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NEWS:
Volume 3, Number 87
June 5, 2008
June 5, 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 Another very dangerous fire weather day is expected across southeast New Mexico and West Texas as hot temperatures and very low relative humidity values persist with windy conditions today. A RED FLAG WARNING is in effect today for all areas except Terrell County. West winds of 30 to 50 mph with gusts to 70 can be expected in the Guadalupe Mountains today. Southwest winds of 25 to 35 mph gusting to 50 are expected across the southeast New Mexico Plains, Van Horn area, Upper Trans Pecos Region, Davis Mountains and much of the Permian Basin. Isolated thunderstorms will be possible tonight across the extreme eastern Permian Basin east of a Lamesa to Midland line. Storms that form will be capable of becoming strong, producing hail and strong winds. Today: Sunny, with a high near 99. Windy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph increasing to between 30 and 35 mph. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. West wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to between 5 and 10 mph. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Friday: Sunny, with a high near 98. North wind between 5 and 15 mph. Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. South wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 97. South wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. Sunday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. Monday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 99. Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 94. |
| 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. |
APD investigates dual drive-by shootings
ARTESIA - The Artesia Police Department responded to two incidents of
shots fired in the late evening and early morning hours of June 3rd and 4th,
2008 which they believe are related.
The first came from the 800 block of South 3rd where it was reported a
vehicle drove by a house in the area, yelled something out the window and
fired shots at a house, a vehicle and in the air then left the scene. This call
came at 10:39 pm on June 3rd.
The second report came from the 2000 block of West Mann on June 4th at
2:44 am. It was reported that approximately 8 shots were fired in that area
with some of them hitting a residence with people inside.
No injuries were reported from either incident, however evidence was
collected from several sources according to an APD press release.
It is believed these cases are connected to local gangs in the area. A
motive is not listed for the first incident and the second shooting on Mann is
believed to be a retaliation for the first.
The crime having to do with shooting at an occupied dwelling is a 4th
degree felony punishable by 18 months in prison and/or $5000 in fines.
Other crimes may have been committed during these incidents and they
are still under investigation. The Artesia Police Department Patrol Division,
Criminal Investigations Division, Street Crimes Unit and NM Adult Probation
Officers are working closely together to stop this violence and hold people
accountable for crimes.
Anyone with information on these incidents should call the Artesia Police
Department at 746-5000 or they can call Crime Stoppers and remain
anonymous at 748-2323.
Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build scheduled for weekend
ARTESIA - Habitat for Humanity will be doing their 4th Blitz Build on June 7
and June 8th at 1009 S. 9th. (It’s easy to get there! from Hermosa, go
north on 9th).
Habitat friends, family, and volunteers can help with projects to get 500
hours total for any Habitat recipient and can use your help. Even if you are
available for only for an hour, your time is valuable to this project. Lunch
will be provided for volunteers that are working those days.
Please come out and help out with the build this weekend!
And the winner is...
With several races separated by wafer-thin margins, the unofficial vote tally
is available at the Secretary of State's website.
One race that affects southeast New Mexico pitted GOP incumbent Terry
Haake against GOP challenger Janetta Hicks for District Attorney.
According to the totals reported on the SOS site for Eddy, Lea and Chaves
counties, Hicks defeated Haake by a mere 80 votes. The final canvass will
determine whether or not the win stands, in which case Hicks will become
the DA in November, as the Democratic party did not have a candidate
running for this position.
Ernie Mendoza handily captured a wide margin in the Sheriff's race,
defeating challengers M. A. Click and Robert Bird. All three lawmen are
Democrats. No Republican challenger will oppose Mendoza in the general
election.
Statewide, Congressman Steve Pearce holds 2940 votes over
Congressman Heather Wilson for the Republican nomination in the race for
the Senate. Pearce will face Congressman Tom Udall in November to fill
the vacancy in Senator Pete Domenici's office following his retirement.
That race left three slots wide open for the House of Representatives, with
21 candidates on the ballot. District 2 will have GOP Edward Tinsley facing
off against Dem Harry Teague.
Officials will take their respective offices in January 2009.
One bad fire
Submitted photos by Jimi Genzling
ARTESIA - Heated winds pushed plumes of smoke across the horizon
Monday afternoon from a wildfire burning south of Artesia. Dubbed the
Kincaid Fire, flames consumed mostly salt cedar, according to Dan Ware,
public relations coordinator for the State Forestry Division.
Smoke was visible from Artesia and Carlsbad. Jimi Genzling kept an eye on
the event from his home in Lakewood throughout the afternoon and
captured the above photo.
Volunteers from area county volunteer fire departments, including Atoka,
Cottonwood, Loco Hills, Riverside and Sun Country, responded to battle
flames and hot spots. BLM air tankers were called in to aid the ground
efforts, one of which is spotted in Genzling's photo below
Triple-digit temperature and variable winds complicated the firefight. News
reports indicate between 3000 and 3500 acres along the Pecos River were
involved.
2008 Summer Reading Program at Artesia Public Library
ARTESIA - The Artesia Public Library is ready for the 2008 Summer
Reading Program. It begins on Tuesday, June 3, 2008, continues for nine
weeks, and ends on Saturday, August 2, 2008.
The program for children ages 0-11 is Catch the Reading Bug; for teens 12
and up it is Metamorphosis at Your Library.
Many wonderful groups are presenting programs this summer to both
entertain and educate our children. The purpose of the Summer Reading
Program is not only to have kids learn while having fun, but also to show
them that reading is a lifelong adventure, and full of excitement in its own
right. Children are encouraged to read a minimum number of hours,
geared to age categories. Upon fulfillment of the reading commitment,
youths will receive a book, certificate, and award incentives. Artesia
schools will honor and recognize youths that participate in the 2008
Summer Reading Program when classes resume in the Fall.
There will be surprises, prizes and fun galore! Registration forms,
calendars, guidelines and gamesheets are available at the library. Children
in first grade and above are encouraged to apply for a free library card if
they do not already have one.
There will be a magic show by Jamie O’Hara; the NM Humanities Council
has sponsored presentations by Don Criss on Johnny Appleseed, and the
Storytelling Theatre by Johanna Hongell-Darsee. The Mobile Dairy
Classroom by Southwest Dairy Farmers, and Zoo to You from Albuquerque ’
s Rio Grande BioPark will be back with us. Kathryn Jones, Living Desert
Ranger, will present “Ooky Spooky Arthropods”, and NMSU Extension
service officer Jane Pierce will talk “All about Bugs.” Officer Beasley and
Kasey will return to read and share with the children. Andy Mason (singer
and musician) will again share his musical talents with kids of all ages.
Sid Hausman, author, storyteller and singer, will present Cactus Critter
Bash, his book on Southwest desert inhabitants, set to song. He will be
joining us for the first time and I know the children will love his presentation.
The Girl Scouts have offered to provide a weekly two-hour workshop for
girls, Ages 5-12, during both June and July. It is scheduled for 2-4pm on
Monday afternoons. They do require a separate registration, so when the
girls register for the Summer Reading Program, they can complete the
separate registration for the Summer Exploration @ your library at the
same time.
Other community groups will also share talents. Grammy’s House (Puppets
are Lifesavers) will be here a week in July and their puppets will share
important messages with the children. Debbie Bell of the Chamber of
Commerce will present two story and craft programs for preschoolers. Linda
Stevens of Artesia Clean and Beautiful will conduct a week of special craft
sessions for different ages. The Artesia Historical Museum and Art Center
will share the Brain Teasers exhibit with children 8 and above. There will be
a number of craft and story time programs for children in the library
throughout the summer. Community volunteer readers will help with story
times. PVT employees will be the guest readers at the PVT Storytime on
Fridays at 1:30 pm. We are currently filling the reader slots, so please
contact Geri Dosalua @ 575-746-4252 if you are interested in reading to
children. We are also looking for someone who would be willing to present
a workshop on knot-tying with the children.
Teens will have some special programs of their own, beginning with a Teen
Book Talk Session in early June. Grammy’s House will be presenting their
puppet program on “Friends don’t let friends use Drugs” for youths ages 10
and up. They will also present a Mask Imagery workshop for teens. Kathy
Kolt from the Artesia Drug and Crime Coalition will present several
programs for different ages during the summer.
The majority of programs will be at the Artesia Public Library, with several
exceptions due to size of audience. Jamie O’Hara’s magic show and
Johanna Hongell-Darsee’s Storytelling Theater will be at the Artesia Center,
and the Zoo to You program will be at the TLC Center at First Baptist
Church.
The Lapsit program will resume in the summer. Babies and toddlers, will
have specific programs geared to their level. The lapsit group for Newborn
to PreToddlers is scheduled for Friday mornings at 11:00 a.m Toddlers will
have their own session at 11:30 am.
Many craft programs will be held throughout the summer, designated by
age groups. Some programs require preregistration, and that is indicated
on the calendar.
Vendors and businesses from Artesia have been very generous in
supporting the reading program. We urge you to support their businesses
as well, so that they can help us serve the youth of Artesia. Many Artesia
citizens have also contributed to the Sponsor-a-Child Program which helps
fund the Summer Reading Program. We are grateful for all this assistance.
We look forward to great participation in a summer of fun and reading.
Questions can be addressed to Geri Dosalua, Youth Services Librarian.
Artesia Public Library, (575) 746-4252. Registration forms and information
packets are now available at the library so please come by and register
your children.
Go to What's Happening to get the SRP Calendar.
ARTESIA - The Artesia Police Department responded to two incidents of
shots fired in the late evening and early morning hours of June 3rd and 4th,
2008 which they believe are related.
The first came from the 800 block of South 3rd where it was reported a
vehicle drove by a house in the area, yelled something out the window and
fired shots at a house, a vehicle and in the air then left the scene. This call
came at 10:39 pm on June 3rd.
The second report came from the 2000 block of West Mann on June 4th at
2:44 am. It was reported that approximately 8 shots were fired in that area
with some of them hitting a residence with people inside.
No injuries were reported from either incident, however evidence was
collected from several sources according to an APD press release.
It is believed these cases are connected to local gangs in the area. A
motive is not listed for the first incident and the second shooting on Mann is
believed to be a retaliation for the first.
The crime having to do with shooting at an occupied dwelling is a 4th
degree felony punishable by 18 months in prison and/or $5000 in fines.
Other crimes may have been committed during these incidents and they
are still under investigation. The Artesia Police Department Patrol Division,
Criminal Investigations Division, Street Crimes Unit and NM Adult Probation
Officers are working closely together to stop this violence and hold people
accountable for crimes.
Anyone with information on these incidents should call the Artesia Police
Department at 746-5000 or they can call Crime Stoppers and remain
anonymous at 748-2323.
Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build scheduled for weekend
ARTESIA - Habitat for Humanity will be doing their 4th Blitz Build on June 7
and June 8th at 1009 S. 9th. (It’s easy to get there! from Hermosa, go
north on 9th).
Habitat friends, family, and volunteers can help with projects to get 500
hours total for any Habitat recipient and can use your help. Even if you are
available for only for an hour, your time is valuable to this project. Lunch
will be provided for volunteers that are working those days.
Please come out and help out with the build this weekend!
And the winner is...
With several races separated by wafer-thin margins, the unofficial vote tally
is available at the Secretary of State's website.
One race that affects southeast New Mexico pitted GOP incumbent Terry
Haake against GOP challenger Janetta Hicks for District Attorney.
According to the totals reported on the SOS site for Eddy, Lea and Chaves
counties, Hicks defeated Haake by a mere 80 votes. The final canvass will
determine whether or not the win stands, in which case Hicks will become
the DA in November, as the Democratic party did not have a candidate
running for this position.
Ernie Mendoza handily captured a wide margin in the Sheriff's race,
defeating challengers M. A. Click and Robert Bird. All three lawmen are
Democrats. No Republican challenger will oppose Mendoza in the general
election.
Statewide, Congressman Steve Pearce holds 2940 votes over
Congressman Heather Wilson for the Republican nomination in the race for
the Senate. Pearce will face Congressman Tom Udall in November to fill
the vacancy in Senator Pete Domenici's office following his retirement.
That race left three slots wide open for the House of Representatives, with
21 candidates on the ballot. District 2 will have GOP Edward Tinsley facing
off against Dem Harry Teague.
Officials will take their respective offices in January 2009.
One bad fire
Submitted photos by Jimi Genzling
ARTESIA - Heated winds pushed plumes of smoke across the horizon
Monday afternoon from a wildfire burning south of Artesia. Dubbed the
Kincaid Fire, flames consumed mostly salt cedar, according to Dan Ware,
public relations coordinator for the State Forestry Division.
Smoke was visible from Artesia and Carlsbad. Jimi Genzling kept an eye on
the event from his home in Lakewood throughout the afternoon and
captured the above photo.
Volunteers from area county volunteer fire departments, including Atoka,
Cottonwood, Loco Hills, Riverside and Sun Country, responded to battle
flames and hot spots. BLM air tankers were called in to aid the ground
efforts, one of which is spotted in Genzling's photo below
Triple-digit temperature and variable winds complicated the firefight. News
reports indicate between 3000 and 3500 acres along the Pecos River were
involved.
2008 Summer Reading Program at Artesia Public Library
ARTESIA - The Artesia Public Library is ready for the 2008 Summer
Reading Program. It begins on Tuesday, June 3, 2008, continues for nine
weeks, and ends on Saturday, August 2, 2008.
The program for children ages 0-11 is Catch the Reading Bug; for teens 12
and up it is Metamorphosis at Your Library.
Many wonderful groups are presenting programs this summer to both
entertain and educate our children. The purpose of the Summer Reading
Program is not only to have kids learn while having fun, but also to show
them that reading is a lifelong adventure, and full of excitement in its own
right. Children are encouraged to read a minimum number of hours,
geared to age categories. Upon fulfillment of the reading commitment,
youths will receive a book, certificate, and award incentives. Artesia
schools will honor and recognize youths that participate in the 2008
Summer Reading Program when classes resume in the Fall.
There will be surprises, prizes and fun galore! Registration forms,
calendars, guidelines and gamesheets are available at the library. Children
in first grade and above are encouraged to apply for a free library card if
they do not already have one.
There will be a magic show by Jamie O’Hara; the NM Humanities Council
has sponsored presentations by Don Criss on Johnny Appleseed, and the
Storytelling Theatre by Johanna Hongell-Darsee. The Mobile Dairy
Classroom by Southwest Dairy Farmers, and Zoo to You from Albuquerque ’
s Rio Grande BioPark will be back with us. Kathryn Jones, Living Desert
Ranger, will present “Ooky Spooky Arthropods”, and NMSU Extension
service officer Jane Pierce will talk “All about Bugs.” Officer Beasley and
Kasey will return to read and share with the children. Andy Mason (singer
and musician) will again share his musical talents with kids of all ages.
Sid Hausman, author, storyteller and singer, will present Cactus Critter
Bash, his book on Southwest desert inhabitants, set to song. He will be
joining us for the first time and I know the children will love his presentation.
The Girl Scouts have offered to provide a weekly two-hour workshop for
girls, Ages 5-12, during both June and July. It is scheduled for 2-4pm on
Monday afternoons. They do require a separate registration, so when the
girls register for the Summer Reading Program, they can complete the
separate registration for the Summer Exploration @ your library at the
same time.
Other community groups will also share talents. Grammy’s House (Puppets
are Lifesavers) will be here a week in July and their puppets will share
important messages with the children. Debbie Bell of the Chamber of
Commerce will present two story and craft programs for preschoolers. Linda
Stevens of Artesia Clean and Beautiful will conduct a week of special craft
sessions for different ages. The Artesia Historical Museum and Art Center
will share the Brain Teasers exhibit with children 8 and above. There will be
a number of craft and story time programs for children in the library
throughout the summer. Community volunteer readers will help with story
times. PVT employees will be the guest readers at the PVT Storytime on
Fridays at 1:30 pm. We are currently filling the reader slots, so please
contact Geri Dosalua @ 575-746-4252 if you are interested in reading to
children. We are also looking for someone who would be willing to present
a workshop on knot-tying with the children.
Teens will have some special programs of their own, beginning with a Teen
Book Talk Session in early June. Grammy’s House will be presenting their
puppet program on “Friends don’t let friends use Drugs” for youths ages 10
and up. They will also present a Mask Imagery workshop for teens. Kathy
Kolt from the Artesia Drug and Crime Coalition will present several
programs for different ages during the summer.
The majority of programs will be at the Artesia Public Library, with several
exceptions due to size of audience. Jamie O’Hara’s magic show and
Johanna Hongell-Darsee’s Storytelling Theater will be at the Artesia Center,
and the Zoo to You program will be at the TLC Center at First Baptist
Church.
The Lapsit program will resume in the summer. Babies and toddlers, will
have specific programs geared to their level. The lapsit group for Newborn
to PreToddlers is scheduled for Friday mornings at 11:00 a.m Toddlers will
have their own session at 11:30 am.
Many craft programs will be held throughout the summer, designated by
age groups. Some programs require preregistration, and that is indicated
on the calendar.
Vendors and businesses from Artesia have been very generous in
supporting the reading program. We urge you to support their businesses
as well, so that they can help us serve the youth of Artesia. Many Artesia
citizens have also contributed to the Sponsor-a-Child Program which helps
fund the Summer Reading Program. We are grateful for all this assistance.
We look forward to great participation in a summer of fun and reading.
Questions can be addressed to Geri Dosalua, Youth Services Librarian.
Artesia Public Library, (575) 746-4252. Registration forms and information
packets are now available at the library so please come by and register
your children.
Go to What's Happening to get the SRP Calendar.
Holly dividends announced
DALLAS – Holly Corporation (NYSE “HOC”)
Monday announced the declaration of a regular
quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.15
per share payable on July 2, 2008, to holders of
record on June 17, 2008.
Holly Corporation, headquartered in Dallas,
Texas, is an independent petroleum refiner and
marketer that produces high value light
products such as gasoline, diesel fuel and jet
fuel. Holly operates through its subsidiaries an
85,000 barrels per day (“bpd”) refinery located
in Artesia, New Mexico, and a 26,000 bpd
refinery in Woods Cross, Utah. Holly also owns
a 46% interest (including the general partner
interest) in Holly Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE
“HEP”), which through subsidiaries owns or
leases approximately 2,500 miles of petroleum
product pipelines in Texas, New Mexico and
Oklahoma and petroleum product terminals in
several Southwest and Rocky Mountain states.
Pool owners to pay for pool drainage
ARTESIA - Summer is coming and it promises to
be hot! One way to battle the heat is with a cool
dip in your pool. There are a couple of things of
which pool, spa and hot tub owners should be
aware: According to the Uniform Swimming
Pool, Spa & Hot Tub Code (USPSHTC), it is
unlawful to discharge the water from these onto
city streets or alley ways. As the more stringent
code, USPSHTC supersedes Municipal Code.
The Artesia Municipal Code specifies that,
“draining of swimming pools into the alleys within
the city can create soil conditions in which the
city's solid waste collection trucks and service
trucks of other utilities will create severe rutting,
making said alleys impassable.” City code
prohibits “the draining of swimming pools into
alleys of the city…. It shall be unlawful for any
person to drain any swimming pool into any
alley within the city.”
There has already been an incident where a city
sanitation truck got stuck in the mud that was
created when water from a pool was discharged
into the alley. The city ordinance states that the
property owner can and will be billed for the
actual cost of repair of the alleys or streets
damaged, as determined by the Infrastructure
Director. These costs will be reported to the
City Clerk and assessed on the next statement
for water, sewer & solid waste.
Building Inspector Danny Jones recommends
that pool owners needing to discharge water
from the pool do so by directing the outflow into
the sewer via the clean-out with a temporary
connection only.
If you have any questions or concerns, or to
alert the city of any unlawful draining, contact
Jones at 575.748-8298 or Code Enforcement
Officer Cheryl Hinkle at 575.748-8291.
You can't afford to drink and drive
SANTA FE – Governor Bill Richardson
announced the kick off of the second annual
100 Days and Nights of Summer anti-DWI
campaign. The highly successful program kicks
off on Saturday, May 31, 2008. 100 Days and
Nights of Summer is an intensive summer-long
effort to make New Mexicans safer by taking
drunk and reckless drivers off the road.
“100 Days and Nights of Summer was a huge
success last year,” said Governor Richardson.
“Last Summer State Police conducted more
than 100 checkpoints across the state and I
have directed State Police to conduct even
more this year.”
The start of this summer’s enforcement will be a
large sobriety checkpoint on the evening of
Saturday, May 31st. New Mexico State Police
and other law enforcement agencies will be
checking for drunk drivers on I-25 at the
Algodones exit.
Holidays and summer months have historically
been the deadliest on New Mexico roadways.
Preliminary DWI numbers year to date show a
decrease of 47% over last year as well as a
decrease in alcohol related fatalities this past
Memorial Day Weekend. This is the fourth year
in a row showing a significant reduction in
alcohol related fatalities.
There was a decrease in alcohol related
fatalities last summer due at least in part to the
increased number of checkpoints and increased
public awareness about anti-drunk driving
enforcement.
More filming in NM starts in June
SANTA FE—Governor Bill Richardson Friday
announced the television series, Crash, based
on the Academy Award-winning motion picture,
will be shot in New Mexico.
Crash will be produced by Lionsgate and Starz
Entertainment. The production will begin
shooting in June and will wrap up in October.
They expect to hire approximately 145 New
Mexico crew members, as well as local actors
and background talent.
Governor Bill Richardson also announced that
the Lifetime Original Movie “Sex & Lies in Sin
City,” produced by The Konigsberg Company
and Sony Pictures Television, will be shot
primarily in New Mexico.
Mena Suvari (“American Beauty”) and Matthew
Modine (“Weeds”) are set to star in the film,
based on the true story of the death of wealthy
Las Vegas casino heir Ted Binion and the
ensuing trial of his lover and her con artist
boyfriend. The movie is based on the book
Murder in Sin City by Jeff German. Frank
Konigsberg (Lifetime’s “Caught in the Act,” “The
Last Don”) serves as executive producer on the
film, which will be directed by Peter Medak
(“Romeo is Bleeding,” “Carnivàle”) from a script
written by Teena Booth (Lifetime’s “A Little
Thing Called Murder”).
The production will be shot from June 2 - 28 in
Santa Fe and expects to hire approximately 80
New Mexico crew members and over 650 actors
and background talent.
Since Richardson took office, over 95 major
feature film and television projects have shot in
the state, adding over $1.6 billion dollars to New
Mexico’s economy.
DALLAS – Holly Corporation (NYSE “HOC”)
Monday announced the declaration of a regular
quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.15
per share payable on July 2, 2008, to holders of
record on June 17, 2008.
Holly Corporation, headquartered in Dallas,
Texas, is an independent petroleum refiner and
marketer that produces high value light
products such as gasoline, diesel fuel and jet
fuel. Holly operates through its subsidiaries an
85,000 barrels per day (“bpd”) refinery located
in Artesia, New Mexico, and a 26,000 bpd
refinery in Woods Cross, Utah. Holly also owns
a 46% interest (including the general partner
interest) in Holly Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE
“HEP”), which through subsidiaries owns or
leases approximately 2,500 miles of petroleum
product pipelines in Texas, New Mexico and
Oklahoma and petroleum product terminals in
several Southwest and Rocky Mountain states.
Pool owners to pay for pool drainage
ARTESIA - Summer is coming and it promises to
be hot! One way to battle the heat is with a cool
dip in your pool. There are a couple of things of
which pool, spa and hot tub owners should be
aware: According to the Uniform Swimming
Pool, Spa & Hot Tub Code (USPSHTC), it is
unlawful to discharge the water from these onto
city streets or alley ways. As the more stringent
code, USPSHTC supersedes Municipal Code.
The Artesia Municipal Code specifies that,
“draining of swimming pools into the alleys within
the city can create soil conditions in which the
city's solid waste collection trucks and service
trucks of other utilities will create severe rutting,
making said alleys impassable.” City code
prohibits “the draining of swimming pools into
alleys of the city…. It shall be unlawful for any
person to drain any swimming pool into any
alley within the city.”
There has already been an incident where a city
sanitation truck got stuck in the mud that was
created when water from a pool was discharged
into the alley. The city ordinance states that the
property owner can and will be billed for the
actual cost of repair of the alleys or streets
damaged, as determined by the Infrastructure
Director. These costs will be reported to the
City Clerk and assessed on the next statement
for water, sewer & solid waste.
Building Inspector Danny Jones recommends
that pool owners needing to discharge water
from the pool do so by directing the outflow into
the sewer via the clean-out with a temporary
connection only.
If you have any questions or concerns, or to
alert the city of any unlawful draining, contact
Jones at 575.748-8298 or Code Enforcement
Officer Cheryl Hinkle at 575.748-8291.
You can't afford to drink and drive
SANTA FE – Governor Bill Richardson
announced the kick off of the second annual
100 Days and Nights of Summer anti-DWI
campaign. The highly successful program kicks
off on Saturday, May 31, 2008. 100 Days and
Nights of Summer is an intensive summer-long
effort to make New Mexicans safer by taking
drunk and reckless drivers off the road.
“100 Days and Nights of Summer was a huge
success last year,” said Governor Richardson.
“Last Summer State Police conducted more
than 100 checkpoints across the state and I
have directed State Police to conduct even
more this year.”
The start of this summer’s enforcement will be a
large sobriety checkpoint on the evening of
Saturday, May 31st. New Mexico State Police
and other law enforcement agencies will be
checking for drunk drivers on I-25 at the
Algodones exit.
Holidays and summer months have historically
been the deadliest on New Mexico roadways.
Preliminary DWI numbers year to date show a
decrease of 47% over last year as well as a
decrease in alcohol related fatalities this past
Memorial Day Weekend. This is the fourth year
in a row showing a significant reduction in
alcohol related fatalities.
There was a decrease in alcohol related
fatalities last summer due at least in part to the
increased number of checkpoints and increased
public awareness about anti-drunk driving
enforcement.
More filming in NM starts in June
SANTA FE—Governor Bill Richardson Friday
announced the television series, Crash, based
on the Academy Award-winning motion picture,
will be shot in New Mexico.
Crash will be produced by Lionsgate and Starz
Entertainment. The production will begin
shooting in June and will wrap up in October.
They expect to hire approximately 145 New
Mexico crew members, as well as local actors
and background talent.
Governor Bill Richardson also announced that
the Lifetime Original Movie “Sex & Lies in Sin
City,” produced by The Konigsberg Company
and Sony Pictures Television, will be shot
primarily in New Mexico.
Mena Suvari (“American Beauty”) and Matthew
Modine (“Weeds”) are set to star in the film,
based on the true story of the death of wealthy
Las Vegas casino heir Ted Binion and the
ensuing trial of his lover and her con artist
boyfriend. The movie is based on the book
Murder in Sin City by Jeff German. Frank
Konigsberg (Lifetime’s “Caught in the Act,” “The
Last Don”) serves as executive producer on the
film, which will be directed by Peter Medak
(“Romeo is Bleeding,” “Carnivàle”) from a script
written by Teena Booth (Lifetime’s “A Little
Thing Called Murder”).
The production will be shot from June 2 - 28 in
Santa Fe and expects to hire approximately 80
New Mexico crew members and over 650 actors
and background talent.
Since Richardson took office, over 95 major
feature film and television projects have shot in
the state, adding over $1.6 billion dollars to New
Mexico’s economy.
