Socorro Rewind

October 6, 2004

SOCORRO RESIDENTS scrambled for cover when one of the most damaging hailstorms the county has ever seen cut a swath through the city. The storm blew in around 2 p.m. and deposited hail nearly as large as baseballs, causing widespread damage in the millions throughout the city. The National Weather Service reported that Doppler radar indicated tornadic activity about six miles east of Socorro, although there were no eyewitness accounts of a tornado touching down. Police Chief Joel Haley said the storm caused property damage all over the city. 200 to 300 cars damaged. Haley said there were also damaged power lines, which caused the traffic lights to stop working along California Street. A Socorro Electric Cooperative employee said lines were down all over the county including the city. Vehicles and trees at New Mexico Tech may have absorbed the most damage. Outside of Brown Hall, there was a line of cars without glass and trees without leaves. Buildings around campus were reported to have broken windows and the entire campus was closed due to no electricity. Bullock Avenue and Franklin Street were both closed due to flooding.

October 30, 2004

A STRAY TERRIER MIX dog is barking a new tune after being rescued from a thick metal pipe in a scrap yard at New Mexico Tech, and, as a bonus, she has already been adopted into a good home. Assistant Chief of Campus Police Billy Romero said police got word of the stuck dog about 11 a.m. Tuesday. Romero said Ramon Terrazas, field supervisor of the Physical Plant, had gone to the scrap yard to look for some materials when he heard a dog barking faintly. Romero said Terrazas found the dog with her head stuck in a hole in a thick, metal pipe about 4 feet long. Romero theorized had chased a small animal into the hole and got trapped. Campus police were called but unable to extract the frightened dog. Police decided to call in reinforcements and asked Dr. Wilkinson of Animal Haven to lend his assistance. Wilkinson was able to sedate the dog and work her loose from the hole after she calmed down. The doctor said the terrier was in good shape after being rescued. The dog was taken back to the clinic and given food and water. Tiffany Baldonado adopted the dog into her family.

November 2, 2004

SOCORRO’S SCOTTY CRESPIN is the top rusher in class 3A and No. 2 overall in the state, and Erik Pallante is the No. 4 receiver in class 3A, according to the Albuquerque Journal rankings. Crespin is credited with 1,575 yards on 204 carries. Pallante, meanwhile, is in fourth place in receiving yards with 20 catches for 455 yards. Also, in 3A, Byrum Rico was listed as ninth in passing yards with 604, while Kenny Gonzales and Sam Abeyta are among the top 40 rushers and Crespin and Randy Reasner are among the top 40 receivers. Rankings are determined by data provided by the coaches.

November 13, 2004

THE REVEREND JUDY ROMERO-OAK is no stranger to helping those in need. Romero-Oak is the spiritual counselor for the Hospice program in Socorro. She is a volunteer with the program and the full-time pastor at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Socorro. She said hospice care is a “vital ministry.” Romero-Oak said she makes her available to patients in the hospice program to find out what their spiritual needs are. According to Romero-Oak, many patients are processing their lives and want to know that God has forgiven them. Romero-Oak also works with the patient’s family after the patient dies. She offers spiritual support to the grieving members of the family. November has been proclaimed as National Hospice Month.