<![CDATA[Cloudcroft Reader: Wed-Review]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/s/wed-reviewhttps://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 Reader: Wed-Reviewhttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/s/wed-reviewSubstackTue, 25 Aug 2026 00:37:10 GMT<![CDATA[Trail Closures During Fire Mitigation Project; Lisa Adams Retires; Hotel Cloudcroft, and More ]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/trail-closures-during-fire-mitigationhttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/trail-closures-during-fire-mitigationWed, 19 Aug 2026 19:56:49 GMT
Hikers can expect limited access during the Toboggan Canyon fire mitigation and access projects in the month of August

Upcoming Trail Closures During Fire Mitigation and Access Project

Yesterday, the Reader rode along with the Otero County Electric Cooperative Vegetation Management and Right-of-Way Supervisor Janscen Davis to check out the upcoming fire mitigation and access projects along the “69-Line” at Toboggan Canyon.

The work to remove fire fuels and trees that endanger the line that feeds power to the Cloudcroft substation is underway. During the project, expect trail closures in the canyon. Look to the Lincoln National Forest Service website for closures and updates.

We look forward to publishing a fuller report on the projects soon.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Blushing Yucca Esthetics:

Book My Glow Up

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by High Altitude:

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]]><![CDATA[Village Meeting Recap; Scam Alert; Federal and State Forest Agreement, and More]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/village-meeting-recap-scam-alerthttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/village-meeting-recap-scam-alertWed, 12 Aug 2026 16:18:19 GMT

Scam Alert Issued in Cloudcroft

Tularosa Communications is warning residents about a door-to-door scam reported in Cloudcroft.

According to a statement the company posted to Facebook last week, a customer reported that a man identifying himself as “Harry” visited her home claiming to represent a company called “Digital Providers for Telephone Services.” He told the customer he was working on telephone service upgrades and asked for permission to remove copper lines from her property, saying she needed to act quickly. He also reportedly requested prepayment in the form of gift cards — a common scam indicator — and left a contact number, 828-934-9927.

Tularosa Communications said in its post that it has not authorized this individual or company to remove copper lines, equipment, or facilities from any customer’s property.

The company is urging residents not to allow anyone to remove lines or equipment, not to share personal or account information, and to verify a person’s identity with the company directly before allowing any work to be performed. Residents with questions can call Tularosa Communications’ office at 575-585-2700.

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

NMRTA Work Day and Annual Meeting Set for August

The New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association (NMRTA) has two events scheduled this month. First, a trail work day on Saturday, August 15, from 9 a.m. to noon, focused on clean-up around Devil’s Elbow, brushing and maintenance along the trail, plus removal of fallen rocks.

The group is looking for 8-12 volunteers and asks them to bring water, gloves, and sunscreen. Volunteers should meet at the Village Spur Trailhead at 9 a.m. Those who take part will get a free lunch of pizza and soft drinks, plus a complimentary T-shirt afterward. To sign up, visit nmrailstotrails.org/volunteer, email nmrailtrails@gmail.com, or call/text (575) 554-2745.

The following week, NMRTA holds its Annual Meeting on Saturday, August 22, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Lodge Pavilion. Guest speaker Mark Gutzman, a U.S. Forest Service archaeologist who researched Sunspot’s National Register of Historic Places nomination, will share the observatory’s history from its 1947 founding to the National Science Foundation’s decision to relocate solar research to Maui, Hawaii. The agenda also includes a review of last year’s minutes, board nominations and elections, and an annual financial review. All are welcome; RSVP at nmrailstotrails.org/rsvp.

RECA Film Screening Draws Gubernatorial Nominee Deb Haaland and Rep. Gabe Vasquez to Alamogordo

From Alamogordo Town News:

“Democratic gubernatorial nominee Deb Haaland and U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez will join director Lois Lipman Wednesday evening at the Flickinger Center for a screening of the award-winning documentary First We Bombed New Mexico, followed by a discussion and audience Q&A.”

“The event arrives more than a year after Congress finally expanded the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to include New Mexico’s long-excluded Downwinders — families exposed to radioactive fallout from the world’s first atomic bomb test.”

Learn more about RECA with the Reader:

https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/i/208047412/downwinders-push-to-expand-nuclear-compensation-law

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by Future Real Estate:

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]]><![CDATA[Cougar 'Removed'; Wells and Springs Report; High Altitude 30 Years In; Otero Electric Annual Meeting, and More ]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/cougar-removed-wells-and-springshttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/cougar-removed-wells-and-springsWed, 05 Aug 2026 15:15:34 GMT

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

CLOUDCROFT ART SOCIETY PATIO SALE, Saturday, August 15, 2026 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Old Red Brick Schoolhouse Community Room (and north patio). Art supplies, art books, donated art, and yard-sale finds.

As Seen in Cloudcroft: Photo Essay

Otero County Electric Cooperative (OCEC) members gathered for the annual meeting last Saturday, August 1, where they heard the annual report and stuck around for a raffle and barbecue lunch provided by the Cloudcroft High School culinary program.

Mario Romero (L) and Matt Flotte (R) man the podium for the popular raffle giveaway that ends the annual meeting

View PHOTOS

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by Noisy Water Winery:

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

And, readers like you. Will you support our work?

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Elevate Your Visit

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]]><![CDATA[Little J; Chef Change at Lodge; Budget Thursday; IRONMAN in Ruidoso; Bluegrass Photos, and More]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/little-j-chef-change-at-lodge-budgethttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/little-j-chef-change-at-lodge-budgetWed, 29 Jul 2026 14:38:39 GMT

Chef Lepree Leaves Lodge

Chef Richard Lepree resigned from the Lodge at Cloudcroft kitchen earlier this month. In March, the Reader featured Chef Lepree with a video interview and profile: https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/video-a-kitchen-reborn-one-chefs

Sources in the know say that sous chef Caelan Bickel will move up to the lead position.

Coming Up: Thursday Night Budget Meeting

On Thursday, July 30, at 5 p.m., the Cloudcroft Village Council meets to make budget adjustments for fiscal year 2025-’26 and to approve the 2026-’27 final budget.

Bear witness in person at the village chambers, or tune in to YouTube: @CloudcroftNewMexico

Reader Reels: IRONMAN Comes to Ruidoso

Vivian Willett reports on the race and potential economic impacts.

Watch VIDEO

30 years of Bluegrass at Weed, NM (photos: Mitzi Baker)

Photo Essay: Weed Bluegrass Festival

The Weed, New Mexico, Community Center marked its 30th annual Bluegrass Festival on July 18-19, continuing a longstanding tradition that serves as the community’s primary fundraiser to keep the center open for public use, according to festival organizers.

Saturday’s festivities featured performances from five bands: Vintage and Blue Sky Country of Roswell, Old Time Radio of Ruidoso, Acoustic Gap of Albuquerque, and Capitan Gap Revisited of Colorado Springs.

Organizers added new indoor attractions this year, including a bouncy house, face painting, and vendors.

Sunday began with a short devotional followed by bluegrass gospel music. Organizers said the festival continues to bring together neighboring mountain residents for a shared celebration of music and connection.

View PHOTOS

Core Memories: U-Pick Apples Open July 31

Cadwallader Mountain Farms sits directly off Highway 82 between Cloudcroft and Alamogordo

Cadwallader Mountain Farms is throwing open the orchard gates on Friday, July 31.

Open Fridays through Sundays, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with pricing that gets sweeter the more you pick: $2/lb for 1–10 lbs, $1.75/lb for 11–20 lbs, and $1.50/lb for 21–30 lbs.

Varieties will roll out through the season as they ripen, so it’s worth a repeat visit. Kids welcome (with supervision), comfy shoes recommended, and bring cash or check, no cards in this orchard.

Find Cadwallader Mountain Farms in High Rolls Mountain Park, and watch their Facebook for updates.

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by Off the Beaten Path:

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

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]]><![CDATA[School Garden; Ski Cloudcroft Update; RECA Amendment Proposed; U-Pick Opens Soon, and More]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/school-garden-ski-cloudcroft-updatehttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/school-garden-ski-cloudcroft-updateWed, 22 Jul 2026 15:07:03 GMT

Ski Cloudcroft This Summer: Special Events Only

At last week’s Leadership Cloudcroft (LC) gathering, the folks at Ski Cloudcroft announced that they wouldn’t be firing up the pizza oven or summer tubing for regular hours.

Instead, the restaurant will open only for special events while the crew makes improvements and updates to the building, like installing new ski racks on the first floor.

Look for the Reader’s breakdown of the LC wells and springs tour, to be published soon.

Last week, Ski Cloudcroft hosted Leadership Cloudcroft after a tour of the village’s wells and springs. Michael Adams (right) delivered an update on the ski area’s plans for the summer and upcoming season.

Downwinders Push to Expand Nuclear Compensation Law

A bipartisan group in Congress, backed by advocate Tina Cordova of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium and Representative Gabe Vasquez, is pushing a bill to expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act — adding eligible downwinders in Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Montana, and Guam, raising the payout to $150,000, and extending the filing deadline for the program as a whole. Read more →

Core Memories: U-Pick Apples Open July 31

Cadwallader Mountain Farms sits directly off Highway 82 between Cloudcroft and Alamogordo

Cadwallader Mountain Farms is throwing open the orchard gates on Friday, July 31.

Open Fridays through Sundays, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with pricing that gets sweeter the more you pick: $2/lb for 1–10 lbs, $1.75/lb for 11–20 lbs, and $1.50/lb for 21–30 lbs.

Varieties will roll out through the season as they ripen, so it’s worth a repeat visit. Kids welcome (with supervision), comfy shoes recommended, and bring cash or check, no cards in this orchard.

Find Cadwallader Mountain Farms in High Rolls Mountain Park, and watch their Facebook for updates.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Summit Christian Fellowship celebrates 125 years on Sunday, July 26th:

Details: Sunday, July 26, 2026
10:00 AM Celebration Service and Fellowship Meal Following the Service
Summit Christian Fellowship on Burro Avenue in Cloudcroft (formerly First Baptist Church Cloudcroft)
• Special worship • Historic photos and memories • Testimonies from across the generations
• Fellowship meal • Family activities • A look toward the future God has for our church

From Pastor Larry Evans:

“For generations, many knew us as First Baptist Church Cloudcroft. Today, we continue that same mission as Summit Christian Fellowship, and we’d love for you to join us as we celebrate all that God has done through the life of this church.”

“Whether you attended years ago, grew up here, served in a ministry, were baptized here, or have recently connected with Summit, this celebration is for you. Come reconnect with old friends, share memories, and celebrate God’s faithfulness through 125 years of ministry.”

“We are grateful for the generations who have gone before us and excited for what God will continue to do in the years ahead. We hope you’ll join us for this special day of celebration!”

[Sponsored Content]

School News: This Week, Feeding Kids

Summer’s almost over—school starts back on Wednesday, August 5. High School registration begins tomorrow, Thursday, July 23 and 24, and Elementary and Middle School registration is on Friday, July 24.

Students can get their free sports physical at Trestle Medical Services today, Wednesday, July 22, between 12:30 and 4 p.m.

The Cloudcroft Municipal Schools Facebook page recently announced some good news:

”The Cloudcroft Municipal Schools is happy to announce that all students at Cloudcroft Elementary School, Cloudcroft Middle School, and Cloudcroft High School can get a free healthy breakfast and lunch at school during the 2026-2027 school year.”

“Under this program, participating schools serve breakfast and lunch to all children at no charge and help school administrators ensure that students receive nutritious meals.”

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by Instant Karma:

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

And, readers like you. Will you support our work?

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Dear Friends,

We are on a pledge drive to add 50 Cloudcroft Stars to the roster of supporters of the Cloudcroft Reader.

For the price of a sandwich a month, you can be a Cloudcroft Star and help keep fair, first-hand reporting free and widely available for the Cloudcroft community.

Until Labor Day, all pledges are matched dollar-for-dollar. If you support our work, now is a great time to show it.

Sign me up!

Take me to the Monthly

Discover Cloudcroft:
Elevate Your Visit

www.DiscoverCloudcroft.com

Thanks for reading. Subscribe for free articles and newsletters like this, delivered directly to your inbox.

]]><![CDATA[Village Update; Endangered Species Act "Harm" Rescission; School Budget; Vaccine Clinic, and More ]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/village-update-endangered-specieshttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/village-update-endangered-speciesWed, 15 Jul 2026 15:18:55 GMT

Change to Endangered Species Act Rule: Russell Davis Reports

The Otero County Botanicals substack covers the rule change, as well as 28 public comments from Alamogordo and Tularosa.

Native Plants, and Nature, of Otero County, New Mexico
New Rule: Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
Today’s new rule removes, not changes, the definition of “harm,” established in 1975, from a bipartisan law congress passed in 1973 (53 years ago). It’s took almost 15 months since it was proposed, to process it, and to finalize it. The administration received 357k comments, but states that “…the Services do not believe that these reliance interests ove…
Read more
a month ago · Russell Davis

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Future Real Estate:

How's the Market?

Trestle Medical Services Student Vaccines and Physicals

Trestle Medical on James Canyon Highway announced a Walgreens immunization fair on Friday, July 17, from 1 to 4 p.m. There, they’ll have “all vaccines needed for school-age kids entering Kinder, 7th, and 12th grades as well as RSV and HPV vaccines.”

The clinic will also offer free sports physicals on Wednesday, July 22, from 12:30- 4 p.m. for all students; no insurance needed. If a parent isn’t present, a letter of consent will be required.

You do not have to be a patient to receive your shots or physical. Walk-ins accepted, or call to reserve a space: 575-682-1014.

Cloudcroft Celebrates Court Resurfacing with Cool Mountain Classic Pickleball Tournament

The PAC, Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft, presents The Cool Mountain Classic Tournament, July 17-19.

Join the PAC, Mayor Dusty Wiley, and Public Works Supervisor JJ Carrizal at a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the newly resurfaced public courts on Friday, July 17th at 4 pm in Zenith Park.

To sign up, go here: https://app.pickleballden.com/external-tournament/9656708

For registration, special local hotel rates, and other tournament updates, visit the Cloudcroft Pickleball Facebook page:

Cloudcroft Pickleball Facebook Page

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by The Lodge:

The Lodge at Cloudcroft is now open 7 days a week, and has Tacos on Tuesdays at Saint Andrews Bar.

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

And, readers like you. Will you support our work?

I support local news

Dear Friends,

We are on a pledge drive to add 50 Cloudcroft Stars to the roster of supporters of the Cloudcroft Reader. For the price of a sandwich a month, you can be a Cloudcroft Star and help keep fair, first-hand reporting free and widely available for the Cloudcroft community.

Until Labor Day, all pledges are matched dollar-for-dollar. If you support our work, now is a great time to show it.

Sign me up!

Take me to the Monthly

Discover Cloudcroft:
Elevate Your Visit

www.DiscoverCloudcroft.com

Thanks for reading. Subscribe for free articles and newsletters like this, delivered directly to your inbox.

]]><![CDATA[No Checkerspot; Cloudy's Market; Fourth of July Parade; Library Board and More ]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/no-checkerspot-cloudys-market-fourthhttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/no-checkerspot-cloudys-market-fourthWed, 08 Jul 2026 13:41:59 GMT

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

This Saturday, July 11th, at 6 pm, your favorite little outdoor store on Burro celebrates its 30th anniversary with a block party. K-Cloud’s Kris Parks will MC the 90s-themed event. Grab your fanny pack—90s-wear is encouraged.

Grand Marshall Scott Powell Leads the Village’s 4th of July Parade

Public Works’ Scott Powell and JJ Carrizal celebrate the 4th of July in Cloudcroft (photo by Drew Gaines)

The Village’s Fourth of July parade down Burro Avenue in Cloudcroft featured Grand Marshal Scott Powell, the village’s wastewater operator and a public works employee for 30+ years, who retires this December.

Long-time observers say the 2026 parade was the biggest by far. Check out more scenes of the festivities with Contributing Editor Drew Gaines’s photo essay.

View PHOTOS

Cloudcroft Celebrates Court Resurfacing with Cool Mountain Classic Pickleball Tournament

The PAC, Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft, presents The Cool Mountain Classic Tournament, July 17-19.

Join the PAC, Mayor Dusty Wiley, and Public Works Supervisor JJ Carrizal at a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the newly resurfaced public courts on Friday, July 17th at 4 pm in Zenith Park.

To sign up, go here: https://app.pickleballden.com/external-tournament/9656708

For registration, special local hotel rates, and other tournament updates, visit the Cloudcroft Pickleball Facebook page:

Cloudcroft Pickleball Facebook Page

Library Board Meets This Thursday Evening

The Village Library Advisory Board holds its regular meeting at the village chambers this Thursday, July 9, at 5 p.m. View the agenda here: https://www.cloudcroftvillage.com/agenda-notice-meeting-of-the-library-advisory-board-thursday-july-9-2026-500-pm/

Leadership Cloudcroft Wells & Springs Tour

On July 17th, Leadership Cloudcroft is heading out at 9:30 a.m. for a guided look at the water infrastructure that keeps Cloudcroft running.

Public Works Supervisor JJ Carrizal and Water Operator David Hunter will lead the way, and the group will wrap up at Ski Cloudcroft for lunch and a preview of what’s coming this season on the mountain.

Spots are limited. To RSVP, email leadershipcloudcroft@cloudcroftreader.com.

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by The Elk Shed:

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

And, readers like you. Will you support our work?

I support local news

Discover Cloudcroft:
Elevate Your Visit

Plan My Cloudcroft Trip

Take me to the Monthly

Thanks for reading. Subscribe for free articles and newsletters just like this, direct to your inbox.

]]><![CDATA[ICIP Priorities; US-54 Project; July Pickleball Tourney; Federal Report Details GPS-Jamming, and More]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/icip-priorities-us-54-project-julyhttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/icip-priorities-us-54-project-julyWed, 01 Jul 2026 20:01:24 GMT

US-54 Rehab Project Begins Monday

A $7.89 million pavement rehabilitation project on US Highway 54 between Tularosa and Carrizozo starts Monday, July 6, and is expected to run through early November.

The 10.7-mile project (milepost 96 to 107) includes a mill-and-inlay resurfacing, new rumble strips and guardrail. Mesa Verde Enterprises is the contractor.

Work runs weekdays, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., with lane closures in both directions for the duration. NMDOT advises drivers to expect delays and watch for crews.

Find updates at nmroads.com.

Cloudcroft Celebrates Court Resurfacing with Cool Mountain Classic Pickleball Tournament

The PAC, Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft, presents The Cool Mountain Classic Tournament, July 17-19.

Follow Cloudcroft Pickleball on Facebook for more info and registration for the tournament, going live soon.

Men’s advanced groups will play after a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 17, at the Zenith Park public courts.

On Saturday, the men’s and women’s doubles intermediate 50+ age categories kick things off at 8 a.m. The men’s/women’s doubles intermediate 18-49 age group takes the afternoon, and on Sunday at 8 a.m., the 50+ mixed doubles play, and the 18-49 group plays in the afternoon.

Cloudcroft Pickleball Facebook Page

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Blushing Yucca Esthetics:

Video Report: Cloudcroft Art Society

The Mountain Monthly checked in with local artists of the Cloudcroft Art Society to talk about their work and the organization, which hosts holiday shows and exhibits in the public library cooperative gallery on Saturdays from 1-3 p.m.

Watch VIDEO report

Leadership Cloudcroft Wells & Springs Tour

On July 17th, Leadership Cloudcroft is heading out at 9:30 a.m. for a guided look at the water infrastructure that keeps Cloudcroft running.

Public Works Supervisor JJ Carrizal and Water Operator David Hunter will lead the way, and the group will wrap up at Ski Cloudcroft for lunch and a preview of what’s coming this season on the mountain.

Spots are limited. To RSVP, email leadershipcloudcroft@cloudcroftreader.com.

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by Noisy Water Winery:

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

And, readers like you. Will you support our work?

I support local news

Discover Cloudcroft:
Elevate Your Visit

Plan My Cloudcroft Trip

Take me to the Monthly

Thanks for reading. Subscribe for free articles and newsletters just like this, direct to your inbox.

]]><![CDATA[Timberon Pool Closed, Water Woes; Cloudcroft H2O Quality Report, and More ]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/timberon-pool-closed-water-woes-cloudcrofthttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/timberon-pool-closed-water-woes-cloudcroftWed, 24 Jun 2026 18:47:51 GMT

Open to Public: NM National Forests Seeks Advisors

Have you ever wanted to tell federal entities how to spend money?

Otero County residents have an opportunity to help direct federal funding for local public lands projects through the Southern New Mexico Resource Advisory Committee, which the Gila, Lincoln and Cibola national forests are now seeking to fill.

The committee recommends how counties, including Otero and Lincoln, spend Secure Rural Schools Act Title II funds within the three national forests.

Work eligible for funding includes trail and road improvements, watershed restoration, weed control and campground infrastructure.

The committee will include 9 to 15 volunteer members serving four-year terms. Quarterly meetings are held in person or virtually, with travel reimbursed. Members are drawn from three interest categories: land use and resource industries, environmental and wildlife interests, and elected officials and the public.

Applicants must be New Mexico residents. To apply or learn more, contact Nathaniel Marquard at 575-388-8267 or SM.FS.SouthernNM.RAC@usda.gov.

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

Reader Reels: Shady Pines Chamber Players

The Shady Pines Chamber Players brought 9 cellists to play in the round at Cloudcroft High School’s commons on Saturday, June 20. Find the group on Facebook and YouTube for the rest of their Season 14 events, all free to the public.

Watch VIDEO

Leadership Cloudcroft Wells & Springs Tour

On July 17th, Leadership Cloudcroft is heading out at 9:30 a.m. for a guided look at the water infrastructure that keeps Cloudcroft running.

Public Works Supervisor JJ Carrizal and Water Operator David Hunter will lead the way, and the group will wrap up at Ski Cloudcroft for lunch and a preview of what’s coming this season on the mountain.

Spots are limited. To RSVP, email leadershipcloudcroft@cloudcroftreader.com.

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by the Osha Trail Depot:

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

And, readers like you. Will you support our work?

I support local news

Discover Cloudcroft:
Elevate Your Visit

Plan My Cloudcroft Trip

Take me to the Monthly

Thanks for reading. Subscribe for free articles and newsletters just like this, direct to your inbox.

]]><![CDATA[Forest Service Wants Your Advice; New Biz on Burro; Alan Hale Honored by NYT, and More]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/forest-service-wants-your-advicehttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/forest-service-wants-your-adviceWed, 17 Jun 2026 13:38:23 GMT
Lincoln National Forest employees Jorden Scott (L) and Joe Kimble (R) tour a recently RX-burned campsite

Open to Public: NM National Forests Seeks Advisors

Have you ever wanted to tell federal entities how to spend money?

Otero County residents have an opportunity to help direct federal funding for local public lands projects through the Southern New Mexico Resource Advisory Committee, which the Gila, Lincoln and Cibola national forests are now seeking to fill.

The committee recommends how counties, including Otero and Lincoln, spend Secure Rural Schools Act Title II funds within the three national forests.

Work eligible for funding includes trail and road improvements, watershed restoration, weed control and campground infrastructure.

The committee will include 9 to 15 volunteer members serving four-year terms. Quarterly meetings are held in person or virtually, with travel reimbursed. Members are drawn from three interest categories: land use and resource industries, environmental and wildlife interests, and elected officials and the public.

Applicants must be New Mexico residents. To apply or learn more, contact Nathaniel Marquard at 575-388-8267 or SM.FS.SouthernNM.RAC@usda.gov.

Cloudcroft's Alan Hale, Co-Discoverer of Comet Hale-Bopp, Dies at 68

Hale, who made his famous discovery from his Cloudcroft driveway one night in 1995, passed away June 6 at his home here.

The New York Times ran his obituary this week, recognizing him as one of the most celebrated amateur-turned-professional astronomers of the modern era.

Read it here: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/11/science/space/alan-hale-dead.html

Shady Pines Chamber Players: This Saturday in the Round

Rails-to-Trails Seeks Volunteers

The New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association is looking for 8 to 10 volunteers to help with trail maintenance on the Switchback Trail this Saturday, June 20, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Work will include brushing and general maintenance, removing fallen trees from the trail, and installing flags on the Harkey Pedestrian Bridge. Volunteers should meet at the Switchback Trailhead — from Alamogordo, take Highway 82 east toward Cloudcroft, turn left on Baily Canyon Road after Mile Marker 14, and park at the trailhead.

Bring water, gloves and sunscreen.

To sign up or learn more, visit nmrailstotrails.org/volunteer, email nmrailtrails@gmail.com, or call or text 575-554-2745.

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

Leadership Cloudcroft Wells & Springs Tour

On July 17th, Leadership Cloudcroft is heading out at 9:30 a.m. for a guided look at the water infrastructure that keeps Cloudcroft running.

Public Works Supervisor JJ Carrizal and Water Operator David Hunter will lead the way, and the group will wrap up at Ski Cloudcroft for lunch and a preview of what’s coming this season on the mountain.

Spots are limited. To RSVP for July 17th, email leadershipcloudcroft@cloudcroftreader.com.

The Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by Be in the Mountains Yoga:

Promote Your Business

Learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business in support of the Reader. Contact us for more information at sponsorship-info@cloudcroftreader.com

Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:

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]]><![CDATA[Water Rate COL Hike; Going Solar; Pickleball Tournament Results, and More]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/water-rate-col-hike-going-solar-pickleballhttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/water-rate-col-hike-going-solar-pickleballWed, 10 Jun 2026 17:57:54 GMT

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

CAS meets Sunday, June 14, 1:00 p.m. in the Old Red Brick Schoolhouse. CAS always welcomes new and returning attendees anytime, and one doesn’t need to want to exhibit or sell art.

CAS will have its ‘cooperative’ Art Gallery open every Saturday in June from 10 to 3 in the Red Brick building, with a dozen juried artists exhibiting pottery, lithograph prints, paintings in all media, fine art photography, smaller, affordable reproductions of original paintings and photography, gourdcraft, woodcraft, fused glass, other whimsical creations, and art cards.

Trails-and-Rails, Beerfest Weekend

Cloudcroft has a busy weekend ahead with the Trails and Rails run and Beerfest. Check out the Monthly’s video report, here:

Watch VIDEO

Cloudcroft Woman Sentenced to 18 Years for Killing Husband

Deana Thetford was sentenced to 18 years in prison for second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and forgery in the death of her husband, Craig Thetford.

More on that story from KOB4 News https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/cloudcroft-woman-sentenced-to-18-years-for-killing-husband/

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]]><![CDATA[Fugitive Pleads Guilty; Election Results; Summer Guide; Leadership Cloudcroft; Pickleball, and More]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/fugitive-pleads-guilty-election-resultshttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/fugitive-pleads-guilty-election-resultsWed, 03 Jun 2026 13:14:18 GMT

Primary Election Results: Otero County

The results are in.

Jonathan Emery defeated Amy Barela by a narrow margin for Otero County Commissioner District 2.

Geraldine Yazza Martinez beat out Raul Robles and Cesar Ramos with 54% of the vote for Otero County Sheriff.

New Mexico Conservative News’s Chris Edwards delivers some local analysis:

https://newmexicoconservativenews.com/2026/06/02/otero-county-primary-election-all-precincts-reporting-confirm-upsets-emery-defeats-barela-by-45-votes-martinez-wins-historic-sheriffs-race/

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Leadership Cloudcroft 2026 Welcomes New Group

Leadership Cloudcroft, the educational and networking program developed by the Cloudcroft Reader, welcomes Gail Overstreet Stone, Michelle Chase, Bre Kincaid, Dylan Kincaid, Steven Henry, Julia Dingee, Jon Brinkmann, Adrienne West, Cori Abel, and Tracy Machado to this year’s cohort.

Kicking off with a private event at The Distillery in June, where they’ll hear from Mayor Wiley after six months into his term and a Southwest Sports representative on their plans for the ice rink.

In July, the crew will visit Cloudcroft’s wells and springs with Public Works, and in August, they’ll brainstorm at the “Responsible Tourism” forum with 2026 co-chairs and LC alumni Amy Coor and Rick Donnelly.

Follow Leadership Cloudcroft on Facebook and look for updates in the Reader to get involved and RSVP for any public events.

Follow Leadership Cloudcroft

Reels: Monthly Pickleball Update

Vivian Willett reports on the upcoming Pickleball in the Clouds Tournament with organizer Samantha Odom—and Plan B for if the new court construction is delayed by recent rains.

Watch VIDEO report

What We’re Watching: Gardening in Otero County, New Mexico

Russell Davis’s newsletter keeps it local.

Gardening in Otero County, New Mexico
Video: Floren Family Farms - A Pollinator’s Paradise
Read more
3 months ago · Russell Davis

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]]><![CDATA[Sunspot; Meet Jonny Coker; Ray Haller; Checkerspot Butterfly; Village Budget Meeting, and More ]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/sunspot-meet-jonny-coker-ray-hallerhttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/sunspot-meet-jonny-coker-ray-hallerWed, 27 May 2026 14:21:48 GMT
Cloudcroft local Jonny Coker has returned to the mountain, bringing his journalism chops to the Reader

Here’s Jonny Coker, Cloudcroft Reader Contributing Editor

The newest player in the Reader jam band, Jonny Coker grew up in Cloudcroft and has spent much of his journalism career covering local issues across southern New Mexico.

His work has appeared on NPR, KRWG Public Media, KUNM, The Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative, and others.

Recently, he’s reported on the Sunspot solar observatory’s planned demolition and the advocates against it, the Seven Cabins Fire, and local disc golf legend Ray Haller.

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Village Meets for Interim Budget Approval: Thursday, May 28

The Cloudcroft Village Council meets at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 28 in the village chambers with the approval of the FY 26-27 interim budget on the docket. See the full agenda, below:

Special Meeting Notice 5 28 26
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NYT: A Very Lonely Caterpillar, Possibly the Last of Its Kind, Has Died.

The Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly hasn’t been seen in the wild since 2022. The caterpillar was the last individual in human care.

New York Times reporter Catrin Einhorn shares the update on the Sacramento Mountains Checkerspot Butterfly: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/climate/a-very-lonely-caterpillar-the-sacramento-mountains-checkerspot-has-died.html

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]]><![CDATA[Seven Cabins Fire; Stables Sold; Village Update; VFD Fundraisers, and More ]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/seven-cabins-fire-stables-sold-villagehttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/seven-cabins-fire-stables-sold-villageWed, 20 May 2026 21:49:53 GMT

Historic Stables Property Sold, Renovation Planned

The stables building near Burro Avenue has been purchased by Debbi McCurdy, co-owner of the Osha Trail Depot, who plans to transform the property into a multi-use event venue.

The new location for Osha Trail Depot, plus.

Angela Daniel confirmed the purchase and said local contractors experienced with historic properties are currently preparing bids and a timeline, with work expected to “begin soon”.

The ground floor of the building — where the original stables remain intact — is envisioned as a space for monthly trade days featuring local vendors, modeled after events like Fredericksburg Trade Days. The property also includes an existing one-bedroom, one-bath short-term rental unit.

The eventual plan is to offer the space for weddings and private events and to relocate the Osha Trail Depot shop to the stables location. A tentative opening target for the shop is August.

As part of the renovation, McCurdy is assembling a memory wall and is asking community members who have photos or memories of the Stables to share them. Submissions can be made in person at the Osha Trail Depot or via email: oshatraildepot@gmail.com

A different era in Cloudcroft village. Photo courtesy of the Sacramento Mountain Historical Museum

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Leadership Cloudcroft Wants You

The Leadership Cloudcroft 2026 cohort will connect with one another and local leaders, visit the village’s wells and springs, and take part in a “responsible tourism” forum organized by LC alumni and board members Amy Coor and Rick Donnelly.

Accepted participants will be invited to the LC 2026 kickoff on Thursday, June 11, at The Distillery--invite only--for a chance to meet local leaders, hear from Southwest Sports about their ice rink plans, and preview the season ahead.

Applications are due May 27.

Apply here: https://forms.gle/j5bfBwhYGqz3YGmm6

District 4 Volunteer Fire Auxiliary Hosts Raffle Fundraiser

The Otero County Volunteer Fire/EMS District 4 Auxiliary — representing the James Canyon, Upper Cox Canyon, and 16 Springs communities — is hosting a raffle fundraiser to support training and operational needs for the department. District 4 covers more than 167 square miles with fewer than 15 volunteers.

The drawing will be held Saturday, May 23rd at 2pm under the blue tent at the annual rummage sale in the Cloudcroft Elementary School upper parking lot. Winners must arrange pickup — prizes will not be mailed.

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]]><![CDATA[Pickleball in Cloudcroft: Special Edition ]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/pickleball-in-cloudcroft-specialhttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/pickleball-in-cloudcroft-specialWed, 13 May 2026 19:44:17 GMTBig Dill in Cloudcroft: Pickleball Tournament June 6-7

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Pickleball Court Update: Public Works Installs French Drain

To remedy moisture build-up, JJ Carrizal and his team installed a French drain on the southern side of the pickleball courts at Zenith Park. The Reader will continue to report on updates and repairs.

Public Works Supervisor JJ Carrizal (front) plans the French drain with village maintenance employees Joe Scarfe (L) and Kris Parks (R).

Plan Your Stay: A Pickleball Weekend

DiscoverCloudcroft.com, the online visitors’ guide to Cloudcroft and the Sacramento Mountains. Use it to plan your trip and make the most of your visit. From the folks at Mountain Monthly, the high country newspaper since 1988.

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Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro Avenue is now celebrating its 30th anniversary.

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]]><![CDATA[Village Budget; Trout Warriors; Senior Projects; High Rolls Development, and More ]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/village-budget-trout-warriors-seniorhttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/village-budget-trout-warriors-seniorThu, 07 May 2026 01:14:18 GMT

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Memorial Day Weekend Yard Sale Fundraisers:

The Cloudcroft Volunteer Fire Department is currently accepting donations for the annual Sparky’s fundraiser yard sale at the Cloudcroft fire station. Proceeds support the VFD.

Cloudcroft schools’ parking lots are also open to rent during the sale—rental space proceeds of $15 each benefit the Cloudcroft Schools Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). More info below:

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Celebration of Life: Michael Nivision Public Library

Saturday, May 9th, from 1-4 p.m. folks will gather at the Michael Nivision Public Library to celebrate the life of the library’s namesake, former Cloudcroft Mayor Michael Nivison.

Read more about Nivison’s life, here: https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/former-cloudcroft-mayor-michael-nivison

You’re Invited: Heart Safe School Pep Rally

Cloudcroft Municipal School District is making history as the first school district in New Mexico to receive the Project ADAM Heart Safe School designation. Join the celebration at a special Pep Rally on May 12 at 2:30 PM in the Cloudcroft High School Gym. Wear red in honor of heart health awareness and help cheer on this incredible achievement.

From the archives, June 2024 :

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Treat your Mother to the most delicious buffet on the mountain for $65 adults and $30 children 12 and under. Please call 575-682-2566 to reserve your table at 9000 feet in the glorious Sacramento Mountains in the historic Lodge.

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]]><![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

Press Play: Second Annual Pickleball Tournament in Cloudcroft

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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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From the archives, Nov. 2025 :

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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.

Oda Letter Of Support, Cloudcroft Emergency Situation, 4 14 26
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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[Pineywoods Water Crisis; El Paso Airport Closed, then Reopened; Snow-Removal Program, and More]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/pineywoods-water-crisis-el-paso-airporthttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/pineywoods-water-crisis-el-paso-airportWed, 11 Feb 2026 22:04:47 GMT

FAA stops—and then suddenly reverses decision—on El Paso Airspace

The Federal Aviation Administration issued unexplained notices late Tuesday, closing airspace over El Paso and a large patch of southern New Mexico west of Santa Teresa for 10 days.

Update 7:25 a.m. Feb. 11: The Federal Aviation Administration lifted the air restrictions over El Paso, the agency said. The restrictions in New Mexico remain.

From AP News, 12:31 p.m. Feb. 11: WASHINGTON — “The sudden and surprising airspace closure over El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday stemmed from the Pentagon’s plans to test a laser for use in shooting down drones used by Mexican drug cartels, according to three people familiar with the situation who were granted anonymity to share sensitive details.”

“That caused friction with the Federal Aviation Administration, which wanted to ensure commercial air safety and the two agencies sought to coordinate, according to two of the people.”

“Despite a meeting scheduled later this month to discuss the issue, the Pentagon wanted to go ahead and test the laser, prompting the FAA to shutter the airspace. It was not clear whether the laser was ultimately deployed.”

“Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said earlier that the response by the Defense Department and the FAA to neutralize an incursion by Mexican cartel drones had led to the airspace closure. Drone incursions are not uncommon along the U.S.-Mexico border.”

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Jonny Coker Interviews Mayor Dusty Wiley on First Podcast Episode

Watch Mayor Wiley’s first interview with Jonny Coker on Coker’s new podcast, Mountain Talk.

Coker is a freelance journalist from New Mexico. He spent three years at KRWG Public Media, and his stories have been featured across the state and nationally on NPR.

See for yourself

Air Force Volunteers Offer Snow Removal Program

Under the direction of Staff Sergeant William “Cody” Marquez, volunteers from Holloman Air Force Base are lending a helping hand to the village of Cloudcroft.

Elderly and other folks who struggle with snowfall are invited to sign up at the village office for help shoveling snow from their drives and walkways. Mayor Wiley and Public Works Supervisor Carrizal will screen applicants and submit a list of eligible homes for the volunteer troop.

The group will use their own equipment and manpower—they’ve signed up to be “on call” for big storms to help those in need. Volunteers can also sign up at the village office. For more information, drop by and chat with Utilities Clerk Ashley White.

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]]><![CDATA[Smiles & Hugs at Last Night's Village Meeting; School Spotlight; PD Now at Zero Officers; Meet the Preslars, and More]]>https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/smiles-and-hugs-at-last-nights-villagehttps://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/smiles-and-hugs-at-last-nights-villageWed, 17 Dec 2025 19:53:04 GMT
Trustee Maynard hugs his daughters, Shelley Hughes and Julie Bragg, after his final council meeting after 25 years of public service to the Village

Final 2025 Village Council Meeting: 5 Takeaways

Last night, the Village Council held the last public Council meeting of 2025—marking the final night in the hot seat for Mayor Tim King and Mayor Pro tem and Trustee Jim Maynard.

Just in time for the holidays, the council members wished each other well and thanked both King and Maynard for their public service.

Former Mayor Bill Denney made a rare appearance at the meeting — he said it was his second Council meeting since leaving office in December 2023. He came, he said, to say ‘Thank you’ to Maynard for his service and friendship. He also said he “hoped more people would get involved” and volunteer with the local government, pointing out that the elected council had run unopposed. Denney himself was appointed mayor when longtime Mayor Dave Venable retired.

Last night’s meeting marked nearly one year since Mayor King’s appointment to the position, and his last meeting presiding as the mayor.

ICYMI, here are a few takeaways:

  • The state Finance Department (DFA) has frozen about $3.2 million in village Capital Outlay projects until Cloudcroft completes multiple fiscal corrective actions, including the fiscal year 2025 audit, bank reconciliations, asset inventory certification, updated accounting systems, and stronger segregation of duties.

    Village officials have submitted a detailed corrective action plan drafted by Lauren Groesbeck, village staff, Mayor King, contractor High Watermark, and Debi Lee from the Council of Governments (COG).

    On December 15th, a response letter was sent to DFA, and this morning, the draft corrective action plan was sent to DFA along with supporting documents, including the recent asset inventory and bank reconciliations.

    DFA now has the plan in draft form; the intent is for the new administration and council to adopt it at the upcoming January meeting formally.

    “We brought that to Senator Jim Townsend today, and he was very receptive to what we had to say and said that he will be checking in on this weekly until it is completed,” Groesbeck said.

    She said the COG may serve as a fiscal agent if needed.

    Read the DFA letter and village response below:

Special Conditions Letter Cloudcroft
381KB ∙ PDF file
Download
Download
Dfa Response Dec 15 2025
205KB ∙ PDF file
Download
Download

  • Grantwriter Lauren Groesbeck announced that she will not seek to renew her contract with the village upon completion of her current agreement. After handing Mayor-elect Dusty Wiley, who sat in attendance, a neat manila envelope with Capital Outlay information she’d assembled for the council packet, Groesbeck addressed the council, saying she needed some “time away,” and planned to take the LSAT soon to attend law school.

    She plans to spend her final weeks under contract creating a grants manual to share with the new administration and help “button things up.”

    The Reader will continue to report on budget, village finances, and grants.

  • In the Volunteer Fire Department report, Chief Erich Wuersching noted that the helicopter landing pad dirt work at Elevation Park is completed.

  • Mayor King announced the village had hired Rachel Truex as Court Clerk.

  • Public Works Supervisor JJ Carrizal said the department is “taking advantage of the warmer weather” to continue installation of new hydrants and meters.

The meeting concluded with a round of thank-yous to the staff and officers for their service to the community, and commemorative plaques were presented to Maynard and King. The atmosphere was markedly more genial than the last fractious Council meeting.

King announced that he was “putting a lot of stuff together” and planned to meet with Wiley next week.

The next council meeting is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, Jan 20th, at 6 p.m.

Trustee Keith Hamilton (L) presents Mayor Tim King (R) with patriotic artwork that Hamilton handcrafted to thank King for his service.

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

First Bite: Preview a Taste of the New 1899 Menu at the Lodge

Crispy goat cheese, beet, and cranberry vinaigrette are featured on the new 1899 fall and winter menu at the Lodge. Photo: Bre Hope Media

Contributing Editor Drew Gaines recently visited Chef Richard Lepree in his kitchen at the Lodge. We look forward to publishing an exclusive video interview with Lepree, the brigade de cuisine, and more soon through the Reader.

Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, The Stove and Spa Store:

Reader Reels: Christmas in Cloudcroft

Check out the Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade in the Christmas Capitol of New Mexico. This year’s tree was donated by Ski Cloudcroft and cut by the Village of Cloudcroft, and decorated by Tularosa Communications.

Watch VIDEO

Scenes from the Ugly Christmas Sweater 5k

PHOTOS from the fun run

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