This holiday season, the Ruidoso Police Department reminds everyone to celebrate safely with a few simple tips: keep your home well-lit, avoid posting gifts on social media, ask a neighbor to watch your home if traveling, and never drink and drive. For assistance, call RPD’s non-emergency number at 575-258-7365. Let’s work together to ensure a joyful, safe, and secure holiday season for all!

The Village of Ruidoso recently sent a required notice about galvanized and unknown water pipes to comply with federal and state regulations. This does not mean the drinking water is unsafe or lead has been detected. Annual testing confirms Ruidoso’s water meets EPA safety standards, with no lead found. For questions, contact the Water Production Department at 575-257-5525 or review the latest Consumer Confidence Report online.

The Village of Ruidoso's ICIP outlines 10 key capital projects, with 5 priorities for the upcoming legislative session. These include workforce housing, bridge replacements, street and drainage improvements, sewer line rehab and extensions, water line upgrades, Upper Canyon renovations, tree removal, watershed improvements, damage repairs, and Rio Ruidoso restoration. The projects aim to enhance infrastructure, safety, and sustainability.

From October 9-12, residents affected by the recent fires and floods can receive expert advice at the Village of Ruidoso Community Center. FEMA specialists will provide guidance on repairs, rebuilding, and flood insurance. Don’t miss this opportunity to get valuable support and resources for your recovery efforts.

Free legal assistance is available to residents of southern New Mexico impacted by the South Fork and Salt Fires and flooding from June 17 to Aug. 20, 2024. Funded by FEMA and provided by the ABA's Young Lawyers Division, Disaster Legal Services (DLS) helps with issues like insurance claims, home repair fraud, and FEMA appeals. DLS services are confidential and free for those in eligible counties.

Join the Village of Ruidoso and FEMA for a Federal Contract Registration Workshop and 1:1 assistance sessions for short-term rental owners and local contractors impacted by the South Fork and Salt Fires. Learn how to register on sam.gov for federal contracts, including FEMA’s Direct Lease program. Sessions will be held at ENMU-Ruidoso on September 10-12, 2024.

Join us for a Recovery Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, August 28, at 7:00 P.M. at Ruidoso Middle School, 124 Warrior Dr, Ruidoso, NM. This event, featuring representatives from the Village of Ruidoso, FEMA, SBA, and the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security, will provide information on assistance available for those affected by the South Fork Fire, Salt Fire, or flooding. A virtual option via Zoom is available. Details available via QR code.

Join the "Cabinet In Your Community" event in Ruidoso on September 21, 2024, at ENMU Ruidoso. This event offers a State Services Expo from 11 AM to 4 PM, providing enrollment assistance for Medicaid, childcare, and more. A Community Town Hall from 1 PM to 4 PM will feature discussions with Cabinet Secretaries on local issues. Don't miss this chance to engage with state officials and access essential resources.

Residents affected by the South Fork and Salt Fires and flooding in New Mexico can receive FEMA assistance for damaged private wells and septic systems. FEMA has extended workshops on home repairs through Aug. 24 at Village Ace Hardware in Ruidoso. Over $5.6 million in assistance and $8.72 million in SBA loans have been approved. The deadline to apply for FEMA aid is now Oct. 19, 2024.

FEMA has extended the deadline to apply for disaster assistance related to the South Fork and Salt Fires and flooding to October 19. Workshops in Ruidoso providing home repair tips have been extended through August 24. To date, FEMA has approved over $5.59 million in assistance, and the SBA has approved more than $8.65 million in disaster loans. Visit DisasterAssistance.gov for more details.

Following the South Fork and Salt Fires, FEMA advises New Mexicans to beware of scammers posing as disaster relief workers. Genuine FEMA staff will not charge fees, ask for confidential information, or claim to have a "seal of approval" for contractors. Always verify identification and report suspicious activities to the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

The Village of Ruidoso invites residents to a Town Hall meeting on August 6, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 313 Cree Meadows Drive to gather public input for the FY 2026-2030 Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP). Attend to help prioritize and update the Village’s capital projects over the next five years. Your participation is crucial!

Investigators confirm lightning caused the South Fork Fire near Ruidoso, now 87% contained after consuming 17,569 acres. Meanwhile, the cause of the nearby Salt Fire remains under FBI investigation, with a $10,000 reward for information leading to those responsible. Stay informed with @BIA.Mescalero.Forestry.Fire.

The IRS and New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department offer extended filing deadlines and payment relief for individuals and businesses affected by recent wildfires and flooding in southern New Mexico. Eligible taxpayers in designated disaster areas have until November 1, 2024, to file federal returns and until July 25, 2024, for state returns. Visit IRS.gov and tax.newmexico.gov for details.

In a significant development for the Ruidoso community, the Ruidoso Midtown Association has been granted $265,000 in funding for a crucial pedestrian and parking lot improvement project. This financial boost comes as part of the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) and New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS) initiative, which recently allocated $10 million in Capital Outlay Funding for public infrastructure projects in MainStreet districts across the state.

New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions' (NMDWS) advises employers and workers that New Mexico's minimum wage is increasing, effective Sunday, January 1, 2023. This increase is in accordance with an amendment to the New Mexico Minimum Wage Act. Access the guidelines here.