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NEWS:
Volume 3, Number 90
June 10, 2008
June 10, 2008
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& suggestions are welcome.
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Artesia360.com
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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 Isolated thunderstorms, capable of producing dry lightning, are possible across the Guadalupe Mountains today. Hot, dry and windy conditions coupled with HIGH FIRE DANGER will likely produce RED FLAG CONDITIONS across southeastern New Mexico, the Upper Trans Pecos and the Western Permian Basin Wednesday afternoon and evening. A FIRE WEATHER WATCH is in effect Wednesday for the Guadalupes, Upper Trans Pecos, Western Permian Basin and southeast New Mexico Plains due to low relative humidity values, strong winds and HIGH FIRE DANGER. Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 99. South wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to between 20 and 25 mph. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to between 10 and 15 mph. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 104. Windy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to between 25 and 30 mph. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Windy, with a south wind 25 to 30 mph decreasing to between 10 and 15 mph. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. West wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Friday: Sunny, with a high near 96. Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 99. Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Monday: Sunny, with a high near 99. |
| 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. |
Transformers sequel to film in Alamogordo
ALAMOGORDO - Governor Bill Richardson Monday announced
DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Pictures and director Michael Bay will
return to New Mexico to film major sequences for Transformers: Revenge of
the Fallen. The next installment of the box office hit Transformers is
expected to hit theaters next summer.
“Transformers was a huge success and I am pleased that Dream Works,
Paramount Pictures and Michael Bay have decided to return to New Mexico
to film the second installment,” said Governor Richardson.
The first film, starring Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel, Megan
Fox and John Turturro, grossed more than $700 million worldwide.
The current production has been prepping in Alamogordo since April and
expects to begin filming in the fall.
Since Governor 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.
Congressmen on hand to welcome Raptors to Holloman
ALAMOGORDO – Members of the New Mexico congressional delegation
Friday formally welcomed the arrival of F-22A Raptor fighters to Holloman
Air Force Base, a move signaling the launch of a new mission for the
southern New Mexico installation.
U.S. Senators Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman, as well as
Representatives Heather Wilson, Tom Udall and Steve Pearce, joined Air
Force and community leaders to welcome the aircraft and to commit to
supporting the two squadrons of F-22s that will be bedded down with the
49th Fighter Wing at Holloman.
“The world remains dangerous and we welcome the F-22s for what they
represent in protecting the United States and its interests. Our enemies
are eager to attain emerging technology to challenge our national security,
and countering this lethal technology requires a superior weapons system.
It’s like having a spear that is longer, stronger than your enemy’s. I
consider the F-22 the ‘tip of the spear.’ It guarantees our air dominance
and the ability to defend our forces at any place, any time,” said Domenici,
a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.
“Today is a big day for Holloman Air Force Base. Making Holloman home to
the next generation of fighter air craft demonstrates how major a role the
base plays in keeping our nation safe,” Bingaman said.
“This has been a huge week for southern New Mexico,” says Wilson, a
former Air Force Captain. “The F-22 Raptor is a forward-looking plane that
will be a key part of the Air Force’s arsenal for years to come. And New
Mexico is perfectly positioned to help deploy these aircraft into combat.
Once again, New Mexico is proving how important we are in the defense of
this country, and I’m honored to be here today.”
U.S. Air Force Photo/ Senior Airman Russell Scalf
F-22 Arrival
Col. Jeff Harrigian, 49th Fighter Wing commander, and Lt. Col. Mike Hernandez, 7th
Fighter Squadron commander, fly a pair of F-22A Raptors over White Sands National
Monument, on the way to Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., June 2. The jets are the first
two Holloman-tailed F-22's to arrive on base.
“The Raptor F-22s represent the next generation in air power, and New
Mexico is the perfect place for this new aircraft,” said Udall, a member of the
House Appropriations Committee. “Having these planes will ensure that New
Mexico continues to play a crucial role in defending America, and I am
proud to welcome them to Holloman.”
“Holloman Air Force Base provides the weather, the terrain, the wide open
spaces, and the radio spectrum availability for true combat
demonstrations. The introduction of the F22s poses an enormous
economic benefit to the area and fulfills a critical national security need for
our country,” said Pearce.
Two 18-aircraft squadrons of F-22A Raptors are scheduled to be deployed
at Holloman Air Force Base, replacing the F-117 stealth fighters that had
been assigned to the base for almost 20 years. Members of the delegation
have advocated continuing Department of Defense procurement of F-22
aircraft which could result in the Holloman squadron being expanded in the
future.
The Air Force also intends to place an F-22 Air Force Reserve Unit at
Holloman, which would give the base a broader mission and additional
personnel. The Holloman unit will be an Air Force Reserve “classic
associate unit.” As such, reserve pilots, maintenance and ground crews will
share use of the same F-22 aircraft used by the active units at Holloman.
In addition, the delegation is supporting the administration’s budget request
to provide $25 million for five new military construction projects to support
the F-22A at Holloman, including maintenance, repair and simulation
facilities.
Blitz Build - bringin' UP da HOUSE
Artesia360 Photo
Volunteers, including several Devon employees, former Habitat homeowners and the
owner of the new home under construction at 1009 S. 9th Street gathered together
Saturday & Sunday for a Blitz Build. Several workers spent the day measuring, cutting
and nailing on this project, the fourth for Habitat for Humanity of Artesia.
Artesia City Council agendas
ARTESIA - The regular meeting of the Artesia City Council is scheduled for
Tuesday, June 10, at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 511 W.
Texas Avenue.
Council meetings are public meetings, in compliance with the Open
Meetings Act. Citizens are invited and encouraged to attend. This is your
opportunity to learn about city government, to participate and influence the
course of the city's future.
Five public hearings are scheduled. During this period of the meeting, any
person in favor of or opposed to an item should plan to be present and
voice their opinions, or arrange with City Clerk Aubrey Hobson to have a
letter read into the minutes if you are unable to attend.
You may call the clerk's office at 575.746.2122 or drop by city hall to visit
with him.
Hard copies of the agenda will be posted on the bulletin board in the
vestibule or available at the receptionist's desk at city hall on Monday
afternoon, of you can preview the final agenda and the consent agenda
here.
ENMU-R invites public to meet the candidates
ROSWELL - Five candidates have been named for the position of president
of Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell. Each candidate will visit the
campus for interviews later this month. While in Roswell, candidates will
meet with the search committee, faculty, staff, students, Dr. Steven Gamble,
ENMU president, and Dr. Judy Armstrong, current ENMU-Roswell president.
Community receptions are also planned at the Anderson Museum of
Contemporary Art, 409 East College Blvd. The receptions will be held from
4:30-6 p.m. The candidates and the dates of their visits are below:
· June 17: Dr. Kerry Hart,Dean of Instruction and Chief Executive Officer of
the Alpine Campus of Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs, CO
· June 18: Dr. John B. Gratton, Vice President of Instruction at New Mexico
Junior College in Hobbs, NM
· June 19: Dr. Gillian Gabelmann, Vice President of Instruction and Student
Services at Barton Community College in Great Bend, KS
· June 20: Dr. Jan Muto, Assistant to the Chancellor for Teaching and
Learning for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System in
Versailles, KY
· June 23: Dr. John R. Madden, Dean of Instruction of the Desert Vista
Campus of Pima Community College in Tucson, AZ
Following the on-campus interviews, the search committee will gather and
review input from the faculty, staff, students, and community members.
Committee members will compile a list of the perceived strengths and
weaknesses of each candidate and forward the summaries to Dr. Gamble.
Dr. Gamble will consult in person with the search committee, the Board of
Regents, and the Community College Board prior to making a decision on
the selection of the president. A final decision is expected to be made in
early July.
“I invite all interested personnel to meet with the candidates during their on-
campus interviews and to provide the search committee with their
observations,” said Dr. Gamble. “I also invite all campus community
members to address any questions regarding the search to me or Mrs.
Betty Patton, Search Committee Chair.” Patton can be reached at 575-624-
7315.
Dr. Judy Armstrong, president of ENMU-Roswell, announced in April that
she is retiring. Armstrong has agreed to stay in the position until her
successor begins.
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.
ALAMOGORDO - Governor Bill Richardson Monday announced
DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Pictures and director Michael Bay will
return to New Mexico to film major sequences for Transformers: Revenge of
the Fallen. The next installment of the box office hit Transformers is
expected to hit theaters next summer.
“Transformers was a huge success and I am pleased that Dream Works,
Paramount Pictures and Michael Bay have decided to return to New Mexico
to film the second installment,” said Governor Richardson.
The first film, starring Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel, Megan
Fox and John Turturro, grossed more than $700 million worldwide.
The current production has been prepping in Alamogordo since April and
expects to begin filming in the fall.
Since Governor 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.
Congressmen on hand to welcome Raptors to Holloman
ALAMOGORDO – Members of the New Mexico congressional delegation
Friday formally welcomed the arrival of F-22A Raptor fighters to Holloman
Air Force Base, a move signaling the launch of a new mission for the
southern New Mexico installation.
U.S. Senators Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman, as well as
Representatives Heather Wilson, Tom Udall and Steve Pearce, joined Air
Force and community leaders to welcome the aircraft and to commit to
supporting the two squadrons of F-22s that will be bedded down with the
49th Fighter Wing at Holloman.
“The world remains dangerous and we welcome the F-22s for what they
represent in protecting the United States and its interests. Our enemies
are eager to attain emerging technology to challenge our national security,
and countering this lethal technology requires a superior weapons system.
It’s like having a spear that is longer, stronger than your enemy’s. I
consider the F-22 the ‘tip of the spear.’ It guarantees our air dominance
and the ability to defend our forces at any place, any time,” said Domenici,
a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.
“Today is a big day for Holloman Air Force Base. Making Holloman home to
the next generation of fighter air craft demonstrates how major a role the
base plays in keeping our nation safe,” Bingaman said.
“This has been a huge week for southern New Mexico,” says Wilson, a
former Air Force Captain. “The F-22 Raptor is a forward-looking plane that
will be a key part of the Air Force’s arsenal for years to come. And New
Mexico is perfectly positioned to help deploy these aircraft into combat.
Once again, New Mexico is proving how important we are in the defense of
this country, and I’m honored to be here today.”
U.S. Air Force Photo/ Senior Airman Russell Scalf
F-22 Arrival
Col. Jeff Harrigian, 49th Fighter Wing commander, and Lt. Col. Mike Hernandez, 7th
Fighter Squadron commander, fly a pair of F-22A Raptors over White Sands National
Monument, on the way to Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., June 2. The jets are the first
two Holloman-tailed F-22's to arrive on base.
“The Raptor F-22s represent the next generation in air power, and New
Mexico is the perfect place for this new aircraft,” said Udall, a member of the
House Appropriations Committee. “Having these planes will ensure that New
Mexico continues to play a crucial role in defending America, and I am
proud to welcome them to Holloman.”
“Holloman Air Force Base provides the weather, the terrain, the wide open
spaces, and the radio spectrum availability for true combat
demonstrations. The introduction of the F22s poses an enormous
economic benefit to the area and fulfills a critical national security need for
our country,” said Pearce.
Two 18-aircraft squadrons of F-22A Raptors are scheduled to be deployed
at Holloman Air Force Base, replacing the F-117 stealth fighters that had
been assigned to the base for almost 20 years. Members of the delegation
have advocated continuing Department of Defense procurement of F-22
aircraft which could result in the Holloman squadron being expanded in the
future.
The Air Force also intends to place an F-22 Air Force Reserve Unit at
Holloman, which would give the base a broader mission and additional
personnel. The Holloman unit will be an Air Force Reserve “classic
associate unit.” As such, reserve pilots, maintenance and ground crews will
share use of the same F-22 aircraft used by the active units at Holloman.
In addition, the delegation is supporting the administration’s budget request
to provide $25 million for five new military construction projects to support
the F-22A at Holloman, including maintenance, repair and simulation
facilities.
Blitz Build - bringin' UP da HOUSE
Artesia360 Photo
Volunteers, including several Devon employees, former Habitat homeowners and the
owner of the new home under construction at 1009 S. 9th Street gathered together
Saturday & Sunday for a Blitz Build. Several workers spent the day measuring, cutting
and nailing on this project, the fourth for Habitat for Humanity of Artesia.
Artesia City Council agendas
ARTESIA - The regular meeting of the Artesia City Council is scheduled for
Tuesday, June 10, at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 511 W.
Texas Avenue.
Council meetings are public meetings, in compliance with the Open
Meetings Act. Citizens are invited and encouraged to attend. This is your
opportunity to learn about city government, to participate and influence the
course of the city's future.
Five public hearings are scheduled. During this period of the meeting, any
person in favor of or opposed to an item should plan to be present and
voice their opinions, or arrange with City Clerk Aubrey Hobson to have a
letter read into the minutes if you are unable to attend.
You may call the clerk's office at 575.746.2122 or drop by city hall to visit
with him.
Hard copies of the agenda will be posted on the bulletin board in the
vestibule or available at the receptionist's desk at city hall on Monday
afternoon, of you can preview the final agenda and the consent agenda
here.
ENMU-R invites public to meet the candidates
ROSWELL - Five candidates have been named for the position of president
of Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell. Each candidate will visit the
campus for interviews later this month. While in Roswell, candidates will
meet with the search committee, faculty, staff, students, Dr. Steven Gamble,
ENMU president, and Dr. Judy Armstrong, current ENMU-Roswell president.
Community receptions are also planned at the Anderson Museum of
Contemporary Art, 409 East College Blvd. The receptions will be held from
4:30-6 p.m. The candidates and the dates of their visits are below:
· June 17: Dr. Kerry Hart,Dean of Instruction and Chief Executive Officer of
the Alpine Campus of Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs, CO
· June 18: Dr. John B. Gratton, Vice President of Instruction at New Mexico
Junior College in Hobbs, NM
· June 19: Dr. Gillian Gabelmann, Vice President of Instruction and Student
Services at Barton Community College in Great Bend, KS
· June 20: Dr. Jan Muto, Assistant to the Chancellor for Teaching and
Learning for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System in
Versailles, KY
· June 23: Dr. John R. Madden, Dean of Instruction of the Desert Vista
Campus of Pima Community College in Tucson, AZ
Following the on-campus interviews, the search committee will gather and
review input from the faculty, staff, students, and community members.
Committee members will compile a list of the perceived strengths and
weaknesses of each candidate and forward the summaries to Dr. Gamble.
Dr. Gamble will consult in person with the search committee, the Board of
Regents, and the Community College Board prior to making a decision on
the selection of the president. A final decision is expected to be made in
early July.
“I invite all interested personnel to meet with the candidates during their on-
campus interviews and to provide the search committee with their
observations,” said Dr. Gamble. “I also invite all campus community
members to address any questions regarding the search to me or Mrs.
Betty Patton, Search Committee Chair.” Patton can be reached at 575-624-
7315.
Dr. Judy Armstrong, president of ENMU-Roswell, announced in April that
she is retiring. Armstrong has agreed to stay in the position until her
successor begins.
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.
UNM wins EPA recognition
The University of New Mexico has won an
Energy Star Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
award from the Environmental Protection
Agency for reducing its energy use by 20
percent.
CHP, also referred to as cogeneration, is an
efficient, clean, and reliable approach to
generating power and thermal energy from a
single fuel source. By installing a CHP system, a
facility can increase operational efficiency and
decrease energy costs, while reducing air
pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
“Whether at home or at work, being energy-
efficient is a smart environmental and economic
strategy,” said EPA Regional Administrator
Richard E. Greene. “EPA is pleased to
recognize committed organizations like the
University of New Mexico that are making CHP
and other green technologies a fundamental
part of how they do business.”
EPA recognized the university for its natural gas-
fired CHP system at the Ford Utilities Center.
Part of a major energy infrastructure upgrade
project, the CHP system supplies the campus
with roughly one-third of its total electricity
demand and produces steam to help meet the
space heating, space cooling, and domestic hot
water production needs of more than 25,000
students, staff, and faculty. The CHP system
runs with an operating efficiency of almost 65
percent and requires 20 percent less fuel than
typical alternatives.
In addition to the University of New Mexico, EPA
recognized two other CHP award winners: the
Calpine Columbia Energy Center in Gaston,
South Carolina, and the Verizon Garden City
Fuel Cell Project in Garden City, New York.
Since 1999, EPA has given the Energy Star
CHP Award to recognize organizations and
institutions that install exceptionally efficient
CHP systems. EPA's CHP Partnership seeks to
reduce the environmental impact of power
generation. EPA works closely with energy
users, the CHP industry, state and local
governments, and other stakeholders to support
the development of new projects that have
significant energy, environmental, and economic
benefits. The program plays a vital role in
efforts to achieve a collaborative, public-private
goal of doubling the capacity of CHP in the
United States to 92 gigawatts (GW) by 2010.
Additional information about CHP, the Energy
Star CHP Award, and the EPA CHP Partnership
is available at http://www.epa.gov/chp.
Poetry group opportunities
ARTESIA - Poetry in Motion is a group of writers
who get together to read our poetry, stories and
song lyrics to the group.
We endeavor to help each other get the results
we each are seeking from our individual efforts
whether that is to become published or to better
understand our lives.
We always have something to share and are
encouraged to do so in every meeting whether
it's a few words or a few pages, a question, a
hug.
We have plans for an Open Mike, fundraisers,
special guests, writers and storytellers, and
many more special events.
We meet every other Monday at the Artesia Arts
Council building, located at 510 W. Main in
downtown Artesia, New Mexico. Membership is
free and we have writers of all ages and
backgrounds.
Write us at the poetry club's main email,
poetryinmotionartesia@yahoo.com, or call our
founder, Richard, at 1-575-317-4216 for exact
dates, times, and directions.
Enjoy the website and we hope to hear from you
soon.
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.
The University of New Mexico has won an
Energy Star Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
award from the Environmental Protection
Agency for reducing its energy use by 20
percent.
CHP, also referred to as cogeneration, is an
efficient, clean, and reliable approach to
generating power and thermal energy from a
single fuel source. By installing a CHP system, a
facility can increase operational efficiency and
decrease energy costs, while reducing air
pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
“Whether at home or at work, being energy-
efficient is a smart environmental and economic
strategy,” said EPA Regional Administrator
Richard E. Greene. “EPA is pleased to
recognize committed organizations like the
University of New Mexico that are making CHP
and other green technologies a fundamental
part of how they do business.”
EPA recognized the university for its natural gas-
fired CHP system at the Ford Utilities Center.
Part of a major energy infrastructure upgrade
project, the CHP system supplies the campus
with roughly one-third of its total electricity
demand and produces steam to help meet the
space heating, space cooling, and domestic hot
water production needs of more than 25,000
students, staff, and faculty. The CHP system
runs with an operating efficiency of almost 65
percent and requires 20 percent less fuel than
typical alternatives.
In addition to the University of New Mexico, EPA
recognized two other CHP award winners: the
Calpine Columbia Energy Center in Gaston,
South Carolina, and the Verizon Garden City
Fuel Cell Project in Garden City, New York.
Since 1999, EPA has given the Energy Star
CHP Award to recognize organizations and
institutions that install exceptionally efficient
CHP systems. EPA's CHP Partnership seeks to
reduce the environmental impact of power
generation. EPA works closely with energy
users, the CHP industry, state and local
governments, and other stakeholders to support
the development of new projects that have
significant energy, environmental, and economic
benefits. The program plays a vital role in
efforts to achieve a collaborative, public-private
goal of doubling the capacity of CHP in the
United States to 92 gigawatts (GW) by 2010.
Additional information about CHP, the Energy
Star CHP Award, and the EPA CHP Partnership
is available at http://www.epa.gov/chp.
Poetry group opportunities
ARTESIA - Poetry in Motion is a group of writers
who get together to read our poetry, stories and
song lyrics to the group.
We endeavor to help each other get the results
we each are seeking from our individual efforts
whether that is to become published or to better
understand our lives.
We always have something to share and are
encouraged to do so in every meeting whether
it's a few words or a few pages, a question, a
hug.
We have plans for an Open Mike, fundraisers,
special guests, writers and storytellers, and
many more special events.
We meet every other Monday at the Artesia Arts
Council building, located at 510 W. Main in
downtown Artesia, New Mexico. Membership is
free and we have writers of all ages and
backgrounds.
Write us at the poetry club's main email,
poetryinmotionartesia@yahoo.com, or call our
founder, Richard, at 1-575-317-4216 for exact
dates, times, and directions.
Enjoy the website and we hope to hear from you
soon.
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.
