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TUESDAY, JAN. 29, 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. 4
What’s
happening January 29
‘Nunset Boulevard’ at the Spencer Theater
Don’t miss Cindy Williams, the lovable star of “Laverne & Shirley,” as Mother Superior in this zany musical comedy about the Little Sisters of Hoboken. Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts, 575336-4800, www.spencertheater.com. Chicken Fried Steak buffet 5 p.m. $20. Performance 7 p.m. $66 and $69.
Proposed bill would fund more drug testing for NM racehorses
January 31 Relay for Life Kickoff Party
Silent auction, door prizes, food and live music for Relay For Life, the charitable organization spreading awareness and raising funds to help fight cancer. The Lodge at Sierra Blanca, 575-8081205. Free.
February 1
Free lecture: New Mexico gravesites
UNM History Professor Melzer embarks on a statewide tour of New Mexico cemeteries and its famous inhabitants. Ruidoso Public Library, 10 a.m. 575-258-3704. Free.
February 2
STOMP! at the Spencer Theater
The explosive, provocative, sophisticated, sexy, utterly unique percussion performance with international appeals for audiences of all ages. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts, 575-336-4800; www.spencertheater.com. Buffet 5 p.m. $20. Performance 7 p.m. $79 and $76
A property of
File photo
Jess A Zoomin (8), with jockey G.R. Carter aboard, wins his trial to this year’s All American Futurity just ahead of Krash Cartel. Jess A Zoomin broke down just after the race and had to be euthanized, and was one of five horses trained by Jeffrey Reed that tested positive for dermorphin during the racing season at Ruidoso Downs.
By Eugene Heathman Editor eugene@ruidosofreepress.com In the wake of the New Mexico Racing Commission busting several high profile horse trainers doping racehorses at New Mexico racetracks, legislation presented by Sen. Mary Kay Papen, D-Las Cruces, would establish a fund for the drug testing of racehorses in New Mexico. Gov. Martinez calls for $750,000 more for an aggressive testing program aimed at catching and punishing trainers and owners illegally drugging racehorses at tracks throughout the state. In addition to being tested immediately following races at the track, horses would be randomly tested off-track to discourage the use of illegal drugs to aid in recovery from injuries. The Racing Commission would be responsible for administering testing funds.
In addition to tougher testing, the Racing Commission is proposing to increase the number of investigators from the current two up to five or six and mandate necropsies (autopsies performed on animals) for all horses that break down and are euthanized on the track. Ruidoso Downs Racetrack General Manager Shaun Hubbard supports the legislation and contends Ruidoso Downs has been at the forefront of racing reforms to preserve the integrity of horseracing in New Mexico. “We look forward to bringing the sport of horseracing racing all time higher standards and Senator Papen’s bill is an integral part of this process. I hope other states will follow the example of expanded testing procedures and harsh penalties for offenders,” Hubbard said. In 2012, the Racing Commission implemented several rule see druG testiNG, pg. A9
Accident investigation yields illegal drug operation By Sue Hutchison Reporter suehutch@valornet.com Responding to a report of a hit and run incident Jan. 23, Deputy Wes Hacker found more than he bargained for. “Deputy Hacker was responding to a hit and run with criminal damage at 8:50 p.m. and noticed tire tracks which led further down the road,” says a fellow law enforcement officer whose identity remains confidential in an ongoing investigation. Hacker attempted to make contact with residents to determine whose vehicles were involved. He knocked on the front door, and receiving no response, heard noises, fans running and
grew suspicious. Hacker also noticed a strong odor which he suspected indicated a presence of marijuana on the premises. A search warrant was issued and signed by Judge Martha Proctor, at 1:27 a.m. Jan. 24. Deputy Robert Taylor was on scene as backup and began the search at 141 Phingsten Rd. Found was a marijuana grill and two plants in the home. 48 plants were found in various stages of growth in a separate building. Harvesting 6.06 lbs.
of marijuana in the drying process, the officers also confiscated “various items related to growth and packaging.” “It was a pretty elaborate setup, with hydroponic growth.
The back half of the shed had an addition which appeared to be attached to an old tack room.” Several guns were seized, one of which was stolen out of Texas. see druGs, pg. A3
Riding your opponent
February 3
Super Bowl Sunday
Listen live on the only radio broadcast anywhere in Southeastern New Mexico. Kickoff 4:30 p.m. Baltimore Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers.
Todd Fuqua/Ruidoso Free Press
Photo courtesy of Lincoln County Sheriff’s Dept.
Marijuana plants confiscated.
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Ruidoso’s Connor McGuire, top, is picked up by Chance Guillen of Las Cruces, Saturday, during a 152-pound match in the Sierra Blanca Classic at Ruidoso High School.
Festivity bells bring tradition, good will to Ski Apache
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Photo courtesy of Brett Nichols
By Sandi Aguilar For the Ruidoso Free Press Doppelmayr is one of the most renowned ropeway transportation system – tram car – builders in the world. The recent Capitan and Lincoln chairlifts at Ski Apache and eight passenger gondola seems to be small potatoes for this world leader. Current projects for this 120-year-old company is the CabriO ropeway in Switzerland, a gondola with an upper deck able to carry 60 passengers; the 10 passenger aerial cabin that links the two major Bolivian cities of La Paz and El Alto; and the urban cable car in London which crosses
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the Thames carrying 2,500 people an hour. Doppelmayr is also building a new ropeway in Mont Blanc, Italy, the highest mountain in the Alps. Other than the impeccable craftsmanship, all of these tram cars have something in common, Doppelmayr’s tradition of gifting Austrian festivity bells on all completed projects. “This very special and old Austrian cultural symbol – which were presented for the opening are so called festivity bells,” reported Ekkehard Assmann, director of marketing of the Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group. Assmann see festiVitY BeLLs, pg. A3
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