(Silver City, NM, June 30, 2026) — The Gila National Forest has issued a temporary closure order for the northwestern corner of the Gila Wilderness. This order is in place to protect public health and safety in an area with active firefighting operations and fire danger associated with the Sacaton Fire. The order goes into effect at 8 a.m. on July 1.

The lightning-caused Sacaton Fire was detected Sunday, June 21, in the Gila Wilderness. It is currently about 3.5 miles west of the Mogollon Baldy Lookout and approximately 12 miles east of the community of Pleasanton.

Under this closure order, the public is prohibited from entering all National Forest System lands, trails, and roads in the closure area. Violation of the order is punishable by fines and/or imprisonment. Federal, state, and local officers, firefighters, members of an organized rescue team, and any others authorized by Forest Service permit are exempt from the closure order.

By Lynn Janes

The town of Bayard held a regular meeting June 17, 2026. Attendance included Mayor John L. Ojinaga, Mayor Pro Tem Eloy Gonzales, Eloy Medina and Charles Gray. Martha Salas, city clerk, also attended. Gilbert Ortiz did not attend.

The council approved the agenda.

Public input

Kendra Milligan came to speak to the council about Trees New Mexico. They have been working with the Bayard beatification committee to plant trees on private property in Bayard. They will have 50 trees to plant on August 29, 2026, and will be planting trees in people’s front yards to combat the heat island effect. “We need volunteers to help plant the trees.” A whole variety of trees will be available to choose from. Tree New Mexico has been working in Albuquerque since 1990 but received a grant to make it spread statewide. They have already planted 125 trees in Silver City since October 2025. People may sign up by accessing their website at treenm.org. It will be a free service.

Is Emerge Causing a "Man Problem" for the Democrat Party?

By  Frost McGahey, Investigative Journalist

Emerge is a national organization that recruits, trains, and supports Progressive Democrat women running for office. According to its website, it has helped elect over 100 graduates throughout New Mexico.

Better Together New Mexico considers them harmful because Emerge lawmakers support a national Progressive agenda, such as legalizing recreational marijuana rather than one focused on New Mexico's needs. 

The Emerge vision:

"Over the next two decades, the country will no longer be majority white. Rather, there will be a New American Majority – Black, Brown, and Indigenous WOMEN,  WOMEN of color, LGBTQ+, young, and Unmarried WOMEN – who will lead our country. 

We will elevate our mission to change politics as usual by flipping state legislatures to make them majority female." 

By Lynn Janes

The Silver City Consolidated Schools held a work session and regular meeting June 15, 2026. Ashley Montenegro, Michelle Diaz, Patrick Cohn and Mike McMillan attended. Superintendent William Hawkins also attended. Kimberly Klement did not attend due to being in Washington DC with the NHD (national history day) students.

Work session

Cindi Barris, associate superintendent, had a presentation on the title application. The application will be a little different and now will be called the unified application. A few of them had worked on it but it would all be submitted at the same time. She said it had required them to spend more hours on it than before but forced them to have conversations and it helped save time. For Title I they had received $813,730 in student funds, Title II $112,734.38 and Title IV $58,859.82. All had been approved. Title I over half will be used for salaries and professional development. Title IV they looked at safe and healthy schools and technology. Title V will be $69,570.34. The NextGen state grant will be $110,822.26.

By Lynn Janes

_{(Writers note: this article was written using the minutes provided by the Village of Santa Clara)}

_{The Village of Santa Clara held a regular meeting June 11, 2026. Mayor Arnold Lopez called the meeting to order. Mayor Pro Tem Albert Esparza, trustees, Peter Erickson, Olga Amador and Ralph Trujillo attended.}

_{The council approved the agenda, past meeting minutes and department head reports.}

_{Mayors report}

_{Lopez reminded everyone the new bike park would have a grand opening June 26, 2026. Sheila Hudman, village administrator, attended the Copper Collaborative meeting and they discussed funding options for water infrastructure and housing. He added the county has been very impressed with all the work being done in the village.}

_{Public comments none currently}

_Resolutions

_{The council approved resolution 2026-08 amending the policies and procurement manual for the volunteer fire and rescue department pertaining to nominal stipends.}

_{The council went into closed session.}

_{The council came back into open session.}

_{Hiring, raises, terminations, etc.}

_{The council approved the resignation of Toni Castillo, senior center driver.}

_{The council approved a $1 raise for Mark Diaz for obtaining his water level 2 certification.}

_{Second regular meeting will be June 25, 2026, at 6:00 pm
First regular meeting will be July 9, 2026, 2026, at 6:00 pm}

_{Meeting Adjourned}

Courtesy Photo 

Santa Clara officials as well as legislators gathered at the opening of the Santa Clara Bike Park.