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April 14, 2026 — Sixth Judicial District Attorney Norman R. Wheeler announced that 35-year-old Kel Justin Avena is being held without bond after being charged with Murder in the First Degree-Attempt, Aggravated Battery Upon a Healthcare Worker (3rd Degree Felony), Two counts Tampering with Evidence (4th Degree Felony).
Chief Deputy District Attorney Joseph Silva represented the State during the hearing. The presiding judge was the Honorable Judge Tom F. Stewart of the Sixth Judicial District Court. Judge Stewart granted the State’s Motion for Pretrial Detention, determining that Avena poses a danger to both the victims and the community.
“My office fully supports the EMS personnel, the Grant County Sheriff’s Department, and the Good Samaritan for their quick and decisive actions that brought the victim to safety and ensured life-saving care. We stand with our law enforcement officers and health care providers and thank them for the work they do every day.” – DA Norman Wheeler
Southwest Desert/Lower Gila River Valley-
Including the cities of Lordsburg, Red Rock, and Virden
212 PM MDT Mon Apr 13 2026
...BLOWING DUST ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MDT THIS EVENING...
* WHAT...Visibility of less than one mile in blowing dust.
* WHERE...Portions of Hidalgo county including I-10 near
Lordsburg.
* WHEN...Until 8 PM this evening.
* IMPACTS...Hazardous driving conditions due to reduced
visibility.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Thunderstorm outflow winds and breezy
conditions will create areas of dense blowing dust. .
DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS – Deming , Luna County
Difficult Driving Conditions, I 10 eastbound and westbound from mile marker 49, mile marker 116 Luna County.
High Winds - Blowing dust and rain may cause limited visibility. High profile vehicles use extreme caution
Difficult Driving Conditions, I 10 eastbound and westbound from mile marker 0, Arizona State Line to mile marker 50 Lordsburg.
High Winds - Blowing dust and rain may cause limited visibility. High profile vehicles use extreme caution
Photos by Mary Alice Murphy
On Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Murray Hotel, the Silver City Art Association held its Spring Art Market, which invites members and independent artists in the area to set up their work to sell to the community. The art work varied with ceramics, photography, paintings, wood carvings,and fabric items, including decorative as well as practical items.
Difficult Driving Conditions, I 10 eastbound and westbound from mile marker 0, Arizona State Line to mile marker 50 Lordsburg.
High Winds - Blowing dust and rain may cause limited visibility. High profile vehicles use extreme caution
Gila National Forest Silver City Ranger District Ranger Elizabeth Toney provided a presentation on the Black Forest Recovery Project at the Grant County Commission meeting on April 9, 2026.
In June and August 2025, the Gila and its partners hosted public meetings to provide early public involvement opportunities in the development of an Environmental Assessment(EA) covering many of the proposed restoration activities identified in the 2024 Watershed Restoration Action Plan (WRAP).
Beginning April 6, 2026, a 30-day public comment period signals initiation of the Black Fire Recovery EA. Comments will be most useful if submitted by May 6, 2026.
Please find below two links and the presentation given to the commission:
Page 1 of 155
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