Front Page News

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The U.S. Wildland Fire Service (BLM) plans to burn vegetation and undergrowth in a broadcast burn across the Pinos Altos area of Grant County next week. The Pinos Altos Broadcast Burn will consist of 205 acres, located about a quarter-mile north of Pinos Altos, adjacent roads to Bear Creek Road and NM Highway 15 to the east.

Smoke may be visible from Highways 15 and 180, and from Pinos Altos, Silver City and the Mimbres Valley. The broadcast burn is planned from September 23rd to 25th.

Once the ignitions have been completed, an engine crew will be assigned to monitor the fire, ensuring everything remains under control until all smoke has dissipated.

Andrew Phillip Calanchi

September 17, 2026 — Sixth Judicial District Attorney Norman R. Wheeler announced that 40-year-old Andrew Phillip Calanchi is being held without bond in Luna County after being charged with:
Count 1: Attempt to commit Murder, (1st Degree Felony),
Count 2: Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon, (3rd Degree Felony),
Count 3: Tampering with Evidence, (2nd Degree Felony),
Count 4: Tampering with Evidence, (3rd Degree Felony),
Count 5: Negligent Use of a Deadly Weapon (Petty Misdemeanor).

On August 26, 2026, Deming police responded to a call about a male subject shot in the face with a firearm. Several witnesses advised police that Adrian Mora was shot by a known assailant: Andrew Calanchi.

The Grant County Beat to host candidate forum Oct. 1, 2026

The Grant County Beat has decided to host a candidate forum for the county/state political race—the race for New Mexico House of Representatives District 39, between incumbent Rep. Luis Terrazas and his challenger, County Deputy Assessor Raul Turrieta.

The forum will take place on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at the WNMU Besse-Forward Global Resource Center Auditorium, on the corner of 12th Street and Kentucky Street.

By Lynn Janes

On August 4, 2026, the Republican party of Grant Count held a meeting to conduct business and hear from some candidates for the upcoming election in November. Two had come for this meeting and future meetings they will be having more statewide candidates come speak and take questions.

A fundraising dinner will take place September 19, 2026, at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center. It will include candidates running in the upcoming election.

Brenda Tozer, Daughters of the American Revolution, came to present her project to the group and ask for help, Project Patriot Chaplain's Closet. The primary hospital wounded soldiers will be taken is in Germany. They arrive with nothing, and this has been a non-funded humanitarian program under the Department of Defense that exists to meet their immediate human needs such as clean clothing and other items. The program serves around 150 warriors every month. Tozer said this has been personal to her because her husband had been evacuated to Germany after being injured by an IED. He remembered receiving a duffle bag with clothing and other items and had deep gratitude. It had inspired her to make this her long-term service commitment.

Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce Statement Regarding the Grant County Veterans' Memorial Business and Conference Center

The Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce acknowledges the Grant County Commission's decision to resume direct management of the Grant County Veterans' Memorial Business &and Conference Center.

For more than a decade, the Chamber has had the privilege of managing the Conference Center and working alongside Grant County leadership, local businesses, community organizations, and visitors who have utilized this important community asset. We are grateful for the opportunity to have served in this role and proud of the work accomplished through this long-standing partnership.

Grant County to take over management of conference center

By Mary Alice Murphy

At Tuesday's Grant County Commission work session on Sept. 8, 2026, during the review of the regular meeting agenda, Deputy Manager Andrea Montoya gave the history of the request for proposal (RFP) for  Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center property management.

"On September 19, 2025, Grant County released a request for proposal 26-02 for conference center property management services," Montoya said."The purpose of the solicitation was to obtain qualified property management services for the Grant County Conference Center. Grant County received one proposal in this response from the Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce [which has been managing the conference center since 2016]. The evaluation committee completed evaluation of the proposal on November 10, 2025. The original cost of this proposal came in at $266,000. Following the evaluation and subsequent discussions regarding the proposed services, the Silver City Chamber of Commerce submitted a best and final offer in the amount of $230,000. The best and final offer is being presented to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration. The Board may approve or reject the best and final offer submitted by the Silver City Chamber of Commerce."

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

The Beat learned that 74 burros (donkeys) and their leaders registered and signed in to run or walk the 3-mile or 6-mile course leaving from the start line on Broadway and returning to the same line for the finish. 

The event is hosted by New Mexico Burros, and this was the second annual race. in Silver City

The burros ranged in size from quite small to as big as a horse. Many of the leaders of their (or borrowed) burros ran the course and others followed behind walking the course,

Before the race started volunteers who organized the event handed out small stuffed burros to all of the kids in the audience . Pictured is Audri Orosco holding her tiny burro.

By Lynn Janes

On August 20, 2026, the commission had a regular meeting at the city annex building. Jacqui Olea, interim town manager, called the meeting to order.

The board approved the agenda for the meeting and minutes from July 23, 2026.

New business

Priscilla Lucero, Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments director, said they had a power point presentation ready for the NMFA (New Mexico Finance Authority) legislative oversight committee meeting in Alamogordo on September 2, 2026. She, Laura Phelps, Community Development Manager, Freeport McMoRan, and Alex Brown would be doing the presentation. She wanted others to join in the presentation for the support. Mayor Arnold Lopez, Santa Clara, said Sheila Hudman, village administrator would be attending. Raymond De la Vega, Stantec, said he would be attending. Olea, Bayard representative and Hurley representative will also be attending.