Local News

Wagon Mound’s village hall was closed Monday because the only remaining office employee called in sick.

The only employee is an office aide. The former clerk-treasurer, who runs the village’s day-to-day operations, left last Friday after only a few weeks on the job.

The utilities clerk’s position has been vacant since the village terminated Gloria Mejillas a few months ago.

Meanwhile, Mayor Art Arguello has placed the utilities superintendent on unpaid administrative leave. Arguello didn’t reveal the reasons in an interview.

The state police have arrested two more repeat DWI offenders, reports state.

Alfred M. Ulibarri, 39, 1317 Keen St., was charged with aggravated DWI for his fourth offense, and Jose A. Mendoza, 40, of Los Lunas, was arrested for his third DWI, state police said.

Shortly before midnight July 22, a state police officer noticed Ulibarri on New Mexico Avenue speeding a few miles per hour over the limit, so the officer stopped him, according to a police report.

Four years ago, Ojitos Frios subdivision resident Jack Thompson saw his well level dropping. And so did his neighbors.

These days, Thompson and many of them have seen their wells go dry. As of last count, 62 households southwest of Las Vegas are without well water.

Many of them now get their water trucked in. A few others, including Thompson, have resorted to rain catchment systems.

But catchment systems are expensive. Thompson, whose well went dry over a year ago, paid more than $20,000 for his — a cost he readily admits most people can’t afford.

Highlands University regents last week extended the contract of President Jim Fries by three years.

The president’s pay will stay at $232,000 a year. Fries, 67, started in early 2007.

Regent Chairman Leveo Sanchez said after the board discussed the president’s performance over the last three and a half years, it voted unanimously to extend the president’s contract.