The former packing plant owned by Norman Ruebush will soon open under new ownership

By Mary Alice Murphy

The Beat found out from an unhappy neighbor of a closed packing plant that it has been sold and will soon be back in operation.

The unhappy neighbor is concerned about how it will impact the neighborhood, from smell, contamination, traffic and environmental viewpoints. That neighbor's email sent the Beat on a telephone trip for the history and the upcoming usage of the property. 

Norman Ruebush and his late wife Deleen received their USDA certification for the packing plant in unincorporated Grant County in 1986. They processed many different kinds of wild game, including buffalo, elk and deer. They also would sometimes  have a cow or bull brought to them for processing. He said they not only processed, but also had a small retail operation. 

"It became too hard for us to do custom packing in competition with the big five processing plants in the country," Norman Ruebush said. "We were getting older and we decided to close it in 2001."

State Land Office responds favorably to the district proposal, offering long-term lease options that could benefit schools and the greater Grant County community.

Silver Consolidated Schools has made significant progress in our efforts to secure a more sustainable, long-term arrangement for Ben Altamirano Fields. Following discussions with the New Mexico State Land Office and a formal proposal submitted by the district, we have received two lease options that could provide greater financial stability, protect our longstanding investment, and help preserve these facilities for our students and the greater Grant County community.

For more than three decades, Silver Consolidated Schools has maintained, operated, and invested in Ben Altamirano Fields. However, increasing lease costs and the responsibility of maintaining facilities on property we do not own have led us to explore alternatives that better serve our students, taxpayers, and community.

On October 14, the district formally requested a review of its existing lease, which expires June 30, 2027.

SILVER CITY, NM — The Western New Mexico University Police Department announced today that it recovered all stolen items from the WNMU Museum burglary.

WNMU Police confirmed that all recovered items remain intact and fully accounted for—a key milestone given the museum's collection's historical and cultural significance. "Preserving our cultural heritage is paramount, and getting these priceless pieces back unharmed was our top priority from minute one," said WNMU Police Chief Edward Flores

Flores credits campus law enforcement officials with making quick progress in locating the artifacts. "When dealing with historic artifacts of this magnitude, time is critical," Flores said.

Angel Amaya Bueno

Angel Bueno is found guilty by Hidalgo County jury for Homicide by Vehicle.

November 9, 2026 Hidalgo County I Sixth Judicial District Attorney Norman R. Wheeler announced today that Angel Bueno, 47, was found guilty by a Hidalgo County jury. The jury convicted Bueno on:
• Count 1: Homicide by Vehicle (Reckless Driving), 3rd Degree Felony;
• Count 2: Homicide by Vehicle (Reckless Driving), 3rd Degree Felony;
• Count 3: Reckless Driving, Petty Misdemeanor;
• Count 5: Failure to Obey Traffic Control Devices/Failure to Obey Sign, Petty Misdemeanor.

The Honorable Judge Foy of the Sixth Judicial District Court presided over the hearing. This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Hector Bejarano and Deputy District Attorney Martin Maxwell.

The Beat has just learned that the Western New Mexico Museum theft has been solved. 

The artifacts were recovered in good shape and the suspect  will be charged. 

The artifacts are in held in evidence, and they are still part of the investigation. 

The case was completely under the jurisdiction of the  WNMU Police Department.

[Editor's Note:The  Beat posted the following articles on the day after the theft and the day after that.. But then WNMU requested we remove them.So I did, but these are the articles soon after the theft was discovered. And they are NOWr e-published and readable. These are dated Nov. 2 and the second  article Nov. 3. I just wanted readers to know we were on top of it, but the person who sent the first one evidently was not authorized to?????]

By Lynn Janes

The Silver City Town Council held a meeting October 27, 2026. Attendance to the meeting included, Counc ilorsNicholas Prince, Stan Snider, Victor Nanez and Angela Salaiz. Mayor Simon Wheaton-Smith did not attend. Prince opened the meeting and chaired. He said the mayor had a chest cold.

The council approved the agenda with the exception of tabling of the museum society MOU (memorandum of understanding). The document presented at the last meeting now has been presented substantially different. They wanted time for a full review of all the changes.

Proclamations