[Editor's Note: This is part 2 of a multi-part series of articles about the Grant County Commission work session of Dec. 18, 2018.]
By Mary Alice Murphy
The Grant County Commission held a work session on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, to hear presentations, updates and to review the regular agenda.
The article on the first two updates, from Gila Regional Medical Center and Hidalgo Medical Services, can be read here: http://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/48245-grant-county-commission-work-session-features-monthly-reports-121818-part-1
By Roger Lanse
A Securities and Exchange Commission complaint, unsealed on Dec. 6, 2018, against Silver City businessman Thomas H. Laws, alleges that during 2016-2018, Laws misappropriated investor funds transferred to himself from Santa Fe Gold Corporation, of which he was CEO. According to an SEC litigation release dated Dec. 14, 2018, Laws misappropriated approximately $1.1 million and attempted to hide his theft from the company and its independent auditor by fabricating documents; including vendor invoices, agreements, bank records, and communications.
By Mary Alice Murphy
At the beginning of the Grant County Board of Commissioners work session on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2018, Gila Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Taffy Arias introduced the new podiatrist, Dr. Gregory Iwaasa, who has opened a clinic in Silver City.
"We moved here with our five kids from North Dakota," Iwaasa said. "We are excited to be part of the community. Our kids are loving it. We are feeling support from the community. I treat feet from toenails to bunions to biomedical issues and sports medicine."
Grant County, NM - On December 24, 2018 at about 8:25 p.m., the New Mexico State Police investigated a fatal crash involving two vehicles on Interstate 10 around mile post 47, between Lordsburg and Deming, NM.
The initial investigation indicated a 2000 BMW, driven by Debra J. Harriman (56) of Albuquerque, NM was traveling west on Interstate 10. For unknown reasons the BMW left the roadway and spun into the eastbound lane where it collided into a 2017 Honda Civic that was going east. The driver of the BMW, Harriman was pronounced deceased at the scene by the office of medical investigator. The driver and passenger in the Honda sustained unknown injuries.
By Mary Alice Murphy
On Monday, Dec. 17, newly-elected Congresswoman Xochitl Torres-Small visited Silver City and met with different groups of individuals to find out the pulse of the area.
This meeting took place between Torres-Small and local government officials, who met her at the Western New Mexico University ABC rooms.
By Hallie Richwine
The Grant County Water Commission met December 17, 2018 to discuss plans to move forward. The first order of business was the nomination of Alex Brown for Chairperson and Richard Bauch for Vice Chairperson. Nominations closed with no objections.
The commission then took time to address general input. The main topic of conversation was the wastewater treatment plant in Bayard. The drying beds are not adequate for the volume of wastewater produced. The first dryer is insufficient.
Photos by Sandra Michaud
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
Patrick Hoskins talks about the new award
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
An emotional moment when Hoskins names the award winner
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
Charmeine Wait, Mary Lucero, Ward Rudick and Patrick Hoskins
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
Patsy Madrid of Vintage Fantasies and Kris Lowry and Tisha Donovan of Kris’s Unique Boutique
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
Ward Rudick
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
Revel
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
Revel
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
Kris's Unique Boutique
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
The Makery
DSC_7659.jpg
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
Manzanita Ridge
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
Manzanita Ridge
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
Finn's Gallery
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
Finn's Gallery
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
Wild West Weaving
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
Encore
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
Encore
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
Encore
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
Vintage Fantasies
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
Vintage Fantasies
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
Vintage Fantasies
Silver City MainStreet Downtown holiday windows 121518
Farm Bureau Financial Services
A small group of residents and visitors gathered at the Murray Ryan Visitor Center Saturday morning, Dec. 15, to learn the results of the 2018 Merchant Window Contest. Of the 15 entrants, nine would be chosen in three different categories: Community Choice, Largest Display, and Most Creative.
And there was a special announcement, the establishment of the Ward A. Rudick Spirit of Christmas Award. Patrick Hoskins, Board President of Silver City MainStreet spoke of all the things that Ward Rudick has done to make Silver City a good place to live. Rudick chuckled as he received the plaque, which is installed on a wall of the Visitors’ Center. “Not bad for a Jewish boy,” he laughed.
Take a stroll in Downtown Silver City, and enjoy all the windows.
Article by Mary Alice Murphy. Photos by Mary Alice Murphy and Courtesy of Mark Erickson as noted
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
At 6 a.m. in the morning, a truck brought 499 boxes of wreaths to Fort Bayard National Cemetery from Wreaths Across America. Photo by Mark Erickson
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
The truck and its driver. Photo by Mark Erickson
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Volunteers scattered across the Fort Bayard National Cemetery to place wreaths on grave markers. Photo by Mark Erickson
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
One of the volunteers carries several wreaths to place. Photo by Mark Erickson
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
A volunteer uses a wheelbarrow to carry more. Photo by Mark Erickson
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
A wreath for every marker
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Emcee Dr. John Bell visits with Doug Dinwiddie before the ceremony.
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Santa Clara Mayor Richard Bauch and village Trustee Rocky Hildebrand helped prepare Fort Bayard with flags.
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Dr. John Bell as master of ceremonies.
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
The Hi Lo Silvers, led by Valdeen Wooton, sang "The Star-Spangled Banner," "Let There Be Peace," and "God Bless America," during the ceremony.
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
The Color Guard, composed of members of the Marine Corps League and Vietnam Veterans of America posted the colors.
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Navy Capt. Diane LeBlanc (retired) served as featured speaker.
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
James Maestas salutes the wreath placed for the U.S. Army
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Frank Donohue carries in the wreath for the Marine Corps
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
John Sterle prepares to place the wreath for the Navy.
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Freddy Diaz is ready to place the Air Force wreath
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Terry Kline carries the Coast Guard wreath
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Debbie Root carries the Merchant Marines wreath in honor of her father
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Ray Davis is ready to place the POW/MIA wreath
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Doug Dinwiddie of the Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society carries a wreath honoring all those buried at the cemetery who served Fort Bayard.
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Cecilia Bell of the FBHPS carries the wreath to honor the Medical Corps physicians and nurses who served at Fort Bayard.
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Mary Cowan, event organizer, accepts flowers from Donohue and Sterle
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Cowan thanks everyone
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Cowan in front of the banner. Photo by Mark Erickson
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Cowan and LeBlanc Photo by Mark Erickson
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Two Navy officers, Capt. LeBlanc and Cmdr. Roger Dombrowski (retired)
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Wreaths by Evergreen Garden Club. U.S. Army
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
U.S. Marine Corps
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
U.S. Navy
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
U.S. Air Force
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
U.S. Coast Guard
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Cowan places the U.S. Army wreath on her son Aaron Cowan's grave marker
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
several of many wreaths on grave markers
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
wreaths from one end of Fort Bayard National Cemetery to the other
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Isn't it beautiful?
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
more wreaths on gravestones
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
A single stone with wreath
Wreaths Across America at Fort Bayard 121518
Lines of graves and wreaths
On the 10th anniversary of the first greenery and red-bowed Wreaths Across America being laid on graves at Fort Bayard National Cemetery, the challenge of laying a wreath on every grave was met.
Dr. John Bell, an Army Medical Corps physician, Vietnam Veteran, and long-time medical practitioner in Grant County, served as master of ceremonies.
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