Compiled by Denise Ortega

MAY 22, 1973

Socorro’s San Miguel Mission was renovated in 1973.

FINAL STAGES OF SAN MIGUEL renovation concluded with laying wall-to-wall carpeting. The interior of this historic church has been completely restored. The hand-hewn small vigas above the altar are now revealed after being enclosed by a tin cover since the early 1930s. Their carving matches that of the vigas of the nave of the church. To the left and right of the altar are French-inspired architectural niches. The parish voted to retain the original style rather than to convert to a Spanish motif. The exterior is almost completed. The dark red trim brings out the beautiful stained-glass windows and architectural details on the façade. Both bells are in working order, soon to call the devout to mass. The renovation has been under the supervision of the resident priest, Father Laurier A. Labreche, the Parish Building committee and Charles VanLandingham, contractor, and son, Larry who personally hand-tooled the carved circular staircase to the loft, as well as matching new carved vigas and corbels in the side chapel.

THE SOCORRO DRUG CO. was robbed of $2,400 around 11 p.m. May 16. Jack Shaw, owner, had come to the drugstore for medication. The safe in the back of the store had been pried open by twisting off the handle. The dial was then pried off and the tumblers released by manipulation with a professional tool. The door was also pried open. Taken was between $1,000 and $1,400 in currency and a possible three or four vials of Morphine and some Codeine tablets, all from the safe. Entry was made through the west wall of the building through a ventilation duct, which was removed, and a portion of the wall knocked away.

MAY 20, 1998

Students get their first glimpse of Torres Elementary in 1998.

TORRES ELEMENTARY students got their first glimpse of their new school when they took a tour of Parkview Elementary. The tour initially was for teachers, but parents and students also wanted a glimpse of the spacious new building, and Principal Frank Jaramillo arranged for the ground tour. A student said, “Cool school!” They were part of the first tour of kindergarten and first graders.

MAY 23, 1998

SOCORRO HIGH SCHOOL will graduate one of its largest classes ever during commencement exercises this morning at Warrior football stadium. Graduating seniors in the Class of 1998 number 137, said Bernard Sais, high school principal, who will serve as emcee for today’s ceremonies. The graduating class will have two salutatorians, Eric Valencia and Rachel Wolberg, expected to deliver a traditional speech. The three valedictorians- Jerusha Grigg, Anthony Sowinski and Elizabeth Stone – have cooked up a combination speech/musical routine.

MAY 23, 2013

MIDDLE RIO GRANDE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT hydrologist David Gensler said the length of this year’s irrigation season will depend on the monsoon. This year, there just isn’t enough water in reservoirs up north to supply farmers with irrigation all summer without help from summer rainstorms. “We’ve got a little bit of stored water to use this summer to supply our regular water users,” he said. “Once that water’s gone, that’s it. It’ll just depend on what the river sends down our way.” Regular water users are those not depending on the water bank, a supply of water made available to irrigate land without water rights. Water bank users are already cut off from irrigation because of short supply. Gensler said this year’s disappointing spring run-off means the District will have to start releasing stored water early in the season to supplement river water, but the district only has about 42,000 acre-feet of water in storage, about half of the usual amount.

Chieftain Staff Report