Alex Ross

Roswell residents and police clashed over automatic license plate readers used to help issue traffic tickets and support investigations. At a tense city council meeting, officials heard concerns about surveillance and privacy, while police defended the cameras as public safety tools with safeguards. Supporters cited their role in solving a murder case.

The Roswell City Council unanimously approved Riley Armstrong to fill the Ward 2 seat vacated by Will Cavin, who is leaving to join the Chaves County Board of Commissioners. Armstrong, a local associate broker and longtime civic volunteer, will be sworn in Monday and serve the remainder of Cavin’s term through December 2027.

The full council is expected to hear public comment and then vote on a resolution Monday that would place a 0.25% local-option gross receipts tax for economic development on the ballot in the Nov. 3 General Election. The meeting will take place at Roswell City Hall, 425 N. Richardson Ave., following an Infrastructure Committee meeting scheduled for 2 p.m. 

New World screwworm is a species of parasitic fly that can cause infection and often deadly damage to livestock, pets, birds and occasionally humans, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In all, 29 individuals were identified and arrested for retail theft and related criminal activity as part of the operation and $6,184 in stolen merchandise was recovered, according to a news release issued Monday by the city. 

The council is then expected to vote on the recommendation, with Armstrong needing majority approval to complete Cavin’s term. He would need to run in November 2027 for a full term to remain on the council. 

Three years ago, Hicks was able to use that passion for public service when he became a trooper and second lieutenant with the New Mexico Mounted Patrol. The Mounted Patrol is an independent agency composed of volunteers who can be called to assist other local and state law enforcement agencies. 

People at the meeting will be permitted to provide public comment on a proposal to put a countywide 0.125% local option gross receipts tax for economic development on the ballot in the Nov. 3 general election. 

Roswell City Councilor Will Cavin is stepping down from the Ward 2 seat, effective Aug. 14. 

Roswell state representative-elect Stephen Dodson and the Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corporation will host a free Aug. 10 forum on data center controversies and misconceptions. The presentation, featuring policy consultant Matthew Gonzalez, aims to address economic development and resource concerns as major projects like the $6 billion Zenith Volts facility near Lake Arthur and Project Jupiter draw scrutiny.

Chaves County hosted its annual Health Expo Saturday at the Roswell Mall, bringing together Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell, first responders and local health providers for workshops, demonstrations and displays on health topics. The event featured about 120 exhibits, including CPR training, kidney health information and suicide prevention resources.

Orlando Adam Guilez III, 17, of Roswell, is charged with first-degree murder, willful and deliberate.