Community News

SILVER CITY, N.M. - After more than two decades of wearing nearly every hat in Mustang Athletics, Matt Enriquez has been named the Interim Athletics Director at Western New Mexico University.

A WNMU Athletic Hall of Famer and former standout player, Enriquez is entering his 21st year at the university, serving as a student-athlete, coach, and administrator. Most recently, he has held the title of Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations Affairs, where he's overseen budget management, event operations, and provided sport supervision for Men's and Women's Basketball, as well as Men's and Women's Golf.

Cassie Carver, SCRAR President Elect and Christoper BennettCongratulations to Christopher Bennett, a graduating senior from Silver High School, on being awarded a 2025 scholarship from the Silver City Regional Association of REALTORS®!

This fall, Christopher will attend New Mexico State University, where he plans to major in Agriculture Education and Extension with the goal of becoming an Agricultural Teacher. Christopher is the son of Shawnda and Timothy Bennett. Shawnda is with our affiliate member Grant County Title Co.

Throughout high school, Christopher consistently earned a place on the A/B or A Honor Roll. He has been actively involved in 4-H, serving as both Council Treasurer and President, and has also participated in FFA and baseball. His dedication to community service includes volunteering with the Grant County Fair Board, Farm & Livestock Bureau, and Wreaths Across America.

Lordsburg, NM — As Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) marks 30 years of service to the people of Hidalgo and Grant Counties, the HMS Board of Directors wishes to directly address recent public concerns and reaffirm its unwavering commitment to the patients, staff, and communities it serves.

In recent weeks, HMS has been the subject of misleading public allegations. "While we take all concerns seriously, we want to be clear: these claims are not based on fact and do not reflect the quality, professionalism, or integrity of this organization or its workforce," said Dan Otero, DBA, Chief Executive Officer of HMS. "All relevant records have been made available to regulatory agencies; we continuously work to recruit and retain the best talent to serve our rural community; and we are careful managers of our community's health and social services needs, regardless of an individual's ability to pay."

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Robert A. Montoya, of Albuquerque, NM, successfully completed four years of challenging academic, physical, and professional military training, graduating from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering and a commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy. Montoya is a graduate of Cobre High School in Bayard, NM. At the academy, Montoya was a member of the 31st Company, Latin American Studies Club, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Catholic Midshipman Club and founding member of the United States Naval Academy Mariachi Group, Mariachi Marinero, of which he is currently serving as President with the rank of Midshipman Lieutenant.

Founded in 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy today is a prestigious four-year service academy that prepares midshipmen morally, mentally and physically to be professional officers in the naval service. More than 4,400 men and women representing every state in the U.S. and several foreign countries make up the student body, known as the Brigade of Midshipmen.

BLOOMINGTON, IL (05/23/2025)-- Patrick Waters, of Silver City, New Mexico, was named to the Dean's List for the spring semester of the 2024-25 academic year at Illinois Wesleyan University. Waters is a first-year majoring in Undecided.

Waters was among 812 students from 29 states and 27 countries named to the spring 2025 Dean's List. To qualify for the Dean's List, students must earn a GPA of 3.50 or better during the semester, based on 4.0 for straight As.

Founded in 1850, Illinois Wesleyan is a nationally recognized, highly selective liberal arts university. The University is exclusively undergraduate and enrolls approximately 1,700 students from across the nation and around the globe. Illinois Wesleyan prides itself on producing graduates who are well-rounded, broadly educated individuals with a spirit of inquiry who can successfully adapt to the demands of a rapidly changing, complex world.

Silver City, New Mexico– The Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) recently awarded Literacy Link - Leamos a $10,000.00 grant to support adult literacy.  The funds are a part of a record-setting, one-day donation in the Foundation's history of more than $13.2 million to support adult, family, and summer literacy programs in the 48 states in which Dollar General operates.

Our mission is to raise literacy levels in Grant County, New Mexico through free tutoring and outreach projects.

Our vision is a community where everyone is literate.

SILVER CITY, N.M. - After seven years of dedicated service and major milestones, Scott Noble has announced his resignation as Executive Director of Athletics at Western New Mexico University.

During his tenure, Noble oversaw some of the most impactful changes in Mustang Athletics history. From the opening of The Yard, WNMU's premier softball facility, to record-setting academic achievements, his leadership left a lasting mark on the program.

Under Noble's direction, WNMU student-athletes consistently raised the bar academically. In 2024–25 alone, 126 Mustangs earned spots on the LSC Commissioner's Honor Roll, including 55 with perfect 4.0 GPAs. The department also posted a strong 3.15 cumulative GPA for the spring semester, continuing a trend of academic excellence.

SILVER CITY—Western New Mexico University (WNMU) is making strategic adjustments to the way it delivers technical and healthcare education in Luna County and across the region. These changes were prompted by the opening of the new John Arthur and Janette Smith Education Center in Deming in 2024 and by Luna County's plans to occupy the Mimbres Valley Learning Center, where WNMU Deming workforce programs are currently housed, for its own vocational programs.

As part of a broader effort to align with student and workforce needs, WNMU's trade and technical programs—including welding, electrical and construction—will transition to the university's main campus in Silver City beginning fall semester 2025.  While this represents a shift in where some programs are offered, WNMU will continue to serve Deming and the surrounding communities through an expanded focus on healthcare education and selected academic courses at the Smith Center.