El Defensor Chieftain

06/17/2026

This year’s Kelly Fiesta, will take place Saturday, June 20, beginning with Mass at 10 a.m. at the Kelly church, followed by a free community barbecue lunch, games, raffles and an evening dance featuring The Pacemakers of Socorro.

Read more at https://www.dchieftain.com/community/kelly-fiesta-gives-life-to-ghost-town/3054102

06/17/2026

PHOTO GALLERY: Socorro Farmers Market on 6/13
Photos by Rob Wulff
See more photos at: https://www.dchieftain.com/multimedia/photo-gallery-socorro-farmers-market-on-6/13/3064879

06/17/2026

SHS LADY WARRIORS ALL-DISTRICT SOFTBALL PLAYERS
Four Socorro Lady Warriors softball players were named to All-District teams for the 2026 season.
Two of these players, Mireya Estrada and Jonae Rosas, are headed to the NM District 9 Tournament in Albuquerque this weekend, June 20-21, as part of the Socorro Little League Seniors Division team.
See brackets and read more about the upcoming tournament on our website:
https://www.dchieftain.com/sports/tournament-time-for-little-league-softball-all-stars/3063754

First team All-District:
Mireya Estrada, catcher: 0.370 batting average, two home runs, 0.609 slugging percentage.
Tatjana Castillo, second base and shortstop: 12 stolen bases, 47 runs, 0.320 batting average.
Second team All-District:
Lilliana Maldonado, outfield and third base: two home runs, four doubles, 0.697 slugging percentage.
Jonae Rosas, pitcher and utility player: 0.432 batting average, four home runs, five triples.

See more stats here:
https://www.maxpreps.com/nm/socorro/socorro-warriors/softball/stats/

06/15/2026

Read full article at: https://www.dchieftain.com/news/federal-agents-search-datil-properties-in-case-of-mexican-wolf-kills/3063663

After being trapped, one Mexican grey wolf died of thirst and other was shot and beaten to death. A monthslong investigation into the deaths of the protected species led U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents to search two properties.

06/15/2026

Read full story at: https://www.dchieftain.com/news/new-world-screwworm-and-your-pet-what-new-mexicans-should-know/3063223

A dog in Eunice is NM's first confirmed case. Vets urge pet owners to watch for wounds and act fast if something looks wrong.

06/15/2026

Two black bear cubs were safely rescued from a tree in Hop Canyon last Monday thanks to a collaborative effort between the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and Socorro Electric Cooperative.

Read the story at https://www.dchieftain.com/news/bear-cubs-and-mother-rescued-and-relocated-from-hop-canyon/3058439

06/15/2026

PHOTO GALLERY: Missoula Children's theater present "The Little Mermaid"
Photos by Rob Wulff
See more photos at: https://www.dchieftain.com/multimedia/photo-gallery-missoula-childrens-theater-present-the-little-mermaid/3063242

06/15/2026

MAGDALENA'S ALL-STATE BASEBALL PLAYERS
More accolades for several of the Magdalena Steers' district champion baseball players: four players were named to New Mexico All-State teams for the 2026 season.
First team All-State: Josiah Candelaria as a pitcher and an infielder; Zeb Apachito as an outfielder.
Second team All-State: Shane Montoya as a pitcher; Matthew Lopez as an infielder.

Read more about these players on our website...
About being named All-District previously:
https://www.dchieftain.com/sports/magdalenas-all-district-baseball-players/3050128

About Montoya and Lopez at the All-Star games:
https://www.dchieftain.com/sports/magdalena-steers-at-all-star-baseball-games/3054836

Photos by Rob Wulff from 5/14 (semifinals game) and 5/29 (first All-Star game).

06/12/2026

BEAR FIRE UPDATE: Office of Emergency Management & Catron Sheriff’s Office is placing the following zones in evacuation status “SET”