December 13, 2021: Topics of discussion this week included the success of the Parks & Recreation Christmas Drone Show put on last weekend, the Eye On Water mobile apps to monitor personal water consumption and how to create an account. Also discussed were the Tuesday, December 14 council meeting agenda and the creation of a Safety Officer position for the Village. State Representative Zach Cook called in from Santa Fe to discuss NM Redistricting and Ruidoso Police Chief Lawrence Chavez joined the show to discuss the increase of vehicle theft and burglaries over the holiday season and the steps people can take to prevent vehicle theft.

December 6, 2021: Parks and Recreation Director Rodney Griego joined the show this week to discuss Christmas events as well as the possibility of adding an ice skating rink to Wingfield Park for the winter season. Community Development Director Samantha Mendez was in the studio to discuss the Workforce Housing Mesa Apartment site plan to be presented during the December 7 workshop meeting. Police Chief Chavez also joined the show to introduce Officer Whitt who graduated from the Police Academy in Albuquerque. Also discussed were changes to the Festival of Lights traffic route.

November 29, 2021: Topics discussed this week were the upcoming Ruidoso Warriors football State Championship game, the Dec. 4 Festival of Lights Parade and After Party, the Dec. 2, Christmas in the Park, and the Dec. 4 - Jan. 14, Trail of Lights at Wingfield Park. Tim Roberts joined the show to talk about the history of gold mining in Lincoln County as well as future plans for exhibits at the Wingfield House. Police Chief Chavez was in to discuss recent police activity including assisting the Ruidoso Downs in a chase of a subject who struck an officer during a traffic stop.

November 22, 2021: Guest host and Parks and Recreation Supervisor Rodney Griego was in the studio to discuss the near completion of the new Cree Meadows Trail, future plans and projects including conceptual plans for Wingfield Park and the White Mountain Sports Complex. Village Project Manager Zeke Greer provided infrastructure updates on village bridges, the new Lift Station in the Upper Canyon, and easing traffic flow for the holidays. Dick Cooke, Director of Forestry, provided information about a Moon Mountain Fuel Management Study, and State Representative Zach Cook discussed the December and January state legislative sessions.

November 15, 2021: Topics discussed this week include the current COVID-19 capacity at Lincoln County Medical Center, the recent rate cut on water utility bills, upcoming activities at the Ruidoso Community Center, and the RSVP program. Also discussed were new Village of Ruidoso employment opportunities. Former Doña Ana County Commissioner Isabella Solis also joined the show this week to discuss her announcement to run for the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor.

November 8, 2021: Topics discussed this week include the positive community response to the Ruidoso Insider newsletter, the Municipal League Board Meeting in Santa Fe, ongoing supply chain challenges and resulting effects. Also discussed were plans for an even bigger light display at Wingfield Park this year and approval for conditional use for the creation of Workforce Housing at the 1100 Mechem property. Introduced on the show is the new Convention Center/Radio Station/Wingfield House Manager, Tim Roberts, and Police Chief Chavez was in the studio to provide police activity updates and information about the next Citizen’s Police Academy.

November 1, 2021: Topics discussed this week include the workshop meeting and agenda items including Gavilon, Warrior Drive, and Paradise Canyon Pavement Rehabilitation Project, a COVID-19 update from Lincoln County Medical Center, the director of tourism position, and a plan to hire and retain firefighters. Infrastructure status updates included the White Mountain Conceptual Plan and the possibility of fencing the soccer fields as protection against damage by the wild horses. Police Chief Chavez joined the show to discuss departmental challenges during the Halloween weekend.

October 25, 2021: Topics discussed this week include end-of-quarter financials, ratification of a grant application for Lincoln County Hazard Mitigation Plan, and a change order for rock excavation for the Town and Country project. Infrastructure status updates included the near completion of Village Hall renovations, the Wingfield House project, and the Horton Complex. In the studio this week were Anthony Montes and Andrea Ward of the Ruidoso Community Center discussing center activities and events. School Board Candidates, Dave Tomlin and Vicki Porter were in for introductions and Q&A in advance of the 2021 Local Elections. Police Chief Chavez introduced the department’s newest detective, Jonathan Brashear, and advise on Halloween community safety.

October 18, 2021: Topics discussed this week include the current status of COVID-19 hospitalizations at Lincoln County Medical Center, the possibility and benefits of paying off long-term debt on the Ruidoso Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the relationship between Village economics and sales tax revenue. Infrasture status updates included the approval of a qualified bidder for workforce housing on Mechem Drive located near PNM and the progress at Horton Complex including water runoff issues.

October 11, 2021: George Schlemeyer was in the studio this week to talk about fishing in the upper canyon with Marci Butchofsky joining the show to discuss the status of bridge repairs. Leroy Cockrell called in to discuss the possible addition of 40,500 acres of wilderness as part of a revised Forest Plan. Josh McCurdy called in to discuss cannabis sales and growing and the possible supply shortage when recreational sales become legal in New Mexico next year. The Mayor, Tim Dodge, and Ron Sena discussed the upcoming Council Special Meeting agenda. They also discussed the October 11 Ruidoso Adventure Tours Grand Prize Party at Wingfield park and congratulated the official winners.

September 27, 2021: Police Chief Lawrence Chavez joins the show this week to discuss AspenFest traffic flow ideas and adjustments and grant agreements with Homeland Security for structural work on Ruidoso bridges. The Village has put out a request for proposals for professional engineering services. Topics also discussed this week included the NM Outdoor Economics Conference for advancing economic development and opportunities connected to public lands, with a focus on trailheads, restrooms, and Leave No Trace. Also discussed was the second volume of the Village Insider newsletter, and plans for content expansion with help from the Ruidoso Midtown Association and the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce.

September 27, 2021: Dr. Anthony “Ant” Thornton, Candidate for Lieutenant Governor joined the show this week to discuss his platform and changes he would like to see in New Mexico. The Mayor and Village Managers discussed Grindstone and Alto lakes water levels and the “Snake Shake” concessions at Alto Lake and upcoming events including the Aspenfest parade and after-party at Wingfield Park. Additionally, they discussed the upcoming Village Council agenda items and the roles and responsibilities of the Mayor and Village Council. Infrastructure updates included the continued need for and progress on affordable housing in the Ruidoso area.

September 20, 2021: Ruidoso Police Chief Lawrence Chavez joins the show this week to discuss last week’s Police Blotter as well as police recruitment. Also discussed was the Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally, Wingfield House construction progress, the completion of the public bathroom project at Two Rivers Park, the new Ruidoso Insider community newsletter, and the Lincoln County public hearing on an ordinance for the regulation of location and consumption of cannabis. Infrastructure updates included the upcoming spring project of repaving Gavilon Canyon Road and hazard mitigation planning for Rio Ruidoso.

September 13, 2021: Village Official Karen Gutierrez, Capitol Project Manager, and John Ballin of White Sands Construction join the show this week to discuss the status of ongoing Village construction projects including Village Hall, Wingfield House, and others. Samantha Mendez, Village of Ruidoso Community Development Director, was also in the studio to discuss short-term rentals and the processes involved in getting building permits. Police Chief Chavez was in to discuss the armed standoff along Spring Canyon Road in Cedar Creek over the weekend. Also discussed was the new Citizens Police Academy that started last week.

August 30, 2021: Village officials and Police Chief Lawrence Chavez join the show this week to discuss the upcoming Labor Day Weekend and events, the $750,000 Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) grant to support flood recovery efforts, Wingfield House Conceptual Plan, and the continued need for affordable workforce housing. Infrastructure updates included the resurfacing of Gavilan Canyon, Paradise Canyon, and Warrior Drive with notification from the state highway commission of a joint agreement fund. Police Chief Lawrence Chavez was in with local youth, Benjamin Tanner, Mackenzie Tanner, and Annabelle Chavez, who raised over $1200 with a Lemonade fundraiser during the Fun Run for Fireman Lt Berryhill.

August 23, 2021: Village officials, Rodney Griego, Parks, and Recreation Director, Police Chief Lawrence Chavez, Officer Ryan Postenrieder, and George “The Trout Man” Schlemeyer join the show this week to discuss local events, the Wingfield and White Mountain Masterplans, and the possibility of stocking the Rio Ruidoso with Trout in the Upper Canyon. Status updates included FEMA funding for the bridges that were damaged in the Dolly Flood from 2008. Police Chief Lawrence Chavez was in with Officer Ryan Postenrieder for his official swearing-in as the newest Ruidoso Police Officer.

August 16, 2021: Village officials, Karen Gutierrez, Capital Projects Manager, Fire Chief Cody Thetford, Police Chief Lawrence Chavez, Samantha Mendez, Community Development Director, and Adam Sanchez, Public Works Director join the show this week to discuss Village projects currently in progress. Status updates included bridges, street repairs, structure fires, traffic control, and the start of the school year.

August 9, 2021: Rodney Griego of the Ruidoso Parks and Recreation Department joins the show this week to discuss the White Mountain Master Plan and upcoming steering committee, open registration for fall youth sports, and the need for volunteers. Also discussed were the Youth Fishing Day event scheduled for Saturday, August 14, a progress update, and the possible completion date of the Cree Meadows Trail Design Project. Cynthia Black of the Republican Party of Lincoln County called in to discuss the Alamogordo meeting of concerned parents about the PED (Public Education Department) mask mandate for the public schools and the Floyd School District school board suspension over its COVID-19 policies.

August 2, 2021: Topics discussed this week include the August 4 Village of Ruidoso Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP) public information meetings. Also discussed was the Ruidoso Adventure Tours Sweepstakes. District Ranger Camille Howes of the Smokey Bear Ranger District was also in the studio to discuss regional hiking and OHV trails and how she got started with the Forest Service.

July 26, 2021: Topics discussed this week include the continued monsoon rains, the Lodger’s Tax and an increase in State collections for online listings. Also discussed were the challenges around workforce availability, Village community outreach communications, Fire Lt. Chris Berryhill’s fight against cancer, and the Berryhill Fun Run fundraiser event. Sergio Guerrero of Meals on Wheels was also in the studio to discuss the program and how people can get set up for service.