The State of New Mexico has been rated as the 2nd most polite state to drive in according to a new national survey. The survey was conducted as part of our summer awareness campaign to promote better driving habits.

DriveHuman asked drivers in 50 states questions like "How often do you signal", "Would you steal someone's parking spot", and graded each state's response. The full survey results are here.

The campaign is called Drive Human, with the goal of reminding drivers that they share the road with other people not faceless cars. The developers of the survey hope that this results in safer and less stressful roads this summer.

In addition to the survey, the group partnered with Driver's Ed schools around the country to implement a courteous driving guide, and has received very positive feedback from educators.

To help spread the word about the campaign and broaden its reach, DriveHuman also created this video which humorously portrays what poor driving habits look like in real life.

VIDEO: https://www.facebook.com/senatortomudall/videos/10155252271282870/

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall, spoke on the Senate floor for the fourth time to oppose TrumpCare, the bill that Senate Republicans released today to repeal the Affordable Care Act and drastically cut Medicaid. Udall stood up for the hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans who would lose coverage if this bill becomes law, and read the testimony of Elena, a University of New Mexico Law graduate, who — thanks to the Medicaid expansion — was able to have a potentially life-saving surgery that reduced her risk of breast cancer from 87 percent to less than 10 percent.

In his speech, Udall called TrumpCare a "disgrace and a disaster," saying that "the Republican plan raids Medicaid. It strips away protections that prevent insurance companies from canceling your policy for getting sick – and reduces the services your insurer has to provide, and it does this all to pay for massive tax cuts for the wealthy."

Udall decried the secretive and closed process Senate Republicans used to draft TrumpCare — excluding everyone except corporate lobbyists, and without holding public hearings or seeking bipartisan input. Udall said that the bill is "extremely unpopular" with New Mexicans and the American people: "I've received over 10,000 letters, emails, and calls from New Mexicans pleading with me to help save their access to health care. Over 96 percent of my constituents who have contacted me about health care oppose Trumpcare."

Udall read the testimony of Elena, who, at 29, discovered she had an 87 percent chance of developing breast cancer. Thanks to the Medicaid expansion in Obamacare, Elena was able to afford a prophylactic mastectomy to reduce her chances of developing breast cancer to less than 10 percent— less than that of the average woman. In her testimony, Elena wrote, "I am so grateful that I qualified for Medicaid at a time in my life when I unexpectedly needed health insurance more than I could have ever anticipated."

Udall highlighted the devastating impacts that the Medicaid cuts alone in TrumpCare would have on New Mexico. "Medicaid expansion has meant that over 265,000 New Mexicans have health care coverage that they did not have before," Udall said. "Americans support the Medicaid program. They understand that, even if they don't need Medicaid, neighbors, friends, family may need it. And they understand that they may need it – unexpectedly, in the future – like Elena."

Udall urged his Republican colleagues to reject this bill and work with Democrats to improve the Affordable Care Act — rather than gut our health care system — to provide every American access to affordable health coverage. "I commit to Elena and to every New Mexican and American that I will work to make the ACA stronger – so that all Americans get the health care they rightly deserve," Udall said.

The full text of Udall's remarks is available below.

Mr. President. All across my home state of New Mexico, thousands of hard working people owe their health -- and in some cases, their lives -- to the Affordable Care Act.

Since early January -- I've received over 10,000 letters, emails, and calls from New Mexicans pleading with me to help save their access to health care. Over 96 percent of my constituents who have contacted me about health care oppose TrumpCare.

Let me say that again, because I think it's a very important number here — 96 percent of New Mexicans who have contacted me about health care over the past six months are opposed to TrumpCare and they're opposed to the effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Mr. President, the TrumpCare bill is a disgrace and a disaster.

It is a disgrace that Senate Republicans are trying to force an extremely unpopular bill on the country, in one week.

They are doing this even though this bill affects one sixth of our economy. And even though it would cause hundreds of thousands of people in New Mexico – and millions of Americans – to lose access to health care, prescription drugs, drug addiction counseling, and other life-saving services.

The Republican plan raids Medicaid. It strips away protections that prevent insurance companies from canceling your policy for getting sick -- and reduces the services your insurer has to provide, and it does this all to pay for massive tax cuts for the wealthy.

Mr. President, this bill is a disaster because it would be devastating for older New Mexicans, families who are struggling to make ends meet, women, people with pre-existing conditions, and New Mexicans in rural areas. Our rural areas would be particularly hard hit. In some cases, it would cause very severe damage to the health care in rural areas.

Hospital administrators in rural counties – like Guadalupe and Socorro in my home state – have told me that losing Medicaid reimbursements could break their budgets. And that could force these small, rural hospitals to limit services – or even to close. And you know, the last thing you want to happen in a small rural community is have the hospital close, because we all know what happens after that. Hospital closes, and the diminution in services and it's very hard for communities to stay alive in that situation.

So it's no wonder that the American people don't want this bill. They don't want TrumpCare. And, I suppose, it's no surprise that the Republicans have kept it hidden – without letting anyone see it.

I want to talk about that for a moment. That's not just a talking point for Democrats.

But if this bill passes and becomes law, many people will suffer. And it has been kept a total secret.

Mr. President, I wish I could read on the Senate floor every story I've gotten from my constituents who are concerned. If I could, I could hold the record for longest floor speech.

I've shared several in the past. But today, I'd like to read just one. From Elena, from Albuquerque.This is a picture of Elena, from Albuquerque, NM. She has a very, very moving story that she wrote me about that I think, in this story, you hear the story of the Affordable Care Act and the good that it does.

Elena is 31 years old. Earlier this week, I told some of Elena's story in a speech here on the Senate floor. But today, I want to tell Elena's full story.

Elena graduated last year from the University of New Mexico Law School – my alma mater.

And she is quite determined and motivated, as you will hear.

She wrote her story in a Facebook post to friends -- and gave me permission to share it with the American people and with my colleagues in the Senate.

Here is her story. This is Elena's story, in Elena's words:

For the past 18 months I've been carrying around a big secret. I've felt really guilty for not sharing it, and yet -- try as I might -- I could not work up the nerve to tell you all. Lucky for me, Senator Udall has helped me to rip off the band-aid.

In spring 2016, I found out that I have a BRCA 1 mutation, which puts me at a very high risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Women with a BRCA 1 mutation also tend to get breast and/or ovarian cancer very young. Sometimes even in their twenties or thirties.

When you have a BRCA 1 mutation, you have two options: One, you can get breast screenings every six months and yearly ovarian screenings, and keep your fingers crossed that nothing pops up. Or two, you can get your breasts and ovaries removed and significantly decrease your odds of getting cancer. Needless to say, there's not really a "right" decision. A woman's choice just comes down to what she feels is right for her body and life.

In the past 18 months, I've gotten to check a whole lot of things off my "absolutely not on my bucket list" bucket list. In April 2016, I had my first breast MRI, which revealed a lump that my doctor thought might be breast cancer. I then had my first mammogram, my first breast ultrasound, and my first breast biopsy.

These tests thankfully revealed that I didn't have breast cancer. They also helped me to make the difficult decision to have a prophylactic mastectomy and significantly reduce my chances of getting breast cancer.

In August 2016, I had a prophylactic mastectomy. And in October and February of this year I had follow up surgeries to have my breasts reconstructed.

Since February, I've been focusing on healing, and I feel great.

Obviously, this isn't the end of the road. Doctors suggest that women with a BRCA 1 mutation get their ovaries removed around age 40. And of course screening will continue to be important. But for now, I feel at peace knowing that I'm doing what I can to protect myself.

As Senator Udall mentioned, at the time that all of this health stuff came up, I had health insurance thanks to Medicaid Expansion through the ACA/Obamacare.

I first enrolled in Medicaid about three years ago when I was a law student at UNM School of Law.

UNM had just given qualifying students the opportunity to enroll in Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. I was a healthy 29 year-old with no preexisting conditions, and doubted I would ever use my health insurance. Little did I know, completing the Medicaid application would be one of the most important decisions I ever made.

So, a truly genuine, #thanksObama to President Obama, his staff and all of our elected leaders who worked to make the ACA happen and are fighting to keep it alive.

I am so grateful that I qualified for Medicaid at a time in my life when I unexpectedly needed health insurance more than I could have ever anticipated.

I am so thankful the drafters of the ACA understood that allowing me to get the preventative care I needed was better for my health, and also more financially sound. The ease with which I have received my medical coverage has allowed me to focus on my recovery.

While it has been a challenging year and a half, knowing that I could trust my health insurance made it so much easier than I'd imagined it would be.

I am so relieved that now I can focus on my future instead of figuring out how to pay off insurmountable medical debt.

I am fully recovered from my surgeries and am working on moving my life and career forward. I look forward to paying taxes (I swear, I really do) to support programs like Medicaid so that I can do my part to assist other Americans in staying healthy.

If you had told me when I signed up for Medicaid that I would make such extensive use of it, I wouldn't have believed it. At times, I have felt guilty for having to utilize Medicaid at a time in my life that has proven to be so medically and financially complicated.

Friends and family have been good enough to remind me that this is what Medicaid is about: ensuring that Americans can afford to take care of their health, regardless of their financial state, when an issue strikes. The Affordable Care Act has made this a reality for more people than ever before; I am so grateful to be one of them.

I am very scared for what the future will bring for those many individuals who have received insurance thanks to the ACA. I worry that if the ACA is destroyed, my preexisting condition will make it financially impossible for me and many others to get health insurance.

I worry for people who couldn't get insurance through their work and were finally were able to get it through the Exchange. I worry that those who suffer from ailments that constantly affect their health won't be able to afford the care they need.

I worry about the millions of Americans who are about to lose so much.

I understand that the ACA is not perfect. It needs some work, especially for people on the exchange who are paying premiums that are way too high. But the replacement plan that is being proposed is going to make it incredibly difficult for all of us to get quality, affordable coverage.

There are no words to adequately express my gratitude to all those who worked so tirelessly to make the Affordable Care Act happen. I am so hopeful that instead of destroying the ACA, our leaders will work to make it stronger so that all Americans can get the health care they deserve.

And those are the words that Elena posted on her Facebook page, very moving, very moving words.

Mr. President, before her surgery, Elena had an 87 percent chance of developing breast cancer. And now, it's less than 10 percent -- less than that of the average woman.

I commit to Elena and to every New Mexican and American that I will work to make the ACA stronger – so that all Americans get the health care they rightly deserve.

But the Senate Republicans cannot claim the same. Their bill -- drafted in secret behind closed doors– hurts people like Elena who have pre-existing conditions. It hurts people in her situation who have complicated healthcare needs with high medical costs, and those who benefit from the Medicaid expansion.

Americans support the Medicaid program.

They understand that – even if they don't need Medicaid – neighbors, friends, family may need it. And they understand that they may need it – unexpectedly, in the future – like Elena.

Medicaid expansion has meant that over 265,000 New Mexicans have health care coverage that they did not have before.

Pretty remarkable thing, in 6 short years in New Mexico, after the passage of the Affordable Care Act — you had people who didn't have any health care — and now 265,000 have medicaid coverage. And they could be in a situation, just like Elena. Many of these are hard-working families, families living in rural New Mexico, and Native Americans families, living in New Mexico.

The Senate Republican bill – like the House Republican bill – will end Medicaid expansion in New Mexico for people like Elena.

Mr. President, I want everyone listening to hear: This bill cuts Medicaid overall – more deeply than the House version. And when President Trump said that the House version was a mean bill, this is a meaner bill is. They are not necessary — these cuts are meaner — and they are not necessary to repeal the Affordable Care Act. And they will hurt millions of Americans.

They are also devastating to our state economies. New Mexico can't afford to pick up the tab for those cuts. So the state will be forced to cut services and reduce payments to doctors. Hospitals might close. And that would mean health care jobs will dry up.

Elena's story is one of millions. Every Senator has hundreds and thousands of constituents with these stories.

We all need health care at some point in our lives.

I urge, I implore, my fellow Senators across the aisle to reject the McConnell TrumpCare bill. Work with Democrats -- on a bipartisan basis -- to improve America's health care system to so that every American has access to affordable health care.

Don't do this. Don't gut our health care system.

Photographer Dave Schuhmann continues to take photos of the progress at Denny’s. The exterior is looking good.

Dave says: "Not much new to look at, outside progress is noticeable but not spectacular.

"I suppose all the windows are in. Don't know if the electrical work to pass the inspection has been done. From the looks of this it won't look much like any other Denny's."

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Today community groups and residents of the South Valley appealed a decision from the Bernalillo County Planning Commission in the Santolina mega-development case. The Planning Commission recommends stripping key provisions that require the Santolina developers to prove that its project has water. The appeal was filed with the Bernalillo County Commission (BCC), which is tentatively slated to take up the issue in August.

The appeal addresses a request by developers to remove three critical water conditions from the BCC's approval of Santolina's Level A Master Plan. These conditions require that, before BCC will consider whether or not to approve Santolina's Level B.1 Master Plan, developers must provide a fully executed Development Agreement with the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (Water Authority). This Agreement, along with other details, would furnish proof that Santolina has the requisite water to supply the estimated 90,000 residents of the project. Two years after these conditions were put into place, however, Santolina still has no Agreement with the Water Authority.

The Planning Commission's decision to recommend their removal was made at a June 7 hearing, in spite of a court ruling five days earlier that invalidates the Level A approvals for the project.

In the appeal, the New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC) asks the BCC to defer its consideration of the Planning Commission's recommendation while Santolina lacks valid Level A approvals. If the BCC refuses to defer the decision, the appeal asks the BCC to reject the Planning Commission's recommendation that the conditions be stripped from the BCC's approval of the Level A Master Plan.

"With this decision, the Bernalillo County Planning Commission decided to ignore and jeopardize the regions water supply," says James "Santiago" Maestas, President of the South Valley Regional Association of Acequias. "We urge the Bernalillo County Commission to finally do the right thing about Santolina, and rule in favor of this appeal for the sake of our communities and our water."

"My neighbors in the South Valley want to know why the Bernalillo County Commission doesn't just put the brakes on the whole Santolina development process," says Roberto Roibal of SouthWest Organizing Project. "The District Court has ruled that the zoning approval for the Santolina development should be remanded back to the County Commission. Why then is the County Planning Commission and the County Commission continuing to have hearings on the Level B plan when they have to start all over for the Level A Master Plan zoning?"

"As Judge Nancy Franchini's June 2 decision illustrates, the law is on our side when it comes to providing due process to the people of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County," says Jaimie Park, NMELC Staff Attorney. "As long as Bernalillo County decision-makers allow Santolina to subvert the system, we will challenge them. These officials are playing a dangerous game with the region's water, and if they don't bring water into the conversation, it's a game we all are going to lose."

Key arguments in the appeal:

• The District Court ruling invalidates the zoning change for Santolina from "A-1 Rural-Agricultural" to "Planned Communities". Because the zone change is fundamental to the process, the ruling invalidates all of BCC's subsequent decisions on Santolina and voids the Level A approvals for Santolina.
• Under Bernalillo County's Planned Communities Criteria, Santolina developers are required to prove they have water for the project. They have failed to do so.
• BCC cannot make informed decisions about the project and its substantial impacts on the region without meaningful water data.
• If BCC grants Santolina's request and pushes these water requirements to the Level C process, there will be no review by BCC and no opportunity for public input into the decision.
• The Planning Commission erred when it accepted new evidence into the record which had not been made public prior to the proceeding. Further, it allowed no cross-examination on the new evidence.
• The Planning Commissioner Johnny Peña failed to disclose that his wife is employed by an organization that owns property that would be developed within the Santolina project and the Planning Commission did not hold a vote on his recusal.

Appellants include SouthWest Organizing Project, New Mexico Health Equity Working Group, Pajarito Village Association, Center for Social Sustainable Systems*, South Valley Coalition of Neighborhood Associations*, South Valley Regional Association of Acequias*, and eight individuals.

The conditions that Santolina developer seek to strike from the Level A approvals can also be found in the BCC Notice of Decision, dated June 19, 2015.

*New clients, including four additional individuals, added to the legal effort to challenge the massive Santolina project and its potential impacts on water, communities and local agriculture.

Washington, DC (June 22, 2017) Congressman Steve Pearce today voiced New Mexico land and resource priorities at the House Committee on Natural Resources hearing with Department of the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.

"New Mexico is rich with natural wonders and abundant resources. From natural resource production, to the management and maintenance of federal lands, New Mexican's are greatly affected by decisions that come out of the Department of the Interior. Today, I was able to highlight a number of issues that affect New Mexico jobs, our economy, and the overall well-being of folks in rural communities with Secretary Zinke. I look forward to continuing my work in Congress and with the Department of the Interior to create more opportunities for success in New Mexico."

Watch Rep. Pearce at today's House Committee on Natural Resources Hearing

###

By Abe Villarreal

I remember spending those long summer days at nana and tata’s house, during hot, Arizona weekends in the 1990s. They put us to work, shining the bulky wooden furniture, and meticulously cleaning the complicated crevices of their bigger than life, vintage stereo console.

The thing was huge. With two doors that opened in the middle, the solid wood design was filled with curves and backed by red velvet material. It was a sight to see.

After a day of cleaning, I sensed a headache on the horizon. After complaining to nana, she cut up a potato, stuck one-half on each side of my head and wrapped it with a wet towel.

Lying down and looking up at the ceiling, all I could think of is how strange I must have looked in what was one of nana’s many methods to fix life’s discomforts. While I can’t remember if my headache was gone with this spud of a cure, I do remember feeling comforted by the assurance that she gave me.

Because we have the power to Google anything and solve most things with a fast-acting drug, funny sounding homemade remedies are becoming a lost art. Still, it seems that grandmas had answers for almost anything, and in many cases, they worked.

A couple of days ago, I told a friend to lay out a container with beer on his front porch. He was having an annoying cockroach problem. The next morning, a handful of the drunken insects were lying on their backsides.

The only mistake he made was using his wife’s tortilla warmer, a sacred dish in a Mexican-American household.

Speaking of overdrinking, did you know that Vicks VapoRub cures hangovers? It’s true. Maybe. Actually, to a Mexican, Vicks VapoRub is a magician’s tool. It will eliminate dry skin, chapped lips, achy joints, coughs, sneezes, and colds.

The feeling of a mother’s hand as she rubs the cooling rub on your chest is a feeling every child should experience.

I’m not sure science can prove this one, but abuelas have been known to eliminate baby hiccups with a piece of red yarn.

I read somewhere that a penny on a forehead can stop a nosebleed.

Do these funky remedies work? If they do, it’s because they are combined with a warm hug, a quiet prayer, and the loving look of an abuela or mom who cares enough for you to try anything to make you feel better.

I like homemade remedies because they teach us that our ancestors were thinkers. With little resources and much more imagination, they found answers when we needed them. Forget the almost instant need to head to an emergency room for the smallest of problems. Our grandmothers showed us that when you can’t afford a quick fix, you quickly fix up a solution.

They also showed us their respect to their parents and the parents who came before, who have been passing down traditions for generations.

Next time you have a little one that’s feeling blue, before you head out the door to the pharmacy, lay him down and look him in his eyes. Hold him close and then whip out the old Vicks Vaporub.

That time together may be all that he needs.

Abe Villarreal is the Director of Communications at Western New Mexico University. When not on campus, he enjoys writing about his observations on marketing, life, people and American traditions.

The 2017 Lone Star Conference Male and Female Athletes of the Year included three league standouts as West Texas A&M’s Rellie Kaputin and Marshall Kasowski, and UT Permian Basin’s Daeshon Francis were recognized. The awards were announced Wednesday following a vote of the league’s sports information directors.

WT’s Kaputin earned LSC top female athlete recognition following an exceptional track and field career, while UTPB’s Francis and WT’s Kasowski shared the honor of top male athlete after tremendous basketball and baseball seasons, respectively.

Kaputin was the top female in front of Tarleton State volleyball standout Hailey Roberts in a close vote.

Francis and Kasowski claimed the men’s award just ahead of Texas A&M-Commerce track and field star Florian Obst.

Kaputin was named US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Women's Field Athlete of the Year after she won the triple jump and scored 21 points at the 2017 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships becoming the first Lady Buff in program history to win an individual title. The Papua New Guinea native finished second in the long jump and became the first Lady Buff to earn three All-America honors at the same indoor championship. Kaputin earned LSC Indoor Female Field Athlete of the Year acclaim after leading WT to the LSC Championship for the fourth straight year.

In the outdoor season, Kaputin was a member of the 2017 NCAA Division II National Champion Lady Buffs scoring a school-record 22 points, including a national title in the triple jump and a runner-up finish in the long jump. In the triple jump, her mark of 43-7 (13.28m) not only shattered her own school-record, but ranks second in NCAA Division II history. Kaputin earned USTFCCCA All-Region honors in the jumps and earned back-to-back conference titles in the long jump and triple jump and a runner-up finish in the high jump as WT claimed its second straight LSC Championship.

Francis led UT Permian Basin to a 26-6 record while capturing the LSC Men’s Basketball Championship and Tournament title in its first season in the league. The junior earned LSC Player of the Year and D2CCA South Central Region Player of the Year honors after scoring 18.2 points per game with a .559 field goal percentage.

The Indianapolis, Indiana native helped the Falcons lead the league and rank 13th nationally in scoring this season, averaging 88.3 points per game. Francis scored in double-figures in 30 of 32 games this season with a season high 34 points. The LSC Tournament MVP scored at least 20 points 11 times in 2016-17. Francis paced the team with 48 steals and was second in rebounding (6.6 per game) and assists (3.1).

Kasowski led the nation in strikeouts breaking the school and LSC record for K's in a season with 165 as the Buffs won the LSC Baseball Tournament Championship. He also topped the nation in strikeouts per nine innings at 15.91. Kasowski became the highest drafted player in WT Baseball history as the 400th overall pick in the 13th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Conroe, Texas native was named LSC Pitcher of the Year, first team all-LSC, NCBWA and CCA Region Pitcher of the Year and was a multiple All-America honoree in his first season in a Buff uniform. Kasowski, who is a finalist for the prestigious Brett Tomko Award, went 9-5 with a 2.22 ERA ranking third in the LSC and 34th nationally. He pitched a team-high 93.1 innings, allowing 50 hits, 27 runs (23 earned) and walked just 50 as opponents hit a team-low .156 against him. Kasowski tallied 11 games of double-digit strikeouts, including a school-record 17 on March 24.

Here is a closer look at the voting breakdown for each award, along with the honorees since 1999:

LSC MALE ATHLETE OF YEAR (Name, School, Year, Sport, Points): Daeshon Francis, UT Permian Basin, Jr., Men's Basketball, 12; Marshall Kasowski, West Texas A&M, Jr., Baseball, 12; Florian Obst, Texas A&M-Commerce, Jr., Track & Field, 11; Nils Fischer, Angelo State, Fr., Track & Field , 7; Akoakoa Paleka-Kennedy, Midwestern State, Sr., Football, 6; Brandon Jones, Texas A&M-Kingsville, So., Football, 5; Cody Bower, Cameron, Sr., Baseball, 3; Cody Burtscher, Tarleton State, Sr., Football, 3; Alex DeLaCruz, Eastern New Mexico, Sr., Baseball, 1; Jean-Laurent Pageault, Western New Mexico, Sr., Tennis, 0.

LSC FEMALE ATHLETE OF YEAR (Name, School, Year, Sport, Points): Rellie Kaputin, West Texas A&M, Sr., Track & Field, 20; Hailey Roberts, Tarleton State, Jr., Volleyball, 19; Nicole Nordie, Texas Woman's, Sr., Softball, 8; Mallory Blauser, Angelo State, Sr., Volleyball, 7; Vicky Back, Texas A&M-Commerce, Sr., Soccer, 7; Breezy McComas, Cameron, Sr., Softball, 3; Kaina Martinez, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Sr., Track and Field, 1; Lauren Frye, Eastern New Mexico, Sr., Volleyball, 1; Destinee Williamson, Midwestern State, Jr., Soccer, 0; Shannon Rich, Western New Mexico, Sr., Volleyball, 0.

I have said this about anyone who is entrenched in the power structure in Washington DC but it is more applicable to the liberals than anyone else: it is not about solving problems, it is about controlling our lives. Our elected officials and bureaucrats in federal government want power more than anything else and that DOES include solving problems.

Look at every problem they have claimed to address from economic issues to societal inequalities to the deficit, it doesn't matter, none of those problems has gotten better by their own admission. And since the election of Donald Trump we have seen those on the left side of the aisle, including many Republicans, fight the President tooth and nail to prevent him from draining the swamp.

President Trump has held a large number of meetings with different constituencies. The common theme among all of those meetings is how impressed the attendees are with Trump. Even those who disagree with him philosophically have said that they believe he listened to them and took their advice to heart and that he truly wants to address the issues and solve the problems.

So if you are a member of a group that is invited to the White House to speak to Donald Trump, wouldn't you jump at the opportunity? Wouldn't you at least give him a chance, based upon the experiences of everyone else, to hear your concerns and listen to what you want? Apparently not if you are the Congressional Black Caucus. Trump has invited the members of the caucus to come to the White House and address issues that are important to them and the people they represent. The caucus has refused and the reasons for their refusal show that they are grasping at straws.

And it also proves that it is about power and perception rather than really solving problems. Because think about this, what is the worst thing that could happen? They have a productive meeting with President Trump in which he hears their concerns and then he does nothing. At least you and I would think that's the worst thing that could happen.

But for the Congressional Black Caucus, they could then go back out to their constituents and say this president doesn't care about them. He heard what they had to say and he did nothing. But really, the worst thing for the Congressional Black Caucus is that Trump listens to them and acts upon their concerns. And then horror of horrors, some of the problems facing the CBC's constituents are solved!

If that were to happen Trump would be seen as a hero and the Congressional Black Caucus and the liberals just cannot have that. Despite what you see in the news, Trump has accomplished quite a bit in the first few months of his presidency and the members of the caucus know that. They cannot take the chance that the president can be given any credit for any positive things happening in our lives.

Back to the reasons they are giving for not being able to meet with the President: the first one listed by many members of the caucus is that Trump's assistant, Omarosa Manigault, signed the invitation "Honorable Omarosa Manigault," a title they say she has not earned and that it was offensive to them.

They also claim that the logistics of getting 50 members of the caucus together are difficult, but don't they hold meetings regularly? I'm sure that not everyone can make all of their meetings but they hold them anyway. You would think that a meeting with the President to address grievances would be something that most of them could make room for on their calendar.

Other members have given excuses such as not wanting to pose for a photo with the President for fear that someone thinks they are supporting Trump and having been able to avoid that in past meetings, they think avoiding a picture in the Oval Office would be impossible. they are also upset that he has not done anything to address their concerns but if you haven't expressed them to him and giving him options to address those, what do you expect him to do? Is he supposed to read about your concerns in the mainstream media because all he reads or hears in the press are the vile things that you are saying about him.

Quite simply this is not about solving problems, this is about their having power over our lives plain and simple. It's also about being shortsighted and petty; but what would you expect from a group of liberals?

LEGAL NOTICE

New Mexico CAP Entity Regular Meeting:

Date: July 6, 2017, Thursday
Time: 9:00 am
Location: Grant County Commission Chambers
1400 Highway 180 East; Silver City, New Mexico

The agenda for this regular meeting will be available on or before 9:00 am on July 3,2017 in the Grant County Manager’s Office located at 1400 Highway 180 East in Silver City, New Mexico. If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of an auxiliary aid or service to assist you at the meeting, please contact 575/542-9341 (Darr Shannon, Chairman of the NM CAP Entity) in advance or as soon as possible.

The Gila National Forest public affairs officer, Marta Call, said the air quality changed after the report was run before 7 a.m. She said the smoke in the area is the direct result of drift from the Frye Fire on the Coronado National Forest in Arizona.

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See maps and photos below

Corral Fire

The Corral Fire is estimated at 17,029 acres and is burning with low to moderate intensity in pinon juniper grassland fuels and some pine stringers. Recent operations have been working to keeping fire from crossing FR 150 and monitoring fire behavior. Wilderness District Ranger Rachelle Huddleston-Lorton stated “I am very pleased with the effects this fire is having in the wilderness.” This fire is showing low to moderate behavior which is as it should in a fire-adapted ecosystem. The strategy of this fire is to reduce live woody fuels, reduce fuel loads on the ground, improve forest health and watershed conditions, and support the reintroduction of fire in the natural ecosystem.

Forest Service Road 150 is open to motorists. Huddleston-Lorton requests “that motorists use caution, maintain a “heads-up” approach and defer to instructions from the fire crews on the road."

Straw Fire

By Roger Lanse

The Sunday, June 18, house fire at 1450 S. Highway 90, the Beat reported on earlier in the week, turned into standoff between a subject’s knife and an officer’s firearm.

When a Silver City police officer arrived at the burning single-wide mobile home at about 5:30 p.m., the officer noticed a male, later identified as James Anthony Castillo, squatting down in the trees to the west of the structure fire, according to an affidavit for arrest warrant. When the subject came to the officer at the officer’s request he identified himself only as “Jimmy,” and refused to give his last name.

Albuquerque, NM- The Republican Party of New Mexico is pleased to announce that Dominic Pacheco will serve as Interim Communications Director for the NM GOP. Pacheco is a recent graduate of the University of New Mexico, graduating with studies in Political Science and a minor in Economics. We welcome him to the RPNM team.

Below is his contact information:
O: 505.298.3662
C: 505.615.5181
Email: Dominic@gopnm.org

Developing strategic direction is not simply throwing a dart at the dartboard, aiming in the general direction, and hope you hit the bullseye. Knowing what you are aiming for is critical. You have to know what objectives you are aiming to accomplish. Ansoff’s Strategic Opportunity Matrix details four options. Each of these options has specific courses of action to accomplish the objectives.

Market Penetration: This strategic option pertains to a firm focused on increasing market share among current customers. This is a low risk strategy with high growth potential, especially as supported by the 80/20 rule that 20% of your customers attribute to 80% of the revenue generated from a firm. This can be accomplished through volume discounts, customer loyalty programs, “secret menus,” targeted email and digital campaigns, targeted radio messages specifically aligning messa
ges to a certain region or demographic, and more.

Market Development: This strategic option pertains to a firm focused on attracting new customers to existing product/service offerings. Initiatives may involve new-targeted direct mail or digitally targeted campaigns focusing on attracting new people. This can also be “refer a friend” campaign.

Product Development: This strategic option is aimed at creating new products for existing markets. Through market research and competitor analysis, opportunities can be mapped and then products created to meet demand in existing markets.

Diversification: This strategic option introduces new products into new markets. This can be considered a high risk strategy and can more a firm away from their core competency, but may be needed to diversify a portfolio and, thus, reduce long-term risk (“not having all of one’s eggs in one basket”). Yet, the costs in venturing in completely new directions, can be high and require venturing into “uncharted waters” where expertise may be lacking.

Most organizations are pursing more than one of these options at a time, but are carefully tailoring the messages to fit the objective. Furthermore, don’t be confused by the significant differences between “market penetration” vs. “market development.” Market development redefines the target market, whereas marketing penetration seeks to gain greater market share from an established customer base.

Overall, marketing objectives typically fit into one of these four options. Each of the options requires different messages and marketing initiatives. Having a clear understanding of which option is being pursues is critical to an aligned and successful marketing message and plan. ~ Written by: Sabrina Pack-PCM

White Sands Missile Range announces the following roadblock information for Highway 70:

Highway 70 will be blocked Monday, June 26 at 10:20 p.m. for approximately one hour. This block will be located at Red Block (top of ST. Augustin Pass) and Yellow Block (White Sands National Monument). LC Gate, Owen Road and Nike Ave will also be affected.

Roadblocks are subject to change without notice. For updated information please call 575-678-1178 or follow White Sands Missile Range Facebook at www.facebook.com/WSMRPublicAffairs, Twitter: https://twitter.com/wsmrpao, or New Mexico DOT at www.nmroads.com.

Should these times change this office will provide additional information as needed.

Silver City, NM – The Silver City Arts & Cultural District (SCACD) invites the public to attend the opening reception of an exceptionally special exhibit recognizing the late Murray Ryan on Friday, June 30, 2017 from 5pm-7pm. The reception, which commemorates Murray's life and ongoing legacy, will take place at the Murray Ryan Visitor Center - a building Murray himself helped to make possible. Refreshments will be provided by the Ryan family.

"Murray contributed so much to this community, as well as the State of New Mexico, and the SCACD is honored to be able to recognize him in this way. Of course, the exhibit would not be possible without Kathleen Ryan, Murray's daughter; Paula Geisler, local artist and community member; and Rebecca Martin, Visitor Services & Tourism Coordinator for the SCACD, who all worked hard to curate the materials for the exhibit. Murray clearly lived a full life, and his dedication to helping others and to his home in southwestern New Mexico is evident. We hope the community will come out to the reception and celebrate Murray's lasting memory," said Callie Kennington, Executive Director of the SCACD.

For more information, please call 575-538-5560 or E-mail info@visitsilvercity.org.

PHOENIX — The New Mexico Society of Enrolled Agents, the New Mexico Society of Certified Public Accountants, the New Mexico Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) and the Internal Revenue Service are offering seven hours of continual education (CE) by attending a one day seminar on Thursday, Aug. 8, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the San Juan College SBDC, Merrion Rooms, School of Energy, 5301 College Blvd., in Farmington, New Mexico.

Register online at https://nmsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/11203 or call the SBDC at 505-566-3528.

Tax topics to be covered include: Representing Clients; Third Party Authorizations; Data Breach: Protect Your Clients, Protect Yourself; New Due Diligence and Compliance Impacting Tax Practices; and Working with the IRS, What Practitioners need to know.

IRS speakers from Collection, Exam, Appeals, Criminal Investigation Division and the Taxpayer Advocate Service will host a panel discussion.

This seminar qualifies for seven hours of CE credit for Enrolled Agents and Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP) participants. Other tax professionals may qualify for CE credit depending upon the requirements of their organization. A valid Practitioner Tax Identification Number (PTIN) is required for CE credits. The registration fee is $70, which includes seminar materials and lunch. Pre-payment is required. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. Seating is limited, please register early.

If you require special accommodations or have any dietary restrictions, please mention it during the registration process. Also, in case of unforeseen circumstances, speakers and topics are subject to change.

More information on this and other seminars can be found on IRS.gov, Practitioner Local Liaison Meetings and Seminars at https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/practitioner-local-liaison-meetings-and-seminars.

Lloyd AguilarAlbuquerque, NM – Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas and Second Judicial District Attorney Rául Torrez announced that Lloyd Aguilar was sentenced this week to 20 years in prison followed by 8 years of supervised probation for robbing a mother and her three children at gunpoint in a Smith's parking lot on the Westside of Albuquerque. Aguilar was convicted by a Bernalillo County jury on March 17, 2017 after a weeklong trial. The case was jointly prosecuted by the Office of the New Mexico Attorney General and Second Judicial District Attorney's Office.

"I am focused on keeping the most dangerous, violent offenders off our streets, and our office will continue to partner with the Second Judicial District Attorney's Office and district attorney's offices around the state to further our mission of a safer New Mexico for our children and families," Attorney General Hector Balderas said. "I want to thank the Second Judicial District Attorney's Office for their partnership on this case, and I hope the victims of this heinous crime feel safer tonight knowing that Mr. Aguilar will be in prison for a very long time."

"I am committed to marshalling the resources necessary to make Bernalillo County safe by working with our local, state and federal partners," District Attorney Rául Torrez said. "This case is an example of prosecuting agencies working together to make our community safer by removing the most violent and repeat offenders from the streets of Bernalillo County."

Aguilar was convicted on all counts in the indictment which includes:

1. Armed Robbery with a 1 year firearm enhancement (mandatory serious violent offense)
2. Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery
3. Child Abuse - Intentional (No Death or Great Bodily Harm) with a 1 year firearm enhancement (designated as serious violent offense at sentencing)
4. Child Abuse - Intentional (No Death or Great Bodily Harm) with a 1 year firearm enhancement (designated as serious violent offense at sentencing)
5. Child Abuse - Intentional (No Death or Great Bodily Harm) with a 1 year firearm enhancement (designated as serious violent offense at sentencing)
6. Tampering with Evidence

Mark Probasco from the Office of the New Mexico Attorney General and Natalie Strub from the Second Judicial District Attorney's Office prosecuted this case.

Monday, June 19

Domestic disturbance
Canal Street
Male and female arguing. Officer advised both parties left, arguing.

Harassment
Georgia Street
Caller advised that his neighbor just threatened him with a switchblade. Officer made contact and advised issuing a named male an indefinite CTW.

Missing persons
S. Arizona Street – 9:45 a.m.
Caller advised that a named female and a named male have not been home since 8 p.m. on Sunday and it is unusual for them to be gone because they cannot drive.

Unwanted subject
Luck Street
Caller advised that her daughter and a named male are at her house and she doesn’t want him there. Officer made contact and advised both parties left and the male was issued an indefinite CTW for this location.

Panhandler
2501 E. Highway 180
At the entrance a man with a gas can and mobile home is asking for money.

Injuring/tampering with motor vehicle.
W. 13th Street
Caller advised someone keyed her car.

Larceny
Leslie Road
Caller advised that a battery was stolen out of her 1997 Saturn wagon.

Unwanted subject
E. Pine Street
Caller requested an officer to escort a named female out of the building. Officer advised she left upon request.

Domestic disturbance
KISS – 319 13th Street
A named male is going off on caller. Officers made contact and advised everything is okay/just a verbal disagreement.

Welfare check
E. Pine Street
Caller advised that a neighbor advised of an unresponsive person. Officers requested ambulance for heroin overdose/everything is okay.

Request officer
1313 E. 32nd Street
Caller advised of a malpractice report. Officer advised it was a civil matter between caller and GRMC.

Welfare check
DWI Compliance Office – 2610 N. Silver Street
A named female is yelling and acting weird/caller believes she is on drugs.

Stolen motor vehicle
Virginia Street
Caller advised her white 2001 Toyota Corolla has been stolen. Advised it was with her boyfriend when he was arrested and it has not been brought back. Officer advised they just brought her car back.

Welfare check
E. Pine Street
Caller from GRMC-ER advised that a named male left with his IV still in his arm. Officer spoke to grandmother/negative contact.

Tuesday, June 20

Suspicious vehicle
Stout Elementary School
Officer advised they moved the Jeep.

Welfare check
N. Silver Street
Caller’s 8-year-old granddaughter is with her father and he is not answering his phone. Officer made contact and granddaughter is okay.

Domestic disturbance
N. Gold Street
Caller advised he just had a domestic with a female who just took off. Officers advised one female in custody/en route to GCDC.

Shoplifting
610 Silver Heights Blvd.
Advised that a male took a whole red CVS basket worth of stuff then took off on a 10-speed bicycle toward the old Red Barn. Officer ATL for male then en route to CVS.

Unwanted subject
1315 N. Hudson Street
Male is being rude and refusing to leave. Officer advised issue a male an indefinite CTW to Blake’s.

Larceny
300 W. College Avenue
Caller advised that her boyfriend took her tax papers without her permission.

Welfare check
Dept of Motor Vehicles
Caller advised an elderly man is confused/has a headache/can’t see. Officer advised the male is okay/he just has a headache from the heat.

Harassment
520 N. Bullard Street
Male is chasing female in and out of traffic/both in camo. Male has shaggy blond hair and really bad teeth. Officer had contact at Visitor Center.

Injuring/tampering with motor vehicle
2600 N. Silver Street
Caller advised that a silver Toyota Tundra is blocking their white Hyundai in the parking lot.

Disturbance
Durango Street
Caller advised that a named male is yelling and breaking things/he is now in his trailer. Officer had negative contact.

Shoplifting
1814 N. Swan Street
Caller advised that yesterday, a named male took a case of Powerade and a 12-pack of Natural Ice. Officer could not see the male shoplift in the security tapes.

Request officer
N. Swan and 30th streets
Caller from JPO advised a juvi male doesn’t have a guardian with him. Advised to ask Bayard PD to go to an Oak Street address and ask her if she has custodial rights for the juvi/if not will go with CYFD. Officer advised en route with juvi to CYFD.

Criminal trespass warning
1814 N. Swan Street
A named female needs to be issued a CTW/she is going to be terminated.

Welfare check
1220 N. Hudson Street
Caller advised that a white guy and a black guy were chasing a white guy. Officer advised contact was made and the chased male did not want to speak with him.

Shoplifting
2501 E. Highway 180
Male in the back bathroom stole at least one DVD/now at grocery entrance still inside/everything out of backpack. Officer advised clear/negative on CTWs.

Welfare check
Memory Lane
Caller advised her mother called advising they have not been able to contact a named male since Sunday. Officer advised everything is okay.

Battery
Vicky Place
Caller advised that a named male hit a named female in the head with something and left a large gash. Officer made contact/female refused medical attention.

Welfare check
2501 E. Highway 180
Caller advised that a female in Row 7 is yelling at a disabled male that she has a headache and wants to go home. Officer made contact and advised everything is okay.

Welfare check
1956 E. Highway 180
Caller advised that a male without shoes is lying on the sidewalk. Officer out with a named male/male left upon request.

Unwanted subject
2501 E. Highway 180
Caller advised that a male is in the store that was kicked out earlier and told not to come back. Officer had contact and escorted the male off property and issued him an indefinite CTW. Male was dropped off at Hudson/College.

Wednesday, June 21

Suspicious vehicle
N. Gold Street and Silver Heights Blvd.
Officer advised everything is okay/they are trying to catch their dog.

Suspicious vehicle
Ridge Road
Driver is having trouble with the taillight and will be taking vehicle back home.

Welfare check
S. Pinos Altos Street
Caller advised that a male is lying on the ground. Officer advised the male is okay/he just had a little too much to drink last night.

Domestic disturbance
Leslie Road
Caller advised that a named female pulled a gun on him as he was trying to get his car keys from her. Caller advised that she is now banging on his apartment door.

Welfare check
S. Arizona Street
Caller advised that a named female is the caregiver for a named male and she could hear over the phone the female yelling at the male and throwing things.

Accident with property damage
2500 E. Highway 180
Two vehicles in the roadway/one with heavy front-end damage/the other with heavy damage/ send wreckers for both.

Criminal trespass warning
SCPD
A named male was issued an indefinite CTW to a W. 7th Street address.

Domestic disturbance
2820 E. Highway 180
Male and female in a brown Chevy car having a verbal dispute. Male is now on foot and the female is following him headed toward ACE.

Domestic disturbance
2260 E. Highway 180
Caller advised that an employee was hit by her ex-boyfriend.

Welfare check
Maple Street
Caller advised that a female is sitting on the corner yelling. Officer advised that the female was very uncooperative and stated she was going through some problems and did not want to state what they were.

Littering
The Hub
Caller wants to show all the trash the homeless have left behind. Officer advised he will be en route as soon as he gets done with a child exchange.

Harassment
714 N. Bullard Street
Caller advised that an ex-employee is making threats towards her.

Welfare check
1598 S. Cooper Street
Caller advised they found a vehicle that belongs to caller’s father but they cannot locate the father/the father gets confused.

Unwanted subject
809 N. Hudson Street
Caller advised that two males are outside of the gas station and trying to get into the store. Caller advised he is trying to leave and they won’t let him. Officer made contact and issued CTW for all W&N Enterprises.

Loud party
W. Victoria Street
Officer spoke to homeowner and advised the homeowner to turn down the music.

Thursday, June 22

Welfare check
North Loop
Caller advised that a male has been released from jail and he has been threatening caller and his family and caller would like a welcheck on his mother and sisters.

Larceny
The Big Ditch
Caller advised a copper-colored pedal bike was taken about 15 minutes ago.

Shoplifting
1956 E. Highway 180
A female who took peroxide is now on the backside of Arby’s. Officers on scene.

Injuring/tampering with motor vehicle
1405 N. Hudson Street
One of the vehicles on the lot was damaged.

Criminal damage to property
Little Walnut Road
Caller advised storage doors were broken/unknown if anything taken.

Shoplifting
Walgreens
Adult male.

Battery
1313 E. 32nd Street
A named female advised that she was assaulted in Silver City.

Disturbance
2148 E. Highway 180
Drunk homeless male arguing with the Frito-Lay guy. Officer advised the male left upon arrival.

Request officer
GCSD
Walk-in in reference to a named male and walk-in’s missing children.

Panhandler
2501 E. Highway 180
Male is being very aggressive. Officer advised he is going to leave.

Accident-property damage
Highway 180 @ Blue Line Rentals
Caller advised one of his rigs had a blowout and caused lots of damage and he needs a police report for insurance purposes. Info was given to NMSP dispatch.

Larceny
1598 S. Cooper Street
Caller advised someone stole her grandmother’s cross off the grave.

Shoplifting
2501 E. Highway 180
Caller advised that a named male just took two packages of meat and left headed into town.

Shoplifting
2501 E. Highway 180
Caller advised a female just concealed packages of meat in her purse. Officer advised the female was released on a CTA.

Unwanted subject
N. Bayard Street
Neighbor and girl that are refusing to leave/she is intoxicated and causing problems. Officer out at location/female issued an indefinite CTW and dropped off at Knights of Columbus.

Domestic disturbance
Sheriff’s Posse Road
Caller advised that her nephew and his girlfriend were threatening to beat caller up/they left already.

Welfare check
2950 Leslie Road
Caller advised he is a Navy Seal veteran and was brought in by Lordsburg EMS because he fell off his RV when trying to put a new glass in the RV. Caller advised he is 58-years-old. Caller advised he gets all his pills from the VA Clinic. Advised he was at the Lintero Apartments and everyone was trying to beat him up and take his stuff. Advised he was at GRMC and he got glass in his chest and left. He is speaking to a female now and he does not want to go back to GRMC and . . .

Washington, DC (June 23, 2017) Congressman Steve Pearce, Chairman of the Terrorism and Illicit Finance Subcommittee, led a hearing to examine the best ways to combat the trafficking of cultural artifacts that fund terrorist organizations and activities:

"During times of conflict we see an increased interest in the theft, fraud, looting, and trafficking of priceless religious and cultural sites for artifacts and other antiquities. The longstanding transnational phenomenon of the theft and looting of antiquities attributes greatly to the establishment of illicit network and financing of criminal enterprises ranging from cartels to terrorist groups. Today's hearing is a step forward in helping us better understand how these terrorist and criminal organizations exploit antiquities so we can combat the illicit trading for a safer tomorrow, while protecting our the cultural and religious histories of civilizations around the world."

Watch the hearing from today here.