 827-9376. For
more information about rabies call the Department of Health at (505) 827-
0006 or visit the Department of Health website at http://www.health.state.nm.
us/epi/rabies.html.
Preparing for papal visit
Photo courtesy of Domenici's office
WASHINGTON – In a prelude to events marking Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to
the United States, U.S. Senator Pete Domenici Tuesday met with two
representatives from Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Las Cruces, who
are in Washington to be part of the Pope’s first pastoral visit here.
Las Cruces Catholic Charities director Tom Chagolla (center) and Deacon
Brian Guerrini of the Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Artesia met with
Domenici to discuss the needs of the poor throughout southern New
Mexico, and federal legislation and programs that could aid them. These
included programs that affect food banks, affordable housing and
immigration.
Like Domenici, Chagolla and Guerrini, along with Bishop Ricardo Ramirez,
will attend a White House welcoming ceremony for the Pope Wednesday,
as well as Thursday’s Mass to be celebrated by the Pope.
“I think it is wonderful that there are New Mexicans who can be in
Washington to be part of celebrating Pope Benedict’s visit. I can also
appreciate that Catholic Charities is using the visit to bring attention to the
universal call to do what we can for the poor among us,” Domenici said.
Domenici today also cosponsored a bipartisan Senate resolution formally
welcoming Pope Benedict to the United States. The resolution notes that
the Pope has “spoken approvingly of the vibrancy of the religious faith in
the United States” and as being “a clear and courageous voice for the
voiceless, working tirelessly for the recognition of human dignity and
religious freedom across the globe.”
ZIA Energy Act could bring energy options
WASHINGTON – Tuesday, Congressman Steve Pearce introduced
legislation to push America forward toward a new solar energy future for
America. The “Zeroing In America Energy Act”, or ZIA Energy Act,
authorizes the Secretary of Interior to begin leasing designated public lands
to develop solar energy.
“At a time when we are struggling to meet our energy needs, we need a
commitment to develop our own domestic energy resources,” said Pearce.
“We need a multi-pronged approach to investing in our domestic energy
sources such as solar, oil & gas, hydropower and wind. We have at our
fingertips the solution to our energy crises, we only need the courage to
reach out and grab those solutions and produce the energy we need.”
The bill would designate 6.4 million acres of public land throughout the
western United States to be available for solar leasing and could generate
up to 1000 gigawatts – enough to power 750,000,000 homes.
“The Southwestern United States has been called the Saudi Arabia of solar
energy,” continued Pearce. “We have the resources, we have the
knowledge, now all we need is the will to develop that resource and create
the energy.
“The ZIA Energy Act can deliver that promise.”
Fund established for local hero
ARTESIA - The Artesia Fire Department
estimates that Capt. Sammy Martinez has
responded to over 10,000 emergencies in his
career. Now, he is battling cancer and the AFD
is requesting your help. Please go to our
community events section to read the letter from
Fire Chief J. D. Hummingbird and get
information on how you can help a local hero
who has devoted his life to helping others.
Mathematics Awareness Month at NMSU
LAS CRUCES - April is Mathematics Awareness
Month and the department of Mathematical
Sciences at New Mexico State University is
recognizing the occasion with three events.
The theme for this year is Mathematics and
Voting and speakers will use mathematics and
statistics to attempt to answer the question,
“What makes your vote matter?”
The department is hosting a panel discussion
on the topic at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, in
Science Hall Room 107. Nancy Baker, associate
professor of Government, will be moderator.
The panel will include representatives from the
departments of Mathematical Sciences,
Psychology, Communication Studies, and
Government.
The panel will discuss how procedures for
counting votes can influence the outcome and
how polling and predictions in the media
influence voter psychology and results.
Lane. A. Hamaspaandra, professor of computer
science at the University of Rochester, will be
guest speaker at lectures at 4 p.m. Wednesday,
April 16, and 1:10 p.m. Thursday, April 17, in
Science Hall Room 107.
In the first lecture, Hamaspaandra will discuss
how computational complexity, already used to
protect commercial Internet transactions, can be
used as a shield to prevent bribery and control
of elections. He will show that an election system
developed by the 13th century Catalan mystic
Ramon Llull and the closely related Copeland
election system are both resistant to all
standard types of electoral control.
In the second lecture, Hamaspaandra will
discuss a voting system created in 1876 by
mathematician Charles Dodgson, who wrote
“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” under the
name Lewis Carroll. Hamaspaandra said the
system has long fascinated political scientists
and the algorithm used in the system never
incorrectly declares a non-winner to be the
winner.
Mathematics Awareness Month is held each
year in April. Its goal is to increase public
understanding of and appreciation for
mathematics.
All events are free and open to the public. They
are sponsored by the departments of
Mathematical Sciences, Computer Science,
Psychology, Government, Communication
Studies and History and the office of the dean of
the College of Arts and Sciences. For more
information call (575) 646-2030.
Permian Basin Regional Fire Training
Center events
CARLSBAD - The Permian Basin Fire Training
Center will host a week of events, including a
ribbon-cutting at the Bobby & Terry Smith
Educational Center and a memorial dedication.
For more information, click here.
City open house
ARTESIA - The City of Artesia Open House on
Monday - "Come Share Our Excitement" - was
an exciting event as citizens, public officials and
city employees got a deeper understanding of
the project and how it will benefit all residents of
Artesia and northern Eddy County.
The project is designed to bring fire &
emergency medical services, law enforcement
agencies from the city, county and state, and
municipal court under one roof. One major goal
in doing this is to improve communication
between cooperating departments, whether in
person, via electronic transmission or hard copy
reports. The expected efficiency this will bring
will help all of the departments to do a better job.
On hand to share information Chief Don Raley
from the Artesia Police Department, Chief J. D.
Hummingbird of the Artesia Fire Department,
Municipal Judge Kaye Kiper, Sgt. Javier
Moncada representing the New Mexico State
Police and Lt. Jeff Zuniga from Eddy County
Sheriff's Office.
Architects from ASA Architect Studio presented
drawings and a model of the building to show
how the agencies would be housed and share
common areas.
As the city grows, the need for two fire stations
becomes more and more evident. The new
complex will allow for a main fire station, and the
city will continue to operate a main fire station at
the current location.
Several door prizes were awarded from
generous donors, including the Heritage Inn, the
Artesia Chamber of Commerce, Wal-Mart,
Artesia Fire Eqipment, The Cop Shop, Stylish
Stitches, the Artesia Daily Press and the
Carlsbad Current-Argus.
The staff of the Artesia Senior Center was
extremely gracious in opening their doors for
the gathering, and pitched in to help set up and
serve hot dogs & sodas. KSVP Radio was on
hand for a remote broadcast to share the
information with thousands.
ARTESIA - The Artesia Fire Department
estimates that Capt. Sammy Martinez has
responded to over 10,000 emergencies in his
career. Now, he is battling cancer and the AFD
is requesting your help. Please go to our
community events section to read the letter from
Fire Chief J. D. Hummingbird and get
information on how you can help a local hero
who has devoted his life to helping others.
Mathematics Awareness Month at NMSU
LAS CRUCES - April is Mathematics Awareness
Month and the department of Mathematical
Sciences at New Mexico State University is
recognizing the occasion with three events.
The theme for this year is Mathematics and
Voting and speakers will use mathematics and
statistics to attempt to answer the question,
“What makes your vote matter?”
The department is hosting a panel discussion
on the topic at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, in
Science Hall Room 107. Nancy Baker, associate
professor of Government, will be moderator.
The panel will include representatives from the
departments of Mathematical Sciences,
Psychology, Communication Studies, and
Government.
The panel will discuss how procedures for
counting votes can influence the outcome and
how polling and predictions in the media
influence voter psychology and results.
Lane. A. Hamaspaandra, professor of computer
science at the University of Rochester, will be
guest speaker at lectures at 4 p.m. Wednesday,
April 16, and 1:10 p.m. Thursday, April 17, in
Science Hall Room 107.
In the first lecture, Hamaspaandra will discuss
how computational complexity, already used to
protect commercial Internet transactions, can be
used as a shield to prevent bribery and control
of elections. He will show that an election system
developed by the 13th century Catalan mystic
Ramon Llull and the closely related Copeland
election system are both resistant to all
standard types of electoral control.
In the second lecture, Hamaspaandra will
discuss a voting system created in 1876 by
mathematician Charles Dodgson, who wrote
“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” under the
name Lewis Carroll. Hamaspaandra said the
system has long fascinated political scientists
and the algorithm used in the system never
incorrectly declares a non-winner to be the
winner.
Mathematics Awareness Month is held each
year in April. Its goal is to increase public
understanding of and appreciation for
mathematics.
All events are free and open to the public. They
are sponsored by the departments of
Mathematical Sciences, Computer Science,
Psychology, Government, Communication
Studies and History and the office of the dean of
the College of Arts and Sciences. For more
information call (575) 646-2030.
Permian Basin Regional Fire Training
Center events
CARLSBAD - The Permian Basin Fire Training
Center will host a week of events, including a
ribbon-cutting at the Bobby & Terry Smith
Educational Center and a memorial dedication.
For more information, click here.
City open house
ARTESIA - The City of Artesia Open House on
Monday - "Come Share Our Excitement" - was
an exciting event as citizens, public officials and
city employees got a deeper understanding of
the project and how it will benefit all residents of
Artesia and northern Eddy County.
The project is designed to bring fire &
emergency medical services, law enforcement
agencies from the city, county and state, and
municipal court under one roof. One major goal
in doing this is to improve communication
between cooperating departments, whether in
person, via electronic transmission or hard copy
reports. The expected efficiency this will bring
will help all of the departments to do a better job.
On hand to share information Chief Don Raley
from the Artesia Police Department, Chief J. D.
Hummingbird of the Artesia Fire Department,
Municipal Judge Kaye Kiper, Sgt. Javier
Moncada representing the New Mexico State
Police and Lt. Jeff Zuniga from Eddy County
Sheriff's Office.
Architects from ASA Architect Studio presented
drawings and a model of the building to show
how the agencies would be housed and share
common areas.
As the city grows, the need for two fire stations
becomes more and more evident. The new
complex will allow for a main fire station, and the
city will continue to operate a main fire station at
the current location.
Several door prizes were awarded from
generous donors, including the Heritage Inn, the
Artesia Chamber of Commerce, Wal-Mart,
Artesia Fire Eqipment, The Cop Shop, Stylish
Stitches, the Artesia Daily Press and the
Carlsbad Current-Argus.
The staff of the Artesia Senior Center was
extremely gracious in opening their doors for
the gathering, and pitched in to help set up and
serve hot dogs & sodas. KSVP Radio was on
hand for a remote broadcast to share the
information with thousands.
