Magdalena, NM Divorce Buyout in New Mexico

Memorization and speaking skills were put to the test on Thursday, Nov. 20, when Magdalena Schools held its annual declamation contest.

Steve Mark Aragon, 57, a long time resident of Socorro, N.M., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008, as a result of a tragic motorcycle accident in White Oak, N.M.

He was born Oct. 1, 1951, in Magdalena, N.M., to Jacobo and Rufina (Armijo) Aragon. Steve was an employee of NRAO/VLA for the past 30 years. Steve enjoyed cycling with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Luis Aragon. Steve is survived by his wife, Louise Gutierrez Aragon, of the family home; son, Jason Aragon, of Socorro; seven brothers: Robert Aragon and wife, Beulah, of Albuquerque, N.M.; Roy Aragon and wife, Grace, of Albuquerque; Pat Aragon and wife, Loretta, of Los Lunas, N.M.; Art Aragon and wife, Elaine, of Bosque, N.M.; Eugene Aragon of Belen, N.M.; Carlos Aragon and wife, Rose, of Magdalena; and Gilbert Aragon and wife, Vangie of Harwood, Texas.

Jason Sais was found guilty Thursday of violating his probation, but he will not be going to prison.

Town marshal says it's the first burglary in the community of 1,000 in more than a year.

The local agency that helps families in need got a financial boost at Monday night's Socorro City Council meeting. Socorro Storehouse will get $5,000 from the city of Socorro to help meet operating expenses through the end of the year.

Randall Westfall, director of the Storehouse, told the council the money was needed to meet fixed expenses, as well as make food purchases.

He said 2,710 Socorro families and 650 Magdalena families were served by the Storehouse in the last year accounting for 145,618 pounds of food.

Luke James will be one of the youngest competitors at the world finals rodeo of the Working Ranch Cowboys Association next week.

The WRCA is having its World Finals Nov. 13 through 16 in Amarillo, Texas.

James, 17, a junior at Magdalena High School who also participates in basketball and rodeo, is part of a qualifying team that includes his father and 4D/Yolo Ranches team captain Keith James.

Also on the team is Luke James' older brother, Wesley James, a junior at Eastern New Mexico University.

If you have ever driven down U.S. Highway 60 between Datil and Magdalena, you have no doubt noticed lots of huge satellite dishes stretching across the prairie and wondered what they are for.

By the time you read this, the great and expensive election of 2008 will be history. We will have a new president-elect. The war of name-calling and labeling between the political parties will have subsided.  

The full-color political fliers will stop clogging our mailboxes (although they did make darn good kindling).

What have we learned through all of this?

What really is in a name? If I am concerned about the effects of draining the aquifer basin to the west of us (the Plains of San Agustin), does that make me a "tree-hugger" or an "eco-nut"?  

Noemi (Maimie) B. Trujillo, 74, passed away Friday, Oct. 24, 2008, in Socorro, N.M. She was born March 26, 1934, in Socorro, N.M., to Hermelindo and Magdalena (Valenzuela) Baca.

Maimie graduated from Socorro High School in 1953 and went to work as a receptionist for Dr. VJ Franklin.

In 1954, she went to work for Mountain States Telephone. Maimie married Johnnie BG Trujillo in 1958.

She began her career as a business woman as owner-operator of Maimie's Flower Shop and Photography Studio.

The Vary Large Array is located on the Plains of San Agustin, west of Socorro. Each antenna is a massive 82 feet in diameter and weighs 230 tons.

Holly Billy, 14, a freshman at Magdalena High School, passed on her crown as Miss Teen Alamo to Lilly Apachito on Oct. 10.

Billy has participated in many parades throughout the Navajo Nation Fair and Parades.

She made appearances at the Annual Youth Rally in Socorro, the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque and the Navajo Nation Fair and Parade in Window Rock, Ariz., in addition to many other events.

"My accomplishments, traveling and meeting new people have given me a lot of confidence to achieve my goals in the future," Billy said. "I also learned not to take things for granted, appreciate what you have and make something of yourself."

With time dwindling before Election Day, local candidates are busy with last-minute campaigning.

Besides choosing a new president, senator, and congressman, Socorro voters will vote in three new county commissioners and a new county clerk.

Commission District 4

A former sheriff's deputy and former county commissioner are opponents for District 4 commissioner.

* Democrat Noah Jaramillo was with the Sheriff's Department for 11 years and currently manages a staff of 140 at Positive Outcomes.

Previous Elected or Appointed Office: Municipal Judge of Magdalena, NM District Public Defender, Alamogordo How long have you lived in the district: since August 1999 Volunteer/military service: I have never ...

To the Editor:

It recently came to our attention that, to all intents and purposes, the Loma Movie Theatre will close its doors for the last time on Thursday, Oct. 23.

We feel it will be painful for our community and the surrounding area to be deprived of this landmark.

Not only do Socorroans enjoy that theater, but so do the people of Magdalena and Datil - plenty of people do. What if it closes its doors permanently?

For most of us who aren't living close to our favorite multiplexes, it would mean a much longer drive to see a newly released film.

Magdalena Diaz does not know any Hispanic people who will vote for Republican presidential nominee Sen.

To the Editor:

The following letter was delivered to Polo Pineda and the Socorro Electric Cooperative board of trustees:

We, the undersigned members of the Socorro Electric Cooperative, request that the following practices be implemented immediately at the upcoming members' meetings following the elections in Districts III and V:

1. That district meetings be conducted on the basis of Robert's Rules of Order as provided for in the Socorro Electric Cooperative bylaws.

2. That each voting member be verified at the start of the district business meeting.

In an important milestone, New Mexico Tech's largest, world-class telescope is in full operation, and running on funds from the university and research awards rather than federal construction money.

The Deming Performing Arts Theater kicks off its new season with Rainger, in two performances at 7 p.m., Friday and at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Morgan Hall, 109 E. Pine St.

By John Larson

SOCORRO - Voting in the  year's first election for the Socorro Electric Cooperative's board of trustees will begin at 5 p.m. Friday, while the second election will be at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Incumbent District 4 Trustee Dave Wade is being challenged by Pauline Taylor in Friday's election at the San Antonio School cafeteria. In the northern part of the county, District 1 incumbent Leo Cordova is being challenged by Edwin Esquibel in Saturday's election at the Senior Center in Las Nutrias.

Jason Sais, a convicted narcotics dealer once dubbed Gallup's Grim Reaper, may be going back to prison.