Front Page News

Grant County 4-H Members Shine at 2025 District Contest in Socorro

Socorro, NM (June 17–18, 2025) – Grant County 4-H members made an impressive showing at the 2025 District 4-H Contest held in Socorro, New Mexico, bringing home numerous top honors across a wide variety of events including archery, rifle, livestock judging, speech, horse events, and more.

Among the many highlights:

Call 911 if you see this missing person. More information in PDF below.

Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team MARCUS CORNWELL – INCIDENT COMMANDER

Notification for Public Health and Safety

Update Thursday, July 3, 2025

Progress continues on Trout Fire

Acres: 47,294                      Start Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025              Location: 12 miles north of Silver City, NM

Personnel: 287                      Containment: 83%                       Cause: Lightning

 MIMBRES – Potential flooding in the Mimbres area may lead to closures of low water crossings along NM 35, from milepost 5 near Mimbres to milepost 23 near Lake Roberts.

These closures may occur with little notice during rain events and are intended to ensure the safety of the traveling public. Low water crossings that may be impacted are located at:
MP 5.5 – Shingle Canyon
MP 9.3 – Allie Canyon
MP 11.8 – Shoulder Canyon
MP 20 – Skates Canyon
MP 21.7 – Railroad Canyon
MP 22.5 – Pump House Canyon (Lake Roberts)

The Grant County Sheriff's Office announces that as of 6:00 AM today, the road closure on Highway 15 has been lifted and the roadway is now open to traffic.

However, emergency and fire crews remain actively working in the area. Motorists are strongly encouraged to remain vigilant while traveling through the region. Please drive cautiously and be alert to possible hazards including flooding, falling trees, and debris on the roadways.

Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team MARCUS CORNWELL – INCIDENT COMMANDER

Notification for Public Health and Safety

 Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Highway 15 reopening; Drivers are urged to use caution as fire crews remain on-scene

Acres: 47,294                   Start Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025               Location: 12 miles north of Silver City, NM

Personnel: 311                 Containment: 83%                           Cause: Lightning

Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team MARCUS CORNWELL – INCIDENT COMMANDER

Notification for Public Health and Safety

 Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Firefighters suppress fire activity on the southwest edge of the Trout Fire

Acres: 47,294                            Start Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025           Location: 12 miles north of Silver City, NM

Personnel: 316                           Containment: 83%                                Cause: Lightning

Summary: On Monday, the Trout Fire experienced increased fire activity on the southwest portion of the perimeter, south of Signal Peak. Ground crews, with support of a Type 1 helicopter conducting water drops, swiftly engaged in suppression actions. The fire activity remained inside existing retardant lines. Additional crews will be assigned to the area with increased fire activity to aid in the suppression efforts. If weather conditions permit, aircraft will support firefighters on the ground.

Monday, June 30, 2025 I Sixth Judicial District Attorney Norman R. Wheeler announced today that Rosalie Barela was found guilty by a Silver City jury on charges of Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon), a Fourth Degree Felony and Battery-Misdemeanor.   Sixth Judicial District Trial Attorney Hector Bejarano was the prosecutor at the hearing in the Grant County District Courthouse, Silver City, New Mexico.  

Barela HAD BEEN released under court-imposed conditions of release. The Sentencing hearing was held on June 30, 2025.  Barela was sentenced to 90 days in jail with 21 months of supervised probation.  The judge was extremely specific under the probation guidelines to address Barela’s violent behavior. “The fact that you were brandishing a firearm is considered a violent offense. As of this sentencing, as a convicted felon, you cannot be near and have access to a firearm.”

On December 10, 2023 a domestic altercation between BARELA and her sister began in her father’s home in Santa Clara, NM.  The argument ensued between the two women.  A physical altercation started when BARELA grabbed a rifle, pointing it at her sister telling her that she was going to kill her.  Both women grappled with the gun, with the sister knocking it out of BARELA’s hands.  BARELA then grabbed her sister’s glasses, throwing them and punched her in the face and arm.  The sister then ran out of the house away from BARELA.