Columns | Las Cruces Bulletin

For 13 years, former editor and publisher Richard Coltharp devoted space in each Bulletin before Christmas to reprinting Clement Clarke Moore’s classic Christmas poem, “A Visit from St. … more

By Algernon D'Ammassa | 12/21/23

Aimless U.S. House denies downwinders

Last summer I wrote a column praising the United States Senate for finally passing a bill to compensate those in southern New Mexico who suffered illness and death following exposure to the … more

By Walt Rubel | 12/14/23

The joy of their spirits remain with us

My Thursday started with this comment: “There is more time behind us than in front of us.” Around noonday, a friend quoted a favorite movie, “The Shawshank Redemption”: … more

By Richard Coltharp | 12/14/23

Mail theft alert

A group of 3 identity theft thieves are stealing mail from mailboxes. They rent storage lockers around Las Cruces. Then the mail is opened and savings, checking, and retirement account numbers are … more

5/30/23

Casa for a Cause reflects its community

The Las Cruces Home Builders Association’s Casa for a Cause program, formerly known as the Anniversary House, is the perfect microcosm for all that is right with our community. If … more

By Richard Coltharp | 11/2/23

For this writer, the last word is gratitude

I’ve always been good at endings, and this is a really big one for me. Friday, Nov. 10, is my last day with the Las Cruces Bulletin. I started part-time about eight and one-half years … more

By Mike Cook | 11/10/23

Grads: Move slow and fix things

My unsolicited advice for this year’s graduates is simple: Move slow and fix things. In 2014, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg coined the phrase, “move fast and break things” … more

By Walt Rubel | 5/11/23

What was your best work trip?

Back in the 1990s, I was fortunate enough to be assigned not one, but two weeklong business trips to Hawaii. And another to Lake Tahoe. There was plenty of work to do, but time for activities … more

By Richard Coltharp | 5/11/23

Compensate those harmed by atomic blast

The movie “Oppenheimer” draws attention to the events at Trinity Site in New Mexico on July 16, 1945, and in the days leading up to the detonation of the world’s first atomic bomb. … more

By Walt Rubel | 8/3/23

The rankings of O Fair New Mexico

I’ve always viewed polls and rankings with a bit of skepticism. You have to consider who’s setting up the polls, who’s paying for it, how the questions were asked, what’s the … more

By Richard Coltharp | 8/3/23

Small Business Saturday: Catalyst for community growth

As the Board Chair of Downtown Las Cruces Partnership, a proud participant in both the New Mexico MainStreet and Main Street America programs, I cannot emphasize enough the crucial role Small … more

John Muñoz, Downtown Las Cruces Partnership | 11/21/23

Worst Muppet Show episode ever

For those who remember the Muppet Show on television, one of the joys was seeing celebrity guest stars surrounded by muppet characters, usually in a typhoon of comic mayhem. Today, the Muppet Show is … more

By Algernon D'Ammassa | 2/9/24

How the doctor of golf actually plays golf

As I approach my 900th golf column for the Bulletin I thought I’d share some personal ideas, senses and thoughts about how I play my own golf game. First of all, I don’t play … more

By Charlie Blanchard, Golf Doctor | 11/21/23

State, feds to lock horns on waste site

The United States government has a nuclear waste storage problem, and sees its solution in southeast New Mexico. Earlier this month, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the application by … more

By Walt Rubel | 5/19/23

What’s the real state aroma?

Now that New Mexico has an official state aroma, I’m already having second thoughts about its accuracy. The state legislature passed the measure in its 2023 session naming the smell of … more

By Richard Coltharp | 5/19/23

Wrong way to do the right thing

Three years of absolute power under an emergency order issued during the Covid-19 pandemic have apparently convinced Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham that democracy is overrated. Last week the … more

By Walt Rubel | 9/12/23

Ban distracts from possible solutions

We’re all familiar with the saying “desperate times call for desperate measures.” That’s apparently the motivation for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s suspension of … more

By Richard Coltharp | 9/12/23

Suicide: We can increase our awareness

When you hear the painful words, everything else you’ve heard, seen or done in the recent past feels pointless and trivial in comparison: A loved one committed suicide. It doesn’t … more

By Richard Coltharp | 9/19/23

The Value of Opinion Pages

My childhood was unusual in that I spent a great deal of time around a diverse crew of adults, many of whom were argumentative. My parents entertained large gatherings of friends at least twice … more

Desert Sage | 12/29/23

The joy of their spirits remain with us

My Thursday started with this comment: “There is more time behind us than in front of us.” more

By Richard Coltharp | 12/12/23