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Introduction

A couple of weeks ago, I shared the radio version of freelance journalist Jonny Coker’s article on a new approach to homelessness in Roswell as a featured segment on Mid-Week Matters [Listen]. I was excited to share this recording, the first I have received from him, but then I looked more closely at the article that came with it, and I felt it was important enough to share here, because the part that was missing from the recording was the human element. The experiences and hopes of the people he spoke with, humans in crisis or helping others through it. If you have ever found yourself down and out or struggling through something all on your own, you know how important it is to find a helping hand or an understanding ear. The article struck a chord in me as one who has known what it is like to be in that place long ago. I hope you will take a few minutes to read it.

But this was in Chaves County, so we searched for what resources are available to those in crisis in Eddy County. After the article, you will find the resources we found listed as available in our community. Whether you need help or want to help others, you will find information below. We cannot say the information will remain current, but please do try them and comment below if we need to update anything.

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Local Organization Offers Warmth and Relief for the Unhoused in Roswell

Reported by Johnny Coker for the Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative.

ROSWELL – As the cold-snaps of southeastern New Mexico’s winter roll on, Enrique Moreno patrols the streets of Roswell with his repurposed bus, looking for individuals in need of food and warmth. In the back, Trey Allen Hendrich, a community volunteer, keeps busy serving a variety of goods, including soaps, hot pockets, coffee and hot chocolate.

The bus belongs to Moreno’s Roswell Community Disaster Relief Services, an organization that uses a mobile outreach unit designed to meet people experiencing homelessness where they are at camps, in vehicles, along riverbeds and city sidewalks.

The effort comes amid high homelessness rates across the country. According to the latest numbers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2024 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, more than 770,000 people experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2024 — the highest number ever recorded in the annual count.

In New Mexico, the same report counted 4,631 people experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2024, a roughly 21% increase from 2023.

Carson Wells and Amanda Robinson are patrons as well as regular volunteers for the bus. As they live out of their car, they say that the service is essential for helping those unhoused in the community get some sense of comfort and support.

“There’s some things where you won’t be able to get, such as just basic toiletry items because they’re so damn expensive,” Wells said.

“Also, since we are homeless, we know a lot more of the nooks and crannies of the homeless population here,” Robinson said. “So we can help Enrique better serve those people as well. Because most of the time, you don’t see them just laying out there in the open, they’re going to be tucked in somewhere where they’re warm, you know, like us.”

For Enrique Moreno, those point-in-time statistics represent his neighbors. Roswell, like many mid-sized communities in New Mexico, has limited shelters and behavioral health resources. Moreno says much of the support network comes from nonprofits rather than government agencies.

“Nobody chooses to be homeless. There’s veterans, there’s seniors. They have behavioral health issues, which is the biggest problem in my mind,” he said. “You can tell there’s a lack of state or local [and city] services, because after 5:00 and on weekends, you can’t call anybody with the city.”

To purchase the bus, Moreno staged a four-and-a-half-day sit-in during winter in the parking lot of a local pizza restaurant, sleeping in his pickup truck until he raised $8,500 over the course of four days. People experiencing homelessness visited him during that time, offering practical advice on how to survive out of a vehicle.

“If you ever have the opportunity to do it, you’re going to see homelessness in a different light,” Moreno said of the experience.

When a recent cold front brought subzero temperatures to Roswell, Moreno said the Salvation Army was the only other organization with an active warming center available.

“So we determined, you know what, let’s set our buses up at the plaza,” he said. “Let people sleep in it. It wouldn’t be comfortable, but it would be better than being outside.”

On average, he estimates 13 to 20 people per night seek supplies, rides or warmth from the organization’s buses during extreme weather patrols.

The organization’s main function is as a mobile pantry and supply depot. Volunteers distribute blankets, coats, food, hygiene kits and water. During summer heat, they patrol with water and electrolyte packets. In winter, they coordinate rides to brick-and-mortar shelters when available.

The organization has also worked with the local police department in the past, responding to homeless encampments before trespassing citations are issued, offering assistance and relocation options.

“I’ve had officers call me and tell me, ‘Hey, we’re called out to this property (to trespass) a homeless person. Could you go ahead of us and offer them some help before we get there?’” Moreno said.

The bus provides immediate, flexible relief. But the model has limits. The warming buses aren’t designed to be slept in, they are simply not full-service shelters, and funding is sparse. The organization relies on small donations, Amazon wish lists and business sponsors to cover fuel, insurance and supplies, sometimes leading to a gap in services.

Moreno has advocated for a more coordinated system, a centralized hub where multiple nonprofits could operate under one roof, similar to the Community of Hope in Las Cruces, although such a concept has yet to gain much traction. He also supports the creation of a local crisis response team focused on behavioral health, as opposed to criminalizing homelessness through ordinances banning encampments and expansion of homeless shelters.

“The answer isn’t just ‘jail somebody’ because they’re talking to themselves in public,” Moreno said. “These people need other kinds of help.”

Jason, who asked to use only his first name, was one of the individuals who has been a frequent patron of the mobile shelter. Him and his wife were displaced after a fire took their home, and the mobile unit was one of the few places that offered relief.

“We were living in our car for a couple months,” Jason said. “It was pretty nice seeing humans being humans for once.”

Jason and his wife, who is disabled, slept outside a gas station for around six months. He now has a job, and the couple has moved into an RV, and he credited the mobile shelter as the service that helped him get back on his feet.

“Everything’s starting to finally fall, but these guys helped a lot,” Jason said. “I’m much happier when you’re able to get up, make a cup of coffee, take an actual shower after you slept in a bed all night. Ain’t nothing like it.”

That grassroots funding model allows flexibility but leaves little room for expansion or long-term planning. Moreno says the organization is stable for now but depends on continued volunteer support and civic engagement.

“If I have to ask for anything from the community, it’d be for their continued support,” he said.

As homelessness climbs nationally and in New Mexico, Roswell Community Disaster Relief Services offers a hyperlocal, mobile response. The bus cannot solve housing shortages or systemic gaps in mental health care, but it can offer warmth and essential supplies. For those on the streets of Roswell on a freezing night, the warming buses serve as a beacon of hope when the alternative means facing the bitter cold alone.

— Jonathan Coker, Souther New Mexico Journalism Collective

“It was pretty nice seeing humans being humans for once.” — Jason, RCDR Services patron, Roswell

“The answer isn’t just ‘jail somebody’ because they’re talking to themselves in public. These people need other kinds of help.” — Enrique Moreno, founder, Roswell Community Disaster Relief Services

From Roswell to Home

I was struck by Moreno’s comment about resources not being available “after 5:00”. The question became for us: who shows up here?

“If I had to ask for anything from the community, it would be for their continued support — but more importantly, to volunteer, and to think of us when they go to the voting polls.” — Enrique Moreno, KCCC Midweek Matters broadcast of Coker’s recording

What Exists in Eddy County Right Now

This is a living reference. If you are in crisis, scroll to the top of this section. If you want to help, scroll to the bottom. If you know of a resource that should be here, contact KCCC 930 AM at kccc930am.com or leave a comment below.

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If You Need Help Right Now

Dial 211 — 24/7. Connects you to local social services and emergency housing referrals across Eddy County.

Call or text 988 — Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 24/7. Veterans press 1.

NM Crisis and Access Line — (855) 662-7474 — 24/7 behavioral health emergencies.

NM Peer to Peer Warm Line — (855) 466-7100 — mental health recovery support, peer-to-peer.

Artesia

Shelter — Emergency

Grammy’s House — 24/7 811 W. Texas Ave. | (575) 748-1198 | grammyshouse.org 24-hour crisis line: (575) 365-5144 Emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and counseling for victims of domestic violence and their children and pets.

Shelter — Transitional

Haven of Hope 2100 W. Richey Ave. | (575) 231-7334 | havenofhopenm.com | admin@havenofhopenm.com Transitional community housing for motivated single mothers and their children. Residents stay 18–24 months and receive life skills mentoring, financial counseling, resume building, and counseling — all at no cost. Funded in part by United Way of Eddy County and ConocoPhillips. Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Fri 8am–noon.

Food

Artesia Emergency Relief 103 N. 6th St. | (575) 746-9475 Mon–Fri 9am–1pm Emergency food, utility, and rent assistance for persons in distress, temporarily relieving poverty until governmental assistance is obtained.

St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank — Artesia 603 S. Roselawn Ave. | (575) 748-8824 First three weeks of the month, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9–11am. Each client receives 30 lbs. of food — meat, bread, and eggs provided by Road Runner Food Bank always. Produce from local farmers in summer. Clients assigned a day by last name.

Trinity Assembly of God Food Pantry 1507 W. Hermosa Dr. | (575) 748-3389 First and third Tuesday of each month, 9:30–10:30am.

Children — Free Meals

All Artesia Public Schools students receive free meals during the school year on all their campuses and they have an adult rate listed on their site ranging between $2.50 (breakfast) and $4 (lunch). Their summer meal begins Tuesday May 26. Please contact Artesia Public Schools directly: (575) 746-3585 for more information on the summer offering.

Recovery

Alcoholics Anonymous — Artesia 505 W. Richey Ave. | (575) 870-0119 In-person meetings. Building wheelchair accessible except one curb — honk and volunteers will assist.

Celebrate Recovery — Artesia Tuesdays 6pm at Hermosa Church of Christ 2512 W. Bush | (575) 748-3301

Victory Life 1716 N. Pine St. | (575) 746-4446 Faith-based men’s drug and alcohol rehabilitation shelter. Always in need of food and monetary donations. Call ahead to confirm availability.

Financial Assistance / Basic Needs

Artesia Emergency Relief (see Food above — also provides utility and rent assistance)

Written in Red Foundation 505 W. Main St. | (575) 736-2711 | writteninredfoundation.com Private grantmaking foundation funding education, healthcare access, crisis assistance, vision and dental services for youth, and the Poured Into Artesia program — monthly donations matched up to $5,000 for local families in need in partnership with Kith & Kin Roasting Co. Funds other local nonprofits; contact for referral or partnership.

NM HSD Income Support Division — Artesia 108 N. 16th St. | (800) 283-4465 Mon–Fri 8am–noon TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, LIHEAP, and other HSD programs.

Southeast New Mexico Community Action Corporation (SNMCAC) snmcac.com/programs-services/services-by-county/eddy-county

United Way of Eddy County — Utility Assistance and Resource Referral Dial 211 | (575) 887-3504 | uweddyco.org

Health

VA Clinic — Artesia 2410 W. Main St. | (575) 746-3531 Primary care, mental health, specialty care, and social programs for veterans and families.

WIC — Women, Infants, and Children 1001 W. Memorial Dr. | (575) 746-9819

Artesia General Hospital 702 N. 13th St. | (575) 725-5562 | artesiageneral.com

Lending Hands 108 S. 14th St. | (575) 746-9642 In-home services for disabled or elderly individuals supporting independent living.

Legal

NM Legal Aid — Roswell (nearest office serving Eddy County) 200 E. Fourth St., Suite 200, Roswell | (575) 623-9669 | newmexicolegalaid.org By appointment. Civil legal advocacy for low-income individuals — food, shelter, security, and more.

Education

Artesia Literacy Council 1507 W. Hermosa Dr. | artesialiteracycouncil.org English as a second language and adult basic education.

Carlsbad

Shelter — Emergency

Carlsbad Battered Families Shelter — 24/7 24-hour crisis line: (575) 885-4615 | carlsbadshelter.com

Cavern City Child Advocacy Center 1313 W. Mermod St. | (575) 200-3929 24-hour crisis line: (575) 303-7070 (call or text) | senmcac.com

Shelter — Short-Term / Transitional

Carlsbad Community of Hope Center 1314 S. Canal St. | (575) 200-1377 | hopenm.org Faith-based emergency shelter for men, women, and children. Up to 90 days. Case management, ID and Medicaid assistance, behavioral health counseling, veterans services, showers, laundry, clothing, phone, and internet. Mon–Thu 8am–4pm, Fri 8am–noon.

Carlsbad Transitional Housing 502 S. Halagueno St. | (575) 200-3095 Families typically stay 8–12 months while building financial stability. Temporary housing assistance available when funding allows.

Food

Carlsbad Community Kitchen 402 S. Alameda St. | (575) 885-4174 Free hot meals Mon–Fri 11am–noon. Serves 100+ meals per day.

Calvary Assembly Church 2107 W. Church St. | (575) 885-9152 Free hot meals every Monday 6–7pm. Food distribution 3rd Saturday of each month.

Faith, Hope & Love Foundation 933 N. Canal St. | (575) 941-2022 | fhlcarlsbad.org Ready-made meals and pantry staples. Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9am–1pm. Call before visiting.

Jonah’s House Food Pantry 512 W. Stevens St. | (575) 887-5904 Mon–Fri 9–11am.

Abundant Harvest Food Pantry (Oasis Christian Fellowship) 802 S. Main St. | (575) 887-1212 Tuesdays 9–11am.

Fox & Lake Church of Christ Food Pantry 708 W. Fox | (575) 885-6629

Children — Free Meals

Carlsbad Municipal School District operates free summer meal sites for children 18 and under at multiple locations. No registration or ID required. Visit summerfoodnm.org for current sites and hours.

Clothing

Carlsbad Outreach Center — Clothing Bank 1318 W. Mermod | (575) 887-2121 Donated clothing to individuals in need. Applications accepted every 30 days, up to six times per year. Mon, Tue, Thu 9am–noon.

Assistance League of Carlsbad 1100 N. Canal St. | (575) 885-3333 | alc.cbad@yahoo.com School clothing and supplies for children in need, and clothing for families who have lost their homes to disaster.

Eyeglasses, Ramps, and Adaptive Equipment

Carlsbad Downtown Lions Club P.O. Box 642 | carlsbadnmlions.org Funds eye examinations and glasses for children in need, referred by their school nurse. Reimburses up to $175 for the exam and glasses.

Carlsbad Heights Lions Club (575) 361-6683 | heightslions@gmail.com Provides eyeglasses and wheelchair ramps for individuals with financial need. Meets Fridays at noon at Stevens Inn.

Financial Assistance / Basic Needs

Faith, Hope & Love Foundation 933 N. Canal St. | (575) 941-2022 | fhlcarlsbad.org Rent/mortgage assistance, utility help, life skills coaching, financial counseling, and mentoring. Serves the homeless, elderly, veterans, children, and families in crisis. Mon–Thu 9am–noon.

NM HSD Income Support Division — Eddy County / Carlsbad 3604 San Jose Blvd. | (800) 283-4465 TANF, SNAP, General Assistance, and other state programs. Mon–Tue 8am–4:30pm, Wed 8–10:30am, Thu 8am–noon.

Southeast New Mexico Community Action Corporation (SNMCAC) snmcac.com/programs-services/services-by-county/eddy-county

United Way of Eddy County — Utility Assistance and Resource Referral 116 S. Canyon St. | (575) 887-3504 | uweddyco.org Dial 211 for immediate referrals. Limited water and gas utility bill assistance.

Carlsbad Community Foundation 114 S. Canyon St. | (575) 887-1131 | carlsbadfoundation.org

Veterans Services

NM Department of Veteran Services — Carlsbad Office 101 N. Halagueno St. | (575) 885-4939 | nmdvs.org

American Legion Post #7 2311 Legion | (575) 885-2493

Southeast NM Veterans Transportation Network 2114 W. 2nd St., Roswell | (575) 622-0729 | senmvt.com | magilduran@msn.com Free transportation for veterans to and from medical appointments in Roswell, Carlsbad, Hobbs, Artesia, Albuquerque, Clovis, and surrounding areas including West Texas. Three days notice required. Mon–Thu 9am–2pm.

Recovery / Reentry

Carlsbad LifeHouse 1900 Westridge Dr. | (575) 725-5552 carlsbadlifehouse@gmail.com | lifehousecarlsbad.com Full continuum of care: detox, residential treatment, outpatient, sober living, and services for individuals transitioning from incarceration. Accepts Medicaid, commercial insurance, and state funding for the uninsured. Mon–Fri 9am–5pm.

Carlsbad Community of Hope Center — Sober Living (see Shelter above) Also serves individuals transitioning from incarceration.

Celebrate Recovery — Carlsbad Mondays 5:30pm at Carlsbad First Assembly 1502 W. Mermod St. | (575) 885-4389

Behavioral Health

Turquoise Health and Wellness 914 N. Canal | (575) 885-4836 Crisis intervention, counseling, therapy, substance intervention, and children’s behavioral health services.

Permian Basin Counseling & Guidance 102 S. Main St., Suite C | (575) 249-2561 | permianbasincounseling.org Serves Carlsbad, Artesia, Hobbs, and Jal. Face-to-face and telehealth counseling. Mon–Fri 8am–5pm.

Health

Carlsbad Family Health Center (Presbyterian Medical Services) 2013 San Jose Blvd. | (575) 887-2455

Carlsbad Public Health Office 1306 W. Stevens | (575) 885-4191 Free services: birth control, pregnancy services, cancer screenings, HIV and STD testing, and vaccines.

WIC — Women, Infants, and Children Located at Carlsbad Public Health Office 1306 W. Stevens | (575) 885-3008

Carlsbad Medical Center 2430 W. Pierce St. | (575) 887-4100

Education

Carlsbad Literacy Center carlsbadliteracyprogram.com

Legal

NM Legal Aid — Roswell (nearest office serving Eddy County) 200 E. Fourth St., Suite 200, Roswell | (575) 623-9669 | newmexicolegalaid.org By appointment. Civil legal advocacy for low-income individuals — food, shelter, housing, security, and more.

Eddy County CASA 118 W. Mermod | (575) 887-5966 | eddycountycasa.org Court Appointed Special Advocates for abused or neglected children.

SENMC Campus — For Students

SENMC Food Pantry and Clothing Closet Contact: Judith Cox-Tindol | (575) 234-9335 | jcoxtindol@senmc.edu Food assistance for SENMC students. Clothing closet established April 2026 — professional clothing, shoes, and accessories available for interviews, presentations, and daily wear. Donations of gently used or new professional clothing are welcome.

Eddy County — County-Wide

United Way of Eddy County — Monthly Food Distributions 116 S. Canyon St., Carlsbad | (575) 628-0056 or dial 211 | uweddyco.org

Monthly food distributions on a rolling Friday schedule. Times may vary based on food truck arrival.

Artesia: Second Friday of the month, 7:00 AM West Main Baptist Church, 1701 W. Main St., Artesia

Carlsbad: Second Friday of the month, 9:00 AM Epworth Methodist Fellowship, 1406 W. Blodgett St., Carlsbad

Loving: Third Thursday of the month, 9:00 AM Loving Community Center, 602 S. 4th St., Loving

Also provides limited water and gas utility bill assistance. Connects residents to the full local resource network through the 211 line.

Eddy County Health Council 910 W. Pierce St., Box 203, Carlsbad | (575) 305-3105 coordinator@eddycountyhc.org | eddycountyhc.org Meets every third Wednesday at 4pm at the United Way office (116 S. Canyon St., Carlsbad) and on Zoom.

Current programs include food distributions in partnership with Road Runner Food Bank and SENMC Workforce Development — 108 and 110 families served across two distributions so far; a community garden on the SENMC campus (actively growing, grant funding pending for expansion); women’s health screenings; and harm reduction, including naloxone and gun lock distribution.

The ECHC is actively seeking restaurant and grocery store partners with not-yet-expired produce that can be diverted to those in need. If that is your business, contact coordinator@eddycountyhc.org.

“SOS — if you have one of those types of businesses, please reach out to us because we would love to partner with you and give you the spotlight you deserve, whilst helping our community at the same time.” — Sarah Bowman, ECHC / SENMC Foundation Board, KCCC Community Forum [Listen]

New Mexico Statewide — Accessible from Eddy County

NM Coalition to End Homelessness — Coordinated Entry (505) 219-1834 | coordinatedentry@nmceh.org Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. Connects individuals experiencing homelessness to housing programs statewide using Housing First and Harm Reduction approaches.

Alianza of New Mexico (575) 623-1995 | alianzaofnewmexico.org Rapid rehousing and Emergency Solutions Grant funding for southern NM including Eddy County.

Emergency Homeless Assistance Program (EHAP) housingnm.org/service-providers/ehap Managed by the NM Mortgage Finance Authority. Funds emergency shelter operations and essential services statewide.

Move In Assistance and Eviction Prevention (MIAEP) yes.nm.gov Rent, deposits, utilities, and other approved housing costs for income-qualified households.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) hca.nm.gov Cash assistance, housing support, and job training for low-income families with children.

General Assistance (GA) Cash assistance for disabled adults without dependent children not eligible for other programs. hsd.state.nm.us

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Solutions Summary

The guide above is the answer to Moreno’s “after 5:00” problem — at least in part. Eddy County has resources. Some of them are 24/7. Some of them are open six days a week. Some of them show up on the second Friday of every month in three different towns.

What the guide also shows is that almost every entry on it is powered by volunteers, donations, faith communities, and people who decided to show up. That is not a critique. That is the community in action. And it is also an invitation.

Here is what you can do right now

Volunteer with the Carlsbad Community of Hope Center, Carlsbad LifeHouse, or Faith, Hope & Love Foundation. All three serve people in acute crisis and run on community involvement.

Donate professional clothing to the new SENMC Clothing Closet. Contact Judith Cox-Tindol at jcoxtindol@senmc.edu.

If you own or manage a restaurant or grocery store with not-yet-expired produce, contact the Eddy County Health Council at coordinator@eddycountyhc.org. This is an open opportunity to feed your neighbors and be recognized for it.

Dial 211 and learn what is available in your ZIP code. It takes three minutes, and you will know more than most people about what exists in this county.

And then there is Moreno’s ask — the one that did not make it into the newspaper but came through clearly on the radio: when you vote, vote for the kind of community that invests in this work. A behavioral health crisis team. A coordinated nonprofit hub. Services that exist after 5:00 PM and on weekends.

“If I had to ask for anything from the community, it would be for their continued support — but more importantly, to volunteer, and to think of us when they go to the voting polls.” — Enrique Moreno, KCCC Midweek Matters broadcast of the Coker recording

“I’m much happier when you’re able to get up, make a cup of coffee, take an actual shower after you slept in a bed all night. Ain’t nothing like it.” — Jason, RCDR Services patron, Roswell

That is not a complicated ask. It is a human one.

This guide will be updated as new resources are confirmed. If you know of a resource that should be listed, contact KCCC 930 AM at kccc930am.com or comment below.

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Appendix: Related Content

Primary Broadcast Source

“Local Organization Offers Warmth and Relief for the Unhoused in Roswell” — reported by Johnny Coker for the Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative. Aired on KCCC 930 AM Midweek Matters.

Photo Assets on File

Carson Wells and Amanda Robinson.jpg — Carson Wells and Amanda Robinson have been living out of their vehicle and volunteering with RCDR Services since the winter of 2024, acting as liaisons between the unhoused community and the organization.

Enrique Moreno.jpg — Enrique Moreno founded the Roswell Community Disaster Relief Services in 2017, inspired by his experience as a firefighter working in disaster response.

RCDR Services Mobile Unit.jpg — The RCDR Services Mobile Unit is a repurposed bus purchased in 2017. All modifications were done by Moreno, and the equipment was donated by the community.

Supporting Data

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2024 Annual Homeless Assessment Report. National count: 770,000+ on a single night in January 2024. New Mexico count: 4,631 (21% increase from 2023).

Community Forum Interviews Referenced

Mayor Rick Lopez — Housing Initiatives, February 10, 2026. File: MayorLopez_Housing Initiatives - February 10, 2026.aup3.

County Manager Mike Gallagher and Commissioner Bo Bowen — Community Forum, February 2026.

Sarah Bowman, ECHC / SENMC Foundation Board — Community Forum, May 7, 2026.

Resource Guide Sources

SENMC Campus and Community Resources Directory — senmc.libguides.com/directory. Last updated May 6, 2026.

United Way of Eddy County food distribution schedule confirmed via Events of Interest – Eddy County Google Calendar, entries created by Endymion, KCCC 930 AM.

Comparable Model Referenced

Community of Hope, Las Cruces, NM — cited by Enrique Moreno as a coordinated nonprofit hub model worth building toward in southeastern New Mexico.

Archive

This edition is tagged Community Corner. Find all community resource guides at the Community Corner tag on the KCCC 930 AM Substack.

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SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO – Many New Mexicans who survived cancer or had family members die from cancer have already received compensation from the federal government in connection with historical nuclear testing, namely the detonation of the world’s first atomic bomb near Socorro in 1945.

The relatively new law known as the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, or RECA, expands a previous federal program that pays money to people who experienced cancer in certain geographic areas because of radiation exposure. The law, passed last summer by Congress, authorizes one-time, lump-sum payments of $100,000 to people who qualify as so-called “downwinders” in New Mexico.

Though it took about half a year for the federal government to set it up, a digital portal for New Mexicans to file claims is now open.

So far, nearly 9,100 downwinder claims have been filed with the U.S. Department of Justice, according to its website. Of them, nearly 1,200 have been approved for a total of $118.2 million in payments altogether. No claims reviewed have been denied yet, according to the site.

Notable about last year’s expansion is that any New Mexican who lived in the state during a certain time window and who developed any one of a list of cancers is eligible to apply for compensation – not just the people who lived near Trinity Site, ground zero for the detonation.

NM resident files successful claim

Retired educator Liz Marrufo is among those New Mexicans who’ve filed a downwinders claim – and already received payment for it. She shared her experience at a RECA outreach forum Feb. 17 in Las Cruces that was led by U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján.

“From start to finish, my own application took 38 days,” she said. “From the time I submitted it, all the way to receiving the compensation was within 38 days.”

After Marrufo retired from her 38-year career as an educator, she happened to attend a meeting where she heard Mary White, a volunteer advocate with the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, present about RECA. That inspired Marrufo to read more about the issue. And, when the compensation bill finally passed, she realized she was eligible to apply.

“I thought, ‘I have had cancer, and I’m qualified under the RECA program,’” she said. “So I began working on the packets, getting my documents to prove my father and myself had lived in New Mexico.”

Two of the key elements to apply for compensation as a “downwinder” are that someone lived in, worked, or went to school in New Mexico for at least one year between Sept. 24, 1944, and Nov. 6, 1962, and that person had at least one of the 19 compensable cancers. Applications require that evidence – like birth certificates, marriage records, and school documents – be filed along with a claim.

If someone died from a qualifying cancer, their heirs can file a claim.

In addition to the downwinders, residents of the northwest part of the state who worked in uranium mines are included in last year’s expanded version of RECA. They can qualify for a larger amount of compensation, and there are different ailments on that list.

Marrufo got involved by contacting Tina Cordova, co-founder of TBDC, and expressed interest in helping people complete their applications. She attended a Zoom training and realized her own documents were ready to submit to the federal government. She filed her own application to RECA. And then she set out to file another for her father, who also qualified to apply.

“My father’s application, it took a little bit longer,” she said. “His whole process took 50 days.”

$5 billion available to pay claims

Cordova said Congress allocated $5 billion for RECA claims when the legislation passed.

When RECA was first established in 1990 to compensate people from other regions, it ran out of money a couple of times, Cordova said. Then Congress had to up the budget for it. So, what they do is put some money towards it in a budget and, when it needs more, they have to allocate more.

“There was a time in the past when they were giving people IOUs because they were out of budget money,” Cordova said. “Then, when the Congress finally passed additional budget money for it, they sent the people their check. But right now, it’s got $5 billion in the budget for it, so until they reach $5 billion, people are going to get their money.”

Just a week after the DOJ opened its online portal, more than 3,000 claims were filed, according to Cordova.

“That tells me there were a lot of people waiting for the online process to file a claim,” she said.

State officials and Cordova have been among those cautioning New Mexicans to avoid partnering with entities that claim to assist with filing a RECA claim. Advocates say companies with questionable and possibly predatory tactics surrounding the claims-filing process have been reaching out to New Mexicans in droves.

“There are bad actors out there that are just trying to take advantage of people,” Cordova emphasized.

While it’s not improper to work with a licensed attorney, who’d receive a percentage of the likely payment, that’s not required. Residents are urged to screen any entities offering to assist them to make sure they’re legitimate.

Advocacy group assisting residents – for free

Cordova said she hears almost daily from people who didn’t know they didn’t have to hire an attorney or turn over their documents to a company in order to file a RECA claim. Rather, they can file claims themselves – and at no cost – with help from congressional representatives’ offices or advocates like TBDC.

“We have volunteers,” she said. “We want everyone to know that they should apply and there’s help. They don’t have to go with one of these outside entities.”

Cordova said the application process will require people to round up a set of required documents. For example, when Cordova was helping to apply on behalf of her parents, she had to find their marriage license.

In many cases, only the individual or their authorized family members can request official copies of required documents. For instance, copies of a New Mexico birth or death certificate can only be obtained by the person in question or the “registrant’s immediate family members or those who represent tangible proof of legal interest in the requested record,” according to the state Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics.

“So, if you go with somebody to help you, they can’t get the documents together,” Cordova said. “They can only fill out the paperwork, and the paperwork is the easy part.”

Now, Cordova said, it’s important for people to know they don’t have to file RECA claims through the physical mail anymore, and the online claims process is working very well. Sending sensitive documents through the mail could be risky, but now they simply can be scanned in and uploaded to the portal.

“You literally scan each document separately, like a birth certificate, then a death certificate and you go online,” she said. “Some people have told me it only took about four weeks for them to get their money.”

The TBDC and its volunteers are available to help with scanning records and filling out forms – at no cost.

While there is a list of 19 cancers covered by the act, Cordova said they are working to expand that list because there are additional cancers that should be included.

“I get a lot of calls from people asking about certain cancers, and we’re going to continue to fight for them (the federal government) to add additional cancers, like prostate cancer, uterine cancer and skin cancer,” she said. “But that is the way Congress established this bill in 1990. But we know a lot more now about other cancers that are caused by radiation exposure today.”

Churches, schools can help claimants

Cordova put out a blanket request, asking official sources like school districts and churches to be open to provide documentation to RECA claimants, as they request it.

“We need everybody to cooperate,” she said. “If people are asking you for documents, it’s because they desperately need them.”

TBDC has volunteers all across New Mexico, she said. Those volunteers can work with residents over the phone or meet with them in person. Connect with the organization at: https://www.trinitydownwinders.com.

Cordova noted the DOJ is tracking its application approval rate, and so far, all of the applications submitted in the downwinders category have been approved.

Advocate: Application process is straightforward

Marrufo, a volunteer who also received RECA compensation for her case, encouraged people to apply if they think they qualify. She noted they can email the DOJ with questions at Civil.RECA@usdoj.gov. There’s a help line at 1-800-729-7327. And, in Las Cruces and other places, a group of volunteers can offer assistance.

“The packet application is very simple,” Marrufo said. “Don’t let it intimidate you. We’ll take a little bit of time securing the documents. We are willing to help anyone. We accept no fee. We just tell people, ‘pay it forward.’”

Continued Marrufo: “We want you to be able to keep every cent that you are entitled to.”

Luján’s forum included a presentation on how to apply for compensation and offered more resources to aid applicants. The information is available at his website: https://www.lujan.senate.gov/reca.

The expanded eligibility for filing a downwinders compensation claim covers people who lived in any county in New Mexico during the designated time frame in the mid-20th century who got one of the cancers listed in the bill. Eligibility is not limited to people who lived near Trinity Site. Other categories of RECA claimants, besides downwinders, include uranium workers, onsite participants who were in the immediate vicinity of nuclear testing, and people affected by Manhattan Project Waste.

The law’s extension allowing for New Mexicans to file RECA claims lasts only through Dec. 31, 2027. Claimants must file before then to have a chance at receiving compensation.

New Mexicans and others can report suspected fraud in connection to RECA at DOJOIG.FraudComplaints@usdoj.gov.

Elva K. Österreich is a freelance journalist working with the Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative. For more info, visit SouthNMnews.org or SurNMnoticias.org.

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Carlsbad, NM schools are changing alongside the community itself. As Eddy County continues to feel the effects of population growth tied to energy development, local classrooms are seeing the impact in real time—more students, aging facilities under strain, and a need to plan not just for today, but for what comes next.

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Two major projects, now underway in Carlsbad Municipal Schools, reflect different sides of that challenge. One is about expansion: creating new space to meet rising enrollment and future demand. The other is about renewal: replacing an older campus that no longer fits the needs of its students or the expectations of a modern learning environment. Together, they offer a snapshot of how the district is responding to both immediate pressures and long-term planning.

Both projects are made possible through voter-approved bonds, backed by a tax base strengthened by oil and gas activity in the Permian Basin. District leaders have said past bond measures were structured so as not to increase the existing tax rate, with repayment supported by strong local revenues tied to energy production. Those same economic conditions have allowed the district to take on large-scale construction projects while planning for additional improvements across multiple campuses.

Recent bond elections have drawn relatively modest participation, but with clear majority support – reflecting a community that has, in key moments, backed investment in school infrastructure. These efforts are also part of a broader facilities strategy that includes future renovations and new construction beyond the projects highlighted here.

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The following reports take a closer look at each effort, starting with the construction of a new middle school on Carlsbad’s south side.

New Middle School in Carlsbad NM Aims to Meet Rapid Enrollment Growth

A new middle school is under construction on Carlsbad’s south side to address rapid population growth and rising student enrollment. The 171,055-square-foot campus, located near Pima and Old Cavern Highway, broke ground in December 2025 and is expected to open by July 2027. Once completed, EM Smith Middle School will serve about 1,000 students, with room for future expansion as the community continues to grow.

Carlsbad’s population boom – driven largely by oil and gas activity in the Permian Basin – has significantly increased school enrollment, which has risen from roughly 5,000 students to over 7,100 in recent years. District officials say the new school is essential to meeting these demands.

The school is named after Dr. Emmitt Smith, a former teacher and civil rights advocate known for promoting integration in the region. Leaders say the name honors both his legacy and the district’s commitment to diversity, alongside the city’s other middle school, P.R. Leyva.

Costing about $101.8 million, the project is funded primarily through voter-approved bonds supported by a strong local tax base. The modern facility will include specialized classrooms, athletic spaces, and enhanced safety features.

As the new middle school takes shape on the south side, it reflects one side of Carlsbad’s response to growth: building outward to meet increasing demand. Enrollment trends suggest that pressure is likely to continue, with district projections pointing to sustained increases across grade levels in the coming years.

But growth alone doesn’t define the district’s priorities. Many existing campuses were built decades ago and expanded over time, sometimes in ways that no longer align with modern educational needs. In that context, expansion and replacement are not competing strategies, but parallel responses to the same underlying changes.

Across town, another project is focused not on adding capacity, but on rethinking an aging campus – bringing existing facilities up to current standards while addressing the same broader forces shaping the community.

Sunset Elementary Rebuild in Carlsbad NM: $46M Project to Modernize Aging School

A major school construction project is now underway in Carlsbad, as Carlsbad Municipal Schools begins a $46 million rebuild of Sunset Elementary.

District leaders say the existing campus, originally built in the 1950s and last updated in the 1980s, no longer meets the needs of its roughly 400 students. Superintendent Gerry Washburn said the new facility will provide more space and modern infrastructure.

The replacement school, planned at about 55,000 square feet, will accommodate up to 450 students and include upgraded heating, plumbing and air systems, along with enhanced security features such as controlled entry points.

Currently, some students are housed in portable classrooms or off-site facilities. Once completed, the new building will allow all students to attend classes in one location.

Construction began following a groundbreaking ceremony in February, with completion expected by August 2027. The project is funded through a voter-approved bond supported by strong local tax revenues tied to the oil and gas industry.

School officials say the rebuild marks a key step in modernizing facilities across the district.

Taken together, these two projects – one expanding capacity, the other replacing an aging campus – highlight how Carlsbad Municipal Schools is navigating a period of sustained change. Combined, they represent nearly $150 million in investment, part of a broader series of bond-funded efforts aimed at updating and expanding school facilities across the district.

That funding structure has allowed Carlsbad to move forward with large projects while relying on local revenue tied to a strong energy economy. At the same time, it connects school development to the same economic cycles that are driving population growth, shaping both the need for new facilities and the means to pay for them.

Enrollment trends suggest those pressures are unlikely to ease soon. District projections have pointed to continued growth, with total student populations approaching levels that would strain existing campuses without additional investment.

For residents, these efforts may be viewed from different angles: as necessary improvements to support students and teachers, as long-term investments in the community, or as significant expenditures that require ongoing public oversight. In practice, they reflect all of those considerations at once.

Underlying and connecting these two projects is a shared goal – ensuring that Carlsbad’s schools can serve current students while preparing for those still to come. Whether through building new campuses or modernizing existing ones, the district’s approach reflects a broader balancing act: growth and sustainability, cost and capacity, present needs and future expectations.

As construction continues through 2027, both the new middle school and the rebuilt Sunset Elementary will stand as visible markers of that balance – shaping not just where students learn, but how the community defines its investment in the next generation.

Bibliography:

• https://www.currentargus.com/signin/?previous_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.currentargus.com%2F2026%2F02%2Fnew-middle-school-coming-to-south-carlsbad%2F

• https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/politics/2023/03/29/carlsbad-voters-yes-90-million-school-bond/70055464007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z113318e006100v113318d--33--b--33--&gca-ft=183&gca-ds=sophi

• https://www.aol.com/300m-bond-build-carlsbad-high-120303355.htm

• https://www.yahoo.com/news/carlsbad-voters-approve-300-million-105852998.html

• https://www.currentargus.com/2026/04/carlsbads-sunset-elementary-is-being-rebuilt-heres-what-to-know/

As spring fire season takes hold across southeast New Mexico, Eddy County is seeing a rise in wildfire risk driven by a combination of strong winds, dry conditions and seasonal weather patterns. Officials say these conditions are typical for this time of year, but they continue to present elevated danger for fast-moving fire starts and rapid spread across the region.

Across southern New Mexico, agencies are closely monitoring conditions and urging caution as the region moves deeper into its peak fire season. Even in the absence of major local incidents, officials emphasize that small sparks can quickly escalate under the right weather conditions.

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Eddy County Wildfire Risk Increases Amid Red Flag Warnings

Strong winds and dry conditions prompt fire advisories and restrictions at Black River Management Area

The risk of wildfires in Eddy County increased this week as strong spring winds and rising temperatures prompted warnings from the National Weather Service.

Beginning April 1, officials issued wind advisories and red flag warnings, signaling dangerous fire conditions. Gusts were expected to exceed 60 miles per hour, creating an environment where even a small spark could quickly grow into a fast-moving blaze. Meteorologists say these conditions are typical of the region’s fire season, which runs from March through May.

Despite the risk, lower rainfall this year has slightly reduced the amount of vegetation that can fuel fires. Still, authorities warn that dry air and high winds remain a serious concern.

While no fires have been reported in the Carlsbad area, several are burning across southern New Mexico.

In response, the Bureau of Land Management has imposed restrictions at the Black River Management Area, banning campfires, smoking and off-road driving to reduce the risk of new wildfires.

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From Weather Conditions to Infrastructure Risk

While recent red flag warnings and high-wind events highlight the immediate danger posed by weather conditions across Eddy County, fire officials and utility regulators also point to another contributing factor to wildfire risk: the infrastructure that powers communities across New Mexico.

In conditions like these—where dry air, strong winds, and low moisture levels combine—wildfire ignition sources are not limited to natural causes. Power lines and electrical systems can also become potential points of ignition, especially when stressed by extreme weather.

As attention remains focused on active fire conditions and land-use restrictions, utilities across the state are also working to reduce these risks through upgraded systems, monitoring technology, and preventative safety measures.

New Mexico Utilities Expand Wildfire Prevention Efforts to Reduce Power Line Risks

Grid upgrades, AI detection systems, and safety measures target one of the leading causes of wildfire ignition across the state

As agencies respond to immediate weather-driven risks with advisories and restrictions, attention is also turning to other potential sources of wildfire ignition. In high-wind conditions like those seen this week, infrastructure—particularly power lines—can pose an additional hazard if not properly maintained or monitored.

Utilities across Eddy County and the rest of New Mexico are ramping up efforts to prevent power lines from sparking wildfires, according to a recent hearing before the state’s Public Regulation Commission.

Facing hotter, drier conditions, electric providers say they are investing heavily in new technology and infrastructure. These include advanced mapping tools to identify high-risk areas, AI-powered cameras that can detect fires as they start, and replacing wooden poles with steel ones outfitted with safer equipment.

Some utilities are also preparing for possible preemptive power shutoffs during extreme fire weather. While these measures can reduce wildfire risk, they may leave customers without electricity for extended periods. Providers say they are working on alert systems to give advance notice, especially for hospitals and vulnerable residents.

Officials warn these upgrades come at a cost. Regulators expect utilities to pass some of the expense on to customers, contributing to rising electric bills.

At the same time, utilities—especially rural cooperatives—face growing concerns about lawsuits tied to wildfire damage, adding further financial pressure.

What It Means for Eddy County Residents

Together, these developments reflect the broader reality of wildfire season in New Mexico: risk is shaped by both natural conditions and the systems communities rely on every day. Land management restrictions, public awareness, and individual decisions all play a role in reducing human-caused fires, while infrastructure investments are becoming an increasingly important part of prevention.

As Eddy County moves further into the spring fire season, officials continue to emphasize a shared responsibility—one that includes staying informed about weather conditions, following local restrictions, and understanding the measures being taken behind the scenes to reduce risk.

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Related Content

• https://www.currentargus.com/2026/04/new-mexico-electrical-utilities-detail-wildfire-prevention-measures/

• https://www.currentargus.com/2026/04/carlsbad-braces-for-wildfire-season/

New Mexico’s oil and gas industry is navigating a period of overlapping priorities, where expansion and accountability are moving forward at the same time.

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In the Permian Basin, which stretches across southeastern New Mexico and includes Eddy County, federal officials are preparing to open tens of thousands of acres for potential drilling. The region remains one of the most productive oilfields in the country, and for communities like Carlsbad, new leasing decisions directly influence jobs, land use, and the pace of development on the ground.

At the same time, state lawmakers are confronting another side of the industry’s footprint: the growing number of inactive and orphaned wells left behind after production slows or companies cease operations. A new law signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham aims to direct significantly more industry revenue toward cleaning up those sites, reflecting both the scale and cost of long-term environmental obligations.

Together, these developments highlight a broader tension shaping energy policy in the Permian Basin: how to maintain continued growth while managing its long-term consequences for communities, ecosystems, and state finances.

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New Mexico Oil and Gas Lease Sale Targets Eddy County as Drilling Expands in Permian Basin

Cleanup Funding Expands as New Drilling Leases Move Forward in Eddy County

As New Mexico prepares for another round of oil and gas development, state leaders are also moving to address the industry’s long-term footprint.

A law signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in March will increase funding dedicated to cleaning up abandoned and inactive oil wells – sites that, in many cases, no longer have an operator responsible for their upkeep. Known as House Bill 80, the measure passed unanimously and redirects a larger share of the state’s oil and gas conservation tax into the Oil and Gas Reclamation Fund.

The change comes as New Mexico continues to grapple with an estimated 1,700 inactive wells statewide. When those wells become “orphaned,” the cost of plugging them shifts to the public. State officials estimate cleanup could exceed $200 million, with long-term liabilities potentially reaching $1.6 billion.

Under the new law, more of the existing tax revenue will be routed toward reclamation each year, reaching full allocation by 2029 before settling at a lower long-term level. The tax rate itself will not increase.

At the same time, new drilling opportunities are advancing – particularly in southeastern New Mexico.

The Bureau of Land Management has approved a lease sale set for May 20, offering 74 parcels totaling more than 33,000 acres across New Mexico and Texas. Much of that land lies within the Permian Basin, including more than 14,000 acres across 35 parcels in Eddy County.

For Eddy County residents, the overlap is familiar. The region sits at the center of U.S. oil production, where development brings both economic activity and ongoing environmental questions. Leasing grants companies the right to develop land for up to a decade or longer, but drilling cannot begin until operators submit detailed plans for review.

In a statement, the BLM said it evaluates those plans through environmental analysis and public review, coordinating with state agencies and local stakeholders. “The Bureau of Land Management reviews applications for permits to drill, posts them for public review, conducts an environmental analysis and coordinates with state partners and stakeholders,” said agency spokesperson Allison Sandoval.

Before any drilling begins, there is still an opportunity for public input. A protest period is open through April 20, allowing individuals to formally challenge specific parcels included in the lease sale. Submissions must identify the parcels in question and explain the protester’s interest, whether tied to land use, environmental concerns, or proximity to development.

Earlier reviews of the proposed leases found no significant environmental impact, but for those living near potential drilling sites – particularly in Eddy County – the effects can be immediate and personal, shaping how land is used and how nearby communities experience continued oilfield activity.

Another lease sale is already planned for August, including additional parcels in Eddy County. Together, the two tracks – expanding development while increasing funds for cleanup – underscore the state’s ongoing effort to manage both the benefits and the costs of oil and gas production.

As new leasing moves forward – particularly in places like Eddy County – it underscores how central the Permian Basin remains to both state and national energy production. But the expansion of drilling also adds to a longer timeline, one that extends beyond active wells and into what remains after production slows or stops.

Across New Mexico, thousands of inactive wells already sit in various stages of decline, with some ultimately becoming orphaned and left for the state to address. The costs of plugging and restoring those sites have become a significant financial and environmental challenge, particularly in regions like the Permian Basin, where development has been most intense.

In response, state lawmakers have moved to redirect more of the industry’s own revenue toward cleanup – an effort formalized through House Bill 80 and signed into law by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. The following article examines how that policy is structured, the scale of the problem it aims to address, and the broader debate surrounding oil and gas development and its long-term impacts.

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New Mexico Increases Funding to Plug Abandoned Oil Wells as Cleanup Costs Rise

As Cleanup Funding Grows, Broader Environmental Pressures Shape the Debate

New Mexico lawmakers have moved to expand funding for cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells, even as a wider debate continues over the environmental and economic future of the state’s energy sector.

House Bill 80, signed March 9 by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, increases the share of the state’s oil and gas conservation tax directed to the Oil and Gas Reclamation Fund. The fund pays to plug inactive and orphaned wells – sites left behind when operators shut down or can no longer be held responsible.

The scale of the problem is significant. State estimates point to roughly 1,700 inactive wells across New Mexico’s Permian and San Juan basins. Plugging orphaned wells alone could cost more than $200 million, with total long-term liabilities ranging from $700 million to $1.6 billion when accounting for wells likely to be abandoned in the future.

Rather than raising taxes, the law redirects existing revenue. The share flowing into the reclamation fund will increase steadily – reaching 50 percent in 2027, 75 percent in 2028, and 100 percent by 2029 before settling at 50 percent long term. State projections show that shift could boost annual cleanup funding into the tens of millions of dollars within a few years.

Support for the measure crossed political and industry lines. Missi Currier, president of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, described the bill as a way to reinforce both environmental responsibility and economic stability, noting that oil and gas revenues account for roughly 40 percent of the state’s general fund.

“At a time when the world is reminded just how fragile and volatile global energy supply can be, New Mexico’s producers offer something rare: steady, responsible, homegrown energy,” Currier said, calling the law “an investment in that stability.”

Some lawmakers emphasized a different concern: ensuring the money is used as intended. State Rep. Cathrynn Brown said the bill restores focus to the reclamation fund after years in which some of its revenue was diverted elsewhere. “This is what the money was intended for,” she said.

But the push to address abandoned wells is unfolding alongside broader environmental pressures that continue to shape policy discussions in Santa Fe.

During the legislative session, state officials pointed to a rising pattern of extreme weather events – including wildfire, drought, and severe winter storms – as part of a growing list of challenges tied to climate conditions. “We are operating in an environment of persistent disasters,” said Major General Miguel Aguilar, describing a shift from isolated events to ongoing recovery demands.

In southeastern New Mexico, where oil production is concentrated, those pressures can intersect directly with energy infrastructure. A late-January cold snap in the Permian Basin triggered equipment failures that led to spikes in gas flaring and venting – releasing additional emissions into the atmosphere at the same time scientists point to fossil fuel use as a driver of long-term warming trends.

For some lawmakers, that broader context underscores the limits of focusing solely on cleanup. State Sen. Mimi Stewart, who has pushed for stronger greenhouse gas reduction policies, described the difficulty of balancing economic reliance on oil and gas with environmental risks. “It’s very hard to balance it,” she said.

House Bill 80 fits within that tension. It does not attempt to limit production or reduce emissions directly. Instead, it focuses on managing the long-term impacts of development already underway – ensuring that more of the industry’s own revenue is directed toward cleaning up its legacy.

For communities in the Permian Basin, including those in southeastern New Mexico, that approach may be the most immediate lever available: addressing the visible remnants of past drilling even as debate continues over the future of energy production in the state.

Taken together, the two developments reflect the dual track shaping New Mexico’s energy landscape. In the Permian Basin, new leasing continues to open land for production, reinforcing the region’s role as a cornerstone of domestic energy supply. At the same time, the state is directing more of the revenue generated by that activity toward addressing the growing inventory of inactive and orphaned wells.

For communities in Eddy County and across southeastern New Mexico, those parallel efforts are closely connected. The same industry that drives local economies and public funding also leaves behind infrastructure that requires long-term management, often long after wells stop producing.

House Bill 80 represents one approach to that balance – shifting more resources toward cleanup without altering the pace of development itself. Whether that approach proves sufficient will likely depend on how both sides of the equation evolve: the scale of future drilling and the state’s ability to keep up with the costs of reclamation.

For now, the path forward reflects a broader reality in oil-producing regions: expansion and remediation are not separate phases, but overlapping parts of the same cycle, shaping both the land and the economy of southeastern New Mexico for years to come.

Sources

Bureau of Land Management:

• https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-announces-may-2026-sale-oil-and-gas-leases-new-mexico-and-texas

Carlsbad Current-Argus:

• https://www.currentargus.com/2026/03/feds-plan-oil-and-gas-land-sale-in-may/

• https://www.currentargus.com/2026/03/gov-michelle-lujan-grisham-signs-bill-to-fund-new-mexico-oil-well-cleanup/

NMOGA:

• https://www.nmoga.org/release_nmoga_applauds_governor_lujan_grisham_s_signing_of_hb_80

News from the States:

• https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/climate-chilled-new-mexico-legislature-again

Welcome to Sunday LowDown, where we delve deeper into a couple of chosen pieces from our news and events spotlight in the weekly Mid-Week Matters episode. This week, we expand our Eddy County historical spotlight to connect the “Angels of the Pecos” to the reported micro-news item about a Carlsbad native currently recognized by the New Mexico Technology Council.

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History in Eddy County is not a collection of static dates; it is a blueprint for survival. The resolve required to reattach a child’s eyelid with a sewing needle on the 19th-century frontier is the same tenacity required to manage the complex communications of a modern space innovation hub. This edition connects those dots, tracing the patterns of local brilliance from the frontier outposts of the 1800s to the high-tech corridors of Space Valley in 2026.

Part I: Making History Official

While we celebrated the re-ratification of the month on March 12, 2026, the credit for the original movement belongs to a group of educators in Santa Rosa, California. In 1978, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women noticed a glaring absence of women in K-12 honors and textbooks. They launched “Women’s History Week” to bridge that gap.

The movement gained national momentum in 1980 when President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8th as National Women’s History Week. Carter’s words remain the standard for this observance:

“From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this Nation. Too often, the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.”

Since that first proclamation in 1980, every U.S. President has continued the tradition, issuing annual proclamations that eventually expanded the celebration from a single week to the entire month of March.

Part II: Frontier Foundations

In the early days of Eddy County, leadership wasn’t a title—it was a necessity. These women were not merely transplanted wives (a status I resonate with and also build local connections from); they were entrepreneurs and artists who built the first social and medical infrastructure of the Pecos Valley through a unique fusion of hospitality and innovation.

Barbara “Ma’am” Jones was a master of frontier hospitality and a foundational entrepreneur at the Seven Rivers Trading Post. Long before formal doctors reached the Pecos, she was a self-taught medical practitioner, approaching her work with the precision of a technician. While she is legendary for using a common needle to save her son’s eyesight, her primary rule for those in her care was unwavering: no one leaves hungry or unhealed. Her family's trading post was a sanctuary where hospitality and medical attention were provided with professional-grade dedication.

Josephine “Grandma” Anderson was a multifaceted force in early Carlsbad. A lifelong artist, she famously painted the large altar canvas Mary at the Tomb for the Grace Episcopal Church—a work that now resides in the Carlsbad Museum.

She balanced this creative life with a rigorous nursing vocation. During the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, she was a self-appointed field marshall who understood that health required organization. Her rules involved strict sanitation and proactive mobile outreach; she didn’t wait for the sick to come to her. Anderson organized teams to venture into the tent cities and shacks along the riverbanks. Her success led to the creation of a permanent 26-room sanatorium—the Carlsbad Sanatorium, originally located near the current Riverview district—which she operated for twenty years as a bedrock for regional healthcare.

Part III: Making History

The tradition of recognizing women’s contributions is especially vital in technical sectors. Historically, fields like aerospace and cybersecurity have been male-dominated, making it essential to highlight those currently breaking new ground. The New Mexico Women in Tech Awards build directly on the spirit of Women’s History Month by ensuring these modern architects of innovation receive the visibility they deserve now, while they are doing the work, and not just posthumously.

New Mexico Women in Tech Awards by Endymion DeVere

For 18 years, the New Mexico Women in Tech Awards have recognized and celebrated some of the most influential women driving innovation in the “Land of Enchantment.” Organized by the New Mexico Technology Council—a nonprofit founded in 1999 to support the state’s tech ecosystem—the awards began in 2008 with a clear purpose: to honor women who combine technical excellence, mentorship, and a strong commitment to innovation across fields from cybersecurity to aerospace.

The 2026 cohort, recognized at the March 4 ceremony, continues that tradition across a wide range of industries. Honorees include Casey Anglada DeRaad of NewSpace Nexus and Toni Balzano of Q Station, both helping shape New Mexico’s expanding space sector, alongside leaders such as Tammy Byrd of Total Asset Managers and Jennifer Gaudioso of Sandia National Laboratories. Others—including Heather Ingram of Accenture, Darshana Kanabar of the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, and Anna Llobet of Los Alamos National Laboratory—reflect the awards’ reach into public service, national security, and advanced research. Additional recipients, such as Veronica Martinez of HP, Margaux Mizell of Meta, and Misti Willock of Resound Networks, further underscore the breadth of impact this year, spanning enterprise technology, data infrastructure, and broadband access.

Looking back, the program’s history reads like a map of New Mexico’s evolving tech leadership. Early recipients—including Dr. Stephanie Forrest, known for her work in biological modeling and cybersecurity, and Lt. Col. Christine Gramlich—helped establish the standards that remain in place today: professional impact, dedication to mentorship, and meaningful community contribution.

Over time, the program has expanded beyond recognition alone. It now includes scholarships that support students entering the field, helping cultivate the next generation of innovators. The community itself remains closely connected, with past recipients like Dr. Joy Colucci returning as speakers to share how their work—through organizations such as Metis Technology Solutions—has grown to achieve national recognition, including collaborations with agencies like NASA.

From the Caverns to the Cosmos: A Spotlight on a Local Leader in Technology by Hattie Quinn

Building on the tradition of excellence highlighted in Endymion’s report, we look at the local roots of honoree Toni Balzano. Her journey from the halls of Carlsbad High School (CHS) to the heart of “Space Valley” is a story of continuous professional growth and regional commitment.

In her current role as Vice President of Strategy and Communications at Q Station, Balzano leads a dynamic team dedicated to accelerating space and tech innovation for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the U.S. Space Force. The 2026 Women in Tech Award recognizes her exceptional leadership in these areas, specifically her ability to forge strategic space partnerships and lead influential space industrial base forums that strengthen our nation’s capabilities.

This innovative spirit was cultivated early; after growing up in Carlsbad, Balzano earned her Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Communication from Eastern New Mexico University. Her career is a testament to the power of communication in technical fields—a professional journey that earned her multiple honors from the New Mexico Broadcasters Association.

Her background in public service was instrumental in preparing her for this impact. Balzano served as New Mexico’s Deputy Cabinet Secretary for both the Economic Development and Tourism Departments under two governors. During her tenure at the Economic Development Department, she spearheaded landmark initiatives such as the completion of Spaceport America, a project that effectively launched the state’s journey into commercial space enterprise. She also previously directed media and corporate relations for Technology Ventures Corporation, a Lockheed Martin affiliate, focusing on tech commercialization from national laboratories.

Much like the frontier leaders who used every tool at their disposal to solve a crisis, Balzano leverages her background in leading an Emmy-winning broadcast news team and her years of experience in government relations and tech engagement to navigate the complex intersection of media, government, and innovation.

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The Solutions Summary

To honor this legacy of local leadership and participate in the future of our regional innovation, consider these immediate steps for engagement:

• Visit the Museum: Explore the Barbara Jones and Josephine Anderson archives at the Historical Society for Southeast New Mexico (200 North Lea Avenue, Roswell).

• View the Art: Visit the Carlsbad Museum to see Josephine Anderson’s Mary at the Tomb.

• Find the Marker: Locate the Josephine Anderson Historical Marker on US 62/180, just east of Carlsbad on the westbound shoulder (near the existing Highway Marker 50’).

• Explore the History: Take a drive north to the Seven Rivers site (US 285, Mile Marker 52) to visualize the rugged landscape where Barbara Jones practiced her frontier medicine.

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Appendix: Related Content & Resources

Primary Research & Honoree Data

• Toni Balzano Professional Profile: LinkedIn Experience & Strategy Background

• 2026 Women in Tech: Honoree Spotlight Video - Toni Balzano

• Space Valley Leadership: Texas Space Coalition - Invited Speakers & Panels

• The New Mexico Women in Tech Awards: Official Awards Program & History

• Q Station & AFRL Innovation: Q Station Official Site

Historical & Community Archives

• Historical Society for Southeast New Mexico: 200 North Lea Avenue, Roswell. 575-622-8333.

• Carlsbad Museum: 412 W Fox St, Carlsbad, NM. 575-887-0276.

• Mid-Week Matters: [March 25, 2026 Broadcast - The Healers of the Pecos]

Disclaimer: Toni Balzano is married to KCCC 930 AM station owner Jonathan Chandler. Neither was aware I was doing this spotlight, but the honor should not go unremarked.

I. The Bridge: From the Summit to the Permian

As mentioned yesterday in the Saturday Signal, I had the honor this weekend to represent both Southeast New Mexico College and KCCC 930 AM Radio as a speaker and attendee at the New Mexico Local News Fund’s Summit 2026: Local News in a Digital World — Navigating the New Information Era.

I spoke on my work with the owner of KCCC 930 AM, Johnny Chandler, on our participation in the Local Media Association Lab for Journalism Funding last year, where I was introduced to tools for assessing the journalism needs of our community. Being location-bound, I began a listening tour in Carlsbad, speaking with people, starting with “friendlies” and progressing to total strangers in the halls of our college or at the farmers and makers market. We just wanted to know how they felt about local journalism, how it met their needs, and the opportunities for improvement. I asked each person to recommend someone else I should speak with—not giving them a poll or survey, but having a conversation.

The community tells you what it needs. The framework tells you where the gap is. Your own skills tell you what you can build. The solution presents itself because you’ve done the work to see it. — Hattie Quinn, Listening to the Gap: Data from Rural Communities

Using this experience and Johnny Chandler having secured the Community News Transformation grant from Journalism + Design at The New School for SENMC to develop and support community journalism throughout Eddy County and Southeastern New Mexico, we were able to create news content that fulfilled responders’ stated needs — Mid-Week Matters — where we aggregate the events and news from or affecting Eddy County and share it with the community through the radio show, our Substack newsletters, and major podcast platforms.

Through follow-up conversations with them, and work with a cohort coach, I was able to bring you the Saturday Signal (weekly recap) and with the help of recently appointed student worker, Endymion DeVere, we bring you the Sunday LowDown, where we delve deeper into a couple of micronews items. Because responders wanted to know more.

I also want to know more, not only about what listeners want from their news, but also how we can be better at delivering it, and I really enjoyed talks on using social media in small newsrooms and providing training for new voices to speak for their community, reimagining local journalism in the face of migrating audiences and an increasingly apathetic citizenry. The question becomes how do we engage? However that is best accomplished in the future, communication is the key.

One of the roles that can be shared with community members is that of Documenter. One who captures the photos at all the events they are at, or attends the city council or county commission meetings and always keeps notes. Endymion has been filling that role for us by combing the minutes and summarizing the information into a digestible summary, which I further sip for the micronews of Mid-Week Matters. With the Sunday Low Down, we now get to bring you his longer-form piece to look a little closer at the news.

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II. The 12-Inch Line: Why the New Weed Ordinance is a Matter of Fire Safety

By Endymion DeVere

Eddy County leaders are moving to strengthen rules on overgrown vegetation, citing rising fire risks in rural areas. At a March 10 meeting, the County Commission — with all five commissioners (Carlson, Funk, Beard, McCutcheon, and Armendariz) present — unanimously advanced an amendment to its Vegetation Nuisance Ordinance that would remove an exemption for properties larger than three acres. A public hearing is scheduled for May 5, followed by a final vote.

Current regulations require landowners to clear vegetation considered a fire or safety hazard — generally growth over 12 inches tall or accumulations of dead or windblown plant material — within 300 feet of occupied structures. The proposed change would extend those requirements to all properties, eliminating the distance-based exemption for larger lots.

The ordinance places responsibility on property owners to cut and remove nuisance vegetation. If they fail to comply after written notice, they have 10 days to address the issue before the county may intervene, remove the vegetation, bill the owner, and place a lien on the property if necessary. Violations can also lead to citations, with penalties of up to $300 in fines, 90 days in jail, or both.

Eddy County Fire Chief Josh Mack — winner of New Mexico Fire Chief of the Year for 2025 — said the update would improve wildfire prevention while maintaining protections for legitimate agricultural operations, which remain exempt unless vegetation poses a fire hazard. Some residents said the original exemption has been misused, particularly by out-of-state property owners neglecting upkeep.

When all five commissioners voted in unison, it sent a clear signal. As a Sensemaker, Endymion’s job is to translate that signal: it means the county is prioritizing wildfire prevention over the previous exemptions that allowed large, often out-of-state-owned lots to go untended.

Here Endymion “amplifies” local listening, explaining a little bit of the reasoning behind the ordinance bringing news of the date of the Public Meeting on the ordinance on May 5, so that you may share your opinions. See Appendix for more resources on the subject.

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III. Collaboration: The Regional Health Guardrail

The importance of timely communication was a factor in the Carlsbad listening tour and thus was addressed in our plans, but we have also designed our summer curricula for community education and workforce training, built upon the community news roles tool Journalism + Design gave us, and to which I have pointed other rural journalists, sharing the resources I used and the workflow I followed, in case they want to try them in their own areas.

This level of mutual aid and collaboration is key to the resurgence of reliable, timely local news to our region. To that end, we recently became members of the Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative (SNMJC), where not only do outlets share important news with each other, but more time-consuming pieces we small newsrooms do not have the time or resources to run down can be assigned out through the collaborative to a freelancer.

You will see in Jonny’s reporting that he highlights the high immunization compliance in Carlsbad and Artesia schools — leading the state with MMR compliance rates near 100% — a crucial data point that reinforces the strength of our local guardrails.

Southern New Mexico’s brush with measles — and the warnings that linger

Risks remain after 2025 outbreak, experts say

By Jonny Coker, written for the Southern NM Journalism Collaborative

SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO — When a measles outbreak swept through southeast New Mexico about a year ago, it infected 100 residents across nine New Mexico counties, resulting in one death. It was the state’s first measles outbreak since 1996, state health officials said. Across the entire United States, there were nearly 2,300 confirmed measles cases, the most the country has seen since 1992, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Indeed, outbreaks of measles – one of the most contagious diseases known – continue to pop up nationwide. And the U.S. could be at risk of losing its coveted status as a measles-free nation.

In recent days, the first case of measles for the year in New Mexico was identified in a federal inmate at a detention center in Lordsburg in the state’s southwestern Bootheel. By Friday, Feb. 27, another inmate in Lordsburg, two in Deming and one in Las Cruces had tested positive for measles, as well, bringing the tally to five cases this year. Separately, an outbreak erupted in a large-scale, federal immigrant detention facility in El Paso.

The 2025 outbreak originated in a West Texas Mennonite community in Gaines County, an area of Texas with a vaccination rate of 82% according to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services, far below the 95% rate that is needed to reach what’s known as herd immunity – a threshold that protects most of the population. So what does this all mean for communities in Southern New Mexico, and is there cause to prepare for more to come?

As the outbreak spread, it was quickly apparent that the highly contagious virus would be a test for New Mexico’s health systems. While the outbreak was declared over in September, public health experts warn the sometimes fatal disease could continue if conditions line up again – namely lagging vaccination rates.

A highly contagious virus

Dr. Jagdish Khubchandani, Professor of Public Health at New Mexico State University with expertise in epidemiology, explained that even though New Mexico generally has higher vaccination rates compared to surrounding states, there are still plenty of vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.

“We have rural populations with lower education and awareness. Unfortunately, we are surrounded by states where vaccination is a problem,” he said. “If you look at where we started in 2019, all the way up to 2025, there have been aggressive efforts to expand (the) public health workforce, to create awareness. So New Mexico has invested a lot in public health (in) the past five years. And that’s why the vaccination drives continue. The alerts continue. The state makes judicious decisions, but you know, despite all that, you have populations that are still vaccine hesitant, are not aware (of) getting vaccinated. And so we see dips in some counties.”

Measles is a highly contagious and consequential sickness. It lingers in rooms for up to two hours after an infected person leaves. Up to 90% of non-immune people exposed will contract it, with one in five infected individuals requiring hospitalization. But two doses of a safe vaccine known as measles-mumps-rubella, or MMR, can offer a person nearly 97% protection against the virus.

According to the NMDOH, out of the 100 affected individuals in New Mexico’s outbreak, 15 were vaccinated with at least one MMR dose, while 57 were unvaccinated, and 28 were unknown.

Vaccinations rise, but gaps remain

In New Mexico, parents or guardians may invoke only two types of exemptions, medical or religious, to bypass required childhood immunizations when enrolling their children in school. The medical exemption must come from a licensed physician, physician assistant, or certified nurse practitioner, while the religious exemption can come from either a recognized religious denomination’s official, or written by a parent or guardian affirming that their beliefs prohibit vaccination. The state does not allow exemptions based on personal objections, and unlike some other states, the immunization rules apply to home-schooled children as well.

Since the measles outbreak earlier this year, NMDOH data shows a nearly 50% jump in the rate of administered MMR vaccines as compared to 2024. Despite that upswing, the latest data from the New Mexico Department of Health show that 21 of New Mexico’s counties still fall below the 95% vaccination rate for people aged 1-18, with both Doña Ana and Otero in the bottom five, with rates hovering around 88%.

And while there are a number of counties that don’t make it to the 95% threshold of herd-immunity, Andrea Romero, head of the New Mexico Department of Health’s immunization program, still feels that the state is in good standing.

“New Mexico is one of the few states in the country that are in the 90% area of vaccine coverage for children,” Romero said. “Looking at our kindergarten coverage rates for the ‘24 and ‘25 school year, we saw that there was good coverage at 95% for that age group itself. So we know that that age group has good protection; that’s what was really critical.”

A look at Southern NM’s schools

The data for school-aged children backs up Romero’s statement. According to information obtained by the Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative from public records requests across Southern New Mexico districts vaccination rates are exceptionally high among students. For the 2025-26 school year, Las Cruces Public Schools saw an MMR compliance rate of 98.38%, Alamogordo Public Schools sat at 99.61%, Carlsbad Municipal Schools was at 99.67%, and Artesia Public Schools at 99.98%. New Mexico tends to have a lower rate of vaccine exemptions than the rest of the country.

But even strong numbers can hide pockets of vulnerability. When the outbreak emerged, districts across the south scrambled to identify at-risk students and staff. In Las Cruces, Director of Health Services for LCPS Shawna Bailey said her team immediately began combing through records.

“We know what their vaccine status was,” she said. “If we were to have a case at the school, we could run a report very quickly and find out who was not up to date. The problem came with staff members because they are not required to submit their vaccine records. A lot of them didn’t even know if they had the vaccine. If they did, they couldn’t find their shot records. So that was more of a challenge for us.”

Schools rushed to set up vaccination clinics for both staff and students. Bailey said the district coordinated closely with local NMDOH staff on every step of the way.

“We did not take any steps on our own,” she said. “Everything we did, we worked with them.”

But even in high-coverage states, a small cluster of unvaccinated individuals is enough to allow measles to spread quickly, as the disease is so contagious that it’s difficult to control.

“If parents are worried about their child being exposed, I would say your greater risk is when you’re out in the public, at Walmart, at the movies, wherever,” Bailey said. “At school they’re pretty safe because our vaccine percentages are really high.”

But Bailey said she’s concerned about declining vaccination rates among the youngest children, and said that some parents simply don’t fear measles because they’ve never seen it.

“Right now, if you look at our pre-K numbers, they’re at 89%,” she said. “[Some parents] think, ‘Oh, it’s just a little disease. They’ll get a rash and a fever and it’ll go away.’ But what they don’t realize is the long-term health problems that come with it.”

Coverage gaps may exist among young children

Bailey’s concerns are well-founded. A recent article published in Nature Health, a new offshoot of the journal Nature, identified MMR vaccination gaps nationwide among children 5 and younger. Southern New Mexico and West Texas were among hot spot regions specifically mentioned in the report as having low vaccine uptake, boosting the risk for outbreaks. The researchers’ findings were based on surveys and modeling. This may indicate parents are delaying MMR vaccinations until their children reach kindergarten, when they’re forced to either get their kids vaccinated or seek an exemption.

Dr. Khubchandani said catching measles can have health consequences that many people are not aware of.

“Even if someone is fortunate to survive, there can be different types of sequences that can happen to the body,” he said. “People in Southeast Asia and Africa are desperate to get the MMR vaccine because they know what measles can do. And here, we are going into the Dark Ages again.”

Khubchandani said that with changes in federal health leadership, including the appointment of several vaccine-skeptics to key federal agencies, he’s worried about a change in public attitudes toward proven and safe vaccines, including MMR.

“The New Mexico Department of Health has a tough job ahead, and they’ll have to continue what they do good,” he said. “Officials here may want to, instead of waiting on the government agencies, do personal outreach, and make coalition teams, and join groups that have similar interests. We have the National Association of City and County Health Officials and National Association of Local Health Departments … So at the city level, county level, public health associations and officials could have their own small interest groups.”

In January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a controversial move scaled back its recommended vaccination schedule for children. MMR, however, remains on the list. Meanwhile, New Mexico maintains its own vaccination schedule that remains unchanged. Still, public health officials worry parents may see vaccinations of all kinds as less important amid the federal action.

Shawna Bailey echoed Dr. Khubchandani’s concerns and emphasized the importance of education and making data-based decisions when it comes to immunization policies.

“I’m very worried,” she said. “We are at a point where we don’t have these diseases because we’ve held that line and we’ve made sure everybody gets their vaccines like they should. And now with us rolling back on those, I’m scared we’re going to see these diseases that we haven’t seen before. It’s going to slowly come back in, and then we’re going to have to work really hard for a long time to get it back down again.”

Responses, outreach to continue

Andrea Romero, however, said New Mexico plans to continue what it’s doing, and to continue outreach and education efforts with the resources given to them.

“I can say just from the measles outbreak here, [that] we have a wonderful community,” she said. “They stepped up and they responded to protect themselves. So regardless of any changes that are happening, we continue to move forward on [educating] how vaccines protect us and keep moving forward on how those recommendations are important for all age groups.”

Despite the uncertainty, state officials and Dr. Khubchandani said the outbreak showed that New Mexico’s systems are strong.

“The ease and speed with which the state started wastewater assessments, started giving alerts to health care systems and citizens, and the vaccine drives soon after. That gives me a lot of confidence. Essentially, New Mexico has shown how to deal with a disease outbreak with the modern public health technology focused way. And this is the way to go forward.”

For Romero, the message of getting vaccinated is both scientific and personal.

“I have my memories from when my grandma and my mom took me to (get) vaccinated at school. When I think about those times, it was somebody that cared and loved me enough to protect me.”

Her job, she says, is to ensure that future generations have that same opportunity.

“Vaccines have shown to protect lives, and continue to do so.”

Jonny Coker is a freelance journalist working with the Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative, a partnership of newsrooms covering important topics. Reach us at SouthNMnews@gmail.com. Visit SouthNMnews.org or SurNMnoticias.org for more information.

Reach out to the New Mexico Department of Health Helpline at 1-833-796-8773 or text NMDOH (66364) to:

• Ask questions about measles, vaccines or other medical questions in English or Spanish.

• Get guidance on measles exposures.

• Access vaccination records.

• Report cases.

Source: New Mexico Department of Health


Measles complications can include:

• Some people may suffer from severe complications, such as pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). They may need to be hospitalized and could die.

• Hospitalization. About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the U.S. who get measles is hospitalized.

• Pneumonia. As many as 1 out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children.

• Encephalitis. About 1 child out of every 1,000 who get measles will develop encephalitis (swelling of the brain). This can lead to convulsions and leave the child deaf or with intellectual disability.

• Death. Nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.

• Complications during pregnancy. If you are pregnant and have not had the MMR vaccine, measles may cause birth prematurely, or have a low-birth-weight baby.

• Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a very rare, but fatal disease of the central nervous system. It results from a measles virus infection acquired earlier in life. It usually develops 7 to 10 years after a person seems to have recovered from measles.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

IV. Neighborly Connections & The Road Ahead

In the Appendix below, you will find another pieces on measles from neighboring members of the Southern NM Journalism Collaborative from Alamogordo (Elva K. Osterreich) through the Cloudcroft Reader (editor Hannah Dean). I have enjoyed my cohort and collaborative work with them and suggest you give their outlets a read, as well, as we all face similar situations in our rural communities.

You’ll notice Coker also mentions the situation in Alamogordo; this is where our partners like Elva K. Osterreich come in. Our Otero County neighbors face the same high-desert challenges we do, and these connections ensure that a health update in Las Cruces or Alamogordo doesn’t catch Eddy County by surprise.

Looking Ahead: Local News at SENMC

My time at the 2026 Summit was more than just a speaking engagement; it was a chance to sharpen the tools I’ve been developing here in Eddy County and bring home new ones. To put these new ideas into practice, we are hosting planning a local listening tour, launching in May.

This event serves as the first public activation of the Community News Transformation grant, secured by Johnny Chandler (Director of Workforce Partnerships, SENMC) through Journalism + Design at The New School. This grant was designed specifically to support and develop community journalism throughout Eddy County and the Permian, and the tour is where that work meets the public.

It won’t just be a presentation — it’s a live exercise in community listening. We’ll be using the frameworks I learned at the summit and through our grant cohort to inform the next steps taken after listening, providing new tools and ideas to identify the next set of “information gaps” in our area. Whether you consider yourself a Documenter, a Sensemaker, or just a neighbor who wants to stay informed, we want you in the room. This is your chance to help us support the future of our local news ecosystem. Stay tuned to KCCC 930 AM and The Sunday LowDown for specific times and location details.

“None of that was invented. All of it was heard while listening.” - Hattie Quinn, “Listening to the Gap: Data from Rural Communities

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The Appendix: Related Content & Collaborative Archives

• KCCC Archive: “Mid-Week Matters: Dancing with the Eddy County Stars and Downtown Growth” (Broadcast March 18, 2026)

• The Regional Cohort:

  • Elva K. Osterreich: “Measles: Southern New Mexicans Recall Pre-Vaccine Era,” March 6, 2026, for the SNMJC,

    Cloudcroft Reader

    Measles: Southern New Mexicans Recall Pre-Vaccine Era

    by Elva K. Österreich…

    Read more

    3 months ago · 4 likes · 5 comments

  • Jonny Coker, freelance journalist, https://substack.com/@jonnycoker

• The Network & Partners:

  • New Mexico Local News Fund (NMLNF): The catalyst for the 2026 Summit and the grant cohorts that funded these regional health reports, and helped to facilitate KCCC’s work with the LMA Lab. nmlocalnews.org

  • Journalism + Design at The New School: The source of the “Community News Roles” (Sensemaker, Catalyst, etc.) used to refine KCCC’s service to Eddy County and how Workforce and Community Education approach teaching broadcast media and news writing at SENMC. journalismdesign.com

  • Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative: A collaborative of news reporters, editors, and news directors in Southern New Mexico. SouthNMnews.org

• Related Local News Sources:

  • Hedden, Adrian. “Eddy County Cracking Down on Overgrown Weeds,” Carlsbad Current-Argus, March 12, 2026. Link (paywalled)

  • Hedden, Adrian. “New Mexico says measles outbreak is over,” Carlsbad Current-Argus, Sept. 2025. Link (paywalled)

• Civic Transparency:

  • Eddy County Board of Commissioners (Bowen, Carlson, Cordova, Klein, and Troost): Unanimous Vote on Ordinance O-1684, March 10 meeting livestream: Facebook Video

  • Eddy County Ordinance O-1684 (Vegetation & Nuisance): Official Document

This week, Eddy County found itself at the center of two stories that share a single theme: stewardship. In Carlsbad, the community is seeing the first physical signs of a pipeline project that will move produced water over our municipal wells. Meanwhile, in Washington, a Lea County neighbor is one step closer to overseeing the very land those wells occupy.

Together, these developments represent the “Multiple Use” philosophy in action—balancing industrial necessity with the protection of our local resources.

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The 15-Mile Connection

By Endymion DeVere

According to the Carlsbad Current-Argus, Carlsbad city councilors have approved a permit for Select Water Solutions to build a 15-mile underground pipeline to transport oilfield wastewater, known as produced water, across parts of the city and Eddy County.

The pipeline will move wastewater from a Permian Resources drilling site on the western edge of Carlsbad to a treatment facility on Hidalgo Road. About 3.5 miles of the line will cross the city’s Well Protection Zone, where groundwater is pumped for municipal use. Oil and gas projects in that area face stricter construction standards to protect the water supply. City staff and a contracted attorney said the proposal meets all local, state, and federal regulations. Still, two councilors voted against the permit, citing concerns about potential spills and impacts to drinking water. State regulators would oversee cleanup in the event of a leak.

The drilling site, which includes 10 wells, was previously approved despite opposition from nearby residents.

A Neighbor On Deck

By Hattie Quinn

While local residents monitor the construction along Boyd Drive, former New Mexico Congressman Steve Pearce is moving toward a role that oversees the Multiple Use mandate of the entire federal estate. On Wednesday, March 4, the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 11-9 along party lines to advance Pearce’s nomination to lead the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

While Pearce hails from neighboring Lea County, his nomination is a significant story for Eddy County because the BLM manages over 60 percent of the land within our borders. If confirmed, the Director effectively acts as the county’s primary landlord, overseeing everything from grazing allotments to the drilling permits that drive our local economy.

The nomination has already become a policy litmus test in the 2026 Governor’s race. Democratic candidate and Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman sharpened his contrast with opponent Deb Haaland by likening the Pearce nomination to “putting a conspiracy theorist in charge of the FBI.” Bregman has used the process to highlight Haaland’s refusal to engage in direct policy debates over 167 days, arguing that the state needs a results-oriented leader focused on crime and education rather than Washington-centric rhetoric. For her part, Haaland has leaned on her record as former Interior Secretary to label Pearce a “dangerous choice” for the nation’s public lands.

In contrast to the vocal Democratic primary, the Republican field has remained notably quiet on this specific appointment. While candidates like Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull, Jim Ellison, and Doug Turner have campaigned extensively on deregulating New Mexico’s industries and improving the state’s business climate, none have yet issued formal statements regarding Pearce’s nomination.

Pearce continues to see support from local stakeholders who value a Westerner’s perspective at the BLM. Alisa Ogden, a fifth-generation rancher and chair of the Litigation Committee for the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, emphasized the value of having a director who knows the specific geography of our state. Ogden noted that Pearce is deliberate in his thinking and that the federal land management process includes inherent guardrails that prevent unilateral decisions.

The nomination now heads to the full Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority. A final confirmation vote has not yet been scheduled.

The Solutions Summary

The path forward for Eddy County requires a dual-track mind. First, local vigilance remains necessary; although the Select Water Solutions permit is approved, residents should monitor the implementation of the heightened engineering standards within the Well Protection Zone. Second, national engagement is key; as the Pearce nomination moves to the full Senate, his pledge to make local input a key factor creates an opening for Eddy County leaders to ensure our specific water and land concerns reach the highest levels of the Department of the Interior.

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Appendix: Related Content and Sources

• Carlsbad Current-Argus: Oilfield wastewater line will run through Happy Valley (3/2/26)

• Midweek Matters: Mid-Week Matters: February 11 - February 13, 2026

• Innovation Spotlight: Sunvapor and SENMC Launch Solar Desalination Pilot

• Workforce Future: SENMC Oil and Gas Technology Future

• Alisa Ogden & NCBA: Ranchers Support Steve Pearce’s Nomination to Lead BLM

• Sam Bregman: Statement on Pearce BLM Nomination (Facebook)

• Deb Haaland: Press Release: Statement on Steve Pearce Nomination (11/5/25)

• Carlsbad Current-Argus: U.S. Senate Committee Supports Steve Pearce for BLM Director (3/5/26)

• Senator Martin Heinrich: Heinrich Announces Opposition to Steve Pearce (3/2/26)

• Sierra Club: Conservation Leaders Unite to Oppose Steve Pearce BLM Nomination

Through informational sessions, business recruitment and retention efforts, and advocacy on behalf of its members, the Chamber actively promotes the interests of both local businesses and the wider community. Events, marketing efforts, and community engagement all help keep Artesia a great place to live, shop, work, and play. By connecting businesses with resources and opportunities, the Chamber helps create an environment where local companies can grow and succeed.

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It’s important to remember that Chambers of Commerce represent the interests of businesses. They are not government agencies, and while some people may assume a chamber builds parks, maintains recreation facilities, or repairs streets, those responsibilities typically belong to local governments. However, chambers can still play a powerful role in moving projects forward when they benefit the local economy. When businesses prosper, they often give back to their communities—making places like Artesia even more attractive for new investment and opportunity. In that way, the work of the Chamber helps create a positive cycle of growth that benefits the entire community.

So let’s give respect to the Greater Artesia Chamber of Commerce for having served the community throughout the last hundred years, and let’s look forward to the next hundred.

Drive the Direction of OUR SHARED STORY!

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International Women’s Day (March 8) is often discussed in global terms, but for us in Eddy County, the impact is local. While there may not be “official” county-wide festivities, the work of empowering women happens every day through dedicated local networks and vital service providers.

This year’s global themes—“Rights. Justice. Action.” (UN) and “Give To Gain” (Community)—are best reflected in the grassroots efforts that keep Carlsbad and Artesia moving forward.

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The History of March 8th

It’s important to remember that this holiday started with working-class women demanding basic dignity:

• 1908: 15,000 women marched in NYC for better pay and the right to vote.

• 1911: The first official IWD was honored, focusing on the right to work and end discrimination.

• 1977: The UN officially recognized the date, turning a labor movement into a global observance.

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Eddy County Women’s Resource Directory

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Advocacy & Networking

If you are looking to get involved, volunteer, or simply connect with other women focused on improving our towns, these organizations are the primary hubs.

• Women for a Better Artesia

  • Focus: Connection, education, and spotlighting local nonprofits.

  • Connect: facebook.com/groups/3087098561558983

• Women for a Better Carlsbad

  • Focus: Community engagement, volunteer opportunities, and leadership.

  • Connect: womenforcarlsbadnm.org or facebook.com/womenforabettercarlsbad

🚨 Crisis, Safety & Rural Reach (24/7)

These services serve the entire county, including Hope, Loving, Malaga, and Queen. If you are in a rural area and cannot get to town, call these numbers to discuss transportation options.

• Carlsbad Battered Families Shelter: 101 S. Canal St, Carlsbad | (575) 885-4615

• Grammy’s House (Artesia): 811 W. Texas Ave, Artesia | (575) 748-1198

• Affirming Heart Victim Services: 2319 W. Pierce St, Carlsbad | (575) 200-3929

  • Provides specialized advocacy and “UpLift” transportation assistance for victims.

🩺 Health & Wellness

• Presbyterian Medical Services – Loving Health Center

  • Address: 602 S. 4th St, Loving, NM 88256

  • Phone: (575) 745-3573

  • A vital primary care hub for the Loving and Malaga communities.

• Vibrant Women’s Health (Artesia General Hospital)

  • Artesia: 612 N. 13th St, Suite B | (575) 736-8394

  • Carlsbad: 105 E. Hagerman St | (575) 885-2180

• Pecos Valley Women’s Health Services: 2420 W. Pierce St, Suite 200, Carlsbad | (575) 885-0995

• Eddy County Public Health Offices (WIC/Family Planning):

  • Carlsbad: 1306 W. Stevens St | (575) 885-4191

  • Artesia: 1001 Memorial Dr | (575) 746-9819

History shows us that progress isn’t something that “just happens” at a global level—it’s built by people who show up for their neighbors. Whether it’s through the networking luncheons in Artesia or the community spotlights in Carlsbad, the strength of Eddy County lies in these connections.

If you’ve been looking for a way to contribute, today is the day to start. Join one of the Facebook groups listed above, check in on a neighbor, or simply save these health and safety numbers in your phone. When we strengthen the network for one woman in our community—from the city center to the rural outskirts—we all gain.