Roswell Daily Record
Vol. 122, No. 294 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
December 8, 2013
www.rdrnews.com
SUNDAY
Mark Wilson Photos
Cold and icy conditions along U.S. 285 made for hazardous driving conditions north of Roswell, early Saturday afternoon. The highway was later closed at 4:48 p.m. from mile marker 114 to Vaughn. New Mexico State Police had investigated eight car accidents in Chaves County on U.S. 285 as of 5:30 p.m., according to state Department of Public Safety spokesman Tony Lynn.
Icy weather causes road closures, car wrecks TESS TOWNSEND RECORD STAFF WRITER
Icy roads made for treacherous driving conditions Saturday, resulting in road closures, car accidents and cancellations of annual events in Roswell. The state Department of Transportation closed U.S. Route 70 between Roswell and the town of Riverside from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. U.S. Route 285 was closed between Roswell and Vaughn at 4:48 p.m., and was still closed as of press time. New Mexico State Police had investigated eight car
accidents in Chaves County on U.S. 285 as of 5:30 p.m., according to state Department of Public Safety spokesman Tony Lynn, who filled in as spokesman for state police over the weekend. The accidents were attributed to ice on the highway. The National Weather Service predicts risky driving conditions will persist at least through this morning. L ynn said no deaths were reported. He said he did not have information about injuries and had no information about whether accidents had occurred on
U.S. 70. Jeneva Jewel DearingMartinez, 30, of Roswell, said she saw “one car accident right after another” on U.S. 70 between Roswell and Ruidoso. She said that somewhere beyond 20 miles outside of Roswell, a pickup truck had rolled over. “It was a really bad wreck,” she said. In addition to wrecks, she said she saw cars that had slid off the road. The reporter also saw cars had slid off the road north of Roswell on U.S. 285. Road conditions raised safety concerns for local
event coordinators, who canceled the Electric Light Parade and float contest, Christmas Caroling Contest and Reindeer Run races scheduled to take place Saturday. The parade and caroling contest are rescheduled for Saturday, Dec. 14, according to Peggy Seskey, president of MainStreet Roswell, which organizes the two events. The contest will begin at 4 p.m. and parade at 6 p.m., as previously planned. Parade entries will be accepted through the week. “The roads are pretty
bad,” said Seskey. “It’s just too dangerous.” Reindeer Run was not rescheduled. Road quality should improve during the day today, according to Jason Frazier, a meteorologist with NWS in Albuquerque. He said temperatures may rise into the 50s, melting the sheet of ice that resulted from atmospheric moisture. But not for long — ice may return tonight when a new gust of arctic air pushes down from Canada, according to Frazier. NWS predicts temperatures will drop into the
high 20s, rising only into the 30s Monday. Frazier said Chaves County can finally expect to see relief from the cold spell Tuesday, when temperatures are expected to near 40 degrees. NWS predicts temperatures to continue climbing throughout the week. Until roads thaw, Lynn said drivers should “slow down.” “Don’t be over -confident,” he said. He said that if a driver encounters a patch of ice, stay off the brake and gas pedals and turn into the slide.
Get to know the Santa of Roswell Mall Perry announces bid for re-election AMY VOGELSANG RECORD STAFF WRITER
It’s almost Christmas, and that can only mean one thing: Santa Claus is coming to town! Or more accurately, he has already arrived. That’s right. Santa has been spotted right here in Roswell. Though during this time of year, there are many fake, “poser Santas” running about Roswell, the “Mall Santa” is, in fact, the real deal. Santa is a busy man, but knowing there are many boys and girls (as well as adults) who have been dying to know a few fun facts about this magical, mysterious man we call Kris Kringle, The Record was able to secure an exclusive interview with the jolly man in the red suit. RDR: So Santa, why are
you here in Roswell? Santa: Well, I’m just here to bring joy and cheer to all the children. I’m here checking my list, and I’m checking it twice. RDR: Brilliant! And what is your favorite color? We always see you in red. Santa: Red is my favorite color, and there are so many shades of red, but I like every one of them. RDR: Now Mrs. Claus, did she make your suit for you? Santa: Yes, she did. RDR: Does she have to patch it up every year or do you get a new suit? Santa: It lasts me about three years, and then I get a new one. It does real good, but sometimes I go down some dirty chimneys; then sometimes I have to change it. It puts some black spots on my beard and on my suit as well. RDR: Does (Mrs. Claus)
JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
Amy Vogelsang Photo
J.J. Harris, 4, receives a hug from Santa, Saturday, at the Roswell Mall. He excitedly ran up to Santa to ask for a special present: a Thomas the Tank Engine set. Harris said he plans to leave strawberry milk and strawberry cupcakes out for Santa on Christmas Eve.
call you anything else, or does she call you Santa? Santa: If she’s not mad at me she just calls me Santa. When she’s mad, she calls me Nicholas. RDR: Oh, she pulls the full first name out! OK, and now your reindeer.
Are they getting ready for the big trip? Santa: Yes. They’re all on vacation right now. They’re all up on the roof — they watch me down through the roof there See SANTA, Page A3
City Councilor Jason Perry (R-Ward 4), his family and a number of supporters braved the cold, rainy weather, Saturday, to meet on the west steps of City Hall, where Perry announced his bid for reelection in the 2014 election. Among those who faced the 19 degree temperatures were Rep. Nora Espinoza (R-Roswell), former City Councilor Sonny Espinoza, Rep. Bob Wooley (RRoswell) and his wife, Jana, Mayor Del Jurney, mayoral candidate Dennis Kintigh, District Attorney Janetta Hicks and Chief Deputy Britt Snyder of the Chaves County Sheriff’s Office. Perry told his audience: “I’m not here at City Hall to play — my sleeves are rolled up. I have worked hard to make zoning less
Hernandez helps students find life lessons in music
restrictive to attract new businesses to Roswell and create a positive climate for current businesses stay.” Zoning is an important topic for Perry. He is a voting member of the Extraterritorial Zoning Authority, a body which consists of both city councilors and county commissioners, who plan development of county lands immediately surrounding the city. He also is chairman of Roswell’s Buildings and Lands Committee and a member of the Airport Committee. Perry is active in Neighborhood Watch and feels combating crime is a key ingredient to growth in Roswell. “I have worked to strengthen public safety and do everything necessary to encourage economic development…” In the past year, Perry See PERRY, Page A3
JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
José Luis Hernandez is the soul of patience. He waited patiently as this reporter finished writing a quote. It is this is the same patience he uses when he instructs children at S.O.Y. Mariachi. He teaches guitar and vocals to all ages, all groups, from beginners to advanced students. Hernandez is one of the founders of S.O.Y. Mariachi, along with Paul Fresquez, Edubina Morales and Bobby Villages. He is
the one who came up with the name, S.O.Y., that stands for Save Our Youth. The goal is to help today’s youth and encourage the six pillars of Character Counts.
Hernandez is an accomplished musician. He plays the bajo sexto, a stringed instrument with 12 strings in double courses used in
HIGH 53 LOW 23
TODAY’S FORECAST
Norteño music; the vihuela, a small guitar which is used almost exclusively in mariachi music; and the electric base. He is learning to play the accordion, although he confesses he hasn’t developed confidence with the instrument. He has played with a See HERNANDEZ, Page A2
• JOSE M. CAMPOS • PAT MEDINA OTERO • CLIFFORD BUTTS • MERLE L. ANDERSEN
United Way
622-4150 of Chaves County
Collected
$297,553
Jessica Palmer Photo
Goal
Jose Luis Hernandez is one of the founding fathers of S.O.Y Mariachi.
$525,000
57%
Of Goal Collected
TODAY’S OBITUARIES PAGES A3, A6 & A7 • FRED N. MILLSAP JR. • PHYLLIS ANN TULK • PHAUNETA CHRISTINE ST. CLAIR
• NORMA JEAN C DE BACA • FLOYD ALLEN BLAKENEY • VICTORIANO “SICC VICC” CONTRERAS
• DR. ERIC R. JENSEN •ANTHONY (TONY) BLOISE • ZUDIE SCHNEDAR • KIM HOGGE
INDEX CLASSIFIEDS ..........D1 LOTTERIES .............A2 COMICS .................C4 OPINION .................A4 GENERAL ...............A2 SPORTS .................B1 HOROSCOPES .........B6 WEATHER ..............A8