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He Fell Waist-Deep Into a Hole. That's How Pineywoods Estates Residents in High Rolls Found Their Water Leak.

The Sacramento Mountains community faced a water crisis during heavy snowfall. Some residents have had service restored, with a boil advisory in effect until further testing is complete.
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Pineywoods Water Crisis; El Paso Airport Closed, then Reopened; Snow-Removal Program, and More
Follow the story with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • Reader Staff
Hard Work, Shared
At Cloudcroft Fitness, the challenge is real—but you’re never doing it alone.
 • Hannah Dean
FAA closes — and then suddenly reverses decision to halt— El Paso Airspace for 10 days
The order closes all air travel in the nation's 23rd-largest city
Big Leak Found, Fixed; New Podcast; Snow Removal Program; P+Z Gains; Winter Storm Fern, and More
Follow the story with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • Reader Staff
Public Works Finds the "Big One"
Contractor McKim & Creed helps locate a massive water leak on Columbine Blvd. in Cloudcroft. The Village water department fixes it.
 • Hannah Dean
Cloudcroft's New Mayor Confronts Water, Budget in First Interview
Dusty Wiley discusses water leaks, frozen state grants, staffing, revenue, budget, and how he got here. Plus, WATCH: Jonny Coker interviews Wiley on the…
 • Hannah Dean and Jonny Coker
Storm Batters Cloudcroft; Water News; NM Downwinders Eligible for RECA; Recommended Reading, and More
Follow the story with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • Reader Staff
After 63 Years, New Mexico Downwinders Qualify for Federal Compensation
After years of advocacy by survivors and their families, the RECA law extends to all of New Mexico
 • Hannah Dean
Cloudcroft Temporarily Hires Leak Detection Company
Public Works Supervisor JJ Carrizal calls in reenforcements.
 • Hannah Dean
The Hunt for a Million-Gallon Leak, Bluff Springs Closures Extended, and More
Water woes continue to confound the village. Follow the story with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • Reader Staff
Water Emergency: The Hunt for a Million-Gallon Leak
Public Works Supervisor JJ Carrizal delivers a sobering report to the village council before they vote on emergency funding. Plus, key takeaways from…
 • Hannah Dean
Your Guide to Mountain Life
A look inside the new Mountain Monthly—with a few stories to explore
 • 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

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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
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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Cloudcroft's New Mayor Confronts Water, Budget in First Interview
Dusty Wiley discusses water leaks, frozen state grants, staffing, revenue, budget, and how he got here. Plus, WATCH: Jonny Coker interviews Wiley on the…
 • Hannah Dean and Jonny Coker
The Hunt for a Million-Gallon Leak, Bluff Springs Closures Extended, and More
Water woes continue to confound the village. Follow the story with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • Reader Staff
Brewing at 9,000 Feet: Inside Cloudcroft Brewing Company
Get to know Cloudcroft’s microbrewery behind the scenes.
 • Hannah Dean
Rising to the Occasion: Levain It Up in High Rolls
The aroma of fresh-baked bread fills the air at Levain It Up Sourdough Bakery in High Rolls, where Garrett Barnett and Steven Jackson are transforming…
 • Hannah Dean
Seeing Soul Through the Lens
Cloudcroft photographer and business owner Crystal Tompkins finds home—and helps others find themselves—one portrait at a time
 • Hannah Dean
“I Just Kept Drawing”: Rand Carlson’s Life in Color
From daily deadlines to mountain mornings, a longtime cartoonist finds his rhythm in Cloudcroft.
 • Hannah Dean
Texas A&M Students Pass Through Cloudcroft on 1,000-Mile Ruck March
Group nears completion of 10-day trek to benefit Special Operations Warrior Foundation
 • Hannah Dean
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

#water

View all
Pineywoods Water Crisis; El Paso Airport Closed, then Reopened; Snow-Removal Program, and More
Follow the story with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • Reader Staff
He Fell Waist-Deep Into a Hole. That's How Pineywoods Estates Residents in High Rolls Found Their Water Leak.
The Sacramento Mountains community faced a water crisis during heavy snowfall. Some residents have had service restored, with a boil advisory in effect…
 • Hannah Dean
Big Leak Found, Fixed; New Podcast; Snow Removal Program; P+Z Gains; Winter Storm Fern, and More
Follow the story with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • Reader Staff
Public Works Finds the "Big One"
Contractor McKim & Creed helps locate a massive water leak on Columbine Blvd. in Cloudcroft. The Village water department fixes it.
 • Hannah Dean
Storm Batters Cloudcroft; Water News; NM Downwinders Eligible for RECA; Recommended Reading, and More
Follow the story with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • Reader Staff
Cloudcroft Temporarily Hires Leak Detection Company
Public Works Supervisor JJ Carrizal calls in reenforcements.
 • Hannah Dean
The Hunt for a Million-Gallon Leak, Bluff Springs Closures Extended, and More
Water woes continue to confound the village. Follow the story with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • Reader Staff
Water Emergency: The Hunt for a Million-Gallon Leak
Public Works Supervisor JJ Carrizal delivers a sobering report to the village council before they vote on emergency funding. Plus, key takeaways from…
 • Hannah Dean

#school

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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
Big Leak Found, Fixed; New Podcast; Snow Removal Program; P+Z Gains; Winter Storm Fern, and More
Follow the story with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • Reader Staff
Cloudcroft's New Mayor Confronts Water, Budget in First Interview
Dusty Wiley discusses water leaks, frozen state grants, staffing, revenue, budget, and how he got here. Plus, WATCH: Jonny Coker interviews Wiley on the…
 • Hannah Dean and Jonny Coker
The Hunt for a Million-Gallon Leak, Bluff Springs Closures Extended, and More
Water woes continue to confound the village. Follow the story with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • Reader Staff
Water Emergency: The Hunt for a Million-Gallon Leak
Public Works Supervisor JJ Carrizal delivers a sobering report to the village council before they vote on emergency funding. Plus, key takeaways from…
 • Hannah Dean
Hauling H2O Again; Wiley's First Meeting; New Library Hours; Sunspot Closed; Grocery Coming Soon; Recent Ruck, and more
What's happening in the Village? Stay informed with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • Reader Staff
Wiley Era Begins with Special Meeting on Water, Staffing
Council approves clerk and police chief as village hauls water from Alamogordo
 • Hannah Dean
Water, Key Hires on VoC's First 2026 Agenda; Support Group Survey Results; Bark Beetle Challenges Forest Management, and More
What's happening in the Village? Stay informed with the Reader, the Voice of the Mountain.
 • 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
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