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NEWS:
Volume 3, Number 58
April 23, 2008
April 23, 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 Scattered thunderstorms are expected today and tonight with some of these storms possibly becoming severe, principally along and east of a Carlsbad to Alpine line. The Permian Basin and Lower Trans Pecos are under a slight risk of severe storms today, with the northeast Permian Basin and Western Low Rolling Plains having the greatest chance of severe weather. Lower chances of storms tonight will be confined to the east. Large hail and damaging winds will be the primary threats with these storms, with localized flash flooding possible. Dry and windy conditions will create hazardous fire conditions this afternoon for southeastern New Mexico and the Upper Trans Pecos. A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE AREA. Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to between 20 and 25 mph. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. West wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 90. West wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. West wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Friday: Sunny, with a high near 83. North wind between 10 and 15 mph. Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. Monday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 82. |
| 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. |
Council hears from several visitors
ARTESIA - The regularly scheduled Artesia City Council meeting was
conducted Tuesday evening at city hall with several visitors in attendance.
In the portion of the meeting dedicated to visitors who did not request to be
on the agenda, Evolyn Terpening explained to the council that she was
circulating a petition to be delivered to Governor Bill Richardson and the
New Mexico Transportation Department. The petition reads, "We, the
citizens of Artesia and surrounding area, hereby petition New Mexico
Governor Richardson and the New Mexico Department of Transportation to
construct a four-lane highway between Artesia and Lovington. This is
desperately needed due to the heavy oil field traffic. The oil field industry
contributes greatly to the taxes for the State of New Mexico. We feel that
some of these funds should be returned to this area to provide for this
need. The highway should be dedicated to Mary Louise Stuart whose car
was crushed between two oil field trucks on March 26, 2008 taking her life.
Five vehicles were involved in this accident."
Terpening noted that other highway projects in the state had been funded
through bonds that were paid in three years, and she feels the Artesia area
project could also be funded and paid in three years or less. Mayor Phil
Burch assured Mrs. Terpening that, speaking on behalf of the entire
council, a letter of support would be issued to accompany her petition. To
date, Terpening has collected more than 400 signatures.
If you have not yet signed and wish to do so, petitions should be available
at several locations in the Artesia area, including the Artesia Credit Union,
all of the banks, the Artesia Senior Center, Artesia City Hall, the Paddock
Cafe in Riverside, Halliburton, Marbob, Yates and TLC at First Baptist
Church. Anyone with any questions regarding the petition, or anyone
interested in picking up a copy to pass around or post in their place of
business, are invited to contact Terpening at 746-3409.
Visitors scheduled to present to the council included Stephanie Bretz
representing Artesia MainStreet. Bretz requested permission to hold the
Vaquero unveiling on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at Second & Main Streets.
The Vaquero is the second of a three-piece tableau. The Trail Boss is
located at First and Main Streets and The Rustler will be placed in the
roundabout at Second Street and Texas Avenue.
Sally Delgado and Robert Martinez representing the Artesia Hispanic
Heritage Committee requested permission to hold the Cinco de Mayo
Festival in conjunction with the unveiling on May 10th.
Robert Bell with the Eddy County DWI Program requested approval of a
Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Artesia and the county for
the Community DWI Prevention Program.
All three requests were approved. Council also approved a request from
the Lion's Club to accept the donation and planting of a tree at JayCee
Park for Arbor Day.
Richard Hefler of Yates Petroleum was present and spoke on behalf of
Hotel Artesia during the public hearing portion of the meeting. The request
was for approval of a transfer of a liquor license from Taos Lodging
Associates, LP doing busing as The Fechin Inn to Mount Difficulty, LLC dba
Hotel Artesia located at 203 N. 2nd Street. Council approved the transfer,
with Councilor Raye Miller abstaining to avoid any perceived conflict of
interest.
Two employees received recognition before the council: Ronnie Doporto of
the Artesia Fire Department was recognized for 15 years of service and
Laurence Willard of the Wastewater Treatment Plant was recognized for
achieving his Wastewater II certification from the New Mexico Environment
Department. Mayor Burch commended the pair, noting that employees who
achieve longevity and employees who seek to improve themselves in their
positions with the city deserve congratulations.
Human Resources Director Bill Thalman brought six names before council
for approval, three of whom were internal promotions. Mary Esquibel was
promoted to Administrative Assistant in the Infrastructure Department;
Celestino Gonzales was promoted to Streets Department Foreman and
Glenn Hinkle was promoted to Foreman in the Water Department.
Three new hires included Jarrod Zuniga as Certified Police Officer, Alfredo
Garcia as Firefighter Trainee and Donald Thurman as Part-time Airport
Attendant.
Following an executive session, the council voted to suspend an Artesia
Police Department employee without pay. A press release from Thalman
explained, "Effective April 8, 2008 Deputy Chief Wil Hoggard has been
placed on suspension without pay following an internal affairs investigation.
Section 1-6-8 of the City of Artesia Personnel Ordinance addresses the
process for disciplinary action of regular City employees. Since this is a
personnel matter no additional information is available at this time."
GUN NEWS APRIL 16
by KATHY KOLT
BOB ELLIOTT, of SEYMOUR, TEXAS, was riding his HARLEY and decided
to stop in at a bar. That was unusual because BOB doesn't drink. SCOTT,
a local cattle rancher decided to stop into the same bar. SCOTT doesn't
drink either. The two men struck up a conversation, the end result being
that SCOTT let BOB use his ranch for guided hunts; thus forming North
Texas Waterfowl & Wildlife.
This ranch is 3,000 acres within half a million acres; it's been in SCOTT's
family since 1864. It hasn't been hunted since 1865. They have dove,
turkey, duck, pig and white tail deer. The pig have overrun the land so bad
that the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT came in with a helicopter and shot 1,600
of them and then tested them to see if they carried any diseases. That
didn't even make a dent. You can hunt these feral hogs 365 days of the
year. I was on this ranch for 15 minutes bouncing around in a pickup and I
saw turkeys and white tail deer. On the way back to town, I saw a sow with
babies on the side of the road. I'd been warned, don't let cute fool you.
Hogs are nothing this woman wants to mess with. While on the ranch, we
saw a number of hog traps. The hogs are trapped and sent to FORT
WORTH, cured and then the meat is sent to GERMANY; goes good with
dark beer. BOB ELLIOTT is shipping hog urine (in heat) from IOWA to draw
the hogs into the area he wants.
While in SEYMOUR, I was able to interview a couple of camera crews that
were hunting and filming for future T.V. shows and DVD's. Both crews were
there to get footage of turkey hunting with bows.
The first crew drove from PEORIA, ILLINOIS. This crew consisted of CHRIS
BRACKETT, DANNY BORLAND, CHAD McSIMOV, and special guest, JODI
BARNES. They came to do a film on turkeys, but after seeing this ranch,
they will also be doing a show on hog hunts. I saw them after they came in
from their first day of hunting on this ranch and even though CHRIS and
JODI had not arrived till 1 A.M. and they were up and hunting at 4 A.M.,
they were all pumped and excited with the rush of the day's hunt. As a
matter of fact, they were so enthusiastic, I was thinking, "And you get paid
for having this much fun?" CHRIS has done the turkey grand slam
previously in 2 years time. Now he's trying to do it in 45 days with a
MATHEWS BOW and no blind. That means getting an OSCEOLA turkey
from FLORIDA, an EASTERN turkey from the Midwest, a MERRIAMS turkey,
and of course, the RIO GRANDE turkey from TEXAS and NEW MEXICO. He
is using a CARBON EXPRESS MAXIMA HUNTER 350 tipped with a RAGE
BROADHEAD. While watching the T.V. footage for the days hunt, CHRIS
BRACKETT remarked that the wind was the worst he'd ever hunted in.
They got terrific footage and they showed me some of the equipment they
were using. The GUILLOTINE head is four razor blades at the tip. Really not
used for anything past 20 yards and it literally is made for taking the heads
off turkeys. The fellas were most excited about the RAGE BROADHEAD.
They said it was the most devastating, cleanest killing broadhead on the
market. CHRIS has used it on a 7 foot BLACK BEAR, and shot through the
protective plate on a wild boar.
OK, LADIES, NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF! Remember I mentioned JODI
BARNES, special guest on this camera crew? She got a turkey with a bow,
her first ever. What's remarkable is that JODI is this gorgeous, tiny little
thing. If she can do it, why can't we? I can't wait to see the program that
features her. You'll want to look for BRACKETT OUTDOORS and LIVING
LIFE WITH FULL DRAW with CHRIS BRACKETT and also, THE MAN, an
outdoor mans adventure channel.
Well, the next day, in rolls the HERITAGE OUTDOORS camera crew. Again,
I was impressed with the enthusiasm of this crew. They also impressed
upon me the camaraderie among hunters. CHRIS HENRY, founder of
HERITAGE OUTDOORS, told me of the heritage of hunting in their families
and that they believe in using primitive weapons such as the shotgun
muzzle loader and archery. He had on his team, GREG GRIFFITH, senior
Pro Staff, JON MEADOWS, editor, and HEATH MILES. HEATH is a biologist,
getting his degree, and they all agreed he's the smart one in the bunch.
They're sponsored by PEARSON, the oldest bow manufacturer. They all do
a trade out as to who hunts and who films. They're finishing up their SLAM
with primitive weapons on camera. They do footage for 3 different T.V.
shows. DUAL SHOT OUTDOORS and ROGER RAGLAN OUTDOORS. He
has the largest collection of whitetail deer and is known as "MR.
WHITETAIL". Seven states in eight weeks is their goal to do the SLAM. I
saw the muzzleloader they had with them. It was a KNIGHT TK 2000. They
called it a one shot challenge. If you miss, it's the big OOOPS. It comes in
black or camouflage.
Now back to the ranch.
BOB ELLIOTT tells me that SEYMOUR is the best in TEXAS for Dove.
September 1 begins Dove season. Ducks are December and January, and
they're located on the central flyway. They've also got Quail and of course,
Turkeys. As for Whitetail Deer, BOB tells me there's a very good possibility
that a world record typical whitetail can come off this ranch. Bob's seen
over 200 class deer. Typical deer are 150 class. Remember, this land
hasn't been hunted for over 100 years. The game here has never seen a
decoy and never been called. This is the first year of operation. If you want
to see pictures of the game give us a shout @ http://360.yahoo.com/ntxww.
BLM Oil and Gas Lease Sale Nets over $15.7 Million
SANTA FE – A quarterly oil and gas lease sale administered by the Bureau
of Land Management netted $15,662,804 in bids Thursday from the sale of
61 federal leases in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma. The total amount
of revenue from this sale, including administrative fees and first-year
rentals for the leases is $15,728,683.
In New Mexico, bids for 43 parcels brought in $13,277,340; in Oklahoma,
bids for 12 parcels brought in $1,678,724 million; in Texas, bids for 6
parcels brought in $706,740. The oral auction took place on April 16,
2008, at the BLM’s State Office Building in Santa Fe; a total of 38 bidders
registered for today’s auction.
All 61 parcels offered in Thursday’s sale received bids. The highest bid per
acre for a parcel was $4,100 per acre for 332.17 acres in Major and Woods
Counties, Oklahoma, by Doug Schutz of Santa Fe ($1,365,300 total). The
highest overall total per parcel was $3,432,000 for 1,560 acres in Eddy
County, New Mexico, by Upland Corporation of Midland, Texas.
Leases are awarded for a period of 10 years and as long thereafter as
there is production in paying quantities. The government receives 12.5
percent royalties on production from those leases. Fifty-two percent of the
revenues from federal lease sales are returned to the U.S. government and
48 percent go to the state where the mineral lease occurs.
New Mexico will receive about $6.6 million from today’s sale. In Fiscal Year
2007, the State received over $500 million from federal oil and gas leasing,
rents and royalties.
The Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 and the 1987 Federal Onshore Oil and
Gas Leasing Reform Act authorize leasing of federal oil and gas
resources. The 1987 law requires each BLM state office to conduct oil and
gas lease sales on at least a quarterly basis. BLM lease sales are
competitive and conducted by oral bidding.
The Bureau of Land Management, an agency of the U.S. Department of the
Interior, manages more land – over 258 million surface acres – than any
other federal agency. Most of this land is in 12 Western states, including
Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of federal subsurface
mineral estate throughout the nation.
The BLM’s next federal oil and gas lease sale is scheduled for Wednesday,
July 16, 2008.
South Korea reopens market to U.S. beef
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici Thursday said an agreement
to reopen South Korean markets to all U.S. beef and beef products will
benefit New Mexico’s cattle producers as it broadens the market for their
beef.
The U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab today announced a protocol
agreement between the United State and South Korea to reopen the
Korean market to American beef imports. These markets were blocked to
American cattle in 2003 after a Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE,
the so-called “mad cow disease”) case was reported in Washington state.
“This decision, in my view, is long overdue. The reopening of the Korean
market should benefit New Mexico cattle production as the market of
American beef is expanded,” said Domenici, who since 2003 has argued for
resumption of U.S. beef exports to Korea.
The export of American beef products will be done under the guidelines of
international standards and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE )
guidelines. The benefits of this protocol would increase with the ratification
of a pending United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by
eliminating a 40 percent tariff on U.S. beef.
Domenici last week met with representatives from the New Mexico Cattle
Growers Association to discuss a variety of issues of interest to their
industry, including the escalating costs of doing business in the global
marketplace.
In 2006, Domenici was part of a bipartisan Senate effort that argued that
the Korean embargo was unnecessary in light of overwhelming scientific
evidence supporting the safety of American beef, 16 years of quality
controls and an agreement to restore trade between the United States and
South Korea.
With this protocol, Korea joins the Philippines, Indonesia, Canada, Peru,
Colombia, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman,
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other nations that have
implemented OIE-consistent import requirements for U.S. beef and beef
products with regard to BSE.
Fact sheet on Korea Beef Protocol visit.
ARTESIA - The regularly scheduled Artesia City Council meeting was
conducted Tuesday evening at city hall with several visitors in attendance.
In the portion of the meeting dedicated to visitors who did not request to be
on the agenda, Evolyn Terpening explained to the council that she was
circulating a petition to be delivered to Governor Bill Richardson and the
New Mexico Transportation Department. The petition reads, "We, the
citizens of Artesia and surrounding area, hereby petition New Mexico
Governor Richardson and the New Mexico Department of Transportation to
construct a four-lane highway between Artesia and Lovington. This is
desperately needed due to the heavy oil field traffic. The oil field industry
contributes greatly to the taxes for the State of New Mexico. We feel that
some of these funds should be returned to this area to provide for this
need. The highway should be dedicated to Mary Louise Stuart whose car
was crushed between two oil field trucks on March 26, 2008 taking her life.
Five vehicles were involved in this accident."
Terpening noted that other highway projects in the state had been funded
through bonds that were paid in three years, and she feels the Artesia area
project could also be funded and paid in three years or less. Mayor Phil
Burch assured Mrs. Terpening that, speaking on behalf of the entire
council, a letter of support would be issued to accompany her petition. To
date, Terpening has collected more than 400 signatures.
If you have not yet signed and wish to do so, petitions should be available
at several locations in the Artesia area, including the Artesia Credit Union,
all of the banks, the Artesia Senior Center, Artesia City Hall, the Paddock
Cafe in Riverside, Halliburton, Marbob, Yates and TLC at First Baptist
Church. Anyone with any questions regarding the petition, or anyone
interested in picking up a copy to pass around or post in their place of
business, are invited to contact Terpening at 746-3409.
Visitors scheduled to present to the council included Stephanie Bretz
representing Artesia MainStreet. Bretz requested permission to hold the
Vaquero unveiling on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at Second & Main Streets.
The Vaquero is the second of a three-piece tableau. The Trail Boss is
located at First and Main Streets and The Rustler will be placed in the
roundabout at Second Street and Texas Avenue.
Sally Delgado and Robert Martinez representing the Artesia Hispanic
Heritage Committee requested permission to hold the Cinco de Mayo
Festival in conjunction with the unveiling on May 10th.
Robert Bell with the Eddy County DWI Program requested approval of a
Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Artesia and the county for
the Community DWI Prevention Program.
All three requests were approved. Council also approved a request from
the Lion's Club to accept the donation and planting of a tree at JayCee
Park for Arbor Day.
Richard Hefler of Yates Petroleum was present and spoke on behalf of
Hotel Artesia during the public hearing portion of the meeting. The request
was for approval of a transfer of a liquor license from Taos Lodging
Associates, LP doing busing as The Fechin Inn to Mount Difficulty, LLC dba
Hotel Artesia located at 203 N. 2nd Street. Council approved the transfer,
with Councilor Raye Miller abstaining to avoid any perceived conflict of
interest.
Two employees received recognition before the council: Ronnie Doporto of
the Artesia Fire Department was recognized for 15 years of service and
Laurence Willard of the Wastewater Treatment Plant was recognized for
achieving his Wastewater II certification from the New Mexico Environment
Department. Mayor Burch commended the pair, noting that employees who
achieve longevity and employees who seek to improve themselves in their
positions with the city deserve congratulations.
Human Resources Director Bill Thalman brought six names before council
for approval, three of whom were internal promotions. Mary Esquibel was
promoted to Administrative Assistant in the Infrastructure Department;
Celestino Gonzales was promoted to Streets Department Foreman and
Glenn Hinkle was promoted to Foreman in the Water Department.
Three new hires included Jarrod Zuniga as Certified Police Officer, Alfredo
Garcia as Firefighter Trainee and Donald Thurman as Part-time Airport
Attendant.
Following an executive session, the council voted to suspend an Artesia
Police Department employee without pay. A press release from Thalman
explained, "Effective April 8, 2008 Deputy Chief Wil Hoggard has been
placed on suspension without pay following an internal affairs investigation.
Section 1-6-8 of the City of Artesia Personnel Ordinance addresses the
process for disciplinary action of regular City employees. Since this is a
personnel matter no additional information is available at this time."
GUN NEWS APRIL 16
by KATHY KOLT
BOB ELLIOTT, of SEYMOUR, TEXAS, was riding his HARLEY and decided
to stop in at a bar. That was unusual because BOB doesn't drink. SCOTT,
a local cattle rancher decided to stop into the same bar. SCOTT doesn't
drink either. The two men struck up a conversation, the end result being
that SCOTT let BOB use his ranch for guided hunts; thus forming North
Texas Waterfowl & Wildlife.
This ranch is 3,000 acres within half a million acres; it's been in SCOTT's
family since 1864. It hasn't been hunted since 1865. They have dove,
turkey, duck, pig and white tail deer. The pig have overrun the land so bad
that the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT came in with a helicopter and shot 1,600
of them and then tested them to see if they carried any diseases. That
didn't even make a dent. You can hunt these feral hogs 365 days of the
year. I was on this ranch for 15 minutes bouncing around in a pickup and I
saw turkeys and white tail deer. On the way back to town, I saw a sow with
babies on the side of the road. I'd been warned, don't let cute fool you.
Hogs are nothing this woman wants to mess with. While on the ranch, we
saw a number of hog traps. The hogs are trapped and sent to FORT
WORTH, cured and then the meat is sent to GERMANY; goes good with
dark beer. BOB ELLIOTT is shipping hog urine (in heat) from IOWA to draw
the hogs into the area he wants.
While in SEYMOUR, I was able to interview a couple of camera crews that
were hunting and filming for future T.V. shows and DVD's. Both crews were
there to get footage of turkey hunting with bows.
The first crew drove from PEORIA, ILLINOIS. This crew consisted of CHRIS
BRACKETT, DANNY BORLAND, CHAD McSIMOV, and special guest, JODI
BARNES. They came to do a film on turkeys, but after seeing this ranch,
they will also be doing a show on hog hunts. I saw them after they came in
from their first day of hunting on this ranch and even though CHRIS and
JODI had not arrived till 1 A.M. and they were up and hunting at 4 A.M.,
they were all pumped and excited with the rush of the day's hunt. As a
matter of fact, they were so enthusiastic, I was thinking, "And you get paid
for having this much fun?" CHRIS has done the turkey grand slam
previously in 2 years time. Now he's trying to do it in 45 days with a
MATHEWS BOW and no blind. That means getting an OSCEOLA turkey
from FLORIDA, an EASTERN turkey from the Midwest, a MERRIAMS turkey,
and of course, the RIO GRANDE turkey from TEXAS and NEW MEXICO. He
is using a CARBON EXPRESS MAXIMA HUNTER 350 tipped with a RAGE
BROADHEAD. While watching the T.V. footage for the days hunt, CHRIS
BRACKETT remarked that the wind was the worst he'd ever hunted in.
They got terrific footage and they showed me some of the equipment they
were using. The GUILLOTINE head is four razor blades at the tip. Really not
used for anything past 20 yards and it literally is made for taking the heads
off turkeys. The fellas were most excited about the RAGE BROADHEAD.
They said it was the most devastating, cleanest killing broadhead on the
market. CHRIS has used it on a 7 foot BLACK BEAR, and shot through the
protective plate on a wild boar.
OK, LADIES, NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF! Remember I mentioned JODI
BARNES, special guest on this camera crew? She got a turkey with a bow,
her first ever. What's remarkable is that JODI is this gorgeous, tiny little
thing. If she can do it, why can't we? I can't wait to see the program that
features her. You'll want to look for BRACKETT OUTDOORS and LIVING
LIFE WITH FULL DRAW with CHRIS BRACKETT and also, THE MAN, an
outdoor mans adventure channel.
Well, the next day, in rolls the HERITAGE OUTDOORS camera crew. Again,
I was impressed with the enthusiasm of this crew. They also impressed
upon me the camaraderie among hunters. CHRIS HENRY, founder of
HERITAGE OUTDOORS, told me of the heritage of hunting in their families
and that they believe in using primitive weapons such as the shotgun
muzzle loader and archery. He had on his team, GREG GRIFFITH, senior
Pro Staff, JON MEADOWS, editor, and HEATH MILES. HEATH is a biologist,
getting his degree, and they all agreed he's the smart one in the bunch.
They're sponsored by PEARSON, the oldest bow manufacturer. They all do
a trade out as to who hunts and who films. They're finishing up their SLAM
with primitive weapons on camera. They do footage for 3 different T.V.
shows. DUAL SHOT OUTDOORS and ROGER RAGLAN OUTDOORS. He
has the largest collection of whitetail deer and is known as "MR.
WHITETAIL". Seven states in eight weeks is their goal to do the SLAM. I
saw the muzzleloader they had with them. It was a KNIGHT TK 2000. They
called it a one shot challenge. If you miss, it's the big OOOPS. It comes in
black or camouflage.
Now back to the ranch.
BOB ELLIOTT tells me that SEYMOUR is the best in TEXAS for Dove.
September 1 begins Dove season. Ducks are December and January, and
they're located on the central flyway. They've also got Quail and of course,
Turkeys. As for Whitetail Deer, BOB tells me there's a very good possibility
that a world record typical whitetail can come off this ranch. Bob's seen
over 200 class deer. Typical deer are 150 class. Remember, this land
hasn't been hunted for over 100 years. The game here has never seen a
decoy and never been called. This is the first year of operation. If you want
to see pictures of the game give us a shout @ http://360.yahoo.com/ntxww.
BLM Oil and Gas Lease Sale Nets over $15.7 Million
SANTA FE – A quarterly oil and gas lease sale administered by the Bureau
of Land Management netted $15,662,804 in bids Thursday from the sale of
61 federal leases in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma. The total amount
of revenue from this sale, including administrative fees and first-year
rentals for the leases is $15,728,683.
In New Mexico, bids for 43 parcels brought in $13,277,340; in Oklahoma,
bids for 12 parcels brought in $1,678,724 million; in Texas, bids for 6
parcels brought in $706,740. The oral auction took place on April 16,
2008, at the BLM’s State Office Building in Santa Fe; a total of 38 bidders
registered for today’s auction.
All 61 parcels offered in Thursday’s sale received bids. The highest bid per
acre for a parcel was $4,100 per acre for 332.17 acres in Major and Woods
Counties, Oklahoma, by Doug Schutz of Santa Fe ($1,365,300 total). The
highest overall total per parcel was $3,432,000 for 1,560 acres in Eddy
County, New Mexico, by Upland Corporation of Midland, Texas.
Leases are awarded for a period of 10 years and as long thereafter as
there is production in paying quantities. The government receives 12.5
percent royalties on production from those leases. Fifty-two percent of the
revenues from federal lease sales are returned to the U.S. government and
48 percent go to the state where the mineral lease occurs.
New Mexico will receive about $6.6 million from today’s sale. In Fiscal Year
2007, the State received over $500 million from federal oil and gas leasing,
rents and royalties.
The Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 and the 1987 Federal Onshore Oil and
Gas Leasing Reform Act authorize leasing of federal oil and gas
resources. The 1987 law requires each BLM state office to conduct oil and
gas lease sales on at least a quarterly basis. BLM lease sales are
competitive and conducted by oral bidding.
The Bureau of Land Management, an agency of the U.S. Department of the
Interior, manages more land – over 258 million surface acres – than any
other federal agency. Most of this land is in 12 Western states, including
Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of federal subsurface
mineral estate throughout the nation.
The BLM’s next federal oil and gas lease sale is scheduled for Wednesday,
July 16, 2008.
South Korea reopens market to U.S. beef
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici Thursday said an agreement
to reopen South Korean markets to all U.S. beef and beef products will
benefit New Mexico’s cattle producers as it broadens the market for their
beef.
The U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab today announced a protocol
agreement between the United State and South Korea to reopen the
Korean market to American beef imports. These markets were blocked to
American cattle in 2003 after a Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE,
the so-called “mad cow disease”) case was reported in Washington state.
“This decision, in my view, is long overdue. The reopening of the Korean
market should benefit New Mexico cattle production as the market of
American beef is expanded,” said Domenici, who since 2003 has argued for
resumption of U.S. beef exports to Korea.
The export of American beef products will be done under the guidelines of
international standards and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE )
guidelines. The benefits of this protocol would increase with the ratification
of a pending United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by
eliminating a 40 percent tariff on U.S. beef.
Domenici last week met with representatives from the New Mexico Cattle
Growers Association to discuss a variety of issues of interest to their
industry, including the escalating costs of doing business in the global
marketplace.
In 2006, Domenici was part of a bipartisan Senate effort that argued that
the Korean embargo was unnecessary in light of overwhelming scientific
evidence supporting the safety of American beef, 16 years of quality
controls and an agreement to restore trade between the United States and
South Korea.
With this protocol, Korea joins the Philippines, Indonesia, Canada, Peru,
Colombia, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman,
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other nations that have
implemented OIE-consistent import requirements for U.S. beef and beef
products with regard to BSE.
Fact sheet on Korea Beef Protocol visit.
National Day of Prayer proclaimed
A Proclamation by the President of the United
States of America
"America trusts in the abiding power of prayer
and asks for the wisdom to discern God's will in
times of joy and of trial. As we observe this
National Day of Prayer, we recognize our
dependence on the Almighty, we thank Him for
the many blessings He has bestowed upon us,
and we put our country's future in His hands.
"From our Nation's humble beginnings, prayer
has guided our leaders and played a vital role in
the life and history of the United States.
Americans of many different faiths share the
profound conviction that God listens to the voice
of His children and pours His grace upon those
who seek Him in prayer. By surrendering our
lives to our loving Father, we learn to serve His
eternal purposes, and we are strengthened,
refreshed, and ready for all that may come.
"On this National Day of Prayer, we ask God's
continued blessings on our country. This year's
theme, "Prayer! America's Strength and Shield,"
is taken from Psalm 28:7, "The Lord is my
strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him,
and I am helped." On this day, we pray for the
safety of our brave men and women in uniform,
for their families, and for the comfort and
recovery of those who have been wounded.
"The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as
amended, has called on our Nation to reaffirm
the role of prayer in our society by recognizing
each year a "National Day of Prayer."
"NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH,
President of the United States of America, do
hereby proclaim May 1, 2008, as a National Day
of Prayer. I ask the citizens of our Nation to give
thanks, each according to his or her own faith,
for the freedoms and blessings we have
received and for God's continued guidance,
comfort, and protection. I invite all Americans to
join in observing this day with appropriate
programs, ceremonies, and activities.
"IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set
my hand this twenty-first day of April, in the year
of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the
Independence of the United States of America
the two hundred and thirty-second."
GEORGE W. BUSH
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.
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.
Motorplex project planned
WASHINGTON – This week Congressman
Pearce was pleased to see the finalized
negotiations on the transfer of New Mexico state
land in Sierra County to be used for the
development of a new Hot Springs Land
Development LLC. Pearce worked with the
Bureau of Land Management to make the
property available for what could turn into a
huge source of new revenue for the state.
“I want to congratulate State Land
Commissioner Pat Lyons for successfully
negotiating the land exchange agreement that
allows the Hot Springs Motorplex to begin
construction. Thanks to the excitement created
by the Spaceport, the Hot Springs Land
Development is a great example of the new
projects possible in Sierra Country to benefit the
qualify of life for all its citizens,” said Pearce.
“It was my pleasure to work with Pat to facilitate
an initial land exchange in 2007 between the
federal government and New Mexico that
created our state’s ability to meet the property
requirement necessary for the development. I
look forward to the ground breaking later this
year.”
With a potential value of over $100 M the Hot
Springs Land Development is a great example
of the smart growth potential in Sierra County.
“Bringing this Development to New Mexico will
boost our State economy tremendously. This
opens the doors for new industries to bring their
operations to our State, creating many new jobs
and increasing revenues,” he said.
A Proclamation by the President of the United
States of America
"America trusts in the abiding power of prayer
and asks for the wisdom to discern God's will in
times of joy and of trial. As we observe this
National Day of Prayer, we recognize our
dependence on the Almighty, we thank Him for
the many blessings He has bestowed upon us,
and we put our country's future in His hands.
"From our Nation's humble beginnings, prayer
has guided our leaders and played a vital role in
the life and history of the United States.
Americans of many different faiths share the
profound conviction that God listens to the voice
of His children and pours His grace upon those
who seek Him in prayer. By surrendering our
lives to our loving Father, we learn to serve His
eternal purposes, and we are strengthened,
refreshed, and ready for all that may come.
"On this National Day of Prayer, we ask God's
continued blessings on our country. This year's
theme, "Prayer! America's Strength and Shield,"
is taken from Psalm 28:7, "The Lord is my
strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him,
and I am helped." On this day, we pray for the
safety of our brave men and women in uniform,
for their families, and for the comfort and
recovery of those who have been wounded.
"The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as
amended, has called on our Nation to reaffirm
the role of prayer in our society by recognizing
each year a "National Day of Prayer."
"NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH,
President of the United States of America, do
hereby proclaim May 1, 2008, as a National Day
of Prayer. I ask the citizens of our Nation to give
thanks, each according to his or her own faith,
for the freedoms and blessings we have
received and for God's continued guidance,
comfort, and protection. I invite all Americans to
join in observing this day with appropriate
programs, ceremonies, and activities.
"IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set
my hand this twenty-first day of April, in the year
of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the
Independence of the United States of America
the two hundred and thirty-second."
GEORGE W. BUSH
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.
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.
Motorplex project planned
WASHINGTON – This week Congressman
Pearce was pleased to see the finalized
negotiations on the transfer of New Mexico state
land in Sierra County to be used for the
development of a new Hot Springs Land
Development LLC. Pearce worked with the
Bureau of Land Management to make the
property available for what could turn into a
huge source of new revenue for the state.
“I want to congratulate State Land
Commissioner Pat Lyons for successfully
negotiating the land exchange agreement that
allows the Hot Springs Motorplex to begin
construction. Thanks to the excitement created
by the Spaceport, the Hot Springs Land
Development is a great example of the new
projects possible in Sierra Country to benefit the
qualify of life for all its citizens,” said Pearce.
“It was my pleasure to work with Pat to facilitate
an initial land exchange in 2007 between the
federal government and New Mexico that
created our state’s ability to meet the property
requirement necessary for the development. I
look forward to the ground breaking later this
year.”
With a potential value of over $100 M the Hot
Springs Land Development is a great example
of the smart growth potential in Sierra County.
“Bringing this Development to New Mexico will
boost our State economy tremendously. This
opens the doors for new industries to bring their
operations to our State, creating many new jobs
and increasing revenues,” he said.