Three Lives Lost in Ruidoso Floods, Bear Report, Independence Day Weekend Photo Essay, and More

Every trail tells a story. Stay informed with the Reader

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The Bear Facts

A bear was killed in Cloudcroft over the Independence Day Weekend, embroiling the local community's social media pages with outrage and swirling stories. The Reader is waiting for the facts from contacted officials and will report details soon.

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Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. The Reader is proud to be supported in part by great companies like The Stove and Spa Store:

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Upcoming Village Meetings:

• Thursday, July 10th, Lodgers Tax Advisory Board, 9:00 a.m. at the Village Chambers

• Thursday, July 10th, Library Advisory Board, 5:00 p.m. at the Village Chambers

• The next Village Council meeting is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, July 15th at 6:00 p.m.

Up For Election: Copius Cloudcroft Seats

At the Tuesday night special meeting, the Village Council announced that, according to House Bill 298, as of June 20, 2025, the procedure for filling a mayoral vacancy has changed—Mayor Tim King’s appointment now lasts only until the next election.

That means seven major Cloudcroft seats are up for election on November 4th this year: mayor, two 4-year trustee positions, one 2-year trustee seat, two school board seats, and judge.

Candidate filing day for all local offices for the 2025 Regular Local Election is Tuesday, August 26th between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm in the County Clerk’s office.

Visit this site for more info and to peep the filing forms.

Four Otero County Electric Cooperative (OCEC) Board of Trustees seats are up for election, which will take place at the OCEC Annual Meeting of Members on Saturday, August 2nd at the Cloudcroft High School gymnasium. Find out about nominations, the election, and more online.

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Cloudcroft High TSA Scores Big at Nationals in Nashville

Cloudcroft’s own “Xander” Newton takes the national stage in Nashville

Cloudcroft High Calculus Teacher, Technology Student Association (TSA) Advisor, and TSA-mama of Sophia and Alexander Newton, Danica Newton announced that the Cloudcroft High School TSA competed well at the 2025 National TSA Conference in Nashville, Tennessee this June.

CHS Junior Alexander Newton placed 5th in the Top 10 National Finalists with his CO2-powered dragster design. Go Bears!

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

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What's Going on in Cloudcroft? Find out with Our Summer Field Guide

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Seven Springs Fire One Week Later

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One Year Later: Ruidoso Still Recovering from Fires, Floods

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Cloudcroft Ultra Races: Registration Open

The Cloudcroft Ultra 53k, 9.5 mile, 4.75 mile and a 1 mile Kid's Dash trail races are back!

The 53k, 9.5 & 4.75 mile races are on the Rim Trail (T105). Cloudcroft Ultra Organizer Cloudcroft Runners note that “the Rim Trail was the first U.S. Forest Service Trail in New Mexico to be designated as a National Recreation Trail. It is a combination of old Indian paths, railroad grades, homestead trails and logging routes linked together by newer section built in the 1960’s and beyond.”

The Kid's Dash will be a 1 mile loop around Zenith park. All races will start and finish at the Pavilion in Zenith Park.

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From the Archives:

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Thank you to our sponsor, Blushing Yucca Esthetics:

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:

• Cloudcroft Sandwich Shop
  In the heart of downtown Cloudcroft, New Mexico

• Tularosa Communications
  Internet that keeps you connected.

• The Stove and Spa Store
  We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!

• The Lodge at Cloudcroft
  Landmark Choice Among New Mexico Resorts

• Dusty Boots Motel and Cafe
  Have a beautiful, restful night

• New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association
  We Convert Abandoned Railroad Lines Into Recreational Trails

• Laughing Leaf Dispensary
  Discover a world of wellness at Laughing Leaf

• Instant Karma
  Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade Boutique

• Off the Beaten Path
  Eclectic gifts & original artwork

• Future Real Estate
  Raise your expectations.

• Ski Cloudcroft
  Pizza and Summer Tubing start July Fourth!

• Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
  Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life Improvement

• High Altitude
  Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro Avenue

• Blushing Yucca Esthetics
  Luxury facials, full body waxing, and brow services

• The Elk Shed
  Purveyors of Southwest Mountain Goods & Finery

• Down Under Groundwater Surveyors
  We find water for you

• Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
  For all the ways you love to connect

The Cloudcroft Reader is the most widely read publication serving the greater Cloudcroft community, with 2,980+ email subscribers and 12,700+ Facebook followers. We do the reporting that no one else does.

Reach the people engaged with Cloudcroft — locals, seasonals, and visitors. Position your business just one click away.

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