Village Meeting Recap; Insider Look: 1899; Pickleball Court Repairs; FireWise, and More
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Special Village Meeting Last Night: Recap
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.
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.
Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Instant Karma:
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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Cloudcroft Art Workshops
Enhance your artistry while enjoying the beauty and coolness of the mountains!Noisy Water Winery
Family-owned winery crafting thoughtfully made wines from New Mexico grapes, inspired by mountain living.Be in the Mountains Yoga & Massage
A cozy space for yoga and massage therapy at the Village PlazaOsha Trail Depot
Your destination for unique, hand-crafted treasuresThe 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 ResortsSacramento Camp & Conference Center
Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your SoulLaughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing LeafInstant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade BoutiqueOff the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artworkFuture Real Estate
Raise your expectations.Ski Cloudcroft
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✨ Book your glow-up today✨The Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest + Mountain Provisions, Goods & FineryThe PAC
Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the CloudsPeñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
For all the ways you love to connectBre Hope Media
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