One minor arrested after Bayard fight

By Roger Lanse

A Bayard Police Department officer was dispatched to a reported group of juveniles fighting near the Mi Ranchito store at about 4:17 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. When the officer arrived, he encountered three male juveniles, a 15-year-old and two 13-year-olds, walking along Central Avenue, the two 13-year-olds bleeding from their faces.

According to a BPD incident report, one of the juveniles ran from the officer, ignoring his commands to stop. Pursuing on foot, the officer caught up to the fleeing juvenile near the post office and immediately smelled the odor of alcohol coming from the 13-year-old male. He was detained and placed in the back of the officer's patrol unit.

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Grant County Commission holds work session 010924 and regular meeting 011124, part 5

img 7501Grant County Planning Director Randy Hernandez receives recognition of his 15 years of service to the county from County Manager Charlene Webb.

[Editor's Note: This is part 5 of the Grant County Commission work session on Jan. 9, 2024 and the regular meeting on Jan. 11, 2024. This begins the work session review of the regular meeting agenda.]

Photo and article by Mary Alice Murphy

County Manager Charlene Webb at the Jan. 9, 2024 work session began the review of the regular meeting agenda for Jan. 11, 2024. The first items were to elect a chair and vice chair for the year. At the regular meeting, the commissioners elected unanimously District 1 Commissioner and Chair Chris Ponce to continue as chair. The vice chair position went to District 2 Commissioner Eloy Medina, again unanimously.

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Cobre board vacancy

By Lynn Janes

The Cobre Consolidated School Board held a regular meeting on January 16, 2024. Board members in attendance included, , Gabriella Begay, Gilbert Guadiana, and David Terrazas (online). Acting superintendent Michael Koury also attended. Serena Murillo did not attend. 

Judge Hector C. Grijalva attended to swear in the new board members. He swore in Begay and Terrazas.

The board has a vacancy that must be filled by February 14, 2024. Begay asked that Stephanie Mendivil, attorney at Walsh Gallego Trevino Kyle and Robinson P.C., attend the meeting and help guide them through the process. 

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Bayard proclaims All American cheerleader week

By Lynn Janes

The town of Bayard held a work session and regular meeting December 11, 2023. Attendance included Mayor Chon Fierro, councilors, Frances Gonzales, Eloy Gonzales, Jose Diaz, and Eloy Medina. Gabriel Ramos, city clerk, also attended.

The work session allows the council to ask questions about items on the agenda.

Ramos received a letter from the New Mexico Municipal League on his request for information concerning a past conversation with the council. The letter said city clerk/treasurer and city administrator would be two different positions but could serve as both. The letter included the statues that support that. Ramos told the council it would be their choice. Diaz said they needed to wait for the new mayor to make any decision. It would also mean an ordinance would have to be done and a period of time for the public to have the opportunity to review. Ramos said he just wanted them to have the documents.

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Grant County Commission holds work session 010924, part 4

[Editor's Note: This is part 4 of the Grant County Commission work session on Jan. 9, 2024. This begins the county director reports.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

County director reports continued at the Jan. 9, 2024 Grant County Commission work session.

The next report came from Emergency Manager Scot Fuller.

"Most of our current and future projects haven't changed that much, so I'll give some updates on them," Fuller began. "I got tired of waiting on the IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert and Warning System) designation, so I called FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Administration) up on Friday and expressed my displeasure with their process, so hopefully by the end of the week, we should have access to get us started. On the Hazard Mitigation Plan, which you approved funding for last meeting, I will be getting with procurement to get an RFP out to get a contractor on hand to start the process."

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Santa Clara gets update on projects

Santa Clara gets update on projects

By Lynn Janes

The Village of Santa Clara held a meeting January 11, 2024. Newly elected Mayor Arnold Lopez called the meeting to order. Mayor Pro Tem Albert Esparza trustees, Olga Amador, Peter Erickson, and newly elected Ralph Trujillo attended.

Mayor's report

Lopez said this would be his first meeting and would be a little nervous. He had attended the training in Santa Fe for the Municipal League newly elected officials. He had learned a lot and it would be very useful. The road construction had been going well and he wanted to get down there and introduce himself. He welcomed Trujillo to the council.

New Business

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Silver City gets major funding for Vista De Plata

By Lynn Janes

The Silver City Town Council held a regular meeting January 9, 2024. Attendance to the meeting included Mayor Ken Ladner, council members included Nicholas Prince, Guadalupe Cano, Rudy Bencomo, and newly elected Stan Snider (phone). Snider did not attend in person due to being at a special meeting in Santa Fe for newly elected officials.

Council comments

Bencomo welcomed Snider and said he would do what he could to make him comfortable.

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Deer killed by vehicle in Grant County during 2023

By Roger Lanse

Grant County law enforcement agencies, through blotter reports, record that 140 deer were struck and killed by vehicles on county and city thoroughfares during the calendar year 2023. These blotter reports originate from calls to the Grant County Regional Dispatch Authority and subsequently investigated by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Silver City Police Department, Bayard Police Department, Hurley Police Department, or Santa Clara Police Department. Totals by month, and an annual total, follow:

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