Local News Releases

The Honorable Y.B. Morales at his courtroom dedication ceremony in March, 2025.  Photo courtesy of the Sixth Judicial District. The New Mexico Judiciary mourns the loss of The Honorable Ygnacio "YB" Barreras Morales, Bayard's first magistrate judge, who died March 28, 2026.  He was 97.

"Judge Morales served the Bayard and Grant County community for 44 years as a justice of the peace and magistrate judge. He was a judge of integrity who cared deeply about his community and truly listened to those who appeared before him" said Sixth Judicial District Chief Judge Jerod Hofacket.  "Those who knew him will remember not only his stories and presence, but the simple principle that guided his work: if it was not fair, it was not justice. His legacy is the example he set for all of us."

Judge Morales' judicial career started in 1963 when he served as justice of the peace in Bayard. In 1968, the state magistrate court system was created with part-time magistrates, and a court was established in Bayard. Judge Morales was elected in 1968 and worked half-time as a magistrate judge for many years and eventually three-quarter time – all while continuing to work full time at local copper mines.  Judge Morales became a full-time magistrate judge in 1984, retiring from his mining job the same year.  Judge Morales retired from the bench on Dec. 31, 2006. 

Last year, the main courtroom in the Grant County Magistrate Court in Bayard was dedicated to Judge Morales. "I am grateful for all the experiences and people that taught me to serve with fairness, justice and dignity for everyone," said Judge Morales at the time. 

In celebration of National Poetry Month, for the second year, poet laureate Heather Frankland has curated the Poetry Long Weekend, working with other poets, libraries, and businesses to co-organize the event. The Poetry Long Weekend is a series of interconnected poetry events coordinated to be on the same weekend in order to showcase our vibrant poetry community. The Poetry Long Weekend will run from April 9th to April 12th.

On April 9th, the first event will be at the Western New Mexico University's Miller Library from 11:00-1:00 PM. The event will feature poetry readings and presentations by Miller Library Director, Samantha Johnson, WNMU Writer in Residence JJ Amaworo Wilson, Dr. Jack Crocker, WNMU students, Leonore Hildebrandt, Dr. Gregory Robinson Guerra, and Professor Heather Frankland. The event is supported by WNMU Humanities Department, WNMU Miller Library, WNMU College of Arts and Sciences, Southwest Word Fiesta, and SWAG Books & More.

Silver City, NM — Community Partnership for Children (CPC) has announced the launch of CPC Curiosity Corners, a new initiative bringing free, hands‑on learning and play opportunities into local businesses throughout the community. The first Curiosity Corner will open Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Flowers on 11th, beginning with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony followed by refreshments.

CPC, a nonprofit focused on improving early childhood care and education in Grant County, developed Curiosity Corners to make learning more accessible for families with young children. Each Corner is a small, themed activity station placed inside a participating business, offering children a chance to explore, build, sort, create, and learn while caregivers shop or run errands.

Come meet the state candidates at the Calvary Baptist Church. See flyer below

The Grant County Extension office will have a free weed management program at their office. See flyer below

(Silver City, NM, April 1, 2026) — The Gila National Forest is a popular recreation destination for Easter celebrations. Please recreate responsibly by following current fire restrictions and cleaning up after your festivities are complete.

It has been a very dry winter, and the current fire danger is High. Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect across the forest. Camp, stove, or charcoal fires are only permitted in fire structures provided by the Forest Service in developed recreation sites with names (e.g., Mesa Campground or Gomez Peak Day Use Area). Avoid building fires when the weather is hot, dry, or windy.

Tuesday, Mar. 24

Criminal trespass
Winifred Street
Caller states a female was on the property last night and she has a CTW. NMSP officer not
seeing an active CTW.

Wednesday, Mar. 25

Criminal trespass
Tom Foy Blvd.
Caller requests CTW be issued to a male who keeps going in and playing games/he is no longer
there.

Citizen assist
Central Avenue
Caller's 13-year-old daughter got into a fight at school today and was suspended. Caller picked
her up and daughter was yelling at caller and making threats to her. Daughter got out of the
vehicle and left on foot/caller does not have her location.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, is studying ways to improve the long-term safety and resilience of U.S. 180 where it crosses the Gila River near Cliff. Flooding, shifting river channels, sediment buildup, and wildfire impacts have caused repeated damage and temporary road closures along this important transportation corridor. The study is exploring nature-based and sustainable solutions to restore the river channel while protecting the highway, nearby properties, and important wildlife habitat.

Possible improvements being evaluated include: