Community News

Thanks to the generous support of the Grant County Community through heir purchase of New Mexican grown pecans, two recent graduates of county high schools will each receive a $1500 scholarship for the 2025-2026 academic year from the Chapter AG, P.E.O. Foundation Scholarship account. This annual fall pecan fundraiser has been a successful chapter project for over 60 years, enabling scores of young women to realize their educational goals.

This year's local scholarship recipients are Shea Barentine and Cheyanne Medrano.

As a National Honor Society member at Cliff High School, Shea Barentine has served as secretary for FCCLA and as the basketball team manager. She also has interned in the Grant County Treasurer's Office. Shea will be attending Eastern Arizona College where she will pursue a degree in Psychology.

SILVER CITY, N.M. - WNMU student-athlete Noah Bugayong isn't just putting in miles for Mustang Cross Country this summer, he's out on the fireline protecting New Mexico communities from one of the state's most active wildfires.

Bugayong, a senior runner for the Mustangs, is currently serving as a Squad Leader on the Gila Regulars Crew, a 23-person Type 2 Initial Attack team. The crew is made up of three combined modules: the Wilderness crew (based out of Mimbres), the Glenwood crew, and the Escondido Wildland Fire Module from Quemado.

Right now, their focus is the Trout Fire, a lightning-caused wildfire burning north of Silver City in the Gila National Forest. As of June 29, the fire has grown to over 47,000 acres and is approximately 69% contained.

Cowgirls and cowboys with flags lead the annual parade. Photo by Cheryl ThornburgGlenwood is the place to be for this year's Fourth of July Celebration. The parade begins at 5 p.m., honoring 250 years of service of the Army, Navy and Marines.

The old-fashioned, hometown parade features equestrian units, ranch kids, locals and out-of-town guests, all decked out in red, white and blue to honor America. Grand Marshalls Hugh B. and Margie McKeen are being honored for their more than 60 yearsof service to the Glenwood Horse-drawn wagons and colorful floats are always popular at the parade. Photo by Cheryl ThornburgCommunity.

Following the Parade, the Glenwood Park is hosting an evening of fun for all. Several food vendors will provide tasty meals. The Bouncy House will be in action for children to enjoy as well as the newly refurbished playground area. D.J.

Silver City's new Parks and Recreation Manager Julian Madrid stands on one of three basketball courts at the new, Henry V. "La Burra" Morales Recreation Center, scheduled to open in mid-July.Silver City -- Silver City son Julian Madrid is the new manager of the town's recently reorganized Parks and Recreation Department, which will be housed in the new, Henry V. "La Burra" Morales Recreation Center, scheduled to open in mid-July. Julian is the youngest of four sons of Mike Madrid, who served as a recreation center coordinator when the department was under the direction of Peter Peña, Silver City's director of Public Works. 

Town Manager Alex Brown explained that his decision to separate all functions related to town parks and recreation from Public Works was based on several factors, including an overburdened Public Works Department, which had been responsible for streets and sanitation, as well as Memory Lane Cemetery, maintenance and scheduling for all town parks and recreation center programming, the municipal pool, and other responsibilities. He said his decision is also based on increased demand for parks and recreation services from beyond town boundaries.

"Silver City is a service hub for the entire region, and we've seen a big increase in demand for our parks and recreation services and amenities," said Brown. "With the new recreation center opening soon, the many new programming and services that will be offered there, and the need for a one-stop reservation process for our parks and sports facilities, it seemed like a good time to separate parks and recreation from Public Works, where staff are already stretched just taking care of streets and sanitation.

 Recognizing the STAR Scholar are (L to R) Mary Cowan, Education Chair, Jessi Crocker, Susan Moody, Chapter AG President, and Dayana Patterson, Past PresidentJessi Crocker, a May graduate of Aldo Leopold Charter School, was selected to receive a $2,500 STAR Scholarship from the P.E.O. Sisterhood.  She was recommended by P.E.O. Chapter AG of Silver City.

This scholarship was established in 2009 to provide recognition and support for exceptional women in their final year of high school to attend a postsecondary educational institution in the U.S. or Canada in the next academic year.  The competitive STAR Scholarship is for women who exhibit excellence in leadership, academics, extracurricular activities, community service, and potential for future success.

TheActrix Studio's Beloved Summer Drama Camps Return to The Hearth in 2025

Silver City, NM — This summer, local families can look forward to a vibrant season of imagination, laughter, and community as TheActrix Studio LLC  brings its 2025 Summer Drama Camps back to The Hearth, located at 1915 N. Swan St.  The Hearth is a mission-driven community space in Silver City dedicated to cultivating connection, rest, and restoration in Grant County.

Hosted July 7 - August 7, these dynamic camps offer morning, afternoon, and full-day options, giving families the flexibility they need while engaging young performers in hands-on, high-energy theatre experiences. Campers will dive into themed sessions that spark collaboration, confidence, and a whole lot of fun—from character-building games to mini-performances that showcase each child's unique voice and spirit.

"Our summer camps are more than just theatre," says Wendy Spurgeon, founding teacher of TheActrix Studio. "Summer theatre camps are where magic and mayhem meet — and I absolutely love guiding young actors through both! The community space at the Hearth is the ideal venue for our theatrical shenanigans."

New Mexico National Guard personnel move into WNMU housing, June 23, 2025. The personnel are in Grant County to support the community during the Trout FireSILVER CITY, NM—As Grant County grapples with the Trout Fire, Western New Mexico University has opened its residence halls to displaced students, faculty and staff and to New Mexico State Police and New Mexico National Guard personnel who are in southwest New Mexico to help with public safety and recovery efforts.

The Trout Fire, which began June 12, 2025, on the Gila National Forest, has burned over 47,000 acres as of June 24.

New Mexico State Police have been working with local law enforcement agencies to identify evacuation zones and to evacuate residents.

The 2025 Nancy Champlin P.E.O. Foundation Scholarship recipients are Ila Rose Duffy ($1000) and Kianna Murillo ($1400). Both young women are recent graduates of Silver High School where each was on the "A" honor roll.

Not only maintaining an impressive g.p.a., Duffy also was a three year member of the National Honor Society and captain of both the soccer and cross country teams for three years. She additionally was involved in school media productions, held part-time jobs and provided community service at the Commons. Ila Rose will be attending New Mexico State University where she plans to obtain a degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Kianna Murillo was a valued member of the girls' basketball and valley ball teams as well as participating in the school work study program. Interested in a health care field, she served as president of the Health Occupation Students of America organization. Murillo too will attend New Mexico State University where she will pursue a Bachelor of Nursing degree.