4-05-02 Headliners - Woman arrested on multiple counts of forgery and identity theft

Fourth Estate
In hot pursuit
of the truth...

AWARD WINNER 1997-2003

CLICK ON AWARD TO ENLARGE

FREE WEBSITE THROUGHOUT
Welcome to Desert Journal Online, established in May 2001 in New Mexico. Our website offers our true crime book, Satan's Den Exposed - The David Parker Ray Story, and poetry and photo collections, Bombshell Liberation and Interference, and provides free access to our featured columns, photos and news archives.

Directory Page
Site Map

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ THESE!

2012 began in 1999
by Peter Appleseed
of the Kyyboa Tribe
Book about true revolution, civilogy and creating positive alternatives.

Satan's Den Exposed
The David Parker Ray Story

True crime book about a criminal sexual sadist and cohorts busted in kidnap, rape and sexual torture cases in New Mexico
By the Desert Journal's award winning investigative reporting team of Bill Johnson, Fred Mramor & David Pierre

SPECIAL OFFERS EXTENDED

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS!

CLICK ON THUMB TO SEE LEO DAILEY PERFORM HIS NEW ROCK SONG, rallytime!

ALSO, SEE OUR NEW WEB PAGE ANTI-WAR SONGS!!!

VISIT LEO DAILEY'S NEW WEBSITE - www.LeoDailey.com

BOMBSHELL LIBERATION
&
INTERFERENCE

Poetry & Photo Collections
By Leo Dailey
NEW RELEASES OCTOBER 2006!!!
Electronic Books - $2.95 each ($2 off)
For details, click HERE!

FOR FREE CLASSIFIED ADS, CLICK HERE!

Desert Journal Online
Contact Information

Bill Johnson
Editor, Publisher & Webmaster
Vic Arvizu
Honorary Web Guru

Electronic mail

desertjournal@hotmail.com

desertjournalonline@yahoo.com

poet@leodailey.com

Location

We are an electronic submissions only website located in Albuquerque, NM, and have no physical business address.

Last modified: April 14, 2008

Headline News From April 5, 2002 Issue

Woman arrested on multiple counts of forgery & identity theft

After a two-month investigation into a counterfeiting and identity theft ring, Truth or Consequences City Police are cracking down on suspects, the latest being a local woman who reproduced fictitious documents and forged checks for personal gain. Lots of them.

Retired investigator Ashbaugh
and bird dog win third place honors

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE

Since retiring from the Seventh Judicial District Attorney’s Office as an investigator more than a year ago, John Ashbaugh of Truth or Consequences has taken up a new sport and he and his German shorthair pointer, Remington, already are making strides.

Water conservation kicks in for T or C

April 1 marked the beginning of the City of Truth or Consequences’ water conservation measures that will continue through the end of September.

Adventures overlooked at New Mexico State Parks

With spring in full bloom and New Mexicans anxious to take advantage of the beautiful weather and scenery of the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico State Parks is pleased to present a baker’s dozen of the many overlooked outdoor opportunities across the state.

Rewards offered for information on 3 Mexican wolf shootings

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for the recent shooting deaths of three Mexican gray wolves.

FWS should get straight with the truth & facts
about the Mexican Wolf Project in New Mexico

Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Spokesperson Elizabeth Sloan has a knack for sugar coating, as evidenced in the Pipestem wolf saga from the Albuquerque Journal article by Tania Soussan, “2 Wolves’ Wild Days Numbered.”

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE

Blind man treated

…Top Kiwanian

Elmer Tibbet (center) of Truth or Consequences is the honored recipient of the Kiwanis Club’s Hixson Award as presented March 28 by Lakeside Kiwanis President Ellen Evans and the club’s invited guest and dignitary, Kiwanis’ Southwest District Lt. Governor Roger Flemming, during the local chapter’s meeting at the Quality Inn in Elephant Butte. “I’ve been a member (of Kiwanis) 35 years and I’ll be a member until the day I die,” said Tibbet upon receiving the honors. When it comes to caring about the community and its children, Elmer is Top Kiwanian.
Photo by Bill Johnson

T or C woman arrested on multiple

counts of forgery and identity theft

TCPD probe wipes out counterfeiting ring:

more ‘meth’ connections

By Bill Johnson of the Desert Journal

According to the criminal complaint filed March 28 in the Sierra County Magistrate Court, city police arrested Tamara “Tazz” Roth, 27, of T or C, on charges including eight counts of third-degree forgery, three counts of altered or forged license, and one count each of conspiracy to commit forgery, altered or forged registration, all fourth degree felonies, and attempted altered or forged license, a misdemeanor.

The crimes are alleged to have occurred between Oct. 1, 2001, and Jan. 24, 2002, in Sierra County with Roth’s role being either in the principle or as an accessory, according to the complaint leveled by TCPD Detective Ron Huff.

Eight checks ranging in amounts from a low of $57.85 to a high of $240 and totaling about $867 were forged, according to the complaint.

The forged checks were written on a nonexistent bank account and on the bank accounts of Raymond Martinez and Michelle Heller, defrauding T or C merchants including Sleepy Hollow Smoke Shop for $124.03, Alco for $169.91, Fast Stop for $78.26, Pixie’s for $117.11, Bullock’s for $240, and Los Arcos twice for $57.85 and $80.77, according to the detective’s affidavit for an arrest warrant.

Six of the forged checks were on Martinez’s bank accounts, four at First Savings Bank in T or C, one at Compass Bank in Albuquerque and the sixth at Wells Fargo Bank in Albuquerque. The seventh forged check was on Heller’s account at First Savings Bank in T or C and the eighth check was of a nonexistent account at the same bank.

Roth is accused in the complaint of conspiring with Carl Lopez and Ella Becker in committing the forgery.

The origin of the police probe begins with a theft and vandalism at the Red Haven Motel, 605 N. Date St., where motel owner Dorothy Michelis reported Jan. 24 that a “Raymond Martinez” had vacated one of her rooms after registering in two days prior.

Cleaning staff discovered damage to the room and numerous items missing, including a microwave oven, small refrigerator, 19-inch TV set with remote control, all of the bedding and towels, a telephone, alarm clock, wall mirror and light fixtures worth more than $800 altogether.

Michelis told police that Martinez was accompanied by a white female with blonde hair and that he also had received numerous phone calls from a female named “Tamara.”

Officer Morgan then followed up and went to the residence of Tamara Roth at 818 Kopra St. in T or C where he found a Toyota hatchback containing numerous objects. The vehicle was registered to a Carl Lopez, the detective’s affidavit said.

Morgan then saw Daniel W. Pike who was helping Roth move. The officer then learned that the bed of Pike’s truck, which also was parked at Roth’s home, held a white microwave oven and a small refrigerator.

Pike told police “Carl” has asked him if he could put the appliances in the bed of Pike’s truck and move them to Los Lunas along with Roth’s stuff. Pike also said Carl asked him to take a 19-inch TV set, which Morgan found in the cab of Pike’s truck.

“The back of the microwave was marked as belonging to the Red Haven Motel and inside the microwave were phone books and globes that matched those missing from the ceiling fixture at the motel,” Det. Huff said in the affidavit.

Furthermore, Officer Morgan saw a key ring on the front driver’s seat of the Toyota that held a key labeled “Red Haven Motel, Room No. 10.” Other items matching those taken from the motel also were in plain view in the vehicle, the affidavit said.

During Morgan’s visit at the Kopra Street residence, Roth told the officer that “Carl” and “Ella” were probably at the Rio Grande Motel in Williamsburg. City police confirmed they were staying in room 42 there and upon a visit they found Carl Lopez hiding in the bathroom and Ella Becker hiding under the bed.

Later, the motel owner, Rosemary Hoskins, told police she found a slice in the rug and underneath it there were several counterfeit checks, identification cards and numerous other items of identification, including a driver’s license with a photo of the subject known as “Carl Lopez” with the name of “Raymond Martinez,” the affidavit said.

“There was also a driver’s license with a photograph of Ella Becker indicating another name. Additionally, a view of all three licenses indicated that the photographs were pasted over existing photographs. Also found under the rug were numerous checks with different individuals’ names as well as birth certificates and identification cards that belonged to other unknown individuals,” the affidavit said.

Coincidentally, Marilyn Smith of the smoke shop told police she called the bank after receiving the $124.03 check on Martinez’s account to learn that there was no such account at First Savings Bank. “The check retrieved from Ms. Smith is identical to ones found underneath the rug at the Rio Grande Motel,” Det. Huff’s affidavit said.

When police arrested Lopez, the suspect offered to pay cash in exchange for the check and he also told police that Roth was with him when he cashed the check at the smoke shop. “In fact, she took the cigarettes ‘purchased’ with her,” the detective said.

During the probe into the forged checks, Det. Huff said Christopher Gossman, who was arrested for trafficking by manufacture of methamphetamine among other charges, requested to speak with police officers on Jan. 22.

“With officers specifying that there was no bargain to be struck for any information he provided, Gossman stated [that…] Roth was producing the counterfeit checks on her computer and printer at the Kopra Street address where he (Gossman) had been living until his incarceration on the narcotics charges.

Gossman also said Roth was making forged or counterfeit identification on her computer and printer at the same address,” Det. Huff said in the affidavit.

During the execution of a search warrant at 818 Kopra St. on Jan. 24, police found a laminating machine and materials, computer peripherals, scanned driver’s licenses, scanned medical examiner’s certification, a Polaroid camera designed to take identification photos, printer and fax cartridges, forged checking account paperwork and false identification, according to the affidavit.

In a search warrant serviced on the vehicle, police found a box containing hypodermic needles and pocket knives, a brown canvas wallet with a digital scale, tourniquet, spoons and numerous baggies, along with several checkbooks on an account with a name other than that of the two suspects associated with the vehicle and a piece of paper containing a green facsimile of a dollar bill. Officers also found numerous forged documents, including checks, licenses and automobile tags, as well as controlled substances and paraphernalia.

In further checking Roth’s vehicle, police found it was registered with an address in Belen. A state police agent went there to contact Roth and the home’s occupants said they thought Roth was in California.

They gave the agent permission to search the Belen residence for Roth and instead police found in plain view marijuana bundled for distribution, plastic baggies containing a white powdery substance, two laptop computers, a computer tower, two color printers, numerous floppy discs and CDs and several safes. One of the computers is labeled “Tazz,” which was known by Det. Huff to be Roth’s nickname.

During interviews, Lopez and Becker told police Roth produced the counterfeit or fraudulent checks that they (Lopez and Becker) had passed. “Carl said he had been told by Tamara to cash the checks and bring her the money. He also stated that she produced a forged registration certificate for him to use under the name ‘Raymond Martinez’ for his Toyota Celica,” the affidavit alleged.

Lopez also said he saw Roth produce fraudulent driver’s licenses in the names of Raymond Martinez, Rosalee Bussari and Roberto Quintana, according to the detective’s statement.

Becker told police she had been given a social security card that was stolen out of Albuquerque. Becker said Roth had made a fraudulent driver’s license in the name of Rosalee Bussari. “There were also counterfeit checks in the name of Rosalee Bussari that, according to Ella, were made by Tamara,” the detective’s statement said.

While investigating the case, police found three checks were passed under the name of Star Ann Lowe. Two were two-party checks passed at Bullock’s Grocery, while one was a single-party check made to the order to TrueValue Hardware. “In examining these checks and comparing them to known writing of Roth, [I] found them to be consistent,” Det. Huff said.

Amanda Freeman, who was arrested on an outstanding warrant from Quay County, told police that during the first weekend of January this year she was in Roth’s home on Kopra and she saw Roth use a computer to print personal checks.

Freeman said Roth asked her to cash some checks but she declined. Freeman also said she believes that Roth stole her ID card from her purse while she was with Roth.

This case was the tip of the iceberg as police also learned that investigations into Roth’s activities were also done elsewhere such as by the Los Lunas Police Department. That probe too led to an arrest warrant for Roth on charges of fraud and forgery, according to the affidavit.

“Det. Harris’ affidavit for arrest states Roth was found in possession of a checkbook and driver’s license in the name of Colleen Rathbun, whose vehicle had been burglarized in Albuquerque on Nov. 30, 2001.

“While performing an inventory of Ella Becker’s purse a social security card in the name of Colleen Rathbun was found. When asked about the social security card, Ella said Tamara had given the card to her,” Det. Huff’s affidavit said.

Magistrate Tom Pestak set bond for Roth at $50,000 cash only after her arrest on March 28.

<<< >>>

…Glorious day!

Remington and his human, John Ashbaugh of Truth or Consequences (left), take a moment to bask in the glory of their victory winning third place in their first ever bird dog competition, sanctioned by the National Bird Dog Challenge, in Hobbs March 23. Remington said he and a few of his canine friends want to start a local chapter.
Photo by Bill Johnson

Retired Investigator John Ashbaugh

And his bird dog win third place honors

By Bill Johnson of the Desert Journal

Ashbaugh and Remington returned home from Hobbs, NM, as the third place winners of the Oil Patch Bird Dog Challenge’s Open Pointing Division held March 23.

The event was a national competition sanctioned by the National Bird Dog Challenge.

The pair competed against 20 dogs in their division, among about 30 dogs altogether competing in Hobbs from New Mexico, Colorado and Texas.

Ashbaugh and Remington earned a total score of 360 points, which are accumulative with other competition winnings and which will help them attend the national championships.

The contest consisted of two 20-minute runs, each consisting of three liberated birds. The bird dog has 20 minutes to catch the three birds.

The contestants earn 20 points for the bag (shooting of the bird), 10 points per retrieval, 10 points for each unused shell (six shells are issued in each run), and 2 points per minute for each minute under the 20-minute limit.

Ashbaugh and Remington earned 240 points on their first run with a time of 16:17 and earned 120 points on their second run with a time of 16:04. Ashbaugh said spectators were impressed with Remington’s performance.

Ashbaugh said he wants to start a local club and that there is interest in getting one formed in Hatch.

“The Hatch area is centrally located with Deming, Silver City and T or C and has great habitat,” he said.

Ashbaugh said he’s working with Joe Paul Lack and Wayne Hunter in an attempt to get their own nationally sanctioned competition in Hatch. He added that it’ll take a lot of work, energy and human resources to pull it off.

Until then, Ashbaugh said Hobbs will be the host to another national event on April 20 and 21.

“My dog did well for being only 18 months old. I sure enjoyed the competition,” Ashbaugh said. “I just got started in this event – I’m a rookie,” he admitted, although adding that he’s nonetheless a longtime hunter with experience.

Ashbaugh said he and his wife Pam plan to run two dogs in doubles competition in October.

<<< >>>

Water conservation kicks in for T or C

April 1 marked the beginning of the City of Truth or Consequences’ water conservation measures that will continue through the end of September.

Watering restrictions apply to all properties and customers who are served by the city’s potable water system.

Users with odd number addresses are permitted to use water for irrigation purposed on each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Even number addresses likewise may use water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Watering is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and use of water for irrigation is prohibited every Monday.

Exceptions to these restrictions exist and are spelled out in the City Code. For more information, call the Utility Office at 894-6671.

<<< >>>

Adventures overlooked at NM State Parks

For more information about any activity, call (888) NM PARKS, visit www.nmparks.com, or call the parks directly using the 505 prefix area code.

Birding – The bosque parks – such as Leasburg Dam (524-4068) north of Las Cruces, Percha Dam (743-3942 south of Truth or Consequences, and Rio Grande Nature Center (344-7240) in Albuquerque – are prime bird-watching spots during the spring northward migration and summer nesting period when males are sporting their bright plumage.

Mountain Biking – Two-wheel touring is a great way to get around at many state parks. The six mile mountain biking loop at Sugarite Canyon State Park (445-5607) in Raton gains 1,700 feet in elevation.

Spring Blooms – The wildflower forecast predicts desert blooms into April at parks as far north as Elephant Butte Lake State Park (744-5421) – particularly Oliver Lee Memorial (437-8284) in Alamogordo, City of Rocks (536-2800) near Silver City, and Pancho Villa (531-2711) in Columbus. Visitors can expect another showing of Mexican golden poppies this spring at Rockhound State Park (546-6182) in Deming.

Fishing – It’s true that most New Mexicans don’t need to be reminded that fishing is one of the most popular pastimes at their state parks. But it’s worth repeating that the San Juan River at Navajo Lake State Park (632-2278) near Farmington is one of the top ten trout fishing waters in the world. Also found in Navajo Lake waters: kokanee salmon, channel catfish, crappie, northern pike, bluegill, and large and smallmouth bass. In addition, the park boasts four wheelchair-accessible piers.

Discovery Weekends – Brantley Lake State Park (457-2384) in Carlsbad hosts state parks’ first Discovery Weekend of 2002 during April 11-14. Knowledgeable park staff and skilled volunteers will provide a pleasing palette of guided walks, demonstrations and other programs covering birds, plants, bugs, geology, history and astronomy. Three more Discovery Weekends are scheduled for 2002:

June 6-9, Hyde Memorial State Park (983-7175) near Santa Fe.

Aug. 8-11, Coyote Creek State Park (387-2328) north of Mora.

Sept. 26-29, Leasburg Dam State Park (524-4068) north of Las Cruces.

6) New Visitor Centers – Spring 2002 brings the grand openings of two new state parks visitor centers.

Clayton Lake State Park (374-8808) officially opens its new visitor center May 5 during the 2^nd annual Clayton Lake Trout Derby May 4-5. Located at the south side of the lake at the park entrance, the new center is the first for this park. Exhibits will feature the 100 million-year-old tracks of eight different dinosaur species found at the park, the local wildlife and plains ecosystem, and an historic timeline for the region. Cosponsored by the Clayton/Union County Chamber of Commerce, the town of Clayton and the state park, the derby includes several prize categories as well as a 14-foot aluminum boat grand prize.

Heron Lake State Park (588-7470) in Tierra Amarilla celebrates its renovated visitor center and new interpretive exhibits with a community-wide celebration on June 9 in conjunction with its fishing derby that weekend The ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. bisects a day of talks and demonstrations about natural resources and outdoor recreation, as well as exhibits, door prizes and lunch. The facility’s interpretive exhibits will explain local wildlife and geology, the construction and impact of the dams, and the cultures that have passed through the region since prehistoric times.

7) Heritage Preservation Week – Nine historical interpretive programs will be offered at state parks in conjunction with the New Mexico Office of Cultural Affairs’ 2002 Heritage Preservation Week May 10-19. The special programs include:

Desert Grocer Store Tours, City of Rocks State Park (536-2800) near Silver City, May 11, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Life Down River Lecture, Elephant Butte Lake State Park (744-5923), May 11, 9-10:30 a.m.

Herb & Wildlife Festival, Rio Grande Nature Center State Park (344-7240) in Albuquerque, May 11 & 12, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Open House at Oliver Lee Ranch House, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park (437-8284) in Alamogordo, May 11 & 12, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Black Powder Demonstration, Leasburg Dam State Park (524-4068) north of Las Crcues, May 11, 1-2 p.m.

The Canada Alamosa Project: Three Years of Investigations on an Archaeological Frontier, Elephant Butte Lake State Park (744-5923), May 15, 7-8 p.m.

16^th Annual Mescal Roast, Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park (887-5516) in Carlsbad, May 16-19, ongoing programs.

Mining Demonstrations, Caballo Lake State Park (743-3942) south of Truth or Consequences, May 18, 9 a.m. – noon.

Coal Mining Tours, Sugarite Canyon State Park, (445-5607) in Raton, May 18, 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.

Horseback Riding – From Manzano Mountains State Park (847-2820) in Mountainair, three trailheads lead to miles of horseback riding trails in Cibola National Forest. The equestrian trail at Santa Rosa Lake State Park (472-3110) winds through wilderness areas along the lakeshore. At Villanueva State Park (421-2957) equestrians may ride alongside the 400-foot sandstone cliffs, just as Coronado did in 1540.

Bobcat & Mountain Lion Spotting – Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park (887-5516) in Carlsbad adds to its spectacular displays with the opening of a new bobcat and mountain lion habitat. The $1.5 million facility is a larger, more natural setting for the mountain lion and two bobcats that will take residence in late May. The habitat also provides better viewing opportunities for visitors and has state-of-the-art holding facilities, where the animals take refuge from the elements and receive medical care. In March, Living Desert received accreditation by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, putting it in the same category as the San Diego and Baltimore zoos.

Butterfly season is fast and furious by mid-June at Sugarite Canyon State Park (445-5607) in Raton. Eight different duskywings have been recorded in June, as well as three large, orange silverspots and many, many more. Sat the 2001 butterfly count, just one group spotted 50 species, and about 1,500 individual butterflies were tallied overall. State parks and the NM Native Plant Society co-host a butterfly workshop at Sugarite Canyon June 22-23.

Hiking – Snowmelt in April and may activate the waterfall at the end of the 1.25-mile Waterfall Trail at Hyde Memorial State Park (983-7175) in Santa Fe. The monsoons in late summer also make this a nice hike. Or hit two parks with one trail – the 5.5-mile Rio Chama trail, a moderately difficult hike that links Heron Lake State Park (588-7470) with El Vado Lake State Park (588-7247) in Tierra Amarilla.

Anniversary Party – Rio Grande Nature Center State Park (344-7240) in Albuquerque celebrates its 20^th anniversary July 8-13 with a week of special lectures, walks, demonstrations and historical presentations. The Center’s theme for 2002, Designs in Nature, will shape the week, including tentatively scheduled programs by an architect speaking on animal dwellings, a Santa Fe Museum of Fine Arts representative talking about the effect of nature on art, and a mathematics professor discussing the patterns shared by nature and math.

SCUBA Diving – This year’s drought conditions won’t affect the spring-fed pools at Bottomless Lakes State Park (624-6058) in Roswell. Lea Lake, which will soon boast a renovated bathhouse and recreation building as well as updated utilities in the campground area, has clear, spring-fed waters up to 90 feet deep.

<<< >>>

Rewards offered for information

on three Mexican wolf shootings

An additional $5,000 is being offered by the Center for Biological Diversity.

The Lupine Pack alpha female, AF169, was found dead on Nov. 15 near Maverick Mountain on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, AZ

Saddle Pack yearling female, f645, was found dead on Nov. 5 near Forest Road 117 south of Highway 60 in the Greens Peak area near Vernon, AZ.

And Lupine yearling male, m630, was found Dec. 3 about 18 miles northwest of Springerville south of Highway 60 in Apache County, AZ.

Investigations into the illegal killing of four other Mexican wolves are also still being conducted:

Campbell Blue alpha female, AF174, was shot on Aug. 7, 1998, in the Williams Valley area near Alpine, AZ.

Hawk's Nest male, m532, was found dead from gunshot wounds near the Arizona/New Mexico state line on Nov. 7, 1998.

Hawk's Nest male, m531, was found dead from gunshot wounds on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona on Nov. 23, 1998.

Francisco yearling male, m590, was found dead from gunshot wounds on Dec. 18, 2000, about ½ mile north of Highway 12 in the Apache National Forest's Divide wood cutting area near Aragon, NM.

Individuals with information they believe may be helpful should call one of these agencies: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents in Mesa, AZ, at (480) 835-8289 or Pinetop at (928) 367-5689; the White Mountain Apache Tribe at (928) 338-1023 or (928) 338-4385; Arizona Game and Fish Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700; or New Mexico Game and Fish Department Operation Game Thief at 1-800-432-4263.

The killing of a Mexican gray wolf is a violation of Federal and of Arizona and New Mexico state laws. Violations of the Federal Endangered Species Act can invoke criminal penalties of up to $25,000 and/or six months in jail, or a civic penalty of up to $10,000.

<<< >>>

FWS should get straight with the truth & facts
about the Mexican Wolf Project in New Mexico

Guest Editorial by Laura Schneberger

WINSTON, NM - Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Spokesperson Elizabeth Sloan has a knack for sugar coating, as evidenced in the Pipestem wolf saga from the Albuquerque Journal article by Tania Soussan, “2 Wolves’ Wild Days Numbered.”

The two Pipestem wolves aren't just innocently eating cattle carcasses left out by filthy ranchers. They are actively killing livestock and have killed calves in the past.

Last year on the Canyon Creek allotment they killed at least two baby calves, confirmed by APHIS. The past two months they have killed calves regularly on the Adobe and Slash ranches, the latest calf was lost March 26.

FWS and Michael Robinson seem to be the only ones still in denial about these facts.

FWS volunteers have had to baby-sit these wolves almost constantly for nearly three months in an attempt to keep them out of calving pastures, an impossible task. The wolves seem to want to stay on deeded land and do not live in the National Forest at all.

Something wolves released in this project seem to do as a rule is to migrate to deeded land upon release.

The rancher loosing the calves is fed up. He is not even anti wolf, he is a cooperator in the Mexican Wolf breeding program. He is not using carcasses to lure the Pipestem wolves into his calving pastures so they will have to be removed. Michael Robinson should be embarrassed to even resort to such a stretch.

One other small fact that bears mentioning about this pair of wolves. They are not a good breeding pair. They are in fact very closely related. The female's mother is littermate to the male, any litter they may have had in the wild would have a very limited chance of success due to inbreeding.

It is my understanding that the wolves in the wilds of Arizona are not as closely related as these two are, and are bearing their young on the ground and not in dens. This would account for a lot of the failures in reproduction attributed to the project.

Environmentalists, Center For Biological Diversity and Defenders of Wildlife, among others, would have you believe that there have been many wolf shootings since the project began. Out of nearly 70 wolves released since 1998, there are only four unsolved cases of human caused death.

All these shootings happened during hunting season and could very well have been accidental. Most wolves simply get sick, have to be recaptured, or like the wolf reports point out for 16 wolves, just disappear.

The project is a failure, the burden on small business people and communities is enormous and the FWS cannot be trusted to tell the truth.

Sexy or not, how much longer will the public put up with the fiasco that is Mexican Wolf Reintroduction?

<<< >>>

…Blind man treated in traffic incident

The ambulance crew treats Joe Tippet, a blind man of Truth or Consequences and one of the town’s few “white cane pedestrians,” after he fell at the stoplight intersection at Third and Date streets Tuesday mid-afternoon. According to city police, Joe was trying to get across the street. He was out in the street when he suddenly realized a car was coming his way and he tried to get out of the way. He started running but tripped and fell with his head hitting the curb. He sustained a bump on his head with no open cuts. He was taken to Sierra Vista Hospital for a CAT scan and other examination to make sure everything was okay before being released, police said. No car hit him and no driver was at fault, so no citations were issued. It wasn’t known immediately whether Snow White was accompanying our dear friend.
Photo by Bill Johnson