New Mexico

New Mexican musician faces uphill battle after tragic accident in Rome

Published

2 years ago

June 8, 2024

New Mexican musician faces uphill battle after tragic accident in Rome

If you’re from northern New Mexico, the band “Cascabel” rings a bell. Leo Maes has been singing and playing the drums with the band for years.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – If you’re from northern New Mexico, the band “Cascabel” rings a bell. Leo Maes has been singing and playing the drums with the band for years.

“Leo has always been a musician, since I think the day he could hold a drum stick, that was his first love is playing the drums. He’s a jokester, he is crazy (laughs) he loves his family, he loves his daughter and his whole family,” said Barbara Maes, Leo’s wife.

It was that love for his daughters that drove him to book a family trip to Rome this summer. His daughter, Alex Maes, says she went to the Vatican last year and wanted to share the experience with her dad.

“My husband I planned a tour of the Vatican. My dad really, really wanted to go see the Vatican and his main goal is to bring back a souvenir for one of his cousins, like a rosary or something like that,” said Alex.

On their second day of vacation, things took a turn — Leo collapsed during the tour.

“He essentially snapped his neck, which resulted in a severe spinal cord injury,” Alex said.

Leo had to be rushed into emergency surgery. The family found out he tested positive for COVID-19, but doesn’t know if that had anything to do with the collapse.

“From a window, I can just look. And then like Alex said the language barrier to get information from doctors it has been very difficult,” said Barbara.

As they remain stuck thousands of miles away, they’re leaning on the New Mexico community to help bring Leo back home.

“He is well-loved by the musician community. It has been overwhelming the support we are getting,” said Barbara.

They’ve already raised more than $20,000 through a GoFundMe page. Their goal is to get him to UNM hospital for the rest of his care.

There’s still a question about whether he’ll ever be able to move his arms or legs again.

“The urgency really is securing an air ambulance that is equipped to transfer an intubated patient. These ambulances are extremely expensive. We’ve looked into several, and our main goal is to get him home. I want him home,” Alex said.

While the road ahead is long, they are thankful for the community support.

“I can’t even put into words how thankful I am for all of the support, all of the love and prayers that we have been sent. I just want to tell my dad if he can hear me that I love him so much,” said Alex.

Source link

New Mexico

New Mexico Lobo players and coaches make moves after successful season, AD departure

Published

12 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

New Mexico Lobo players and coaches make moves after successful season, AD departure

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A successful University of New Mexico Lobo athletics season and the athletics director’s departure has culminated in players and coaches making moves.

The moves follow a successful 2025 season and the departure of athletics director Fernando Lovo.

Running back coach John Johnson, special teams coordinator Daniel Da Prato and wide receiver coach Colin Lockett are all leaving the Lobos after just one season. Johnson is headed to Iowa State while Da Prato is expected to join Minnesota and Lockett is headed to UCLA, all for the same jobs.

Johnson’s Lobo running backs ran for more than 1,400 yards. Da Prato’s special teams finished top-five nationally in kickoff returns.

Running back D.J. McKinney entered the portal, he confirmed on social media the day the portal officially opened. McKinney rushed for 464 yards and seven touchdowns with the Lobos.

Two players who received all-Mountain West Conference recognition also made moves. All-Mountain West tight-end Dorian Thomas, who caught for touchdowns for the Lobos, entered the portal. Meanwhile, all-Mountain West honorable mention punter Daniel Hughes is set to leave.

Others set to leave include:

Cole Welliver, backup quarterback who played in one game
Landon Williams, defensive end who graduated from La Cueva High School
Randolph Kpai, senior linebacker who is at the end of his college football career without a waiver

Source link

New Mexico

New Mexico transfer LS Trey Dubuc commits to Texas

Published

24 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

New Mexico transfer LS Trey Dubuc commits to Texas

After Lance St. Louis served as the starting long snapper for the Texas Longhorns for four seasons, special teams coordinator Jeff Banks landed an experienced replacement when New Mexico Lobos transfer Trey Dubuc pledged while on a visit to the Forty Acres.

The pledge from Dubuc ensures that Texas has experienced replacements for three specialists despite signing high school prospects at each position — with the SEC expanding to 105 scholarships in 2026, Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian can afford to develop high school recruits at those positions behind experienced transfers like Dubuc.

The Fort Lauderdale product started his career at USF after playing on two state championship teams at Cardinal Gibbons. A 6’1, 209-pounder, Dubuc redshirted during his freshman season in 2023 before appearing in one game as the backup long snapper the following year.

After transferring to New Mexico, Dubuc served as the starting long snapper while making two tackles for the Lobos.

Source link

New Mexico

Missionary from Utah serving in New Mexico died unexpectedly in sleep

Published

1 day ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

Missionary from Utah serving in New Mexico died unexpectedly in sleep

SALT LAKE CITY — A missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Utah has passed away in his sleep unexpectedly Saturday in New Mexico, according to a news release from The Church.

Elder Caleb Gene Martin, 21, died from a medical cause that has not been determined, Church spokesman Sam Penrod said in a statement.

According to The Church, Martin had been serving in the New Mexico Farmington Mission since May 2024. He was from Salem, Utah.

Elder Caleb Gene Martin, 21, died in his sleep on Jan. 3 from a medical cause that has yet to be determined. He was serving in the New Mexico Farmington Mission. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fellow missionaries. We pray they will find comfort and strength through their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and feel the Savior’s love as they honor Elder Martin’s life and devoted missionary service,” the statement said.

According to the release, an autopsy is planned.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

Source link