Originally the Magdalena Mountain Mail, the newspaper was founded in 1888, and serves Magdalena,
and Socorro and Catron counties.
Photo by John Larson
SOCORRO - A Socorro man and woman were both arraigned in Magistrate Court Monday, Dec. 7, on charges of trafficking heroin with intent to sell.
Kevin McDaniel, 31, and Denalda Baca, 22, were arrested Friday, Dec. 4, following a vandalism incident on Hope Farms Road.
According to the criminal complaint, Officer Dennis Sedillo was on the lookout for the driver of a white car with tinted windows that had been called in as shooting a paintball gun at a residence on Hope Farms Road.
The car was spotted, and after a short chase down Otero, South Main, and Tierra Bonita, the driver, McDaniel, slowed down and jumped out “while the car was still in motion, and ran from the vehicle towards the ditch” on Tierra Bonita.
As other police units arrived, a woman in the vehicle, Denalda Baca, attempted to flee on foot but was captured.
Officer Joseph Reichenbach apprehended McDaniel as the suspect was trying to hide under a trailer.
While conducting a routine pat down, Officer Stanley Montano found in McDaniel’s pocket a clear plastic baggie containing 4 grams of a white substance which later tested positive for heroin.
The criminal complaint stated that McDaniel’s “manner to be consistent with that of being under the influence of heroin.”
An NCIC check showed McDaniel to have had four previous DWI arrests.
Baca was read her rights but refused to confirm that she understand them, saying “[expletive] you guys.”
While in the police car, Baca began kicking the windows and had to be hobble strapped (a technique in which the suspect’s wrists and ankles are bound together).
Both were incarcerated at the Socorro County Detention Center after being processed.
Charges against McDaniel include three felonies; trafficking a controlled substance (heroin) with intent to distribute, aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer, and DWI; and resisting arrest, a misdemeanor.
McDaniel’s preliminary hearing in Magistrate Court is set for Friday, Dec. 18.
Truth or Consequences lawyer Albert J. Costales is the defense attorney.
Denalda Baca was arraigned on trafficking heroin with intent to distribute and resisting arrest. Baca has been released on a $10,000 bond, awaiting her preliminary hearing at 1 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2010 in Magistrate Court.
The Socorro Civitan Club has donated $800 to go toward paying for devices that help two clinically deaf Cottonwood Valley Charter School students hear their teachers.
The students - brothers Ayden Lewis, 6, and Carl Lewis, 10 - have both been fitted with Auditory Trainers.
Their parents, Allen and Faith Lewis met with Civitan Club members at K-Bob’s for a ceremony. Keith Valles, president of the Civitan Club, presented the check to Charter School principal Karin Williams.
“The school went ahead and acquired the two devices, and we deeply appreciate this donation, which will go back into the school’s general fund,” Williams said.
Each Auditory Trainer cost about $2,500, she said.
According to the boys parents, discovering their sons’ hearing loss came over a period of time.
Faith said she and Allen detected Carl’s hearing loss when he was almost one. “We were viewing a family video, and it became clear to us,” she said. “Carl wasn’t making much progress and didn’t begin talking until the age of two.”
She said their pediatrician told them the delay was due to other things. “He dismissed [the hearing loss] pretty much,” Faith said. “But we continued to pursue it online.”
Carl was given a series of hearing tests, and with each one his hearing was worse.
“When he was at the age of three, the pediatrician said get him an auditory response test,” she said.
Carl’s speech also was delayed, but since getting proper hearing devices, he “has caught up with were he should be.”
Ayden’s hearing problems developed over a period of time.
“He was tested as an infant and his hearing was perfect,” Faith said. “We began suspecting a hearing problem when he was in Kindergarten, and took him many times for a hearing test.”
She said Ayden’s hearing was slowly getting worse.
“By the third test, his hearing was iffy, so we went to UNM hospital for further evaluation,” she said. “He was able to hear a little better with a hearing aid.”
Besides the diagnoses, the family got more information and support from the School of the Deaf in Santa Fe.
Audiologist Marianne Cramer at Presbyterian Medical Services, said the Auditory Trainers can help both children and adults, but it is especially necessary for a school age child to have one in the classroom, “because, although a hearing aid certainly helps to hear, a classroom is very noisy and an auditory trainer allows the teacher to speak directly to the child without all the background noise.”
“Teachers can even turn their back and the child can still hear,” Cramer said.
She said the device has several settings and can be turned off, such as during recess, or at home.
Marianne Cramer, CCC-A, conducts hearing examinations, and provides treatment, in the Rehabilitation Services building at Socorro General Hospital.
Photo by John Larson: Pictured (from left): Faith Lewis, Allen Lewis, and their children, Carl, 10, and Ayden, 6, and Keith Valles.
MAGDALENA – If a request for funding is approved, paving Pine Street from Fourth to Tenth streets may become a reality next spring. The request for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) was passed by the Village Board Monday night. The plan includes installing curb and gutters.
Mayor Jim Wolfe said the CDBG application would be for $500,000.
“We put the project in as a street and drainage project,” Wolfe said. “We’re most concerned about drainage. It’s the main problem on that end of Pine. It was our top priority on the ICIP (Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan) we sent to the state.”
The money would be coming from Housing and Urban Development, and would not be a legislative grant, he said. “HUD dishes out money to states for infrastructure projects, such as those for water, waste water, and streets,” Wolfe said.
The last time CDBG funded a street project in Magdalena was to pave Spruce about nine years ago, he said. “This time we’re asking for the maximum level, $500,000. If we get less we may do it in phases,” Wolfe said. “We’ll find out in April or May. Hopefully it will go through.”
In other action:
•The Board accepted bids on two surplus vehicles from the Marshal’s Office. A $1,010 bid for the 2003 Ford Expedition, and a $900 bid for the 2000 Ford Explorer was submitted by Vince DeMarco. The vehicles will be used by Fur and Feathers Animal Rescue in Pie Town. The two bids were the only ones received by the Village Clerk.
•The Board passed two updates to the Uniform Traffic Code ordinance, one concerning the operation of ATVs; and the other concerning penalty assessments. The previously debated ATV regulations will ban ATVs on paved streets, and institute a 10 mph speed limit.
• Deputy Clerk Carleen Gomez reported that they are still several names on the Secret Santa tree.
SOCORRO – The Masonic Lodge No. 9, based in Socorro, will perform a public installation ritual in Macey Center’s auditorium Saturday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.
Lodge Secretary Gary Stendahl said opening the ceremony to the public is a rare event.
“It’s the Masonic ritual revealed - the actual ritual performed as done in the Masonic Lodge,” Stendahl said. “The ceremony is normally limited to family members and guests. This is the first time for the Socorro lodge to have a public installation.”
He said the Masons is not a religious organization, but that one requirement for membership is to believe in a supreme being.
“One must be ethical and have high moral standards,” Stendahl said. “We make good men better.”
Socorro’s Masonic Lodge #9 was chartered in 1882, and was originally housed in the building now occupied by the Chamber of Commerce.
“Our meetings were held on the second floor,” Stendahl said. “Originally that whole building was the Masonic Lodge, and our emblem can still be seen on the building.”
He said the Mason’s have evolved into a benevolent association, and annually gives scholarships to high school graduates, and provides bicycles for the top readers in the Public Library’s summer reading program.
The Socorro Lodge boasts about 90 members.
“Devoted to His Family”
Kenneth John Vallejos, 48, passed away suddenly Dec. 13, 2009 in West Jordan, Utah.
Born Nov. 20, 1961 in Socorro, New Mexico, son of Johnny J. Vallejos and Lupe Griego. Married Jenifer Peay Dec. 1, 1995 in Sandy, Utah. He loved to serve others and stressed the importance of gaining an education. He was an avid golfer.
Survived by wife, Jenifer; children: Braeden, Rebecca, Makayla and Devyn; father, Johnny Vallejos; mother-in-law, Marcia Peay; siblings: Patricia, Joseph, Chris, Stephen, John and Richard.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009, 11 a.m. at the River 9th Ward, 11473 South Chapel View Drive (1060 W.).
Viewings will be held Wednesday, 6-8 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Thursday at the church, 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Internment, Mountain View Memorial Estates.
Rufina Flores, 63, passed away on Friday, Dec. 11, in Socorro.
Rufina was born in Socorro on Sept. 11, 1946 to Felipe and Flora (Montano) Flores.
She is survived by her sons, Joe A. Flores Jr. of Socorro and companion, Donna South; Kendrick Flores and wife, Sandy of Belen; Bill A. Flores of Socorro and companion, Brenda Gutierrez; and Albert Flores of Socorro; brothers, Jimmy Jojola of Downy, Calif.; Mike Jojola of Socorro; and Arthur Jojola of Socorro; sisters, Ida Baca of Grants; Rosie Baca of Albuquerque; Aggie Padilla of Socorro; and Betty Valles also of Socorro; grandchildren, Guillermo Flores; Jose Flores III, Vinalisia Flores; Josepina Flores; Monique Flores; Christiana Flores; Audriana Flores; Kendrick Flores Jr.; Joshua Flores; Mariah Flores; Kobe Flores; and Charissie South.
Rufina is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joe Flores Sr.
A visitation was held on Tues., Dec. 15, followed by a Rosary at Steadman-Hall Funeral Home in Socorro. A Mass of Ressurection was celebrated on Wedy, Dec. 16, at San Miguel Catholic Church in Socorro, with Father Andy Pavlak as Celebrant. Burial was in the Socorro Cemetery. Pallbearers are Joe Flores Jr., Kendrick Flores, Albert Flores, Bill Flores, Guillermo Flores, and Arthur Jojola. Honorary Pallbearers were Jose Flores, Michael Jojola, Vinalisia Flores, Kendrick Flores Jr., Joshua Flores, Kobe Flores, Miriah Flores, and Mike E. Jojola Jr.
Arrangements were under the care of Steadman-Hall Funeral Home.
Elijah George Murillo, 23, passed away Friday, Dec. 11, in San Francisco, Calif.
Elijah is the son of George and Deborah (Herzog) Murillo of Magdalena. He was born June 3, 1986 in Santa Fe.
Elijah is survived by his parents, George and Deborah Murillo; sisters, Ann Murillo of Las Cruces; Jean Tafoya of Socorro; and Martha Murillo of Magdalena; grandparents, Richard and Jean Herzog of New York; and Angela Lucero of Socorro; nieces and nephews, Trent Tafoya; Andres Baca; Amanda Gallegos; Jordan Murillo; Crystal Gallegos; Angela Murillo; George Murillo; and Debbie Murillo; uncle, Tommy Baca; and many aunts and uncles. A memorial service will be held Friday, Dec. 18, at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Magdalena with Rev. Paul Holt officiating .
Arrangements are under the care of Steadman-Hall Funeral Home.
Darl L. Beckham, 81, a resident of Socorro since 1952, passed away on Sunday, Dec.13 in Albuquerque.
He was born July 11,1928 to George S. and Maude Beckham in Ponder, Missouri.
Darl was a member and past Master of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rife, past President of Socorro Rotary Club, patron of Eastern Star, member of the Presbyterian Church, and member of the Church of God.
Darl served in the US Army as a Sergeant. He was a graduate of Anderson University and was a Certified Public Accountant for the last 54 years.
Darl is survived by his sons, Clay Beckham of Boulder, Colo.; and Bruce Beckham of Las Cruces; sisters- in- law, Una Mae Beckham of Potosi, Missouri; and Betty Jo Hanners of Silver Springs, Maryland; and grandchildren, Kelsey; Daniel; and Joseph.
Darl is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Patricia "Pat" Beckham.
Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, December 19 at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Socorro with Rev. Laura Kuster and Phil Preston officiating.
The family asks that any donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church in Socorro or to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements are under the care of Steadman-Hall Funeral Home.
Horacio Padilla
Horacio Padilla, 81, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 10, at his home in San Antonio. Horacio was born on May 27,1928, to Marcelino and Carmelita(Lucero) Padilla.
He is survived by his son, Ramon (Luisita) Padilla Sr. of Los Lunas; his daughters, Juanita(Patricio) Chavez of Socorro; Loretta (Joseph) Martinez of Socorro; Yvonne Chavez of Socorro and fiance, Ismael Flores; and Julia Sanchez of San Antonio and fiance, David Hart ; brother, Leandro Padilla of Brooklyn, NY; sisters, Sally Stars of San Antonio; and Defina Rayner of Baltimore, MD; grandchildren, Tonya Padilla; Horacio Martinez; Ramon Padilla Jr.; Daniel Padilla; Donna Chavez; Bobby Chavez; Frank Sanchez Jr.; Leonard Padilla; Eva Silva; and several great grandchildren.
Horacio is preceded in death by his wife, Ramona (Chavez) Padilla.
A visitation was held at Steadman-Hall Funeral Home on Monday, December 14. A Rosary was recited on Tuesday, December 15 at the San Antonio Church in San Antonio, followed by a Mass Of Resurrection, with Father Andy Pavlak as Celebrant. Burial took place in the San Antonio Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Leonard Padilla, Frank Sanchez Jr., Bobby Chavez, Ramon Padilla Jr., Horacio Martinez, Sal Garcia, Herman Soliz Sr., and Daniel Padilla. Arrangements were under the care of Steadman-Hall Funeral Home.
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