Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

St. Francis Newman Center Parish in Silver City held a St. Francis Fiesta on Sunday, October. 5, 2025 at the Western New Mexico University Old James Stadium .

Volunteers from the parish had set up the cooking grills and tables and chairs, as well as activities for the kids, large and small and tables for information on the Newman Club and the youth organization earlier in the morning. 

The pastor, Father Ephraim Ezulike, began Mass at 9 a.m. , including all musicians who serve the different masses. After Mass, parishioners lined up for a breakfast of coffee, orange juice, scrambled eggs and biscuits and gravy.

By Roger Lanse

Several ‘First Day Ads’ have recently appeared in the classified section of the Silver City Daily Press, seemingly critical of Bayard Police Department Chief Hector Carrillo. The person who placed the classified ads has been identified as Felix Norero Jr., 51, of Bayard.

The crux of Norero’s dispute with Chief Carrillo, according to Carrillo, is an incident which occurred on Aug. 26, 2025, about 6:11 p.m., in which an officer responded to an harassment call and a male suspect was charged with two misdemeanors, criminal trespass (unposted) and harassment, and the victim, Norero Jr, believes the charges should have been stiffer.

By Roger Lanse

On Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, at about 8:24 a.m., a Bayard Police Department officer responded to Gila Regional Medical Center in Silver City, where Grant County Regional Dispatch Authority personnel stated a man, who had been shot, had been taken by private vehicle. According to a BPD incident report, the witness who had driven the injured man to the hospital told the officer he was outside his residence when he heard a 'pop' and a man, later identified as Jordan Altamirano, 20, of Bayard, ran out of his 603 Winifred Street residence, saying he had been shot by his girlfriend and asked the witness to take him to the hospital.

By Roger Lanse

A Grant County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to an aggravated burglary call at a Burnham Street address in Arenas Valley at approximately 12-noon on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. According to a GCSO incident report, the victim, Kerry Geren, of the address, told the deputy he believes a certain female had stolen two pellet guns, both .177 caliber and together valued at $550, from his property. Geren did not have serial numbers for the two guns but would supply receipts and photos at a later date.

By Frost McGahey

Silver City Councilor District 2 Candidate: Nicholas Prince

(Editor's Note:  The Grant County Beat asked Candidates questions so voters can determine who they want to vote for. Early voting starts October 7, and Election Day is Tuesday November 4. The replies are posted in the order received.)

1A.  How long have you lived in Silver?

15 years

1B.  Where did you come from?

Four countries on three continents before settling in Silver City. I value my time and all that I have learned and experienced in various communities and governments over the years.

2.  What do you like best about Silver City?

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

The annual Mimbres Harvest Festival took place at the San Lorenzo Elementary School on Saturday, October. 4, 2025. The event included an empanada competition,  with first and second place going to for her apple and apricot empanadas. One of the judges was Miss New Mexico, Sarah Ortiz. A tent was set up with chairs for people to listen to the entertainers. 

Vendors of produce, art and food,and organizations, such as representatives from the Gila National Forest and volunteer fire departments, filled the grounds.

The morning started out breezy, but big winds came up around noon, causing the dust to blow [and this photographer to forget to get the name of a maker of canes] and tents to become shaky. A few vendors packed up and left, but most stayed to continue to sell their wares and present ideas.

Inside the gym, the annual health fair took place, with information from various medical entities in the county, as well as vaccinations and blood pressure tests by WNMU nursing students. An enchilada lunch had a long line as a fundraiser for the school.