Red Flag Warning Tuesday and Wednesday 0418-041923
RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FOR SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL NEW MEXICO AND FAR WEST TEXAS... .Dry, west flow behind developing surface low pressure across the Colorado, New Mexico Plains will lead to increased wind speeds this afternoon and again Wednesday afternoon. Critical fire weather conditions will occur with relative humidity falling to 5 to 10 percent across the majority of New Mexico and west Texas. Warm daytime temperatures will destabilize the near-surface atmosphere, leading to high mixing heights and strong ventilation. West-southwest winds of 15 to 25 mph are expected today, with slightly stronger conditions Wednesday evening..
Silver Schools looking at arming security guards
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 17 April 2023 17 April 2023
By Lynn Janes
On March 30, 2023, the Silver School district held one of the three meetings for public input on arming security guards in the schools. This meeting took place at Jose Barrios Elementary. Approximately 40-50 people attended. William Hawkins, Silver Schools superintendent, headed the conversation and addressed the questions. Luis Alvarez, assistant superintendent, also attended.
This has been a conversation brought up to the board for some time. The district has a threat assessment committee that meets regularly. One thing they recently had done to address any threat to the schools was to require ALICE (alert, lockdown, inform, counter, evacuate) training for all staff and students. This training has been used across the country.
Eddie Flores, board member, and Luis Alvarez, assistant superintendent, head the threat assessment committee. Flores has brought up the idea of arming the guards for a while.
Cobre getting new curriculum.
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 17 April 2023 17 April 2023
By Lynn Janes
The Cobre Consolidated Schools held a board meeting on March 27, 2023. President Serena Murillo called the meeting to order. Other board members in attendance included Gabriella Begay, Gilbert Guadiana, Elizabeth Dean, and David Terrazas. Dr. Jeff Spaletta also attended.
Reading of the board norms took place with each board member reading a norm. The norms consist of five rules the board strives to adhere to during the meeting. They are listed as actively listen to all perspectives, respond to concerns and questions as a unified board, professionalism expected, assume positive intent, and be positive and responsive.
The Pledge of Allegiance and salute to the New Mexico flag took place.
The board recognized the athletes that had won at the state championships.
Red Flag Warning 041823 -Fire Weather Watch 041923
RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FOR SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL NEW MEXICO AND FAR WEST TEXAS... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FOR SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL NEW MEXICO AND FAR WEST TEXAS... .A Western U.S. trough pattern will bring a prolonged period of elevated to critical fire weather conditions to Southern New Mexico and Far West Texas. Daily temperatures will run warmer than seasonal normals, by about 5 degrees for the week, leading to an unstable atmosphere with enhanced lifting. In addition the deep westerly flow will keep the atmosphere quite dry with single-digit daily minimum relative humidity and poor overnight recoveries in the 25 to 35 percent range. Finally, southwesterly and westerly winds will be strong, with each afternoon being high-end breezy to moderately windy. Conditions are expected to moderate slightly by Friday with lighter winds from the north.
Grant County Commission work session held April 11, 2023, part 4
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 16 April 2023 16 April 2023
[Editor's Note: This is part 4 of a multi-article series on the Commission work session on April 11, as well as on the regular meeting on April 13, 2023. This continues county reports.]
By Mary Alice Murphy
Beginning the rest of county reports at the Grant County Commission work session on April 11, 2023, Internet Technology Director Adam Baca said he and Specialist Robert Hood continue to implement the managed network switch equipment. "We are wanting to create network separators, so that not all computers can see all the other computers, but only those in their department, so if a virus is detected, it doesn't spread to everyone. After we are done with these projects, we will go to the Detention Center. We want to implement server infrastructure once we have the networks in place. We will do the network vulnerability scanning slowly after we finish the managed network process."
He said he did a walkthrough at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Conference Center with Director Romeo Cruz. "We want to bring in a group to assess the audio and visual and make recommendations. Romeo and I will review them. The plug-ins are worn out. We plan on upgrading and adding in new screens and microphones."
Grant County Commission work session held April 11, 2023, part 3
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 16 April 2023 16 April 2023
[Editor's Note: This is part 3 of a multi-article series on the Commission work session on April 11, as well as on the regular meeting on April 13, 2023. This begins with county reports at the work session.]
By Mary Alice Murphy
Detention Center Administrator Joseph Andazola gave the first county report at the April 11, 2023 Grant County Commission work session.
"We have three officers in training and another one starting next week," Andazola reported. "We also have another pending job offer. We have two openings right now. I want to thank Human Resources for getting interviews set up quickly. We will also work with Workforce Solutions. We have two pending to potentially go work at the Sheriff's Office and another two who are applying for other positions, so we will continue our recruitment."
He said Lt. Rios, Sgt. Gnader and Officer Thayer had completed the Special Response Team school, with Gnader finishing in the top five. "I would like to thank the El Paso County Sheriff's Department for their inivitation." He also noted that he has hosted training, including one in defensive tactics.