April 29, 2021: Laura Rabon and Loretta Benavidez with the Lincoln National Forest join the Outdoor Hour this week with status updates on the Three Rivers Fire and to discuss the impact (good and bad) of wildfires on the forest and community.

April 26, 2021: - Topics discussed this week include the current Red Flag fire danger in the Village, Lincoln County’s regression to Yellow Level Restrictions in COVID risk ranking, and the change in management at the Ruidoso Downs Race Track. Community updates include a progress report on Wingfield House and the new 1490 KRUI radio studio, Parks and Recreation’s plans for Alto Lake improvements, status reports for the Midtown Sidewalk Project, and Wingfield Park Master Plan, and the construction project at Village Hall. Lesley Graham with ZIA Natural Gas was in the studio to discuss the rate increase.

April 23, 2021 – Host Jazmin Estrada flies solo this week to discuss Lincoln County’s regression from Turquoise to Yellow level restrictions in the state’s COVID risk ranking system and what that means for the Village and area businesses. In addition, learn about upcoming events including Disc Glow Disc Golf event and the May 8 launch of this summer’s Wingfield Grower’s Market.

April 22, 2021: Barbara Bower and Mary Lemmond of the Lincoln County Garden Club join the Outdoor Hour this week to discuss the Keep Ruidoso Beautiful (KRB) program and this month’s Great American Clean-up, the availability of Adopt-a-Park sponsorships, and other KRB initiatives including planting trees, gardens and installing new trash cans.

April 19, 2021: Topics discussed this week include concern about a spike in COVID-19 positive cases during the past week, The Great American Cleanup April/May campaign, and updated fire restrictions and red-flag warnings in the Village and Lincoln National Forest. Community updates include a progress report on Wingfield House and the new 1490 KRUI radio studio, lodger’s tax funds, and upcoming Parks and Recreation projects, and the feasibility study on the intersection of US 70 and NM 48. Also discussed was the continued challenges of workforce housing, the hiring process behind the new police chief and officers, and the hiring of new lifeguards.

April 16, 2021: Tim Lewis of Pizza 4 Good and the Ruidoso Public Library Board joins the Village Volume this week to talk about the newest addition to the local pizza scene that’s making good pizza for good causes. Plus, learn more about the Sierra Blanca Book Share project, new book deposits being installed around the Village and surrounding areas, and different incentives to get kids to read.

April 15, 2021: David Teteault (T-Bone), Community Services director for Parks & Recreation joins the Outdoor Hour this week to discuss the Keep Ruidoso Beautiful (KRB) program and this month’s Great American Clean-up, the availability of Adopt-a-Park sponsorships, and other KRB initiatives including planting trees, gardens and installing new trash cans.

April 5, 2021: Topics discussed this week include the status of the Ruidoso baseball/softball playing fields, increased availability of COVID vaccines, and the passage of NM House Bill 2 in the 2021 special session on cannabis legalization. Community updates include new construction, Midtown improvements, Municipal Court Judge Rankin’s retirement and replacement, new computers at the Ruidoso Public Library, upcoming public meetings, and Village employment opportunities.

April 5, 2021: Topics discussed this week include the status of the Ruidoso baseball/softball playing fields, increased availability of COVID vaccines, and the passage of NM House Bill 2 in the 2021 special session on cannabis legalization. Community updates include new construction, Midtown improvements, Municipal Court Judge Rankin’s retirement and replacement, new computers at the Ruidoso Public Library, upcoming public meetings, and Village employment opportunities.

March 29, 2021 - This week we learn that Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Becky Brooks will retire, we get a status report on the Midtown Sidewalk Project and are reminded of the continued importance of COVID testing as part of NM ‘Red-to-Green’ reopening framework. Community updates include the possible opening of the bowling alley and Sierra Cinema, the progress of the Village Hall construction, and the Wingfield House project. Also discussed were current job opportunities with the Village and the reservation system at the Ruidoso Library, as well as the 2020 Village Audit.

March 22, 2021 - Representative Zach Cook joins the conversation this week to discuss the 2021 legislative session including House Bill 303, an act relating to liquor control, specifying unlawful inducements for certain licensees. Learn about Police Chief Hooker’s replacement, Gary Gold, the upcoming prescribed burn at South Fork Campground as well as wildfire prevention tips and advice, plus the March 22 reopening of Billy the Kid Casino, and more.

Learn about the importance of sunscreen and hydration for skincare. Get the inside scoop on facials, eyebrow laminating, and Maskne, or mask acne, treatments. Plus, plans for the Wingfield Park Growers Market from home gardening beginner and local esthetician Meagan Finnell of Personalities Salon and Blue Lotus Day Spa.

Ruidoso Police Chief Darren Hooker joined the show this week to discuss the March 10 fatal shooting near Wingfield Park and how the Major Crimes Unit was effective in capturing the murder suspect. Other topics of conversation included wild horse management, the Gavilan Canyon street maintenance, wildfire awareness and prevention, where to get a COVID-19 test and the important role testing plays in the reopening of businesses, and the fresh/wastewater lift station project and why it is necessary.

Spring Break tops the hour this week including a pause in Midtown Sidewalk Project construction, opening hours and dates at Ski Apache, and the need for weekend parking reservations and fishing licenses at Grindstone Lake. Samantha Mendez joins the show to discuss her role as Community Development Director and various economic revitalization and infrastructure grant projects.

Lorna Fike and Emily Hobbs of Hope Harbor Transitional Home in Capitan join the show this week to discuss domestic violence in Lincoln County, how it affects the women, children, and families of our communities, what they’re doing to support and empower local survivors, and the ways you can get involved to help.

March 8, 2021: Conversations with Mayor Crawford this week included the March 11 - 21 Spring Break schedule at Ski Apache, a progress update on the Midtown Sidewalk Improvement Project, where to get a COVID-19 test and the important role testing plays in the reopening of businesses, the near-completion of the Grindstone Lake beach and the use of a high-season reservation system for crowd control, the reopening of the Ruidoso Community Center, and the possibility of adding a second Ruidoso dog park.

Conversations with Mayor Crawford this week included the March 6 Youth Disc Golf Camp, how to report a pothole for repair, the announced retirement of Ruidoso Police Chief Darren Hooker, current Village employment opportunities, the Midtown sidewalk repairs beginning today, where to find COVID-19 testing sites, dates, and locations across Lincoln County, and much more.

Does it seem like Ruidoso is suddenly on the national radar screen? In this episode, the Village Volume speaks with Mirissa Good of Casa Ideal Real Estate to discuss the recent rise in Ruidoso home sales, the impact of short-term rentals on affordable housing, and various Village infrastructure projects.

Conversations with Mayor Crawford this week included the NMDOH Red, Yellow, Green Framework, regional COVID testing initiatives, infrastructure projects, OHV riding and trail development, the wild horse population, emergency water assistance for the Fawn Ridge development, and NM Senate Bill 153 in regards to its possible impact on NM horse racing and casinos.

Snow removal, NM House Bill 75, CARES Act relief grants and local efforts to offset child food insecurity were among the topics of conversation with Mayor Crawford, Village Manager Tim Dodge, and Deputy Manager Rod Sena.