Socorro Rewind

JULY 25, 1974

SIMON DOITCHINOFF, Captain, New Mexico State Police, Socorro, New Mexico, has recently received an invitation to attend a National Academy Refresher Course offered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation at Quantico, Virginia. Captain Doitchinoff is a graduate from the 71st Session of the FBI National Academy. The Quantico refresher is to acquaint high ranking law enforcement officers with the latest techniques and methods pertaining to law enforcement.

JULY 30, 1974

IT IS A RARE and special time for parish members when a native of their own church is installed as archbishop of the diocese. Such was a happy situation July25 for parishioners of Socorro’s San Miguel. Two busloads of them, plus many who took their own cars, traveled to UNM’s 15,000 seat Sports Arena to participate in the installation of Father Robert Sanchez as the first native New Mexican to be named archbishop of this diocese. In accordance with tradition, and as an expression of their own feelings, the members of San Miguel and Father Laurier Labreche took with them gifts for the new elevated priest. Sisters John Edward and Theresa Martin fashioned a handsome banner for the occasion. After the ceremony it will return to Socorro for display in San Miguel. In addition, the parish will present another gift kept almost starkly simple at the archbishop’s request. Father Sanchez, who has described himself as “a very simple person,” will receive a shepherd’s crook, ancient symbol of the pastoral function.

JULY 21, 1999

RACING TO BEAT a red light left three young men in a bind Thursday night. A white Ford car headed south on California Street and drove through the intersection of California and Otero Streets as the signal light turned red. However, the road wasn’t clear. The car swerved to avoid hitting another vehicle and in doing so jumped the curb and crashed into the corner of the Socorro Mental Health office, according to Sheriff Felix Saavedra. The driver of the vehicle did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol, but the incident is still under investigation. Saavedra said there were some injuries but did not know how serious.

JULY 28, 1999

AS A WAY of getting a better handle on the garbage in town the City of Socorro recently purchased a new garbage truck which is capable of a 25-yard capacity as opposed of the one the city has been relying on which has a 20-yard capacity. The new model will soon be seen rolling down the streets in residential areas and the other one will be rehabilitated. The city now owns three sanitation transportation trucks. One will mainly be used for commercial use, one for residential use and the other as a standby vehicle. Utilities Director Jay Santillanes said the trucks will each be taken in for maintenance regularly and traded out to ensure the city always has a truck available in good condition. The new truck will be a big improvement in the garbage pick-up system.

JULY 31, 2014

A SOCORRO COUNTY FFA teenager got the opportunity to experience firsthand the many aspects of ranching and the final goal of producing quality beef. Socorro High School sophomore Brianna Lara, of San Acacia, attended the New Mexico Youth Ranch Management Camp at the Valles Caldera National Preserve. She was one of 28 teens from across the state to attend the camp, and the only one from Socorro County. During the week-long camp, Brianna and the other participants were challenged 12 hours a day with a college-level curriculum of hands-on activities and lectures.