Damien Willis

Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. Previously, he was a lead reporter for the Las Cruces Sun-News. From 2014 to 2017 he served as the newspaper's education reporter. He also worked for the District Attorney's office and LCPS.

Las Cruces, NM

City Council

Las Cruces says only 35 short-term rentals fully registered ahead of July enforcement

Las Cruces says only about 35 of 725 identified short-term rental properties completed both registrations ahead of July enforcement.

Damien Willis

High school basketball players line up during a free throw as cheerleaders and spectators watch from the bleachers.

Sports

NMAA proposes one-time free transfer rule for high school athletes

New Mexico high schools will vote on a proposed NMAA rule allowing student-athletes one transfer with immediate varsity eligibility.

Damien Willis

Screenshot from the June 1 Las Cruces City Council meeting showing Councilor Michael Harris seated at the dais and speaking into a microphone.

City of Las Cruces

Las Cruces council drops $360K police academy roof project after questioning cost

Las Cruces City Council removed a $360,000 police academy roof project after members questioned the cost of work at a facility described as a double-wide.

Damien Willis

Daisy Maldonado wears a pale pink hijab and holds yellow flowers in an outdoor portrait with a softly blurred landscape in the background.

Elections

Daisy Maldonado wins Democratic primary for Doña Ana County Commission District 1

Daisy Maldonado won the Democratic primary for Doña Ana County Commission District 1 by 277 votes and will face Samantha Barncastle Salopek in November.

Damien Willis

Vanessa Ordoñez smiles in a campaign portrait against a blue Organ Mountain News-style background.

Elections

Vanessa Ordoñez wins Democratic primary for Doña Ana County sheriff

Vanessa Ordoñez won the Democratic primary for Doña Ana County sheriff by 569 votes and will face Republican Todd Garrison in November.

Damien Willis

Election-themed illustration of the Doña Ana County Government Center with a ballot box graphic in the foreground and blue civic design elements.

Elections

Maldonado leads County Commission District 1; Ortega, Jerabek win primaries

Daisy Maldonado led the Doña Ana County Commission District 1 Democratic primary overnight, while Eugenia Montoya Ortega and Isabel Jerabek won local primaries.

Damien Willis

Election-themed illustration with a ballot box, sheriff’s badge, New Mexico flag and U.S. flag against a mountain backdrop.

Elections

Ordoñez holds narrow Democratic sheriff lead; Garrison wins GOP primary

Vanessa Ordoñez held a narrow lead over James Frietze in the Democratic primary for Doña Ana County sheriff, while Todd Garrison won the Republican primary.

Damien Willis

Raymundo Lara and Juan A. Fuentes in a two-person composite image for the Democratic primary for New Mexico House District 34.

Elections

Lara wins Democratic primary for NM House District 34

Raymundo "Ray" Lara won the Democratic primary for New Mexico House District 34, where no Republican candidate filed for the November election.

Damien Willis

Lori A. Martinez and Matilda "Tilli" McCarthy Villalobos in a two-person composite image for the Democratic primary for New Mexico House District 37.

Elections

Lori Martinez wins Democratic House District 37 primary

Lori Martinez won the Democratic primary for New Mexico House District 37 and is set to face Republican Isabella Solis in November.

Damien Willis