POSTAL PATRON U.S. POSTAGE PAID MAILED FROM RUIDOSO, NM 88345 PERMIT NO. 9 PRESORT STANDARD
50 cents
Jack Brooks returns, sort of, to racing at Ruidoso Downs, pg. 11
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Wounded warrior honored at Village Hall By Eddie Farrell Editor
U.S. Army Specialist Scott Gossett was honored at Ruidoso Village Hall Friday with a special flag presentation ceremony, and a presentation of a key to the village by Mayor Ray Alborn. Gossett, a Ruidoso native, was severely wounded in Zabul, Afghanistan when his Stryker vehicle detonated an improvised explosive device, or IED, while his unit was attempting to render assistance to another vehicle under attack. The flag presented to Gossett Friday was the one flown over Village Hall on Sept. 6, 2010, the day Gossett was wounded. Gossett is a 2002 graduate of Ruidoso High School who joined the Army in September 2003. After serving for three years on active duty, he returned to Ruidoso, where he was employed at a local bank and served in the New Mexico National Guard. “But I missed the Army, so I re-enlisted and went back onto active duty in 2009,” Gossett said. It was while serving as an infantryman attached to the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment that
TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2011 • W W W . R U I D O S O F R E E P R E S S . C O M • VOL. 3, NO. 28
Eddie Farrell/ Gossett was wounded. Ruidoso Free Press “We were serving as the security element for a Ruidoso Mayor logistical supply convoy,” Ray Alborn Gossett, who still uses a cane as the result of his in- presents the flag that flew over juries, said. Village Hall The lead vehicle, ocSept. 6, 2010, cupied by Afghani soldiers, detonated an IED. to U.S. Army As Gossett’s armored Specialist Scott vehicle rolled to the side Gossett Friday. of the road to render asGossett was sesistance, it too detonated verely wounded an IED. Five soldiers inside the vehicle, including while serving in Gossett, were evacuated to Zabul, Afghanithe hospital. stan, when his Gossett was awarded armored vehicle the Purple Heart medal as was destroyed the result of his wounds, by an IED on and has been rehabilitatSept. 6, 2010. ing at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. Mike and Bobbie Gossett, and He said he is scheduled to un- grandparents, Frances and Ron dergo a complete medical evalua- Wren, were also in attendance. tion so he can return to full active In honoring Gossett, Alborn duty. said the soldier insisted he not be Gossett said it is his intent to recognized alone. remain in the Army with his goal “He wanted us to make clear to becoming an Army chaplain. that this ceremony was for all who Gossett was joined at Friday’s are serving currently, all who have ceremony by his wife, Jennifer, served in the past, and all who daughters Caitlyn, 7, and Alexis, have made the supreme sacrifice,” 5, and son, John, 2. His parents, Alborn said.
Buckin’ at the Stampede
Teen pleads not guilty in Miranda murder case By Patrick Jason Rodriguez Reporter
Alexis Shields, 15, of Mescalero, accused of suffocating her foster mother, pleaded not guilty on July 5 during an initial appearance before Judge William Brogan in District Court in Alamogordo. Desiree Linares, 15, of Roswell, also accused, waived the formal reading of charges against her and did not make an appearance inside the courtroom. Evelyn Miranda, 53, was found dead June 8 inside her San Patricio home. A 2007 gray Honda Odyssey registered in her name was missing when Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene. The vehicle was recovered later that day in Roswell. Shields and Linares were arrested June 9 in Carlsbad. They have been charged with nine counts each, including first-degree murder, con-
spiracy to commit first-degree murder, kidnapping, motor vehicle theft, larceny and tampering with evidence. Shields and Linares were arraigned June 10 in an appearance before Judge Karen Parsons in District Court in Carrizozo. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Shields placed Miranda in a chokehold while Linares bound the victim’s hands and feet with an electrical cord. Shields then placed a pillow over Miranda’s face and held it down until the victim stopped breathing, according to the affidavit. Shields and Linares are currently being held at the Chaves County Juvenile Detention Center in Roswell. Miranda had allowed Linares and Shields to stay in her home through a treatment foster care program operated out of Mesilla Valley Hospital in Las Cruces.
Eugene Heathman;Ruidoso Free Press
This crowd-pleasing cowboy riding for the Bar Heart X Ranch had his hands full in the Wild Horse racing event but eventually crossed the finish line during the Annual Smokey Bear Stampede, Old West Ranch Rodeo July 3 and 4 in Capitan.
History marches on at Fort Stanton By Eddie Farrell Editor
Located just a few twisting miles from the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport lies a treasure trove of history that encompasses the Indian Wars, the Civil War, the Lincoln County War and was a key learning ground for one of America’s greatest generals. Straddling the Bonita River, Fort Stanton was established May 4, 1855 and named in honor of Army Capt. Harry Stanton, who was killed in a skirmish with local Apaches, proving the need for a secure garrison in the area. From the beginning, the fort had dual missions – to attract and protect civilians to the area and to keep the surrounding Apache from raiding and terrorizing
Part 1 of a 2-part series
Aug 6-7
Volunteers operate the Fort Stanton Museum, and Fort Stanton Inc. hosts its annual celebration, Fort Stanton Live on Aug. 6-7, which will feature military re-enactments, the Flying J Wranglers, a detachment of Buffalo Soldiers and other aspects of living history.
See FORT STANTON, pg. 10 Eddie Farrell/Ruidoso Free Press
This stone was uncovered by volunteers rehabilitating a former barracks. It is believed to have been hand-carved by a member of the 10th U.S. Cavalry, the famed Buffalo Soldiers.
Index
Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Community Calendar . . . . . . . . 2 Events Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Fort Stanton Live set for
Gabriel Iglesias returns to IMG July 27, pg. 14
Obituary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 On the Town. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-13
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