MAGDALENA -- Magdalena has finally named a new football coach, and he is a familiar face to most all Socorro County sports fans.
Manny Marquez, who has coached Little League football in Socorro for years, accepted the position Wednesday after meeting with Magdalena athletic director Sam Olney and superintendent Mike Chambers.
Marquez was scheduled to visit with the kids Wednesday afternoon and have his first full-scale workout with the Steers on Thursday at the school.
“I worked with kids for 25 years or more in the Little League in Socorro,” Marquez said minutes after accepting the job. “I am very excited. And I feel I can teach the kids fundamentals.”
Olney thinks it’s a great fit.
“He wants to do it,” Olney said. “He has the experience and everybody knows him. He knows football and he is good with the kids. We are very excited to have Manny on board.”
Marquez, who had teamed with George Funkhouser for years in calling Socorro games on the radio, said he started thinking about coaching in Magdalena only recently.
“I read about it in the newspaper,” Marquez said. “I am going to do the best I can for Magdalena and maybe we can win a couple of games.”
Chambers said 22 players have signed up for football and they have another 20 in the middle school program.
“I know that was a problem in that people were talking about we didn’t have enough kids,” Chambers said. “That’s not going to be a problem. And I am very happy to have Manny as a coach.”
Marquez says he knows there is a lot of work ahead. All the other teams around the state began practice officially on Aug. 9.
“We are behind so I am going to get in as many practices as possible,” Marquez said. “I am going to keep it simple and teach the kids fundamentals.”
As far as assistants, Marquez, who resigned from the Socorro Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees a couple of months ago, said last year’s assistant Monty Bain will help out, but he also will be looking for others to help.
“I need people to help win some games,” Marquez said.
The Steers had been looking for a coach for close to six months after Dave Marquez left for Belen.
Magdalena had trouble finding a coach because the school had just two openings for teachers in special education and language arts, Chambers said.
“Neither of those are ones that would have lent to be coaches,” Chambers said. “Usually, they teach physical education or something like that.”
Olney and Chambers attended a coaches clinic in Albuquerque recently and they found out other schools are having trouble filling vacancies as well.
“Even larger school districts were still looking for coaches,” Chambers said. “I don’t know if they were looking for head coaches but a lot of them were looking for assistants.
“It’s really a combination of things. The economic situation has cut back in a lot of areas and there is the changing landscape of athletics. There are not a lot of people out there who want little pay and big headaches. It takes a certain individual.”
Magdalena also recently moved up to 2A and 11-man football. The Steers had been competing in Single-A, 8-man football.
Chambers said the school made the jump for a number of reasons.
“Basically, we did it for the other sports but we also had the numbers for football,” Chambers said. “There just were not that many eight-man teams still playing and in the next year or two, there probably will be even fewer teams. From that perspective, we decided to bite the bullet and make the move.”
Chambers then was asked if there was any talk of dropping football this year.
“There was serious talk from a standpoint of not wanting to put the school or the district in an uncomfortable situation,” Chambers said. “But we were not pursuing that avenue. We had worked hard to get the program back. If you cut the sport for a year, it is so hard to get it back. That was absolutely the last resort for me if we could not find anybody.”
Friday, August 13, 2010
Marquez Named Magdalena Football Coach
Cannon Will Not Leave Socorro
SOCORRO – The cannon at Isidro Baca Memorial Park will not leave Socorro County.
That was the resolution passed by the Socorro County Commission Tuesday night after a number of veterans showed up to make their feelings known about the cannon.
There was talk the cannon might be given to a museum in California.
But the cannon has special significance for veterans and others who are passionate about those who served our country.
“I have had more calls about this than anything,” said commissioner R.J. Griego, whose father-in-law survived the Bataan Death March. “People are as passionate about this cannon as am I.
“My father spent three years in a prison camp and I don’t think we should dispose of it. It belongs to the City and County of Socorro.”
Twelve cannons were given out to commemorate those who served in World War II and Socorro received one of the cannons back in the late 1940s.
County manager Delilah Walsh asked the commission for guidance regarding the cannon because the city and county are about to renovate Isidro Baca Memorial Park.
Walsh and others were to meet with the architect to talk about final plans for the park on Wednesday.
”Now is the time to modify plans if we want to keep the cannon in the park,” Walsh said. “A decision has to be made tonight.”
And the veterans were there to make sure the cannon would stay put.
“I’ve had three offers from different people who are willing to store the cannon,” Griego said. “They said they will tie themselves to the cannon if it is decided that we move the cannon out of state.”
Veteran Bob Hughes said, “I’m all for keeping the utility piece. It can be refurbished at little or not cost.”
The committee decided on Wednesday that the cannon would be moved to Sonny Baca’s business for safekeeping while work is done to renovate the park. Baca said at the meeting Tuesday night that he would transport and house the cannon free of charge. In addition, work will be done to restore the cannon as well.
Baca said, “That gun is a memorial to those who served and you can’t move it. We lost 15 percent of our people. The cannon is there to honor them.”
Carlos Lopopolo said, “The list of veterans who lost their lives in New Mexico is 59 pages long and I am guessing everybody knows or is related to someone who died in the Bataan Death March.”
Charles Mandeville said, “We need to make an effort to let people in Socorro know who these people are. If you do move it, I think Clark Field would be a good place.”
Resident Donna Harris then got up and said, “I heard a rumor that someone on the Socorro County Commission called it an eyesore.”
Commission chair Rosie Tripp quickly responded, “I don’t think anybody on the commission said that.”
Tripp then urged the veterans in attendance to be a part of the committee that will determine the cannon’s status.
“As passionate as all of you are, I hope you all do get involved,” she said.
Picture: The World War II era anti-aircraft gun used by the 200th/515th Coast Artillery Regiment in the Philippines is set to be cleaned up and relocated to another area of the park as part of the overall park renovation. The cannon has been mounted in its familiar location near the plaza for over 50 years. Pictured (from left): cannon committee member Sonny Baca and County Commissioner R.J. Griego. Photo by John Larson
Magdalena Man Arrested On Arson Charges
MAGDALENA – A Magdalena man has been arrested on four felony charges following arson investigations by Marshal Larry Cearley and Deputy Marshal Terry Flannigan.
A criminal complaint was filed in Magistrate Court Thursday, Aug. 5 on Junior L. Lamance, 49, for negligent arson that destroyed property totaling $3,925.
Marshal Larry Cearley said a distinctive baseball cap and shoe prints led investigators to Lamance, who is being held in a $60,000 cash or surety bond.
According to the criminal complaint, the first fire Lamance allegedly started was at about 5:55 p.m. on July 5 next to the historic stock pens. The fire consumed a large amount of railroad ties and lumber piled by the stock pens, and about 85 feet from a gasoline bulk storage area. Value of the ties and lumber was estimated at $600. Footprints impressions at the scene were photographed.
On July 13 at about 9:17 p.m. the Magdalena Marshal’s office responded to assist the Magdalena Fire Department in putting out a fire involving railroad ties, two inch lumber, one inch lumber and wood posts. Footprint impressions were located next to the fire and pointed to point of origin indicating the defendant was at the fire location just prior to the fire department arriving. The amount of loss is estimated about $725. Footprint impressions matched those at the previous fire.
The third fire was reported on July 15 at about 2 p.m. involving grass, brush and two vehicles that had been parked there for 10 years or more. Footprint impressions entering and leaving the fire were identical to impressions at the two previous fires. Marshal Cearley tracked the suspect’s footprints from the fire at two different points. The footprints were lost when they entered the Highway 60 right-of-way where gravel and pavement was present. Photographs were taken of these impressions which matched the shoes photographed by Deputy Marshal Terry Flannigan on July 19 in which Lamance was holding his shoes. At that time Lamance stated he walked in the area on the day of the fire. The amount of damage is estimated about $1,600.
The fourth fire was on August 3 at about 11:35 p.m. The Marshal’s office responded to assist the Magdalena Fire Department on a cab-over camper fire located on a residential property owned by Donna Dillon of Highland, Calif.
“The fire consumed the camper with a total loss estimated about $1,000. Footprint impressions were located at the scene indicating a match to the shoes worn by Lamance,” the affidavit for arrest stated. “These tracks were followed to the edge of an arroyo where the suspect fell off a 12 foot ledge landing on a wire fence, and losing his ball cap with an image of a bull and rider with a RODEO logo on the brim.” The cap matched the one in the photograph of Lamance taken by Flannigan on July 19.
Plaster cast impressions of shoeprints were taken at the scene to identify Lamance.
Cearley said New Mexico Insurance Fraud Bureau Chief Special Agent Leo Montano and Special Agent Neil Fishback, of the Public Regulation Commission In-surance Fraud Bureau assisted in the interview process of Lamance.
Socorro Woman Receives Some Closure At Marines Reunion
SOCORRO – Isidro Baca, the namesake of the city park in front of the Socorro County Courthouse, died on Aug. 21, 1967, while serving with the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam.
Isidro was 19 years old and in Vietnam for only six months when his jeep was ambushed near the DMZ in Quang Tri Province.
Some of Isidro’s experiences in Vietnam came alive for his sister, Ann Baca of Socorro, last week, Aug. 3-8, at a reunion of the 3rd Battalion/3rd Marines in Arlington, Virginia.
She said she has kept in touch with members of Isidro’s company over the years through the website myfamily.com.
“It was so nice to meet the Marines I’ve emailed for so long,” Baca said. “They treated me like family and talked about how they knew Isidro.”
During her stay in and around the Washington, D.C. area, Baca visited the Marine Museum and the Vietnam Memorial, among other places.
Baca got a little closer to finding closure to Isidro’s passing by meeting his fellow members of Mike Company.
“One of the most meaningful things was seeing a picture of Isidro’s jeep,” she said. “They actually had photographs of the three jeeps that were ambushed that day. You could see bullet holes in the windshields, and the tires flattened out.”
Baca said she was able to meet and speak with the Corpsman who attended to Isidro after the ambush.
“He told me Isidro died instantly. Altogether five were killed in the attack,” she said. “The ambush happened so fast. The three jeeps were ambushed on a muddy road one half mile from his unit’s compound in Ca Lu. He was actually on his way back from a week’s R and R in Formosa.”
The photographs helped her visualize conditions of the surrounding area where he was stationed.
“The road was so muddy, and the jungle around it was so dense,” Baca said. “They used Agent Orange to clear the sides of the road where the Viet Cong would shoot from. I was told the soldiers were told to cover themselves when the Agent Orange was dropped. But it was still in the air after they were told it was OK. Back then they didn’t know it would make them sick.”
Baca also met one of Isidro’s buddies from Mike Company.
“His name was Bobby Pigg, from Tennessee,” she said. “He told me he and Isidro became best friends and talked about what they would do after getting out of the Marines.”
She also met the men who drove the “dusters.”
“The dusters were tanks that would follow along with the Marines. They would kick up so much dust when they fired their guns they were called dusters,” Baca said.
“To meet all these people from Isidro’s past was incredible,” she said. “It was such an honor and all of them were very nice.”
Isidro Baca is one of the six names on the Memorial in the park. Other Socorroans killed in Vietnam were Willie B. Lee, John V. Tafoya, Florentino Tafoya Jr., George Eloy Tafoya and Donald R. Alexander.
According to its website, the 3rd Battalion/3rd Marines has been deployed to Afghanistan.
Top picture: A commemorative coin given to Ann Baca. Bottom picture: Ann Baca surrounded by members of Mike Company of the 3rd Battalion/3rd Marines at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C.
Fuelwood Permits Available At BLM
The Socorro Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management is offering personal use fuelwood permits for BLM-administered lands near Pelona Mountain, Pie Town and Blue Topaz Ranch in Catron County, New Mexico, and near the Montosa Ranch in Socorro County, New Mexico, from August 9 to December 31, 2010.
Dead and downed wood may be harvested in the Pelona fuelwood area located near Coyote Peak, the Pie Town WUI fuelwood area located immediately east and south of Pie Town, the San Ignacio fuelwood area located south and east of the Blue Topaz Ranch subdivision, and/or the Wolf Wells fuelwood area located 12 miles west of Magdalena. Access in the fuelwood areas is limited to existing roads to help minimize resource damage.
A personal use fuelwood permit is required and may be purchased at the BLM’s Socorro Field Office at 901 South Highway 85 (California Street) in Socorro, NM.
Permits cost $12.00 per cord with a four cord limit per individual. All wood permits are issued for personal use only and are non-refundable, non-transferable, not for resale, and valid for 30 days after issuance. (Severe fire or weather conditions could affect the permit expiration date.)
Cutting of standing live or dead trees is not allowed in any of the designated fuelwood areas, and the resale of fuelwood collected from these personal use fuelwood areas is also prohibited.
Maps, directions to the fuelwood areas, and further instructions will be issued along with the fuelwood permits at the Socorro Field Office. Anyone with questions can visit the Socorro Field Office or call 575-835-0412.
Man Arrested In Pharmacy Break-in
SOCORRO - Anthony Padilla, 37, of Socorro, was arrested Saturday, Aug. 7 in connection with a break-in at the pharmacy in Smith’s Supermar-ket.
Padilla, who had been released from jail after making bail for a robbery at Penner and Associates accounting business, was arraigned Monday on two burglary counts and one charge of larceny.
Police responded to the burglary call at 1:08 a.m. after a Smith’s employee had reported that a man was locked in the pharmacy.
Officer Dennis Sedillo, along with two other officers, recognized the subject behind the pharmacy counter as Anthony Padilla.
According to the criminal complaint, Sedillo asked Padilla to come out to the front.
“At this time [Padilla] sat down behind the counter,” the complaint said.
Two of the officers then went under the locked gate and were able to handcuff Padilla, who had crawled over the counter. Padilla was arrested and incarcerated at the Socorro County Detention Center.
In the meantime, officers inspected the shipping and receiving area of the store and found a back door slightly open. The store manager was contacted and played the security videos for the officers.
The video showed Padilla coming into the store and taking two 30 packs of beer back out through the open door, the complaint said.
Then Padilla was seen crawling under the closed pharmacy gate and going over the counter.
Officers found the beer in the back, as well as three syringes, a tube of super glue, and a red bandana on a chair next to the closed pharmacy gate.
Anthony Padilla is being held in the Socorro County Detention Center in lieu of a $100,000 cash or surety bond.
OBITUARY: Logan Anson Winn
Logan Anson Winn
Nov. 4, 1987-Aug. 10, 2010
Logan Anson Winn, 22, passed away Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at his home in Socorro, NM, surrounded by his family and friends.
Logan was born on November 4, 1987 to Kelly McLain and Robert Winn in Sterling, IL.
He is survived by his loving mother, Kelly McLain of Socorro; his loving father, Robert Winn and wife, Sonia of Pueblo, CO; his devoted brother, Samuel Winn of Socorro; his loving grandparents, Phil and Patti McLain also of Socorro; and Robert Winn of Richmond, VA; his uncles, Jim McLain and wife, Anna; Walter McLain and wife Barbara; and Andy Winn; Logan is also survived by several cousins, many devoted friends, and a very dear friend, Xavier Vega.
Logan was a resident of Socorro since 2002 and a Socorro High School Graduate, Class of 2007. He was a NM State College student. Logan was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and loved Skateboarding to the fullest. He was an Enthusiastic Video gamer. He was diagnosed with Leukemia in September of 2009. Logan was a wonderful friend and “Wing Man” to all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his grandmothers, Shirley McLain; and Martha Winn; and his Step-Father, Craig Butler.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at New Mexico Tech, Macey Center grounds, “Turtle Bay” with Pastor Bob Farmer officiating. The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, any memorial contributions be made to “The Logan Winn Fund” at Bank of America, 201 Plaza St. Socorro, NM 87801. (575)835-1569.
Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM 87801, (575) 835-1530
OBITUARY: Adelina Apodaca Lopez
Adelina Apodaca LopezMarch 7, 1923-Aug. 5, 2010
Adelina (Apodaca) Lopez passed away Thursday, August 5, 2010 in Socorro, NM.
She was born on March 7, 1923 in Lamar, CO to Gregorio and Rita Apodaca. Adelina married her loving husband, Damacio Lopez on January 19, 1940.
He preceded her in death after 53 years of marriage. He passed away on August 19, 1993. Adelina was also preceded in death by her beloved son, Ramon Anthony Lopez; and her brother, Desi Apodaca. She is survived by her five sons, Fred Lopez, and wife Diane of Albuquerque, NM; Damacio Lopez of Socorro; Joe Lopez of Socorro; Nick Lopez of Socorro; and Richard Lopez of Socorro; 13 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; her sisters, Mary Jane Garcia and husband, Toby; and Isabel Mendes and husband Oscar; and many relatives, friends, nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Rosary was recited Wednesday at San Miguel Catholic Church in Socorro followed by a Mass of Resurrection with Father Andy Pavlak as Celebrant.
Interment will take place in Lamar, CO at a later date. Honorary Pallbearers were Stan Lopez, Fred Lopez Jr., Desi Lopez, and Gregorio Lopez. Following the Mass, a reception with the family will be held in San Miguel Parish Hall.
Mother, we love you and miss you and know that you are with Dad, Ramon, and Desi, and that we will see you again someday. Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM 87801, (575) 835-1530.
OBITUARY: Iva Lorraine (Moffett) Lewis
May 9, 1933-Aug. 4, 2010
Iva Lorraine (Moffett) Lewis passed away Wednesday, August 4, 2010 in Socorro, NM. She was born May 9, 1933 in Duncan, AZ.
The first child and only daughter of Horace Ammon Moffett and Beatrice Johnson Moffett, both preceded her in death. She was sealed for the time and eternity in St. George, UT on June 27, 1950 to Edward Lynn Lewis who also has preceded her.
She is survived by three children: her son Michael (Cindy) Lewis of Farmington, NM; daughter Karen (Ben) File of Overton, NV; and son Layne (Sheila) Lewis of Socorro, NM. She has eleven grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. One grandson and one granddaughter have also preceded her in death.
She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where services were held Monday in Socorro.
Interment with her will be at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM. Pallbearers will be: Layne Lewis, Michael Lewis, Geoffery Lewis, and Brandon Lewis.
Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM 87801, (575) 835-1530.
County Asks For Help From State
SOCORRO -- Storms the past two weeks have forced the county emergency management team to ask for help.
On Tuesday, County fire marshal Fred Hollis asked the county commissioners to declare an emergency after flooding affected the La Joya area, Bosquecito Road, roads in Hop Canyon, Routes 127 and 131.
“I don’t know how much the state will give us the damage is extensive,” Hollis said.
The commissioners unanimously approved a resolution, making a disaster declaration for the county, which suffered damage caused by heavy rains and flash flooding from July 21 to Aug. 5.
Hollis said it was not just one storm that did the damage.
“Cumulatively, it was pretty bad,” Hollis said. “We’ve had three or four storms between July 21 and the other day on August 4.
“We have to tell the state we have used up our resources and we are asking for help. It’s overwhelming us now.”
Magdalena mayor Sandy Julian paid a visit to the commission and brought along two members of the newly formed youth council.
They inquired about the availability of the old senior center building on Spruce Street as a possible venue for the youth council.
Magdalena sophomore Martin Harris addressed the commission, telling the group what the council would use the building for.
“This is something the kids in Magdalena need,” Harris said. “I believe by working in a youth group and with the help of the Village Council, we would be better citizens.”
Commissioner R.J. Griego said, “You are role models for your school and village and I am sure the mayor is proud of you, as is the commission.”
Although the commission appreciated the youths’ efforts and it wanted to help, bureaucracy always seems to get in the way.
County attorney Adren Nance said an anti-donation clause prohibits the commission for giving the council the building. He suggested getting help from the school or the council.
Julian then said, “I don’t think we can afford to buy anything.”
Commission chair Rosie Tripp said, “You would not be buying it. You would be responsible for upkeep and having somebody over see the youth. You’re just a sponsoring agent.”
Julian replied that “I will have to talk to the board and see what they think about being a sponsor. I don’t want to say yes and have them say no. I really can’t say yes or no at this time.”
County manager Deliah Walsh said, “The cause is wonderful. The county can not afford to provide utilities and maintenance. We are all in the same budget situation.”
Julian said the matter would be discussed at the next Village Council meeting on Aug. 23.
Commissioner Philip Anaya suggested “we should send a maintenance group up there and get it cleaned up.”
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