Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
New Mexico Lottery Scratcher sales increased by 14.54% in Fiscal Year 2015 compared to Fiscal Year 2014, offsetting a 13.8% decline in drawing game sales. Money raised for college students increased this year to $41.1 million, beating last year’s return of $40.9 million. It represents a return of 30 percent, a lower percentage return on sales than Fiscal Year 2014, yet higher dollar return than Fiscal Year 2014. However, drawing games, including Powerball® and Mega Millions, did not reach as many of the big jackpots that drive big sales as in previous fiscal years. New Mexico Powerball sales were down 18.53%. Nationwide, Powerball sales declined 17.24% collectively.
For a moment in time, it seemed like the 2015 Tour of the Gila would not happen due to lack of funding. The generosity of an anonymous donor and a successful crowd funding campaign brought the race to life and excess dollars for charity. Jack Brennan, owner of Gila Hike and Bike in Silver City and lead facilitator for the race, chose two charities to donate any excess funds, not used to operate the race. The Lanny Olson Scholarship Fund, offered to WNMU students through the University Foundation, received $1,700. The Amy D. Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting women bikers, also received $1,700.
On Tuesday, Aug. 18, a Santa Clara mother reported to Santa Clara Police Chief Lonnie Sandoval that her 3-year-old son, Regan Maynes, was allowed to go with his grandmother, Myrian Bastidos, 42, of Bayard, on a shopping trip to Deming. Bastidos, according to police reports, assured the child’s father that she would return in 2-3 hours. This was mid-morning of Aug. 18, Chief Sandoval said. At about 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21, Sandoval was told that the suspect Bastidos had been identified and detained at the central border crossing as she was trying to enter Mexico at about 7 p.m., Friday.
Western New Mexico University-Deming has expanded its classrooms to local businesses in hopes of strengthening the workforce in Deming and Luna County through better communication skills unique to the border area of New Mexico.
The 36th Annual Great American Duck Race was held in Deming over the weekend. The PNM Tournament of Ducks Parade Saturday morning as it crept south down Gold Avenue in downtown Deming. Locals and tourists lined the streets as the Deming High School Marching Band played “Louie Louie,” followed by nearly 70 floats — including Shriners driving miniature cars and motorcycles, local insurance agents, car clubs and Herbalife vendors. Mary Zischkau, a former Deming resident now living in El Paso, had the fastest duck on the dry track and nine-year-old Jace Moreno finished atop the wet track races on Sunday at McKinley Duck Downs (Luna County Courthouse Park). Each winner took home a winner’s share of $1,345 from the two days of racing.
