Now You Know Oct. 9, 2026

Centennial student wins design contest for LCPS’ first food truck

When the LCPS food truck pulled onto the Centennial High School campus, junior Carlos Lozano had no idea he was about to see his own design come to life. Carlos’ award-winning artwork was selected to give the district’s first student-run food truck its look; a design created with every LCPS high school in mind.

“It feels really great that I’m going to be part of something really big for FCCLA. I can’t wait for every high school to use this,” said Carlos Lozano, an 11th-grade student at Centennial High School.

This is LCPS' first student-run food truck, giving culinary arts students from high schools throughout LCPS a hands-on opportunity to put their cooking talents and FCCLA skills into action. Through FCCLA, students develop leadership and real-world skills such as planning, goal setting, problem solving, decision making and interpersonal communication.

But before the truck could hit the road, it needed a look of its own. FCCLA advisors created a student design competition, giving students the opportunity to help make the food truck something they could all call their own.

“I tried to keep with the colors for the district and added the logos for all of the high schools, because it’s for everyone,” Carlos said.

Carlos is no stranger to getting involved. In addition to FCCLA, he participates in Best Buddies and Educators Rising, has marched with the Centennial Marching Band and hopes to become an educator someday.

For Megan Romig, Centennial High School’s culinary arts and professional baking teacher and an FCCLA advisor, seeing Carlos’ design become reality was especially rewarding.

“As his instructor, all I did was provide the opportunity,” Romig said. “I encouraged my class to submit a name and a design, and I gave them some class time. Some of them sketched it out, and Carlos, on his own, designed it in his own way.”

And while cooking may be the “bread and butter” of the culinary arts classroom, Romig says students are learning much more than recipes.

Whether students go on to culinary school or simply take a part-time job, they develop professional and life skills they can carry with them into almost any career.

The community can get its first look at the food truck during the third annual Grill and Thrill High School BBQ Contest, featuring a special-edition Battle of the Bites.

Everyone is welcome to join LCPS on Oct. 16 to sample some of the best BBQ in town and cheer on high school students from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Teaching and Learning Center, 505 S. Main Street.

Donation portal available to support recovery efforts following flooding in the county

Community members who wish to support recovery efforts following Tuesday's flooding in areas of Doña Ana County are encouraged to donate through The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico's Greatest Need Impact Fund. The Greatest Need Impact Fund supports urgent and changing needs across southern New Mexico, including natural disasters and other unforeseen emergencies. 

Those who wish to contribute can access the online donation portal by visiting www.communityfoundationofsouthernnewmexico.org. Residents are encouraged to follow the County's official social media channels and website for continued updates and information

The language of wire
What happens when an artist approaches wire as though it were thread?
That question is at the heart of “The Language of Wire”, a solo exhibit of sculptural work by New Mexico artist Leslie Toombs, opening Oct. 15 at The Mad Hatter Gallery, 221 N. Main Street, in downtown Las Cruces. The exhibit continues through Nov. 21.
Using processes associated with weaving — bending, looping, interlacing and repetition, Toombs transforms a cold, rigid material — wire —to create sculptural forms that explore line, space, light, shadow and movement.

“Wire creates the form. Light reveals it. Shadow transforms it. The viewer completes it,” says Penny Peace, Director of The Mad Hatter Gallery. “Leslie has developed a personal visual language. Wire is not merely her material — it is her vocabulary.”
Toombs’ work grows from an exploration of weaving, fiber, color and handcraft.  Her studies began with rug weaving at the Instituto Allende in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and later expanded to tapestry and basket weaving. She also studied drawing and pastel painting in Las Cruces before turning her attention to wire.
The exhibit is curated by Las Cruces artist and photographer, Amy Thompson West.
EXHIBITION EVENTS
Opening: Thursday, October 15, 5–8 PM
Reception: Friday, October 16, 5–8 PM
Meet the Artist: Thursday, October 29, 5:30–7:30 PM
First Friday: Friday, November 6, 5–8 PM
Wire Weaving Demonstration, part of the the Green Chamber of Commerce, Art & Food Tour: Sunday, November 15, 1–4 PM
Gallery Hours:
Wednesday–Friday, 11 AM–5 PM. Saturday, 10 AM–2 PM, and by appointment

DASO arrests teenager following deadly vehicle-pedestrian crash

The Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office is investigating a crash that resulted in the death of a minor. 

Just after 5:30 p.m. Monday, deputies responded to the 3800 block of South Main Street following reports of a hit and run involving a car and a pedestrian. 

Preliminary information indicates that a group of teenagers had arranged to meet at the Dove Canyon Trailer Park following an apparent dispute. 

According to the preliminary investigation, a verbal altercation ensued. As one of the teenagers was attempting to leave the area, another teenager reportedly stood in front of the vehicle. The driver then struck the pedestrian with the vehicle. 

The pedestrian sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. The teen later died as a result of their injuries. 

The driver was taken into custody and booked on charges of first-degree murder with a depraved state of mind and aggravated battery. 

Because those involved are juveniles, no additional identifying information is being released. The investigation remains ongoing, and no further information is available at this time

Wine and New Mexico culture

Northrise Wellness & Rehab is hosting an evening of art, music, flavor, and New Mexico tradition, Oct. 16, from 6-8 p.m. at 2884 Roadrunner Parkway. The event will be hosted by Northrise administration and staff.

La Llorona Park and Trail remain closed for debris cleanup

The City of Las Cruces Parks and Recreation Department, along with City Park Rangers, have closed La Llorona Park and Trail to allow for debris cleanup after rising water levels from the Rio Grande.

Rain and runoff caused water levels to increase, depositing debris in and around the park and trail.

For safety, the public is asked to avoid using La Llorona Park and trail until notification has been issued that cleanup and assessment have been completed

Spooky Spikes - adult indoor volleyball tournament

The City of Las Cruces Parks and Recreation Department will offer registration for Spooky Spikes, an overnight co-ed adult indoor volleyball tournament featuring competitive and recreational divisions. The tournament will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24.
Each division is limited, and registration is first come, first served. The registration fee is $25 per participant. Proof of age or a Parks & Recreation annual waiver is required to register. Registration is online only.
Registration will open at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Tournament play will take place Saturday, Oct. 24. Space is limited, and registration is first come, first served.   
Online registration opens at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13 (or until online capacity is met). When registration opens online, only Team Managers should register their team to reserve a spot. Once your team has been registered, the League Director will contact each Team Manager with instructions to:

·       Submit a complete team roster

·       Ensure all players have completed a valid participation waiver

·       Notify players to complete their individual registration and submit their team payment in person to finalize their spot on the roster

Registration for the league is available online at www.LasCruces.gov/Play 

For more information call the Meerscheidt Recreation Center at (575) 541-2563, TTY 711, or email athletics@lascruces.gov.

"Queens of Las Cruces” exhibit

The Branigan Cultural Center invites the public to relive the schoolyard memories of days gone by with the “Queens of Las Cruces” exhibit opening in Spring 2027. This exhibit will feature the pictures, memorabilia, and story of the Grandview May Festivals held between approximately 1948 and 1962.

The museums are seeking photographs, crowns, gowns, programs, and any other memorabilia associated with the Grandview Elementary May Festivals, including stories from former students, staff, and community members who attended these events.

Those who fill out the survey will be asked for any stories about the Grandview May Festival, as well as any information about Mrs. Corinne Woodson Bradley, the principal of the school and founder of the Grandview May Festival. Testimonials and memorabilia of the queens and princesses of the various years of festivals are also highly sought after.

Surveys and images must be submitted via SurveyMonkey. The application form will be available at https://www.SurveyMonkey.com/r/QueensOfLC or through the Las Cruces Museums website at https://www.LasCruces.gov/QueensOfLC. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. (MST) on Saturday, November 7, 2026. For more information, visit LasCruces.gov/Museums or email Galen Skibyak, Visitor Experience Curator, at MuseumSocial@LasCruces.gov.

The “Queens of Las Cruces” exhibit is slated to open on Friday, Feb. 5, 2027, at the Branigan Cultural Center.

Lean In exhibit at NMSU

The NMSU Art Museum proudly presents Lean In, an exhibition presenting works by three New Mexico-based artists who have been influenced and mentored by artist Marietta Patricia Leis during her nearly 50-year career as an interdisciplinary artist.

Lean In, featuring works by Dorielle Caimi, Veronica Primerano and Stefan Jennings Batista, demonstrates that a successful artistic practice extends beyond the objects produced in the studio; it is also built through relationships, discipline, and the transmission of knowledge.

The artists featured in this exhibition explore diverse concepts related to mysticism, resilience, and color theory, but all three have benefited from exposure to Leis’ ongoing dedication to a successful studio practice. Lean In is on display in the museum’s Mullennix Bridge Gallery from Oct. 16 through March 6, 2027.