As we transition into October, there’s an unmistakable magic in the air that reminds us why fall is truly one of the most spectacular seasons in Ruidoso. The crisp mountain air, the golden aspens painting our mountainsides, and the comfortable days ahead create the perfect backdrop for our beloved AspenFest celebration. This great community tradition brings us together to celebrate not just the natural beauty that surrounds us, but the strong spirit that defines our village. I encourage everyone to join us for AspenFest and experience the warmth and camaraderie that makes our community so special. The Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce always does such a great job with this event.
With monsoon season officially behind us, we now turn our focus to the important work ahead. The coming months present us with a valuable opportunity to continue making meaningful improvements to our watershed and to restore the areas of our community that were impacted during this challenging season. These recovery and enhancement efforts are essential investments in our community’s resilience and future prosperity.
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated men and women who served tirelessly at our Emergency Operations Center throughout monsoon season. Our Village of Ruidoso employees, our trusted contractors, and the exceptional personnel from outside agencies demonstrated unwavering commitment to keeping our community safe. What makes their service even more remarkable is that they maintained this critical emergency response while continuing to fulfill their regular job responsibilities. Their professionalism and dedication exemplify the very best of public service.
Last month, we had the distinct honor of hosting the New Mexico Municipal League conference, and what a tremendous success it was. It was deeply gratifying to welcome municipal leaders from across our great state and showcase the incredible community we’ve built together. Our visitors experienced firsthand the natural beauty, warm hospitality, and unique character that make Ruidoso such an extraordinary place to live, work, and visit. The positive feedback we received reinforced what we already know – Ruidoso truly has something remarkable to offer everyone.
As we move forward into this beautiful fall season, let us carry with us the same collaborative spirit that has seen us through challenges and celebrations alike. Together, we will continue building a stronger, more resilient Ruidoso for generations to come.
Remember to listen to Mondays with the Mayor every Monday morning from 8:00-10:00 AM on KRUI 1490 AM or 99.1 FM. A lot of important updates are discussed, and we always welcome listener questions!
Until next time, take good care, and get outside and enjoy our great fall weather!
Mayor Lynn Crawford
Mayor Lynn Crawford
VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETINGS
Recent Actions
September 9, 2025, Village Council Meeting Highlights:
» Approval of a Restaurant B - Beer, Wine, and Spirits Liquor License with On-Premises Consumption Only with Patio Service for Grill Caliente located at 2800 Sudderth Dr., Ruidoso, New Mexico.
» Approval of a Small Brewer Off-Site Location Liquor License for Lost Hiker Brewing Company located at 2536 Sudderth Dr., Ruidoso, New Mexico.
» Approval of Purchase of Four (4) 2026 Ram 3500 Tradesman Regular Cab Trucks for the Solid Waste Department.
» Approval of Purchase of Two (2) 2024 Peterbilt Model 520 Refuse Trucks from Hunter Truck Sales for the Solid Waste Department.
» Approval of Award to Bixby Electric Inc., for Airfield Electrical Vault and Equipment, Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI-4) System, and Runway 6-24 LED Lighting and Signage at the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport.
» Presentation of a Proclamation declaring September as “LIBRARY CARD SIGN-UP MONTH.”
Next Council Meeting: Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 1:00 PM in Council Chambers at Village Hall.
WATER RESOURCE DEPARTMENT
Watershed Based Plan in Development
A Watershed Based Plan is a plan to restore and protect water quality and focuses on the relationship between land use and land cover, the movement and storage of water, and water quality.
Watershed planning provides an opportunity for the community to reach out to its residents and businesses, building support for water quality improvements while planning for economic and community growth.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has for many years encouraged states and others to develop watershed plans to help protect and restore our waters. Watershed planning helps holistically address water quality problems by fully assessing the potential contributing causes and sources of pollution, then prioritizing restoration and protection strategies to address these problems.
Pictured from left to right: Greg Cory, Gary Jackson, Darren Hooker, Lynn Crawford, Mayor Pro Tem Rifle Salas, Susan Lutterman, Joe Eby
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Development Begins on Comprehensive Plan for The Village
The Village has contracted with the consulting firm Able City to work with staff and the community to update the Comprehensive Plan, which was last updated and adopted by the Village Council in 2019. Able City is a multidisciplinary firm with offices in Texas and Florida. Their talented staff is recognized for its expertise in urban planning, architecture, and community engagement. Able City has also partnered with EPS to round out the economic development components of the plan and Quantum Consultants to provide engineering services.
A comprehensive plan is a wide-reaching document setting forth the high-level visions and goals for Ruidoso to realize and achieve over the next 20 to 30 years. The topics included in the comprehensive plan will include physical elements of the Village, such as streets, parks, utility infrastructure, and housing, in addition to economic development and policy recommendations. The plan will be written at the “40,000-foot level” with goals and strategies to drill down further to develop more focused subplans dedicated to specific topics, for example, a community trails plan, or areas of the Village, such as Midtown or individual neighborhoods.
A vital component for the successful development and realization of the comprehensive plan is a broad-based community consensus through robust public input and participation. We are working with Able City on the details of the public participation plan that will include opportunities for in-person interaction and virtual platforms. An initial site visit with the consultant team is scheduled for late October, where they will familiarize themselves with Ruidoso and confirm the background information and existing plans they have been reviewing. A public forum will also be held where they will introduce themselves to the community and share the plan development process and public input points. Ongoing public input and participation will create support for the vision and overall plan, making it a true community-based strategy to serve as a roadmap for decisions and investments.
A website dedicated to information and input regarding the comprehensive plan will be created and shared soon.
A NOTE FROM KINETIC
New Fiber Optic Network is Up and Running!
After completing our fiber expansion project, Ruidoso is now officially a “Gig-Ready” community! This means more than 75% of the Village now has access to lightning-fast, future-proof fiber internet through approximately 125 miles of brand-new fiber-optic cables reaching 8,000 homes and businesses.
This would not have been possible without the amazing partnership and support from this community. Special thanks to Mayor Lynn Crawford, as well as the rest of the Ruidoso community, for your patience and resilience as we weathered all the setbacks together and continued to push forward.
But what does being “Gig-Ready” really mean? The benefits go way beyond just faster internet speeds. Whether you’re working from home, running a business, accessing telehealth services, or just streaming your favorite shows, Kinetic Fiber is designed to empower every resident and set Ruidoso up for long-term economic success. We are rooted in this community too, and we have been here with you through challenges and wins alike. Your incredible resilience and strength continue to inspire us, and we’re committed to serving you for many years to come.
If you are ready to experience the difference that cutting-edge fiber can make in your home or business, we would love to help you get connected. Visit us at GoKineticFiber.com to learn more about our fiber internet services.
We can’t wait to show you what “Gig-Ready” really means!
When our community shines, we love to share it! Kudos to the students on the Ruidoso High School Knowledge Bowl Team that resident Julie Reecer acknowledges in her recent Facebook post. The students included Sam McEwen, Benjamin Lewis, Joey Affuso, Enrique Galvan, Alaisdair Fitzgibbon, Elliot Light, and Lizzy Gibbs. The Quiz Bowl Team is co-sponsored by Marin Goza and Marilyn Orr.
“Yesterday, while driving home from El Paso, I got caught up in a 3.5-hour road closure about one mile from the Border Patrol checkpoint 30 miles outside of Alamogordo (maybe some of you reading this were caught in it as well). Apparently, there had been quite a heavy rain event, and the water was over the roadways in both directions.
This was just after 6 pm. The rain was still falling gently, and the skies were very dark. Eventually, the skies began to clear, the sun came out, and God painted the most beautiful rainbow in front of the mountains with the setting sun shining a bright spotlight directly on it. An hour passed, then another. It was getting dark, but the moon was almost full and very bright. There was something very calming about the night. Most of the cars had long since turned off their engines. It was very quiet and strangely peaceful, all of us sitting in our cars, resigned to the fact that we weren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
I could hear other people talking and laughing. Some people would get out to stretch their legs, but I didn’t see or hear any signs of people getting angry or frustrated at the situation. Just before dark, I could hear the voices of kids saying, “We’ve got bottled water, apples, and chips if anyone wants a snack!”
It was a group of about six teenagers going from car to car with their snacks, offering them to all of us stranded drivers. I didn’t take anything from them, but I sure thanked them for their kindness (I just needed a restroom!). A couple of minutes later, someone must have asked them where they were from. I could hear them shout out “We’re from Ruidoso High School!” They repeated that several times as people continued to ask them.
Y’all, these kids were amazing!! They must have been on a bus that was way behind me on the highway. It appeared that they decided to pool their own bottles of water and personal snacks and offer them up to all the stranded drivers. They were so kind and cheerful, and I’m sure they were a blessing to those who were so hungry or thirsty.
I just wanted to bring awareness to these great young people. Their kindness & generosity was amazing. I wish I knew their names or what organization they were part of at the high school, but these kids deserve a huge thank you! I hope someone from the school or maybe a parent will see this post and pass it along. A lot of times, we only hear negative stories about our youngsters, but these kids were awesome! Thank you so much!
After 3.5 hours, we were finally allowed to resume our journeys home. It was a long night, but it was also a pretty darn cool experience!”
Way to go, RHS students - you make this community proud!
It’s great to be a Warrior!!
WATER PRODUCTION
Lead & Copper Pipe Surveys Coming to Residents
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set the effective date of the revised Lead and Copper Rule on December 16, 2021. Under the revised rule, public water systems must notify residents by mail about inventory surveys by October 16, 2025. The purpose of this rule is to reduce and ultimately eliminate lead from all drinking water systems. By doing so, citizens are better protected from the negative effects that lead has on health.
Updates to the Lead and Copper Rule include:
» Municipalities must have a sampling plan to check water at any elementary school or childcare facility.
» A service line inventory must be in place that notes if there is any lead or galvanized metal coming into contact with the water system. This inventory must include the Village’s water service line to the meter as well as the customer’s side service line.
The Village of Ruidoso is proactively implementing the revised Lead and Copper Rule. The initial inventory for all of the service lines within Village limits has been compiled to be sent to the New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED). Notices of upcoming surveys will be mailed to residents who possess service lines of unknown material.
Once the surveys are complete and the full inventory is established, project design will begin to replace any and all of the lead and galvanized pipes in the Village. For more information about the Revised Lead and Copper Rule, visit the U.S. EPA Ground Water and Drinking Water website by scanning the code below:
Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency. (May 22, 2025)
WINGFIELD HERITAGE HOUSE MUSEUM
The Home of Ruidoso’s Rich Heritage Celebrates One Year Anniversary
The Wingfield Heritage House Museum turns one this month, and the time sure flew by!
On October 17, 2024, the Wingfield Heritage House Museum officially opened its doors with a spirited ribbon-cutting ceremony, drawing local officials and community members eager to celebrate Ruidoso’s rich heritage. The festivities continued with an open house, allowing attendees to explore the new exhibits while enjoying live music and refreshments.
Built in the 1920s by Ike and Lula Wingfield, this historic home stood as a family residence for three generations before transitioning into local businesses. Now lovingly restored to its original layout, the building serves as a tangible gateway into Ruidoso’s past.
Visitors to the museum walk through rooms filled with Wingfield family artifacts, highlighting the people who lived in the home and helped create the modern town of Ruidoso. Another room highlights the area’s Native American heritage, along with stories of early settlers and local landmarks like Fort Stanton, the Angus V. V. Ranch, and the Dowlin Mill. Exhibits also give insights into Ruidoso’s development, showcasing how the town evolved not around railroads, but with the rise of automobile travel—drawing summer tourists escaping the heat into the cool mountain air.
Adding to the museum’s vibrancy, its weekly radio series “Ruidoso Rewind” - which shares local stories on KRUI, The Mountain - earned the 2025 Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH), one of the most prestigious honors in the public history field.
The museum is moving into its second year with new exhibits and collections. The museum will be establishing an off-site storage area to accommodate the collection as it grows. Year two will also benefit from the arrival of our new Education Curator, Joely Trujillo, who will be expanding the programs offered by the museum and growing our outreach efforts within the community and with our schools.
In just one year, the Wingfield Heritage House Museum has established itself in Ruidoso’s cultural landscape. Located at 2813 Sudderth Drive, it is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM—and admission is free. The museum continues to seek additional artifacts, photos, and documents related to life in Ruidoso and the surrounding areas. The museum aims to be a dynamic, welcoming space that preserves and shares Ruidoso’s heritage for many generations.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Employee of the Quarter: Correction & Recognition
There was an important omission in the last edition of the Ruidoso Insider. Dave Myers was recognized as Employee of the Quarter for Community Development, an honor that was inadvertently left out of the September publication. Dave’s dedicated work and contributions to the Village of Ruidoso are deeply valued by both the VOR administration and the entire community. Congratulations to Dave on this well-deserved recognition and for his ongoing commitment to serving Ruidoso residents and visitors.
RUIDOSO MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS
From the Desk of Superintendent Becca Ferguson
In Ruidoso, kindness is more than a word; it’s a way of life. From our students and staff to our community members and organizations, acts of generosity and compassion ripple across our schools and Village, creating a culture where caring for one another comes naturally.
This fall, the Ruidoso High School Quiz Bowl team showed what it means to put others first during a 3.5-hour highway closure outside of Alamogordo. Instead of frustration, they chose service. Pooling their snacks and bottled water, they walked car to car offering food to stranded drivers, their voices carrying proudly: “We’re from Ruidoso High School!” This amazing group of Warriors turned a long night into one filled with hope and kindness.
At White Mountain Elementary, third grader Lennon Carter began the year with a gift few teachers will ever forget. After running a lemonade stand all summer, Lennon handed her teacher an envelope of earnings— not for herself, but to buy supplies for classmates. Her teacher, Ms. Michelle, said, “This generosity and school support should be recognized. In 26 years, I’ve never had a student begin the year this way.” Lennon’s gift serves as a reminder that kindness knows no age limit.
At Ruidoso Middle School, the Student Council welcomed students and staff back with a balloon arch, groovy decorations, and survival goodie bags for every employee—small touches that made the start of the year brighter for all.
Meanwhile, Ruidoso High School Student Council hosted Kindness Week in September, where each day highlighted ways students could show compassion. Whether through themed dress-up days or activities reminding peers to “work out your problems with kindness,” students spread the message that kindness is a vehicle to bring people together.
Community kindness is equally strong. Meg Maedgen spearheaded an effort to collect and distribute school supplies for Ruidoso students impacted by flooding. The drive began with a mother and her children discussing how they could help their fellow families. With nearly $10,000 in donations and countless supplies gathered, Meg’s work ensured children had what they needed to start school.
The Ruidoso Rotary Club continues to be a cornerstone of generosity. Partnering with Ruidoso Municipal Schools and Walmart, Rotary hosted Pack the Bus, a community-wide supply drive that gave students a strong start to the year. In addition, Rotary donated gift cards to help families displaced by floods purchase clothing, supplies, and other necessities.
These stories of students sharing snacks with strangers, a third grader giving her summer earnings, student leaders decorating hallways and promoting kindness, community members donating supplies, and organizations like Rotary stepping up showcase the heart of Ruidoso.
Kindness emanates from our schools, our students, our staff, and our community. It is what makes Ruidoso strong, resilient, and united.
Fall EVENTS
Check out our line-up of great events for fall! Please visit DiscoverRuidoso.com for additional events and details.
WEEKLY COMMUNITY EVENTS
SUNDAY:
• Alto Farmers & Craft Market, Enchanted Vine Barn
TUESDAY:
• Karaoke Night, WPS
• Doso Dirtbags Open Mic, Jacks Patina Lounge
WEDNESDAY:
• Wet Your Whistle Wednesday, Lost Hiker Brewing Co.
THURSDAY:
• Veterans Coffee and Company, 615 Sudderth Dr. Ste 1
• Open Mic Night with Tyler Jones, Downshift Brewing Company Hidden Tap
• Phil Hamilton “Gringo Loco”, Casa Blanca Cantina
• Thirstday Night Trivia, Lost Hiker Brewing Co
THURSDAY - SATURDAY:
• Brendan Dawes, Quarters Bar & Grill
OCTOBER 2:
• Club 49 Comedy, Inn of the Mountain Gods
• Love Letters by Lincoln County Community Theater, Downshift Brewing Company Riverside
OCTOBER 3:
• 37th Annual Run to the Inn of the Mountain Gods Car Show, Inn of the Mountain Gods
OCTOBER 4:
• AspenFest Parade and Festival, Midtown Ruidoso/ Wingfield Park
• Love Letters by Lincoln County Community Theater, Downshift Brewing Company Riverside
OCTOBER 6:
• White Sands Full Moon Night, White Sands National Park
OCTOBER 7:
• Moonlight Hike, White Sands National Park
OCTOBER 9:
• Club 49 Comedy, Inn of the Mountain Gods
OCTOBER 10:
• Are You Smarter Than a Beertender?, Downshift Brewing Company Hidden Tap
TUESDAY:
• Baby & Me at 10:30 AM
WEDNESDAY:
• Storytime at 10:30 AM
OCTOBER 11:
• Lincoln After Dark, Historic Lincoln
• Alan Saldana, Patina Lounge
• 18th Annual LCFA Benefit Ranch Rodeo, Lincoln County Fair Grounds
OCTOBER 16:
• Smokey’s Garden, Forestry Department Office
OCTOBER 18:
• Southern Raised, Spencer Theater
• U.S. Veterans Silet Auction and Fundraiser, Jack’s Back Stage
• 13th Annual Health & Wellness Fair, Inn of the Mountain Gods
OCTOBER 18-19:
• R2-Doso Comic Con, Ruidoso Convention Center
OCTOBER 19:
• Toss No Mas Cleanup, Wingfield Park
OCTOBER 25:
• Corn Hole Tournament Fundraiser, Wingfield Park
• That Arena Show, Inn of the Mountain Gods
OCTOBER 29:
• Midtown Trick-or-Treat, Midtown Ruidoso
• Family Fright Night, Downshift Brewing Company Riverside
OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 1:
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Downshift Riverside
NOVEMBER 1-2:
• A Christmas Affair, Ruidoso Convention Center
NOVEMBER 5:
• Moonlight Hike, White Sands National Park
NOVEMBER 11-12:
• Chicago The Musical, Spencer Theater
NOVEMBER 14-16:
• Ruidoso Christmas Jubilee, Ruidoso Convention Center
NEW MEXICO MUNICIPAL LEAGUE
Municipal Leaders Saddle Up in Ruidoso for Annual Conference
Ruidoso recently hosted the annual New Mexico Municipal League Conference, welcoming over 400 people from municipalities around the state. Along with attending workshops pertaining to municipal government, attendees enjoyed a great dinner at Wingfield Park with the Odessa Chuckwagon Gang and Clay Hollis, as well as a “Dinner at the Derby” event at Ruidoso Downs Race Track complete with ostrich, zebra, and camel races! Village Manager Ron Sena was also recognized by NMML as Outstanding City Manager during the annual awards luncheon. Congratulations, Ron!
Thank you to all who attended—come back and see us again soon.
DEPARTMENTS & PHONE NUMBERS
Airport 575-336-8111
Convention Center 575-258-5445
Judicial 575-257-9055
Library 575-258-3704
Parks & Recreation 575-257-5030
Police 575-258-7365
Fire 575-257-3473
Solid Waste 575-257-1502
Street Works 575-257-6023
Forestry 575-257-5544
Planning & Zoning 575-258-6999
Regional Waste Water Treatment Plant (RWWTP) 575-378-8417
Senior Center 575-257-4565
Water Distribution and Sewer
Collections 575-257-2386
Water Production 575-257-5525
Water Rights/Watershed (RJU) 575-258-6913
RUIDOSO MIDTOWN ASSOCIATION
www.Ruidoso-NM.gov
From the Desk of RMA Executive Director Tim Duckworth
Fall is just around the corner, and so is the annual Halloween in Midtown. This event is fun for all ages! We are adding some fun twists and surprises while keeping the crowd favorites, so mark your calendars for a festive evening in Midtown Ruidoso, Wednesday, October 29th, from 3:00 - 6:00 PM!
Safe Trick-or-Treating
Halloween Music
Coffin Races - 3:15-4:40 PM (sign-ups start at 3:00)
Costume Contests - 4:45 PM
The Pumpkin Roll - 5:35 PM
We would also like to welcome a new business to our Ruidoso Midtown. Midtown Memories Gifts and Toys located at 2515 Sudderth. They have a great selection of nostalgic toys and knick-knacks for all ages.
We also had our quarterly Midtown Mixer this past month, and it was awesome! We hosted a scavenger hunt that everyone loved, and we had great food and drinks as usual.
As the monsoon season wraps up, don’t put that umbrella away just yet. For year-round safety, be sure to sign up for weather alerts and Village notifications at CallMeRuidoso.com. These updates are helpful for all seasons.
RUIDOSO VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
From the Desk of Executive Director Deborah Douds
Join us for the AspenFest Parade on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 10:00 AM in Midtown. The theme for this year’s parade is Storybook Fall. Immediately following the parade, we will have a festival in Wingfield Park featuring beer, wine, food, arts and crafts, and other vendors, as well as live music by Nova Rush, the Doso Dirtbags, and Dzaki Sukarno. This event is a local favorite, and I think we all deserve a day of fun, family activities after this past year!
The Ruidoso Midtown Trick or Treat will be on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 3:00-6:00 PM. We will once again be closing Sudderth Drive to through-traffic to allow for a safer trick or treat for all the little goblins and ghouls. The Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce partners with the Ruidoso Midtown Association, as well as the Ruidoso Parks and Recreation Department, for this event, and we are looking forward to trick or treating, coffin races, and of course, the pumpkin roll. We can’t wait for this great event!
Please join us on October 16, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Wingfield Heritage House Museum for Business After Hours as we celebrate their first anniversary. Stop by and visit the museum to learn about Ruidoso’s history.
Lastly, the Rotary Club Enchilada and Bingo Night will take place on October 28, 2025, at the Ruidoso Convention Center. All proceeds go to fund the Rotary Club of Ruidoso’s community projects.
Just a reminder that we have moved our offices, and you can find us at 451 Sudderth Drive inside 1st National Bank. Thank you to Richie Hood, Market President, and 1st National Bank for letting us hang out with you!
Please remember to shop locally and support our local restaurants. The Chamber is the organization that supports our community, and membership in the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce is an investment in the future of our community. If you are interested in joining the Chamber and working with us to support this community, please give us a call at 575-257-7395.
LINCOLN COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER
From the Desk of the Chief Executive Todd Oberheu
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, and Lincoln County Medical Center (LCMC) would like to encourage our community to not delay scheduling your preventative screenings, such as mammograms.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, every two minutes in the U.S., a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, and 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
The first steps to protect against breast cancer are being aware of any changes in your breasts and undergoing preventive screening. Performing monthly breast self-exams and getting routine yearly mammograms can help you easily identify any changes in your breasts.
Mammograms are low-dose X-rays of the breasts, and are used to detect breast cancers, even in early stages when they may not be detected otherwise. Mammograms can be used as screening for patients who are not experiencing any symptoms or can be used as a diagnostic tool to assess breast lumps or nipple discharge.
At LCMC, we are committed to providing preventative care, such as mammograms, close to home. Our mammography unit features 3D capabilities for screening and diagnostic mammograms, as well as MRIs of the breast, which can be beneficial for patients who have dense breasts or implants. LCMC, in partnership with Altrusa International of Ruidoso, also offers mammograms at a discounted rate for patients who do not have insurance.
Patients can schedule a mammogram by calling 575-257-8292. For additional information, visit phs.org.
ASPENFEST ASPENFEST
October 4, 2025 October 4, 2025 Midtown Parade
10:00 AM
Theme: Storybook Fall
11 AM - 6 PM
Festival tickets:
$10 general admission, $25 include wine & beer tasting FREE admission for kids 12 and under.
