Front Page News

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

Literacy-Link Leamos hosted the Love Your Library Day at the Silver City Public Library on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. The event had several tables for kids' activities, as well as a puppet show, with kids as the main characters. A table full of give-aways drew adults and kids to choose something. Books a-plenty were available for kids and theirparents.The Blue Cross-Blue Shield Care Van came down to answer questions and promote their health care services, and a representative from the NMSU Library had a table, with information. A bubble machine outside pumped out plenty of bubbles and an open jam featured musicians entertaining the public. 

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

The Makers Market and Co.Starters joined forces on Saturday to highlight a few of the Co.Starters 47 active businesses created through the program. another 56 are getting going, according to Aubri Gamez of Co.Starters.  The Silver City Rotary Club also joined in to hold a bake sale. Several of the regular Makers Market booths were also there, although not as many as usual, perhaps chased away by the threatening rain. 

By Frost McGahey

Investigative Journalist

WNMU Regent John Wertheim Photo by Juno Ogle

On July 31, after only 4 months as Regents, the new board decided to deprive Dr. Joseph Shepard, the former president of WNMU, of his agreed upon salary, health insurance, and other benefits. Vice Chair John Wertheim based his actions on the premise that the prior board had violated the Open Meetings Act by agreeing to those terms. 

Sixth Judicial District Judge Jarod Hofacket ruled they hadn't.

The judge's ruling came while reviewing the lawsuit filed by the state attorney general. (The Beat has written about the weakness of the lawsuit.)*  Six of the nine allegations were dismissed.

With the lawsuit pending, why did the Board of Regents decide to rescind Shepard's salary and benefits?  

Tuesday, September16, 2025 I Sixth Judicial District Attorney Norman R. Wheeler announced today that Kyle Eckmann (21) was held without bond on charges of Kidnapping (1st Degree), Abuse of a Child (Does not result in Death or Great Bodily Harm), Bribery of a Witness (Threats/False Testimony), Aggravated Assault upon a Peace Officer (Disguised), Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer (Injury).

The State was represented by Chief Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Clark. Sixth Judicial District Court Judge, the Honorable Jennifer De Laney presided in the Preliminary Hearing and Motion for Pretrial Detention hearing. Judge DeLaney found that the State had met its burden of probable cause and bound over the counts of child abuse, aggravated fleeing of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault on a peace officer, and bribery or intimidation of a witness. Judge DeLaney also granted the State's Motion for Pretrial Detention, finding that that ECKMANN was a danger to the victim and the community.

By Lynn Janes

On August 21, 2025, the Grant County Water Commission held a regular meeting at the city annex building.

New business

Raymond De la Vega, Stantec, had an update on the project. They have been in the middle of working on the 60 percent design and have all the subcontractors under contract. Some things would be depending on what comes from the conversations between Sheila Hudman, Santa Clara village administrator, and BLM (Bureau of Land Management). It will be important because it will establish the tank locations.

The survey will be ready to kick off on with the 60 percent design they had added the Rosedale connection and Bayard bypass. On the part having to do with New Mexico highway 152 they had met with the U.S. Forest Service, and they will allow a standard application for the easement right away on the federal land. It will be straightforward.

SILVER CITY. September 15, 2025- Sixth Judicial District Attorney Norman Wheeler issued a statement on Giglio matters and law enforcement.

"It is essential that all law enforcement officers uphold the laws they have sworn to enforce and conduct themselves in a way that earns public trust and respect. The Sixth Judicial District Attorney's Office is committed to ensuring the fair administration of justice and with our constitutional and ethical obligations. I want to affirm that no law enforcement officers are being targeting for Giglio purposes.

Monday, September 15, 2025 I Sixth Judicial District Attorney Norman R. Wheeler announced today that Rafael A. Camacho was found guilty by a Deming jury for the Murder of Ashton Remondini on charges of Murder in the 1st Degree, (Willful and Deliberate), Conspiracy to commit First Degree Murder-resulting in death, (Willful and Deliberate), Tampering with Evidence- Third Degree-Felony, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, Larceny-Firearm, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny -Firearm.

Deputy District Attorney Gerald Byers and Deputy District Attorney David Arnone represented the state at the hearing in the Luna County District Courthouse, Deming, New Mexico. The Honorable District Court Judge Jarod K. Hofacket presided over the Jury Trial.

By Lynn Janes

The town of Bayard held a regular meeting August 20, 2025. Attendance included Mayor John L. Ojinaga, Mayor Pro Tem Eloy Medina and Councilors, Frances Gonzales (phone), Eloy Gonzales and Gilbert Ortiz. Martha Salas, city clerk, also attended.

The council approved the consent agenda that included minutes, accounts payable and department head reports. It also approved attendance of a police officer to attend the supervisor training being held in Rio Rancho, attendance of Salas to New Mexico Housing Summit, police department staff to attend a law enforcement academy for grant writing, both the clerk and deputy clerk to attend clerk's certification institute and a maintenance employee to attend the New Mexico water and wastewater central school. Frances Gonzales abstained due to a disagreement on one of the meeting minutes.