Now You Know Sept. 18, 2026

LCPD provides video, transparency portal on Flock cameras

The Las Cruces Police Department has posted a video that describes its usage of Flock Safety cameras and is introducing a Flock Camera Transparency Portal that describes the technology and displays continuously updated information on the community safety tool.
“As technology continues to develop at breakneck speed, we should all be watchful on how that technology impacts our privacy. But a lot of the information surrounding Flock, specifically, is inaccurate or unrealistic,” said Las Cruces Police Department Chief Jeremy Story as he introduced a video that demonstrates how the Flock system is used and helps answer some of the most common questions asked about the new technology.
The video can be seen on LCPD’s Facebook page and the City of Las Cruces YouTube Channel.
The new Flock Camera Transparency Portal allows anyone interested in learning more about Flock Safety technology the ability to see how LCPD uses the cameras to capture objective evidence without compromising on privacy.
The portal includes data and usage summaries, the number of license plate reader cameras used in Las Cruces, the number of searches over the last 30-day period and the number of hotlist hits over the last 30 days. Hotlists include automatic alerts of vehicles entered into the National Crime Information Center and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
LCPD retains data from Flock for 30 days before it is automatically removed from the cache.
The portal also includes information on what Flock Cameras detect and what they do not detect, LCPD’s acceptable use policy and what constitutes prohibited use of the technology.
The Flock Camera Transparency Portal can be found on LCPD’s Transparency Page https://lascruces.gov/safety/police-department/lcpd-transparency/

Grandparents Day at Taylor-Mesilla

In honor of Grandparents’ Day, bring your family to record their stories about Mesilla at Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site from Sept. 13 – Oct. 3 inside the special Story Vault recording booth.

Stop by the site from Wednesday - Sunday, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., and let the staff know you want to share your story in the Story Vault. Once inside the booth, follow the prompts as shown on the touch screen recorder. Each story has a 3-minute time limit.

These visitor stories will become part of the history interpreted at the site. The Story Vault is inspired by an on-site 19th-century safe, which was found in the Reynolds Store Visitor Center but is away from public view.  

The site offers weekly tours including a self-guided experience from Wednesday - Saturday and ranger or volunteer-led tours on Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mesilla Plaza Walking Tours are back and scheduled for Sept. 19, Oct. 3, Oct. 16, and Oct. 17.

On Saturday, Oct. 17, State Historian Rob Martínez will present at “Taylor Talks: A History of Witchcraft in New Mexico,” which is a fascinating subject that spans the Spanish Colonial, Mexican, and U.S. Territorial period.

Casting call

New Mexico State University’s Creative Media Institute will hold an open casting call for anyone interested in acting in student film productions. The idea is to build an actor database for upcoming student projects. Community members of all ages are welcome!
Anyone interested in acting in student films may participate. All ages are invited. Walk-ins are welcome and scenes to read will be provided. No experience necessary. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 in NMSU’s Milton Hall Lobby, 2915 McFie Circle

LCPS Virtual Learning Academy   

The Virtual Learning Academy at Las Cruces Public Schools is now accepting applications from students who are interested in transitioning to the virtual learning program for the second nine weeks of the school year.

VLA offers LCPS students a flexible, supportive learning environment designed to accommodate different learning styles and schedules. Families who are considering whether online learning is a good fit for their student are encouraged to talk with their school counselor and explore the VLA program.

Important Dates:

Application window: Sept.14-25

Application deadline: Friday, Sept. 25, at 11:59 p.m.

Program start: Beginning of the second nine weeks, Oct. 13.

VLA is available to students in elementary, middle, and high school who live within the Las Cruces Public Schools boundaries. Courses are taught by highly qualified teachers, and students have access to a variety of courses and learning opportunities through the online program.

Online learning may be a good option for students who:

·       Prefer a flexible learning environment

·       Benefit from a quiet, distraction-free setting

·       Travel extensively with their families

·       Are advanced learners

·       Have scheduling conflicts

All applications go through a screening process, and final acceptance decisions are made by the VLA program administrator.

Adrián Aguirre reception

The Mad Hatter Gallery will host a reception Friday, Sept. 25, celebrating Las Cruces artist Adrián Aguirre, recipient of a 2026 New Mexico Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.

Aguirre is the sixth individual artist from Las Cruces to receive the prestigious award, established in 1974 to recognize outstanding artistic achievements and contributions to New Mexico’s cultural life.
The reception will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at The Mad Hatter Gallery, 221 N. Main Street, in historic downtown Las Cruces. The public is invited.

Adult indoor volleyball league 

The City of Las Cruces Parks & Recreation Department will be offering Adult Indoor Volleyball League at Meerscheidt Recreation Center. Divisions include Women’s, Co-Ed Competitive and Co-Ed Recreation.

Online registration opens at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
League play runs Nov. 2 – Dec. 21.
Space is limited and registration is first come, first served.
The fee is $40 per participant. Proof of age and a Parks & Recreation Annual Waiver are required to register. League registration is online only at LasCruces.Gov/Play.

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Tiny Beautiful Things

No Strings Theatre Company will open its 2026-2027 Season with “Tiny Beautiful Things,” adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos from the bestselling book by Cheryl Strayed. In making it a “Critics Choice” the New York Times said, “Tiny Beautiful Things is about the endangered art of listening to – and really hearing and responding to – other people…it works beautifully as a sustained theatrical exercise in empathy.”

When Strayed, a struggling writer, was asked to take over the unpaid, anonymous position of advice columnist, she used empathy and her personal experiences to help those seeking guidance for obstacles both large and small.  “Tiny Beautiful Things” is a play about reaching when you’re stuck, healing when you’re broken, and finding the courage to take on the questions that have no answers.  The ensemble cast comprised of Autumn Gieb as Sugar with Bruce Demeree, Conda Douglas, Joseluis Solorzano and Avery Spoonmore as letter writers bring Strayed’s words to life.

The presentation will run from Sept. 18 through Oct. 4, with performances Fridays Sept. 18, 25 and Oct. 2 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays Sept. 19, 26 and Oct. 3 at 8 p.m.; Thursday Oct. 1 at 7 pm  as well as Sundays Sept. 27 and Oct. 4 at 2:30 p.m. For reservations or further information please call the theatre at 575-523-1223.