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“Never Settle for Less”
For more photos and the latest stories updated daily, visit
www.ruidosofreepress.com
1404 Sudderth • Ruidoso, NM
575.257.4223
What’s
happening April 30
Customer Service Seminar with David Aaker
Invest in your employees, improve customer service and create customer loyalty – tips from professional speaker, David Aaker. The Lodge at Sierra Blanca, 111 Sierra Blanca Dr. 9 - 11 a.m. or 1 - 3 p.m. 575-2577395, $25/$30
May 2
2nd Annual Casino Gala for COPE
Featuring casino games, food, cash bar, entertainment, silent and live auctions, prizes, and most important of all – benefit the community. Proceeds go to COPE, the Center of Protective Environment – “your hope for a safe, violence free life”. 6 p.m. Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort, 575-434-3622. $20
TUESDAY, A PRI L 30, 2013 • W W W . R U I D O S O F R E E P R E S S . C O M • V OL . 5 , N O. 1 7
Bomb threat forces evacuation of Walmart By Eugene Heathman Editor eugene@ruidosofreepress Walmart shoppers got more than they bargained for Sunday afternoon as the store and premises were evacuated due to a bomb threat. Ruidoso Downs Police confirmed the evacuation of the Ruidoso Downs Walmart due to a bomb threat called into the store at approximately 2:30 p.m. Ruidoso Downs Mayor Gary Williams told the Ruidoso Free Press that although no explosives were found, the department is taking the matter seriously and is conducting an extensive investigation, especially in the wake of the recent bombings in Boston. Ruidoso Downs and Ruidoso Fire Departments and the Bomb Squad from Holloman AFB responded to the scene which was cordoned off for
several hours as technicians cleared the building. Patrons at the store shared their disdain for anyone who would play such a cruel prank and praised Walmart store management and employees for conducting a smooth and panic-free exodus from the store. After returning to the store, some Walmart employees were seen being counseled and comforted by store management. Farley’s restaurant in Ruidoso was also evacuated on a recent Sunday afternoon due to a bomb threat that was also called in. No device was found. Last year, Ruidoso Downs City Hall was locked down for several hours due to a suspicious package containing a powdery white substance that proved to not be harmful after Ruidoso Downs and State Police Hazmat teams cleared the building.
Smokey Bear Days
Learn more about fire prevention with educational and marketplace booths, free live music, a street dance, and, of course, Smokey Bear. Plus a chainsaw carving contest and an auction of Smokey Bear memorabilia. Capitan. Parade, Saturday at 10 a.m. 575-354-2748. Free
A performance not to be missed performed by our local dance group. Ruidoso High School Performing Arts Center, 125 Warrior Dr. May 3, 7 p.m., May 4, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. 575-257-3753. $5
Kentucky Derby, Oaks simulcasts at RDRT
Unless at Churchill Downs, the next best way to watch one of the richest Thoroughbred races is at the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack. The Oaks is scheduled for Friday at 3:45 p.m. and the Derby is Saturday at 4:24 p.m. The Ruidoso Downs Race Book is free and open for the simulcast; the Turf Club is open.
May 4
‘Celebracion del Arte’ juried art show
Opening of the inaugural “Celebracion del Arte” juried art show and exhibit in the museum’s Green Tree Gallery with original art from New Mexico artists. Through September. The Hubbard Museum of the American West, www.hubbardmuseum. org, 575-378-4142.
Annual Fiesta de Hondo
The tradition and culture of our lives: enchilada dinner and Hispanic dances. Hondo School Gym, dinner 4 p.m., dance 6 p.m. 575-653-4411. Dinner $6/$3. Performance $7.
Los Lonely Boys at IMG
Experience “Texican Rock n’ Roll,” combining elements of rock and roll, Texas blues, brown eyed soul, country and Tejano with this Grammy award winning group best known for their first single, “Heaven.” Inn of the Mountain Gods. 8 p.m. www. innofthemountaingods.com, 575-464-7777. $25.
Village moves to Level II Fire Restrictions
The Village of Ruidoso has moved to Level II Fire Restrictions in an effort to prevent situations that could lead to wildfires. Please be vigilant and call 911 if you see any signs of smoke. Level II Fire Restrictions: • No charcoal briquettes or commercial fire pits are allowed to be used on any public or private property • UL/FM approved gas grills are allowed • No outside smoking on public or private property (unless in areas specifically permitted by the fire marshal) • Smoking allowed within enclosed vehicles or indoors only • Campfires and fireworks are not permitted • Citations will be issued - no exceptions; no warnings If you have questions about the Level II Fire Restrictions, call the Ruidoso Fire Department at 575-257-3473.
VOR water restrictions remain critical
Current Water Restriction Level: Phase 5 • Lawn watering is prohibited unless you are on a private well. • Vegetable plants and fruit trees must be watered by hand by filling up a container and placing water in the bib around the plant or tree.
Running their buns off
May 3, 4
‘Rock of Ages’ presented by Ruidoso Dance Ensemble
A property of
Todd Fuqua/Ruidoso Free Press
Ruidoso Downs Police department and local fire officials responded to a bomb threat at the Ruidoso Downs Walmart Sunday. The threat turned out to be a hoax which caused the evacuation of the store for several hours.
Burned Downs business already bouncing back By Todd Fuqua Reporter todd@ruidosofreepress. com Walking over the sheet of ash and debris that’s all that’s left of their business and livelihood, Uriel and Agueda Mendoza are in shock over what has happened, but are determined to rebuild. The April 14 fire that consumed the Bears R Us business on Todd Fuqua/Ruidoso Free Press Highway 70 in Ruidoso Bears R Us owners Agueda and Uriel Mendoza Downs did more than give a tour of the wreckage that was their Ruidoso just remove a business Downs business before an April 14 fire. The couple from the Lincoln County is now faced with rebuilding things from scratch landscape, it also came just before the summer tourist season. as the latest blow to the Mendoza family. 10 p.m. by the time they reached AlbuThe Mendozas – Uriel, Agueda querque. That’s when they got the call and their two teenage daughters – were that their business was in flames. returning from Nevada, where they had “We cried and cried,” said Augueda attended the funeral of Uriel’s sister, – whom everyone knows as “Aggie.” only 39 years old. “Seeing how young my sister-in-law It was a 20-hour drive, and it was See BURNED BUSINESS, pg. A3
Photo courtesy of Avril Coakley
The 2nd Annual Bun Run sponsored by Schlotzsky’s to benefit Special Olympics took place at Wingfield Park April 27. This event has encouraged locals, young and old, to be involved with community events that both raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity and raise funds for charities. Pictured are first place winner of the men’s Adult 5K, local personal trainer Tony Goetz from the Ruidoso Athletic Club and second place winner of the women’s Adult 5K, local resident Carolina Franco.
Local hero assists with Paradise Canyon rollover By Lauren Frazier
Full time student and handyman, Casey Kacena, played a local super hero this past Wednesday afternoon, after he witnessed a roll-over car accident in the 600 block of Paradise Canyon. “The road curved to the right, but the car kept going straight, hit the bank, barrel rolled and disappeared,” Kacena said. The 73-year-old driver was trapped in his vehicle, conscious but not fully aware when Kacena ran See LOCAL HERO, pg. A3
Kentucky Derby, Oaks simulcasts launch 2013 season
Known as a prelude to the Ruidoso Downs horse racing season, the typical racing fans can’t get any closer to the action for the Kentucky Derby or the Kentucky Oaks unless they possess a V.I.P. pass at Churchill Downs. All southeast New Mexico residents need to do is come to Ruidoso Downs this Friday or Saturday for full simulcast wagering. The Kentucky Oaks for 3-year-old fillies is on Friday, May 3, and the Kentucky Derby is always contested on the first Saturday in May. The entire programs from Churchill Downs will start with first-race post time at 8:30 a.m. Post time for the Kentucky Oaks is estimated at
3:45 p.m. and the Kentucky Derby is scheduled to start at 4:24 p.m. Fans will be able to wager on the entire Saturday program on Friday and there is a special Kentucky Oaks-Kentucky Derby double wager when fans try to pick the winners of each race for large payoffs. That wager closes at post time for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks. In anticipation of the large crowd on Saturday for the Kentucky Derby, the All American Turf Club will open at noon. The leading prospects for the Kentucky Derby are Orb and Verrazano. Orb is riding a four-race winning streak with his latest two wins coming ! CRES 71+ A
REAL ESTATE TEAM SDC, REALTORS®
(575) 258-5008
(575) 257-5111 ext. 117 307 Mechem Dr, Ruidoso, NM
in the Florida Derby and the Fountain Of Youth Stakes. Verrazano is undefeated from four career starts, all this year, with stakes wins in the Wood Memorial and the Tampa Bay Derby. Beholder and Rose To Gold figure prominently for the Kentucky Oaks. Beholder has Grade 1 wins in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Fillies, Las Virgenes Stakes and the Santa Anita Oaks, all at Santa Anita Park. She will be making her first start outside of California in the Kentucky Oaks. Rose to Gold is well traveled with dominating wins in the Honeybee Stakes and the Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park in her two most recent outs.
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