The State of New Mexico will grant $170M of federal aid to New Mexicans for rental and utility assistance to households experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The rental assistance and utility assistance program will begin taking applications starting April 5, 2021 thru August 2021. See if you qualify at RentHelpNM.org

Crews plan to continue with the ongoing 16 Springs Prescribed Burn on the Sacramento Ranger District of the Lincoln National Forest starting as early as Tuesday, April 20, 2021, if conditions allow. The 16 Springs Prescribed Burn consists of four areas from Mayhill to Silver Springs. Firefighters will focus on a site about two miles north of Mayhill near Lantham Gap and Burnt Canyon next week.

The Smokey Bear Ranger District on the Lincoln National Forest plans to conduct a prescribed burn near Baca Campground starting Monday, April 12, 2021, as conditions allow.

The Village of Ruidoso is in the final stages of acquiring an additional 9.5 acres of adjacent land to White Mountain Recreation Complex for the purpose of adding more open space and athletic fields in alignment with a 2020 Ruidoso Village Council vote and public survey.

The New Mexico Department of Health updated the Covid-19 county map on April 7, 2021, with Lincoln County moving from green to turquoise level restrictions and the lowest risk level in the NMDOH reopening framework. For Ruidoso area businesses, a turquoise designation means fewer restrictions on commercial and day-to-day activities.

Beginning on Monday, April 5, all New Mexicans over the age of 16 will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, entering “phase 2” of the state’s vaccine distribution plan.

Work will continue on the Sewer Line Repair Project from May 3 - 8, 2021, with traffic control in the area of Gavilan Canyon Road, Meander, and Reese Drives as indicated in the included map. Please approach the area with caution and at a low rate of speed.

Work will continue on the Sewer Line Repair Project from April 8-10 in the area of Highlands Lane to Center Lane. No traffic control will be required as the manholes being serviced in that area are located out of the right-of-way. Please approach the area with caution and at a low rate of speed.

The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) Thursday announced that New Mexicans registered at vaccineNM.org are now able to self-schedule their booster doses. Users who have received the first dose - either within the vaccineNM.org system or elsewhere - can log in, choose their location, and then select from booster appointments available to them.

The New Mexico Department of Health updated the Covid-19 county map today with Lincoln County moving from yellow to green level restrictions in the ‘Red to Green’ reopening framework. At the green level, all businesses will be able to open even more fully, with increased capacity for every business category.

Beginning Tuesday, April 6, and extending through Thursday, April 8, Windstream will be laying fiber in Gavilan Canyon from Meander to 543 Gavilan Canyon. Traffic control will be taking place so please approach the area with caution and be aware of crews working.

RUIDOSO, NM - Mar. 23, 2021 —The Smokey Bear Ranger District on the Lincoln National Forest plans to conduct a prescribed burn in the South Fork Campground starting as early as tomorrow, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, as conditions allow.

On Thursday, April 1, 2021, crews from SAK Construction will be performing maintenance on sewer lines within the Village of Ruidoso. Please look for signs indicating that crews are working and approach the areas with caution. Please reference the following map for specific street and date details. *The SAK Manhole Crew will have a 2-week break from March 20-April 5, 2021.

On Thursday, March 25, crews from SAK Construction will be performing maintenance on sewer lines within the Village of Ruidoso. Please look for signs indicating that crews are working and approach the areas with caution. Please reference the following map for specific street and date details. *The SAK Manhole Crew will have a 2 week break from March 20-April 5, 2021.

On Wednesday, March 17, 2021 starting at 8am, crews will be working on a water valve at the alto water treatment plant that will interrupt the water supply to the residents on Via Aguila, Via Selva, and the Northern side of upper Gavilan adjacent to Via Selva. The work is expected to be completed by noon on Wednesday March 17, 2021 unless unexpected problems arise. Please drive with caution in area and watch for Crews working in roadway.

Some good news for book lovers, the Ruidoso Public Library will open its doors to visitors beginning Monday, March 22, 2021, but on a limited basis. Curbside service will remain in place for those who wish to continue using this service.

Beginning on March 15, 2021, crews from SAK Construction will be performing maintenance on sewer lines within the Village of Ruidoso. The work will continue through March 20, 2021. Please look for signs indicating that crews are working and approach the areas with caution. Please reference the following maps for specific street and date details.

March brings the first signs of spring to drought-stricken Southern New Mexico landscapes, including warmer temperatures, windy conditions, and the potential onset of wildfires. To prepare for the 2021 wildfire season, the Lincoln National Forest is working with partners at other forests, state and federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations on a year-round wildfire preparedness campaign. With Saint Patrick’s Day approaching, our message is: don’t depend on luck – be aware and prepared.

March 10, 2021: The New Mexico Department of Health updated the Covid-19 county map today with Lincoln County remaining on the yellow level. More counties in the state reached green and turquoise levels and only one, Guadalupe county, remains in the red level.

Beginning Friday, March 12, 2021, access to Grindstone Lake will require reservations on the weekends (Fri., Sat., Sun.) during the Spring Break holiday March 12 – March 21, 2021. Reservations can be made online at RuidosoParksandRec.com. There is no fee for the reservations. For more information contact Parks and Recreation at 575-257-5030.