Latest news with #DoñaAnaCounty
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Climate
- Associated Press
Flood waters race through New Mexico community, prompting rescues
VADO, N.M. (AP) — At least 20 people had to be rescued as flood waters raced through a New Mexico community near the Texas state line overnight, marking the latest deluge of summer rain to force evacuations and cause damage for the otherwise arid region. Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque and El Paso, Texas, have been busy in recent weeks issuing flood watches and warnings as afternoon thunderstorms crank up across the region. It's part of the monsoon's daily ritual. Authorities in Doña Ana County conducted damage assessments Wednesday as they shifted to recovery operations. Initial reports from the county's emergency management team showed about 110 homes in the Vado area were damaged by flood waters, several hundred homes were without power and some roads remained closed. Emergency crews transported two people to the hospital with minor injuries, county officials said. 'All of our flooding protocols were working. It was just too much water,' county spokesperson Ariana Parra said of the storm. Resident Sally Sanchez-Gonzales asked for prayers Tuesday night as waves of muddy water crested just beyond the fence that lines her property. On Wednesday, she shared a video that showed the aftermath, the mud having caked a large swath of desert as debris clogged other areas. 'My family is still trying to help some families evacuate at the lower ends and others returned to get important items,' she told The Associated Press. 'There's a lot of cleanup to do.' The flooding in Vado resulted from more than 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) of rain that fell Tuesday, officials said. To the north, the mountain community of Ruidoso is still recovering from deadly flooding that damaged hundreds of homes as storm water rushed off mountainsides that have been scarred over recent years by wildfire. Without trees and other vegetation to hold back the water, the village has been forced to issue almost daily warnings for people to stay clear of creeks and low-lying areas. State officials on Wednesday announced the federal government has issued a major disaster declaration for communities in Lincoln County, including Ruidoso.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Construction begins on New Mexico's Santa Teresa solar and storage project
The Santa Teresa solar and storage project in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, has entered the construction stage. The project is being developed by DE Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI), in collaboration with El Paso Electric (EPE). This renewable energy initiative includes a 150MW solar facility coupled with a substantial 600 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS). The project is DESRI's second venture within EPE's service area to break ground, following the Carne project which began its construction phase in 2024. With an established 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with EPE, Santa Teresa will deliver clean electricity sufficient to meet the annual needs of 60,000 homes served by EPE. DESRI chief development officer Hy Martin stated: "The Santa Teresa project is a cornerstone of DESRI's growing partnership with El Paso Electric and a prominent example of how cost-effective solar and storage assets can power New Mexico's future. "The project not only contributes to regional grid stability via large-scale energy storage, but it also underscores our shared commitment to clean energy and economic development in Doña Ana County and across the state." Financing for this development was secured through contributions from several financial institutions, including DNB Bank ASA's New York branch and National Bank of Canada as joint coordinating lead arrangers. Additional support came from Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Limited New York branch, and Korea Development Bank. Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas will oversee administrative aspects as part of its role. El Paso Electric system planning and operations support vice-president Dave Hawkins stated: "This project is about more than adding solar power - it's about delivering lasting value to the communities and businesses we serve. "By providing clean energy and added capacity to the entire region, we're strengthening reliability, supporting sustainability and investing in future economic development growth." For technical components such as battery systems and software management tools, LG Energy Solution Vertech will be supplying US-manufactured BESS units along with their AEROS software suite under a long-term service arrangement. SOLV Energy has been contracted not only for engineering, procurement and construction responsibilities but also for future operations and maintenance services once operational status is achieved. In May, DESRI, in collaboration with Ranger Power, achieved financial closure and commenced the construction of two solar projects with a combined capacity of 290MW alternating current in Michigan. These projects include the 150MW Heartwood solar facility in Hillsdale County and the 140MW White Tail solar project in Washtenaw County. "Construction begins on New Mexico's Santa Teresa solar and storage project" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Yahoo
Doña Ana County Sheriff's unit involved in crash on I-10
A Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office unit was involved in crash on Interstate 10 on Tuesday, July 8. New Mexico State Police are investigating the crash that occurred on I-10 near Mesquite, which was reported in the afternoon. One person was taken to a hospital, according to a Doña Ana County news release, but no other details were available. This article will be updated as new information becomes available. This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Doña Ana County Sheriff's unit involved in crash on Interstate 10
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Yahoo
1 person arrested after allegedly firing pellet gun at park in La Union, New Mexico
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A male suspect was arrested after he allegedly fired off a pellet gun and then resisted arrest during a movie at the park event Saturday night, June 21 in La Union, New Mexico, Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart said. The incident happened at about 10 a.m. on Saturday at a park on Mercantil Avenue in La Union. People who had been attending a movies at the park event called to report a person walking around with a gun. There were also reports that the person had fired rounds, Stewart said. DASO and Anthony Police units responded. The subject was located and identified as Isaiah Gomez, no age given. He admitted to firing a pellet gun, which was recovered, Stewart said. No one was injured in the incident. The suspect was arrested and is facing a charge of aggravated assault when he allegedly and repeatedly kicked a deputy, Stewart said. Neither the deputy nor suspect were injured, Stewart said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
State hearings on Southern New Mexico water utility fines postponed
A photo of the drying bed at the Santa Teresa Community Arsenic Treatment Facility included in a recent inspection of the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority. (Courtesy of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency / David Esparza) Attorneys for state regulators and a Southern New Mexico water utility facing $250,000 in fines for arsenic level violations have agreed to push back hearings about the penalties. The hearings scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday will now be held sometime in the fall, according to a joint motion filed last week by attorneys for Camino Real Regional Utility Authority and the New Mexico Environment Department. The utility supplies water for more than 19,000 people in Sunland Park, Santa Teresa and southern Doña Ana County, an area with high levels of naturally-occurring arsenic in the groundwater. State regulators first issued fines of more than $251,000 in March 2024, after findings that the utility's arsenic treatment plants were 'offline and bypassed' for more than a year, sending drinking water with 'high levels of arsenic' to residents. Drinking water with high levels of arsenic is associated with diseases such as diabetes, increased risk of cancers, and can contribute to heart and lung diseases and skin problems, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Utility leadership has said in statements that they take the concerns seriously and have worked to lower arsenic levels, achieving compliance with federal standards. However, after a series of failed tests in May public officials and the state's top environment officials said they've lost confidence in the utility's leadership to address the chronic issues. In late May, the New Mexico Environment Department filed an amended complaint, claiming that the utility delayed reporting elevated arsenic levels for multiple days and failed to specifically report them to the state. 'The continuing cycle of non-compliance by Respondent which compromises the public's access to safe and reliable drinking water requires the application of a bad faith enhancement for each of the violations which are the subject of this enforcement action,' the amended complaint stated Regulators raised the total fine to $252,000. Attorneys for the utility objected to the addition of new allegations for the upcoming June hearing, and requested more time to address them. Both the utility and the environment department agreed to a calendar extending witness and discovery deadlines into August, with a final date for the new hearing to follow. The utility faces additional court dates beyond the administrative hearing later this year. A 3rd Judicial District Judge ordered parties to submit a further schedule in the civil lawsuit the state brought earlier this month against the utility, requesting the judge appoint a third party to take over the utility's operations. A hearing is scheduled for July in the civil lawsuit brought last year, which alleges the utility violated residents' civil rights. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
