The Las Cruces Bulletin

07/26/2026

LCPD to Host Town Hall Meeting with City Councilors, Mayor

The Las Cruces Police Department is hosting a Town Hall meeting on July 29 featuring interactive sessions with Mayor Eric Enriquez and all six City Councilors.

The Town Hall meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in three conference rooms on the second floor, north wing, of City Hall, 700 N. Main St. The meeting is anticipated to last about two hours.

Parking is available on the west side of City Hall and in the parking garage on the east side, accessible from Campo Street.

Residents and members of the business community will be encouraged to sit at the table of their council district and participate in an interactive small-group discussion on matters of public safety. Chief Jeremy Story, LCPD deputy chiefs, and other police department staff will also be available to help answer questions and hear ideas from participants.

“These town hall meetings are important for our city and for us as a department,” said Chief Jeremy Story. “We grow and become better as a community when we come together, share concerns and ideas, and learn from each other.”

Chief Story will open the town hall meeting with news and a brief overview of year-to-date crime statistics. Attendees will be encouraged to select one of the seven breakout sessions – likely their council district or the city-wide table – and participate in an open, respectful dialogue with other participants.

City Council:
District 1: Cassie McClure
District 2: Bill Mattiace
District 3: Michael Harris
District 4: Johana Bencomo
District 5: Becky Corran
District 6: John Muñoz
Mayor: Eric Enriquez

The meeting will not be televised or livestreamed. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early

07/24/2026

County to host public blood drive honoring first responders

Doña Ana County is inviting residents to donate blood during the upcoming "Be the Backup" Blood Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, July 31, in the Government Center lobby, 845 N. Motel Blvd. in Las Cruces.

The community blood drive honors the men and women who serve their communities every day, remembers those who have lost their lives in the line of duty and supports those who continue answering the call.

Vitalant currently has an urgent need for Type O blood, though donations of all blood types are encouraged. A single blood donation can help save multiple lives and ensure hospitals have blood available when patients need it most.

Walk-ins are welcome. Appointments are available every 15 minutes.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit https://donors.vitalant.org/dwp/portal/dwa/appointment/guest/phl/timeSlotsExtr?token=2VLBPD%2FBMyHsshG%2Fh%2FjAO44oTaNFULyznkwD%2BTtIIFk%3D&fbclid=IwY2xjawTPJ6JleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFhZUtpck85Y0dRRXJNajZDc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhohzSnTsecwT0hvrpm0LNLCZNHqnMGOkOmUCn-2wCch7pN7-5RjKaxMXnPD_aem_3YL_bYxe59XLsInI_VH2uA

Medical Web Portal

07/19/2026

From the Las Cruces Police Department:

Be Aware of Rental Scams

Those hunting for an apartment or rental house are being warned of potentially deceitful practices that can scam victims out of hundreds – or thousands – of dollars.

In one report taken by Las Cruces police, a woman indicated she found a listing for a rental on a popular real estate website and began communicating with the person she thought was the landlord. The person sent a rental application that was signed by the woman, and the woman electronically transferred a deposit and first month’s rent via Apple Pay.

The woman became suspicious when she was asked for a key deposit and administrative fee from a separate individual. The woman reported losing about $1,800 during the scam.

In years past, the Las Cruces Police Department has received reports of similar rental scams from other victims who have found properties on web or social media sites. Police believe, in some cases, the listings themselves are fraudulently posted on legitimate sites by the perpetrators.

It appears the perpetrators are creating online advertisements for rental properties using actual photos of local homes and apartments. The photos and rental property descriptions were likely obtained from legitimate real estate listings. The only way to contact the ad creator was by cell, text or other electronic messages.

Unfortunately, only after transferring funds electronically, do victims learn that they have been scammed. Perpetrators of such scams commonly ask to be paid electronically because those transactions are difficult, if not impossible, to track.

Las Cruces police strongly encourage prospective renters to use caution, and exercise due diligence, prior to entering into any financial agreement to rent or lease property. Other tips include:
• Avoid engaging in a deal, or money transfer, when the only means of communication is conducted by phone or electronically
• Meet with the real estate agent, in person, at his or her office before signing any contracts and exchanging any money
• If possible, conduct a walk-through of the rental property with the landlord or real estate agent
• Review rental agreements thoroughly prior to signing a contract or transferring funds
• Be wary if the property owner claims to be traveling, lives out-of-state or is otherwise unable to meet in person – that’s likely an indication the rental listing is phony and an attempted scam
• Consider using the services of a licensed real estate agent who has a local office
Anyone who has been a victim of such a scam is encouraged to contact police immediately. In Las Cruces and Dona Ana County, victims can file a report by calling (575) 526-0795

07/18/2026

From our newly released Explore Southern New Mexico magazine, this story on the Fountain Theatre. For more than 120 years, the Fountain Theatre has survived because it has never stopped doing the same thing: bringing people together.

Editor’s Note: The information for this story comes from a number of sources provided by the Mesilla Valley Film Society which currently operates the Fountain Theatre. There were no multiplexes nor talking pictures, and it was...

07/16/2026

Each version of Shabazz has been chasing the next finish line, not because reaching it means he's arrived. Loved hearing and now sharing part of his story. Almost inevitably, another one is already waiting. Here is his story including how to follow him as he competes a USATF Nationals this week.
https://www.lascrucesbulletin.com/stories/chasing-the-next-finish-line,176052

07/16/2026

Las Cruces Utilities Warns About Possible Scam Detected Regarding Water Quality

Las Cruces Utilities has received several phone calls regarding a flyer or door hanger asking residents to complete and submit a form about their water quality.
Please be aware: Las Cruces Utilities and Water staff did not create, distribute, or authorize these notices.
We encourage residents to treat these flyers or door hangers as a scam. The intent may be to collect personal information about homeowners or details about private water systems.
If you receive one of these notices:
• Do not complete or submit the form
• Dispose of the flyer
• If you have questions or concerns, contact Las Cruces Utilities Customer Service directly at (575) 541-2111.
Please help protect our community by sharing this information with your friends, family, and neighbors.

07/16/2026

"When I hang up this badge," Jeremy Story said, "I will feel a sense of accomplishment knowing that I poured my heart and soul into this position, this department and our city. I have to recognize that it's by God's providence and His goodwill that I serve as chief at all." Chief Story was honored as the state's Freedom 250 Hometown Hero.

By the time Jeremy Story ever reached the podium, three people had already spent nearly 20 minutes explaining why he deserved to be there. Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez spoke first. He called the Las Cruces police chief a leader whose impact...

07/09/2026

Joseph Vasquez is very unusual in the world of professional bodybuilding: He won his very first competition, taking first place in all three events.

Joseph Vasquez is very unusual in the world of professional bodybuilding: He won his very first competition, taking first place in all three events. The 30-year-old Las Cruces native won the debut and novice events and was the overall open winner...

07/09/2026

Pulled this from the print edition for space, but here is my Speaking Kurtly column for this week - keep politicians out of my toy store.

It might just be me, but politics and sports rarely mix well. Sports are the toy store of life. Government is supposed to deal with the real world, where decisions affect livelihoods, national security and, sometimes, lives themselves. Yet here...

07/09/2026

El Caldito Soup Kitchen Potters' Guild of Las Cruces

The woman hadn't come looking for lunch. She came looking for somewhere to belong. She and her husband had chosen Las Cruces for the next chapter of their lives, relocating from South Carolina with plans to settle into retirement. But before they...