Finding a specific notice in the Alamogordo Daily News obits isn't always as straightforward as a quick Google search might lead you to believe. If you've lived in Otero County for a while, you know the drill. The paper has been the heartbeat of the Tularosa Basin since 1898—or 1896, depending on which local historian you ask—but the digital transition has made things a bit... messy.
Honestly, it’s frustrating when you’re just trying to find service times for a friend or relative and you hit a paywall or a broken Legacy.com link.
The Reality of Alamogordo Daily News Obits Today
The paper recently went through a massive change. In May 2024, Gannett sold the Alamogordo Daily News to El Rito Media, LLC. This was a big deal locally. Why? Because the way you access the Alamogordo Daily News obits changed along with the ownership.
While the paper still partners with Legacy for a searchable database, the most recent notices—the ones from this week, like those for Donna Faye "Betty" Mott Turney or Lugardita "Lita" Chavez—often appear on the paper’s direct "Obituaries Archives" page before they fully sync with national search engines.
If you're looking for someone who passed away in the last 48 hours, don't just rely on a general search. Go directly to the source. The paper’s office at 1301 N. White Sands Blvd might not be the bustling hub of the pre-digital era, but the digital archive is where the "official" record lives.
Why Some Obits "Disappear" Online
Sometimes you’ll hear people complain that they can’t find a specific name in the Alamogordo Daily News obits even though they know the person passed. Usually, this happens for one of three reasons.
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First, there’s the cost.
Publishing a full obituary in a print and digital newspaper is expensive. In 2026, many families are opting for shorter "death notices" (which are basically just the facts: name, date, and service time) or skipping the newspaper entirely in favor of funeral home websites.
Second, the deadlines are strict.
If you want an obit to run in the Sunday or Monday edition, the paper needs it by 4:00 PM on Thursday. If a family misses that window, the notice might not show up online for several days.
Lastly, there is the verification factor. The Alamogordo Daily News won't just print whatever you email them. They have to verify the death with a funeral home, a mortuary, or a medical donation program. If that verification lags, the obit stays in limbo.
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How to Submit an Obituary Without the Headache
If you find yourself on the other side of the screen—the one having to write and submit a notice—it’s kinda overwhelming. You’re grieving, and now you have to play editor.
Basically, you need to email obits@alamogordonews.com.
Don't just send the text and hope for the best. You need to include:
- Your full name and phone number.
- The exact text you want printed.
- The name of the funeral home (Scenic Chapel and Alamogordo Funeral Home are the big ones locally).
- High-resolution photos (if you want more than just text).
They’ll send you a proof and a price quote. Pro tip: ask for the quote first. You can adjust the length of the text to fit your budget. If the price for the Alamogordo Daily News obits is too steep, you can always ask the funeral home if they provide a free listing on their own site, which most do.
The "Hidden" Alternatives
Sometimes the best way to find Alamogordo Daily News obits isn't actually on the news site.
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Because Otero County is tight-knit, the local funeral homes often have more detail than the paper. Places like Scenic Chapel or Alamogordo Funeral Home (the one on 1st Street) host their own "Book of Memories." These pages often have "Tribute Walls" where you can leave comments or upload photos that never make it into the print edition.
If you are looking for historical records, say from the 1970s or 80s, the Alamogordo Public Library is your best bet. They have microfilmed copies of the News going back decades. It’s a bit of a trip down a rabbit hole, but it’s the only way to find those older notices that haven't been digitized.
Looking Forward: The Postal Shift
One thing most people get wrong about the current state of the paper is how it's delivered. As of 2024, the paper switched from carrier delivery to postal delivery.
This matters for obituaries because it means the physical "paper of record" might arrive in mailboxes a day or two after the digital version goes live. If you’re waiting to see a photo of a loved one in print, check your mailbox, not your driveway.
Practical Steps for Finding or Placing a Notice
If you need to find an obituary right now, follow these steps:
- Check the Official Archive First: Go to the Alamogordo Daily News website and look specifically under the "Obituaries" category. This is updated more frequently than the Legacy search bar.
- Verify via Funeral Home: If it’s not in the paper yet, check the websites for Scenic Chapel, Alamogordo Funeral Home, or New Dawn Cremations.
- Check Social Media: Believe it or not, the "Alamogordo Town Square" groups on social media often share death notices faster than the media outlets.
- Submission Prep: If you’re submitting, have the funeral home’s contact info ready. The paper will not publish a single word until they speak to the funeral director.
- Digital Memorials: Remember that an obituary in the paper is a permanent record, but a digital memorial on a site like AlamogordoObituaries.com is often free and allows for more community interaction.
Ultimately, the Alamogordo Daily News obits serve as a final tribute to the people who built this community, from the scientists at Holloman to the ranchers in Tularosa. While the medium has changed from ink-stained fingers to glowing smartphone screens, the purpose remains exactly the same: making sure no one is forgotten.
To find the most recent listings from this week, go directly to the alamogordonews.com/category/obituaries page rather than using a general search engine, as recent updates can take up to 48 hours to index. If you are placing a notice, ensure you have a scanned death certificate or the funeral home's contact details ready to avoid publication delays.