Community News

The New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts (NMACD) is proud to announce that Tom W. Paterson of Spur Ranch Cattle Company has been awarded the prestigious Friends of Conservation Award for his outstanding contributions to natural resource stewardship in New Mexico.

Nominated by multiple conservation districts, Paterson has been recognized for decades of leadership in land and water conservation. Since 1999, he has implemented innovative practices on Spur Ranch including erosion control, forest health projects, controlled burns, and grazing management. These efforts have improved the resilience of the land while serving as a model for other ranchers and landowners across the Southwest.

Program Culminates in Live Performance

 of "Route 66: Celebrating 100 Years!" October 30

SANTA FE, N.M. (October 22, 2025) National Dance Institute (NDI) New Mexico today announced its Residency Dance Program for Silver City fourth graders from Harrison Schmitt, Central, GW Stout, Jose Barrios, Elementary Schools, as well as kindergarteners from Central Elementary and NDI New Mexico SWAT/Celebration Teams from Harrison Schmitt, Central, GW Stout, Jose Barrios, Guadalupe Montessori, Aldo Leopold Charter, La Plata Middle School, Pecos Cyber Academy, and Snell Middle School. The three-week-long program, which runs October 13–30, will culminate in a live performance of "Route 66: Celebrating 100 Years!" on October 30. 

By Frost McGahey

On Monday, October 13th, Dale Lane, candidate for mayor for Silver City, spoke to a group of voters. When asked why he was running, Lane replied, "I grew up here, and I want to help solve some of the problems we have now that we didn't before."

"When talking to voters they tell me what they're most concerned about is the Homeless. Some of them are afraid of the people who are wandering or lying around, especially at night. I started researching the problem over two months ago, and it isn't just simply clearing them out. First, if they are arrested for a misdemeanor, because of New Mexico laws, they are released that day. If they've been aggressive, they're arrested and released three days later. The police have their hands tied. But that doesn't mean that we give up."

Lane graduated from Silver High and attended NMSU. After working in various states he returned in 1990. He retired as a former manager of Keenan Pipe and Supply, and now works on his own property.

Thank you for inspiring a love of reading and championing Imagination Library of Grant County's book gifting program. With state reimbursement dollars, $6 delivers books to a child every month for one full year. Renew your support anytime at www.imaginationlibrarygc.org.

IMAGINATION LIBRARY OF NEW MEXICO: Thanks to local community partners and legislative support, children in every New Mexico zip code are eligible to receive Dolly Parton's Imagination Library books. Benefits include kindergarten readiness, improved school success and a statewide focus on literacy.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an executive order Friday, May 30th to expand Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program in New Mexico. The executive order increases state support and allows families to receive bilingual books in English and Spanish.

Silver City Photographer Tom Vaughan shared photos of the Saturday, Oct. 18, "No Kings" rally. 

Protesters along Hudson Street on their way to the rally.

By Roger Lanse

The dark-eyed junco is back in Arenas Valley. An amateur birder reported seeing the first returning dark-eyed junco of the year, of the Oregon race, the morning of Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. The next morning two of the Oregon race and one of the grey-headed race were noted.

In an annual routine, juncos arrive in our area around the end of October, spend the winter, then leave for more northern climes, either in elevation or latitude, around the first of March. 

Cordelia Rose in Catron County had a professor, cook and students from Texas Tech's School of Architecture's Land Arts of the American West program come and walk her labyrinths on the 3" of rain day, so she is in the process of filling rainstorm holes in her labyrinth. "They have a wonderful semester camping and seeing Land Art e.g. Spiral Jetty, Lightning Field, my labyrinths, Cabinetlandia and natural beauty/art e.g. the Gila, the Chiricahuas, North Rim, White Sands."   

The first photo shows footsteps during the rainstorm, and the second, her continuing work to smooth out the ruts and holes.

Silver City, NM — October 15, 2025 — Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) is committed to providing high-quality care to our community. We are pleased to announce that, effective November 3, 2025, all services traditionally offered at Tu Casa will be continued at the Silver City Community Health Center (CHC), located at 1007 N. Pope Street, Silver City, NM.

This transition ensures that all services will remain the same and will be delivered by the same dedicated team, now in a more centrally located clinic. Patients with appointments scheduled for November 3, 2025, or later, who would have been seen at Tu Casa, should keep their appointments and come to the Community Health Center, where they will be seen on the second floor.