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Welcome to Desert Journal Online, established in May 2001 in New Mexico. Our website offers our true crime book, Satan's Den Exposed - The David Parker Ray Story, and poetry and photo collections, Bombshell Liberation and Interference, and provides free access to our featured columns, photos and news archives.

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Last modified: October 1, 2008

Headline News From Dec. 28, 2001 Issue

News Flash - Desert Journal runs out
at major outlets; publishers restock

The Desert Journal has been restocked at several retail outlets in Truth or Consequences and Williamsburg after someone reportedly bought out all of the copies of the weekly newspaper that were distributed earlier today (Friday, Dec. 28).

JPO arrested on DWI charge

State police filed a criminal complaint Wednesday in the Sierra County Magistrate Court against a juvenile probation officer on charges of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs and careless driving.

Proposed changes to T or C’s
utilities codes could cost you

Truth or Consequences city commissioners at their regular meeting Wednesday approved an ordinance intended to encourage economic expansion in T or C by reducing utilities rates to businesses that create and maintain at least 10 new, fulltime positions.

SCEDO on the move

This holiday season is as extraordinary as ever in Sierra County. Every year our community looks like Christmas headquarters, USA.

Editor’s spin on the spin

Lane Pack in his column this week, “SCEDO on the move,” fails to define “non-contributing” citizens...

Christmas Eve in Truth or Consequences was spectacular with nighttime displays such as the one at Bobby and Maggie Allen's residence on Charles Avenue a few blocks south of downtown. Here the big guy waves to all of his fans.
Photo by Bill Johnson

News Flash - Desert Journal runs out
at major outlets; publishers restock

By Bill Johnson
Editor & Co-Publisher

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, NM - DEC. 28, 2001 -- The Desert Journal has been restocked at several retail outlets in Truth or Consequences and Williamsburg after someone reportedly bought out all of the copies of the weekly newspaper that were distributed earlier today.

The Desert Journal office started to get complaints after 5 o'clock this evening when workers on their way home couldn't find their favorite newspaper on the newsstand.

One store clerk reported tonight that the purchaser of the store's entire stock of Desert Journals told her that she (the buyer) didn't want "The Story" to get out, indicating that the buyout was to prevent dissemination of today's news.

The Desert Journal had sold out at all four Fast Stop stores in Truth or Consequences and Williamsburg, and the Circle K convenience store and Bullock's Grocery in T or C. Circle K reported that one customer bought out the remaining 73 copies there.

However, by 8 p.m. all of these stores were restocked with the Desert Journal for the convenience of our regular customers, but not at the initial distribution levels.

We called our printers to see if they would reprint several hundred copies to replenish the lost (purchased for destruction) stock but we were told we would have to wait until Monday morning because everyone was going home for the night and wouldn't be back until then. We decided Monday would be too late and impractical because it falls on New Year's Eve and we already know our printers will be too busy to consider a reprint job then.

While this act provides the Desert Journal a windfall in sales, it greatly obstructs access or creates an inconvenience for our regular customers who depend on us for service. Customers who can't find the Desert Journal in one outlet might try their luck at another. We also asked several of the stores to temporarily limit sales to two copies per customer because of the shortage in the stock of today's issue.

Desert Journal Outlets

* Hatch - B&M Mini Mart/Exxon.

* Arrey - Baquera's Store.

* Caballo - Caballo View Cafe & Store, Lil' Abners, Lake View RV Park.

* Hillsboro - Hillsboro Store & Garage.

* Williamsburg - Fast Stop, Chevron, Cafe Rio, Onda Conoco.

* Truth or Consequences - La Pinata Mexican Restaurant (closed through the New Year), Hacienda Mexican Restaurant, Fast Stop Texaco (Broadway), Andy's Bar, Bullock's Grocery, Davis Fleck Drug, Pixie's discount store, Smith's Office Supply, Hot Springs Bakery, Black Cat Books, El Cortez Theater, Country Store, T-R-C Big-A-Burger, Stoplight Cafe, Sam's Hillsboro Barbecue, Butte Conoco, Fast Stop (Third & Ash streets), Hilltop Cafe, IGA Food Basket, Subway, Teston's Freeway Chevron, McDonald's, Fast Stop (North Date), Circle K, Chili Bowl Lanes, Sierra Vista Hospital.

* Elephant Butte - Hodges Restaurant, Earl's Shamrock, Pat's Bermuda, Quality Inn.

Or, for those who prefer, they can read a copy for free at the Truth or Consequences Public Library.

<<< >>>

JPO arrested on drunk driving charge

Desert Journal Staff Report

The charges stem from a traffic accident that occurred early Sunday morning near the Fast Stop convenience store at East Third Avenue and Ash Street in T or C.

State police officer Alfredo Aguirre investigated the two-vehicle collision involving a 2000 Mitsubishi driven by JPO Jason Garcia, 28, of 607 Oak St. in Truth or Consequences, and a GMC pickup truck.

According to officer Aguirre’s statement of probable cause, a motorist later identified as Garcia flagged down the state police officer while Aguirre was patrolling State Road 51 (East Third). Aguirre said he noticed that the GMC was parked behind Garcia’s Mitsubishi on the shoulder of the roadway, both facing west near the intersection of Ash Street.

“Mr. Garcia advised me that he had been involved in an accident with the other vehicle,” Aguirre said in the probable cause statement.

Garcia was traveling west on Third when he observed a vehicle on the westbound lane with no turn signals, brake lights or running lights illuminated, according to the officer’s statement.

“Mr. Garcia advised me that he was traveling between 40 and 45 miles per hour prior to applying the brakes to avoid a collision with the other vehicle,” Aguirre said in the probable cause statement. “Mr. Garcia steered to the left and did make contact with the other vehicle.”

Officer Aguirre said in his statement that he learned from the other driver, Raymund Garcia, that he had attempted to make a right turn onto Ash Street when Jason Garcia rear-ended his pickup.

“As I spoke with Mr. (Jason) Garcia, I noticed that Mr. Garcia was slurred in his speech, noticed that he had bloodshot watery eyes, and noticed a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his person,” Aguirre’s statement said. “Mr. Garcia stated that he had drank two or three beers.”

While performing field sobriety tests, Garcia “lacked smooth pursuit in both eyes” during an eye test and “put his foot down at the number 9” during the one-leg stand and “used his arms for balance and did not pivot correctly” as instructed for the nine step walk and turn test, according to officer Aguirre’s statement.

Further investigation revealed that the skids leading to the point of impact indicated that Garcia was traveling at a high rate of speed, according to the statement.

After completing the field sobriety tests, Aguirre arrested Garcia on the charges. Aguirre then took Garcia to the T or C Police Department to do a breath test upon Garcia’s consent. The breath results were .14 and .15 – almost twice the legal limit of .08 BAC.

Magistrate Thomas Pestak set bond at $1,000 and bail was posted within two hours of the booking at the Sierra County Detention Facility, according to a reliable confidential source speaking only on conditions of anonymity.

<<< >>>

Proposed changes to T or C’s

utilities codes could cost you

By Fred Mramor of the Desert Journal

Under the ordinance proposed by Mayor Pro-tem Nadyne Gardner, qualifying employers will pay 5.2 cents per kilowatt hour for city electricity, $1.79 per 1,000 gallons of water after 3,000 gallons usage, $1.08 per 1,000 gallons metered water use for city sewer and solid waste removal rates ranging from $16.21 per month to $145.90 per month. The discount rates will apply for a period of 18 months.

Commissioners during Wednesday’s meeting also discussed proposed changes to the city’s existing utilities ordinances, but as they were inadequately informed and unprepared to approve the amendments for publication, commissioners moved to study the numerous proposals in an upcoming workshop before taking further action. The proposed amendments to the city’s utilities codes include:

· Adding a provision to charge a $25 returned check fee.

· Adding a provision to charge $25 after issuing a red tag (notice to discontinue service due to nonpayment).

· Charging double for after-hours service.

· Making changes in current classification system for collection fees to fairly and accurately reflect collection costs.

· Correcting a typo in Subsection 14-79-C to read: Users within the City limits not using city water - From all persons, not otherwise provided for in this section, deriving their domestic or commercial water supply from a privately owned source or well not supplied by the City, the monthly service charge shall be $15.27.

· Adding a provision to establish a $50 minimum deposit for utilities services.

· Eliminating Section 14-41 and Subsection 11-10-b, in which it is stated no charges will be imposed unless services are actually rendered.

· Changing Subparagraph 14-45-a-8 to read: Automatic rate increases - At any time that there is an increase in the wholesale rate for electricity which is charged to the City, such wholesale rate increases may be automatically passed on to the customer on a pro rata basis except in the instance of written contracts for lighting (bold copy new).

· Changing Subsection 14-45-e-1 to read: Applicability. The RV park service rate is available to RV parks that have individual City-owned meters for each RV space and that provide facilities for transient RVs. This rate does not include RV parks that are master-metered as they fall under the appropriate commercial service rate. Service will be furnished in accordance with the City’s rules and regulations and any subsequent revisions.

· Correcting a typo in Subparagraph 14-44-c-1 to read: watering is prohibited between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

· Adding a provision to fine people caught stealing city utilities $200 for the first offense and $400 for the second offense.

· Adding a provision prohibiting parking in front of and/or blocking city dumpsters. Violators will be fined $50.

· Rewriting Section 14-51 to read: if any service rate or charge for any of the services provided under Chapter 11 and Chapter 14 of the Municipal City Code is not paid within 45 days after such charge is due, the City shall charge an additional one percent late penalty per month on all such past due amounts.

· Adding a provision to allow “Pro Rating of Final and First Billings for all Utility Services.”

· Adding a provision to charge a $19.09 connection fee for installing or turning on electric or water meters.

· Removing Paragraph 14-35-e regarding the reserves set aside in the Joint Utility Fund.

<<< >>>

SCEDO on the move

By Lane Pack

This holiday season is as extraordinary as ever in Sierra County. Every year our community looks like Christmas headquarters, USA.

The energy created by business and private holiday decorators, the generosity in the giving we share with those less fortunate, and the loving treatment we have for each other, all combine to make the true spirit of our community.

If I could have any Christmas wish, it would be that we as a community would make a decision to choose Sierra County first in 2002 and do everything in our control to make positive changes.

Each one of us has a vision of our community. To achieve those visions we need to make a commitment, put our foot down and say, “This is the year ! I deserve a healthy future and I am going to do whatever it takes to make it happen.” Some strong words huh?

Words are not enough however. Action is needed on all our parts. What that means is changing behaviors, staying positive and making choices that affect all of us.

Shopping is a great example. I mention it weekly in this column because I believe that local people affect local economics.

The kind of support we show for each other is another example. We publicly ridicule each other in letters to the editor. Almost weekly I read about people bashing other people and other organizations.

Almost always, these letters come from non-contributing citizens who feel as if it is a personal responsibility to keep anger and bad feelings alive.

To an outsider reading this junk it would seem that the pulse of our community is motivating anger. If you don't believe me, read the Letters to the Editor section in any other newspaper in the country.

You will see in other communities that they are focused on the goings on in a community and not a personal forum to display anger with one another.

There are so many ways in which we as residents can make a difference with the choices we make on a daily basis. Let's choose to effect change in a loving and well thought out manner. Think in the terms of “It's only good for me if it's good for everyone."

God bless our community.

About the author: Lane Pack is the administrator of the Sierra County Economic Development Organization (SCEDO).

<<< >>>

Editor’s spin on the spin

By Bill Johnson of the Desert Journal

Lane Pack in his column this week, “SCEDO on the move,” fails to define “non-contributing” citizens (are they the apathetic beer drinkers in front of the boob tube for Monday night football?), as opposed to “non-contributing” bureaucrats (you know, the big bosses who get paid the big bucks usually to do nothing at all except make big noise - i.e., static, as if to thwart, or drown out, the great democratic process in motion to recall three city commissioners for good reasons AT THIS TIME and not at the expediency of the elite who try to control everything that goes on around here).

Pack complains about local letters to the editor and all the bitching everyone is doing and how he thinks they shouldn’t be allowed a voice as is other newspapers’ practice elsewhere.

We at the Desert Journal figure restraint means censorship, and those community newspapers that don’t give a voice to local complaints are really boring and not worth reading. All they do is pat each other on the butt, and who reads that crap? Lane Pack?

Absolutely not, he’s obviously reading the complaints and bickering that annoy him enough to write about it in his column this week, and most weeks.

We need leaders who speak with authority, not whining little voices trying to scream five octaves above all of the noise pollution.

By the way, I’m half deaf and hear only one voice at a time in my good ear; otherwise I hear nothing but static. How about you guys?

<<< >>>

Christmas lights stream off this house in northwest Truth or Consequences on Christmas Eve. Numerous displays in town had patriotic themes this year to commemorate America's response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Photo by Bill Johnson