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Bark Beetle Population Surge Challenges Forest Management

Pine trees in Otero and Lincoln counties are experiencing heightened bark beetle activity following last year's Salt and South Fork fires, prompting coordinated forest management efforts
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Recent posts

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Rear View: Top 2025 Stories
With this year in the rear-view mirror, what stories did Readers, well...read? Plus, the Reader team makes our picks.
 • Hannah Dean and Chris Hearne
Three Days Left: Double Your Support for the Reader
Until December 31st, every pledged dollar is doubled through a NewsMatch grant.
 • Reader Staff
Wiley Sworn in; VoC Fact Sheet; Opening Day at Ski Cloudcroft; Healthcare in Otero County; Lodge Menu Preview; and More
What's happening in the Village? Stay informed with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • Reader Staff
Final 2025 Village Council Meeting: 5 Takeaways
December 16th, the Village Council held the last public Council meeting of 2025—marking the final night in the hot seat for Mayor Tim King and Mayor Pro…
 • Hannah Dean
1,900 Otero County Residents Could See Health Premiums Rise
State lawmakers fund temporary fix as federal Enhanced Premium Tax Credits sunset Dec. 31. What does that mean for New Mexicans in Otero County?
Grounds for Support: Is the Reader Worth a Latte?
If every Reader pledges just $5 a month--the cost of a latte-- we'll reach our 2026 goals.
 • Reader Staff
Cloudcroft’s December School Board Meeting: Takeaways
What'd you miss at last night's Board of Education meeting?
 • Hannah Dean
Basketball and Bonfires: A Cloudcroft December Weekend
Photos of the Mountain Top Tournament and annual winter Ullr Fest at the ice rink
 • Hannah Dean
Running in Their Footsteps
The Preslars—Cindy, Matt, and their sons Max and Ricky—are deeply woven into our mountain’s fabric through the non-profit Cloudcroft Runners
 • Hannah Dean
Officer Manzo Leaves Village PD, Joins Sheriff's Office
She said the move allows her to maintain a presence in Cloudcroft while working under a “fully supported and fully equipped agency.”
 • Hannah Dean
El Paso Man Convicted in Crash That Killed Cloudcroft Mayor-Elect’s Son
Details on the verdict, which comes as Wiley prepares for public office.
 • Hannah Dean
If the Cloudcroft Reader Matters to You, Then Please Read This Letter
Support the Cloudcroft Reader in December and double your contribution with a matching grant. By being an Underwriter, you ensure the accountability…
 • Chris Hearne and Hannah Dean
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Cloudcroft Reader
Cloudcroft Reader
The voice of the mountain. The most widely read publication serving the greater Cloudcroft community. Subscribe for free to receive our reporting.
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#top

View all
Rear View: Top 2025 Stories
With this year in the rear-view mirror, what stories did Readers, well...read? Plus, the Reader team makes our picks.
 • Hannah Dean and Chris Hearne
Wiley Wins Mayor Race; CHS Cross Country Goes to State; Prescribed Fire; FY24 VoC Audit Results, and More
Every trail tells a story. Stay informed with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • Reader Staff
Cloudcroft Woman Arrested in Wichita County, Texas on Murder Charges
Deana Thetford was booked into the Wichita County Jail on charges of murder and tampering with evidence
 • Hannah Dean and Drew Gaines
Two Sides of a Soured Deal: Defense Responds to Allegations in Apple Barn Lawsuit and Makes Some of Their Own
With new court filings and a judge’s receivership decision, we revisit the Old Apple Barn Lawsuit to hear what the defense has to say
 • Chris Hearne and Drew Gaines
Workshopping Cloudcroft's Water Challenges
The Village of Cloudcroft Council meets with CDM Smith engineering firm, Public Works, and concerned citizens to discuss water issues
 • Hannah Dean
54:17
Cloudcroft's Murky Accounting
Village administration discovers it's been living in a financial fog
 • Hannah Dean and Chris Hearne
Cloudcroft's Fire Chief Shares Village Emergency Alert Plan
As the South Fork and Salt Fires burn to our North, and thousands of people remain evacuated, Fire and EMS Chief Wuersching reminds Cloudcroft Village…
 • Hannah Dean and Chris Hearne
Ruidoso Fire Believed 'Intentional'
Cloudcroft Mayor says Cloudcroft stands by to help Ruidoso however possible and is working to prepare the Village if ever such an event occurs here.
 • Hannah Dean and Chris Hearne

#lodging

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What's Out There? Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
Take a look at the secluded haven in Sacramento, New Mexico, with the Reader
 • Hannah Dean
Village News: Lodger’s Tax and P+Z Meetings, Interim Budget
The Lodger's Tax funding ask, P+Z open seat, and the Village gets the interim budget in on time.
 • Hannah Dean
Hotel Cloudcroft on Burro ‘Closer to Opening’: Water Pressure Test Truck-In Scheduled at ‘No Cost to Village’
The newly remodeled hotel plans to open soon after passing tests and inspections, date TBA.
 • Hannah Dean
Cloudcroft Village Trustee Gail McCoy Shares Her Journey
Trustee, fitness instructor, B&B owner, and great-grandma Gail McCoy sits down with Cloudcroft Reader Senior Editor Hannah Dean to share her life story…
 • Hannah Dean
Cloudcroft Reader’s Lodging Guide: Part Two
Meet the owners, take a video tour, and plan your stay on the mountain with part two of our user-friendly guide.
 • Drew Gaines
Rebecca's Final Chapter
Ghost of Rebecca will no longer haunt fine dining at The Lodge as Cloudcroft resort rebrands its showcase restaurant, introduces new menu
 • Drew Gaines
The Lodge at Cloudcroft: A Century-Old Icon's Renaissance
Owner Joe Duncan shares the journey of restoring a mountain gem.
 • Chris Hearne
Alta Vista Motel Slated for New Owner, New Look, New Name
Big Daddy’s Diner owners plan to remake chalet-style motel
 • Hannah Dean

#people

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Wiley Sworn in; VoC Fact Sheet; Opening Day at Ski Cloudcroft; Healthcare in Otero County; Lodge Menu Preview; and More
What's happening in the Village? Stay informed with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • Reader Staff
Running in Their Footsteps
The Preslars—Cindy, Matt, and their sons Max and Ricky—are deeply woven into our mountain’s fabric through the non-profit Cloudcroft Runners
 • Hannah Dean
El Paso Man Convicted in Crash That Killed Cloudcroft Mayor-Elect’s Son
Details on the verdict, which comes as Wiley prepares for public office.
 • Hannah Dean
Run Wild: Meet the Man Continuing Cloudcroft’s Trail Running Series
Wanderlust owner and race director Shane Asbury talks about outdoor recreation and upcoming events
 • Hannah Dean
Meet Cloudcroft's Fulbright Scholar
Village part-timer Julianne Newmark Engberg teaches technical communication at UNM, spent a year in Finland, and knows why government messages fail.
 • Hannah Dean
Wiklund Talks Ice Rink; Your Council-Elect; Phone-Free School; Veterans Day; Cool Investment in Cloudcroft, and More
Every trail tells a story. Stay informed with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • Reader Staff
El Paso Hockey Owner Promises Cool Investment in Cloudcroft
A 20-year lease agreement envisions upgrades, longer seasons, and youth hockey
 • Hannah Dean
Tom Taylor, Eccentric Veteran and Cloudcroft Icon, Dies at 77
Remembering “One-Arm Tom” with the help of his daughters, family, lovers, neighbors, and friends.
 • Drew Gaines

#water

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Expert Says Cloudcroft Must Fix Aging Wastewater Plant as State Tightens Nitrogen Rules
With no current discharge permit, village officials are weighing high-dollar treatment upgrades while seeking to lease or buy the U.S. Forest Service…
 • Hannah Dean
Water Dept. Raises Finally Flow
Public Works Department employees were promised raises in the July '25 budget meeting by a unanimous vote of the council. It took a special meeting …
 • Hannah Dean and Chris Hearne
Public Safety: Leadership Cloudcroft Emergency Management Notes
Leadership Cloudcroft, community leaders, and regional emergency managers recently met to discuss Emergency Management on the mountain
 • Hannah Dean and Chris Hearne
Explainer: Missed 1 of 3 Water Samples, "No Quality Concerns"
On Thursday, September 4th, a notice was sent out by the village regarding a missed June water sampling. Here's what happened
 • Hannah Dean
Is My Water Safe?
Cloudcroft Water System 2024 Consumer Confidence Report
 • Reader Studio
Mountain Business Round Up: Who's Coming, Going, and Growing
Local favorites for sale, new coffee shop opening, bear sightings, and U-Pick season begins June 11. The Reader has the skinny
 • Hannah Dean
Hotel Cloudcroft on Burro ‘Closer to Opening’: Water Pressure Test Truck-In Scheduled at ‘No Cost to Village’
The newly remodeled hotel plans to open soon after passing tests and inspections, date TBA.
 • Hannah Dean
Workshopping Cloudcroft's Water Challenges
The Village of Cloudcroft Council meets with CDM Smith engineering firm, Public Works, and concerned citizens to discuss water issues
 • Hannah Dean

#school

View all
Cloudcroft’s December School Board Meeting: Takeaways
What'd you miss at last night's Board of Education meeting?
 • Hannah Dean
Basketball and Bonfires: A Cloudcroft December Weekend
Photos of the Mountain Top Tournament and annual winter Ullr Fest at the ice rink
 • Hannah Dean
Wiklund Talks Ice Rink; Your Council-Elect; Phone-Free School; Veterans Day; Cool Investment in Cloudcroft, and More
Every trail tells a story. Stay informed with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • Reader Staff
7:47
Phone-free Classrooms in Cloudcroft
Cloudcroft Middle School saw a sharp rise in academic proficiency after locking away phones. Educators and researchers are watching to see if the…
Wiley Wins Mayor Race; CHS Cross Country Goes to State; Prescribed Fire; FY24 VoC Audit Results, and More
Every trail tells a story. Stay informed with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • Reader Staff
Fall in Cloudcroft: Photo Essay
See this classic October Cloudcroft weekend through pics of the school Fall Festival, Village Pumpkin Roll and parade, and more.
 • Hannah Dean
Special Edition: Political Primer
Get set for Cloudcroft's local election and help the Reader moderate the upcoming Mayor debate with your questions.
 • Reader Staff
Public Safety: Leadership Cloudcroft Emergency Management Notes
Leadership Cloudcroft, community leaders, and regional emergency managers recently met to discuss Emergency Management on the mountain
 • Hannah Dean and Chris Hearne

#villageCouncil

View all
Wiley Sworn in; VoC Fact Sheet; Opening Day at Ski Cloudcroft; Healthcare in Otero County; Lodge Menu Preview; and More
What's happening in the Village? Stay informed with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • Reader Staff
Final 2025 Village Council Meeting: 5 Takeaways
December 16th, the Village Council held the last public Council meeting of 2025—marking the final night in the hot seat for Mayor Tim King and Mayor Pro…
 • Hannah Dean
Expert Says Cloudcroft Must Fix Aging Wastewater Plant as State Tightens Nitrogen Rules
With no current discharge permit, village officials are weighing high-dollar treatment upgrades while seeking to lease or buy the U.S. Forest Service…
 • Hannah Dean
Council Appoints Willett At Heated Meeting
"You Go to Hell": Mayor King and Former Mayor Turner trade insults at tense Council session. With AUDIO
 • Hannah Dean and Chris Hearne
Changing of the Guard
Council meeting tonight: Outgoing mayor's trustee pick faces opposition from newly elected mayor's supporters
 • Hannah Dean and Chris Hearne
Wiklund Talks Ice Rink; Your Council-Elect; Phone-Free School; Veterans Day; Cool Investment in Cloudcroft, and More
Every trail tells a story. Stay informed with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • Reader Staff
Meet Your Trustees: Post-Election Interviews
Hardwick, McCoy, and Hamilton weigh in after the election.
 • Hannah Dean
Wiley Wins Mayor Race; CHS Cross Country Goes to State; Prescribed Fire; FY24 VoC Audit Results, and More
Every trail tells a story. Stay informed with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • Reader Staff
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