The Moriarty Public Health Office has exhausted its first supply of seasonal flu vaccine, according to Pat Lincoln, executive director of the Torrance County Project Office.

It is not known when more doses will arrive, Lincoln said. He suggested that residents make other arrangements to be vaccinated.

Lincoln also encouraged parents who have children with flu-like symptoms, especially fever, to take them to the emergency room. Drive-through vaccinations in Torrance County are still scheduled to go on, including an Oct. 30 clinic in Estancia, and Nov. 6 in Mountainair. Both clinics will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Mrs. Moriarty Applicants Sought

The search for 2010 Mrs. Moriarty is on. Once selected, the winner will advance on to represent her community in the 2010 Mrs. New Mexico Pageant to be held on June 19, 2010 at the Albuquerque Journal Theatre located in the Roy E. Disney Center for Performing Arts.

Local titleholders will compete to win a prize package valued at over $8,000, including an all-expenses-paid trip to the national Mrs. America Pageant. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, married at the time of competition and a New Mexico resident, no performing talent required. To request the official application or for information, call Sheree Channel, New Mexico's state director, at 877-631-4447 or visit www.mrsnewmexicoamerica.com.

Investigator To Run for Sheriff

Ike Ensey, senior criminal investigator for the 7th Judicial District attorney, has announced his candidacy for Torrance County sheriff.

Ensey is a Republican.

His experience in law enforcement began in criminal corrections. He graduated as the top student cadet from the State Corrections Academy. He served as lieutenant, supervising up to 50 corrections officers per shift at the Torrance County Detention Center, a 1,000-bed lockup that held county, state and federal convicts.

Ensey graduated from the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy and began his law enforcement career with the Torrance County Sheriff's Department in 1999. He served two years as a deputy and four years as a sergeant. In 2004, due to a budget shortfall, Ensey left the Torrance County department for the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office. In 2007, Ensey returned as criminal investigator for the 7th Judicial District Attorney's Office assigned to Torrance County.

His previous work experience includes automobile mechanic, deep-woods logger and long-haul trucking.

To learn more about Ensey, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or go online to www.ikeenseyforsheriff.com.

Food Bank Begins Annual Fall Drive

Bethel Community Storehouse in Moriarty is holding its annual Fall Food Drive in preparation for the coming holiday season.

The storehouse needs donations of nonperishable food items as well as holiday foods.

Donations can be brought to Bethel during store hours, Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Call 832-6642 for more information.

Pinto Pride Band Wins Top Awards

The Pinto Pride Band won two first-place awards in its division at the New Mexico Pageant of Bands in Albuquerque on Oct. 10.

The awards include outstanding drum major and the overall people's choice award.

East Mountain Student Honored

Rachel Rupert of East Mountain High School has been named a Commended Student in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Rupert is one of about 34,000 students in the nation recognized for exceptional academic promise for placing among the top 5 percent among more than 1.5 million.

EMHS Council Names Members

The Governing Council of East Mountain High School has named its 2009 board members.

Joining the board are Brad Hosmer, Lori Harris, and Amie Duran. The board is headed by David Walter, and Karen Thompson is secretary. Jim Healy, Dennis Hodges, Sylvia Kelly, and William C. Nickell continue to serve on the board.

Leadership Group Selects Councilor

Leadership New Mexico has announced that Steve Anaya, executive vice president of the Realtors Association of New Mexico and a Moriarty city councilor, is among 42 leaders from across the state selected to participate in the 2009-2010 Core Program. This is the 14th class for the Leadership New Mexico Core Program.

Leadership New Mexico was founded in 1995 as a statewide leadership organization dedicated to identifying and enhancing leadership throughout New Mexico by providing a forum for participants to strengthen their knowledge of challenges and opportunities facing our state.

With a strong focus on diversity, Leadership New Mexico continues to grow and touch all of New Mexico's communities, large and small. There are over 700 participants from 66 communities across the state.

The Core Program sessions include topics such as health and human services, economic development, education, environment and natural resources, government, and crime and justice issues. The program sessions are held for 10 months in various locations around the state. The sessions are designed to address the various issues facing the state.

For additional information about Leadership New Mexico or to view the entire class, visit www.leadershipnm.org.

Tax Break Available For New-Car Buyers

The Cash for Clunkers"program for new cars may have ended, but the IRS wants to remind taxpayers that many might overlook another break available.

If you buy a new vehicle this year, there's a special federal tax deduction available that can help you save money, in some cases hundreds of dollars. This tax break will allow people who buy a new vehicle in 2009 to deduct the sales and excise taxes they pay when they file their tax return next year. The tax deduction is available on the 2009 federal tax return, even for those who claim the standard deduction.

The deduction is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and applies to taxes paid on up to $49,500 of the purchase price for qualified new cars, light trucks, motorcycles or motor homes. Generally, vehicles weighing 8,500 pounds or less qualify. This means that most new cars and many new trucks will qualify. New motor homes qualify, regardless of weight.

Buyers are entitled to a partial deduction if they earn between $125,000 and $135,000 ($250,000 and $260,000 for joint filers). The deduction is eliminated for those who earn over these amounts.

To qualify the vehicle must be new and purchased in 2009 after Feb. 16 and no later than Dec. 31.

More information is available at www.irs.gov/recovery.