Turkey Fire Remains Quiet 081523

Silver City, NM – August 14, 2023
The Turkey Fire is located 9 miles northeast of Cliff, New Mexico and remains at an estimated at 5,220 acres with 0% containment. A Type 3 Incident Management Team has been in command of the fire since August 8, 2023.

There is a little activity on the southeast side of the fire. The fire has received light rain over the past few days, easing fire activity. There was little fire movement on the southern side of the fire, as it approached a rocky area near the ridge. Along with the decreased fire activity, most crews have been released from the fire. Only the road group and one fire engine remain on the 282 road.

Smoke may occasionally still be visible from surrounding communities. The fire will continue to be watched by ground and air observations.

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Chip seal operations will close NM 80

Motorists should expect delays


LORDSBURG-The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) District One office will be continuing a maintenance operation project to place “chip seal” pavement on NM 80 in Hidalgo County. The chip seal process is a surface treatment that is placed on the existing pavement. It is designed to seal out moisture and create a more durable surface extending the longevity of the roadway.
 
Beginning Wednesday, August 16, 2023, the chip seal crew will close NM 80 from Interstate 10, exit 5 to NM 145 (Goat Camp Rd) for approximately 8 miles.  A detour will be in place on NM 338, I-10 exit 11. Motorists should expect delays and will encounter reduced speeds, flagging, pilot car operations, brooming, and lane closures. Work will take place Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for approximately one week, once complete crews will then move the closure from NM 145 to NM 9.
 
Motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, use extreme caution and watch for heavy equipment and construction personnel in the area. Center striping will not be present in construction zones.
 
The NMDOT appreciates your patience.  These routes will be updated weekly on the department’s Traffic Report and posted to the www.dot.nm.gov  web page. For updated information go to: New Mexico Department of Transportation at www.nmroads.com   or call 511.

MAJOR CORRECTION: Santa Clara prairie golf course

[Editor's Note: This correction is necessary due to this editor's assumption. NEVER assume. ALWAYS verify. My bad!] 

By Lynn Janes

The Village of Santa Clara held its regular meeting July 27, 2023. Mayor Richard Bauch called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Trustees, Arnold Lopez Olga Amador, and Peter Erickson attended. Mayor Pro Tem Albert Esparza did not attend.

The council approved the agenda for the meeting.

The council approved the minutes from the June 13, 2023, meeting.

Mayor’s report

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NM statewide wildfire notification 081423

Wildfire Notification #17

The New Mexico Forestry Division would like to update you on several wildfires that are requiring the attention of state, local and federal resources in New Mexico. Increased humidity and precipitation throughout the weekend benefited firefighting efforts throughout the state. This will be the final Forestry Division notification on these fires, unless there are significant changes.

State Managed Fires

246 Fire

Situation: The 246 Fire started August 10 at 11a.m. and is located north of Capitan off Highway 246 near Shippy Ranch. Currently, the fire is 27.7 acres and is 65% contained. This weekend, crews were able to establish and secure containment lines while beginning mop-up in the perimeter. The fire did receive light moisture. Today’s efforts will continue mop-up and securing containment lines, weather permitting. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Turkey Fire Begins Demobilization

Silver City, NM – August 14, 2023

The Turkey Fire is located 9 miles northeast of Cliff, New Mexico and remains at an estimated at 5,220 acres with 0% containment. A Type 3 Incident Management Team has been in command of the fire since August 8, 2023.

There is a little activity on the southeast side of the fire. The fire has received light rain over the past few days, slightly easing fire activity. There was some fire movement on the southern side of the fire, as it approached a rocky area near the ridge. As the fire activity winds down, crews are being demobilized from the fire. Some smoke may occasionally still be visible from surrounding communities. The fire will continue to be monitored by ground and air observations.

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GRMC new Board of Trustees holds first meeting 072723, part 1

[Editor's Note: This is part 1 of a two-part series of articles on the GRMC Board of Trustees meeting on July 27, 2023.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

The Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees, appointed by the Grant County Commission, which had served as the GRMC Governing Board up to July 1, 2023, held their first meeting in the Board Room at the hospital on July 27, 2023.

Their first order of business elected their new officers. Dr. Fred Fox will serve as board chair, Betty Vega as vice chair, and Pat McIntire as secretary-treasurer. Other members include Mike Smith, Seth Traeger, Will Hawkins and Javier "Harvey" Salas.

Fox led off the meeting by reading a prepared statement: "This is the first meeting of the new GRMC Board of Trustees comprised of community members appointed by the Grant County Board of Commissioners. Our role is not to manage, but rather to draw on our collective experiences, knowledge and relationships to the people and constituents of Grant County to provide governance to the hospital."

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Bayard police department fully staffed

By Lynn Janes

The town of Bayard held a work session July 24, 2023. Attendance included Mayor Chon Fierro councilors Eloy Medina, Frances Gonzales, and Jose Diaz. Mayor Pro Tem Raul Villanueva did not attend. The work session allows the council time to ask questions about items on the agenda and discuss them.

Gonzales pointed out that the correction she had requested in the minutes for June 26, 2023, had not been made.

Diaz had questions about the cell phone contracts. He also wanted to know if the recent requests for phones had included new staff on the new contracts. Another question concerned how the contract had been spread out between departments. Gabriel Ramos, city clerk, said he has been going over them and at the next meeting he would have solid information for the council.

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Silver High gets ready for construction

[Editor's Note: This is absolutely my fault for not getting this up earlier. My apologies to the author and the community,]

By Lynn Janes

The Silver City Consolidated Schools held a work session on July 24, 2023. President Ashley Montenegro called the meeting to order. Other board members in attendance Michelle Diaz (by phone), Patrick Cohn, Mike McMillan, and Eddie Flores. Superintendent William Hawkins also attended. The Pledge of Allegiance and salute to the New Mexico flag took place.

The board approved the agenda.

The purpose of this work session had to do with the policy F-1400 FF naming facilities. Larry Behrens joined the meeting online to give the board a presentation. He requested that they name the Silver High School band room after the late band director David Kendrick.

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