RUIDOSO INSIDER

October 13, 2026, Village Council Meeting Highlights:

» Approval of a Spirits Wholesaler Liquor License #BLA-0000021268 for Still Wild NM LLC, DBA Still Wild Distillery, located at 2515 Sudderth Dr., Ruidoso, NM.

» Approval of Lodgers’ Tax Sponsorship Agreement between the Village of Ruidoso and Zia Commercial Production Services LLC for the 2027 Ruidoso Film Festival in the Amount of $100,000.00.

» Approval of Acceptance of Donation of a 2026 Zodiac Boat, 2026 Tohatsu Motor and 2027 McClain Trailer for the Fire Department from Pastor Troy Smothermon of Church on the Move, Roswell, New Mexico.

» Approval of Adoption of Resolution 2026-169, a Resolution Authorizing the Donation of a Surplus Fire Engine and Associated Firefighting Equipment to the Village of Tularosa, New Mexico.

» Approval of Agreement between the Village of Ruidoso and Southwest Contracting and Associates, LLC for Right-of-Way Thinning and Invasive Tree Removal for Paradise Canyon Road Awarded through ITB #2027-005B in the Amount of $670,930.19 Including NMGRT.

» Approval of Agreement between the Village of Ruidoso and J&H Services, Inc. for Wingfield 2 Water System Improvements Base Bid Awarded through ITB #2027-002B in the Amount of $741,452.21 Including NMGRT.

Next Council Meeting: Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 1:00 PM in Council Chambers, Village Hall

Ruidoso made history in October as host of the XTERRA 30th Anniversary World Championship, bringing athletes and families from 41 countries to the mountains of Lincoln County. Ruidoso is only the third place ever to host XTERRA Worlds, after Maui and Molveno, Italy. Racers started with a 1.5K swim in Grindstone Lake, rode 27K of rocky singletrack across Grindstone Mesa, and finished with a 10K run through village streets and forest trails to the finish line at Wingfield Park. American Sullivan Middaugh won the elite men’s title in 2:06:50. His father, former world champion Josiah Middaugh, and his brother Porter also finished in the top ten. France’s Alizée Patiès won the elite women’s crown in 2:36:19. It was the first world title for both athletes.

As temperatures drop and winter settles in, many families turn to fireplaces, wood stoves and other heating appliances to stay warm. The holiday season also brings more household waste, which raises the risk of dumpster and trash fires.

A warm, cozy fire can be one of the best parts of winter, but you must use and maintain it safely. The Ruidoso Fire Department encourages residents to take a few simple precautions to prevent fires and keep their families safe this season.

FIREPLACE SAFETY

A fireplace provides warmth and comfort when used properly. However, poorly maintained fireplaces and chimneys can create serious fire hazards.

DO:

1. Have your chimney inspected and cleaned every year. Hire a certified chimney professional. Creosote buildup can ignite and cause dangerous chimney fires.

2. Burn dry, seasoned firewood. Choose seasoned hardwood whenever possible. Wet or green wood produces more smoke and adds to creosote buildup.

3. Use a fireplace screen or glass doors. Keep a screen or properly installed glass doors in place to stop sparks and embers from escaping into the room.

4. Keep anything that can burn away from the fireplace. Furniture, curtains, rugs, decorations, Christmas trees and other combustible items should be kept at a safe distance.

5. Install and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Place alarms throughout your home, test them regularly and replace batteries as the manufacturer recommends.

6. Keep a fire extinguisher within reach. Make sure a properly rated extinguisher is nearby and that every adult in the home knows how to use it.

DON’T:

1. Don’t burn trash, wrapping paper, plastics or other household waste. These materials can release toxic smoke, flare up unexpectedly, or send burning debris out of the fireplace.

2. Don’t leave a fire unattended. Never leave a fire burning when you leave home or go to bed. Make sure it is completely out first.

3. Don’t use gasoline or other flammable liquids to start or revive a fire. Flammable liquids can ignite suddenly and cause serious burns or fast-spreading fires.

4. Don’t overload the fireplace. Adding too much wood at once creates excessive heat and increases the risk of fire escaping the fireplace or damaging the chimney.

Winter in Ruidoso brings cold temperatures and unique fire risks. These few simple precautions can help protect your home, your family and the community.

As colder weather returns to the Sacramento Mountains, the Village of Ruidoso is ready to keep roads, sidewalks, and public spaces safe this winter. The Village’s Snow and Ice Removal Plan is now in place to guide how crews respond when snow begins to fall, ensuring that residents, visitors and essential services can keep moving safely.

The plan details how Village crews, led by the Public Works Department, will respond to winter weather events. Collaborating closely with the Ruidoso Police and Fire Departments, Emergency Management and Ruidoso Area Dispatch, snow response begins as soon as winter weather affects travel conditions.

When snow is in the forecast:

1. The Village of Ruidoso Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will start coordinating VOR departments for snow and ice removal and provide updated forecasts to lead departments.

2. The Ruidoso Police Department will alert dispatch when roads become hazardous.

3. Ruidoso Area Dispatch will then notify the Public Works Department, and crews will mobilize and start clearing roads.

4. Public Information Officers will update residents through official VOR channels.

Priority Routes:

Snowplows work along priority routes to ensure critical areas are cleared first:

» Priority #1: State highways (Sudderth and Mechem), major arterial roads and emergency/Ruidoso Municipal Schools bus access routes

» Priority #2: Major arterial road extensions

» Priority #3: Residential streets and Village-owned parking areas

Crews coordinate with the New Mexico Department of Transportation for state highway maintenance and with Ruidoso Municipal Schools to support school bus operations.

Tools, Equipment and Teamwork:

The Village has dump trucks, pickups with plows and salters, graders, snow blowers, and support vehicles, with over 200 tons of salt and ice-melt materials on hand and more ready to deploy as needed. During major storms, Public Works crews may work in rotating day and night shifts to keep roads clear and safe.

Stay Informed:

During major winter storms, the Village may activate the Emergency Alert System to inform the public of emergencies or life-threatening situations.

» Follow official Village social media channels for updates.

» Allow extra travel time and avoid unnecessary driving during heavy snowfall.

» Keep vehicles off the main roads whenever possible to help plow operations.

Stay safe & stay prepared!

The Village of Ruidoso will begin the Paradise Canyon Invasive Plant and Hazard Tree Removal Project with the following objectives:

1. Improve public safety: The Village will remove or trim trees and limbs within the Paradise Canyon right-of-way that pose a hazard to motorists or threaten nearby power lines. This includes trees leaning heavily toward the roadway, trees destabilized by root systems exposed during past flooding, dead trees, limbs overhanging the pavement, and dead limbs within three feet of the roadway.

2. Remove invasive non-native vegetation: Crews will remove invasive species, including elm and tree of heaven, from the right-of-way to support ecological health and reduce long-term maintenance needs.

3. Ensure compliance with Municipal Code 42-80 (Fuels Management): Crews will remove ladder fuels and any trees that do not meet Village fire mitigation requirements, improving wildfire resilience in the area.

Traffic Management

A certified traffic management company will develop a plan to minimize delays. Signage, flaggers, and guide vehicles will be used as needed, and one lane will remain open whenever possible. In coordination with the school district, the road will remain fully open during morning and afternoon bus schedules and other peak school traffic periods. All traffic control personnel will follow required safety protocols and wear appropriate personal protective equipment. The project is expected to take 30 to 45 days, depending on weather. Updates will be posted on the Village website and social media channels.

October was a whirlwind month at the Wingfield Heritage House Museum as the museum marked its second anniversary with a full lineup of community events. The anniversary celebration featured the opening of a new exhibit, “Carmon Phillips: Capturing Mid-Century Ruidoso,” along with the presentation of a community quilt by the Ruidosew Quilters and Stitchers.

The museum also joined in the local excitement surrounding AspenFest, XTERRA, and the Trick or Treat Trail at Fort Stanton while continuing to host its signature monthly programs. Visitors enjoyed the nature-inspired artwork and butterfly collection of local watercolorist Greg Haussler, and Homeschool Fridays took a deep dive into local archaeology with special guest archaeologist Ziggy Prothro. Between community gatherings, hands-on learning, and milestone celebrations, the season proved exceptionally busy and rewarding for the museum and the community it serves.

Looking ahead, the museum invites families to a high-flying, fast-moving Transportation Family Day on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Guests of all ages can explore the history of how people get around through hands-on activity stations. Young engineers can design and build their own moving creations, from airborne flyers and zippy racers to floating vessels.

Admission to the Wingfield Heritage House Museum is always free. The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM at 2813 Sudderth Drive. Don’t miss the museum’s weekly radio segment, Moments in American History, which airs Mondays at 10:00 AM on KRUI (99.1 FM/1490 AM), right after Mondays with the Mayor.

October was a busy month in and around Midtown. The AspenFest parade brought out people of all ages from communities across Lincoln County and beyond. Afterward, many continued on to Wingfield Park to enjoy the AspenFest festival.

XTERRA weekend brought athletes and supporters from 41 countries to Ruidoso for the 2026 XTERRA World Championship. RMA co-hosted an evening of line dancing for the athletes at Win, Place & Show, and the dance floor was full of excitement! Many visitors told me how friendly and welcoming our community was. Whether they were shopping in Midtown, enjoying our restaurants, exploring our mountains or simply meeting someone along the way, they experienced what makes Ruidoso more than just a destination. Athletes came here to compete and left with something no medal could represent: new memories and friendships.

We will be hosting the RMA Business Mixer at the Still Wild Distillery tasting room in Box Car Alley on November 3, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Watch for more details on other upcoming events this holiday season.

As always, check us out on Instagram @midtown_ruidoso and online at RuidosoMidtownAssociation.com. For year-round safety, sign up for weather alerts and Village of Ruidoso notifications at CallMeRuidoso.com.

October marked a new chapter for the Ruidoso Schools as the district welcomed Michelle Ronga as the new superintendent. Ronga began her service in mid-October, joining a district supported by dedicated educators, families, and community partners. The district extends a warm welcome and looks forward to working together to support student success.

The month also offered RMSD students and families opportunities to explore new interests and celebrate culture.

Students from all school sites welcomed XTERRA representatives and learned about swimming, biking and running. Australian elite athlete Hannah-Lee Young shared her experiences and encouraged students to dream big, stay active, practice kindness, and have fun while developing new skills.

The district celebrated Bilingual Night on October 14, 2026, at Ruidoso Middle School. Bilingual student presentations, community resource booths, activities, and a potluck dinner highlighted the evening’s theme, “Celebrate Our Languages. Strengthen Our Community.” The event recognized the languages and cultural backgrounds represented in district classrooms and strengthened connections between schools and families.

Cultural celebrations will continue this fall with Native American Pageants for the 2026–2027 school year. Each school site will set its own pageant schedule. These events honor Native American students and their cultural heritage, and families are encouraged to watch for school announcements and come out to support participating students.

The Village of Ruidoso is moving forward with a lift station project near the intersection of Mechem Drive and Sudderth Drive, between Allsup’s and Lowe’s. J&H Services is expected to begin construction in November 2026.

The project includes installing two lift stations that will pump wastewater to Sudderth Drive. These improvements will relocate the sewer line away from the river, where the existing line was damaged during the 2024 and 2025 floods. Crews will also adjust the grade of the sewer line coming down from the Lowe’s area. Traffic control is expected during construction.

In early 2027, the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) plans to install an 8’ x 12’ box culvert across Mechem Drive to improve drainage from Brady Canyon. Lane closures and traffic delays are expected until that work is complete.

The Village appreciates the community’s patience and understanding as these important infrastructure improvements address sewer and drainage concerns.

The ENMU-Ruidoso Cross Country teams hosted their second annual Cross Country Meet on October 1, 2026, at Inn of the Mountain Gods in Mescalero. Four college teams competed: ENMU-Ruidoso, University of the Southwest (USW) from Hobbs, Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) from Española and New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) from Roswell.

The women opened the meet with a 5K race. Terry Kipingo of NMMI was the top individual finisher and Northern New Mexico College took the Top Women’s Team award. The top 10 finishers were:

1. Terry Kipingo, NMMI, 24:02

2. Katlyn Washburn, USW, 24:49

3. Elianna Saenz, USW, 25:06

4. Ashtyn Walter, ENMU-Ruidoso, 25:51

5. Chyenne Marrufo, ENMU-Ruidoso, 32:56

6. Taylianna Castillo, NNMC, 34:56

7. Maliyah Lee, NNMC, 39:51

8. Nadia Randall, NNMC, 40:10

9. Paulina Lopez, NNMC, 40:28

10. Tana Lopez, NNMC, 41:00

The men followed with an 8K race, and the home team delivered. ENMU-Ruidoso earned the Top Men’s Team award, and Jayvn Frank of ENMU-Ruidoso was the top individual finisher. The top 10 finishers were:

1. Jayvn Frank, ENMU-Ruidoso, 30:27

2. Simon Vasquez, ENMU-Ruidoso, 31:43

3. Michael Dominguez, USW, 31:44

4. Gavin Castillo, ENMU-Ruidoso, 33:10

5. Jack Wisdom, ENMU-Ruidoso, 33:32

6. Tristan Rodriguez, USW, 33:35

7. Chris Espino, USW, 33:46

8. Cole Hanshew, ENMU-Ruidoso, 35:10

9. Jerimy Williams, ENMU-Ruidoso, 35:46

10. Robbie Yazzie, USW, 35:59

The teams closed out the season with two more meets in Hobbs, including the New Mexico Junior College Thunderbird Open and the Regional Tournament.

It’s hard to believe fall is here! The Chamber just wrapped up a very successful AspenFest parade and festival. The winners for their float entries include:

» Best Float: Inn of the Mountain Gods

» Best Decorated Vehicle: Jesse M. Reynolds’ 1972 Chevy Chevelle wagon, “The Great Pumpkin.”

Thank you to all of our parade entries, and to the Ruidoso Police Department and Ruidoso Fire Department for their help with the parade!

It’s almost time for the Christmas Jubilee, which will take place November 13-15, 2026, at the Ruidoso Convention Center. Hosted by the Ruidoso Valley Greeters, the Jubilee is a shopping extravaganza featuring approximately 80 vendors. The Greeters are the Chamber's philanthropic arm, and all Jubilee proceeds are donated back to the community. In the 35 years since the Jubilee’s debut, the Greeters have pledged nearly half a million dollars to local charities, including the Humane Society of Lincoln County, Lincoln County Food Bank, Food 4 Kids Backpack Program, COPE, The Nest and the High Mountain Youth Project.

The Festival of Lights Parade will be Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 5:30 PM. This year’s theme is “A Holly Dolly Christmas,” and we can’t wait to see all the Dolly Parton-inspired floats! In honor of Dolly, this year’s parade marshal will be the Imagination Library, which donates books to children throughout Lincoln County.

With the help of our members, we work hard to support our community. If you are interested in joining the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce and helping support Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs, and Lincoln County, please give us a call at 575-257-7395. We want to work with you!

Stay Connected with Ruidoso

Mondays with the Mayor
Tune in to 1490Krui.com at FM 99.1 and AM 1490 radio every Monday from 8:00 – 10:00 AM to hear the latest from Mayor Lynn Crawford. Feel free to call or text with your questions.

Follow Us on Social Media
Stay up to date with all the latest news and events:

• Website: ruidoso-nm.gov

• Facebook: Village of Ruidoso

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