Community News

(Note:  Mary Alice Murphy, editor of the Beat, was recently asked how the Beat began and what her background was.)

 1. How did Grant County Beat get started?

I was working at the Silver City Daily Press (SCPD), and I knew how much the newspaper was paying to have a digital version of its newspaper, which consisted of nothing but PDFs of each page of the paper, and I had an idea, . I created, designed and offered it to the then owner, Tina Ely, a digital version of the paper that would include the same articles in a more internet-friendly format at a lower price. She rejected the idea as being competition, which I never quite understood., because it would have been the same articles as in the print paper and would have saved her money.

2. What motivated you? 

The Kiwanis Club of Silver City recognized students at Harrison Schmitt Elementary with their Terrific Kids Award Program for September.

The following students were recognized with a certificate, bumper sticker and "goodie bag"!

SILVER CITY, NM — Western New Mexico University (WNMU) concluded its annual Banned Books Week celebration on October 7, with a series of well-attended events that fostered engaging discussions on intellectual freedom and the power of narrative. The observance, held October 1 through October 7, marked the sixth year of the partnership on Banned Book Week between the Humanities Department and Miller Library, which began in 2019. This year's events focused on expanded reach by incorporating new elements and a variety of voices.

Silver City, NM - HMS is proud to announce the installation of two new Blessing Boxes / Community Food Pantry Boxes located outside its Lordsburg and Silver City Med Square clinic locations. These boxes are available to anyone, at any time, no questions asked, and are stocked with essential items including non-perishable food, hygiene products, and other basic necessities.

The goal is simple but powerful: "Take what you need. Leave what you can." Whether someone is facing food insecurity, housing instability, or simply going through a tough time, the Blessing Boxes offer a safe, judgment-free way to get support, 24/7, completely anonymous.

"We understand that asking for help isn't always easy," said Dr. Dan Otero, CEO. "That's why these Blessing Boxes are about dignity and discretion. There are no forms, and no barriers, just compassion."

What's Inside?

Non-perishable food items (canned goods, snacks, boxed meals) Hygiene products (toothbrushes, soap, feminine care items) Seasonal necessities (socks, gloves, hand warmers, etc.)

While HMS clinic staff will maintain the boxes, community involvement is key. Donations can be placed directly into either box at any time. Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a meaningful difference in someone's life.

Items especially needed include:

Silver City, NM – Gila Regional Medical Center (GRMC) is proud to welcome Dr. Stanley Swierzewski, MD, a highly respected and board-certified urologist, to its medical team. Dr. Swierzewski brings over 30 years of clinical experience, research, and leadership in urologic care. 

Dr. Swierzewski most recently practiced at Harrington Hospital in Southbridge, Massachusetts, where he served the community with dedication and expertise. He earned his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine and completed his residency in Urology at the University of Michigan Medical Center. 

"We are excited to welcome Dr. Swierzewski," said Robert Whitaker, CEO of Gila Regional Medical Center. "His experience and dedication will be a valuable addition to our medical team and the patients we serve." 

Dr. Swierzewski will be located at Gila Regional Urology, 1302 E 32nd Street, Silver City, NM 88061, and he will be accepting new patients. His arrival strengthens GRMC's commitment to providing high-quality specialty care, ensuring patients in Grant County and surrounding areas have access to urologic services close to home. He will begin seeing patients this fall. 

More information will be shared on GRMC's Facebook page as Dr. Swierzewski's start date approaches. 

Silver City, NM – Gila Regional Medical Center (GRMC) is pleased to announce that El Refugio, Inc. has been selected as the recipient of its Q3 donation, funded through a portion of cafeteria sales. This initiative is part of the ongoing Gila Regional CARES program, GRMC's community outreach effort. 

El Refugio (ERI) provides comprehensive support to individuals impacted by domestic violence through advocacy, education, and direct services. The organization operates Casa Carmel Shelter, a 24/7 emergency facility that offers 32 bed spaces for women, men, and children, providing a safe and welcoming environment for up to 90 days. 

Photos by Meredith Phillips

A professional skater Jud Heald , pictured in an orange shirt,  performed at the Silver City Skate Park on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. The Beat didn't know about it, but this photographer shared her photos

In October of 2024, Crooked Forest Institute purchased 52 acres on Highway 35 in the Mimbres Valley to become our education campus.

Our strategy is a suite of interlocking solutions that will become a local, sustainable economic engine for the Mimbres Valley and Grant County over the next 10 years.

We are pairing a Vocational Education program with a nonprofit housing developer program to build clusters of small adobe homes on district utilities and on a community land trust.