<![CDATA[Cloudcroft Reader]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.comhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UtEJ!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffe732187-1289-4594-a42a-87929a2092db_1024x1024.pngCloudcroft Readerhttps://www.cloudcroftreader.comSubstackFri, 01 May 2026 23:20:57 GMT<![CDATA[New Development in High Rolls; Village Budget Meetings Begin; Ruidoso Update; and More ]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/new-development-in-high-rolls-villagehttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/new-development-in-high-rolls-villageWed, 29 Apr 2026 13:31:59 GMT

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Video Report: Ruidoso Looks at Summer Season Ahead

By Jonny Coker with the Southern Journalism Collaborative

Ruidoso is facing economic uncertainty with the closure of the area’s horse racing track.

In June of 2024, two wildfires swept through the Sacramento mountains, forcing the evacuation of the entire town of Ruidoso, eventually burning around 17,000 acres along with 1,400 structures in and around the village.

The burn scars brought destructive and deadly flooding during the 2024 and 2025 monsoon seasons, effectively shuttering one of the area’s main economic drivers, the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack.

Now, nearly two years after the initial disaster, the racetrack announced it will be shuttering again in 2026 due to the continued risk of dangerous flooding, dealing another blow to the long-term economic health of the surrounding area.

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]]><![CDATA[Wooten Spring Park Aims to be “Park First” on 45 Acres near High Rolls]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/wooten-spring-park-aims-to-be-parkhttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/wooten-spring-park-aims-to-be-parkWed, 29 Apr 2026 12:18:43 GMT
In the works: a new public park and RV campground — complete with pickleball courts, a natural spring, fruit trees, and plans for future festivals.

A 45-acre property along U.S. 82 between Cloudcroft and High Rolls is being developed into what its founders call a park-first destination, with RV sites filling about half the land and the rest opened to the public through day passes.

Wooten Spring Park is the project of Justin Muñoz and Bryce Eaton. The team is targeting a summer 2027 opening, pending permits.

Muñoz said the goal is not a typical RV stop. “We’re a park first,” he said. The plan calls for roughly two miles of trails along a stream, a half-acre recreation pond, a tent camping area, an orchard, a welcome center, convenience retail, pickleball courts, and a music stage.

“Our vision is to have a place where people can come by RV and stay and enjoy amenities. But also a place where the public can stop in and go to our welcome center, to our gift shop, play on our pickleball courts, enjoy our orchard and our park, and potentially have live music one day.”

RV hookups will fill about half the property.

The setting drives the project. The parcel includes a mile of creek frontage, spring-fed water, flat usable acreage, and a border with the Lincoln National Forest. It sits about five minutes from Cloudcroft. “It’s a one-of-a-kind parcel,” Muñoz said.

An aerial view

The property was formerly the Mountain Park trout farm and was owned the Tony Lama family of El Paso, founders of the famous boot company.

The project takes its name from Wooten Spring, which once served as the last water stop for steam trains climbing the Sacramento Mountains to Cloudcroft. The spring still runs out of the mountainside. Muñoz said it is “beautiful pristine water” that “gushes right out of the side of the mountain.”

Wooten Spring itself was named for Benjamin Wooten, who purchased and developed the property with his wife in the 1800s, according to the developers. The surrounding settlement was once known as Wooten, New Mexico, and had its own post office before High Rolls did.

The partners spent roughly a year looking for the right site. They had been considering another property when this parcel came open.

“We had to move fast because there was a lot of interest,” said Eaton.

The developers said they plan to video record the project’s progress and share it publicly, inviting locals and travelers to follow along online.

According to Muñoz, “Technically, construction has begun, but the development hasn't started. We have been busy the last couple of months removing trash and over 9 structures, including 5 uninhabitable homes full of debris. We hauled off over 2 million pounds of trash and construction debris in 130 roll-off dumpsters so far.”

As planned, Wooten Spring Park will be both a new tourism business and a public gathering place tied to one of the older pieces of recorded history in the corridor, conveniently located between Cloudcroft and Alamogordo.

Follow the project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wootenspringpark

And their website: https://www.wootenspringpark.com

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]]><![CDATA[Department Heads Make Their Case at Cloudcroft’s Budget Workshop]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/department-heads-make-their-casehttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/department-heads-make-their-caseWed, 29 Apr 2026 12:16:57 GMT
Volunteer Fire Chief Erich Wuersching (R) presents Fire Station upgrade requests to the Village Council

Village Clerk Jini Turri was plain about the budget process from the start: the Tuesday meeting was “step one of four” — a chance for department heads to say what they think it will cost to run their operations in FY 2026–27.

Before the governing body looks at revenues, weighs tradeoffs, or agrees to anything.

Trustees Matt Willett, Keith Hamilton, and Danny Hardwick, Mayor Dusty Wiley, Clerk Turri, and Finance Director Sylvia Hall were in attendance.

A mid-year budget review is planned for December.

Public Works & Maintenance

Public Works Supervisor JJ Carrizal went first.

His “priority one”: 152 remaining cellular-read water meters, which would finish a village-wide upgrade already well underway. The second: 62 fire hydrants priced at $215,210, from the maintenance fund.

Carrizal said the cellular meters have earned their keep. Since the upgrade began, residents have been calling in leaks detected through the EyeOn Water app — catching problems that used to go unnoticed until the monthly read cycle.

Public Works asked for $516,855.55 for maintenance, $420,400 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), and $147,869.88 for utilities and office/plant upgrades.

Beyond infrastructure, Carrizal raised two workforce concerns.

With veteran wastewater operator Scott Powell retiring in January, he wants to bring on a new hire at $20 per hour in July — a candidate who already holds a CDL license, sparing the village that expense. He also asked the council to adopt a raise schedule that rewards operators for earning certifications, rather than requiring them to wait until the next budget year.

His argument: the village pays for training, travel, lodging, and testing. The moment an operator levels up, other municipalities may “poach” them.

Trustee Hardwick suggested that the village require employees to sign one-to two-year service agreements after the village funds their training.

Operator Sean O’Connor, currently certified at Water Level 2, is preparing to take his Wastewater Level 1 test. Carrizal said his long-term goal is to have every operator in the department double-certified in both water and wastewater — a standard the village will need to sustain as Powell’s departure leaves the team thin on licensure.

Carrizal also asked the council to consider splitting the Water and Sewer funds, which have historically been lumped together, to clearly see the revenue and expenditures for each.

Turri said moving toward separate water and sewer enterprise funds would follow guidance from the New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) and other water/funding authorities that each utility should stand on its own revenues.

Police Department

Police Chief Roger Schoolcraft had a modest ask compared to recent police department budgets. In 2025, the then-council set aside a $608,504 payroll budget for four full-time police officers—a sum that accounted for 34% of the projected General Fund.

His budget request of $293,592 covers himself and Officer Mike Testa, as well as vehicle expenses, training, equipment, ammunition, and body cameras. Schoolcraft said he has no plans to grow the department beyond two officers until a School Resource Officer grant comes through — and he is actively working on that application with school superintendent Jocelyne Gillespie.

If the SRO grant is awarded, a third officer would be assigned to Cloudcroft Schools for nine months of the year, returning to general patrol over the summer.

The department recently received a $96,500 LAPF grant for vehicles, training, and equipment, signed by the mayor two days ago.

Schoolcraft noted that the fleet — three Ford F-150 patrol units, a Chevy Tahoe, and a 2019 Ford Ranger — is in good shape, with no marked unit over 30,000 miles. He rotates through all the vehicles to keep them from sitting.

A Chevy Tahoe currently not in regular use came up as a possible hand-off to Public Works, where Carrizal is still driving a 1994 former police cruiser.

Fire & EMS

Fire Chief Erich Wuersching presented across four separate funds — the Fire Protection Fund, EMS Fund, Ambulance Fund, and Fire Department Fund.

The Cloudcroft Fire Department funds the bulk of its operations through state fire protection allotments, ambulance billing handled by a third-party collections company, and grants. The governing body’s role is to authorize how those funds are spent as a fiscal agent.

Wuersching’s priority capital project is an apparatus bay addition and a Station 1 facelift — new siding and doors. He said the project would be paid from accumulated carryover, not the general fund, and that he expects to have property boundary work cleared by June, with a bid process possible by August.

The department is also awaiting word on an ambulance grant application. Wuersching said results were expected on Wednesday. The EMS Fund is currently running a deficit; Wuersching said it will be covered by the Ambulance Fund.

Water Treatment Plant

Water operator David Hunter requested a notable expenditure to run the treatment plant near Ski Cloudcroft on Highway 82.

He wants a clean, dedicated lab space inside the plant’s office building for water-quality sampling and equipment calibration.

“I’d like a clean environment where all my calibrations can take place — not somewhere really dusty,” Hunter said.

The budget request covers treatment chemicals, lab equipment and reagents, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system licensing, safety gear, vehicle maintenance for the springs circuit, and overnight shipping costs for state-regulated water samples that must reach laboratories in Albuquerque or Santa Fe within 20 hours.

An electrical project underway at the plant is expected to reduce utility costs once it wraps up. Hunter said he expects to have the full picture on those savings soon.

Wastewater Treatment

A big ask for the WWTP is sludge hauling, at $125,000.

The request also covers plant and lift station maintenance, lab chemicals and sampling, SCADA, contract services, and safety equipment.

With Powell leaving in January, O’Connor will carry the primary operator role. Carrizal noted that state rules require a Level 4-certified operator on staff; he currently holds that certification and will continue to meet that requirement while O’Connor works through the levels.

Michael Nivison Public Library

Library Director Sandra Barr brought a budget to Tuesday’s meeting — and a case for a building she calls the “Queen of Cloudcroft.”

The Michael Nivison Public Library occupies the 1913 Trost Building, the Old Red Brick Schoolhouse, listed on the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties.

Barr said the building has been neglected through no particular fault — just years of deferred attention — and that the list of things that need fixing is no longer short.

“That building is special, and she suffered from benign neglect. Those windows are rotten. There’s a weak spot in the floor,” she told the council.

Her maintenance request of approximately $22,000 covers rotted window frames in the front foyer, flooring repairs, additional electrical outlets, ceiling work in the entryway, front yard landscaping, and a reconfigured circulation desk.

Her operating requests include part-time staffing for Saturday hours — the library is currently closed Saturdays, which she called “unacceptable” — and a small seasonal hire to help through the summer.

She also asked that proceeds from Friends of the Library donated book sales be routed more directly through the village budget rather than held entirely within the Friends organization.

Turri noted that some library events may qualify for Lodgers’ Tax funding, which could ease the draw on the general fund.

Municipal Court

Judge Mark Tatum — participating by phone — submitted a budget built around 15 hours per week for Court Clerk Rachel Truex.

Mayor Wiley asked: Will 15 hours be enough? ” He noted that when he previously served as the village's Judge, the court had a full-time clerk who stayed busy. Judge Tatum said Truex herself had pushed the request from 10 hours to 15 as a starting point, and that he would come back for more if the citation volume demands it.

What Happens Next

The governing body heads to Mescalero this weekend for a public budget retreat at the Inn of the Mountain Gods, running Friday through Sunday, May 1–3. That is where the harder work begins — matching Tuesday’s requests against revenues, reserve balances, and what the village can realistically fund.

An interim budget must be approved in May and submitted to the state. The final adopted budget takes effect July 1.

Turri said the meeting will be recorded, but not live on YouTube. All sessions are public meetings. The agenda and notice for the May 1–3 workshop are posted at cloudcroftvillage.com.

See you there.

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]]><![CDATA[Ruidoso Business Owners Confront Layered Challenges as Tourist Season Approaches]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/ruidoso-business-owners-confronthttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/ruidoso-business-owners-confrontSun, 26 Apr 2026 15:52:59 GMTIn June of 2024, two wildfires swept through the Sacramento mountains, forcing the evacuation of the entire town of Ruidoso, eventually burning around 17,000 acres along with 1,400 structures in and around the village.

The burn scars brought destructive and deadly flooding during the 2024 and 2025 monsoon seasons, effectively shuttering one of the area’s main economic drivers, the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack.

Now, nearly two years after the initial disaster, the racetrack announced it will be shuttering again in 2026 due to the continued risk of dangerous flooding, dealing another blow to the long-term economic health of the surrounding area.

Checking in with the Locals, the Data

Arnold Duke owns the Ruidoso Trading Post. His wholesale jewelry warehouse was engulfed by floodwater in July of last year. Duke said that the town lives and dies by its summer season, and that the absence of horse racing for at least another year will be another blow to local businesses.

“We generally do all our business between June and September, primarily from the racing community. So without having them there, that’s a loss for everyone. I believe they bring more than three hundred million dollars to this little village in three months,” he said.

Even after what he described as a decent spring break, Duke said that business is noticeably slower than the years prior to the disasters, but he remains resilient.

“It’s quite a bit slower. And I’m sure a large portion of that is there’s less tourists, less activities. Unfortunately we lost the Flying J Ranch, which was a big attraction, one of my favorite places to go. So I think we’ve got a tough future, but I do think we have a good future,” he said. “We’ve had fires and floods back to back, two years in a row. And we’re actually expecting more floods this year. So it has been very difficult for everybody. But if you’re here, you have to be strong and determined. And this is a wonderful, wonderful place to live.”

According to data pulled from the Village of Ruidoso’s financial reports, the town’s revenue from its lodgers’ tax fell nearly 30% between FY2024 to FY2025.

Additionally, taxable receipts for accommodation and food services in that same period fell nearly 19%.

Recent data covering the first eight months of the current fiscal year show that the lodgers’ tax is about 3% above where it was in FY2025, with the critical surge of tourism season still ahead.

Marissa Pater at the Ruidoso T-Shirt Outlet

And the shift has been noticeable for locals in the area. Marissa Pater has lived in Ruidoso for nearly 40 years, and currently works at the Ruidoso T-Shirt Outlet on Sudderth Drive. She said she appreciates the effort put in by the village government, but said that state and federal governments disaster assistance has been frustratingly slow.

“You can just drive around town and see the disaster areas. It’s been over two years. I don’t think we’ve gotten the funding, the help that we’ve needed. They put in the [money] the first year to stop the floods, and one flood took everything out in seconds.”

On the racetrack’s absence, Pater said that long-term survival will depend on how businesses adapt.

“This year we’ve seen an uptick in business from the past two years after the fire, but it’s still not where we were, especially with the racetrack closing down,” she said. “Now, with [a] bad winter and without a racetrack being here, it seems like we’re going to have to get creative with what we’re going to do to get people to still come to Ruidoso.”

Rebuilding

Dr. Jay Lillywhite, Associate Dean for NMSU’s College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES), echoed the importance of economic diversification and explained that with the toll of the destruction and the absence of the racetrack, the village will be feeling the effects for years to come.

“When an individual comes to the racetrack, let’s say it’s an individual coming for recreation, they may purchase gas at a local gas station, they might purchase groceries or food from a restaurant. Those are impacts that, without the racetrack being there, they won’t be felt anymore unless something takes its place,” he said.

Dr. Lillywhite also spoke to the difficulty for locals in the community, who are still dealing in the process of rebuilding what was lost.

“I’ve heard stories right, some coming out of California with anecdotal evidence, where insurance companies say, ‘hey, we just can’t afford to be in this market anymore,’ and I think that’s been broached at the state [legislature],” he said. “We’ve had a number of severe fires in New Mexico over the last five, ten years. So it’s something we have to look at and try to identify ways that we can support these areas when that happens.”

And beyond the numbers, Dr. Lillywhite said that some aspects of disaster recovery are simply difficult to analyze.

“There are things that are really difficult to quantify that are important. The emotional toll, the family stress. So I don’t want to understate that as well. It’s certainly a challenge,” he said. “I’m optimistic. I think people are resilient, communities are resilient, I think they’ll figure it out. I’m not saying everything will be the same, but they’ll work together and hopefully the state and the extending communities will work together to support them through that process.”

Mayor Lynn Crawford acknowledged that the road ahead for the village will be hard, but pointed to the recent data showing a slight uptick in the town’s revenue as a reason to be optimistic.

“For the last 10 or 15 years, we’ve been working very hard to stabilize and build up our shoulder season so that we have a more stable economy. And we’ve had a lot of success in that,” Crawford said. “We haven’t taken our eye off the ball, we still expect the track to stay in Lincoln County. And I’m still hopeful that it’ll stay in the same location with quite a bit of modifications.”

As tourism season draws closer, Crawford said the village has been working to replace some of the revenue brought by the racetrack, and is hoping for more federal funding to be used in the town’s rebuilding effort ahead of the monsoon.

“The concern is going to be this summer. We’ve been working with our tourism team on how do we replace the events that people usually come and spend money at the racetrack, and then stay here all week, in fact for three or four months at a time. We’re not going to be able to replace all of that revenue the first year. But we have some other [good] economic indicators. We’ve got the green fuels energy conversion plant that’s starting,” Crawford said. “So there’s a lot of different things that are happening to help work to the replacement.”

With the summer rains approaching and the racetrack absent for another year, Ruidoso’s path to recovery remains rocky, and the season that could define the town’s recovery is still ahead.

This report is supported by the Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative.

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]]><![CDATA[Failing WWTP; Meet Greg Crinklaw and Scott Powell; Spring Updates, and More ]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/failing-wwtp-meet-greg-crinklaw-andhttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/failing-wwtp-meet-greg-crinklaw-andThu, 23 Apr 2026 00:35:26 GMT

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Cloudcroft Art Society:

The CAS May meeting is Sunday, May 3, 1:00 p.m. in the Old Red Brick Schoolhouse. CAS welcomes new and returning attendees—members are not required to make or exhibit art.

Spring Cleaning: Library Book Sale

A book sale is ongoing now through this Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bags of books are $5; rare titles are $5 each. Funds raised go to the Friends of the Library, who fund library events.

From the archives, July 2024:

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]]><![CDATA[Failing Wastewater Treatment Plant, New Dark Skies Committee Forms: Village Updates]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/failing-wastewater-treatment-planthttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/failing-wastewater-treatment-plantWed, 22 Apr 2026 18:10:38 GMT
Wastewater Plant Operator Scott Powell sprays down an MBR cassette before the annual recovery cleaning.

The clarigestor at Cloudcroft’s wastewater treatment plant is failing, and an independent expert contracted by the state, Robert George, said so in writing.

In a letter dated April 14, addressed to Steven Deal, PE, of NMED’s Construction Programs Bureau, George wrote that the clarigestor treatment unit's failing condition “has reached the point that swift actions are needed to avoid major impacts to the treatment process and environment.”

He added: “Unlike many situations that are characterized as ‘emergencies’ in the realm of wastewater treatment, this actually is one.”

Public Works Supervisor J.J. Carrizal shared the letter to the village council at last night’s Tuesday, April 21 meeting.

Mayor Dusty Wiley told the Reader that Carrizal “will send the letter to the state tomorrow” and that he and Carrizal have an upcoming meeting with engineering firm CDM Smith.

“They are busy down there, patching things up, so that’s where (Carrizal’s) first priority is,” Wiley said. “This is an emergency that has to be done now.”

The hope in sending the letter is that the state will divert grant funding towards water sampling. “Originally, they were thinking about using that grant money to do all the costs because it’s gonna be $100,000 to $200,000, I’m guessing, to fix it right now,” Wiley said. “It’s gonna have to come out of our current budget. We’re going to have to figure out how its going to work.”

“But that’s something that can’t wait. If that fails, we’re in a lot more trouble. With fines and everything else, it would be a lot more expensive,” he said.

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What’s a Clarigestor?

The clarigestor — a steel vessel that has been in service for more than 40 years — handles solids settling and sludge storage for both the older trickling filter (TF) process train and the newer membrane bioreactor (MBR) system.

According to George’s letter, corrosion has compromised the inlet box, inner baffle, effluent launder, weir, piping, and the vessel itself. Uncontrollable leakage from the launder is causing the water level inside the unit to drop during lower-flow periods, allowing sludge chunks to exit the effluent.

“You just touch (the clarigestor) with a finger and chunks just crumble off,” Powell told the council Tuesday. “It’s literally falling apart in front of our eyes.”

George’s letter warns that if components dislodge and fall into the primary clarifier section, flow through the unit could stop entirely. The resulting sewage overflows and treatment failures could produce “prolonged discharge of poorly treated and disinfected wastewater into the Mexican Canyon outfall, resulting in significant threats to public health and impacts to the downstream environment and water resources.”

The MBR system, installed in 2017 and brought online in 2018, currently cannot handle the full volume of wastewater the facility receives, which is why the trickling filter remains in service.

The plant processes between 40,000 and nearly 230,000 gallons per day, depending on tourist season.

Short-Term Plan(t)

CDM Smith Engineering and the village, with George’s input, are developing a bypass plan: wastewater will be rerouted around the clarigestor and sent directly to the trickling filter (TF), skipping primary clarification. The clarigestor vessel will be preserved and repurposed as a sludge storage tank for both the MBR and TF systems until a new sludge storage facility is built.

George called for this work to be treated as an “emergency procurement” situation under NMSA 1978, § 13-1-127, allowing the village to expedite the project without normal bidding timelines. He wrote to NMED asking for “rapid reviews and approvals of proposals and requests.”

Carrizal said the village had already begun in-house work on the bypass on Tuesday and was meeting with George and CDM/Smith on Wednesday for engineering sign-off. He said he would bring cost figures to the council — crane removal of internal parts, a new compressor, an aeration blower, and increased sludge hauling — at the next meeting.

George’s letter projects that the bypass plan should allow the village to manage a reasonable level of treatment “for the foreseeable future (next 1–2 years).”

Longer-Term Replacement

According to Carrizal, CDM Smith is also developing a full preliminary engineering report, expected in approximately six months, recommending a full replacement plant configuration. Construction would be a multi-year project after that.

Carrizal told the council, “Then that’s where lobbying comes in and starts asking money from the state.”

Powell, who has run the plant for more than 30 years, retires in December. His successor, Sean O’Connor, is working toward upper-level certifications and will take his Level 1 operator test this month. Carrizal holds the license required to keep things running in the interim.

Village Makes Big Move on Property Acquisition

The council unanimously approved Resolution 2026-14, beginning the formal process of purchasing the U.S. Forest Service land the treatment plant sits on.

Village Clerk Jini Turri explained the resolution’s immediate purpose: “This is just to obligate the money that the state has granted us and to start the process with the Forest Service.”

Steps ahead include easements, an appraisal, and a final survey. Land ownership has been a long-standing barrier to financing plant upgrades. As Powell told the Reader this week: “That’s part of the reason why we weren’t getting grants — because we didn’t own the land.”

In the Dark (and Liking it)

The council unanimously activated the Outdoor Lighting Advisory Committee under Section 8-3-10 of the village code — for the first time since the dark sky ordinance was adopted decades ago.

Sacramento Mountains dark skies. Cropped photo by Sam Seth (Seth’s photo prints available at High Altitude)

The three-member committee will advise Planning and Zoning on lighting compliance and help interpret the ordinance for residents and businesses.

Greg Crinklaw, one of the original ordinance drafters, spoke at the meeting and volunteered to serve. Steph Snedden, fellow original drafter, was also appointed. A third seat remains open; the mayor will accept letters of interest.

The ordinance does not require committee members to live within village limits.

During public comment, a “semi-retired” University of Texas professor, James Lechleiter, said he and his wife moved to Cloudcroft within the past year specifically for its dark skies, and spoke in support of the ordinance. He pointed to the concentration of professional astronomy in the immediate area as evidence of what’s at stake.

The Dragonfly Telephoto Array — a collaboration between Yale University and the University of Toronto, commissioned in 2013 — is built from clusters of commercially available Canon telephoto lenses with specially coated optical glass that dramatically reduces scattered light.

That design makes it uniquely capable of detecting extremely faint, diffuse galaxies that larger conventional telescopes miss. It has been used to discover previously unknown galaxies and to study galaxies composed almost entirely of dark matter. The array has grown from its original eight lenses to an over one-hundred-lens Spectral Line Mapper now mapping faint gas clouds across wide fields of sky — work that simply cannot be done from a brightly lit location.

Crinklaw said the ordinance is largely sound but needs two updates: language permitting LED street lighting, since the lamp types originally specified are no longer manufactured, and a shift from wattage to lumen limits.

He said most current violations have simple fixes. “Turn it off at night. That solves the problem.”

Library Updates: Three Open Board Seats

Library Director Sandra Barr reported that the library is averaging 31 patrons per day. The $11,000 in GO bond funds has been fully spent on permanent fixtures — couches, chairs, computers, two printers, bookcases, and outdoor umbrellas.

A book sale is ongoing now through this Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bags of books are $5; rare titles will be individually priced. Funds raised go to the Friends of the Library, who fund library events.

Three library board seats are currently vacant.

One seat also remains open on the newly activated Outdoor Lighting Advisory Committee. Letters of interest for both should be submitted to Mayor Dusty Wiley at ccvillagemayor@cloudcroftvillage.com.

Leftover Lodger’s Tax Approvals

The council unanimously approved two lodgers tax awards from remaining funds in the current fiscal year, on recommendation of the Lodgers Tax Advisory Board.

The second annual Pickleball in the Clouds tournament, organized by Samantha Odom, takes place June 6-7 and will receive $4,579 for promotional materials.

Shane Asbury’s Wanderlust Running Trails and Rails Run is on June 13, and he was awarded $2,500. Asbury has taken over the three-race summer series from the previous organizer, Cloudcroft Runners.

Public Servant Future Finance

Trustee Gail McCoy raised the question of compensating governing body members.

McCoy said she learned at a recent New Mexico Municipal League meeting that Cloudcroft is one of only two villages in the state that do not compensate their governing bodies.

“I think we need more people stepping up,” McCoy said. “Maybe we can get some young blood in here too — that could utilize it, maybe has a good job, but they need to make that extra $250 (per meeting).”

Village counsel Attorney Zach Cook clarified that any ordinance establishing compensation could only apply to members after they next stand for election — no sitting trustee could collect under a new ordinance until re-elected. Adoption would require a draft ordinance and a public hearing.

No action was taken. The council indicated it would return with draft language and figures.

Records Control

The council adopted a records retention policy (Resolution 2026-13) aligned with the New Mexico Municipal Records Retention Schedule. The policy allows the destruction of records once they have met their required retention period.

The council unanimously approved destroying financial records stored by the maintenance shop in a Conex storage container, including payroll files, time sheets, accounts payable and receivable, and general finance records from fiscal years 2016 through 2020.

All carried a retention period of three years after the audit report. Destruction will be handled by Vital Records Control, a certified destruction company.

The upcoming fiscal year’s budget workshop is on Tuesday, April 28, at 3 p.m. at the Village Chambers, where department heads will present operational budgets.

It’s open to the public. See you there.

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]]><![CDATA[An Astronomer’s Journey from Mars to the Mountains]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/an-astronomers-journey-from-marshttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/an-astronomers-journey-from-marsWed, 22 Apr 2026 03:04:26 GMT
Greg Crinklaw stands next to his DIY Dobsonian telescope, “Big Dob,” that he built in 2003.

When Greg Crinklaw and his wife moved to Cloudcroft nearly three decades ago, they didn’t arrive with a detailed plan.

“We moved here not having a lot of money with a kid on the way,” Crinklaw said. “And we made a life here and we don’t regret it.”

Today, Crinklaw is a familiar face in the mountain village. Over the years he has worked in computer software and astronomy, volunteered in youth programs and helped raise his family in the close-knit community.

“I grew up in Spokane and we were living in San Diego. There’s no seasons, we’d lived there a long time, and we were getting tired of it. We realized we couldn’t raise kids there because we couldn’t afford a house.”

For Crinklaw, the appeal of Cloudcroft was simple. His wife had been through the area before, and it was an ideal location for an observational astronomer due to the dark sky conditions on the mountain, property was affordable, and beyond that, it was a good place to raise kids.

“I saw a picture taken down James Canyon in a magazine called Sky & Telescope, and it was a picture of the snow on the trees across the way from where this guy had this little observatory of his own where he discovered comets,” he said. “I saw that picture and I thought, I want to move there. And I said that to my wife, who was pregnant at the time, and she said sure, let’s go.”

Career in Astronomy and Computer Science

Looking back, Crinklaw says his career didn’t unfold around one defining moment. Instead, it grew from a series of opportunities that built on each other.

“I do all these different things,” he said. “It’s not like there’s one thing that stands out.”

Crinklaw’s astronomical journey began when he was in high school. He learned computer programming, and eventually decided on the pursuit of studying the skies. He pursued his passion at San Diego State University, where he obtained a master’s degree in astronomy, then to the University of Toledo for a master’s in astrophysics.

After returning to San Diego, Crinklaw landed a job working on a camera that was included in NASA’s Mars Observer. He worked on the project for about two years as a computer engineer.

“We built our camera, we went to the cape, we strapped it on top of a rocket. We watched it go up … It went off to Mars, fired its rocket engine to stop and go into orbit, and blew up. So then I didn’t have a job anymore,” Crinklaw said, laughing.

To help make ends meet after the ordeal, Crinklaw worked as an astronomy professor in the San Diego area. But he had something else brewing, something that would expand his career both as an observational astronomer and computer programmer.

“Part of what I do is plan to make observations. What if I wrote software that people could use to plan what can be seen tonight,” he pondered. “And so I wrote software all these years ago, and it’s just grown and grown ever since then.”

It’s at this point in his career that Crinklaw developed and refined Sky Tools, software for amateur astronomers.

“[Taking] images to do astrophotography is really technical and complicated. And so I help [amateur astronomers] plan so that they can get the best experience,” he said. “I sort of made my own subversion of a hobby, I’ve been doing that for 20 years, helping people find comets in their telescopes.”

This approach to life, the spirit of trying new things and seeing where they lead, is something he encourages young people to embrace.

“One of the things I tell kids when they’re teenagers is just do something,” Crinklaw said. “Go out and do something, it’ll turn into something else, and that’ll turn into something else.”

Scouting Career

Beyond his career as an astronomer and computer engineer, much of Crinklaw’s community involvement in Cloudcroft has come through scouting. About 20 years ago, when his children joined Cub Scouts, he began volunteering with the program. Eventually he became scoutmaster of the local troop.

The troop slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Crinklaw helped revive the program and today serves as the troop’s committee chair.

“That just means I’m Grandpa,” he joked. “I show up and say, ‘Back in my day…’”

Over the years he has also seen the program evolve, including the inclusion of girls in scouting.

“At first there were questions about how that would work,” he said. “But when you look at it, there were always sisters there doing the same things the boys were doing. They just weren’t recognized.”

Today, he says, the local troop actually has more girls than boys. Crinklaw believes the purpose of scouting remains the same.

“It’s about character and leadership,” he said. “It makes kids better adults.”

Sacramento Mountains night sky. Photo: Dwight Raulerson

Keeping Light Pollution Down

One of the things that makes Cloudcroft unique, Crinklaw says, is something residents might sometimes take for granted – the night sky.

High in the mountains with less atmosphere, far from major cities, the area still offers relatively dark conditions compared to many parts of the country. Even with the recent closure and imminent demolition of Sunspot Observatory, Crinklaw thinks there are still plenty of reasons for hobbyist astronomers to bring their business to the village.

“There’s a real opportunity here,” he said. “If we had a place where people could bring their motor homes, pull out their telescopes on a cement pad … Then people will come, and they will show up. We just need the place.”

That’s part of why conversations about reducing light pollution have come up in recent years. Communities around the country have adopted lighting rules designed to preserve dark skies by requiring fixtures that direct light downward and limit unnecessary glare. Crinklaw was part of the committee to rewrite Cloudcroft’s ordinance under Mayor Dave Venable over 20 years ago.

However, over the years, Cloudcroft’s light footprint has grown, raising questions as to whether the lighting across the town’s public spaces and businesses comply with the current ordinance.

At the recent February council meeting, Trustee Matt Willett said dark skies ordinance compliance would be a focus of his during his tenure.

“The solution is really simple. You just turn them off at night. In fact, that’s what the ordinance says,” he said. “And the most important thing is glare. We don’t want the light shining in people’s eyes. Nothing to do with astronomy. It’s about being outdoors, reclaiming feeling comfortable when you’re outside.”

Crinklaw believes Cloudcroft could benefit from thinking about that future, of keeping the stars and astronomical objects above visible. Not just from a tourism standpoint, but for the quality of life of residents as well.

“When you step outside here at night and look up,” he said, “that’s something special.”

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]]><![CDATA[The Man, The Operations Manual ]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/the-man-the-operations-manualhttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/the-man-the-operations-manualSun, 19 Apr 2026 13:17:31 GMT
Powell visits the top deck of the Wastewater Treatment Plant

Scott Powell is waiting for me at the Wastewater Treatment Plant at 5 a.m., and shines a flashlight to light the steep driveway at the forested canyon site across the road from the Osha Trail parking lot.

While most of the village is asleep, Powell starts his annual recovery cleaning of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) filters.

Within a few minutes, he’s crouching over a tank explaining the finer points of membrane fiber maintenance, unbothered as a man tending a garden. His one sticking point—supposedly “flushable” wipes that gum up the works—he urges folks not to flush them.

Powell has run the Village of Cloudcroft’s wastewater treatment plant for more than three decades. He knows where every pipe goes, which pump sounds slightly off, and why the Italian-designed system uses red lights to mean “running” and green to mean “stop.”

“That took a little bit to get used to,” he says.

It’s one of many peculiar things at this aging plant that he’s had to figure out on his own.

When Powell retires in December, all his institutional knowledge goes with him—so he’s left detailed notes behind in spreadsheets and countless handwritten notebooks for those who come next.

Where He Started

Powell grew up in La Luz. “I didn’t care much for school,” he grins.

When he graduated in 1979, he went to work at Alamo Piping Supply across from the fairgrounds, learning what fittings were and how “crap runs downhill,” he chuckles.

From there: Ponderosa Plumbing, then a year and a half with Statewide Drilling, a well-drilling outfit. He arrived at the Village of Cloudcroft in May 1994.

For years, he coached youth baseball through the Sacramento Mountain Sports Association, running teams for boys and girls on the fields at what is now Elevation Park. Powell remembers coaching Chris Davis, who now coaches a new generation of players at the same field.

Powell ran both the water and wastewater systems for the village for nearly 19 years. “It just got too overwhelming,” he says. Eventually, the systems were split. He took wastewater. He has been here ever since.

Powell holds a Level 4 certification — the highest available in New Mexico for wastewater operators. He got there faster than most because he arrived with plumbing and well-drilling already under his belt.

“Somebody fresh — (it can take) at least a good five years to really get up to about level three or so, maybe four years if they have really good experience,” he says.

Robert George, a technical assistance provider contracted by the New Mexico Environment Department who has known Powell for over 30 years, told village leaders at a December 2025 workshop: “It’s very, very hard to find replacements for highly licensed operators. You’re going to have to grow your own.”

When Powell retires, Public Works Supervisor J.J. Carrizal has the right license to keep things running while Wastewater employee Sean O’Connor works towards upper-level certifications. He takes his level one tests this month.

Powell (L) and O’Connor (R) get eyes on the MBR membranes before they start their annual chemical soak.

The Plant

Cloudcroft’s treatment plant operates two systems. A trickling filter system, now pushing 70 years old, handles the majority of the flow. Above it stands a membrane bioreactor plant — the MBR — installed in 2017 and brought online in 2018. Powell knows both systems like the back of his hand.

No operations manual was ever written for the MBR.

The company that designed and built it was supposed to provide one.

“To this day, they were supposed to be giving us more,” Powell says. “Supposed to give us training. We didn’t get that either.”

What Cloudcroft got instead was Powell. He called other operators around the state with similar equipment. He looked things up. He keeps notebooks — two spiral-bound ones for the annual recovery cleanings alone — and started building maintenance spreadsheets about four or five years ago, once he “finally figured out how to make them.”

“Unfortunately, I didn’t start those years ago,” he says. “But I try to write everything. Something comes up two years from now, you may have to look through the book.”

The notebooks document what went wrong, how he fixed it, and how long each step took.

“I try to write whatever I did to fix it.”

“The whole idea with these ‘cleans’ is to preserve them. Make them last as long as you can.” — Scott Powell

Every spring, Powell runs what the system calls a recovery cleaning — an eight-hour chemical soak of the membranes, using hypochlorite to strip accumulated organics and citric acid to dissolve mineral scale. Cloudcroft’s water is hard. The citric solution is 38 percent concentrated, “but everyone calls it 40.”

The week is scheduled precisely: MBR number one gets hypochlorite on day one, citric on day two. Then MBR number two follows the same sequence. One reactor at a time, because you can’t take both offline simultaneously.

The entire cleaning process is designed to extend the life of the membrane cassettes, which the manufacturer rates at about 10 years. Powell thinks these will go 12, “maybe 13 or 14, because Cloudcroft doesn’t take industrial waste. It’s residential discharge and a few restaurants.”

During the soak, the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system guides the operator through each step. It is, Powell says, “pretty good about walking you along.”

It wasn’t always like this. The original plant — the trickling filter — was entirely hands-on. No computer, no automation. “That was kind of neat, but it wasn’t ideal,” he says.

The trickling filter, for all its age, still works. George called it “remarkably good treatment” for organics and solids at the December workshop.

The state’s draft groundwater discharge permit, stalled since March 2024, would require total nitrogen in the plant’s effluent to drop to 10 milligrams per liter. The plant currently runs at roughly five times that.

Cloudcroft has operated without an active discharge permit since the EPA withdrew federal authorization in 2017. George called that “pretty unusual” for a facility of its size.

The MBR, properly tuned, has produced results under 10 mg/L in testing. But Powell noted the readings lately had been “bouncing between 10 and 15, 16 milligrams.” Right now, the MBR handles about 20,000 to 30,000 gallons per day of the flow. Everything else moves through the old trickling filter.

The plant processes between 40,000 and nearly 230,000 gallons daily, depending on Cloudcroft's population during peak tourist season.

Powell has watched the old infrastructure wear down piece by piece. The secondary clarifier, the filter beds, the pumps — things go bad, and getting parts isn’t what it used to be.

“Hard to find parts nowadays,” he says. The plant was built in an era when you could call a supplier and get what you needed the same week. Some replacement parts are custom-built, an expensive and time-consuming process.

Powell ticks off the upcoming budget priorities: “Definitely that generator. Still, the sludge handling. Trying to get repairs done on this old setup that’s falling apart. Just got a few pumps. And we’re trying to upgrade our SCADA system.”

Cloudcroft (Water) Bears

The biological heart of the plant lives in the activated sludge — a community of microorganisms that do the actual work of breaking down organic waste. Powell checks on them with a microscope when “something seems off.”

“Whenever it looks like something in the plant’s acting up,” he says. “I’ve been down there a couple of times in the wintertime just because it’s cold. Seeing that everything’s still alive.”

After the recovery cleaning, the chemical-soaking water is pumped out and hauled away, then returned to the sewer system at the Chataqua Lift Station. This prevents microorganisms from experiencing a shock.

The organisms behave, he says, like people.

“Summertime, it’s hot. They’re more active. In the wintertime when it’s cold, they’re more dormant. The younger ones are out playing, running around, and active. The older ones are just sitting there doing nothing and eating. And of course, when they get old and wore out, they die off, just like we do.”

On a healthy summer microscope slide, he might see hundreds of organisms in a single drop — sometimes so many he has to move the slide around to count. On a winter slide, maybe 20.

Among the more striking inhabitants are tardigrades — microscopic animals known as water bears — creatures less than a millimeter long that are among the most resilient animals on Earth. In wastewater treatment, their presence signals a mature, stable sludge community.

“Water bears are good signs. Good sludge.”

Under the microscope, he says, you can watch them eat. See the food moving up through the body. They look, he says, just like a bear walking.

He has been trying for years to find a projector that would throw the microscope image onto a screen large enough for a classroom. The plant has hosted school tours over the years.

“That’s when people really get it,” he says. “I’m always happy to kind of teach them. Be it a kid or an old person or a councilman — just anybody. The more people that understand, the better.”

No Manual, No Permit, No Land

The consequences of inaction aren’t abstract — inadequately treated water running down the canyon can trigger state fines. Carrizal recently told the Reader that the fines can quickly amass.

In a November 2022 meeting, Carrizal warned the village that it "will result in fines if, during power outages, the Village has to let untreated wastewater run down the adjacent canyon." The problems flow downhill, literally, with neighboring communities like High Rolls Mountain Park less than five miles away.

The plant sits on U.S. Forest Service land. The village has been working since at least 2015 to either lease or purchase the property, because without clear land tenure, no lender or state regulator will finance major upgrades.

“That’s part of the reason why we weren’t getting grants,” Powell says. “Because we didn’t own the land.”

It is one of several linked problems that have made it hard to move forward. No permit. Aging infrastructure. No land rights. Millions of dollars needed for whatever comes next — whether that’s additional MBR cassettes, a new sequential batch reactor, or some other configuration an engineer recommends. George repeatedly stressed the need for a full preliminary engineering report before the village commits to any new path for the plant.

Powell has watched versions of this loop play out across most of his career; years when things were moving, years when things were put on hold. He waited. He kept the old plant running.

“I’m kind of down here in my own world,” Powell says, seated in the small windowless control room. “(The council) always left me alone. I knew what I was doing. If I’ve got problems, I’d come let you know.”

“At least you’ll understand what you’re voting on and what your money needs to go to. Come down here. I’ll show you around.”

Powell also consults, in his off-hours, for seven small water systems scattered across the Sacramento Mountains — Silver Cloud, Aspendale Baptist Camp, and others. He performs weekly checks on some, biweekly on others.

“They all basically have the same problems,” he says. “Water breaks. They don’t know where it is. Can’t find them. Takes months or years.”

In retirement, he says, he’ll keep those contracts and look for a couple more. And, he’ll have more time to fish.

His successor, Sean O’Connor, is taking the Level 1 test this spring.

George, at the December workshop, urged village leaders to start planning for this transition now. “Figure out who his successor is going to be,” he said. “Let him do his best to train that person while he’s still on staff.”

There is also the question of what doesn’t get written down — the knowledge that lives in Powell’s hands and his memory. How the plant sounds on a normal day. Which alarm can wait and which one means get there now. What combination of adjustments brings a struggling system back into range; thirty-one years of that.

“That’s the interesting part of the whole process,” he says, meaning the bugs, the biology, the fact that clean water comes out the other end of a system that looks, to most people, like it shouldn’t work at all. “I mean, a lot of people don’t like wastewater. But a lot of people do. And it’s like, well, come down and see it.”

He’ll be here until December.

Powell holds untreated and treated samples up for the 2025 Leadership Cloudcroft field trip

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]]><![CDATA[Upcoming Powell Interview; Business Updates; Reader Reels, and More]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/upcoming-powell-interview-businesshttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/upcoming-powell-interview-businessWed, 15 Apr 2026 12:41:27 GMT
Early morning at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)

Looking Ahead: Cloudcroft’s WWTP

It’s five in the morning, and Scott Powell is gearing up for the annual recovery cleaning of the MBR (Membrane Bioreactor) filter at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Get to know Powell and his 30-year role in the village with the Reader, coming soon.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, The Lodge:

Reader Reel: Combat Hero Bike Build Ride

Tuesday, April 14: 75 motorcycles passed through the village alongside disabled Army veteran SSG Shiloh Harris, the 2026 recipient of a custom adaptive motorcycle from the Combat Hero Bike Build organization. Watch, below:

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From the archives, Jan. 2026:

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]]><![CDATA[Mountain Dispatch: Spring Edition ]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/mountain-dispatch-spring-editionhttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/mountain-dispatch-spring-editionSun, 12 Apr 2026 13:14:17 GMT
The Sacramento Camp & Conference Center is enhancing its trail system, funded through an outdoor recreation grant.

Spring is here, and the mountain is waking up. Get the latest happenings and business updates below.

Recreation

Sacramento Camp & Conference Center has been awarded a $28,000 trail enhancement grant through New Mexico’s Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant program.

The funds will go toward improving trail surfaces, grading, and directional signage, with a focus on accessibility for wheelchair users and older adults. The camp is located in Sacramento, about 44 minutes from Cloudcroft.

The Lodge Golf Course is open for the 2026 season. April hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with expanded hours coming in May. Memberships are not available this year.

Locals receive 20% off all rates all summer, including tee times, play and cart cards. Tuesdays bring an additional discount — Tee It Up Tuesday offers locals 50% off green fees all day.

Night golf, tournaments, and other events are planned for the season.

Holloman Air Force Base near Alamogordo is hosting its free Legacy of Liberty Air Show on April 18–19 (8 a.m.–5 p.m.), open to the public with no military affiliation required.

The headlining Patriots Jet Team — the largest civilian aerobatic jet team in the western hemisphere — will perform alongside F-16 and F-35 displays, parachute teams, and international aerobatic pilots.

On the ground, visitors can explore static aircraft displays, a weapons loading competition, a STEM zone, food vendors, and live music. Attendees should bring sunscreen, a hat, a folding chair, and a refillable water bottle; clear bags are recommended to speed up security entry.

Holloman Air Force Base opens to the public next week for the Legacy of Liberty Air Show (Photo: Dwight Raulerson)

On Tuesday, April 14th, the Combat Hero Bike Build organization will ride through Cloudcroft between 8:45 and 9:00 a.m. with a guest of honor, Army disabled veteran Shilo Harris, the 2026 recipient of one of their custom adaptive chopper builds.

Volunteer Fire Chief Erich Wuersching said there will be about 75 motorcyclists in their fleet, and that the VFD and local police will help coordinate their safe travel through the village highway.

Business Beat

Laughing Leaf Dispensary is temporarily closed, and the owners—Jim, Trish, and Madison—hope to reopen by 4/20.

Off the Beaten Path, the gallery and gift shop at 100 Glorietta Avenue, owned by Donna Rand and Berle Van Zandt, is closed for the month of April and will reopen for the season in May.

There’s a new grocer in town: Cloudy’s Market on Mexican Avenue plans a soft opening for Friday, May 1st, with starting hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, subject to change.

The Elk Shed in the Burro St. Exchange expanded with the She Shed, upstairs in the former Mountain Monthly office, where owner Susan Difani carries women’s clothing, jewelry, accessories, and more. She’s also expanded the store to the web—check out the online shop.

Dusty Boots transformed the former laundromat into an old-fashioned candy shop—they also carry sodas, fudge, candied apples, and ice cream.

Roadrunner Cannabis Co. cropped up between Be in the Mountains Yoga and High Rollin’ Coffee at the Village Plaza, open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Mondays.

Crystal Tompkins Photography opened a new studio above the archery shop. Tompkins runs portrait sessions out of the new space. Book one at crystaltompkins.com.

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Dining & Drinks

Eighteen99 and Saint Andrew’s Lounge at The Lodge have added weekly specials, Wednesday through Saturday. A Mother’s Day Brunch is also on the calendar. Call 575-682-2566 or email reservations@thelodgeresort.com for reservations.

The Western is now offering a monthly specialty cocktail list, each festive and refreshing.

Noisy Water Winery in Cloudcroft is hosting themed trivia nights on Tuesdays starting at 6:30 p.m. The next mixing of the minds is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21st.

Cloudcroft Brewing Company (CBC) has two updates: Karaoke Mondays are now hosted by Kris Parks of K-Cloud, and head brewer Elliot Bell is retiring. Denver Weise, who has worked alongside Bell at the brewery, will take over as head brewer.

Matt Willett, co-owner of CBC, says “Elliot will be sorely missed,” and said they are looking for an assistant brewer.

Take a behind-the-scenes look at brewing at altitude: https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/brewing-at-9000-feet-inside-cloudcroft

Arts & Culture

Library Director Dr. Sandra Barr shares her art history chops with the community in a free art history series—the next one focuses on Egypt—join her on Thursday, April 23rd, from 1-3 pm. The library is closed on Thursdays, but come on in.

Going hard in the paint: Cloudcroft Art Workshops

Plan your summer stay around brushing up on your artistic repertoire. Cloudcroft Art Workshops (CAW) are now open for registration.

Black Bear Coffee Shop is featuring Aria Hanna's work on its gallery wall in April. Don't sleep on these works full of tenderness, humor, and verve from an emerging artist.

Osha Trail Depot is accepting submissions from regional artists working in any media. Sell your fine art in Cloudcroft—connect with the depot online or in store at 102 Mexican Ave.

Have a business update or upcoming event? Let us know at events@cloudcroftreader.com.

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]]><![CDATA[Fire Restrictions; Rain; Cloudy's; Easter, and More]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/fire-restrictions-rain-cloudys-easterhttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/fire-restrictions-rain-cloudys-easterWed, 08 Apr 2026 19:39:02 GMT
No Fires sign at the former site of the Timberon VFD

Multi-Agency Fire Restrictions Ordered

Fire restrictions are in place due to dangerous conditions across the region.

As of April 6, the State of New Mexico added statewide restrictions on non-municipal, non-federal, and non-Tribal lands, prohibiting smoking, fireworks, campfires, open burning, gas flaring from oil and gas production, and more.

The Village of Cloudcroft has been under Level 2 restrictions since March 27, prohibiting all open flames, campfires, and outdoor grilling outside of enclosed structures — no smoking within 3 feet of combustible materials. Propane grills are allowed.

The Lincoln National Forest has also been under Stage 1 restrictions since March 27, limiting campfires to Forest Service-provided fire rings or grills in designated, developed recreation sites such as named campgrounds and picnic areas. Smoking is permitted only in enclosed vehicles or buildings or within developed recreation sites.

State Forester Laura McCarthy noted that current conditions are highly conducive to fires starting and spreading quickly, and Acting EMNRD Secretary Erin Taylor reminded the public that 9 out of 10 wildfires in New Mexico are human-caused — and preventable.

Cloudy’s Market: Opening Soon

Cloudy’s is planning a soft opening for Friday, May 1st, with starting hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, subject to change. Last week, the Reader surveyed our subscribers about what they would like to see in a grocery store in the village, and the response was strong.

229 locals and seasonal residents weighed in. The results show a clear demand for quality fresh produce and meat, and plenty of excitement about having a grocery store “up the hill.”

Find the new biz on Mexican Avenue, next door to Osha Trail Depot.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Osha Trail Depot:

Pic of the Week: Easter Egg Hunt

Ready, set, go!

On a crisp spring morning, Cloudcroft’s annual Easter Egg Hunt at Zenith Park brought out bundled bounty hunters. Summit Christian Fellowship hosted the annual community event, complete with grand prizes, hot dogs, and a bounce house.

Rainfall and Wintry Mix: Reader Reel

Watch VIDEO

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Keep Cloudcroft Clean: April 11

Keep Cloudcroft Clean is kicking off its fifth year of volunteer clean-ups with a community clean-up scheduled for Saturday, April 11, at Cloudcroft’s Zenith Park. Volunteers will gather at the pavilion, and the event starts at 11:00 a.m.

If you want to volunteer or are interested in sponsoring the nonprofit, please reach out to alex@keepcloudcroftclean.org or sonnie@keepcloudcroftclean.org. You can learn more about their mission and upcoming events at www.keepcloudcroftclean.org.

From the archives, Oct. 2024:

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]]><![CDATA[What Do You Want in A Cloudcroft Grocery Store? ]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/what-do-you-want-in-a-cloudcrofthttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/what-do-you-want-in-a-cloudcroftThu, 02 Apr 2026 17:24:37 GMT
Garage to Grocery: Bre and Dylan Kincaid are reimagining the centrally-located Mexican Avenue space next door to the Osha Trail Depot.

“There are so many times that I forget to get a jalapeño down the hill. That’s what I’m ready for,” Dylan Kincaid says with a chuckle.

Couple Bre and Dylan plan to bring the village high-quality, convenient grocery options with Cloudys Market, located near the Osha Trail Apartments in the middle of town. Right now, the closest full grocery store is at least an hour away, a 30-mile round-trip to Alamogordo and back.

The pair is sprucing up and building out the former garage space next door to the Osha Trail Depot, and getting ready to open soon.

Help them refine their inventory list and get set to open by taking this quick survey, telling them what you—the locals, seasonals, and visitors to Cloudcroft—need.

Be a village grocery insider

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]]><![CDATA[Making Firefighters; Unmasked: Fugitive Arrested in Cloudcroft; New Rules for Shed Hunting, and More]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/making-firefighters-unmasked-fugitivehttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/making-firefighters-unmasked-fugitiveWed, 01 Apr 2026 16:25:19 GMT

Where Firefighters Are Made: Sacramento Mountains Wildfire Academy

Cloudcroft Fire Department Volunteer Hilary Kitzman and SMWA graduate Dakota Moon give an inside look at the Academy.

Read the full story

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Village Fire Restrictions

As of Friday, March 27, 2026, the Village of Cloudcroft has enacted Level Two Fire Restrictions (Ordinance 5-4-2-B). Under these restrictions, the following activities are prohibited outdoors until further notice:

  • Open fires, campfires, and charcoal grills (propane grills are permitted)

  • Smoking within 3 feet of any combustible materials

  • Two-cycle engines without a USDA-approved spark arrestor

These restrictions are issued by order of the Mayor of the Village of Cloudcroft.

Officer Testa Back on Cloudcroft Patrol

Officer Mike Testa is back on active patrol in the Village

On school days, you’ll see Officer Mike Testa patrolling the high-traffic highway school zones along Highway 82. Testa told the Reader that he’s already given out a few tickets and is glad to be back.

Testa was hired at the March 17 Village Council meeting, doubling the size of the Cloudcroft PD alongside Chief of Police Roger Schoolcraft.

Testa served as the village’s Chief of Police until May 2024, when he resigned alongside Deputy Chief David Sanchez and Officer Calib Bruce. The resignations came amid a dispute with the previous council over a newly proposed schedule.

Schoolcraft, who himself resigned in December 2024 before returning under Mayor Wiley’s administration, made Testa his first and only pick.

The two plan to work a split schedule, providing coverage seven days a week.

Testa told the Reader he and Chief Schoolcraft have worked together a lot in the past and know each other well from “going on many calls together” when Testa policed in the village, and Schoolcraft served as Deputy in the Otero County Sheriff’s Department.

Testa told the Reader he’s “Happy and proud and glad to come back and serve the community, and excited to return under the new administration.” He says his focus is to “keep people safe.”

A Kitchen Reborn: VIDEO

Step inside the kitchen at 1899 at The Lodge, where Executive Chef Richard Lepree has transformed fine dining at the historic hotel and restaurant. This short film follows the British-American chef and his team as they discuss the challenges of rebranding, the motivation to use fresh ingredients, and the future of cuisine at Cloudcroft’s most famous landmark.

Video by Contributing Editor Drew Gaines

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage:

Pickleball Courts Set to Undergo Further Repair

After undergoing extensive fixes last year to remedy “dead spots”, Public Works Supervisor J.J. Carrizal confirmed that the manufacturer will repair the new Zenith Park public pickleball courts in early April.

The resurfacing will take place April 7th-9th, and the courts should be ready for summer play shortly after.

From the archives, Sept. 2025:

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]]><![CDATA[Where Firefighters Are Made: Sacramento Mountains Wildfire Academy]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/where-firefighters-are-made-sacramentohttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/where-firefighters-are-made-sacramentoWed, 01 Apr 2026 11:51:16 GMTBy Hilary Kitzman

Familiar faces, including Village Trustee Keith Hamilton (fourth from left), at the 2026 Sacramento Mountains Wildfire Academy. Photo courtesy of Sue Dreikoson and SMWA

Area volunteer firefighters recently trained in wildland firefighting—critical schooling for folks responding to blazes in the wildland-urban interface of the Sacramento Mountains.

The Sacramento Mountains Wildfire Academy (SMWA) returned to Cloudcroft from March 21–29, filling the classrooms and hallways of Cloudcroft High School with the energy of firefighters preparing for the season ahead.

Now in its 23rd year, the Academy remains the final wildfire academy offered in the Southwest each spring — a crucial last opportunity for firefighters to earn the certifications they need before fire season begins. In a region where wildfire is a constant threat, longevity matters.

Training Grounds

This year, SMWA welcomed approximately 70 students from departments across Otero County and as far away as Arizona. The purpose of the Academy is to prepare both new and experienced firefighters for wildland fire response and to offer essential CPR and first aid training to local citizens.

Students range in age and experience, creating an environment where mentorship flows naturally. Instructors bring backgrounds from federal, state, and local agencies, offering a depth of knowledge shaped by years on the line.

Wildland Fire Behavior and Firefighter Training forms the foundation of the Academy. The S130 course, coordinated through the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, introduces students to the fundamentals of wildland firefighting. It pairs with S190, which focuses on fire behavior, and L180, which addresses human factors and decision-making. Together, these courses span two full weekends and include a mandatory field day where firefighters practice handson skills in instructorled scenarios.

Additional classes at SMWA included Advanced Firefighter, Crew Boss, Engine Boss, Wildland Fire Chainsaws, CPR & First Aid for providers, a HandsOnly CPR class for community members, and the Pack Test – an annual physical requirement for any firefighter who intends to deploy. The Pack Test consists of a three-mile walk with a 45-pound pack on flat terrain, completed in 45 minutes or less.

The Academy in Action

Among this year’s students is Dakota Moon, attending the Academy for the third time.

Moon grew up in Alamogordo and graduated from Cloudcroft High School in 2020. He joined the Cloudcroft Volunteer Fire Department while in college, and SMWA was his first real exposure to the world of fire. “I never wanted an office job,” he said. “I always wanted to be outside. Wildland firefighting just made sense – what better way to be outside than to fight fires?”

His first year at the Academy left a strong impression. “I was 100 percent green,” he said. “But I felt this huge sense of pride and accomplishment. I knew that with that certification, I could go on to bigger and better things.”

Just a week after earning his red card, he was deployed to the McBride Fire – an experience he describes as sleepless, exhausting, and formative. “Being pretty dang green, it established a baseline for me of what wildfires are really like,” he said. “That was my first time going to staging, getting an assignment, and figuring out what to do.”

The SMWA Field Day also pushed him in ways he didn’t expect. “The Pack Test was the hardest part,” he said. “You have to be ready for it, especially at altitude. And during field day, I was really gassed out. At one point we traded tools, and I was in the front setting the pace. Then we had to deploy fire shelters – your adrenaline is already pumping from cutting line, and suddenly you’re practicing for an oh-crap situation.”

Over the years, the Academy helped shape his skills, confidence, and ultimately his career trajectory. After volunteering with Cloudcroft, and another volunteer department in the Flats, he earned his structural certifications, then spent a year on a contract Type 6 engine crew in California, fighting major fires in the Six Rivers and Smith River fires.

He later joined the Forest Service, where he was offered a spot as a rookie Hotshot. Around the same time, he was accepted at While Sands Missile Range, where he now works as a full-time firefighter. The SMWA, “It shaped the way for me,” he said. “It was my starting point.”

Now, as a returning student and experienced firefighter, Moon sees himself reflected in the new students. “It definitely brings memories back, since this is where everything started,” he said. “It’s nice to return to your roots. It’s nice to see new faces and see where some of them might start their careers. We never stop learning in this job.”

The Academy’s impact extends far beyond individual careers. SMWA strengthens local fire readiness across the Sacramento Mountains. Firefighters from Cloudcroft, High Rolls, Timberon, Mayhill, Sacramento, Weed, and beyond train side by side, building the shared skills and trust that become essential when disaster strikes.

When crews respond to a fire on the mountain, they are often working with people they trained with here — a familiarity that can make all the difference in high-risk situations.

Dakota believes that training together is essential for a community like Cloudcroft. “Training is one of, if not the most important thing,” he said. “For a community with such a high fire risk, training and education are everything. We have to band together. It’s up to all of us to protect our homes.”

As the region looks toward the 2026 fire season, conditions remain uncertain. February was unusually warm, and snowfall has been limited. “Sometimes Cloudcroft doesn’t get enough snow,” Dakota said. “There’s more ladder fuel, and this year has been warm and dry. Our preload (of moisture) isn’t going to do much for us.”

If he could leave readers with one message, it would be this: “Get out there and know your firefighters – know who is protecting your community. I take a lot of pride in being a firefighter and in protecting the community I grew up in, continue to visit, and love. The Wildland Academy plays a huge role in that. And if you can, go volunteer. Learn about wildfire, learn about the wildland-urban interface. It all matters.”

Get Involved

For fire safety information, volunteer opportunities, including the new Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), contact the Cloudcroft Volunteer Fire Department at info@cloudcroftfd.com.

Meet the Writer

Local EMT and volunteer with the Cloudcroft VFD Hilary Kitzman is a movie producer. She moved to Cloudcroft after living in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and spending nearly 20 years working in Hollywood and Los Angeles.

Her recent film, Wild Like Me, features inmates in an Arizona prison who train wild mustangs, finding “purpose and redemption,”—a project she edited from Cloudcroft.

Wild Like Me is streaming on Great American Pure Flix and is available through Amazon Prime.

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]]><![CDATA[Fugitive wanted in Alamogordo hit-and-run death arrested in Cloudcroft ]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/fugitive-wanted-in-alamogordo-hithttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/fugitive-wanted-in-alamogordo-hitMon, 30 Mar 2026 21:47:06 GMT
Zackary Swafford was arrested in Cloudcroft this week for charges related to a 2023 incident.

A man wanted in connection with a fatal hit-and-run case in Alamogordo was taken into custody in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, last Saturday after authorities say the suspect had been living and working in the mountain village under a false identity — until a community tip led to his arrest.

Zackary Swafford was arrested in the 1700 block of James Canyon Highway, according to a news release from the Cloudcroft Police Department.

Swafford had been wanted in Otero County on a failure-to-appear warrant stemming from charges of homicide by motor vehicle, tampering with evidence, and knowingly leaving the scene of an accident.

He also had outstanding warrants out of Florida and Indiana, according to Cloudcroft Chief of Police Roger Schoolcraft.

After the arrest, Swafford was transported to the Otero County Detention Center, where he is being held without bond.

The underlying charges trace back to a 2023 incident in Alamogordo, in which a 56-year-old male pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle whose driver fled without rendering aid. The case was investigated by the Alamogordo Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit.

Chief Schoolcraft said, ”I was contacted by a confidential source who had information specific to this — who the subject was — and that his real name was Zackary Swafford, and that he had a warrant for his arrest out of Otero County, out of Alamogordo.”

Armed with that name, Schoolcraft pulled Swafford’s records and confirmed the active warrant. But before mobilizing a team, he wanted to make a positive visual identification himself.

“I went in there because I wanted to put eyes on the day before,” Schoolcraft said. “I wanted to make 100% sure before we started putting a bunch of people in place, and it turns out to be the wrong guy.”

Swafford had altered his appearance — changing his hair and beard length and removing distinctive ear gauges — and was using a different name on social media. But his tattoos gave him away.

“He had identifying tattoos — a big tattoo on his right neck and a sleeve on his left arm,” Schoolcraft said. “That’s our guy. The tattoos are the giveaway.”

Swafford had been employed as a waiter at a local restaurant, according to Schoolcraft, who said the business was unaware of their employee’s true identity or legal history.

“None of the people up here knew,” Schoolcraft said. “He had disguised his look a little bit and changed his name.”

With the identification confirmed, Schoolcraft coordinated a multi-agency operation. The arrest on March 28 was a joint effort between the Cloudcroft Police Department, the Otero County Sheriff’s Office narcotics enforcement unit, and the U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement.

Officers developed an operations plan the day before, including the use of undercover personnel to monitor Swafford’s movements and establish his location.

“We always give specific locations where we can respond really quick but be out of their eyesight,” Schoolcraft said. “When they tell us to go ahead and converge, we do.”

Swafford was taken into custody on foot, without incident.

“My top priority: keep us safe, keep the public safe, catch the bad guy without ending up in a shooting incident,” Schoolcraft said. “They can get pretty desperate.”

The Otero County Sheriff’s Office announced through Facebook that “This remains an active investigation being conducted by the Alamogordo Police Department. No further information is available at this time.”

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]]><![CDATA[New Rule Greets Shed Antler Hunters This Season ]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/new-rule-greets-shed-antler-huntershttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/new-rule-greets-shed-antler-huntersMon, 30 Mar 2026 18:43:09 GMT
Chad Barnes with some of his trophy shed antlers hanging in his shop, Sparks + Rec NM, in Cloudcroft.

Out-of-state shed antler hunters heading into New Mexico's forests this spring face a new requirement: a $200 license to take home more than two antlers.

Shed hunting, the annual pilgrimage into the woods to search for fallen elk antlers, involves secret spots, sales, and different laws from state to state.

The popularity of the spring-time activity has prompted a new New Mexico law.

“All non-resident shed antler hunters must purchase a Shed Hunting License to possess more than two shed antlers,” states the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish rulebook.

Out-of-state antler hunters can be fined $325 for possessing more than two antlers without a license.

The law is similar to that in other Western states. It allows visitors to still take home a souvenir from the forest, but regulates out-of-state hunters who aim to profit from antlers.

The law went into effect on January 1st. Beginning April 1st (the start of the 2026 hunting license year), non-resident shed hunters must purchase a license. They’re good for one year, and may be bought online or at qualified license vendors like The Highland in Cloudcroft.

New Mexico residents do not need a license to hunt for shed antlers.

Asked where his spots are for finding sheds, Cloudcroft local Chad Barnes laughed and said with a smile, “I can’t tell you that.”

Sports, Seasons, and Sales

Barnes is packing up his camping gear and horses to go shed hunt in the Gila Wilderness for a few days. “A shed hunt is just an opportunity for everyone to get into the woods. It’s like an adult Easter egg hunt,” he says.

Savvy shed hunters keep their go-to spots a secret.

Locals say the search is getting harder as more people enter the forest looking for the same antlers. The competition leads to long hikes to reach more remote spots and the desire to be first in the woods when antlers begin to fall.

Pickup trucks dot the road near trailheads and at popular elk hangouts. The flurry of activity spurs comparisons to piñon nut harvesting in the fall or cherry-picking season.

Some states establish a set calendar season for shed hunting to prevent human pressure on wildlife.

Wyoming closes some elk wintering grounds until May to prevent shed hunters from disturbing the animals. Utah requires early-season shed hunters to take an Antler Gathering Ethics Course prior to setting out into the field.

“That was originally suggested that there would be a (shed hunting) season, and that did not pass,” says Melissa Garnett, Public Information Officer with NMDGF, about New Mexico’s new law.

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“I think it’s great,” says Barnes about the new rule. “Any chance to generate more revenue for us New Mexicans is awesome…I think a lot of people have benefited from out-of-state, and (the new law) is probably going to be a good thing.”

Some shed hunters observe elk herds during the months and weeks prior to shedding season to better understand where they may drop their antlers come spring. Others sport specialized glasses used for foraging mushrooms to help spot antlers in the woods. Dogs can also be trained to find antlers.

Shed antler hunting has gained popularity over the years as elk tags have become more competitive under the state’s hunting lottery system.

Shed hunting offers an opportunity to still pursue the “ghosts of the forest,” as elk are sometimes called, without the bloodshed or pressure of filling an expensive hunting tag.

Male (bull) elk drop and regrow their antlers annually, making their pointy appendages some of the fastest-growing body parts in the animal kingdom. In and around Cloudcroft, they typically shed their antlers from late March through April. Their new horns will be fully grown in time for mating season during the fall.

(Left) Daisy, an employee at Sparks + Rec in Cloudcroft, with her shed antler haul. (Right) Antlers cut into dog chews for sale at Laughing Leaf Dispensary in Cloudcroft.

Possession of antlers still attached to a skull is different than finding fallen antlers by themselves. Game and Fish requires people to contact a local conservation officer to take a “deadhead,” or a skull with antlers still attached. It’s advised not to move a game animal’s skull in the woods, as the animal may have been poached.

There’s a growing market for sheds. Hunters sell their antlers to wholesale buyers for around $15 per pound in some areas. In turn, those buyers may resell them for use as dog chews, antler chandeliers, and for western-style decor. A typical single antler from a full-grown bull weighs between seven and ten pounds.

“You know, people make money on them. So it draws in not just the outdoorsman, but the people who are really trying to make a buck this time of year,” says Barnes.

Brown-colored antlers fetch the highest prices as they are freshly fallen from the elk. White antlers or “chalks” as they are sometimes called, go for less money as they have been hardened and bleached by the sun.

Antlers are a good source of minerals for dogs and for the forest animals that find them in the woods. Mice, squirrels, porcupines, and even wolves and bears chew on the fallen horns, according to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

“I have five trophies in there that I’ll never get to hunt, or kill anything that big in my life, but I have five on my wall because I shed hunt,” says Barnes. I’ll never be able to afford or kill any of those big guys. So it’s the only way I’ll get my trophies probably.”

“I can bring the kids. I can bring the wife. Everyone can join in and there’s no expectations,” says Barnes about shed hunting. “If you find one, it’s like, holy crap, this is so cool. If you don’t, you really didn’t expect to find one anyway. It’s just a fun time, and it’s addicting.”

Video: Reporter Drew Gaines finds a shed antler in the Lincoln National Forest.

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]]><![CDATA[Village Meeting Recap; Insider Look: 1899; Pickleball Court Repairs; FireWise, and More]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/village-meeting-recap-insider-lookhttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/village-meeting-recap-insider-lookWed, 25 Mar 2026 15:49:06 GMTSpecial Village Meeting Last Night: Recap
On last night’s agenda: discussion/possible action, purchase of real property owned by the Lincoln National Forest where the VoC Wastewater Treatment Plant is located

The governing body held a special meeting last night, Tuesday, March 24. Here are two key takeaways:

  • The council unanimously approved a zoning request for the Grand Cloudcroft Hotel, adding C-8 zoning to allow alcohol service.

  • The council entered a closed session to discuss “the purchase, acquisition or disposal of real property or water rights by the Village of Cloudcroft” where the Village of Cloudcroft Wastewater Treatment Plant is located. The Lincoln National Forest owns the land where it sits. No action was taken on this item when the open meeting resumed.

    Read more about the Wastewater Plant, here:

See the rest of the meeting, now livestreamed and stored on YouTube: Search @CloudcroftNewmexico

A Kitchen Reborn: VIDEO

Step inside the kitchen at 1899 at The Lodge where Executive Chef Richard Lepree has transformed fine-dining at the historic hotel and restaurant. This short film follows the British-American chef and his team as they discuss the challenges of rebranding, the motivation to use fresh ingredients, and the future of cuisine at Cloudcroft’s most famous landmark.

Video by Contributing Editor Drew Gaines

Pickleball Courts Set to Undergo Further Repair

After undergoing extensive fixes last year to remedy “dead spots”, Public Works Supervisor J.J. Carrizal confirmed that the new Zenith Park public pickleball courts will be repaired by the manufacturer in early April.

The resurfacing will take place April 7th-9th, and the courts should be ready for summer play shortly after.

Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft (PAC) President Linda Hamilton enjoys the first plays of the season (Photo: Bre Hope Media)

Check it Out: Library Updates

Library Director Sandra Barr continues her mission to create a community hub at the library. She and library aide Gail McCoy are continuing storytime on Fridays at 10:30 a.m., and have an Easter Egg Hunt planned for Monday, March 30th at 11 a.m.

Unearth Egyptian art history on April 23rd from 1:00-3:00 p.m., where Barr will walk the community through a fun educational series. “The March 19th talk was well attended,” Barr reports. All events are free and open to the public.

Another event beyond the books: coffee and cocoa social hours at the library foyer on Fridays from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Off the Beaten Path:

Cloudcroft FireWise Informational Meeting

The Cloudcroft Volunteer Fire Department invites the public to a FireWise informational discussion on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 12:30–4:00 PM at the Cloudcroft Public High School Commons area, the centrally located, large glass sunroom.

Drop in anytime during the 3.5-hour open session to learn about fire prevention, and both personal and community FireWise programs. Local and state officials will be on hand to share information and connect residents with resources to help their households and neighborhoods become FireWise certified.

This is a free, public event — no RSVP required.

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Source NM Reports on Otero County Commission

Source NM reports this story:

  • At a 12-minute emergency meeting on March 13, Otero County Commissioners unanimously adopted a new five-year ICE detention contract — just weeks before the Immigrant Safety Act (HB9) takes effect on May 20, which bans public entities from entering such agreements.

  • County Attorney R.B. Nichols argued that the detention center provides the only source of revenue to repay 2007 revenue bonds that funded the facility’s construction, with millions in outstanding debt service remaining. Without the new contract, the county said it could not meet a debt-service payment due April 1 — and drawing from its reserve fund would have left a balance insufficient to cover a subsequent interest payment due in October, triggering a replenishment obligation the county could not satisfy without ICE revenue.

The Commission meets again tonight, Wednesday, March 25th.

From the archives:

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]]><![CDATA[VIDEO * A Kitchen Reborn: One Chef’s Mission to Restore Fine Dining at The Lodge — and Train Who Comes Next]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/video-a-kitchen-reborn-one-chefshttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/video-a-kitchen-reborn-one-chefsSun, 22 Mar 2026 14:23:31 GMTStep inside the kitchen at 1899 at the Lodge at Cloudcroft, where Executive Chef Richard Lepree and his team are writing the next chapter for one of the Southwest’s most storied hotels.

In this short original film, DREW GAINES takes you into the kitchen as the team prepares a tasting dinner for a group of Cloudcroft locals. You’ll hear Lepree explain the difference between a cook and a chef using nothing but a tomato. You’ll watch sous chef Caelan Bickel, who grew up on green chili and Texas food, describe the adventure of learning a new way to think about ingredients. And you’ll see a kitchen where everyone has a voice — where the newest menu is the first one the entire team helped create.

Lepree is a 34-year veteran of the culinary business who trained in Michelin kitchens. He leads a young brigade of Cloudcroft-grown chefs who share his passion for cooking from scratch. Together, they’ve built a seasonal menu featuring ahi ceviche, prime New York strips, elk backstrap, and mussels over handmade pasta — all prepared fresh, locally sourced (when the seasons allow), and made with care.

Lepree calls The Lodge his last kitchen, and he means it as a compliment. After saying goodbye to Rebecca’s, and ushering in 1899, he is leaving his mark on the historic hotel. The restaurant is the culmination of his decades of cooking across two countries. Now, he’s pouring that experience into a team he hopes will carry it forward long after he steps away from the line.

Chef Richard Lepree by Bre Hope Media

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]]><![CDATA[Village Approves Returning PD Hire; Fire Risk Moved to HIGH; Egg Hunt Announced, and More]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/village-approves-returning-pd-hirehttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/village-approves-returning-pd-hireWed, 18 Mar 2026 15:23:35 GMT
LNF urges forest-goers to use caution.

LNF Increases Fire Danger Rating to ‘High’

The Lincoln National Forest has raised its fire danger rating from Moderate to HIGH across all three ranger districts, effective March 16.

While no campfire restrictions are currently in place, conditions are serious — dry grass and brush ignite easily, and fires can spread fast.

If you’re heading out: Never leave a campfire unattended. Drown it, stir it, and add more water until cold. Avoid burning on windy days.

For updates: fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln

Get your baskets ready for the Cloudcroft egg hunt

Community Egg Hunt at Zenith

Summit Christian Fellowship announced on Facebook that their annual Community Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday, April 4th, at 10 a.m. at Zenith Park in Cloudcroft.

Egg hunts for babies and toddlers, PreK and Kindergarten, 1st through 3rd grade, and 4th through 5th grade will include golden eggs with prizes. Plus: activities and hot dogs. The first egg hunt starts at 10 a.m.

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Public Swim at Grand Cloudcroft Hotel

The Grand Cloudcroft Hotel recently announced through their Facebook page that every Sunday from 12-2 p.m. and 2-4 p.m., the public is invited to use the hotel pool, located along James Canyon Highway.

Fees are $10 per person and $5 for kids under 5. Ages 14 and under require adult supervision.

Sunday splash times, open to the public

SMWA Starts March 20

Now in its 23rd year, the Sacramento Mountains Wildfire Academy (SMWA) starts on Friday.

For more information, visit www.smwa-cloudcroft.com or contact Sandy K. at (575) 921-9966.

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From the archives:

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]]><![CDATA[Council Hires Familiar Face for Second Police Officer. Plus, Higher Trash Rates and a Fiscal Roadmap Update]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/council-hires-familiar-face-for-secondhttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/council-hires-familiar-face-for-secondWed, 18 Mar 2026 14:02:34 GMT
Cloudcroft PD behind the podium: Chief Roger Schoolcraft and Officer Mike Testa address the council

The Cloudcroft Village Council met on Tuesday, March 17, to cover a lot of ground. Most of it was catching up.

The trustees unanimously voted to fill a police department vacancy, increase garbage billing rates that hadn’t been updated since 2023, and put a state-required financial compliance plan on the record.

Police Department: Testa Returns

The council unanimously approved hiring Mike Testa as a police officer at a starting salary of $70,720 — bringing back one of Cloudcroft’s familiar faces in law enforcement.

Testa served as the village’s Chief of Police until May 2024, when he resigned alongside Deputy Chief David Sanchez and Officer Calib Bruce. The resignations came amid a dispute with the previous council over a proposed Panama schedule — 12-hour rotating day and night shifts — which Testa and his officers argued was unworkable with a four-person force. “I didn’t sign up for this,” Testa said at the time. He went to work as a logger with Ellinger Logging.

Chief Roger Schoolcraft, who himself resigned in December 2024 before returning under Mayor Wiley’s administration, made Testa his first and only pick.

“I looked at no less than 20 applicants since I’ve been back in the last few months, and Mike’s the only one that I’ve selected,” Schoolcraft told the council. He described Testa as someone who “brings a lot of character to the badge” and has family and businesses rooted in the village.”

The two plan to work a split schedule, providing coverage seven days a week. Testa can return to active duty after completing basic firearms qualifications. Schoolcraft said he hopes to have him on board at the start of the next pay period.

Testa told the Reader he’s “happy and proud and glad to come back and serve the community” and is “excited to return under the new administration.” His focus: “keep people safe.”

Schoolcraft noted the federal “safe schools grant,” which would fund half the salary of a desired school resource officer, remains frozen. “Until that gets unfrozen, Mike and I are just going to man the helm,” he said.

Going Well: Water Report

Public Works Supervisor J.J. Carrizal reported the village is currently running at roughly 5% water loss for February, well below the national average of 16%. The village produced approximately 4.3 million gallons and sold 4.1 million.

The number is a meaningful improvement from earlier this year, when the village was dealing with what Carrizal called “the big one” — a massive leak on Columbine Blvd. that was losing an estimated 2.5 million gallons per month before it was found and repaired in early February.

Garbage Collection Rates

The council unanimously approved two rate adjustments for waste collection services.

The first: a contractually allowed 2.4% increase, raising the collection haul rate from $17.36 to $17.88, effective July 1 through the Southwest Disposal contract.

The second was a correction years in the making. Village Clerk Jini Turri explained that Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based rate increases were approved by the council in both July 2024 and July 2025 — but were never entered into the billing software.

The village has been absorbing the gap ever since, paying additional haul rates from the general fund.

Trustee Matt Willett asked: will residents be billed retroactively? “No,” Turri confirmed. “They do not pay in arrears.” The unanimously approved 7% increase should take effect with the May billing cycle, once the software is updated.

Fiscal Compliance Resolution

The council unanimously approved Resolution 2026-11, formally addressing a corrective action plan required by the state Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).

The problems are not new. The FY2024 independent audit — presented to the council last November — found significant deficiencies in bank reconciliations, accounts payable, and segregation of duties, along with a missing capital asset list and material weakness in accounting records. Those findings bridged the administrations of both former Mayor Turner and Mayor Denney.

Turri told the council that the DFA has since released the special conditions, satisfied with the village’s corrective plan.

Turri was candid about the workload ahead. “These requirements fall on my shoulders right now,” she said. She and Finance Director Sylvia Hall are working through the backlog together, with support from contractors Karen Gutierrez, Judi Starkovich, and DFA budget analyst Bryce Brock.

Turri said she would eventually request hiring a deputy clerk — but not yet. “With where we are in two budget cycles, there’s not enough time for me to train (them).” She said her priority is getting the books current so that fiscal year 2026-27 “looks a lot better.”

Fire

The Lincoln National Forest recently raised its fire danger rating to “High” across all three ranger districts, effective March 16.

The council authorized Mayor Dusty Wiley to implement or adjust fire restrictions throughout fire season without requiring a council vote each time. During his meeting report, Fire Chief Erich Wuersching said he coordinates closely with the Forest Service, State Forestry, Otero County, and neighboring communities. “When it comes time to implement fire restriction, we try to do it about the same time,” he said.

Wiley later told the Reader he’ll defer to Wuersching’s guidance on timing restrictions.

Other Actions

Trustees Matt Willett, Keith Hamilton, Gail McCoy, and Danny Hardwick all unanimously voted to approve:

  • A preliminary engineering report contract with CDM Smith for a wastewater treatment plant master plan at $92,680, funded by an existing grant.

  • An application for a Clean and Beautiful grant, submitted on the village’s behalf by local artist and Burro Avenue business owner Samantha Odom.

  • A special use permit for Andy Anderson to sell chainsaw carvings near Cloud 9000 Coffee and Fernando’s Burritos.

  • Authorizing the submission of an NMDOT Transportation Project Fund application for paving roads.

  • A variance for a property at 1521 Rainmaker, consistent with a 10-foot rear yard setback granted to the same property under a previous owner in 2015.

Wiley confirmed that the next council meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday, March 24, along with two public hearings on Planning and Zoning matters.

See you there.

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