Community News

Favorable weather conditions in place for hazardous fuels reduction work

QUEMADO, N.M., Dec. 1 — The Quemado Ranger District on the Gila National Forest is planning to start prescribed fire operations later this week, pending all required approvals. We estimate this work to continue through the winter as weather conditions allow. We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.

Prescribed fires planned for the area include:

The US Marine Corps' Toys for Tots Campaign helps bring holiday joy to children in Grant County and across the nation. In an effort to increase Toys for Tots contributions, an anonymous donor is offering a free $5 "any species" Christmas Tree Tag to the first 30 people who donate a new, unwrapped toy to the campaign from Monday, December 8 to Friday, Dec. 12 at the Gila National Forest office located at 3005 E. Camino del Bosque, Silver City, NM 88061 and is limited to one $5 "any species" tag per customer for the first 20 customers.

If you have any questions, please call (575) 388-8201.

Silver City, NM – Gila Regional Medical Center (GRMC) received a generous donation from Harrison Schmitt Elementary School through its Pennies from Heaven program. The donation will help provide meals for 100 patients undergoing cancer treatment at the Gila Regional Cancer Center.

For a month, students at Harrison Schmitt Elementary collected spare change, rallying together across all four houses in a spirited competition. Their combined efforts raised an impressive $756.71, which they proudly presented to GRMC as one united school.

The check presentation took place during a school assembly on Wednesday, November 19. Accepting the contribution were Mike Torres, Cancer Center Practice Manager, joined by CEO Robert Whitaker, Associate Administrator Matthew Stephens, and Auxiliary Volunteers Emily Roybal and Deana Gomez.

"We are so thankful to these students for their kindness and for thinking of our cancer center," the team shared. "Their efforts will directly impact the well-being of our patients."

This act of compassion reminds us how even small gestures can make a big difference in the lives of those facing cancer treatment.

DEMING – The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has named the District One Silver City Patrol as the 2025 recipient of the Ben Lopez Memorial Best Patrol Award.

The award was established in memory of Ben Lopez, a dedicated NMDOT patrol supervisor who tragically lost his life on Aug. 18, 2005, in a random act of violence as he arrived for his shift at the North Urban Patrol yard in Albuquerque. His death marked the beginning of a violent crime spree that also claimed the lives of two motorcycle shop employees and two Albuquerque police officers. The annual award honors Lopez's legacy and recognizes the commitment and sacrifices made by transportation workers statewide.

By Frost McGahey

On Monday November 17, the newly elected town councilor for District 4 Victor Nanez spoke to a group of voters. When asked why he ran, he said, "I saw a need for a positive change to help our citizens have a better life."

Nanez was born in Santa Rita and has spent most of his life in Silver City.

"Working for Engineers Inc., I was involved in overseeing the construction of the Visitor Center, Downtown Lighting, and installation of several bridges including the Big Ditch Bridge.

Map below

The New Mexico State Geologist and director of the  New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources at New Mexico Tech,J. Michael Timmons, sent this news release about activities that will involve airborne geophysical surveys in the area over the next few weeks.

Timmons said: " I have some  very exciting news related to aquifer characterization studies in New Mexico. With the first special appropriation of $7.5 million to the New Mexico Bureau of Geology in FY26 for aquifer mapping, we are initiating a series of airborne geophysical surveys that will enhance our understanding of the state's groundwater. These surveys represent the most advanced techniques available for imaging and interpreting the subsurface geology, enabling a deeper understanding of our fresh and brackish groundwater resources."

This year's NM Senior Olympics Team Tournament in Santa Fe brought together an incredible group of athletes, with 15 women's teams and 7 men's teams competing. Raul S. Turrieta, Chief Deputy Assessor Grant County, had the opportunity and honor to play alongside some truly great players. Teams came from all across the country—including Oregon, Texas, Arizona, Kansas, Oklahoma, California, Idaho, and many more—making it a memorable and energetic tournament.

I played with the New Mexico team "Live Three or Die." We had an outstanding run, going 4–0 to win the Championship in the 65–70 Division and brought back the Gold Metal. 

Next year, this tournament will serve as a national qualifier for 3-on-3 basketball, giving all of us even more motivation to stay active and healthy. Beyond the competition, the best part is always the friendships made and the shared commitment to wellness. Our next basketball tournament with the team Live Three or Die is the Senior Olympics in Tuscon AZ on January 24, 2026 and we are playing against 60 year old division. 

Food was picked up by Misty Pugmire representing El Grito Head Start,The Grant County Cattle Growers have once again demonstrated their commitment to the community by raising funds to purchase the Grand Champion steer, owned and shown by Dusty Waters at the Cliff-Gila Grant County Fair. The purchase of the steer was made possible through the support of additional donors, including American Ag Credit, Searing Industries, Randy and Katherine Moore, David McCauley, and MBM Contracting LLC. The Grant County Cattle Growers and all contributors extend their gratitude to everyone who purchased raffle tickets, as the proceeds played a significant role in making this initiative possible.

 In addition to acquiring the steer, the organization also covered the processing costs, ensuring that the meat could be provided to five local schools. This generous donation benefits students enrolled in culinary arts classes, giving them the opportunity to learn how to prepare beef and enjoy the dishes they create.