Sheriff seeks safety at tree event

With a number of events happening Saturday, Otero County Sheriff Benny House and County Commission Chairman Ronnie Rardin caution people attending the emergency tree-cutting ceremony in Cloudcroft to think about safety first. The first part of the emergency tree-cutting ceremony will begin at noon at Zenith Park in Cloudcroft. U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, local officials and other guest speakers will address citizens attending the event. Commissioners have made arrangements for participants and observers to travel by bus to Sleepy Grass for the ceremonial tree cutting because of safety conditions. An observation area will be cordoned off for observers to watch. Zia Transportation will provide three buses to shuttle people to the site. One van will be provided by the Sacramento Senior Center to help transport people to the site. Rardin said the county has John Brazil's logging company providing equipment and supervision on the tree-cutting site. Cloudcroft is also hosting its annual Lumberjack Day, as well as the Mountain Top Invitational, an all-day high school volleyball tournament, at the Cloudcroft schools. Ruidoso will host its annual Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally on Saturday, as well. House said he wants the public to be aware of the increased traffic in the area on Saturday...more