Community News

Lucy Whitmarsh accepting proclamation from mayorSILVER CITY, NEW MEXICO:  Volunteers in colonial dress from the Jacob Bennett Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in Silver City accepted an America 250 Proclamation from the Town of Silver City at the Town Council meeting on February 10, 2026. 

Mayor Wheaton-Smith proclaimed that the Town of Silver City will fully engage in commemorative activities leading up to and through July 4, 2026 and urged all community members to observe the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by coordinating commemorative events, planning historical activities, creating new educational opportunities, and seeking opportunities for historic preservation. The Town of Silver City has pledged to uplift, support, and generate commemorative opportunities. 

SILVER CITY, NM — The Associated Students of Western New Mexico University (ASWNMU) is formally seeking state funding to establish the ASWNMU Learning Hub. This initiative represents a comprehensive effort to modernize the university's academic infrastructure and revitalize the robust student support systems that have historically served as a cornerstone of the Mustang experience.

The proposal for the ASWNMU Learning Hub emerges as a direct response to the evolving needs of the student body. While previous funding requests focused on specialized high-tech laboratory systems, student government has identified a more pressing need: creating a centralized, holistic environment dedicated to academic retention and peer-to-peer connections. The Hub is designed to revive the successful integrated support model of the former Center for Student Success, which played a vital role in campus life before the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you haven't checked out our newest exhibit, step into the story of the building that became your museum. 

Built in 1881 by prospector-turned-banker H.B. Ailman, this Mansard-Italianate mansion has housed health-seekers, city councilmen, and firefighters—and since 1967, nearly six decades of community memories as the Silver City Museum. But the story goes back further, to San Vicente de la Ciénega and the land before the house. 

"A Place in History: The Legacy of the Ailman House" tells that full story. 

SILVER CITY, NM —The acquisition and renovation of the historic Sixth Street School is a primary focus of WNMU as part of its 2026 legislative priorities. The university is seeking $8 million in state funding to transform the local landmark into the permanent home for the New Mexico Center of Excellence for Early Childhood Education.

The proposal emphasizes modernizing an existing community asset rather than new construction, a strategy university officials say maximizes taxpayer investment and accelerates the delivery of critical educational services.

The project centers on the principle of adaptive reuse. By utilizing the "embodied energy" of the existing Sixth Street School—the energy and materials already invested in its original construction—WNMU aims to deliver a 12,000-plus-square-foot facility with a smaller environmental footprint.

Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) is expanding access to life-saving overdose prevention tools with the installation of two "SMART" Naloxone Vending Machines—one in Grant County and one in Hidalgo County. These machines are part of New Mexico's statewide naloxone distribution effort, which is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and administered by the New Mexico Health Care Authority's Behavioral Health Services Division through a State Opioid Response (SOR) grant.

The Grant County Naloxone vending machine will be located at HMS Community Health Center, 1007 N. Pope Street, Silver City, NM 88061, and will be accessible Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Hidalgo County Naloxone vending machine will be located at the HMS Lordsburg Clinic, 530 DeMoss Street, Lordsburg, NM 88045, and will be accessible on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Wednesdays from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Kevin Matthes retires from WNMU after a successful career as the university's Assistant Vice President of Facilities and OperationsSILVER CITY, NM — Western New Mexico University (WNMU) announces the retirement of Assistant Vice President of Facilities and Operations, Kevin Matthes. An alumnus and longtime champion of the university, Matthes leaves behind a campus transformed by his commitment to infrastructure, aesthetics, and an employee-centric leadership philosophy.

Matthes's connection to WNMU and Silver City is deeply personal. After his father retired and moved the family from Hawaii to Silver City, Matthes found a home in the high desert. He earned both his Bachelor of Business Administration and his MBA from WNMU. His professional journey at the university began in 1992 as a recruiter for applied technology. Before spending the bulk of his early career—34 years—working in the local mining industry. 

In May 2018, Matthes returned to his alma mater to lead the Facilities and Operations department, bringing decades of industrial experience and a passion for WNMU and the Mustang community.

Under Matthes' oversight, the WNMU campus underwent a visible renaissance. Managing a team of 40 to 50 members across custodial, grounds, maintenance, and special projects, Matthes is the architect of both grand renovations and essential behind-the-scenes modernizations.

BLOOMINGTON, IL (02/03/2026)-- Patrick Waters, of Silver City, New Mexico, was named to the Dean's List for the fall semester of the 2025-26 academic year at Illinois Wesleyan University. Waters is a sophomore majoring in Public Health.

Waters was among 884 students from 31 states and 23 countries named to the fall 2025 Dean's List.

To qualify for the Dean's List, students must earn a GPA of 3.50 or better during the semester, based on 4.0 for straight As.

Founded in 1850, Illinois Wesleyan is a nationally recognized, highly selective liberal arts university. The University is exclusively undergraduate and enrolls approximately 1,700 students from across the nation and around the globe. Illinois Wesleyan prides itself on producing graduates who are well-rounded, broadly educated individuals with a spirit of inquiry who can successfully adapt to the demands of a rapidly changing, complex world.

The Silver City Regional Association of REALTORS® is proud to celebrate Cassie Carver for successfully graduating from the 2025 New Mexico REALTORS® Leadership Development Program—a milestone that reflects her dedication to professional growth and service to the REALTOR® community.

This program is crafted to strengthen volunteer leadership by offering a deeper understanding of the REALTOR® organization at the local, state, and national levels—and how these layers work together to support our industry. Through this experience, participants build confidence, expand their leadership skills, and gain the motivation to take on greater roles within their associations.